The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-07-04
THE DEMOCRACY.'

ADDRESS OF COL. BROWNING, COUNTY
CHAIRMAN.
The following address was read by
Col. Malcolm l. Browning, our Ell.
cient County Chairman, before the
County Convention, on June 21,
1879:
: To the Democratic County Conven7
ton, Greetiny:
The ,exigencies of political life
:have called you from your homes and
peaceful pursuits at this interesting
period Of the agricultural year. This
is an exemplication of the fact that it
is the people who choose, as they
should, 1heif own77not .rulcrs-but
public servants!
The office Of Probate Judge, which
has the care of the succession of
property, involving the duty, Of car
rying out the wishes Of the departed, :,
and the guardianship of the widow
and orphan; and the office Of one Of
the Board Of County Commissioners
which is charged with the internal po-
lice and finapce Of your county, are
about TO become vacant by operation
Of law the former on the 9th of July
proximo, and the latter on the -
day Of November! next. You are
called together, under the regu lations
of your party, to nominate persons
to fill. these two important Offices.
The contemplation of; the .Consii,u-
ton, and the intention Of the Lcgs-
.lature are evidently thatftlidre should
be but one general election for State
and county officers, as most cxpcdi-
cnt, economical and convenient. AS
further attempt to bring about this
consummation the Legislature at its
last session, by act Of December 20,
1878, voll 1G, p. ZIG, provided that
where vacancies occur,in county Of
fees, the Governor shall appoin,
some fit and proper person to fill the
vacancy, and that in all cases where
the Office is elective, the person so
appointed shall hold his Office until
the next general election. It, is un-
der this act without questioning its
effect upon the tenure of the offices,
that these vacancies are to be filled.
BY previous act CA. A. May 81,
1s77,,yol. El6, P. l23QD and by Sec.
II, Art. +, Of the Constitution, the
Governor could thus fiji by appoint
ment these offices, whelc tho unex.
rireis term is less than orc year.
One. Of the cases now before us, thai
of the County Commissioner, would
fall under the previous act. The
last statute, however, provides that
the Governor appoints until the mex,
general election, irrespective ortthc
length Of the unexpired term. Il
inasmucha as these offices were clec-
tive, although 10 be filled, pro- lac
Vice by appointment, the County IKE
cutive Committee, thought a Conven-
tion should express the choice Of the
people as TO tho appointces, and l, rs
County Chairman, was authorized to
call you together.
, So that it is your duty to say
what persons are the CHOICE Of your
party. to be appointed to fill the of.
fees of Probate Judge and Of County
Commissioners from the expiration of
their respective terms, until the next
general election. =: ...t,,.I ~, :.
Remember that you are the repre-
sentatives of the people who sent you
here as you discharge the duty.
Before proceeding to; its perform
ance you will indulge me in few
words: '''''' '','.
:, AS stated to the Executive Com
mittee when ! had the honor Of first
:: meeting them, most of you are fami-
liar with the circumstances under
which the duties of the Office Of
County Chsirman dcYolvcd upon me.
1ly predecessor to the great regret
of bis party resigned the post which
he had so we'll filled SINCE the Office
was created. The unanimous voice
Of the Convention selected Hon.
Samuel Dibble as his successor. He
conrteopsly bHt peremptorily dcclih-
ed. Then a scene of confusion fol-
lowed as name after name was sug-
4 gested. only to be withdrawn. Near