Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-01-24
aMistellaneuus 8saains.
THE COMMISSIONS OF NoTARIEs
Governor Blease Has Revoked Them
All After February 10.

Governor 6lease mas heVokeo lneHl
All After February 10.
Governor Blease on last Friday sent
to the general assembly a proclama e,n
in which he revoked the commissions
of all notaries public in the state, the
proclamation becoming effective on
January 81. The governors attention
was called to the fact that many men,
bers Of the general assembly held COM
missions as notaries public, and not
only would they be inconvenienced,
but the peremptory revocation Of the
commission would result in considera-
BILE embarrassment to business gener-
ally. Recognizing the soundness of
this reasoning, the governor issued an
other order in which he extended the
revocation to February 10.
Following are the texts of the gover-
nor's two messages on the subject:
Message No. I.
Gentlemen Of the General Assembly:
this day issued proclamation de-
claring null and void all commissions
Of notary public within this state,
bearing the dates prior to the 21st day
Of January, 1911.
desire to call your attention to the
fact that this Is a very important po-
sition, carrying much more power than
Is thought. There Is no limitation to
the term Of office and generally the ap-
pointment Is made without the per-
sonal knowledge Of the governor Of the
appointee.
l think some qualifications should be
necessary in order to hold this office
and I also think that some term should
be fixed by law for the holding Of the
position.
recommend that you pass an act
along the lines herein indicated. I
shall make no appointments for this
position until have given you oppor-
tunity to act.
Very respectfully,
Cole l. Blease,
Governor.
Message No. 2.
Gentlemen Of the General Assembly:
Upon further consideration I have
decided to make the date of eXpira-
tion of all commissions Of notary pub
ic expire February 10, 1911, instead Of
January 81, as stated in my previous
message Of this date.
Cole l. Blease,
Governor.
This order Is not without precedent,
Governor Tillman having issued SIM
liar order on December II, 1903. Gov
ernor Tillman's order was as follows:
Whereas, the office of notary public
Is one Of responsibility requiring in
teligence and good character for its
proper administration; and whereas,
the term Of office has had no limit
under the law, other than during the
pleasure Of the governor" so that all
the appointment are still holding and
exercising the functions Of office, not
withstanding many Of them have lost
their commissions; and whereas there
have been charges Of unfitness and
maladministration
Now, therefore, 7, B. R. Tillman,
governor Of the state Of South Caro-
lima, in order to purify the public SER
vice and make clear the title Of every
person claiming this office, do issue
this my proclamation, and by the au-
thority vested In me in the statutes
hereby declare that every commission
issued prior to January 1, 1889. shall
exnire on January l, 1894, and said Of
fees shall become vacant. Apnlica-
tions for appointment or reanpoint-
ment must be made In writing by the
applicant and must he indorsed by
member of the general assembly, by
the members Of the bar, or by not less
than twenty citizens of the commu
nifty.
(Signed) B. R. Tillman,
Governor.
BY the Governor:
]. E. Tindall,
Secretary Of State.
The exact number of officials affect
ed is not known. The records in the
office of the secretary of state show
that 6,994 persons have been commits
stoned since January 1, 1889; but of
these of course many have died. A few
have resigned.
The report Of the code commissioner
for 1910, page 364, sections 724 to 72s,
inclusive, describes the office of notary
public as follows:
"724. The governor Is authorized to
appoint as many notaries public
throughout the state as the public good
shall require, to hold their offices dur
ing the pleasure of the governor,
and whose jurisdiction shall extend
throughout the state"
Section 725 merely prescribes that
notary must take. the regular oath Of
office.
Section 726 requires the notary to
have a seal of office.
Sec. 727. He shall have power to
administer oaths, take dispositions and
affidavits, protests for non-payment of
bonds, notes, drafts and bills Of eX-
change, take Acknowledgements and
proofs of deeds and other instruments
required by law to be acknowledged,
and take remuneration Of dover.
Sec. 1928. He shall exercise no pow
er or jurisdiction in criminal cases."
That is all that the code says of the
duties and authority of notary public,
a very simple and apparently HARM
less little office.