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.frraps and iacts. ? The other day William J. Bryan met a man in Detroit over 90 years old who bad been voting the Democratic ticket all his life, and made some pleasant wish about Mr..Bryan being spared as long as he had been. Mr. Bryan said : "Just think of it. That would carry me to 1956, and that is a long time for a man to wait for burial who, according to his Republican friends, is already dead." ? Secretary Hesters statement of the world's visible supply of cotton, issued last Friday, shows a decrease for the week just closed of 28,916 bales, against a decrease of 43,982 last year, and 31,326 in 1895. The total visible is 4,719,019, _ against 4,747,935 last week, aod 4,367,214 last year. Of this the total of American cotton is 4,401,019, against 4,457,935 last week, and 4,119,214 last year, and of all other kinds, including Egypt, Brazil, India, etc., 318,000 against 290,000 last week, and 321,200 in 1895. ? Winston Sentinel: Mr. J. VanLindley, of the Pomona nursery, says it is bis opinion that we will not have a peach in this country this year. The cold snap killed them in the bud. He says be thinks this is the case all over the country east of the Rocky Mountains, for be has beard from many on/? it ia the Qnmp f?PV A daV ?uu IV lo VMV V.J. ^ or two of warm weather about the first of the month caused buds to swell and the freeze did the rest. Of course, there may be a tree or two not killed? isolated cases?but the great bulk is gone up. ? The conferees on the census bill have agreed and will make their report duriDg the present week.. Certain features of both the senate aod house bills will be retained. The cen. sus will be nominally under the direction of the secretary of the interior; but all appointments in the census bureau will be made by tbe director of the census. Tbe director, assistant director and 300 supervisors are to be appointed by the president aod confirmed by the senate. The director receives a salary of $6,000 and the assistant director $4,000. The only important point of difference was in regard to whether tbe census should be made a bureau of a department or separate, tbe house bill providing for an independent bureau. ? The Congress of the Daughters of tbe American Revolution, in session in Washington last week, elected officers as follows: Mrs. Daniel Manning, Buffalo, N. Y., president general; Mrs. E. W. Howard, Alexandria, Ya., vice nresident in charge of the organiza tioD ; Mrs. W. A. Smoot, chaplain general ; Mrs. A. Akers, recording secretary general; Mrs. K. K. Henry, corresponding secretary general; Mrs. G. B. Darwin, treasurer general. Among the vice presidents general elected are the following: Miss Mary Temple, Tennessee ; Miss A. M. Wheeler, Alabama. Mrs. Mildred Mathis, Tennes' see, was added to the list of honorary vice president generals. A motion that the Daughters use their influence to have substituted the expression "war between the states" for "war of the rebellion" was adopted. Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, widow of the noted southern leader, was introduced to the audience. ? The largest market of the world for American cotton oil is Marseilles, France. In 1897, 49,000,000 kilos of oil were shipped there from the United States, and the total for 1898 will be very much higher. A kilo is 2.2 pounds. The oil is doctored so as to taste like olive oil and sold as such all over the world. It is also used for the manufacture of soaps, perfumery, cosmetics and other toilet articles. It is one of the largest industries of France, and has become so cheap and superior, it is driving out other oils, and the crushers of oleaginous seeds, whose markets have been nearly destroyed, are now trying to have a prohibitive duty imposed upon the American article. The manufacturers of soap, however, are resisting the movement, and it is probable that they will make a compromise with the local seed crushers un der which the oil from the United States will be rendered unpalatable by the admixture of some harmless substance, so that it cannot be used for food. ? Charlotte Observer : Dr. Rainsford, the preacher who succeeds in keeping New York stirred up pretty much all the time, last Sunday preached upon the growing tendency on the part of the wealthy people to break the Sabboth by an indulgence on that day in worldly amusements. He made his talk rather strong; but he was sure of his ground. That was on Sunday morning. On the same afternoon, as if in corroboration of Dr. Rainford's charges, Mrs. Oliver P. Belmont gave a luncheon followed by a biograph exhibition of war scenes and a concert by a full orchestra, while Mrs. Robert A. Osborn, who invented the "Dramatic Breakfast," gave the first of her Sunday musical afternoons, at the Waldorf-Astoria, for which seats are said to have sold as high as $5 apiece, and where standing room was at a premium. ADd yet