The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-02

the number Of Its Judges necessary to insure
the prompt administration of justice VIII cos
less than any efficient system OF county
Courts.
the General Assembly In the confident assur
ance that 1t will receive the careful conSidera
proper remedies will be provided for those
evils which are now justly the cause OF com
plaint. If the General Assembly shouid deem
1t best to retain the present trial justice sys
amended as to provide for the payment o
stated salaries to all trial justices, and tha
they be not allowed costs in criminal cases
Some OF the trial justices now receive salaries
Compensated for their services their fees de
pend upon the number OF cases which they
hear; and sometimes. practically, upon the de
cisions which they render. The temptation
wrongfully has contributed in large measure
to the evils Of the system, In which, as too Of
ten happens, the officer Is wanting In the
character, ability, learning and professional
pride and training which should mark those
who sit as Judges in questions Involving the
rights and liberties Of their fellow. citizens
The trial justice should lie a conservator o
the pence. TO make him such the law mus
litigation. The number OF trial Justices now
allowed by law Is I07. The number In some
Of the counties is larger than the require
ments Of the service demand, and 1t should be
i
Of consideration. that trial Justices be ap
pointed by the Governor on the nomination
Of the solicitors and Of the Circuit Judges
subject to confirmation by the Senate, AM
cause. @ The personal aequainianse whicf
these officers have with the citizens in theil
respective circuits. and their official inter
course with the trial justices, would enable
them to make better selections for these I'M
portant Offices than it is possible for the Gov
ernor to do. Until this year 1t has been the
practice to appoint trial Justices for two years
and, upon the occurrence of q vacancy, to- I'll
the office for the balance Of the unexpiret
term. In this way the terms Of all trial jus
tires ended with the term of the Governor by
whom they were appointed. The attorney
general has recently given the opinion that
under existing laws. trial justices, If confirm
ed by the Sennte, hold Office for the full tern
ing to law. All appointments since this opin
ion was given have been made in accordance
with this construction of the law.
Census.
In my Message at the beginning OF the las
session the attention Of the General Assem-
bly, was culled to the fact that Article II, Sec
tion 1, OF the Constitution provides that th'
enumeration Of the inhabitants Of the Stat,
for the purpose of the apportionment Of th'
in the course of every tenth year thereafter
and 1t was recommended that such appropria
ton be made as might bc necessary for Suct
enumeration. The General Assembly made
meration. Article II, Section 5, Of the Consti
tuition provides that IF the enumeration here
in directed shall not be made In the course o
the year appointed for the purpose, 1t shall b.
the duty OF the Governor to have it effected a
soon thereafter as shall be practicable"
desired, If possible, to discharge the dut.
imposed upon the Governor by the sections o
the Constitution referred to in such manne
as To enable the State TO obtain the beneht
the fund which, according to an Act OF Con
gress. the General Government would ron
tribute towards defraying the expenses OF tax
Ing a census, upon compliance by the Stat
with the provisions Of the Act Of Congress
but being in doubt as to my powers and du
ties, requested the attorney general TO advis
enumeration, there being no appropriation
for that purpose.
The encouragement advised me "that sucl
enumeration cannot under existing laws b.
made In advance Of an appropriation by tn
General Assembly to dcfray the expenses.
The Constitution imposes upon the GOverno
the duty Of having this enumeration made
ated as may be necessary Tor this purpose.
Partsons and Communications.
In obedience to the requirement OF law,
submit herewith statement Of the pardon
last year. ana the reasons therefor.
In conclusion. I invoke your attention t.
the responsible duties for which you are nov
assem- bed with the sincere wish and the con
tident hope that your labors may he wisel.
directed to the advancement Of the best inter
ests Of the people.
HUGH 8. THOMPSON.