The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-07-30
now located in the State so as to prevent

now located in the State so as to prevent
any inbuman treatment and daily and
weekly infractions of the ten hour rule.
then this should be amended by the
Board of Directors. This, it appears,
has been attempted by the temporary
appointment of special inspectors for
each camp, and will doubtless prove
satisfactory for the time being. But is
the fear Of the law so small, or it's en-
forcements so loose, that each camp shall
require a special officer detailed for all
time to prevent infractions? Is there no
better mode, more economical and more
consistent with the proper execution and
enforcement of wise and humane laws !?
Under the General Statutes governing the
Penitentiary the Governor of the State
is made ex officio member of the Board
of Directors of the Penitentiary, and is
charged with certain duties in relation to
infractions of the law in the treatment
of convicts, &c., &c. Now we would
suggest that the Governor be relieved
entirely from any active duties in regard
to the Penitentiary or convicts, and only
retain a general supervision of this, in
common with other public institutions.
That the Lieutenant. Governor be invest.
ed with, and become the chairman OF,
the Board of Directors, and be charged
with certain powers and duties, among
others monthly visit and inspection of
the different camps in the State, and to
recommend such change of the law and
regulations as he may deem essential for
improving and perfectipg this important
penal institution. This will be no dis
paragement to the dignity of this, the
second in honor, Office of the State, but
may be the means of great benefit and
Improvement. In the olden time, the
Office of Lieutenant Governor was not
very ardently canvassed for. The duties
were small and the profit less, except in
the contingency of death, which seldom
came to men in Office in that day.
It is told of Senator, long time
ago, who said that he came from the
large and popular District of Old Pendle-
ton, that his constituents from the noun.
tain precincts were very curious, and
often asked questions about the Senate,
what he did there, &c; and that on one
occasion in crowd one iDquisitiye voter
asked him to state particularly what the
Governor did, and how he acted, and his
public duties, &c. He said he told him
that the Governor was the biggest man
in the State, dressed fine, give big din.
ners, reviewed the militia, and pardoned
the people generally. Well, now, what
does the Lieutenant.Governor do? Why,
blest me, if I know! Oh, yes, oh, yes, |
do. He waits on the Governor, and
pardons the niggers. Now, this was in
the olden time, and times have changed
vastly in officers and Offices.
Now, the Office of Lieutenant. Governor
is highly appreciated, with sufficient
salary, and may be made Of digni6ed
usefulness to The State by investing the
Office with additional powers and duties.
1 propose in another communication
to suggest some enterprises of public
nature on which the conyicts may be
employed, of more advantage to the
people of the State than by cooping
them up in the walls of the Penitentiary,
or bivouacking them on the hills around
Columbia. n.