The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-12-07
Remarks of Hon. w: s. Grishnn, OF
PicL<ens

E'ickens,
Delivered in the Senate, on Wednesday.
December 5, on the bill to alter the Con-
stltutlon, so as to divide Pickens District
into two Judicial and Election Districts:
MIR. PRESIDENT: Having had tho honor
of introducing this bill, it is proper that L
should give some of tho reasons that in
duced mo to support it, and 1 do not pro-
pose to detain the Senate very long; nut to
give few plain and simple facts, and some
statistical information.
The District of Pickens, proposed to be
divided by this bill, has territory en-
bracing an area of about fifty miles by
seventy miles, being ono of tho largest
Districts in territory in the State. And by
the census of 1859, contained near seven
teen thousand white inhabitants
petition signed by near seven hundred
persons, asking for tho division, is before
us, including the property owners at the
Court House; this petition comes from
every section Of the District, without any
opposition from any quarter. Tho Grand
Jury, at tho last court, thus presented tho
matter:
"4. The Grand Jury avail themselves of
tho privilege of making somo suggestions
IN reference to public affairs, and will re-
speetfully submit that the convenience and
prosperity of tho citizens of this District
would be greatly promoted, by the division
OF the District into two Judicial Districts,
and earnestly commend the subject to the
early and favorable consideration Of the
General Assembly"
This matter of q division of Pickens Dis
trlct, Mr. President, has long been in con-
temptation by her citizens, from the fact
OF tho inconvenience and expense of at
tending at the Court House, and from the
large territory to be travelled over in at
tending to her District business.
The population, in q great degree, reside
upon the Sul1lda river, the eastern bounda-
ry, and upon the Tugalo river, western
boundary Of tho District, and the Court
House being in the intermediate section,
which is almost the poorest section of the
District, makes the location very unfortu-
nate for q prosperous town, which, NAV
say, after near forty years of existence,
never has risen to much cmincncc, and |
may say, too, Is now on the dcclinc-in-
deed, almost dcpopulatcd, from tho fact of
the bad locality, and general poorness of
that particular section.
No action has been taken in this matter
here, until now, Mr.. President, from the
fact that, under tho old regime, or Consti-
tuition, llttlo encouragement could have
been expected towards the end sought.
owing to the peculiar situation of what was
termed the up country, and low country"
the interest of the one, might not have
been that of the other
But under the new order OF things and
TIE new Constitution, these barriers, it
seems to me, no lonSor exist, and I hope
and believe that we are now engaged in
one common cause, and that is, to build up
our State, and that we arc each striving
to develop her resources, in every practica-
BILE way.
The proposed division, making koowec
river the line, gives nearly an equal divi-
sion of territory, +and of the .inha bitants.
leaving in each new District, Pickens and
hcowee, about eight thousand inhabitants,
according to the census CT 1859, and ter
Itory embracing an area OF about twenty
five miles by thirty-tve miles.
And by the examination Of tho last con-
sus report, we find that Pickens District
had twice as many inhabitants as Chester,
Chesterfield, or Richland: three times as
many as Horny, Kcrshaw or Marlboro. and
four times as many as Georgetown or Clar-
endon, so that being divided, each new Dis
trlct would contain u population as great
as Chester, Chesterfield or Rchland, and
very much greater than either Beaufort,
Horny, Lancaster, Marlboro. Kershaw. Will
hamsburS, Georgetown, Sumter, Claren-
don or Ncwbcrry.
The taxes paid in Pickens District this
year, do not fall much short of thirteen
thousand dollars, leaving, at tho present
rate of taxation, about sixteen thousand
live hundred dollars to be paid by each
new District proposed; and by consulting
the last report OF the Comptroller General,
Senators will find many of the Districts
paying a less amount than this
The friends ofthis measure ask no mate
rial aid from the State. We don't propose
to take one dollar from her treasury.
Each new District willingly pledges her
self to put up all public buildings free of
cost to the State
The court house and jail of Pickens-
wooden buildings, old and dilapidated-
must soon be rebuilt, if the division is not
made; and submit that, as matter Of
economy to the State, her interests pecu-
nlarlly, would be promoted, to grant the
proposed division.
But, Mr.. President, feel that need not
dctaln the Senate longer. The request of
the numerous persons from Pickens Dis
trlct, seems to mo only reasonable and
just; and [ hope that Senator'S will take
into consideration fully, the morits of this
bill, and that they will grant them their
request; and that they will also bear in
mind that the Judiciary Committee unani-
mously reported this bill. And I would
urge, most respectfully, that the measure
be allowed to pass at this eession.-for
with its failure, fail the hopes ofits friends
Tor three years; for that time must clapse
before the matter could possibly succeed:
and that If favorably considered now, may
at the next regular session, if then favora-
bly, considered, become part OF our