The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-12

OfTx 4st4iiS.-Wo NaQ petoro our read
ers gin yesterdays issue. q bin intro.
duosd in the Legislature, by; one OF
the members from s this SCouuty-S.
B. Thompson-and reported favorably
upon by the Committee on Incorpora.
tions. It is entitled "Bill to alter and
amend the Charter and extend the limits
of the City of Columbia. By this bill,
it is first proposed to extend the limits
Of the city of Columbia about two squares
to the North and East. That this will
be of any advantage either to tho city or
the inhabitants of the section proposed
to be added, few interested in its welfare
would say. 1t must be remembered that
in making such additions. it is not solely
increasing the revenues of the city, by
increased area subject to municipal taxa.
ton, but also, the expenses of tho city
must be largely increased, to do its duty
fairly to its proposed new inhabitants
1t is simply putting an additional burden
on city, which has found it difficult
to sustain the present expense Of its
government and its credit; and that,
too. nnder the guise of benefit. We
believe that it was an old rule with the
Legislature, and which probably exists
now, that three months notice should
be given of all amendments, SO entitled,
of this kind. Yet. in this case, tho first
notice that the citizons and taxpayers
have had, is the bill that we have pub
lished. But when we read further in the
bill, we easily perceive what is the real
end proposed. Under the law of this
present Legislature, (see Statutes of
1868, extra session, page --,) the pre-
sent Mayor and Aldermen were elected
for the balance of the unexpired term,
and one full teSm thereafter. They have
been elected (the fairness of which election
is undisputed) little more than q year,
and their term Of Office will not expire
for nbout two years. Aad yet this bill,
in face of the law of this same Legisla-
ture and in plain violation of the vested
rights vested under their own laws-of
the present Council, propose n new cleo
ton next February; and we can fairly
presume. if the result of that election
be not satisfactory to the movers in this
matter, all that they will have to do and
will do, is to order, then, another cleo
ton. This is camping outside of the
State Constitution" with vengeance.
We hope that the Legislature will not
throw, by this act of special and uncon-
stitutional legislation, such fire-brand
to the peace, order and common sense of
justice of the citizens of Columbia,
amongst us. Will the Legislature wish
to prove to us, that not only are we liv-
ing under laws, in the making of which
we have had but little agency, but that
we are not living under any law at all?
Will they, by this act, plainly say to the
citizens of this city and the State, that
they find it necessary and cxpedieut to
do away with their own laws and the
rights created by them, and fall back Oh
the old rule
''Let those take who have the power,
And lot those keep who CAM"
Such precedent established, might, in
the course of time, prove o two-edged
weapon, and cut in q way not desired by
those who are pressing it; unless, indeed,
they propose to set aside all right and
law, and "make hay whilst the sun
Shines" and latter them, the dcluge."
The STATE CoNsTADULAnY.-Wo be-
lieve it is Beverly Nash, the colorcd Se-
nator from Richland, who introduced
the bill to ''protect from arrest the Of
ficers Of the State Police, for any alleged
offence committed by them in the dis
charge of their duties" The following
are Sections and Of this outrageous
bill, upon which comments are unne-
cessary:
"SEcTIoN 1. That any member of the
State Police shall bo free from arrest
upon any warrant or process that may
be issued against him, upon any COM
plant or Information for any alleged
offence committed by him in tho dis
charge Of the duties of his Office.