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? "VOlTlL WINNSBORO, S. Cm WEDNESDAY, JUKE 16, 1897. NO. 45. A TAX OK SAW COTTON. SOUTH'S STAPLE PRODUCT PLACED ON THE DUTIABLE LIST. Bacon of Georgia, Hespoutilble for the Ne*.v Departure, Assisted by C>aj, Tillman, McLaazlD, iKcEnerv and Rawlins? -Macb *> > *- - In vvvi AM k*?v <?- ? ? ? 3? the decisive vote of 42 to 19 the Senate Wednesday adopted an amend- i ment to the tariff bill placing raw cot- j ton, the great product o? the South, | Oil the dutiable list at 20 per cent. ad. j valorem. It is the first lime in the i history of tariff legislation that a duty on cotton has been incorporated in a bill. The amendment was proposed by Mr. Bacon (Dem.. Ga.,) on his individual responsibility, and without the approval of tbe finance committee, which thus far has been requisite to the success of every amendment, except a minor one which went through hv default. The amendment led to a spirited debate, Democratic Senators disclosing a wide difference of views asd at times exchanging sharp personal criticisms. On the final vote six Democrats?Bacon and Clay of Georgia, McSuery of i ^ Louisiana, McLaurin and Tillman of j South Carolina and Ratlins of Utah j r ?voted with the Republicans for tne ! Bacon amendment, while the negative j vote was solidly Democratic with out j exception?Kyle (Pop) The debate cn cotton took up the j most of the day,and but little progress j was made on the bill. E irly in the j dav the susar schedule was passed i over ana the agricultural schedule j taken up. Less than two psges were disposed of during the day. The paragraph on cattle went over, but the balance of the agricultural schedule, up to and including paragraph 223, was agreed to as reported, ail amendments except that of Mr. Bacon beiag rejected. When the tariff bill wes taken up at 12:20 p. m., Mr. Allison of Iowa requested that the sugar schedule be parsed, stating that it would be con- j sicered tomorrow. The agricultural ] schedule being next in order, anua-j ber of amendments were offered by i jL'eLLiuuraL.Lu - - . jected until Mr. Bacon offered his! amendment,to be known as paragraph 225i, placing a duty of 20 per cent, ad! valorem on raw cotton. Mr. Bacon said the omission of this article from the dutiable list was a. violation of the principles of the Democratic platform that tariff taxation should be so imposed as to discriminate against no section. The tariff as a whole fell like a dead weight on the producer cf ' 11 A.Z . _ cotton, raising ine pries or an arucit s>? essential to his use, yet on his article? of prcduction, raw cotton, he was left in the lurch. Last vear the statistics showed that 55,000,000 pounds of cotton were imported into the United States, valued a: $6,000,000. The arrivals of foreign cotton were increasing constantly. Mr. Bacon said he addressed himself particularly to his I Democratic associates. Why should] cotton be excluded from the benefits j of a revenue duty if all other agricul- j tural products were to have the benefit of such duties? Under the rule of i -i n i. . .sv,; I consistency, mere saouiu os a uu?iii .3* mous vote in favor of a duty on cot ton. Mr. Piatt, of Connecticut, who was in charge of the bill pending Mr. Allison's absence, indicated a readiness for a vote favorable to the amend rnent, and Mr. Chancier (Rsp. N. H.) j added: "We are just dying to support j the Senator's amendment." Mr. Chilton (Dem. Tex ) said the 2 amendment would not raise toe price j of cotton. According to the Georgia j Senator (Bacon), there would be no j diminution o" the importation of S Egyptian cotton, so that the only effect would be giving additional revenue on cotton, without taking away the competition from foreign cotton. Mr. Chilton said it was impossible to increase the price of cotton by a tariir so long as it wss necessary tc 2nd a market for :he surplus of American cotton, as was now ihe cas?, in Liverpool or in any c-th-jr foreign market. It was with cotton as with wheat?the foreign pries would fix the domestic price. Hence the only result would be to increase the price o1 cot LULL gV/vt'Ua. Mr. Vest said the amendment would i be adopted,as it was in the line of in- I creased rates of duty; and would re- j ceive Republican support for that rea-1 son, and because it was calculated tc cause dissension in the Democratic party. He claimed that the addition of the 20 per cent, provided would supply that amount to the Soished product. He tock issue with Mr, 3acon on the contention that the amend j ment was in line with the platform ] at Wi.VI} uv CUAV., ^ j sad thought the platform meant what i the Senator from Georgia says it dees,! I would net have touched it any j more than I would have touched a j rattlesnake knowing the;e wlls no j whiskey within a hundred miles. (J-od | help us if the new evangelism is to! prevail'" He expressed surprise a: | Mr. Bacon's staien ent that the cotton I manufacturer needed assistance. Ho ] said it had generally been understood j that the cotton manufacturers were! exceptionallv prosperous. t? 1?:? "vr- -l+Vcf V>,o i ^ JLI1 UUIiCiU&iUXl ilii". ? ?;u yijo.!/ j_i_ had, as a Southern Democrat, aiways! - pointed with pride to the fact that cotton was admitted free of duly, as; showing: the Democratic consistency in supporting free raw rnav rials. Hence his disappointment that this ^ amendment should be proposed by a Southern Senator, as it would justify and open the way for a duty on wool. lumber and all other articles classed as raw material. "Iodeed,'' he exclaimed, "it leaves us naked, without argument." Air. Jones of Arkansas also oonosed j the amendment, in an incisive speech, j He agreed vritii Mr. Vest, thai the He j publicans would support the amend-1 inent in the hope of creating dissen-j tion in the Democratic parly, and ad-1 ded that they would ail sapper: it for ; the purpose of securing an excuse for! increased compensatory duties on cot ton manufactures, lie argued tuai the small importations could net affect the price of the entire domestic crop, and said that the dutv would only add -L_ iL. ?- c ? 