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COUNTY CORRESPONDENCE, VXWSY LETTERS FROM OUR SPE? CIAL CORRESPONDENTS of Interest From eil Parte of end Adjoining Counties. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Mail your letters so that they will this office not later than Mon when Intended for Wednesday's ir aad not later than Thursday fee Saturday's Issue. This, of course applies only to regular correspond In ceee of Items of unusua value, send In Immediately bj telephone or telegraph. Sucl ?ears stories are acceptable up to th< of going to press. WedneeOay'i la printed Tuesday afternooi Saturday's paper Friday after EGYPT. Egypt. Jan. f.?Christmas passe< off quietly at this place?thei<- wa very little drinking and no drunken wees everybody seemed to have i good ttnw. We have had plenty of rain an? today we had a regular freexe up The farmers have secured thel hands for the year and have begui preparing foi another crop. Mr. A. B. White returned todaj from Sam pit, 8. C.f where he spen several days with relatives. Misses Jeenle and Lena Player, o Elliots, two most charming younj lad lee. spent a few days of last wee* with Mies Belle McCutchen of Smith vllle. Rev. T. J. White spent a few dayi of lost week at thla piece en route tc Fort Mill where he will serve that circuit as pastor for this year. W* wish him success. Mr. Marvin Weldon spent Monday In Cam den. Mr, and Mrs. Richard Bradford, ol Columbia, spent last week with Mr aad Mrs. J. K. Rlchbourg. There was about the usual moving about with the negroes this year. Mr. Hank Smith, of Blshopvllle, has bought a farm In this section and moved on It. Mlssee Luclle and Eva Britton who are teaching near Bethune returned to their work after spending the holi? days at home. Mise. Berths Huggins who has been working in Sumter for several months has returned home. Mrs, Essie Bourne, of Sampit. is visiting relatives at this place. Mies Minnie Orier. after spending jt week with relatives in Camden hae returned home. Mies Dorothy Napier returned from her trip to Greenwood and hae re? sumed her work as teacher at Egypt Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Weldon spent mat Thursday with Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Wae tor at Hertots. Miss Sadie White spen*. s few days last week with friends at Blshopvllle Mr. Lawrence 8ulllvan has return? ed to the Presbyterian College at Clinton. The Misses Mstthews, of Georgia, after spending several weeks with their uncle. Mr. J. F Matthews, of thla place, hae returned home. WI8ACKT. Wleacky. Jan. t?The holidays aro ewer and the New Year dawned bright aad beautiful, with extremely cold weather. Moot of the farmers have begun work with a sufficient num? ber of laborers for the year. The oat crop is loklng well in places and not yet been Injured by the ? freeses. All tl ? young ladles and gentlemen returnee ' his week to their respec? tive schools. Misses Eunice and Annie Wlllams daughters of Mr. M. L Williams left this morning for Orangeburg to at? tend the Co-Educational College. Mr. Webber Player Is quite sick at this time. William McLeod, who has been very sick for several weeks Is better, and Improving slowly. Miss Sallle Leulngham, who has been spending the past two woeks with her sister. Mrs. Dr. Shirer at St. Stephens, will return to her home to? day. Mr. R. M. Cooper Is erecting a handsome structure on the same lot on which his former home was burn? ed. The friends of the Blshopvllle Bap? tist church are glad to hear that the State Evangelist, Rev. B. J. Wood? ward will preach for them tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock. Miffs Miller, teacher <>f the Ivan hoe school, has returned and will open gtfcOO] Monday, the 10th. SMITHVILLK. Smtthvllle, Jan. 10.?The chime of the 'irm bell 1? heard calling the la? borer t i hi* \\<?i k morning and ROOgj, But very little If any ploughing ha* been done. The weather continues pery cold lnd?>?<|. Wo arc tuning inty of bllzxard-llke days and I don't see how many pestl Insects can be left to give us trouble next spring and sum the cold could only aid us out cotton wilt and pea I'd be alright. The sea? ting will soon be here. jf writer la a great lover of nature nd takes great pleasure In the cultl atlon of plants and flowers. I'm siting Impatiently for the genial ays of spring when we can plant r gardens and begin their cultiva n. What a pleasure It Is to watch eir growth and development. We h many inspirations therefrom nd learn much of the beautiful andlwork of Him who doeth all binge well. I don't think the high price of cot will affect the cotto-i acreage in section. I suppose about the same acreage' as that of last year will be planted. The farmers are slowly but surely waking up, and realise as never before the impor? tance of rotation and diversification. Look after the little things along all lines on the farm. They are step plng stones to greater things. I suppose our esteemed and much loved doctor will soon leave for his new home at McColl. Dr. T. D. Fox worth Is a high-toned Christian gen? tleman, whose goodne8s of heart and cheerful, kindly deposition has won for him a host of friends. We regret very much to have him and his charming and lovely little wife go