The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1877-05-31
Fonces and Fence Laws.


20.
Fonces and Fence Laws.
Judging from the discussions of
our farm clubs we may suppose that
farmers are beginning to realize
that the true Office of outside fences,
and in fact of all fences, is not to
keep out the stock of neighbor but
to restrain our own. AS result of
this idea we see that laws prevent
ing stock of any kind from running
ut largo in the highways ore gaining
in force, AMI the area over which
they extend is every year increasing.
1t is mistake to suppose, as
many do, that the fruit and grass
growing between tho fences of a
public highway of right belong to
the public. The public have only
the right of passage over the ground,
but have no right to it's products,
which belong to the owner of the
adjoining farm. AS soon as the
traveller or the stock of the farm
diverge on either side of the legal
limits of the road they become
trespassers to the full extent of
the term. In strict equity it is no
excuse that that there was no fence,
for, as before stated, fences are to
keep the proprietor's stock within
bounds and not to keep others out.
1t takes long time for us to get
rid of the idea that "a legal fence
must be "horse high, bull proof and
hog tight" Sooner or later we will
arrive at II point when every farmer
will be the Judge Of the quality of
his own fences, or in fact whether he
will fence at all
Much has been said Of the injus-
tice and cruelty Of a law which pre-
vents the poor man from turning
his, cow out in the public road. In
the first place it is poor economy for
any one to turn COW into the pub
,ic road. The time spent in hunting
or when she f,lils to come home,
ind the loss from not being MIXED
ut the proper time will usually pay
1or her keeping in much better
pasture. Of all fence breakers the
road COW is possibly the most eff.
cient and active, and independent of
her own efforts her presence leads
the farm stock, otherwise quiet, to
break out and cause trouble. Wher
COWS were allowed to run ut largeit
was impossible to keep bull moro
than two or three years, for he
became SO unruly as to be anuisance
to his owner. BY the laws excluding
stock from the roads this trouble is
avoided.-PAaludelohio Times.
It is semi officially announced
that the administration is pleased
with Hampton and Nichols. Mr..
Evarts has abandoned his purpose
of writing letter to Governor
Stone of Mississippi. Mr.. Evarts
has been advised chat it is his busi>
ness to look after Pierrepont at the
Court of st. James, md other mat
tors abroad, and to give passports
to American citizens who wish to
travel. The department of justice
alone, and that only through the
Federal district land circuits courts
may look into jurisprudence within
the boundaries Of sovereign States.
Gen. Joseph e. Johnston made q
speech to some companies of volun-
teers at Dallas, Texas, q few days
ago, during which he said: ut
was long question in the United
States whether on army of volun.
teers or an army of regulars were
most efficient. But that question
is settled. The contest of four
years decided the question to the
satisfaction OF all American military
mon that the militia or volunteers
are the men to be depended upon.
\------.--sss--------
AN EFr1olENr OFFICER. VIM.
A, Laval hos been appointed Chief
Clerk in the Treasury Department.
A better appointment could not
have been made. He ;s thoroughly
competent, having held the position
of Treasurer Of South Carolina in
her palmiest days, and always die.
charged the duties of his office ir, the
,oost faithful ,,,aprar -. j. hn,1sns