The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-14
, Wholesale Robbery.


The cultivation of cotton, whatever the
gross value of the crop, is, so far as indi-
viduals are concerned, a somewhat haz-
ardous pursuit About the fleecy staple
there is no certainty, save the certainty OF
expense. Money is poured out month alter
month for provisions and for hire OF laherers,
for stock and implements, for seed, and for
fertilizers; and when the plant has run the
gauntlet of drought and freshet, of gnawing
caterpillar and thieving negro, the producer
may be met by prices so low as to leave no
hope of profit. For the ordinary risks OF
seasons and markets, the planter is, OF
course, prepared; but the nightly thefts OF
gangs Of idle negroes are more than he can
endure, and threaten to break his already
bended back. In the towns and cities 1t
may seem small matter to lose here and
there, by stealing, few pounds OF seed cot
ton. The planters know to their sorrow
that what was once mere filching is now
wholesale plunder. From every county there
comes the same complaint; the evil is as
suming every day more alarming proper
tions. Who can read without anxiety and
alarm the statement of our Williamsburg
correspondent, that in the neighborhood Of
Kingstree cotton field of Secen acres, and
cotton field of four acres, acre picked ont
clean in a single night. Our correspondent
informs US that an organized body of thirty
OF, forty negroes is engaged in this nefari-
GUS work, and with or without concert OF
action, the same maraudingis going on in
every part of the State. At time when
the people are required to pay out Of the
proceeds OF one crop, out Of the labors OF
one year, more than two million of dollars
for State taxes alone-in the face Of short
yield of corn and small crop OF cotton-a
start is given to the plundering propensities
of light-fngered gentry, who are encouraged
by the agrarian speeches of their leaders to
help themselves to all that the white man
calls his own. The hints and promises of
the Radicals are producing their natural
effect, and the hope is that thefts and taxa
ton will force the property-holders to allow
their lands to be sold, when they may be
bought in by State official for division
among the freedmen. This appears 10 be
the whole plan Of the Radical political cam
paign-a plan worthy Of the party.
Toward reducing taxation at present we
can do nothing. There may be found some
way of checking the theft Of cotton. In
several counties the farmers and merchants
have agreed that no seed cotton shall be
bought after dark. The Town Of Kingstree
forbids all dealing in produce during the
night. This is something; but we fear, not
over-much AS long as there are corner
stores, where the bagful Of produce may be
converted in trice into whiskey or green
backs, the pillaging will not grow less. The
only way to put it down is by the passage OF
stringent law imposing severe penalties
upon persons who buy stolen produce. Such
a law our Radical Legislature may refuse to
pass; but there can be no harm in making
the attempt. 1t is well to give the General
Assembly an opportunity Of showing whether
it is the friend Of the cotton thief and
the foe Of every planter and merchant and
honest laborer in the State. Until the Leg
islature meets, the planters may, by combi-
nation and agreement, at least make it more
difficult to steal without imminent danger Of
detection. A thorough discussion Of the whole
subject in the different counties will show
what is the feeling Of the people, and it will
probably be thought advisable to request the
South Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical
Society to take up the question and prepare
bill which shall be both severe ann just.
The Radicals of South Carolina belong to
the order Of pachydermata; but it may be
possible to pierce their hide with the keen
shaft OF an indignant public opinion. We
shall see.