The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-01-13
Our Representation.

During the recent session ofthe Legislature,
there was considerable talk on the subject OF
the re. .appbrtionment OF the representation OF
the different Committees. 1t was for this pur-
pose that it was sought to make all appr0pri-
ution to take the Census OF the State. 1t IL
claimed, that as things now stand, the repre-
sentation In the Legislature is very unequal,
and the representatives of those Counties,
that IT. was thought were entitled TO more re-
presentation, were OF course anxious to have
the re-appOrtionment made, as they claimed
that they were OH this account deprived OF
that degree OF influence III the Legislature,
which was their right, -.
Now it is perfectly natural for the people OF
any County to demand the fuii representa-.
ton they are entitled TO under to law, and
the Legislature In our opinion, should have
made provisi on for the talking OF the Census
for this purpose, In obedience 10 the plain re-
quirements Of the Constitution, for Two rea--
sons. ..
The first reason, is, that justice may be
done all round, and the second reason, that It
is setting q bad precedent to begin TO "camp
outside OF the Constitution" In the face Of
this, the expense should not have been consi'
deled.
While this is the case, those Counties that
think they are deprived OF that degree OF In,
1uence that belongs to them, because they
were not FULLY represented in the Legislature,
should remember that 1t Is not numbers nlere-
ly that give influence and power, but intelii-
gence and trd1ning
In the discussion of this subject in the Leg
Charleston's having more representatives, IN
the Legislature than she is entitled to. We
believe this to be so.
Charleston has had for a long number Of
years, IL controlling influence In the Legisla-
lure and this Is attributed by many 10 the
number of her representatives. There never
was Il greater mistake
TIE Influence that Charleston has always
exerted upon legislation in South Carolina.
does not come from the number Of her repre-
sentatives, but arises from the fact, that tho
people Of Charleston have always had the
sagacity TO keep trained men IN the Leglsla-
ture. There lies the secret.
Unfortunately In most Counties, they
change representatives ut every election. BY
the time a man gets SO he can be OF some SER
vice to bis County and State, he Is made TO
| "sand aside" in order to make room Tor
some other aspirant OF legislative honors.
When these ne1O men 60 there. and meet up
with those who have been trained In leg1s!a-
tive work, az a matter Of course, they are at u
very great disadvantage.
We do not contend that men should be sent
to the Legislature for life, but we do say that
is great piece Of folly TO change representa-
tiveS ut every election.
When a County gets good representative
In the legislature, he should lie Kept there
long enough to be OF some service The train
ed men IN the Legislature, are the ones who
have Influence there. :.
Let the Counties pursue this course, and It
will make very little difference how nong
men CnaIle lesion or any other place may send
The course that has heretofore been pursued
by most OF the Counties In this matter, has
been the fruitful cause Of so much crude leg-
iSlat ttOn. that requires Il eNer-endlng amount
OF amending.
1t is not more representation that the pee:
pie need. hut u representation trained ana
lifted for the responsibilities pot upon them.
WELL before trotttng out new candidates Ion
the next election. Selah.