University of South Carolina Libraries
niK ( HHONK LK, ( linton, S. May 30, 1908—11 Home Rule', Reassessment, Constitution Candidates Are Questioned As a part of its program of voters’ service, the League of Wnmen Voters of Laurens County has sent questionnaires concern ing issues of importance in the 19G8 elections to all Democratic candidates for the state Senate and House of Hepresentatives from Laurens County or (iur Sen atorial district. The same quest ionnaire will be sent to Repub lican candidates before the Nov ember elections. Aceordingto Mrs. David Moorefield, presi dent of the county league, re plies have l>een received from six of the nine men whose names will appear on the ballot in ttie June 11 primary. C andidates were asked to give several items of biographical in formation and then to state their stand on three questions. The fol lowing are the questions asked the candidates and their answers •which have t>een released by them for publication: The candidates are: State Sen- ate--W. C. (Bill) Dobbins, John Long, Robert Lake, and King Dixon; House of Representa- tives--W. Paul Culbertson, David S. Taylor, Eugene C. Stoddard, Mason Motes and Richard Town send. Question 1 Do you favor the establishment of a system (or systems) of county government for South Carolina counties 0 If so, what type, or types 0 CULBERTSON: “Yes, I favor a uniform county council system similar to that provided in the present bill now in the Judiciary Committee of the House of Re presentatives on which I am a co-author. However, it appears that this bill will not pass this year. Therefore, I favor a county council form of government for Laurens County which I am hope ful will lie enacted into law this year.” STODDARD: “Yes, 1 would favor a system of the type that would bring the county govern ment closer to the people, i.e., elected commissioners (possibly up to seven) in lieu of the dele gation for county government. BUT, I would not be in favor of forcing this upon the people. I firmly believe in taking matters so gravely affecting them to the people for their vote of appro val.” TAYLOR: “1 favor the estab lishment of county governments. Th£re is a bill pending in the General Assembly to establish county governments on a uniform basis that will not be passed this session, therefore, I propose to introduce a bill to create a county council form of government for Laurens County this session. The effective date for our county council will be after the general election in 1970 to enable both political parties to field candi dates.” TOWNSEND: “Yes, due to re apportionment some counties will lie left without residentSenators, which in itself will necessitate a new form of government. In addition, State matters require the attention of the Delegation. I would favor either a county council form of government or an expansif nofCountyCommiss- ioners, just so long as it is an elected and not appointed govern ment. I think the election pro cess is necessary in order to in sure good, honest government.” MOTES: No answer. LONG: “1 think each County should determine which type of county government is needed. A particular system in one county that is practical might not be good in another, and I am of the opinion that it would be a mistake to try to have the iden tical system in each county. What you would gain in uniformity would probably be lost in effect iveness.” DIXON: No answer. DOBBINS: No answer. LAKE: “I favor the establish ment of a system of a county government for each county in South Carolina. I think the sys tems of county government should be as uniform as possible throughout the state but certain options should be left at the dis cretion of the individual counties. This being done in order that ad justments might be made for the population and the geographic area of the particular county. It would be impossible to attempt to spell out a county government plan in 100 words but I will say that county government should be kept close to the wishes and the best interest of the people. II is my belief that a board or com mission elected by the people should elect a capable, Know ledgeable executive and adminis trative officer to manage the af fairs of the county.” Question 2. Would you support legislation to provide a state wide reassessment of all real property in South Carolina not reassessed in the past five years 0 CULBERTSON: “I would pre fer that real property be assessed on a county level. Laurens Coun ty will embark on a reassess ment program on July 1, 1968. This reassessment act provides for an orderly reassessment of all real property in Laurens County on fair and impartial basis.” STODDARD: "I would, if assured that this would be con ducted in a fair and impartial manner, with positive inclusion of a just and honest board of appeals to hear the complaint of