The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-07-06
rFnoM ouR OWN RFpoRTER.J

POWER OF T6E LEGISLATURE, 6Cs
rFnoM OUR OWN REpoRTER]
COLUMBIA, s. c., July 4, 1s68.-The time ap-
proaches when the Legislature is to meet and
the State Government is to be turned over 10
it's new guardians. Speculation is, therefore,
rife as to men, measures and events. The
town is filing up. Nickerson's Hotel has again
become q lobbying place, and "trade" is as
lively as can be expected under the circum-
stances. The colored members here are Sc
lecting quarters among the colored boarding
houses, but the whites affect hotel life. Run
ners from various portions Of the State are ar
irving and making ready to capture members
who may lend their aid to various schemes Of
public and private interest. OF the white Re-.
pubGcans in town I see DR.. a. G.. Mackey, E.
". NJ. Mackey, Captain N. G. Parker, Messrs.
Rutland, Rose, Crews, Owens, Leslie, Hurley
and others. The remainder will doubtless ar
rive during Sunday and Monday. The colored
officials on the ground are Cardoza, Nash, Ran
sier, DeLarge and Sasportas.
The great question agitating expectant
bosoms is the election of the United States
senators. Mr.. Sawyer is not yet in town, but
some Of his adherents present have counted
noses and swear by the ghost Of Mahommed
that he has more votes to start with and more
to depend upon than his opponent. The friends
of DR.. Mackey are equally confident, and with
that candidate on the spot, the work of az
ranging party wires is rapidly going on. 1t is
rumored, however, that mine will be sprung
somewhere in this vicinity during the next two
weeks, and that somebody will be wofully dis
gruntled. To reveal at this moment how it is
charged would spoil the fun in store. So far
most of the members from the up-country dis
tricts are uncommitted. The Democratic men,
bers are likewise bone to be picked. Hence
the contest promises to be lively.
It is said that Parscn French is in the race,
and starts ou. with strong papers and pledge
of seven votes. He presents himself with pc
ttions from sundry good Methodist members
Of Congress, addressed to all sorts OF persons,
and praying fervidly for his election. 1t is a
slight bar to his claim that only few months
ago he left South Carolina, took up his resi-
de.ce elsewhere, and returns to South Carroll
ne for no other purpose than to secure his
election to either House Of Congress. Judging
from the nordinate ambition and extrayagant
reach of this good man, as evinced in his past
history, his desire to serve himself and the
dear people is much stronger than his DISPOSE
ton to serve God.
Mr.. T. ]. Robertson is actively opposed by
Mr.. j. N. Rutland for the up-country senator
ship-the latter being the favorite of the con-
vention until Robertson threw up his hat for
General Scott as nominee for Governor, and
he (Robertson) receiveda pledge Of support as
United States senator. This will not prevent
Mr.. Rutland from making flank movement if
he can accumulate sufficient force for the pur-
puse. Mr.. Robertson's strongest "holts" are
two-frst, he is rich man, and secondly, he
has made q combination with DR.. Mackeys
party, which gives both strength. Robertson
does not claim to possess any special qualifca-
tions for a legislator, but he thinks his efforts
as Radical demand reward. They do say he
has "come down with the dust" handsomely on
several occasions, and there is no doub, that
his ability to promise to go on official bonds
makes his position an exceedingly pe-pendicu-
lar one.
(By the way, speaking of bonds, hear that
an effort will be made by some of the officials
elect 10 induce the Legislature to diminish the
amount now required by law, as some O. the
aforesaid, being strangers in the State, are un-
able to obtain the sum now required.]
Messrs. Robertson and Rutland are both ex-
ceedingly nervous lest Gov. Orr should sudden
ly step in and upset their programme, having
wholesome fear of his influence with and
upon men; but this is altogether improbable.
BE may be rendered a judgeship or something
of that sort when his political disabilities are
removed, but not before Efforts to this end
are likely to be made as soon as the senatorship
Is decided.
Trouble is expected to arise in the Leg!s.a.
ture ever the contested !sea!s of the Democratic
members from Anderson and Lancaster. In
Anderson the majority Of these gentlemen was
about one hundred. The spurious votes tina:
have been presented by the Republicans IN
their protest to General Candy, all told, Do 10.
amount 20 mere than twerty-so that i ever;
one of them we're thrown out, the Democrats
would be elected BY about eighty majority.
There seems to be little doubt that the Demo
C ats will be turned out, notwithstanding the
statement Of Mr.. James Webb, one Of the de-
ieated Republican candidates, that It was
fair and ho-est fight, and an unqaestionable
defeat OF his side. He says also that he will
not enter into the contest, nor take his seat if
it :s given 10 him.
TIL, remora! of the Legislature 70 Charles
ton is being quietly urged, and think the
proposition gains favor. III point OF official
accommodations, and social comfort, many Of
the delegates deem Charleston the most al-
vantageous.
With regard to the ability Of an un-eco2-
structed State to ratify the fourteenth Con-
stitutional amendment, SO as to give binding
effect, it is urged that South Carolina is sill
State, AMI mas power to act as such, e7en
anterior to her admission to Congressional
representation. Ii this be not admitted, the