Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-11-27
The Legislature

Met i'll Columbia on tho 25th instant, but we
have as yet heard nothing of its proceedings.
The body is largely Democratic, and can pass
any measure that may be deemed promotiyc
OF the public welfare. The Neus and Courier,
speaking of the unfinished business of last year,
states that there are thirty four unfinished bills
and joint resolutions, though but few of them
arc Of much importance. II mentions two
propositions to amend the State Constitution so
as to have tho State and Congressional elections
on different days. Wo agree with the News and
Courier that If it be desirable to separate these
elections, the two box Inv would accomplish
that end as we'll and prevent the excitement and
loss Of time consequent upon two elections.
There orc also several bills to amend, the cleo
tion laws as to voting precincts, also TO regulate
costs. The last we regard as a matter Of i'm
portancc, for in rare cases do public officers in
different counties tax tho samc cost for the
sauio services. We want to see costs reduced
and the law made so plain and ineligible as to
be impossible to be misunderstood The fence
law is to be amended and n registration law
passed, rs required by tho Constitution The
school question and law to regulate The sale of
patent medicines is also among tho unfinished
business, also bill to prevent and punish th
Courier thinks this matter should be left 10
regulate itsclf trusting to o wholesome public
opinion to keep it down. In this wc do not
agree. Wo believe it should bo made criminal
offence for whites and blacks to inermarry
Such laws exist in several States, and We should
havo them here, for the sake of peace as we'll as
morality. People cannot and will not endure
such unions, and whenever attempted it often
results in n breach Of the peace or some act of
violence. There arc always found men and
women, who have little enough respect for
themselves and their race to form such alliances,
and, if tolerated, what is now Of rare occur
renee is too apt to become more common. On
tho subject of new legislation, tho Ne,os and
Courier calls attention TO q number of changes
in the low recommended by the press of diGe-
rent counties, as follows.
''There is general desire for improvement
Of the homestead law, eithor by bill or 10y an
amendment to tho Constitution. The codiica-
tion Of the laws Of the State is desirable work,
and is strongly urged by the Camden Journal.
Aiken needs Court House, and tho Journal
and RevieD calls the attention of tho Legislature
made penal offence, as in Georgia, to carry
So'ioeoIco "ehponS III ScYerQl quarters IT. mas
been suggested that the office of County Auditor
TO abolished. The duties of public officers
generally, as the KEowEE COURIER points out,
needs defining. A change in the law in relation
TO tho liens Of mechanics, is also advocated by
the GouRIER-that tho sub -lahorer be required
to so to tho owner of the premises and notify
him that he is going 10 work on the building
and that hc will look to him for pay. a change
in tho insurance law is also recommended, with
tho view of compelling the companies, in case
OF losses by fire, to pay to the assured the whole
amount upon which the company received pre-
miums. We think that the Legislature should
make immediate provision for the citizens of
South Carolina who lost leg in service, or in
consequence Of service in the late war. Such
nm act was passed in 1866, when $4,000 were
appropriated for the purchase Of artificial legs
The State afford to do this for those who
did so much for her."
Among the items of proposed legislation, We
regard the amendment Of the Constitution in
reference to the homestead and in other paricu-
lars; the passage ofa plain and ineligible fee
bill, reducing costs considerably and the revision
and codifcation Of the Statute law as tho most
important. These matters should receive the
prompt and special attention Of tho Legislature