Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-12-15
Legislative Proceedings.

and Message No. 8, was announced from His Ex-
cellency, transmitting certain resolutions from
| the Governor of New York, which he had received
since his annual message. The resolutions rela-
ted to the surprise, modification and dissatisfac
ton Of the Legislature Of New York, at the y;rtu-
al re-opening oft slave trade, and calling on this
State to Join in the discovery Of the agressors.
The special order for p. m. was then taken up
"a bill to amend an Act to afford aid to the Blue
Ridge Railroad. On motion of Mr. Rhett made
the special order for p. m, on Monday next.
The special order for 2 p. m, resolutions in re-
lation to the penitentiary.
Mr.. Moses remarked that this subject had en-
gagged the attentionof this Assembly for seventeen
years, and that there were now no less than ten
presentments of Grand Juries relative to the sub
ject, before the committees. That experience had
taught that those whom State laws affect, consid.
er it as no punishment to be in Jail. There they
are better clothed and fed than at home. Every
species Of liquor is introduced. and their friends
are allowed to visit them. he had introduced
this resolution to test the Senate on the subject.
| Mr.. Mazyck replied, that it would be first ne.
cessary to establish commission for the revision
of the criminal law. -. r-~
Mr.. Moses answered, that first We should de-
eide the expediency Of peDitentiary, before we
do any thing of that Sort This is one thing, the
doing Of it another. ~ -.
Mr. Mazyck offered the following amendment:
after the word that, to insert, o commission be
appointed to revise the criminal law.
| Mr.. Palmer remarked that the State was al
ready at great expense with Its State House;
that we should first count the cost. See what has
been the effect of building without deliberately
considering. It should be a warning to us all
Mr.. Moses perfectly agreed with him, and sta
ted that be only wished to test the principle. :.
Mr. Rhett showed that the penetentiary was
much cheaper than the Jail, and much more de-
sirable than the present system of follr. f.
Mr.. Mazyck replied, favoring the establishment
| Of commission.
Mr. Moses remarked that we already had such
commission, established in 1858, to revise and
qualify the criminal laws. 90 ...., ..
Mr.. Harrison proposed that we first finish some
Of our unfinished work, lest posterity should con-
vert one of them into penitentiary.
1t was moved to lay the resolution on the table
Ayes, 27 nays, Is. The amendment was also
laid on the table.
House-Mr. Wilson presented the petition Of
President and members of Chesterville Academy
Society, for the renewal Of charter.
f. Mr. Mullins submitted report, on bill to al
ter the law in relation to the qualification of ju
rors. The bill was read first time, and provides
'sthat every free white person not heretofore ex-
empted, who may be entitled to vote for members
of the Legislature and should have paid any a.
mount of tax falling to him, shall be liable to
serve as grand or petit jurors"
The Speaker asked the attention Of the House
to the resolution requiring of the Commissioner
Of the New State House the entire cost Of said
structure. The Commissioner, in reply, states
that, to similar question put to him in 1867, he
answered that the estimate of the entire cost of
| ofru 20 nm nd hot 10 aloa a
estimate of the Architect, subject to margin Of
ten per cent. for difficulties unknown. Both Archi-
tect and Commissioner say they see no reason to
change their opinion from the former estimate
Received as information, and ordered to lie on The
table. -----
Mr.. Campbell gave notice of a bill to provide
against the agents and emisaries of Aboitionists.
Mr.. Harrell introduced resolution, that it be
referred to the Committee on the Colored Popula-
ton, to inquire into the necessity of restricting
by law, the wearing apparel and other articles
usually entrusted to the care of slaves.
Mr.. Moore gave notice of bill to reduce to sla-
very all free negroes and persons Of color by sale.
Senate.-Mr Moses presented partly favor.
able report of the Committee on the Judiciary,
on bill to provide compensation for families Of
those killed by the fault of others.
Mr.. Zimmerman offered the following:
Resolved That this General Assembly will ad-
iourn sine die, on Tuesday, the Goth, at S p. m.
MIR. Moses proposed to amend, by placing Mon
day, at IL M, instead of Tuesday, p. m. Ac-
cepted.
After some discussion. the resolution was a
greed to and ordered to the House.
House-Mr. Lucas introduced bill to improve
the present militia system of the State Read
and referred to the Committee on Military.
The Speaker announced the following persons rs
committee to name suitable persons for Direc
tors of the Bank Of the State Messrs. Elliott,
Pinckney, Jr. Lide, Black, ]. H. Williams
DEcEMBERS.
~Senat..-Mr Moses, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported bll more effectually to prevent
the sale of spirituous liquors which received its
first reading, and was ordered for second read
ing tomorrow.
Mr.. Harrison, from the Committee on Military
and Pensions, reported o bill to afford aid in es
tablishing Military School and Depot for public
arms at Anderson which received the first read
ing, and was ordered for second reading to-mor-
| row. ...a
Houss.-The Senate sent to the House the fol-
lowing:
RESOLVED, That both Houses of this assembly ad-
journ sine die on Monday, the 10Th, ut II.
On motion of Mr.. Bust the resolution was laid
on the table.
Mr.. Moore presented bill to reduce by sale to
slavery, free persons of color. Given first read
ing and referred to Committee on the Judiciary.
49,. DECEMBER 9.
Ssnats-Message No. 4, was announced from
his Excellency the Governor.
Gentlemen of the Senate: In answer to reso-
luton of the General Assembly, asking me to fur
nish all knowledge in my power, relative to our
Federal Relations, &c., take occasion to state
that have no information, except what is con-
tained in the newspapers of the day. II at any
| time I receive any communication on the subject,
will communicate it to the Senate.
A bill to authorize the President and Directors
of the Bank of the State of South Carolina to es-
tablish branch of said bank in a convenient po-
sition in the Western or Northwestern portion
of this State, received its second reading
House.-Mr Moorc.-Report of Committee on
Colored Population to provide for the gradual re-
moval Of free persons of color from the State.
Mr. Boylston, from the Committee on the Judi
ciary, made reports on q bill to provide more ef-
fectually for the protection of the people of this
State from the agents and emmissaries Of Aboli-
tionsts and to impose certain restrictions on auc-
tioneers, pedlers and agents. Favorable, with
amendments On a bill to reduce to slavery, by
sale, free persons Of color. (Unfavorabe.)
Mr. Edwards. Report of Committee of Mill
tary on bill to amend the present militia system
of the State. (Unfavorable.)
Mr. Moora moved to proceel to the considera-