Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, February 27, 1873, Image 2
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The Beaufort Republican.
Till ROD AY, FEBRUARY 27, 1373.
?. THONPKO Ktliior.
WBSCMPTJU.VS.
One Yrun f? Ofl
?>?xMoutli*, 81 CO
ADVERTISING RATES.
Vlrertlsetrtont* will iv> Insert"! at the rat" of$I.V)
per squire'10 Nonpareil line* or le*si for tho first
insertion. stihaequent insertions by contract.
GEO. P. ROWEI.I. A fO.. NEW YORK AGENTS.
Tho Lar^33t Bona lido Circulation.
Shoriffi sales und all other official advertisements
of general interest to citizens
of tills County, will ali?.iys be
fonnd in the REPUBLICAN. -
THE ADVERTISING of the ACTS.
Wo notice in the proceeding of the
TTouse of Representative', a concurrent
resolution introduced by Mr. Cannon, ol
Spartanburg, and adopted, in relation te
the letting out of the contract for the
publication of the acts and joint resolutions
of the General Assembly in the
newspapers of the State. The resolution
limits tlie acta and resolutions to be published
to those which are of general pubhe
interest, to not more than oncpapei
in each county, and fixes the price to be
paid at six cent per bne, except in the
counties of Richland and Charleston,
whore it shall not exceed tea cents pci
.line. The movement meets our hcartj
endorsement, though we have but little
hope of its confirmation by tbe Senate,
it is high time this useless burden should
be taken front the shoulders of the State,
and it is high time too, that some of oui
Conservative brethren of the press were
giving us some assistance in tbe preuii
ses.?Carolinian.
Should this resolution be adopted bj
the Senate the expense to the State woulf
be not over $20,(XX), instead of over 8100
000 a.s at present. This saving will no!
be popular with the newspapers. Tin
Carolinian calls'in vain fir aid from it!
conservative brethren. They have tastci
the mess of radical pottage and can no
resist its savory smell in the future. Th<
swhemc lias succeeded, and the opposi
tion editors of the the State arc durul
dogs or at moot "bay the moon."
Patterson Protested.
A memorial to the United States Senate
protesting against the seating of Patter
son, has been prepared by a f'cw citizen;
of Columbia, and has been extensively
signed by the citizens generally and mem
hers of the Legislature. It is to be for
warded to Washington. The mcmoria
recites that charges against Pattersor
and Worthington, liistgent, of bribery
and attempting to bribe numbers of the
Legislature arc now pending, and arc
matters of record in the Court of Genera
Sessions for 'Richland County. It cites
the cases of Lee,. Miller and Duncan a;
......... nP niotnliorM fvl
i1iuuii5 ij1uuj VMIVI vurv.7 v* ??.vmvv.v v.
the Lcgislatnrc who lmve testified as tc
? hi ) wii'l ;? ii.i m t'fuu u /U1
investigation be made of the truth of falsity
of those charges before the seat be
awardo 1 to Patterson. The paper Iconeludes
with a disavowal of any personal
feeling or interest on the part of the
signers against the said Patterson.
Postage on the Republican.
We arc informed that the postmaster
at (Jiilisonville, .T. 1). Moore, charges
postage on the Rktublican. This he
lias no right to do, and we have reported
him to the department at Washington.
Our readers will oblige us by informing
us of similar ijlegal action.
The President's trip Postponed.
There will be very general disappointment
felt l?y the people of the south,
wh'oi they bear that the president has
decided to defer his tour through this
section. Tlio pressure of business incidental
to tli j commencement of bis second
term is too great to be overcome.
Though delayed we hope the trip will not
be abandoned.
Cut Stick.
Capt. McCartney, of the steamer i??olute,
got into a difficulty on Monday la>t
with Mr. M. Politzer, in which lie struck
Mr. P. a blow in tlio face. A warrant
was got out for his arrest from Mr. Judd.
in the absence of the trial justice. On
this he was discharged on his own recognizance.
Subsequently a warrant for his
re-arrosI was procured from Mr. Carlton,
which was placed in the hands of Sheriff
Wilson. l>y this time the Resolute had
proceeded to Port lloyal, where she had
left ail anchor and haw or. The sheriff,
with a posse, wentaboard the steamer and
arrested Capt. McCartney, who submitted
quietly, asking only the privilege of
getting some clothing from his.cabin.
.11V . . _ t.~1
The s-h'.nit pcruuueu imu 10 go uuiuw,
N hut in-load of returning lie slipped
through between decks to the engineer
ml crew and ordered the lines to be let
g> and tii" -hip got under way for sea.
