The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-11-28
Ameasane.ss 20 che Constellation.

AneasAme.ss 90 the Constitution.
Major sirbanks, of the Fernandna Mirror
presents fke following views upon the subject Of
Constitutions Amendments, which will be found
of interests
We diSeassed last week some of the amend.
ments tohAe Constitution which had been ren-
orally ag5Yed upen as necessary and proper
The mode OF selection of county officers is the
main difittnlty which has prevented a more zen.
eral con4A.rence IN all the points which have
been pro4tihent in the discussion
The 1Yh: Section, Article V, of the Consttu-
ton, ET01ftes that 1.-The Governor shall appoint by
and wit4 the consent of the Senate in each
county az assessor of taxes a collector of rev.
enue, ceu4ty treasurer, county surveyor, superin-
tendent $E;cOmmnn schools five county COM
missionenaf~all OF whom hold their office for two
years. III,
Secsio4ip, Article vi, provides that the Gov.
ernor shfG appoint county judge, who shall
noid ms efAce for tour years; also as many ius-
tees OF tl peaceas he may deem proper, who
shall holdsSheir Office for four years.
Seclion4H, Article vi, provides that the Gov
ernor, witAthe advice of the Senate shall appoint
In each e1s1nty sheriff, and a clerk of the cir
cult court who shall also be clerk of the county
court anfM the bt'ard of county commissioners.
recorder ard er-9fi5o auditor of the county
A boarkS Uf public instruction in each county
to consistAN not more than Eve members, is pro-
vided forAE Section 10, Chapter 176 of the stat
utes. Ttesy are appointed by the State Board of
EducatioK Dn the nomination of the State Su-
periniends9t of Public Instruction and the re-
commendHHon OF the representatives from the
county. ME
Trustedy Of school districts are appointed by
the county board Of instruction upon the recon-
mendatio11f the patrons of the school"
The o1M officers in any county subject TO
electlen the people are the constables upon
the basis NE one for every 200 registered voters
In u,oseW the uther States al the county off,
GERS are ekded by the people, and that is undoubt-
eddy The n8kie mos in accord with the character
OF our in44sutions The objection to it in this
State IL tiHEin sone counties the non ax-payers
would coAtho' all the rights of property of the
tax Eithoat redress or provision OF relief
When thSspopuIaiion of the State becomes dis
tributed, MI that the colored race shall not pre-
ponderateA1 iargrty in portions of the State the
election oiMse county officers should be given 10
the peoplt But rs temporary provision 10
meet The dNgcultfcs OF the present situation, we
suggest thssshe sIlerffs, who are executive Off
GERS, and sAtghi, from the nature of their Office
be as litthk subject to the popular will as any
officers, shbnld b. appointed by the Governor
and confift4ed by the Senate that the clerks of
courts be APPOINTED by the Circuit Court Judges,
which way Formerly the case in nearly all the
States, ansNn now the case in the United States
Courts. IM;iasge counties register of deeds
might he tteted or appointed, asthe Legislature
might provde, an separate office.
The judsEof the county court might safely be
elected by re people for term of six years, and
the dulles Isuperintenden of schools attached
to the ofaeH:
The offiE8spf county tax assessor might well he
changed sfE4s To have two tax assessors in each
civil distrsAt TO be elected by the people OF the
district, Wig should receive per diem for their
services aiF assess the property in their district
only, subjs{ 10 revision by the board of county
commissioners a. board of equalization. The
Advantageous having local tax-assessors in each
civil distric&pr precinct are Obvious The service
would be yell performed, and the expense no
greater thaA'under our present system which is
undoubtedSk fsilure
The COLLECTOR or revenue should be chosen nv
the countyiEomfaissioners, and should give bond
In an amdSnt ample to cover all collections.
de shouidRe required TO pay over all moneys
10 his harp every thirty days under penalty of
fine and dltthiesal from Office
The boart of county commissioners constitutes
the local legislature Of the county, and every
Hber b. most largely interested In hav-
ing this bcad well filled by good and competent
men. ThgEArosent number of commissioners
liked by DEMONSTRATION is too small. Every pre-
cinct in g{linty should be entitled to county
70 be elected by the votes Of tax
payers onEYE AeA who pay no taxes are not en-
titled 70 aff,int line body by which county taxes
are to be a1ed. The non-tax payers have their
~ the Legislature of the State and
the State ices, The board Of county commits
sioners thnaEonaitu,ed would present no motive
for the elesiort OF other than the very best men
in each eo&ntJ. The expense would be no
greater th*tEat present. rs it. would be unneces-
sary Tor tht&aull board TO meet more than twice
III a "A and
il. Intermediate meetings, to- consist OF county
Judge and a@imfted quorum, could transact bust
ness connc4fed with roads, auditing accounts,
etc. II
The coCn5y Judge could be elected by the Leg
islaturc, and the county surveyor appointed by
the board o&couutY commissioners; school trus-
tees shouldEhe elecaed by the tax pave of the
school distrtEt
The c',unk Treasurer, like the county collector
Of revenue. EouM lie appointed by the board of
county commissioners. with an ample bond to
protect the fbuNty and State
We preseR these views for the candid exami-
nation Of th3 pAppln. AL things considered, hav
ing in view The present condition of our popula-
lion, We taHsk- we have presented such plan.
based upon j clInpromisc of opposing interests
and views a6 6uld give as much Satisfaction as
any other ~ can conceive Of Al all events. let
The best tbeSgbt Of the State be given to the sub
|ect, not nrfthe purpose Of criticising or demol-
shlng the Suggestions of ourselves or Others, but
to indicate. III possible, something better. Let
lhose who 4nsslegest nothing better themselves,
reflect upontthe iflculties Of meeting all views.
and ihat, III facki society lives by compromise.
Ind by ,akitg the mean OF differing ideas and
measured - !.