The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-06-02

ded more than five or six times since ;ts
adoption and your Committee cannot see.
IN this case, any necessity for alteration or
amendment. The whole difficulty NAV
provided for by simple Legislative enact
lnent, giving the election of electors to
the people.
AS to the other proposition, for the Gov
ernor to call an Extra Session of the Lee-
stature every four years, there are obiec-
ions to it. 1t is question admitting Of
doubts, whether the Governor can consti-
tutionally convene the Legislature for the
purpose of voting for electors. "He NAV
on extraordinary occasions convene the
General Assembly but it is submitted.
that the Legislature having met since the
passage OF the act by Congress, the occa-
s,on Is no longer an extraordinary one,
within the meaning Of the Constitution,
but becomes an extraordinary one, and ca
Pable Of being provided for by ordinary
legislation.
Even, too, if there were no doubts as to
the power of the Governor t. call an ex-
ira session Of the Legislature for that pur-
pose, still there are obiectors to a call ses-
sion, on account Of the inconvenience and
expense. 1t is true, however, that the ex-
pense would not be very great, only about
ten or twelve thousand dollars every four
years; bu~ it is the principle. If the prin-
clple Is wrong, it is unnecessary and there
fore uncalled for.
VIII this Bill interfere with the Parish
representation and the Compromises Of the
Constitution Of this State Your Com
mittee believe that it will not, and thew
are not disposed to interfere with that
compromise. The principle recognised m
the Constitution of this State is, that not
only population, but taxation also, should
have representation but it is only in the
State Legislature, where laws are made,
and taxes imposed, that that principle oh
tains, and in the relations which the Dis
tr,cts and Parishes bear to the State Gov
eminent in the Legislature thereof, and
not in the election Of electors-a relation
altogether different The principle Of re-
resentation in this State is a domestic set.
tiement, applicable alone to the Legislative
action Of the State. The election Of Pres
ident and Vice President grows out of our
Federal Relations, and is provided for by
the Constitution Of the United States.
Your Committee would also recommend
the passage Of the Bill, because the cleo
ton Of electors by the people, will prevent
the mingiing Of State and National poll.
tics in the election Of Members of the tee.
islature, and give to the people an oppor.
tunity OF calling int, the Council of State.
1t and suitable Representatives 20 serve
them in tho Ieeislature,. and who. at the
same tissae. might diiIes fiosn them - ne
Presidential election.
In conclusion your Committee would
allude to the fact, that South Carolina is
perhaps the only State in the Union in
1ich the election Of electors is made by
tkhe Legislature. This is a circumstance
well worthy Of consideration, and furnish
es at least, a presumption in favor Of the
election by the people. They are salts
fed that the people Of South Carolina
possess the same intelligence and integri-
ty Of purpose with the people Of the other
States and are as capable of making a
proper selection for President and Vice
President, rs they are capable of making
a proper selection Of members of the Leg,
islature.
Entertaining these views, your Commit
tee would respectfully submit the Bill for
the consideration Of the House.
GEORGE McC. WrERspoox,
r. MooRMAS,
ID. 8. TAYLOR,
WM. GILES.