University of South Carolina Libraries
THC SUMTER WATCHMAN, Established April, 1850. "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's !and5Truth's." THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established Jane. 13CG ^.-?----.-?-----? Consolidated Aug. 2,1881. SUMTER. S. C., WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 21. 1900. New Series-Vol. XX. So. 17 Publishod^Ysry Wednesday, --Bf J>J". ?3r. Osteen, SUMTER, S. C. TSKHS : $1.50 per annum-in advance. ADVBSTI3KMBHT: Ono Square first insertion.SI 00 Every subsequent i oser tien. 50 Contracts for three months, or longer wil be made at reduced rates. All communications which subserve private interests will be charged for as ad versements. Obi tarries and tributes of respects will be charged for. NOT WORTHY OF \ CONSIDERATION. THE ENGLISH OPINION OP AMERICAN CHIN? ESE POLICY London, Nov 14 -The London morning papers are again agitated coo? oerniog the stability of the concert of powers io China. The attitudes of Ger- ! many and the United States meet with disapproval, the former because Cocot voa Waldersee baa sent a col arno to destroy the Ming To OJ bs. ao act which is regarded as needlessly vindictive, and the latter b?banse it threatens to break the coocert The Daily Chronicle comments strongly upon the American atm ade as a 4*feeble compromise which it is im posible to acoept." The Morning Post says : "It would be unreasonable for the United States to break the concert because they do not desire indemnity The powers weald j probably be willirg to consider Amer j ioa's objections If. however, the ! United States have in view some new combination ofpowers.it would be neces? sary for Great Britain aod Germany to agree upon a common policy to be par sued in the absence of a general agree mest " The Standard, which dismisses the subject with a mere reference, 9ays 45"American opinion on the Chinese -problem is too uncertain to be ?on std ered seriously"" Dr. Morrison, wiring to The Times on Sonday. expressed the opinion that China will "readily accede to all the terms c: the joint note except the exe? cution of the princes and official6, which it will be impossible to fulfil white the eourt is in the hands of these very officials.'* "Considerable curiosity is feit at Tien Tsin,^ says the Shanghai corres pondent of Tos Times, **as to the whereabouts of Japanese forces, which, though not leaving the ooootry, are disappearing from Pekin and Tien Tsin, it is net known whither " Referring editorially to the present 'tige of the negotiations, The Times says : "The United States accepted the German note demanding the pun? ishment of Prince Tuan and the other guilty officials ; and it will not be barder to secure the punishment of ll officials than cf the three whose names were officially indicated by the state department Therefore, it is difficult to see how America eauid justify io ber owo eyes a refusal to join with the other powers io steps needful to secure these results." Washington, Nov 14.-The rather te vere criticisms of the E owlish press upon the attitude of the United States government relative to the Cbioese complication?, based upon the advices of the American correspondents, have naturally attracted a good deal of at tentioo here. . With a view of ascertaing what basis there might be for these criticisms ao inquiry was today made in authoritative quarters with the following results : .*Tbe comment? of the London press upon the attitude of the United States ie the pending negotiations in China are founded on a complete misuoder standiog So far from the government interposing any obstaoles to an agree? ment among the powers at Pekin. Mr Conger nas been instructed fre? quently and in urgent terms to do everything to bring about a speedy agreement. This government took no pa/t io the expedition to Po Ting Fa. bat it csade BO protest against it and bas -given no expression of opinion to other powers as to its propriety This gov? ernment is in agreement with the powers io demanding severe and ade? quate punishment of the principal wrong doers, indemnity for the past and security for the future. It does oot, however, at this distaooe presume to decide who are most guilty, whether punishment must be inflicted in each particular ease and what sentences are possible of exeotion, three matters, as well ts that of indemnity, left to the negotiators en the spot. It is presumed that they will not exact re par ano o, either personal or pecuniary, which weald be beyond the power o China to tarry out. Algiers, Nov 14.-The Uoited States battleship Kentucky, Captain Chester, commanding, will leave this port to? morrow for Naples, where sh? will await orders. ?Emperor William Speaks.j -.