Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-06-30
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

While there has been good deal O
talk in Yorkville during the past week
or such matter, about bicycles, whether
so and so was said, etc., all this is really
side issue. A much more important ques-
ton is whether or not members OF the
town council are entitled to free watel
rent as compensation for their services
whether or not it is exactly in accord will
the spirit of the town charter and the
constitution of. the state, for the members
of the council to create offices to be fillec
by themselves.
The understanding is that there hai
been more or less talk about this matter
among the members of the council. The
first question was as to who should bt
Superintendent of waterworks," an Of
flee created by the cou neil, and the salary
of which has been placed at 800 year
Two members of the council had beer
spoken of about the office. At recen
meeting, Warden Moore, the incumbent
rendered his resignation, whereupon hi
was re-nominated by Warden Pegram
There was an awkward pause, which
was finally broken by Warden McElwee
with a second to the nomination. War
den Parish either voted or indicated his
intention to vote for Warden Moore, ant
the matter was settled. Later, as has al
ready been reported, there was some talk
about the creation of the position of SUI
perintendent Of the streets also, with 6
salary, and presumably to be filled by 6
member of the council,
There has been a great deal of dissatis-
faction all along over the creation Of the
position of superintendent of waterworks,
and the suggestion as to the proposition
to create the position Of superintendent
of the streets, has rather added fuel to the
fire. A great many citizens are Of the
opinion, in the first place, that the council
has no right to create such offices as those
mentioned, and in the second place that
even if it has a right, there is no use for
such offices.
Such matters as these, however, are not
usually settled upon opinions. They
should be settled in accordance with law.
and for the enlightenment of those inter-
ested, we herewith quote some law that
seems to bear upon the subject. First,
we will quote the oath taken by members
upon being inducted into office. 1t is as
follows:
We and each of us do solemnly swear
that we are each duly qualified according
to the constitution of this state to exercise
the duties of the office to which we have
a. Nd fhafx
of our ability, discharge tho duties there
of and preserve, protect and defend the
of this state and OF the jnited
States = s. - + And we will not, during
our term Of office, engage in gambling or
betting OH game of chance. So help us
God.
Then, after this, comes the state consti-
tuition:
Article II, Section 2: Every qualified
elector shall he eligible to any office tn
be voted for, unless disqualified by age as
prescribed i'm this constitution. But no
person shall hold two offices of honor or
profit at the same time: Provided, That
any person holding another office may,
at the same time, be an officer i'll the mi
litia or Il notary public.
Now there may be a difference of opin-
ion as to what constitutes All office. IL
will be noted at the outset that the section
quoted says ''to be voted for" and if
there was nothing else, the assumption
might hold that only generally elective"
offices are intended. But reading on fur
ther, it will be seen that there are two ex-
ceptions-officer in the militia and notary
public. One of these is filled by an elec-
ton in which only limited number Of