The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-10-29

lO.-cUMuLAT1vE VOTING OR MINORITY
REPRESENTATION.
I promised that, if elected, [ would ad;
vocate the enactment Of law that would
give the system fair trial. l did so IN
the amended charter of the town of
Anderson. We have tried it, and we
have two conservatives, one colored repub-
lican, one white republican and one inde-
pendent as members of the council; you
will perceive that thus all parties and In
terests are represented [ claim to have
redeemed this promise, and if | am
elected I shall advocate trial OF this just,
wise and liberal system of voting and
representation in state, county, city and
town elections.
ll.--AMFNDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
I promised to support them, more es-
pecially the one referring to the increase
of ours state debt. My vote stands re-
corded in favor of it, and it is now law.
I worked for it before and during the
election, and in the legislature. You
could ask no more.
l2.-1NTEREsT ON TILE PUBLIC DEBT.
I claimed that it was oppressive and
unjust to tax the people in the interest of
the "bond ring to pay the interest in
gold. We now pay it in greenbacks, as
provided for in our debt settlement [
worked for it and voted for it, and this
speaks for itself
My last pledge was: IF elected, that
would ,fearlessly do my whole duty; not
to any party, but for the people, and in
doing so should know no such word as
fail" My most bitter enemy will not say
failed in this, or that [ was not watchful,
and earnestly and conscientiously worked
for reform and good government.
DISBURSEMENTS OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
I introduced "a bill regulating the dis
bursement of the public funds by public
officers. - This. bill provided that every
officer who received the peoples money
from the State treasurer down, should
publish a detailed monthly statement of
all moneys received, from whom, on what
account, to whom paid, and on what ac-
count. 1t passed the house, but failed IN
the senate. 1t was good measure, and
would effectually prevent defalcations or
peculation with the peoples money. l
found that most Of the state and county
officers, contracted considerably in excess
of the levy, or appropriation, as the case.
might be. / introduced bill which is
now an act. ItFprovides that any state
or county officer, who contracts in excess
of the levy and appropriation for any pur-
pose, shall be deemed guilty Of felony,
fined, and sent to the penitentiary. AL
most every county was applying to the
legislature for authority to levy an addi-
tional tax of from one to four mills, to
pay past Indebtedness. This act will most
effectually put a stop to this drain upon
the people. 1t will prevent county COM
missioners from going in debt after this
fiscal year; while it does not materially
affect Anderson county, it is great bene-
fit to most of the others.
CLAIMS.
I opposed the various bills before the
house to pay the outstanding pay certif-
Gates. Mr.. Solomon and few others
succeeded in passing theirs, but in the
case of the claims held by Josephus Wood
ruff and G. L. Anderson in trust, amount
ing to about four hundred thousand dol
lars, I, with the assistance Of others, de-
feated them. 1t was the most bitter
struggle | have ever seen on the floor of
the house; especially with Woodruff S
claim, which caused a fight, continuing
several days and nights To show you
how severe the contest was, but how
slowly and steadily we gained ground, [
give you the votes, which were as follows:
On the first test vote were 40 in favor of
the bill, and q opposed; second vote,
50 for and 81 opposed; third vote, so for,
Sc opposed; fourth vote, At for, 81 op-
posed; fifth vote, At for, 81 opposed
sixth vote, 46 for, SO opposed; seventh
vote, 46 for, 80 opposed: On the final
passage of the bill to third reading, the
vote stood 46 yeas, 43 nays, which passed
it on its second reading by three votes