Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-12-13
FROM COLUMBIA.

COLUMBIA. s. G., December 10, 1877.--DEAR
CouRIER; We vould have written last week
but for the unusual amount of business which
was pressing us towards the first of the week.
The great number of candidates who were pre-
sent and oanvassing with tho usual zeal of offoe
seekers was ono Of the many causes which kept
US from writing A member could scarcely keep
his room barred from these gentlemen. Al evory
corner you were met with the salutation, "Iiow
are you; hope, air, you know me as candidate
for Register Of Mesne Conveyance, or as a can
didate for Judgoshp; glad to have your support"
&o The canvass too, between Messrs Orr and
Sheppard for the Speakership, oaused by the
election Of Mr.. Speaker Wallace as Judge Of
the Seventh Circuit, engrossed great deal Of
our time. This canvass was very warm aud
exciting one. The friends Of each candidate
were about equal in numbers and the contest
sayored somewhat OF bitterness on account Of
the position which Charleston With its influence
assumed in tlie canvass. It was rumored that
the object Of the Charleston delegation was to
elevate Mr.. Sheppard to tho Speakership and
thus yacate the Craftsmanship Of the Ways and
Means Committee of the House In order that
Mr.. Memminger might have this position. This
sourcd the opposition to Mr.. s. to almost bitter
ness, but Charleston held the balance Of power
and elected Sheppard. Mr.. Memminger was how.
ever defeated for the c Chairmanship Of the Ways
and Means Committee by the friends Of Mr..
Simpson, of Anderson aud thus their supposed
gamo was defealed. It is somewhat to be re-
grclted that the spirit Of cup an low country"
is appearing again and will have its influence on
Legislation. Tho power of the two parties,
though, is now we'll balanced, and nothing like
real sectional legislation may bs feared from
this re appearance of this onoe powerful factor
in our Legislation. These elections nre, how
ever, now all over. MIR. Sheppard has been
elected Speaker, Mr. Simpson Chairman Of the
Committee Of Ways and Means, Gen. Wallace,
Judge of the Seventh Circuit, Mr.. l.. F. You
mans, Attorney General, and Col. A. c. Haskell
Associate Justice vice Wright, resigned Thus
these exciting aud personal matters arc out of
the way and matters of general interest are
coming up
The bill TO regulate the rate Of interest on
money, Sc has been under consideration for
several days and is being thoroughly discussed
Your readers will recolect that in 1866 this law,
which is now sought to be re enacted was re
peaed and the people left 10 their own discretion
as TO how much they would give and take for
tho loan Of money, Sc. c,hink the bill will
become q law, but ws doubt tho propricty of the
enactment Of the law at this time Bu, the
people seem to demand il and we think that a
majority Of the members will vote for il, though
the opposition is very strong. The bill propo scs
TO restrict the interest on money loaned to seven
per cent, and also interest on other contracts
at the same rate.
Many other bills Of importance have been in
troauced. Among them we have introduced a
bill to reduce The fees of plaintiffs and defend
ants, clerks Of courts. &c. This bill seeks u
return to the ante war fees.
bill has also been introduced proposing to
amend the constitution i'll reference to the tenure
Of Office Of our judges. making it for good
behavior, and not for term Of years as i, now
is.
Also, bill to re establish masters in equity,
instead of tho system OF referees, which now
prevails.
There has also been introduced a bill TO f.
tho pay of members at three dollars per day.
The trial justice system is being revised by
bill. which will soon be introduced by the
Committee on the Judiciary.
This session We think will not be a long one,
The reports from the investigating committees
will not be ready until after Christmas, and the
idea is now to adjourn about the 18th or 2Oth of
this month md ret urn about the 10th of Janu-
ory, 1878, md hear the reports of the invcs,i-
eating committees, dispose of the bond question
and adjourn.
The heads Of the departments have not yet
reported TO the Legislature The delay of the
Treasurers Of the counties in making their re-
ports has delayed tho State Treasurer and
Comptroller General in making their reports.
When these reports arc mndo the appropriation
bill will be reported to the House and passed
upon. In tho meantime other matters will be
passed upon which are Of Importance In alto
gethcr we do not think the session will last
longer than six weeks. This will be an i'm
proycment on the former sessions. we will
ondcayor TO wric again next week. Yours. &C.
WERNER.
Highlands, N. c., Items.
DEAR EDJrnps. Jmprouo,,o,,, ho,o -, ~ =