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YORKWLLE ENQUIRER. ISSUED SEMI-WEEKLT. i. m. grist's sons, PubU.h.r..} & 4amilS S??s?ap?(: ^or (he {promotion oj[ % political, Social, Sgrieultur.at and (Tommerriat Interests of lh< jpeopl*. | """" established I860. YORKVILLE, S. C.7TO8DAY^"APML1^ 1913. NO. 31." f | DICK GR i < KISP l By CAPT. H U. S. REVEN1 "And I have neither hope nor light; For me the sun grows wan and gray, And the drear shadows of the night Stream far into the golden day." V" The poet's lines faithfully portrayed the utter mystery and despair that welled up through Dick Granger's heart as l\e tore along the highway leading from his native village, where for eighteen years he had lived a quiet, uneventful life. Dick was the only son of the Widow Granger, whose husband had been lost at sea ten years before. The boy had been bewailing his lot in life, complaining bitterly to his mother. "It is easy enough to talk, mother, about resignation. I have heard that preached all the days of my life, but I fail to see that it helps things at all. Do I not spring from a better stock jL than the squire's son? You told me that my ancestors fought in the Revolution, were in the Continental navy, and, again, they wore a sword in 1812. Is it strange that I should have a desire for a different kind of life than offers in this dull, obscure place?" His mother answered him soothing ly, and as ho left the room her parting words rang in his ears: "You are a good boy, Dick, and God will bless you for It." Every word, gesture, kiss, and caress were stamped vividly upon his mind, to K be recalled amid wild sobs and bitter anguish with despair and desperation tugging at his heart. From his mother's presence he had sallied forth to meet unexpectedly a pretty village maiden, Jennie Raymond, who in the depths of his young, honest heart he loved with all the strength and passion of his nature. It was a somewhat lonely spot, which fact may have emboldened Tom Mason, the squire's eideet son, to overtake and - torment the village maiden. ^ With the strength and activity of a panther, Dick, who had taken in the situation at a glance, was by her side, and. striking straight from the shoulder, the well-dressed young reprobate % measured his length on the snow-clad earth. In falling his head struck the jagged edge of a rock, inflicting an ugly wound on the temple, from which the blood slowly oozer. The fact, white and colorless, was upturned towards the leaden sky, from which flakes of snow were beginning to fall. ^ With dilated eyes, Jennie impulsively clasped her hands, as she whispered: "Dick, Dick, I fear you have killed him." . "Killed him!" echoed the widow's son, as he hastily knelt and thrust his hand over Tom Mason's heart. "My God!" and Dick staggered to his feet. Jennie's eyes were fastened upon his. Years elapsed before she effaced from her memory the desuair and horror there depicted. In vain he tried to resuscitate the prostrate lad; not a single heart-throb could he detect. "Oh, Jennie," he groaned, "must I hang, when I did not mean to do It? But he is dead, dead?and I?oh, mothf er, mother, what will become of me? What will become of you? It will break her heart, and my father?my father, who is in heaven, look down on your poor boy and forgive him! "I must go, Jennie. I must get away. Oh, If I could only think, but I am a boy, friendless, poor boy, and?and? good-by Jennie; kiss mother for me. 4 Just like that. Tell her all about it, and be good to her. I shall never forget you. Say to her I will come back, some time, some time." p. "A stowaway, aid you say, Mr. Jenkins? Send him aft, sir, send him aft. He must be pretty well used up. We are two days out, and with a berth in the fore peak, with nothing to eat or drink, he must be nearly starved." Bluff Captain Bell thrust his hands ?deep into the pockets of his monkey Jacket, glancing with a satisfied air aloft, where every stitch of canvas was ~ P^7e->l*m'ng 'ts duty before the favoring ^ He was aroused from his pleasant reveries by the hearty tones of the mate announcing the presence of the stowaway, and Captain Bell took in at a glance the wretched figure before him. who with both hands was clinging feebly to the fife-rail of the mizzenmast, swaying backwards and forwards m with every motion of the ship. It was the figure of a boy, weak from exhaustion, sea-sickness, and privation. A tangled mass of dark-brown hair surmounted features ghastly pale, lips trembling, and tears rolling down his ^ dirt-la-grimed cheeks, and viewed as a whole, Captain Bell thought that in all his experience he had never seen a more woe-begone wretch. In a few sharp questions the captain ascertained that the boy had run away and that his name was Richard Granger. Briefly and not unkindly the old seaman told the lad that he did not like the manner in which he had come on board. "But," he continued, "I shall not abuse simply because I have the power to do so. Do the best you can. and you will find, after all, my lad. that there is many a worse home floating about than that offered by the old ^ Aurora." So the boy was launched in his new profession. A new world was opened before him that went far to change the Current of his thoughts, while the routine duty left but little leisure for Dick Granger to indulge in repining and gloomy forebodings. Captain Bell kept his word with the friendless stowaway, and on the Aurora Dick visited every quarter of the globe, until at the age of 22 he walked the quarter-deck as chief mate. A good sailor and skilful navigator, his patron viewed him with pride and satisfaction. But there was some mystery about the young mate, and honest old Captain Bell could not fathom it. It P troubled and worried him, for he hated concealment in every form. Never for a moment had Dick been