-j ! Declares Governments Ucl-! j ted on Chinese Question. j Berlin. . Nov 14 -The reiche ag j reassembled today. Tbe speech from ? tbe throne dwelt at considerable leo?tb i c "he events io China which have e i.ed ?och deep.emotion among oivi Yze? people, saying : "Fanatical hate aod dark supersti? tion, incited by unscrupulous advisers of the court, have driveo misguided brasses of Chinese to acts of atrocity against the ootposts of western civili? zation and Christian worship dwelling peacefully in their midst. "My minister died at the band of an assassin, in a courageous attempt to overcome the rising peril. The for eignere at the capital saw themselves threatened, life and limb These things of horror united the civilized community, where otherwise there was a divergence All nations against which the unparalleled onslaught was directed drew closer Their sons foo gb*, with one mind, shoulder to shoulder even as yonder statdards Soa: side by side. So thc governments ?show themselves in council, united with the sole witsh to restore ao orderly state of thing9 as speedily as possible^ and, after the puoishmeat of the chief culprits, avert a rec?rranse in tbe future nf such a disturbance of the i peaee of the world " In announcing that the relations cf Germany with all the powers are good, the speech recalls his majority^ sorrow ! at tho assassination of Kiog Humbert i I of Italy, saying be was *'ciy ally and dear friend, who fell a viotim to a damnable outrage." The speech then proceeds z "I would"sooner have consulted the reichstag on the measures ia China but for the necessity of prompt aotiou ard the difficulty of furnishing reliable information. Whenever the reichstag could form decisions or estimate the expenditure reqaired, the government felt confident that the representatives would not refuse their subsequent sanction to the necessary expenditures." Turning to domestic matters, his ujajesty said that in consequence of tbe national growth of the revenue sod the increased taxation voted last session more abundant fonds were available in almost every branch of life in the empire, especially for measures for the benefit of workers and for the defense of the country. A customs tariff, he added, would probably be laid before the baodesratb during the session. The speech concluded by announcing various bills which would be intro? duced At the conclusion of the speech from the throne. Emperor William was warmly cheered and Coont von Buelow, the imperial chancellor, formally de dared the session opened. Several of the evening papers an? nounce that the German financial bill submitted to the federal cooooil shows that to balance it the sum of 2 240. 947,301 marks will be required. The bill empowers the imperial chancellor :o raise a loan of 97,286 334 marks and to issue treasury bills to the amount of 175,000,000 marks to strengthen the ordinary working oapital of the im? perial treasury. A bill providing for a third s?pole mentary credit on account of the Chi? na expedition will be submitted to tbs reischstag. KRUGER REACHES SUEZ. Suez Nov 14 -The Dutch cruiser .Gelderland, with ex-President Kruger oe board, bas arrived here. Mr Kroger remains eecladed in hie cabin. His health is good. A delegate of the Marseilles recep lion committee boarded the Gelder land here, bot the eventual destina tion of the warship will bo unknown until she arrives at Port Said, where she will coal Mr Kruger received an ovation at j the German Port of Dar Es Salsas?. Mr. Bryan Send Thanks. Atlanta, Nov 13 -The Georgia legislature, beiog unable to adjourn Nov 6th, uaanimously elected Hon W J. Bryan president of the United States Mr Bryan has acknowledged the comnliment and a letter from bim waa read in the senate by order of President Howell. Mr Bryan 6ays : "While the returns show that the decision rendered in my favor in Georgia? has been overruled in the bigher court, which includes the entire nation, yet I beg to express my appreciation of the confidence j .nd good will expressed by the mern bera of the Georgia legislature "Youri truly, "Vv. J. Bryan " The Bal timone Son in ao analysis of j vote for president in that oiry show? j that the negro holds the baknee of j power io Maryland, and that the State ! was carried for McKinley hy a majority i almost exactly the tizs of the negro Tole in Baltimore. RUSSIAN BARBARITY. Tens of Thousands of Chinese Slain by Russians. London, Nov 13 -The Globe this afternoon publishes a letter from a Belgian gentleman who has been traveling to Pekin via the Trans Siberian railroad He describes under dste of Sept 6th, what he saw on the Amur river His accouut supasses io horror those previously published "The scenes I fet.ve witnessed dar ing the three days since the steamer left Blagovetchensk, he says, "are horrible beyond the powers of de? scription It is the closing tableau of a fearful haman tragedy Two thousand were deliberately drowned at Morxo, two thousand at Rabe and eight thousand around Blago vetcbensk, a total of twelve thousand corpses encumbering the river, among which were thousands of women aod children. Navigation was all bat impossible. Last week a boat bad to plough her way through a tangled and mangled mass of corp? ses iashed together by their long bair The banks were literally cov? ered with corpses. In the curves of the, stream were dark, putrid smell? ing masses of human flesh and bone, surging and swaying in the steamer's wake and wash. The captain vainly ordered frill speed ahead. The sight and smell will be ever with us. "From Blagovetcheask to Aigan, 45 kilometers, numerous villages studded i:he bank, with a thriving, industrious population of over 100, OOO That'of Aigun was 20,000. No one will ever know the number of these who perished by shot, sword and stream Not a village is left The silence of death was around us, the smoking ruins of Aigan on the right, with broken down, crumbling walls and shattered, roofless houses." ANNOYING BRITISH. London, Nov 14.