Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-10-04
The New Constitution of sOutI, Caro-
lima

lima.
NEW YORK. October 3.-The Charleston
Courier Of September 30 publishes the
complete revised constitution of South
Carolina, as adopted by the State Conven-
ton on the 27th ult.
The following Is summary of its pro-
visions:
Representation is placed as heretofore
upon the joint basis Of the amount of all
taxes raised whether direct oa indirect.
and the number Of white inhabitants in
each election district This important
| change, however, is made, that whereas
all lands in the State, except those in cities.
were assessed under the old system ac-
cOrding to a fixed, unequal and arbitrary
estimate, the new taxes viii be laid ac-
eording to the actual value of property.
This Is Il reform which has long been
needed, and is one strictly founded on CO.
lOnial rights. 1t will prove a great
relief TO the city of Charleston which alone
paid one-third Of the imports of the State.
One Senator Is assigned to each Judicial
District, except in the Judicial District of
Charleston, which constitutes under the
present arrangement two election districts.
The late parishes of St Phillips and st.
Michael form one election district with
two Senators, and the former parishes of
Christ Church, St Johns Berklev. ST
James, Goose Greek, St Thomas and St.
Denis, St James, Santee, st. Stephens and
st. Johns, constitute another district. un-
der the name of the election district of
Berkley, and are entitled to one Senator
in place OF eight they were accustomed to
when the distinct election districts existed.
The House Of Representatives remains the
same, with the proviso that no one election
district shall be assigned more than
twelve representatives,. The quota of
Charleston heretofore was twenty. In
other respects the provisions on this sub
ject are substantially the same. The
viva yoce vote has been substituted in the
General Assembly for suffrage bv ballot
The Office of Governor, which has in
measure been nominal in its character is
invested with great power The term is
extended to four years. lie is to be elect
ed by the people, and in case of an
equality of votes he is then to be chosen
by the General Assembly. The pardon
ing power is committed to his exercise but
with the safeguard that he is to report to
the Legislature all cases of amnesty which
has been granted by him, with a full
statement of his reason therefor. In
order to prevent a hasty legislation
the veto power is vested in him, subject to
be overruled by both branches of the Gen
eral Assembly. The Lieutenant Govern
or, also elected by the people, becomes by !
virtue of his office President of Senate |
and succeeds to the Chair of State. in case |
of vacancy.
The law is to be administered
by superior and inferior courts di- |
rected and established by the Legislature.
The Judges of superior courts are to be |
elected by them for a term of good beha- /
yiour, and those of inferior courts for four
years. One of the latter is to be located /
in each judicial district, and to be espe- 1
r.ally charged with the trial of all civil |
eases wherein one or both of the parties
are persons Of color and of all criminal
cases wherein the accused is a person of
color.
The free hold qualifications for seat
N the Senate or House of Representatives
S dispensed with. The qualifications for
suffrage are the same as before. with an
exception made in favorof emigrants from
Europe, who in lieu of the provision of FIVE
years pregiqus citizenship, must deplare
heir intention to become citizens Of the
United States, according to the eonstitu-
ion and laws of the same. No estate is
made requisite.
The Treasursrs Of the upper and lower
divisions are united into one, whose office
will be at Columbia.
The clause in relation to involuntary
ervitude asserts; lst. That the slaves
ave been emancipated by action of the
United States authorities. I'd. That ex-
ept as punishment for crime, upon the
thefeoG itshsll never be re-es-
ablisheq.
The ELECTION will take place on the 18th
f October ensuing, being the third We'd