ANGERS' j tlET I [. D. SMITH, I UE SERVICE ^ free from apprehension; and the limp body of the squire's son, with his staring, expressionless eyes, like Banquo's ghost at the banquet, would not down at his bidding. To have written one word, to have sent his mother his carefully hoarded savings, would have been a boon for which he would gladly have risked everything. But the fear of an Ignominious death kept him silent. The mental strain had told upon him; the pale face wore a settled tinge of sadness, while the brown hair had changed to Iron gray. The good ship Aurora finally found refuge in the harbor of Cronstadt. Russia was on the eve of war with Turkey, and the cargo of naval stores in the Aurora's hold found a good market with the warlike Moscovites. It was a gala day. The Russian fleet was to be inspected by high dignitaries, and each man-of-war was gayly bedecked with bunting. The Aurora had also put on her holiday attire, with yards squared, running gear hauled taut, brass work glistening merrily, the Stars and Stripes floating proudly from the monkey gaff. The boom of cannon, assembling of officers and marines, the manning of yards, and a succession of wild huzzas, announced the coming of the royal steam yacht, bearing on board the czar of all the Russias. Dick Granger, arrayed in his best attire, stood by the signal halyards, waiting for the proper moment to dip the ensign in honor of the event. The royal yacht passed slowly through the fleet, the quarter-deck crowded by a gay and glittering throng of ladies and gentlemen. The handsome American clipper-ship was the center of attraction, and from the spaclous deck of the yacht rose a subdued murmur of applause. A child, in its eagerness to witness the spectacle, approached the broad, open gangway of the royal yacht. A slight lurch was sufficient for the little unpraetlced feet to lose their hold, the lithe body lost its equilibrium. A scream, a flash of white clothing amid the eddying wake astern, terror and confusion on the deck of the yacht, were events that followed each other in rapid succession. While the stupid, stolid sailors of the czar hesitated, abashed by the presence of their all-powerful ruler, Dick, who had witnessed the accident, was overboard quick as a flash. The cold waters of the Neva caused him to gasp for breath, while the child, weighed down by her clothing, sank beneath the surface, a hoarse roar resounding in Dick's ears as he, too. disappeared from view. Down, down amid the treacherous, swirling tides of the Neva went the brave Dick, his hands clutching the outspreading clothing; then up, up, with a terrible pressure on his heart, a wild commotion like the roar or a cataract resounding: in his ears. A dozen hands proffered the aid so sorely needed, and Dick, still clinging to his little charge, was taken on board the yacht. He was partly conscious of the presence of a tall, majestic figure standing beside him: uniforms, ladies, and jewels danced before his eyes; an icy tightness tugged at his heart, then unconsciousness mercifully came to his relief. Ten days later and the young mate was closeted with Captain Bell in the cabin of the Aurora. "It Is a short yarn, but an eventful one, sir. The child I saved was a favorite grandchild of the czar's. He expressed his gratitude in warm terms, and made me a proposition to enter his service as captain. I accepted, knowing you would not object to this, my great opportunity in life. He took from his breast a decoration and pinned it to mine. Here is my uniform; my frigate Is moored astern of the Aurora; and oh, Captain Bell, my heart is too full to say more. I owe It all to you and your kind heart. God bless you for it all, and the helping hand you extended to a poor, friendless vagabond." Orders came for the fleet to sail, and Dick bade his friend and benefactor farewell. "Well, Dick," and Captain Bell's voice trembled with emotion, "so our cruising together has ended in this. You are a full-fledged Russian, with sword, epaulets, cocked hat, and an order on your breast. With the friendship of the czar to back you, it will be all plain sailing, I fancy. You came to me in rags, and you leave the old ship togged out like a lord. You deserve it all. You have been a good boy, and faithful to your duty. But there goes the signal-gun to unmoor. God be with you, my lad. Don't forget the Stars and Stripes in your new career. Good-by." On swept the fleet, moving majestically from the harbor. One frigate lowered Its white ensign emblazoned with a blue cross as she glided closely alongside the American ship. The figure of an old man stood on the quarter-deck with uncovered head, the cold wind tossing his silvery locks about in wild confusion. The form of a naval officer was seen in the mizzen-rigging, standing out clear as a silhouette against the gloomy horizon. "Good-by, Captain Bell, clear oiu friend!" came from the frigate. "Remember to deliver the package to my mother. I hope to meet you at my home before the close of another year." A last wave of the hand, a longing, lingering glance, and Captain Rell retired to his cabin to smoke, to ponder and muse, with great tears rolling down his furrowed, weather-beaten cheeks. A year rolled swiftly by, and the Aurora once more rode to her anchors in a home port, with Captain Bell bustling about, anxious to seize the first opportunity to acquit himself of the errand with which he had been intrusted. The year had been an eventful one in the career of Dick Granger. On one occasion a Russian division had been in an imperilled position, cut off from their communications, with only the sea open to them, and desperately in need of ammunition. Dick volunteered to run the gauntlet of the Turkish fleet in a small steamer loaded down with powder and projectiles, and the services of