these people get mad at Dr. Rainsford and denounce bis lecture against such doings as an ouirage. Strange world this. After a while the preachers will have no privileges at all. ? Winchester Democrat: John J. Cornelison died Tuesday at Lexington and bis remains were carried through here Wednesday for Mount Sterling for interment. Some 15 years ago Cornelison walked into the office of Judge Richard Reid, of Mount Sterling, aud cowhided him iuto a state of collapse. Cornelison claimed that Reid was responsible for an adverse decision given him in the superior court of Kentucky. Public opinion demanded that Judge Reid slay the man that had thus publicly mistreated him; but he was a Christian gentleman that could not stain his hand with the blood of his fellow man. He made a public speech at Mount Sterling in which he explained his views; but many of his friends thought that the blood of Cornelison alone could atone for the insult. The proud spirit of Reid could not endure the imputation of cowardice, and iu less than a week he was dead by his own hapd. Cornelison was arrested and his case was kept before the public mind for a long time by a series of habeas corpus proceedings. After spending five years in jail, Cornelison was released. Public opinion was so strongly against him that his career as a lawyer was virtually closed and his life work ended. He has lived in comparative seclusion and bis death will carry bis case to a higher court than public opinion or any other earthly tribunal. <?hc ^(orkviUe inquirer. YOItKVILLE, 8. C.: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1,1899. ? The North Carolina senate has refused to pass a bill putting the city of Charlotte under the operation of the dispensary law. This action on the part of the senate will, for the time being, at least, put an end to a hot and rancorous fight that has been in progress on the subject. ? According to a Washington dispatch to The News and Courier of Monday, the story about Senator McLaurin's probable appointment as a United States circuit judge, is "only one of a hundred." This is nothing more than we believed when we penned another paragraph on the same subject. If it is a fact that Judge SimoDton is to be retired, then we repeat that if the president is looking for the richt man for the Dlace. he will find it difficult to improve on Senator McLaurin. But here is the Washington dispatch to which we have just referred : "Senator McLaurin says there is not the slightest foundation for the rumor that he may be appointed by the president to succeed Judge Simonton in the event of the latter's retirement from the bench. The report seems to have been started by some of Senator McLaurin's political enemies because of his vote in favor of the ratification of the peace treaty. Senator McLaurin says the report is hardly worth dignifying with a denial, and the first he heard of it was in a letter he received yesterday from a personal friend in South Carolina, who stated that such a report was being circulated in certain parts of the state." ? The recent statement to the effect that the Charleston people had subscribed $7,000 cash toward the Confederate reunion fund referred only to the sum that is being made up for the entertainment of the old veterans who may not be able to pay all of their own expenses. The News and Couroollo nni> o Mont inn t.n t.hp fftnt that the total subscriptions so far amount to considerably more than $40,000. This however, includes the subscriptions that have been raised for the auditorium which is now going up as rapidly as the workmen can get about both night and day. We note by the Associated Press dispatches that Senator Tillman is about to secure from the war department the loan of 10,000 army cots for use' during the reunion. Takeu altogether the outlook for the occasion is most encouraging. It looks as if South Carolina is going to have the honor of holding the most notable reunion the Confederates have had since the war. Everybody who helps will have occasion to be proud of it. In honoring her old veterans, York county has the opportunity to honor herself. The opportunity should not be allowed to slip. ? For sometime past there has been talk among the politicians about Columbia to the effect that Senator McLaurin is working to succeed Judge C. U Clmnntnn in tVlO illficrAfihin of the lit UIUIVUVVU IU v*-v j ?