davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE FENCE LAW.


Mr.. Editor Il see that you are making q
strike in the right direction. You say "the
fence law must be changed" Heartily agree
with you. 1t ought to have been changed
several years ago. If the time that has been
spent in making rails, annually, for the last
ten years had been spent in making manure
and in otherwise improving our farms, things
would wear different aspect to-day. Every
farmer knows that it is to his interest to make
his own manure, and drain all the wet spots
of land on his plantation but the difficulty
is, farmers have no time in the winter to do
any thing but make rails and repair fences.
Not only 80, but there are thousands Of acres
in every county in the State which are lying
out, not because they are poor, but because
they cannot be fenced.
A few acres Of fine bottom land has to share
the fate of large field. Most of the field ia
too much worn to be cultivated with profit
the bottoms and some patches are fine, but it
would cost too much to fence the bottoms and
patches; hence the whole is turned out to be
fed upon by every roaming COW. The prop
er way to get the desired change is by legisla'
tive enactment. The country needs the
change now-at once Should the legislature
fail to grant relief to the country by enacting
law requiring the stock Of the State to be
fenced, then farmers might meet in the sever.
al townships or precincts throughout the sew
eral counties, and agree among themselves to
fence their stock and turn the crop out. 1t
seems that such course would be perfectly
in accordance with the fundamental princi.
Piles ofa republican form of government 1t
would at first be attended with some dificul.
ties, but these difficulties would by no means
be so great as the work of building and re-
pairing fences. We most earnestly hope that
the legislature will take this matter into con.
sideration and grant the relief 80 much de-
sired. Let it he distinctly understood that
all that is asked is to so change the fence law
that instead of requiring the crops to be fenced,
the law shall require the stock to be fenced.
There are some persons who at present fence
both their stock and crops. Let them con-
tinue to do so if they choose, but require all
to fence the stock. CLAY HILL.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
The Murkrille Guqnirer.
YORKVILLE, S. c.:
THURSDAY MORNING, DEC. Is, 1875.


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Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

On Tuesday, the 7th, both houses were oc-
cupied in perfecting their organization, and
in hearing the message of the President. At
ter the reading of the message, Mr.. Cox, of
New York, presented in the House the me-
mortal of William Henry Prescott, of the
third Congressional District of South Carroll
ma, in relation to the mode of districting that
State. Referred to the committee on elections.
The House then adjourned to Friday
In the Senate on the 9th, Mr. Robertson, of
South Carolina, introduced bill providing
that the United States shall guarantee the de-
positors in the Freedmen's Savings Bank
from all loss, and that United States bonds
shall be issued to supply the deficiency after
the exhaustion of the assets. Mr.. Patterson
presented joint resolutions of the South Caro-
lima Legislature, praying the prohibition of
the issue of licenses to retail liquor at large.
Various other bills of private nature were
introduced, all of which were laid on the ia.
BILE to wait the formation of the committees
when, at 10: 80 P. NJ, the Senate adjourned.
In the Senate on the 9th, the standing COM
mittees were announced and agreed to. OF
the various committees, Mr.. Robertson, Of
South Carolina, is on the following: Manu-
factures, of which he is chairman on the Dis
trict of Columbia; Enrolled Bills, Mr.. Pat
terson, of South Carolina, is on the following
committees Territories; Education and La
Dor, of which he is chairman; Civil Service
and Retrenchment. After the announce
ment of the committees Mr.. Bayard said that
in behalf of the minority of the Senate, he de-
sired to express their regret that in the Com
mittee of Finance they had been allowed but
two members out of nine. In view of the
numbers of the minority and their RESPONSE
bility for the legislation emanating from this
committee, they thought they should have
additional representation. 1t had been init
mated to them Informally that hereafter this
increased representation would be accorded
them, which was not done now because of the
absence of the Senate members from Illinois
and Nevada-James and Logan-who were
members of the Finance Committee. He
hoped that at an early day the majority
would give the minority the additional men,
Der. A number of bills we're then introduced,
when the Senate adjourned until Monday.
In the House, on the 10th, Mr.. Gibson, of
Louisiana, moved an addition to the regular
committees of the House COMMITTEES of elev-
en-, to be known as the Mississippi levee COM
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
FRIDAY, December 10.


