The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, November 04, 1885, Image 1
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- _. - -i ?i.rii i. ?
BY HUGH WILSON. ABBEVILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1885. VOLUME X^|
IAGOOD AMD PARIS SIMPEINS
thM supreme effort meets
A MOST SIGNAL DEFEAT.
The Friends and the Stockholders of
the C. 6. and C. R. R. Fail in
their Effort to Secure a Tax on
the Property Owners of Aiken.
\ t? WVV'V AVWW' wv. (/
On Tbtisrduy last, October22d, an election
was held to ascertain whether or not the citi*ons
of Aiken Township would subscribe the
sum of Ave per cent, upon the assessed value
of the taxable property, In said Township,
payable in five equal annual installments,
add the. result has been at Waterloo defeat to
the advocates of subscription by taxation, as
will beseeu by the tabulated result which we
publish in another column, showing a majority
of 1 ti vote? against the tax out of a total
of 647 votes.
In view of the extraordinary nature of the
canvass and the bitler feelings It has left be-!
hind, we deem it our duty to enter Into a brief
review of the contest, in order that persons
" ?- nninorlv snnrprltl
fcutsldeoi me i/uuutj> iuoj (>1.^. v
ate the character of the issue involved and
the incidents which led to its signal defestt.
So far as Aiken in concerned, this railroad
project originated in a scheme to build a
railroad to the town of Edgefield, to be
known as the Edgefield, Trenton and Aiken
railroad, consisting of u line of about twentylive
miles. The roadbed of this short Hue
w<js garded to Croft's mill, a point, between
four and five miles of Aiken, by convict labor.
Al out this time the Ainds which had beeu
subscribed by private Individuals yave out,
and the towns along the line were asked to
subscribe by taxntion. Aiken whs asked for
S&.UOO, and an election was be:d and the tax
defeated by a considerable majority. This
happened In 18S0. Work was sapended, and
after* lapse of some months the little Edge,
field, Trenton and Aiken road was consolidated
with five other roads (on paper,) and Incors
porated under the style of the Carolina Cumberland
Gap and Chicago Railroad.
After various stockholders and directors
meetings, backed by various pronuftclament-oeand
Interviews, containing a vast anYOudt
1?* ?nr\fh f tier fhnr
or verwugc, uuv uusumncv hvi>i?... ......
todked businesslike or practice!; it $a? announced
that "sJchofleld was hopeful" abottt
obtaining aid from English capitalists.
Whereupon, in December, 1883, an act was
passed by the Legislature authorizing counties,
townships, cities and towns, interested
in the construction of the Carolina, Cumberland
Gap and Chicago Railroad, to .hold elections
on lite question of subscription to the
capital stock, upon the written application of
a majority or the holders ol real estate. In
February, 1884. the application of free-holders
was made, and an election was held in the
town of Aiken on the question of subscrlb$30,000.
After a most bitter and animated
contest, the corporation decided by the small
priority of eleveu votes aguiost the subscription.
Thl? was the moment when the IrlemJs of
the roadshould have made the surpre'me effort,
but instead, the chief burden bT tjie
campaign was left to the press, wbile the C'xe-'
cutlve management seemed to be confined to
one long Interview, where It was announced
that ^chofield was. ?IJU hopeful, and s<jme
other innocent diversions, which though
- amusing, failed by a majority of eleven votes
of securing the desired subscription. From
the strong opposition manifested at this election
by almost the entire business community
and the white citizens of the town in general,
it seemed evident that, if it ever came to
a township election, Kubscription by taxation
would receive a Waterloo def<at,as the citizens
of the township could be asked with no
degree of propriety to subscribe a tax for the
r?wd. In which they had little or no inter-)
est, after the towns-people hnd twice refused
to impose the tax uj>on themselves, when
thep. if any. were to reap the beneficial results
of the enterprise. The fact of the matter is,
-that the road passes through only a eo?ner of
thetownship, and would practically he of lit*
tie or no benefit to any, except the very fewIndividuals
who own land lu proximity to
tlie line.
Nevertheless, after the usual amount of interviews
an?l meetings in Charleston and
other portions of ILe Slate, it was determined
to try Aiken again, this time for the townRhip,
as under the terms of the act of December,
1833, another election for the town could
uotbe held.
After much difficulty the friends of the tax
succeeded,? few weekRago.ln obtaining the
written call Tor an election, by a majority of
three or four names of the real eatate owners,and
the election was ordered by due advertisement
of the County Commissioner* in the
coluinnsoflhe Aiken Recorder forTbursday,
October 22d, 18S5.
For weeks before this, an animated canvass
had been carried ou by the friends of the subscription,
but from this time until the finish
the work became fast and furious. Meetings
were frequently held and every effort made to
enlist, tho supportof the "brother in black,"
who, having no tuxes to pay, except on IiIk
head, was in a fine position to enjoy the canvass
as a grand picnic, gotten up lor his
aMueclal benefit, regardless of present or fu-1
tiire consequences.
The opponents of the tax felt confident in
their strength aud held no public meetings,
but, in a quiet way, took good cure that each
tax-payer should understand the merits of
Uie case, and the large Increase of the taxation
to which he would be subjected. Some
Of these who voted for the tax when the question
was submitted to the citizens of the
town, refused to participate in the manifest
Injustice of voting a tax upon the farmers of
the township, after the towns-people had
twice refused to bear it themselves. The tax
payers of the township denounced the effort
te levy a tax upon them, for the building of a
road in which they were not interested, as an
attempt at "wholesale robbery and oppression."
They claimed It was noatfair of theirs;
that it was brought into the township by a
deviation from the proper course, for the benefit
of three or four individuals, and that
these parties, together with the citizens of
the town, were the persons to reap the benefit,
and therefore they should be willing to
stand the expense. We have no desire to increase
the bitterness incident to this campaign;
what we write is simplya record of
the facts, and motives underlying the struggle.
The friends of subscription held frequent
meeting*, and endeavored in every way to
convince the people that it was a public im-i
provementlor the general good, and laid great
stress upon the tact that the tux would not be
collected until the road was built from Trenton
to Aiken.
The reeling on both sides was very strong,
Mi* ntonlfoctitH S tcol f I n rvi/v??_
?IIU 4I^\JUVH VJJ niuit?*vov\ \? ivovit ??Vk
lous and offensive expresslonf anil it Is mi
open question whether the abusive lone and
injudicious expressions of some of the active
partisans, of tlie subscription party, did not
work greater injury to their own side than to
their opponents.
The Jay before the election a grand barbecue
was given by the friends of the tax, and
the crowd was addressed by ev-Gov. Hagood.
ex-Senator Jas. Callison, of Edgefield, and
others, and to cap the climax, the notorious,
TarlsSimpkins, of Edgefield.- who figured extensively
duriug the good old days of Radical
stealage, and whose name graces the reports
of the fraud commission In so many
places, was introduced as one of the speakers.
The introduction of the Honorable Paris
Simpkins certainly was productive of no
good results to the subscription party, as we
re credibly Informed that the idoa of utilizing
such material as this unscrupulous colored
Radical politician was like the last feather
on the camoi's back, for it drove several doubtful
white votes to an unalterable determina
tlon, to oppose any scheme that found it necessary
to utilize so repulsive un agent.
We have said enough to show that the
friends of the subscription tax left no stone
unturned to carry their purpose, and that
while their opponent beat no drums, held no
public meetings, gave no barbecues and dispensed
no whiskey, yet they were vigilant
and active, and finally triumphed by the decisive
majority oi one hundred and twentythree
votes.
It IS esiimaieu Dy goou juages uiui inure
than two-thirds ol the entire whltecltizens of
the town voted against the subscription, but
the large colored vote scored the small majority
of'23 votes for subscription. And out of
an aggregate vote of 170 cast in the country,
at Montmorcncl and Fountain Academy
polls, only 12 votes were cast for subscription,
and we are informed that eight of these were
colored votes.
With few exceptions, the entire business
community of the town were uncompromisingly
opposed to the tax, and. if it had been
carried. It is not improbable that legal obstacles
would have been raised against Its collection.
