The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1881-08-24
Tne Constitution That Is Good Enough

FOR Us.
At tie last meeting of the Legisla-
ture that body appointed several COM
nittees to discharge specific duties,
and to make a report Of their work to
The next meeting Of the General AS
semhly,
We sec that the committee on the
Revision of the Constitution will re-
commend certain changes in our pres
ent State Constitution. The informa-
tion which we have is very limited,
and we have seen no good reason
urged for any change NJ all.
Among the changes recommended
is one, to make tho Judges tenure to
office for life or during good be-
havior. To this change we shall oh
ject most s%trennously. The political
condition of this country is unsettled,
and the State may be alternately in
the hands of the Republicans ard
the Democrats. And the Republicans
coming into power may seek at any
time under some pretext to unseat the
Judges for political reasons, rs the
Republicans were unseated a few
years ago by the Democrats. Anoth-
er reason is, the first regular election
which could take place after the pro-
posed change, would be four years
hence, and they may then elect such
men as they elected q few years ago,
and to have such men sadd!ed on us
for life would he a calamity unendura-
Die.
Another proposition is to hold the
State elections at a different time from
the national elections. There is no
reasons for economy, for good govern
ment, or the public good, to urge this
change. The only reason which could
be urged is a political one, and q con-
stitution should not be a political in
strument to favor II party or to drag
down another.
Another proposition IS, to make
the terms Of all county and State Of
fcers four years instead Of two, as
now. We see no special need of this
change. Various OF these officers have
been elected every two years for a
hundred years, and the plan has work
ed satisfactorily in the past.
Another proposition, is to change
the annual. sessions of the Legislature
to biennial sessions and to elect the
members for four years instead of two.
This move seems so impracticable, and
is so wanting in plausibility, that we
presume It is scarcely necessary to
pronounce our objection to that
change. A few of the States in the
years that are past have tried biennial
sessions, and a majority of them have
gone back to the old way, and the
Others will do the same in q little
u3ile.
And it is also proposed to tamper
with the suffrage question. though it
is asserted not materially. That ques-
ito n might just as we'll be let alone.
It is just as good as We can make 1t.
OF course any %tampering with the
suffrage question is for political rea-
sons, and can be for none other. The
rights of the negro cannot be abrldg-
ed without abridging our own rights
in the exact ratio.
Weobject 10 all the proposed amend
ments because the effort will excite
the jealousy and suspicion OF a large
portion of our voters, and even if the
changes were effected they are inexpe-
dient or of doubtful advantage.
We object to the agitation of q ques-
tion about which our people are SO
sensitive, at a time when it will re-
auire u best efforts to maintain
Democratic supremacy.
We object to the agitation OF the
proposed amendments, because it will
weaken us before the people, and will
lesson our chances of a Democratic
victory at the election in 1882.
We object to all the proposed chang
es because they are without merit,
and should not be made, even it we
could effect them by the mere wish to
do so.
The Constitution of South Carolina,
as it stands to-day, is without all equal
in these United States, and it is not
likely hat political changes to benefit
or ipjure either political party will he
for the public good.
We are tired of eternal change. and
constant agitation. W. had hoped
when the Democratic party got into
power that we would have a rest, and
that the Ship of State would sail into
quiet waters, but it seems that a spiri it
Of unrest ~pervades the minds of our
people, and that between dissensions
among ourselves, and this ceaseless
wal on the best constitution by which
any people were ever governed, we
may yet be dashed to pieces on the
<hoola and breakers.