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Mfc S?MTKK WATCHMAN, Established April, 1S50. 'Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's Consolidated Aug. 2, 1881.1 SUMTER, S. C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1892. TBE TS VB SO?THKOX, EetabHrted J??, 126* Sew Series-Yoh XL Ne. SS?. .feiiaksd e?ory Ws?aeaday, BT N. GK OSTEEN, SUMTER, S. C. TSRMS : ?wo Dollars pw uaao-ia advance. ADV14TISIH?NT8. Ja* Square, Srat insertion..................$1 CO fcvery subsequent insertion........._50 Contracts for three months, or longer viii ?a made at reduced rates. All commuaicatioa? which subserve private n teres ts will be charged for as advertisements. Obituaries and tributes of respect will be barged for. The Public. I AM STILL SELLING First Class Goods AT LIVING PRICES. It takes too much room to enumerate all the bargains I have to offer, but I must call jour attention to our IINM^^^ SITS v Both ie China and tin. tf? DRIVI.S IN GLASSWARE1 SHOES That are solid and will wear, HAVE YOU TRIED MY Coffee at 20c. pr. lb AND at 25c. pr. lb.? If sot, jon are missing a genuine bar? gain. It has long been a household word that yon get oothiog hat ?-j ?1 g00^ goods, sad foll value at ALTAMONT MOSES'. Oet.6. _ INSURANCE. I co^er everything in Insu? rance. If it is your life, I give you a policy in the Iis} life fei? OF NEW YORK, The oldest, richest and most liberal Company in the U. S If on your Gin House, Dwelling. Stores, Barns, Furniture or Prodoce in the following companies, any of which ore strong and reliable : ^THE NORWICH UNION, v * of England. THE QUEEN, of England. PHOENIX ASSURANCE, of England? THE CONTINENTAL, of New York. THE NIAGARA, of New York. THE NORTH AMERICAN, of Philadelphia. THE GIRARD, of Philadelphia. THE MERCHANTS, of Newark, N. J. MECHANICS & TRADERS, Of New Orleans. My companies are as good aod my rates as low as any ene. ALTAMONT MOSES. J. H. SPANN, Sautter, S, C. Firs as? ?eci?M Iasnrance Apt German American of New York. Hamburg Bremen of Hamburg, Germany. Orient of Hartford, Conn. Liberty of .New York. Atlanta Home of Atlanta, Ga. Hefctaof St. Paul, Minnesota. Commercial of Montgomery, Ala. American Accident of Louisville, Ky. Sep. 23. Vitus ?ance Corea. VIII BAH" ?XDBXA8, Cai. Co., Cel., Feb. 1889. My boy, 13 years old, was so affected by Si Vitus Dance thai be could not go tc school Io: * yean. Two bottles of Pastor Koenig's Nerv Tonie restored Ms health, and be is now at? tending school again, m f \ MICHAEL O'CONNEL. :? AtTtxj Bad Case. .EAStr.NEWKARKxr, Md., March 8. 18&2. My daughter bad epilepsy so ?vero that SL ?-o'ui? ha* B ? ?r T ?ts every 24 hoers. Im .? :.i diateJy after using Pastor Koenig's Nerve Toni? the spasms decreased in D cm ber, and in les than two weeks ?rom taking the first dose the; entirely ceased. Before using this medicine be: mind was vary weak, bnt now mind and mern or>ar? faily ;restof ed, and she is entirely carer of the fits by the use of this great remedy. MB& J. H. AXl/UEWH -A Valuable Book en Nervous Disease? seat free to any address, and poor patients can also obtain _tiaia medicine free of chance. Hus remedy bas been prepared by the Ile ve rend I Iff-iff, ot Port Wayne, Ind., pince 1S76. and 1 ander his direction by the JCOEWC MED. CO., Chicago, I?I. #gadby Druggists at 81 per Bottle. 6 for 85. Xarjre ?Ixe. 8L75. 6 Bottles for SO. MEW LUMBER YARD. ?BSG TO INFORM MY FRIENDS AND the public generally that my Saw Mill ?ted on the C. S & N. R. R.. just back of jDj resideece, is BOW io full operation, and I aro prepared to furnish all grades of Yellow ?i ne Lumber from DD bled timber, at prices according to grades. Ya*d accessible oo North side of residence. W ~ - J. B. ROACH. Feb is. J. S- HTGHSON, M. D. 1\ B EDWARDS. NEW DRUG STORE. J. S. H?GHS0N & CO., Having purchased the Drug Store of W. H. GILLIL?ND & CO. Respectfully solicits the patronage of his friends and the public generally. They .will fiad a full supply of fresh Drag?? Medicines, Patent Medi? cines, Fine Perfamery, Combs. Brosnes, Soaps, Fancy and Toilet Articles, Eic, Etc* MR. ?. J. AULD So long and well-known to the people .'of Sumter as "a" reliable Druggist and Prescription Clerk, Will also be found there to attend their calls, and fill all prescriptions in the most careful manner. Monaghan Block? MAIN STREET, SUMTER, S. C. Nov. 25. SPECIAL ATTENTION Given to Compounding Prescriptions MACHINE SHOP. AU kinds of MACHINE WORK REPAIRS ran be bad in Sumter, at short notice, and in the very best class of work, at the shop re? cently opened by tbe undersigned on Liberty Street, near the C. S. & N. Depot. Boilers Patched, and Hill and Grin Work a Specialty. Prompt attention given to work in the coen try, aad first class workmen sent to at tend to same. Call at the shop or address through Sumter Post office Aug 13 EDGAR SKINNER. Li D. JOHNSTON, SUMTER, S. C., _-THE Practical Carpenter Contractor AND BUILDER, T* 70?LD RESPECTFULLY inform the ff citizens of Sumter and surrounding country that he ?3 prepared to furnish plans, and estimates on brick and wooden buildings All work entrusted to him will be done first class. