The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-12-19
COLUMBIA, s.. G..
Thursday Morning. December 1s, 1872.
Some Good Measures.


fore the General Assembly Of practical
character, which, if they become law, as
is likely, will tend to promote the mate
rial well-being of our whole people. The
first OF these is the bill from the Com.
mittee on Ways and Means, in favor OF
exempting for ten years. upon certain
conditions, capital employed in manu-
featuring cotton, wooden and paper
fabrics, and in agricultural implements.
Attention has been strongly directed of
late to the superior advantages for manu-
featuring in our State. The demonstra.
tions have been perfect, the figures con-
elusive, and NO doubts oan longer be
entertained that it is an attractive and
inviting field. Capitalists see it, but are
deferred from investing by the fear of
high taxation, and by the dread Of q
profigate and reckless administration Of
the State Government. Once assured
that the government will be stable and
moderate, will really seek to reform
abuses, retrench expenses, and keep
taxes at the lowest practicable point,
they will delay no longer to enter upon
the coveted ground. They are waiting
now in the anxious hope that the door
will soon be opened to them. The mea-
snre from the Ways and Means Commit
tee is we'll digested and we'll adapted to
inspire confidence and induce invest
rooo&c 0,oo &b;, IL Iono ryo xy;1l ,fort
upon new career of industry, that will
prove highly remunerative to those who
embark in it, and bring comforts and
oonveniences to many households that
are now scarcely above the point of want
and suffering. In the train Of factories
will also come schools, more general
diffusion OF knowledge, and higher in
tellectual and moral development.
There is isanother meritorious bill which
has been reported upon favorably by the
Committee on Agriculture. It proposes
to amend the Act OF September 20, 1866,
to secure advances for agricultural pnr-
poses. This Act has given to the mer-
chant, or third person. who has furnished
supplies to renters of land, while max.
ing crops. prior lien on the crops
raised, to secure him in such advances.
It haa not worked we'll, and has often
disturbed those relations OF friendship
and good will which should always exist
between the owner or proprietor OF land
and his tenant. Under the operation of
the law, as it now stands, the landowner
is often minus his rent, and without
means OF redress. The crop is taken
from his land, before his eyes, but he
has no remedy. The store bill frequent
ly reaches the amount Of the proceeds of
the entire crop. It is, in many cases, as
large as may be allowed. There is q
motive acting directly upon person in
this condition, to make his crop just
large enough TO meet the store bill and
no more. The proprietsr's lands,
houses, timber. fire-wood and personal
favors, are thus got for nothing. There
should be no such so-between between
the landowner aud his tenant. The
crops raised on land ought, in the first
instance, to be held accountable for its
use or rent. The regulation is necessary,
moreover, to smooth the way for the
poor man to get land. Land-holders and
tenants, if undisturbed, are naturally,
and in obedience to wholesome laws
which regulate the relations of cnpital
and labor, inclined to be on good terms.
1t is necessary to s,rch good understand
ing, and beneficial to both parties, that
the remedies and priorities now allowed
the third party for securing advances
and supplies, should be transferred to
the proprietor to secure his rent. Where
practicable, it would be we'll for land
owners themselves to supply provisions.
There is another bill in regard to the
fence law which we are inclined, from
long reflection and some experience, to
advocate as sa!utary measure. Fenc-
ing costs more than it comes to. It de-
stroys valuable timber for very small
consideration. It is often "a COSTLY as