The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-12-05
FROM THE STATE CAPITAL.
COLUMBIA, Dec. 2. 1872.

Dear LutelHgencer: After stay in this city
of several days, we have not been able to CLEAN
much that will be interesting to your readers;
but such as we have, freely give. The United
States Court, the Appeal or Supreme Court of
the State and the Legislature all being in ses-
sion, have attracted very large crowd thither
many of whom are on business, but the great
er portion looking out for business in the way
of profitable job, and expect to be paid out
of the State Treasury, though so far as I know
there is not a dollar therein. They are, how
ever, looking for the Committee on Ways and
Means to open up the aoay and replenish the
Treasury. The chairman of said Committee,
Hon. Mr.. Bowley, from Georgetown, is colored
man, and judging from his craneology, physiog-
nomy and tautalogy, we fear he will make the
ways and means very easy. We should have
said something of the Speaker of the House, S.
J. Lee, before making any allusion to subor-
dinate members. He is colored gentleman of
some attainments, and having been tutored un-
der the distinguished parliamentarian, F. j., jr.,
we suppose he will preside with distinguished
ability over the deliberations of the House.
There is majority of colored members, and
some of them seem determined on retrench-
ment. Among the old colored members is DR..
Bozeman, who is fair, honest and capable
man. Whipper is not here, as you know. Tim
Hurley, of the Charleston delegation, up to this
time, so far as speaking goes is the representa-
tive mon f,f hot 1oIonotinn
There was considerable debate in fixing the
number of attaches. Some few of the members
have been clamorous to leave the Speaker un-
restricted as to the number of his appoint
ments, but wiser counsels have prevailed, and
though resolution after resolution has been of
fered to increase the amount beyond twenty
four, yet it may now be regarded as the sense
of the House that it shall not go beyond that
number. The House agreed to-day not to have
a paid Chaplain. Hurley seemed furious on
the subject, so much that he left the impression
on us that he did not want prayers without
money and without price.
Early in the session, the House went into
Committee of the Whole, for the purpose of
taking into consideration the affairs of the
State, which were known to be in deplorable
condition. Two or three of the Republican
members let off a little gas that had been gen.
Grating ever since the election, and concluded
their brief speeches by renewing their vows at
the altar of Reform. Their speeches were fair
enough, but they savored too much of the SEN
timent, "What shall we render unto the Re
publican party for all its benefits towards u.s."
We are encouraged to believe there is spirit
of reform in both branches of the Legislature.
1t may prove otherwise, however, and in the
language of Goldsmith
"Contrasted faults through all their manners
reign;
Though poor, luxurious though submissive.
vain;
Though grave, yettriAing; jealous, yet untrue;
And even in penance, planning sins anew"
The Conservative members have not entered
freely into the debates of the House, probably
from the fact that it is better for the Republi-
can members to lead of, for they most certain
ly deserve chance to lead the State from this
more than Grafton labyrinth by which she is
surrounded
Some of the hungry, vulture-like Office seek
ers, who infested the House and the streets of
Columbia, have departed for their homes
much to our qualification.
We have not attempted to write much con-
cerning the doings of the General Assembly; in
fact, it has not done much, and the little yet ac-
complished, you have already received through
the Columbia papers. You will see the ap-
pointment of the various House Committees in
to-morrow's papers, and will doubtless note
the fact that only few Conservative members
are on any of the important Committees.
The Courts have not been in session to-day,
and up to the present time, there has not been
much transacted in either Court. Judge Bond
is expected'to be here very soon.
The new Governor will be inaugurated to-
morrow. The Inauguration of Governor was
once q great state occasion, but now does not
seem to attract much note. Gov. Scott sent in
his final Message to-day, in which he admits
many shortcomings, but, as usual, lays the
blame where it does not belong, to wit, on the
good people of the State. That Scott is great
ly to be censured, there is no doubt, but that he
is preferable to some of the men, who with
himself, are aspiring to the United States Sem
ate, is also without doubt. None of the caadi-
dates are representative men of our Sec
ton, and it behooves us, in making selection,
to choose the least of evils Scott began his
administration under and by virtue of the Re-
construction Acts of Congress, and it may be
that the administration at Washington would
cordially welcome him, when, should he be ia
vorably disposed, he could do us much good.
Chief Justice Moses is fatteringly mentioned
in this connection, but his son being the Gov
ernor and he in the Senate, would not suit we'll,
if our Chief Executive should rule US with o
| rod of iron. The Judge is. in my opinion