4. T? i,o me yi ulu-iuii guuus. jxi\ Jones said that the cotton growers -would not be misled and deceived by a proposition so palpably thin as this Mr. Bacon answered brittiv that if positiveness of assertion and vehemence were to control in this subject, then the Senator from Missouri (Vest) would have nis views prevail. But the Senate was a forum of argument, and no Senator was :o be put do^rn by the mere vehemence of the Senator from Missouri, however long and em ; nest bis service might be. | Mr. Bacon became impatient at one | ooint over frequent interruptions, th? j last one coming from Mr. Caifery. "X thiuk the Senator has enough to do to j answer the questions addressed to nim yesterday by the Senator from Massachusetts as to sugar," answered Mr. Bacoc, sharply. f rPlifl5onQtn)> Txrenf on fn sav t.hflt the | objectionable feature of the tariff in the past had been its sectionalism and j its discrimination of one part of the [country against the other. But the j Democratic platform, recognizing aj j revenue tariff, insisted that it be free I I from sectional benefits and that there i i be perfect equality in burden or ia | benefit. This was the only "riewj evangel'' to which the Senator from j Missouri had referred. j Mr. Gray asked if Mr. Bacon be-; j iieved in a tariif for revenue only. j ' Mr. Bacon answered that he believed in a tariff '"for revenue," but not ! for a tariff "for revenue only." Hei 1 insisted that the tariif platform of the j Chicago convention did not contsra- j I plate revenue duties which utterly ig- j : nored the question as to the justice or j ! injustice of the duties toward sections i or classes. Ke insisted that the fun-J i damentai principle of the Democratic j ; party was to restrict the tariff to reve- < j nue purposes and imposing it for that j Jpurpose to give equal benefits and1 ! equal burdens to all sections, j In closing Mr. Bacon referred to the | | C - c? i-CILL CU. it LLittL ij.i.3 LCvv iU. v av " ?J '? w j jshaped by the interests cf his own! ! State. He was not, he said, iuditier- j pnt to the facr that his peoole might be j benefitted or injured by the character j | of the rates imposed. As it was re-j cognized that the country was to have j a revenue tariff bill, he intended to j see to it that his State received an j ( quaI share of its benefits, for, in the J words of the Bible, the man who does j not care for his own household is j worse than an infidel. Mr. Stewart cf Nevada created! amusemeat by declaring that the hair- j splitting and distinctions between a \ revenue tariff and a protective tariff; was all "tweeaieaee ana i^eea'cuum. f 2e had followed this subject,for thir-j ty years, and he did not understand 2 this new language relating to the tar-1 iff. The Georgia Senator (3acon) was i right, Mr. Stewart said, in seeing that j his State should receive the same ben- $ ehts as other sections. i: What are we j here for?" asked for Mr. Stewart, ve-s hemently. "To get the office," suggested some s Senator, jocularly, in a stage whisper. j "No, not ali of us," continued Mr. j Stewart -'We are here to represent! our constituents and see that our States j have eqjial rights under the tariff and j ill other laws." Mr. Stewart insisted j that it was time the raw materials of | me tsouin aria wesi receiver. euu?ij| benefits -with the manufactured pro- j dues of New Eagland. The discussion had evidently arous \ ed much feeling anions: Senators, ana this was given expression too soon af-1 ter Mr Cafi'ery began to speak. He j said the position of Mr. Bacon had < been clearly exposed as one of the | avoidable to protection for interests of j 'ais own Slate, with revenue as a mere < incident. _ *kHow about sugar?" inquired Mr. j Bacon, "mockingly. Very delibsrately, Mr. Cafferv an- j swered: ''The Senator declined to an | swer my question, and nccr I decline, j peremptorily, to yield." "I accept that status between us," j answered Mr. Bacon. "You made the status yourself,''J said Mr. Caff .-try. "It is a very great deprivation," j continued Sir. Bacor>, in mocking j f T rrr-i } 1 t r\ K^QT* \ t/i -;uo i y^ ww* *- < with equanimity." Mr. Ua fiery was soon interrupted | with another inquiry as to the sugar j this time from ilr. McLaurin (Dam., | 3. C.) The galleries were much amused, and Mr. Caffery said: "I see? that the bad precedents set by thej Senator from Massachusetts (rloar) tcj pUt# LLLO ill & UVC j try associates on this side of the chamber." j The vote was taken on Mr. Bacon's J amendment placing raw cotton in the! biii at 20 per cent, ad valorem. There j was great interest ia the vote, as it be- J came evident that Republican Sena- \ tors were voting in the afhrmative. It resulted: Yeas 42, nays 19. Paragraphs 226 and 223, inclusive | (macaroni, oats and oatmeal.) were* agreed to as reported. When the rice paragraph (229) was . .aana/1 "VT% A 1 1av? \ Lr I I A JKi.iT* Xi.llCU ^ vy, ivv? j I occasion to speak sarcastically of the Idiifereaces among Democratic Sena-! j tors as to what constituted Democratic I doctrine. These Senators, he said, should go into caucus and esdeavcr to j arrange some line of action on which j [ they could proceed together. Through-! out this discussion the tendency on the j Democratic side, he said, was to a ban-1 hlrm tV?*> tents r?f Democrat:? and adoot' i/oe plan of "Every man for himself! aud the devil take the hindmost. ' Mr. Allison stated that the House j ates on rice would be retained, Dutj ,aat paragraph went over without ileal actio a. At 5:20 the Senate went into cxecu- j rive session and soon after adjourned, j A Farmer's Day. The Washington correspondent of j The Columbia. State speaking of put- i ting 20 per c?nt duty on cotton says it j was a farmer's day. The tax amend- j [ ment wakened a spirited and acrimo- j j mous discussion on the Democratic] siue. mere were crimination anu rs-; crimination, bold assertion, and j prompt asd vigorous denials. For in- j stance, Jones o: Arkansas said cotton importations to this country were con- j fined to Egypt. Senator MeLaurin! aromptly uecied this, asserting thai 1,000,000 pounds of short staple cotton 1 i ^as imported last year from Mexico, j CLC pUlULCU UUL UilUgvSi V>i 11J.