The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-23
QUE COLUMBIA LETTRR.


--.&--n.s@h -. @s.
QUE COLUMBIA LETTRR,
Tho Question OF Adjournment--The Can,
BILL Goes Through-The bureau OF Ar
ricuture-Specinl Legislation and Pc
Measures-Somo Bills In Whloh Fairflelt
Is Interested.
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE NEWS AND HERALD
COLUMBIA, December 22.-As tho
holidays approach nearer and nearer
there becomes more evident feeling
OF rcstlessness amongst the members Of
the Legislature, tho true cause OF
which is that while there is an honest
desire on the part ola largo majority
to adjourn finally before Cur r'slmas,
there is conviction that it would
prove false economy to dispose of the
public business in haste, and leave ul,-
done so many measures of public
as we'll rs private interest. Those who
arc bent specially on doing something
10 please their constituents arc clamor-
ing most loudly for an adjournment
SINE dte, while the best workers in
both houses express great doubts rs to
the wisdom and practicability of ab-
ruptly terminating the session in the
midst OF the consideration of mauv
important bills. What will ultimate
~ Oe donc | confess my inability to
predict, but l am satisfied that the
tecllng is growing in favor of an adj
lourncd session after the holidays, and
| base this opinion upon tho publicly
expressed declarations of both Scnx.-
tors and Representatives.
at the night session Of the Senate on
Friday the final passage Of the Canal
Bill was achieved, and it becoming
known that final vote would then be
taken, the Senate chamber was crowd
ca with both ladies and gcntlcmen of
the city, who cvinccd by their pres
ence tho deep interest felt by this cn-
tire community in the grand enterprise.
a very amusing tilt was had between
Senators Gary and Lipscomb, the for
mer advocatiug, the latter opposing,
the bill. For once the "Bald Earle"
was caught, and the aggressive old
Granger from Ncwbcrry did not spare
him. The laugh was turned complete
" on the former, who seemed to take
the "shaking up" in great good humor.
But Notwithstanding the hard fight
made against it the bill was passed by
decisive majority, with amendments
which the House after o conference
concurrcd in.
Tho principal matter before the
House on Friday and Saturday was
tho bill to establish Bureau of Arri-
culture, which created considerable
discussion and finally passed. It
seems to supply long felt want,
and doubtless will operate satisfactory
~, although somewhat bulky and cum
bcrsomc. If the session is prolonged
it will no doubt become law. Sever
a! important measures are likely to fall
victims to tho spirit of haste that usu-
ally charactcrizcs the close of the scs-
sion, among these tho bill providing
for the registration Of electors. I have
examined this bill closely, and
it seems TO me in every way mcritori-
GUS. A measure of this kind is greatly
needed, and public sentiment evidently
favors IL. This particular bill, how
ever, is fatcd, from all appearances,
and will ere long "slcep the sleep that
knows no waking" The calendars of
both houses are crowded with private
bills, and a good deal ofspccial icyisla-
ton is receiving attention that might
be better bestowed upon matters of
public concern. Nearly every men,
Der seems to have some net meas
ure OF n local nature that he is anxious
TO carry back as n trophy to his con-
stituents, and in this way is much
valuable time uselessly expended.
Modern legislation appears to be tend
ing to mere personal benefits, and fbe
public veal has almost become M nm
defined sentiment. At least this IS tbe
conclusion reached after q brief con-
temptation Of tho doings -four present
General Assembly. Statesmanship is
n very scarce commodity here, and the
supply is by no means equal to the tho
demand, no, not by "scvclal majority ;,
Ihe bills to make special school
districts in townships Nos. / and 13
in Fairfield County, will become laws
as will also those to incornorotc
Blythowood and to authorize the gov
crnor TO appoint al additional trial
justice for Fairfield. I believe these
: are tne ohly measures especially affect
ing you: Our Representatives have
$1,000 faithfully to their posts, and de-
serve commentator. Mr.. Gaillard
oPVnon VI vi I'LL sluoS as rising
legislator and eloquent tlcbater. I have
heard many compliments paid to him,
and a brilliant public career is
predicted for him, all Of which re-
bounds to the credit Of tho county and
people who sent him here. BoL1vAR.
JUDGE MCIvER.-In no act ofhis life
mas Judge Mclver shown q higher sense
OF public duty than in his refusal to &C