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The Press and Banner. ABBEVILLE, S. C. Br HUGH WILSON & W. C. BENET. Wednesday, June 12,1878. Secret Political .Meeting*. Last week owing to the little lime to prepare an article anil to the great dilllculty which we, like all country printers, lubor under, to command a ...m.Unt nnmlwr nf r?ntnnositors to BUIUUCUV uuu.v^. v. ? sot up an article of this kind in addition to the long report given, we omitted comment on the action of the County Convention in asking the spectators to withdraw while they discussed in secret session the most important question before that body. The respectful discussion of public policy we believe to be good for the people, and as we have no concealment on questions of great public interest, we shall take issue with the wisdom of the policy of secret sessions of the County Democratic Club. While it is possible that we may err in this course, we believe that there is in Abbeville County a demaud for an outspoken press. Whether we arc right or wrong we shall submit to the decision of the public. They are entitled to our opinion, and we give it for what it is worm, wnuuut m mr least intending a reflection on those who in theirgreater experience in political matters, think different!}'. We believe that all power resides with the people, and that their chosen delegates should discharge their duty openly and fearlessly, aud that n< pavilion of darkness should Inthrown around their acts to shield them from their just accountability to constituents or to exempt them from the legitimate comment of the public press. Last Sale Day there were perhaps five hundred Democrats in the Court Room who had come from every quarter of the county, and who were desirous of listening to the discussions in the County Club on all matters which might come before it, but more especially the discussion of the question of admitting negro clubs to representation. The interest in this question we believe was universal, and the subject was one o! conceded importance to the party. For this reason, if for no other, we contend that the large number of enthusiastic Democrats pre&ent on thai occasion were entitled to some consideration at the hands of the Convention. When these good Democrats were requested to leave the Convention and 11 ??- (nld tlinf fhpv inua were >iiiuuiijr wi.i ,, were unworthy to listen to the deliberations of that body, we believe it to be contrary to human nature for them to have felt otherwise than as though a want of confidence was implied b.v this action of the convention, and the natural consequence was, a dampei was thrown on their zeal, in a cause in which each spectator was as much interested as the delegates themselvescould be. Our own opinion is, that in the matter of intelligence, discretion, patriotism and zeal tlieaudienc< -would compare favorably with a majority of the delegates present. "'I'* ^I'AArv nnr Qfi VPTRfl jL 11 n UC9UC VV/ i\cvp iivm vu? ? - ries the deliberations of the Convention is not in our opinion a good reasou for holding secret sessions. Tin actidft of the Convention must b? made known to the people, and the Democratic party is in no way responsible for the opinious of any individual member, but each individual is alone responsible for the opinions expressed by him. We would prefer to win b\ open force than by sharp practice in taking our enemy unawares. We need not conceal from the negroes the fact that we intend to rule this country, and that we do not intend for them to do it. We do not intend thai I any white man shall lead the negroe> in an effort to wrest thegovcrnment ol this country from its rightful owners, and we think it the manlier plat) to say so openly and aboveboard. We see no use of mincing matters. We invite the negro to be friendly with us, and we will do him good. He is by want of education and Jack of culture totally unfit to hold any offlce of responsibility, and it would be worse than folly to make rulers of me ignorant aihuui wuuwiu read the ballot he casts, aud wlio.se moral training is as deficient as his literary attainments. We would be less than Carolinians if weof our own choice again submit to this indignity which was once forced upon us by the bayonetsof theUnitedStates. We are opposed to the election of incompetent white men to office?much more to the depraved and ignorant negro. We want the best men for public servants. Tills is uo secret. We mean to elect them. This fact need not be /innnaaloH WUVVMiVMI Upon principle and policy we are opposed to the exclusion of the masses of the Democracy from the deliberations of the party. For years before 1876 it was customary for the County Chairman to appoint a dozen or two of men from the various sections to meet him in some back office, and there, when nine-tenths of the people knew not what was going on, resolutions were passed aud edicts issued of which the people took little notice. Finally, in 1876, the State and County Executive Committees and the little coteries having despaired of their own ability to throw off the great mass of corruption which was bearing us down, the people were invited to come forward and assist in redeeming the State. They were afterwards invited to be preseut at every meeting of the County Club, and we all remember how our hearts were cheered and our arms were strengthened by their presence and friendly touch of the elbow. " Iron sharpeneth iron ; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." The result ol their united action is known to tl e world. If an executive committee, with the assistance of a few edvisers, had undertaken to redeem the CouDty, as they had done In former years, does anybody suppose that in mm Hi* result would have been differ enfc from the result of the campaigns that preceded our deliverance? We believe none to be so ignorant as to be in doubt on this point? Executive committees and other coteries may assume to have redeemed the State, but we deny the assumption. Tht people did it, and we are not now willing to exclude them from our political conferences. A committee of itsel) is powerless, and without the supporl of the people they can accomplish nothing. Let us inaugurate the plan %f secret meetings at Abbeville Court House and exclude the masses and we will soon see the result. A people as intelligent and as spirited as the people of Abbeville will not allow themselves to be converted into "dumb driven cattle." Agiicullcre and ForcstrF. Hon. D. Wyatt Aiken, to whom for favors many and gracious we are much indebted, has recently sent us a copy of the Report upon Forestry, prepared under the direction of the Com- , missioner