* creased importations from that country. Lazer on in the debate he called Chilton of Texas, and Vest of Missouri, do^vn in their statement as to the character of Egyptian cotton, showing tnat its free importation was disastrous to the upland or Allen loa& staple in South*. Carolina. When first imported, he said, the Egyptian cotion ysvs usad as a substitute for long staple in making fine thread. Of late vears it has been extended to the manufacture of the coarse? yarns, which are used in making cotton, warn and ~oclen goods, to tie exclusion, of the Alien long slaple. It is almost imoos sible, he said to disticguish the two j staples, but the use of the pauper- i made Egyptian coiion is crivin^tne j ! upland coiton farmer in South. (Jaro-1 iiua out of the business. Throughout j the discussion Senator McLaurin prov- j ed himself a ready and well-equipped debater. The adoption of the Bacon amendment by a vote of 42 to 19 "ill** 1 ? i + + i ?. ; ui lurtxicr j opposition to tae t&riif bill. SOAP FOR THE TRUST. | The Kepablicacs Taking Care of the Camj P&Ign Faad Raisers. j The first test vote on the sugar scheaf ule was ta^en in the senate late Friday, | resulting in the adoption ox the Re| publican caucus amendment, changing the house rate to 1.95 per pound, | by the close vote of yeas 32, nays 30. I The affirmative vote was made up of i 129 Republicans and one Democrat, i McEnery of Louisiana; Silver Renubl lican Jones of Nebraska and one Pop-! julist, Stewart of Nevada. The negative vote was made up of 25 Democrats, three Populists-and two silver' ! Republicans. It was the closest vote j I 4-1-1.v~. IrAM /\? rs V, itona r\'f imriArt". I J LU. UI) 1 <XL baiXvU \JjJL clJUL A.TOOCV Vi 1UJ ? j ance aad was accepted as shewing I that any amendment having the sanction of the caucus, was assured of adoption. The vote was taken after a day spent in speeches on the effect of the sugar schedule. The main speech of the day came from Mr. Allison, in charge of the bill, and was in tha nature of an answer to the charges made against the sugar schedule as a whole, aad a defense of it. Mr Gorman of Maryland spoke against the schedule and the entire bill, pointing out thar. its was to burden the people without opening up to us new foreign markets. ~ Mr. White reviewed the record of the Republican senators on the sugar schedule during: the debate on the Wilson bill, arraigning them for inconsistency. Mr. Calfcry i of Louisiana and Mr. Stewart of Nevada a!sc spoke, the former against and \ the latter for the pending schedule, j after which the vote was taken. Toe j first paragraph of the sugar schedule j was not finally dispcsad of up to the time of adjournment. In defending! the bill Mr. Allison pointed out the j change in the condition since 1846 when sugar earned a duty of 30 per cent. In those days, in the days of his boyhood, very little pure white sugar was seen. Now, no sugar came on the table cf rich or poor that had not gone through some process of refining. The retiring industry of this country was entitled to some protec-1 tion. He then explained the house i and senate schedules. "Do you believe in protection to la-1 Un.nv. tn /ximt-iilJ'' intconricorl r" T*T1) ? J or i iabv*^/s/^vv% *M?.t ? | man of South Carolina. "That is a generality," replied Mr. Allison, "to which the senator well j knows my answer. I believe in protection to American labor, but I be-j lie76 in protecting American capital from foreign capital." "Mr. Havemeyer in his testimony." j said Mr. Tillman, "said that onlyj 25,000 men were engaged in the sugar j refinery industry. Yet you propose to give the refiners a differential which [ amounts to between $10,000,000 and j $20,000,000 lor tae protection 01 zj,wu men." It was the policy of this bill, said Mr. Allison, to do what Europe had done?establish the production of sugar in this country and keep the $100,000.000 annually paid for sugar by our people, at home. Were it not for that he would advocates revenue duty of 40 or 45 per cent. Recalling the criticism of the Republicans for their j abandonment of the bounty system, Mr. Allison said that system had been j adopteo to encourage the sugar indus-j try,. It had failed, first, perhaps, be-j * * "? I cause of tne rapid ana unexptcieu i strides made in bosh the beet and cane I sfrovriiis, and second, because the! Democratic party decided to do noth- j lag to encourage the system. This v?as an agricultural industry. The schedule would su2ceed or fail, as it succeeded or failed to establish the beet sugar industry in this country. The schedule might net be arranged precisely as it siiould. e>e, due 11 was 5 confessedly within a fraction of other j schedules. If senators on tbe other! sicle could show that there was an in- j justice he would, he said, try to deal! with it in a spirit of justice. ! Mr. Soar of Massachusetts called} attention to the fact that the transfers of the sugar industry to foreign com.- j j tries would take from the United i States the large agricultural industry j in beels and cane. Mr. Berry of Arkansas reverted to; I the contumina:.it!g xiiiiaence ci tee su-1 gar trust, and urg:d that the senate, j : by its vote, put an end to the scandels I surrounding this subject. Now wasthe opportunity, he declared, for the j Republican senators to make good j their professions of four years ago against the trusts. Mr. Stewart said that he did not ex j [ pect this tan]? bill to afford any material relief to the country, as there was ! a cancer of financial contraction which I 41 *- 1- I ! was eating at tne vitais 01 sue uuuu-1 I try. The senator added that he was | for the bill because he wanted the peo! pie to know it could not bring pros' prity "any more t-ian a bread and ! a i!k poultice could bring prosperity." j Mr. CaxFery replied briefly to Mr. | Allison. The vote was taken amid igreat expectation, resulting, yeas 32, | nays 30, as follows: | Yes?Allison, Burrows, Carter, Cul- j 11-.-^ 'P.ilrii-ie fTnirrsari Irs : Foraker, Frye, Galiinger. Hanna, I Hjsesborough, Eawiej, Hoar, Jon<s ! of Nevada, McBride, McEnery, Mc { I Milkn, Mason, Nelson, Perkins, j I Pialt of Connecticut, Pritchard, ProcI lor, Sewall, Shoup, Spooner, Stewart, j j Wellington, Wetnore and Wilson? j lo3 Xajs?Bacon, Bate. Berry, Butler, Catrery, Chilton. Ciay, Cockrell, L>anrel, Faulkner, Gorman, Gray, Heit[ felct, Jones gi Arkansas, Kjle, Lindisav, Mallory, Hantle, Mills, Mitchell, [Morgan, Pasco, Pettigrew, Pettus, [Roach, Tillman, Turpie, Vest, Wai{iJaarn and White? 30. * a ? Ar-ICf-nrfi OnflTlfld. J H ? r- p Tae Charleston correspondent of the I Columbia Register says the first "orig- J nal package" establishment was open- j I eil in that city Wednesday, at the cor-j jner of Meeticg and Market Streets, by | Well brook Bros. The firm will only | s:Il a case as a whole, and will not venture for the present to break a icase. The constabulary are well aware that the Wellbrock Bros, had received i a siock of liquors, but say that they ! do not intend to seizs them as long as . the cases were not broken. The firm j |are very careful and are feeling their iwa^aiong. They will not sell half [ pints until they are assured it is not i against the law. Well brock Bros, are S said, to represent S. Grugenheimer & I Co. of Savannah. It is reDorted that "? i -.