Free Ravenel

Treasurer's Saturday office hours make no sense

Thomas Ravenel expressed distress last November, shortly after defeating Democratic incumbent Grady Patterson for S.C. treasurer, that he would have to spend Saturdays in his office. He garnered little sympathy because it's a well-known fact that a 19th century state law requires the S.C. treasurer to be in his office between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Candidate Ravenel had obviously not done his homework on the office's responsibilities.

But now that he's taken office, Ravenel has a point in saying the law should be repealed because it makes no sense in the 21st century. With his BlackBerry handheld digital assistant containing 3,000 contacts, he says, "I can do business 24/7." Physically occupying the office on weekends wastes his time.

We agree. S.C. legislators should repeal the law. They can do so secure in the knowledge that the change won't affect the quality of Ravenel's output as treasurer in the slightest.