Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-02-20

There Is scarcely one man out of five in Edgcfeld
District that ever prctcnds to vote for the Commits
sioncrs Of the poor The privilege, in that case is
one that is scarcely ever exercised a duty seldom per-
formed There is n total indifference to it. So
would it be in regard 10 all the other Commission
ers except those Of Equity. Why clamor then, for
right which we would decline to cnjoy2 lt is t1le
part of the scdtous only. But, in fact, The menies
used by the Commissioners Of Frcc-schools are
granted by the Legislature, and it has the right 10
appoint the agents to disburse them. So with the
public buildings, they erected at the expense of
the whole State, and the whole State has the right
through officers appointed by herself to superintend
their erection. Roads, bridges, and ferries are also
chartered and granted and constructed directly by
the Legislature, or by the power emenating there
from, and their cost is, in part, betrayed by fines
and Gorfeitures due the State of South Carolina.
Hence South Carolina exercises more immediate
jurisdiction over them likewise.
But, the Commissioners Of Equity, own, are
officers of great consideration in the State, and their
election is given 10 the Legislature rather than 10
the people. So ought it to be. The office of Commits
sioner is 80 intimately connected with the judiciary,
or the Court Of Equity in South Carolina. that it
should never be interfered with by the common
eec,ioneering scrambes of District Neither
Judge nor Commissioner should ever depend for
his election upon the votes and influence Of those
whose rights he may be compelled to adjudicate.
The gratitude of his nature would compel him to
lean, in some measure, to the side Of his patrons,
and his resentment would prompt him 10 depress
the cause Of his adversarics The Commissioner
in Equity should be independent of tho surages Of
the District in which lie is called upon to exercise
immediate and constant jurisdiction, so that as few
Of the improper motives, as few Of the nirmles oil
our nature possible, may enter into his decision.
1t will be admitted that Commissioner should
either be lawyer or very highly educated gentle
man, and that alone would constitute good reason
for rcposing his election in the General Assembly
Of the State. 1t is melancholy fact, that the people
in their primary assemblies, often fail to elect TO
Office the wise.t, best, or most learned and capable
Of the candidates before them. Their purpose is
good and true, but family influence and intrigue,
and scandal, aud public clamoi, are frequent.
y brought to bear on the eve OF their elections, aud
they are induced, by what they deem good causes,
to make bad selections before the knavery by which
they arc Influenced, can be exposed. Amy such
trickery can be Immediately detected in Legis-
la,ive body and it generally works its own confu-
sion.
] beg pardon, gentlemen of the Informer," for
having thus imposed some Of my views upon your
precious attention, if indeed they claim it. Your
merits may be rendered more conspicuous by your
easy triumph in the encounter am an old man,
and have thought that my experience might be
quickened by the vivacity Of your youth, or your
erratic sallies, tempered by rome Of the fear and
hesitation Of my age. really wish you well, and
wish well to all your laudaJIc enterprises. Your
journal, though, has an ominous, portcntous
name Intormer is word which has dcsrnded to
US burhencd with the curses Of ages. 1t has con-
spcuous place in the darkest pages Of English, Irish
and Scottish history. If you do not in truth to
act as spy upon ,l'ose with whom you associate
then it really smacks little Of presumption for tw
such young men, to set yourselves up for the teach
ers Of us, the people. Besides, you declare your
friendship and love for too often, and in language
a little too plain and gross 1t were better done by
acts. An honest man seldom finds it necessary to
asseyeratc his intcgrity and am apt to doubt the
chastity Of the womnm who is always making pro-
clamation OF her virtue.
JOHN OF TIE PEOPLE