of Agriculture by Franklin B. Hough. It is an admirable work, full of information of the highest value to all our citizens but to farmers anil land owners in particular. The majority of the public documents printed and circulated by Congress afford rather dry reading. This book is an exception. Its Author and compiler is a scientific man of knowu ability and authority in all that pertains to agriculture and those branches of knowledge that relate to agriculture,! j Jin ima snmeeded in erettinj; to-1 gether within the compass of six hundred and fifty pages an immense amount of information which is as entertaiuing to read as it is useful to know. We wish that a copy of the Report were in the hands of all our farmers, especially in the hands of those who are opposed to the no-fence law. A careful perusal of the chapters on the value of forests, on their influence on soil and climate, and on the dangers attending their destruction would convince any man of the suicidal policy pursued by those who cut down forests to build up fences. The Report is not based on theories, but on facts "that canna be refuted." That forests are the great moderators and regulators of climate is just as certain as that rivers run to the sea. Extremes of heat aud cold are unknown in well-wooded regions; while treeless lands are subject to great and "sudden vicissitudes of weather. The great sandy desert of Sahara^lias its I tierce heat of the day succeeded by | nocturnal cold iutense enough to form ice. The same is true of the treeless prairies of the West, and if this country, so favoured with forest-growth by nature, is stripped of its trees, as it bids fair to be, its climate will be ehanged completely. It will neither oe as salubrious nor as temperate, nor will its rain-fall be so conveniently distributed throughout the year. Already in some portions of the State the denudation of forests has made livers liable to more sudden and more serious freshets than were ever seen i there bv orevious eeuerations. The .Report tolls liow foreign countries as well as many Northern and Western States have passed laws looking to the preservation of woodlands, and even to the re-planting of vast tracts with forest-trees, luEgyptand Algiers region that formerly were almost rainless, reboisement (as the Krench call replanting of trees) has produced climatic changes sufticient 10 cause regular and frequent shower of rain:?so closely related are forest growth and rain-fall. The subject is one of great importance to our people, and we shall be glad to lend the Report to any one de- | siring the information it coutains. "Magnolia" on the New Railroad. We give elsewhere a communication from "Magnolia" in opposition to the 1 railroad which is written in a good ' spirit, but he fulls into some errors < which are well enough to notice. For j instance, he says the tax on the bond j will be$2,100annually, which amount j is lo be raised entirely by taxation, j The tax on the road itself will go far 1 io pay this amount. The Greenville and Columbia Railroad is taxed at the rate of $o,500 a mile. The distance across the township we presume is about ten miles. This road then, if taxed at the same amount the Greenville and Columbia Railroad is charged would pay taxes on $->5,000 in that township, upon which there would be tax of about $600 annually. This amount of course should be deducted from "Magnolia's"calculation. Besides the taxes which the road itself will pay iuto the treasury will be the taxes upon the towns which will be established along the line. The taxes on the Railroad towns along the line of the Greenville mid Columbia Railroad, amount to a very large amount. Then all the taxes for the new towns established should be credited to the Railroad account, which if done, would leave but little to come directly out of the tax payers. If the taxes are thus arranged the taxation will be light and the benefits great indeed. Those who own large tracts will be greatly benefitted in the enhanced value of their, lands. We have not examined the law carefully, but it seem* to us nothing but fair that the townships should be credited with the amount of Railroad taxes, and that they beallowed to apply it to their interest account. The Grand Jury and the Stockade Rumours. " It will be remembered that Judge K"pi*k1i?w brought to the attention of the Grand Jury the reports that had reached his ears in connection with the treatment of the chain-gang convicts at the Stockade. The readers of the Press and Banner are well informed as to those rumours as we took pains to investigate the matter personally and fully four weeks ago and published a long aecouut of an interview with the railroad authorities in our columns. We need not therefore re' count the details, nor need we print 1 the exaggerated reports that passed from mouth to mouth and were heard by Judge Kershaw. Such reports, ' like snow-balls, gather as they go. As it was in the days of Virgil so is it in the days of the Greenwood & Augusta Railroad,?rumor vires acquirit eundo. Whether true or not it was| j within the province or tne grand Ijury to discover, and certainly within the jurisdiction of the Court to charge ' the graud jury concerning the reports j of cru6Jty that was as brutal as it was 'unnecessary. !| A committee of six of the grand Ijury with our townsman VV. A. Temipleton as Chairman, were delegated to ' process in person to the stockade. 1 They went. They took testimony * from the Hps of all. They have made i their report, which we publish to-day. ! The full text of the testimony is not ' publiphed as it belongs properly to the . [grand jury to make a full report only -} in Court at the next term. But in {justice to the public, to the convicts, ' ' J f n 11 + K f I (1C1 tliU ** r\ 1 ailU LO tUB Ittlimau auiuuimu, v?v >v f port of the committee is published. ' It will be found to correspond in all its i main statements with what we published four weeks ago. ; Its publication will serve a good (purpose. It will reassure the public j mind which was being strongly influ ? \ > / V v ^ .. - 7' eiiced by the floating rumours. It is right also to publish it at this time, instead of waiting until the Fall Term of the court. It shows that the railroad authorities did not shun or shirk investigation, and they arejustly entitled to the present enjoyment of the good effect which the action of the grand jury will"certainly have. This county and the State will be glad to kuow from the report of those unprejudiced grand jurors that exaggeration's harmful help had magnified a mole-hill into a mountain. We congratulate Gen. Bradley and the other gentlemen engaged