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Scraps and ^arts. ? M. S. Bennett, who was acquitted in the circuit court of Knox county, Tenn., last week of the murder of Walter Kelsey, on a Southern railroad train near Knoxville, It being clearly proven that- he acted solely in selfdefence, has brought suit against the Southern railroad for $25,000 damages for allowing htm to be Imposed upon while a passenger on the trains. The two men were members of an excursion party en route to this city. Kelsey was drinking and attacked Bennett without cause. ? Northern Russia is being demoralised by a big strike. It has been spreading for months. A St. Peters'burg dispatch of Wednesday, says that the striking workmen already out numbered 58,000, and that 50,000 cotton mill operatives would probably Join them within a few days. There *? rwvllHoal a a wpll 18 IOU UI UIKUIHCIII, |nnita?ai as industrial among the strikers and anarchy is getting full sway. The large number of assassinations that have been recorded of late Indicate that open rebellion against the authorities that be will be a development of the early future. ? Andrew Carnegie has made good the deposits of students who lost their money in the Oberlln. Ohio, bank, which was wrecked by Mrs. Cassle L. Chadwick through an unlawful use of Mr. Carnegie's name. Mr. Carnegie learned that a number of students had all their money deposited in the bank and that they were ruined by the failure. The Young Men's Christian association also lost 13,000 that it was saving for a new building. Mr. Carnegie made good the whole amount, not that he felt under any obligation to do so; but because he realised that to /i certain extent he was made the innocent cause of the loss. ? The^ following- report has been received at Toklo from Japanese Manchurtan 'headquarters. "In the recent engagements it became evident that the Russians ' were being aided by many Chinese regulars. A Japanese detachment surrounded Russian cavalry and Chinese soldiers in the vicinity of Sanchia. west of New Chwang, on January 14, and dispersed them. The Russian casualties were over 300. The Japanese captured a quantity of arms. Lieut. Oen. Mistchenko's raiders were between five thousand and six thousand strong. After they were defeated at New Chwang they retreated to.the north, passing Laotuntulu. Japanese cavalry encountered the exhausted Russians In the neighborhood ' of Laohosho on Monday evening, January 16. They report that the Russians wore Chinese coats and caps, and that among them were many entirely clothed In costumes and wearing pig tails." ? The strike of the cotton mill oper' atives at Fall River, which affected about 25,000 persons and has been In progress for six months, to the great hardship and suffering of Fall River's people, was settled last Wednesday through the mediation of Gov. W. L. Douglas. Under the terms of the agreement accepted by both manufacturers and operatives, at a conference held at the state house, the strikers will return to work at once under the 121 per cent reduction against which they struck last July, and with no discrimination because of the strike. No rate of wages was established, but It was agreed that the governor shall investigate the matter of margins between the cost of cotton to the mill owners and the selling price of the cloth, and submit his conclusions as to an average margin upon which the manufacturers are to pay a dividend of 5 pe- cent on wages earned from the present time to April 1st. Both aides regard the outcome of the deliberations as a victory. ? At a hearing before the house committee on election of president, vice president and representatives in congress last Tuesday on the bill to fix the date of congressional elections on the first Tuesday in September and the time for convening congress in Oc' tober, Representative Livingston of Georgia said objection to the measure would come from those who go to Europe and who do not care to return to this country before October. He said if nothing more was accomplished than breaking up "this Europe business" that would be something gained. He contended for the bill for one reason among others that it would equalize the sessions, saying that time was not given at the short session now provided for the proper scrutiny of appropriation bills. Speaking of extra sessions he said it was certain that there would be one between now and the time for convening the next congress. Speaking of the Inaugural date he said it was an outrage to bring people to Washington March 4, because of the weather that usually prevails at that time. ? The establishment of a bureau of information at Ellis Island, with the necessary buildings, at a cost of $150,000, says a New York dispatch, will be the first step in the direction of carrying out the plans of Commissioner General Frank P. Sargent for the proper distribution of immigrants. At a conference held at the immigration bureau several days ago, largely attended by special passenger agents representing Southern and Eastern and Western railroads having Southern connections, a scheme was evolved having for its purpose the diverting of the tide of Immigration from the large cities to the agricultural sections of the country, particularly the south, where there is a demand for foreign labor. Commissioner General Sargent believes that the first thing to be done Is to establish a bureau of information at Ellis Island, to which Incoming immigrants may make Inquiries as to conditions in the various