The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-04-07
Another Chance For Sa-
lem County.
Changed the Lines Hence it is
Possible for Another Elec-
ton to be Ordered.

There is to be aD0ster election 10 toe
district of tbe State which it was orig
inally proposed to fora the rsW county
of Salem. It will be remembered tha;
Govrrno Eyaps ordered an election on
the question of forming this pew coun-
ty las. fall. The advocates of the new
county failed to carry the election
Until a few days ago moth
ing was heard of the pro-
posed new county. the Constitution
prohibiting another election within four
years. But the mer who lived iu Ger.
tain portions Of the territory concerned
wanted new county and so they set to
work to arrange other territorial li1es
and 80 on. The result was that they
wrote the governor submitting their
position 10 full and asking if an elec-
ton would he ordered 10 case all con.
s.itotioual requirements were complied
with
The matter was refeared the attorney
generals Office and the following opin-
ION rendered yesterday will be read
With ioy by those interested
To His Escellency. w. q. Eilerbe.
Dear Sir: The letter Of Mr.. j. L..
Parrott, referred to this Office. has bad
careful consideration.
1t appears that the people propose to
form a new couoty fecm portions of
Sumter, Kershaw and Darlington to be
called Salem. A petition vas filed in
tho executive ofice last year. and
Governor Evana ordered an election at
which two-tbirdf Of the qualified cleo
tors according To the returns of the
County board Of cauvassers did not vote
in favor of the formation of the pew
county in Darlington and Kershaw.
The propositions Of the people oow is
to change the lines of the new county
so as to take so miles less from Ker
shaw county, IS miles less from Oar
liogjoD and IS miles more from Sumter
and also to change the name, aud the
question submitted is Can you order
an election for the creation of :he pro-
posed new couosy
The answer to this question depends
upon the construction Of the last clause
10 section 2, article 7. Of the Cocsfitu.
ton Of 1895, which is as follows
..Au election upon the question Ct
forming the same proposed pew
county shall not be held oftener ;hao
once in four years .
Wba. ia the meaning of the words I:
..the sane proposed new county ?
Clearly they signify the same county IN
area. population, taxable property,
name, etc
No election could be ordered to. be
held IN precisely the same territory
ofteDer than once 10 four years But
when there are substantial changes 10
the area. population, etc it would not
be an election upon the question of
forming ",he same proposed new coup-
ty
The manifest object of the inhibition
in the Constitution upon the power of
the governor 10 order elections upon
the question Of the forming of the
same proposed new counties oftener
than once ia four yearp. was to save the
people from the excitement and trou.
BILE ircident to frequent elections. BE-
SIDES this it vas presumed that it vas
DOT probable that wheu The people bad
voted adversely upon such a question,
they would change in short tln.e and
i, was, therefore, work Of snpererro
gation to again submit the question
until time bad its effect upon the seuti-
meot Of the voters.
Where immaterial changes are made
in the area, etc Of proposed pew
county. Which has been voted upoa by
the people, such as are Insignificant,
then al election would rot be orae' ed
agaio in four years because to do SO
would be mere evasion Of the Coostl-
tuition ADD 10 violation Of it Where
the changes proposed to be made are az
.,,be,.,.;oI os thoea etate9 in the letter