The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-11-17
CORRESPONDENCE.
COLUMBIA, November 8, Il

COLUMBIA, November 8, 1875.
Hon. W. B. Nash, S. Il. Stuails, NJ J:
Hirsch, e. M Brayton, James NJ.
Smith, W. II. Jones, j. II. White,
| j. Hollinsheod, L.. l.. Gu6fn, Il. W.
;. Curtis, Wna. SInaons:
GENTLEMEN-I expected to have met
many republican members of the gen.
eral assembly here this week, and hoped
to have an opportunity for consultation
as to the best means for laying the foun-
dation for the Inauguration of such re-
form measures, through and by the leg
islative department of the government,
as will redeem each and every pledge
made by the republican party during
the campaign Of 1874. Unfortunately
most of the members are at home, and
l shall take the liberty of addressing
this communication to such members
only as are in the city, and trust you
will give the same your immediate at
= tentiou.
For a long time have been watching
the efforts made by the executive de-
partment Of our State govern msnt for
reform. 1t is pleasure to say thus
} publicly that I admire the numerous
messages and speeches of his eXcellen-
CIV Governor Chamberlain on reform,
and the sincerity and earEestcess with
which he seems anxious to deal with
the weaknesses aud faults of our admin
istration. also sympathise win
Comptroller Dunn in his efforts to purl-
fly the treasury department, and cor
respondingly 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 sensl-
tive that it will be hard for the people
if they cannot manage between them
to arrive at the milk in the cocoanut /;
and last, but not least, appreciate the
laudabe efforts of our Encouragement
10 convict defaulters, particularly as he
has had the annoyance Of seeing them
relieved from the consequences OF their
crimes, after so much expense and
trouble, through constitutional provis-
ions invoked in their behalf, But I
feel compelled to submit, after careful
consideration 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 reformers secure us anything
really substantial? And, in reply, [
am fln to express the opinion that with
out help from legislative sources they
must beat their wings against impossi.
bilities.
To explain myself fully, let me say
that, now that the state treasurer pub
fishes his monthly statements Of
every dollar received aud paid out, from
whom, to whom, and on what account,
nobody can truly say that the funds are
stolen, unaccounted for or misapplied.
Therefore, it seems to me that the only
reform now practicable is an economical
levy and appropriation, so far as admin
istrative finance is concerned. Moth
ing further in this direction can be
reached but by the passage Of constitu-
ti6nal or legislative measures. Such
have, after all, made all the late reform
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 q member
of that body, knowing the feeling OF
many of my colleagues, that l have
presumed to notice here some of the
practical considerations which l think
deserve notice at the present time: and
in doing so, 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
pers have to some extent discussed the
necessity of new constitutional con-
vention for South Carolina. Now, |
feel assured that the approaching legis.
lative session will prove that we can
secure all needed reforms without the
expense and excitement consequent
upon such a convention. If editors and
public men will give fair attention 10
the wants Of the times, and the people
will do their part, believe the cOnsti-
tuition will De amended SO that it sha! |
be as effective in securing honest and
economical government after the nexl
election as any organic law in the Uni
ted States. In this view I may, with
out any undue presumption, cite some
of the changes which our peculiar con-
dition needs and recent reforms in other
states naturally suggest to every
thoughtful man. These changes should
be constitutional and substantially as
follows:
/. Fix constitutionally the public
debt as it is now fixed by legislative en-
aclment. I can see nothing to prevent
future legislation on this matter, which
might involve the state for six millions
or more Of bonds, which are now al
legged to have been issued f.audulenlly.
2. Restrict The powers of The le2isla-
lure for levying taxes and making ap-
p?opliations, and require all such levies
and appropriations 10 be specific, and
not to exceed given amount for auy
| tiscal year.
| s. Make the legislative sessions bien-
NAL, and change the day Of meeting 10
the second Tuesday in January. Make
the pay Of legislators $500 for session
of thi:tv days, $500 for session Of forty
DAYS, 5000 for q session of sixty days,
and $500 if protracted for longer Pc
Rod. We have too much legislation
and the people cannot too sternly as
courage long sessions.
4. Restrict the court to two terms for
each county annually, reserving to the
Judges the right to call special terms for
sessions business only. We have ALTO
gether TOO much litigation, Also pro-
vide that court should be held at seasons
reasonably 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 ad-
equately protected. Provide that each
county shall be represented in proper.
ton 10 the ratio of votes actually polled
at its elections; but in no case should
representation be allowed for any num-
Der of votes in excess of that shown by
its census to be qualified to vote. Then
| if, from intimidation or other cause, the
people shall fail to exercise their duty
or right TO vote, the county will lose rep
rese u tation. and unjust representi0n