The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-07-12
SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE STOCK
LAW

PENDLET0N, .. D, July 4, 1911.
Mr.. EDITOR: Having read with some in
terest the communications of ''Varennes"
and "Pendleton," relative to the compare
tive advantages and Disadvantages resulting
or to result, from the abolition of the present
system of fencing, &C., &C., shall avail
myself of the privilege you have extended
by the disposal of your columns for afiee
discussions -stipulating at the outset neither
to indulge in an appeal to the passions or
prejudices Of your readers, nor the opposite
extreme of amusing them by useless pro-
lixity of estimates concerning personal ex-
perience and selfinterest; but, like Tacitus,
"with the candor of one without motive
either of animosity or interest to warp his
integrity" as I am neither q farmer or
laborer-albeit, am virtually the possessor
of small landed estate, without the usual
appendages of tenants stock or fences but
withal, q taxpayer.
AS to the eventual necessity of some such
law as the one lately enacted few can ques-
ton, and if practically enforced it would be
eminently progressive, and eyince the high
est state of refined and profitable mode of
agriculture But aside from the advantages
to be derived from the proposed system, it
is well to note the fact that unless some
wholesome legislation be made to check the
continued ravoges Of rail-splitters and cross
tie-cutters, at no distant day our country will
be as sterile and desolate as modern Pales-
tine, and as unpicturesque as mud wall.
If however, the advocates of the proposed
measure will reflect but for moment and
consider the policy involved, it will readily
appear that it is now alike impracticable and
premature A revolution from q custom of
such long standing as that of fencing is not
to be effected by the work of year, but
must be the result of time, that the conse-
quences may be gradual, and effect as little
injury as possible. We must give time to
prepare the public mind for the change as
we'll as the barns and pockets of the people
individually. Nine-tenths of our farmers
are to-day in debt for supplies furnished for
last and this year, occasioned for the one by
disasters to their crops, and the other OH the
bare expectation of making one; andif they
apply their earnings of this year to the liqui
dation of their indebtedness, however great
may be the yield of their farms, it can only
leave them a small surplus for their own
support, with nothing on which to subsist
their stock but mere chance Of procuring
pasturage, which we well know cannot be
obtained even of indigenous grasses and
cloyers, except with time and culture in
order to secure proper stand. Very true,
some may herd their stock a part of the
year to advantage, perhaps, on hay and
other forage to be found on their own do
mains; but others less fortunate could only
do so ut the risk of the law in such cases
made and provided.
Another well-foundcd argument is the
infeasibility of the late enactment, especially
as regards the Sth section, the wording of
which, according to the construction Of
many, is calculated to deceive the masses.
1t limits an employee to two head of stock,
''or as may be agreed upon" without max
ing it obligatory on the employer to provide
any pasturage, since it does not attach u
penalty for failure. In this there is certain
ly q necessity of revision and amendment
before any satisfactory result may be antici-
pated.
Again, we must consider the impolicy Of
submitting question of such q nature to
the people at such juncture, when we
know it will inevitably lead to dissensions,
and may exert a strong influence at another
time, when better policy dictates that we
should be united. 1t should be the earnest
endeavor of every one to avoid all contro-
versies which may have political tendency
until we can recuperate our broken fortunes
and "get fairly out of the woods Joseph
Addison says, very truly: "Thcre cannot be
greater judgment befall country than
such dreadful spirit Of division as rcnds
us into two people, and makes them greater
strangers and moro averse to one another
than if they were actually two different M
tons" If il is indeed imperative to take
immediate action in the matter would it
not be well to call convention of the pco-
pie of Anderson County after the crops are
laid by, when we could nave an opportunity