The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-02
TWO GOOD REASONS FOR OPPOSING THE
MEASURE.
1t ~ too Much Power to Put In Ono
Mans Hands, and 1t Is Impossible
for Ono Man 10 Serve the Public
as Well as Three.
Wdteree Messenger.

Wdteree Messenger.
We print below In full the joint resolution
10 submit at the next general election con-
stitutlonal amendment, In reference 10 tue
posed to abolish this Board as IT now exists
and substitute therefor one man who Will he
required TO DO the work hitherto performed
by three men: As at present advised NIse we are
IN the first place 1t Will put too much power
in one mans hands. This Office Is the most
important one In the County Government
Upon its proper administration depends In
q great M measure the prosperity and welfare
OF the people. Wider latitude Is given the
Commissioners In :he exercise OF Judgment
and good sense, thnn is the case with any
other official. The Sheriff, Auditor, Treas
urer and other officers have their respective
duties strictly marked out by law; very lit
H., Is left TO their discretion. Not so with the
Commissioners, who have Jurisdiction over
matters relating to trades, disbursements OF
money for County purposes, and ~ every
other case that may be necessary To the inter
nal Improvement and local concerns OF tne
respective counties. Their powers are great
and can not he limited by statute, and many
things must necessarily be left TO their hon.
esty, impartiality and sound judgment. II
seems to us an immense measure 10 connoe
30 much authority to single individual.
Such confidence Is very apt 10 be abused, es
ppcully when we consider how liable man Is
10 err, and how often he is sTayed by feelings
OF selfinterest or prejudice. When three
men hold the reins Of government these er.
rors nre less likely to occur.
Then the jurisdiction OF this Board extends
over the whole county, ana " N linpoSsioIe
for one man to know the wants Of the various
portions Of that county. But this objection
Is obyinted with three mon chosen from diff
ferent parts Of the county. Each one can
keep himself thoroughly posted In regard 70
the necessities and desires OF his own COM
munity and settlement, ana mus me Work
,rJ Ia co
polite No section will be likely TO- receive
more attention and improvement than the
other sections.
While we would not reduce the number OF
men bers now constituting the Board oi
Cou ity Commissioners, still we would also De
oprospd to any increase In that number. In
this instance we believe that In multitude
OF counsellors there is wisiom, provided that
the multitude Is retained at It's present triple
SECTION i. Be 1t resolved by the Senate
and House of Representatives OF the state OF
south Carolina, now met and sitting In Cen
eral Assembly, and by the authority OF the
same, That the following amendment 10 the
Constitution be submitted IN lhe qnhlinea
electors OF the State Mt the next g"nerhl eject
ion, and II q majority OF the electors qnal-
flied To vote for members of the General AS.
sumbly voting thereon shall vote In favor oi
such amendment. and tWo,thlrdS OF eaGi
branch of the next General Assembly snail,
after such electinn aud before annther ntiiy
the said amendment by yeas md nens, See
lion nineteen 40 of Article ~ OF the Con-
siitutIon, relaiing To the Judiciml Depart
ment, which provides for the election OF II
Board nf County Commissioners ana pre-
scribe the Jurisdiction thereof. he reFehleu.
SECTION g. That the question OF adopting
this amendment shall be submitted TO me
electors rs follows: Those In favor OF mo
following words plainly printed or written
therenn: "Consi!tntlonai Amendment, re;
pealng Section Nineteen ll9l Article ~. o,
the Constitution, which provides for Board
Jurisdiction thereoE--Yes," Those opposed TO
said amendment shall cast ballot with the
following words plainly printed or written
thereon: Constitutional Amenuinent re.
the Constitution, which provides for Bonrd
Of County Commissioners and prescrioes the
Jurisdiction thereof.-No."