The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-12-13
THE COMMITTEE on WAYS AND

THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND
MEANS.
This important Committee in the
House of Representatives was, by the
election of Mr.. Sheppard to the Speaker
ship, left without chairman, and the
necessity of electing one of its members
to that important and honorable position
devolved upon the remaining members
the committee. On last Friday the
committee, by vote of four to three,
elected Capt r. w. Simpson over Mr.. G.
G. Memminger, Of Charleston. Many Of
the citizens of Charleston were anxious
for the election of Mr.. Memminger, and
when he was defeated, some of them
could not contain their disgruntled feel
ings- the correspondent of the Nesos and
Courier evidently being among this num-.
Der, as he writes from Columbia as fol-
lows: go -
The Ways and Means Committee, this
evening, elected 3. w. Simpson chair,
man, in place OF: Mr.. Sheppard, by vote,
Of; 4 TO 3. It is understood that Mr.
Memminger was defeated by the oppose
tion of the up-ceuntry members. This
action is great surprise, and causes con-
siderable unfavorable comment. ,4n.,
The Columbia Register makes the fol-
lowing demolishing reply to this state
ment: Z ,3-.'s - =
This is an erroneous conclusion, as the
facts will show. There were present
seven members who voted as follows:
/ For Mr.; Simpson,, G. Blue, Marion;
Isaac Bamberg, Bsrnwell ; J.lH. Feriter,
Sumter; +, W m: Hood, Abbeyille. For
Mr.. Memminger--J. F. Ecken, Charles
ton; ,G.sMaller, Lexington. For Mr..
Blus-R w. Simpson, Anderson. Mr.
/ Memminger. was, absent. AS there. was
/ only one member from the section usual
Ely.termed the country, who voted for
Mr.. Simpson, and as Mr.. Memminger re:
ceired only two votes, it is. not easily
/ understood wherein his defeat can be- at
|; tributed to!anyi particular section of the
! State. EMoreogers the choice has fallen
lu upon gentleman. who has been active
land prominent5in shaping the financial
Ilegislation during the past year, and,
although q comparatively young man,
there is no doubt that he will execute
the trust reposed in him by, his fellow
members with singular fidelity and abili-
/ ty of no mean order. ::,.,s
ia For Mr.. Memminger there is naught
but,the highest respect entertained by
sus, land it is with, sincere regret that We
feek called upon to correct anierror with
| which his name. has, ,beenrunfortunately
/ connected. But it might as well be
j plainly understood that the up-eountry"''
/ has certain{rights, claims and privileges
| in the Legislature. and an honest differ
ence of opinion>need not excite such great
surprise among Gharlestonians, whenever
their wishes and aspirations are not real
lied. sIt is quite apparent that, as the
House of Representatives was ably con-
Quoted by thee aup-conntryp members
through trying scenes and difficult prob
lens of craftsmanship, the honor and
welfare nfSouth; Carolina will not suffer
by Its preponderance at the present
wThe selection of Capt. Simpson was
| eminently wise, prudent and proper.
he is, although, comparatively 3 young
man, well: yersed lin. legislation, and
thoroughly understands the present stu
alton Of our government. AS a member
Of the committee. who took an active
pant in the affairs of, last year, he was
entitled to receive this honor even over
Mr.. Memminger, who has scarcely begun
to- feel. at home in his, new seat. The
friends of Mr.. :Memminger do him an
unkindnez to parade their disappoint-
ment before the public by attacking q
competent; reliable and able gentleman
like Mr.. Simpson, for the simple reason
that he has more friends on a particular
committee than their fayorite proved to
possess. 49,, s,G,,t,.i.5.,s ~. :f,
Again tits in-bad taste to arraign the
up-country. .inssuch an unwarranted man
nef. AS the Register has shown, the cor.
respondent Of the Ne.os and Courier en-
tirely misstated the facts as they; exist.
The up-country did not elect Mr.. simp-
son., but he! got a majority Of the low
country members, and even if up-country
votes did elect him, the Neaos and Gbu-
rier,s correspondents onght4to restrain
such comment as that We have quoted.
Under our constitution and laws an up:
country member has the right to vote as
he pleases just IS well as Low country
member, and sooner or later it. will be
found out that they have the independ.,
ence to do so. ,o;tii;a7 cl9,-s
We did about as much to redeem South
Carolina as any other part of the State,
and have men Of as fine ability and of
as good practical sense as Charleston, or
any other part of South Carolina, and
yet, with the exception of the Lieuten-
ant Governor and the Clerk of the Sem
ate, not single State officer has been
taken from this side Of Columbia.
Charleston had the Attorney General
ship and the Office Of State Treasurer
offered to her, and in view of these facts
We do not think; Anderson is getting SO
very much more Of the public heuors
than she il entitled to when an Anderson
man is elected, Chairman of the Com
mittee of Ways and Means.
We hope this old line of up and low
country has been abolished. This State
is one, Its interests are one, its people are
one, its honor is one, and its prosperity is
rr1y