The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-11-25


heal, L. L. Griffin, 4. ". Curtis, Van
Sim0ns::
GENTLEMEN expected to have me
many Republican members Of the Gen
eral Assembly here this week, and hopec
to have an opportunity for consultation
as to the best means for laying the toun
dation for the Inauguration of such reform
measures, through and by the Legislative
department of the government, as VII
redeem each and every pledge made by
the Republican party during the cam
paign of 1874. Unfortunately, most OF
the members are at home, and | shall
take the liberty of addressing this COM
munication to such members only as are
in the city, and trust that you will give
the same your immediate attention.
For q long time l have been watching
the efforts made by the executive depart
ment of our State government for reform
1t is pleasure to say thus publicly
that I admire the numerous messages
and speeches of his Excellency Governor
Chamberlain on reform, and the sincerity
and earncstness with which he seems
anxious to deal with the weaknesses and
faults of our administration. also SYM
pathize with Comptroller Dunn in his
efforts to purify the treasury department,
and correspondingly with our State
Treasurer in his eagerness to protect the
peoples money from the devouring nav
of banks and their coadjutors. Both
seem to have sense of their duty-so
sensitive that it will be hard for the peo-
pie if they cannot manage between them
to arrive at the milk in the cocoanut
and last, but not least, / appreciate the
laudable efforts of our Attorney General
to convict defaulters, particularly as he
has had the annoyance of seeing them
relieved from the consequences of their
crimes, after so much expense and trou-
BILE, through constitutional provisions
invoked in their behalf. But l feel COM
PEELED to submit, after careful consid-
Grafton of the whole subject, that the
question has arisen in my own mind, can
all this really bring about reform, lessen
the burdens of taxation, or economy in
expenditure? Can our executive reform
ers secure US anything really substantial?
And, in reply, l am fain to express the
opinion that without help from legisla-
tive sources they must beat their wings
against impossibilities.
To explain myself fully, let me say
that, now the State Treasurer publishes
his monthly statements Of every dollar
received and paid out, from whom, to
whom, and on what account, nobody can
truly say that the funds are stolen, un-
accounted for or misapplied. Therefore,
it seems to me that the only reform now
practicable is an economical levy and ap-
preparation, so far as administrative tinan-
ces is concerned. Nothing further in
this direction can be reached but by the
passage of constitutional or Legislative
measures. Such have, after all, made all
the late reforms possible, and most of
them necessary. There is no longer any
doubt that the Legislature of the State
is as earnestly committed to reform as
any branch of the government, and it is
as member of that body, knowing the
feeling of many of my colleagues, that [
have presumed to notice here some of the
practical consideration which l think
deserve notice at the present time; and
in doing so, I may add, am confident
that branch of the government will never
ask credit for any reforms they do not
institute and secure.
Both Republican and Democratic pa
pcrs have to some extent discussed the
necessity of new constitutional conven-
ton for South Carolina. Now, l feel as
sured that the approaching Legislative
session will prove that we can secure all
needed reforms without the expense and
excitement consequent upon such con-
yention. If editors and public men will
give fair attention to the wants OF the
times, and the people will do their part,
believe the constitution may be amen
ded so that it shall he as effective in Sc
curing honest and economical govern
mcnt after the next election us any organ
ic law in the United States. In this view
| may, without any undue presumption,
cite some of the changes which our pc
culiar condition needs and recent reforms
in other States naturally suggest to every
thoughtful man. These changes should
be constitutional and substantially rs
follows:
l. Fix constitutionally the public debt
as it is now fixed by legislative enact
ment. I can see nothing to prevent fu-
ture legislation on this matter, which
might involve the State for six millions
or more of bonds, which are now alleged
to have been issued fraudulently.
,. Restrict the powers Of the Lcglsla-
ture for levying taxes and making appro-
priations, and require all such levies and
appropriations to be specific, and not to
exceed given amount for any fiscal
year.
8. Make the legislative sessions biep-
NAL, and change the day of meeting to
the second Tuesday in January. Make
the pay of legislators $500 for Il session
of thirty days, 500 for Il session of forty
days, $500 for session of sixty days,
and $500 if protracted for longer period.
We have too much legislation, and the
people cannot too stcrnly discourage long
sessions.
T. Restrict the court to two terms for
each county annually, rcscrving to the
Judges the right to call special terms for
sessions business only We have alto
gcther too much litigation. Also provide
that court should be held at seasons real
sonably convenient for the people. For
instance, in the eighth circuit in such
months as July, August, December and
January.
5. The right of suffrage should be ado
quatcly protected Provide that each
county shall be represented in proportion
to the ratio of votes actually polled at It's
elections; hut in no case should repre-.
sentation be allowed for any number of
votes in excess of that shown by its CEN
srls to he qualified to vote. Thcnif, from
intimidation or other cause, the people
shall fail to exercise their duty Or right
to vote, the county will lose representa-
ton, and unjust representation will he
impossible.
6. The constitution should provide that
no Governor, State officer or Judge shall
be absent from his post, except in very
few and special cases, or by leave OF the