Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-02-27
CONN UNICATx0 MS.
For the Advertiser.
TIT ELECTORAL QUESTION. :,

For the Advertiser.
TIT ELECTORAL QUEsTlpH..s -.
Mr. EDlToi:- your issue Of i!e 9Th .FebFqa;:1, :,
ry, observeda short communication OYER the sig
nature of Many People," addressed to hfessrs.
MosAesE, LIsDuun and myself, asking for a'vin-'
dcaon of our course in the Legislature at the lat
Session, in the matter of giving the election Of
Electors Of President and Vice President Of tho"
United Stse' to the people.
In answer TO the above, as the doctrine Of ae-'
countabilty d the Representative to the Constituent
is undoubted and clear, aud as have no Speech:
to publish, nr any heightened argument TO set be-
fore the people, will come at once to the subject,
Now in making the explanations necessary in
defining my position, must be allowed in the out.
set to assume the ground, that, in matters Of
common character or import or where it might be-
necessary to make changes in the laws Of the land,
the judgment and discretion Of the Legislature
alone might be relied on. But in all cases Of great
reform or radical change, it is altogether pro-
per for the people to lead the Representative, ard
not the Representative the people. Such view,
and have ever regarded the measure in question
and would hire ask il the people Of Edgefcld
District have ever defined their position regards
the change in,he mode Of eectng Electors Haze
they in any way ever made known. their wishes or
desgns1 Is there indeed unanimity OF scntiment7
There is not most assuredy.
Since 1852, which was The commencement ofmy
service in the Legislature, ! have endeavored to
tI., ,b &c -
ject; but the general apathy anil Indifference that
seemed to prenil, was to me conclusive evidence
that general dissatisfaction existed on their part.
Some change may indeed have come over them
within the last six eight months, but if 30, it has
not been made apparens BY any public demonstra-
ton.
And now Sir, ,ince it is expected of me 70 vindi-
cate my course iu relation to this matter, claim
your indulgence while give short history Of the
proceedings had since my entrance in the legisla-
ture in 1852. VARIOUS Bills were then presented
for efec,ng this object and well recOl'ecs that
the delegation with whom was then associated
were desirous Of casting vote expressive Of the
will Of the people. None however were informed
of any desire on their part for change. The Bills
were finally disposed Of at the Session of '53, by
indefinite postponement. The same state of things
obtained at the Session Of '54 as in '52: various
Bills were presented by different in ividsah from
different sections Of the State each one differing in
some particular. Those Bills came Up sor final
action last winter, one OF which was voted on and
passed by majority Of one.
Thus you perceive that ample time has been
afforded the people, and il they have failed TO
speak out or declare their sentiments in matter
belonging to them exclusively, no blame could pos
siby attach to the Representative, il, in the absence
of instructions, he has no, regarded it hi, duty To-
lead them.
am not aware Of what is now the public sem
tmcnt am one Of those however that believe
it is the peoplee right whenever they think proper
to demand it, but have not f., disposed to force it
upon them whether desired by them or not.
But whether the exercise Of this right would bc
productive Of beneficial results is not for me here to
determine Considerations Of this kind, and not
entire objections to the provisions Of the Bill above
referred to, nor any desire to withhold from tho
people any just right or privilege, influenced to
some extent my vote in this matter. Besides, in
the confused and distracted condition OF public GEN.
tment, preferred to vote for Bill already acted
on and passed by the Senate. This was to give
the election to the House Of Representatives, which
would have 'essened the expense somewhat, o5v-
ated the necessity Of The Governors convening the
Legislature next November, added to the convent
ence Of casting the vote, and certainly would have
been conceedng something considerable to the up
Country, besides serving as beginning to further
change if the people desired within tho next four
wears. This, however was not allowed TO be taken
up, as those that had fvourite measures preferred
that nothing should be done, rather than their own
cherished plans should fail. Thus the matter ended
Aud now, Ma. EDrroR Is have made all the e1- =
pla,atiou deem necessary in this communication,
will only add that it may be claimed that those who
cast their votes for the measure brought before the
Legislature at the last Session. have taken the side
of the people, and consequently have greater re-
gard for their welfare than perhaps those of us who
chanced TO vote differently. Be that as it may-'et
the people Judge for themselves For my own part,
f e under special obligations to the people Of my
District for past kindness received at their hands;
and while | have had no disposition to abuse in
apy manner the trust and confidence reposed in
me. I have endea7ored to discharge With honesty
aud fidelity, the several duties devolved upon mo
during the short period that ! have been engaged
in a public capacity. Respectfully,
". S. MOBLEY.
INTERESTING ITEMS.
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