with him in his praiseworthy work on their being thus satisfactorily and properly set right before the public. To control convict labor is never easy; it is attended by troubles and annoyances which the outside world cannot conceive of; aud we are glad that a delega'ion of our grand jury are able to make the excellent report which we commend to our readers' attention. ^ The Old Ticket. The Spartanburg Democracy were in open session last Saleday when the following resolution was passed unanimously : "Resolved, That we hereby express our continued confidence in the patriotism, integrity and capacity of all of our State Officers and instruct our delegates to the State Convention to support their re-nomination." We are opposed to the principle of the resolution. Let each candidate stand on hisown merits. We have no objection to a single man on the ticket, but we object to nominating a man merely because he holds a certuiu office, or is found in certain company. Bring up other reasons which would urge their fitness for the position above all others. Hon. F. A. Connor's Letter?A Itrief Chapter of History. We take great pleasure in laying before our readers this morning the interesting chapter of history contained in Mr. Connor's letter. In the scenes and incidents recorded the writer of the letter took a leading part and his contribution to the history of the eventful winter of'76-'77 will be found to be exceedingly entertaining, trustworthy and valuable.- It is well to put such things authoritatively before the public?on file as it were. For it is just such well-authenticated statements by eye-witnesses and participants that will furnish the only good material for the work of the historian that is to be. "One of the Outs" With a Spear Attacks the Whole Army of "Ins." Dark Corner, S. C., June 8,1878. Editors Press and Banner : Now that "the melancholy days are come'' when the candidate for office "goeth about as a roaring lion," it be-1 hoves us to consider wnat manner 01 men we shall choose to till the respective County offices and to represent us in the Legislature. Unfortunately for us there are so man}- scores of men who are willing to serve their country whenever she calls upon them, that the difficulty of choosing tit and proper ones is greatly increased. Of course every one who expects to fill an office, must have the three prime requisites of honesty, intelligence and fitness for the position, but there are other considerations that must unlluence us in making our selections. In the first place we must choose original, straightout, simon-pure Democrats. We want none who were Cliamberlain-fusionists in 1870. An examination into their records will s how that they were Reformers in 1870, allies of the Bolters in 1872, *ii(l Green-and-Delaney Conservatives in 1874. They are men who have persistently advised us to a courso that only served to rivbl our chains upon us. They were weak enough to hopo to put honest men into power by making common cause with thievos, and if we had listened to their counsels, we would be to-day in worse than Egyptian bondage, l'hev deserve nothing at our hands, and if w * have any favours to bestow, let those receive them who are more worthy. Wo want none who are or ever have been In lepcndents. An Independent is a sort of non-descript mongrel. Ho is nnithor fowl, nor irood red herriinr. He is on the fence until he sees that one parly is the stronger, and then lie goes into it and becomes a leader. Lot us have no Independents?tho Democratic party should not elect any but Democrats to office. In the second placo let us have no clique candidates. We want 110 Granger, no Mason, no Methodist, no Baptist, 110 Presbyterian, no .Soeeder, no Episcopalian put into office as .such. In choosjng men for office lei, us take only the fittest. Let any association or combination of men enter into politics as such, and evil consequences are sure to follow. And in the next place let ns have a new deal all round. While many arguments mav bo advanced against re-electing men to office, I know of only one in its favour namely, that they start" into tho second term with all tho experience acquired during tho first. This is true, and yet 1 venture the assertion that a score of men may be found for each office to become vacant this year, who are as well qualified to fill it and would fill it as ably and acceptably as the present incumbent with three months practice, and much move so than inanv of them do. Tlicre are very many ancl cogent arguments against re-electing men to office unless they have developed an uncommon fitness lor it, and wo who represent the outs protest against it. If an otlice is onerous, surely we ought not to ask a man to lill it more than one term, others are and ought to be willing to sharo the burden. On the other hand, if an office is honourable or profitable, one man ought not to want to enjoy all its honours and emoluments. Scores of others are just as honest, just as intelligent, just as competent, just as worthy as he, and in all common decency he ought to step down and give others a chance. We insist that the race this time shall be amongst tho outs. After a man has held an oftice for a time ho will, in nine cases out of ten, get to be insolvent or careless, or else he will have his favourites, and he thus becomes disagreeable to the majority of those who come in contact with him. In choosing members to the Legislature let us select men who are willing to jiledge themselves to get through tho work of the session in two months at three dollars per day. Let them be men who have principle enough to vote only for Democrats and n??iwir>rat.ta mfi:i*iirnH. lnt them have boldness enough to think and act lor themselves without whining around to find out whether or not a measure is thought by others to bo expedient, and let thein have independence enough to speak their mind without first telegraphing and writing to find out what their constituents think and say. ONE OF TIIE OUTS. "Knowledge is Poweu.?It is indeed a truth, that "knowledge is power." Let us for an instant, survey our country over, and who do we find as rulers? I)o we not see the educated mass in all positions of honor and profit? Who are the slaves? Are not the ignorant people of the country slaves to the better informed classes? We see them often times in worse po>it.ons than our slaves were before the war. Go to the North there you will see the educated man possessing the capital and the unlettered man his willing slave. There you behold the blighting effects of ignorance. You see the uneducated man under the thumb of the capitalist who is grinding him in the very