We are glad that the struggle is over, and
hope never again to see Democrats antagonizing
each other with the same agencies which
sunk our State in the slouch ol'despair aud
degradation during the dark days of Radical
misrule and humiliation. Such contests
leave scars behiDd which time alone can heal.
Wehaveaimed at nothing more than a
brief narration of facts; if any mistake have
been made they are unintentional, and we
will correct if called to our attention.
In conclusion, however, it is pleasant to
turn rrom the disagreeable to the pleasant,
nnd record the met that although the excitement
and 111 feeling was intense, yet the eleo
tlon was characterized by nnnsual good or- I
der. By order of the Intendant and Council
the barrooms were closed, and a committee of
iudies from the Women's Chrlstaln .Temper*
ance Union was on the ground, dispensing
hot coffee and bread to all who applied, until ,
within a half hour before the polls closed.
The wholesome refreshment provided by
thesfe Indies and their presence on the ground
is thought to have produced a splendid effoct,
and contributed in no small degree towards
*' * ? Ion t Arrlor fhrtt
wie prt?i'rvuuuii ui m<? cawhwiv -?.
was observed. Intendunt Davis and Sheriff
Hclley, with only six constables were vigilant
and untiring In tbelr duty, and only two ?
arrests were made during trie entire day.
WRONG SUCCESSFULLY RESISTED.
^ .T
Begreta that there ShoHld Have Been
Objeetlon to their Bnil<llngr a Railroad
at Other People's Expense.
Journal and Review.
Once more the opponents of the C., C. G. & 1
C. Railroad have gained the victory and that 1
by a decisive majority. There are several 8
things in connection with this election which 1
we have to regret. r
First, much bad feeling and personal anl- 1
rnoslty wore manifest during the canvass. It 4
Is sad that men cannot differ on a question of
mere,dollars and cents?cannot nold discord- "
ant opinions as to what Is for the best advan- 1
Utge to the town?without personal friction. J
Being ou the sldeof the minority, we can cou- r
sistently, with our regret, urge those ,who J
I thought and worked with us to forget and for- *
give all unpleasant personalities of the can- *
vasa. We ought nil once more to join nearis
and hands in working Iti othef ways for the ?
upbuilding ot our beautiful town. If it is un- t
pleasant to be defeated, it la not humiliating, '
for we may defend ourselves from tire charge '
of being whipped as an Indignant Cohleder- r
ate did when taunted with, the issue of the I
war; "Ntf. sir, we were not conquered but t
overpowered by numbers," r
Secondly, we afe so'rry to see men attrlhut- ?
Ing Improper motives to each other. Why ?
shQrtld X blame Mr. B. for working for his in- I
terestn In voting for subscription when I ae- 1
. knowledge that. I vote against it for iny own i
interests? And why should I charge Mr. C. <!
with ''having some axe to grind," when the ?
only explanation of his difference with me a
may be that he is more public spirited than t .
am. And why may not Mr. 1>. oppose the. t
** " * < lirtn hnnoiioo nnQPtfii'fl h
ruttti lur utner raiauus >uuu uvwmdv
so flit his eyes that be cannot see, around t
th'em> dollars and ten dollars ahead. We are t
sorry that so mhch was said about one's own a
personii 1 interestsanyhOW, tlmi so little regard v
was pajd to the good of lire community at t
large. J
Thirdly, we regret that the colored voters c
were so assiduously courtcd, and that they ii
were taught so forcibly their power and use n
at times when the whites are divided. ii
Fourthly, we regret that Aiken has once 1
more doelared against her true interests. We n
advocated subscription simply because we tie- *
lieved we were doing Aiken most service. The d
result of the election has not changed our be- n
lief. Our regret at the result is no feel]ng of r
mere pcfson&l cjiagrln, but sorrow at the lack f
of enterprise in our town. Wo confess that |i
we can see no bright future for Aiken until t
she becomes more aggressive; and while she *
lags behind, others are moving Ahead.' . a
Well, since we are defeated?or rather "overwhelmed
by numbers," we submit to the pub- <1
lie arbitration, and hereby cheerfully pledge r
ourselves to go into any other movement t
which contemplates greater prosperity to our 1
county an J Its attractive county seat, Aiken! c
Aiken! Aiken! always, for belter, for worse, v
for weal or woe? Dum speri spero. *
n
8
The R. R. Election in Aikem :a
[Edgefield. Advertiser.J u
mt_. A.I n..r> TJ.'.II. :
JLIIU ll lUilUS Ul HI"; ilinu imir )
road were very much surprised at th^ result e
oT the recent election in Aiken. 133 raajarlly
against voting the tux scotches, If It does not t
kill, the present scheme for building this ;
road. The present scheme we say, for wJth a {,
diflerent scheme and with a never tiring and ?
always pushing President and Hoard of Di- t
rectors, this grand possibility will yet be a c
success President Iiagood has called a meet- j
ingofthe Stockholders, to be held at Aiken
on the 4th November, at which the annual e
election of officers will take place. Let the \
friends of the road elect new men, and go id -j
work with renewed vim. It cannot be possl- n
ble that the failure of Aiken to voteataxof <\
$40,000 will forever kill this grand trunk tine $
of 400 miles length. If Charleston promised
to take $300,000 of bonds provided all the town- t
ships along the line would vote a 5 per cent. ?
tax on the then taxable property, cannot the c
$40,000 expected from Aiken be made up by -]
subscription? Or cannot Charleston be in- ,
duced to waive the condition as to Aiken ? A i
Mitchell would build the road, Aiken to the t
contrary notwithstanding. And we hope a j
Mitchell will arise for the occasion and, as the ?]
A7d>*n Vnrlr Skin anlil rvn ft nir>mr>rn.hle occasion : ?
' We may be happy yet"
The C., C. G. A Collapsed, Clean
Gone and Cnt off*.
[ Anderson Journal |
Again has Alkca refused to vote a subscription
to the Carolina, Cumberland Gap aud
Chicago Railroad, and Montmorencl most
positively refuses to take any stock. Nowthai
these towns have said unmistakably that n
they will have nothing to do with the undertaking,
11 is difficult to see what the projectors
are going to do about the enterprise. It
will hardly look fair to ask the towns and
communities along the line to assist in building
a railroad to a town that doesn't want It. f
Unless the citizens of Aiken will put up a t
private subscription much larger than they li
are likely to do we can see no way open to the j
management but to give up the project en- t
tirely, for there is no other point to seek with- t
out going all the way through to Charleston, c
and no encouragement Is to be had in thai r
quarter, xoe u., u. u. <k v^, m;ciu? iaj u& uw c
lapsed, Clean Gone and Cut-off.
The Enterprise Effectually and Flnnlly
Killed.
Greenville News,
It Is hnrd to understand the Ideas or purposes
of the people of the township of Aiken
lit their refusal to vote the subscription to the
Carolina, Cumberland Gap and Chicago 1road.
It is likely, however, that, whatever
their motives may have been, they have killed
the enterprise effectually and Anally, and
the time has come for the owners of sections
of grading to lc?ok about for some method of
tttllizlng their property. The Aiken, Trenton
and Edgefield Railroad has twenty odd miles
of graded track which would fit in very nicely
as part of the narrow gauge system, and the
engineers might possibly devise some way to
use the grading already done In Pickens and
upper Anderson for the same purpose.
The Eculey Metscnger will coine after a while
to agree with the News that the friends of the
C.. C. G. <fc C. road made a bad mistake when
they declined Greenville's proffered aid and
terms. A railroad running by Greenville
would be better than no road at all, wouldn't
It?
Aiken Defeats It.
{Easiley Messenger.J
The township of Aiken has voted against
our railroad. What will bo the efleets of
Aiken's action ? What the eflect Is to be we
would like to know at an early date. If we
are going to build the Cumberland Gap, there
is no use for delay. If It is to fall through the
quicker we know It, the better It will be for
us and the road too. People throuch this section
think that the Central road of Georgia
would Jump at the opportunity of extending
the Savannah Valley through our midst. The
Central is competing with the Richmond and
.Danville system and is working in the interest
of Savannah. They have the money and i
this is as good territory a# any through which
the Central system runs. We would like to \
know what the authorities of the Cumber- '
land Gap propose to do. Wehavedoneall we ;
can for them and want to know what they i
propose to do for us. ?
