The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-02-15
A Visit to Columbia.

A Visit to Columbia.
Professional business having called us to Co.
lumbia last week, itmay not. perhaps, be amlss
to recount for the benefit of our readers, what
We saw and heard while at the capitol, andto
give them some insight into the workings
of the Legislature now in session there. Ao-
cordlngly, to begin at the beginning, We sal
lied forth on last Wednesday morning: and
arriving within hundred yards of the de-
pot, heard a stentorian voice proclaim, in
unmstakable tones, sail aboard" whereup-
on, the whistle blew and the train started,
but surrendering our dignity, we gave way
to our pedal extrcmities. and dashng
through six inches of mud, boarded the
train out of breath. Our old friend, the
stcwardess, was, however, left behind, tho
she shouted herself hoarse in her efforts to
make herself heard. Arriving in Columbia
and having repaired damages, we went over
to the Carolina Hall, where Judge Melton
was engaged in trying the case of the State
vs.. Samson, for forgery of State Bonds, we
believe, and Mr.. Niles G. Parker was called
as witness for the prosecution but did not
answer. lie had been bound over regular
". but did not come to time. A bench
warrant was issued, but still Niles G. was
not Forthcoming. The sheriff was then or
dercd to show cause why he had not execut-
cd the process of the warrant, but coming in
Just then, in reply to a question by the
Judge, he said that he and five deputies
had searched the city for Parker, every
committee room in the State House and the
Governors Office but could neither find him
nor learn his whereabouts. The Judge dis.
charged the rule, and stated that he intend
ed to exhaust the powers Of the Court and
punish the officers for not obcying its orders.
or else have Mr.. Parker to appear lie was
however, finally found. Leaving the Count
room, We wended our way to. the State
House, where the General Assembly had
Just began their session of the day. The
House of Representatives were debating the
passage of the Metropolitan Police Bill (the
Charleston "Pill'') and several members
spread themselves, especially one honorable
gentleman, with large head, supported by
an extremely feeble body, who belabored the
opposition seemingly. to his supreme satisfac-
tion, but to our great anxiety, for we felt
alarmed lest his neck might give way under
the pressure of the many contortions to
which he subjected it. He was from Char
lesion, but We have not the distinguished
honor of knowing his "enittels." The Hon.
C. G. Bowen, the father of the bill, stood by
screnely smiling, but his little game was de-
feated by very decided vote. Speaker Mo-
ses was only visible as to his head. the re-
maindcr of his person was concealed by the
desk in front of him. Over this he peered
with watchful eye, using his gavel unspar-
ingly and paying but little attention to the
noisy harangues of the debators. We would
suggest that his seat be raised few feet
in order that more of the best looking man
in the House may be seen. Passing over
to the Senate, we found Leslie bclaboring
Whittemore and Nash, who seemed quite
accustomed to it. The relief Of getting into
this quiet place was very decided, end it ap-
peared really respectable by comparison with
the noise and heat of the House. Cur nom
resident Senator was in his seat, and also
came in for portion of Leslie's sarcasm.-
The lobby has been converted into kind OF
a restaurant, where one can procure almost
anything in the way of meat or drink, and
the maums, with their apples and ground
nuts, have found their way here also. These,
our first impressions, were decidedly unpleas-
ant, and have not worn ffsince, although we
do not regard ourselves as prcjudiced. The
utter lack of dignity, the evident Sinking
of real work, the verbose and empty, the
stupid and wandering remarks, on the part
of the members, impressed us as being cx-
ceedinly out of place. The House, espcci-
ally, reminds us more of boys debating So
ciety than an assembly of lawmakers, and
one and all seemed more intent in beating
his opponent in debate than in enacting laws
for the benefit of their constituents. Ger
tainly the most busy persons in that branch
of the assembly, were the little pages who
were hurrying to and fro without intermiss-
ion. The whole affair looks as if the men,