The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-03-14

which it is charged that Gilmer appr
dollars. His case is Of small importan
who are indicted. The finding of tn,
A special correspondent of The Stat,
writes as follows from Anderson in adj
vance of the report to the grand jury
From time to time for the last yeal
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 as intelligent as any
in the cup country"-much more Ell.
lightened 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 III his county, and he
replied " We lick 'em," 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 a serious manner
was during debate in the Legislature
February 1st. a bill introduced by
Representative John Il. Banks was un-
der discussion. 1t provided for sub
mitting TO the qualified electors of the
State the question whether the jurs-
diction of the local magistrates, now
limited to imposing sentences of thirty
days imprisonment, should lie 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 colorcd
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 80 that ad-
ditional punishment could be inflicted
on the negro and the negro would have
no voice in the matter. 1t was un ust
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 grave ques.
ton as to the right or wrong of these
contracts. AS made in some counties
they were wrong. Continuing, Mr..
Wolling said: "I have been told that
in Anderson County the evil Of the sys-
tenn 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 wrathful rejoinder, exclaimed
that tho people of Anderson were as
good people as there were anywhere
in the world. Mr.. r.. 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 pacified and Mr.. Wolling said he
had not intended wounding the feel
ings of representatives Of Anderson,
but a member of tho 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
Sd to pass such measure providing
for a constitutional amendment, so it
failed.
In making its prcsentment 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 up
at night, receiving practically the same
treatment as convicts.
"Our information is that these con.
tracts arc not confined to those places
where COnvicts are worked and where
stockades exist but have in some in
stances been executed to land owners
who do not work convicts. 10 what
extent tho provisions of these con.
tracts have been enforced we have
been, 80 far, unable to ascertain. IL
strictly enforced they have led to vic.
lation Of the law which should at once
be ended. TO The end, therefore, that &
full investigation should be made and
the law vindlcated, We have appointed
committee, consisting Of II. a. Sulli
van, J. Is. I,everett, J. S. McFall, j. II
milford and T.. b. Hall, and ask that
your honor give them full power tc
swear and examine witnesses, to com
pei the production of such papers as
may be necessary, with the privilege
OF visiting without hindlance the stock
ades in this county and of having &C
cess to and confelrng with all labor err
who are or are suspected of being re
strained of their liberty under these
contracts, which committee shall max,