The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-07-04
They Rise to Explain.
THE CHARLESTON SENATORS GIVE THE HISTORY
OF THE CENSUS LEGISLATION IN THE sENArE.


OF THE CENSUS LEGISLATION IN THE SENATE.
To the Editor of The Ne,cs and Courier
Captain Tillman has on several occasions
seen ft to denouncs those members of the
State Senate who voted against the census
and reapportionment bills. We have waited
to see whether any one, other than ourselves,
| would give the rcasons for such action. We
| are unwilling longer 10 have such reasons
| unstated, especially in view Of the recent
attack on that upright soldier and gentleman,
Judge Izlar, whose position necessarily fsrces
him to keep silence.
The facts are as follows: The General
Statutes Of the Stale contained aud now con-
| tanned the general provisions for taking
the census. About two or three days
| before the close of the session Of
| 1884 bill came over from the House to the
| Senate, amending in certain particulars the
general law, on the subject of the census,
principally as to the rate per .capita to: be
paid and in other minor points. While how
ever, it left the duty on the Governor of hav-
ing an enumeration made, neither this bill
nor the general law appropriated any money
to enable him to have tho work done. The
bill therefore, as it passed the House, was
incomplete aud would have effected no re-
suit.
On inquiry II was ascertained that the
probable expense of a State census would
amount to some $4,000 or 100000. This
was the estimate made by careful men, who
were supposed to be in q position to know.
| The majority Of the Seniors, nearly oil Of
whose counties were unaffected by the result
did not feel justified in putting upon tho
people this heavy expense. And as the
House, which was the body whose
membership was in question. had not deemed
| AL, of La
the appropriation necessary for the work,
these Senators, acting on the bill sent them
by the House, rejected it.
The counties whose representation would
be affected by the census were about equally
divided. The very large majority of the
Senators were entirely disenterested, as it
did not affect their counties any way. A
majority of these disinterested Senators vot-
ell against the bill, and by their votes it was
defeated.
In 1886 the amendment to the Constitu-
tion was proposed allowing reapportionment
on the basis Of the United States census of
1890 and thereafter. This was adopted by
the vote of every Senator present except one,
Mr.. Reynolds, of Beaufort. 1t was pro-
posed and passed as fulflmsut of the re-
quircment IF the Constitution providing for
reupportionment, but rs saving the ta Ipaye ers
of the State the heavy expense Of taking the
State.
At the same Session, 1886, the House
| again sent over bill fer taking tho census
| by the State authorities. But the euasn.i-
meut to the Constitution had been passed
providing the other method fer reappsrtion-
| ment, q, n measure of economy TO the State,
the Senate did not feel called on to pass this
bill.
There was another serious objection, to
| wit: Whether an extra session of tho Lcgis-
lature could legally be called to reapportion
| in time for the election in the fall Of 1886.
This had due consideration. But that which
| determined tho matter was that another
| method for reapportionment had been pro-
vided, by which the taxpayers were saved
some $4,000 or $50, 700.
The matter then came before tho people
of the State ut the general election in 1886,
when this amendment was submitted for their
decision. 1t was adopted by an overwhelm.
ing popular vote, The people Of tho Stale
thereby ratified and approved the action OF
the Legislature in substituting this means
OF reappiOnment, and saving them the heavy
tax and expense Of taking the census by the
State. And the people themselves having
thus acted on the question, it was settled
finally
During the session of 1886 the bill to rati
| thiS OOuotituttVhui hiucHuucEb CHInC Dc
fore the Senate. 1t was passed by the vot,
Of every Senator except one.
In 1887 and again in 1888 bills were in
trsduced into the Senate to rsapportion or
the basis Of the census of 1880. These were
opposed as not being within the scope of tho
amendment, which provided that the frs
reapportionment should be made under ths
census Of 1890. There were also practical
difficulties, as for instanes with Charleston
County, which bad been divided since that
census into Charleston and Berkeley. This
prevented any accurate or proper reappor
tisnmcnt on the basis of the census in 1880
The Senate, therefore, by decided majority
rejected the bills.
This is simple statement of the case. VIZ
do not propose to indulge in iutemperats Ian.
guage or to be drawn into vituperation O,
recriminatien. We desire solely to give tn,
reasons which governed the Senate in it.
action.
AUGUSTINE 7. SNyrHE,
GEO. LAME BUST,
Senators from Charleston County