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YOL. XLV, WINNSBORO, S. C , WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1888. NO, 20. THE MESSAGE TRANSMITTED TO CONGRESS BY THE PRESIDENTAN INTERESTING DOCUMENT. REVIEW OF THE COUHTBY FOB AS EUJfDBED YEASS. Pride aud Satisfaction at the Picture ol ? Our Growth and Prosperity?His View* on the Tariff as Balated to an Economical Administration?He Speaks of the Sackville Affair in Sorrowici ierm*. Bis Plans for the Abolishment of Trusts. "Washinqtox, Dec. 3.?President Cleveland's message was presented to Congress to-day. The document contains about ten thousand words. Tte main points touched are herewith given: To the Congress of the United Stales. -* As you assemble for the discharge of the (dutie<you have assumed as the representatives or a free and generous people, your meeting is marked by an interesting and Impressive incident. With the expiration of the present session of the Congress, the first century of our constitutional existence as a nation will be completed. Our survival for one hundred years is not sufficient to assure us that we no longer I have dangers to fear in the maintenance, with all its promised blessings, of a government founded upon the freedom of the people. The time rather admonishes us to BOberly inquire whether in the past we have always closely kept la the course of safety, and whether we have before us a way plain and clear which leads to happiness and perpetuity. When the experiment of our Government was undertaken, the chart adopted for our guidance was the Constitution. Departure from the lines there laid down is failure. It is only by a strict ac&erence to the direction they indicate and by restraint within the limitations they fix, that we can furnish proof to the world of the fitness of the American people for self-government. The equal and exact justice of which we boast as the underlying principles of our I Institutions, should not be confined to the relations of our citizens to each other. The Government itself is under bond to the American people, that In the exercise of its functions and powers it will deal with the body of our citizens in a manner scrupulouslyhonest and fair and absolutely Tt. ha<* ftp-reed that American citizen ship shall be the only credential necessary to justify the claim of equality before the law, and that no condition in life shall give rise to discrimination in the treatment of the people by their Government. The citizen of our Republic in its early <iays rigidly Insisted upon full compliance with the letter of this bond, and saw tretching out before him a clear field for. individual endeavor. His tribute to the support of his Government was | measured by the cost of its 9 economical maintenance, and he was secure in the enjoyment of the remaining recompense of his steady and contented, toil. In those days the frugality of the people was stamped upon their Government, and was enforced by the free, thoughtful, and intelligent suffrage of the citizen. Combinations, monopolies, and aggregations of people were either avoided or sternly regulated and restrained. The b pomp and glitter of Governments less free, offered no temptation and presented no deIusIod to the plain people who, ' - 1' ennoblement and dignity of man, for the Solution ot the problem of free govern 2X26 lit, ana lor wut? ttLUio wuv :grand destiny awaiting the land which God had given them, i A century has passed. Oar cities arethe abiding ulaces of wealth and luxury; our manufactories yield fortunes never dreamed of by the fathers of the Kepublic; our business men are madly striving in the race for riches, and immense aggregations of capital outrun the imagination in the magnitude of their undertaking. We view with pride and satisfaction this bright picture of our country's growth and prosperity, while only a closer scrutiny develops a sombre *hading. Upon more careful inspection we find wealth and h ilnxury of our cities mingW with poverty I and wretchedness and unremunjrative .toiL A crowded and constantly increa*J tog urban population sugijests the impov-. erishment of rural sections, and discontent with agricultural pursuits. The farmer's son, not satisfied with his father's simple and laborious life, joins the eager chase for easily-acquired wealth. We discover that the fortunes realized toy our manufacturers are no longer solely the reward of sturdy industry and enlightened foresight, but that they result from the discriminating favor of the Government, and are largely built upon undue exactions from the masses of our people. The gulf between employers and the employed is constantly widening and classes (are rapidly forming, one comprising the ^ ivery rich and powerful, while in another are found the tolling poor. WW " As we view the achievements of aggre. BP gated capital, we discover the existence of trusts, combinations, and monopolies, .while the citizen is struggling far In the rear or is trampled to death beneath an IrOttgheel. Corporations, which should be P the carefully-restrained creatures of the B law and the servants c-f the people, are last becoming the paopla's masters. : Still congratulating ourselves upon the I wealth and prosperity of our country, 6 and complacently contemplating every incident of change inseperable from these conditions, it is cur duty as patriotic citizens to Inquire, at the present stage of our progress, how the bond of the Government made with the people has been kept and performed. Instead of limiting the tribute drawn from our citizens, to the necessities of an economical administration, the Govern;xnent persists in exacting, from the substance of the people, millions which unapplied and useless lie dormant in its Treasury. This flagrant injustice and this breach of faith and obligation add to ex-fcorjfoa the danger attending the diversion U. _jslthe currency c* the country from the leK^ma^grut^annels of business. Under the stoe laws by which these results are produced, the Government permits many millions more to be added to the cost of the living of our people and to -be taken from ouAconsumers, which unreasonably swell t&e profits of a small but powerful minority. \ Tne people must aiill be taxed for the support of the Gove^imac*?trailer tne operation of tariff laws. rBut to the "extent that the mass of our citizens are Inordinately burdened beyond any useful public pnrposer*&nd for the benefit of a favored few, the Government, under pretext of an exercise of its taxing power, enters gratuitously into a partnership with these favorites, to their advantage and .to the injury of a vust majority of our people. ? ?This Is not equality before the law. The existing situation is injurious to the health of our entire oody-poiitic. It stifles, In those for whose benefit it is permitted, all patriotic love of country, and substw tutes m Its place selfish greed aud grasp-; ing avarice. Devotion to American cilw zenship for its own sake and for what it should accomplish as a motive to our nation's advancement and the happines of all to H ier>!ar>A/1 hir thft aSSUHlDtiOn out pw/j/iC, that the Government, instead of being the embodiment of equality, is but an instrumentality through which especial and individual advantages are to be gained. The grievances of those not Included within the circle of these beneficiaries, I when fully realized, will surely arouse irritation ami discontent. Our farmers, Jes?S-suffer;ng and patient, sirugtji'ng in [Vie race of hio with the Hardest aui most unremitting toil, will not fail to see, in spite of misrepresentations and misleading fallacies, that they are obliged to accept such prices f?r their products as are Hxed In foreign markets where they compete k with the