The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-11-29

| ment OF its affairs, OF which he Is entitled, under
the law, to one-nfth. while, In public estimation,
he 10 held responsible for all the faults
and abuses connected with its entire
] supervision. He would take the liberty,
however, Of suggesting the entire sspara-
tion OF the commissioner from politics. and re-
strictlng hin to the direction OF its legitimate
operations. Your attention is called to the fact
that from the money already received from the
land sold, as well 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 eX-
elusive charge Provision should also be maa
for their deposit in some safe and responsible in.
stitution, or they should be used for the purpose
of the redemption Of the bonds Issued for the pur
chase OF lands.
STATE LIBRARY.
The report Of the librarian witnesses his inde-
faigabe zeal and industry in the discharge Of his
duties and the preservation OF the property en-
| trusted to him.
AUDITOR OF STATE.
For Information in this department, VIII re-
spectfully refer you to his very full and complete
report, and call yo6r attention to the importance
OF his recommendations.
EDUCATION.
For the operations OF the State superintendent
| OF education during the year, refer you TO the
report Of that officer.
MILITIA.
The report Of the adjutant and inspector gene
raj Is referred to for the operations and proceed
ings 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 control dur.
ing the past year. Captain Hubbard, in the dis
charge Of his responsible and unpleasant duties
has acquitted himself creditably and efficiently.
Strong hopes were entertained that after the ex-
piration OF the late heated political contest, II
would have been deemed advisable to di.pense
entirely with the services OF this force and orders
had been given looking to that result on
the first OF November; but the unfortunate
and disgraceful occurren es recently In the Coun-
ties of Laurens, Union, Spartanburg aud New
berry, in which outrages were perpetrated and
valuable lives sacrificed, have compelled the post.
uonemen, OF that desirable result. Recent indca-
tlons however, encourage thehope that the post
ponemeat will be but temporary, and that the
police duties Of the S.ate will soon revert to the
local authorities. up+o this time, no arres's have
been made OF the authors and partclpators In the
recent murders and outrages, and, having thus
long waited on the local authorities In vain, &C.
tive measures are now in progress for the arrest
OF the criminals.
TRIAL JUSTICES.
Owing TO the existing prejudices and the dill
culties OF obtaining impartial decisions IN It'll
gated cases, the Executive has unfortunately
been thrown almost exclusively upon the mem
bers Of one political party for his choice .of trial
justices, and In many cases persons without the
requisite qualifications have been recommended.
It is very important that this evil should be cor.
rected, and we may reasonably hope that IN future
wider field may be opened to select from among
such of our citizens as are distinguished for their
intelligence, impartiality and love OF JUS
tice. In prompt, equitable and economi ical ad-
ministration Of the laws depends. much Of the
peace and harmony Of the community by the oo-
liberation OF causes Of dlscord and the establish
ment of friendly relations between individuals.
But essential notifications are necessary In the
existing administration OF justice. Complalnts
a-a prevalent that 10 many cases spirit OF litga.
tion is promoted and stimulated With view
solely to personal acquisition, and 1t Is asserted
that not only individuals appearing before these
magistrates are charged extravagant fees, bug
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 the
abuses Is loudly demanded. There should be
of no
OF costs permitted to be charged, aud the state
thoroughly protected against the abuses OF un'
princpled men holding these positions. The e1'
trayagauce OF the costs, at present, IN cases be-
fore trial justice are. in many instances, a de-
NAL OF Justice as In most OF the cases taken be.
fore these minor courts they are greater In amount
than the sum in litigation. The powers anu
the duty OF the magistrate should be well
defined, and the severest penalties imposed
for their violation. None should be held more
riuidiy amenabe to The law than those who
are chosen to administer It. l would here
remark that l must necessarily depend very
much upoa the members Of the Legislature for
the character and fitness Of trial justices, and
am disposed to consider education as an essen
tlal element among them. This would not My
be proper In ITSELF but would afford an additional
stimulus to its acquisition. BY making Rnowl'
edge OF the elementary branches an indispensa-
BILE requisite to appointments or to otce, Mig her
grade of service would he secured as well as
more efficient performance OF itS
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
would direct your attention TO the laws de-
fning the powers and duties Of county comms'
sIoners, and their perverslons and abuses. From
the frequent complaints against some OF the
boards, 1t would be imagined that they were devo-
ted more to private acquisition than the 1aithlui
discharge OF public trust In neighoorlng states
the once OF county commissioner Is looked
upon more as an honorary station, bestowed
as mark Of confidence and trust in the
Judgment and business capacity Of the IN
diyIdusl, rather than as position OF
pecunIary emolument, aud except IN the neigh
borhood OF large cities, the compensation is Dat
trivial, seldom amounting to more than from
fifty to q hundred dollars per annum. stringent
laws are required for the prevention and punish
ment OF abuses, which will restrict expenditures
within legitimate bounds, forbid all participation,
direct or'IndIrect, In contracts for which pfopo-
sails should be invariably advertised, restricting
the amount Of county orders Issued, constituting
the county auditor the permanent clerk OF the
board, by whom all orders should be signed and
issued.
TRUST DEPOSITS.
Since the Bank Of the State ceased operations,
of % dtA-