The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-12-08


delegated to five commissioners, and by It's d.
vided responsibility, in constituting any three
of them, whose assent, obtained either indvld-
ually or in the aggregate, q quorum to declde
all questions brought before them. l will make
no recommendation upon the subject OF modl-
flying these provisions, but would respectfully
ask that the Executive be relieved from his
share of the control and responsibility OF the
management of its affairs, of which he is en-
titled. under the law, to one-ffth, while, in pub
lie estimation, he is held responsible for all the
faults and abuses connected with its entire su-
pervsion. He would take the liberty, how
ever, of suggesting the entire separation OF the
Commissioner from politics, and restricting him
to the direction of its legitimate operations.
Your attention is called to the fact, from the
money already received for the land sold, as
we'll as those which are to be sold hereafter,
there is no provision made for its safe-keeping,
other than the personal responsibility of the
Commissioner, who has them under his exclu-
sive charge Provision should also be made
for their deposit in some safe and responsible
institution, or they should be used for the pur-
pose of the redemption of the bonds issued for
the purchase of lands.
STATE LIBRARY.
The report of the Librarian witnesses his in
QeIdLlgHDle Ze6l duU BluuSIlN Ill luC uioShoi ~
of his duties, and the preservation of property
entrusted to him.
AUDITOR OF STATE.
For information in this department, l will
respectfully refer you to his very full and COM
plete report, and call your attention to the i'm
portance of his recommendations.
EDUCATION.
For the operations Of the State Superinten-
dent of Education during the year, refer you
to the report of that officer.
The report of the Adjutant and Inspector
General is referred to for the operations and
proceedings of the military department of the
State during the year.
THE STATE CoNSTABULARY.
The report of the Chief Constable presents
full and satisfactory account of the proceedings
and expenditures of the body under his con-
troll during the past year. Captain Hubbard,
in the discharge of his responsible and un-
pleasant duties, has acquitted himself credita-
bly, and efficiently. Strong hopes were enter
tanned that, after the expiration of the late
heated and political contest, it would have been
deemed advisable to dispense entirely with the
services of this force, and orders had been CIV
en- looking to that result on the first of Novem-
ber but the unfortunate and dsgraceful occur
rences recently in the Counties of Laurens,
Union, Spartanburg, and Ncwberry, in which
outrages were perpetrated, and valuable lives
sacrificed have compelled the postponement of
that desirable result Recent indications, how
ever, encourage the hope that the postpone
ment will be but temporary, and that the po'
lice duties of the State will soon revert to the
local authorities. Up to this time no arrests
have been made of the authors and participa-
tors i'll the recent murders and Outrages, and,
having thus long waited on. the local authori-
ties in vain, active measures are now in pro-
gress for the arrest of the criminals.
TRIAL JUSTICES.
Owing to the existing prejudices, and the
difficulties of obtaining impartial decisions In
1T a.cd cases, the Executive has, unfortunate
ly been thrown almost exclusively upon the
members of one political party for his choice of
Trial Justices, and, i'll many cases, persons
without the requisite qualifications have been
recommended 1t is very important that this
evil be corrected, and we may reasonably hope
that in the future wider field may be opened
to select from, among such of our citizens as
are distinguished for their intelligence, impair
tiality, and love of justice. On a prompt,
equitable and economical administration of the
laws, depend much of the peace and harmony
OIL tile NY IlS OUlllCldllOli Va OduoSo
of discord and the establishment of friendly
relations between individuals. But essential
notifications are necessary in the existing ad-
ministration of justice. Complaints are preva-
lent that in many cases a spirit of litigation is
promoted and stimulated with view solely to
personal acquisition and it is asserted that not
only individuals appearing before these magis-
trates are charged extravagant fees, but there is
too much reason to believe that in many cases
the costs have been not only charged to the
parties, but in addition, have been charged
and collected from the State. A correction OF
these abuses is loudly demanded. There should
be, also, an essential modification of the amount
of costs permitted to be charged, and the State
thoroughly protected against the abuses of un-
principled men holding these positions. Tie
extravaganza of the costs at>present, in cases
before Trial Justice, are, in many instances,
a denial of justice, rs, in most OF the cases ta-
ken before these minor courts, they are greater
in amount than the sum in litigation. The
powers and the duty of the magistrate should
be we'll defined, and the severest penalties i'm
posed for their violation None should be held
more rigidly amenable to the law than those
who are chosen to administer it. would here
remark that ] must necessarily depend very
much upon the members of the Legislature for
the character and fitness of Trial Justices, and
am disposed to consider education as an essen
tial element among them. This would not only
be proper in itself, but would afford an addition
al stimulus to its acquisition. BY making
knowledge of the elementary branches an In
dispensable requisite to appointment for office,
a higher grade of service would be secured, as
we'll as a more efficient performance of it.
COUNTY CoMMISSI 0NERS
/ would direct your attention to the laws de-
fining the powers and duties of County Com
missioners, and their perversions and abuses.
From the frequent complaints against some of
the Boards, it would be imagined that they
were devoted more to private acquisition than
the faithful discharge of public trust. In
neighboring States the office of County Com
missioner is looked upon more as an honorary
station, bestowed as mark of contiden and
trust in the judgment and business capacity of
a. ,,,E,