farmers of the world; that their * lands are declining in value while thoir debts increase; and that without compensating favor they are forced by the action t of the Government to pay, for the benefit of others, such enhanced prices for ttie tl.iugs they need, that the scanty return* or their labor fail to furnish their support or leave no margin for accumulation. Our workingmen, enfranchised from all delusions and no longer f-ightened by the ory that their wages are endangered* by a Ju?t revision cf our tariff laws, will reason Wy.d^j&aod through suoh revision steadier employment, cheaper means oI living m homes, freedom for themselves and their children from the doom of pepetual servitude, and an open door to their advancement beyond the limits of a laboring' class. Others of our citizens whose comforts and expenditures are measured by moderate salaries and fixed incomes, will insist upon the fairness and Justice of cheapening the cost of necessaries for themselves and their families. When to the selfishness of the beneficiaries of unjust discrimination under our laws there shall be added the discontent of tnose wno suffer irom such discrimination, we -will realize the fact that the beneficent purposes of our Government, dependent upon the patriotism and contentment of our people, are endangered. A just and sensible revision of our tariff laws should be made for the relief of those of our countrymen who suffer under present conditions*. Such a revision should receive the support of all who love that justice and equality due to American citizenship. l*he necessity of the reduction of our revenue is so apparent as to be generally conceded. But the means by which this end shall be accomplished and the sum of direct benefit which shall result to our citizens, present a controversy of the utmost importance. There should be no scheme accepted as satisfactory by which the burdens of the people are only apparently removed. Extravagant appropriations of public money, witn all their demoralizing consequences, should not be tolerated, either as a means of relieving the Treasury of its present surplus, or as furnishing pretext for resisting a proper reduction in tariff rates. Existing evils and injustices snould be honestly recognized, boldly met, and effectively remedied. There should be no cessation of the struggle until a plan is perfected, fair and conservative toward existing industries, but which will reduce the cost to consumers of the,necessanes of lile, while it provides for "our manufacturers the advantage of freer raw materials and permits no injury to the Interests of American labor. The cause for which the battle is waged is comprised within lines clearly and distinctly defined. It should never be compromised. It is the people's cause. It cannot be denied that the selfish and private interests which are so persistently heard, when efforts are made to deal In a Snct urtri nnmnrPhAnftirP rnvtnnAr with mir tariff laws, are related to, if they are not responsible for, the sentiment largely prevailing among the people, that -he General Government is the fountain ol! individual and private aid; that it may be expected to relieve with paternal care the distress of citizens and communities, anl that from the fullness of its Treasury it sbould, upon the slightest possible pretext of promoting the general good, apply public funds to the benefit of localities and individuals. Nor can it be denied that there is a growing assumption that, as against the Government and m favor of private claims and interests, the usual rules and limitations of business principles and just dealing should be waived. These ideas have been unhappily mush encouraged by legislative acquaintance. Kelief from contracts with the Government is too easily accorded in favor of the citizen; the failure to support claims against the Government by proof, is often Ktt r? A .-Ano iHiifQ ti An tViavi wj uv wbvujiuuiauivu vuau the wealth of the Goverameat and the poverty of the claimant; gratuities in the form of pensions are granted upon ao other real ground than the needy condition of the applicant, or for reasons less valid: and; large sums are expended for public build-.' lags and other improvements upon repre-! sentauoas scarcely claimed to be related to public needs aad aecessitits. The exteat to which the consideration; of such matters subordinate and postpone; action upon subjects of great public im-' portance, but involving no special, private! or partsaa interest, should arrest attea-1 tioa aad lead to reformation. A few of the numerous illustrations of this condition may be stated. The croj^Mi &/Piditloa of the calendar aad t.ho delay to; WR5W aud the denial of justice resultiag therefrom, has boea strongly urged upoa: the aotice of Congress, with a plaa for the relief of the situation approved by those welt able to judge of its merits. W hile this subject remains without affective consideration many laws have been passed providing for the holding: of terms of inferior courts at places to suit the convenience of localities, or to lay the foundation of an application for the erection of anew public building:. Repeated recommendations have been submitted for the amendment and change of laws relating to our public lands so that their spoliation and diversion to other uses than as homes for settlers might be prevented. While a measure to meet this conceded necessity of reform remains awaiting the action of Congress, many claims to the public lands and applications for their donation, in favor of States and Individuals, have been allowed. A plan In aid of Indian management, reoommeuded by those well informed, as containing valuable features in furtterasce of the solution of the Indian problem, has thus far tailed of legislative sanction, while grants of doubtful expediency to railroad corporations, permitting them to pass through Indian reservations, have greatly multiplied. The propriety and necessity of t he erection of one or more prisons Tor the confinement of United States convicts, and a postoffice build:ng in the national capital, are not disputed. But these needs yet remain unanswered, while scores ol public buildings have been erected where tbeir neces sity ior puDiic purposes is not apparent. A revision of our pension laws could easily be made, which would rest upon just principles and provide for every worthy applicant. But while our general pension laws remain confused and imperfect, hundreds of private pension laws are annually passed, which are the sources of unjust discrimination and popular demoralization. Appropriation bills for the support of the Government are defaced by item9 and provisions to meet private ends, and it is freely asserted by responsible ana experienced parties taut a bill appropriating money for public internal improvement would fall to meet with favor, unless it contained items more for local and private advantage than for public benefit. And yet the people wait and exrect from their chosen representatives such patr otic actios as will advance the welfare & the entire country; and this expectation?.an only be answered by the performance of public duty with unselfish purpose. Our mission among the nations of t he earth, i.nd our success in uie woris uuu usia g< vcu i.uo American people to do, require of those intrusted with the.making and execution of our laws perfect devotion, above all other things, to Wie public good. In pursuance of a constitutional provision requiring the President, from time to time, to give to the Congress information Of the state of the Uniou, I have the satisfaction to announce that the close of the year finds the United States In the enjoyment of domestic tranquility and at peace with all nations. Since