The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-02-17
OUR COLUMBIA CORRESPONDENCE.
COLUMBIA, 8. c., Feb. IA, 1876.


Messrs. Editors. Very few matters of
importance have been acted upon in ell
ther House during the past week. As to
the political situation, there has been
little, if any, change. The Radical party
is constantly caucussing, making ready
to marshal its hosts preparatory for the
coming campaign.
The Senate has been acting for some
time on the Salary bill, endeavoring to
reduce the salaries to an amount equal
only to the tax levy. So far, considera-
BILE reductions have been made on the
various salaries, but an amendment, offer
ed by Whittemore, makes the law appli-
cable only to next years salaries, and not
to the salaries of this year. Thus is de-
monstrated that the very first opportuni-
ty the dominant party has had to make
good its vociferous promises of reform 80
recently uttered, has been used only as a
pretence. Leaving the salaries as they
are at present, creates q deficiency in this
department alone of something over
100000, which will necessitate another
bonanza next winter. When will the
people learn to put the proper estimate
upon Radical promises, and understand
the tactics resorted to by politiciansf
The Senate has passed bill giving to
the citizens of Union, Spartanburg, An
derson, Greenville and Pickens the right
to vote again on the fence question.
When the bill came up in the House,
there was considerable confusion, and a
manifest disposition on the part of the
Radical members to defeat the measure.
Curtis, of Richland, was in the chair at
the time, and was confused as to how to
proceed, when Elliott came to his rescue,
and ordered it sent back to the Senate,
claiming that the bill had been COM
pletely changed by the Senate. This
ruling will nscessitate the Senate to again
pass the bill as its own, and then require
it to run the course of the House. II
the Assembly adjourns at the time agreed
upon at present, there will not be time to
get the bill through, even if there va,
no opposition to it.
The House has just passed bill reduc'
ing the price of land sold to settlers by
the State. Large amounts of land were
purchased by the Land Commissioner fol
the State, and as has been repeatedly
charged large amount of public funds
were squandered in the purchase
thereof. Now, when the people have
been grievously taxed to purchase these
lands, and in handling the funds num-
bers of the Radicals were made rich, they
propose to complete the infamous swim.
die and give all the lands bought to the
negroes. Is this not beautiful exempli-
fcation of Radical faith and Radical
reformation7
The bill to levy tax of $40, 900 to send
four companies of the negro National
Guard to Philadelphia is being consid'
cred. Davis, of Charleston, is now max
ing bitter and malignant speech, and
in the height of eloquence exclaimed
"I fought, bled and died for the Union
don't know about the fighting and the
bleeding, but many would exclaim
"Would to God he had died." The bill
will no doubt fail.
The Senate has concurred in the twenty
three amendments to the constitution, of:
fered by Senator Cochran. Ihave read the
amendments carefully, and if there was
time and space I would review the many
points. Some of them are good and
some of them are unqualifedly bad fol
the white people. There are two points
more than any others worthy of atten'
ton. The first is the arrangement to
gerrymandsr the counties in the election
of members to the General Assembly
The counties are to be divided into dis.
tricts, and each district is to elect it,
members similar to the way members Of
Congress are now elected. The House
few days ago so divided the State into
Congressional Districts that the white
people of the State will be entirely mis-
represented. So now they hope to divide
the counties in such way as to accom-
plish the same results. The other feature
is that the tickets are to be printed with
the constitutional amendments, and op.
posite to each amendment is to be prin.
ted the word EYES," If voter wishes
to vote for the amendment he simply
puts in his vote, if he wishes to vote
against one or more of them he must
mark out the word or words "yes." If the
House cOQCuES III bQo Scuato ulilJ sue
amendments under the above arrange.
ment will all become parts of the consti'
tuition.
The House Is now discussing the Sen
ate bill apportioning the members of the
General Assembly among the counties
There is every indication that the bill
will pass, and if it does Anderson County
gets another member. I have held thi:
article back in hopes to be able to report
the action of the House on this impor'
tant question. The bill has just passed
to a third leading in the House.
My worthy colleague, Capt. 81. R. V.
and myself had the pleasure of spending
Saturday evening and Sunday with oul
genial and hospitable friend, b. A
Meetze, Esq, at his home in Lexington
Lexington and the country surrounding