-I* - _ :7 i ! another "original package score wiui j be opened on King street tomorrow. ! Will Know Batter. That Jersey farmer who tied a calf iohis bicycle and tr;ed to lead the animal in that fashion will know batter by i | the time the hospital surgeons are | i through with him. i TILLMAN" TALKS TARIFF.' FAVORS A.N EXPORT BOUNTY ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. The South Carolina Senator jvtakes a RedHot Speech and Criticises His Democrs". ic "lariff for Revenue Only' As>c< >?f>. I In the United States Senate on ?u?s i day while Ahe tariff bill was up for j consideration Senator Tillman took ) the floor on the pending amendment I of Mr. Cannon of Utah providing an | export bounty on agricultural pro- | ducts. He said he desired the attention of his associates^ and as the attendance was meagre he noted the absence of a quorum. The call disclosed fiftTT.frm-!* Sonatnrs nrpsent:. nine more ! than a quorum, and Mr. Tillman pro-1 ceeded. He said the tariif debate had j disclosed a nebulous condition in the minds of Senators. The Republican Senators sat quietly, apparently controlled by the caucus, refusing to discuss the iniquities of the bill and unanimously voting for action in behalf of trusts and monopolies. "On the other hand," proceeded Mr. Tillman, "the Democrats are in a period of transition. They don't know where tney are at. The older, more J experienced, proclaim th9ir allegiance to the old time-honored doctrines. We had an imoasssioned speech yes terday (by Mr. ixlills) in behalf of the Walker tariff principles, brought forward at this late day as Democratic doctrine. Secession, nullification and other issues which have passed out of the minds of men might as well be brought here. The tariff is merely a question of policy as to ho w the government will raise its revenue. I say : without hesitation it ic to the best in- j terest of the American people that the [ articles consumed by our people should j be produced by our people. If that is j Republican doctrine well and good. ! If that is not Democratic dcctrine, it I ought to be." Mr. Tillman went on to show that j diversified industries gave diversified j rnncai-. o /\f 1 a kf\y Ac f trrm t.hft I JJLLtCiX^O VSi. 1A Vl/A J uv vuv need was not for more farmers, but for a tariff which no longer would rob the farmers we have The farmei stood, J his skinny, bony hand outsi.-.ched, { asking this export bounty to overcome j the roboery of the present system; and j no!- Sftimtnw! cq f- in cfnntr ftX- ! J VW W AAA WHVUJ WAAV. ? pecting this idiotic farmer, with the mortgage gnawing on his home, not to know that they refuse to give him relief. Mr. Tillman vehemently pledged his word to his colleagues that they would not deceive the farmers, and that the nine million followers of the plow " will .settle with you at the ballot box." Referrins to any bill not giving adequate relief to farmers, Mr. Tillman exclaimed: 4,I aoi prepared to throw some rocks that will stagger some of you men." The Senator analyzed the extent of agricultural interests throughout the country, iacluding the South?"the | Ishmaelite, the section that has had ] no rights since the war." While that i section had labored under the ban of j secession, paying billions as a result] of its attempt to secede, it was still j face to f?ce with the demand of the horseleach, crying more, more, more. This section and the agricultural interests always had been at the mercy of tariff bills which found their gene- j sis in the benefits conferred on New j England. As Mr. Tillman spoke the galleries i filled in anticipation of a lively time, j While speaking with his usual vehe- j mence of voice and gesture, the Sena j tor adopted an argumentative style, j to show that the farmers were receiv- j ing the burder.s, without the benefits, j of the tariff. When he referred at one point to the Chicago platform declara- J lion on the tariff, iie brought Mr. Vest j to his feet in explanation. He voted iu the Chicago convention amid greater uproar and confusion, said Mr. Vest, for the long and in part nebu ious platform. He never knew, until it had come out, that the word "only" had been left out of the declaration for a "tariff for revenue." "If I had knowa it," proceeded Mr. Vest, '*1 would have risen in my place and moved to insert it, for it is the creed of the Democratic party. And I believe a maj ority of that convention did not know of the omission, as all our attention was concentrated on the money issue." Proceeding, Mr. Tillman turned to his Democratic associates and said they now had a chance, with the votes of a TJonnXIioan fionofrtrs "Tint Inst ff) S ail sense cf shame and decency," to I ?ive some measure of relief io the far- j mers. They would receive little or no S benefit from the duty on the cotton j and cereals. They asked for bread and were given a sione. They asked for s some relief and Democratic Senators j set ud a mummy and labelled it a j 'tariff for revenue only." "Great Gad! such Democracv!" ex-j claimed Mr. Tillman, with dramatic j emphasis. ''Democratic Senators had spoken] n nam orronnfol 11 ha C-lir) hdll ! VI UVtf ? , twitted him and ythers of leading the 1 Democratic party into ihe Republican j camp. These Senators, instead of of-1 fering the cardinal Democratic princi-? pies of quality, gave the sodom apple j of "tariff for revenue only" to ineir| constituents. "You are holding the telescope with j the big end to your eyes," declared j Mr. Tillman,addressing his associates, j "ana at the little end you see the le- j gend, 'Tariff for revenue only,' in-1 stead of that greai. doctrine of Dcjmoc- j racv, 'Equal rights for all, and spec- j lal privileges for none." In conclusion, the Senator said he believed in securing for the South as many benefits as possible. He arraigned Republican Senators for the inequalities of their legislation and for j j?eeping Cuba under the heel of j Weyler. They claimed, he said, to j be followers o: .binccm, "out you are j anworthy to tie the shoe-latches of j that great man." The Democratic Senators claimed to be followers ol r Jefferson, while they were abandon- j ing Jetferson's cardinal principle of \ equal rights to the