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

anu CnaC his pr0ntS canOC De increase,
excebt by economy in expenditure.
II. the constitution should forbid the
Legislature from auditing or allowing any
private claims against the state. 1t
should make appropriations to pay such
claims at its discretion, when audited
by the comptroller-general, but in no
case should such appropriation be made
in the bill making appropriations for
general state purposes.
12. The Legislature should be empow-
cred to prevent unjust discrimination
in freights on railroads in this state, as
between way stations and the terlnint OF
the road.
IS. Constitution should require state
officers to make their reports within
three days after the general assembly
shall have met, on pain of instant ra-
moyal from office.
IA. No person should be eligible to
state office who has not been citizen of
the state for five years, nor to a county
Office who has not resided in such coun-
ty as citizen for one year Immediately
preceding his election or appointment.
Is. Constitution should provide that
all phosphate royalties, and other sources
Of revenue to the state other than taxes
levied by the general assembly, should
be set aside for free school purposes.
16. No state or county officer should
be allowed to hold his office more than
-four out of every six consecutive years.
II. Constitution should define more
clearly the powers and duties of lieuten-
ant-governor; provide for cumulative
voting or minority representation.
49, Reduce the number of the states
charges: counties should pay their own
tressurers. auditors, &c. The legisla-
ture should fix for each county the
maximum Of salary to be paid each Of
ticer, allowing the counties the right to
reduce the amount to suit themselves.
10. Make tax levies for state purposes
directly npon the counties; a given
amount for each specific purpose named
in dollars, instead of mills, and based
upon the auditors reports.
20. Provide that no branch of the
state government shall contract any in
cidental or contingent accounts. Re-
quire the legislature to anticipate all ex-
penses of government by levy and ap-
preparation specifically made.
q. Provide that convict labor shall
be utilized on all public works, both
state and county, or on railroads, guard
ed by such laws as will secure humane
treatment for them, and prevent their
employment by private parties, to the
interests of laboring people.
.. 90. Fix the legal rate OF interest on
money at seven per cent, and require
the legislature to pass such laws as will
in general prevent the collection of q
larger amount. Our agricultural people
had better do without money or goods
that are worth eighteen to thirty per
cent, to carry. ..-
%. Protect and encourage the raising
of sheep by empowering the legislature
to levy special tax on dogs.
"a. Real estate should be assessed an
nually.
25. Should forbid any officer from de-
posting school, county or court funds
outside the county to which it belongs,
unless there be no bank of good stand
ing in such county. Should also re-
|quire the state treasurer to deposit all
tax money to the specific account for
which it was, levied and collected, the
same to be drawn upon only in pay
ment of such specific appropriations.
Should provide that no state officer
snould serve OIL any board, committee
or commission. County commissioners
should be required to apportion the tax
levied and collected for county purposes
before the same is collected, which shall
constitute specific fund for various
county and court purposes. Should
provide that all state and county officers
should he collected by the people.
Should provide that commissioners of
election should be elected by the gener-
al assembly.
1 do not claim to have exhausted the
subject, but feel assured that I have
not gone beyond the spirit and meaning
of the pledges made by the republican
party in its platform Of 1874 in any Nof
The provisions suggested. and may
add, that reform to be real must be IN
corporated In the constitution. Parties
in power are liable to error, and even
wrong doing. The interest of the peo-
pie requires for this radical disease a
radical cure. Other states have admit
ted this, and called constitutional con-
ventions to apply the remedy. Shall a
republican state be behind the demo-
cratic states of the south in securing
that reform in its organic law, which
alone gives security to its people?
But, as have said, the state of South
Carolioa, the solitary republican jewel in
the southern crown. can, wilhout the leso''t
to cohvention-a reso.'. which will pracri-
caIlv announce to the world the failure of
the republican pa.ty to give the state a
sound COVE, nmeht, though is Legislature
take hold of these issueS-pa>s tie necess q
ry measures OF re.orm az amendments to
our constitution, and be sustained by the
people, anci me solution of South CarOina's 8
political and financial tIoubles will have
been ehcciually reached, and with honor
alike TO the republican pa..y, the stale gev-
eminent and tac people.
Hoping these views will meet your ap-
probation and command your support. l
will remain, yours, respectfully,
JOHN r. COCHRAN.