The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-01-18
OUR COLUMBIA LETTER.
The Latest News from the Legislature
COLUMBIA, S. c., Jan. l6, 1899.

The Legislature enters to-day upon
the second week of the session, and
Notwithstanding a large number OF
bills, many Of them very important,
have been already introduced and
many more are being prepared IN the
engrossing department-as Will doubt
less be the case to the end Of the ses-
sion-there seems to be determination
on the part of all the members to make
the session short.
The apprehension entertained by
some of the newspapers that the Lee
County muddle would develop into a
sensation, and possibly render the sit
ting of the Legislature unconstltutlon-
al, proved a scarecrow of very small di-
mensions. The matter was referred to
the Committe on Privileges and Elec-
tions. business proceeded and it is no
longer talked of on the streets.
The Ellerbe- G onzales affair is still q
subject of much discussion. Some are
inclined to suspend judgment until
Gov. Ellerbe prepares his reply, which,
it is said, he will soon give to the pub
lie. But large majority of those who
are willing to discuss the affair say that
Governor Ellerbe has no defense, the
facts are too plain and that he cannot
escape from the political ruin at least
his weakness, if not his perfidity. has
brought upon him.
There is not the slightest hope of the
Governors recommendations as to the
Dispensary receiving a moments Sc
riOus consideration. On the contrary,
a bill will be introduced this week,
possibly to-day, doing away with the
State Dispensary, comforting local op-
ton on the several Counties Of the
State, and providing that in the event
the dispensary plan is decided upon by
a County, a Commissioner. whose
duties will be defined, and the dispen-
ser shall be elected by the qualified
voters of the said County; and that Ii
quors may be bought in open market.
and that the profits shall go into the
County (and city?) treasures. This
bill will be introduced by one of the
Anderson County delegation.
The members of the Anderson dele
CATION have all been placed on import
ant Committees. Mr.. Sullivan, on
Claims and Grievances, and on Com
merce and Manufacturers; Mr.. Prince,
on Ways and Means and Chairman Of
Railroads; MIR. Leverett, OH Federal
Relations and on Penitentiary; Mr..
Ashley, Chairman on Roads, Bridges
and Ferries Mr.. Jackson, on Accounts;
Mr.. Robinson, Chairman OH Offices and
Officers.
Among the important measures to be
introduced this week is joint resolu-
ton to amend the Constitution SO as to
change the term of State officers from
two to four years, and to render them
Ineligible for second term. Another
is a bill delegating to the Board Of
County Commissioners in the several
Counties the right to grant charters
for Ferries. This is rightnow vested
solely in the Legislature, and if the bill
passes considerable saving willresult,
as under the present provisions the cost
to the State in granting the charters
will probably exceed the earnings of
the ferries for the time the right is
vested in them.
Considerable interest is manifested
in the approaching election, by the
Legislature, of Superintendent of the
Penitentiary. At the opening OF the
session Mr.. Neal appeared to have an
easy victory ahead, and he is still the
strong man, but he has two opponents
who are develo. ing remarkable
strength, Mr.. Griffith, Of Lexington,
and Mr.. Crum, of Barnwell. Mr.. Grif-
fifth appears to be the stronger OF these
two, but in IL three handed contest
there can be very little certainty. 1t
depends on the direction the support
ers of the weakest man take when they
break from him. This election will
probably take place Wednesday. 1t is
very evident that the Ellerbe- Gonzales
affair is operating to the injury of Col.
Neal, inasmuch as he has been Govern
or Ellcrbe's strongest friend; but this
should mot be the case. Col. Meals
character is unblemished and no one
charges him with unkept pledges, and
his support OF Governor Ellcrbe in the
recent primary may have been based
upon promises identical with those
which mislcd the State and otherprom-
incnt citizens in Columbia If is GER
tainly fact that Col. Neal was in IA
vor OF local option, and did all he
could. both in the County Convention
at Anderson and the State Convention,
to have local option endorsed. How
er, he has 81 hard fight before him, in
which the idea Of rotation in office. as
well as other matters. will play an I'M
portant part.
The Encouragement OF Congressional
Districts is Il measure which has been
discussed by the General Assembly be. +.
fore, and the champion of the bill has
made stubborn fight. Atthc last Ses-
sion the bill was defeated, but there
were many who voted ipr it.
The bill will come up before this