Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-01-03
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. MATTERS.

We are glad to see that the press of our State
have undertaken to discuss and urge the proprety Of
extending the period of our annual sessions of the
sGDJscr earncs.s,r
quenty and now introduce it again in order to give
place to on excellent article from the Carolina Times
1t deserves to be read and pondered we'll inasmuct
as, in our opinion, the reform indicated deserves
more than any other the immediate and careful at.
tention Of ourpeople.
&C An examination into the unfinished business Of
the recent session of the General Assembly Of this
State," says the Tines ''wil reveal the fact that
many measures of Importance were not acted on at
claims, involving considerable sums of money, were
left unadusted thus naicting serious loss and great
hardship upon those Immediately interested. Many
subjects of public character, demanding legisla-
tion were not disposed Of but were left over to the
next Legislature either to be again passed by or to
force aside new business In this way, there rap
idly accumulating vast amount of unfinished busi-
ness, which is beginning to be felt serious public
inconvenience, and hindrance to sound careful
legislation. s.
"This accumulation of business arises from a
want of time in which to legslate and not from any
ressness or neglect of their duties the part of
our legislators We are witnesses to the fact, hay
ing the very best opportunities of making correct OBJ
seryation, that they labored faithfully arduously
and unremitingy for the speedy disposal of the pub
lie business Asis well known the committees have
first to prepare business for the consideration of the
legislature indeed, nearly every measure of legis-
lation is matured in committee. We known that the
committees did faithful and arduous service in the
several spheres of duties assigned to them.
'sThey met early and sat late, and deliberated as
long as their limited time would admit. Each days
journal will show that the members addressed them
selves promptly and ndustriousy to the despatch of
the public business. Yet, Notwithstanding all, many
public and private interests have not been acted on
not neglected or overlooked-but simply not matu-
red and have been adjourned over to the next ses-
sion of the General Assembly. 1t has been the in
variable CUSTOM for many years. to close the session
few days before Christmas. This custom allows
too short time for the transaction of legislative
business 1t afforded time enough in former years,
but it does not now The legislation Of the State is
rapidly increasing year by year. and by consequence
requires more time for its proper dispatch, and will
require in future still more time.
III tueI queStiUu VI STcdt " tuc
people of the State to lcnghen the annual sessions
of the General Assembly. Our Legislature should
be convened at an earlier period in each year, and
sit until the customary time of adjournment, if the
people would avoid vast accumulation of unfnsh-
ed business, and prevent crude, hasty and hurtful
legislation.
"a bill was introduced for this purpose, by Col.
CUNNINGHAM, of Charleston, but was defeated main
y by those who desire to force the transfer of the
appointment of electors of President and VicePresi-
dent of the United States to the people. The bill
provided for the assembling of the Legislature on the
First Monday in November in each year, instead Of
the Fourth Monday. But, rs We have said it was
defeated The people will have to take the subject
in hand and require alteration of the Constitu-
ton, if they would prevent the evils of an accumua-
ton Of unfinished business, the still greater evils
of illdgested legislation. The subject is one of vast
Importance, and should receive the attention which
| its importance demands"
As far as York is concerned, however, though 9th.
er sections and the State at large have much Of
which to make complaint against the recent session
we should for the present at least be satisfied
There was more legislation in reference to the loca
interests of our District than those Of any halfdoz
en- other Districts in the Sate-Charleston perhaps
excepted Our members worked faithfully to rep
res ent the wants and redress the grievances of he
constituents and with but one or two exceptions
succeeded admirably. Nearly one-half of the huge
Road Bill was for the benefit of York; York made
most respectable figure in the Incorporation Bills
and indeed had place in almost every other Billo1
| the Calendar.
The most noteworthy of these is the Act in
mendment of our Town-Charter, which we copya
this issue and to which We would direct the attentn
of our readers. 1t will be seen that several ~