The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-02-10
OUR COLUMBIA CORRESPONDENCE.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Feb. 7, 1877

Dear Editors: Events of great moment
are still transpiring in the capitol, and
though some of them may indicate a
thorough change of sentiment, and con-
sequently better administration, still it
would require gift of prophecy to fore
see and tell the coming events. Politics,
at all times and in all countries, are very
uncertain; but in this State and at this
period, this is especially the case, for the
dominant party here is guided by but
one idea, and that is, the Radical party
must succeed at any hazard. For this
purpose they have tried to prevent the
Legislature from adjourning sine die, but
simply to take recess, to be called to-
gether by one-third the members. This
has, I think, fallen through, and the next
plan they adopted was to change the
Election Law so as to put the elections
absolutely under the control of the Leg
islature, by depriving the Governor OF
appointing the managers of elections
but this bill, which was gotten up by the
wisest of the RAIDS, came suddenly to an
| ignominious death, by having the enact
ing words of the bill stricken out on the
first reading. There is, however, some
cause for this apprehension, and this
cause has its origin in Anderson County
more than anywhere else in the State,
and that cause is the rising up and union
of the white people against corruption
and ignorance. They have gone to the
end of their row on that policy, for they
behold with fear and trembling the union
and determination of the better people
of the State, and they are now trying to
quiet them by pretended reform spirit,
which they are showing, not from princi-
pie, but from fear.
AS Was stated by your correspondent
in last weeks issue, the Appropriation
bill for this year exceeded the tax levy
some two hundred thousand dollars, and
yet the State tax was eleven mills. Does
this look much like reform? The re-
sponsibility, however, does not rest with
the lower house, as it made the levy in
accordance with a reduced salary bill
which it passed last year, and which the
Senate has refused up to this time to
pass. If the Senate will pass it, the tax
levy need not exceed seven mills per
annum.
The enactment of an Usury Law has
caused more general debate and interest
than any other bill that has been intro
duced this session, and We have been
hammering away on it for the past week
in the House, and it is not yet passed,
though it will most probable pass as soon
as the Legislature reassembles. All the
Conservatives, except eight, are for it,
most of these being interested in banks
and banking. When this goes into effect
1 hope business will wear brighter as
pect, for the bill allows ten per cent. un-
der special agreement, and that is as
much or more than money will make in
vested in any business, after taking out
expenses, taxes, &c.
Leslie introduced a resolution in the
House, the other day, to have commit
tee of Democrats appointed to examine
into the Land Commissioners office du-
ring the time he held the position. So
Elliott appointed Gen. Wallace, Chan
cellor Johnson and Col. Livingston.
They proceeded to examine Leslie, when
he inquired if they proposed to examine
anything but one point. They answered
that they would. He then said his reso-
luton only contemplated one point, and.
he would not swear as 10 any other one.
So they reported back that Leslie object
ed to a thorough examination. This
Leslie denied most bitterly, but they
cornered him. As one Of the committee
said, it was not their fault eff Leslie
went for wool but got sheared." So to
try and bully through it, he said he was
willing to have it examined into. Gen.
Wallace was excused, and j. L. Orr was
appointed in his stead, and if Leslie has
not covered up his tracks better than
most rogues do, I think he will be sick
before that committee gets through his
case.
While we are on the corruption ques-
ton, guess had better give you de-
scription of the predicament J. Douglas