the American were accepted. Under cover of a thick mist he stole out of the harbor, a few flying shots whistled about the powder-laden craft, and in twenty-four hours the vessel was lying under the Russian batteries, and the czar's stalwart children placed beyond the possibility of defeat. By a bold movement of his frigate during the height of a furious engagement, Dick succeeded in taking up an advantageous position, aiding materially in flanking a Turkish force, his rapidly served guns and raking fire bringing panic and dismay amid the rank a r?f the true believers. It took good seamanship to save the frigate from disaster that day, for she was caught on a lee shore lined with Jutting, cruel rocks, and bristling with cannon. The Turks stood ready to riddle trfe frigate the moment she should take the bottom; but Dick, trumpet In hand, handled his ship with consummate skill, worked off shore, with the czar's banner waving In the face of the enemy, never losing an opportunity to test the efficiency of his guns when they could be brought to bear. This, and a couple of daring deeds in connection with the torpedo service against the Turkish ironclads, won for the widow's son additional promotion and a title. The quiet and repose of a winter's night had settled down upon the village, from which, years before, Dick Granger had fled. The old, rambling, weather-beaten, stained tavern, which had so long withstood the inroads of time, loomed up prominently. Its angular proportions sharply defined against the clear wintry sky. From the front windows streamed forth a mellow, flickering light, suggestive of warmth and comfort, and a tall, commanding figure paused for a moment on the threshold, gazing curiously about him ere he passed into the office, that also served as a bar and waiting-room. Leaning over the well-worn counter lounged the landlord, who cackled softly to himself as he listened to some bit of village gossip that was being related by his companion. Both the cackle and the yarn came to an abrupt termination as the stalvart form of the stranger, closely enveloped in a curiously shaped overcoat with hood and pendant tassel, the whole lined and bordered with costly sables, stood revealed to their wondering gaze. Glancing sharply at the two loungers for a moment, the stranger threw a card on the nearest table, without con-* descending to waste a word upon them and abruptly left the tavern. With wondering eyes the astounded men examined the card upon which was emblazoned: "Count Grangaski, Imperial Russian Navy." At a rapid pace the count proceeded in the direction of Widow Granger's modest cottage. The stars gleamed and scintilated to in the clear firmament above; in the distance the Jingle of musical sleigh-bells and ring of joyous laughter was borne onward by the frosty atmosphere. All seemed peace and gladsome happiness as the count reached the gate leading to Mrs. Granger's house. Removing his hat, and with eyes riveted upon the windows of the front room, from which a light gleamed, he murmured softly to himself: "And behold! like the welcoming quiver Of heart-puises mrooueu uuuugu the river, Those lights in the harbor at last, The heavenly harbor at last." Pushing the front door ajar, the count listened eagerly as the hum of conversation reached his ears. He recognized the deep, gruff tones of Captain Bell's voice, frequently intermingled with others of a lighter and more musical cadence. The captain had related the incident of Dick's saving the life of the czar's grandchild, and the reward that had followed the accomplishment of the gallant deed, when a slight noise from the door opening into the plain little sitting-room caused the widow to glance quickly in that direction. A tall form with bearded face, met her startled gaze; her heart throbbed violently as she started impulsively from her chair, and Dick Granger clasped his mother in his arms as he whispered, "I have come home, mother, home at last, and there shall be no more partings." Jennie Raymond, who was present, next engaged the attention of the Widow's son, and although she blushed deeply as Dick kissed her flushed cheek, she was too sensible a woman to shrink from one in whose welfare she was so deeply interested. Her honest blue eyes met his brown ones with a language there was no mistaking. Long into the night the group remained talking. Captain Bell learned the facts covering Dick's flight from home, while Dick heard from his mother's lips how true and kind Jennie had been all the long years. Also, that Tom Mason had recovered rapidly from the blow he bad received, and in a week's time was visiting his accustomed haunts, while Dick was a wanderer on the broad ocean. A month later, Dick led to the altar Jennie Raymond, attired in a wonderful wedding costume Dick had procured from the famed looms of the Volga. Jewels of rare lustre gleamed amid the folds of priceless laces, the gifts of the proud husband, who, attired in the full nn/l tri,rir??iiiis uniform and orders of his rank, filled the villagers' hearts full to overflowing with awe and admiration as they realized that the imposing stranger was no less a personage than the Widow Granger's long-absent son. It was an event never to he forgotten in the annals of the quaint and sequestered little village, and long after Dick, accompanied by his bride and fond mother, had taken their departure for the domain of the czar, every detail connected with the story of the widow's son, and the grand wedding, following his return, continued to be the leading topic of conversation both with young and old. it?r"Waiter," said the absent-minded professor. "Yes, sir?" "If I have dined bring me the bill. If I haven't, bring me steak and mushrooms."