The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-12-11
SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE
Tuesday, December 4.
SENAI'E.

Mr.. Wi,herspoon presented the report OF !''e
Special Joint Committee appointed !" examine
the Branch Bank at Camden. The report,
with a ccompan,iug documents, were ordered
to be laid or the table, a,d to he printed
Mr. Mor,ccai also gave notice that t'-m"r-
row he will ask leave to Introduce hltl TO
amend an act, entitled an act t" secure the
rights Of mechanics, handicratt>mtn, and fer
other purposes therein mentioned.
Mr.. Porter presented the favorable report ct
the Committee on Privileges aid Elections, on
bill to amend the fourth section of tue first
article Of the oLslitution OF this State, which
was ordered for consideration 20 morrow.
The President announced as the Special Or
der of the dav, the Jil to provide Tor the ap.
pontment of Electors of President ard Vice
President, which Was taken Up for con>ldeIa a.
denn.. i, cu,;,.
remarks:
Mr.. PREsipENr: lhavc few words 10 offer
ms an Introduction to the hi.l before y"n, "h'ch
have had the honor to oiler. 1t a!lrarS t.
me necessary that this Legislature should d"
something in relation to this qur>';"n. A
matters now stand there will Be cun:uslor; here.
tofore the lay for casting the vote has been
within the time of the sitting OF onr LeSl>la-
ture, but change having been maze ny
Congress 10 two weeks cartier, we must c'tiier
alter Our Constitution or convene tie Ltglsla'
ture At an earlier period, once III four years.
Under this state of things, it seems to me,
sir there is Il necessity f'r some change, |
hold that We cannot continue the meetings by
the call Of the Governor every four year.:
canrot see why We should III case we clearly
foresee- one which is too plain for reasonable
,loubt or honest construction. We must re-
sort TO other means-wc must alter the Con-
stitu,ion. and meet two weeks earlier, Il 1t can
lie practically done; but we w"n!d then still be
at the mercy of Congress, which may at any
time change the time for casting the electoral
vote.
But, Mr.. President no constitutional change
is practcable; we cannot alter the Constitution
while two parties aud two sections exist as al
present, and, as practical men when we cannot
get the best, we must he satisfied with the next
best. | am not now prepared to cast vote
on giving the election directly to the people,
and the same difficulty while one third Of this
Legislaturei against any disruption OF the ola
system. The only plan | can conceive as
likely to reach the present eXiscncy Is that.
presented in my bill, and that is likely to &C |
compsh all that we can effect at this time
In proposing this sir, do not feel entitled to
claim the credit OF the measure, but think II
meets the present necessity Of the case. lhe
proyision of the bill is simply that the Rcpre
sentatives elected ut the recent election, fresh
from the people, shall meet on certain dH!
at the Capitol and cast the vote OF The oh'te
pira yoce. This is to some extent departure
from our mode but it does not depart from our
principle willie it prescribes duties for agents
il does not interfere with the preservation OF m
dix dual right; rs to individual votes II "hi'
reouircs that their votes should be known that II
mny be understood how far they have respond
ed to the confidence ofconti,uents.
Certain things in this bill commend them.
selves 10 the people "a large portion OF
the people will be satisfied. We have beeh
often told, and there is some weight IN the
obiectoa, that the Electoral College nt S"n'h
Carolina is not chosen in reference to this elee'
tiou and the constitutional objection to inc
Govorno's called sessions is also to be cons'd'
cred. By this VII the compromises OF the
Constitution a~e adhered to- while 1t somewhat
lessons the power Of the Parishes. II st'I'
preserves principles in the State and preserves
the weight and power Of the electors. When
members from parishes see the necessity OF
movement in this matter, aud it is agreeable to
themselves, and system can be adopted
preserving the compromises, sectional din
cultics will be prevented. Vixen there are two
:yreat; ;parties; one claiming the general system
for its unity the other for the protection of the
minority, this seems like ! to protect ho't--to
preserve unity and prevent a dangerous StTug-
cle. think, Mr.. President, that gentlemen
may meet on this bill as suitable to the c1-
igencies of the times. With ,irsr few remarks
] submit the bill reservimg To III, self the right
of q reply should | deem it necessary.
After GONE time spent in discussion, on
motion of Mr. Mazyck, the Special Ord"r Wa
discharged aud the same subject was made the
Special Order tor to morrow, at b"i' past TWO
r. m.
A ill TO increase the pntIty FOR setting
fire TO the woods, which hal been reported by
the Committee Oh the Judiciary. received the
second reading, was agreed to and vas o'dcr'
ed to be sent to the House "f Representatives.
Mr. Chesnut presented tie 'ctnrn OF III"
Commissioners of Free SCHOOLS for kersi;aw
District for the year 1863; which wasrcf''rrcd to
the Committee on the College, !i..aralion aud
Religion.
A bill to repeal the laws against u>nry,
being before the Senate, on ,le second read.nt
Mr.. Allen moved that the hill do lie on the
table which question was "rdered to be dccid-
ed BY yeas and nays, which were taken. Yeas
s, nays 81.
The motion was therefore lost, "rl the bill
.roe ordered TO a second rCadium.