The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-22
TrRoN OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBIA, December 20.
TIE PROXIES.

TIE PROXIES.
In the Senate to-day message from the
House insisting that the Honorable Senate" con-
cur In the resolution Of the House appointing the
proxies to represent the interest Of the State in
the Spartanburg and Union Railroad, was taken
up. Leslie, after some remarks in regard to the
rights OF each body and the plan OF the House to
assume more Of them than seemed just, moved TO
refer the whole matter to the Railroad Committee.
There was some slight demur to this motion, and
Leslie proceeded to explain his reasons for
making the motion. He said, substantially,
that the appointment OF proxies year af-
ter year was q mere farce; the Spartan
burg and Union Railroad was now broken
ND, .and had been virtually 30 for some time
past; (also the Laurens RailroadD the cou-
pons Of the road were now floating about New
York and the holders asking for payment, but
they received it not; the State would or could
not pay, and such state OF things was bringing
the State into contempt; 1t were better that the
affairs Of the road be wound up at once. he was
in favor Of the Railroad Committees Of each body
being appointed joint committee to investigate
the aairs Of the road, and report what action was
necessary. After some slight discussion the Sen
tee Of conference to meet the Railroad Committee
from the House.
Soon after the House was called to order con-
current resolution was introduced and passed,
providing that the clerks Of that body and Of the
senate he instructed to issue at once pay certif-
Gates to members for their per diem from the 2sd
of November, 1859, to January 5, 1870 When the
resolution came before the Senate, Corbin at once
moved to strike out the words January s, 1870"
and insert in lieu thereof December %, 1862"
After little flibustering, motion to REFER the
resolution to the Finance Committee was made,
whereupon Jillson and Cain added with instruc-
tions to report in Eve minutes" The last motion
was lost and Corbin's carried. Shortly after this
q message came from the House stating that 1t
refused to conctr In the amendment insisted
upon the adoption Of the resolution, and request
ed 8 committee Of conference. Corbin, Jilson
and Cain were appointed on the part Of the Sen
ate. and met the House committee, when it was
determined to receive the per diem during the
holidays.
Last wear It was resolved not to receive the per
diem during the recess, and resolutions onered
afterward to resclnd that resolution were re.
iected, But such virtuous resolutions could not
last. This year the members not only receive pay
for doing nothing during q recess, but draw 1t
in advance, doubtless fearing that If they de-
layed that delightful operation, some economical
ones would, after the recess, attempt measures 70
prevent them from dipping their hands into the
treasury without showing good "cause Why,"
which they could not do. They will have recess
from the 2sd OF this to the 5th Of next month,
thirteen days. The pay Of one hundred and fifty
senators and representatives for thirteen days, at
six dollars per day will amount to the respectable
sum of ELEVEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED DOL
LARS. Y
BARNwELL CoURTH0 UsE
The House bill to change the location OF the
county seat OF Barnwell County back from Black
vile to Barnwen Courthouse was taken up In the
Senate to-day and referred to the Judiciary Com
mttee Leslie favored its being so referred, and
said substantially that no matter where the
county seat was located, there would be great
many persons in the county dissatisfied. One-
half Of the voting population Of the county lived
along the railroad and to these Blackville was
the most convenient The fault was that the
county like Beaufort, was too large, and the
only plan to remedy the evil was that favored by
some OF the best minds OF the State-to bunch the
tier of counties from Beaufort to Abbeville-Beau-
fort Coleton, Barnwell, Orangeburg &C., and
cut two or three new counties out Of them. By
that ineans courthouses could De located in the
counties Of Barnwel and Beaufor;, which would
he easily accessible to all the inhabitants, which
could not be done now because OF the size OF the
counties He hoped the Judiciary Committee
would report bill or some measure which would
settle the Barnwen Courthouse question satisfac-
torily.
In the Senate to-day the bill ito regulate the
assessment Of taxation OF personal property in
the City Of Charleston" was taken up for the third
reading, when the seventh section (which pro-
vides that the City Council be authorized 10 re-
ouire the payment Of such sum or sums OF money,
for licshse or licenses, as in their judgment De
inst and wise, by any person or persons engaged
or intending te be engaged, in any calling, pusi'