Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-03-09
From the South Car0liniaE.
PresentfEent of the Grand .glsry.
SPRING Term -MARcH, 1852.


! what his Honor the Presiding Jud ge has said in
relation to the great policy Of encouraging the
project of Railroad from Anderson by Ra.
buns Gap to Knoxville in Tennessee; and as
that would really be the great South Carolina
Railroad, though not exactly within their prov
ince, they do not hesitate to express their ap.
probation Of such an enterprise, and though in
general greatly opposed to works of internal
Improvement undertaken alone by the State,
they freely recommend, as far as they are con-
cerned, that the State government should lib
erallv lend her aid and assistance to effect
an object so important to the welfare and pro-
gress of the State.
We present that the considerable annual ex-
pendture of money since 1911 on our free
schools has been, with the exception of a few
districts, lamentable failure, and that prnci-
pally on account of our thin and scattered pop.
ulation, which only averages 81 persons and a
fraction to the square mile; whereas in the New
England States, where the system has succeed
ed best, it varies from 79 and a fraction to up
wards Of 1876 to the square mile. We believe
that this difficulty must prove insurmountable,
unless, under the management OF wisely cho-
sen general commissioner, with salary sutti.
/ cient to secure his whole services, system Of
migratory or transitory Schools could be man.
aged, so as TO give lessor at different points
in the districts, only so long as sufficient
number of scholars can be obtained, and to be
movable at the discretion of the commission.
er, as is done with singing schools
We also present the very degrading state to
which our inferior magistracy has been rcdu
ced in most parts Of tie State, which we be-
lieve is often the source Of triAng litigation,
and of the vexation and oppression of the poor
and ignorant; and that for this grievance we
are much indebted to the negligence or indffer-
ence IF not worse) shown by members of
the Legislature to the appointment OF these
officers, who in Great Britain and Virginia
have been the most respectable gentlemen OF
their counties. If !r"pcr attention is Paid
to filing the places, cannot doubt that 1t
may soon become as !"Si ectahc and useful,
as it is now too c!!rr c''ntcnfti5le and mis-
chievous. Respect bc"" aiven to your mag
istrates would secure you respectable consa-
bles; while the reverse can promise only the
most worthless and mischievous
We also present the detestahle practice,
which we are sorry to learn prevails to dis.
graceful extent even in our old and respectable
State-we mean tie carrying, concealed about
the person, deadly weapons, which so often
lead to shocking acts OF savage brutality, as
are daily stated in our newspapers and courts
of Justice; and which has induced the belief
abroad that Americans have become regardless
of murder and homicide. Some severe remedy
should be applied.
We also present as great moral evil, which,
if not checked, must ruin the character Of our
finest youths--we mean the great facility with
which minors at college, academies, and
schools Of every sort throughout many parts Of
the State, are tempted by merchants, shop
| Keepers and others, to contract debts without
the knowledge Of their parents or guardians,
or any consideration Of their means. Such a
custom, we are informed, does not exist at the
North, nor even in Charleston; and we cannot
see why parents in any other part Of the State
are either to be preyed upon and submit to pay
for the corruption and ruin Of their sons or to
take the responsibility of resisting such an
abominable custom. We recommend to the
Legislature to atlix penalty Of 500 or 5000
for every such offence. Parents may then pay
the accounts from feelings of false dellcacy,
| and thus with the countenance Of the commu.
nifty, prosecute the offender.
We also present that there should be fixed
blinds to the windows of the Jail looking on the
street. to exclude the view of the prisoners,
who amusc themselves at the windows, and
sustain conversation with any one il the street
sometimes very improperly; and that the Jail
walls arc too low, and crumbng down in
some places; and that although these facts
were presented by the Grand Jury at a former
court, nothing has been done by the commits
sioners Of public buildings. Some small spots
Of plastering have fallen, and should be repair
cd; and tho wall placed in front Of the Jail on
the street with gate. The back yard of the
Jail is so low rs to hold water after heavy rains
and having no vent, must remain until it evap-
CRATES. 1t should be filled up a little, and a
drain given TO it--perhaps the drain would do
alone. The jury have no remarks to make
either to the clerks or sheriff Offices.
The Grand Jury also ask leave to present
the want Of 4 pcnitentiary in this State-as
they believe a great deal of crime escapes pun.
ishment Oh account Of an unwillingness on the
part Of our people TO find verdict which in
wolves death, however much deserved.
d. j. McCoRD, Foreman.
/ On hearing tie presenments it is ordered,
that all be copied for the Legislature, and be
laid before that body, except that which relates
10 the goal. That will be copied and served on
the Commissioners of Public Buildings, with a