. J
No Subscription. I
[Pickens Sentinel.] <
On the 22d Instant.^Vikcn Township, in the i
county of Aiken, voted "no subscription" to I
the Cumberland Gap Railrond by a majority I
of 125. This is no great surprise to the friends <
of the road, who 6eemed for some time before, 1
to be planning for some method of leaving
thla tnwnchin nff thft llnA In thfl nvpnf. k)ia
should vote no subscription; but this defeat
will delay operations for some months. The
directors at their next meeting. 5th of November,
will doubtless, devise some scheme to
overcome the eflectsof this defeat! until then,
we postpone further comment. <
{
Let Those who Faint do Their Will, j
Newberry Herald aud Neivs.
The testimony has been reported at some length by
the News and Courier. If it has been correctly re- [ 1
ported, all we have to say is, that no man who has : i
ever had a fit or a lain ting-spell need hecitate about i
killing anybody. Let him go ahead and do his will. <
His neck is In no danger.
,
The Press and Banner prints letter heads \
bill heads, hand bills, etc., as well as they can <
be printed elsewhere, and as cheap as the i
cheapest. i
CJ
"PETIT ML" IN ABBEVILLE.
rHE PRESS OF THE STATE IS
ABLY DEFENDED FROM AN
UNJUST ATTACK.
rhe ''News and Courier" Points Out
Instances Where the Average Lawyer
May Abuse His Privilege?The
Pross May Err, but it Is Always
Honest?It has no Opinions Which
are for Sale.
News and Courier.
The mental condition of the lawyers who defended
he man-slayer Ferguson at Abb vllle must cause
heir friends serious anxiety. They are obviously
ntfering from an a^gravuted attack of petit mal, and,
mless they ore watch< d assiduously, may Inflict Ir
epnruble Injury upon their professional selves. 'Ihe
Iclusions and illusions of the learned lawyers are nec
wiry lncmeinB 04 iu? iumuu/.
The main delusion of the Abbeville lawyers who <
re, or lately, were in affliction is tbut the South CnroIna
press, and moro particularly Tub News and j
JourIkr, treated Fergus n unfairly In assuming that j
le was guilty of murder. In their calmer moments *
hese lawyers must understand that there <6 nognunr. 1
or this criticism, inasmuch as they acknowledged the c
vbole of the facts of the killing, and rested the de- f
i-nco entirely upon the supposed presence of a dl*- '
use which was to relieve tue accused of all responsi- 8
illitv for bis actions. There has not been anywhere I
n the State prees, so far as we have seen, a disposition F
p be harsh or vindictive, and what was said of the ju- ?
y at the first trial came from Abbeville Itself. TTiere {
t had ite origin. The newspapers merely published j
he statements as they wero received, and Rave the '
mblic the benefit of the rumors which were In clrcu- r
ntlon. Evidently the explanation of the peculiar or- "j
t-rlcal pranks of the lawyers for I he defence is found '
n pctUvibl and the terrible weakness of their case. 1
hey resented the efforts of tho representatives of J
he j>eace and dignity of the State to convict the ac- '
used. We suppose that nothing less would satisfy 1
li'an a refusal oa the part of the State to make any y
rgnment whatever, or offer any evident*. t
There in nut a shadow or reason Tor supposing that
ho Juries or the Courts, In these days, tire influenced
y wh$t newspaper* soy. We wish sometimes that
hey were. The defendant in capital casrs has tweny
peremptory challenges, and besides can object to
ny juror who has formed an opinion lhat Would preent
hltn from rendering a true Verdict according to
he evidence. It is the common practice to object to
urors who have read the newspaper, accounts of the
rime for which the accused Is to bo tried, although
L is the,intelligent men who are the chief readers of
fews'papers, and intelligent men are least likely to be
nnut need bv incomplete or one-sidrd statements,
'he best juries are thosw which are taken from the
iewspaiKjr-reading class, for they are accustomed to
Mgh the statements which come before them from
ay to d ?y. . But some lawyers who represent criuiials
prefer Ignorant Jurors, who are not readers of
iewFnapers, ns such iurors can be expected to be afucted
by Vehement declarations that publication is
ereecution, and lhat newspapers are Interested in obnlhinjr
verdicts which are contrary to the facts. The
ndenvor Is to put the newspapers on trial to divert
tteqtion from the criminal at the bar. /
But the tiubhc see through it, and recognise without
ifflcu'.ty tiie marks and signs .of professional petit
naU They remember, too, the striking difference hewee
n the newspaper press and the ordinary lawyer,
'here is nothing in mnnkind more honorable than the
areer of the able, conscientious, seholarly lawyer
rho. Imbued wiih the eternal principles of justice of
rliich law should t>e the expression, pleads for the lite
nd liberty of his client, and is always careful to be
crupnlously Just because he seeks Justice.,. But the
Vertjge lawyer Is not necessarily of tlits kind." Tt is
ssumed that, when he takes a retainer, he expects to
ive his client hie learning, his logic, his rhetoric and,
F need be. the benefit of his social position. What
ver he has lhat is valuable and impressive he hires to
lis client for a pi ice.' THire is n'otiiin^ of this"soft in
Diirnalism. In South Carolina at all events. Newspa
>era are not Infallible. They are conducted by men.
ml angels. It is possible likewise that they are prejidiccd
at times. Th?lr indignation may appear to go
oo fur. But it is honest indignation. It is not pur?
basable. It is n >t for wile. Then- is no petit mal in
ournalism. Wisely or unwisely .but always conscintlously
and to the best of their ability and knowldue.
tl|o newspapers tell, the truth, and proclaim the
ruth, without nope or expectation of fee or reward,
rhcre is room enough in the world, lio doubt, for both
icwspapera and lawyers. II one or the other muxtbe
lispensed with there will not be much difficulty Id
leterminin# which shall go.
Criminals, however hrinons their offense, mnsthave. ,
he benefit of counsel. It Is their riglit. The ethics
if the profession justify lawyers in seeking the aciiiittal
of |>ereoti6 whom they know to be guilty,
ibere is no impropriety in accepting payment for the
leading, and for the wear and tenr of the moral sense.
Jut lawyers abuse their privileges when they strivo
o advance the interests of their clients by abusing
llsinterested observers and critics of current events,
["hese. in thefr assertions and comments, are under no ]
itiligatiou to accept, and conld not be induced to reeive,
any other standard than the truth as they can
pfirn ltnnd know it.
All this l? no news to the lawyprs. They know
hat their declamation and Indignation are a part of
he play. They understand that they are understood,
nd, when accused of truth-killing in defence of mnn;illliig,
deitly enter a pha of Justifiable verbiclde on
he score of petit mat or some other ailment equally
tundy and evanescent.
There are few Men who Could not Establish
a Better Case of Insanity.
Greenville Neves.
Mr. W. C. Bonot, of Abbeville, In his speech in demise
of Ferguson devoted much time to denouncing
he course of the newspapers regarding his client, and
lis associate, Mr. ?. B. Gary, was moved to make n
lerambulatlng watering pot of himself by his unc<>nrollablo
sorrow over the wrongs of the innocent vicIm
of petit mal. That may bo all right. The two
entlemen are clever lawyers, and, no doubt, had a
tght to make all the capital they could for their clint.
But this Ferguson case is one of the few vre
love known of in which the newspapers have a right
o lake side* and demand the defendant's life In beialf
of the law abiding people of the State. The coreetness
of the testimony as printed lias not been deiled.
That tesiimonv snows that Ferguson commited
a wanton and malicious murder and that his deence
was so ridiculously flimsy that the Intellectual
velght and gravity of able counsel is required to present
it from being a broad joke. If Ferguson goes
ree. any druhken desperado with means to employ <
ounsel may till bis skin with whiskey, kill any man,
voman or child In Abbevi le and feel secure. There
,re very few men anywhere who could not establish '
, better case of insanity than Ferguson's. If that
ase Is to go <?n record as a precedent, nobody will he
afe and the slander that human life ia not rengrded
tr secure in South Carolina will be no more a slanIrr.
