Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-09-14
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
CoIvxrI,. Sent. 10. 1861

Of the Session, sufficient progress has scarcely
yet been made i'll the business to determine it,
probable length or the character Of the legis-
lat!on likely TO be adopted. The members nre
generally here at q sacrifice of hrr ,..cu"iary
Interests. and anxious to dispatch the work
Of Legislation ~ promptly as is co,nra' i5le
with the public veal. a resolution was adopt.
cd hy the Senate OH Saturday last to adjourn
on next Tuesday week. the lSh INST, and it is
not probable that the scssiond will exten be-
yond that time.
Resolutions have been Introduced into both
Houses. limiting the subjects Of leg is!atnn, to
The matters embraced in the Goveruor's mes
angc. ard though they were rejected it was
from conviction of the fertility OF all srch
resolutions, rat!:cr ttan from any iaGisposition
to carry out fully their spirit. The subjects
embraced i'll ti..: massage. as Ia themselves
comprehensive and important enough to fur
niah matter Of legislation for n protrac. cl
Session, and which would require something
mere than Solumnn's wisdom TO adjust sat
isfactorly 10 the ccuatry
The I.cst Important anl rronI;nclt place il,
Message is occupied by the Recommendations
the subject of tie District Courts, aud the
amendment Of tie Criminal Law. On these
sui jects thee very elaborate bills prepared hy
the distinguished author Of the Code aInp ell
at the last Session, have been introduced into
the Senate by Mr. Thomson, anl together
with the suggestions Of the Message have been
before the Judiciary Committee. Similar bills
were introduced into the House by Mr. Fair
In the House. no action has yet been taken
by the Committee, but in the Sen,te, the Com.
mittec have reported = short and comprchen-
sive mens1re, defining the rights Of persons of
color, which cr'braces substantially The pro
visions Of the Georgia Code on the subject
abolshes all civil determinations between the
two races, cont,rs upon the blacks all the
rights of person and property, and fully en-
powers them TO sue aud be sued, and to testify
in all cases and in all the Courts This Bill
or come very similar measure will likely pn:s
both Houses. The Committees have not vet
reported upon the Dist, let Court Bill, but there
IS no doubt but. that very material alterations
will be made in the existing law, perhaps in
accordance with the Govcrnors's recommends
tions-conferring upon these inferior courts
jurisdiction in all cases Of misiemeanors and
feionies not capital, and perhaps limiting the
terms Of the court. to quarterly sessions. a
very radical reduction in the number OF these
Courts We have heard recommended Oh the
ecore Of economy, but We doubt whether any
such change will be made at the present Ses-
sion.
The recommendations of the message on the
subject OF Penitentary were referred to
special Committee of both Houaes, who liza We
not yet reported, but who will no doubt adopt
md act upon tho suggestions of the Governor.
The necessity of such IN institution is clearly
set forth in the Message, and is generally con.
ceded.
Upon the all-importaut subject of extcnd-
ing relief 20 the Debtors Of the Country has
as yet received no Legislative action. The fol-
lowing resolutions introduced into the House
by Mr Darlington were made the special or
der for Saturday last and after receiving an
animated discussion were continued over until
to-day.
Reso'rcd, That the condition Of the peopie of
this State resulting from their indebtedness rs
affected by the issues Of the war; demands rem.
edial legislation in the following particulars,
viz:
1st. revision and amendment of the laws
in relation to insolvcnt Debtors so as TO pre-
vent voluntary bankruptcy, and to secure the
discharge of debtors from all debls, upon q full
and complete surrender Of their property and
effects.
cd. Abolition of imprisonment for debt,
either on mesnc or final process, and an en-
largement of exemptions Of property from levy
and snc.
Sd. The postponement Of remedial process
for the collection Of debts 80 far as not TO con
fict with the Constitution Of this State, nor OF
the United States.
4th That these resolutions be referred to
specinl Committee. to be composed Of - mem.
bers, with instructions to report such legisla-
ton as may be necessary to carry tho same
into effect. 80"
The object Of these resolutions is 10 elicit @,
once the sensc Of The House on the mode and
measure OF relief and to instruct The Commit.
tee to perfect the details of q scheme in accor-
dance with the Ger sral principles agreed up
on: In supporting the resolutions, the mover
made very able speech urging immediate
Legislative action. He was followed by S(r.
Barber who depriouted all such legislation "a
benefitsing one class at the expense Of the 9TH
er. ssnd impairing those principles OF Justice
and sound poiicy which lie at The basis Of ali
Souiraets, and involve the btst interests Of an.
!ciety. ,s,. u, q: z. i'q;.srt' ~ .5,Ss =.
4spasrs SCENE TO sbs q general disposition TO
! extend 10 Debtors 10 the extent Of thu
eensfitustonaa = s.oyass 5ofs TIE Legislature. tut
the jccnsiss ja AAs limited power. Of
that body. Astats may ipdssd pass. Bank.
rapt law where Gon1ress hsssnSt Iso;a,.t.a
Upon the subject bnt this power r. lai5lv