sections of the United States and to which persons in this country Reeking special forms of labor may apply when they so desire. ? The United States supreme court has handed down a decision in the case of the Iowa anti-cigarette law, upholding the right of a state to prohibit the importation of cigarettes. In this case the violator of the law claimed that the cigarettes were sold only in original packages as they came from the manufacturer, that the right to do this was upheld by the provisions of j the inter-state commerce law. Justice Brown iellvered the opinion of the the ccurt and said in part: "While this court is alert to protect the rights of non-resident citizens, and has felt It its* duty, not always with the approbation of the state courts, to declare the Invalidity of laws throwing obstacles in the way of free intercourse communication between the states, it will not lend its sanction tp those who deliberately set out to debauch the public conscience and to trample upon the laws of a state. The power of congress to regulate commerce 5s undoubtedly a beneficent one. The poilce laws of the state are. equally so, and it is our duty to harmonize them. Undoubtedly a law may sometimes be successfully and legally avoid ed if not evaded, but it behooves one who stakes 1 is case upon the letter of the constitution not to be wholly oblivious of Its spirit. In this case we cannot hold that plaintiffs are entitled to its immunities without striking a serious blow at the rights of the states to administer their own internal afTairs." (The \lorfevillf (Enquirer. YORKVILLE, S. C.i FRIDAY, JANUARY 20,1905. . It would seem that the settlement of the Fall River strike ought to help the price of cotton somewhat. Thursday was the anniversary of the birth of Robt. E. Lee. The general assembly did no business on that day. Writi to to South Carolina papers from Washington, W. W. Price says that the president has informed Representative Crumpacker of Indiana, leader in congress of the agitation in favor of reducing southern representation that he will not sign a bill along the lines advocated by Crumpacker, even if the same should pass the house and senate. According to Correspondent Price, the president has told a number of different people that he has no sym]>athy with any agitation aimed against the south. Dispensary Investigation. If the dispensary Investigating committee is appointed, it will give the editors of the Spartanburg Journal and The Yorkviu.e Enquirer a splendid opportunity to make good. These brethren seem to know a good deal about dispensary corruption, and they owe it to the people of the state to come down and tell all about It.? Columbia Record. Alone in the same issue in which the foregoing appears, the Record has a long editorial In which It argues the uselessness of the proposed Investigation. The editorial concludes as follows: As we see it now, the only thing the committee will be able to do will be to examine officials and employes of the state dispensary and go over their books. There is a standing committee already which performs that duty, and it appears entirely unnecessary to pay seven men J 4 a day and mileage to do that work over again. Moreover the appointment of a special committee will be a reflection upon the legislators who have served on the regular dispensary committee In the past. As we have said, we do not wish to be understood as opposing the fullest publicity being given all the acts of dispensary officials, or any other kind of official. But we do not think any investigation ought to be gone into at cost to the state, when only rumors are at the base of the charges and when there is nobody to come forward to stand to them. Not only is such a thing costly, but it brings all such investigations into dispute. That the Record, which is a strong friend of the dispensary and its management is sincerely opposed to the proposet investigation, we have no doubt. It understands as well as does The Enquirer, that under existing conditions, the result will be only another whitewashing. But it also knows that the honest people of the state will eventually become thoroughly disgusted with these whitewashings. While it is quite true, probably, that no evidence of corruption could be secured by a thoroughly efficient committee of the dispensary's enemies, even the report of such a committee would hardly be sufficient to establish confidence in this institution. As to the fling that our contemporary has seen proper to make at The Enquirer, we have only to say that if the management of this paper were able to offer any legal evidence of corruption it would certainly do so. We would not only publish it to the world in our columns: but we would testify to it under oath. But we have an idea that if it was known that we really had some testimony of the kind the committee is supposed to be looking for, the Record would not be so anxious to secure our attendance. MERE-MENTION. A strike involving 12,000 workmen went into effect at the Putiloff iron works in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday Three summer hotels and six cottages of summer residents were destroyed by fire at Rockaway Beach, Tiiosdnv with a nrooertv loss of S250. 