The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-10-06
Correspondence of the New York Times.
SOUTH CAROLINA. = &
Extra Session Of the Legislature Important
Legisloti0n-Ihe freedmen

=
COLUMBIA, S. c., Sept. 90, 1865.
The extra session of the Legislature OF
South Carolina, called by the Governor to
meet on the 4th inst, adjourned yesterday.
The most important measure adopted is the
act to declare the rights of persons heretofore
known as slaves and as persons of color. 1t
is popularity called the Civil Rights Bill 1t
is designed to so far adapt the laws of this
State to those of the General Government as
to put into operation the District Courts,
which arc to take cognizance of cases invol-
wing the rights of the freedmen. 1t provides
that all persons heretofore known in law as
slaves or free persos of color shall have the
right to make and enforce contracts, to sue,
to be sued, to be atlantis and give evidence,
to inherit, to purchase, lease, SELL hold con-
Vey and assign real and personal property,
make wills and testaments, and to have full
and equal benefit of the rights of personal
security, personal liberty, and private prop
crty, and of all remedies and proceedings for
the enforcement and protection of the same,
as white persons now have, and shall not be
subjected to any other different punish
ment, pain or penalty for the commission of
any act or offence, than such as are prescri-
bed for white persons committing like acts
or offences
This act brings under the authority and
protection of law class outside of the pale
OF law since the close of the war Much good
is expected from its operation; and the peo-
pie seem to regard it as in an eminent degree
both fit and timely, for disorder and violence
were far too common throughout the State.
The operation of these District Courts, (there
are no counties in South Carolina,) it is
hoped, by consistent and firm administration
OF equal justice, will go far to re-establish Or
der and suppress irregularities. Such at least
seems to be the honest hope of the people
who are earnest in their desire to suppress
H.. 4 H.. n
ment In its re-estabishment of law and order.
Another act looks in the same direction
the establishment of State Penitentiary.-
An appropriation of twenty thousand dol
lars was passed, as nucleus upon which to
commence operations, and to enable the
State to set at work its convicts now in the
prisons, together with such other labor as it
may be able to command; these to be en-
ployed first in building the Penitentiary. A
Commission has been appointed which is
charged with the duties of selecting site
and negotiating its purchase. The work will
be commenced as soon as site IS chosen.
No choice has yet been made, but it is con-
sidered probable that it will be located in or
very near Columbia. A fine site would be
upon the canal along the river, just upon the
corporate limits of the city.
To meet the financial difficulties of the
State, this Legislature has not done great
deal. 1t has passed bill, of which the eff
feet is to postpone the civil docket of the
courts from the Autumnal session in Octo-
Der to the Spring session in March, the Grim
inal docket being the only business before
the Courts at their session now about open
ing. This is regarded as an unfortunate meas
ure, in that the relief it affords the debtor is
only of a few months, and at season of the
year when his farm will yield him no money
to meet the liabilities that must come down
upon him next Spring.
1t is generally understood that the Cover
nor is but partially satisfied with the results
of this extra session, from which so much
was expected.
The general failure of the corn crop and
the partial failure of the cotton, has cast
shade of gloom over most minds throughout
the State,
Negroes continue to emigrate. mostly
going westward. An agent for labor took
with him from Greenville, of this, State, to
Florida, a squad of forty or fifty, two weeks
ago. This agent proposes to continue going
from that point with emigrant freedmen once
a month, or as often as he can get a sufficient
number t" move with. good deal of in
terest is kept up there among the negroes,
and hundreds talk of going as soon as their
crops are all housed or sold. Higher wages
offered them in Florida, and in the West
also, than can be paid by the planters in our
mountain districts. Fifteen dollars month
is the offer that carries off so many from
Greenv1lle There are comparatively few
negroes in those upper districts, and there is
very limited demand for that kind of labor
there.
The Columbia and Hamburg Railroad,
that connects Columbia directly with Au-
gusta, is being pushed on with some vigor.
1t is expected that it will be done by next
Spring WOOD