Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1855-12-06

should individual capital BE- restricted, under
penalty, to seven per cent: Il it be ques-
don Of nIoral:,it is difficult to comprehend
the code Which in the one case stigmati2es the
Individual who seeks ten per cent for the use
cf Ills capital, as an usurer, and in the othcl
attempts to dignity the same practice by call
ing it dealing in exchanges. Competition in
money, as in everything else, must operate
bcnehcially to the public at large. These laws
have been abolished in the country from which
we borrowed them and I think the example
worthy Of imitation.
| recommend an alteration Of our enclosure
laws, Us a measure demanded by our interest
and necessities as an agricultural people,
When timber was abundant, and but little OF
cur soil brought into cultivation, these laws
may have been proper, but the total change
which has taken place in our condition, brings
along with it necessity for corresponding
chang" Of cur policy The SYSTEM should now
be reversed, and instead OF compelling the
cuItiyator of the soil to fence in his crop, The
owner should be required to enclose his stock.
1ila@e is CIR great interest, and should no
lcn@c. b. subjected to Il tax so omerous and un-
necessary. 1t is vastly cheaper to fence our
stock than our crops The time and timber
annually consumed in building and repairing
fences, (Which fairly estimated would amount
to m enormous sum- is so much capital liter
ally sunk, with no return whatever The pro-
ducts Of the soil will mature as well without
as with fences, and the law should protect
them from the ti@prcdations of the stock Of the
country We are not a stock raising people,
and il We We're, our present method Is the
worst possible plan that could be pursued to
accomplish tie object. \ change Of our poll
cy is desirable, considered simply in reference
10 it, effects upon stock. Their value would
Jc Greatly cnhMeel. for animals, like human
beings. thrive in proportion to the care bestow-
cd upon them / hazard little in saying that
in five years, under the better treatment they
wuuld receive, the entire stock Of the State
would Lring more money in market than they
would at this moment. while in the meantime
their value as means of enriching our i'm
povcriShcd lands would be increased to an ey-
tcut almost inconcevable On the other hand,
it is difficult to estimate the advantages that
would result from the proposed change. a
stop would be put to the annual custom OF
burning our forests for pasturage-a practice
dangerous in itself and injurious to both soil
and timber. Liability to accidents on our rail
roads world be leSscned, and cur courts would
be rid of the petty, and, I fear, demoralizing
litigation growing Of the killing of stock by
these roads The land now taken up by fen
ccs,-and it is rich and embraces thousands
of acres over the State, would be at once
brought into cultivation. The time now was
ted i'll the construction and repair Of fences
would be devoted to the Improvement of our
farms. The timber that is left in our forests
would become money to our people. Such a
law would infringe upon no mans right, nor
deprive him Of Il single privilege to which
he is properly entitled. 1t would impart new
life to agriculture, give 4 new direction to its
efforts, and add largely to the aggregate
wealth Of the State. l know that there arc
portions of the State that do not, and perhaps
may never feel the necessity for this change
Of our policy, but is it wise Or just that the
great permanent interest of the State should
be sacrificed in mere Difference to the mistaken
and erroneous notions of our people ON the
subject Of stock raising and its supposed priv
cegcs ?
An application will be made to you for aid,
by the State Agricultural Society The Leg
iSlature has wisely contributed to the medical
association and the mechanics institute. The
basis Of the organization of this society affords
reasonable ground to hope that it will be per-
manent and am sure you cannot hesitate to
give substantial encouragement to an interest
which is the great source of our wealth. and
which, without murmuring, pays two-thirds Of
annual taxes. [ recommend that the sum of
i've thousand dollars be annually contributed
to this society so long as it continues 10 exist.
The administration Of our laws in relation
to our colored population by our courts of mag
stratcs and free holders, rs these courts are at
present constituted, calls loudly for REFORM
Their descSions are rarely in conformity with
justice or humanity. have felt constrained,
in majority of the eases brought to my no.
tice, either to modify the sentence, or set it a.
side altogether. I recommend, in all cases in
volving life, that the trial of slaves and free
persons of color be held at the court house of
the district in which the offence is committed
that the clerk, ordinary and sheriff of the
district constitute court to try such cases,
and that while thus employed they be allowed
the usual per diem. These officers enjoy the
confidence of the community, and would be
free from neighborhood prejudice, which too
often stands in the way of impartial Justice
The descisions of such tribunal would give
satisfaction to the public, and afford ample pro-
lection to the master. 1t would be court al
ways at hand, and would possess the requisite
and humanity, qualities indispen-
sable in those armed with the power to pass
upon the life and death of human being,
whatever be his condition or complexion.-
Should you deem it proper TO associate free
holders, then it might be the duty of these Of
fcers to name six, from whom the defendant
should have the right to select three. Una
nimity should be required in the verdict
However you may regard these suggestions, L
bring the matter to your notice, under the
strong conviction that reform is necessary.
The legislation of the State in relation to