The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-24
LeVasIntlvc,

| Legislative.
Ia the Senate, yesterday, there &C.
CURED very significant discussion. It
was upon bill to provide for tho cleo.
tion of County Treasurers and County
Auditors at each general election. The
discussion was not participated in by
the Conservative members; but it ap-
peared that the Radicals were not har-
monious upon it. 1t is good Republi-
can doctrine, that the people shall elect
their public servants. It is the spirit
and purport of the State Constitution,
that not only Senators and Representa-
tives, not only County Commissioners,
but the Auditors who assess their pro-
.perty and the Treasurors who collect tho
money on it. shall be chosen by popular
vote. In Republican States North,
such thing as appointment to positions
OF this kind is unheard OF, and would
be regarded as little short OF monstrous.
But in South Carolina, it was necessary
to ignore the people in this grave mat
ter, and to place the appointment to
these responsible Offices in the hands of
the Governor. Tho consequence is,
that he can really raise the assessment
for taxation when he pleases, and that
he holds in his hands power and pa
tronage which gives him political con-
troll, even where he may be very little
regarded. The abuses OF this power
have been so fagrant in our experience
for the last four or Eve years-so many
Treasurers have been defaulters, or ran
away, or perverted to their own use the
funds of their Oounties-that strong
feeling has grown up amongst the Repub.
licans themselves against such power
being lodged in the bands OF the E1ecu-
tive. Bills have, time and again.
passed the lower House, to make
these offices elective. but they have
invariably been strangled in tue Senate.
The trial Is to be made again. The
Houss has again passed bill to elect
the County Auditors and Treasurers
-irectly by the people. When it came
before the Senate, yesterday, several
Republican Senators advocated it, upon
the grounds that it was Republican
measure; that it was in the spirit of the
Constitutions; that it took dangerous
power from the hands of the Executive,
and that the people were entitled to it.
The evils of appointment were also ex-
hibited to some extent. Mr.. Dunn, of
Horny, was earnest and strong in advo-
cacy OF the measure. As consistent
Republican, he could not do otherwise
than sustain it, and lie vas successful
in showing that the main ground upon
which it was opposed was tho desire to
keep in hand the immense patronage
and power which the present usago and
law gave. Messrs. SnGlls, Swaiis,
johnson, Cardozo and Nash took the
ground that it was necessary TO refuse
this right TO tho people for the peoples
good. There were, they said, eight or
ten Counties. where Republicans were
not in tho ascendant, and whero the
Conservative influence must be held in
check, through nppoiptces to these
Offices to be made by tho Governor. In
other words, tho main use and chief nd
vantnge Of these Offices wus to nominate
men for political and party ends, cspe.
cially in those Counties where the party
was weak. Such odious doctrine was
avowed in open Senate. But we were
pleased to hear Mr.. Dunn expose it so
cleverly, and that Messrs. Mcintyre and
Jervey stood with him for the peoples
rights and against tho oorruptions OF
patronage. Mr.. Hope also said few
good words on the SAME side.
The memorial Of taxpayers OF Marion
County was presented in the Honse.
yesterday, by Mr.. Thompson, colored
member from that County, and referred
to the Judiciary Committee. It was
presented to the Senate by Mr.. Smith,
the Senator from Marion, and likewise
referred to the Judiciary Committee.
We trust that these committees will
give the matter candid oonsideration