Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-12-01

otry reasons. In. application for pardon, argu-
ments are frequently used to show that the pun
ishment is dsproportioned to the offence and that
the ends of justice would be accomplished by
milder punishment. ButI cannot consent, in this
summary way, to repeal the laws of the land, and
set up my judgment in their stead. 1t is the
province Of the Legislature to pass laws, and to
amend them when they operate injuriously, or
unjustly, aud in the discharge Of my duty, the
responsibility shall be left where it belongs. For
my part. have few alterations or amendments Of
the laws to recommend, believing that, as whole,
they are wise and salutary; and prefsrring to have
an occasional case of hardship, rather than fre-
quent changes, making it uncertain what the law
is. A person guilty of breach Of trust should,
in my opinion, be punished with as much or more
severity, than larceny; for the ''quo amino" in
both cases is the same, and the former, in addi-
ton to the wicked intention, violates the conf
dence reposed in him, and deserves no favor at
the hands of the law. The Cashier or teller who
violates confidence by appropriating the funds OF
the Bank to his own use, is no better than the
man that breaks in and supplies himself with
money in fact, he is not so good, being destitute
at least of the quality Of boldness and determina-
ton. -......
The substitution of small tax in the place Of
days work on the road, sofrequently recommend
ed by my predecessors, would be the means Of
keeping the roads in much better order, and is IN
all respects, preferable to the present system
The planter is required to send his hands to work
the roads, frequently under inefficient overseers,
who keep them several days doing the work they
ought to dc in one when for half the amount of
the worth of the work Of the hands, judiciously
expended, the roads could be kept in finer order
all the year.
Some uniform rule for the treatment and man
agement of prisoners should be adopted. I have
been informed that the treatment Of prisoners is
regulated, in many instances, by the regard in
which they are held by the sheriff jailor, or by
their position in society. Some incarcerated for
safe keeping only, have been confined to single
room, while others, convicted Of crime, and the
Imprisonment intended as o punishment, have
been allowed the extraordinary privilege Of going
from room to room, enjoying the company and
campanionship of their friends andacquaintances.
There should be some distinction made between
Imprisonment for crime, and Imprisonment for
safe-keeping; otherwise the punishment for high
crimes and misdemeanors will be merely nominal,
and the jailor may confne witness (who, on ac-
count of his being stranger, cannot give bail for
his appearance to testify in the trial of criminal
easel, in the most uncomfortable room in the pri.
son. am aware of the difficulty Of properly re-
gulating this matter, but some improvement GER
tainly can be made, the evil cannot be entirely
remedied. --,a [.-- -~
As the law now stands, the owner, Of o planta-
ton with less than fifteen hands, is not compelled
to reside on his place for more than six months
in the year, and is not required even to keep an
overseer, or other white man thereon. 1t seems
to me that as much damage might be done by
by leaving fifteen hands without q proper super
vision as large number, and in the present state
Of affairs, exposed as we are to secret emlssarles
melting our slaves to insubordination and insur-
rection, the law should be altered so as to com
pei every one that owns farm, with any guam
tity>of negroes, to reside thereon all the year
round, or keep q white man constantly on the
place. The alteration Of the law may produce
some inconvenience to few individuals. but sacr-
ces must be made; for the general welfare and
without desiring to dictate to others in the man
agement of their property, am perfectly satlsh-
ed that the presence Of white man will always
amply compensate the owner for any outlay OF
money necessary to keep one. .r -. ...
A short experience has shown that some modi-
fcation of the law in relation to the Normal
School, for the instruction Of female teachers, is
desirable. The School is completely organized,
with good corps of teachers, but there is a diff
Guilty in inducing pupils from the country to avail
themselves of its advantages. The School being
at the public expense, and those who come from
the country being required to become teachers,
parents who have means sufficient to educate
their children seem unwilling to send them, from
false pride or some other motive; and'those whose
necessities would induce them to put aside their
pride, are unable to board their daughters while
going to school. I would, therefore, suggest that
provision be made for paying the board of q small
number Of girls from eaeh District, to be. selected
by the delegation, or in any other way that may
be satisfactory; or if it is thought more advisa-
BILE, or better calculated to make them feel that
they are not depending entirely on the State for
their education, portion Of their board might be
provided for, and the balance paid by themselves.
This arrangement would put the girls in the coun-
try more on an equal footing with those in the
city, and after o few are educated and return
home, others who are able and willing to pay
their own board may be induced to avail them
selves Of the advantages Of the School; and thus
distribute through the country female teachers to
supply all our wants, without being dependent
upon the North.
THE CATawBA INp1Ays-The remnant Of this tribe OF
Indians within the limits Of this State merits your care and
guardianship They the friends of the coonsts and
some of them took up and rendered good service du
ring the Revolutionary Initiating example at the
close of the they would not be governed any longer
King but elected rulers wit the titles OF General Colonel
&C. and they have always been doce and harmless there
being no instance of criminal prosecution against one OF
them has been the policy Of the State to remove them
West to country where they could indulge their
fsvorte sports and pasmes but recent visit to their
neighborhood found from conversation with one
Chiefs that they divided in opnion-a part only being
willing to emigrate. Irecommend that small appropra-
ton be made 10 pay the travelling expenses of two or three
of the head men, who desire to visit to examine the
country aud report to the tribe on their return Ihs re-
port may induce them all to CO. and have no doubt upon
application to the General Government On appropriation
would readily be made for their removal An appropriation
of five thousand dollars made by Congress In the year
1855 to remove the Catawba Indians but apsed into the
general treasury in July 1857 was not called fo and
therefore, cannot be used without re.appropraton by
Congress Information received from 1.-THE Superintendent
of Indian affairs of the Southern Superntendency satisfies
me the Chocaws have abundance OF territory ooth
for themselves and the Catawbas but they expect compen
sation for furnishing the Catawbas with land and allow them
to come among them The money appropriated by Con-
gress could only be used for their removal but about i've
thousand dollars could be obtained for their lands IN ork
District and this together with the balance due them by the
State extinguishng their title to what's called the Indian
Land would in all probability be sufficient to effect the de-
sired arrangement with the Choctaws In the event OF
ure to induce them remove 1t Is evident we should not
compel them to but endeavor to make them useful c
zens extending them the benefits of education and
ion plain building might be erected on their land which
would answer the double purpose of school house and
house OF worship and teacher employed to educate the
children allowing them, also the privilege to invite min
ster of whatever denomination they may choose preach
to them on Sundays such other days may suit bis
venence The Chefnormed me that they would IKE to nave
preaching and that there were about eighteen cnaren
ny of whom ALL would be sent TO school fthey had an
opportunity that many persons, VINO know the
Indians well think their habits cannot be changed by edu
cation and instance given of educated laps
ing into his former bnt the cost viii be small and the
experiment Is well worth fair trial
MILITARY ACADEMY.-The wisdom Of converting the
Magazine Guard into Military Academy, is now beyond
question most sangune expectations have been more
than fulfilled In turning out annually class OF useful SCI
entiac and military men and the time, furnishing
reliable guard for the public Young men are sent
out from these Schools competent to train the citizen sode
nv whenever their services may be required and thus
have ut command all times the means OF an efcent or
ganizaton to any emergency that may arise Much
credit due to the Board Of Visitors, and particularly us