New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-02

GRAPHIC PICTURE OF THE SLEEPY CITY, THE
TUMBLE-DowS STATE HOUSE, AND HAMProNs
SPARTAN OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES PoPU-
LAR FEELING.
IFgoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE.1
COLUMBIA, S. c., March 3O.-There is little to be
here betokening the existence of controversy
which absorbs the attention of President and Cabi-
net in Washington, and attracts the interest of the
whole country. The town is in o state Of languid
expectancy and is not at all cOmbative In the
mild Spring air there is flavor of violent talk and
whisky such as usually accompanies political con-
flict in the South but only perfume of pnks and
periwinkles. The warmth and fragrance of q North
ern May are already here The ample, Undetermined
garden which make the charm of the place. gay
with flowers, the elms and blackberry trees border
ing the wide streets r0bed in the delicate fresh
green of opening leaf-buds, and the magnolias
to have pat fresh coat of shining yarnsh their
last years leaves, though preparing for the new
season.
Nothing in the talk OF manner of the people con-
tradcts the peaceful expression of nature. They
appear to regard the contest for their State Govern
men as closed in all except its formal ending, and
to look forward hopefully to the dawn of new era.
The long business street stretching from the uniin-
ished State House straight away for mile into the
open country shows few signs of animation. A thin
and intermittent rill of pedestrians flows along the
sidewalks. At long intervals a carriage is seen.
Now and then yellow vsaged "clay eater" drives
through with scrawny cow or steer, harnessed by
rags and ropes to cart that carries two or three
armsu of wood, which he will barter for the price
of few drinks of whisky. At the street corners
groups of negroes idly summing themselves. The
stores are almost empty of customers for business is
at "A standstill awaiting the settlement of the
political question: People profess to have no doubts
of the ISSUE but they want the stimulus of final
decision to set them at work. am told that there
il much suffering from extreme poverty here among
both whites and blacks on account of the utter pros
taon of trade and because, toO of the stoppage of
the stream of lavish expenditure which The dissoue
carpet-baggers and negro officers poured into the lap
of the community from the fountain of the State
Treasury.
AT The STATE HOUSE.
This morning took look at what is left OF the
rival State Governments now that their chiefs are
absent in Washington. First to the State House.
Not a thing had been changed in its outward ap-
nearance since last saw it five years ago. except
that the palmetto tree of painted IRON had been re-
moved from the rear to the front of the building.
The grounds were still strewn with columns and
corncc stones and blocks of rough granite. lying
lust where these were left when the war stopped the
work of completing what was designed to be the
finest public cdce in the South. The rude tempo
rary roof had not been replaced and within the
brick walls were still upholstered OF the millions
layished by the negro government not dollar could
be spared toward finishing the Capitol. just out
side the door herd of vagrant cows DVOuack-
ing in a shady corner, and leaning against
the doorposts stood three four unpre-
posscssing negroes-mcmbers of a small cOnstaOulafy
force maintained by Chamberlain for the purpose Of
making some show o. authority. At tie extremity
OF the long hall which runs from end to end OF the
building | saw what has been for nearly three
months the only obstacle to an immediate settle
ment of the South Carolina question: few stacks
of arms and a blue-c0aed soldier walking to and
fro This sentinel pacing his beat before the door
OF the Governors represents the vast power OF
the United States Government exerted to protect
Chamberlain and his associates against beng
elected from their offices by legal process oil the
State courts. From their offices, dld say FROM
their oifce-rooms would be the correct statement,
for not one of them exercises any official functions.
All executive powers have passed into the hands oil
the Hampton government by the force of the popu-
lar will and OF judicial decisions 1t is the merest
| pretense and sham of government which exists at
the state House. and it is kept up only in the hope
that the President will uphold Chamberlain aud
give him the army 10 enforce his authority.
Passing the sentinel who offered no resistance, L
| entered the ante-rOOm to the Governors once. III
| was connected with barrack score OF soldiers
| filled the place some sleeping i'll blankets sprcau
upon the floor, playing cards upon the taoieS
and others smoking, reading, or chatting. In one
corner of the large apartment small Enclosure was
partioned off and devoted to the civil power III tAe
| shape OF colored messenger, who took my card Ia
to Lieut. Gov. Glcaves, and shortly after escorted
me into the presence of that dignitary. OleaVes Is
an intelligent mulatto. with much OF tie staen' SIS
| 4. nf Snlfh
| planters some of whose blood must run in
| his veins. He was merely holding possession
of the room in the absence of his chief. His con-
| versation threw no new light Oh the situation In
reply to a question 20 the feeling OF the colored
| people at the prospect of Hampton getting undls-
| puted control he said that they were good deal
| alarmed and feared that their condition would De
| worse than it was in slavery. This was the same
sort of talk had heard for years from politicians
interested in prOlonging the rule OF the negroes anu
carpet-baggers. Ii the blacks really feel any such
alarm it is because they are deceived ~ demagogues
do not believe the intelligent negroes, or even the
mass of the field hands, have any fer that they VIII
lose any rights under lIamptons administration un-
less it is the right to hold Offices for which they nave
| no fitness
| Exploring the gloomy passages on the ground
floor of the State House. where ail the state OhceS
| are located found none of the OFFICIALS III eN''P
the Controllcr-General, Mr.. Dunn. HIS once ID
reached through the outer rooms, IN one Oh "hich
three or four army officers Ill uniform were SMOKING
and III the other two officials who belonged Ill sohlc
other Office in the building were playing game oil
euchre Evidently nobody connected Wlth the
Chamberlain Government had anything to do ex-
cent TO XII time as we'll he could while waiting fof
the verdict from Washington. Mr.. Dunn Is North
| ern 1nan who has hereLofOro belOnged U the