The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-01-26
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Sunday AorniHG january 2e. 1873.


line Que6tlOn OF the necessity Tor o
change in the enclosure laws is one of
no little Importance. A. measure OF this
sort was introduced early in the present
session, but was reported on unfavorably
By. the; COMMITTEES ON Agriculture, and
dropped. Public opinion, however, has
not failed to make itself known, and we
have copied Sc Eeral articles from our ex.
changes, in which. the expensiveness in
timber, and coat Of labor to make and
keep up fences, were ooneldsively shown.
We think thas.a change is imperatively
demanded. It ris impossible to see or
appreciate the advantages OF iasystem of
fencing whose heavy expense is conpan-
stated by nd Substantial Of extensivegood.
Ednity il all against the imposition upon
the farmer OF the labor, trouble and ex-
pense OF fencing out other peoples stock.
Let every man take care of his own
stock, and not lot 1t roam at large, tres.
passing upon the pastures and woodlands
OF his neighbors, and breaking into their
cultivated felds. 1t stands to reason
that It is wrong in itself. It is, besides.
source Of; difficulties and disagree
ments among neighbors. We seem pro.
digtously allow In this State to fnd ont q
few plain matters, although we have hid
hsbsne6t Of exhaustive and conclusive
discussion upon, them, and the example
Of sucoessfal reform in them, instituted
in Virginia, Georgia and Alabama. A
fine practical discussion Of the whole
fence lav,l and an elaborate es ,ln1 alton
Of desirable soohomIo affangen. cats.
which would speedily follow the adoption
ofFa new system, were made many years
ago in this SSeafey in the oolumns Of the
So,dhers Standard, published in. n.Uharles-
ton. No doubt the arguments then used
sunk deep in some of our peoples minds.
Bnt, indeed, argument is hardly any
longer necessary. Prejudice and the
mere mechanical difficulty of getting out
OF old ruts, to enter upon the smooth
and attractive path of progress, are the
chief obstacles. And these, We hope,
are crumbling and breaking down. We
have already commended, and again
warmly commend, the portion of Gov.
Moses late message which is addressed
to this subject. His views upon it are
sound. his treatment of each topic con-
nected with it minute and searching, and
he has embraced all that need be con-
sidered. As there is no politics in fences,
and the argument of Gov. Moses is an
excellent and instructive one. it deserves
to be carefully rsad pnd pondered by the
people. uJ "a sE...
The last Legislatureof Georgia passed
law on this subject. It declares the
boundary lines of every lot or parcel oi
land lawful fence, and provides for the
imponnding of all rowing stock which
mayitr0spass on it, and the collection oi
damages from its owners in. each and
every County, after certain proceedings,
which are described. have been had, tc
make the law operative in that County.
Ny, Joseph Crews, who seems to have
given this. subject the reflection It de-
serves. yesterday introduced bill into
the House of Representatives, to pro.
vide for the keeping and paatursge Of
stock. A oursory examination con,
vinces US that it is prudent and needed
measure. We hope that it may receive
careful and dispassionate examination al
the hands of the Legislature, and that il
will not adjourn before adopting some
legislation that will relieve us of an op.
pressive burthen, and be in keeping with
the enlightened spirit of the times, as
'exempliied in the policy of our more
prosperous neighbors. The bill pro.
vides that if any horses, mules, sheep,
hogs, cattle or goats shall break into any
field Of growing or ungathered crops oi
grain, cotton or vegetable product. either
for market OF home use, it shall be law
fol for the owner Of such field to seize
such animals and keep them in confine-
ment until he shall have notified, within
twelve hours, the owner or his agent.
II the owner is unknown, he shall adver-
tise the samo in County newspaper. or