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. Aug 19 o HOYT BROTHERS, MAIN STREET, SUMTER, S. C. Gold and Silver Watches, FINE DIAMONDS. Clocks, Jewelry, Spectacles, MERIDEN BRITANIA SILVERWARE, ko. REPAIRING A SPECIALTY. Feb 1 oV*?Vo NS CO -MANUFACTURED BY The Wilcox & Gibbs Guano Co. CHARLESTON, S. C., ??fa. ityb FOR SALE. THAT TRACT OF LAND near Sumter C. H., in Sumter County, S. C., contain? ing 200 ACRES, more or les?, and bounded as follows; North, by public road from City of Sumter to Cane Savannah ; Ea9t, by lands of Jno. T. Baker; South, br run of CH ne Savannah ; Wtst, by lands of Jno. F. Gamble nod of Mile* H. Plowden ; same being arable land and now uoder cultivation. For terms apply to. GREIG ?MATTHEWS, Dec. 9.-jr. Charleston, S. C. PMOTHERS'I ! FRIEND'* i i Makes Child Birth Easy. : I Shortens Labor, S . * Lessens Pain, . . Endorsed by the Leading Physicians. . . Boole to "Mothers'> mailed FRETE. . S BRADFIELD RECULATOR CO. } t ATLANTA, GA. ? . SOLD BY ALL DRUGGISTS. 2 Are You Interested? Are you suffering with any of the following symptoms: Loss of, or irregular appetite, loss of flesh, a feeling of fulness or weicht in the siomach, acidity, flatulence, a dull pain with a sensation of heaviness, in the.head, giddiness, constipation, derangement of kid? neys^ heart'-trouble, nervousness, sleepless? ness, etc. Dr. Hojt's Dy.speptic/Elixir will cure you. " ^ w! A. Wright,, the Comptroller General of Georgia, says, three bottles cured him after haring; Jried almost every thine else. Judge R.'F, Tzl?r, Macon, Ga., says, Holt's Elixir accomplished what all other remedies failed to do, a perfect cure. J. E. Paullin, Ft. Gaines, Ga., writes: "I have no hesitancy in recommending it, as it cured me of dyspepsia. For any further information inquire of your druggist. For sale by all druggists. For Infants and Children. Castoria promotes Digestion, and overcomes Flatulency, Constipation, Sour Stomach, Diarrhoea, and Feverishness. Thus the child is rendered healthy and its sleep natural. C astoria contains no Morphine or other narcotic property. "Castorla is so well adapted to children that I recommend it as superior to any prescription known to me." H. A. ABCHKR, M. IX. 111 South Oxford St., Brooklyn, N. Y. *'I use Castoria in my practice, and find it specially adapted to affections of children." ATJCT- ROBERTSON, M. D 1057 2d Ave., Kew fork. "From personal knowledge and observation l ean say that Castoria is an excellent medicine for chilaren, acting as a laxative and relieving the pent up bowels and general system very much. Many mothers have told me of its ex? cellent effect upon their children/' Da. G. C. OSGOOD, Lowell, Mass. THE CENTAUR COMPANY, 77 Murray Street, N. Y. TBE SIMONDS NATIONAL BASK, OF SUMTER. STATE, CITY AND COUNTY DEPOSI? TORY, SUMTER, S. C. Paid up Capital.$75,000 00 Surplus Fund.10, SOO 00 Transacts a General Banking Business. Careful attention given to collections. SAVINGS DEPARTMENT.: Deposits of $1 and upwards received. In? terest allowed at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum. Payable quarterly, on first days *>f January, April, July and October. R. M. WALLACE, President. L. S. CARSON, Aug. 7 Cashier. Ti BM ?tili, SUMTER, S C. CITY AND COUNTY DEPOSITORY. Transacts a general Banking business. Also hes A Savings Bank Department, Deposits .of $1.00 and upwards received. Interest calculated at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum, payable quarterly. W. F. B. HAYNSWORTH, A. WHTTB, JR., President. Cashier. Aug 21. DR. E. ALTA DENTIST. Office OVER BROWNS & PURDY'S STORE. Entrance on Mainstreet, Between Browns & Purdy and Durant & Son. OFFICE HOURS: 9 to 1.30 ; 2 to 5 o'clock. Sumter, S. C , April 29. G. W. DICK, D. D. S. Office over Bogin's New Store, ?NTRANCK ON MAIN STREBT SUMTER, S. C. Office Hours.-9 to 1;30 ; 2:30 to 5. Sent 8 Dr. T. W. BOOKHART, DENTAL SURGEON Office over Bultnaan & Bro.'s Shoe Store. ENTRANCE ON MAIN STREET. SUMTER, S. C. Office Hours-9 to 1:30 ; 2:30 to 5. April 17-o MONEY TO LEND ON IMPROVED FARMING LANDS at 8 per cent, interest and a Commission LEE & MOISE. Sept. 16 x. OTTO GARHARDT, an experienced florist and landscape gardener offers bia servilces to the ciiizens of Sumter to lay out and fit up gardens, attend Tine) ards and fruit trees. All work attended tc promptly and done in a manner to guarantee satisfaction. He has made the business a study and understands it thoroughly. Also will take charge of lots at the Ceme? tery and keep thim in condition for a mod? erate charge. Orders can be left with W. H. Yates. Feb. 10-3m. ? BUOYANCY CF BODY Q C??n never bo rca?i7.rt'l v?hcn tho bow- t @cL?