The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1865-12-30
SATURDAY MORNING, DEC, 80, 1865.

> '" "hat was uone aueclliS the state at
large.
First in importance then, was the adoption
CT the Code for the government of the Freed
men. Beyond doubt many have seen a copy
of this Code as it came from the hands of the
Commission appointed TO prepare it. Many
amendments have been since made by the
Legislature, affecting mostly, however, its dc.
tails. It's main scope and design has been pre-
served. Could it be once put fairly in opera
ton, it would tend greatly, think, to the re.
lief OF the country in its present distressed con-
dition. The freedmen would be compelled even
without being constrained by the pangs Of
hunger, to engage in some labor whict might
tend to avert the threatened evils arising out
OF their natural disposition to idleness and
vice. The branch of labor most favored by
the Code, is the agricultural while its general
tendency is, to discourage the freedmen, very
properly | think from embarking in other EN-,
ployments for which they are not so W ell fitted
by nature and education. The cnrcve feature,
in reference to labor, consists in the enactments
against vagrancy, which subject all freedmen to
pretty severe penalties who are found to he cnI
Gagcdein no regular employment by which an
honest likelihood can be obtained, thu com
peiing them to enter into contracts to work
the faithful observance of which may be en-.
force under the provisions of Law, even TO
corporal punishment. A very comprehensive
system OF apprcnticcships is also embr aced
which, when fairly in operation, will tend great
ly to relieve The country OF much of the sever.
ity Of the ordeal through which We are dcs.
ttncl to pass. Tho machinery provided for
putting the whole scheme into operation, is "A
District Court aud Magstrncy, armed certainly
wiih novel powers, but restrained by checks
which will prevent their de'potic exercise
The Magistrates are to receive their appoint
ments from the District Judge with the appro-
val of the Senator and Representatives OF the
District. Each District will be laid off into
Precincts, in every one of which there must
reside at least one Magistrate. The powers
and duties Of these officers are much enlarged
and the dignity and Importance of the Office
greatly enh,pcsd, 1t is hoped that it will be
regarded as praiseworthy ambition on the part
Of our most worthy citizens to be advanced TO
so honorable 4 station.
The Stay Law seemed to he regarded as next
in importance by the Legislature The old
law OH the subject was re-enacted with an ad-
ditional proviso; that upon demand being
made at least three months before the lstsiay
OF December next, and refusal to pay the
one.tcn;h OF the amount due on any debt, suit
nft dat, ha inat tod md
recov cred and execution issued for the whole
debt, but the same can be enforced only for
the tenth and coss annually. Much doubt is
entertained as t5S,he validity of this Act under
the Constitution of this State and the United
States.
An Act regulating the distillation Of Grain
was passed, preventing such distillation, ex.
ccpt under license from the Commissioners of
Public Bdidings, which can only be granted
up on the payment Of two hundred dollars oil
each and every still used for the purpose
lleavy penalties attach to any viololion of the
provisions Of the Act.
An Act for the organization Of the MALTA
was passed, differing in its details considerably
from the old laws or the subject.
The Tax Act, amongst other provisions, i'm
poses capitation tax OF two dollars on all
males between the ages Of twenty.one and
sixty years fifteen cents on every hundred
dollars worth of land 4; and one dollar on every
hundred dollars worth of cotton on hand the
tenth day of October last. IN most other par
ticulars, it resembles its predecessors OH the
same subject.
Many other important Acts Of public char.
acter were passed but their enumeration coup.
led with the shortest epitomc of their purport
would extend this communication beyond what
is intended without increasing its interest.
Three Law Judges and two Chancellors were
elected. Col. Dawkins, Col Moses, and the
Speaker OF the House, Mr. Adrich, Law
Judges. NE. Jhnson, of Marlboro, and Mr.
Lescsne, OF Charleston, Chanceors
Thirty.one District Judges were also elected,
amongst whom Mr. G.. McC. Witherspoon was
elected for Lancaster District. Capt. Leitner,
for Kershaw Capt Hough, for Chesterfield
Col. Beatty, for York, and Nr. j. j. McLure, for