-Uoder date of Johannesburg, Nov 12. Lord Roberts telegraphs to the war office as follows : "Rundle reports skirmishes with small parties of Boers in the Harri smith, Re'nz and Vredo districts recently The commandoes appear to be aotiog independently and with no object except to give as mush annoy? ance as possible th the British. Oar casualties in these skirmishes were two killed and seven wounded. Douglas arrived at Ventersdorp Nov ll i h from Z?e Rust, capturing during the march 21 prisoners and a quantity of cattle aod sheep. Venters? dorp, whion has been a depot of sup? plies for the Boers, will now be cleared out " Smalls Issues Circular. Special to the State Beaufort, Nov 13 -The negro ex congressman Robt Smalls is the &ntfaor of a circular letter which he is sending to prominent negroes throughout the country advocating ccncerled action on their part in opposition to what h? calls an attempt to disfranchise his race in the Palmetto State. The negro ex leader wants the congressional rep? resentation from South Carolina reduced in accordance with the 14th amendment of the constitution which reads "that when the male inbabi taots of any state, being 21 years of age and citizens of the United States, are denied the right of suffrage except for participation in rebellion or other crime, the basis of repre? sentation therein shall bo reduced in the proportion which the number of such ode citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens 21 j ears of age in such state w If Smalls would tako into consideration the number of bis race who have forfeited all claim to citizenship by the commission of crimes and felonies j it wotild be impossible to enumerate j doubtless he would understand the wisdom of South Carolina's registra? tion l?iws The negroes here heartily detest Smalls, bot are afraid of him. Many of them are jealous because he is such a pet of the present adminis tratioi and be certainly does seem to be able to get about any appoint ment he 'desires under a Republican administration. Washington, Nov 14--It is said the details of the proposition before the ooonoii of ministers at Pekin as set out in the London special dispatches are substantially correct However, they are not included io any one note so far received here officially, bat are rather comprised of a seri of notes and telegrams that have jeen exchanged between the state department and Mininter Conger day by day as the negotiation proceeded. The state depsi truest bas regarded several nf these propositions as extremely unwise and undesirable, but has not felt tbat this fact justified the United States io with drawing singly from tho concert of powers. A SECRET TREATY. ! _,_ j Reported China and Russia j Have Understanding About j Manchuria. London, Nov 17, 5 a. m -Uncon firmed statements emanate from Paris and Odessa that a secret treaty has been concluded between Russia and China for tne Russian occupation of Manchuria. There is no fresh news this morning throwing light on the actual situatioo. The Japanese minister in London, who was inverviewed yesterday,hinted ac the possibility of the allies pursuing the Chinese court into the interior if they desired, although be said it would be a long process. Shanghai sends a report that tba empress dowager, alarmed ac the rising in Kan Su provinoe, now contemplates returning to T Yuen Fu From HaoEow comes a report that Gen Lung Fu Hsing is still at Sian Fu, protecting the empress dowager, I that Prince Tuan has fled to Kan Su and the whereabouts cf Yu Asien, governor of Shan Si, is unknown. It is said that Prioce Cbiog will be sent to Germany to apologize for the mur? der of Baron von Ketteler. TUAN'3 PUNISHMENT. London, Nov 16.-A news agency dispatch from Shanghai, referring to the alleged nsw imperial edict (depriv? ing Princes Tuan and Cbwang of all rack and offices and handing them over to tho imperial ciao court for close ooo ficement pending further punishment), says the punishment of Prince Tuan means that his son, the heir apparent, eau never be emperor. The edict also makes the early open? ing of formal peace negotiations prob? able. -? li ? mumm Man Who Slew Deputy Scur? ry in Georgetown Convicted, Georgetown, Nov 16 -The case of John Brownfield, charged with the killing of James C. Scurry, which gained notoriety from thu facs of hav? ing precipitated the recent riot, was brought up in court yesterday morning and ooncluded at 8 o'clock this even? ing, with a verdict from the jury of guilty, without recommendation. The deceased was acting in the capacity of constable, and the State made out a clear case of malicious resistance both with State's evidence and that of the defense, so that no other verdict was possible. The defendant was represent ed by J. L Mitchell, E?q., oolored, of this place, and W. J Whipper of Beaufort, both, attorneys presen tug their side in a creditable manner, considering the poor case tbey had. Solicitor Wilson in his usual vigor? ous style, would up the State's case, sod he was ably assisted by J. A. Kelly, E;q, of Kingstree,. and Hon Lefrand G. Walker, of this city. Judge Gary presided with dignity and learning. The sentence of John Brownfield will be to hang, and the supreme law of the State will have been respected under trying circum? stances, and the swift band of justice stretched out to stay the violence of mob Uw. A fair and impartial bearing was never doubted, and the sentence muBt carry with it the rebuke to law? less that only lawful proceedings can. Lawyer Kelly in bis speech admon? ished the jury while impartially weigh? ing the evidence to pay proper regard to the principle of capital punishment, in which only was protection against lynch law guaranteed. Why we Befriend China. Washington, Nov 15.