Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-06-28
The Stock Law.

lished the full text of tho ACT to alter the
fence law in this State. The provisions of
the act apply to the entire State, except the
counties Of lIorry, Coleton, Beaufort, Char
lesion williamsburg and Georgetown. It
enables tho people of each Of tho other coun-
ties to adopt the oct by popular vote either
by counties or by townships. Before the
County Commissioners can order an election
for this purpose. at least seventy-fve tax
payers of the township desiring the change
must petition for an election, which may be
held between tho 10th and Goth Of August or
the 10th and Goth Of December, at least thirty
days notice being given.
The act is general law and continues in
forco until repealed, and the privilege Of
voting on tho question will be open to the
people at the dates named any year hereafter.
1t is we'll to boar this fact in mind, rs it may
have on important bearing upon the action Of
tho people Of several townships in this county
during tho present year.
The proposed change in the law has proc
duced great deal of discussion in the middle
counties OF tho Piedmont region, where timber
is scarce and stock raising is not business.
in some of the townships of our county, and
that strong probability exists that two or
more of them will adopt the provisions Of the
act.
We have ben nsked t6 give our viows on tho
change in the law and the probable effect on
tho farming interests. Though we are in
torested in the profits Of farming and have a
deep interest in whatever will best profit this
large and indispensable class of producers,
yet we are not practical farmer and cannot
advise. though we may suggest thoughts in
matters pertaining to the farmer.
"1Iasten slowly"is is good maxim in all
undertakings, but especially should We have
it prominently before our minds, when some
great and radical change is about to be made
In the greatest and most important ayocation
of lifo. 1t matters not how the present law
became established, whether from the great
value Of tho range in the early days of the
settlement of the country or to guard crops
against the ravages Of wild hogs, horses, &c.,
when they were found in abundance. We
have lived under it for centuries and to
change it is to revolutionize farming as here
tofore conducted. If tho change will be bene-
acial, then the people should promptly adopt
it,; but If they arc in doubt about its effect,
they Ead better endure tho Ills .,oy know of
than 10 plunge into those that arc unknown.
Our individual opinion is favorably inclined
to the change as Statematter,. or oyon as
county matter, knowing ;iiat Anderson and
other counties would join with us, but we are
by no means satisfied on the subject. In
theory We can figure out thousands of dollars
saved in reduced fencing, much good land now
idle which would be planted, On improved
lbrsad Of stock, better order of farming, tho
introduction Of tho grasses, &c. How will
this hold opt in practice? There is the rub.
It is easy q sit down an1 with figures prove
ii 10 more profitable 10 plant our upiands in
cotton and buy our corn, to depend on Yves.
tern bacon at 10 cente pound as cheaper
than to mise our own meat, to buy calico
and Northern homospun as more economical
than to spin and weave 1t ut homo, and yet
this theorizing in'pracico las made US poor
and experience has stamped it rs q ruinous
falIacy. We fear the stock law just yet, and
would say to our people hasten slowly.
We would call the attention Of our people
to another important fact, that the present act
is permanent, und they can try tho change
next year, If after mature reflection, thoy
think itsadsisable. If several neighbors had
each some valuable machinery in operation
Ind all doing we'll and making money, though
they found it n little expensive to keep the
machinery in repair; now if radical change
in the management Of this machinery be
sproposed, and it be clearly proved that the
change will largely reduce tho expenses of
J .-nning it, thcn the adoption Of tho change
may be safely mode. Bht on the other hand,
8 suppose the change beruinously groat, unless
1t prove beneficial, ands further, that reasona,
bio doubts oxist rs to Whether the change
would operate bcneieiahyaor. otherwise, then
the change would either be rejected promptly
J by every prudent man, or il undertakeh would
fTijo seriously considered in every possible
aspect. Farther, suppose in the case last
mentioned, one of tho owners Of the machin.-
( cry. felt sure that several Of his neighbors had
stronger Inducements to run the risk "aUd
positively intended to make the experiment,
would ftnot be- an aet of prudence and COM
I mon sense for bin,'to Aes we'll enough alone,
Anbfllhe SAW how the change worked, and
thea ifis, proved bencGciali adopt 1t; other.
sise. avoid unnecessary injury
.riiis is exactly thboondiaon of our county
s sits rclattons to Anderson andl othar. lowor