000 Flower gardens at San Remo, Italy, were visited by a killing frost Monday night and Tuesday, and flowers valued at $1,000,000 were destroyed An avalanche of rocks and earth was suddenly precipitated from the neignboring hills into Lake Loenlund. near Bergen, Norway, Sunday, causing a tidal wave in which fiftynine persons perished and numbers of cattle and houses were swept away. The Athenaeum clubhouse and an Evangelical church were destroyed by fire in New Orleans Tuesday night. The steward of the club is missingand is thought to have perished in the flames, and one fireman was injured. The property loss is about $100,000.. ....In a light between the McBryde brothers and the town officers of Tuskegee, Ala., Monday, one McBrydewas killed and the other severely wounded. The two McBrydes were resisting arrest for disorderly conduct Ike Vail, known all over the United States and Europe as the "King of Bunco Men," died at his home near Fiskklll, N. Y? Tuesday, aged 70 years. He was several times convicted of swindling to the amount of several million dollars and gave the police of the large cities much trouble Ira A. Sanger, formerly of Chicago, but. for several years past engaged in mining and ranching In Mexico, was ambushed and killed by bandits In the mountains near Sinaloa, Mexico, Monday. Robbery was the motive as the dead man usually carried large amounts of money on his person...... Two men were killed and one dangerously wounded by the explosion of a boiler In a saw mill, near Washington, Ga., Wednesday Dr. V. G. Hdtt, former secretary and treasurer of the Association of Physicians and Surgeons of the Confederate army and navy, died at his home in Atlanta Wednesday, aged 65 years. SOUTH CAROLINA NEW8. ? The warehouse of Mr. S. J. Wakefield of Antreville, Abbeville county, was destroyed by fire last Monday morning. The fire Is supposed to be the work of an Incendiary. ? It Is reported that Col. Thos. E. Moore, secretary and treasurer of the Tucapau mills of Spartanburg, and president of the Loray mills of Gastonia, will probably succeed Mr. H. D. Wheat as president of the Gaffney manufacturing company. ? W. J. Pooser, agent of the Southern Express company and Southern rallied, at Perry's, was arrested last Tuestray at the instance of the American Surety company on the charge of embezzlement. It is stated that Pooser had a bad habit of collecting C. O. D. packages and not turning over the money. ? The warehouse of the Belton Cotton mill was partially -destroyed by fire last Wednesday morning. The loss ' Included damage to about 300 bales of cotton and some seventy bales of cloth, besides a large quantity of mill supplies. Iri all 'the damage amounted to 38,000 or J10.000, and was fully covered by insurance. ? The senate has decided to hold pending elections on next Thursday. These elections will be for two circuit judges to succeed Judges Ernest Gary and D. A. Townsend; three directors of the penitentiary to succeed John G. Mobley, D. A. Sanders and M. O. Rowland; a superintendent of the penitentiary to succeed D. G. Griffith, the Incumbent; a trustee of the colored college at Orangeburg to succeed Cole L. Blease* resigned. ? Charleston special of Saturday: The list of negroes who are meeting their death by drowning In the harbor Is growing. Wfthih the list year between 16 and 20 have been drowned. and the number is now increased by the drowning: of Pat S. Ripper of the oyster scoop Coleman. The negro was in the bow of the boat, trying to clear the sail from the light at the cove of Sullivan's island, when he fell into the water and was drowned before he could be rescued. The current runs strong at this point and it is likely that the body was carried to sea, as all efforts to recover the body have proved fruitless. ?'D. Q. Mcintosh of Cheraw, recently arrested for killing W. C. Traywlck near that place has been released on $1,000 ball. The facts of Traywlck's death - have already been published. It developed afterward that the fatal shot was probably fired by Mcintosh. Mcintosh was shooting a parlor rifle about the depot. Traywick, who was 200 yards away was struck by a bullet that penetrated both lungs. Mcintosh knew nothing of the shooting at the time, having no idea that his rifle would carry so far. It was decided, however, that this must have been the source of the fatal shot. The young men were good friends, and the shooting is believed to have been entirely accidental. ? Columbia special of January 18 to News and Courier: The unusual spectacle of a farmer representing himself against two able lawyers was presented in the supreme court this after[ noon in the case of Green et al. vs. Cannaday, on appeal from the circuit court in Laurens. The case grew out of the division of proceeds of a land sale, and a small sum is involved. Cannady, an elderly farmer, who is a lame man, declared that he had had various lawyers to whom he had paid fees and from whom he had failed to get results. Lawyers in Laurens, he said, had "conspired" not to take his case, and the circuit Judge had advised him to appeal. Mr. Cannady uttered strictures on other lawyers, calling their names. Frank P. McGowan and C. C. Featherstone appeared for the plaintiffs. Mr. Cannady, of course, received a respectful hearing, but those familiar with the facts do not take seriously his woeful tale of relations with the gentlemen of the bar. ? Greenville News, Sunday: Dope fiends staggered into the mayor's court yesterday, a living example of the fact that cocaine is not difficult to obtain by the depraved element of Greenville. Lena Swaney appeared to prosecute Queenie Garllngton and Ed King, whom she charged with assaulting her. It was brought out at the hearing that Swaney was crazy half the time from the use of dope, and