The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-03-13

VINO are indicted. The finding of tn
a special correspondent of The Stat
writes as follows from Anderson in ad
vance of the report to the grand Jury
From time to time for the last yea
or two word has been dropped here
and there about the "cinch" that An
dersons farmer had in labor, but no in
vestigation has ever before been made
and the matter did not obtain lodg
ment in the public mind. Anderson is
considered one of the most enlightened
counties in the State and her negroes
are supposed to be us intelligent as any
in the cup country''-much more ell
lightencd than those living in the lower
belt of counties. When, therefore, a
year or two ago during the session OF
the Legislature, when some one asked
Hon. Joshua Ashley how the farmers
managed negroes IN his county, and he
replied " We lick EN-" his fellow law
makers laughed, but gave no weight to
the remark.
The first time that the question of
"slavery" in Anderson was brought to
public attention in serious manner
was duling a debate in the Legislature
February lst. a bill introduced by
Representative John +. Banks was un-
der discussion. 1t provided for sub
mitting TO the qualified electors of the
State the question whether the juris-
dictlon of the local magistrates, now
limited to imposing sentences of thirty
days imprisonment, should be increas-
ed to three months at hard labor for
the crime of violation of agricultural
contracts. The measure was defended
by several members. Representative
Bolts, of Georgetown, the only cUlored
member in the House, made his first
speech of the session in earnest op-
position to the bill. 1t was intended
to amend the constitution so that ad-
ditional punishment could be inflicted
on the negro and the negro would have
no voice in the matter. 1t was unjust
and unnecessary.
1t was at this point that j. G.. VOL
ling, OF Fairfield, large farmer, took
the floor. He opposed the bill. No
more laws were needed to enforce labor
contracts. There was a grave ques.
ton as to the right or wrong of these
contracts. AS made in some counties
they were wrong. Continuing, Mr..
Wolling said: 81 have been told that
in Anderson County the e,i il of the sys-
TEN is so extensive and pronounced
that men are actually bought and sold
on the streets of the court house town"
Mr.. Ashley sprang to his feet and
made a wrathful rejoinder, exclaimed
that the people of Anderson were as
good people as there were anywhere
in the world. Mr.. II. b. A. Robinson,
of Anderson, declared that Mr.. VOL
ling was telling what was not true and
that he knew it. 1t seemed for few
moments as if the representatives
would come to blows. However, they
were paci6ed and Mr.. Wolling said he
had not intended wounding the feel
ings of representatives Of Anderson,
but member of the Anderson dclega-
tion was his informant and authority,
AMI he believed his statement to he
true.
The vote on the resolution was Ga in
its favor and AZ against, but 1T required
"a to pass such measure providing
for a constitutional amendment, so ii
failed.
In making its presentment at the
regular term OF court three weeks ago
tho grand jury of Anderson said
awe have made special investigation
of the labor contract system which
prevails to large extent in this county
and have found on record number OF
contracts in which laborers have agreed
to work under guards and be locked uE
at night, receiving practically the same
treatment as conviCts.
"Our information is that these con
tracts are not confined to those places
where convicts are worked and where
stockades exist but have in come in
stances been executed to land owner
who do not work cOnvicIs. TO wha
extent the provisions Of these con
t,acts have been enforced we hav
been, 80 far, Unable to ascertain. |
strictly enforced they have led to vic
lation of the law which should at one
be ended. To The end, therefore, that
full investigation should he made an
the law vindlcated, we have appointe
committee, consisting of r.. A. Sull
van, j. Is. Leverett, j. S. McFall, j. I
milford and Il. Is. Hall, and ask ths
your honor give them full power
swear and examine witnesses, to con
pei the production of such papers {
may be necessary, with the p,iyileg
of visiting without hindlance the stocl
AIDES in this county and of having a
cess TO and confeirlng with all lahore
who are or are suspected of being r
strained of their liberty under the
contracts, which committee shall NAL
full investigate and report the san
together with the evidence taken at Il
special session Of the count which is c
deredtO be held on March next"
Later in the week the trial of A.
Newell, farmer, for the murder
Will Hull, a negro laborer, impress
the matter 80 forcibly upon the judg'
mini that he took vigorous action, a
made charge to the grand jury Il
was On eloquent and almost pathe
address, and for which he has be
commended IN every quarter of
State.
1t developed during the trial L
Newell was o cotton planter and '