Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-15
FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.
L Peep at iGs Legislature-HOW Hon.
sambO LOOks-TrOubEes of State.

A Peep at fGs LegIsIature-HOW Hon.
SambO LOOks-TrOubIes of State.
To the Editors of the Union and American
COLUMBIA, S. c., March I, 1972.-I am
travelling through this country on business,
and having a leisure hour on my hands
Yesterday, took advantage of the opportunity
afforded TO visit the nired South Carolina
Legislature, now holding its sessions. As
l was entirely ignorant of the true state of
affairs here, and of the magnitude of the
dirty work that is being done every day
presume you may not be well acquainted
with the ''doings" of this body of Solons.
THE SENATE,
In company with a popular Democratic
citizen of this place, and gentleman from
Louisville, KY, We entered the Capitol, and
on producing our f'pasports" were rushed
in the Senate Hall by the "sergeant-at-
arms,"a burly, black negro, who eyed us
anxiously as he pointed us out seats near
the railing. On looking up our eyes natu-
rally sought the chair, where presided with
all the dignity of field-marshal, the Speak
er ofthe Senate, who we were told, was Of
mixed blood, yet the most able man In the
whole body. Our attention was soon called
to an exciting debate then going on between
three negroes and "wbite," relative to
the passage of bill, having for its object
s'the protection of colored laborers under
the contract system" The debate between
the TIRES Lawmakers q waved warm, and
epithets of no complimentary character
were freely exchanged, but just at the time
the situation looked most threatening, the
President brought down his gavel with
rap and called "Order.n We found the
Senate composed of negroes and whites
about equally divided, nearly all Radicals,
the negroes being ignorant and led on by
few carpet-baggers who control their votes.
THE HOUSE.
We next paid visit to the House and
found it in a worse condition, if possible,
than the Senate. In this body, the negroes
largely predominant, about three-fourths
to One-fourth whites; some of them looked
as though they were just from the planta-
ton, while others Of a copper color ap-
peared full of their own conceit, and looked
wise and solemn. don't suppose another
such body of men were ever before gath
cred together to make laws for civilized
citizens. l was told they pass bills,
involving millions, with as little ceremony
and debate as though they oICned the entire
State. South Carolina is In a deplorable
condition at this time, and no immediate
prospect of relief. The State debt is enor-
nous, and under the manipulations Of these
thieves, is daily growing larger. We cannot
(like Georgia has done throw offthe shackies
that bind US, and bring to punishment her
oppressors, her negro vote Is 80 much larger
than the white.
KU-KLUX.
In addition TO her State troubles, 1t seems
that the United States government are do
ing all within their power to Cypress and
humilitate her. The writ Of "habeas cor
pus" having been suspended in seven
counties, arrests are being made nearly
every day in these counties by Federal sol
diery on sworn testimony of few peIjured
negroes who swear they are 'Ku-Klux," or
are in sympathy with them. 1 enclose a
~clip" from the Union Times" to corrObor-
ate all that have said. Ct. Z. ID.
The following Is the slip enclosed by our
correspondent ..-.
MORE ARRESTS.
From the Union, s. G. Times.
On Monday last, when our town was more
than usually crowded with citizens from the
country, brought here In consequence Of its
being the commencement Of the March
term of court, as well as sales-day, Deputy
United States Marshal Williams commenced
arrestingin the streets persons accused Of be-
ing Ku-Klux. This created much excitement
among all classes, and in short time the
crowd was greatly diminished, for, from
past experience, no one knew who would
be the next victim. Those arrested during
the week are w. F. NJ. Williams, County
Auditor; ]. NJ. Spencer, Thomas Nelson,
Nevil Hawkins, re-arrested; T. II. Gallman
and Bel:on Free. For some weeks rumors
have been rife that q large number of our
citizens were soon to be arrested; one was
that 400 warrants had been issued, and that
the Deputy Marshal was only awaiting Or
ders to serve them.
At the time of going to press our streets
are nearly as free from people from
the country as they are on the Sabbath,
although the court Is In session. Business
of all kinds is completely at stand-still,
and every one is expecting to be sent to
Jail as Ku-Klux. A friend from the
country informed us yesterday that al
farm work upon six or eight farms in his
neighborhood had been abandoned and the
hands discharged, as the owners were not
willing to risk money or time in preparing
for their crops, while in such state of UNI
certainty. all feel that an arrest amounts
to sentence for term in the Penitentia-
~, whether. found guilty or not. The old
sore has been reopened by the probe Of par
tisan and personal malice and persecution,
and there is no knowing when the putrid
mass will cease to flow or the wound per-
mitted to heal.
There is danger that Union county, If
left undisturbed, win go strongly Democrat
ic next fall, and It is probable that this dan
ger viii be removed by driving away as
many white votes as possible, and TO make
sure, putting large number Of Democrats
where they win not be allowed to vote.