-~-0 r Fourth United States circuit. It is stated that for more tbaD a year past Judge SimoDton has been in very poor health, and that he will be retired soon. A Columbia correspondent of the Augusta Chronicle reviews the situation at length, and secure in the knowledge that no responsibility can be fixed upon him, makes as free with the motives and desires of Senator McLaurin as if he were able to read all the innermost thoughts of the senator's heart. He represents that Senator McLaurin has all along been looking forward to the securing of Judge Simonton's position, and tells how it was with this end in view that the senator voted for the peace treaty, and on other alleged occasions came to the assistance of the president. How much truth there is iu the story we do not know, of course; but it is very evident that the correspondent was seeking more for a fabric of plausibility than truth. The story is really interesting ; but in our opinion it would be much more creditable to the writer if, since he must necessarily be relying upon bis imagination, ne naa woven nis fabric around a more substantial basis of facts. For instance, assuming it to be true that Judge Simonton is to be retired and bis successor is to come from South Carolina, where else, except in the person of Senator McLaurin, is there to be found the right man for the place? The Republican party in South Carolina, or in the whole Fourth circuit, for that matter, has uo material that is better fitted for the circuit judgeship. Precedent in the past has not been against the appointment of Democratic judges by Republican presidents, or Republican judges by Democratic presidents. From the Very nature of tbe case, no president should be governed entirely by party considerations. There are hundreds of able lawyers in South Carolina and in the Fourth circuit who would be delighted to succeed Judge Simonton ; but we cannot think of one who, in our opinion, is more able, more competent, or better qualified generally for this position than is Senator McLaurin. We think also that such is the opinion of the able correspondent who has been 1- iiA interpreting witn sucn iacimy mc motives of Senator McLaurin's political acts. As to whether or not Senator McLaurin is to be appointed to succeed Judge Simonton is a matter for future development, and we confess that so far as we are concerned, such an appointment would occasion no surprise. We could only view it as a natural consequence of fitness and merit. But we hope that the appointment will not be tendered, or, at least, if tendered, that it will not be accepted. The difficulty of finding a fairly satisfactory successor to Judge Simonton is not nearly so great as would become the difficulty of filling the vacancy that Mr. McLaurin would leave in the senate. ? There is more or less talk in the papers about the probability of Congressman Talbert becoming a candidate for the United States senate against Senator Tillman. Talbert has been making a capital congressman. There is little question of that fact. But Tillman has also been making a good senator. We are not prepared to endorse any and everything that Senator Tillman might do. We do not regard bim as infallible. In fact we think be is a long way from infalibility ; but at the same time the senais a man of unusual ability, and he knows how to represent the best interests of bis constituents. There used to be a good deal more unreasonable prejudice in South Carolina politics than there is now. The time has been when the mere statement that a man was a "Conservative" or a "Reformer" was sufficent to condemn bim in the estimation of the opposite faction. But this does not go any more, we are glad to say. Hereafter, for quite a spell, men must either have merit or be able to make believe they have it before they can hope for considerable advancement. Talbert has merit; but he has do more than Tillman. If he should really become a candidate against Tillman in the next election, he would be smashed, and as we see it from this distance, that would be the fate of any other man who might have the temerity to undertake such a thing. As a matter of fact, however, we do not believe that Talbert has ever given serious consideration to the idea of running against Tillman, and we would suggest that others who may have such an enterprise in view will do well to leave the field to Talbert. OFFICIAL RUFFIANISM. The horrible tragedy that occurred in Columbia last Saturday night has been and will be variously commented upon, and most people will content themselves by simply charging the murder to the dispensary law. In a general way this will be proper; but strictly speaking it is not fair. The facts in the case, as in every other dispensary tragedy that has yet taken place, fix the responsibility not upon the dispensary law ; but upon the peculiar unfitness, ignorance or ruffianly viciousness of the officials who were charged with the enforcement of the law. We do not wish to be understood as defending the dispensary law, or of criticising it in any way just at the present time. This is not the purpose of this article. It is our desire ouly to call attention to the real truth. From all the statements that have been published, and the daily papers have given both sides of the case fully, there was no good reason for the occurrence of the bloody tragedy that took place in Columbia Saturday night. As to whether Stuart was a blind tiger dealer we do not know, and that