The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-08-12


A correspondent of the Macon (Ga.)
Telegram writes as follows of affairs in
this State The letter is dated Column
bia, August 7:
When travellers from the South reach
Augusta, on their way North, they usu-
ally take the new road direct to Colum-
bio in preference to the old line, by wav
of Branchville and Kingsville, not only
for the reason that the former is q much
shorter route, but also because it affords
greater security in travel, and is adorned
with coaches of the most beautiful work
manship and most comfortable arrange
ments. VIM. Johnston, Esq, of Char
lotte, N. c., is the President of this road,
and Is, by. common consent, pre-emi-
nently fitted for his laborious and re-
sponsible Office.
The postmaster in Columbia is color
ed man, who, by-the-way, has the ap-
pearance of being honest and intelligent,
but who has frankly confessed his utter
untitness for the duties and responsible
ties of the Office to which the Govern
ment has appointed him. He has, ac-
cordipgly, secured the services of Mr.
Leaphart-a gentleman of large expert.
ence in postal affairs, and O member of
one Of the first Carolina families. Would
it not be we'll for the colored postmaster
in your beautiful and refined city to
learn lesson of wisdom from the timely
conduct of his brother in Columbia? !?
Turner, we understand, was raised on
the old red hills of Carolina, and was
once the property of General MCGOWAN,
who figured so conspicuously in the
grand battle of Bull Run; but in an act
| l.; ;-l
rous master, few years before the be-
ginning of the war, he took the under
ground railroad, and landed in "the hea-
venly kingdom of Massachusetts" where
he was taught some peculiar lessons in
politics and theology. At the cessation
OF hostilities, he returned to your State,
in the character Of presiding elder in
the Methodist Church and politician Of
the most radical type. We do not desire
to dictate to this politico-rcligious in
cumbent, or to censure his past conduct;
but we could fervently wish, for the sake
OF the good people of Macon, that he
would either withdraw from the position
for which he has no qualifications, or
else that he would consent for some COM
petent white man to control the impor-
tant affairs of the Office.
The crops in the State are not very
promising. though they have been much
improved by the recent rains. 1t is plain
that all the material interests of Carolina
are more completely paralyzed than those
of the other cotton States, and tho evil
dences of recnperation are manifestly
more slow and uncertain. The heart Of
this people has been broken by success
sion of heavy disasters. Nearly all the
civil Offices in this commonwealth are
held by foreigners, who do not under
stand the character and habits of this
population. or by radicals, who have no
sympathy with the citizens of this Sec
ton. The Legislature contains ninety
eight negro representatives, and the
Board of Trustees of the State Univer-
sity is a mixture of black and white
members. 1t is mainly owing to this
circumstance that the most eminent pro-
fessors, such as the LeContes, are seek
ing chairs in other institutions OF learn
ing. and that multitudes of the students
are focking to the University of Vir-
ginia and to other literary centres of less
note.