Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-12-12
FROM COLUMBIA.

-
FROM COLUMBIA.
Mr. Il. B. Murray, editor of the Anderson
MteUigcncer, writes from Columbia as fol-
lows:
Since its organization, the Legislature
has been industriously engaged at tho work
before it with view Of cffecting an adjourn
ment before Christmas, and the prospect for
accomplishing this result is good, since both
Houses have passed the concurrent resolu-
tion fixing the 23d of this month as the
date of final adjournment, and it cannot
now be changed without consent of both the
Scnatean House, of Representatives The
date was fixed thus early in the session, in
order to stimulate the members to work
rapidly, 40 that a short scssion might be
secured and the wishes of tho people carried
out. If this date had not been fixed thus
early, tho introduction of bills, resolutions,
&c., would have continued, and, instead of
adjourning before Christmas, we would only
have tnken recess and returned for an
indefinite period after tho holidays, while
by tho course pursued it is expected TO
wind up with session Of only twcnty.eight
days.
THE WORK
to be done in the time allowed is considcra.
BILE, and tho financial portion of it will bc very
embarrassing. There arc deficiencies from
last year which will have to be pnid off out
of tho next tax levy; the bills of the Bank
of the State are still very troublesome
problem to deal with; the report Of Commis.
sioner Colt upon the foating indebtedness
Of the State prcsents little over million
dollars Of indebtedness aftor scaling it to
fifty cents on the dollar, which must be
provided for, aud then comes the ordinary
expenses Of tho government. Tho session
has not progressed sufficiently to tell
what will be done with the bills of tho Bank
Of the State, or the foating Indebtedness,
but, of course, tho deficiency Of last year
and the expenses of the government for the
current year must be met in full, aud unless
the present Legislature makes worry material
Reductions, tho rate of taxation will Of ne
cossity be very much increased. The present
body not only is embarrassed by. the ex-
pcnses Of. the government during their own
term, but will also have the additional
burden Of clearing up tho arrearages, of last
year The membcrs Of both Houses hayo
addressed themselves assduously to the task
and in addition to the short session, there
is every probability that the per diem
will also be out down. DR.. John WILSON,
of our delegation, has INTRODUCED bill fix
ing tho per diem of members at
THREE DOLLARS PER DAY,
and there is very little doubt that it will be
adopted, and thus the Legislature having
cut down their own compensation, will be
enabled to ourtal other expenses without
subjcoting themselves to criticism. Three
dollars day is a small compensation, but
it is sufficient to secure the services of as
good men as can be procured at higher sala
rcs, and therefore it is all that the. State
ought to pay. The reduction will make the
position more honorable one than it would
be with high salary, for the experience of
every State has been that high salaries for
members of the Legislature brings into
competition for the office class of aspirants
who care more for the money than tho honor
of representing their constituents. There
arc number Of arguments which will bo
udduced in support of this bill if necessary.
1t is, however, useless to occupy tho time
of our readers 10 recountipg them, for nino.
IeutiS VI tHcW utc iu''y batieueu IHdG tilc
reduction should bo made, and it is this
well-known public sentiment which will
scopro it's passage.
There arc several very important mattors
which are being carefully approached by
their advocates, aud upon the result of
these movements will depend very great
interests of the State. Prominent among
these is tho movement which was introduced
by Gen, Gary in the Senate
70 REPEAL TIE BOND COURT,
which, in all probability, will pass both
branches of the Legislature soon: Unloss
this is done, there is a strong probability
that tho court will decide the State debt
valid, inasmuoh as tho testimony of Kimp-
ton and others was kept out Of reach during
tho trial Of the case, and tho States attor-
neye we're only able to present part Of the
evidence going to show the fraudulent char.
aotcr of portions Of the debt. IT is, thore.
forc, it seems to US, tho duty Of the Legis
|aturo to stepin and protec. tho peoplc from
tho burden likely to be rivetod upon thom
forever.
There will soon be change in the Su-