The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-06-05

ings bridges, it will pay equally we'll to
work them Oh our roads, for honestly
believe that no country can develop all
of its material wealth which keeps its
roads, bridges and ferries in such con-
dition as we do in South Carolina, not
only at this time, but during this entire
generation for it would be unjust to say
It is only since the war that we have had
bad roads. Every farmer in the up
country knows to the contrary.
If all the roads, all the bridges, and all
the ferries in South Carolina were in
good order, do you not believe it would
enhance the value o. all our lands at
least ten per cent? To illustrate the i'm
portance of this matter, l will take the
County of Edgc6eld. We have in round
numbers 6S0,00O acres of land; this at
50 per acre (less than its value, will ag-
gregate 81 800, 900; 10 per cent. increase,
will make $4,000. This amount may
appear very large to some, yet believe
the calculation reasonable one. Take
half the amount, $6S,000 at + per cent.
per anuum, and it will make double the
$4,000 annually paid for the support OF
the Penitentiary rs now conducted. This
is not cash in hand, it is true, but evil
dently it is money saved which practi-
cally amounts to the same thing. This
material improvement would not be very
perceptible for the first year or two, but
if prudently managed for ten years, the
real benefit and substantial improvement
to the whole county would be so marked,
even to the casual observer, that il
would be recognized as very important
institution in which the whole State IS
interested.
In addition to all this, the damage sus-
tained by three or four thousand vehicles
of various kinds for the want of good
roads, will annually amount to thousands
of dollars.
The above is no fancy theory that is diff:
ficult to understand, but something, it
strikes me, that every farmer in the State
will not fail to comprehend at glance.
He can see it will make him money in
the end and in addition to all this the
farmer and all can understand, within
few years, that this convict labor, man.
aged as above indicated, will save at
least one half the time, and labor now ex-
pended in working the roads of the
county. This, at reasonable wages,
would amount to very large sum every
year. I think it unnecessary to urge this
argument further, as all who wish to save
money and at the same time punish all class
of convicts by safe confinement at hard
labor must see some advantages to be
derived from the suggestions above. Nor
is this all the labor nor all the subsian'
tial good that this change in our Peni-
tentiary system would give the counties.
You know that all of our counties
pay large amount yearly to feed petty
thieves sentenced by our inferior courts
The Legislature would, under the plan
proposed, turn all such violators of law
over to the County Superintendent Of
couvicts, to work out their 80 days, for
the general good of the county. Itwould
not cost the county one cent more than
now and, in addition, it would amount
to at least some punishment for theft
For this class of law-breakers, fines in
money are q mockery; and confinement
in Jail (if we'll fed) ID no better. But la'
Dor they very much dread, particularly
when compelled to do it.
As I before said, take principally Q
moneyed view of this matter, because ]
feel it a necessity, on the same principle
that no prudent farmer, while largely in
debt, having no cash and but little or nc
credit, would think for one moment ol
undertaking to run large experimental
farm. Common sense, common prudence
and common preservation would say
work the safe plan, save all the money
possible until we are at least able to pay
our honest debts.
When the State was rich and out oI
debt, it was not thought prudent to com.
mence such "huge operation )" and
think it would be prudent to give the
old Legislators of South Carolina credit
for, at least, common sense.
have the honor to be your obedienI
servant, FL. A. SHAW.
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