people. After the Cannon amendment had j been further debated by Mr. Allen of j Nebraska, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Can- j nnn. s. vote was taken on it. The affirmative was given bv Mes-1 srs. Allee, Butler, Stewart, Harris ntd ] Keit.feld, Populists; Cannon, M* ale and Pettigrew, Silver Republicans: j Roach and Tillman, Democrats. Mr. j Tillman announced tnat Lis colleague, j Mr. McLaurin. wouid have voted for j the amendment. This closed the consideration of the j cereal paragraphs of the agricultural; schedule, and Mr. Allison, in charge j of the bill, asked that the further consideration of the agricultural schedule j be postponed, and that the Senate go J back to the sir'a: jeb'-dule. There was no opprsi'io>\ aud the Senate thereupon < air r* 0 r-pon the consideration of Le ; u: a? schedule. COM P7 ROLTFFRGENERAL IDEFIED " I X? e Sit J: Jrj; Fund Agent Will Proceed to Act In Past Due Taxes. Tbe attention of County Supervisors and Sheriffs in the State is respectfully called to the subjoined opinion of the Attorney General on the Act of 1892 and 1896, regarding tax claims past due and unpaid for twelve months As traveling: agent for the Sinking Fund Commission, I am personally charged with the execution of the law uuder these Acts, under their immediate directcn. In this special work I have had. and still have, the most violent opposition of the Comptroller General of the State, which has resulted seriously in the hinderance of the prosecution of my duties under the law. It has transpired that county treasurers and sheriffs, who are under the direction of the Comptroller General, have continuously since the nas sage of the Act of 1896 in many of the counties in total disregard of the law, proceeded to collect and are still collecting past due tax claims which, under ttisse Acts, are made assets of the State in charge of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, collectable only by them. This the Attorney General says they have no authority to do. This flagrant violation of the law is attended with serious results, and as thay como in conflict with my duties affecting my individual work and interest of the State, it becomes me io speak in my own defense. If I am to continue to be the agent of the Sinking Fund Commission, to execute these Acts, this state of things sbail not continue. The Comptroller General and county officers have no right to disregard the laws of the State and move in their official capac ity in absolute violation to them. The purpose of this communication is to put county treasurers and sheriffs in notice that any further violation of the Act 01 lsyti will pe prompuy reported to the Attorney General under affidavit as official misconduct or otherwise for such action against such officers as the law directs, as suggested in the said opiricn that the interests of the State may be protected and the laws of the State respected and executed. I regret the necessity of this communication, but I see no way to avoid it. The Comptroller General has been urged and entreated for a year and a ba.\f to stop this unlawful proceeding. He has declined to do it and sustains it, and as I see it, is responsible for the whole of it. Tnis opinion of the Attorney Ganeral has been obtained arid published for me lniormanoii ana guidance for the the couaty treasurers and sheriffs. The Comptroller General has been requested by the Governor to conform to it, and issue instructions to the county officers accordingly. He has not done so, but on the other hand has published in an interview with a newspaper reporter that the opinion does not effect him; that he is opposed to the law. The effc.nl rtfj-lrio in+AnTriATTr n-nrvn suhnrdf Dates cannot be mistaken. "A worH to the wise is sufficient," so that there is nothing left now but to take, issue and the consequences. I will not be obstructed longer in my lawful, official duty to the damage of the State's interests. Th? public taxpayer may as well take notice thak when taxes are past due and unpaid for twelve moths tneir collection by county treasurers ana j sheriffs is unlawful. Consequently 1 such collection does not discharge the j State's lien for taxes and in all such Visiva hpf^n naid to the I county treasurers and sheriffs since the passage of the Act of 1S96, the property is sti]l subject to the State's Iiea, which cannot be discharged except by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund. I do not intend to be harsh in this announcement, but only to be understood. The Act of 1806" is doing immense good, and it is here to stay. The originator of this lawr?one of the soundest jurists in the State, now judge, has sfcid that "it will ne/er be repeajeu.' coiuuiiuce ui mc Legislature has recommended its repeal, and none ever will. The lav? will be enforced. N. W. Brooker, Travelling Agent Forfeited Lands. a Slick Swindler. A special dispatch /rom G-reenvilJe to the Columbia Register says a slick swindler, calling himself W. G. Harris, has been doing the towns in North Carolina aud upper South Carolina. He is passing along as drummer for a Baltimore drug house and fancy grocery. He registered at Greenville .-i . i j ?????i i iJjftlurGiiy aau apyueu wjcvciai hyoij stables for teams, getting one from Wyatt's stabie and at tbe same time gettir.'gadraft cashed for $22.50. Ke went to Easley from Greenville. In Easiey he got the bank for $30, the Wyatts at that place for $25 and a drummer for a railway ticket book with coupons for 800 miles. He then boarded a '.rain for Atlanta. Mr. Doby of Greenville, N. C., and . Kerr of Rock Hill were here hot on Harris's track. He played the draft game in both those cities. Harris is a polished swindler. Five Hundred Perish. Meagre particulars have reached this county by late steamers of a dis asier which, befell the iisher.nau of Chusan archipelago, off the coast of China. Oa May 6ih, when al), or at least, most of the fishing boats were out on the Gshine: banks, a terrible eaie sprung up. Of the several hundred ooats out at the time, very few r-atiimoft and ih is Astim&ted that some ?ve hundred men lost their lives. The storm was one of those sudden ones fcr which the coast of China is noted, and the fishermea had no chance to setk shelter. Their .light boats were smashed to atoms and they were left to fight a hopeless battle with the merciless waves. The storm swept over the entire archipelago, wtiich extends across the mouth of Hanchow