It will be a proved fact, I
The newi-papers have the right to speak out in this (
emarkitbleand peculiar case, and to urge the solicitor (
o disregard precedent, If neces/iary, and keep Fcrgu- (
>on in Jail the balance of his life or hang him. Pub- <
ic policy and private safety demands that if we can ]
lot punish murderers as they Jeserve we cause them ,
is much inconvenience and discomfort as we legally ,
an. j
Surely Something: Is Wrong:.
[Eatley Messenger.] i
Ferguson has been tiled aealn or at least an effort !
ins been mado to try biin and produced a mistrial. j
fhis is tho second mistrlnl in this case. Thellrstjury
itood ten for acquittal and two foe conviction. The 1
ust Jury stood seven for conviction and five for acjuittnl.
What is to become of tills c;ise? This is a
question which in hard to answer. The general impression
is tiiut Furguson has committed murder but
two juries foiled to uny 60. It is just such work as
his that gives rise to lynch law. If the low cannot
enforced by its officers, the people think they have
:he rieht to take it into their own hands and execute.
Lynch law is odious. The only thing that will or can
seep it down is the due and Just execution of the law
n Courts of justice. If ncslect or refusal to perform
luty in this case lies any where It is at thedoor of tho
jurors who refused to agree to a verdict oi guilty.
Die defect is not in tho law, ns a great many people
seem to think. It is not in the officers of the law.
For tho Judges and Solicitors of tho State are able,
;onscientlous, and shrink not from duty. Are jurors
lfraid to convict? If so, we ought to abandon the
niry system and let tho Judges, who are not afrnld, j
pass upon tho guilt or innocence of prisoners. Are j
lurors corrupt? It is hard to think this. The pre- ,
juinption is that they are neither corrupt nor afraid. ,
rhey are selected becruiso the? are supposed to bo j
inallfled for the position they occupy. Surely some- ?
thing is wrunfr. either in the selection of Jurors or in j
the material which is frequently selected. Wherever ]
the defect is it ought to be remedied. Otherwise we j
:onnot evade the horrible and barborous practice of .
yneh law. I
Left iu Donbt and to tho Conjecture
of the Credulons. !
Greenwood Light.
TUa woo l/?r?r? t.n/1 f n/1 Ism Kuf no fititf das
levelopfd to show that the detendant seemly hail '
jver had epilepsy in any of its severer forms, before 1
jr since the homicide?nnd as to the fact of his ever 1
having hnd It at all, wns left in doubt and to the con- .
lecture of the credulous.
The prosecution was bold and vigorous, conducted
by Solicitor Orr, Gen'ls. Youmans and Moise and '
Messrs. McQowan nnd Bonbam, and the defense repre- j
iented by Messrs. Benet and Smith and Col. E. B.
Sary, was able and ingenious, and the arguments on J
both sidfs were long, strong, logical and eloquent,
rhe defendant's counsel forcibly reminded the press
Lhat the paladinm of its liberty was obtained and '
maintained by the power of the bar, and the integrity
:)f juries, and that the mighty press in Iheso days of
Its boasted power and liberty should not show ingrati- i
tudu and obliviousness to the "Auld lang syne," 11
CHARACTER MOST VALUABLE.
Vo Estate or Heritage is Eqnnl to Integrity,
Intelligence and Vprlght*
ness of Deportment.
"Who steals my purse steals trash, but he
lhat robs me of my good name takes that
tbat which enrlcheth not himself, but makes
me poor Indeed." Men of worth, In every station
ol life,?Men of Industrious hublts, of
Iionor, of purity of motive, ana or cnaracter
command the spontaneous respect of mankind.
as no hair Is so small but it will cast a
shadow, so no act of ours Is go insignificant as
:o be without a train of consequences. Our
icts reproduce themselves in others by the
'orce ot example, for action and reaction is
lie same In the moral as the mechanical law.
The career of a man of character remains an
jnduring monument of worth. His body
nlngles with the dust, and he, as a man, may
)e forgotten, but his thoughts and bis acts
iveiu the memory of his survivors, and
eaves an indelible impress upon bis race, the
ormatlon of character begins in early life,
md at home. Milton aptly said: "Childhood
ihows the man, as morning shows tho day."
t is thus, generally, in early years that the
,rerms of virtue or vice are planted that deermine
the character for life. Too ra uch
itress cannot be placed upon the Importance
>f being careful with whom we associate.
Nothing good can long stand alone*?like
>cgets like ; and all that Is good Is dinuslve
n Its iufluence. Goodness and character,
ike the substance and the shadow, are inseparable.
The real basis of character, as of all
>fher virtues, is self-control. If it 1h properly
sxerclsed purity of actlun becomes habitual;
Ife is carefully disciplined; and the will, initead
of being the sport of feeling and ira>ulse,
become the elaveof a cultivated con***
?*- - WnIM AtH kimcalf Q.
icience. Jtie win# wuum uuuu _
ym metrical character mn8t meet the obllgalonsofduty
with unfaltering promptness,
t embraces our whole existence, beginning
>efore the lisping Hps are taught?"Now I lay
ne down to sleep"?and ending only when we
ire wrapped In the winding-sheet of death,
disregard duly to those In rightful authority
>ver us, or those subjected to us,?duty to our
iquals, and duty to God, and we can no more
tope to win an abiding place in publio confilonce
than wo can mingle fire and water
vilhout heutlng one or extinguishing the
>ther. There is yet another essen tlal lluk In
he establishing of character. Nothing can
ustlfy the sacrifice of truth; It must be supelor
In every relation of life. Every avenue,
>y which falsehood in Its multiplicity of
brms, can gain an entrance should be guardtd
With untiring vigilance. A strict regard to
ruth, a kind and respectful manner to all will
guarantee their regard, and our reward will 1
urely come. Character based on anything
:lse than self-control, duty and truthfulness, 1
s but a false and hollow hearted semblance, i
Jet a young man enter upon the sea of life
ivith his barque thus manned and he can reasonably
hone to anchor safely on the other
hore; but let him be guided by other and
>aser influences, though she may sail smooth*
y and calmly for a while, when a storm arises
ind the billows beat against her with licrcuenn
power, and the wind Is straining every 1
ope and spar, she is unable to keep her i
,'ourse, and is driven against the hidden reef 1
tud goes down. There was nothing with
vhicb to guide It. He starts out at first mov- '
ng with apparent security; all is bright and 1
erene. his voyaee bids fair to be one of pleas
ire anil success." A storm arises; the diuows
>f temptation dash against his frail and untabJo
barque; the tempest of evil association 1
s drl,vlnghlm on to tlieshoalsand quicksands 1
>f slri. Too late he sees his danger; he rallies f
or awhile, but Is overcome. One thing was 1
ranting, that firmness and stability of chartcter.
with which lo resist temptation, and to 1
ih'urt'evll company. Howls this all-impor* 1
ant iftinKtobe obtained? What course In '
ife roust be puisued lu order that one may 1
fain a gooa character? It Is not to be.
>btalnod by any means. The question Is.Hnw 1
s it to be retained ? lor if lost it is With difficulty
restored. Young, pnen,-,do', you ever
hlpk of the danger- your character Is In?
Did you ever think that if once lost It may be 1
orevergone? Oh!guard it with your lives 1
:t is far more valuable than all the wealth of
t Croesus; better by far than all the honor,
jplendor, and glory of a magnificent klnglom.
How Is It to be guarded? Men judge
:ou by the compnny you keep, by your assoilatlons.
Then It is all-important that vouihonld
keep good company. Be honest and
ipright in all dealings. Never do or say anyhing
that will reflect a taint upon your charicter.
Young men are naturally corrupted
>y evil associations, but it depends upon tbe
bndameritul principles of their own hearts to
,vhdi extent. They may be forsaken by
rlends, they may be stripped of all their earthy
possessions, nffilctions may bear heaylly
ipon them, but If a good characicr remains,
\nir hn? not. heen taken.
T. J. Pyles, Jn.
Greenwood, 8. C., Oct. 20,1885.
Industrial Exhibition of the A^riealturnl
Society of South Carolina.
We have received a list of the Special prenlums
to be awarded at the Centennial Exilbltlon
of the Agricultural Soclely, to bo
leld in Charleston, commencing November
!3,1885.