has nothing to do with the matter. Whether he was or not, the facts remain that both be and Crawford acted fool, and the greater blame lies with Crawford, in that be allowed his feelings, as a bully and desperado, to overcome bis sense of duty and responsibility as an officer of the law. Crawford goes to the house of Stuart with the necessary warrant authorizing a search of the premises. This warrant was not against Stuart; but against his bouse. It was, of course, the duty of Stuart to quietly submit to the search. His position of resistance, uuder the circumstances, was quite natural; but at the same time it was wrong and in violation of the low The rpmedv of Crawford now. in this new turn of affairs, was to leave his constables to watch the house and swear out a warrant against Stuart for resisting officers in the discbarge of their duty. Instead, however, he makes of Stuart's violation of the law of the state a personal affront to himself and precipitates a fight that results in homicide. Reduced down, therefore, to its last analysis, through the process of common sense reasoning, it was not Dispensary Constable Crawford ; but Mr. Crawford the individual who killed Mrs. Stuart and seriously wounded her husband. We do not mean to say that all of the dispensary constables are fools or ignoramuses, or ruffians, for we know that such is Dot the case. Sometime ago there came to our attention an instance where a dispensary constable sought to arrest a Negro in a buggy. The constable had the Negro covered with a revolver; but notwithstanding this fact, the Negro jumped and ran. The constable could have killed him easily ; but did not fire at him for the simple reason that he had no right to do so. On another occasion this same constable, in the belief that he was only pursuing his duty, entered an express car, and was ordered out by the messenger with insulting epithets. 2\.UJOug lug uysiuuuerb were a uuuiuei of people who could only see in the circumstance a question of brute courage and the constable's position therefore was tryiDg in the extreme. But realizing that perhaps be was acting without the limits of the law, the constable retired, with as good grace as possible. Had he not been prudent, he may have killed the messenger, or the messenger may have killed him. Either way the bloodshed would have been entirely unnecessary. That the constable was a man of courage there is no question among those who know him, and besides he gave evidence of the fact when he showed that he was not a ruffian. So this is the trouble. It has been the cause of all the dispensary tragedies that have yet occurred?inefficiency, incompetency, ignorance, ruffianism. Had^tbe law been fully and intelligently complied with by Constable Crawford. the other night. there would have been do bloodshed ; tbe search would bave been made all right, and Constable Crawford need not have suffered in the least in bis personal reputation for "courage." The remedy for the situation lies now, Dot in defending Crawford, the dispensary constable; but in properly prosecuting Crawford, the individual. If tbe killing was the result of Crawford's strict attendance to his duties as an officer of the law, then let him go unpunished; but if it was tbe result pf bis own personal quarrel, no matter if the quarrel did grow out of bis efforts to enforce tbe law, he should not be held as guiltless. Several dispensary constables who ought to have been punished have been unjustly acquitted for political reasons. The punishment of a constable, however, who may deserve puoisbment, will do the law more good than harm. DISPENSARY TRAGEDY. Constables Have a Bloody Time at tbe House of John Stuart. The blind tiger business and tbe dispensary constables have brought ? k,..t t nwrvfVkAv* K1aa/1? f i-QfYorltr Thic clUUUt; aiJUi/UCi uiwuj ,!> ugvuj* ? uiv time the scene was a private home in* Columbia, within a hundred yards of the governor's mansion. The victims are Mr. John Stuart, Mrs. Isabella Stuart, bis wife, and State Constable W. R. Crawford. The tragedy occurred last Saturday evening at about 6.30 o'clock. It seems that at the hour mentioned, or a short time before, W. R. Crawford, the new chief constable, accompanied by Constables J. B. Coleman and a penitentiary guard named J. B. Cooley, presented themselves at the house of Mr. John Stuart, and not finding Mr. Stuart at home, informed Mrs." Stuart that they had come to search the premises. Mrs. Stuart protested against this proposed search; but after Crawford, who acted as spokesman, showed his authority, it was agreed that no steps be taken unI til the arrival of Mr. Stuart, who was sent for immediately. While awaiting the arrival of Mr. Stuart, the constables made a search of the yard and barn. It is stated also that Crawford had some talk with Mrs. Stuart as the result of a remark that had been made by her to the effect that dispensary constables were not