?TitBits. piscrllanmts iKradinj). DEFIES THE COURT. Greenwood Woman Goes to Jail for Contempt. Greenwood, April 10.?A most unusual event In South Carolina court happenings was the commitment to Jail here this morning of Miss Belle Yoe by order of Judge Sease for contempt of court because she had refused to vacate certain lands condemned by the town of Greenwood, such condemnation being recently affirmed by the supreme court. Judge Sease Issued a rule yesterday for Miss Yoe to show cause why she should not be adjudged in contempt of court. In answer to the rule Miss Yoe appeared in court this morning and when questioned by his honor stated that she had not been contemptuous but always very respectful to the court. Judge Sease then recited the case to her and the affirmation of the verdict of the circuit court by the state supreme court and asked her why she did not obey the order of the court and move off the condemned lands. Miss Yoe answered that it was her home, left her by her parents. Judge Sease ordered the sheriff to take charge of her and commit her to Jail for a period of thirty days for contempt of court, but added that if she decided to obey the court's order to vacate that she should bo liberated. Miss Yoe readily accompanied the deputy sheriff, D. T. Major, to the pail, where she now is. Coming Into court she brought with her a large bouquet of flowers. She laid these on the outside before going in, but when she came out she picked them up and carried them to Jail with her. On the way she asked what would be the outcome at the end of thirty days. Whether this Is an indication that she means to remain the thirty days is not known. To insist upon occupying the premises on her release would doubtless mean constant arrest and imprisonment, since the court has adjudged her In contempt. The land In question is about seventy acres, and adjoins the present tract owned by the town of Greenwood and used by the water and light plant. The land was condemned under statutory proceedings to protect the watershed of the water supply of the town. THE SENATORIAL RACE. No Good Reason Why There Should Not Be a Change. We have never been in sympathy with the often expressed sentiment that Senator Tillman should be sent back to the United States senate without opposition. We say sentiment for it is sentiment and not sense nor reason. Senator Tillman has passed his day of usefulness in the senate. His health is very bad and he cannot take active part in deliberations of that body any more. He has received all the honor the state can give him. he does not need the money, and we think the graceful thing for him to do is to step down and out. If he does this he will have a record of never having been defeated for any office. If he stays in the race it is possible and probable that he will be defeated as a new generation of voters has grown up since 1890 when he was at the zenith of his power and he cannot obtain the support of many of them. I Many of his former supporters will! desert him on account of his health and will not stick to him for sentiment. The probabilities are that a Democrat will be elected president and that the senate will be Democratic and it is very essential that this state be represented by two good wide-awake men that can take active part in its deliberations. Senator Tillman would seriously imperil his health by entering a campaign and if he were defeated, it would likely hasten his death. He has been of great service to the state, no doubt, but he has been well compensated for it, and he should remember that one of the reasons for getting rid of the "old war horse" Wade Hampton was declining years and bad health caused him to be of no service to the state. We can really see no sane sense for returning the senator and we Insist that the graceful thing for him to do is to retire with thanks to the people of the state for the many times he has been honored. As to his successor we are not prepared to say much. We do not believe either of those positively announced will till the bill. We know a most capable man for the place but he will not consent to allow his name to be used. The time is ripe for a real good man to come out into the open. The question is who will it be??Abbeville Medium. CORN CLUB BOYS. One Thousand of Them to Be Entertained at Banc.uet. One thousand boys in school together is not a rare sight but a gathering of one thousand school boys around a banquet board is unique. And when it is said that these one thousand boys are Corn Club boys, from all the. corn growing states, what a sight it will be! This is the plan of the national exposition management, to have a great exposition school for prize winners in the county contests of the Boy's Corn clubs. as conducted throughout the southern states by the Federal farm demonstration bureau, and the city council of Columblu, where the corn exposition Is to be held next January, has announced that the city will give a banquet to the one thousand or more boys attending the exposition school. The school will consist of the two boys in each county winning first and second place in the Boy's Corn club contests. The school will open on Monday, January 27, 1913, the opening day of the exposition, and will continue one week. The faculty will consist of agricultural experts from all parts of the country who will be in attendance on the exposition, which Is much more than a mere corn show. It Is a great national agricultural exposition, not being confined to corn alone, and the opportunity which It affords for agricultural education is unexcelled. The boys attending the exposition school will be quartered in a large building, near the main exposition buildings, and they will be in charge of representatives of the farm demonstration work. The boys will be organized Into a semi-military organization, and while the men of the demonstration department will have