The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-09-28

soldiers on James Island with the rations
to which they were entitled led several of
the members of one Of the best disciplined
regiments stationed there to invade Mr..
F.'s pig stye. Among the Offenders was
one j., who acting as assistant-commi'sary
or sutler, WAS often absent from the regi-
pent for many days ct a time. During one
of these absences F. complained to the Off
Ger in command that J. had stolen one of
his pigs, and demanded payment or vindic-
tive justice. An order was thereupon sent
to J to come over forthwith and stand his
trial. The writer happened to see j. when
the message was received, and was infinite
ly amused at his querulous response to the
summons: eyes, yes" said he, 81 did take
''the pig; but good gracious what's the
"use of making such fuss aboutit It was
''not a large animal, but q small pig, in
''fact very small 1 am surprised the
"Colonel should worry himself about the
"pig. Why, sir, it wasn't bigger than so"-
holding up both hands. If the measure
ment was correct, the creature must have
been of the size of stunted rat. In sim
liar way breaches Of law are estimated by
the legislative wisdom at Columbia. The
larcenies of the poor fellows in the peni-
tentiary are admitted; but then they are
petit lsrcenies-and why should the State
make such fuss about that? The shop
till that was lifted was not more than
foot square; the chickens that went scream
ing to their fate were not more than half
dozen, and some of these were not more
than half grown; the watermelon that sud-
denly dried up into rind and seeds did not
weigh twenty pounds. Good gracious are
people to be put in Jail "for the likes Of
that ?" ei'
Seriously, this style Of augmentation is
getting far too, popular in our State. The
servile class never have appreciated the
distinction of mean and tuum, espe-
cially when the property Of master was
in question. This was partnership fund
which might be drawn upon by the humber
members of the firm; they were only to take
care not to be found out, for in this event
the senior partner would hold them to
personal accountability. The same idea
prevails now; it has been diligently incul-
Gated by every. carpet bagger; it is carried
out all over the State; it is the greatest
obstacle to restoration Of the public pros
perity. The seasons and the oaterpillars
are not more unpropitious to Southern in
dustry than the general system Of plunder.
Those who work all day and sleep all night
are well-nigh powerless against the depre-
dations of those who sleep all day and work
all night. What's the use Of trying any
longer when cattle and bogs are shot down..
corn fields and cotton fields are plundered,
and fruits of the earth and of the trees are
consumed by midnight swarms of locasts ?
tits at period like this, when despon-
dency gains upon the most hopeful, that
the SO, called Legislature of South Carolina
displays its sympathy with larceny, and
prepares to absolve its guilt by taking away
it's penalty. The bill to relieve criminals
of this sort has been considered favorably.
Instead of being rejected at once, it has
been transferred to the next session. Then,
perhaps, new code of ethics will be es-
that it is no evil to pick and steal, whenever
one has good opportunity