<lo not act a* nataro intends they ^ \ should. Instead, there H headache, S# wci?ht in tho pto:nach after eatj:>fr, ?acidity and belching up of vrind, lowg? spirits loss of energy, unsociability ^ ?and forebodings of ?vii. Au unhappy _ condition, but \?J 9 TUTFS ? ?Tlm Liver ^vfill relievo ii and ?r?ro health and^p happiness. They aro worth P trial. Hon. John C. Haskell Makes a Plain Talk. The Stare. The State to-day furnishes some interesting reading on the political situa'ion, which will, no doubt, re? ceive much attention from all factions throughout the State, whether it agrees with their respective views or not. Obi. John C Haskell, member of the Legislature from Richland county, member of the National Dem ocratic Committee from South Caro? lina, and one of the most prominent men in politics in the State, returned to the city a few days ago after a stay in New York. Last night he again left for that city on important busi? ness, ile will return, however, be? fore the meeting of the Irby commit? tee. It is his resume of the political situation that the State publishes to day. When a representative of the State called upon Col. Iiaskell yesterday and asked for an interview, he found the Colonel "up to his eyes" in work, but he consented to give his views on the present political situation. In response to the direct question propounded by the reporter as to what he thought of the political stat? us of affairs in this Stale, as outlined on the political horizon, he said : "The political situation, I think, is rather bad. It is very clear that there is a strong opposition to Gover? nor Tillman among the thinking por? tion of those who supported him two years ago. 1 believe that a good man, if properly supported, could defeat him ; but here is a fact which is a very unfavorable sign-the three principal papers of the State, which are all opposed to him, seem as sharp? ly opposed to each other as they are to Tillman, and I iear each paper will have its followers in this antag? onism among themselves. "I agree iully with the position that we should only fight the evils of the Tillman administration within the party lines. I think any other course is perfectly hopeless. There is no question about it, whether they did it willingly or unwillingly, the major? ity of those who took part in the last election voted for Tillman. There is no question that, however outrageous certain features of the present consti? tution ara (and I think some of them are inf?mous), it was adoptdd by a majority of the regular Democratic convention of the State. The people of the South would have b^en unani? mous in pronouncing the Force Bill ii it had passed, as infamous, but they would not have undertaken to declare that it was no law because it was un? just. "I think that, to-day, the party is practically divided,and the question is how to bring it together. It has been divided, not by those who op? posed Tillman but by those who fol? lowed him. Four years ago the men who since that time have been Till-j man supporters inaugurated the out? rageous practice ol holding secret caucuses during the session of the Legislature and binding the members of the caucus to support those meas? ures. In that way a minority would come into the Douse with a majority vote, though a large part of their vote, if it had not been bound by the caucus, would have voted with the minority, which was excluded it) the caucus. "All were excluded who were not farmers, except those who went in there agreeing to support blindly any measures advocated by the minority of the farmers. Many of the best far? mers of the Legislature were exclu? ded. , The call issued recently for the March convention was signed by men who have always voted with the regular Democratic party. Not one of them could have gone into the cau? cuses which called themselves 'Dem? ocratic caucuses.' Such Democrats as Judge Kershaw, Judge Wallace, Senator Butler, General Bratten and many others would not have been eligible to these caucuses, yet this 'caucus party, undertook to absolute? ly dictate the policy of the party. In other words they said to those gen? tlemen and others like them: " We admit you've been Democrats all your life: you've been most active leaders in the regeneration of tiie State ; but from this time on we will hold secret oath bound caucuses, dictate what shall be done, and whether rou approve it or not you must follow us.' "The culmination of this was the convention by which a fraud converted a minority in favor ol Tillman into an apparent majority for him, and prac? tically turned the State over to a secret oath bound organization, which, b}' its very terms, excluded men who have been lor a generation the accepted leaders of the people But how long a parlv can exist which excludes absolute^ from its councils its most distinguished members, it is hard tc say. It will be contrary to human nature for men of capacity and chai acter to, for all time, submit to follow the blind dictation of others in measures in which they have no voice. But we cannot loose sight of the fact that the Democratic organi? zation is regular. No matter by what chicanery and tricks tt e pres? ent rulers got control of it, the major? ity of the people still look on it as the Democratic part}' and vote within it6 lines. To break oil'from it or to go outside of it is to go against this majority, and to this 1 am opposed. "Hard as the task is the only ht.pe, in my opinion, is to awaken the peo? ple, who have the right to say who shall he tho rulers, to the unworthi? ness of those >vho have succeeded in grit in?: into power. To tamely sub? mit and make no opposition because we do not think we will succeed is most cowardly and a most unwise position to be taken. With such dis? posed persons 1 can have no svrnpa thy. "I think the letter of Dr. Maxwell comes nearer the mark than anything I have St-en ; but I think he is wrong-and I am sure he will admit it. when he looks into the matter more ' fully-in saying that the credit of the : State aud thc prices of bends at c not : afflicted by the present administr tion. '.There is no doubt that the cred of the South generally is seriousl affeoted by the low price of cotto and general depression ; bnt whe we remember that the railroads ar almost entirely owned by New Yor capitalists, some of whom are th leading financiers of New York, must be self-evident that the at tempts to oppress the railroads wi be resented by these men. They ar the ones who are consulted whe capitalists want to buy Souther securities. Our banks depend a most entirely on New York capita for the money with which the bus ness of the country is carried on New York bankers keep thorough!; posted as to the condition of affair in this State ; and when we see th Comptroller, who is recognized a speaking with Tillman's voice attempting what the Courts hav without dissent pronounced to to illegal attempts at oppression, w< find ra ready explanation of the fae that New York banks have been ver slow to give accommodation to th banks in this State. Insurance com panies are among the heaviest lender of monej7 in the State, and they, too have felt the oppression of the presen administration and resent it. "I have heard much of these things as I have been in New York for the las six weeks, constantly meeting an( conferring with the parties who art most active in Southern enterprise I believe that the conduct of th? courts in enjoining the illegal course of this young man (the Comptroller^ will have a very happy effect ; anc nothing will have a better effecl than the fact that Associate Justice Pope has justified the confidence of hi* friends, who opposed him politically, in his persona! integrity and desire to maintain the dignity of the law. "I am confident when the people are aroused they will correct these evils ihemselves. To go outside o the party and try to convert them by attacking and denouncing them as il they are a part of Tillman's govern? ment is a great mistake. "My experience in the last Legis? lature enables me to say this : Th? Legislature, with very few exceptions was composed of strong adherents o: Tillman, and with but few exceptiom they had no experience in legislative work. Any one who bas served ii the Legislature knows that a new member, whatsoever his capacity maj be, is very inefficient until he learnt the form, so to speak, and he is liable to be misled. The last Legislature when it came down fell into the hands of Tillman and perhaps the worst set of demagogues who followed him that ever sat within the Halls oi the General Assembly. During the early part of the session they bliudly followed orders ; but before the end of the first session things commenced to change, as indicated by the elec? tion of Mr. Jones for Speaker He was recognized as a conservative member, and has made a most effi? cient and impartial presiding officer "At the last session the change became more marked ; the men who at the first session had assumed to lead, and for a while did lead, had little or no influence. Tillman's measures, where they were unwise, were rejected by heavy majorities, and when this last Legislature adjourned it would compare favorably with any other iu which I have ever sat. I believe that the majority of them if they could live over their terms again would refuse to do any of the things which have brought opprobrium upon the State. The change among them convinces me that it is only a question of work and getting good men to lead. . We cannot win with a negative man, because he has given offense to nobody ; we certainly cannot win if -.hose who voted against Tillman last year are to be kept out of the coun? cils of the party, while men who were the associates of the Scott and Moses gang are welcomed with open arms into the most secret councils of the party. "I think we certainly cannot win if those gentlemen on the other hand, assume to themselves the right to be called "Straight" Democrats and de nounce those of us who disagreed with them as "Submissionists" and the men who voted for Tillman as "undemocratic.