my last annual message our foreign relations have been strengthened and improved by performance of international good offices and by new and renewed treaties of amity, commerce, and reciprocal extradition of criminals. Ihose international questions which s :ill await settlement are all reasonably within the don.4in of amicable negotiation, and there is no existing subject of dispute between the United States and any foreign power that is not susceptible of satisfactory adjustment by frank diplomatic treatment. The questions between Great Britain and the United States relating to the rights of American fishermen, under treaty and international comity, in the Territorial waters of Canada and Newfoundland, I regret to sav, are not yet satisfactorily adlusted. inese matters were luuy ireaiea m iu> message of Febrnary 20, 1SSS, together with whicn a convention, concluded under my authority with Her Majesty's Government oa the 15th of February last, for the removal of all causes of misunderstanding, was submitted by me for ihe approval of the Senate. Th.'s treaty hnvinir bs?c:i r-. j ;cteJ by the Senate, 1 trarjim tied :i ?:e>su^e to Congress, on the of August iast, reviewing the transactions an>J submitting for consideration certain recommendations for legislation concerning the important questions involved. Afterwards, on the 12t.h of September, | in response to a resolution of the Senate, I again communicated fully all trie information in my possession as to the ac"* - - * ' * ? ? * ? ? ?/In o er v.on or tne wovernm?uu ui viiuauu ?uuv?.?s the commercial relations DetweeD the Dominion and the United States, inoludiag the treatment of American ilshing vessels in the ports and waters of British North America. These communications have all been published, and therefore open to the knowledge of both Houses of Congress, alI thong* two were addressed to the Senate alone. Having essayed, in t he discharge of my duty to procure by negotiation the settlement of a long-standing cause of dispute, and to remove a constant menace to the good relations of the two countries, and continuing to be of the opinion that the treaty of February last, which failed to receive the approval of the Senate, did supply *'a satisfactory, practical, and final adjustment upon a basis honorable and just to both parties of the difficult and vexed question to which It is related," and having subsequently and unavailingly recommended other legislation to Congress which I hoped would suffice to meet the exigency created by the rejection of the treaty, I now again invoke the earnest and immediate attention of Congress to the condition of this important question as it now stands before them and the country, anu ior me sciiiemeut 01 which x am deeply solicitous. Near the close of the month of October last, occurrences of a deeply regrettable nature were brought to my knowledge, which made it my painful but imperative duty to obtain, with as little delay as. possible. a new personal channel of diplomatic intercourse In this country with the Government of Great Britain. The correspondence In relation to this incident will in due course be laid before you, and will disclose the unpardonable conduct of the official referred to in his interference by advice aud counsel with the suffrages of American citizens in the very crisis of the Presidential election then near St hand, and also in his subsequent public declarations to justify his action, superadding Impugnent of tbe Executive and Senate of the United States, in connection with important questions now pending in controversy between two Governments. The offense thus cummitted was most grave, involving disastrous possibilities to the good relations of the United 3tates and Great Britain, constituting a >;ross breach of diplomatic privilege and j.n invasion of the purely domestic affairs end essential sovereignty of tbe Government to which the envoy was accredited. Having first fulfilled the just demands of International comity, by affording full opportunity for Her Majesty's Government to act in relief of the situation, I considered prolongation of discussion to be unwarranted and thereupon declined to further recognize the diplomatic character of the nAr?nn TOhosa^enntinuanea in such func tlon would destroy that mutual confidenco which is essential to the good understanding of the two Governments, and was inconsistent with the welfare and self-respect of the Government of the United Statos, The usual interchange of communication has since continued through Her Majesty's legation ia this city. My endeavors to establish by international co-operatiou measures for the prevention of the extermination of fur-seals in Behring Sea have not been relaxed, and I have Hopes of being enabled shortly to submit an effective and satisfactory conventional projet with the maratime powers for the approval of the Senate. It it much to be desired that some agreement should be reached with Her Majesty's Government by which the damages to life Rnd property on the Great Lakes may be alleviated by removing or humanely regulating the obstacles to reciprocal assistance to wrecked or stranded vessels. The act of June 19, 1878, which offers Canadian vessels free access to our inland waters in aid of wrecked or disabled ves seis, Has not yet oecome enecuve mrougn co?current action by Canada. The due protection of our citizens of French origin or descent, from claim of military service, In the event of their returning to or visiting France, has called forth correspondence which was laid -before you at the last session. I renew my recommendation of two years ago for the passage of a bill for the refunding to certain German steamship lines of the Interest upon tonnage dues illegally exacted. On tho 12th of April last, I laid before the House or Representatives full information respecting our interests in [Samoa; and In the subsequent correspondence on the same subject, which will be laid before you in duo course, tho history ol events in those Islands will be found. m a message accompanying m.v approval, on the isi tiay ui Gclober iasr, of a Dili for the exclusion of Chinese laborers, 1 laid before Congress all information and all correspondence touching the negotiation of the treaty with China, concluded at this Capital on the 12th day of March, 1SSS, and which, having been confirmed by the Senate, with certain amendments, was rejected by the Chinese Government. This message contained a recommendation that a sum of money be appropriated as compensation to Chinese subjects who had suffered injuries at ttie hands of lawless men within our Jurisdiction. Such appropriation having been duly made, the fund awaits reception by the Chinese Government. It Is sincerely hoped that by the|cessation of the influx of this class of Chinese subjects, In accordance with tne expressed wish of both Governments, a cause of unkind feeling has been permanently removed. A diplomatic mission from Corea bas been received, and the formal intercourse between the two countries contemplated by vhe treaty of 18S2, is now established. Persia has established diplomatic representation at this capital and has evinced very great interest ia the enterprise and achievements of our citizens. The wisdom ot concluding a treaty of commercial reciprocity with Mexico has been heretofore stated in my messages to Congress, and the lapso of time and growth of commerce with that close neighbor and sister Republic confirm the Judgment so expressed. X Lit? piCl/130 iC-iVW?wivu V* v/ W* i. vvuuuu. J line Is needful, and adequate appropriation ia now recommended. The long-pending boundary dispute between Costa liica and Nicaragua was referred to my arbitration; and by an award made on the 23d of March