dust. And itis thus the whole world over, uo wnere you may, ana you win find the illiterate man ruled by the man with education. Thus, it behooves us to apply ourselves to our studies, and to be among those who rule, rather than with those whoaro ruled. And the only way for us to be numbered among the rulers is to possess knowledge, lor "Knowledge is power." To the Democrats. The regular meeting of the Mean's Chapel club, will be held at the chapel Saturday 15tli of June, at 2 o'clock p. m. It is earnestly desired that all the members will be present, as business of importance will be transacted. By order of the executive committee, S. W. COCHRAN, June 10, 1878. Chairman. Messrs. White Brothers have a little advertisement which will be of advantage to thoeo who heed. CHAPTER OF HISTORY. Grant's Bayonets?Ruger's Orders. Cokesbury, June 7th, 1878. Editors Press and Banner : I read with interest in tbo Ncw.i and Courier an extract from the recent-Bpeech of Hon. Milton I. Southard, representative from Ohio, Congress. Id-reference to the course of President, Grant towards South Carolina during the period'off her memorable dual government in -"December 1878. As allusion was made to the interview held by a committee of the i House of Representatives with General " Ruger commanding the troops in South Carolina it may be interesting as a mat- ! terof history to give some further details j of the matter. After we were lirst refus- j ed admittance to the Hail in the Capitol, we retired to Carolina Hall where we remained until the 30th of November, when ] by an order made in secret session, the ( House was adjourned to meet forthwithin the Hall of the House of Represcnta- < tives in the Capitol. Hero two speakers j presided, one a bogus speaker however, j until the 4th of December when upon information officially conveved to Sneaker 1 Wallace a large, armed constabularj' i force under order of Governor Chamber- ( lain, and supported by the United States troops at hand, was to be introduced for ' the purpose of ejecting tho Edgefield and < Laurens delegations on the ground that < they had not the certificates of the Secretary of State. As we had determined to make common caurse with thoso delega- l tions, and as the procoeding upon the j part of Chamberlain was under the lorm of Law, ho at that time being dc facto Governor, wo deeming it hazardous to onr cause '.o gratify Chamberlain by a collision and without yielding our claim jus the only lawful IIou.se of Kcprescntatives, adjourned to meet forthwith in Carolina Hall. Soon afterwards we obtained sixty-three members holding certificates of the Secretary of State, and having been informed, by telegram, from Mr. Hewitt that President Grant would recognize neither House until it had obtained that number thus accredited, we desired to return to our rightful place of holding our sessions. I therefore, though advised that General Rugcr would give no satisfactory answer, having been tried bv prominent parties, determined to put him to the test, and I introduced on the 7th of December the following preamble and resolution: Whereas, this House has seventy-one members, sixty-three of whom hold as their credentials certificates from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, constituting a quorum under the laws and constitution of this State ; and whereas, also, tho Supremo Court, the highost judicial authority in this State, has unanimously decided that this is the lawful constitutional House of Hepresentatives of the State of South Carolina and that there can be no other: Resolved, That a committee of five members bo appointed to wait upon the officer in command of tho United States troops in South Carolina, and inform him of these facts, and request of him the removal of the United States soldiers from the State House: ana also to ascer- 1 tain what obstacle, if any, prevents the , legal House of Representatives from oe- , cupying the Hall in the Capitol intended ! for the House of Representatives. Under this resolution a committee of five i was appointed of which I had the honor ( to bejehairman. When the committee called upon General Ruger, I took along with them a reporter of the News and I Courier, that his answers to the written | questions which I intended to propound, might be written down and read to him that there might be no mistake, as he had complained , of misrepresentation on ( a former occasion. The following arc the questions which the committee pro- ] pounded to him. 1st. We are a committee of the House i of Representatives directed to wait upon you and hand you this paper, to wit: 1 The preamble and resolution adopted by : this House. < 2d. You are the commanding ofllcer of the troops in Columbia. 3d. \ou are aware that troops are in I the State House. Will you be kind enough to inform ns by what authority these troops are in the State House? 4th. And for what purpose ? 1 5th. We wish to avoid the least ap- j i oearance of violence, but our House be Ing the legal Housq, we wish to occupy the Hall of the House of Representatives. 6th. Are your troops instructed to resist the peaceable entry of our House into the Hall? 7th. You aro aware there is a forco of State constabulary there, or assistant noor keepers of tlio House. They are guarding an illegal House. Are your troops authorized to support them if they resist the entrance into the Hall of 1 our House? General Ruger commenced a reply in a general sort of way, Mr. Blackmail talc- i ing it down at first unobserved, when he , turned to him and said ''you are the little man who reported me once before, and as I intend this as a general conver- I sation I prefer not to have it reported as I will give my reply in writing." After some conversation we retired leaving the ' questions. The next day I called for his answer and read it before leaving, when lie evidently manifested considerable anxiety fearing that our House would attempt to enter the Hall, for he said "those i are my present orders but that he would advise, though not his place to do so, that i we should confer further with the President. I replied that we had his answer given under instructions, that we. understood < the situation, and under thfl|circumstau- , ces would not attempt to take possession \ by violence. The following is his answer to the questions. Columbia, S. C. Decomber 8, 1S7G. ( Hon. F. A. Conner and other gentlemen . of Committee: I have the honor to say in reply to your inquiries, based upon the resolution of which you handed me a copy on yesterday. that the United States troops now in tho State House were placed there by my orders, for the purpose of executing such orders