***Update***

It appears this has been law since 1905, never used, but still law. The SC Senator returned by concerned call at 9:15pm Monday night and agreed that it was scary. He was a nice young man (getting old is so odd) and explained (if I understood correctly) it would be easier to challenge the law if the state ever tried to us it, then it would be to go in and rewrite the law. He didn’t think SC would attempt to use as the backlash would be overwhelming.

But yes, it’s law and has been for 115 years.