last, the question has oeen finally settled to the expressed satisfaction of both of the parties in interest. As authorized by the Congress, preliminary steps have been talfon for the assemblage at this Capital, during the coming year, of the representatives of South and Central Americau Stales, together with those of Mexico,Bayt.i,and San Domingo,to discuss sundry important monetary and commercial topics. Excepting in those cases where, from reasons of contiguity of territory and the existence of a common border line incapable of being guarded, reciprocal commercial treaties may be found oKpe^lent, it it haltAVfld that commercial policies inducing freer mutual exchange of products can be most advantageously arranged by independent but co-operative legislation. In the mode last mentioned the control of our taxation for revenue will be always retained in our own hands unrestricted by conventional agreements with other governments. With the rapid Increase ol immigration to our shores and the facilities of modern travel, abases of'the generous privileges afforded by our naturalization laws call for their careful revision. The easy and unguarded manner in which certificates of American citizenship can now bo obtained has induced a class, unfortunately large, to avail themselves of the opportunity to become absolved from allegiance to tho:r native land and vet by a foreign residsnce to escape any Just duty and contribution of service to the country of their proposed adoption. ThU3 while evading the duties of citizenship to the United States, they make prompt claim for its national protection and demand its intervention In their behalf. International complications of a serious nature arise, and the correspondence of the State Deoartment discloses the great number and complexity of the questions wnicn have been raised. Our laws regulating the issue of passports should be carefully revised, and the institution of a central bureau of registraj tion at the Capital is again strongly recommended. By this means full particulars of each case of naturalization in the United States would be properly indexed and recorded anil thus many cases of spurious citizenship would be detected and unjust responsibilities would be avoided. The roorg;uiizat:on of the consularaserv;ce is a mutter of serious importance to our national interests. The number of existing principal consular offices is believed to be greater than is at all necessary for the conduct of the public business. I repeat the recommendations heretofore made by me, that the appropriations for the maintenance of our diplomatic and consular service should be recast; that t he so-called notarial or unofficial fees, which our representative# abroad are now permitted to treat a= personal perquisites, should be forbidden; that a system of consular inspection should be instituted; and that a limited number of secretaries j ol legation atjarge suouiu uo UUbUVlii * j * The report of the Secretary of the ] Treasury exhibits in detail the condition I of our national finances an? the ogera tions of the several b':uiches 01 toe uovernaisnt related to his Dep ircmoui. The total ordinary r venues of tho Government for tho fiscal vear ended June30, umountoii to ;37U,2.'>5.('74.75, of which 991,173.13 was rnreivet from customs duties and ?r.'4,-%,S7l.yi from luternm revenue taxes. The total receipts from aii sources, exceeded thosn for the final year ended June 3', 1SS7, by $7,b6^,7y7 10. . The ordinary expenditures of the Government for the fiscal vear ended June 30. ~ 1S6H, were ttr>9,?553,0">S 0?j leaving a surplus C?r$lltf, 612,116.09. The decrease in these expenditures, as compared with the fiscal-year ended .June 30, !$>7, was $S,27S,t!il,30, notwithstanding the payment of more than ?5,000,00J for pensions in excess of wliat was paid for .J.oi Kiiraom it. th,. mtror-inftuLioned vear. Ttio revenues of tlm Government for the year e::diiig J une ascertained for the quarter ended September 3J, 1SSS, and estimated for the lvin lindor of the time, amount to $377,iiC0,0 w; and the actual and estimated ordinary expenditures for thesaine year are t27w.O:X),UO>>, leaviug an estimated* surp'us of i'l 4,e0 l,iK)0. The estimated receipts for the year ending June 3 0, IS'.) ', arc {377,Ouii,00ft, and the estimated ordinary expenditures forthe same tune are S;75,7?'f7,4$i>.31, showing a surplus of 5=101.23*2, r>ll.tti. The foregoing statements of surplus do not taue into account the sum necessary to bo expended to meet the requirements of the sinking fund act, amounting to more Uian ?47,000,0JG annually. 'J he co<t of collecting the customs rovenuns for the last fiscal year was 2 44 per cent ; for the year 1SS5 it was 3.77 per cent. The excess of internal-revenue taxes collected during the last liscal year over those collected for the year ended June 3d, 18S7, was *f>,4?>U 174.20, and the cost of collecting this revenue decreased from 3.4 per cent, in 1SS7 to less than 3.2 percent, lor the last year. The tax collected on oleomargarine was *7.3.948 04 for the year ending June 3J, LSsr. jm.i SMi4.13'J.SS for the folio wit.or vear. The requirements of the siniting-fuifu act have been met lor the year ended June S0P 1S:S; for the current year also, by ihe purchase of bonds. After complying wnu this law iis positively required, and uonds sufficient for that purpose had been bought at a prem.um, it was not deemed prudent to further expend the surplus m such purchases until the authority to do so should be more explicit- A resolution, however, having been passed by both Houses of Congress removing all doubt as toExucuuve authority, daily purchases of bonds v. re commenced on the 23d day of April, 1SSS, and have continued until the present tune. By this plan bonds of the Government not vet due have beeu purchased up to and in eluding the 30th daj of November, JS88, amounting lo $94,700,400. the premium paid thereon amounting to $ir,5)$.613.0S. The premium added to tlie principal of these bends represents an investment yielding about 2 per cent, interest for the time they still haAto run; and the saving to the Government represented by the difference between the amount of interest at 2 per cent, upon the sum paid for principal and premium and what, it would have paid for interest at the rate specified in the bonda If they had run to their maturity, Is about $27,16o,000. At first sight this would seem to be a profitable and sensible transaction on the part of the Government. But, us suggested by ftie Secretary of the Treasury, the surplus thus expended for the purchase of bonds was money drawn from the people in excess of any actual need of the Government. and was so expeuded rather than allow it to remain idle in the Treasury. If this surplus under the operation of just and equitable laws had been left In the Vionr^a r\f tlia 41. wrtJilH lioTTa Kqan worth in their business at least ti per cent, per annnm. Deducting from the amount of interest upon the principal and premium of these bonds for che time they had to run at the rate of 6 per cent, the saving of 2 per cent, made for the people by the purchsso erf strcn t>outfs, tuc loss will appear to be ?55,76.1,000. This calculation would seem to demonstrate that if excessive and unnecessary taxation is continued and the Government is forced to pursue this policy of purchasing its o>vn bonds at the premiums which It will be necessary to pay, the loss to the people will be hundreds of millions of dollars. Smco the purchase or bojuis was undertaken as mentioned, nearly all that have been offered were at last accepted. It has been made quite apparent that the < jvern mout was in danger of being subjected to combinations to raise Ineir price, as appears by the instance cited