Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-12-19
Columbia Correspondence.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
COLUMBIA, Dec. il, 1865.


COLUMBIA, Dec. IA, 1866.
Dear Adceriiser II again resume my pom to
give you some fuyther informa ii in reference to
proceedings at tho Capital.
The Homestead Bill has passed its second read
ing in the House after being saddled with amend
ment, enough to nearly destroy its efficacy. Its
provisions are as follows: Tho Homestead with
Ono Hundred Acres adjacent thereto, one Horse
and Twert: FIVE dollars worth of provisions, are
t, be exempt from all future or antecedent debts
with provision that the Act shall not impair the
obligation of existing legal liens. So You will
perceive that thi, Bill is miserable subtcrfug'.
The Bill calling Convention Of the people has
not yet been reported on in either Hou'e; this
matter will be brought before the House on Mol
day next huvo no hope Of the succcss OF the
measure, but we arc determined to press it to
direct vote, which some wish to avoid on so't
vote In referring the House Bill 1t MAS found
to have q msjority Of ten, but as it requires
two-thirds vote, it will fail in both Houses.
The Bill creating the office Of Tax Assessor In
separate person from tho Collector will pa'S
With little or no opposition. Our District will
have two Assessors; their compensation is to be
onc-half of tho commissions Of fhe Collector.
A Bill has passed tho House altering tho Law
in relation to Basardy.
The matter of accepting and applying the dOna-
ton of public lands for tho purpose Of endowing
an Agricultural and Mechanical College in South
Carolina is now under consideration; one party
in the Legislature wishing to give tho donation
to the 8. C. University, another in favor ofgivlng
it to the Military Academy in Charleston, and
Eahird party advocating tho establishment OF an
independent Institution with said fund.
A Bill is before tho House, taxing all eolcc-
tian, made by Sherifs forty-are por centur, il
collected in currency, and sixty-Are per centum,
if in specie. Another. Bill seeks to prevent tho
sacrifice Of land at Sherihrs sale; it provides
that nll land hereafter sold at Sherf's sale shall
rover to its original owner if he pays the purcha-
ser the principal and ten per cent interest
desperate effort will bo made to continue tho
District Courts; am sorry to inform you fear
it will succeed. To be candid about the matter,
can not geo how the Legislature can dispense
with them MS they are a1ed by tho Constitution.
But that clause which requires two consecutive
sessions to alter that portion Of the Constitution
providing for the District Courts has been erased
bv Bill 80 these Courts will be abolished at Tho
next sitting of the General Assembly.
: Bill creating two additional Professorships
in the S. C. University is before tho House, ono
of Law, tho other of Medicine.
The Tax Bill has been reported and differs worry
materially frem the last Tax Bill. Tho Capita
tion Tax is fixed at Ono Dollar; tho Land Tax
will be larger than last year, tho Dog Tax Is
omitted; Cotton is not embraced; Carriagef'
Buqries. Piano Fortes, Gold nnd Silver plato, Ven
due masters, Commission Merchants arc included
in the Tax Bill as reported by tho Committee OF
w ays and Means.
Tho altering of tho sittings of tho Courts will
again DO attempted. From tho tcmper Of the
House on thi, subject, think the sittinga o! tho
Courts will remain as they arc only they win
bc restricted to hearing causes er-contractu but
orce year.
The Penit.ntiary is going on very rapidly, and
by March will be opened for the reception Of con-
ycts.
Tho Committee upon FodOral Relations have
not yet reported upon the constitutional Amend
nent.
The Committee entrusted herewith has reported
IN tho matter Of procuring corn for the indigoni;
boir Report recommends that Three Hundred
Thousand Dollars for this purpose bo raised by
Iirect taxation. hope the General Assembly
rill mover agree to tho Report, as that would In
,reaso tho ta4s5 GsF nsgs Spring b aeazly ono