ILhc people W. \. SCllHUrK, PUBLIHIIGR. PUBLISHED EVEIIY THURSDAY. SUBSCRIPTION, $1.60 PER AHNUI. Camtlcn, 8. C., February 4, 1 1K>4 TO THE PEOPLK. With this isssuc we begin the publication of "The People,'* and we feel much gratified to note that its appearance is looked forward to with interest by the community at lurire. We begin operations with a bona fide subscription list embracing more than fifty post offices, which list we expect to increase in the near future to seventy five, or more. This list com prises in membership represent atives from not only Kershaw county, but of surrounding conn tics and States which the pro spective fame of "The People" has already reached. In the conduct of this newspa per we will naturally be guided by public opinion, as we find it, but we believe that in. rnanj' matters a newspaper should not only direct public opinion, but should form it, and to this end we want to say at the outset, we intend to direct our efforts. In every matter that affects the public interests, State, coun ty and municipal, "The People" will be found battling for what it. believes to bo the right, and our opinion on all subjects and matters in which we think the interests of the people may be imperiled by silence, or advanced by speaking, will bo freely and impartially handled in our col umns. _ We hope to have the hearty co-operation of every citizen in our endeavors to make "The People" an ideai county paper, and we congratulate ourselves that we will have it. Naturally, considering the more or less prominent part the editor has taken for some years in general politics, he has made some ene mies, but as factional feeling has to a largo extent subsided, we feci assured that any bitterness of feeling that may in the past have existed against the indi vidual will not be continued against the paper, as it is a pub lic institution that,-4f properly conducted, cannot fail to bo of benefit to the community at large. With best wishes for a pros perous year to all the people, and hoping that they will join us in the same for long life and prosperity to ??The People," we respectfully subscribe our selves, W. A. ScimocK, Editor. D1KNNI AIj 8E8HION8 OF T1IK LEUISLATUKE. It is moro than possibe that before we go to press our Legis lature will have passed a resolu tion submitting to the people a proposition for the holding, of biennial sessions of that body, instead of annual sessions, as now. This, wo are free to say, is a move squarely to the right. We venture the assertion that there is not ono lawyer in South Carolina who knows the status of a number of important laws on our statute books for six months after our solotis of the Legislature have been tampering with them. Every liMlo one horse lawyer in that body who has run against a snag in a law, carries his amendment to it to the Legislature, and, in nine cases out of ten, has it put through, and no one is the wiser until the code is printed. If this resolution goes through, let. every voter run in tissue ballots, if necessary, to secure favorable consideration of it. In this way, the lawyers, at least, will know what they are doing for a year and a half. We, of course, cannot expect to secure all of the job work of the city or county, but we cer tainly hope to getourshare of it. TAXATION OF KCILDING AND IjOAN "STOCK Why should the stock of build ing and loan associations be ex empted from taxation? We note that the House of Representa tives lias passed t he bil I to that ef ffect. and it may be that the Sen ate will concur iu the measure. We cannot see the justice of the measure, but as it is a well known fact among our friends that we do not know it all, we are open to conviction ou the matter. It strikes us that every t>orrower of money out of the different building and loan asso ciations throughout the State is entitled to such benefits as may be derived from the taxation of the stock of the non -borrower. In other words, let (lie non-bor rower bear his proportion of the taxation that is iui|>oscd upon the borrower. For instance, we borrow a thousand dollars on live shares of stocks We are taxed so much monthly in interest ou this loan. The next stockholder does not borrow anything on his stock, which costs him nothing but the use of his live dollars a month for, say ten years, we, all the time contributiug monthly largely to his benefit $0. 07 in in terest aloue. In addition to this disadvant age, the borrower is paying taxes annually on property im proved through the loan effected, while the non-borrower sits qui etly back in his chair and coolly says: "Let A., B. or C. make my money for me. They are paying me an average of about ?3.00 per month on my invest ment of ?5.00. But that is all right. The Legislature has ta ken off what littlo taxes I form erly paid on this modest invest ment." Hurrah for the Legis lature. Give vs a session every ten years instead of two, or ihoy may change the law back to its old basis. Wc Will Do Our Best. The old expression in that "we live to learn", but the Editor as an editor doesn't believe all of it as, since he has announced hut intention ol starting a newsnaper here, he hns found at least a liuii'lred people whe know all about how to run a paper. This is a matter of congratulation to tin, as among the number we can always have someone on hand to run '"The People" in case of our sickness or absence. We rather think, however, that we will be com pelled to change editors pretty