The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-02-20

doubt 1t IL false imprison ment. and who.
ever MS landlord holds In confinement labor
ers under such a contract as this is guilty OF
the otIense of false Imprisonment and should
be mnarily and severely punished. 1t
would he Interesting to know if any such con-
tracts are on record In the clerks Office. You
should ascertain from the clerk II such
pa pers are on record In this county.
You will procure from him q list of the
names of the so called landlords and )aborerR,
parties to such contracts, and report them In
your preseD tment.
| Mr.. Foreman and Gentlemen: AS white
men living in State where no large a por-
ton of our population is composed OF negroes.
1t is our duty as representing the law abid.
Ing element Of our population to zee that
Justice Ii done to that Inferior race. There is
no doubt that the negro race 'is inferior to
ours In Intelligence, In civilization, In moral
character. There IL no doubt that we bave
deprived Them practically of political power.
and 1t is best for them that IL Is SO. but we nre
all the more bound TO treat them kindly,
fairly and Justly; They are, In fact, our
wards. and we az their guardians must nee to
1t that they are not made the victims of
deceit and fraud, imposition and oppression.
The fact that the negro Is ignorant, poor and
dependent on the white man is no reason
why he should be made the helpless victim
OF the white mans greed, deceit and tyranny
We must not allow the negros necessity to
be the hard hearted white mans opportun-
ily. The white mans burden IL heavy one,
and the white man Of the southern States
has a larger portion Of II TO bear than any
other white man. We must endeavor to
show ourselves worthy Of onr responsibility.
we must nee 10 1t that In Anderson county,
this prosperous, enterprising Christian com.
munity, the negro shall have justice done
him. You will therefore spare no pains TO
make a through investigation of the stockade
scandal. The oath which you look as grand
Jurors requires you to presen all things truly
as they come TO your knowledge, to the best
of your understanding, 20 help you God.
p<xf hot vrlh
present anyone for envy, hatred or malice,
but that you will leave no one unpreRen ted
for fear, favor, affection. reward or hope OF
reward. and l know that In this regard you
will do your duty. You will bring this
shameful practice to the light OF day. Such
disgraceful conduct cannot stand daylight,
but like those fungus growths that flourish
only In dark corners 1t Will perish when
exposed to the light OF day. The editor Of
The Daily Mail deserves the thanks of all
good people for the editorial article which
drew public attention 10 this matter. The
air is filled with reports and rumors OF the
there Is q stockade In your county Without a
single convict In II. yet filled With men held
there under these SD called contracts for
labor, men who are guarded like CON- victs.
worked like convicts, punished like convicis
and sometimes shot as If they were felOns
escaping from prison and The custody of the
law. Representing the lawabidtng, God.fear.
Ing people OF Anderson county, you will
lords who have brought Disgrace to your
county and put 1t to a burning shame. You
will In person or by committee visi, all
The stockades In your county and you
will report 10 The court the names of all who
are therein confined, the offences for which
they are In prison and the term OF their I'M
prisonment and the names Of those who are
there confined under contract or for any
canses. You will do all you can this week,
but as 1t Is msuiiesiIy impossible TO finish
the In restigatlon This week | shall order a
special session of the court or general sessions
To be held on Thursday, the 7ih day OF March,
on which day you as grand Jurors will con-
vepe as a grand jury and make a final pre-
sentiment OF this matter. You have the power
to send for persons and papers aud to compel
the attendance OF Witnesses and to examine
them, and trust tn you and all law-apidlng
people in your county To unite In an effort 10
root out his shameful practice and to remove
this black blot from the good name Of Ander.
son county.