The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-02-25
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satisfactory line upon which the deal
shall be made, and are not present
ing any very solid reasons Tor the
course which they urge. We would
like to see the representation upon
the State ticket distributed more
generally over the State than it is
ut present, and would like to see
more diversity of interests placed up
on it; but We are bound in candor to
say that we do not believe that there
is a single inefficient man on our
present State ticket, or that there is
man on 1T who has not fully, con-
scientiouslY and successfully dischar-
ged his official duties. Therefore in
making nominations this year we are
not i'll favor of turning any man out
simply because he is in, and we
trust and believe that tho people of
South Carolina are too conservative
and too just to our public officers to
GUST them SIMPLY for tho amuse-
ment of making change Our idea
Is, that each man that is candidate
should be considered on his merits,
and the best man in point of qualifi-
cation, location and representative
character should benominated, with.
out reference to whether he is now
III Office or out of it. The clamor
for n new deal in the State offices,
although not 50 intended, is likely to-
be seized by local politicians as a
hobby on which to carry the different
Counties of the State, and such re-
suit would prove disastrous to the
public service. Under our Constitu
ton and laws a good set of County
officers throughout the State is of
more consequence to the people than
the set OF State officers 80 long as
we retain II twothirls ma iority in
the Legislature There is no oppor-
tullity either for corruption, or the
exercise of undue power, by n State
officer. They cannot spend one cent
more than is appropriated by the
Legislature, and cannot contract any
debt. They arc subject to the most
absolute system of checks and con-
troll, so that the State is in no dan
ger of real materinl loss through her
State officers. This cannot be said
OF our County governments, where
the County commissioners cnatruc,
f"t' and disburse one third Of MI the
money collectcdior taxes. The pco
PSo are suhje3tel to loss from ig,iorant
: eosHHpT'oT Careless Comty Commis
sloncrs, which are mulch more scri
ous and difficult to reach than nm,
{ whiclt are possible III lcr the Stat.
officers. The County School Com
mlSalonaiS have the disbursement al
SO OF an amount equal to onc-tifth oil
all the taxes Of the State govern
ment practically un>lcr tIfeir control
The opportunity for direct corrup
ton ON the part of the School Com
missioner il perhaps not SO great as
with the County Commissioners, but
the waste and incXpodicnt manage
ment of tile school funds, which arc
posi- ,le under an incomDctcnt or
dishonest or even inctltci, Mt School
commissioner, nre subjects demand
ing the careful consideration of the
public. Then the Senators and Rep
tatiVes elected from the aeber-
ate Counties compose the Legisla
ture, and have absolute control of
the expenditure of ovcry cent Of the
money collected for taxes which is
not expended under tbs supervision
of the County Commissioners and
School Commissioners. It will be
seen, therefore, that while it is inn
! Portant to secure none but efficient,
capable and honorable men for the
positions OH our State ticket, the
best safeguard against extravaganza,
corruption and financial mismanaSe-
mont lies i'll the election of our best
and most reliable and intelligent ff1en
t" the positions of County Commis-
sioners, School Commissioners and
Legislators. These are the positions
which levy the taxes, and provide
for tine disbursement Of the moneys.
Now, we think go 1ernment should
be run just as any other legitimate
business Is conducted, Nome but
competent men should ever be cho-
sen for any position under the gov