that while in a mad fit had cursed her enemies. The latter was dismissed and the dope fiend was fined five dollars. Reuben Rice, colored, who was picked up by Sergeant Gunnels at 2 a. m. yesterday, was still reeling from the effects of too much cocaine. He came here from Spartanburg. He had a vial in his pocket, and Incidentally it was stated by the police that many victims of the drug were found with hypos in their possession. Reuben was sent up for twenty days to get rid of the remorse. The cocaine evil has been spreading to such an extent that the police are making extra efforts to find out where the drug is purchased. ? Columbia State, Thursday: Dr. J. Miller Moore, surgeon of the United States Asiatic fleet, is in the city on a visit to friends and renewing acquaintances made while he was a student at the South Carolina college. Dr. Moore has just returned from his third cruise around the world and will be assigned to shore duty at the New York navy yard for the next three years. When the Japanese government was waiting for Russia's reply to Its ultimatum, Dr. Moore was at Vnl/Ahomo qc onrcronn nf thA Vtf* 111P ship Indiana. He has been In the Orient all of the time the hostilities have been In progress, and his recitals of the events of the campaign are extremely interesting. Just a few days before leaving the east he passed within 40 miles of Port Arthur. He illustrates the character of the Japanese soldiers by the conduct of the old vice admiral who Is detailed to raise the Russian ship Retvizan, sunk in Port Arthur waters. The vice admiral pulled alongside in a tug and took a solemn oath never to touch land again until he had raised the sunken battleship, which is now being repaired for use in the Japanese navy. Dr. Moore is a native of Rock Hill, and a cousin of Dr. Albertus A. Moore, house surgeon of the Hoffman house and assistant visiting surgeon of the Bellevue hospital in New York. Dr. Albertus A. Moore was the physician of Mrs. Cassie Chadwlck for three years prior to her recent arrest. Two other cousins who are practicing physicians in New York and are doing well are Drs. Wylie and Baxter Moore, who are with their uncle, Dr. W. Gill Wylie at Bellevue hospital. LOCAL AFFAIRS. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. D. R. Bird, Administrator, Blacksburg ?Gives notice to the debtors and creditors of Cynthia and John 8. Bird, deceased, to make immediate settlement and present their claims duly authenticated. J. Edgar Poag, Broker?Makes some timely remarks on the subject of low and high prices. He also gives a list of York county property on which he wants offers. Adlckes' Emporium?Is making special prices on tobaccos by the box, and calls your attention to Club House, cheese, peas and beans, molasses, pocket and butcher knives, etc. J. E. Lowry, Mayor?Gives notice that a special municipal election will be held on February 14th to elect an alderman for ward 5. Jas. M. Starr?Wants the farmers who use fertilizers to know that he is still prepared to All orders for Navassa guano, which has been sold on this market for so many years. J. C. Wllborn?Publishes proressionai card and tells you that he will give prompt attention to all business. Star Drug Store?Saya that Starr's white pine syrup and tar for coughs, colds, etc., touches the spot. 25c. Miss Rosa Lindsay?Will receive orders at any time for out-door work, and will fill orders promptly. Sam M. Grist?Gives some history in regard to the formation and conduct of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance company during its sixty vears of existence. Foushee Cash Store?Will have a special sale on Monday next of "odds and ends" of children's and ladles' goods. Will also sell 6c and 10c goods at half price. WITHIN THE TOWN. ? Rev. W. E. Hurt and family are occupying the Presbyterian Manse. ? Mr. John E. Carroll is occupying the new residence, recently built by him on East Jefferson street. ? Mr. W. Mason McCbnnell has moved into the house recently purchased by him on College street and formerly occupied by Mrs. W. M. Allison. ? Mrs. W. M. Allison and children have moved to their new home on King's Mountain street, the residence formerly occupied by Rev. W. E. Hurt. GOLD WATCH CONTEST. The contest for the gold watch offered by Thjl Enquirer to the school teacher who receives the most votes stands as follows: ... < Mrs. J. T. Jones, Clover 7 J. H. Witherspoon, Y. Graded .... 1 Fannye Smarr, Olive 193 Bessie Adams, Clover 4 fettle Green, Bell Creek 138 E, P, Castles, Reatty 100 Llda Smith, Beersheba 194 Clara Mitchell. Centre 36 Ella Carroll, Fairview 262 J. Hamilton, Gold Hill ...: 13 Blanche Love, Tlrxah 118 Posy C. Hardin, Ogden 3 J. K. Roach, Fort Mill 6 Ida Ormand, Filbert 4 Bessie Faris, Clark's Fork 5 Ella Neely, Yorkvllle Graded 13 Nannie Grist, Clover 25 Mattle Ford, ?. C Mill 44 Wilmoth Jackson, point a-is Minnie Palmer, Blalrsvllle 344 Emma Creasman, FYee Silver 30 W. H. Stevenson, Philadelphia ....119 .T. F. Gorrell, McConnellsville .... 47 Belle Smith, Hopewell 186 Clara Fleming, Wllkereon 144 Pearl Langford, Allison Creek .... 26 Benj. Black, Forest Hill 42 J. G. Shannon,* Union 4 L. W. Jenkins, Yorkville Graded... 0 Sudle Allison, Yorkville Graded.,.. 7 Florence Oody, Piedmont 4 Margaret Blaine, Oak Ridge 2 Isabel Arrowood, Bethel 2 Susie White, Masseys 2 W. A. Kennedy, Lesslle 3 Bessie Shurley, Shady Grove 2 Lillian Milholen, Ogden 2 F. M. Howell, Bowling Green...... 