The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-01-02
a NEEDED REFORM.

We firmly believe that the election
which is being held in Brookland to-
day to decide the question OF annex
alton with Richland connsywlil fe>
suit in tie overwhelming defeat of
the effort. The very absurdity OF
the proposition will certainly cause
the common sense Of the people re-
siding within the described limit to
exert itself and reject and defeat
the movement. But, however, no
matter how the election may terml-
nate the question will be permanently
settled and this disturbing element
will be calmed.
If the people decide to remain
with old Lexington, and thus con-
tinue on the road Of prosperity which
they have been travelling for some
time, they will have decided wisely
and in accordance with their best
interests. On the other hand should
they decide to go We heartily wish
them God speed and unboundeo
prosperity in their new relations
They are the arbiters OF their own
destiny, and as they have soWn SO
must they reap, yet we cannot help
but believe that they have builded a
Chinese wall around themselves over
which the sun of progress can rever
penetrate, and in years to come they
will regret the move they have made.
No matter how the election may
have gone, there is one thing which
we wish briefly to comment upon at
this time, and that is matter which
effects every freeholder in the State.
Il has developed that the Constitu-
ton of 1895, on questions in refer
ence to the formation ofnew counties,
and SO on, provides that the petition
shall be signed by one-third OF the
qualified electors, instead of one-third
of the freeholders as provided by
the old Constitution. This is wrong,
from the fact that it subjects the
property of the ffeeholders to the
fickle whims of voters who have no
monetary interest at stake. 1t places
the property of the freeholder In
jeopardy and is taxation without REP
resentation. Take the case of Brook
land for instance. It is a fact be-
yond the shadow Of controversy that
If the requirement to order an elec-
ton was the signature Of one
third of freeholders instead of quail
fed electors, the election would have
never been ordered, whereas, as it is
now those men who have to pay the
piper when they did not dance will
have to suffer burdensome taxation
should the election go against them.
Itwas a wise provision of the old
Constitution when it threw around
the freeholder the protection of the
requirement of the signature of one
third of the freeholders TO order an
election, and it is pity that our
present Constitution does not con-
tain similar requirement.
We are aware that there is argu
ment on both sides, but robbed of
the glittering genialities OF contro-
versy the matter is reduced to the
fact that both equity and justice de-
mand that there should be an amend
ment to the Constitution providing
for the signatures of one-third of the
freeholders before an election can be
ordered which effects the taxation Of
property. No one can be Injured by
this provision and all will have am
pie protection.
At this hour, 8 p. m, telephone
message informs US that the vote is
overwhelming against annexation.
This is nothing more than we expect
ed and We congratulate our Brook
land friends upon their wise decision.