property owners who feel that they have been mistreated. Cer tainly, we should consider the income producing ability of forest and farm land, etc., for assess ment thereof.” TAYLOR: “Yes, 1 have advo cated the reassessment of pro perty in LaurensCounty for many years. Legislation has passed the House of Representatives this session to accomplish this incur county. This program for Lau rens County will begin on July 1, 1968, and is scheduled to be completed by January 1, 1971.” TOWNSEND: “I would not support a statewide bill for the reassessment of all property. I think it should be left up to the individual counties as to when, an by what method re-assess ment should be accomplished. The purpose of reassessment is to insure equal taxation. In some instances and some counties this is accomplished by periodic eval uation, etc., and I couldn’t support a bill forcing reassessment when a need for it does not exist, and it would jjjst add additional expense to the county govern ment.” MOTES: No answer. LONG: “No.” DIXON: No answer. DOBBINS: No answer. LAKE: "I would support a pro perly drafted statewide re assessment of all real property in South Carolina not reassessed in the past five years. I would, however, stipulate that the same be done with local representation, with the advice and consent of local county elected officials and that the sole purpose of such re assessment be for equalization and not for the purpose of rais- Your’e in charge! We’re confident momm LEADERS Best Luck. APPUANCE SALES ing additional revenue.” Question 3. By what method should revision of theS.C. consti tution be accomplished. State reasons. CULBERTSON: “While I am inclined to favor a constitutional convention, I would reserve final judgment on this question pend ing the report of the constitu tional study committee which has been created and is now study ing this question.” STODDARD: "Being a firm be liever in enforcement of our laws, but recognizing the need for re vision of them from time to time, I can only adhere to the express provisions set forth in our con stitution (Article 16, Section 3) in regards to a constitutional con vention. This allows the electors to decide as to the need for a convention, then voting for their delegates on a per capita basis. I favor this method. It is my con tention that a well informed, honestly informed public, in a co operative and progressive pub lic.” TOWNSEND: “Article 17, Sec tion 3 of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, provides that when 2/3 of the members of the General Assembly think it neces sary to call a constitutional con vention, a vote shall l)e held at the next General Election. If a majority is in favor, then at the next session of the Genaral Assembly a convention shall be called. This is the procedure provided, and I think the best method. The convention would l>e composed of delegates from each county, a cross section of the voters of this State. This would assure that special interest groups would not control.” MOTES: No answer. LONG: “I have no preferred method just so long as revision is accomplished.” DIXON: No answer. DOBBINS: No answer. LAKE: “Our constitution has been amended to the extent that it is ridiculous to argue that re vision is not in order. My first choice would be for a consti tutional convention to re-write the entire constitution, with apporpriate ground work, repre sentation from all counties of the State of South Carolina, from all professions and types of jobs and from people within all walks fo life. This re-writing would be done by scholars and statesmen throughout our entire state and would give vent to ttie use of some of our fine minds, who otherwise have no interest in offering for public office. “My second choice would lx 1 for constitutional revision by A- mendment. This second method is much less desirable lx?cause in this type of action, we would be relying solely upon the mem bers of the legislative delegations to write the revisions.” HERE’S B/G How much will it COST? If it’s going to be “off to College'' for your children ... it had better be “on to the Bank” for you right now. It's a ter rific financial burden — so save ahead. M. S. Bailey & Son, Bankers Established 1886 Member FDIC C linton. S. (’. 833-1910 — 211 N. Broad St. The book that's filled with happy endings. 1*5 / / sN New Top Value Stamps Gift Catalog with original cover painting bv Norman Rockwell. Bigger—184 pages! Over 3000 gifts. * $ 'M. Get your free catalog now at..^ TO? VMA36 THIS YEAR, more accent on fashions... for both men and women. And more items to choose from in home furnishings. As always, every gift is backed by Top Value Stamps’ exclusive 2-way Golden Guarantee: One: you can’t get better gifts for fewer stamps, anywhere. And two: you must be satisfied... 100/o. I G TOP VALUE ENTCPPPISrS INC