It Is the desire of the committee In charge
>f the exhibition tlint each rfnd every county
n the State should be represented by an exilbitof
some kind, and ft In especially deslr:d
that Abbeville should send something.
The managers of the exhibit ion want samples
)f all products of the farm, forest and streams,
ind would also like manufactured goods of all
clnds. to show whut our county is doing In
,hat direction; samples of the minerals of
>ur county are also wanted.
They would like to have samples of nil kinds
)f shelled grain, (not less than a peck of each
tind), ear corn, fine stalks of corn with ear
>n, stalks of cotton, sugar cane and sorghum,
imall grain of all kinds In the sheaf, sweet potatoes,
Irish potatoes, vegetables of al! kinds,
>ults, wines, preserves and pickles. In fact
hey viant to show all the products of our
:onnty, and want any and everything which
vlll do our people credit. If necessary, they
ire willing to pay a fair prl^e for any of the
ibove articles.
There will also be nn exhibit of Woman's
ivork and it is sincerely hoped that the ladies
)f our county will takepartln thesamc. The
allroads will transport all articles for the exhibition
free. Addrefs E. L. Koclie, Secretary,'
Charleston, S. C., who will gladly furnish any
)thvr desired information.
The Failnre of Juries to Perform their
Duty, the Peril of the llour.
Aiken Recorder.
Those alleged to have been connected with
Llie (Julbreath lynching have been promptly
irrcsted and ore now in Jull. It now remains
to be seen whether the Juries will do their
iut.y. These deeds of violence which are so
langerotis to the safety of society and so detrimental
to the best Interests of onr State, are
Ilrectly traceable to the failure of the Juries
if our country to perlorm their duty. The
i?? ? ? 'i "ootAil with In/1 ifforonno
LttW HllUCVIUClltClWV UW..UM 1>IVW .4.M...v.v..vv
sacred oaths nre disregarded, and personal und
sxtraneous circumstances not before theCourt
In evidence nre considered, and verdicts oftentimes
rendered which are nothing more
Limn flngrant, shameful instances of bare
Faced perjury. This wrong doing Is not peculiar
to any county or State, but the tendency
Is the sameeverywhere in this country. As a
necessary result, Jury trials aregrowlngin disrepute
with each successive year and the elements
of uncertainty In trie administration
it the law are assuming such volume and
magnitude that no one believes that a criminal
will suffer, however plainly the evidence
may convict him, if he be a person of wealth
3r Influence find able to secure the services of
i couple or so of shrewd and popular lawyers,
rt is a melancholy reflection upon our republican
institutions which must cause every
thoughtful person tue gravest regret anu me
Jeepest concern.
Abbeville's Prosperity and Fame.
Culumbia Record.
The Abbeville Press and Banner comes to us
i,his week as an eight pnge sheet, and it is
much Improved In appearance. We congratulate
Bro. Hugh Wilson upon this evidence of
prosperity, though he takes the step with
=ome misgivings. If there Is any man In the
State who has the "glt-up-and-git" in him, it
Is our friend of the Press and Banner. He
never waits for others to furnish him with
Ideas. He see9 abend and he hits it. Abbeville
owes much of her prosperity and fame to
Llie enterprise of the Pi-ess and Banner.
Wo are sorry to lose our venerable old
friends, Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson, who had
resided here for so many years, from our
midst, as they have moved to Anderson C.
H.. where they will reside in the future,
rhey will be misBed by their many friends
here. May they yet live long and enjoy
themselves, is our heart's best wish,?Honea
Path Plaindcalcr.
Rev. W. G. Neville, pastor of the churches
[it Ninety-Six and Cokesbnry. S. C., has received
a unanimous call to the pnstorate of
the church atCllntonvllle, Ky., and Hopewell
church In the Presbytery of Ebenezer, Ky.
rheee churches formed the pastoral charge of
the Ilev. S. D. Boggs before his removal to
Catletlsburg, Ky.
The Press and Banner hns a good nine column
Wnshington press, with oscillating roller,
which enn be bud ou rcusouablc terms for
wish or credit.
SATS THOiSI OP Oram.
THE WASEQEO BAINS TAKE FROM OUR
UNTERRACED LANDS MORE OF THEIR
FERTILITY THAN ANY OTHER
AGENCY.
An Essay Read at Parrls* Ford by J.
W. Woftord.
Spartanburg Herald,
1st Let ns first consider what a terrace is.
2nd. The benefits to be derived from terracing.
8rd. Objections to Urroces?answered.
4. 1 ?]
4th. A terroce is an an emoanKment ?u ii?g, mnu
or rocks on sloping lands to impede, hold or check the
rain that falis thereon, made on a perfect level. Hocks
are preferable if abundant in the fleld where you propose
to terrace for two reasons { they ore fully as
strong and then yoa ctn get rid of them, bnt where
rocks are not abuudant iuh< the earth by plowing oat
as if for n ditch, and shoveling the dirt 011 the upper
side, thereby making an embankment. Said plowing
to be done on a perfect level. Some very good terraces
are mnde by using simply a good turclng plow,
by running two furrows throwing the dirt same >-ay
up the hill and then with one furrow above throwing 1
riui Hnim Mil. Th^fl can he made fant and changed
every year If desirable to do so. All lands that are
not level, and where water rnns should be terraced.
Construct a fence across any of your fields tlmt have
bat a little slops. And In a few years the difference
In rows for some distance above fence is plainly to '
be seen. Why is it? Your fence has acted as a terrace.
AM the vegetable matter decaying above the j
fence has been held there, finding a lodgment against
It And without tbat obstruction mnch of the soil 1
would pass away Into some neighboring stream. 1
When terraced there is no loss by leaching and washing.
All the elements of fertility that ore or that can
be made soluble by water, are retained. Decaycd '
stalks, leaves, litter of every kind tbat Is grown
above the terrace or handled on, are kept right there.
And the result will be, If Judiciously rotated, in a few
years, there would be on our hill sides a'quantity of
second bottom and all of yon know how desirable
these spots are on every farm. The soil Just above '
a well established terrace will constantly Increase I
In depth, while at immediately below will slightlv decrease'.
hence at that part I wonld suggest deep plowIn?
and a little more liberality with the mannre9, and
nil will be kept nboat even, Well arranged terraces
are a guide for the most ignorant darkey yon can hire
to lay off rows. And I contend that that alone is com- 1
pensatinn enough tor terracing, laying aside the many 1
other advantages. Every former who bears me today
knows how it is to have the rows laid off right on (
a hillside, and oft-times he hss failed when be tried it 1
himself; oft-times he has fonnd that tho water ran J
along bis farrows. filled up, emptied itself in the one |
near by already filled to overflowing Into the next, '
and so on nntil soon a perfect stream or unsightly 1
fcnlly Is formed, down, down the bill it rushes on, J
spreading and gathering" speed as it goes, sweeping 1
soil and plants away with it. When the terrace '
breaks <rver (if it ever does) it at once encounters j
rows on a level, and each one mnst be filled up long ;
before it empties into its neighbur?the pressure being
cqnaL, as much at one point as another.
Again, no fleld should be expected to take care '
of morn water than falls on its own surface. If there ,
ure unterraced lauds above, the water froui these lands
should be conveyed off by a good ditch. 1
A terrace is less liab e to break over than our badly '
constructed ditches. Three feet fall between terraces 1
Is tho generally established rule, and when made the '
proper height there is scarcely any rain that we even
tiuve that will fill all the farrows and then break away !
the terrace. One other objection, urged with some '
show of renson, is th.it on our gray lands the water 1
remaining 1 >nger above the terraces from our heavy
spring rains, would have the tendency to kill or drown !
oat younz cotton. Such is the case to some extent, 1
but generally there Is enough left; and the retention '
of moisture nbove terraces from our summer shower* J
counterbalances all these objections. Tho best spots
of cotton ihe present year on my entire farm is just '
nbove some terraces that f made In the sprins, which '
not only holds the watejr. that falls on the field, but 1
nil which fulls in tuy yard, horso and cow lot. fhey '
were made strong. ., .. - . :
Others say that thero is too much loss of land by
terracing; by close observation you will not dis- '
cover much more loss than by a ditch. And the In- ]
teivening space between the row above and the
ona below tends largely towards ranking both
rows so mnch better that tho loss Is very light. Cot- !
ton and corn, like some men, In order to swell the
branch largely must have space. Space is as essential
in the making of a good crop as anything else.
