Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-12-06
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE. |

restriction imposed in the resolution render.
ed it impossible to effect purchases, he de-
clined the appointment. I concurred fully
in his conclusion, that the double restriction
rendered the whole scheme nugatory, and [
have not therefore, appointed another Agent.
The resolution required that three hundred
thousand dollars in bonds should purchase
and deliver in the State three hundred thous-
and bushels of corn. 1t is reasonably cer-
tain that the bonds could not have been sold
for more than seventy cents to the dollar,
and corn could not be purchased, ia any
market, and delivered at one dollar per
bushel. The correspondence between Colo.
mel Aiken and myself is herewith commu-
nicated.
The grain crop Of the State has been gath
cred, and you are better prepared now, than
at the extra session, to determine the def
cheney, and what will be needed to supply
the absolute wants of the poor. When you
have fixed the amount, the grave question
arises, how are you to supply the funds to
purchase it I? The feverish and unsettled
condition of public affairs has not tended w
appreciate the credit of the Southern States !;
and if the purchase of large amount of
breadstuffs, for distribution among the poor,
is to be effected by the sale of State bonds,
it can only be accomplished at ruinous
discount. The question is earnestly COM
mepded to your gravest deliberation.
The firm of Browne & Schirmer, grain
merchants of Charleston and Columbia, have
made proposition to furnish corn, and have
requested me to lay it before you. They
propose that, if the State shall advance to
them twenty. five thousand dollars, which
they will give approved security to refund,
they will engage to furnish 10000 bushels
of corn per month, to be sold at actual cost,
with transportation and two and one-half
per cent. commissions added, to the citizens
of the State; invoices to be submitted to
commissioners, and the corn to be subject
to inspection by the commissioners or by an
agent. Ifa larger amount should be needed
monthly, that larger amount will be furnish.
ed, upon condition that the State make
pro rata increase of the loan. The money
loaned is to be returned as soon as the con-
tract terminates. 1t is proposed by these
gentlemen to establish depots for the sale
of the corn, in Charleston, Columbia and
Marion, from which points it may be readi-
ly distributed to every section of the State.
The members of the firm are euterprising
and trustworthy, and, if such contract is
awarded to them, they will, doubtless, fulfill
its stipulations with fidelity If the neces.
sites of the State should require the impor-
tatiou of one million of bushels, to supply
the wants Of those who must buy and are
able to pay, the saving to the people of the
State, by such an arrangement, would not
fall short of two hundred thousand dollars.
have been Informed that proposition of
the same sort will be submitted to you by
A. Nj. Riker, grain merchant Of Charles
ton, who can furnish you with satisfactory
testimonials of integrity and business capac-
ity. The plans for supplying with corn the
whole population, including the Boards of
Commissioners of the Poor, who will be
compelled to provide for large number of
INDECENT persons, at profit of only two and
a.half per cent to the contractor, on cost
and expenses, are commended 10 your favor.
able consideration.
THE PECUNIARY DISTRESS OF THE PEOPLE
OF THE STATE.
The short crops of grain and cotton cause
the Indebtedness of the people to press
heavily on them. This state of things i'm
poses on every generous creditor the duty of
making as libersl compromises with his
debtors as he can admit without pecuniary
ruin. If he has been fortunate in escaping
the general wreck, he should cheerfully lend
a helping hard to his less fortunate neigh.
Dor who is still struggling in a sea of debt.
Legislation consistent with the Constitution
and the general interest Of the community
may be adopted, which will greatly relieve
the public Ireiterate my recommendation
made at the extra session, that Imprisonment
for debt be abolished, except in cases of
fraud; and when debtor is about remov-
ing his person or property without the limits
of the State, that the insolvent laws be SO
extended that debtor may, by petition, on
giving three months notice to all his cred
itors, require them to come in and prove
their demands, and upon his surrendering
his entire effects for their benefit, that they
be perpetually barred from ever again pro-
ceeding against him in the Courts of this
State, and that all cases where a defendant
is sued and makes no defence to the action,
no costs shall be taxed against him.
Persons in SUI juris can now compromise
with their debtors, and often find it to their
interest to do so, but such as occupy idu-
cary position are restrained by the striu-
geucy of legal rules; and not being author
lied to compound with debtors, they fire.
quently lose the entire debt. 1t is sound
policy..to modify these rules, so as to allow
them to compound the demands they hold
against debtors, taking care to guard against
fraud or ill-faith on their part.
I invite your attention to the propriety of
passing homestead law, and of extending
the value of articles exempt from levy and
sale, for the head of each family. Most of
the States have made much more liberal