*' In their opinion of Tillman and Irby and that gang I join fully ; 1 think they area disgrace to the State and the State will be held responsible for putting such men in office and for the wrongs they have been allowed to do : but at the same time I think the men who did it have got to undo it. "To talk about different factions, each having a voice in the nomina? tions is to insure defeat. The people of the Slate who. whatever their position has been, are now prepared to oppose Tillman and his methods and woik for the good of the State must come together as one and work together, or the people who are dis? posed to change will verjr naturally think that they had better let things be as they are. GEN'. EARLE'S LETTER. "Colonel, what do you think about the letter of Gen. Earle? was asked. "I don't understand Gen. Earle's letter; I hardly think he could have meant it in the only sense that I see it can bear, lt is a lot of platitude hav? ing no meaning, so far as I can see, Ile says that we should not slander Tillman. Tin's means nothing or it means that the gentlemen who issued the call, in their very temperate state? ments, have uttered slanders against Tillman. Upon its face, if 1 didn't know Gen. Earle, 1 should say that he was a supporter of Tillman; ? do not think that is possible. 1 think, too, that he does not appreciate the difference in position that a candidate nominated by a representative budy of the whole State will occupy from candidates of former years who came out on their own motion. At the last election we had two gentlemen, each worthy of the office ot Governor, op? posed to Tillman and opposed to each other. "If wc have a couveut'ou herc the wisdom of calling this March con? vention we are discussing-we will at least have a man selected by a large representative body; if they selecta positive man with no damaging ante? cedents, and support him heartily, I think there .is a fair chance of his winning, provided we have no dissen? sion in our own ranks." Senator M. C. Mutier. To the Editor of The News and Courier : Some days ago I received the following letter: Hon. M. C. Butler, United States Senator, Washington-My Dear Sir : The political situation in Suth Caro? lina is very serious. I desire to obtain from you an expression of your views upon what course the j conservative people of the State should take to bring about the unity and harmony of the party, which was so rudely broken by the unnatural course of events in this State two years ago. I shall be very much obliged if you will cover the subject as fully as, in your judgment, the importance of the issues to be discussed may require, and wish that you would express your views without reserve. I have addressed a similar request to quite a number of prominent and intelligent gentlemen in different parts of the State, and hope that you will favor me with a reply at your earliest convenience. Yours very truly, J. C. Hemphill, Editor The News and Courier. Charleston, ty. C., February 16. Sharing with you the opinion that "the political situation in South Caro? lina is very serious," and realizing that it is my duty, with other citizens of the State, to do what I can to heal the breaches made in the Demo? cratic party and restore harmony and good feeling, I shall reply to your letter frankly and without resexve. In order to suggest a remedy it is first necessary to ascertain, if possible, the cause or causes o? the trouble. We find the Democrats of South Carolina divided into three parts or factions. Those who support the present State Administration, those who oppose it and express a pur? pose to test their strength within party lines, and those who oppose it, but do not commit themselves to action within party lines. Now, to begin with, there is not room in South Carolina for three factions of the Democratic party scarely room for a united, solid party, confronted as it is by the com? mon enemy, the Republican party. If the breach continues one or more of the factions will be absorbed by the j Republican pairty, or will absorb it j This has been the experience in al? most every similar condition of politi? cal patties, and there is no reason to assume it will not be so in our case. The question 1 would like to put to every patriotic Democrat in the State is this : "Would you be willing to see the Republican party in power in South Carolina again in any form ?" Composed as it is of such