Bay on the eastern coast of China. Several large junks -were j lost, in which scores perished. Tillman's Dispensary Resolution. The Senate judiciary committee has c-nsidered the resolution of Senator Tillccan concerning the Sauth Carolina Dispensary decision by Judge Simontou. Wnile no definite conclusion has been reached, the opinion in the committee was that Sauth Carolina had recourse, first by appeal to the Court of Appeals, and then by appeal j to the Supreme Court. In committee, j the opinion was expressed individual- J ly by many members that the decision i might be reversed in the higher courts. I PLEADING FOR HAMPTON, Tillman, 2ffcLaurizj, Latimer aad Stokes WnrVf^o- frt* t>iA HiH Pfftrn The Washington correspondent of the News and Courier says Gen. Wade Hampton is to retain the office of commissioner of railroads until he recov' ?rs his health, notwithstanding the political pressure of Gen. Longstreet and his mends to secure his removal. Just before the President left the White House Thursday to start for .Nashville he received a visit from Senai n>:n J J turs junuiau auu mcuauim, &iiu xrop* resentatives Latimer and Stokes, 'of the South Carolina delegation. They called to urge the President to retain Gen. Hampton in office. Owing to the political complications in South Carolina it happens that every member of the delegation was politically and personally hostile to Gen. Hampton. They are not even on speaking terms with the great cavalry general of the late Confederacy. It therefore occascned considerable surprise and comment in the South Carolina colony when it became known that Senator Tillman had Leaded a delegation to go to the White House in behalf of his old political enemy, Gen. Hampton. Senator Tillman and McLaurin informed the President that they called in the interest of Gen. Hampton, without his knowledge, without solicitation from any of his friends. They appreciate the fact that Gen. Hampton is old and feeble, and that he is an historical figure in the State of South Carolina- In the circumstances diey leit jusunea in requesting the President to reappoint him, if possible, or to retain him in service until he recovers from his present indisposition. President McKiniey received the South Carolina Congressmen with his usual courtesy, and heard all thay had tc y about Gten. Hampton, iv repjy, iw said he could not promise to reappoint Gen. Hampton at this time, although it might have been possible had the request been made in the same vray at an early period in the present administration. He assurred the delegation that he bad no intention of removing Gen. Hampton at present, but proposed to continue his services until he has ample opportunity to recover his badly shattered health. The President said he understood that Gen. Hampton contemplated taking a long trip to California and other parts of fhp fwnntrv wit.h the hone of benefit ing his health. In the meantime no change in the railroad commissionership will be made. The President further expressed the hope that this assurance would relieve the General ana his friends from further anxiety on the subject, and assist in restoring him to health. This is verv discouraging informa tion to Gen. "Longstreet, of Georgia, who is also old and infirm, who is said to have a positive promise of the place as soon as Gen. Hemp ten retires. There are several other "aspirants for the place, but the friends of Longstreet insist that he has first claim upon the President's consideration, as soon as a vacancy is created. Gen. Longstreet will have to wait until Gen. wade Hampton recovers from his present indisposition before there will be a changs in the office of commissioner of railroads. To South Carolinians and to political generally, who are familiar with the relations that existed for years between Gen. Hamption anU the faction represented by the callers to day, the visit is of deep interest. In 1890, when Senator Tillman was elected Governor of South Carolina, after one of the most bitter campaigns ever known in the Soutb, an intensely hostile feeling between U-overnor Tinman ana oren.! Hampton, then Senator, was aroused, j resulting in the defeat of Senator Hampton for re-election, and the election, by Tillman's efforts, of Senator J. L. M. Irby. The hositily between Gen. Hampton and Governor Tillman was further increased by the bitter attacks which Governor Tillman and his faction made upon Ex-President Cleveland at the Chicago Convention of 1892, Gen. Hampton bein ? -farm suonorter of President Cleveland. There has never been a I reconciliation of any kind between Tillman and Gen. Hamption, and the 1 visit to the President today was aj graceful act upon the part of the] South Carolinians. Senator Tillman and President Mc-1 Kinley are on wonderfully good j terms for men of such wide divergence j of views, Senator McLaurin is highly j Krf "P hqciH .anf 1 I eg uj UUV -t. IVomuvuw. The Toad. Its great value to the pomologist and gardener has been fullv established, on account of its destroying insects, especially those injurious to vegetation. We should, therefore, cultivate its friendship and assistance as well as that of birds. Erery tidy housewife detests the cockroach and other vermin. Two or three domesti* " i i. / cated loaas win Keep me coast ciear .u these. The toad is possessed of a timid and retiring nature, loving dark and shady places, but under kind treatment becomes quite tame. Many instance are cited of pet toads re maining several years in-families and doing: valuable service. All that is necessary to secure their co-operation, indoor or out, is to provide them cool and safe retreats by day, convenient access to water, and they go forth to the performance of their nocturnal duties "without money aud without price." In Europe toads are carried to the cities to market, and are purchased by the horticulturists, -who by their aid are enabled to keep in check the multiplication of the insect tribes vvhich prey upon their fruits, etc. In FaU Slaat. The Charleston correspondent of the Columbia Register says the first "original package store" for selling liquor in tbis State under the provisions of the recent decision of Judge Simonton of the United States Court was opened there Thursday. J. S. Pinkussoliii, as agent of a Ne?v York hrm, imported one thousand cases or iiquor, via me Clyde Line steamers. Tiie goods were hauled through the streets, and, without being molested by the State constables, were lodged in a store room on King street, the city's leading thoroughfare. The establishment was opened at once and began selling li; quor in original packages. It continI ued business throughout the day without trouble. Within the next few I Mirayol n+Vior cimila?