The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-01-24
IN COLUMBIA.

interest the general public.
ADAY IN COL LUMBLA.
S;phts and scenes in the CaPttal-The
Penitentiary-Colum Canal-Spec-
Native Observation-Disclosures In Real
Estate-what may Be. and has Been
Done-RailroAd Matters, Sc.
TFRoa OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBIA, January %.
The first point of interest which sight-seeI
selects in visiting the Capital of South Carolina
Is theGeneral Assembly. The Northern man,
especially, shows desire to observe the op er'
ations of reconstruction, and the application
of the new principles evolved from the war,
as illustrated in the governmental manage
ment Of our public affairs. Hence, Columbia
has become sort of halfway house between
New York and Florida, and every day you Will
find scores of strangers wandering curiously
through the halls OF legislation, peeping IN tne
nubllc Offices, or scanning what remains OF
ruin and wreck. OF course, the House OF Rep
resentatiyes, with its damask hangingsf costly
chandeliers, elaborate spittoons handsome
enouqh to be flower massachusetts carpets
and rosewood furniture, around which SIT the
elect, is the chief place of attraction, ana tnere
is really field for wonderment IN the
rapid, positive and business-like manner
In which the speaker dispatches his duties
and controls the extraordinary body oyer
which he presides. The Senate Is next inin-
terest, and partakes of that historic dignity
which is popularity supposed to attach to THIS
department of government. The grave and
reverend Seignors show it down to their very
eyeglasses. The galleries always have dusky
exhibit ringing the front rail, and are farorite
places for sleep. The attorney-generals ofhce,
with lis half dozen solicitors busily engaged in
preparing the germ of future law; the Execu-
tive offices next door, with hungry applicants
always waiting for the man ahead OF them to
be turned out frcm the Governors room; the
treasurer's and conptrollers dens, where SICK
tiersses are doctored into conralescence; the
secretary of States Office, where the atmos-
phere Is redolent with musty records; and,
finally, the Supreme Court, where hard, dry
men of facts-yeritable Gradgrinds-hold forth
yerbosely to avery, very solemn tribunal.
These are some of the sights and scenes in and
around the Statehouse. A public work well
worthy OF inspection, is
THE PENITENTrARY,
now under the charge Of General Stolbrand.
The changes that have taken place In this In
stitution since the administration OF Governor
Orr, by whom it was commenced, are very
considerable. Three stories Of one OF the great
stone wings have been completed, and the
foundation of the other wing has been laid
preparatory to the erection Of the cells. Two
hundred and fifty cells are already occupied
by upwards of five hundred convicts, and the
supply far exceeds the demand for more room.
Up to the present time more than thousand
different criminals have worn the striped uni-
form of this place. These are employed In
cutting stone, running machinery, quarrying,
making cloth, carpenter work, gardening,
&c.-the labor being adapted to the character
of the prisoners. Some Of the latter have
seen better days, and are suffering the conse-
auences of acts committed, perhaps, to
ayenge offended honor. One Of them,
who has been educated, who has travelled
through Europe and led the life OF a
gentleman, which he is unquestionably, is a
night watchman in the Institution, and while
he remains there will as faithfully defend the
trusts contided to him as General Stolbrand
himself. Others of the prisoners whose char
acters have been proved are permitted, under
proper restrictions, to work for the State In
the town, on the roads and in public buildings,
the superintendent thus showing that he
knows how to temper mercy with punishment
in a manner that fully subserves the purposes
of law. The quarry Of the penitentiary is i'm
mediatelv in front of it-a portion Of the river
having been encircled by a stone wall and
pumped dry. 1t is said that there is granite
enough in the quarry to last for several years,
and the rock when properly blasted QUITS of a
superior Quality. Another work Of great value
now in progressis .
THE COLUMBIA CANAL.
Originally it was believed that, IT fifteen hum
dred or two thousand horse power could be
obtained, the supply would be ample for the
purposes of the manufacturer; but Senator
Pearce, is carrying out plan which will give
to the State and city from twelve to fifteen
thousand horse power. Persons familiar with
the locality of the old bridge, at the foot Of
Bridge street, may remember an island in the
river, just above it, and not many yards from
the Columbia shore. The space between the
island and the shore Is to be converted into a
canal, distance Of $50 feet, and a dam thrown
across the river will secure all the power re-
quted. Below the bridge, the water will be
carried into the old canal, which is now being
opened to width of eighty feet, for distance
of several hundred yards. Thirteen ample
mill sites and a water privilege superior to
that of the great manufacturing city of Lowell
will thus be secured, while the Penitentiary
has but to tap the stream. at a cost almost
insignificant, to obtain more power than Will
ever be actually employed.
The importance of this undertaking may be
better realized by the statement that the value
of a single horse power at the North is estima-