by the Secretary of the offering of bonds of the par value of only ?326,000 so often that the aggregate of tt\e snms Ueaiar.ded for their purchase amounted to moro thau $19,700,000. Notwithstanding the large sums paid out In the purchase of bonds, ihe surplus in Treasury on the 3>th da.y of November, 1S8S, was $52,134,010.01, aft-jr deducting about $20,000,000 just drawn out for the payment of pens ous. At the close or the fiscal year ended June 30,1S87, there had been coined under the compulsory silver coinage act, $260,988,380 In silver dollars, $T>5,5(.'4,31) of which were in the hands of the people. On the 30thda.v of June, lbSS, thero had been coined $29i>,703,790; an J of this $55,829,333 was in circulation iu coin, and $200,337,376 in s lver cert-ficates, for the redemption of whieii silver dollars to that amount were held by the Government. On the 30th day of November, 1883, $213,570,990 had been coined, $60,970,990 of the silver dollars were actually in circulation, and *237,415,346 in certificates. An Incendiary Fire. The barn ami stable of Hon. C. T. Connors was burned to the ground on Monday morninir last. His fine horse and two capi tal younij mules were burned wiih the building. He also lost by the lire about 6,000 bundles of fodder, 700 bushels of corn one bale of seed cotton, 3l0 bushels of cotton seed and a new buggy and a bet of new harness. His losses aggregate about $2,0()0. He had no insurance except about S&.'jO, on the building. The tire was discovered about C o'clock. It seemed to have originated in the fodder as the Hauies were couiined to the second story of the buildiug when 1 he tire was first observed. The origin of the fire cannot be accounted for except that it was 1 he work of an incendiary.?Lancaster Ledger. A Great Invention. The Palmetto Hoe is the greatest invention of the age, in the way of a Hoe for field and garden use, Laving an advantage over all other hoes now in use, in th it it has fonr catting edges and is so constructed that the handle can be changed so that each edge can be utilized. By reversing tho hoe it becomes perpendicular with the plant, and thereby prevents any injury to the plant in taking away grass directly from the root r-f tho plant. Besides these advantages the blade can be replaced when worn out, at one-third of the original cost of the hoe. The Palmetto Hoe can be bought at the same cost as the goose neck, or any other steel hoe now in use. Sold by all hardware dealers, or can b3 ordered from Sheble it Klemji, Manufacturers, Philadelphia., Pa. The Southern Question. New Yobk, Dec. 5?The World prints a synopsis of views from intelligent colored men in the South on the negro question. A Raleigh, N. C., special says: "James H. Jones, the most prominent and intelligent negro in Raleigh, who was the body servant to President Jefferson Davis and was captured with him, and who hasfor fifteen years consecutively Iwen an alderman of <lih> ci:3', fjriil in reply to the interrogatolit*--; ' We hope for an administration which *i;l be just to tbe whole people, particularly to tbe Southern people. I do not think the incoming administration will be at all biased or prejudiced toward the South. The people here are certainly not prejudiced against 2Ir. Harrison and his administration. We have no political rights here that are not freely accorded us. The elections are perfectly quiet and no colored man has any right to complain. I am a Republican and have always been one, but I am sure that the views of every fair-minded white uian and colored man here if obtained, would precisely agree with mine in this matter. The colored people here are shown tbe most exact justice. They 1 have good schools carefully looked after." THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. WHAT OUR LAWMAKERS DID IN THE SECOND WEEK OF THE SESSION. Both Blanches Seem Iodised to Hasten Slowly-?Few Measures of General Public Interest Yet Introduced?Synopsis of the Proceedings. Columbia, S. C., December 8.?It is the subject of general observation that the first two weeks of the Legislative session of 1888 have bronght forth fewer Results, whether in the passage or the Introduction of important measures than almobt any previous session. Both houses seem inclined to "j?g along," and await rather than suggest measures of greatest public interest. The Senate does its work very rapidly? generally clearing its calendar every day, J witn some nttie nme leu ior tne uonscript Fathers to gather edification (at. leisure) by attending the sesbious of the lower but larger branch. In the House there is always a flood of bills. Among these are numbers of measures of no publio interest. Bat they must go through all the stages, from reference to some committee to their survival or their death on one of the two subsequent readings. The calendar soon becomes crowded, and it looks as if there is to be no end to the law-making. In the midfct of this apparently small business fthnnch cnTTiA nf it is vprv imnortant to the communities affected) there are certain topics whose consideration very intimately concerns the public welfare. Some of these will now be noticed. THE CLEMBON BEQUEST. It was generally supposed tbat some measure would be early introduced looking to the formal acceptance by the State of the bequest made in the will of the late Thomas G. Clemsou, for the purpose of founding a separate agricultural college. Col. R. W. Simpson, the executor of the will, has submitted a copy of that instrument and asked the General Assembly to signify the State's acceptance or rejection of the bequest. The proceedings incident to the presentation of the communication were nowise significant of the sentiment of either branch. The wiil was ordered to be printed for the information of the members?notliiug further. A caucus oi the Mends and active movers in behalf the Clemson College was held at the Grand Central Hotei. Between thirty and forty Senators and Representatives were present. Senator Y. J. Pope, of Newberry, presided. The plans to be pursued in bringing the measure before the Legislature and pushing it there were thoroughly discussed and a committee consisting of Senators Edwards, of Darlington, and Ferguson, of Laurens, and Representative W. C. Benet, of Abbeville, was appointed to prepare a. bill to be presented simultaneously in both houses. The bill has been framed to include the acceptance of the bequest with a small appropriation to begin work so as to comply with the provisions of the Clemson Will' It has already been introduced?in the Senate by Col. Edwards of Darlington, and in the House bv Mr. Bennet oi Abbeville. The following is the text of the bill: Section 1. That the State of Sonth Carolina hereby expressly declares that it accent a the devise and bequest of Thomas G. Clemson, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in his soIl! la^t will and testament, and that the treasurer of the State be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered to receive and securely hold the said property, both real and personal, and to ext. ute all necessary papers and receipts therefor, so soon as the said executor shall convey and transfer the said devise and bequest to the said State. t Section 2. That upon the execution of a,deed and transfer of said property by said executor, in accordance with the provisions of said will, an agricultural and mechanical college shall be, and the same is hereby, established in connection with aforesaid devise and bequest, to be styled the Clemson College of South Carolina, and to be situated at Fort Hill, in Oconee County, on the plantation so devised, in which college shall be taught all branches of study pert lining to praccal and scientiUc agriculture and other