The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-12-08

that it would impress our people with the i'm
pOrtance, the honor and responsibility of u
commissioner. In past elections our vOtersseem
to have been impressed with the mischievous
idea that any man would do for a county COM
missioner, forgetting, that he fills an office
equal in responsibility and that should be
equal in honor to any for which our votes are
cast. Capable and competent commissioners
are of equal Importance to our counties as
other county officers or as members of the
General Assembly. For in addition to their
relation tn our roads, bridges lind ferries they
virtually levy our county taxes, disburse our
money, appropriate to our internal improve
mcnts and have the high Ond charitable duty
of providing for tho poor, when the great pow
er of this office is thus fully explained to our
people, they would use more discretion and
Judgment, and elect a wis.,, prudent, safe and
honest business man to perform its duties.
In opposition to this change, 1t will be urg-
ed, that it is creating an autucratic, One-man
County government or i'll other words it would
be entrusting too much power to one officer.
But this power would be restrained and con-
trolled By the discretion and judgment that
would be exercised in the selection or election
of so important an officer; by the large bond
required of him by the improved capability
and fitness of an officer whose services could
bc secured FOR such an increased salary by
the greater vigilance and watchfulncss of the
people and especially of the bnndsmen Of an
officer trusted with such varied and cXt.n-
Sive power. Under such controlling condi-
tions one may nationally conclude, that II
most proper and efficient person would be
elected to the Office as no other could give the
required bond. These same controlling cop-
ditions would guarantee to each county imnu-
nifty from any loss, would prevent any abuse
of such liberal trust and power, would secure
improved roads and highways would devel-
up our internal resources and cause an eco
nomical disbursement of our county tax.
Again, it will be objected, that it is creating
an additional office and salary, on the contrary
it will dispense with two officials and give to
only one commissioner the salary now di-
vided among three and a clerk.
Mr.. President, where there Is so much trust,
it seems to me that II division of labor is not
desirable. 1t is usually safer to coniidc q
great trust and responsibility to one compe-
tent person than to a half dozen. 1t is wiser
to entruSt the administration Of Il large estate
to one capable executor than to half dozen
legatces, devoid of business capacity more
economical to employ one learned and honest
attorney to prosecute a case at law, than to
have two or three; the life and health of a
patient is ordinarily safer in the hands Of one
scientific conscientious physician than to
have half a dozen ~wrangling> over diagnosis,
prugn0sis and remedies. Thus it would BE-
better and more economical to give the juris-
diction of our county affairs to one conilnmis-
sioncr wisely selected and we'll bondc! his
salary would enable him to give his entire
time to the county his bnnu and the law
would demand that he did do it; he would
have ample time togivc his personal insp,c-
ton and supervision to every financial trust,
to every bridge and ferry and 10 travel over
every mile OF road in the county.
Another reason for the adoption of this
resolution is sl,at it would enable us to make
a systematic use Of State and county con.
victs, MS i. is to DC hoped that the time is not
far distant when they will be employed upon
our highways, under a bonded commissioned "a
single AID responsible head, would ba most
appropriate person to trust witt tn humane vet
we'll disciplined management Oh This class OF
persons.
Mr.. President. / have every confidence in
this wiSdr ul and necessity OF This resolution
yet from II unanimous unfavorable report OF
The Judiciary Committee, feel thut that tho
Senate Is nut nuw prepared to pass il. ! there.
fore Withdraw my motion and let the Senate
act uIon the report of the committc.