The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-08
Correspondence of the Ledger.

COLUMBIA, Dec. 4, 1852.
DEAR LEDGER:-Ilaving been in close ut
tendance during the present session of our
Legislature, now purpose to give you
short summary of the proceedings; and, in
the first place, allow me to say, that vast
deal ofbusiness has been gone through with,
much more, presume, than any other pre-
cecding Legislature has ever done in the
same length Of time. Bill after bill has
been introduced, patronizing the rc-charter
ing old banks, and chartering new ones
giving further all to railroads under way,
and also 10 proposed Rail roads, &c. Among
the many will notice the petition for
charter for the Lancaster Railroad. The
Committee TO whom it was referred, have
reported Jdrorably on the matter by Bill,
which has been read the first time in the
House. Bills have also been introduced to
repeal the "IIomestead Bill" and to increase
the amount of property exempt from sale
and levy.
The Hon. J. J. Evans has been chosen rs
the one who is to wear the mantle Of our Ia
mented Calhoun. have nothing TO say on
the abilities of his successor, but only hope
that he may ill reil the office, and wear with
dignity the mantle so long worn by Caro-
linas fnvoriic son. who though dead, yet
whom Carolina would not exchange for any
living statesman. ..s
Speculation is at an end relative to the
successor of Gov. Means, for all concedc
that his mantle will fall on the shoulders Of
the Hon. J. j. Manning. No man ever has,
and | might add, ever will retire from the
o"lcc Of the Chief Magistracy, of South Car
olina, with more honor than the present in
cumbcnt will. Eectcd, rs he was, at n mos.
critical period Of our political affairs sur
rounded most of the time by impending dam
gers which threatened to crush our beloved
| State, battling against turmois without and
hcrcc contentious within our borders, he has
nobly manned the helm, and brought the
ship of State through the tempest, and
dashing over breakers, clearing shoals aud
stunning whiripools, has safely anchored his
noble ship in q safe harbor, with every sheet
of canvass spread, aud the Palmetto flag
nailed to the mast, without one stain of dis
honor upon its silken folds.
We have now n vacant seat upon our
Judges bench, but l cannot speculate rs
TO who will occupy ii, rs several gentlemen
have been spoken of.
| The question which has so long been
bone of contention, relative to the rc-charter-
ing the Bank Of the State, is scarcely moot
cd by the present members. A ILL has
been introduced by Mr.. Hunt, to extend the
charter to the year 1871, and think If
brought up and acted on this session, will
pass by an overwhelming majority. While
on this subject, will state that the bill to
re-charter the Bank was taken mp on Friday,
and the C aims discussed. Mr. Hunt made a
powerful argument in favor of this institu-
tion, and proved conclusively. to my mind,
at least, that IL was literally, he Peoples
Bank, and instead Of being curse, was most
emphatically, in every sense of the word n
blessing to the people. Messrs- Middleton,
B. F, Perry and Hope, argued not only n
gainst n re-charter of the Bank, bnt also
contcndcd that It was unconstitutional.
The annual speech before the Euphradi-
an Society Of the South Carolina College,
was delivered by Mr. Walker Adams Of
Richland. Those who heard him, speak in
high terms Of the effort made by the YOUTH
fnl orator.
! The commencement of the South Caroli-
ma College will take place on Monday next.
From the programme already published,
take IL, the exeerciscs will be interestinr.--
The misunderstanding betwecn the Students
and the board Of Trustees, relative to the
aholishing Of tho Commons. has not been
settled. The Board, after dilly y-dalling over
the petition Of the young men, have laid the
matter on or under the table, do not know
which, until next May, and the larger ma
jorty ofthe Students. acting nnder positive
threat made some time since, win leave the
Institution on the istof January next, and I
fear the college will go down, and Il u on
di that some Of the professors ape winking
at the conduct ofshs students.
The quiiI drivers, a,ios editors Of thia
State. met IN s',is city, egrseabIy 10 appoint
pept, on "Wednesday last, and fosmed per-
nAnent association, which Is to meet annu-
ally. a magnificent banquet csmo off that
eyening, and without doab; Il WA splendid