The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-08-01
Carrying Pistols.

Two or three cases at the late Sessions
Court here were for carrying concealed
weapons. From the reports cf courts in
other Counties, it appears that there are
many such cases all over the State.
Persons living in the country say the
practice of carrying pistols is quite COM
mon among the whites and very general
among the negroes. Many negroes carry
them in their pockets while at work in
the fields.
In the trial of a negro at the Newberry
Court last week is was shown that the
defendant was plowing 10 the field when
he got into row and shot his antagonist.
No. doubt many people about town
also carry, pistols--chieay callow youths
who think it manly; but there are some
peaceable, sensible young men who carry
them because they have never thought of
what loaded pistol in the pocket i'm.
plies.
1t is quite probable that the habit of
carrying pistols il more prevalent now
than it was when the law against it was
enacted ten years ago. The law has not
caused this. 1t is useless to speculate
here as to the cause further than to sug-
gest that, because the courts and juries
are so lenient towards deeds OF personal
violence, the law in this respect has lit
tle terror, and, therefore, many feel that
they must be prepared to protect them
selves from bullies and roughs.
So there are two classes that carry pis.
tolls: one to bulldoze others with, and
others to defend themselves with. Most
people claim to belong TO the latter class,
and no doubt persuade themselves that it
is true. But their claim is not always
we'll founded; for not one in q hundred
has any reason to suppose his life in dan
ger OF that it will ever become necessary
to kill fellowman in self. defense.
No; it is habit-a thoughtleas habit
lin most intelligent and respectable
men who indulge it, and reckless, law.
lees habit in others who have no respect
for law and no regard for human life.
Whatever the reason, the habit of car.
ryiDg concealed pistols ought to be stop.
ped. The Law says so and the law is
right. It's not manly; it is not Chris.
tian; it is hardly civilized.
The frequent and persistent violation
of the law,is fully recognized, as is also
the fact that the violators are seldom
brought to justice. Various remedies
have been proposed.
The Orangeburg Spectator thinks the
punishment should be more severe-that
any person convicted of this ofense
should be sent to the penitentiary, the
judge having no discretion in the matter.
This would only make matters worse, by
making it more difficult to prosecute and
convict The trouble has not been that
the punishment was too light, but that
offenders have not been brought to trial.
The Clarendon Enterprise thinks the
law ought to be repealed; because, it
says, law abiding people who obey the
law put themselves at the mercy of those
who do not respect the law. This is an
old argument, but there is nothing in it.
Lsw.abiding people, as rule, do not
care TO carry pistols in their pockets any.
way, and they do not feel any need OF
them.
A correspondent of the Charleston
News and Courier thinks the law would
be more effective were the ofense put
within the jurisdiction Of trial justices.
We think so, too. Few care to become
witnesses against an offender andhave to
dance attendance on the Sessions Court
for week or more; but a trial in trial
Justice court would not involve much
inconvenience or loss of time. More
offenders would be prosecuted and con.
victed, and the punishment would be as
heavy IS is customary in the Sessions
Court, for there it is seldom, if ever, the
sentence exceeds S100 or 80 days impris.
onment.-NeUbeny Observer.