close supervision over them, it is planned that the boys themselves will be given certain responsibilities. They will visit the exhibits in the mornings and in the afternoons will have parades, and will be given special Instruction in corn judging, stock judging and the like. The boys will be asked to prepare reports of what they see and the best of these reports will be sent to the home papers for publication. Then, on Saturday night, the last night, comes the banquet, given by the city of Columbia in honor of the Horn club hnvs. There will be SDeech es by some of the most notable men In the country, and In fact, it will be a genuine banquet, Just like grown-up folks have. Prof. O. B. Martin, assistant In charge of the boy's department of the farm demonstration work, will be In charge of all preliminary arrangements for the exposition school, and he has entered upon the work with characteristic enthusiasm and energy. ROOSEVELT'S WORK. New York World Admits That Will Be of Practical Benefit. Mr. Roosevelt Is beaten for the nomination for president, but the World hopes that he will continue his campaign until the national convention meets, as the Illinois result will dispose of him, too. His nomination for president would be a great calamity, but his campaign for the nomination Is a great public beheflt. He is shaking up the dry bohes of fossilized respectability. He Is scaring the Republican party out of Its smug self-complacency. He Is driving it down the road of political progress in spite of Itself, and the further he drives It the better. The Republican party can no longer stand pat. It Is obliged to move with the procession and "pander to the moral sentiment of the comumnlty," as Fernando Wood used to say. The Rochester convention furnishes only one Illustration out of many of the excellent results of Mr. Roosevelt's dash for the White House. It is a far more representative convention than would have been held had not Mr. Roosevelt tried to seize a third term. It is a far more progressive convention. It will come closer to meeting the real Issues of American po)ItIcs. It Is thinking much more about the American people and much less about the Wall street contributors to the campaign fund than it would have done had not Mr. Roosevelt's candidacy threatened the country with political disaster. What is true at Rochester will be true at Chicago. The national platform will be a better platform than It would have been if Mr. Roosevelt had kept out of the contest. A better platform at Chicago will force a better platform at Baltimore. The Democratic party will have to keep up with the procession If it wants to win. President Butler of Columbia, in his speech as temporary chairman of the Rochester convention yesterday, defined "the supreme Issue of 1912" as "the maintenance of our republican form of government. lius jo mtuncti. xs?w battle for the maintenance of our republican form of government has been fought and won. Mr. Roosevelt's third term candidacy has collapsed. His patent-medicine remedies have been repudiated by the common sense of the American people; but the real issues remain. Popular discontent does not end with the downfall of Roosevelt's ambition or with the repudiation of his spurious nostrums. Tariff abuses, corporation abuses, financial abuses, court abuses, boss rule and privilege entrenched behind the law?these are all vital questions grounded In real public wrongs. Mr. Roosevelt's campaign has shown even the Bourbons of American politics that these issues can no longer be ignored. They must be dealt with, or this country will get Roosevelt or worse than Roosevelt. Let there be no illusions about that.?New York World. Betrayed by "Betsy."?"It is a curious fact," said the old railroad engineer to the patient waiters in the village barber shop, "that a man, after he has run an engine a long time, comes to regard It as human and to expect of it rational and even highly moral behavior. " 'She's a little mite cranky now and then,' you'll hear a man say tolerantly, 'and I have to coax her up a bit, but'? here he always begins to swell with pride?'there's nothing mean about her. I can trust her!"' "That's true, every word," a listener burst out, eagerly, "and when he finds she's gone back on him he doesn't know what to make of It. He's hurt and mortified clean through. There was old Davis, who ran on the East Bridgewater branch of the Old Colony. You knew Davis?" | The engineer nodded, declares the Youth's Companion. "For fifty-five years," he said. "Then you know the story better than I do. You tell It," urged the listener. "The details don't matter," the engineer responded, readily enough, "but one day the old man's hand was crushed?by his own engine, one that he had handled without accident for years. We fixed him up the best we could, and he bore all our fumbling without a whimper; in fact, he didn't seem to feel it, although it was plain enough that he was pretty well broke up. But when we started him off home hejiurned to us with tears In his eyes. " 'Boys,' he said, and it was the first word he'd spoken, 'boys, I wouldn t have believed it of Betsy! I wouldn't have believed it of the old girl!'" He Had His Suspicion.?One day a farmer member of the Ohio house displayed, Inadvertently, a large roll of bills in the Neil house lobby. A fellow member gazed in awe at the show of wealth. "I Just sold a drove of hogs," explained the farmer member rather hastily and confusedly. The observing one was thoughtful. He did not reply for the half-minute usually essential to the full-measured beat of his mental process. And then? "Yaas," he drawled, "and I'll bet I'm lone o' them hawgs."