-Seoretary Hay bas received a petitioo from nearly all of the leading cotton manufacturers of the South that he take snob action that may be withio bis power to prevent the interference by any European power, which might close the foreign markets to all of the leading oottoo manufacturers of the United States as well as injuring many other American interests. The petitioners deolare that the "opec door" policy is necessary to secure the reten? tion of tho important trade in cotton drills and shirtings with China, most of which are manufactured in the Southern States. It is declared that the with? drawal of this trade in Manchuria would seriously affect, not only the manufacturers of cotton goods, bat the Southern planters and cotton growers and thousaods of employes and laborers who are engaged iu the cotton mills. The petitioners represent folly $15, 000,000 io oapital and declare that they have lost half of their trade since the Boxer uprisiog, and aro now mooing oo half time This is only one of many communica? tions that have been received at the sta'e department, which has influenced it to eodeav :r to secure an honorable settlement cf tbe Cbioese trouble as ?p^edily as possible, ?veo at the riok of offending some cf the powers whioh are bent on vengeance. BURNED AT THE STAKE. Negro Ravisher Horribly Punished by White Men in Colorado. Father of the Brute's Victim Ap? plies Match. Liraon, Colo, Nov 16-Chained to a railroad rail set firmly in the ground on the exact spot where hts crime was committed, Preston Porter, Jr, or as be was familarly known, John Porter this eveoiog paid a terrible penalty for bis deed. It was 6 23 o'clock when the father of the murdered girl touohed the match to the fuel which had been piled around the negro and in 20 minutes later a lase convulsive shudder told that his life was extinct. What agony tbe doomed boy suffered while the flames ehriveled up his flesh could only be guessed from the terrible contortions of his face aod the cries be gave from time to time. The executioners, who numbered about 300 citizens of Lincoln county, had not the least semblance of the ordinary mob. Their every act was deliberate and daring all the pre? parations as weil as throughout the suf? ferings of the negro hardly an unneces? sary word was spoken Grimly they stood in a circle about the fire until the body was entirely consumed and then quietly took their way back to Limon, whenca they parted for their homes shortly afterwards. Preston Porter did not seem to real? izo tho awful punishment that he was destined to undergo As he had ex hibited indifference to the enormity of bis crime, so he seemed to lack all un? derstanding of its terrible conse? quences For more than an hour, while preparations for his executioo were io progress, he stood mute and sulieo among the avengers. When everytbiog was ready be walked to the stake with a firm step, paused as he reached the circle of broken boards to knee! in prayer. He was allowed to take his time. He arose and placed bis baok to the iron stake and half a dez3n men wound chains about his body and limbs. Kerosene oil was applied to the wood and after a brief pause, Riobard W. Frost, The father of the little Frost girl, whoso cruelly mu? tilated body was found one week ago on that very spot, applied tb? match. For a moment but a little flickering flame arose. Theo the oil blazed up, sparks flew into the air and the wood begao to crackle Almost instantly the negro's trousers caught fire. Eveo though the flesh must have been scorched, he did not utter a sound. The flames crept slowly upward on his clothing, the sparks flying up in a cloud of pale smoke. Porter turned his' head aod a frightful expression changed his face. With a sudden convulsive tugging be stretched bis head as far from the rapidly increasing flames as possible and uttered a cry of pain, "Ob, my God, let me go, men. I've got something more to tell you. Please Ut me go. Oh, my God, my God." In terrible screeches these words, the first he had uttered aloud, came from the negro. A terrible togging at the obains, a succession of awful groans and screams, the agony was at last breaking down bis sullen composure. Not ao oath escaped, but be begged and pleaded to be shot. Suddeoly the rope holding his bands burned through. Then arms, head and shoulders slipped through the chains For an instant the body stood erect, tbe arms were raised in supplication-while burning pieces of clothing dropped from them. The body theo fell away from the fire, the bead lower tbao the feet, still