The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-02-14
OUR COLUMBIA LETTER.
COLUMBIA, Feb. II.

The most significant matter in the
past week Cs legislation has been the
discovery of the strong sentiment of
the members of the General Assembly,
and through them the reflection of the
sentiment Of the people Of the State,
on the question of liberal support to
the institutions of learning. Never has
the matter been so thoroughly. and we
may say, SO dispassiOnately discussed
in the Assembly before, and never has
the fact been SO forcibly brought to the
attention of the people that the roots
of the tree OF learning were SO deeply
fixed i'll the hearts nf the people. i
seems to be better understood that tho
institutions OF higher learning arc not
only necessary but are the f0un-
datiOn OF the structure of the common
schools, and that the common schools
will thrive or perish according as the
institutions of higher learning are lib
orally or parsimOniOusly supported
The certainty of the fight that was in
prospect was predicted in this cores
p0ndencc i'll the beginning of the ses-
sion. 1t materialize.l. but it spent its
force with no other effect than to fix the
temples of learning more firmly in the
bedrock foundation of popular love-
All that the Colleges asked for in the
appropriation bills were granted, and
to this was added an additional item
which will do much towards accom-
plishing the object of the friends of
education, the filling in of the gap be-
tween tho public schools and the col
come these schools have had 800, 600
given in direct appropriation.
Winthrop College. which has been
struggling through its work in cranip-
ed quarters, has been given S3j,000 for
q new dOrmatOry.
Another matter of interest was the
passage of the dispensary bill very
much rs it left the Senate, except for
the change in the manner of selecting
the State, Board, which is to be elected
by the whole assembly, the bonding of
the opponents of the old law. and the
bonding of the successful bidders for
the whiskey contract and the selling
of the liquors to tho country dispen-
saries Mt no moro than ten per cent, of
the cost to the State. This will have
the effect of reducing the price of Ii
quOr and at the same time, tits thought
thaG it will lead to an Improvement of
the cheaper. grades OF poison that is
There has been no little of interest
in the matter of State politics to be
heard in the halls and lobbies around
the city. 1t is now stated positively
that Ex-Governor John G.. Sheppard
will be in the race with his political
youth renewed, and going in for long
and hot race. Speaker Gary is also
spoken of as a certain candidate.
When those who should know about
these matters are asked to express
themselves for publication, they look
onU 0n6 f0lfr 0hOuf stifo On6S On1 In, tcv
and look wise.
Mr.. Gary will be on the dispensary
plank of&ho Democratic raft, put rs
there arc now some half a dozen others
on the same plank it is feared that an
overlooking will spill the whole party
into the sea of political oblivion.
Mr.. Sheppard represents a strong
sentiment that is rather one Of the
past than of the future, one that is un-
dying in the hearts of the people.
though often overwhelmed by political
floods and tempests. He will get
large vote, but there has been 30 great
change in political alignments that it
is very hard to estimate tho probabili
ties.
The friends of Gov. McSwecney
say that they arc not concerned by the
number of entries. They would prefer
a clear field, but think that they can
make it clear before the fight is over.
The Assembly has been buckling
down to work in real earnest during
the past week, and the Indications are
that the present week will find the end
of the session. There are number of
important matters yet undisposed Of,
but the appropriation and supply bills
are we'll on their way and no trouble is
anticipated i'll the final agreement.
HARTWEIL NJ. AVER.