1 FEE8 OF THE CLERK. Representative Ardrey has introduced a bill to reduce the fees that the clerk of the court for York county now receives for recording papers, etc. The fees of the clerk are now fixed by Section 3,103 of the general statutes, and Mr. Ardrey wants to apply the provisions of Section 3,102 instead. The provisions of Section 3,102 are as follows: For recording a deed to or a mortgage on real estate, with or without renunciation of dower, and certifying the same on the back thereof, sev? x? T>?./v*r ( A rwl onnh Or enty-nvtr ltuu>. x ivtiu^ mortgage does not exceed fifteen hundred words, in which case they shall be entitled to receive and collect an additional sum of eight cents per hundred words on all words over one thousand; for recording each chattel mortgage over $100 and certifying same on the back thereof, fifty cents. Provided such chattel mortgage does not exceed 1,000 words In which case they shall be entitled to charge, and receive an additional sum of eight cents per hundred words on all words over 1,000; for indexing each chattel mortgage under one hundred dollars and certifying same on the back thereof, ten cents; for indexing each agricultural lien, and certifying same on the back thereof, ten cents; for recording each lien and mortgage combined, and certifying same on the back thereof, fifty cents; for entering each satisfaction on the record of a mortgage of real estate or a chattel mortgage, and certifying same on the back thereof, ten cents; for recording or copying plats of not more than six corners, seventy-five cents, for every corner over six, six cents; for every probate in writing twenty-five cents; for every certificate except the certificates on the backs of papers recorded by them, and certificates o'f judicial records in their offices, required for a court or a Judge thereof, twenty-five cents: for recording any other paper required by law to be recorded, except iudicial papers, eight cents per hun dred words. The section regulating the charges under which the clerk is now operating reads as follows: For recording and copying deeds and other papers, per copy sheet of 100 words, 10 cents; for entering satisfaction on mortgages, 25 cents; for recording or copying plats of not more than six corners, one dollar; for every core more than six, six cents; for every probate in writing 25 cents; for every certificate other than that mentioned in section 3106, twenty-five cents: for filing, indexing and certifying any bill of sale, chattel mortgage, or other Instrument in the nature of lien on personal property, where the amount secured is not more than one hundred dollars, fifteen cents. ABOUT PEOPLE. Mr. J. J. Keller is in Charlotte on business. Mr. Fred C. Black has opened an insurance office In Yorkvllle. Miss Mary Lee Alexander is visiting relatives and friends in Charlotte. Miss Daisy Guy of Lowryvllle, visited the Misses Neil near Yorkvllle, this week. Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Jennings have taken rooms in Mr. W. Mason Mc- j Connell's home. I Dr. J. H. Saye came up from Colum- i bia Wednesday to attend the SimsKennedy wedding at Sharon. Rev. W. C. Ewart was painfully In- i jured yesterday as the' result of a kick on the leg from a horse. The inJury Is not very serious. Frank P. McCain, Esq., has been associated in the management of the Yorkville New Era. E. E. Thornwell, Esq., has been In Columbia this week on business before the supreme court. Miss Kittle Blair of Blairsvllle, has taken charge of the Sutton's Springs school. Mr. R. M. Roark of Grover, and Mr, D. R. Bird of Blacksburg, were In Yorkville Wednesday on business.. Mrs. Sam W. Guy of Lowryvllle, spent Wednesday and Thursday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. P. Hope. Misses Florlde Bo wen and Bessie Williams attended the Fewell-Mc Laughlln marriage in kock miii weanesday. Supervisor Thomas W. Boyd is in Columbia in attendance on the annual meeting of the State Good Roads association. Miss Louise Dawson, who has had charge of the millinery department of J. M. Heath & Co., for the past season, left for Richmond, Va., yesterday. Mr. J. Q. Wray went to Shelby yesterday to attend the funeral of his aunt, Mrs. Kate Borders, who died at 9 o'clock Wednesday evening, aged 74 years. Thos. P. McDow, Esq., Is in Columbia in attendance on the annual meeting of the state bar association. He is to respond to the toast, "Woman," tonight. Mr. Paul H. Moore of the Columbia Theological seminary, was summoned home this week on account of the death and burial of his mother, Mrs. S. Emily Moore. J. C. Wilborn, Esq., as guardian for the children of the late John M. Clonts, has received a check for twothirds of 1500, the interest of the children in an insurance policy on the life of their father, paid by the Heptasophs. Mr. Lamartine G. Strauss of Staunton, Va., spent several days, in Yqrkville this week, arriving on Tuesday and leaving this morning for Charleston. He came to visit his brother, i4r. Henry C. Strauss, and to renew acquaintance with the old friends he made while a citizen of the town many years ago. Mr. Strauss conducts a large and prosperous clothing business at Staunton. Winchester, Va., special of Tuesday to the Columbia State: "In the presence of Baxter Moore, a prominent young man of Chester, S. C., to whom she was to be married soon, and with members of her family near, Miss Mary Picton Lewis died suddenly at Memorial hospital tbday from an operation performed for appendicitis Saturday by a New York specialist. Young Moore arrived a few hours before