The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-12-18
ARTICLE VII.

Sec. /. The general assembly may
establish new counties in the following
manner: Whenever one-tblrd OF the
qualified electors within the area OF
each section of an old county proposed
TO be cut off to form new county
snail petition the governor tor the
creation of new county, setting forth
the boundaries and showing comph-
ance with the requirements OF this ar
dcle, the governor shall order az elec-
ton. within a reasonable time there
after, by the qualified electors within
the proposed area, In which election
they shall vote eyes" or "No" upon
the question of creating said new
county: and at the same electioa the
question of o name and county seat
for such county shall be submitted to
the electors.
Sec. 2. Ii two-thirds of the qualified
electors voting at such election shall
vote s.Yes'' upon snch questions, then
the general assembly at the next ses-
sion shall establish such new county:
Provided. No section. of the county
proposed to lie di>membered shall be
thus cut off without consent by two
thirds vote OF those voting IN such sec
ton; and no county shall be formed
without complying with all tie condl-
tons imposed III this article. An cleo
ton upon the question CT forming the
same proposed new county SHALL not
be held oftener than once IN four
years.
Sec. 3. No new county hereafter
formed shall contain less than one one
hundred aud twenty-fourth part OF the
whole number of inhabitants Of the
State, nor shall it have less assessed
taxable property than Sl,500,0C0 as
shown by the last tax returns, nor
shall it contain less area than 400
square miles.
Sec. 4. No old county shall be re-
duced to less area than 5UO square
miles, to less assessed taxable proper
ty than $2,000,00 nor to smaller
population than Is, 900 inhabitants.
Sec. 5. In the formation OF new
counties no old county shall be cut
within eight miles OF its courthouse
bnilding.
Sec. 6. All new counties here
after formed shall bear q just arpor-
tionment of the valid ind. bincss of the
old county or counties from which they
have been ioru.ed.
Sec. 7. The general assembly shall
have the power to alter county lines ut
anv time: Provided, That before any
existing county line is altered the
question shall be first submitted TO the
qualified electors OF the territory pro-
posed to be taken from one county and
given to another, aud shall have re-
ceived two-t thirds OF the votes cast:
Provided, further, That the change
shall not reduce the county from which
the territory is taken below the limits
prescribed in sections 3, ( and OF
this article: Provided, That the prop
er proportion OF the existing county
Indebtedness of the section so trans
ferred shall be assumed by the county
to which the territory is transferred.
Sec. S. No county seat shall be re-
moved except by a vote OF tWo-thirds
Of the qualified electors of SAID county
voting IL an election held for that pur-
pose, but such election shall not be
held in any county o:tener than orce
IN five years.
~ Sec. 8. Each county shall constitute
one election district, anu shall be q
body polite and corporate.
Sec. 10. The general assembly may
provide for the consolidation Of two
or more existing counties if u naj jority
of the qualified electors of such conn
ties voting at al election held for that
purpose shall vote sepA,attly therefor,
but such election shall not be held
oftener than once in iour years in the
same counties.
ships of this State, with names ard
boundaries as now established by law,
shall constitute IL body polite and cor
porate, but this shall Dot prevent the
general assembly flom organizing other
townships or changing th.. boundaries
Of those already established; and the
general assembly may provide such
system Of township government rs it
shall think proper in any al,, all the
counties, anu n@y make special prov.s-
aon for municipal government and for
the protection Of chartered rights and
powers Of municipalities.
Sec. II. Uutli changed by the gen.
eral assembly. as allowed 10y this Con-
etitution tue boundaries of the several
counties shall remain as Gov est,lb-
'isheG, except That tne boundaries OF
the county OF Ed-eiisld shni; undergo
such changes as are maie necessary by
the .ormutlon Of y Few cohh,v from
portion OF E,;getisld, to be Known as
Saludss, the boundaries Of ~liich areset
forth in 81 Collstltat onal ordinances.