a large majority of the colored race, could any increment from the white race, with such a controlling consti? tuency of the other, make it a safe depository of the administration of the affairs of the State ? The white Democrats of South Carolina are not strong enough to divide; It will not do to say there is no danger of Republican supremacy in that State. Political changes in this country are sometimes sudden, often insidious, and frequently it is the unexpected that happens, and I now utter the warning-we are in great danger of the overthrow of white supremacy and the rehabilitation of the Republican party, if not in name, in form and substance, for a political party, whatever its name, is controlled and its policies determined by its constituency. Once destroy the Democratic party in South Caro? lina and you have another dominated by the negro vote. We know what that means. Would it not be wise and patriotic in this view of the situation to bury past differences among ourselves, and if need be agree to disagree so that we may get together ? It is safe to assume in controversies such as are now going on in South Carolina that errors and mistakes have been com? mitted on all sides. If this is admit? ted, and I am sure no mau having knowledge of the frailties of our nature and the fallibility of human judgment will undertake to deny it, the door will be open for mutual concessions and forbearance. During the last canvass Governor Tillman and his friends assailed with unusual vigor and pertinacity not only the political methods and policies of his predecessors, but attacked their personal characters and motives as well. Charges were made which I believe were afterwards admitted to be without foundation. All thought? ful, conservative people deprecated these things at the time, and foretold evil consequences The evil conse? quences have come. The scenes were shifted, and the precedent hav? ing been established, now that the present Administration is on trial, similar methods are being pursued towards it. The friends of the Administration certainly ought not to complain of Ibis, and 1 do not know that they do. I call attention to it to state the situation fairly and frankly, so that it may be looked squarely in the iace. I call attention to it to emphasize the remark that the habit of indulging in personal vituperation, abuse and misrepresentation is "a custom better honored in the breach than in the abservance," and to express the hope that in the future it will be abandoned 1 do not wish to l e understood as Saying that all the abuse and vilifi? cation of thc last canvass was con? fined to Governor Tillman and his friends His opponents-some of th Rm-played a very lively part in tiie'performance, but this does not and cannot justify it. Of course, if a man is assailed peisona?ly, the temptation to retort in kind Ts almost irresistible. I plead guilty to the habit, at times, myself, but this does not justify or tuakc it light. And tlie newspapers-why should their editors and reporter* be de? nounced for publishing public faete and expressing the?F opinions on them ? Newspapers are the vehielefi through and by which news ? com? municated lo the public, which the public wants. The editors and reporters, men like the balance of us, express their opinions in their editorials, and why should they not ? It does not make them public enemies. Wliat they say may be entitled to no more weight than what other mor I tais say, but they have a right, nay more, a duty, to give their opinions, and they are accepted or rejected as they are wise or otherwise. Why should patriotic citizens of the S'ate, who do not approve of all the methods and policies and acts of the present Administration, be de? nounced as "Bonrbons, aristocrats," "ringstets," etc? And why should those who approve of the methods, policies and acts of the present Administration be denounced as "enemies to the State," "political tricksters,'1 etc, etc? There is no sense in all this. No good, but untold harm must re-ult from it. It would be uncandid in me to say that the present Administration is not amenable to criticism. A good many things have been doue and left undone which do not meet my approval, but it is entitled to fair treatment. Newspapers publish severe criticisms of the Administration and they have a right to publish them. Other news? papers publish vigrous vindications of the Administration, and they, too, have a right to publish them-but abuse and vituperation never settled a controversy, and never will. Political issues in a free country are settled by facts and arguments intelligently and fairly presented to the people. In enlightened com? munities such facts and arguments only are effective. Governor Tillman himself said in the beginning of his Administration he would be environed by many diffi? culties, that he would