The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-02-18
Our Columbia Correspondence.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Eel


COLUMBIA, S. c., Feb. 13.
Another week has passed, and apparently
we are no nearer the time of adjournment than
we were month ago. Some important meas
ures have been discussed and settled.
Mr.. Trenholm introduced Joint Resolution
requiring that all outstanding claims against
the State should be audited before they can be
presented to the Legislature for payment. A
strong effort was made by the Republicans to
defeat this measure, but their efforts were un-
successful No further evidence is necessary
to show in what light the holders of these
claims regard them.
On Tuesday quite an economical fit took
possession of the House. Meyers, of Beaufort,
introduced bill proposing to reduce the ex-
penses of the State Government. You are
aware that the salaries of the officers of the
State are fixed by law. This bill amends the
law, and reduces the salaries and other expen-
ses to the amount of $4,000. Of course it
can only take effect after the expiration of the
present year.
Leslie, of Bsrnwell, has Disguised the House
since Wednesday with his effort to remove the
Court House back from Barnwell to Blackville.
This question has been before the Legislature,
the courts and the people for several years
past, and has been settled and settled; the
people have been kept in doubt and suspense !;
hatred and bitterness have been engendered !;
property has been rendered worthless, and
rights have been invaded, all the result of the
petty spleen and spite of the gentleman from
New York, G. P Leslie. Like the vile mag
got, he can only live where there is corruption,
and still further like it, he is always on the
search for it. The upshot of the whole matter
is this: Several years ago Leslie, for some of
his rascality, was arrested and lodged in jail at
Barnwell, and none of the property holders of
the village would 60 his security that he might
be bailed out. For that reason he swore ever
lasting enmity against the people of Barnwell.
The matter is still unsettled, and may consume
several days yet.
Friday was the day set apart for the election
of Judge for the 3rd Judicial Circuit. The
election came off, with what good results you
have been informed before this. [ feel that
can safely congratulate the Conservatives of
the State upon the result of the election. 1t
is true that Shaw is an out and out Democrat,
which makes it that much better, but that by
no means is the main point. That your good
readers may fully understand the condition of
affairs here, will take advantage Of this elec-
ton, or at least of the opportunity which it
affords, to give you the information desired.
Gov. Chamberlain in his efforts to reform
the State government, es was to be expected,
met with strong opposition from the ultra
wing of his party, which eliminated in split
broad and wide over the election of Judge
Reed. The Conservatives, as they were in
duty bound, sustained the Governor in his ef-
forts at reform, and thus by this help he was
enabled to come off conqueror. Things went
on smoothly, to all appearances, until the Gov
ernor disarmed the negro militia of Edgefeld,
which act rendered the opposition much more
bitter toward him. He, too, by his wretched
appointments in several of the counties-of
which the Anderson Jury Commissioner was
the demonstrated to the Conservatives
that their influence with the administration
amounted to nothing, Notwithstanding the help
they had afforded him in his time of danger
and peril. These circumstances all combined
brought forth three candidates--Northrop,
nominated by the administration, Moses by
the ultra Republicans, and Shaw, an able law
yer and Democrat by the Conservatives.
Each faction was in earnest, .nd each deter
mined in its course. Chamberlain fought for
absolutism the utras, headed by Moses, for
vengeance. and the Conservatives for principle
and existence. The Conservatives were still
smarting under the unfairness of the admins
tration, which compelled them, in order to Sc
cure reform, to vote for man who had so re-
Gently deserted his race, his party and his
principles; they felt for this concession they
were entitled to receive some compensation
which never come So, when the recent elec-
ton came off, and when Gov. Chamberlain
sought still further to punish them by compell-
inp them to vote for far worse man than
Reed. else have Ex-Gov. Moses elected, they
determined almost unanimously not to aid by
another single vote the establishment of such
policy. They told the Republicans if their
party could afford to elect such man as Ex-
Gov. Moses, to go ahead and do it, that they
could no more compel them to vote for such
men as Northrop by having such men as
Whipper and Moses shaken over their heads !;
that they, the Conservatives, were determined
to vote for Shaw from first to last, unless they
would give them better man. And they did
vote for him. After number of ballots, each
faction being about even, and when it was seen
that the Conservatives remained flrm, the
Moses faction, with the determination to defeat
the Governor, Joined with the Conservatives,
and the victory was won. This victory demon
,trates three things, viz: That there is wide
and deep split in the Republican party, one
headed by the administration and the other by
Moses that the Conservatives hold the balance