Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-12-15
Correspondence of the YorkviTle Enquirer
OUR COLUMBIA LETTER.

excited some interest and discussion in our
county, think it proper to give little
more in detail some of the provisions of
the Bill. In the first place, as 1 said before,
it was introduced to meet generally ex-
pressed wish on the part of the people of
York county that something should be done
to lessen our expenses, which means reduc-
ing our taxes. While we may change the
Bill so as to allow one trial justice for each
township, and the same number of consta-
bles, instead of six trial justices as provid-
sation that it will not amount to a greater
sum of money than the Bill provides that
the six shall receive, it does not necessarily
follow that the cost of the two plans will
be the same. One, if not the chief reason
for reducing the number to six trial justices,
is the well-knoWn fact that many prosecu-
tions for petty criminal offences, are brought
by persons who do so on the impulse of the
moment, and perhaps from some personal
feeling, when, if trial justice was not SO
near at hand, they would have time to give
the matter more mature consideration, and
in many cases never apply for warrant.
It is the experience of every one who is
familiar with the proceedings of our Grim
inal courts, that cases are tried every term
of court which should never have been
placed on the docket, thus greatly adding to
our county expenses and Jail fees. am in
formed by the representatives of one coun-
ty in this State, that system in opera
tion in their county, similar to that pro-
posed in this Bill, has directly and lndl-
rectly saved to them not less than five
thousand dollars, and they think that re-
ducing the number Of trial justices and
consequently increasing the extent Of their
territorial Jurisdiction, an important factor
in bringing about this reduction of ex.
penses in the way have stated. But feel
somewhat bound to be governed in this
matter by the memorial of the Executive
Committee of York county on the subject,
and to recognize them as rejecting the sem
timent of the people, and shall, with the
concurrence of the members of the House
from York, offer an amendment in the Sen
ate so as to give one trial justice to each
township, and, if adopted, will give you in
my next letter full details of the Bill as
amended. The Bill, as introduced, gave
to the trial justices jurisdiction in cases cog
nizable in the Court Of General Sessions
throughout the county, so the impression
that seemed to prevail among some of our
people that for an offence that was triable
by the court, that the prosecutor would, un-
der this Bill, have to go distance for
warrant, was unfOunded.
A Bill has been introduced in the House
to prohibit the county commissioners OF
York county from granting aid to the out
side poor, except in cases of Confederate
soldiers, who may be unable to earn llV,
ing. A reference to the report of the board
of county commissioners of York, last year,
shows that over $4,000 was expended by
them last year for this purpose, and l am
informed that for the year just past, it will
probably reach $4,000. While | am not in
favor of allowing any of our fellow citizens
to suffer who are unable to earn a support,
yet see no way of preventing the present
abuse except by requiring those who are
entitled to support from the county, togo
to the county aims house,. Petitions are OBJ
tained with so much facility for any purpose,
that they are very unreliable and dan
gerous basis for obtaining money from the
county treasury.
The levy for Cherokee township for the
payment of the interest on township bonds,
issued in aid of the c., G. & G. r. r., will
be fixed at 21 mills in the tax bill.
Whilst there are several important meas.
ures of general interest pending, none OF
them have progressed sufficiently far to
warrant US in saying that they will get
through. This is the more difficult owing
to the large number of new members in the
House, who are apparently still investl-
eating and have not yet made up their
minds, or settled down on any policy by
which they will be governed in their action
on these measures.
The bill to repeal the lien law has been
postponed until the next session, year
hence.
The Bill to abolish free tuition in the
South Carolina University has passed the
Senate. The Bill provides that students
shall be charged $40 tuition fee and $40 ma
circulation fee; but further provides that
any young man who shall furnish an atfi-
davit from his parents or guardians, and
certificate from the sheriff, clerk OF the
court and auditor that he is unable to pay
his tuition fee, shall be admitted free. The
Senate also passed Bill to provide for the
election of the trustees of the University by
the General Assembly except the Governor,
justices of the Supreme Court and State Su-
perintendent of Education, who shall be er
o6fcio members of the board of trustees.
The Bill increases the number to nineteen
members, fourteen of whom are elected by
the General Assembly, and provides that
two shall be from each of the Congressional
districts of the State.
The Joint Resolution submitting Con-
stitutional amendment abolishing the Of
fee of county commissioners, to the people,
at the next general election, passed the Sen
ate by almost unanimous vote.
A movement is on foot and has passed
the House, to reduce the salary of county
school commissioner, but I cannot predict
its fate.
The Bill to reduce the salary OF tie Lieu
tenant Governor, has passed both branches
of the General Assembly. The Bill repeals
the law fixing the salary at one thousand
dollars. 1t gives the Lieutenant Governor
double the per diem of member of the
Legislature, as his only compensation.
A Bill to authorize foremen of grand ju-
ries to administer oaths to witnesses was
defeated.
The Bill to authorize Broad River and
Bullock's Creek townships to transfer their
subscriptions from the G. G. & G. r. h. to
any other company that will build rail
road through said townships, after liml-
ted period, if the freeholders choose to do so,
has passed to third reading.
AT an election held last Thursday, L. ):
Lipscomb was reelected superintendent OF
the penitentiary, and n. w. Brooker, of
Edgefeld; J. S. Guignard, of Aiken; and
c.. W. McFadden, of Chester, were elected
directors.
The canal question is being discussed, but
there are no indications as to what course
the Legislature will take in this very i'm
portant matter. am satisfied that if they
are governed by the wishes of the people OF
the State, this whole project will be aban-
doned. It is herculean task that Will nev-
er pay as an investment either IN money or
otherwise.
Col. McKissick has introduced his peren-
NAL Bill to limit the rate of interest to sew
en- per cent. 1t is difficult to see the wis
dom of attempting to limit the rate of in
terest, when farmers, by borrowing money