Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-01-19
THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE.

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THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE.
The Legislature reassembled at S'clock on
Wednesday evening, 18th instant, after re-
cess for the Christmas holidays.
In THE SENATE there was full attendance
of members, Lieutenant-Governor Kennedy
presiding. The message of Governor Hagood
in reference to the Stock law published on
the fourth page of this issue) was read and re-
ferred to the committee on agriculture
The following resolution was introduced by
Senator Miller and laid over for consideration
hereafter
Whereas. it is reported that many of our
citizens are leaving the State, and that over
five thousand have left a single county during
the past six weeks; and whereas, various
causes have been assigned therefor, among
which are bad legislation and oppressive local
administration therefore, be it
Resolved, That committee of three sena-
tors be appointed to Investigate and report to
this chamber forthwith what are the grlevan-
ces under which our people are laboring to
the extent that they are compelled to leave
their homes and native State at time when
South Carolina needs an increase OF labor
to develope her eminent resources. -,
Pending consideration of matters on the
calendar the Senate adjourned until II O'Clock
NJ, Thursday.
In THE HOUSE, the roll call showed full
attendance of members, Speaker Sheppard III
the chair
A message from Governor Hagood relative
to the stock law was read and referred to the
committee on agriculture.
The Calendar was taken up, but after trying
in vain for half all hour to take up some meas
ure for discussion, the House adjourned until
II o'clock NJ, Thursday.
THURSDAY, January II.
In THE SENATE, message was received
from Governor Hagood approving of all the
Acts which were ratified the last night before
recess. ....- b..
Mr.. Smythe, of Charleston, presented a pc
tition from certain persons in that city relating
to the proposed insurance law. This law, as
drafted, required, among other things, de-
posit of $4,000 by each insurance company do
ing business in this State, and a number of in
surance men went before the judiciary com
mittee, presenting an argument against the
passage of the bill with this provision.
Mr.. Wyle, in behalf of the judiciary COM
mittee, submitted an unfavorable report on
bill to further regulate the sale of intoxicating
liquors.
The Calendar was taken up and a number
of bills were continued.
Unfayorable reports were made by the va
rious committees on tie following bills Bill
allowing claim of A. J. Willard, Associate
Justice, for $729.50. Bill allowing claim OF
j. G. Sheppard for services for Acting Solicitor
Fifth Circuit for 1926. On joint resolution to
pay certain claims Of members of the State
Constabulary Force in the years 1876 and 1877.
The bill to provide for the restriction Of the
ages of pupils attending the public schools
was passed to third reading. ..
Senator Miller, colored, of Beaufort then
asked to be allowed to take up his resolution
relative to the exodus.
The Chair stated that he would be allowed,
under the rules, to bring up the resolution for
Senator Miller then spoke at length in advo-
cacy of his resolution, claiming that it demands
the earnest attention of every right thinking
citizen of the State. He said South Carolina
cannot afford to lose her population, and
he deemed it but right and proper for us as
legislators, to inquire into the cause OF this
exodus and let it be known officially what has
led to it and what course should be pursued III
checking it. Some Of the most thoughtful
newspapers in the land have referred to this
movement as dire calamity. Our leading
men at Washington, it is true, make light OF
it, but it is a matter which will prove of Sc
:ious injury to the State if not stopped. Those
who make light of the exodus take the ground
that the places of the colored people who go
away can be supplied by immigrants from
Germany and other countries, but the states
men forget that no foreigner will come and
settle in State from which large body of
The laboring classes have been driven by un-
ust legislation, cruel treatment and want OF
employment. The lack of these rights would
make him worse than serf. 1t is our duty,
Is Senators to investigate this matter. We
cannot get along without this class OF laborers.
A fair Investigation is all want, and no po-
itical motives prompt me in asking for it.
All I want is to inquire into the subject Off
tally and find out the cause of all this
Mr. Callson, OF Edgefeld, replied to- the
Senator from Beaufort. He could not tell the
ause of the so-caled exodus from Edgeteld
county but he could say that those who left
hat county are they who occupied the very
,est part of the county. The good land and
ocality had attracted them and it became SO
much overstocked that all could not make a
,ood living. They could not all get supplies.
And in this condition of affairs Judas step
,ed up and put on the garb of the devil to
erve the Lord in. He came to these people
md told them the old story of the forty acres
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