* p?fahlish UajO AJ. UWUVi. MA-*******. inents will be opened here. All the stuff sold today was in gallon pacsa ges, but ic a short time packages containing pints and half pints of liquor will ba placed on sale. Exactly what action is to be taken by the dispensary authorities in this connection is not jet known. WAS WARNED OF DEATH. A Curious Story that Comes from Jacksonville, Florida. A curious story nasootamea a large circulation in Jacksonville, Fia., regarding the murder of Lieut. William E. Grubei of the Jacksonville police force, who was fcully murdered in Springfield on May 2S. Gruber, who was an unusally intelligent man, was a firm believer in spiritualism. He was converted to his belief under very curious circumstances, as follows: There is a man nameu H. A. Longshore who has a small upholstering establishment at 715 West Bay street. Longshore is a firm believer in spiritualism and seeing Gruber pass daily on his rounds finally became acquainted with the latter and in time the two became good friends. Longshore subseauently began to talk spiritualism with Gruber. but at first the latter pooh-pooed this belief, but Longshore seemed so earnest and conscientious that finally one day, when Longshore asked G ruber to come to a "seance," as a spirit named Dan Crowley was continually asking for him (Gruber), that the latter finally decided to go to the seance and investigate. At this meeting, which was held at the house of a Mrs. Buchanan, near the corner of Adams and Catherine streets, G-ru oer came away very uiuuu jhuuicwu. What affected him more was the fact that at one of these seanes a spirit message was received from a little daughter who had died nearly 21 years ago. This link of communication between Gruber and his dead child made a profound impression on Gruber, and it was known among his friends and the police force that the lieutenant used to go frequently to Mrs. Bachanan'sr, and from a skeptic became a firm and enthusiastic believer in spiritualism. So strong was Lieutenant Gruber's faith ia this belief that he frequently consulted the spirits in regard to certain murders, notable among which were the George, Gato and Springfield baby murders. Now here comes a remarkable statement which is absolutely vouched for by certain people. On Friday before Lieut Gruber was killed, Gruber and Longshore paid a visit to Mrs. Buchanan's to attend a "seance." At that "seance"' were several other people. During the evening G-ruber asked some questions of the medium, regarding tne Gato murder, and was told by the medium, who was in a trance, that if Gruber wished to find the pistol taat was used in the Gito murder, it could be found in the woods in Springfield, near the place where he was killed. The spiriis, however, warned Gruber, "that they saw danger ahead," and to be very careful, and not to go on the quast alone, and besides 'keep cut of tne bushes,' and the spirit mysteriously hinted that somebody was desirous of knocking hku in the head. This possible chance, as G-ruber believed to find the pistol, and thereby obtain a clue to the murderer of Miss Gato made a deep impression on the later, and he agreed with Longshore for the two to get out together on the night of Thursday, April 28th, but on Wednesday night, April 27tb, Gruber concluded to go out and investigate on his own nook, and it was on Wednesday night that he came to his imtimialv and. These particulars were not ot'sined from longshore, but from a friend of Gruber's. Longshore refuses to talk about the matter. By Explosion of Fire Worka. A match carelessly dropped by one of the workmen in the fireworks factory of M. Shure, at the corner of West YanBuren and Ealsted streets, Chicago, caused a terrific explosion Wednesday night, it was shortly after the closing time of the factory and many of the workmen had gone home, otherwise the loss of life must nave been very heavy. As it was a number of the employees were badly hurt and the flying rockets and candles struck several people who were passing on street cars and on the sidewalks. The force of the explosion was so srest that nearly si) the windows in the block were demolished, and the Share building, which is a four story structure was badly damaged. Immediately following the explosion the building was ablaze from cellar to roof and the f* * 4. 4. 1 J v* J3 lire department uau a uesycrsuc struggle before it succeeded in extinguishing the flamei. The building was almost entirely destroyed by the fire, however, and such portions of the large stock of fire works as had not been scattered throughout the neighborhood by the explosion were destroyed, causing a heavy loss. The ex plosion caused a wiid panic in that portion of the city for a time. The streets were crowded with people going to their homes and the street cars which passed the front of the building every minute were packed with pas sengers. The flying missiles struck a number of people on the cars and one man who was gazing into .1 store window fully 400 yards clistarthad his attention suddenlv attracted to other matters bj a rocket which hit him squarely in the back. He fell to the sidewalk unconscious and was carried to the hospital before he was afc's to give his name. The majority of those injured have received but trifling hurts and will be around within a day or two. The loss to the building and contents is estimated at $60, 000. The Daty on Kice* In the United States Senate on Wednesday while the tariff bill was under discussion on the rice paragraph Allison, in charge of the bill, withdrew the committee amendments reducing the house rates, thus letiiag the house rate stand. Mills moved tc strike out the entire rice paragraph and substitute a new one placing a iinifnrm dutv of 40 ner cent, ad valo rem on ali grades of rice. It was rejected, yeas 19, nays 40. Five democrats, Bacon, Clay, McEaery, McLau* rin and Tillman, and four populists, Ailen, Butler, Heitfield and Stuart voted with the republicans in the negative. The rice paragraph was then agreed to as it came from the house. A Very Bare Ban. The Columbia State says on an excursion from Charlotte on Thursday was W. S Nicholson of Bock Hill, who boasts