the surgical operation, after a race from Chester, having boarded the first train immediately upon receiving news that his sweetheart was ill. He is prostrated tonight. Miss Lewis was a daughter of Daingerfleld Lewis, owner of "Audley," a famous estate in Clarke county and was related to many noted Virginia and southern families. Her mother, Mrs. Carter Penn Lewis, three sisters and three brothers survive. She was a beautiful young woman 21 years old and popular in fashionable society. Preparations were being made for her marriage to Dr. Moore and the event was to have been the leading social event In Clarke county." TOWN8HIP ORGANIZATIONS. A meeting of farmers of Bethel township was held at Glenn & Riddle's store on last Wednesday, pursuant to the call made by the county mass meeting held In the court house on salesday, and was called to order by Mr. G. L. Riddle, executive committeeman. Mr. I. B. Falres was elected secretary and the following resolutions were adopted: 1. That no member of this association will plant more than 10 acres of cotton to the plow during 1905. 2. That commercial fertilizers be reduced 25% from amount used last year. 3. That we recommend that twofifths of the cotton now on hand be placed in the hands of the trust. On motion a committee was appointed to make a canvass of the township with a view to ascertaining how many bales the various holders of cotton would be willing to turn ^over to trustees In accordance with the York county mass meeting resolutions, Tins committee was appointed as follows: G. L. Riddle, W. T. Nichols, S. J. Clinton, J. L. Brandon. Before the adjournment of the meeting cotton was subscribed as follows: G. L. Riddle, 16 bales; W. T. Nichols, 15 bales; S. J. Clinton, 16 bales; J. J. Nichols, 15 bales; A. Lee Campbell, 15 bales; I. H. Campbell, 8 bales; R. L. Campbell, 15 bales; A. E. Sifford, 1 bale; W. N. Wallace, 2 bales; J. L. Brandon, 2 bales; D. G. Stanton, 2 bales; A. B. Currence, 5 bales; R. M. Barnett, 2 bales; S. A. Glenn, 3 bales; I. B. Falres, 3 bales. The action of the meeting Is subject to the action of the New Orleans convention. The Fort Mill Times of Wednesday reports the proceedings of the Fort Mill township farmers as follows: Pursuant to the call of Hon. S. H. Epps, member of the executive committee of the York Cotton Growers' association, about fifty of the farmers of the township together with a number of business men of the town assembled In the town hall Saturday afternoon for the purpose of organizing a township association, as per the request of the county association at its meeting on January 2. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Epps, who appointed Mr. W. F. Harris temporary chairman. Mr. Harris explained the purpose of the meeting, and made quite an impression upon those present as to the necessity of immediate action and co-operation on the part of the farmers to bring relief for the present depressed condl tlon of the cotton market. Mr. Harris then called for the nomination of permanent officers and the following gentlemen were elected: T. S. Kirkpatrlck, president; J. M. Spratt, vice president; B. W. Bradford, secretary; W. F. Harris, treasurer. A letter from Capt S. E. White, of Lancaster, one of Fort Mill township's largest farmers, was read, In which he stated that unless cotton advanced in price he didn't think he would plant more than half a crop, and that he was ready to Join his brother farmers In any step they may take for the betterment of conditions. The sense of the meeting was to cut the cotton acreage 20 per cent, with a like reduction in the amount of commercial fertilizers used, and to hold all cotton now on hand until a price to be agreed upon can be obtained. All further business was put aside, awaiting the action of the National association, which meets in New Orleans on the 25th, and the meeting adjourned. The next meeting of the association will be held soon after the New Orleans convention, the date to be set by the president. SUICIDE OF J. A. WAT80N. Mr. James A. Watson committed suicide this morning: .by shooting himself in the head. The deed was committed with a shot gun. and was the result of careful and "deliberate preparation. Death was instantaneous. It was about half past 10 o'clock when Mr. Watson's body was found by Mr. S. W. Watson, his son, lying- in the back of the garden, but from the surrounding circumstances It was evident that the shooting had taken place at least two hours before. When the reporter arrived on the scene a few minutes after the alarm had been given, he found that a number of citizens had already gathered about the corpse: but ' nothing had been disturbed. The unfortunate man lay on a bank of grass covered earth, the left side of his race covered wun blood and powder smoke, and the shot gun still lying In the position In which It was left by the murderous diecharge. Mr. S. W. Watson says he heard the report of the gun. He was at breakfast at the time. He did not know where his father was; but had no suspicion of anything unusual. The firing of guns In the vicinity is not a matter of rare occurrence. Some time afterward he walked down in the garden and was horrified at the awful find against which he stumbled. The body, as It was found, lay on Its side, In doubled up position. The shot gun, which was a double-barrel muzzle-loader, lay with the muzzle within a few inches of the left side of the head and the butt near the feet. From the hands to the trigger guard extended a shoot V