Agriculture Commissioner Charles Sharpe was indicted on 12 federal charges that accuse him of money laundering, lying to law enforcement and extortion.
While a judge and jury will decide the validity of the charges, state lawmakers should consider adding a deterrent to the abhorrent practice of forcing gamecocks to fight to their death for the entertainment of misguided people who enjoy bloodsport.
Cockfighting has been outlawed in South Carolina for more than a century, but it still occurs because laws prohibiting it don't provide a deterrent. It is a misdemeanor, not the felony Attorney General Henry McMaster would like to make it. Making cockfighting a felony, as McMaster proposes, would increase the fine from $100 to $5,000. In stories published Thursday, S.C. House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, said he would prefile a bill that would make cockfighting a felony.
Another refinement that Wilkins and other lawmakers could make is to approve a plan that Gov. Mark Sanford floated to abolish popular election of several state positions, including adjutant general and agriculture commissioner. While appointment of these posts may not eliminate charges of wrongdoing, appointees generally have more supervision than elected officials.
As the state's major newspapers have pointed out, Gov. Sanford has an opportunity with an interim appointment to fill in for Shapre to demonstrate that he wants to improve performance in these jobs. The State and the Post and Courier have suggested that he name Democrat John Long of Newberry to the position. Not only would this ignore partisan politics, it would demonstrate that he wants knowledgeable people in key positions. Long owns a large farm and is knowledgeable about agriculture.
South Carolinians need strong laws and they need good managers, not politicians, to run state agencies.