as might he given: and in j this connection I would say, in relerence to inquiries numbered 6 and 7, that if your body should appear at uie ?u?ie House for" the purpose of ^entering the Hall of tho House of Representatives, and should be refused admission by those having charge of the doors, and such persons sliould apply to the officer in c< mmand of the troops at the Stale House for assistance necessary to prevent your entrance tho present orders to the officer would require him to render such assistance. I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, Thomas H. Rugkr, Col. and Brig. Gen. Coin'd'gS. C. Dept. I was very strongly impressed with the belief that General Ruger expcctcd our next step would bo to enter the Hall despite opposition, and that he wanted to avoid the unpleasant duty of interfering. In my judgment it was well that we left! the House when we did on the 4th December, and that we did not again attempt to take possession. Very respectfully, F. A. CONNOR. Millway's Choice. Mill Way, S. C'., t .. ?wk qtu 1c7q U UHO Ubil| lUIVi I Editors Press and Banner : I desire to make si correction and an addition to the report made in yonr last issue with regard to nominations from Mill Way Club. John C. Chiles nominated our most worthy and popular Senator, Dr. J. C. Maxwell, for re-election, he also nominated Dr. Jas. L. Presslv, . for the House of Representatives. Dr. i. D. Keel nominated the "Old War Horse" Uon. Samuel McGowan for the House of Representatives, and W. B. Acker, for County Commissioner. These nominations were enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed by the club. * * * Thk Convention.?'Wg congratulate the Democracy of Darlington on thehar] mony, good spirit and wisdom which marked the deliberations of its convention assembled in the court house yesterday. The harmony and unanimity of action which characterized that body was such as we have never before seen in a political convention at this place, and is highly gratifying. Wo heartily approve i of the nominations made by the coiivenj tion to till the otliccs now vacant, believing that the gentlemen nominated will till the positions to which they arc soon I to be assigned with ability and honor. ! We advocated the adoption of the prima! rv election system, because we believe it I would be best for the party. The convention saw lit, after delibexation, to disapprove of it and hold 011 to the convcn! don Nvstein. We now accept their action I and will abide by it and support it in as I good faith as though it has been our j choice.?Darlington If civs. I Tim "Npwherrv Rifles will go to the "Old Star Forl'r celebration at NinetySix. Tho people of that place are determined to make the grand event a glorious success. Three or four brans bands will bo on hand. Tho military Jrom six counties will be in altendauce. Our boys are just tho ones to go .?Newberry Herald. Young man, listen to this from the Dallas Texan Herald : There are a number of unemployed young men of good business qualifications in this and other cities in Texas, and we would advise that class of immigrants known as clerks and Erofessional men to remain away from ere for the present. ' " ' * *'-* V'T ' '7>xy:. ' ^w- . Getting at the Facts. pa Interesting Report of tho Committee of t?^ Graud Jury, Appointed by the ^ Conrt to Investigate the Treatment co . v > of Prisoners at the Stockade. ?* -*> th or ToAhA Grand Jury of Abbeville County: ba We, the undersigned, a coruiuinee ui sl-( pour body appointed by the court to in- tb irestigate the treatment of the convicts th it work on the Knoxviile, Greenwood ar ind Augusta Raihoad submit the follow ^ ing report: be We visited the stockade and that portion of the Knoxviile, Greenwood is< md Augusta Railroad at which the jonvicta are at work ; we used all dili*ence in ascertaining the correctness or incorrectness of the various rumors cur- co rent in our county ; we called before us th fifteen or twenty witnesses some inter Pc ssted and some not; we found that in pr :he early history of the work, when the jfScers in charge were inexperienced in ar :onvict labor, that some irregularities at Dccurred and there was suffering imongst the convicts. But a gradual 1)1 improvement has been going on and we (!e ^hink that the improvement will con- of tinue. The convicts are well fed, receiving ac ive and one quarter pounds o^^icon per week and bread at will. The overseers us xre instructed to issue six pints of water to each hand per day while at work. rhis is in accordance with medical adnee, as those entrusted with the medical T* iepartment apprehend danger in giving ,h(!m water too freely on hot days, when jt ;he work is laborious. At dinner, and \j A'hen in the stockade, they receive all to ;hey waut. They have received in eight months C< ihree suits of clothing and two pairs of C< shoes. Tbey are very careless about ^ :,heir clothing, frequently leaving it on Lhe banks and sometimes covering it up. _ The rate of mortality has been seven q( died and three killed out of one hundred (j( imployed. Those that died were all afflicted with chronic diseases except one. Their cases were reported before Bl death to the authorities at Columbia T< but they were not ordered back. Two ^ died of heart disease, two of chronic q dysentery, two of consumption and one of sunstroke. The first was killed in attempting to escape on the 27th of March. A trial justice was summoned r ami examined into the case, bilt did not J* believe it to be such as required an iuquest. He had summoned twelve meD, and they met together unofficially aud rendered the following decision : "That ? lhe killing was justifiable," and that all means had been exhausted to stop him JJ' before he was shot. Three of these men \ were colored aud nine white. The sec- K imd was killed on May the 8th under tbe following circumstances: lie bad been warned repeatedly, on tbe day he came to bis death, not to go outside of certain bounds, if he did he would be A tired on. He undertook to run, several shots were fired to stop him, he was ordered repeatedly to halt, but kept run Ding and bad reached a distance of near three hundred yards before be was shot. The other was killed last week under similar circumstances, except that be did not go so far before he was shot. His body was allowed to lie in tbe suu. We thiuk the officers are to be blamed for allowing this. The sick receive medical attention but their quarters are not as good as they should be. Iu constructing the next stockade they promise to have them better. The labor required is not excessive. 