that this was the first time he had ever been over 25 miles from home. He is 33 years old and was born at Fori Mill, but now lives in Rock Hill, eight miles from his birthplace. He never rode on a train un til he was 21 years old, and last Octo ber was the first time he had ever seen an elephant. ^ He called in The State ! office to tell the things he didn't know ! and was as proud of them as a great I *-u; +1, o.; many a-ns ui wc buxugs uicj uiiua. [they know. WEATHER AND CROPS. THE CONDITION OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S FARMING INTERESTS. The Kegnlar Weekly Bulletin of the Weather Barean Issued Monday toy Director Bauer?The General Outlook. The following is the weekly bulletin of the condition of the weather and crops in this State issued last week by State Observer Bauer: TEMPERATURE. The temperature during the past week averaged about normal, and at most places the range was not great, the nights having been seasonably warm and the days comfortably cool. The average temperature for the week, deduced from 52 weekly means, was 76, and the normal for the same period is approximately 75. 'ine highest was was 99 oil the 4th at Gillisonviile and the lowest 52 on the 1st at Liberty. RAINFALL. The week began with showers over the northern counties. On Thursday showery conditions again set In, and continued daring the remainder of the week, reaching the coast section by Saturday, The rains were fairly well distributed, except that in the south central counties a few places did not receive enough rain, and in Chester and portions of nearby counties there was in plsces excessive rainfalL Lands T_ - n ^ J r _ j-. were oacuy wasiieu iu ];uruuiu ox Chester, Anderson, Fairfield, Laurens, Lexington, Union, Sumter and Hers haw, with injury to fields of corn and cotton. The smallest amount reported was 0.12 in. from Blackville, the largest 3.14 from Pinopolis, while the average of 54 measurements was 1.19 in.; the normal for this same time being approximately 1.12. Twenty-one measurements of less than an inch were reported; 26 of from 1 to 2 inches; and seven with more than two inches. There was hail cn May 31 at many places, and again on the 3d and 4th from Laurens to Horry, but with a few local and limited exceptions the | damage to crops was slight. There were a few short but violent wind storms but no injury of any material importance resultedThe sunsihne averaged about 52 per. cent, of the possible and was considerably below the normal for the season. CEOPS. The past week was the mo3t favorable one of the season and crops made rapid growth. The ground is now in excellent condition in respect to mois tare except in portions "of Oconee, Pickens, Aiken, Edgefield, Lexington, Bamberg, BarnwelL Orangeburg, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton and Charleston counties, but even over those counties many places had enough rain, all the entire country some, with probably good rains since reports closed. The temperature has been more favorable with generally warmer nights and no excessive heat during the day. Insect pests, too, are not as active in doing damage to crops, and the entire crop situation is repre sented by correspondents as being extremely favorable now and likely to UUii L1U.UC OV 1UI CUUU UU1?> . The condition of corn is not satis factory over the entire State although | it has made good progress lately. Stands are somewhat broken on bottom lands-where cut worms continue to injure that that is just coming up after replanting. In the easr -n counties corn is being "laid by" and here and there fields are in "silk and tassels." Fields are generally clean and mostly worked out Some bottoms yet to plant. Cotton has made rapid advance and is generally in fine growing condition, although small for the season. Stands axe reported nearly perfect over the entire State, and chopping out has made rapid progress where not previously completed. The plant looks healthy and is but little infested by lice or other harmful insects. Fields are generally clear cf grass, with very few contrary reports. Squares, or forms, are noted over the eastern and j central counties. Last year cotton 3 was hlnnminc at this time. Sea Island cotton being damaged by dry weather retarded its growth. Some peas have been planted this week, but a number of correspondents report seed scarce. Tobacco has improved very mucn under the more favorable weather conditions which have prevailed and is dcing well. Worms prevalent in Kershaw. Kice has generally a good stand although a few complaints as to poor stand of late sown were received. Wheac is about ready to harvest and promises a good average yield, the *ast seemingly has not injured it to any considerable extent. Oats harvest is in progress or is completed but the showery weather has not favored this work. Fall oats are turning out very well. Transplanting sweet potato slips is in active progress and is favored Dy v the moist condition of the soiL Peaches are ripening, but the commercial crop is not of the finest quality. Other peaches are quite plentiful. Grapes fruiting well but in some counties are rotting. Wild berries plentiful Gardens are greaily improved and vegetables plentiful. Squash bugs injuring melon vines in Bamberg county. Pastures reviv ing. The entire crop situation is encouraging at this time. From the national bulletin of May 31: "The week has been unfavorable to corn throughout the corn producing States bsing too cool for germination and growth, v. hile complaints of poor stands are quite general." 'The most unfavorable renortson cotton came from North Carolina and Tennessee, in the latter State a considerable are* will be planted, in corn. In northern Texas the crop is from two to three weeks late. Over southern Texas it is fruiting nicely and is generally well cultivated." Mrtrtb-fl A V!VP. Twenty-five Catholic Monks were recently roasted by the natives of the Philiioian Islands, against whom Spain is now conducting a merciless war. In consequence of cruelties practiced by the Spanish troops on the r*!v*!s or tlmsp. susDeeted of beinsr in sympathy with the cause, the rebels in revenge perpetrated acts of cruelty on. the helpless mcnks who came in their clutches. The customary mode of roasting pigs in the island is sticking a bamboo to a pig and then fastening v> an irnn. roasting it over a slow Iare. This was done to the monks, the bamboo being thrust through them while they were alive.