The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-08-13

heard Gov. Mannings speech at Chick
Springs. He did not say that he was
giving this additional salary himself,
but ne said he was advancing it eaca
month, and if the legislature did not
see it's way to pay it then he would
cheerfully pay it himself. OF course
he expects the legislature to pay the
increase. If t-ey do - will violate
plain provision of the constitution,
and we do not~believe that Gov. Man
ming should put the members in such
a position. That is all we have had
to say about it.
The following from the Greenville
Piedmont states the case very clearly,
and WI at it says is all the criticism,
if you call it criticism, that has been
made in the matter:
The law fixes the salary of this Of
fcer at $4,000 year. Governor Man
nisg has agreed to pay him $4,000 a
year. stating that he expected to ask
tne legislature to grant t1is increase,
and that in the mean time he would
pay the increase monthly out OF his
own pocket and seek repayment from
the legislature.
The legislature can not according to
law make this payment and will be
embarrassed by Governor Manning's
request therefor.
Article 3, section 80, of tie consti-
tuition provides: "Tne general assem-
bly, shall never grant extra compensa-
fee or allowance to any public officer,
agent, servant or contractor for service
rendered, or contract made, nor au-
thorize payment or part payment Of
any claim under any contract not au-
thorized by law" We do not doubt
Superintendent Williams ability nor
the fact that he was making in his
practice more than the law will give
him as a salary. Nor do we doubt tee
excellent intentions Of Governor Man
ming. We simply state the law as it
is and think it unfortunate that the
governor regards it necessary to go
contrary to this law even for an ex-
cellent result.
Section 676 of the code of South Car
olina provides: at shall be unlawful
for any public officer, State or county,
authorized by law to so contract, to
enter into or contract, for any purpose
whatsoever, in a sum in excess of tie
tax levied and the amount appropri-
ated for such purpose" The amount
appropriated by the legislature for the
salary of the superintendent is as
stated $4,000. When he and the gov
ernor enter into contract for a larger
sum both I-e and the governor are, as
stated above, doing an unlawful" act.
We regret this, for by so doing they
become "a law unto themselves" If
the salary provided by law for the
superintendent for the state hospital
is not sufficient, let the law be
changed and a proper salary provided.
The governor is not tie person to
e.ange the law and in so doing he be-
comes a law unto himself"
Superintendent Williams is not the
first officer who has had to serve the
State at a sacrifice Governor Man
ming is now doing this. His salary is
much less than he was making in pri-
vate life. There is as much right on
his part to demand extra compensa-
ton for himself as there is on the
part of Superintendent Williams. If
DR.. Williams can not afford to accept
the Office he should not do so. But he
s.ould not accept it under require
ments which make violation of the
law on his part as well as the gov
ernor.