The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-28

lAtnre every four years, there ar, objections
it, II is question admitting of doubts,
, whether the Governor can coust;tu,ionullv
convene the Legislature for the purpose of
Voting Tor electors. He may on cxtrapr,
dinary occasions convene the General As
scmbly, but it is submitted, that the Leyis-
iature having met since the passage of the
act by Congress, the occasion is no longer
an extraordinary one, within the meaning of
the Constitution, but becomes an ordinary
one, and capable OF being provided for BY
ordinary legislation.
Even, too, if there were no doubts as to
the power Of the Governor TO call an extra
session of the Legislature for that purpose,
still there are objcctors to call session, or
account of the inconvenicnc ard expense.
1t is true, however, that the expense would
not be very great, only about ten or twelve
thousand dollars every four Years but it is
the principle. If the principle is wrong, it
is unnecessary and therefore uncal!cd for.
Will this Bill interfere with the Parish
representation and the compromises Of the
Constitution of this State Your Commit
tee believe that il will not, and they are not
disposed to interfere with that compromise
The principle recognized in the Constitution
OF this State is, that not only population,
but taxation also, should have representa-
ton but it is only in the State Legislature,
where laws arc made, and taxes imposed,
that that principle obtains, and in the rela-
tons which the Districts and Parishes bear
to the State Government in the Legislature
thereof, and not in the election of electors
"a relation altogether different. The prin-
ciple of representation in this State is do.
mestic settlement, applicable alone TO the
Legislative actian of the State. The election
OF President and Vice President grows out
Of our Federal telations, and is provided for
by the Constitution of the United States.
Your Committee would also recommend
the passage of the Bill, because the election
of electors by the people, will prevent the
mingling of State and National politics in
the election of Members of the Legislature,
and give to the people m opportunity of
| calling into the Council Of State, fit and
suitable representatives to serve them in the
Legislature. and who, at the same time,
might differ from them in the presidential
election.
In conclusion your Committee would al.
! lude to the fact. that South Carolina is per.
! haps the only Stale in the Union in which
/ the election OF electors is made by the Leg
! islature This is Il circumstance we'll wor-
! thy of consideration, and furnishes, ut least
presumption in favor of the election by
the people. They are satisfied that the pro-
| pie Of South Carolina possess the same in
tcligence and integrity of purpose with the
people Of the other States, and are as capa-
bic of making proper selection for rrcsi-
dent and Vice President as they are capable
| of making proper selection of members OF
the Legislature.
Entertaining these yiows, yonr Commit.
tee would respectfully submi, Tie Bill TO:
the consideration Of the House.
! GEORGE Nee, WITUERSPOON
4. MOORMAN,
ID =. TAYLOR,
VIM. GILES.