a wild cherry tree, a fork at the small end fitting over one of the triggers. Mr. Watson had cocked his gun, laid down on his side, placed the forked ^stick against the trigger, and ended tils life by means of pressure with his hands. The soft earth underneath' th'e butt of the gun showed a slight depression that had evidently been made by the shock of the discharge, and another not quite so pronounced that was probably made by a rebound. /There seemed to be nothing to Indicate that death was not Instantaneous. Examination of ,the wild cherry shoot which had been used to fire the gun, showed that all the limbs had been carefully trimmed, so as to leave no Jagged places. In fact the trimming could not have consumed less than fifteen minutes, whether all at one time or at different times. But Ce stick was not prepared this morns'. The condition of the knife marks show that the trimming must have been a matter of several days ago. The place where the stick was secured, was found on an adjoining lot and the evidence there was the same, If has since developed that the buckshot, with which the gun was charged, were purchased from the Withers Adlckes company about a week ago, Mr. S. W. Watson^gve It as bis opinion this morning tnat his father's death was due to despondency. "My father had been trying to get work for some time P**t," said Mr. Watson, "and being unable to do so, became very despondent We all knew of this; but we had no idea that he was contemplating anything like making way with himself." A little negro about the place says she has heard Mr. Watson several time* lately say, "Out of work; out of bread." It- is understood that u^?to-ttie past few days the unfortunate man had hopes of getting a position; but when he finally learned that Jie would not secure the place, he carried into final execution the desperate purpose that had probably been forming In his mind for a week or-more, Mr. James A. Watson was a son of the late Rev. Samuel M- Watson, for many years pastor of Bethel church, and was born in Bethel township on April 1, 1841. He was well educated and devoted the greater part of his life to school teaching. He volunteered his services to the Confederacy shortly after the breaking out of the war, and became a member of Company A, 12th regiment, of which he was appointed second sergeant. Later he became first sergeant, and was elected second lieutenant. Afterward he was promoted tc first lieutenant He was wounded at Gettysburg and the Wilderness, and was captured by the enemy at Sutherland Station on April 3, 1865. He remained a prisoner at Johnson's Island, O., until some time after the close of the war. Mr. Watson has been living in Yorkville for nearly twenty years, and was universally regarded as an upright Christian gentleman. In fact he was the very synonym of honesty, probity and correct living; but it would hardly be fair to say that he was a popular man. The only reason for this probably was because he was too serious minded. There was absolutely no levity in his make up. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church of Yorkville and was faithful in the discharge of his every duty. In a word, it is not .too much to say that a more honorable or upright man never lived in the county. Mr. Watson leaves a widow and three children, all grown. The children are Mr. 8. W. Watson of Yorkville; Mrs. R. C. Guy of Lowryville and Miss Virginia Watson, at present holding a position as stenographer in a Richmond, Va., bank. Mrs. Watson is In a state of collapse as the result of the terrible shock. The absent children have been telegraphed for. Ilnnn the SDrpari nt flio news of the tragedy citizens of Yorkville hurried to the scene to be of such assistance as possible in the circumstances, and kind neighbors are doing what they can to assist the grief stricken family with all the consolation possible. Arrangements for the funeral will probably be perfected during this afternoon. NOTE AND COMMENT. Representative Beamguard has introduced a bill to ratify the recent proposed amendment to Section 9 of Article 3 of the constitution so as to provide for biennial sessions of the general assembly. Auditor Williams reports that there is not a little kicking on account of I the capitation tax on dogs. Some of the taxpayers make returns without , comment; but the auditor is seeing , i | I enough to make It' quite .clear that the new law Is not at all popular. As to whether the effect of the law will be to make dogs less plentiful remains to be seen. - ? There is considerable difference of opinion as to - the wisdom of the governor's suggestion that the nomination of auditors should be talcen out of the primary. .The governor's Idea is that If auditors looked to the governor instead of the people for the continuance of their position, they would be more fearless in the discharge of their duties. There is d reason, however, to believe that the proposed change would be of but little benefit In the direction of taking the office from politics.1 If It W.ere Incumbent on the governor to appoint he would have to look to the legislative delegation for advice as to which was the best man and politics would enter Into the sltua- J tlon all the same. Then again, under the law the auditor has but 11'Ltle discretion or authority in the matter of llsttnir nron?rtv fnr tomMnti Hi haii to take the returns as they are given In to him and aworn to by the property owners, and the question as to whether returns are too high or too low must