The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1876-07-05


more than once, which undoubtedly
would tend toward reform if practi-
cally carried out. 1t ia local in it's
chalactcr. md therefore should
prove Of interest to our readers.
If adopted and tested, it would
correct certain abuses that attend
the administration Of tho criminal
laws, and render more effectual the
system OF imprisonment for petty
offences now provided for by our
criminal code. The PROPOSITION as
stated is that oYjurisdiction of
Trial Justices be 80 extended and
enlarged as to authorize and permit
them to sentence for three months
Imprisonment, instead of thirty
days as now fixed by law. This
chnnge would out down . the ex.
ponscs Of the Circuit Court of
Sessions provided the enlargement
of Justices jurisdiction should be
made to cover many small cases
that though a mere technical con-
struction Of tho Statute laws find
their way to the higher Tribunal. It
is good ground for complaint that
the locketr of the Sessions Court
arc frequently filed up with ir-
Hisnifcant, trifling, cases, that could
be summarily disposed of by a
Trial Justice, and at less than one
half the usual cost to tho County. The
reformatory change proposed would
correct this evil, and, put in
This light, should meet with general
approval and sanction.
The next point to consider is
whether or not imprisonment in tho
County Jail, such rs we have,
amounts to roal infiict:on of pun
ishmcnt upon law breakers, and if
it is not, how then can the defect
be remcdicd. Wo will proceed
upon tho assumption that the mega
tive OF the above proposition is
true, that il, that nero )nfincment
within the Jail walls is no adequate
punishment for crlihB, even if it is
not Of an aggravated nature, and we
would suggcrt tic creation of n
penal farm III connection with the
Poor House Of the County, with n
viow of contributing TO the support
Of Che latter institution. az we'll ut
to make criminals feel the full fore
Of the penalty imposed for viola
ton Of tho laws This pl;.n is on
tircly practicable, ahl We hnve no
doubt but that it would work
satisfactorily if operated under
proper management 1t would
work two-fola rcform, inasmuch az
it would reduce worry considerably
the current expenses of the County,
aud also institute n more rigorous
punishment for the commission OF
crimc. The first consideration il
sufficient Of itself to commend the
plan to these who desire reform.
hut coupled with that which will
operate rs q means of restraining
evil doers, 1t should impress itself
most fayorably- Timo does not
admit of our entering into particu
lars and details. These will sl,g:
gcst themselves to those who will
reflect upon the subject We have
thought the matter sufficiently i'm
portnnt to direct public attention
to it, and here will leave it for the
present TO those who aro seeking
Legislative honors and responsible
tics VIC would say that tho above
suggestions arc in every way worthy
OF their notice, and also that the
good results that might flow from
their adoption woul proyc benefit
cial to all classes of citizens,
"without regard to race, color, or
previous condition.
--..------see---------
TILDEN AND HENDRICKS.
We esteem it II proud privilege
to be permitted, through tho emil
ncntly wise action Of tho National
Democratic Convention, to place at