The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-04-08

i General Assembly, as provided 70
in the Constitution. Whilst a men
ber of the House of Representatives
my colleague, Mr.. J. G. c. Feather
stone, endeavored to secure the
passage of an Act to apportion Req
resentatives in the several Countie
in the ratio of population, but failed
Other members introduced measure
looking to the same end, but al
failed to pass. After my election t.
the Senate I presented "a Bill tt
apportion Representatives in the va
rious Counties in this State in &C
cordance with the provisions of the
Constitution of the State" [Senatt
Journal, 1S75-76, page 45.] This
Bill became d law, being approved
by Governor Chamberlain March
I'd, 1876. By virtue of its provi
sions Anderson and Pickens, DemD'
cratic Counties, gained one Repre-
sentative each, Barnwell and Rich
land, then considered Republican.
one; member each, whilst the four
then Republican Counties of Charles.
ton, Beaufort, Georgetown and
Laurens lost one member each. At
the election for members eff the
General Assembly in 1876 the re.
suit was that the Democrats by the
gain of three members succeeded.
The power Of the three Democratic
votes gained from the Counties of
Anderson, Pickens and Barawell
can be estimated when it is consid-
cred that when the Wallace House
of Representatives was organized the
majority was barely over moiaty Of
124 members, the constitutional
number of Representatives, and by
having that majority that aoase
was recognized and declared to be
the legal House by the Supreme
Court.
AS further evidence of my sin.
cerity and earnest desire to give the
minority representation, I submit
the following extract from The Co.
LUMB1A REGISTER, February II,
1875, under the head Of "Legisla.
tive Proceedings"
Mr.. Cochran seconded the nomination of
Mr.. Moetze for Regent of the Lunatic Asy-
lum. Said that he wished the Democrats to be
represented IN all departments Of the, State
government. from the Highest to the lowest
positions, so that they might share in part the
responsibility OF the administration"
MONTHLY STATEMENTS.
Under the administrations pre-
.vious to my election, and for q time
afterwards, the receipts and dis
bursements Of public funds were
involved in mystery. I desired to
have the people know how the pub.
lie money was expended, feeling
that it was their right, and believing
it would to great extent prevent
its being improperly or unlawfully
applied. l offered a Bill, whilst
member of the House, journal ses-
sion Of 1928, page 263,] which
provided, among other things, for
the publication Of weekly statements
of amounts received and paid out
by the State Treasurer. This Dor.
tion Of the Bill was defeated. After
my election to the Senate 1 intro.
duced "a Bill directing and re.
auiring the publication Of monthly
statements by the State Treasurer" !"
[Senate Journal Of 1S74-75, page
$685.. This Bill was duly ratified
and approved by Gov. Chamberlain,
March 5, 1875. After the passage
of this Act the State Treasurer PUB.
lished a monthly statement of all
moneys received, from whom and
on what account, to whom paid and
on what account, with a statement
of remainder on hand and where
deposited. These publications were
made at the State capital and in
Charleston, and proved that, though
the money was being extravagantly
expended, yet it was honestly ac-
counted for and SO applied.
/ also introduced "a Bill to re-
quire all persons authorized by law
to disburse moneys for the State to
publish monthly statements" [sen.
ate Journal 1S75-76, page 531. 1t
was acted upon favorably, and was
approved by Governor C Chamberlain,
March 24th, 1876. Under its pro.
visions, officers in charge of penal,
charitable and educational institu.
tions were required to publish
monthly a detailed statement of
amounts received and paid out, to
whom and on what account. These
Acts both accomplished much good,
and pointed out wherein reductions
could be made in expenditures, &c.
THE STATE MILITIA.
I was opposed to the militia as
organized, armed and equipped by
! Governor Scott, and voted against
appropriations in its support. Refer.
ence to House Journal 1928
page 342, will show that it was on
my motion that the contingent fund