subsequently be decided by the board of equalisation. Mr. Ardre/s bill to reduce the fees of the clerk of the court Is a subject of pretty warm discussion among people who know more or less about the circumstances. People who oppose reduction claim that the effect of the bill will be either to reduce the Income of the clerk's office to a bare living or bring about a readjustment of charges that will cause no end of confusion. One of the principal sources of revenue to the clerk's office in York 1 county is the recording of deeds said mortgages, and the price of this work will be cut half. The clerk Is allowed to charge for probating papers and entering satisfaction of mortgages; but it has never been customary to make such charges in this oounty, and it is thought that it would be difficult to change the custotn. The fee. question was made an Issue in the csinI paign last summer; but It- can hardly be said that the voters considered'It at the polls, and as to whether or not j there is any real demand for a reduction of the fees of the cleric's office, does not clearly appear. There ,%re those who claim ' that this office la worth several thousand dollars a yeir; but this is onlv talk. If It Is true. the fees are too high. From the test information this writer has been able to get, the office Is not worth more than $1,800 a year or $2,000 at best * probably much less, and If this be true, the fee scale is about as it should b?, M^r. W. Wilkersort of Htelpury Grove, was in Torkville Wednesday, and made complaint to the reporter about a paragraph that was pub* lished in Thb Enquirer of January 10, and which puts Mr. WilkeoMQ in a false and embarrassing position. He had referencej to the paragraph credited to a "well-known farmer of the western side." "If that paragraph had reference to me." said Mr. WUkerson, "and I suppose from a certain conversation I had with you and another gentleman, it did, it makes me say things I did not way and creates impressions that I did not - intend to cDeate. In the first place I am sure you will not question the fact that our conversation was not intended for publication, and in the second place you will agree that our conversation could not have been comprehensively covered In such a brief statement. Anyhow the publication failed to voice what was in my mind at the time, for I certainly did not intend my complaint as to the scarcity of labor to apply to the work that we were doing on our little school house. The article as puDiisnea maae u appear w.at everybody In the neighborhood ?u trifling, and nobody knows betlor than I do that such Is not the caie. As a matter of fact, there was bo lack of labor on the school house. Messrs. J. J. J. Robinson, R. A. Brown, J. T. Wllkerson, Jonathan Buice, J. R. Howe and R. A. Foster worked at the building as faithfully as if they were building a homo 1'or themselves,, and others gave more or less assistance. It was hard to &et carpenters when we needed them, and I confess that I may have ahoivn a little vexation at that; but I hardly think I said anything to warrant such an impression as the article was calculated to create. The thing lias worried me ever since It has been brought to my attention, and I will be much obliged to have everything put straight. However, the school house is now about complete except for sash, blinds and painting and all these things will be looked after sh07-tly. We have one of the beet country ^ schools In the county, and a school house which, when completed, will be second to none." While of course the reporter did not intend to create any unwarranted impression In the article referred to, he is convinced that as a matter of fact he really did so, and takes pleasure in conceding that Mr. Wllkerson's complaint is not unreasonable. LOCAL LACONICS. C Miss Betsy Blsok Dssd. Miss Betsy Black died in the county home last Monday night, aged 96 years 7 months and 1 day. She was buried at Bethany on Tuesday by realtlvea Miss Bla :k had been an inmate of the county home for a number of years?sometimes there and sometimes away. She had been there for a year previous to her death, which was due to the grad- * ual wearing away incident to old are. Fort Mill's Nsw Counoii. Fort Mill Times: The new town council, elected on the 9th instai t, consisting of W. B. Meacham, intendant, and S. W. Parks, A. A. Bradford, Sr., J. T. Young and W. P. Crayton, wardens, took the oath of office on Tuesday night of last week. A meeting of the new council was held Immediately afterwards, at which S. W. Partes was elected secretary and treasurer of the town, while W. L. Hall was r?elected chief of police for this year. ? Death of Mrs. Susan E. Moors. Mrs. Susan Emily Moore, widow of the late Philander E. Moore, died at her home near Philadelphia church last Monday afternoon of consumption, aged 51 years, 3 months and 12 days. She had been ill for about a year and had been confined to hctr , bed for eight weeks. The funeral took place at Bethesda church on Tuesday, the services being conducted by Rev. J. K. Hall, her pastor. Mrs. Moore was highly esteemed by all who knew her as a most excellent Christian woman. She leaves seven children, four sons and three daughters. Kicked by a Mule. Andrew Moore, the 13-year-old son of Mr. John Starr Moore of Sharon, f was seriously injured last Monday afternoon by being kicked by a mule. Nobody saw the accident. The boy went out into the barn yard to give the stock some attention and probably an hour later he was found lying as