Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-12-04
SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

COLUMBIA, Wednesday, Nov. 26.
five are to believe the current idea that, when
pcople have nothing to do they oftenest take the
loures time for it, the Session of the Legislature
NAV be extended indefinitely. All the long-stand-
ing questions of reform, though many of them are
vitality important, appear to have grown thread
bare, and by common consent have been laid upon
the shelf; and the few urgent measures yet undei
discussion do not attract much attention. AS II
is ALWAYS the case with new Legislature, our de-
nartment is flooded with nnumerable petty bllls'
to be introduced by new members merely to ''shoW
their hand"; but few of these, however, Will get
beyond the docket. You need not be frightened,
therefore, if you see US at home by the l1th OF
!, 18th.
The late duel at Charleston which attended as
It was by such lamentable results, yet painfully
agitated the public mind, has suggested the pro-
priety of additional cnactments by the Leglsla'
ture. In the Senate, to-day, Mr.. Tillinghast pre-
sented the petition of many citizens OF st. Lukes
parish, of the highest character and intelligence,
prayng for further legislation on the subject
What more can be effectively done to prevent the
occurrence of such scenes, I am Mt loss to know
the law already declares the successful duelilst
murderer, and provides every possible punishment
for his crime rs SUCH The truth is, legislation
cannot effect the cure. 1t never can eradicate an
evil which has the sanction Of public opinion !;
~ ha1o 10
True all men ''cry aloud and spare not" against
the sbarbarous custom" the public mouth is unan-
imous but the deep, silently flowing undercur-
rent of feeling which controls mems actions and
is the only reliable index to the workings OF the
social machinery, in every instance directly or IN
directly sustains the duellist and rewards his dis
play of sbravery." Fit were not so, practice 80
plarinc would not be tolerated. When gentlemen
are insulted, public opinion requires that they de-
mand rcparaton; street fight or an appeal to
the law IS voted dsrcputablc; and no other re-
course than the duel is left to preserve that dear
est of all possessions-a good name. When Chris
tan men verify their professions by their conduct;
when society proves itself willing and prompt to
sustain the citizen who declines challenge, then
and not till then will the State be competent to
enforce her police regulations in this regard, and
powerful enough to banish their murderous usage
from our "code of morals" know that those
who do not search for motives and actions beyond
mems words, think differently but what ever be
the cause, experience bears me out in my con.
clusion. Nine times out of ten, o Grand Jury viii
ignore prosecution. though the case be rs PLAIN
az the noon-days sunlight. Why Mr.. Tillinghast's
bill may pass, but it will be, like all such, still
born.
Mr.. Pope, of Charleston, introduced, in the
House, q bill to reform the system of legal pro-
ccedng, in regard to the collection of debts be-
yond the Summary process jurisdiction, so as to
abolish imparlances and enable parties to recover
Judgment at the first term after their claims are
put in suit-retaining the same forms Of declara-
ton. There is certainly no good reason why
debt over S85 should not be collected as promptly
as one under that amount. The prcstent system,
which requires years delay, is manifestly un-
1uSt anu uUellU:t, atu suouio pS ""~'t"Ne'
Among other matters presented to-day, we find
a 'b;ll to punish factors, commission merchants,
ware house keepers, or their agents, for fraudu-
lcntly converting to their use any cotton, rice,
corn, wheat or other produce"-one of the meas
urcs which went over. board last session; also,
bills to amend an act for the better governing of
negroes, and to amend the law in relation to the
trial of owners for not furnishing their slaves with
sufficient food and clothing; q bill to reduce the
number of petty musters; to outhorize the collec-
ton of interest an accounts reduced to judgment;
to incorporate the Newberry College, Of the Luth-
eran Synod of South Carolina and adjacent States;
to incorporate the Columbia Steamboat Company
to exempt Managers of Election from road duty;
and resolution providing for the election of
Chaplain, with q salary of $3.50. shall make
mention of these, when they arc brought to the
vote.
The Speaker appointed Mcssrs. Bryan, Richard
son, Mullins, Middleton, Earle, Elliott and Ham,
mond, special Committee to take charge Of, and
in connection with q similar Committee on the
part of the Senate, to report upon SO much OF the
Governors Message as relates to the Slave Trade.
The subject will receive all elaborate consideration,
the purport of which will be presented at an early
day.
In compliance with resolution of the extra
session. the President of the Blue Ridge Railroad
Company submitted his Report A hasty glance
at it tells thus the progress of the workhas been
retarded by sundry circumstances the company
have put on q smiling countcnance, and as mat
ter of course, promise largely for the future, and
delicately indicate that they may possibly need
several additional millions in the way of appro-
priatons. The President candidy admits that
the Road will cost six eight millions of dollars,
Il forget the amount and leaves the Inference that
the State will be expected to pay the damages
People must begin to find out that this Blue Ridge
affair is an unfortunate investment and if it is
not the public will that the State become hope
lessly involved in it, people must begin to have
care about it. Millions, it is true, have already
been expended; but would it not be better to
throw the stock away, than by pcrsevorng in the
policy to involve the State in utter bankruptcy =?
You need not be told that our members are op-
posed to further appropriations; but would like
to be able to tell you in addition that their op-
position had taken form, shape and effect. do
not know now that the subject will be discussed at
oil during the present session.
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