Now in order to lay off terrnces properly, it is essential
to have a good instrument. The common
wooden eompass frequently used Is unreliable and (
fails to give satisfaction. I am using an instrument !
made r>y the liostrom Automatic Level Co, Tenn. I ,
also have one sold by Cannon & De-Shields, Greers. ,
8. 0. On account of the simplicity cheapness and
accuracy, they are good practical instruments, both '
can bo used for ditching, giving the necessary fall per ,
foot or rod as required.
Believing as I do, that the loss to the soli of the
elements of fertility as a result of washing rains <>n |
our unprotected rolling lands is greater than the
amouut taken tnereirom Dy an omer agencies, l cow .
mend this subject for yonr earnest conslderdtlon. '
Thfr wealth of most If not nil the farmers is vested In
real estate, henco it behooves as to take care of it. It
is certain)/a suicidal policy to annnallj fertilize our ;
roiling lands as most do with the various high priced
enanos and not protect them. These lands are onr
homes, we eSpect to stay here. No indneements held
out by the great west can get oar consent to pull up
stakes. With what I have seen of that great coun try,
its products, resources, manufactures. &c? leads me to
this emphatic honest conclusion (taking into consid- !
oration all thlncs necessary for our welfare and
happiness.) "we've got Vm," painted circulars, '
land agents lingo, to the contrary notwithstanding.
Every time that I have seen it and been
among them and returned, my contentment has been
augmented, contented with my own country and
the land of my nativity. And I am not alone, I am
proud to say, in these convictions. Then It behooves
us to take care of our land, not only for ourselves but
for those who come after us, A well terraced .form,
in my judgement, is a good heritage. What a fortune
would there be now to those who own rolling lAnds,
(most notably along the Enorce and Tvger) If the
system of terracing had been Judiciously executed
long years ago.
Terracing ts, Snrffece Draining,
Seneca Free Press.
During the summer season, the continual cry of the
farmer is, more rain, more rain. Tct he does all
in bis power by surface draining, to convey away the
water that Providence sends. Not only docs he turn
away the.water, but in his effort to got rid of it he
throws away the most productive part of his soil, for
water which .flows from the surface carries with it
nearly all the soluble manures. For & proof of this you
<- 4U_ I 1
Oilly uavt* IU lUUfc III tuu iun j/iuv,co wucio vu" nnouco
art) obstructed by fences, togs or any kind of dams
that will cause the escaping water to stand long
enough to deposit the rich sediment which it has
brought down from the hills; here yon find a soil
almost eqnal to that of the best bottom land*. If i
had no other means of preserving land I would much
rather mako dams lu the low places than ditches on
the hill-sides.
Our forefathers have for the last century been Impoverishing
their lands and themselves, by surface
draining. They have spent the better part of their
lives toiling to make the alluvial soli which forms
along all creeks and rivers, and we are now buying at
$40 a ton (in our fertilizers) some of the samo soil that
our futheis once laboied so bard to remove from these
hilly lands by drain, ditches.
Our people are now giving some attention to terracing,
and before discussing methods, it will be well
to see what advantages are to be derived from it By
terracing the water which fulls up jn the land Ib retained
there for a certain time until it escaues by evaporation,
and by gradually sinking into the earth.
1st Water is nature's universal solvent, retaining
It upon tho land, till it has time to dissolve whatever
is valuable as plant food, to bo taken up by the
root-fibres of the growing vegetables.
2nd. Winter freezings will loosen up a saturated
soil, much belter than one that Is dry. Every particle
of matter that the water enters is by hard freezing
bursted into fragments. This gives deeper and finer
Boil.
3rd. Wntsr is tho necessary agent for the decomposition
of vegetable matters, so by retaining water up
on ttie innfl an mo suiau wu vi mu previuuo ti<jy
and much vegetable matter upon Ibc surface, will be
rotted and converted into manure in oDe winter.
4th. Kaln wa?er pnow, ?fec., are thought to contain
some fertilizing properties which will be left iu the
soil by this process.
Each former ought to terrncc some parts of his land
this fall, which will enable him to learn what advantages
are to bo gained by thin process, and also to estimate
the cost or snch work. Various instruments
are sold for the purpose of leveling; if the leveling
instruments are found to be costly a dozi-n farmers
can club together and buy one.
Where terracine cannot be done, the next beet plan
and probably the best plan, will be to sow alternate
strips of sloping land in grass. The spaces between
the land sowed can lie cultivated in grain while the
grass will be equally as profitable, and will savo the
lund to a considerable extent from washing.
Their Tenderness and Sympathy Bor
rowed from the System tbey
Would Deride.
Associate Rcfomed Presbyterian.
Herr Most, the Socialist, is rot an unfair
representative ol Infidelity. He rejects the
Bible, hates religion and would burn every
church in the lund. Infidelity consorts with
all that is evil nnd wicked. It is selfish and
unscrupulous. There is not an interest dear
to a Christian civilization which it would not
instantly sacrifice. Whatever tenderness and
refinement it niny occasionally exhibit arc
borrowed from that system which it derides.
Its reckless and destructive tendencies are
fairly seen in this German infidel, who is
preaching a gospel of lawlessness and communism.
The rrcsx and Banner docs good work, at
cheap rules.
PINE STRAW MANURE.
. J
An Important Paper by P. J. Berekmani,
Esq. (
Editors Chronicle: In the Chronicle of September
25th the following appears:
' Mr. P. J. Berckmanssays that pine straw
renders manure almost valueless. Southern
farmers should know this and be wise accordingly,"
"
At the August meeting of the Richmond
County Agricultural Society, the subject for
discussion being the "Management of Cattle,"
the question of material for bedding purposes
was broached, and in my comments upon the
very able paper of Mr. Staples, who was the t
essayist for that month, I stated "that pine *
straw as bedding material was undesirable, "
as it rendered the manure almost valueless, ,
and, if used in large proportions, it often 1
proved an injury to the land." J
Your reporter gave the correct words, but f
by publishing them has placed yon under the
necessity of receiving the explanation of the ''
reasons upon which I base my assertion, and f
If you see proper to publish these, I will thus
be enabled to reply to several inquiries which
have lately been made upon this subject.
In an essay upon "ManUfes," read In 1S70
before the Richmond County Agricultural
Society, when referring to animal manures,
Isaid :
"Although this term, strictly speaking,
means only such as are produced either from
the excrements of animals or from their flesh,
blood or bones, it is usually applied to manures
produced from the excrements of animals
and the admixture of straw, leaves, or
other vegetable matter used as litter, this being
commonly termed stable manure. The
quality depends much upon the food given to
cattle, as well as upon tne naturo of the litter
used. The richer the food, the richer will be
the manure produced. Wheat and oat straw,
oak leaves, bay, grass, corn stalks, and similar
vegetable matter, rhould be freely used
for litter. Avoid pine straw, pine sawdust, or
pine shavings, all being Injurious to land
from the resinous principles they contain."