from among ua, but If it will benefit hia health and that of his little son. Edward, we will try to give them up cheerfully. We wlah for them the greatest success In their new field of work. Miss Jessie Brown spent Saturday with Mrs. W. F. Smith. Mrs. J. M. Browne, of Samplt, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Mayne Wil? son. Miss Maud Hatfleld. of Rembert, spent last week with her grandmoth? er, Mrs. W. H. Hatfleld, of Bradford Springs. Mr. T. C Robertson spent last Thursday in Camden Master Hovey Robertson, son of Mr. S. E. Robertson, is quite sick. He is strangely affected, one side is al? most paralysed. Mr. W. X. Dunlap has moved his hlacksmlth shop up on the hill which Is more convenient for himself and customers. i OUR SUMMERTON LETTER. Summerton, Jan. 10.?In speaking of the changea wrought by the en? trance of the New Year, we took oc? casion in our last letter to mention a number of large farms in the sur? rounding community which we er? roneously stated had "changed hands." Let It not be understood by that ex? pression that owners are really dis? posing of their land interests in this section, for business wisdom has not decreased to such an extent that those in possession of the splendid agricultural lands in Clarendon county are anxious or willing to sell them even at the fancy prices now obtainable. It is true that renters are continually changing from year to year, and at this the beginning of 19%$, many of our farms are being vacated and reoccupled. Mr. Jimmie Deas, of Camden, who owns land in the Panola section has removed from Camden to this place, bringing his family with him. Sum* merton Is very much gratified to see this another evidence of Its good standing In the State. Th* Summerton Hardware Co. has recently purchased a controlling in? terest In the Colclough Hardware Co. and have opened the New Tea** wit** a much increased stock. With their commodious and easily accessi? ble ware rooma they should be In po? sition to All the public's wants In a very satisfactory manner. The Summerton Lodge of the Knights of rythlas will on Tuesday night Install their newly elected of flcera for 1010. They report having had a most prosperous year, and a splendid outlook for the New Year. After the installation exercises an oyster supper will be given at the Hunter Hotel. On Friday afternoon, Jan. 7th, Mrs. Jno. Kershaw entertained the Matrons* Book Club. After the busi? ness formalities, the afternoon was spent quite informally and pleasant? ly, the guests being entertained large? ly by the music rendered by Misses Harper and Scarborough. Mrs. Ker? shaw, assisted by her sister, Mrs. An? derson served fruit salad and cake. At the home of Mrs. M. L. Cos krey on Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock, the Rev. C. S. Felder was married to Miss Annie Coskrey. Rev J. N. Tolar, pastor of the Baptist church of this place performed the ceremony, Immediately after which Mr. and Mrs. Feld.-r left for their home In Hilbert. S. C. Hev. s. O. f'antey and family af? ter a few days' stay with relatives W\ ri returned to their home in Bab s bm-ir. S. (\ Mis-; BSfthl Davis has rttumtd home after a vmU to relatives In Mnnnlng, Rev. A. T. Dunlap, formerly a pas t<>r of the Methodist church here and now of Hartsvllle was a visitor In t ?\vn last week. Miss Sarah Smythe of Charleston, spent a few days last week at the home of MaJ. R. R. Briggs. hang one thtt Is hanged and he hang thee.?Fr< nch. CAUSE OF THE DECLINE. Itesulta Show It to Have Been Tech? nical, Not Fundamental?Results of a Comprehensive Investigation Made by a Careful Statistician. New Orleans, Jan. 10.?Last Wed? nesday's sharp break in cotton was more apparent than real, since the disturbance Incident to the clearing up of the future market, which had become top heavy, has not had a corresponding effect on the spot sit? uation. In support of this view of the week's cotton market occur? rences, the statistician of the firm of Jay, Keplinger and Brown, after a month of careful research has pub Itched an elaborate compilation shov? ing the comparative worth of com? modities in general, and by a ROrlOf of logical deductions draws the con? clusion that 20 cents a pound for middling raw cotton would not be R heroic figure if cost of production and shortness of supply be regarded In its proper relationship to scope of re? quirement. Says this careful writer: "Although cotton has advanced 715 points with? in twelve months there has beta no serious stoppage of spindles, and con? sumption continues at the rate of 12.000,000 bales and more a year. Meanwhile prices of manufactured goods are gradually being adlusted to conform with the cost of the raw material. "American mills are well engaged with forward contracts, and their operations thus far will justify the usual dividends. "In spite of the advancing ten? dency of manufactured goods, their consumption appears to be Increas? ing. A short raw cotton supply will ultimately necessitate a decrease in the production of manufactured goods, whether consumers so desire or not. "Compared with wheat at $1.16 per bushel, corn at 66 cents, and pork at $22, cotton at 20 cents a pound will not appear . relatively high, when It Is remembered that the majority