The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-02-24
A BIRD's-EYR VIEW oFs CHARLESTON AND
cGBUMFiA

Having enjoyed glimpse last week of the two
principal cities in our State it may be expected
that;we should give the result Of our observation
of men and things. It issa custom among the ed
itosiai fraternity, but We know chat sometimes 1t
can be "more honored in7E che breach than the OBJ
servancen In.this instance, We will not decide
the question: and merely submit few RANDOM
thoughts to. eur'readers.
Charleston is steadily improving her commerce
and business relations with the world, and ls not
neglecting the comfort convenience and happi-
ness of its citizens Evidences are plenty that
the neople are recovering from the dreadful effects
-of war and amid the whirl and hum Of busy life,
it is easily forgotten that only a few years since
the world gazed anxiously towards the ''city by
the sea" for tidings of heroic defence and intrepid
1 conduct among the brave men upon her ramparts.
| Yet, with the coming of material prosperity, We
know: that her people are not uinmindful of the
the past. and tenderly cherish the memories that
cluster raronnd those days of SORROW and anguish
One ofithe most gratifying, facts coming to our
knowledge, in business point of view, is the ac.:
ton of the,South Carolina Railroad in deteruiin-
! ing to extend It's track to the waters edge, and
l. =,
thus save an enormous sum to the mercantile COM
mufiity. The drayage on goods arriving in that
port and destined for the interior has always been
o great nuisance, but it has been more seriously
felt since the war, as The majority Of business
men make closer calculations and work for smaller
profits than in the s..good old days" This ad-
| vance. on the part of the South Carolina Road is
an Indication too, that the laggard policy hereto
fore governing that corporation is about TO sue
cumb to the activity and enterprise davning upon
| our people, and which will rehabiitate the old
! commonwealth, in our. judgment, and restore
I wealth and permanent prosperity. ifi
The burnt district of Charleston has;assumed
more cheerful aspect.in the past year, and an oc-
casional new building, with substantial enclosures,
diminishes the fearful traces of the great fire..
We observed greater attention, in other parts of
the city, to the outward appearance Of residences
and business houses and that the quantity. Of
paints and oils now consumed was considerably
increased, to the decided advantage and improve
ment of the. city: ,.,,...z
| The Academy of Music, corner of King and
Market streets is an imposing structure, and its
interior admirably arranged: The theatre ranks
among the most finished of its kind in the United
States, and is certainly adapted to the wants and
necessities of Charleston. Manager FoRD is quite
popular in the city and has furnished elegant and
chaste entertainments throughout the winter. 80
The crowd Of strangers visiting Charleston rem
ders life about the hotels exceedingly agreeable!
Seekers after health and pleasure are constantly
coming and going, and the fashionable apparel of
men and women indicate aplethora of greenbacks
. among the visitors. Elegant equipages are seen
upon the Streets going thither, in search
of noted places Northerners are intent on view
ing the destruction caused by the missiles of the
Federal forces, but this curiosty..is seldom graft
fed, as the. damages have been generally repaired
The old Post Office building, on East Bay, was
frequently penetrated by shells, and bears the
most numerous marks of the siege.
The Charleston Hotel continues to be the great
est resort of travellers, and is justly regarded as
the hest regulated; and most elegantly furnished
house in the Southern country. We shared its
splendid hospitality during our brief sojourn in
the city, and would cordially recommend our
friends to the polite attention of Mr.. Jackson and
his able assistants.
We had the pleasure Of meeting with many old
Friends, and of course made some pleasant &C.
quaiutances. Among the latter, we would men
ltion Col Henry D. CApEns, whose name is fami-
lar to the residents of Anderson. He is now liY-
ing at Eatonton Gs., and was in the city on basi-
| ness connected with his profession. He is a
prominent lawyer and leading citizen Of our sister
State, and it was gratifying to hear him refer with
such warmth and earnestness to Anderson, the
scene of his boyhood days, which he cherishes
with becoming reverence and tenderness.
We left Charleston on Friday night, with the in
ten.ion of reaching home on Saturday, but mishap
occurring to the engine about eighteen miles be-
low Columbia, we failed to make the connection,
and had to lie over until Sunday morning in the
latter city, This gave our party on opportunity
of visiting the Legislature, and witnessing the ex-
! emplary conduct of our benign rulers. 1t was o
dull day in both Houses, and the time was chiefly
| occupied in routine business. 1t was rather a
disappointment to those of our party who had
never seen the like before, and we almost wished
that something might occur to disturb the serenity
of the scene, in order that the "big guns" might
e1patiate in the presence of their unpretending
visitors. Beyond slight display of eloquence
by Daddy Cain" in the Senate, in which he was
cut short by withdrawal of the motion upon
which he was speaking, there was nothing worthy
of note in the proceedings.
The State House has been conveniently arranged
for the Legislature and State officers The Senate
chamber is fitted up with elegance. The House
of Representatives occupy the room intended for
the Library, but the regular hall for that body is
now under contract, and we presume will be COM
pleted in luxurious style.
The members Of the Legislature contribute no
| 1ittle 10 the business of Columbia as their per