In THE SENATE, the committee on finance
reported favorably on bills to fix the salaries
of certain public officers and also to levy
special tax in Lancaster.
Mr.. Bowen introduced bill to regulate
marriage by license.
The supply bill was made the special order
for Monday, 18th instant, at 1890.
The bill to authorize additional trial JUS
tices in Union county, was read second
time.
In THE HOUSE, the committee on enrolled
acts, reported as ready for ratification, "An
Act to regulate the distribution of moneys
recovered from officers of this State, in suits
brought on their official bonds" and IAN Act
to incorporate the Chester and Union Rail-
road Company"
Mr.. G. H. Holland introduced bill to
classify and regulate the transportation Of
freight and passengers on the several rail.
roads in the State of South Carolina.
Bills to amend section of chapter Of
the General Statutes relating to fences !; to
amend chapter 81, section of the General
Statutes, relating to the annual returns Of
executors and administrators; to make the
survivors of parties to a certain transaction
impeached for fraud competent and compella-
BILE to testify in certain cases were read the
third time, passed, and ordered to be sent to
the Senate.
Bills relating to the bonds of sherifs and
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16

them come on, he said, and we will show them
that the Ne,cs and Courier and the Conservatives
can't massacre the whole State, and that two can
play at the shooting game. He knew, he said, OF
conspiracy TO massacre him. He knew the men
who were to do the dirty work but the day that
he fell DIR. Miller, Judge Aldrich and Frank Wan !.
namaker would bite the dust.
Hayne, Whipper, and others Of the same stamp,
made threats Of personal violence; but they took
good care to offer none. Hamilton, of Beaufort,
and Freeman, of Charleston, were the only Re-
pubicans who had the courage to oppose the reso-
luton. Mr.. Barnwell, who spoke for the Con-
servatives, also opposed the resolution. There
was aquantity Of talk but not one Of the injured
crowd attempted to prove the report incorrect
1t was not its truth that they minded it was that
the truth should have been told.
will, by letter, take occasion not only to prove
that every material allegation in the Objectionable
letter is correct, but that every statement made
on the floor regarding its incorrectness is abso-
lutey false. The vote on the resolution showed
the power Of the Corrupt Nine, and the abject
slavery in which they hold their cowardly follow
ers, when the party lash is cracked. Having ex-
hausted both their malignity and their strength,
after two futile attempts to transact public busi
ness, the House adjourned
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
THE FENCE LAW, AGAIN.

1t is the duty, as we'll as the interest, of ev
cry man to lop off every useless expense. Al
expense which is not profitable, but conducel
in some degree to our innocent enjoyment
may be retained, provided it does not curta
things that are an indispensable necessity
We lay down this proposition: The fence Law
at present in force in South Carolina, is a use
less expense. 1t profits no one any thing
and costs every body vast amount of time
and money; besides, it inAicts upon all class
es in society much anxiety and subjects every
farmer to grievous losses. To be more specific
There are no wild beast in our country whose
nightly depredations make fence around
every field necessary. The few wild animals
that remain in the country, bid defiance te
any fence that can be constructed. The only
use that we have for a fence in this country
is to protect the crops from the domestic ami
mails These domestic animals are the prop
erty of the inhabitants of the country. They
have either been bought or raised. They are
not public property, but belong to private in
dividuals. 1t is clear that the burden Of
maintaining and protecting these animals
should, in simple justice, fall upon the owner
He expects, under the law, to claim all the
profits accruing from these stock and, under
the law, he should bear all the expenses con
nected with them. If the stock of the country
were public, or if the COWS, hogs, sheep and
goats were, by the laws Of our country, regard
ed as simply wild animals and not property
at all, but belonging to any and every one
who might capture them, a fence around the
crop would be a necessity. The law regards
all these animals as property. They have q
value. Hence the owner should support
them.
The present fence law is detrimental to all
parties-both the laborer and the land holder
1t keeps the price of labor down, because ii
decreases the pro6tableness of the productions
of tho FARM It uauld- ha- i'm possible -tn aay
which suffers most by the present law, the la
borer or the land holder. One thing is GER
tain, it is destined, in connection with some
other things, to keep the price Of labor at
low standard in South Carolina so long as the
law has an existence. If labor is low, it is SC
because it is not profitable. 1t is an onerous
burden for the laborer, who runs one horse
farm, to be forced to fence fifty or sixty acres
of land in order that he may protect his CROP
from the depredations of all the COWS and hogs
in a whole community. 1t is alike onerouE
on the land holder that he is forced by law tc
pasture his neighbors' stock. Change the law
and every one becomes the recipient of the
product of his own toll. To such a law nc
reasonable individual can raise an objection
1t is not question Of no fence at all; but o.
less fence to answer all the present purposes Of
fences. The change of the law would moi
compel the people to make and repair more
fences, but it would require them to make
perhaps not one.tenth of the fence which al
present they are forced to make, and all the
ends of fences would be met equally as vel
as at present.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
PERSONAL.