of cotton planters buy their bread and meat on the basis of these prices." According t o Professor Burkett, in his able book on "Cotton," one pound of cotton at 10 cents will make: 1 1-2 yds denim worth.22 4 yds Brown sheeting worth... .32 4 yds bleached muslin worth... .32 7 yds calico worth.35 6 yds. Qlngham worth.45 25 yds. handkerchiefs worth .. .2.50 10 yds. lawn worth.2.50 or 66 spools No. 40 sewing thread worth.2.80 "It should cost more to transform raw material into a manufactured product thar. to produce the raw ma? terial," says the statistician quoted above, "but the fact that the manufacturer has prospered suffi? ciently to encourage a much more rapid expansion in manufacture than has taken place In the culture of raw cotton Is proof positive that the net profits enjoyed by the manufacture have been relatively greater than the net profits enjoyed by the farmer, consequently a readjustment that will result In a more equitable divi? sion seems logical enough. "Fifteen cents for raw cotton has not checked consumption to an ap? preciable extent. The true test of a just distribution of an equitable divi? sion of profit is a maximum price that will check consumption and a minimum price that will check pro? duction. At present prices there is no danger of deliberate raw cotton production curtailment, but since present prices are not checking con? sumption they can hardly be called high." The cause of the future market de? cline of 100 points from the top could not be traced to free selling of spots, or to restricted demand for spots, since the actual cotton market has refsued to follow the downward course. Fear on the part of stock mar? ket Interests of the president's attitude on corporation legislation caused the free selling of securities, a decline and calls for margins, which in turn forced some security market longs to liquidate cotton market Interest In order to secure profits. This In turn depressed the future cotton market. But spot cotton longs have laughed at the decline, since future market shorts must ultimately buy from spot longl the cotton they will need for delivery on contract, and the mills have stood ready to pay more for ?pOt supplies than speculators are now in position to pfty without seri? ous loss. With cotton selling at 15 and 1 C? Cent! ft future market reaction of 100 points is less strenuous and more to be expected than a 50 point reaction when OOtton is selling nt 10 cents, The truth of the case Is, the market has advanced so Btaadlly and so per? sistently Hiring so many months that most peopk bad begun to think that deollnoi were not coming. Thus the enforcement of some fundamental economic law has waked them up, but has not harmed the cotton mar? ket In the end. LIVE STOCK Another load of stock will arrive Friday 14th. Our buyer knows the trade, knows the kind our farmers want and will buy them if they can be haH. Come and see them Saturday or the early part of next week. Carriages, Surries, Buggies, Wagons and Harness. We have a large assortment of these Vehicles on hand which we are offering at re? duced prices in order to turn the goods into cash, and at the same time make room for Spring goods. Don't take our word for it, but come and see for yourself. Oliver Plows. We have a fine assortment ot "Oliver Plows" on hand and more coming in. None better than the "Oliver"?few as good. Ask your neighbor who is using them. Stalk Cutters. Stalk Cutting season is on, better let us sell you ? "McKay" Cutter. We have a few of them left. If you have not seen a McKay, come look at them, see how they are put up, and you will wonder how we can sell them so cheap. Corn Planters. Just received a lot of Corn Planters which we are going to offer to our customers at a very small margin of profit, in order to build up trade along this line. THE S. M. PIERSON COMPANY, 115.117-119 EAST HAMPTON AVENUE. SUMTER, - - - ' - S. C. SPECULATION IN FUTURES. Probable That Congress Will Give the Subject Attention. Representative Scott of Kansas, chairman of the house committee on agriculture, says according to a Washington despatch, that the sen? timent in favor of legislation to pre? vent the dealing in futures in farm products is growing stronger every day, and he feels quite confident that the house will give serious consider? ation to the bill which his committee wMl report shortly to deny the malls to exchangees and brokers and others who make a business of gambling in farm products. President Taft has taken this sub" ject up, and members who are close to him say that he ragards gambling in farm products as an evil that calls for legislative action. The misery and suffering from this vicious form of gambling is worse, if anything, than betting on the races. If the veil could be lifted it would reveal many congressmen among the victims of the bucket shops where most of the business of speculation in futures is conducted. Inquiry among the members show that the evil of gambling in wheat, corn, cotton, oats, etc., has grown to such proportion that many states have taken notice of it, and the claim Is made that the price of foodstuffs is affected by the gambling in futures. In this connection the statement Is made that the government is largely responsible for