Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1881-01-13
senator call,son's speech on the Bill
to Prohibit the Hiring Out Of
, CSnvfcfs

ey out of them in the shortest possible
time, then it would be best to- let them out
on sealed proposals to the highest bidder.
ButI do not think that that would be
|I2sSise statesmanship, as ii woald only bene-
fit the individual contractor, without any
corresponding benefit to the State, We
should remember that We have State to
build up, and if we desire to place South
Carolina abreast Of the other States of
this Union, we must take broad, liberal
and comprehensive view Of our condition.
We have to-day more undeveloped terri
tory than any of the original thirteen
States OF the Republic. Out of nineteen
millions of acres, we have in cultivation
only five millions; and in a commonwealth
capable of maintaining FIVE millions of
inhabitants, we have only one million. If
we look atthese figures, and regard them
as we5shopid, we will go to work like men
determined TO build up our waste places,
land make the world better for having
lived in it" The experience Of The civil
lized world has taught US, that the only.
Way to prevent crime is 70 punish the
criminal; and the surer the detection and
the swiiter the punishment, the less crime
will be committed. / have no sympathy
for that sickiy sentiment that sheds tears
over the wretch who would rob q man on
the stsSssst or highway, and burn up cur
houses from mafigssas.ntt- prelnalIce. The
property thus destroyed is not only lost to
the victim, but it is lost to the County,
lost to the taxable property of the State
aud as oil tax pa Jers have taxable in
tcrest in the property of:their fellows, it is
bat sialple justice that these criminals,
these destructives, should be made as far
az practicable to build up that which they
| have SO maliciously and wanton!y destro7
el. For that purpose, | would farm then
ont to Ill the new Railroads projected, or
that are being built, for in no other way
can we so we'll dispose of this labor, or re-
csive larger return of taxable property
| and population for theState. Every mile
OF Railroad completed, adds eight or ten
thousand dollars 10 the, wealth OF the
State, besides the enhanced value of the
lands on either side OF the road. In my
County We have practical illustration Of
the developing tendency Of Railroads.
Look at that section over which the Char
lotte, Columbia & Augusta Raiirold runs,
once lovely in lis native dreariness, now
studded with beautiful farms and villas,
the homes Of prosperity and refinement.
Besides, four orfive enterprlsiog aud thrifty
Villages nestle on the bosom of that cele-
brated, plateau, whose influence reaches
the remotest bounds of our County. We
need more such, with their schools, church
es aud refined society. to weld our people
into one moral, homogeneous mass.
Now, Mr.. President, what does this bill
propose 10 do? To huddle SIX or seven
hundred unskiled convicts witnin the
w,lls OF the penitentiarY. where they must
be fed and clothed at the expense Of the
taxpayers Of the State, and be unprof;ably
employed, if employed at all. According
to the report of the Directors, there has
been daily average of 2SG prisoners
within the walls of the penitentiary du
ring the last year; and Notwithstanding
they had the joint earnings of all within,
and over two hundred hired out. the State
appropriated to that institution. in round
Numbers, forty-fve thousand dollars, which
clearly proves that the talk Of prcftably
working them within the penitentlary
walls is mere twaddlc
But, Mr.. President. it is oaid by the
friends of this Bill, that Railroad corpora
tio1s and their overseers maltreat these
coavicts. In answer to that would say
the State has as much power to enforce
tn cir good treatment in building Up these
permanent highways, as she has anywhere
else within her borders / would place all
those safeguards around them that human
agencies can devise; I would have them
we'll fed, clothed, and moderately worked
with good medical attention when sick
and any one who would inhumanly abuse
them, should be punished by the courts
But il we pass this Bill, We will stop all
these roads that are now struggling hero
ically against great odds, to develop tie
resources of our State. l have no direct
interest in any Of these enterprises; but,1
do want to see our gallant old State abreast
OF the times and bounding forward INTO
that lim:tless prosperity that can be CO,
creed by limitless activity and anconquefa-
BILE enterprise. greatly desire to see our
people prosperous, happy and contented,
and to that end have devoted my life.
| Therefore, Mr.. President, and gentlemen
of the Senate, Itrpst this Bill will not pass