?Success. WILSON SENTIMENT STRONGEST. Poll of South Carolina Democratic Committee. Governor Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey, has a long: lead among: South Carolina Democrats for the presidential nomination, if a poll of the members of the Democratic executive committee, 23 out of 40 expressing their choice for the New Jersey governor, is a correct Index to public sentiment In this matter. Speaker Champ Clark Is the choice df eight of the members, Congressman Underwood twd, and Governor Harmon three, while three of | the members were for the most avail- I able man and one declined to express any opinion. State Chairman Wilie Jones is for Governor Wilson, while Governor Blease was one of the three who expressed a choice for Harmon. Judging by the poll of the committee, there Is practically no sentiment for Harmon. Speaker Champ Clark Is Wilson's nearest competitor, but Governor Wilson is overwhelmingly the choice of the committee. It appears that Congressman Underwood Is the second choice of the majority of the committee, and there is no doubt but that the newspaper supplements which the Underwood people have been distributing among the county papers have worked up considerable sentiment for the Alabamlan. United States Senator E. D. Smith was proclaiming the virtues of Governor Wilson this morning while busily shaking hands with his many friends. Senator Tillman would not express a choice, but is known to be friendly to the New Jersey man. The poll of the committee follows: For Wilson: Jones of Abbeville; Holley of Aiken; Breazeale of Anderson; Free of Bamberg; Caldwell of Chester; Duval of Chesterfield; James of Darlington; Hamer of Dillon; Padgett of Edgefield; Gasque of Florence; Bramlett of Greenville; Llghtsey of Hampton; Lewis of Horry; Robington of Lancaster; Cooper of Laurens; Griffith of Lexington; Montgomery of Marlon; Walker of Oconee; Jones of Richland; Crouch of Saluda; Bennett of Spartanburg; Parrott of Sumter, Greer of Union. Total, 23. For Clark: Bivens of Dorchester; Doar of Georgetown; Jefferies of Jasper; Bell of Cherokee; James of Lee; Drake of Marlboro; Richards of Kershaw; Wilborn of York. Total, 8. For Underwood: Talblrd of Beaufort; Smoak of Colleton. Total, 2. For Harmon: Bulst of Barnwell; Blease of Newberry; Ketchen of Fairfield. Total, 3. For the most available man: Williams of Berkeley; Davis of Clarendon; Llde of Orangeburg. Slnkler of Charleston, did not express himself.? Columbia special of Thursday to the News and Courier. A DCC CADUQ A UPNAr.F. unnviu rnnmw r* ?w ? Clarence Poe Advocates Tax Reduction On Small Holdings. That big plantations are a menace to the south, the Ideal being a great democracy of thrifty, home-owning small farmers, and that taxes should be reduced on small land holdings and inheritances, was the argument presented in an address before the Southern Commercial congress at Nashville, Tennessee, recently, by Editor Clarence Poe of the Progressive Farmer. Mr. Poe was one of the two principal speakers in the Seaman A. Knapp memorial meeting and declared that Dr. Knapp's great aim was to make the rural south a vast democracy of small home owners. To this end Mr. Poe advocated the English graduated tax on the unearned increment in rural or urban land holdings, with holdings of $1,000 or less wholly exempted, and a heavy tax on inheritances of $5,000 or over, likewise graduated. "We must tax small holdings less, great holdings more," he declared, "the gains of thrift and Industry less, the gains of chance or inheritance more." He also urged the immigration of thrifty northern and western white farmers, declaring this the only sure plan to remedy our excessiively large proportion of negro population and solve the problem of an adequate social life in the country. In the first part of his speech Mr. Poe dealt with the increase of agricultural Incomes In the south and declareed that they could be doubled by the adequate use of machinery and greater horse power. "Statistics show," he said, "that farm workers in three typical south central states average less than one horsp and cultivate only sixteen acres per capita, earning $189 a year, whereas the farm workers in three typical north central states average between three and four horses per capita and cultivate sixty-three acres apiece, earning $663 a year." Coming directly to what he pronounced the more Important part of Dr. Knapp's work, Mr. Poe said: "Put in a single sentence, Dr. Knapp's one great aim, his dominant Ideal was to make the south a vast democracy of thrifty, home-owning: farmers, every man sitting' under his own vine and fig-tree. I wish every farmer in the south could get and read his bulletin, 'The Causes of Southern Rural Conditions and the Small Farm as an Important Remedy.' To break up our great plantations into smaller holdings and to encourage and help every farmer to own his own home; this he regarded as the most important task ahead of the leaders of southern agriculture. To use Dr. Knapp's own language: " 'A prosperous, intelligent and contented rural population is essential to our national perpetuity. The world's experience has shown that the best way to secure this is to encourage the division of all the lands into small farms, each owned and operated by one family.' "My own conviction, ladies and gentlemen, is that In this statement Dr. Knapp showed the vision of a prophet and a seer. It will be well indeed for the south If we do not come too late to listen to the warning of England two centuries ago against the hastening ills to which any land is subject 'where wealth accumulates and men decay,' and where princes and lords flourish at the expense of a bold peasantry. Even now the duty of the hour as I conceive it, is to lighten the burdens of the small home-owner. "The methods I suggest are new In the south, I know, but I do not hesitate to say that I believe we must lighten the taxes on the poor man and the small home-owner and