This assertion gave rise at the tlm? to considerable
discussion and a reply to many arguments
against it was published In the
Chronicle. I cannot better answer the queries
lately received than to reler to my reply:
"Plue straw as a mulch Is good. As a disintegrating
medium for very stiff clay soils,
* - 1 ' 4 - - ' ? * ? ? ? ? WA V. nitrtflItH#
impermeaDie loair, u cau uc v.-hcuvjui, uut .
only for that purpose. The loaf of the pine Is 2
composed ofslllcnte (a hard mineral sub- c
stance) vegetable fibre and rosin. Both sill- j
sate and vegetable base are Insoluble, hence ?
not available as plant food. The ashes of '
pine straw, submitted to analysis, give less ?
potash as a result than the ashes or any otlier >
vegetable, the proportion being 0.45 In 1,000 .
parts. Wheat straw, after the grain is form- '
sd, gives 3.90 of potash In 1,000 part*, and be- J;
fore the heads are formed yields 4.70 parts of V
putash; corn stalks contain 17.5 parts; cow {.
peas from 20.0 to 25.0 In 1,000 parts; oak leaves [
1.53; willow leave*, 2.15; elm and maple
leaves, 3 00 parts of potash In 1,000 parts. Totato
vines are also rich In potash. Potash
being one of the main constituents of the ,
plants we usually grow as agricultural crops, ,
ft is evident that a soil deficient in it cannot j
be productive and pine straw cannot give '
what Is required, becnuse It cannot undergo a ?
transformation which would make it soluble ?
ind thus be absorbed by plants. _ "
"Referring to the unalys's of soils or differ- "
jilt countries. It Is Rhown that reslnnus matr- ?
ter Is contained in some sterile soils, and in *
such rust attacks wheat, rye or oats. f
"This Is so well known in portions in Eu- .
rope where pine woods abound and whore the _
Inhabitants are conceded to be the best agvi- r
3ulturists in the world, and as careful of pro- 1
Juciug and saving manures as are the Chinese, r
that 110 tiller of the soli however short of raw j
material to bed his cow or pig, will allow any :
pine straw to be used for tnat purpose; (this 1
irtlcle Is used for fuel only by the potfrer ?
:lasses), they well know thut rnst would bo ?
therestJlt If used In the manures. One or our }j
tenants covered, a part of a fleki with pine v
jtraw, and for several years afterwards could ^
not:raise either wheat or clover on it, not- ?
svithstandlug heavy manuring afterwurds. ?
"Five years ago I planted Irish potatoes and 0
;ave thema hravy mulching of pine straw, ?
the ground being well manured previous to r
planting the potatoes. The straw was plowed a
In during winter nnd the ground planted in
previously mulched produced stulke two
feet smuller than the other portion
jorn the following soring, and that portion
jf the Hold which nau, however, .ney^r been
manured before. The second y^ar, the field
ivas sown In oatu, and the difference in the r
yield being leas than half upon the mulched t
portion. . a
"The same result has been noticed In the r
vegetable garden, where several classes of h
vegetables, especially peas, could not be
rrown successfully when using manure made ?
ivith pine straw?when manure made with i
either oat straw or oak leaves was used the t
yield was always better. t
"I could say more, but deem these remarks a
sufficient to sustain my opinion, which is the
result of personal experience, although it
may conflict with that or others."
Since this wus written many years have
passed and nothing has occurcd to change
my opinion as regards the lack of value of
pine straw for manure material. Pine straw
which has been subjected to the drippings
of catt le has doubtless shown good results iu
some soils, and In some especially moist seasons,
and upon certain crops, but this is due
Bolely to the fertilizing properties which
were taken Irom the stable in combination
with the straw and despite the presence of the
latter in the soil. The writer caused the hauling
from the city, for several years in succession,
of from three to four hundred heavy
loads of livery stable manure and had to
discontinue the practice, owing to the barren
results obtained. The average material used
tor bedding being pine straw and pine shavings,
which, in many instances, proved a decided
injury to the soil, as evinced by the
subsequent inferior yield produced thereon?
especially grain crops. Having paid dearly
for my experience, by an outlay of an average
_i> A-utA ? ?--??? I An nam?o KaoIiIah >
Oi ^)W i? JtTt&l, ivrt ill/ ico^v icu v?oiuvo
the cost of hauling heavy loads a distance of ?
five miles from the livery stables to the farm, i
I believe that I am entitled to the opinion t
expressed at the heading of this article; and t
If a careful comparison is made with piue I
straw upon a given rortlon of a field, and
with manure made with wheat or oat straw, i
corn stalks, onk leaves or pea vines, using I
equal proportions of each, the result will <
Bpeak for ltselt Yours respectfully, i
J. P. BEttCKMANS. t
Frultland, near Augusta, September 30,1885.
How to Get Trade In Snmmer.
Entering the store of a prosperous city merchant
yesterday, a gentleman, a stranger in
town, expressed surprise at the busy at the c
busy scene that greeted him. He inquired of c
the proprietor how It was that he was getting f
mere than his share of business In these dull, c
midsummer days. The merchant replied: I
"I attribute the excellent business I do every t
summer to Just two things. First, I advertise c
bargains, and keep my store before the pub- t
11c, second, when the public sails satlsry it by c
keeping my advertised promises. It cost me a
$6,COO to lenrn this lesson, and it has paid me c
at least 825,000. During three successive sum- 1
mers during the hard hears that followed 1
1873. I ran behind In this store on an average J
82,000 every year. I made up my mind that c
there was business to do and that I would do c
It. In the middle of the worst and dullest t
year that we had, when clerks were absent on t
their vacations and half of the force in the s
store was idle, I started in and spent 81,200 In t
advertising midsummer bargains, remnants
old stock, and as on. Within a week my d
store was so full of business that I had to send c
for every clerk who was away and added two r
extra clerks. That year, instead of a loss of c
82.000 in the summer. I made 82,5000 desides s
what I paid for advertising. I have kept It t
upever8ince. That was the most expensive I
lesson I ever learned, but it was the most in- t
structive and the inost remunerative. If I
had to start In business again, as poor as I i
started, I would make a rule to spend at least a
oue-half of what my rent cost in advertising f
in home papers. I would not waste it in r
cheap methods, but I would spend it Judiciously
and in the best and high-priced de- c
partinent. and in the best and largest papers." t
Albany Evening Journal. . o
. ? i
Who Will be Onr Judges? '
[I'kir/efleld Chronicle.) ?
The Legislature at the next session will have t
to elect u number or Circuit Judges. We presume
that most of the present incumbents t
will bo candidates for re election, and the t
question Is, will they be re-elected or will the t
Legislature make a new deal? In the second r
Circuit it seems to be understood that a new i
man will be elected in place of Jud<;e Al- r
drlcb, and several candidates are alrendy nn- r
noum-ed, among the number being the Hon. I
Geo. W. Croft of Aiken. And wo may re- t
mark that Mr. Croft would make a most ex- c
cedent Judge. In this district the term of
the present incumbent, Judge Kershaw, will I
not expire until two years bunco. f
1
The Evidence is Clear Enough. 1
\
Camden Journal. g
The evidence adduced in the trial Is clear enongh, f
wo think, for any unbiased person to arrive nt a vor- c
diet upon it, and the failure ot the jury to ogreo id a S
mystery tw most every one. '
J
m ' I
Col. M. P. Tribble has sold his handsome
pair of sorrel colts. Mr. W. Joel Smith of
Abbeville, purchased.?Anderson Journal. j
Tn u Prcsx and Banner wants ajgoud sccond 1
liand 7 column press. }
UBOf PUBLIC IMAffi
JOMPETENT ENGINEERS SHOULD LAY
THEM OFF, AMD THE COHYICTB
SHOULD WORK THEM.
rhe Wise and Practical 8?c|eatt?M
toy a Virginia Editor whleh Ap< . '{j
pllcfl With Equal force to South
Carolina*
Those who deal re to see Virginia Increase 111 ' 'M
reaith and population, should avail thero*
elves of every means to accomplish this. >+
>Ve have had much to say in regard to thede- ~ :i
ectlve road system in Virginia. While stat- ?
sties show that the State Is growing more _ - Z
)rosperous each day, still, we are of the oplnon
U there could be some legislation by which - -i
>ur public high ways could be improved, this %
>rospecriiy could be greatly Increased. w?
lave pondered over this subject and we verily ??&
relieve the best scheme to bring abotjt thft
esolt will be to utilise for this pbtyofie fidcll
:onvict labor as we have In the Statfe, The ,C?