gentlemen. Crawford defended the gentle qualities of himself and companions in language that was very expressive, if not elegant, and Mrs. Stuart deemed it advisable, under the circumstances, to withdraw what she had said. In fact she denied that she had said that dispensary constables were no better than dogs, or that she had used any other words to that erfect. Witnesses stated that Crawford showed evidence all along of being under the influence of liquor, and the circumstances all go to show that so far as he was concerned, the conversation referred to was entirely unnecessary. Within 15 minutes, or such a matter, Mr. John Stuart arrived on the scene. Constable Crawford explained the object of his visit and announced his intention to search the house. Mr. Stuart said that the house should not be searched except over his dead body. Crawford told Stuart that he was talking like a fool, and Stuart said to Crawford, "You are a fool." Upon this Crawford slapped Stuart in the face, and Stuart began trying to draw a pistol. Shooting commenced almost immediately. Who fired first is a question of conflicting statement. Stuart's daughter and a Negro servant say that Crawford fired first. The other constables do not agree in their stories. Anyhow, the first shot fired by Crawford struck Mrs. Stuart, who was standiDg io her door, just below and to the right of the left nipple, and passing through her body, lodged to the left of her spinal column. She fell to the floor, to all intents and purposes, dead. Mr. Stuart was shot in the mouth. The ball, which was of 44 calibre, knocked out several teeth and came out at the back of the neck. Constable Crawford received a bullet wound in the Rrm ; but it was not especially dangerous. All the shooting was done by Crawford and Stuart. The affair created terrible excitement, and soon all Columbia was aroused. The constables left the premises without completing the search of Mr. Stuart's house. They were arrested shortly afterward aud were eventually taken to the office of Magistrate Smith. Soon a great crowd began to collect on the outside and there was angry talk of lynching the constables. Sheriff Cathcart appeared and gave the crowd some plain talk ; but be was unable to make the people disperse. The military company was called out and the captain of a Rhode Island company volunteered, with a number of bis men, who, actiDg in the capacity of private individuals, held themselves in readiness to help preserve order. The crowd remained up all night. Neither Stuart or his wife were able to give statements of the affair. Stuart has for several years been a clerk in the J. L. Mimoaugh establishment. He denied indignantly before the shooting that he had ever been engaged in the liquor traffic. Constable Crawford, however, claimed that he had been watching the Stuart bouse for more than a week and that, through agents, he had made numerous purchases of liquor there. It was on this account that the search was attempted on Saturday night. At 4.30 o'clock Sunday morning, Sheriff Cathcart and Chief Daly, accompanied by policemen and the Richland Volunteers, under Captain Kirkland, escorted the dispensary constables to the penitentiary for safe keeping. The escort was followed by a crowd of curious people; but there was no hostile demonstration. Mrs. Stuart died Sunday afternoon at the hospital, and her body was removed to her home. * Mr. Stuart is still in a very bad condition as the result of bis fearful wound. Writing about the matter Sunday afternoon, August Kohn says : "Now, that the excitement has somewhat _ J au _ r A. U- AMM.i.n?Al,t aimieu, mo iaui? uuu uc auuuioucij ?ualyzed. That Constable Crawford was under the influence of liquor there appears to be no doubt, and but for bis disordered brain by reason of it, the tragedy probably would not have happened. While in the magistrate's office his breath was heavy with the smell of liquor, and be seemed hardly to realize the position be was in. He would doze away into stupid naps even when the crowd outside were most loudly demanding his life. Constable Dorn, who seemed to realize the situation while at the house more than any other constable, did bis best to get Crawford away, knowing his condition ; but he was just drunk enough not to pay any attention to the counsels of his fellow constable." THE TiBW ARMY BILL. It Provides For 65,000 Regulars and 35,000 Volunteers. There was a compromise last week oh the army bill, with the result that the measure will become a law in a shape differing in many details from what was known as the Hull bill. In the new bill one section covers the entire iucrease of the army and it reads as follows: "That to meet the present exigencies of the military service the president is hereby authorized to maintain the regular army at a Btrength of not exceeding more than 65,000 enlisted men, to be distributed amongst the several braches of the service accord