industries connected therewith, and such other studies a-> are not inconsistent with the terms of saiu will. Surtfinn 3 That. nnllpr'a aViall V?a UDder the management and control of a board of thirteen trustees, composed of the seven members nominated by said will and their successors and six members to bo elected by the Legislature every fourth year after the first election, said board to elect one of their number to be president and to elect a secretary and fix his salary. They shall organize the college and put it in operation as soon as practicable after the passage of this Act; shall prescribe the course of study; shall declare the professorships, elect the professors, of whom the number shall not exceed ten, and define their duties and fix their salaries, and make all rules and regulations for the government of the college. They may employ such superintendent, head workman, laborers for the farm, shops and grounds, as may be necessary, and fix their compensation. They shall charge each student a tuition fee of $4') per annum; provided, that said fee shall not be charged until the funds arising out of the said bt quest shall be exhausted in accordance with the terms of the said will; provided, further, that indigent students shall not be required t> pay said tuition fee. Section 4. That the said board of trustees is hereby declared to be a body uolitic and corporate, unde the name and style of The Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina. They shall have a corporate seal, which they may chang? at their discretion, and in their corporate name may contract ior, purchase and hold property for the purposes of this Act, and may take any property or money given or conveyed by deed, devise or bequest to said college, and hold the same for its use and benefit; provided, that the conditions of sucli gift or conveyance shall in no case be inconsistent with the purposes of this Act, and shall incur no obligation on the part of the State. They shall securely invest all funds and keep all property which may come into their possession, and may sell any of the personal property not subject to the trust, and reinvest the same in such way as they may deem best for the interest of said college. They may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded in their corporate name, and may do all things necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, and may make by-laws for this purpose if they deem necessary. .Section 5. That it shall require a twothirds vote of the said Board of trustees to authorize the expenditure of any moneys appropriated to said college by the State, or to authorize the sale or transfer or reinvestment of any property or moneys arising from the sale of any property under the provisions of this Act. Section 6. That for the purpose of erecting buildings on said Fort Hill plantation and of purchasing stock and implements therefor and any expenses as herein provided, the sum of $3,000 be, and the same ia hereby, appropriated, if so much be necessary, to be paid by the State treasurer upon the order of the board of trustees signed by the president and secretary; provided, that not more than $1,500 thereof shali be used in erecting buildings, fixtures or perma nent improvements on said ?'ort Mill plantation pending litigation in respect to said property; and provided further, that all personal property purchased with the money appropriated by the State shall be taken and held by the bourd of trustees as property of the State of South Carolina. - And it shall be the duty of the said board to make to the Legislature an annual- report of the c illege and of all farming operations and test and experiments, and of all receipts and expenditures, with a statement of the condition of the property and funds of said college, and of all the receipts and expenditures of money appropriated thereto by the State. Section 7. That all Acts and parts of of Acts inconeiatent with the provisions of thii Act be, and the same are hereby, repealed. highway supebintxndents. The bill to abolish the office of superintendent of highways, caused quite a debate in the House. Mr. Whitiock, the author of the bill, stated that he had introduced it at the request of the Farmers' Association of Cheater, who agreed that the office was a superfious one and wanted it abolished. After a good dea) of talk a vote was reached and the first section of the bill was passed. Then some lawver offered an amendment, but afterwards withdrew it, a farmer having intimated that they didn't ask their legal brethren's advice. The bill then passed as follows: Section 1. That the office of superintendent of highways now provided for by law is hereby abolished. Section 2. That all the duties now im posed by law upon said superintendents be, and the same are hereby, devolved upon the county commissioners of the several counties of this State. THE BEATJFOBT SENATOBSHIP. On the protest of T. J. Reynolds against the seating of Senator W. J. Verdier, from Beaufort, the committee on privil?ge and elections submitted an unfavorable report, and asked that they be discharged from further consideration. The Senate dismissed the matter by adopting the following resolution offered by Senator Murray: Resolved, That the right of the sitting Senator from Beufort to a seat in this body be, and the same is hereby confirmed. REDUCING SA&ABIES. m? . /? x i > i _ 3 j. ne nrst movement to warns a reduction of salaries was embodied in a bill offered in the House by Mr. Fowler, of Union, to reduce the salary of the Circuit Judges from $3,500 to $2,500. The bill was unfavorably reported by the judiciary committee. Mr. King, of Abbeville, suggested by way of compromise $3,000 instead of $2,500 as a yearly stipend. Then followed a long debate, consuming well-nigh the whole time of the Ho^se for two days. The majority of the members were inclined to the compromise; so, after considerable talk, the bill was passed to its third reading by a vote of 66 to 47. Its fate in the Senate is doubtful. Mr. Barkley has introduced a bill to fix the per diem and mileage of the members. Col. Barkley says that his bill fizes the per diem at $1 and the mileage at one cent a mile. The economists cf t^e House, it is said, held an informal caucus Thursday on/I A a A M rm oV? m tV) all 0UU UOVlUt-U IW yiWM vu n 1IM1 MA* their reform measures. It is on the cards to pass a bill reducing the Governor's salary to $3,000, and that of all State officers to $1,800, catting down clerioal assistance fnnds proportionately. It is also said that they have decided to posh the reapportionment bill through at once, and all other economic measures; that no appropriation will be made for work on the State House, and that appropriations will be reduced horizontally. THE SCHOOL TAX. There was also a brief discussion on the bill by Mr. Thompson to increase ine constirauonai z mui eaucauonai tax to 3 mills. This bill had been reported unfavorably by Mr. Dantzler, of Orangeburg, chairman of the new committee on public schools. Mr. Thompson, its author, made an earnest appeal for the bill. It was admitted that there Wis in many counties a very great lack of public schooling. In many cases the system was a farce. The only way that he could think of to improve them was by an increase of the taxes. Mr. Dantzler said the committee agreed that the public school system needed improvement, but they did not think that it could be accomplished by an additional levy of one mill. An extra fa-r w/vnl/1 r>nt. Ka wpII rAr>Ai*VArl hv +.Via taxpayers, and besides would not improve the schools. It would require much more radical legislation to improve the public school system. The bill was rejected. BEAPPOBTION-MENT. The same reapportionment bill that was up last session lias come up in the House agnin. It was introduced by Mr. Wilson, of Sumter, and is said to be based on the censu? of 1880. The apportionment is as follows: Abbeville 4 [ Hampton 2 *.iken 3| Horry 2 Anderson 4; Kershaw 3 Barnwell 5 J LAucoster 2 Beaufort 4; Laurens. 