The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-09-04

position to obtain the consent of every
intelligent mind. The veto power
enables the Executive to. protect his
dapartment.against the encroachment
ofathe Legislative power, thus tending
to preserve the independence of the
separate departments Of the Govern
ment. The veto power further
operates as q check on hasty or incon-
siderate legislation. Those who are
familiar with legislative bodies know
that much of their legislation is crude
and in-considered. It is clearly the
interest of the people to have power
in reserve to carefully review and de-
iberate upon the action of their legis-
lative bodies. If the Governor be as
he should be, man of superior
talents, his greater ability to the mass
of the Legislature will enable him,
with higher degree of political Wis
dom, to pass upon the acts of the
Legislature; and, his responsibility as
the one-man-power will induce him to
interfere on behalf of the people ut
large against what he may consider
improper legislation. The veto power
is one which can rarely do harm, and
which may frequently do good, be-
cause two-thirds of the Legislature
can pass the vetoed measures over the
Governors head. I think, therefore,
this change should be made in the
Constitution. One great advantage
of giving the additional powers have
mentioned to the Governor, is, that
the Office will become moro an object
of ambition, and the first men in tho
State will seek it.
Having added to the powers of the
Governor, I would add to those of the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. AS matters
now stand, the Lieutenant Governor is
q perfect blank, unless the Office of
Governor becomes vacant. think u
beneficial change in this respect would
be to make the Lieutenant Governor
President of the Senate. This would
make the position one of considerable
importance, and secure higher grade
of men to fill the Office of Governor
in case of a vacancy occurring.
would also change the mode of
electing the Governor and Lieutenant
Governor. Instead of being elected
by the Legislature, I would give the
electioneto the people. The advan-
tages of this, I think, are very great
Every well organized government
should have its great departments
the executive, Legislative and judi
cial-independent of each other. This
principle is seriously violated in Civ
ing the election of Governor to the
Legislature. The Governor elected
by the Legislature is apt only to be
their echo. To insure his independ-
ence of the. Legislature, the only ef-
,fectual way is to give the election to
the people. Another advantage of
giving the election of Governor to the
people is, that men of superior ability
are more apt to be chosen.
Before n small body of mon like the
Legislature, wealth, or family infu-
ence, or management, may produce
an election without any particular
merit in the person elected; but these
influences wonld be of little avail be.
fore the people, who would be apt tc
be Influenced by sense of merit OF
superior ability, or political rcputa
ton. Besides, think it elevatcs ant
ulgnlneS Lne people 10 make them tho
electolx of the highest dignitaries O.
their country.
Another change which would make
in the Constitution is this: / would
require all elections before the Legis
lature to be piou coce. The reason fo
this is obvious. Legislators vote in +;
representative capacity, and thci
constituents have right to know hoy
they vote. There is no more rcasol
for sccresy on the part of membc
OF the Legislature, as to his vote fo
United States Senator, or any othe
public officer, than for his vote on th
passage of any bill. His vote o.
} every bill is public-why shoul
his vote for public officers be secret
L see no reason for the distinction
and l would do away with it.
i have fh11a with oc CrrG,t brcyit