In all judicial circuits of the State which have a population of more than one hundred seventy-five thousand persons, as determined by the latest official United States census, the resident circuit judge may appoint an assistant court stenographer whose duties, compensation and term of office shall be the same as provided for chief stenographers in Sections 14-15-10, 14-15-30 and 14-15-40. Provided, that assistant court stenographers shall be available for assignment in other judicial circuits to substitute for regular stenographers who are sick or otherwise incapacitated. The Chief Justice shall make such assignments.
S.C. Code § 14-15-20