ing to the needs of each, and raise a force of not more than 35,000 volunteer infantry as he may determine, irom toe cuuutry ?L large uuuci feudal law, or from localities where their services may be required with regard to cilizeDship or educational qualifications and to form the same into not more than 30 regiments, organized as infantry regiments of war strength in the regular army. Provided further, that each regiment shall have one surgeon with the rank of major; two assistant surgeous, oue of whom shall have the rank of cap tain and one that of first lieutenant, and three hospital stewards. "Provided, that such increase in the regular and volunteer force shall continue in service only during the necessity therefor, and not later than July 1,1901. The allotment of major and brigadier generals is as follows : "That the president shall have power to continue in service or to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, brigadier generals of volunteers who, including the brigadier generals of the regular army, shall not exceed one for every 4,000 enlisted men actually in service, and major generals of volunteers, who, including the major generals of the regular army, shall not exceed one for every 12,000 enlisted men : Provided, that regular army officers continued or appointed as general officers or as field or staff officers of volunteers, under the provisions of this act shall not vacate nmitoi. ormtr nnm m iaainns flnH IUCU ic^uiai aiuij vvujm.WW.VMW) provided, further, that no general army officers appointed under the provisions of this section shall be continued in service as such beyond July 1, 1901." Section 1 provides that the regular army shall consist of three major generals, six brigadier generals, ten regiments of cavalry, seven regiments of artillery aod twenty-five regiments of infaotry. In the cavalry organization each regiment consists of 12 troops organized into three squadrons of four troops each. The artillery regiments are fixed at 14 batteries, of which two may be organized as field artillery. The infautry regiments are fixed at 12 companies, organized into the three battalion formation. MERE-MENTION. A Havana dispatch of Sunday says that about 30 of General Lee's soldiers are ill in the second division hospital with typhoid fever. The fever is at tributable to the bad drainage of the camp. Emperor Nicholas, of Russia, is said to be critically ill. The appropriations of the present session of congress will approximate $700,000,000, of which about $250,000,000 will go to naval aud military purposes. General Gomez arrived in Havana last week and was received with enthusiastic demonstrations. The senate has added to the suudry civil appropriation bill, an item of $2,500,000 for the construction of a cable to Honolulu. The trial of Senator Matbew S. Quay and his son for conspiracy and the unlawful use of public moneys, was commenced in Philadelphia last Monday. LOCAL AFFAIRS, i - t INDEX TO NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. t H. C. Strauss?Reminds you that on next ' Wednesday, at his store, you will be \ able to find the cutter of E. Strauss & t Co., of Chicago, who will be prepared to supply you with a suit of spring and , summer clothing, of any style, warrant- t ed to fit you. Strauss is also offering ( spring and summer shoes at low prices and of different styles. He has just re| ceived a stock of new percals, white j goods and embroideries. Grist Cousins?Print the prices at which ' they will sell you your proprietary and | family medicines and invite you to call and get one of Hood's handsome calen- { dars. D. E. Finley and P. J. Garrison?On the' 15th of March, will sell atauction, at the residence of Mr. Joseph Gillespie, per| sonal property belonging to the estate of , S. J. Garrison, deceased. { W. H. McCorkle?Probate Judge?Gives f notice to guardians, executors, adminis- ( trators and other fiduciaries, that if | they do not make their annual returns < previous to the 1st dav of July, that no , j commissions will be allowed. Clarence P. Lowrance?Is offering special 1 inducements in tobacco until next Sat urday. He baa saur kraut In cans, American Beauty coffee, seed Irisb potatoes < and another keg of cucumber pickles. | Glenn <fe Allison?Let you know that their Mr. Robt. T. Allison has gone to mar- < ket to buy horses and mules and ex- j Sects to be on hand with them next londay?salesday. James M. Starr <ft Co.?Is prepared to ( supply you with seed Irish potatoes, onion sets, garden and flower seeds, to- I bacco, snuff and medicines. . , W. M. Kennedy?Has onion sets, seed oats and garden seeds, and two cakes of I soap for five cents. He can also supply | you with a nice suit of clothes warranted to fit. I SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS. , The county board of education has completed the work of grading the pa- ( pere of the white teachers who pre- . sented themselves at the recent exam- , ination. The papers of the colored ( teachers are still in hand. The successful white candidates for certificates 1 are as follows: First Grade?Misses Alma Linda, Clover; Janie Jackson, Bowling Green; Mary Love, Sharon; Mary Carothers, Ranalesburg, N. C.; Clara Mitchell, Sba- 1 ron; Florence Crosby, Sharon; May Crosby, Sharon; May Belle Sims, Sharon ; Lelia Lesslie, Lesslie; Annie Cashion, Sharon : Messrs. J. L. Boyce, Sba- , ron ; E. F. Bell, Hickory Grove ; W. L. Hart, Yorkville. Second Grade, Class "A."