1 he work ascertained to nave Deen performed by them ia not more than half as much as is required under similar circumstances on other roads. As a body we visited them while at work and 3aw about one-third of them working without shirts. They do this from pref erence. We saw the shirts lying about, the banks and ou stumps. They are made to wash their persons once every week. Their clothing is washed occa sionally. There should be nn improvement in this particular. The officers have strict orde-s not to administer more thau twenty five lashes at one time. We saw the backs of perhaps one-third and saw no marks of rec^pt punishment. The penitentiary regulations, as far as we could see, are strictly carried out. ? ? t . n (July two incidents 01 unnecessary puu i ishment came to our attention. Some' time ago one of the convicts escaped at night. It was soon discovered, he was recaptured about a mile away and brought back Oue of the overseers, J. B. Palmer, who does not see well at night, had a torch and when the man was brought back he stepped up, broke a splinter from the torch and applied it to bis whiskers and hair. His skin was not burned. The same overseer at another time, when a convict refused to work, had him tied, took out his knife, gauged his thumb on the blade, punched him with it three or four times, and then held the blade up, and told him if he did nut go to work he would stick it in him up to the handle. He said he did it to frighten him and the skin was not punctured. These are, as far as we could ~ ascertain, isolated cases. We mention them because upon these some of the rumors have been founded. Palmer has iu his squad the most desperate characters among them?those marked as desk? fV>n Q, ir>nrinfenrtpnt nf (hp I OUUtQ yjJ tUU Kyu|/W&iUbvuvivuu v* xuw penitentiary. Considering that they are convicts sentenced to hard labor, and are to be guarded and watched as well as worked, and that they are men hard to govern, wedonotthiuk that the treatment, as far as we could ascertain, has beon generally harsh or cruel. We know the officers of the road to be humane men, and we feel assured they will not hereafter tolerate unnecessary severity or harshness on the part of their subordinates. W. A. Tempi,eton, W. D Mann, A. Z. Bowman, H. Burnett, J. B. Moseley, David Thomas, Committee. T" ?? It, |ti Grand Jtiry Presentment. j ^ To Hiff Honor J. 13. Kershaiv, Prcnid- J ing Jtirffje: The Grand Jury respectfully make the followiug Presentment: I Such a short time has flapped, and so few changes have occurred, since tliei last sitting of the court, that we find! but few things necessary to be brought' to its attention, but there are some1 things and chief amougst these are the > geueral rumors of the mistreatment of the convicts now laboring on the ^ Greenwood and Augusta railroad, iu the jurisdiction of this court, and as we cannot reach%|ie facts in the case without thorough investigation, we recommend that a committee, to be composed of the followiug members of this jury be appointed to investigate this whole matter and report either at this or the next term of court: W. A. Tern- T pleton, H. Burnett, J. B. Moseley, W. a D. Mann, A. Z. Bowman, David Thomas and Guy Taylor. That they receive pay and mileage as jurors during the actual sitting of the committee I rc and that they be allowed one constable to execute their orders. er The jail and public offices have been tl visited in a body or by committee and bl we find them (without exceptiou) well " managed aid in good condition. " Ho changes have occurred worthy of ention in tlie offices of tie Clerk, uditors, or Sheriff. The jail roof has not as yet been re- Ar ,ired. The alms house was visited about six eeks ago and we have every reason U>, r|] ilieve is well managed ana in good I] ndition. & .< V The School Commissioner reports one I ousamldollar collected(and disbursed) i the Tolbert judgment, this leaves a |-T ilance unpaid of about thirteen hun ed dollars. We recommendHfr cou- QT leration of the scarcity of money, and ie apparent desire of the sureties on is bond to pay it as soon as possible, R id the hardships it would work to L em to have their stock levied on in y e midst of a crop that the judgment ! stayed until the lit'tceuth of October 78at which time the securities prom 3 it shall be paid. ^ The amount due teachers or holders I school pay certificates previous to V is fiscal year is two hundred aud ree and 81?100 dollars, the school ri mmissioner has commenced visiting ** e schools aud will visit them all il ? >ssible during the summer. f VVe find in the County Commissions office, for the fiscal year ending first 1,0 ovemuer, lOjrc regisiereu riuuiis 10 me nount of Six thousand three hundred id forty-eight and 33?100 dollars they f >pe to keep expenses within the ap opriation. The annexed exhibits show the re ipts and disbursements in the offices A: the Treasurer and Probate Judge. We desire in concluding to express :knowledgemeut to his Honor the eliding Judge aLd all the officers of ie court for courtesies extended to i. ft Wesley A. Black, Foreman. ^ Treasurer's Office, ) wu June 4th, 1878. J o the Grand Jury of Abbeville Coun- To ty- A Having closed my office last night, ine 3d, 1878, for the collection of the ay, instalment of taxes, I arneuabled make a full statement of the trausac ins of tills office to your body. jllefeted for State Taxes $4,178 73 ,-ysllecfed for County Taxes 2.7S6 81 jllected for Couuty Fines 'I1 from Trial Justices 10 00 jllected for past indebtedness County $ 929 22 J",! jllecteil for Schools 1,858 26 * dleuted for PjIIs 304 00 Total $10,057 02 egapitulation of county taxes. j[ utal amt. collected for couuty$2,790 81 of mt paid out for couuty as per checks i.:... 