4 Berkeley 51 Lexington 2 Charleston 81 Marion 4 /N - . rt I * jt ii o unester o manuoro o Chesterfield 2 Newberry 3 ClarendoD 2 Oconee 2 Colleton 5 Spartanburg 5 Darlington 3 Sumter 5 EdgefielJ 6 Union 3 Fairfield 3 Williamsburg ?3 Georgetown 2 York 4 Greenville 5 Mr. Wilson made an effort to get the bill referred to the judiciary committee, but failed, the House by a vote of 49 to 47 referring it to the committee on privileges and elections. He states that the friends of the bill do not purpose pressing it at this session, but will let it go ! over to the next. TOWNSHIP BONDS. The recent decision of the Supreme Court declaring void bonds issued by Ninety-Six Township in subscription to the capital stock of the Greenville & Port Royal Railroad has not only excited general public interest but has induoed action on the part of the House. That body has passed a resolution re ferring it to the judiciary committee to ] inquire what action the General Assembly should take in the premises. That aotion, it now seems probable, will take the form of a joint resolution prohibiting the further collection of township railroad taxes, and directing the refunding of such taxes of that character as have already been paid. LEGALIZING PRIMARIES. The bill introduced by Senator Buist, of Charleston, to protect political primaries and conventions got-s pretty much to the extent of providing, in these contests, the same machinery, safeguards, privileges and penalties that the law now fixes in regular elections provided by statute. The notice preliminary to the election; the swearing of managers and voters; the count of the vote, including the declaration of the result; the form and manner of cast ing the ballots; the manner of making returns; the right 'of challenge, with rales in the ease of challenged votes; the qualification of voters and election of officers, and the penalties for any infraction of the law touching the primaries?all these matters are included in the proposed bill, which is modeled .ifter the existing law of New York. QT EBB MATTERS. Senator Moody of Marion has introduced a bill to create the new oouaty of Florence, out of parts of Darlington, Marion, Williamsburg, and Clarendon. There will be a lively fight between the friends and the opponents of this measure. Senator Hemphill, of Abbeville, introduced a joiut resolution to amend ll- - /> JLZJ A-* [ uie uonatifuuuu uu iu?t uu uo? wum.* shall be formed without first submitting the question to a vote of the people in each coanty from which the territory should have to be taken to form the new one. The resolution was unfavorably reported by the judiciary committee, and was defeated by a heavy vote. Among the matters of interest cropping out in the title of new bills introduced is a proposition by Senator Patterson of Chester to have the commutation tax increased to $1 from $2, and fixing the time required to be worked on the roads at not less than six nor more than twelve days. Representative Smith, of Marion, has a bill in the House, providing for biinging cotton seed fertilizer under the privilege tax law. This fertilizer has not, heretofore, been taxed as other fertili4-vka aaal-nr* a* if fVtfi lief. TX7"ill auu IUO OUVUUg VTA 1U W VUV MMW ?. M4 largely increase the Site revenue from that source. Senator Smythe, of Charleston, has introduced a bill appropriating the fund recovered J rom the United States Government for rent of and damage to the State Military Academy to certain uses. This bill, in accordance with the recommendation of the Boaid of Visitors of the Academy, appropriates, after paying the necessary expense of collecting the fund, the remainder of the $77,000 to tiie following purposes: For rebuilding the west tfing and repairing and remodellling of the remainder of the building, $51,482; for library, $4,000; for t quipping the department of mathematics and engineering, $2,358; for the department of chemistry and physics, ?10,340; for thedeprtmentof drawing, $1,070. Total, The bill providing^a mode 01 u^>u;i Lain- ing the names of registered voters convicted of disqualifying crimes, and requiring their names to be erased by the supervisor of registration from the registration books, passed its second reading. Copies of a document addressed "To the Honest Democrats of Marion County," and containing a lengthy and detailed protest of L. S. Bigham, of Marion, against the result of the Primary in Union County, in which Hon. T. C. Moody was declared elected Senator, have been received here by members of the Senate, enclosed with the written inj anction: "Bead and show them around." The protest closes with the following: "And yet the Executive Committee endorsed the election which was proved and admitted to be fraudulent and corrupt, and decided to have Marion County disgraced and represented in the legislative halls of the State by a man 11 ub nuill iliftwu imuox wdiuivo gv/wiu^ug the primary election, and the election which we held was fraudulent and corrupt." the inaugural ceremonies. The inauguration of Governor John Pe ter Richardson took place last Thursday at 1 o'clock with the usual ceremonies. There was quite a crowd of spectators?most of them ladles. The oath of office was ad ministered by Chief Justice Simpson in the presence of the joint assembly. The Governor then delivered his inaugural address? a. well-timed, dignified and well written paper. The oath of office was next administered by the Chief Justice to Lieutenant Governor Wm. L. Mauldin. The joint assembly being declared adjourned, the Senate retired to its chamber, and each body proceeded with its regular business. An Anarchist Murderer. Indianapolis, Dec. 3.?Perhaps the most desperate and coldest blooded attempt to commit murder that ever occurred in this city took place between 1 and 2 o'clock this morning in the bakery of John P. Bruce, at 593 Virginia avenue. About three years ago Bruce took into his <? Tw?r flwman named cujpvj ? George Hacker and learned him the trade. Hacker gradually developed into a full-blown Anarchist and Socialist and when conversing on the subject of anarchy would grow excited and abusive. Bruce is an ardent Republican and every time he would mention the election of General Harrison and exhibit any gratification over the result Hacker would become violently enraged. He was tolerated about the bakery, his ill temper being re garded with leniency. This morning wheu Bruce entered the bakery to mix the flour for his bread, Hacker, who had concealed himself in the | room, sprang on him with a hatchet and a j long knife. He struck Bruce about the eye ! tcith the sham edee of the hatchet and on the head with the blunt side; and then be ' crowded his victim against the wall and j deliberately plunged the dagger nine times j into Brace's neck and face. The victim j finally cried out for his wife and the brave little woman rushed into the dimly-lighted ; room and grabbed the bloody Anarchist I about the neck, dragging him away from | her husband just as he was lifting the j hatchet to brain him. A terrible struggle I took place. He was wild with murderous I hate, and. holdlDg his bloody knife in hand he rushed about the room, eudeavoring to again get at the dying Bruce. He finally did get by the shielding wife and reached Bruce, when the latter, who is of giant frame, struggled to his feet in a dying effort and grabbed him, striking Hacker a blow on the head which made a coward of him, as