land-holder, and increase the taxes on others?principally by levying heavy graduated taxes on Inheritances of J6.000 or over, and a graduated tax on the unearned Increment In urban or rural land values. after the English policy, but exempting from the latter provision all who own less than SI,000 or 12,000 worth of land. We must tax small holdings lees, great holdings more, the gains of thrift and Industry less, the gains of chance or inheritance more. Into our state laws here in the south as In our national laws at Washington, we must write the determination of the people that the birth-right of every man to the liberty and happiness of home-owning shall be properly safeguarded, and that the weak shall not be forced to bear the burdens of the strong, or the many Impoverished that a few may be enriched. A great democracy of thrifty, prosperous, homeowning small farmers is the hope of the south and should be the goal of all our If?* AO/VO . KAM .AAAIlla - I DiriVUlg. T OSl CM CTM IIV1U 1UI 0|AiVUH?tlve purposes or bought by corporations merely for financial profit and cultivated by men who are nothing more than factory machines to their owners?all such holdings are a menace to progress and prosperity In the south, as indeed are all great plantations where a backward tenantry Is exploited when by cutting them up, thrifty and progressive farmers and home-owners would come In and give strength and power to the state. Then too, we need to encourage the coming of thrifty northern and western small farmers into our southern country. We need them to reduce our tooburdensome proportion of negro population. I have no ill-will against our negroes, but they themselves will be helped by Increasing the percentage of our white population. Moreover, everybody knows that the great drawback to rural life Is Its Isolation. If the south were a great democracy of home-owning, eighty-acre farmers, and our number of negroes not Increased, the problem of social life on the farm would be solved, the proportion of negroes would be too small to be serious; our larger population would support the finest school system in the world; our greater number of tax-payers would enable us to have magnificent roads, good all the year round; the larger population would provide adequate support for the best doctors and preachers and professional men; rural telephones, the transportation of school children, the development of social centers follow as naturally as the day the night; the prosperity of our towns, and of every other Industry would be doubled, and new spirit and vastly Increased vigor would be found for every manufacturing and commercial enterprise known to our people. "This is the great task ahead of us. It is the problem of our statesmen, our editors, our agricultural leaders, our men of vision In every profession and calling." THE PRICE OF COTTON. Why It Has Gone Up?What the Farmer May Expect. Why has cotton gone to ten cents? Is It because of a normal demand from spinners?so natural and normal a demand that farmers may expect 10 cents If they make another bumper crop? Or Is it due to such conditions as farmers should be warned against, and warned promptly? We believe the latter explanation Is the correct one. Let us present one significant fact to prove our belief. It was brought to our attention by Mr. J. A. Brown, of Chadbourn, N. C., a former executive committeeman of the Southern Cotton association and now state organizer In cotton crop reduction movement. Mr. Brown was In tti? Prn?-e?slvB Farmer office a few days ago and strongly emphasized the fact that although cotton has gone to 10 cents now, our cotton growers must by no means assume that they can plant another crop and get 10 cents next fall. The truth Is, that the spftiners believe that the farmers are reducing their acreage, and on that assumption they are now buying largely beyond their present needs?believing, as they do, that the reduced acreage will mean higher prices next fall. This explains the recent advance in the markets all over the country. In proof Mr. Brown showed us a telegram he had Just received from Secretary Hester, of the New Orleans cotton exchange, reporting that for the first six months of this cotton year (It runs from September 1 to September 1) the foreign spinners, European and Canadian, had bought 6,450,000 bales American cotton, while last year they only took 7,746,000 bales for the whole twelve months. This demonstrates conclusively that these foreign manufacturers are buying for future needs. In consequence, there will be a corresponding decreased demand from them next fall, and If a big crop is made, prices will noftolnlv orn OWHV h#?lf)W 10 ff?ntS. In fact, if prices went below 10 cents last fall, when mills were hungry and even famishing for lint, what must our farmers expect if they make a big crop this year with mills well stocked with our big 1911 crop? In view of these facts, Mr. Brown made the following pertinent comment which we heartily endorse: " 'The foreign spinner has not forgotten the experience of a few years ago, when a crop of 14,000,000 bales caused a slump in prices from about 16 cents (during the Sully campaign) to about 6i cents, following the next year by the tremendous reduction in acreage and a series of four years of 12 to 14-cent cotton. The foreign buyer is evidently anticipating a repetition of this action on the part of the southern cotton growers, and it would be suicidal on our part to disappoint them. Reduction and diversification are the only salvation of the south in this crisis, and I sincerely hope that the recent small advance in prices will not fool the southern people. Unless there Is a reduction in acreage and practical diversification, then stagnation in all lines of business is sure to follow." Ten-cent prices now are certainly