The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-09-13
COLUMBIA, Sept. 10th, 1856
(Erom our oun Correspondcnt.)

(From our COrrespondcnt.)
COLUMBIA, Sept. 10th, 1866.
Pursuant to coll the Legislature of this State
assembled in Extra Session on Tuesday last, and
on Wednesday received the Message of Gov. Orr,
which will probably appear in your paper stimuli
taneously with the publication of this letter. 1t
has attracted attention in the State for its progress
siye and sagaoions suggestions, and commend it
to your readers. Its effect upon the Legislature
has already been perceptiby felt as its action has
proven and there can be little doubt that the
bulk of its recommendations will be substantially
approved-to some small extent they were antici-
pated by the people.
The Intellectual schemes adopted last winter for
the government of the freedmen, and the regula-
ton of their labor, had prepared the popular mind
for their radical modification and amendment. The
conflict between the enactments of the State and
those of Congress had germinated in the destruc-
ton of the "code" by military interference, and
the absence of the proper restraints of the civil
law had been manifested in the reckless disregard
of all obligations on the part of the freedmen
wherever they were living within the jurisdiction
of inefficient end prejudced military courts-to
place this class of our population again within the
pale of constitutional law, and to remove them
from the frequently pernicious encouragement to
vagrancy and idleness which were extended by
ssthe Bureau" became o matter of public necessi-
ty. This could not bo accomplished, however, un-
til the laws of the State had been so modified as
to abolish the unjust and impoltic discrimination
of classes which they made and to this end has
the Governor directed his suggestions in the main
The experience of the past ten months and
liberal view of the new order Of things, has pre-
pared most of our legislators for the issue, whilst
I am sorry to add, there ore some IN the General
Assembly who are either too much attached to the
exploded ideas of the post, or 80 strictly conserva-
tive in their views of the present. that they are ut
terly unable to comprehend and grasp it. The
latter class are, however, in very small minority,
and there is reason to hopo and believe that the
Legislature will succeed in making such provision
for the recognition and guaranty Of the rights Of
the freedmen as will relieve us from the further in
Fiction of military tribunals, and enable US to
commence the next year with better arrangements
for the regulation of labor.
It may be taken for granted that the character
of the present ''code' will either be very much
modified OF that it will be altogether repealed and
q succinct and ineligible and practical sub
sttute placed in its stead; but it is difficult to pre-
dict so early in the session. which alternative will
be chosen.
One step has been taken in the right direction
by the Senate in passing Bill which provides that
spersons of color shall have the right to make and
enforce contracts, to sue, be sued to be afhants
and give evidence, to Inherit to purchase, lease,
sell, hold, convey and assign real and personal
property, make wills and testaments, and to have
full and equal benefit of the rights of personal Sc
curity, personal liberty and private property, and
of all remedies and proceedings for the enforce
ment and protection of the same as white persons
now have, and shall not be subjected to any other
or different punishment, pain or penalty for the
commission of any act or offence, than such Us are
now prescribed for white persons committing like
acts or Offences" The same Bill contemplates the
repeal of all Acts heretofore passed with special
reference to negroes or free persons of color
The Stay Law is exciting as much, if not more,
attention than the CODE The recent decision of
the Court Of Errors, pronouncing against its un-
constitutionality, is,thoroughly endorsed by Gov.
Orr, and most of the legal profession, and it is
obvious that some other plan must be devised for
the relief of debtors. The camor for Legislation
upon this subject is very great, and the issue CON
by no possibility be avoided, although more than
one effort to procrastinate has been made. But
three plans have yet been suggested-the post
ponement of the Fall Terms of the Courts until
Spring-repudiation, or lastly, and more rational
ly, the passage of qualified Bankruptcy Law.
The latter will, think, finally be adopted.
In compliance with the suggestions of the Gov
ernor, steps are being taken to provide for the al
deviation of the distress which the failure of the
crops of this year is expected to entail upon the
people of this State. 1t will, probably, be accom-
plshed by the purchase of corn by the State to be
resod, under the supervision of the Boards ofCom-
missioners of the Poor, to needy individuals at
prime cost, in quantities not to exceed thirteen
bushels, to each applicant.
A Bill has been introduced into the House OF
Representatives to provide artificial limbs to the
disabled ex-solders of the State and there should
be no doubt of ta passage, unless our finances are
more thoroughly crippled than 1 am willing to
know Of
Some steps will be taken to institute close scru-
inv into the freight and passenger charges of the
Railroads, with view to declare forfeiture of
their charters in the event of their violation of
them in respect to the restrictions upon rates of
cborces. as declared in their charters.
The State is likely to avail itself of the benefits
of the Act of Congress providing for the establish
mept of Agricultural Colleges. Under its provis-
ions, South Carolina will be entitled to scrip, for