Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-12-10
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.

But little was done by the Senate on Wednesday,
the ID. The greater part of the day was con-
sumed in hearing the reports of Committees and
in the discussion of Mr. MoRDEcAl's Bill to re-
peal the laws against Usury.
Mr.. McCAw presented the Report of the Presi-
dent and Directors of Kings Mountain Railroad
Company; referred to Finance and Banks, tnd to
be printed; and also, gave notice that he will in
troduce Bill to amend the law in relation to
grants of the Catawba Indian lands.
After various amendments the Bill repeating
the usury laws was passed by the Senate. Mr..
McCAw voted in the affirmative.
The following remarks by Mr.. MAzYcK embraces
the substance of the argument, which influenced
the Senate:
"We are told that the usury laws have prevail
ed every where, and therefore they are right. If
we respect antiquity, we must not stop at limiting
the rate of interest, but must abolish it altogeth
er as sinful.
The laws do more injury to the borrower than
the lender. He is compelled often to resort to all
kinds of expedients to procure loan Merchants
are sometimes driven to the necessity of selling
money. What is the consequence of the law p
Conscientious men are driven from the money
market, and it is in the hands of few unscrupu-
lous competitors.
The laws can't be enforced. But few cases in
which usury is pleaded. The usurer does not lose
social position he may be called screw. But
! let q man plead usury, and he may as well rob q
Bank. He loses caste, whilst others viola:e the
law with impunity."
The Senate rejected the Bill providing compen-
sation for Commissioners of Roads, &c.
In the House, Mr.. HAMPTON presented the pc
tition of the South Carolina Copper Mining Com
pany. Mr.. WHYTE gave notice of Bill to amend
the law in relation to grants of Indian Lands
On the Resolutions offered by Mr.. GREGG relating
to the Banks, the House had warm discussion,
Mr. GRsoG, Mr.. WHALEY and others participating.
The following Resolutions were passed in regard
to the death of Gen. JAMES HAMILTON:
Be it Resolved, 1st. That in the death of Lang
don Cheves, Andrew Pckens Butler and James
Hamilton, the State of South Carolina has been
called upon to mourn three of her distinguished
sons, each of whom in his day and generation had
performed good service not only to the State, in
which he lived but to the whole country.
End. That while we express our sorrow ct this
public loss, and record our high appreciation of
their private worth, we cannot but sympathise
with each of their afflicted families in their mel
ancholy bereavement.
3rd That the Clerks Of the Senate and of the
House of Representatives be charged with the
duty of transmitting to the respective families of
the deceased statesmen, q copy of this preamble
and these resolutions.
In the House, on Thursday, more resolutions in
regard to the Banks were submitted by Messrs.
SIMMONS and BRYAN. Mr.. RICHARDSON offered a
resolution condemnatory of Gov. WALKERS course.
In the Senate on Friday Bill offered by Mr..
CANNON to afford and to the Spartanburg and
Union Railroad Company was discussed and final
ly sent to the House.
A Bill to amend the law in relation to trading
with slaves, passed the Senate 1t places more
severe restrictions upon the illicit traffic. as it had
became a crying evil. A bill to make the owners
of dogs liable for killing sheep, offered by Mr.
McAI1LY, was likewise passed by the Senate.
In the House, Mr.. BLACK presented petition
of the citizens of York District in relation to the
opening of new Road. The Committee to nomi-
nate President and Directors of the Bank of the