Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-02-07
Legislative Notes.


Judge has passed both houses. They are to
be worked in o chain gang but must bo Sc
curely and humanoly treated. The act gives
the law more point than before, for tho very
name of chain gang carries o sort of terror to
the hearts of offenders. The Register says
by some oversight this power is not extended
to Trial Justices, so that the only punishment
for persons convicted Of petty offences is inn
prisonment in the county jail. This, says the
Register, can yet bo amended, and we think
it should be ut once. There arc, compara-
lively, few crimes cognizablo in the Circuit
Court in which the parties, when convicted,
cannot DO sentenced to- the Penitontiary,
while the crime of petty larceny, so common
in all parts Of tho State, can only be tried
before Trial Justices. We need heavier
punishment for this crime than imprisonment
in jail, and the provisions of the act should
apply to persons convicted before Trial
Justices.
THE LIEN LAW.
The Register says: 1.-THE discussion in tho
House of Representatives on Thursday night
ended by tho adoption of substitute offered
by Mr.. Orr, of Anderson, which provides a
third of the crop, and re enocts the sections
of the former lien law which were repealed
at the last session. The only difference is
that the lion is simply to be fled and indexed
in the olerk's Office, instead of being recorded
in fulla heretofore. In this shape the bill
goes to the Senate, and will likely pass that
body.
No ono can doubt for q moment but the
lien law has been blighting curse to the
farmers Of the State and to the general pros.
perity of the people. Its re-enactment is
placed on tho grounds Of necessity, it being
claimed that without it the people can get no
credit, and being without means they must
suffer. On this ground appeals have gone
up from many counties Of tho State calling
for it's rosenactment. Wo do not know the
.fruo extent Of tho necessities of the peoplo,
ibut we feel sure the lien law can give nothing
mere than a dubious and temporary rolief.
Under it's operation the farmers have been
kept in poverty, and NO are unable to sec how
any farmer can pay tho prices charged for
advances on liens and saye any money. |
Heavy taxes are not the cause of our poverty, |
for the average taxation for 10 years will not
excecd I3 mills per year, being about mills
over the Hampton tax. This is trihe,
and could not impoverish tho people. 1t
is paying twelve to fourteen dollars
per barrel for Hour that costs ST, and
Is to IL ccnts pev pound for bacon that cost
to 10 cents cash, with snperadded interest
of to per cont. per month, that has made
and kept tho people poor. twill continue to
keep them so, but if they clamor for the lien
Law let them havo it.
.s CoDIEYING COMMISSION.
The House has passed joint resolution to
appoint commission to revive and codiry tho
statute laws of this State. The resolution
allows the members Of the commission 50, 900
zach for the work assigned to them, and
$1,000 for necessary expenses. Wo are
Satisfied this is IL wise step on the part>of tho
Legislature, rs it will assure necessary work
ard at the least expense. Tho statute law is
in suclnconfusion as to bo almost unintelliei-
bio to a lawyer, and it could nevor be put in
shape by Legislative body. A month might
be spent in the attempt at great expense to
the State, and the result would be unsatis-
factory. A commission of good lawyors
during tho year can digest the whole statute
II A"" "hu "' stWti cApeuse report IL 10 the
next Legislature in good shape.
wHlsKEY TAX.
The bill to impose an additional tax and
prescribe q mode for collecting tho same on
oil persons licensed to sell wines, ardent
spirits, &C., within this State was lost in tho
House by q voto of 81 yeas to 20 nays, tho
vote being on q motion to strike out the enact.
ing clause Of the bill. This was tho bill
known as the Moffctt' whiskoy punch law.
We know nothing of the merits or demcrts of
this law, but it seems to have given general
satisfaction in Virginia and to have proved
source of iucome to tho State. All will con-
cede that wbiskey is an evil and that it is the
source of heavy expense to the State in the
4 trial Of crimes traceable to IT, as well as
fruitful source Of immortality. This being
true, its use should be discouraged, and it's
salo as o beverage should bear a good share
of taxation. IF IL could be made to pay the
expense 1t entails on tho State the people
would bo greatly relieved. We know to-,
little Of tho Mof[ett Register to advocate or
oppose II, but, we do know that the sale of
sliqaor should be heavily taxed. b. Il IS
q 81 s;ss YyE BiIr,. IS,
We slayol seen a copy Of tho fee bill now:
n, II "a IN sa n{vs, M, ~.