We enjoyed very pleasant visit last week
from Mr.. J. N. Robson, the enterprising fer
tilizer man, of Charleston. Mr.. Robson is
on tour of inspection through the State,
making the personal acquaintance of such of
his numerous patrons as he can meet. His
fertilizers are always duly advertised in the
ENQUIRER, with the approach of the planting
seasons; and while they have an enviable
reputation for their superior qualities, we can
recommend Mr.. Robson as an honorable and
reliable business man,
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
MINISTERIAL CALL.

Rev. Luther Wilson, of Georgia, brother
of J. Lowrie Wilson of the Bethesda congre.
CATION in this county, has been called to the
pastorate of the Presbyterian church in this
place, to Gil the vacancy occasioned by the
resignation of Rev. Henry R. Dickson. Mr..
Wilson visited Yorkville few days ago,
preaching one sermon while here, and we un.
derstand he expressed himself as highly
pleased with the result of his observations.
We learn that he will remove here with his
family early next year.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS.

| SAAs0A-AS'~A
james A. Dunbar, carpet-bag politician
and the law partner of Speaker Elliott, died
in Aiken last week.
Twenty miles of the Laurens Railroad
have been completed, leaving a gap of nine
miles.
- In the "little bonanza" bill, which passed
the House of Representatives, is included
s2,145, unpaid appropriations due the Ca
tawba Indians.
- Meetings have been called in different To-
calities in Laurens county to consider the
fence law and the cotton-shop nuisance, both
of great interest to the farmers.
Judge Townsend adjourned court in Ma
rion on last Friday, after session of one
month. Fifty cases were tried during the
term.
- The endowment of Furman University
reaches s24O,OOO. When $4,000 more shall
have been subscribed the university will offer
free tuition for ten years.
- The wife of G. G.. Bowen, sheriff of
Charleston county, died in Charleston on
Saturday last. Mrs. Bowen was daughter
of Jas. L. Petigru, and was known through
out the State as Mrs. Sue Petigru King
james H. Ezell, of Spartanburg, was
tried and convicted in the United States Court
at Columbia, last week, and sentenced to eigh-
teen months imprisonment in Albany peni-
Tertiary, and to pay fine Of two hundred
dollars for violation of the internal revenue
laws.
The following South Carolinians, now in
California, have been elected to the Offices
named, in that State, viz: James M. johnson,
Spartanburg, LieutenantGovernor Law.
renee Archer, Abbevlle, member General
Assembly; w. Alston Hayne, Charleston,
member General Assembly; Thomas P. sto.
ney, Charleston, judge Napa county John
G. Presley, Williamsburg, judge Sonoma
county John K. Law, Darlington, district
attorney, Muca.
ID. P. Chandler and Jerry Davis, the for
mer a conductor and the latter brakeman
on the Airline Railroad, were arraigned in
the United States Court at Columbia last
week, on an indictment charging them with
ejecting two negro men from the train some
time ago. The negroes swore that the con-
ductor and brakeman had put them of. The
conductor and brakeman admitted that the
negroes were elected from the train, but denied
that they-the conductor and brakeman-had
anything to do with putting them off, Under
the circumstances the indictment was quashed
and the prisoners were discharged.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
MASONIC ELECTION.

At the last communication of Philanthropic
Lodge, No. 7S, A. F. NJ, the following per-
sons were selected as officers for the ensuing
year:
Col. A. Coward, ". H.; J. F. Wallace, s.
VIZ. Ed. Jeferys, j. WI. c. Kuykeudal,
Treasurer; J. B. Allison, Secretary; W. j.
Hyndman, s. D.; Ell. Thomas, j. d.; M.
Strauss and Geo. H. O'Leary, Stewards; A.
Codey, Trler.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16

eleven, three on each committee of nine, and
two on each committee of seven. In the com.
mittees of eleven, the division of seven and
four is as nearly equitable as the represen-
tation Of the two parties could be made in
any Congress.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16

NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.

Clark Brothers-Cash -Molasses-Macker-
el-Sole Leather-Crockery.
J. Lawrence Moore, Chairman Board Trustees
Rock Hill Pine Grove Academy.
Yorkville Furniture Store-Closing Out Sale.
John C. Kuykendal-GrandO Opening christmas
Dongs-For the Hoidays-There's Some
thing in It-Staple Drugs-Himrod's Asth-
ma Cure.
w. II. & J. P. December-Flour-1S
Per Cent-Oranges- Rasins-Cotton.
r. Lathan-Pay Up.-School Notice.
Moore IL Burris-Last Call.
R. H. Glenn, 8. Y. C-Sheriff's Sales.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
OBITUARY NOTICES.