?Misses Alice Riggins, Blairsville; Lida Smith, Yorkville ; Fannie Brown, Carp; Carrie Garrison, Rock Hill; Mr. S. B. Hayes, Les *?? f. HI., IT 111 qjiu | iU10> iuf j_9*c?raw| avvv/u ** ? TOWNSHIP ASSESSORS. Following is a list of the members of the new boards of township assessors. The members of the respective boards must meet and organize without unnecessary delay as, under the law, the various chairmen must as- . semble in the office of the county auditor next Tuesday, for the purpose of organizing the county board of equalization : Bethel?D. G. Stanton, W. E. Adams, I. B. Faris. Fort Mill?C. P. Blankenship, R. F. Grier, D. G. Kimbrell. Ebenezer?R. G. Garrison, Wm. Carothers, A. A. Barron. Catawba?A. H. White, W. S. Lesslie, John T. Spencer. King's Mountain?W. T. McKnigbt, L. A. McGill, W. D. Moore. Bethesda?J. F. Ashe, C. S. Gordon, A. W. Gladden. Bullock's Creek?J. H. Saye, W. G. Riggins, A. C. McKnigbt. Broad Rivei^J. E. Leech, J. B. Martin, R. T. Castles. York?J. L. Moss, R. R. McCorkle, Jos. A.Smith. ABOUT PEOPLE. , Mr. J. Tom Thomasson returned to Lancaster last Monday. , The senior class of the South Carolina college has elected Mr. R. L. Parish, a Yorkville boy, to act as chief marshal during class day exercises commencement week. , Mr. R. T. Allison, of the firm of Glenn & Allison, has gone after a lot of horses and mules. He expects to be back in Yorkville before salesday in March with a plentiful supply. i Mr. Cbas. JU. Miot, the popular aDa congenial representative of the Charles- , ton branch of Messrs. R. O. Dunn & Co.'s Mercantile agency, spent several days during the past week in Yorkville in the interest of the company. Congressman Finley left last Monday for Washington, where he goes to learn the ropes and catch on to the situation generally. Unless there is an extra session, which does not now seem likely, be will not take his seat in the bouse until next December. Rev. 0. G. Jones and family, left Rock Hill yesterday morning for Newport, Tennessee. It was their intention to leave sometime ago; but they were detained by illness. It will be remembered that Mr. Jones goes to Newport as pastor of a Presbyterian church there. Miss Carrie Neisler, of Rock Hill, and Miss Sallie Castor, of Concord, N. C., who have been visiting Miss Addie Williams, on King's Mountain street, left on Monday for Rock Hill. Miss Castor expects to spend a few days with Miss Neisler before returning to her home. CL/EMSON AND WINTHROP. The long anticipated visit of the Clemson college boys to the Winthrop college girls took place last Friday, and the occasion made a big time at Winthrop and in Rock Hill generally. The Clemson boys got up at 3.50 ' o'clock Fridav morning, took a special ' train and arrived at Rock Hill at 11.30 ' a. m., 325 strong. There are about 850 ( of the young ladies, and the boys, of | course, met with a delightful recep- < tion. 1 The programme of the day included 1 music, drills, a play, social intercourse ' and a dinner, which last function is | described by August Kohn as follows: \ "After a 4 o'clock breakfast, 1 o'clock was not too soon for dinner, and when i the glad goug ruug the hour there was s prompt response. As might be expec- 1 ted, President Johnson had everything ^ splendidly arranged. Mrs. O'Bryau, a the housekeeper, had everything iu e apple pie order, and what was more, v au abundance to eat. For iustance, t there were 60 ducks, 22 hams, 350 o pounds sausage, 100 pouuds of cheese, 35 gallons of milk, 50 pounds of but- s ter, 60 gallons of coffee, preserves, c pickles and jams, and Mr. Barber, the il baker, bad 350 pounds of fine bread, 275 pounds of cake, and 80 pounds of t biscuits. The large diniug room bad d 650 places fixfid. There was a seat It for every one, no crowding, and apret- o ,y Winthrop girl did the honors at the able. In the annex Clemson's foot )all team was especially entertained. Co add to the pleasure, a Clemson boy vas expected to take a Wiuthrop girl a dinner, and if not, the Winthrop girl vas to make her guest feel at home, md do the invitiug?so it was a thor)ugb home-like affair." Everybody who participated is rep esented as having been delighted with he day, which lasted until 11.30 p. n., when the college boys again marchid to the train on their return home. WHAT IT MEANS. The reporter has been able to gather some little information as to the origin init mennincr of the