Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-12-03
Correspondence of the Yorkvillc Enquirer
THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

Correspondence of the HOrkvlllc Enquirer.
THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
COLUMBIA, November 30.-There has
been no really important legislation yet by
the General Assembly, except the action of
the Senate in defeating the Bill proposing
changes in the assessment and collection OF
taxes The majority in the Senate thought
the proposed changes would make the sys-
tenn more cumbersome and expensive than
the present plan, imperfect an unsatisfac-
tory as it is. 1t strikes me that SO long as
the present constitutional requirements re-
main in the way, we will never get tax
system that will be acceptable to the peo-
pie and at the same time insure prompt
collection of the taXas. This seems to be
the belief Of a majority of the Legislature,
and that it is useless to try to tinker at the
present plan when the requirements of the
constitution etfectually bar the way to any
simple and economical plan. What we
need is fewer tax officers in the county less
machinery-a simple law that the masses
can easily comprehend less red tape and
more common sense in our tax system, and
give the Comptroller General the power to
regulate assessments, SO as to secure equali-
zatiOn.
Efforts will be made to remedy the pres
ent plan in some important particulars and
the York delegation desire to acknowledge
their Indebtedness to Treasurer Neely for
valuable suggestions in this regard.
One of the most important matters that
will be considered this session is the Colum-
bia Canal, which continues to drag its slow
length along, and events seem to confirm
the opinion of your correspondent year
ago that before it is completed it will cost
the State nearly one million dollars, and is
an unWarrantable and unjustif1able Use OF
the peoples money. But as a majority OF
this present body last session voted an ap-
preparation to continue the work on this
project, it is to be presumed that they will
do so this session, although think some
members who voted for the canal last ses-
sion are inclined to change front. The Pen.
itentiary, in 1882, had net surplus of
s65, 900 over and above the support of the
institution but now since the canal project
has been saddled upon the Penitentiary it
has not only wiped out all the annual profits
of the Penitentiary, but has also consumed
an annual appropriation Of SIT 1000; and
what for? TO manufacture water powers,
and that, too, when water powers are so
numerous over our State.
There is a strong feeling among the MEM
bers of the Legislature who are opposed to
any eXtravagant appropriations that an Or
ganized effort must be made to check this
evil, which, like all other evils, unless OPP
posed will increase. With this end in view,
a conference of those who were in favor of
retrenchment of expenditures was called, to
meet in the hall of the House of Represen-
tatiyes last Saturday night, and committees
were appointed to get up information and
report to the next meeting of the conference
on Wednesday night as to how far and in
what departments retrenchment of expenses
can be effected without impairing the efti-
cheney of the public service.
A Bill to call Constitutional Convention
of the people is on our calendar. do not
think it will secure the necessary two-thirds
vote. The objections seem to be the great
cost at this time, when the financial condi-
tion of our people is so unsatisfactory. Some
think, too, that the same ends can be gained
by amendments from time to time by the
Legislature and submitted to the people.
The Governor recommends an increase of
the number of Circuit Judges, which of
course meets with the approval of almost
every legal gentleman in the Legislature,
as they say, and perhaps honestly, that it is
absolutely necessary. 1t may be absolutely
necessary that two more lawyers should get
Judgeships and two more be made Solici-
tors, but am not so sure that it is essential
to an efficient administration Of justice.
The taking of the State census will again
come up for consideration. 1t is true this
is required by the constitution, but if taken
next year the re-apportionment of the rep
resentation in the Legislature cannot take
place without an extra session of the Legis-
lature until 1883, which bringsit so near the
next Z. S. Census that it seems to me the
better plan would be to change the consti-
tuition, and in 1890 re-apportion the repre-
sentation upon the basis of the next census
to be taken in that year. 1t is estimated
that it will cost the State $4,000 to take a
census of the people.
The Judges ofall the circuits, except Judge
Kershaw and Judge Fraser are to be re-
elected this session. There will be no oppo-
siton except in Judge Aldrich's circuit,
and perhaps in Judge Pressley's circuit.
Senator Moore, from Hampton county, is
spoken of as a probable candidate against
Judge Aldrich, and 1 have heard General
Izlar's name mentioned for the Judgeship
in Judge Pressley's circuit. b.