Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1881-11-17
For the Advertiser
The StGck Law, Convict Laber and
Public g:ighWays--S6me sUs-
geSti0nS,

Civilization moves through iimc
like the god of Homer through space
She makes step and ages nave
rolled away This beautiful and
eloquent truth finds its .veriGca:icn
throughout The records Of History
from its earliest days down through
the long vista Of years to the present
time. a conquered conutr5, under
tbe iron heel OF despotlsrn, stripped
Of It's laws anu .deprivedi OF its law
makers when the victorious hosts
have settled among its people, not
only maintains It's Eusages, customs
and habits, but at last forces those
who have so settled 10 assimilate in
manners. and ,,lthought with the ma,
tives. a casual glance, at the rec
ords of the past will demonstrate this
Look at the result, in this respect, at
the South, since itswas sublugated by
the North. Those who came from
the North to settle, and did settle
among us (of course carpet-baggers
never did intend to stay with us) are
assuming our habits and ways. Then
it is not unnatural, nor is it to be
wondered at, that customs handed
down to us from generation to gener-
alton, should be dificult{to shake off
they almost nave nave the of posi-
u &: o. - >
tenacity of the~iiE5- crs. over
dilapidated wall, Here " are TO-
day holding on TO the old "Eence
Law" (withont the fence that has
50 long subserved its purpose and
usefulness, ifit ever had any, because
our fathers and grandfathers hal it.
Verify it takes ages for progress TO
make step!
Here, for years in this section oil
country we have been discussing this
question; Il can sea cely call it dis
cusson with strict regard TO truth,
for it is a most singular argument ad'
vanced against the stock law, that
cannot be successfully rebutted az ap
piled to .fourJhs OF Cne people.
Strange to say, those who oppose IT.
as a general rule, are those We would
reasonably expect 20 be its advocates
With the rarest exceptions. when one
is asked if lie opposes the proposed
law, the answer is, 81 care. no way
about it myself but | am opposed to
the law onssccount Of my poor neigh
Dor; ask another ana he makes the
identical reply. The natural inquiry
is. who is that neighbor--as difficult
20 find as to discov Y who struck
Billy Paterson. Now, Messrs. Edl-
tors, as our Legislature ls soon 10 as
gemble, and our immediate Represen-
tatives, (not one Of whom l dislike
for I have the kindcst feelings, follow
ing the polite manner of the Oracle 0l
Dodona up to Mepresem f'me) have at
last foand out how the cat las jumped
how the majority CT their constltu-
ents stand on this question-in polltl-
cal phrase, on which side of the fence
to slide; l desire to call their atten
ton to what I.regard should follow
Immediately upon the passage of the
stock law, which I regard aa fixed
fact, in other words I discount tins
|
fact.
lst. As a basis: Each county i'll
which any of the lesser crimes are
committed, should be entitled to such
| labor, of course 1 except the higher
grades of crime, to be put in charge
and supervision Of public highways
(what public good is, subse'ved by
the convict farms or the convict IA
Dor hired to dig phosphate bcds-)
Cd. That under proper overseers
they should begin at the respective I;
Curt Houses, thoroughly worlS and
repair (Macadamise, If possible) every
public highway in that county. sup
plement this, if necessary, by the
nregent labor for that purpose.
Sd. The stock law being OF force
then give said commissioners Ct they
have not the power already not only
the amplest authority, but make II
their imperative duty Q abandon the
old worn-out roads, and make ne"
smoother and straighter ones.
Law out new ones leading from tn
villages that have sprung up in th'
last few years, having regard to {
straight liue as. far ~~as practicable
Then think Of theincrease value OF tn
real estate in each respective count,
calculate the same, my friends
as to the stock law, I honestly be