The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-02-08


drawal of suit for $4,000 against
the state for certain bonds issued in
1869.
These are but few of the cases in
which the attorney general appeared
during the year 1915. Seven appeal
cases in addition were argued By the
attorney generals Office in the supreme
court. About twenty cases came up
in the court of common pleas, in which
the attorney generals Office was in
terested as a representative of the
state or some department of the state
government.
One cause brought by the city coun-
Gil of Augusta, Ca, against auditor,
sheriff and treasurer of Edgefeld
county, was handled in the distric.
court of the United States on the ques-
ton Of jurisdiction.
In the very first report he made to
the general assembly Mr.. Peoples call
ed attention to the violation of the
laws of this state with regard to trusts
and monopolies, and he referred to the
combination Of water powers and to
the merger of manufacturing compa-
MES In his report which is submitted
to the general assembly, he has the
following to say:
II recommend that our statutes be
changed so that we make inyVestiga-
tions with regard not only to public
service corporations, but also with re-
gard to the violation of our monopoly
laws without, as it is now confined to
contemplated action, but it should exc
tend for the purpose Of ascertaining
whether there should be any action or
not; the defect in our law consisting in
whether the attorney general snould in
good faith intend to bring an action,
and not upon the purpose Of ascertain
ing whether the state should take ap-
action. This l can not do
without an investigation. The inter.
ests of our eorporstions and Of our
who have invested in them,
ought not to be disturbed unless there
is probable cause to find fault with
their action and with their conduct.
should be the last one to suggest that
we should give unnecessary trouble by
bringing action which would only re-
suit in bringing injury to them with :
out advantage to the state In the car
.ying out Of these recommendationg it
s necessary that should have appro- (
pirate funds given me to carry inte
effect the obligations which the STAT
ties Of the state impose upon the att,
orney general. II I have not. the funds,
can do, nothing, and I hope that the
general assembly viii deal with the
,fice in proper and liberal way, haF-
ng in view economy, but at the same ,
ime efficiency, if action is expected to
,e brought by me in these matters, ~
It has been Mr.. Peoples endeavor to
Keep the state out Of as much iitiga7
iontion as possible. In his ANNUAL fe-
,ort to the general assembly as to the
luties Of his Office, he says:
'tAs Stated in my former report, dur
ng the time 1 have been attorney gen. ,
raj of South Carolina, my effort has
,een to serve ali ofethe several state
in every manner possible
20 that might thereby assist them in
;arrying 'on their duties in accordance
With the law and in a proper and or
lerly manner. The most important
service that can be rendered or is rem
Tered by the attorney generals Office
s by way of counsel and advice in con-
lection with the work of the various
departments of the state government
md has been the case. during my term
1t attorney general, also with various
,ficers throughout the state. In this
way many matters are handled of the
Utmost importance that never come be-
ore the courts at all. I conceive it to
,e my duty and have always endea-
rored, if possible, to keep the state out
If litigation, and if it can be done with
,ut injury to the public service, for in
hat way, in my opinion, the interests
# government are more properly
erved."
With the knowledge tnat he has done
lis duty by the people Of the state who
.lected MIN to the high Office he holds,
lr. Peoples now comes before the vot-
rs and asks the people to re-eIect him
N the record that he has made One :
Who has observed very closely the at": ,
orney generals 1emeanoY was heard