the growth In this species of speculation in the neces? sities of life, and that the fluctuation in the price of corn, wheat and cot? ton is due, in a measure to the monthly crop report issued by the agricultural department. There is some truth in this, for no govern? ment report is watched with more interest nor more. eagerly sought than that of the crop report. An ad" vanee copy of the crop report, that is a copy obtained three hours ahead of the issuance of the pivss. is worth thousands of dollars. The value attached to the report is due solely to the effect il has on the market. And the market varies accordingly to th(? condition <>f the crops as shown by the figures of the report, Which only proves that 9-10ths of the business done on the exchanges is gambling, pure and simple. It was said today that it is not improbable that congress will order the discontinuance of the monthly crop report because of its influence on prices of farm products as man lpulated by the gamblers. Members of the house agriculture committee say there is no question but that If the crop report is stopped, that is :f the Information is not furnished the exchanges, It will have the effect of checking the business of dealing in futures. That the figures of the crop report have a money value and also an effect on the market, it may be interesting to recall that it has been but a few years ago that the Cotton Growers' association lodged a com? plaint with Secretary Wilson, of the Agricultural Department to the effect that some official was making use of the information gathered by the agents of the department to the detriment of the cotton growers. The result of the complaint was an In? vestigation which resulted in the dis? missal of the statistician and assis? tant and the Indictment of the latter on a charge of conspiracy. The of? ficial, Mr. Ed Holmes, and two brok? ers, were tried, but the jury dis? agreed and the indictment is still pending. It is admitted by the best lawyers in congress that the indict? ment found was worthless for the reason that the law did not cover the case. Since the case was tried, congress has passed a law that makes it an offense to divulge this character of information. The subject of futures promises to hold the attention of congress for a week before the ses? sion adjourns. A special message from the president urging legisla" tion on this matter is not at all im? probable. The Mississippi Senatorship. Jackson, Miss., Jan. 7.?The vote today in the joint session of the State legislature to elect a senator to suc? ceed the late A. J. McLaurln, resulted as follows: Vardaman 71; Alexander 14; Percy 21; Anderson 81; Kyle 14; Bynl 12: Crits T.; Truly 1; Dongino 1. Total 170. Necessary to choice. S6. On the second ballot Vardaman was credited with 6f> votes, a 1<'<s of six from the tlrst ballot, and Per* > with 2S. showing a gain of seven. After three votes had failed to de ermlne tin- nominee 111?? caucua ad? journed late tonight until tomorrow morning. At the conclusion <?t the session, Former Cov. .lames K. Var? daman had r,r, votes to his credit, It more than his nearest competitor. Leroy Percy of Greenville, but ?till JO votes short of the required num? ber. Hospitality grows best where it Ic most needed.?Hugh Miller. DUE WEST POSTOFFICE ROBBED Yeggmen Blow Safe Open and Se? cure $1,100 in Cash and Stamps. Due West. Jan. 8.?The Due West postoffice was entered this mornmg by safe crackers, and the safe blown open. The first report was heard by some persons living In the immediate vicinity at 1:15 A. M. The robbers were not satisfied with their first ef? fort, and the second report came about fifteen minutes later. When the office was opened this morning it presented a scene of wreckage. The entire front door of the safe was blown off its hinges, and parts of it went through the building and land? ed some flften to twenty yards on the outside, tearing off several planks. About nine hundred dollars In stamps and two hundred dollars In cish was stolen. No trace of the robbers can be found. Due West doesn't afford a night watchman, and the safe crack? ers had the advantage of several hours when the office was opened at 7 o'clock. This is the second time the Due West postoffice has been robbed with? in the past few years. JIEMPHILL WILL GO TO RICH? MOND. Editor of Ttie News and Courier HI Assume Charge of The Tirm o-ajIs patch. Richmond, Va., Jan. 9.?An? nouncement was made tonight that Maj. J. C. Hemphlll, for the past 20 years editor of the Charleston (S C.) News and Courier, has accepted the editorship of The Times-Dispatch, his new duties here to begin about Feb 15. FIRE AT PROVIDENCE. Th* store of Mr. B. D. Jennings at Gail lard's X Roads, in which was located the Providence Tost Office, was burned Sunday afternoon. The loss is estimated to have been about $506 to $700. The origin of the fire has not been determined. This store was robbed a few weeks ago, and it is suspected that the fire was of in? cendiary origin. Sunday night the store of Robert Ramsey, colored, in the same neigh? borhood eras burned. The amount of loss is not known. "Mr. Rallinger demands an investi? gation. ' s.tys a headline. At any rate, he seems to merit It.?Louis? ville Courier-Journal.