Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-08-11

There could be and there should be
less cumbersome and involved system
of county government than we have in
York county Formerly the county was
governed by three county commission
ers, each with equal responsibility and
equal pay. One of them served as
chairman and another as clerk. The
three commissioners had jurisdiction
over roads, bridges, the county home,
public buildings and the business OF
the county generally. Next we had a
system Of government consisting OF a
supervisor for the county and three
commissioners from each township,
the chairman Of the respective boards
of township commissioners constitut-
ing board of county commissioners,
with the county supervisor as eX-ofh-
clio chairman. The pay of the town.
ship commissioners was on a per diem
basis, not more than a limited number
Of days per year. The supervisor was
vested with executive authority, ana
the duties of the commissioners were
mostly advisory The duties of clerk
were performed by an official chosen
for the purpose. The system was
found to be cumbersome and unsatis-
factory in that there developed ten
dency in the direction Of pulling back
to each township all the revenues de-
rived from that township for the pur-
poses of that particular township. Next
the law was changed so as to provide
for a county supervisor with two coun-
ty commissioners, with general juris-
diction over the county, and town
ship supervisor to have jurisdiction
over the road of each township. I'm
der this arrangement the county board
of commissioners were relieved of all
jurisdiction over all except specified
roads and all bridges Of less than fif-
teen feet in length. The resources OF
the township supervisors. were confin-
ed to the proceeds of two mill prop
erty levy in his township and capita
ton road tax collected from the citi-
zens of his township. He was answer
able to nobody for the way he spent
the money at his disposal or what he
spent it for. Next the law was chang
ed so as to provide for the appoint
ment of township commission in each
township to administer about the same
revenues that were administered by
the township supervisors. The county
board of commissioners now have ju-
risdiction over the public offices, the
county home, the chaingang, certain
main highways, and bridges over fif-
teen feet in length. The county board
of commissioners has nothing to do
with the township boards and the
township boards nave nothing to do
with the county board Most of the
main highways that were formerly un-
der the Jurisdiction of the county board
are now under the jurisdiction Of the
state highway commission, which is in
no way responsible to any local au-
thority. None of the township COM
missioners are under bond. All of this
system or lack of system has been the
result Of years of effort to patch vari-
Gus makeshifts into workable shape,
until now confusion is worse con-
founded We really do not think there
is anybody to blame very much, and
we would not put the blame on any
body. But we do think it is time we
should work out a comprehensive and
adequate system of county govern
ment that will admit of more thorough
and efficient road work at less. cost.
Or rather a system that will ensure
better results for the money expended.
We would have understood, however,
that these suggestions are intended to
be absolutely without prejudice either
to the legislative candidates who are
asking for reelection, or those who
are asking for trial. We recognize
that while it may seem an easy matter
to frame up an adequate county and
township government system, it is
really a difficult and complicated
task. At the same time, however, we
believe that any four men among those
who are now Offering, that the public
may select, can deliver the goods if
they will set their minds to the task.
Investigation of charges that "un-