The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-01-16
and Henry Kennedy the right. 70 col.

iecs toll Oh the South CaroliSa end Of
the bridge and bnbsee In 1858.
Some litigation fsnsued, vhen Jones
and Kennedy sold ell their right to the
city of aAugustasSin 1856, for 81, 600.
Since which time the city OF Augusta
had held undisputed possession Of the
entire bridge property.
And now, said Mr.. Brayton, after
the city Of Augusta had bought the
bridge for 300, 900, and bought out
all claimauts. aud had it's title con.
firmed after repeated aud protraoted
litigation, and had. also, paid taxes to
the State Of South Carolina and town
of Hamburg for thirty .fre gears. and
also had twice rebuilt the bridge when
washed away by freshrty, besides
keeping it in repair-no,c ii is that the
town Of Hamburg, (which never had
any interest or right i'll the bridge,
which never paid Que cent towards re-
pairing or rebuilding it. which has re-
coSuized the right aud title of the city
oi Augusta TO It and the ndjoiniug lot~
ny taxing them as the property OF the
city of Augustu;) comes and asks this
Legislature to give it right to erect n
toll-gate aud collect toll for crossing
over bridge confessedly owned by the
city Of Augusta. He said that if suoh
power was conferred upon the town
OF Hamburg, it wonId be nothing less
than legalized confscatiou and the
perpetration Of INDUSTRIOUS wrong
The bridge was the grent avenue of
approach from South Carolina to Au-
gusta, Ga. It spauued the Savannah
River at point over l,00U feet in
width, and CONNECTED two neighboring
States. 1t was the duty OF South Ca
rolina. with that spirit OF comfy and
Difference which was Recognized and
practicei by all States aud nations.
IN their dealings with each other, to act
with great oiroumspection and atrictest
Justice. He said he knew the people
OF Augusta we'll, and be felt they would
not supinely submit to being robbed
OF such valuable and important right
aud property as tue Augusta Bridge.
If this Act should pass, and the town
OF Hamburg should attempt to collect
toll Tor crossing that bridge, he was
sure 1t would involve the town in trou-
Bile. litigation and expense. which wuu
not now foreseen, aud might em broil
the two States in violcuce, strife and
blOodshed.
Mr.. Brayton was frequently inter
rupted, and showed bis readiness for
quick and effective reply. We were
especially pleased when, referring to
the fact that he had been told that he
better keep quiet upon this measure,
ha said. that while upon all Questions
affecting the welfare OF his party aud
tending to advance it's proper interests,
when not detrimental to the State, he
would be fonnd as faithful az the m most
loyal; yet he would not be hampered
by considerations Of local popularity
or personal advancement. It was u
matter ut best, of such doubtful honor
and small profit, to hold the position
he now occupied, that to retain it, he
would not for one moment consider
the policy of sacrificing his indepemd-
encs and bridling his tongue, or sub
mittipg to the dictation OF others.
While speaking. Mr.. Brayton read a
note just handed him, asking how
much he was paid to speak in the in te-
rests OF Augusta. He Indignantly told
the one who sent it, that he would
neither deign to answer such an in
sinuation. nor would be be deferred
from doing his duty by imputations
as harmless to himself as they were
disgracefni to the one who made them.
MIR. Brayton's speech was we'll worthy
of liberal report. II he ie az honest
aud independent az he appears. his
ability :,.a: :::&sS bin az ;uaausH:ia.
member OF tue House.
Mr.. Elliott followed. after which the
bill wss referred to the Judiciary Com.
mittee.
SCHENCK on DRAW POKER The
Now York World reviews. with copious