fastened to tbe rail. Tbis was not expected, and for a few minutes those stolid men were dis? concerted ; they feared that the oo)y remaining chain would give way. If this had oocurred the partly burned human being would have been dashed among them in his blazing garment*. And not many would have cared to capture bim again. But tbe chain held fast. The body was then in such ai position that only the legs were io the fire. The cries of the wretch were redoubled and be again begged to be shot. Some wanted to throw him into tbe fire, others tried to dash oil upon bim. Boards were carried and a large pile made over the prostrate body. They soon were ignited and tbe terrible heat and lack of air quickly rendered the victim unooosoiue. bringing death a few moments later. This terrible cere? mony, out upon the rolling prairie, ooooloded the second tragedy upon that spot, the terrible avenging of the fint Through the entire affair but little was said As tbey calmly prepared for the aveoging, so the people of the eastern part cf the State carried oat their plan cooliv and deliberately. Tbere was not a bitob in the entire proceedings Not a weapon was drawn ; there was no angry discussion. After thc fire had burned low they told each other good night and they went bnme Tbey did not stop to discuss the affair. Labor Trouble in North Caroliua. Lock Out of Uni?n Opera? tives m Aiamance County. Greensboro, N C, Nov 13.-The cotton mill trouble io Aiamance county, where several thousand op?r atives are locked out on account of their refusal to abandon the Textile Workers' union, is practically un? changed. For over a month 18 or 20 mills have either been standing idle or running with reduced forces. The union operatives are vacating the faotory houses as rapidly as possible, iu accordance with orders issued some days ago. Those who have been unable to secure employment elsewhere are temporarily living io teats famished by the National Textile anion. NO CHANGE IN CABINET. McKinley Asks all to.Serve Again. Washington, Nov. 13 -President McKinley today announced clearly and forcefully to the members of his cabinet bis desire that they should all remain with bim during the four years of bie coming administration. His wishes were made known in an extended speech at the cabinet meet? ing in the White House today Re? sponses were made by ali of the mem? bers present, and while there was no definite pledge from any of them that they would accept the portfolios thus tendered afresh, there was on the other hand no definite declination. Hubbard's Cotton Letter. New York, Nov. 16 -Liverpool quickly responded to the favorable reports from this market, advancing 4 points and closing quiet and steady at 2 to 3 points higher than yester? day. Oar market opened with sell? ers at closing quotations,%nd it was soon reported that Mr. Ellison had said that the requirements for con? sumption of American cotton this season would be about 10,000,000, a reduction of 1,000,000 bales-as com paaed with last year. The reason assigned was the large yield of the east Indian crop, which would supply the continental spinners at ruling prices. Our market ie very steady expecting an improvement in Liver oool tomorrow ou the movement for the week and tomorrow. Hubbard Bros k Co. - mv-+~*- m - j Kentucky's Political FeucL Frankfort Ky. Nov 13 - The State election board will meet on December 3 to canvass the returns and officially de? clare the result of the election in this State. While the Republicans have formally conceded the election ot Beckham as Governor anet announced that there would be no contest, both Republicans and Democrats will be re? presented by counsel at tbe canvass of the vote Every phase of the election will be closely watched by boib sides, which will have a tearing on the con? tests for congressman ia- two disrr;ots the 3d and the 9?b. Governor Beckham will be inaugurat? ed on December ll. lt is said that -^ne of the first official papers Governor* elect Durbin, of Indiana; will have to consider when he takes office will be ft requisition from Governor Beckam for the re?nrn of former Governor Taylor and ex-Secretary of State Finley io this state for trial. Leading Republicans claim to have assurances from Indiana Republican leaders that Mr Durbin will follow tbe precedent set by Governor Mount in these oases and will refuse to honor the requisition. CZAR HAS T?THOID FE? VER St Petersburg, Nov 14.-The attack of influenza from which the czar has been suffering has now developed symp? toms of typhoid fever. Tbe indisposi? tion of his majesty was first announced November 2d and presented the usual symptoms until yesterday, when his illness assamed the character of typhoid. Baron De Frederiohs, tbe master of the imperial household, bas issued the following bulletin : His majesty pasted a good night. His general condition condition is satis? factory Temperature, 104.6 ; pulse, 92. His head is clear aed tbe strength of the patiect is quite satisfactory. The diagnosis shows typhoid, w&ieh for the present is pursuing a thoroughly satis? factory course. Boey Surgeon Hirsch, Dr TiobioofT, Baron De fredericks. Friedecsberg, Denmark, Nov 14. The czarevitch, Grand Duke Michael, proposes to return to Russia immediate ly.