The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-02-26
BEST LEGISLATURE IN42YEARs
So Says Ex-Governor Chamberlain,
Who Has Watched With Inter-
est its Course.

Courier: l hope | may be pardoned
for wishing to say word publicly OIL
the impression made upon me by the
legislature of your state which has
just adjourned. If my voice is heard
often III comment on your local af-
fairs, let it always be remembered
that my former familiar acquaintance
with the state compels me to feel
keen and constant interest in all that
concerns the peace and honor of
South Carolina.
The News and Courier has given
me from day to day its admirable re-
ports-I have never anywhere seen
more admirable oncs-of the doings
and progress of your legislators.
OF the great issue-thc lispensary
it is not for me to say word, eN
cept to note how wisely ii seems to
me the matter was handled rs a mere
question of parliamentary strategy.
The bill for terminating the institu-
ton came from the hands of two law
yers than whom your state can fur
nish no superiors in practical skill. II
was fine specimen of draughtsman-
ship. This was the safe thing TO do
and it was done to perfection.
But perhaps the feature which most
excited my admiration was the spirit
Of peace and cooperation between all
sections Of the state-the coast, the
middle country anl the Piedmont.
When one recalls the antagonism< of
1873 and 1880 and latter between the
low country and the up country it. is
hardly less than marvellous that not
one symptom, so far as ! could see, of
such anta"onism came to the surface
in the recent session. This was due
suffer me to say, in my opinion, large
ly to the fair, impartial, able admin
istration Of Governor Hayward, which
healed almost insensibly the wounds
Of old controversies and set all hearts
toward the public good and away
from factional differences.
The result of this was canvass
last season, which was a genuine dis
cussion Of great issues for the state
and an election of governor and state
officers, as we'll as Legislature, on
the whole the ablest in my judgment
the state has had since 1865.
Naturally, when the new admins
tration took Office sections were ig;-
nored and a Charleston man was
made speaker, who in turn proved
himself worthy of his place in long
line of speakers, who, in the opinion
of the late Mr. Blaine, expressed to
Mr.. Trescot, were the most accom-
plished parliamentarians of the whole
country.
So it was on all important ques-
tions. Ability in debate, in the man
agcmcnt Of matters on their passage
into legislation: and patriotic pur-
poses to serve the whole state, were
the notes of all, or nearly. all, that
was said and done.
Governor Anscl, too, whom | have
not personally forgotten during the
many years since | first knew him.,
has proved himself prompt and reso-
lutte, as well as fair and consideratc,
in his official actions. OF his ability
there could never have been doubt,
but ability, intellectual or legal or
both, does not always insure admin
istrativc skill and success, as they
have so plainly done in his case.
might particularize further, but 7
will not trespass on your space. From
start to finish, at all points, the leg
islature just adjourned seems to me
to have left shining track which
will long be a light to its successors.
For one am delighted at such re-
suits, and let me add, as last word,
that nothing of perhaps minor i'm
portance could have pleased mo more
than the reasonable appropriation
for improving the state house
grounds. Now | trust Houdon s
precious statue Of Washington will
have its suitable pedestal, and my dear
old friend, Mr.. Courtcnay, can chant,
if he plcases, his Nunc Dimittis.
d. II. Chamberlain.