Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1878-12-19
[Fov THE ADVERTISED
STRONG rIONS TO OUR
MEMBERS OF TIE GENE
RIAL ASSE uBLI.

Editors Eigefeld -tdcertiSer::
While the members Of the Legislature
are ~wrangling over the Estates Indebt-
edness," could you not suggest to our
ETY., the justice AMI the honesty of doing
something toward paying the honest and
bona tide debts duo 10y Edgelield County
to its long suffering and Impoverished
crcditors-s0me of whom will have to
witness the sale of their lands flr taxes,
in consequence of trusting the financial
integrity Of the County? We have al
ready had two iNN estigations by gentle
men whose ability and honor are beyond
question. Now, il there are amy OPP
posed to the payment of the amount re
ported under tho last Investigation. let
us have the reason for it; If none be
givon, we can assume that those opposed
to its payment are ''repudiators," and
wish their n~ci%hbors To be defrauded of
their honest debts. No one wishes the
fraudulent debt to be paid. do not be-
lieve tho people desire the County either
to %repudiate or evade its indisputable
and well established indebtcdess; but, If
this be so, how are we TO act rs to debts
due from one citizen To another? Above
all, what kind OF morality is thus to be
inculcated?
And there is another matter, Mes>rs.
Editors, that l wish to call the attention
OF our Representatives. to-of far greater
Importance, and more lasting in its re-
suits than any before the Legislature
1t is what is commonly called the stock
or improperly. M Fence Lava law,
the simple rnevt uf-~i.;"l,, 40 T.. ,.aAv
each individual fence lis pasture lands
enclose his stcck--kcep them from inva
ding and trespassing upon his neighbours
land and crops.
1t is altogether super tiuous to go over
the threadbare arguments in favor OF, or
10 state objections to tho law here. l
simply add one reason for the passage Of
such = law, not heretofore given b. lis
advocates. 1t is this: Very many of our
public highways" OF ''public roads,"
are twice as old as our Oldest inhabitants,
built when the people were but thinly set
tied, with but lew towns and villages as
objective places, and with bat little refer
ence to avoidance of hills, boys, or cross
ing ofs.reams. Our condition is cntir "
altered. Villages have sprung upover the
entire country, and our old roads, after
wearing ont our wagons and carriages,
have become worn out themselves. At
present we need more public roads,
shorter and better Ones-thereby saving
money and time. These We will ct
by the passage Of the 'Stcck Law with
but little inconvenience or injury to any
one, and with he greatest benefit, not
only to the majority, but almost To the
whole people. This question is solved
by the conflict Of our old and new sys-
TENS; it is irrepressible, inevitable, and
oon or late.
The progress, agriculturlly, and the
improved financial condition Of the
people Of those counties that shall adopt
this stock Law" l am confident, will
finally force us, through pride, if not
through interest, to abandon the fences
of our fathers" give up our old system,
and adopt the new. And VIC further
more believe that, ifnot equal to it will be
equivalent in its beneficial re-
in building up the County, to an
entire exemption from our annual taxes
for many years to come. / have yet to
hear of Il single land owner who wishes
or intends to deprive his tenantsof pas
of their stock; it is emphatically a
poor mans law, without injury to any.
II. w. ADDISON.