Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-07-29
srkTE LEGISLATION,

The suhioined article. from the Charleston E"en-
ing Nems, has been in type for a week or two, but
other matter more urgent has taken our space.
We designed, by an extended comment. to com
mend the subject to our readers but for the pre-
sent they must take the will for the deed. We
shall reeur to it:
.sThe political calm and domestic ouietude whcih
pervsde South Carolina, and, We may say. the
whole South, were never 20 great as now. Upon
federal politics there isEno agitation and no d'sa
sreemens. There is no immediate slavery issue
up-the Kansas question WAS the last. Although
it is felt that We are in a general campaign in de-
fence Of Southern institutions and rights against
numerous and dangerous assailants. yet as there
is no immediate battle pending on any special is-
sue, the general disposition is to rely on the grow
ing policy and evidence Of Southern harmony. and
to bide the course of events. 1t is neither the sen
timent Of Union or Di>union-partiality for the
one and fear of the other have alike been ahated.
It is the calm purpose to accept either alternative,
which necessity or wisdom may hereafter dictate.
The Indications At the North Of combined efforts
to increase the tariff and revive the policy of pro.
lection, augur an issue on this sui ct in the next
elections. But such is the unanlmity of South
Carolina in favor Of low duties and free trade, that
OlSCuSSlOU, lOHSNCI IllS uPbh ShSlhs hFh NhASe'
ted 10 arouse an exhibition of her popular 6rInness
against nigh taxation and unequal Legislation. will
produce no dissensinns at home. 81 also will the
probable foreign policy Of the government receive
. calm and unbroken support.
The period is one peculiarly suitable for pnpu'
lar contemplation. This should now be especially
directed to home matters. These In the ordinary
affairs of life are more vital To VI. than any others.
State laws and Legislation pertain most directly t.
our substantive interests and usual relation it is
under their jurisdiction that life, liberty, safety
and properly Immediately come.
In South Carolina, as in ether Southern States,
the danger and imminence Of our federal relations
have for years SO painfully absorbed the public
mind, that attention u State legislation has become
too lax aud Indifferent. The people have lost the
habit of scrutinizing it thoroughly aud compre-
hensively. Hence many defectshave become evils,
and many reforms have been neglected. This In.
attention and endurance have been aggravated
into an evil in this State by the shortness OF our
Legislative sessions, and their neglected. h~astiness
IN d~isposiug of State questions. We invoke the
earnest attention. this summer, of our press and
people to this evil. What Intelligent citizen does
not know that urgent reforms are needed in our
criminal, judicial, taxation and banking systems,
and that it will require much time and careful de
liberation to make them: The first and essential
step is to require the Legislature to devote both
TO these vital and fundamental elements of home
government. Let the people know that every ses.
sion. hundreds Of invaluable bills IRE tossed aside
without consideration, that members may hurry
home to Christmas dinners. This has long been
the CRYING evil in South Carolina, and the conse'
oueuces have become uncomfortable, mischievOus
and almost irreparable. Our State development
Is behind its resources. its character aud the age.