The Southern Enterprise

Columbia Correspondence Southern Enterprise.

Columbia, S C., January 14th, 1870.

Messrs, Editors-

On Monday, the 10th inst., the fight on the Phosphate Bill came up in the Senate, and after a lengthy discussion, participated in by Corbin, Leslie, Cain and others, the bill was finally committed to a committee that are severally opposed to it; and it was hoped-that it would be an end of the monopoly bill on Phosphates, but from all indications, the big fight has not yet come.— Its fate is doubtful in the Senate, and if it should be so fortunate as to reach the House, the god-father will never know the child he christened. It is somewhat doubtful as to what is the true import of the monopoly bill, whether it is to work and develop the "phosphates of the State, or to shut up the mines and stop the digging of phosphates from the beds of the navigable rivers of the State. There is something very suspicious about it, We have valuable magnesia mines in the State that have been shut up by monopoly; and although that mineral is very plentiful in this State, but not a pound of South Carolina magnesia or other bleaching minerals is sold in any State in the Union, because the exclusive right, to work these mines, have been granted to companies out of the State, who are working other mines successfully at this time, and have only secured the right to work those of South Carolina to prevent the competition that might probably have interfered with their business. Now, it may be, that Southern fertilizers, phosphates, &c, are too cheap for competition by companies in other States; and if this monopoly bill should pass, then these parties could work, or not work, the mines just as they pleased, to promote the best interests of their business, The Legislature has just the same right to grant to any company, who may ask it, the exclusive right to catch all the fish and gather all the oysters in navigable streams of the State, and there would be just the same equity and justice in such a bill, Three or four other bills-all seeking to secure the control of the phosphates—have been reported. Doubtless something will be done by the Legislature to develop the phosphates of the State, and to secure a revenue from the same,- This subject is undergoing, at this time, a thorough discussion by the press of the State, therefore I will wait farther developments before saying more.

Wednesday, 12th, in the Senate, the Township Law was repealed after an obstinate discussion, Corbin, Jilson, and Wright, entered protests, taking grounds that the repeal is, at this time unconstitutional_ If their position is correct-of which serious doubts exist-the Governor may yet veto the bill to repeal.

Thursday, 13th; a bill to alter and amend the charter of the city of Charleston, and to extend the limits of the same, passed the House. The object is to bring on a new election for Mayor and Aldermen, At the last session, a bill. was passed to seat the present officials who. have become objectionable during the short official career. It might be just as well for all the elections of the city of Charleston to be referred to the Legislature, if they persist in continually importuning the Legislature to do and undo their elections: These are dangerous precedents to establish, and will sooner or later work oppression to the liberties of the people. ' The Educational Bill Is under discussion now in the House, having passed the Senate; and from present indications, the two Houses are still disposed to disagree on this very important measure, and at this stage of its procedure, it is very doubtful what will be the true import of the bill when it does pass.

Friday, 14th, To-day, both Houses met in joint assembly to elect six Regents of the Lunatic Asylum, which resulted as follows: George Taylor, and S. B. Thompson, of Richland; R. C. DeLarge. and Dr. A. G. Mackey, of Charleston; Joseph Crews, of Laurens, and R. B. Elliott, of Barnwell, (.1

It is very evident that we are to have a very long and protracted session. If no other business should be presented, there is more business now already in the hands of the committees than can be dispatched in six weeks to come, and half of that time will be necessary to pass the Code of Practice for the State, which is generally considered must pass before adjournment.

The next exciting subject, in all probability, will be the appropriation of one million of dollars for the State to purchase lands with which to secure homes for the landless, A very desirable and laudable object, if it can be realized.

J. B. H.