The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-11-24
For six years Democratic ,S37
For six years Radical rule ..............2 n 02S
Increase under Democratic rule.

lHCTedSc uluCT l)ctIlOCTUllC TNle...-SlC,oIS
We have compared the items faithfully
wheu they could be asccrtained Tor The cores
pondiug years in 1870 and 1880 When only
one year could be asccrtaincd the item has
been omitted. 1t will Ike seen that these items
under Democratic rule have cost the people
about &C per cent. more than the same items
cost under Radical ruic.
We have given only such items rs were in
.sJ;n2 Wy connected with the Court. Because
Of the lack Of uniformity in making out the
annual reports Of the County Commissioners,
we were unable to give q comparative state
Inent of everS item in every year.
No personal blame can attach TO the Sheriff,
to the Trial Justices, or to other officers con-
nected with this increase. The amounts emu.
nerated are allowed by law. and the officers
in no wise responsible for the increase.
They have no right to make any charge other
than that authorized by law, and as long as
the law remains on our statute books these OF
ficers must continue to make out their ac-
counts US they have heretofore done. The
fault rests with our lawmakers, and 1t Is for
the people to say whether they shall be held
TO an accountability If they continue the
public money
The expense for the poor house, public
buildings, and bridges were higher in Radical
times than they are now.
There has been no suspicion Of an over
charge, nor OF an improper charge, on the part
of any officer 1t is the system, or the laws, OF
which we complain. Our Lawmakers alone
are responsible for this increase of expense
and we think theg should be hereafter held tu
a strict accountability. Ii they fail to inSti.
tute the necessary reforms, they need never
go before the people under any claim of being
ecnaomicnl. At least four Of our delegation
are pledged 10 reforms and low taxes, and the
other two delegates to the General Assembly
were elected on the Farmers Ticket, in the he.
lief that they were in favor Of economy. They
now have an opportunity to prove their fidel-
ity to the people, and we shall be glad to note
any effort which they or any Of them may
make for the relief of the people.
- rIli nd I
the law In reference to the dieting of prison.
e:s Is not desirable for the whole state, let it
he changed for Abbeville county.
If other sections OF the State are satisfied
with the present trial justice system, our Leg
islators ought TO ask their fellow aw-rnakerS
80 grant relief TO the people Of Abbevillc
county.
The increase in these items Of expense VIC
believe to be due more particularly to the
present trial Justice system. There never has
been time when the country enjoyed Il more
profound peace than that with which we have
bren blessed since the overthrow Of the Re.
publican party in South Carolina, and there is
no earthly need for this constantly increasing
expense The present system has been tried
long enough, and we think it time to try some
other plan
If trial Justices were paid an annual salary
instead OF fees, as at present, the court cX-
penscs would be greatly reduced for the re;t
son that fewer men would be committed fol
trial. A case in point. Some time ago a trial
Justice OF this county issued papers for GER
the trial. the prosecutor was convinced that
the case should DC withdrawn. and upon tho
day of trial both parties earnestly requested
the trial justice to withdraw the case, but Inc
persisted and tried the case, when he could
have had little other motive In trying
the case than to get the cost Of trial, which
must, in any event, have been paid by til,
county. The case was dismissed, and the
county was charged several dollars more than
would otherwise have been charged, If the
case had been dismissed, as requested. II
this case the trial Justice must have known
the issue Of the case before entering into the
trial. Such q temptation should not be PLACED
in the way or any judicial officer. This is no
an isolated ease. Upon examination of thu
accounts of the trial justices now on file IL
the County Commissioners Office ut Abbcvillt
Court House, it will be seen that u very large
majority of these accounts are for simia
c;lSrs-cuSeS which have been heard and dis
missed. 1t Is q fearful commentary on the in
tegrity OF a government Which Will continue
a practice so pcrniciouS and SO corrupting tt
the public morals, and so openly uni ust 10 TIL
taxpayers and the good name of the poitica
party which tolerateS such fiagrant abuses.
Pay the trial Justices in the country a salary
OF about S25 year, and pay the trial justice!
at the Court House q fee SOmeS hat larger, say
SO or moro, as the Legislature in its wisdom
may see tit to give and then cut down tn
Jail-feeding fees 10 10 cents q day, and then ell
act law requiring the Clerk of the Court u
release on their own rccognzancc, such pris
onerS rs are charged with petty offences, nnt
who may make affidavit that they are unable
to give security. and the taxpayer will Ger
fainly feel u perceptiblc relief from an oner
Gus burden, which he Is now SO i'll able u
bear.
There remains no necessity for paying sl0.5
q month for dieting prisoners in our Jniis
When that price was adopted DrcadStutf
must have been two or three times as high Il
at present. Our boarding houses are now any
ious to get boardrrs at Sll 10 $l2 month
Then shall the county furnish house am
pay $l0.5J to board prisoners?
The DlEDCrS at The DOOR house are let 10 III