UU.4 VJ BICUI IU V II ?liJ 11* IB iUJCllttl iJJ LUC v4
reme, and has been so lor yean, and Jt la
ime for leading; public men to move In this
natter. Virginia possesses all the elements
if greatness and thexe are building her op
I ally, but she stands greatly In need of gooa
oaas, and her people should have them, even ?;>^|l
it additional demand npon the State Treasu*.
y. We suggest the creation of a new departnent
to be called a Road Bureau, to be loest-^
d at the seat of government of the State. And
be same to be in charge of a skilled engineer '
rho shall be elected by the General Assem*
ily as the other State officers are, who shall. : ^
re supplied with all heceseflry means for the A?
xecQtion of the work upon the public bfgM*
rays. The chief engineer shall erapldy sufcri
isslstants as are necessary to prodeCuifc tnd
iork successfully, but the pay of Koch fcwto*
ants shall be fixed by a? act of the Legists* vp
ure. The assistants shall be required by law . ' sgsH
o make monthly reports to the chief of the *
irogres8 of the work, and the chief shall sub- ?s|
nit & full report or the same to the General
Assembly. The convicts shall be organised ..-'I
nte working parties and each of these shall
lave an engineer, physician, and guard, and S*
ie supplied with tools, tents, cooking uteusils
md rations like soldiers in active service;
:hese parties shall be distributed over the
State in such manner as the Legislature mar.:
teem best. The chief shall be required to vls? .
t, from time to time, ail work In . course of
wnstructlon, so that be may lamlliartse himelf
with the nature of same. We verily be- / gj
levelf this scheme could be perfected. that
n ten or fifteen years the agricultural Inter*.. -pM
ist In Virginia would be Increased millions
if dollars and the revenue of the 9tate?o
argely augmented that the people would be v
in willing to return to lhe present abomina--'
>le system. _
Holland, with only a population of 4,150,000 . *?&
?lth a National debt of $381,229,918. and with a
tandingarmy of 50,000 men, which Is double
he standing army of the United States, and
las 130 vessels of war, including twenty great '
ron clads manned by about7,000navaloffiers
and men; and pays annually'to her .-$?
ting (803,750, yet she has disbursed 156,000.060 "
innually of late years in building new dikes '
md In repairing the old ones. The annnul
?st of keeplng?ihese dikes in repair la about 'a
2,500.000. we know the revenue of Holland -A
;reatly exceeds that of Virginia, and that she . 4
ins Immense wealth both in the East and ZZ
Vest Indies, but the reader should not lose
Ightof her large debt and the current exjenscs
of that government. X
Virginia under a recent settlement doe#
tot owe more than one-tbird of the debt of ..V>?
Philadelphia,and, with no stand ng army, or v'^i
lavy, can disburse enough to her revenue to ??
onstruct new roads and to keep old ones in .
;ood condition, when she has sufficient labor "<$
o perform this work without having to pay
or it and can be used so profitable to the *2
state. Croakers may say what they please ; J
K/?it hur/lStnon hnf tra Irnnw Vlrtrlllln. is .J
xowlng richer dally. We-have statistic* of > ^>3
be State to sustain us in this. Virginia bag .-Z
Jready by destaging men croaked too moch. ?
>bout ber poverty, we will very pooh have a .
lew Legislature, and we trust there will be ?
ome public spirited men in It who will give Si
bis subject tbeir sonslderation.
Common Roads.
Southern World. _ .1
In tbe midst of the almost universal desire for ntiU - v
oada, and widespread conviction of their importance - s
utlie progress and development of the country, we, ' flcf
re under-estimating the importance of good common -'.-M
iirnls, the highways for wagons and other private ve- -,'.J
itcles.
We do not wish to be understood as discounting the
dvantages of railroads to a country; but we believe.
t is susceptible of proof that it is even more impor- -:?nt
to the welfare and prosperity of the masses of "/ :>;
he poopie to have good wagon roads radiating from v
11 the market towns. Bailmads are specially useful 'J
n developing business In cities and towna; common .. '5
oadsiu developing the back country?away from - ' >5p
owns and railroads. .?
But how are we to have good common roads f is tbe y. J
juestion. It is quite certain that the present system
if opening and keeping roads In repair that prevails M
n most of tbe 8tates?especially in the 8oulb?will . ,/1
lever give ns good roods. On the contrary, as the ' ; 'h
nnnirv mwi older and more thlckiv settled, tbe '*
oade grow worse. The more need for good roads the y;
vorse they become. In the greater part uf Middle
ind North Georgia?for instance?during winter and'
ipring there is hardly a stretch or ten milts of dirt ?'J
imd that would be considered passable If In England ^
it Scotland, or any of the more advanced countries of . >S
Europe.
We do not prrsnmo to even sketch the outlines ol
i plan by which wo may accomplish such a laudable - -ibject.
There on^hl to be and Is wisdom enough ia
hf country to devise snch a system, if the people A vill
only demand it Even by the prvsent way?for
t cannot be properly called a system?enough labor "?' >
8 annually expended to little purpose to make an instructive
beginning under a well ordered and adenine
sysem.
But when we odd to the labor so expended the 1mnense
amonnt of extra wear and tear of vehicles,
Iraft animals, time consumed by slow travel and
uultiplied trips, the sum total would pay good in- .crest
on bonds for money sufficient to convert all
he roads in the country into first-class roads, and
teep them In order perpetually. " v
wbv not utilize tne convict labor of the country
n making and repairing roads? The question has of- . r,
en been asked, but never satisfactorily answered. A ' '?
jreat deal might be said on this subject, but nothing
ran be done until the people can be made to realise
be importance of the subject.
. ?
The Needs of a Prosperous Town.
Marion Star.
There Is one thing reduced to a practical
iertalnty?A town never did. never will, nev- _
?r can prosper long and grow to any comddertble
proportions on a single line of railroad,
ispeclally is this so now the country is being , ;
nterlined by railronds. At least, if prosper
-kiln Ito la asvnn rnn an/1 If RAlttpn
)UH an liltc no ia\,c JO ow.i i u.. MM?. -w
iown into a dull, lagging and stagnant condl
ion. Business attention Is directed toward
>ther places, and the area from which its sup- "
upport Is derived is coutlnually being clrumscribcd
until the amount of business is
nadequate to perpetuate prosperity. Marlon s
fearfully In danger at this point just now. .
M ready the trad* "or the northern part of the
lounty is directed in another way and If tho
ontempla'cu line from Conway to Nichols,
hence to Little Rock is built auy one can seo
hat Marion, in ita future prospects, is prts ? ..
cribed, fated. Will our people fold their
lands In silence and sutfer this to be no?
Have the old Ores of pluck and enterprise
lied out? Will they not awake from such inixcusable
lethargy, seize the golden opporti lity.contrlbute
liberally of their mean*, build
ither connectional lines and thereby thwart
ueh impending doom? The advantages of
iringing the road from Gibson, via Clio, and
..ittle Rock to Marlon are simply inualcula?iy
as may be easily shown.
will not someof our liberal minded, leadng
spirited businessmen at once sctHboa}*fn- .
iiigurattng measures and sccurlug the nieaos
or speedily bringing about such a- defetftftilb
out?
Only one thousand dollars a mil*? ,!*$!?
>nly forty-three from Marlon to Gibson, ?od,be
people of Marion and Marlboro Cotmttes
ire only asked to contribute Just forty-threo *
housand dollars with tho assurance that tho
I t...lU rPl.A t/v.nn /vf It.
OUU bUilJI UC UUI1U 1IIC M?nn Ui iuniiifii ?elf.
In extra freights wived In one year, would
pell-nigh save that amount of money, the
lirect result of competition. . .
We cannot believe, we dare ftot believe,
hat the people of Marlon and adjacent counry
will let the opportunity pass affording
hem a shorter line by rail northward. The
oad from Marion to Gibson and oil to Humet
will Connect with a thorough lino to Portenouth,
and open wide'the door north whero
nost of our business men buy their stocks.
11 addition to a shorter Hne competition will
?e secured, the advantages of which aro genrrafty
known where competition exists.
If the road now spoken of from Coiiway bo
milt wo propose an extension of the Olbon
and Marion road southward through
irlttoos Neck across Little Pee Dee rWor to
?ort Harreteon,. on Great Pte Dec!. This
vould bring about the development of the
Southern portion of otfrcounty which has ailne
resources perhaps as to be found In any *.
:onnt.y. We would then 4ave an outlet " *&?/;>
onthwnrd and a through line from Ports- 1
nouth North to Port Ilarrelsdn In the South ,
-a ready and easy access frdta deep to deep,-*"
lorth to south.
'' f
The wise man will cali at the Press emit . ^
Imuier office for prices on printed letter
leads, bill heads, note beads, dr any ottier
cind of job printing,
S&fc
y SK.-' ' - * j <