We frequently receive by mail lengthy
obituary notices with request to publish.
Sometimes such notices are unaccompanied
with responsible name, and invariably the
request to publish is made without the slight.
est allusion to payment for the same. The
mere announcement of death we will pub
lish as an item of news but lengthy obituary
notices, in which only small circle of readers
can be supposed to take any interest, cannot
be published unless paid for as advertisements.
This is an infexible rule, and We require pay
ment in all cases to be made in advance.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
WEDNESDAY. Dec. 8.

VEONESDA1S OcC. Q.
In THE SENATE, the judiciary committee
reported favorably on bills to amend the law
in relation to obstructions in streams; to
amend the law in relation to arrest, commit
ment and bail to authorize foremen of grand
juries to administer oaths; and to relieve de.
PENDANTS in criminal cases from attendance on
the supreme court pending appeals.
The bill to authorize the voters of Chester
county TO vote on the question of fence law
was laid on the table.
The following new bills we're introduced: {:
Bill relative to the forming or letting of con-
tracts by corporate authorities bill TO amend
sections and Of an act to regulate the fees
Of probate judges, clerks of court, trial jus.
tices and other officers bill to repeal an act
regulating the payment of all claims against
the counties of the State bill to repeal the
charters of certain lottery companies; bill to
authorize and empower F. A. Clinton to erect
and maintain gates across public road in
Lancaster county.
The bill 10 make the obtaining of money
or property under false pretenses indictable,
was ordered to lie on the table. :: s
A bill to amend certain sections Of the re.
vised statutes relative to liens on crops, passed
its second reading with an amendment pro-
viding that the bill shall go into effect on the
first day of January, 1877. ...-...., 81. ~
In THE HOUSE, Mr.. Harriott introduced q
joint resolution proposing an amendment to
the constitution reducing the terms Of Office
of sherifs and clerks of courts to two years.
A bill to provide for the settlement and
payment of certain claims against the State,
and known as the "big bonanza" was passed
to third reading by a vote of rs to 25. y,
The enacting clause of "a bill to provide
for che payment of certain Indebtedness to
theState," and known as the "little bonanza"
was stricken out. Mr.. CAN'T moved to re-
consider, pending discussion on which the
House adjourned. -.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16
PURLIC DOCUMENTS,

We are under obligations to Hon. A. S.
Wallace for the Congressional Record and
number of public documents pertaining to the
organization of the present session of Congress-
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-16

o'clock, a. m., on Tuesday.
TUESDAY, December Z.
In THE SENATE, the proceedings present
nothing of special interest.
In THE HOUSE, the proceedings we're con-
fined to the discussion of question of privi-
ege raised by Paris Smkins, colored men,
Der from Edge6eld, and the chairman of the
committee on ways and means. The offender
in this instance, is Mr.. j. K. Blackman, the
Columbia correspondent Of the Charleston
Ne,os and Courier. The cause of complaint
is the following extract from one of Mr. Black
mans letters to the Ne,us and Courier:
"Are all the republican members equally re-
sponsble for this foul and dirty work? would
say no not equally so, but in measure they are
ali to blame. Those who are not leaders are the
slaves or dupes of unscrupulous and cunning
politicians, whose word is law, and whose power
full influence is comprehended in the talismanic
watchword party Who are these corrupt lead
ers? They are chiefly the nine republican members
of the ,pays andn,edns committee. There is no dis
gusing the fact that, although there are enough
corrupt members in the house to advance any un-
principled measure, the hot bed of nearly all the
iniquity is the ways and means committee room.
The fathers of nearly all the jobs are these picked
nine. A survey of the actions Of this committee
during the past week will 90 far to sustain this
grave charge. What have they done in an honest
way? Nothing. What have they done in the
way of corruption? Everything"
The correspondent, in regard to the pro-
ceedings, on the occasion Of his expulsion
from the privileges of the House, says:
"After discussion, which lasted over three
hours, was expelled from the privilege of the
house to-day by vote of sixty-three to twenty
six. The cause Of complaint was the showing
up of the tricks of the ways and means commit
tee, in my letter published yesterday. Paris Sim
kins colored. captain Of the Nine, introduced the
resolution Of expulsion. and supported it with
torrent Of Billingsgate too coarse to report. Mil
Ter, colored, of Beaufort, the member who was so
vigorous in opposing the bill to prevent cotton
stealing day or two ago, followed in the same
strain. Ex-Land Commissioner Leslie spoke
for over an hour, taking the ground that the re-
porter was not responsible, and that his letter was
only the keynote to most foul conspiracy or.
ganized by the editor fthe Ne,us and Cbu,ter and
Judge Aldrioh, followed by the Conservative par
ty to carry the next State election by the bullet
and knife; to try the Mississippi game, tomurder
the coored people and take possession of the State
by force. He called upon the Republicans to be
prepared for this. He knew about the plan which
had been Matched in the State Tax Union. Let