encounter fierce opposition, critical judgment, etc, and he has not been disappointed. How much of this he has invited by his own course the public understands. As one of those who voted for him I entertained the hope that; once elected and installed, he would adopt a conservative, conciliatory course and allay the irritation aroused by the exciting canvass. I think he had it in bis power to have done so, and I sincerely regret he did not, but he is the best judge of his own actione and conduct, and I presume is pre? pared to stand or fall by them. I This much by way of preface (a \ very long preface I admit) brings mc to the point of suggesting a plan upon which I think we all ought lo agree. Each faction, no doubt, honestly thinks it has a majority of the Demo? cratic voters behind it. Majorities shift with such astonishing rapidity in this country that few things are more uncertain and deceptive. A faction or party in a majority this year may be in a hopeless minority next year. How then are we-to ascertain who represents a majority of the Demo? cratic voters ? I answer, by a prima? ry election. Submit the claims of every candidate to the people and let them decide at the polls who they want. Having decided in this way every Democrat rn the State should and will rally to those receiving a majority of the votes and close up our divided ranks. Surely nobody wishing to carry out the will of the majority can ob iect to that. Governor Tillman, desirous of vindicating his Adminis? tration, would doubtless want a fair contest in an open field, and this method would give it to him. Other gentlemen becoming can? didates would want an equal opportu? nity to criticise him and present their claims. They, too, would be con? tent to submit themselves to the peo? ple in this way. The people them? selves certainly would not object The newspapers could not object, for it would "furnish grist fur their mili*' j and give them a chance to vindicate I their judgment. Why, then, should not the State executive committee provide for a primary election for ali State officers, as is now provided for mern bi rs cf Congress and solici? tors, and let the candidates have it out before the people ? Meantime each candidate can organize his forces, and, the better organized, the more intelligent will be the discussion and more satis? factory the result. A call has been made for a meet? ing of those opposed to the present Administration in Columbia the latter part of March, to nominate a candidate tor Governor. This is rather an innovation on Democratic usage, but I know of no law against it. The example was set two years ago, and 1 presume any man or set of men have a right to nominate can? didates. It is reassuring that the movers of this March Convention, a'l leading, reputable influential, patriotic citizens, propose to make their fight within the Democratic parly and abide the result. It is to be supposed they will organize their forces thoroughly and systematically in every county, and that Governor Tillman, who is understood to be a candidate to succeed himself, is "looking after his fences'* and will also abide the result of the canvass A primary election will compose our difficulties, and in my judgment nothing else "will. Apologizing for the length of this letter. I am truly yours. M. C. Butler. Washington, D. C , February 27. Sale of the Parnell Estate Dum.iN'. March 1.-John Parnell j has completed arrangements for the ; sale at auction of the Parnell estate at Avondale When this has been aflVcted, he will return to the United Slates. -mm>- ^mwmm John Polk, a negro, while walking on the railroad track iu the suburbs of Columbia ono day last week, stepped from i lie track to get out of the way of an approaching train and was mangled j rn death bv a shifting eogine that bad ' cuuie up behind him on another track. ?TATE BEWSv A mass meeting wfi? be freld' m Aiken OD (be ?Tth to elect delegates to? rhe Convention- ?. Coraron? ou- tbs* 2*b. Aa ertertaroroent given rn Ca m den? hst week for the benefit of the Jeffer *oo Davis moBOfaesift food Betted $100. The (So TE rn ors Guards, of Cb?ombi? have adopted a Sommer uniform, con? 8?8ting of white linen peats, white helmet and gray coat. Gen. Edward ft?cCradyr Jr., of Charleston, denies the report that he is a candidate for Governor, aod says he will decline if nominated.. The Greenville Evening' Democrat,. the Tillmanite organ, ia having trouble with irs pi ?ter?. Soase of thea have struck, and foor have broogfct sait te? recover past doe wages. The Columbia State ia sotfcoritj for the assertion that Thomas K. Palmer, recently appointed treasarer of Union county, cooid not give bond, u&til be made a bargain to divide the pronta of the ornee witb B F. Foster, s well-to do'citizen of Union. Homicide in Florene?. FLORENCE, March 4.