The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-12-03

Ia my judgmsut shs eons,itusion slsould be
further smsndsd. Section l8 of aeticle 4
should Be strjsken out, and another substituted
IN lien thereof, Which should provide that q
Circuit Judgs shalt hold his Office during good
behavior. The reasons justifying such change
need not be given here.
should be stricken out. This section provides
that: The qualified electors Of esoh County
shall elect three persons for tho term Of tw
years, who shall constitute Boarl of County
Commissioners, which shall have jurisdiction
over roads, highways, ferries, bridges, and in
all matteas relating TO taxes, disbursements Of
money for county purposes, and in any other
case that may be necessary to tho internal i'm
provemeut and local concerns Of the respective
Counties. II Is not advisable to insert any
provision In tho stead thereof. 1t should be
left to the General Assembly to provide regula-
tions for the government Of the affairs Of the
counties. In anticipation Of this amendment,
It would DO premature to submit any suggestions
looking to the establishment Of o better system
Of county government. 1t is unquestionable
that tho present system IL not suited to our con-
dition, aud is the cause of many of the evils Of
which the people complain. I adopt as Of direct
application to the consideration by which We arc
surrounded, sentence from the 6rst inaugural
address Of President Jackson in which he says
The recentdemonstration Of public sentiment in
scribes on the list Of executive duties. in char
actors too legible to be overlooked, tho task Of
reform
Neither dishonesty, infdelity nor iucapaoity
need be imputed to county officials, with the
greatest efficiency, good results cannot be at
tanned under the present system.
Effect tho change hero suggested, and much
improvement will be within the reach Of tho
Legislature.
CENSUS
The attention Of the General Assembly has
heretofore been directed to tho fact that arti-
cle 2, section Of the Constitution provides that
an enumeration Of the Inhabitants Of the State
shall be made in the course OF every tenth year,
after 1875, for the purpose Of an apportionm ent
OF Representatives among the counties, and that
Section 5, article 2, provides, that IF the emu
meration herein directed shall not be made in
the course Of tho year appointed for the pur.
pose, it shall bs the duty Of the governor 10
have it effected as soon thereafter as shall be
practicable.
1t is plainly the Intention of tho section last
mentioned the accomplishment of the purpose
stated in the hrst shall not for any cause be de-
fested. The Governor cannot discharge tho
duty thus imposed upon him without an ap-
preparation. Clearly, the Governor should no /
be required to perform duty, and nt tho same
time be denied the means by which to discharge
il.
for this purpose. This will be necessary IL you
should ratify the amendment 10 the Constitution
relating to the census.
CONCLUSION.
Gentlemen Of the General Assem6iy:
l have thus endeavored to lay before you my
thoughts upon the condition Of the State, and
the methods BY which it may be improved. l
have made it my business, as l believe it to be
my duty, for the purpose Of ascsrtaining what
s,,,S
ought to be made.
No session for many years hos presented so
many important subjects as the present for leg
islative consideration.
The people demand the abolition of needless
| Offices. have cslled your attention to those
with which, / think, we can dispense, without
affecting the efficiency Of the whole. They do.
mand strict economy and rigid accounta blity
| in the expenditure of public moneys, but It
should not be forgotten that it is not always the
| smallest expenditure that constitutes the wisest
! economy. They demand simple and business
like conduct ofthe affairs state and county, will
be simplifed and improved, of the Government
l have made suggestions ny The sdoption
Of which l believe the admin i,tration OF
our affairs but in the consideration
Of apropriisns, it should not be forgot.
ten that efficiency is the great purpose to be
achieved, and from this end our attention should
not be diverted.
Inc people demand that the burdens a. well
as the benefits Of government shall be dstribu.
ted with fairness, business and impartiality
They demand uniformity and simplicity in tax.
| alton, and its distribution in such q manner as
that while all should bear thir Just share of the
| common burdens. those shall contribute mos
who receive most, and those suffer least who
can bear least.
For these important meters bcspeak your
| careful consideration, and invoking the blessing
Of Almighty God upon your deliberation, trust
that your duty will be discharged in such O
manner that tho permanent and material inter
ests Of the State and the happiness and pros.
perity Of her people may be promoted.
j. G. SHEPPARD, Governor