The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-06-04
COLUMBIA: LETTER.
COLUMBIA, 8. c.,
Nav 29th, 1873.

This has been rather q dull week
for Columbia, the monotony being
broken somewhat by the severe
storms that have passed over the
city. sweeping down in their route
fences, uprooting trees, and displa-
cling most of the movable appurte-
nances about the city. The light.
ming struck in two places within the
city limits, but luckily did no great
damage; the peals Of thunder were
;nccssant, and shook the plastering
from many buildings. Reports re
ceived from various part Of the State
mention the storm, but fail to state
any very serious damage to- crops BY
it. The rains which have been daily,
however, are causing tho planters
trouble everywhere. -,
EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.
There have been during the present
week number of important meet.
ings relative to education. The
South Carolina Normal school, pro
vided for by the last General Assem-
bly, has made fair start; the Re-
gents at the meeting today appoint
ed committees necessary for carrying
out all the provisions Of the law; the
old Chapel building in the campus is
to be Immediately turned over to the
Board, and repairs at once com
menced. The appropriation made
forthi school is o generous one, no
other State eqnaling it. The Trus.
tees of the University have also held
several meetings. nothing of worry
general interest having been done,
except movement to look into the
report that the Treasurer had remit
ted the fees of some of the students.
1t is stated that the reason Of his
doing SO was the desire to increase
the number of students. The sever
al societies of the University adjourn
for the Summer Saturday night next.
The commencement exercises are to
begin on the 28th proximo A course
of very interesting. lectures have
served to enliven the proceedings Of
this institution during the present
season, the fourth and perhaps the
best of which was delivered last even
ing by Professor Lynch upon the sub
ject of the necessity offaith in the pur-
suing of science. A large and select
audience was present.
AFFAIRS AT TIE STATE HOUSE.
The State House has never present
ed so forlorn an aspect as nov, since
the Adjournment of the Legislature ;
we're it not for the coming and going
of county officers who sre engaged
in settling their accounts, one would
not know from outside appearances,
that a whole State administration
is daily located there. As general
thing the officers are closing up their
county reports with commendable
promptncss. Treasurer Cardozo and
Comptroller-General Hoge keep q
vigilan, eye over affairs, and in their
offices everything appears to run
along smoothly. The Comptroller
has not yet given to the public any
further. insight as to his plans regard
ing the levy Of the tax to pay the in
terest on the public debt, but the peo-
pie have confidence in what he has
already said concerning it, and look
to him as kind Of bulwark between
the plans of rings and the scheming
money-makcrs, and themselves who
would have the taxes to. pay. The
talk Of an
EXTRA SESSION OF TIE LEGISLATURE,
regarding the debt has already ceas-
ed. although occasionally it is favor
ed the general opinion is against it
by great odds, and it will not proba-
biy occur. However. q prominent
State Senator was heard to remark
today, that if the General Assembly
would 90 to. work and find out how
much the legal debt was, he favored
an extra session.
There is a dearth of money in the
Treasury, and consequently the sew