The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-10-31

They recommend some material changes
in the school commissioners salary. We're
the school commissioner to do the work of
the Office as it ought to be done, the salary
would be small enough. but if the work of
the Office is as the grand jury presents it,
aId as it really is, principally
that Of approving teachers pay
certificates, then we think the pay
far too much. Their recommendation
would give him about $500 commissions
INC $50 for expenses. We think better
law would be $500 salary and s25 for ex-
ensee. This would be fair compensation
io1 the work Of the Office as usually per-
formed throughout the State. But we real
" Shink it would be better to do away with
the whole Office, and le: the county COM
missioners perform the work of the Office,
unless the law should be so changed rs to
make the Office more effective. Il the con-
stitutional amendment, abohshing the oGce
is carried, and we hope it will be, 1t will
cause a revolution in this Office. No more
money will then be paid to the school COM
missioner than the amount and nature Of
his work warrants.
The recommendation to put into the Jail
two iron cells is O good one. The jail itself
il fraud, and the amount paid for it an
imposition on the people. 1t is not fit for
iail. If, however, some iron cells were
placed in the jail, and some other changes
made. It would help matters greatly. The
county commissioners should look after
this building, and see to it that all broken
aloss. insecure locks, and such defects,
shouid be remedied at once. The prison
ers ought to be supplied with sufficient bed
clothing and tod for their health's sake.
The sanitary condition of the Jail should
always have close attention.
We don't exactly agree with the grand ju-
~ that the jurisdiction Of trial Justices
should be extended. but they are on the
night track. We think there ought 10 be u
trial justice, or county Judge, or some such
officer, with his Office at the court house,
whose jurisdiction should embrace much
that is now carried before the court of ses-
sions. We are kind o on the fence" about
the whipping post and chain gang. We
have not given the matter sufficient tno2Sht.
But we rather lean to an endorsement OF
this part of the report. We certainly do IN
=. ference to the chain gang, and the whip
ping post for wife beaters.
With reference to the reduction of the
clerk of courts salary, We do not know
enough of the workings of the Office to have
q decided opiaioI. At present, as the law
now stands, we believe he receives but little
monev from the county, his pay being prin-
cipally what be gets from recording papers,
and such, and varying each year with the
amount Of work done. Those who have the
work done pay for it.
And likewise with the poor farm. It is
sometimes pest Of infamy, but we under
stand that it is now very well managed. 1t
would not be bad idea to try the boarding
ont plan for year OF two, but until the plan
is successful, or proves better than at present,
We would think it unadvisable to sell the
farm. Rent it out. It's certainly one OF the
most expensive institutions in the county.
but then we have the poor always with rs
and must take care of them.
We are decidedly in favor Of issuing
bonds to get the county on 4 cash basis.
Eight per cent, however, is too high q rate
of interest. The money could be easily OBJ
tanned at six per cent, provided the Legls-
!ature were to pass an act requiring an an
nual levy Of one mill to pay interest and
principal till all is paid. The school part
Is already on O. cash basis; the State part
can take care of itself: i. IS only the county
part that it is desired, we presume, 10 put
on cash basis, and levy Of one mill for
five years would do it.
The report contains number Of good,
common sense suggestions. and may Re
termed good report.