con stantly if the experience of our ap pointees corresponds with ours this week. (:<>< d friends, faw wood, dig ditches, run for office, do anything honorable to make money or a living, but don't get the idea in your heads that you can run a paper unless you want gray hairs, baldness or palsy. Japan Means War. Japan seems to mean business in the matter of that little diffi culty with Russia. Advices from London stato that she has de termined to levy a war tax of 44,000,000 yen, or $22,000,000. Go it, Japan. No one has a stronger feeling of admiration for that progressive nation than wc have, and we hopo that with our assistance she will give the Russian bear a sharp lesson to keep his paws off of other peo ple's property. A Const inctive Koccks. Senator Tillman's idea of a con structive recess is causing the ad mirers and adherents of Presi dent .Roosevelt several anxious hours. What worries them chiefly is the fact that our Senator is right, having the Constitution to back him. The United States Constitution is rather a worm eaten old picco of parchment, which in our day and time does not cut much of a figure with our representatives, buf occasionally a piece of it is found that will hold together. Mr. Tillman does not look for the worm-eaten parts, but looks for those he can read, and generally litids enough to suit the case in hand. Copies. As is usual with new papt rs, we are sending out a number of I sample copies. We hope that all who receive these sample copies' will be pleased with the paper and subscribe. Society Notes. In spite of the fact llint the ire king reigned supreme the past week, the I .pant week lias* uudouhtiMlly proven one of the gaytst and pleasant est of the season, in social circle*, ami the '?strangers within our gates" can truthfully certify that the coldness without only increased the warmth of hospitality within. The knowledge that Lent is fast drawing near seem# to have acted as an incentive to those hospitably inclined and entertain ment* of all kinds are the result. Last Friday afternoon, at r> ::tt> p. m., twenty-one of C:?mden's theatre-Invite folks braved the elements and enjoyed seeing "TheHunaways," in Columbia which proved one of the best idays of fered t his season. Anions: those who attended were: Mr. and Mrs. 1( . I.. Barstrow, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Shannon, Jr., Misses King, Mr. an?l Mrs. Wm. I>e Pass and Mr. Jno. Sin gleton. The meeting of the '"Married Ladies Club" was postponed, oil account of the inclemency ot the weather, from Wednesday until Saturday afternoon, when Mrs. John Whitaker, Jr? acted as hostess at her cozy cottage on Lau rens street and the cheer within more than compensated for the cold without. Several of the members of "The Acorn Club" (which allows no married mem bers) were honored with invitations, as IlieJ occasion was also to entertain Miss Coit, of Washington, !>. C., visit ing Miss Mary Burnet; Misst ladys Fleming, of Spart:uishur?r. the guest of Miss Kuinia Shannon ; and Mi.-s .funic Child*, of Columbia, the guest ?>f Mrs. F. I... Zcinp. Six-handed euchre was the game indulged in amPafter much iiierritnent and excitement Mrs. lteid Wlnttord. of Georgetown, was declared the \yinner of an exquisite center piece, embroidered in red carnations, while Miss Kmnia Shannon gained the consolation prize, a unique poster in burnt wood. Delicious refreshments were served by tl.e deft Misses Lenoir ami Corbett, tnid all voted the after noon one of the happiest spent this year. Those present were Mr. Lenoir, Mrs. 1). A. Boykin, Mrs. Caleb Whit aker. Mrs. Whitford, Mrs. Harvey Witherspoon, Misses Coit, Fleming, Childs, Burnet, Johnson, Jordan, Car rison, Brailslord, Shannon and Ken nedy. Saturday evening, Miss Maida I?eas invited a few friends to meet Misses Fleming, Coit and Childs, nnd this chat "over the teacups," ever dear to the feminine heart, proves! most enjoy able to all. On Monday afternoon, MWEmma Shannon cut* rtained "The . Acorn Club" at 'iiM* hospit.ible home on. Hob kirk II i II. in honor of Miu Gl.ilys Fleming, and added another most sun cessful card parly to the lot the cluh has already accumulated. As King Sol had deigned to show the light of his counttnaiicc again, by four o'clock qui'e a number of guests liad arrived and progressive euchre soon engrossed every one's attention. The score cards were most attractive yellow roses and. buds with green leaves, and the color scheme was accentuated by the tan and green costumes worn by tne fair hostesses. After an knur's playing refreshments, consisting of the most delicious tutti-frutti ice cream, deli cate sweet wafers, cofFee and bonbons, were served nnd with congratulations to Miss Margaret Carrisun, who was successful hi cutting with Miss Moss for the prize, the merry crowd wended its way homeward exclaiming that each meeting of the club was more en joyable than the last. Those present were: Misses Coif, fluids. Moss, Charlotte Shannon, Leila Shannon, Floric l>e l>ss, He>sie Jordan, Mar garet Carnsoii, Maidu Peas, Margaret Johnson, Sallie Davis, Sadie Kennedy, Saidie Ancruin, Henriette Hrailsford, Mea Villepique, Mary Burnet, Jim Kl dredge, and Mesdfimes Barstow, Jno. Whitaker, Jr., Caleb Whitakcr, Win. Hurnet and ('has. Do Hose. Miss Henriette Hrailsford will enter tain the "Acorn Club" next week. Quit.' a number of the young peonlc gave a dinner party at the Kirkwood, on Camden Heights, on Tuesday even ing and whiled