The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-10-06
SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION

New York, Oct 3.-The Charleston Coz
ySar Of September 18th, publishes the com
plete revised Constitution of South Carolina
ss adopted by the State Convention on the
9th ult. The following is summary of its
PR REORGANIZATION is placed az heretofore upon
the Joint basis of the amount Of all taxes raised
whether direct or indirect, and the number of
white inhabitants in each election district
this important change however u made, that,
whereas lands in the State except those in
the cities was assessed under the old system
according to fixed unequal and arbitrary esti-
mate. now the taxes will be laid according to the
actual value of the property. This 10 q reform
which has long been needed, and Is one strict
" founded in Colonial right. It will prove a
great relief to Charleston, which alone thus
paid nearly oue-third Of the impost in the
State.
One senator is assigned to each judicial dis
trict of Charleston, which constitutes under
the present arrangement two election districts;
the city composed of the parishes of st. Philip
and st. Michael forms one election district,
with two senators and the former parishes of
Christ church, st. John, Berkely, st. James,
Goose Creek, St. Thomas and ST. Denis, st.
James, Santo, st. Stephen and st. Johns con-
stitute another election district under the name
of the election district OF Berkley. and are en-
titled to one senator In place Of the eight they
were accustomed to when distinct election dis
tricte.
The House of Representatives remains the
same, with the proviso that no ono election
district shall be assigned more than than twelve
Representatives the quota OF Charleston was
twenty. In other respects the provisions on
this subject are substantially the same. The
viva voce vote has been substituted In the
General Assembly for the vote BY ballot.
The office of Governor, which has in meas
ure been nominal in its character, lie vested
with great power the term is extended to
four years. He is TO be elected by the people.
and In case of an inequality of votes, he is then
to be chosen by the general assembly. The
but with the safeguard that he Is to report to
the legislature all cases Of amnesty which have
been granted by him with full statement of
his reasons therefor.
In order to prevent hasty legislation the veto
power Is vested in him subject to be overruled
by q majority of both branches OF the general
assembly.
people, becomes, by virtue OF his office the
President of the senate and succeeds to the
chair of State in case of vacancy.
The law Is to be administered by superior
and inferior courts, directed and established by
the Legislature-the Judges of the superior
court to be elected by them for the term of
good behavior, and those of the inferior courts
LOT IOUT years s-OuC Va VIC ldttcE W UC iOCdICu
in each judicial district, and to be charged with
the especial trial of all civil causes where one
or both parties are persons of color, and of all
criminal cases where the accused is q person
of color.
The freehold qualification for seat in the
Senate or House of Representatives, is dis
pensed with.
The qualifications for suffrage are as they
were before, with an exception made in favor
of emigrants from Europe who in lieu of the
provision of two years previous citizenship,
must have declared their intention to become
citizens of the United States according to the
constitution and laws of the same. No estate
is made requisite.
The Treasurers of the upper and lower divi-
sions are united into one, whose Office will be
at Columbia.
The clause in relation to involuntary servi-
tude asserts, first, that the slaves have been
emancipated by the action of the United States
authorities and, secondly, except as punish
ment for crime, upon conviction, it shall ne
yer be re established.
The election will take place on the 18th of
October ensuing, being the third Wednesday
in-the month.