Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-02-14
A DAY At THE CAPITAL.

A representative of THE ENQUIRER
was In Columbia last Saturday and
spent the morning in and about the
Capitol, most Of the time on the floors
of the house and senate, and very
pleasant quarter Of an hour in the ex-
ecutive Office. He had no special bus
mess other than to try to get Whit
Of the atmosphere pervading the state
house, and to see or hear whatever OF
interest that might fall in his way. 1t
can hardly be said that he ran across
anything Of particular Importance; but
nevertheless his story will be printed
for what 1t may be worth, using the
first person for reasons Of clearness
and convenience of expression.
It is q long tiresome ride to Col
rnbia, especially II one leaves here
by the 9.58 train to Rock Hill. If he
goes at $50 to Chester over the C. &
NV, 1t Is worse. He has to walt
for the train that he would have taken
at Rock Hill anyway. and waiting in
Chester is pretty tiresome. reach
ed Columbia shortly before o'clock,
put up at Wrights, got my breakfast
at about nine and shortly afterward
sauntered up toward the state-house
for the purpose Of finding members or
the York delegation.
Members Of the house and senate
had already begun to gather In their
respective halls, and quite number
Of people were standing in the lobbies
but they were all strangers to me.
However, I was not long In noticing a
fact that impressed me pleasantly. At
least three out Of five Of the people
I met saluted me either with a word
or a polite nod. The atmosphere was
decidedly friendly and could not avoid
due appreciation Of the fact. I didn't
want to: but comparing the situation
there and elsewhere, in the hotel lob
bies for instance, 1 naturally probed
my mind for a reason for the differ
ence. At a political picnic out at
Gains Spring one day, Little joe
Smith said: II wish everybody was
candidate. 1t makes people so nice
and considerate Of each other!" l am
not throwing off on the people / met
in the capitol lobbies. The courtesy that
prevails among them Is bound to pro-
duce favorable impressions.
The view Of Columbia's Main street
from the portico Of the state house Is
perfect. / have recollections Of having
looked up that street from this point
about ten years ago, and the impress
sion had Of the town then was OF an
overgrown country village, owing
about all the Importance that could be
attached to It, to the capitol. the PEN
itentiary. the asylum. South Carolina
college, and other institutions that
were maintained by the state govern
ment. The same view gives different
Impressions now. The most conspicuous
object, probably, Is the great sky
scraper building on the right about
half q mile away. 1t Is lonesome, 1t Is
true; but 1t Is not out Of place. for
along with II the eye takes In all the
usual accompaniments of modern pro-
gress. The trolley lines extend up the
broad streets to disappear In the dim
distance. and numerous cars are to be
seen traversing the intervening space
at quick intervals. Dozens Of more or
less pretentious buildings are included
In the view, and the streets are alive
with people, drays, cabs, carriages. de-
livery wagons. and an occasional auto
mobile. The overgrown country VII
lage Of ten years ago has developed
into quite hustling little city that
has just fairly commenced to grow.
Starting back from the portico Of the
capitol to the hall Of the house. l no
ticed familiar forms coming up the
steps from below. They were the
forms Of DR.. Massey and Mr.. Ardrey
in front and Mr.. Beamguard and DR..
Saye in the rear. They could not see
me yet but I observed that they were
talking earnestly among themselves,
and from the strong words / caught
"bill." report should be killed" ETC.,
It was evident that the subject Of their
was the work In hand
One would have thought
that they were carrying the weight Of
a state on their shoulders, and I am
free to say that have since arrived at