The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-12-12
Our Columbia Lettcr-.Thc Usury Biz
..EIections--Cunal Fraud--Hard
Work.
Editor Press and Banner

Editor Press and Banner:
COLUMBIA, >. G., Nov, II, 1877.
The one absorbing question before
the House since last Thursday is the
usury law. 1t has been discussed Il
portion of every day since, and the
discussion has not yet ended. Those
who have spoken in favor of restrict
ing interest are Brown, r. r. Hemp
hill, Youmans, Conner, Cullison,
Pope, Blue and Simpson, those
against are MemminSer, ]. J.
Hemphill, Rutledge, Ficken, Bui. t
Dargan and Gailliard. The main
strength OF the opposition is
from Charleston. The Indications are
that the bill will pass by II large
majority, but it may be amended to
allow private written agreements to
the extent Of ten per centum per an
mum. General HemphilI quoted
largely from the mosaic law on the
subject of usury, and snid he would
put Moses and solomon against all the
modern theorists or political econ0-
mists quoted by Mr.. Memminger.
Some member wanted to know if he
meant Hardy solomon. On Wcdnes-
day night the caucus to nominate a
Speaker held twenty-five ballots with
out making nomination. The con-
test was very warm between the
friends Of Sheppard and Orr, but
without any bitter feeling. and at a
quarter to one o'clock it adjourned TO
meet on Thursday night. At that
meeting absentees of the night pre-
vious, came in and the contest vas de-
cided GU the first ballot, in favor OF
Mr.. J. G., Sheppard. There was no
real necessity for Il caucus to secure a
Democratic Speaker, but it is thought
best to secure the unity of the party to
make nominations and sticking to
them. / trust the people Of Abheville
will put the ban upon every man who
does not stand square up to the nomi-
nations of the party legitimately made.
Let them look to N%ewberry where for
want of proper organization and sys-
tenn of nomination there are two can
didates (brothers) for the position in
the Legislature made vacant by the
expulsion of Keitt.
Judge Wallace on resigning the
Speakership, delivered q well-tinIed
and eloquent address.
Mr.. Sheppard was Immediately
sworn in by Chi0f Justice Willard.
The committee appointed at the spe-
cial session to examine into the sale Of
the Columbia Canal, have made a re-
port that the Canal was sold to the
Spragues, of Rhode Island, for 5000 !;
that $50, 600 was offered for it at the
.- ~N l.n, e, No ~ xyt.l0 "a nan
that even the nominal sum ofS20O was
paid /; that the parties have failed to
comply with the terms of the contract
in many respects, and have therefore
forfeited all claim to the property. So
mote it be.
A bill has been introduced into the
House requiring a%ble-bodied prisoners
To work on streets in towns, and pub
lie roads l%eading,into towns. Some
thing will be done in this direction,
but it must be with the prominent
idea of relieving the country from OK
pense as far as can be done. The fol-
lowing Senators have appeared, quail
fled and taken tn eir seats since the
openingofthe session Campbell from
Charleston, Kinsler of Richland, Me-
Call OF Marlboro, Cocker of Darlington,
Wiley of Lancaster, and Lipscomb Of
Newberry.
1 have heard nothing Of the fence
law as yet from any county. What
has become Of the petition from citi-
zens of Abbeville praying the passage
of a stock law? The bond complittee
has not yet finished its report, and our
worthy and efficient representative,
Hood. is almost constantly at work on
the committee and has not been able
to take much part in the regular bust"
ness of the House. 1t is believed the
report will be satisfactory and maynot
elicit much discussion. The ratitica-
ton of the Constitutional amendment
in reference to tax for education and
the %re-opening of the University will
both meet with much opposition and
/ believe the latter will be deferred.
Some of US think that luXuries should
be postponed while the people find it
q hard struggle to pay the taxes need
ed to run the absolutely necessary ma.
chinery of Government.
F. A. G..
w, @, BEN EFT.