neculiar York ;ounty eograftment on tbe county government bill, some information about which was published in The Enquirsr of last Saturday. It seems that the amendment had its origin in tbe senate, and was accepted jy tbe members of tbe bouse without question, either as to its intention, utilty or practicability. One of the members explains that the township boards provided for will ict as township boards of assessors and will look after roads, bridges, etc., and [he chairmen will attend meetings of the county board of commissioners Four times a year for the purpose of giving information as to tbe state of the county. These chairmen are to have no vote or voice in tbe meetings of tbe county board of commissioners aud no responsibility, power, or authority there or elsewhere; but are to draw $15 a year each, or an aggregate of $135 a year, for "attending meetings" If tbe amendment bad only gone far enough to specify some official duties?even those suggested abovethen, perhaps, it might be defensible from some standpoint; but as it is, the 3tatus of these silent, or honorary, members of tbe board will be difficult " - i i . t-L? - * 4L to denne lrorn any legai view 01 iue matter. It is claimed, however, that by reason of the amendment having been engrafted on the act without reference to what goes before or comes after, dnd without explicit definition of the duties of the officials provided for, there must necessarily arise certain complications which can be adjusted only as the result of litigation. The necessity for the township boards of assessors, of course, is quite obvious. Without such boards the work of equalization of assessments could not be carried on nearly so effectively, and it is fortunate indeed that these boards have been provided. STAR ROUTE DELIVERY. The Enquirer is iu receipt of a letter from Dr. J, W. Stokes in regard to the progress of the doctor's efforts to improve the mail service in the rural ' districts. It will be remembered that Dr. Stokes secured an appropriation for experimental free delivery work in bis district last year. He informs us that this year be has succeeded in securing an increase of the appropriation. This refers to a house delivery. The bill of which mention was made last Saturday is different, in that it only seeks to secure free delivery in boxes along star routes. Its principal object is to give those people who live directly along these routes, the'same facilities, as nearly as possible, that they would enjoy at a postoffice. The star route uoointuio iu tuio scuuuu aio to be relet next fall, to take effect in July, 1900. For the doctor to have gotten bis bill through in time to affect these contracts, it seems, was impossible. A slight amendment that he and 3enator Tillman seem to have about secured to the appropriation bill, is calculated to accomplish about the 3ame result. This amendment will at least provide for the additional service in the next series of contracts, and there is good reason now to hope that after July, 1900, people living along star routes will be able to secure free delivery. The full texfof the original Stokes bill is as follows : Be it enacted by the senate and bouse of representatives of the United States cf America in congress assembled, That all contracts for carrying mail matter on star routes made after the passage of this act, shall include the deposit in the proper boxes placed on the line of the routes for this purpose, without charge to the addressees, any mail matter that may be intrusted to the carrier for such distribution by any postmaster on the route. Sec. 2. That it shall also be the duty jf the said carriers so contracting, in addition to the duties imposed by Section 687 of the postal laws, to take jpsuch mail matter as may be deposited in said mail boxes and deposit same for mailing at the next postoffice on cis route without additional compensation. Sec. 3. That it shall be the duty of each postmater, upon a written order rmm nnv nerson living on or near an ' v? r ? w established star route which comes tvitbio the provisions of Section 1 of ,his act, to deliver to the proper mail jarrier for that route any mail matter, vith instructions as to the proper mail >ox at which such mail matter shall >e deposited. Sec. 4. That any person desiring bis nail deposited along the line of any itar route within the terms of Section . of this act shall erect a box as convenient as practicable to the roadside, md file with the nearest postmaster on ach side of the box, a request, in writing, for the delivery of his mail to he proper carrier for deposit in said oail box. Sec. 5. That all mail boxes along uch star routes shall be numbered onsecutively, beginning from the initial point of the star route. Sec. 6. That with a view to bringing be mail thus deposited ultimately uner the protection of the general postal aws until received by the addressee r his agent, the postmaster general