The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-04-01
MORNING, APRIL !, 1875.
Legislative Notes.

1t gives us pleasure to know that these notes
will not be current again until next winter.
After a session of four months and two days,
the. General Assembly took up the line OF
march, and returned to the peaceful blvouacs
of domestic life. In other words the Legisla'
ture adjourned on Friday last sine de- NOT
much evil legislation has marked the long ana
tedious session, thanks to the good sense and
honest efforts of the Governor, who has been
sustained by the united strength OF the Con
seryatiye members and minority of we'll
meaning Republicans. Without either OF
these elements, Gov. Chamberlain was entirely
nowerbess to accomplish any practical good for
the stste; with their asa and assistance, the
manly efforts Of the Governor were at all times
effective and salutary. We congratulate the
. people chat the session is at last ended, and
that there is no probability of an extra meet
ing before the time provided by law.
One of the worst features Of the present ses-
sion has been the immense number OF claims
which went through without adequate scrutiny.
. This enhances the taxes for the coming year,
which will be equal to the highest rate ever
paid under SCOTS administration. Az one
time it seemed inevitable that the tax levy
would be still higher, under amendments from
the Senate, which increased the rate OF taxa
ton two and half mills. These amendments
were partly receded from at the last moment
and leaves the aggregate levy at twelve mills
for State purposes. The county tax Is n4eo
at three mills, in addition to the special levles
&. authorized in twenty counties, making the tax
for State and county average not less than
seventeen mills. This extra levy does not
affect Anderson County, however, which still
maintains its pre-eminence for low taxation
for county purposes, making our total only
fifteen millsl
The House of Representatives displayed the
customary Iberality in donating the peoples
money at the last moment. Three hundred
dollars were contributed to Rev. Solomon e.
Gooseley, acting chaplain, for praying with
credit to himself aud satisfaction to the HOUSE,,
during the session. One thousand dollars we're
awarded to Speaker Elliott for the "great ablll-
ty, ilnpartiality and commendable industry"
with which he discharged the responsible and
onerous duties of presiding over the menagere
The members evidently believed that this
money was rightfully their own, since it was
rendered as token of personal esteem to their
presiding officer. The Senate refused to make
any donations, and the gratuitous services OF
the dusky chaplain will be unrewarded in this
world. Other propositions we're made and de-
ieated in the House, which the On'on-HeroSa
says is educ to the watchfulness of Mr.. Barn
veil, of Charleston, and Mr.. Crlttenden, OF
Greenvville, and the fidelity with which the
conservative members stuck to their posts at
this important day of the session."
The services rendered by the Conservative
Democrats are not properly appreciated, we
fear. Most of them sacrifice private interests
for the :public good, and remain away from
home one-third of the year to give their time
and attention to public duties. The tact and
management of the conservatives gave them an
important power and control in many instances.
It 10 not always their policy to originate meas
ures for legislation, but to assist in perfect
ing good measures and defeating bad ones
Acting together with unselfsh motives these
members are formidable element in the Gen.
eral Assembly, whenever the dominant party
divides upon any question, and this has so fire.
quently occurred during the recent session that
the conservatives were constantly gaining in
huence and power. Such has not been the
case since reconstruction. The example of the
conservative members should not be lost upon
the people. Their strength comes from united
and consistent action, untiring watchfulness
and selling upon every advantage of division
among their opponents7 A similar policy
among the conservative voters will reap even
greater rewards.