away many pleasant hours listening to t lie choice selections rendered by the hotel orchestra, and partaking of the ready, genial hospital ity for which Hit host of this popular hostelry is noted. <>'i acci?Ht of the unfavorable weather and the absence of Mr. Uar stow and Mr. Whisth r ( business hav ing called them north) no game of polo was played on Tuesday afternoon, as scheduled , much to the disappoint ment of the visitors, who come to Cam den hoping to see this our chief winter attraction. The ladles of Grace Episcopal Church gave their usual wafer ten at the hand some colonial residence of Mrs. Man lies flaum on Tuesday afternoon at lour o'olock. This truly southern delicacy, ] the sweet or plain wafer, is much rcl- ; tolled by the northern guests ami each week a pleasant social withering is j brought about by these teas, besides realizing a goodly sum for the interior improvement of the church. The John l>. Kennedy Chapter of the . C. 1>. C.'s met at the lioin*) of Mrs. V. | S. Jordan, Monday afternoon, ami combined business with t>b'a?ure. Quite a large party visited "< tibion W heels ' uu Monday night . and all * hope she may soon recover. The Komaii Catholic Church, on Lyttleton street, will he dedicated on Sunday, Feb. II lit. liev. 11. Nor throp, of Charleston, otticiat ing, the sermon being preached by Kev. A. K. Groynn, of Greenville, S. (!. The large crowd present at the llap tist Church on Tuesday night and the interest shown attested to the t nit h of the assertion that Mrs. Ada Wallace I'nruh is one of the most eloquent and successful lecturer on the American plat form. Large congregations attended the churches last Sund.iy, cold ?s it was, and those foitunate enough to hear Kev. Mr. Gordon enjoyed a most elo quent pica for the cause of foreign ami domestic missions. Last week one of the maids at The Court Inn narrowly escaped a serious accident. The horse she was riding got beyond her control and threw her just III front of the Inn, where she was carried on a stretcher but with proper medical attention h is since recovered. A METEOROLOGICAL STATI0:i ' FOR SOUTH CAROLINA. Tbe Site Kot Yet Selected.? Wby Mot at Camden? It is announced that the gen eral government will build a meteorological observatory in some portion of South Carolina in the near future. The site has not yet been sclccled, so why shouldn't Camden jret. it? Ideal sites for the building can bo secured hero at a moderate cost, and prompt action on the part of our people may secure us the only meteorological ob servatory in the State. What is to be done must be done quickly, or we will lose the opportunity. We suggest that the mavor ap point a committee from tin* coun cil which, co operating with a Citizen's committee, will wait on Commissioner Bauer to urge our claims and advantages. Cruin's Posilion as Shaw Hoes It. Wnahintrton, .Inn. 2S. ? In response1 to Mount or Tillmnn's resolution n. Crum's appointment and service a? eolleetor of tlic port, of Charleston. S. ('., Secretary of Uie Treasury Shaw today sent to President I'ro-tem Frye the following letter: "William I). Cruin was appointed collector nt the port of Charleston, M, C., March 20, IJW)#, nnM a temporary commission issued, Crum f| t la I i hy executing hoint for $.V>,000, nud took oath of olllce March 30, 1003. Crum was a puti appointed December 7, 100i|, and has ^iven bond in the sum of $.">0, 0(H). nud took the oath of oHlce January 0, 1001. There has been no third ap pointment, and no fourth appoint ment." Thi' same information is con tained in n letter to lion. It. It. Till man, under date of January s, J1H)I, and which nppenrs in the CouKrt>sieion al record of January 2"?, 1001. "The resolution also asks: 'Is Crum now in olllce, and if so, under what au thority of law?* William l>. Crum is do facto collector at the port of Charh's toll, S. <\ Whether lie holds his posi tion under authority of law is deter minable, not by the executive depart ment of the ffovcrumeut, but by the judiciary, and by that only, lie* is not receiving pay because of the provisions of section 1701." Subscribe for "The People," if you want the news. "tHG PE0PLG'S" Hub Prenjittino) Offer,, ^\/^e ^/anl Ihe people lo worl^ jor us as hard as We iqjeqcl to Worl^ jor the interests oj "3^6 ^people," and as we kqoV tt^at the people will not *~V^orl^ Jor qottyng, Wq intend to j^iVe ""(c^e ^people" a Jair cV|aqce by ojjer in4> the following Very liberal Premiums to Cl ub Raisers For Clubs of lO Paid Subscribers Your Choice of the following Pre miums, shipped principally direct from Factory: 1 Gem Holler Organ, a very handsome premium lliat will be thoroughly appreciated l?y all lovers of music. 1 Wateh (Gold filled and Guarantied) either in open face or Hunting ease, Ladies' or Gent's size. 1 8 day Mantel Clock, with half hour strike, very line. 1 12 Piece Toilet Set, very nice indeed, and a premium that will be appreciated hy all of our eluh raisers. for Clubs of 20 Paid Subscribers 1 Single Barrel Shot Gun, (!?reech Louder), 10 or 12 Ci HUgO. 1 Ladies Chatelaine Watch, complete, in elegant cabc. 1 Safety 1 iuzor Outfit (complete) something nice. For Clubs of 50 Paid Subscribers 1 Fine Suit of Clot-lies, made to order. 1 Cooking Stove, first- class in all respects. 1 0 Drawer Sewing Machine, guaranteed. 1 Road Cart, Phaeton Style. 1 High Grade Bicycle, a splendid machine. 6et up your clubs quick and send in to W. A. SCHROCK Pub. "The People," Camden, S. C.