1,833 64 u hand for couuty 963 17 Respectfully submitted J. W. Perrin, County Treasurer. II( iTATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, a? ' tn ABBEVILLE COUNTY. to IN PROBATE COURT. pa enllemcn of the Or and Jury : The report from this office is very mited having made a full report but a ton Lb since. rat. cash on hand at last re-...SI,683 fcf> eceived since $ 34 CO | _ ?1.717 86! P aid out as per check and cash Books 257 001 (J, mt. in Probate Court S' ,460 8 J. Fuller Lymn, j. p. a. c, ? wrjiHvrr-i-t " ir~T-nrrgirirT Ayer's C j te Cherry Pectoral I For Diaeaaea of the ^ Throat and Lungs, ["J such as Coughs, glv Colds, Whooping ^ t Cough, Bronchitis, ? Asthma, and Conbe The reputation it has attained, in for consequence of the marvellous cures it has produced during the lost half cen- J tury, is a sufficient assurance to the public that it will continue to realize the happiest results that can be desired. r In almost every section of country v there are persons, publicly known, who have been restored from alarming and _ even desperate diseases of the lungs, _ by its use. All who have tried it ac- | knowledge its superiority; and where J| its virtues are known, uo one hesitates as to what medicine to employ to relieve the distress and suffering peculiar J to pulmonary affections. Cherry Pectoral always affords instant relief, and a performs rapid cures of the milder va- A rlIOU U'oll |)C TT llutlvo Ui U1^U1UV>?) U4J ? TV-4AIW XX the more formidable diseases of the lungs. As a safeguard to children, amid 1 the distressing diseases which beset I the Throat and Chest of Childhood, it is invaluable; for, by its timely use, multitudes are rescued and restored to health. v This medicine gains friends at I every trial, as the cures it Is constantly I producing are too remarkable to be I forgotten. No family should be with- 1 out It, and those who liavc once used it never will. \ Eminent Physicians throughout the cl: country prescribe it, and Clergymen oft?m rccommend it from their knowledge of its cffccts. PREPARED BT Dr. J. C. AYER &, CO., Lowell, Mass., Practical and Analytical Chemists. BOLD EV ALT. DRUGGISTS EVERYWHERE. Jnst .Arrived. \IIKSS OOODS.-IO to i") cents, silk Poplins, J I'o'jcIU' clotli, Zalama IVntelle, lace I">on(Ile. JJiege Lu>ter. plain and plaid Suiting*, rimming 10 match, ."! button Kid Gloves, 'liiteaml Colored &e. <tc., tee best glove in ic in arliet foi fl.00 rr R. M. HADDOX & Co. I mi ' * ov FOUTZ'S <ORSE AND CATTLE POWDERS, un euro or provent Ulacaie. i J j DUZKM Indies uiui eiiiiun-ii miuos jus U received R. M. HADDON & CO. J GKEENVILLE MACHINE WORKS AND IRON FOUNDRY. Jn/I tnnnrl M'Ar>f]nnn 1 rl Ar. f! a llUUmVUUj JU.U/VVIVJUHI1VA I.V VUl PROPRIETORS. X iTEAM ENGINES, Hollers, Saw nnd Grist T ) Mills, Cotton Gins, Presses, etc., promptly Co spnired. We have recently added to our esbllslunent an IRON FOUNDRY and are nr repared to furnish all kinds of CASTINGS, , iual to the best furnished by any foundry In J ic country, at short notice, and on reasona- tir le terms. Cash paid for old Iron delivered FI , our foundry. gk, ('orks on River Street, rear of Cagle's Planing KliU. October 3,1S77, 12 m. '3 - ' . r-; -v.; , - --i 1' J'>- 1 ' - ^ -- ' "' GENTLEMEN" e Reqested to Take Notice That AVE a frill supply bt JMMER UNDERWEAR, EADY-MADE SHIRTS, INEN COLLARS and CUFFS, ANCY CASSIMERES, Ready-Made ILOTHING, I TC of all descriptions?Special attenrt. i Jtron Is called to their stock of :ANCY STRAW HATS, W-QUARTERED HAND-MADE Different Styles .and Qualities. WHITE BROTHERS. tay 1, 1878, tf. WELL-DIGGING. EORGE GAILY, an experienced WclldlRger, Is now prepared to do In a workn-llkeway all kinds of work in wells? isting, Digging, or cleaning. His terms moderate. He works for cash. r. H. All orders left with Alfred Ellison, wn Marshal, will bepromptly attended to. Lay 22d 1S78, tf. ALSTON_HOTJSE. 1878. '"he Misses Cater. AKE pleasure in announclngto old friends and patrons that they still keep "The ?ton House" open for their aceomod mm :l will endeavor to make them "feel at me" as often as Lhey are kind enough to ?. carpentry!" - J.' K r* 1 THE undersigned hereby gives notic* . that he is prepared to do all kinds Carpenter's Work and . y r?' ;v Building.-- ; 5 also repairs Cotton Gins, Thrasheri d Fans. A full snppiy of Gin Materia ,vays on band. Farmers are req lies tec bring their Gins up early in th6 seasoi allow time to have them properly pre red. Also Agent for the Taylor Cotton Gin e Brooks Cotton Press, and all kinds o ibbor and Leather Belting. D. B. SMITH, ' Abbeville C. H? S. C. Station supplies ONSTANTLY ON HAND, ?-o-? lORN, OATS, MEAL. FLOUR, BACO> . *mr iei;tv a A IT GTTfZ A R PfH.'!.'!.** ' UikAi A f uw w> U. !A In large or small quantities, PLOW OCKS, PLOWS, HOES, AXES, TRACE lHIXS, &C., AC., UANO ON BEST TERMS. ,t . ILL the wants and nccessslttes of the mer carefully considered and prepnreil . Special inducements offered the planter, fore ma kins your arrangements elsewhere, re us a trial. We will exert ourselves tc re entire satisfaction. r. JOEL SMITH & SON an. 10, 1878. . TAN YARD. HE undersigned now have In successfu operation, a good tan yard, nt Donalds^ Ic, where hides of every description will bought. For dry hides wo pay it cents green hides, 0cents. HAWTHORN & HODGES. Tan. 31,1 m. 878 '1ANNED GOODS OF ALL KINDS J at Cunningham & Templeton's. June, 6th 1*77 tf tfew Goods, rUST JtiECEI VEI NEW lot of * L ATS, LACE, COLLARS, OUFFS, VEIS, &( AT Miss Eamey's nnTr Dnnrrniiim iDlliy DRU1I1MN VOULB respectfully ask tne attention < the Ladles to to their Fresh Supply < loice Prints, Printed Muslins, "White Victoria Lawns, White Piques tM *?j m .n uieacnea xjong viumb, Hamburg Trimmings, &c. ny A 1^73. tf. OlMAN'S LIVER FADS No Humbug for Chills and Dyspepsia. U DR. E. PARKER'S, ireh 25, 1878-tf. JMMAM & TEMPLETOI I AVE Just rccclved a large stock of CROCKERY, AND MADE SHOES ring styles, at Sfi.QO, 'RING PRINTS, HOMESPUNS, &c February 27,1878, tf. Notice. IIonoRS, S. C'., May 25,1878. 'O whom It may concern. The following articles of unclaimed freight, having re lined in the Company's I>epot at tills plac< or twelve months, will, unless previouslj limed, and the freight and charges paid or e same, be sold at public auction on Satur y the -lith day of June, 1878, to pay chargef e upon the same. I'rought Iron shaft, Consignee, J. M. Maekaj 'ast Iron Wheels. Consignee, J. M. Mackay !o.\ Holts, Consignee, J. Maclcay. 'an Mill. Consignee, 1). W. Aiken, irlndstone. Consignee, L. G. Robe. larrel Vinegar. Consignee, W. A. Moore, loxes Soap, Consignee, W. A. Moore. iOt lJedsteads, Consignee, \V. 7,. McOhee. \\\ II. KOWLETT, Agent. day 29,1878,5t. Tax Notice. Treasurers Office, May 27, 1878. 1TITH a view to accommodating as V many of the Tax Payers ot the unty as possible. I will receive the ?y Instalment of Taxes, until the close Sale-day June 3d. So Taxes will he received after that tie without affixing the penalty oi VE PER CENTUM o'u the first Tuilment. .T W PtfRTK-V County Treasurer. May 27, 1878. o ' x r I ggg jgg PENDLET01 FOUNDRY & MA( AwJfST Having bouglitaii ohr r. Cooper's complete pared than ever to tornIsh Iron. AND BI8 keep for sale Ji Plantation Steam Engines, Ct Mills, Grist Mills, Thresl Powers, Gin Gearing, an chinery at low SMITH'S CELEBRATE For Hand, Korac. Stear ? L_?? - i >' < JTO.TIJELI My customers know that I have heretoferc In style, quality and p:lces. Tho time has coma when these goods c the North and West. I do not go backward* but continually rai now styles. I have made reductions in prict penso to place in your hands a Price List tha I respectfully invito you to call and examii ing elsewhere. Orders by mail will receive i It would mak* the list too lanre to describi Bedroom, ParlorSuits, Dining Room, Office, Secretaries, Dwarf Libraries, and Book Case this list contains only a few of the prices of | PARLOR S UITES.