no guarantee of these figures at selling time next fall. Keep your cotton acreage down to the point you have had in mind before prices advanced.? Progressive Farmer. TROUBLE IN CHIHUAHUA. Rebel Leader Orozco Refuses to Recognize American Consul. United States Consul Marlon Letcher, stationed in Chihuahua, Mexico, is not the American consul as far as General Pascual Orozco, commanderin-chief of the rebel army, is concerned. General Orozco made this statement last Friday, declaring that as the United States government does not recognize the belligerency of the Liberals, the Liberals cannot recognize Letcher as consul. Orozco adds that he does not like the tone of certain communications from Letcher. "Mr. Letcher is merely an American citizen and entitled to the consideration we grant any foreigner," said General Orozco. Mr. Letcher was not perturbed visibly when informed of his odcls' ostracism and will treat the general merely as a Mexican citizen. The official ostracism includes also James I. Long, the United States agent at Parral. A series of Incidents have led to the climax. Since the revolution began the consul from time to time has been compelled in the absence of other authority from Chihuahua, to take up various matters with Orozco. The latter fretted under the fact that the consul did not address him as a regularly constituted authority. Less than a week ago a rebel band went through a Mexican Central train bound from Chihuahua to Juarez, and seized letters and documents carried by passengers, among them being considerable matter addressed by the consul to the state department at Washington. Mr. Letcher protested to Orozco against this act. There were several exchanges and finally the Liberal leader Informed the consul that the letters had been seized because either they were stamped with American stamps, or not stamped at all. Orozco declared that the fact that the letters were not entrusted to the mails as conducted by the rebels was an insult to them, not to mention the fact that by using messengers Instead of the mails, the rebel government is deprived of legitimate revenue. In conclusion, the consul was informed that his letters were in the postofflce and that they were at his disposal as soon as he saw lit to affix official Mexican postage stamps. Another thing which increased the tension between Orozco and Messrs. Letcher and Long was the execution of Thomas Fountain, an American soldier fighting under the leadership of General Pancho Villa, at Parral. Fountain was not a spy, but a soldier, and was captured in uniform and under arms. Notwithstanding this, he was condemned and shot. American citizens attempted to interfere and as a last resort Consul Letcher and Consular Agent Long delivered a request, said to have been signed by President Taft for a stay of execution until a more thorough investigation could be made. This plea was rejected almost Instantly, to the great indignation of American residents in Parral. Their protests against an act which theyde clare was against the rules of all civilized warfare, reached the ears of the rebel leader, but served only to stiffen his attitude. His letter to Mr. Letcher Friday plainly Indicates his resentment against what he considers undue interference by Americans, Including the consuls, in affairs of the rebellion. DYNAMITE ACCIDENT8. Some of the Stuff May Remain After a Charge Is Exploded. "It Is generally supposed that when a charge of dynamite has exploded it Is all over?that the entire charge has been consumed," said a "hard rock" man who has worked In mines, in river tunnels and other places where high explosives are used. "This supposition, however, is not correct," he continued. "Sometimes particles of dynamite will be blown out with the broken rock. Then it becomes a menace to the workmen. It is a favorite practice of men who are waiting or resting to sit on a pile of 'muck.' as the broken rock is called, and to jab into it with a pick or a candlestick or some other steel thing, much the same as a Yankee will whittle while he talks or thinks. If steel strikes one of these bits of dynamite that has not gone off, because the glycerin in It has started to run or because a fragment of it has been crystallized, there will be an explosion. The chances are that not one of the group of men sitting around will escape Injury." Another frequent cause of acdents Is that sometimes when the dynamite explodes and tears out the rock a small quantity of it will be left in the bottom of the drill hole, unaffected by the shock. If the drill hole that remains happens to be pointed in the right direction a lazy drill runner is likely to take advantage of it and start his new hole in the old one In order to make a record or save time. The instant his drill commences to thud on the unexploded dynamite it goes off. The steel is driven back through the barrel of the machine, wrecking it and usually killing the drill runner. This explains many mysterious deaths that have been attributed to 'missed shots.' "? New York Press. ' What Would the Lawyer Do??The damage suit was on, says Harper's Weekly, and Bildad's chauffeur was testifying for the plaintiff. "Now, you say," said the pompous lawyer for the defendant, "that at this point the two cars traveling at the rate of thirty miles an hour came together head-on. Then what did you do?" The witness gazed wearily at his questioner. "Why," he said, "I turned to my wife, who was brushing the baby's hair in the tonneau, and I said that I thought the dumplings must be done by this time" "Bang!" interrupted the Judge's gavel. "Stenographer," said his honor, "strike that fool answer from the record." "And doesn't the question go with it. Judge?" asked the witness meekly. "Sure!" said his honor, forgetting the dignity of his calling for the moment.