he fled, dodging the police- outside, and is still at large. Brace is still at the hospital with slim hopes of living through the night. The fiencT"tmess ot tne attacK coupled with the base ingratitude of the Anarchist, creates intense feeling among Bruce's friends. Disea es peculiar to women, especially monthly disorders, are cured by the timely use of Brad field's Female Regulator, Sold by all Druggists. ALASKA'S CREAT CROP. A Coast Line 3.000 Miles Long: Tec mlng With Fisb. Oliver Smith, superintendent and one of the owners of Kiodac Packing Company, returned yesterday from the Island of Kodiac, Alaska, by the bark Lizzie Williams, on which he had gone from this city with men to engage in salmon packing. The concise figures he gives in regard to the salmon packing industry are quite surprising. Said he tast night to an Examiner representative at the Grand: "There were four canneries running during the season which has just closed there. My company put up 26,000 ca3es; the Aleutian Island Trading and Fishing Company, 33,000; the Karluk Company, 101,000, and Arctic Company, 37,000, making in all 127,000 cases. There were beside this probably 1,500 barrels of salt salmon put up. The four companies employed about 100 white men and 350 Chinese, aod got these salmon all from one little river in the islaod, the Karluk. "Over on Cook's Inlet the Cutting Pack- - '* ing Company put up 26,000 cases and the Northern Packing Company 12,000, mak ing a total of 38,000 from that point, tbeae being the only companies there. "What I want to do is to call your attention to the fact that with forty-six canneries running on the Columbia this year that riyer has not turned out over 350,000 cases, and that the Sacramento has packed but a total of 42,000. What the Fraser nas produced I don't know, but I leave it to you to judge what is the coming great flailing grounds of the country."?San Francisco Examiner. FEATHER GIRLS TESTIFY. They Tell the Board of Arbitration How Their Wages Were Reduced. The State Board of Arbitration and Mediation commenced an investigation yesterday of the trouble between the feather workers and their employers at the rooms of the Workingwomen's Society, No. 28 Lafayette place. Chairman Purcell and Commissioners Donovan and Robersoa were all present. Louis F. Post appeared as counsel for the girls, while Chas. Stewart Davidson acted in the interest of the employers, Lowenstein & Gray. The room was crowded with spectators, among whom were: Mrs Court landt Palmer, Mrs. Abner C. Thomas, Miss Ella Dietz Clymer, Mrs. William Helmurth and Dr. Emily Anthon. Chairman Purcell, in the opening the proceedings, said the Board had not succeeded in settling the trouble through mediation. The girls who appeared as witnesses requested that their names should not be published, fearing that the employers would blacklist them. The first witness was a handsome and neatly dressed girl, a blonde. She testified V*r? fiKa Trao fA?*r\tt AmKrr T .. ULiau ouc *rao tuiuigiij cuipuj c\i uj u?>wenstein & Gray. When the firm notified the girls on Oct. 3 that wages would have to be reduced, a committee of the employees called on the bosses and said that !t was impossible for them to make an honest living at the reduced rates. The firm replied that they could not pay any morr, and in case they were compelled to maintain the old wages half of the employees would have to be discharged. Other witnesses said that they were asked by the firm if they belonged to the union, and all the girls who acknowledged having joined it were discharged. One witness testified that duriug the busy seasoi she has made as much as $12 a week. They have four departments in the trad<,?pre^arTipir vwinjr and buLching. Tbe average wages weie Il'OW iu -jvo a. week. In dull times $6 were faires.rnings. The dull season lasts three months- -from November to January. Thee the * new hands are laid off, and the experienced workers are kept on two-thirds time. Two weeks before the reduction the witness had earned $5,33, but when she said that she was a member of the union she was dis charged. The next witness said that wages have been gradually reduced for the last five years, and that in some cases the reduction amounted to 75 per cent. Six years ago, the witness said, she had earned $22 a week liJCiUUiLig uigui wur&; wjuay auc uiuiiut more than $11 with night work. In doll times her wages were not more than $6. The working hours are from 8:30 A. M. to 5:30 P. M. A girl employed at sewing testified that before the reduction she earned $10.6J; the week after, the reduction she only made $4.50. The average wages of a sewer for the whole year do not average $4 a week. The investigation will be continued today. ?New York Star, Dec. 7. Insolent Negroes Bounced. A good many Greenville visitors to the Augusta Exposition returned Friday night on the Laurens train. They report an occurrence on the Augusta and Knoxville Road Friday which will probably furnish Northern papers with some bloody shirt material. When the train left Augusta it was crowded, and many of the men pascon(Tora ct/vwl nn onH tr*rr& th^ir c/^Qto tn WVWVJ UUV4 V fcV ladies. Still some of the l&dies could not secure seats and several of the white men went to two negro men, who were comfortably seoted, and asked them in a polite way if they would not vacate their seats and allow the ladies to sit down. The negroes replied in an insolent manner ihat they had paid for their tickets and proposed to retain their seats. No amount of persuation would induce them to change their decision, and finally the white men informed them that they had ten minutes in which to vacate. At the expirationiof that time the white men forcibly removed them, at the same time giving them a few raps with walking canes. The negtijes made but little resistance but a great many threats.?Greenville News. Jail-Breaking at Newberry. .< Newberry, Dec. 5.?This evening al 6 olo-rm Af firo rxroa onH V VxlV/VsJQb bUU aiaj.uu VA UIV *? uo 0VUUUVU) w>v4 the department responded promptly. ^No fire was to be found. The sound of the alarm came from the neighborhood of the jail, and it was discovered that instead of a fire there was an effort of some of the prisoners to escape. Old man Martin, the negTo who attends to feeding the prisoners, went up as usual, and on opening the cell three of the prisoners made an assault on him, knocking him down, and attempted to throw him from the third-story window, but he caught hold of the lightningrod and held to it. Two of the prisoners leaped from this window to th^e ground, a distance of fifty feet. Thesi' were Silas Kennedy, awaiting trial on the charge of forgery, and Douglas Coleman, under sentence of death, having been convicted at the last term of court of the murder of laaof TTptuipHv Viia but Coleman was found lying on the ground badly fcurt. He was carried back in the jail. How badly he was hurt could not be learned tonight. The Sheriff thinks the whole affair was planned by Kennedy. ?Special in News and Courier. A Bad Community >"ear jProsperity. Prosperity, S. C., Dec. 4.?On Saturday night last Butler Banks was shot in the hand with a buckshot. One also grazed him on the back. The community in which the shooting occurred is a bad one, as it has been not very long since two caps were bursted at a good peaceable, law-abiding citizen as he was going home from his place, and since that time a house 'i.-ar by there was shot into. Within the last ten years one man bas lost four horses, two killed and two poisoned, two, more of the residents of the same community Inve lost by fire their barns and stables, and :ue result is that the good men of that s?-!',iement are wanting to sell out and leave it.?News and Courier, Special.