The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-12-25

cheer, enliven.oAk ing up; and as the
traveller steps frd@ is coach to his rest
ing place, he feels we'll pleased at the
change. But enough Of description.
Your correspondent reached Colun-
bia last Thursday quite early, and hav-
ing secured good quarters, sought the
great halls of learning where laws are
enacted, and where gas is more plente-
GUS than at the Columbia gas works. In
the very midst of my entrance came one
of the closest and most exciting elec-
tions that have yet wituessed-that
for Associate Justice to ill Col. Has
kelps place. Wallace and MCGOWAN
were the candidates, and so close was
the vote that up to the very last it was
hard to tell who was elected. Nearly
every member kept the tally, and your
correspondent was equally eager, and
lost no time in making, too, his count.
Side by side they ran; the Senate first
goes for Wallace by good majority, and
then comes the House, who, by a small
vote upon the general count, ran Nc
Gowan up to three votes ahead. In short,
MCGOWAN received II votes and Wal
lace "a. 1t was source of pleasure to
exalt the General, but many were the
hearts that evening that felt sorry that
the hour would ever como when they
had voted against the great man who
stood as pillar Of fire to lead us out of
darkness in 1876, when trouble was
upon US and darkness brooded over our
commonwealth. IF Gen. Wallace had
not already been Judge upon the
bench, that body would have sustained
him three to one against any other man
in South Carolina. speak from the
books, and I know whereof I speak, for
he is loved and universally beloved by
our whole State, and deservedly 50, too.
Associate Justice McIver then was
placed in nomination for the Chief JUS
ticeship, and without dissenting voice
be was called to the hi gh and honored
trust OF Chief Justice. Thus ended
the exciting scene, and matters soon
fell back into the old groove. The Leg
islature has done we'll in its choice, but
I confess from personal relations of an
intimate association with the gallant
Wallace in 1s62-'63, I was disappointed
in not seeing the cultured Judge ele'
vated to the position for which was NOM
mated. However, truth, character and
capacity, like a Hindoo diamond. only
improves in time, and The gallant Wal>
lace will yet hold the highest honors in
our land.
I was not forcibly struck with the
mental culture of the House. There
seemed to be no prominent leader, while
in ths Senate Gary was by far the giant
of that branch of the Assembly. 1 give
them all credit, however, for trying to
Go their best.
1 met many Of my brethren of the
press, and genial fine set they are in
deed. Our summer trip is no lougsr a
question of doubt, and q gay old tiue it
will be, too.
The Canal question was the absorbing
topic the good people of @ Columbia, and it
is to be hoped that its mighty power will
do the city no little good.
! Business seemed brisk, and hotel &C
commodations superb. In fact. I have
visited the best in our land, but finer,
nicer or neater hotel than that kept by
Mrs. Wright, have yet to see. Neither
the Fifth Avenue, of New York, or
Barnum's, of Baltimore, can surpass the
accommodations of this good lady. 1t
is upon Main street, and convenient to
all. It gives you a real old Virginia
welcome.
My letter is already long, and asking
your pardon, I bid you goodnight. By.
the-by, I saw the dashing Bald Eagle,
| and he looks az bright as q new dollar,