-Slx Chairs, Hair Cloth Reps, 821, S 21, $28. 91 PARLOR ROCKERS.?Carved Top, Hair $ Cloth or Rep. $0.00, $11X0, $11.00, $17.00. Z MATTRESSES.?Straw and Cotton, $3.50. $4.00: Hhnckand Cotton, $3.75, $4.25; Cotton $9.00 Si DEBO AKDS.?Marble Tops, $20, $25, fco, $35, $40, $45, $50; Marble tops upwards to $150. $ PARLOR SUITS-Sevftn plcces, Hair Cloth N or Reps, $15, $50, 800, $70,$80, $90, 8100. $125; Nine S pieces, Leather or Cane, $150; Eight pieces, 6 Fine, upwards to $450. ii CHAMBER SUITS.-ImJtatlon Walnut or ? Oak, $20; Ton pieces, solid head, carved top, n $24, $28, $34. $4'), 845, W. DRESSING OASES.?Ten pieces;' $40, $45, v $50,$55, $60: Ten pieces Walnut $70, $80, $90, *100. ten pieces walnut upwards to $600. d CHAIRS.?Cane seat, per half dozen 85.75. o Cane se-.it, Dining half dozen, $8.75, Cane seat h bent Dining per half dozen $10.00. Split seat per half dozen $3.50, Best Cane seat, $1.75, c Wood seat, 8:1.25. * nnfirvuu w *.! eoruw w Seat Nursc. $1.00; Cane Seat Nurse, 9^.50; Cane Seat Arm. $3.75. $ WALNUT BUREAU SUITS.-Ten pieces, enclosed Wash Stand, $35,346,850: Ten pieces, t< Marble top, enclosed wash Stand,316, 350,8.55, 300, SU5; Ten pieces, marble top upwards to 3125 3! No charge for freight, drayage or packing, | Thanking you for past fa7ors, I rei , October 31, 1877. 12 m. , ? TOZ1 i n i T Steam I TWENTY Of which are Now W in the County of 1 fair Prospect ot at fare long; A ] Terms can be i plymj vj R r\ l -i nmm i a UCt. <31, 19/ ( Us r>r. H ID. ; T> E N 1 ABBEVILLE, S. C? Offic SANTA; HOLIDA1 THE LARGEST IN THIS 3 /CONSISTING OF TOYS, DOLLS, FRENCH O ESE WARE, FANCY SHAKER AND IN] RUSSIA Leather Gooods, Walnut Brackets, V CORAL and Plated Jewelry, Ties Gloves, St Collarsand Cuffs, MILLINERY &c., ati 1 Your Inspection am ) A.t J fWnlwSI. 1R77. 12 m. WR TP A VAI WILSON SEWI i in workmanshiptis equal to J as elegantly finished as a fl \ the highest awards at the VI J sitions. IT SEWS ONE-FOI )f machines. Its capacity is u WILSON MACHINES sold I the combined sales of all MENDING ATTACHMENT for WITHOUT PATCHING, given f WILSON SEW O. M f - mm ok:/ ct Broadway, new Cor^tat^Otadisor^^ TRY HOME FIRST, i; ! CON GAREE , lil WORKS, p Columbia, S. C. j Jim uiB,. 1 PROPRIETOR. ( p F.nnniiin prices : a VERTICAL CANE MILLS, j List of !Prices2 Rollers. 10 inches diameter. J35 CO J 2 " 12 " " ?00 r 2 " 14 " " 55 00 ' 3 " 10 " " ?0 00 , a " 12 " " 70 00 1 ; 3 " 14 " " 80 00 S \ Above prlcescomplcte with Frame. Wltbou s Frame, 810 loss on each Mill. : HORIZONTAL?3 Boiler Mill J for Steam or Water Power, $150. ? n tt n i p ' m mot urners ior Cane Mills AND e Syrup Kettles 1 TO D. B. SMITH, Agent. Abbeville C. II,S. C. A ? j w. a BEHSTET, S A-ttorney at Lawn* Law Uange, Abbeville, C. H. S, C. | i&j ^ v f & bros, :hine works, 'i,GA. itbcK of patterns, *c., wo are better pre fcSS CASTINGS, of every description, aud i . me Mills, Evaporators, Saw iing Machines, Horse id all Plantation Marett Prices. _ DCOTTON PRESS. a qt Water Power. - - / , . j L*'* , ?.UJBIJDCU~~ ~ Augusta, Ga., August 1,1877. ledifee i,IHA-nittlt'e?.tkaAG of the South, an be purchased ?s}Wieap froni jne as in se the standard of my goods, tfnd add wherever possible, and spared no ext%ill help you to purcliase goods, ne my stock and prices before purchases much attention as if given in person, j and copy ail the different prices of Standing Parlor and Ladier Desks, s, manufactured by rae, and therefore, goods kept by me. BUREAS.?Imitation Walnut and Gin** .75. 60.75, Walnut and Glass, 813.70. *17.50 Walnut quarter Marble and Glass $18.00,124.00 8.00,534.00; Walnut fall Karbie and Glass ad Upwards to9100.00. BED8TEAD8.--N0. 1 Bed 92.25, No. * Bed L75, No. 3 Bed Solid Head, 1 feet, 8 lncbes high 1.75, No. 4 Solid carved top, 5 ft. 6 In. blxh 1.00, No. 5 Bed^olW carted fop, French 98.00, 'o. 1 Bed Walnut, carved top, ?feet high '.75, No. 2 Bed Walnut, solid bead, carved top fret 6 In blgb $>."5, No I Bed Walnut, solid ead. carved top, 7 feet# In high 111.75, No 4 ed walnut, solid head, enrVed top/8 reet6 ln> igh 814.00. . " WASHSTANDS.?Imitation Walnut 81,75, fain nt enclosed 84,00, WalB Ut Marble top 8600 WARDROBES.-Walnut 817, Walnnt two rnwers 319, Walnut two drawers drop bandies arved top 822. 830 Walnut two draw, drop andle, carved top, fancy panels 835. TABLES.?Round or Square 81,50, Walnut entre, draw 83,00, Walnut Centre Marble top 7,00,88,00,80,00,812.00,818,OO', 520,00,825,00. TOWEL RACES.?Walnut fiO, 9U00, fl^O, 2,00, W, 00. SOFAS.?Large Hair Clbth or Reps, carved op 818^822,8MJ80. " TETEr.A-TETES.-TeU 915,00 916,75,919,75, 21,75. main, yours rospectfolly. G? V. DeGRAAF 3R'S Ingines, Vu^ THREE orking Successfully Lnderson, with a i many more bePrice list and ! had by apt to . TOZER, COLUMBIA, S. C. niiSON, '1ST, e Over the :Pojst Office. CLAUS r GOODS 'STOK IY?E nTTV ' AND GERMAN FANCY GOODS/JAPAN DIAN WORK-BASKETS. rail Pockeu, Mottoe Frames, Ac. Ik, Linen and Embroidered Hankerchlef* unasnally LOW PRICES. 1. Orders Solicited. . H- TRUMP'S. NO. 220 BROAD. STRFET. UA8LE INVENTION. WORLD RENOWNED NG MACHINE a Chronometer Watch, and rst-class Piano. It received enna ana centennial txpoJRTH FASTER than other nlimited. There arejnore n the United States ^han the others. The WILSON doing all kinds of repairing. FREE with each machine. 'INS MACHINE CO. York; New Orleans, La.1 s.; and San FrandscoirlfcaU waummmmmmmmamBmmmmmtmmmmmmmmmm SHOES, SHOES, SHOES. SUNNINGHAM a un hViU TEMPLETON , . -iHAvE opened tbelr SHOES and can snply customers at greatly reduced prices. HATS, HATS. HATS. CALL ON Ciufykai & Templeten AND get the latest style HATS for young nd old men. GROCERIES, GROCERIES. SUGAR, COFFEE, and SHELF GOODS of 11 kinds at ; MNINGHAM&TEMPLETON's. 26 Years in Bed. [F a man lives 80 years, one third of his life is spent in bed. In order to nake it comfortable, all persons should i?n Hm snrinir bed. which is now sold so o\v us torbe within the reach of all. For alo by .. ... J. D. CHALMERS & CO. Oct. 17, 1877, tf. Early Rose Potatoes, WHEAT BRAN, CORN" MEAL, PEARL HOMINY, ALL GRADES NEW FLOUR, TUST received and for sale by BAMWELL & CO V..1VM! lvTk au u?i ?i/, iv ?v # KTotice. 1NNUAI RETURNS. VLL Administrators, Executors. Guardians, and Trustees, who are required by law > make annual returns of the reccipta and *penditures of their respective estates, will j so at once, or be subjected to a rule. J. FULLER LYON, Judge of Probate Court, A, C.