The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1865-08-24

SiSioh loinueu IN tne most eminent WIS
dom. | would apply the same principle
to the Governor, and / have no doubt it
would be attended with like advantages.
In regard to the Governor having at
least qualified veto, the advantages
are so manifest that it seems only neces.
sary to state the proposition to obtain the
consent of every intelligent mind. The
veto power enables the Executive to
protect his department against the en-.
croachment Of the Legislative power,
thus tending to preserve the independ.
ence of the separate departments of the
Government. The veto power further
operate as check on hasty or inconsid.
crate legislation. Those who are famil.
lar with Legislative bodies know that
much of their Legislation is crude and i'll.
considered. 1t is clearly the interest of
the people to have power in reserve
to carefully review and deliberate upon
the action of their Legislative bodies.
lfthe Governor he as he should be, a
man ofsuperior talents, his greater ability
to the mass of the Legislature will ena.
BILE him, with higher degree of politi-
cal wisdom, 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 at large
against what he may consider improper
legislation. The veto power is one
which can rarely do harm, and which
may frequently do good, because two.
thirds of the Legislature can pass the
vetoed measures over the Governors
head. / think therefore this change
should be made in tho Constitution.
One great advantage of giving the addi-
tional powers / have mentioned to the
Governor is, that the Office will become
more an object of ambition, and the first
men in the State will seek it.
Having added to the powers of the
Governor would add to those Of the
Lieutenant Governor. As matters now
stand the Lieutenant Governor is a per.
feet blank, unless the office of Governor
becomes vacant / think beneficial
change in this respect would be to make
the Lieutenant Governor President of
the Senate. This would make the posi-
ton one of considerable Importance, and
secure higher grade of men to fill the
Office of Governor in case of a vacancy
occurring.
Iwould also change the mode of elect.
ing the Governor and Lieutenant Gov.
ernor. Instead of heing elected by the
Legislature / would give the election to
the people. The advantages ofthis, 1
think, are very great. Every well or.
ganized government should have its
great departments---the Executive, Leg.
islative, and Judicial, independent Of
each other. This principle is seriously
violated in giving the election of Gov,
ernor to tlfe Legislature. The Govern.
or elected by the Legislature Isl apt only
to be their echo TO insure his entire
independence of the Legislature the only
eifecthal way is to give the election to
the people, Another advantage of Civ.
ing the election Of Governor to the peo.
pie, is, that men of superior ability are
more apt to be chosen.
Before g small body of men like tho
Legislature, wealth, or family influence,
or management, may produce an cleo.
ton without any particular merit in the
person elected, but these Influences
would be Of little avail before the people
who would be apt to be influenced by a
sense Of merit or superior ability, or po.
litical reputation. Beeides, 7 think it
elevates and dignifies the people to make
them the electors OF the highest dignita.
ries oftheir country. 81
Another change whichI I would make
in the Constitution is this: would re.
quire all elections before the Legisla..
TUE to be yiva voce. The reason for
this is obvious. Legislators vote in a
representative capacity, and their con.
(stituents hayea right to know how
sssheyy vote. There is no more reason for
secresy on the part Of a member of the
legislature as to his vote for United
Statds Senator, OF any other public Off :
Ger. than for his vote on the passage Of
n. ~ =. !.