Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-01-08
REMARKS OF MR.. CUNNINGHAM,
OF PERSON,

Delirered in the Senate Of North Carolina, on tho
bill authorizing certain citizens Of Person county
to eneloss their tands With a ring.'snee.
MR. SPEAKER: The bill under consideration il .
private one, asking a favor which the State can
grant, without injury to any, and without mourning
the charge of partially. Every person directly in
terested in the measure, is not only favor Of il
but has signed petition asking for it, and under
such circumstances cannot see how It Is possible
for the Legislature to refuse the act desired Al
though this is private matter. it is movement Of
importance to many portions Of the State; and il
is new thing in North Carolina but cannot fail in
time to be of very general interest ask the indul
gence of the Senate while offer brief explanation
Of the origin and nature of the measure. As you
are aware, sir, represent an agricultural communi-
ty, and not only So but one which raises compare
lively but little stock, finding It more profitable to
cultivate than to'pasture the soil. These remarks
more pa, ticularly applicable to the section Of
country proposed to be enclosed by common fence,
on the terms specified in the bill before us; and
while the land there is valuable, and closely and
probably cultivated timber IS becoming scarce and
dead. You, Mr. Speaker, and many Of the members
Of this body are like myself practical farmers and
you, therefore, know that the building and repair
ing of fences is very serious part Of the work
any farm. The value of the time and labor devoted
to this business would surprise those who have not
given special attention to it. and the time and
labor applied to the Improvement Of the soil would
very soon revolutonize the country. Now. when as
in the case in point to this tax the resources Of
the farmer Is added the cost Of the timber used for
fences where timber is scarce and valuable and when
stock cannot be proRtably raised and none arc in
terested in raising it for market the cost Of fencing
is very discouraging drawback to the prosperity
Of the community! Such has become the experience
of farmers in many similar sections Of Virginia; and
on this account there serious discussion in that
H. H.. r.
eral law compelling every man to keep his stock
fenced up and to require no other enclosure. But
such an act would be very unjust in State situated
like Virginia or North Carolina, for in both there
are large and desirable sections where stock growing
is leading interest and where timber is cheap and
abundant ''''''-'
In nearly all the middle, and in the whole of the
upper region of North Carolina, IS well as Of Vir
gnA the raising Of grain tobacco and cotton Is not
the predominant occupation Of those who own the
soil and to these is less burdcnsome to fence their
cultivated fields than to fence their stock. This
was once the case in an our States and is perhaps
still the sitpation Of The larger portion snath<s
fore we, who differently situated do not complain
that the general law Of fences is made withsa view
to the interests Of majority Of the people But We
have right to ask and do ask for private legisla
latjou on this subject suited to our obvious necessi
ties; and while such legislation in no way affects
the rights Or interests Of the majority, who alone
are bene8tted BY the general law, they should not
deny its bensfits to IN oppressed minority sim
some portions Of the State have named; and fce
the very same reasons which govern ia the general
law Of fences these private ACTS should BE- granted
The object 81 the general law Is to save time, and
expense On account Offences, to tho community
sits purpose is to require that kind 81 fencing which
Tie lest sufdsusolne, nauely, The fsncibg up Of
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