Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-12-12
SENATE.
TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 1855.

ment The Clerk read the Journal of the pro.
ceedings of ycaterday.
The President laid before the Senate com.
municaIion from portion of the manager. of
elections for The election district of Prince vii.
liams contesting the seat Of the sitting member
which on motion of Mr.. DeLoach, was referred
to the Committee on Privileges and Elections.
Also the report of the Solicitor Of the Western
Circuit on District Officers and Olfices; which
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Drayton, from the COMMITTEES on Agri.
culture and Internal improvements, to which had
been committed bill to superscde lane fences
by erecting gates, submitted report recon.
mcnding ns substitute bill to authorize the
erection Of gates on roads not public highways
which was ordered for consideration tomorrow,
and the bill recommended by the Committee
received the first reading. and ordered for a
second reading tomorrow.
The Senate proceeded to the Special Order Of
the day.
Resolutions (by The Senator from BarnwelD
in relation to sarcophasus for the remains of
M. Calhoun, and the statues uf distinguished
Carolinians in the New State Capitol; and after
some time spent therein, on motion Of Dir. Allen,
lie resolution was referred to the Committee on
Mr. Porter presented the petition of the
Charleston Port Society, for promoting the gos-
pei among seamen and for renewal of charter
which was referred 10 the Committee on Incor-
porations and Engrosscd Acts.
Mr. Porter presented the favorable report of
The Committee on Privileges and Elections, on 4
bill to amend the fourth section of the first arti-
Gle of the Constitution of this State; which was
ordered for consideration tomorrow.
The General Orders were suspended, and The
Senate proceed 10 the Special Order for o'clock
p. IN.
The President announced rs the Special Order
Of The day, the bill 10 provide for the appoint
ment of Electors of President and Vice Presi-
dent, which was taken up for consideration.
Dir. Chesnut rose, and made the following
remarks:
Mr. PRESIDENT: have few words to offer
as an introduction to the bill before you, which
have had the honor to offer. II appears to me
necessary that this Legislature should do some
thing in relation to this question. As matters
now stand there will be confusion; heretofore
the day for casting the vot< has been within the
time of the sitting of our Legislature, but a
change having been made by Congress to two
weeks earlier We must either alter our Consti.
tulion, or convene the Legislature at mn earlier
period, once in four years. Under this state of
things, il seems 10 me, dir, there is a necessity
for some change. hold that we cannot con-
tnue the meetings by the call of the Governor
every four years !; cannot see why We should in
n case we clearly foresee-one which istoo plain
for reasonable doubt or honest construction.
We must resort to other means-we must alter
orl nj Ill
it can be practically done; but We would then
any time change the time for casting the cleo
toral vote.
But, Mr.. President, no constitutional change
is practicable; We cannot alter the Constitution
while two parties and two sections exist ns at
present, and, as practical men, when we cannot
get the best, We must be satisfied with the next
best. am not now prepared TO cast vote on
giving the election directly to the people, and
the same difficulty will exist while one-,hird of
this Legislature is against any disruption of the
old system. The only plan | can conceive as
likely to reach the present exigency is that pre-.
scented in my bil and that is likely to accomplish
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 it meets the present
necessity of the case. The provision of the bill
j, simply that the Representatives elected at the
recent election, fresh from the people, shall meet
on certain day at the Capitol, and cast the vote
of tho State rira roce. This is to some extent
a departure from our mode, but it does not de-
part from our prir ciple, while prescribes duties
for agents it does,not interfere with the preser-
vation of individual right as to individual votes,
it only requires that their vote should he known
that it may be understood how far they have res.
ponded to the confidence of constituents.
Certain things in this bill commend themselves
to the people-a large portion Of the people will
be satisfied. We have been often told, and there
is some weight in the objection, that the Eecto-
raj College of South Carolina is not chosen in
reference TO this election and the constitutional
objection to the Governors called session is also
to be considered By this bill the compromises
of the Constitution are adhered to, while it some
what lessons the power of the parishes. 1t still
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, and it is agreeable TO
themselves, and system can be adopted preser.
wing the compromises, sectional difficulties will
be prevented. When there are two great parties,
cns claiming the general system for its unity, the
other for the protection of the minority, this
seems likely to protect both-to preserve unity
and prevent dangerous struggle. l think, Mr..
President, that gentlemen may meet on this bill
as suitable to the exigencies Of times. With
these few remarks, submit the bill, reservlng
10 myself the right of Il reply should | deem it
necessary.
After some time spent in discussion, Oh motion
of Mr.. Mazyck, the Special Order vas discharged,