-Special ; Too? Williams, alias William Nelso?, was killed at a negro dance last night by William Wingate. Sd Wingate, his brother, is held by the coroner's jury as an accessory before the fact. ? dis? pute began between the first two, one charging the other with stepping on irs foot. ? quarrel eosned and blows fol? lowed words. Ed Wingate joined in to assist his brother. Be held Nelson while Willlie stabbed him in the throat with a pocket knife, severing the jogo* lar vein. Ed Wingate waa arrested, bat Willie tried to escape to Darlington. He was fooBd by Of&oer Smart con? cealed in an old barn. Both he and his brother are now tn Jail. The hal) where Nelson was killed ta said by the police to be a bad den, that should have been broken np long ago - i ? t -mm* Prohibition in ?he Primary. Prohibition is a live rasae, and since the temperance people cannot get it otherwise, they will go into politics. Organize a separate party? We hear asked. No I There is bot one white man's party in the State, and the re? spectable element of Sooth Carolina will always fight oat their grievances within that party, lt may be that it will take years before a majority of the party agree that a certain measure is best, bat until that majority does so agree the temperance folk will submissively bide their time. The anti-prohibition element of the last Legislature asked that the prohibi? tion ists let the people vote on the ques? tion. The Times is heartily in favor of this plan, provided the vote is taken in the Democratic primp ?es. It is there the Legislature is ' tedr it is there that justice is eq and honestly meted oat; and it is .?.ere that a keg of whiskey wonld not decide the vote of a precinct We are not in favor of complicating this matter at all, bot wish to see it pat forward solely -on its merits. We do not fancy the plan of electing a man to the Legislature on any single plank. The chances are that be will makea a poor general representative, bat, according to oar plan, the issue is made fairly and pqaarely, prohibition or license. The candidates for the L?gis? lature would, of coarse, be pledged to abide the resolt of this vote, sod to sop port or oppose it, according as tba sovereign people had thus directed them. The plan is simple, practicable, and would be the most satisfactory solution of the problem. Will the Democratic party allow the question to be voted on in the primary? We hope so. We think ao. The liquor element will kick, bat we believe there are enough fair minded men to allow the question to be pat. And if it is ever pat the prohibi? tion party will win, for the people want prohibition -Manning Times. Proposed Constitutional Amendments. WASHINGTON. March 2 -Thc Howe committee on the election of President, Vice President, etc , today discussed the resolution of Mr. Crain of Texas, proposing amendments to the Constitu? tion, substituting the 31st day of De? cember for the 4'h day of March as the commencement and terminating of the official term of the members of tbe House of Representatives and of United States Senators, and providing that Congress shall hold its annual meetings on the second Monday io January, and substituting the 30th of April for the 4th of March as the commencement and limitation of the term of President and Vice Presideot. All parts of Mr. Grain's resolution were thoroughly con? sidered and many suggestions and amendments were proposed. The com? mittee concluded ro request Mr. Crain to prepare another resolution to be sub? mitted for consideration at an early date. A bili has been introduced into Con? gress to give the Federal Goveromeot jurisdiction in cases where crides are committed against foriegners, that now under the jurisdiction of State Courts. mm -?-?.? mm* - A Little Girl's Kxperience In A Light? house. Mr. ?nd Mr*. Loren Ptescott are keeper* of thc (tov. Lighthouse at Sand Beach, Mich., ?nd ?re ble.<s??d with a daughter, tour \?:ats old. Last April she was uken down with Measles, tollowod with a dreadful Cough and turning into a Fever. 1'octors at home and at Detroit treated her. bnt in vain, she grew wor.?e rapid* ly, until she was a mere "handful of hones." Then she tried Dr. King's New Discovery and after the u?c of two and a half h<>ttl?s, was completely cured. They say Dr. King's New Discovery is worth its w? ight in gold, yet voa may get a trial bottle free at J. F. W. De Lorme's Drugstore. S -- It is a fixed and imrautanlr law that *0 have good, sound health one must bate pur?, rich and abundant blood. There i * no shorter nor surer route than by a coutse of De Witt's Sarsaparilla. J. S. Bo:hson*Co. Shiloh's Catarrh Remedy. A marvelonscure for Catarrh, Diphtheria, ?aaker month, ard Headache, with each bottle there is an in? genious na?al Injector for the more success.ul treatment of these eomp'a;nts withoa-t extrv charge. Price Wc. S. ld by A. J. Cl ia-c Sumter S.. C. ?