Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-01-06
Acts Of the { Logislature.,

SAVtS ~ GAAo AoAoSlSA@Guro.
Forthe information Of our readers We will
publish from Time TO time suoh aots OF the
recent Legislature as are Of public interest
and those OF a local character, which inmedi-
.ately concern our people. Ills legal maxim
that ignorance of the law excuses no man,
based on the idea that every man knows or
should know the law. However absurd and
fallacious in fact the principle may bo, it is
nevertheless constantly acted upon in the
adjudication Of the rights Of our citizens in
both civil and orimlnal matters. AZ to
crimes or wrongs bad In themselves, the law
Is more or less clearly written in the hearts and
consolences Of the people, being violations of
natural rights condemned by our own nature
aud the laws Of God, but prohibited wrongs
proceed from purely statutory enactment,
making aots not wrong in themselves punish.
able by reason of their being in violation of
positive law. In matters Of this kind mon
often find themselves violators of the low from
sheer ignorance and as consequence our
readers will End il profitable to read care-
fully all public acts.
In this issue we publish several important
acts, which should be read carefully and
preserved, among them an Act to punish the
carrying Of any deadly weapon concealed
about tho porson. This makes what was
heretofore lawful misdemeanor, punishable
BY fine not exceeding 5000 or imprisonment 1t
not exceeding twelve months. or both at the
discretion Of the court. In Wow Of the
many homicideB and difficulties traceable
to the pernicious practice of carrying con.
cealed weapons, this aot must meet the
approval Of the great body Of the people,
Its strict enforcement will remove much
misery from the country, reduce the number
OF grave crimes and save expense in orimi-
nal trials in eyery county in the State Will
it be onforcedf This depends on the faithful
discharge of their duties by tho several peace
officers of tho State whose duty it is to have
oil known Violators of The not prosecuted :.
We cannot expect tho pcoplo to Voluntarily
assume tho duties Of enforcing this oct. The
position of common informer has always been
odious, and while undor certain circumstances
our citizens may and should inform upon
their follows, still as rulo tho enforcement
of the Act will bo left to tho peace officers of
each county. They can enforce tho law
without odium and it is their plain duty to
DO go, not only beca use of tho requirements
OF the second section, but also because of
their oath OF Office, they swear to faithfully
execute the laws. Let this Act be rieidly
enforced. both as to whites and blacks, and
lot US no longer live in the anomalous oondi,
ton of people under governmental law md
order, and yet daily armed as if in O Stotc of
war or anarchy.
We publish also on Act regulating labo r,
which is of special interest to farmers, It
makes it misdcmeanor, punishable by fine
OF not loss than $25 nor moro than $lOO, or
Imprisonment not less than ton or moro than
thirty days, to entioe away or employ n
laboror under contract with another. Heres
toforo the only remedy in such cases was
civil action for damages, which, under tho
homestead law became Intellectual in most
casee. The present law will affect all citi-
zens alike and g. far towards be,tering our
control of labor.
Several other Acts Of public interest will
be found in our columns, among them nm
Official copy of tho stock law as applicable
to this county. From reports from
sections above the line of tho proposed
fence, We are satisfied there is q large
minority, if not majority Of the
voters of Wagner, Kcowee and Tugalo Town. +.
ships IN favor of including these townships
In tho line Tho Commissioners would bo
willing to do 80, but the ACT dcspnntes n
beginning middle and terminal point from
which the Comm issioners cannot deyiate. un.
less IN tho way hereafter mentioned. The old
township law, allowing tho people on pet-
ton to vote to adopt or reject the stock Inv
Is still in force, and under it we think those
desiring tho stock law might by potion have
IN election ordered, and if the minority
should vote for tho law, then tho Commits
sioncrs could run tho fence on the nn,o,
lines Of these Townships. A strong ,ra,,
ment for skirting the foot of the monnto;ns
at once is the general belief that Tho 10 ~
VIII DO changed in short time to run
higher up, and tho fenoo would bo shorter
70 puild ana cost less now than to build n
lcnce on tho proposed limo and in few
years. perhaps ono year, another fence on n
new line 1t will perhaps be number Of
years before Pulaski, Chatuga and White.
water Townships will want tho law, if thew
over 40, while tho other five townships ma y
hnd 1t beneficial at once, or ct least NOT
Objectionable to the majority. The County
commissioners meet next Saturday to ,ake
steps towards running tho limo and prepar~
ing to have the fence built.