The sheriff and his posse had barely time
to jump ashore. The Rev Jute steamed
down the harbor, her captain iiug bis
regards to the sheriff. In hi hurry the
captain left his anchor and hawser en the
dock, but during the night h: returned,
tool; his property and made off again.
Our Phosphate Beds.
Mr. Tomliuson, treasurer of the Marine
and River Phosphate company, accompanied
by Mr. Osgood and G. M. Wells,
superintendent, arrived liere on Friday
la.-t. They brought with them a large
dredging machine, and have examined
the beds of the river, below and above the
town, for phosphates. They found very
large beds of excellent rock,"in the form
oi'n i biles, similar to that found in Stono.
This character of rock is much easier
to d'g than die solid strata in Hull river.
Y>'c hope that 'he examination will result
in the eat.-.' li.-hiucnt of works near Beaufort
for getting out and thippingp hosphatcs.
JCSfThc proceedings of the meeting oi
the County Commissioners will be pub
Lshcd in full next week. Rich, lare ant
IMPORTANT OPINION OF JUBGE
MA II Kit j
Soimr Caroltsa, 1 Tn the CouH of
Beaufort County. J Common Pleas.
The State of South Carolina, Ee. lithtitme,
H'. J. Verdier against George
Holmes, County Treasurer of Beaufort.
County.
TTnfrn onnliiittfinn rvP pAlitrtr tV .T
! Vp/U HJ/JMIVU-IVU V*
Vcrdier, a rule was issued requiring the
respondent, George Holmes, as treasurer
of Beaufort county, to show cause why a
peremptory mandamus should not be ordered,
to compel payment of two orders
upon the county treasurer of said county,
held and owned by the relator?one for
sixty dollars, drawn by the county Audi,
tor, and approved by the chairman of the
board of county commissioners, dated the
, 10th August 1872, and payable to A. F.
Hall or order?and the other, fifty dollars,
dratvu by the board of county commissioners,
dated the 9th October, 1872,
i and payable to P L. W., or bearer?
1 which said orders were, as it is avowed,
: presented for payment to the respondent
, or treasurer, on the Oth February, 1873,
i and payment thereof refused, "although
at the time of the demand there Were in
the treasury funds more than sufficient
for the payment of the same."
I The respondent, in his sworn return to
, said rule, sets forth the several grounds
' on which lie rests his justification for refusing
to pay the said orders, one only of
which, iu the view taken of the case, it
I is deemed necessary to notice.
Among other things the return states,
that the respondent "did not assume
[ the duties of treasurer of said county until
on or about the 10th day of December
. 1S72, after the date of the issuing of said
I check", an J that at the time of the demand
for the payiueut of-aid checks, he
t had in his hands no funds other than
, such as were collected by him under the
, joint resolution of the general assembly
j to levy a tax for the current fiscal year?
t and that this respondent did not receive
> any funds whatever belonging to said
county from his predecessor in office, F.
j E. Wilder."
It is proper to add that the two orders
in question were exhibited at the hearing,
and appear to have teen drawn on
F. E. Wilder, county treasurer of said
1 county.
The return was not traversed.
' The manner in which county funds arc
to be disbursed is plainly prescribed
by statute. The county treasurer is
required to report to the board of
couuty commissioners, on the fif'
teenth day of each month, the
amount of funds collected for and on ac!
count of the county, and the character of
| such funds, (Jenl. St. C'h- XIII, Sec. 12,
p. 77. The board have power at their
' annual meetings to examine, settle and
' allow ail accounts chargeable against the
county, and to draworders on the'dounty
' trca: nnr for the same?but with the ex-.
^ press rfcstrictiou: that they "shall not
draw any order upon the couhty treasurer
! until after the monthly return of the
| treasurer shall have been made, nor unj
less ho has the funds in the treasury to
pay the same;" and, further, it is made
the duty of the board to inform the treasurer
of the orders drawn, in whose favor,
' and the order in which tlicy are drawn,
i (Jenl. St. Ch. XIX.. Sec. 9, p. 135.
These provisions of law arc clearly mandatory,
and not director}' merely, orders
can be drawn only after the treasurer's
monthly report is in, showing funds subject
to draft. The treasurer should be
promptly notified of the orders drawn
against the luuds so reported?and then
the money in his hands becomes specifically
appropriated, and must be retained
1 * - An.l.\?.a ti'lmn nroconEul An
UJ IJlCl7t HiV UiVIVIO Hltvil |r. va^..vx,v.
ovcr-i.ssuc of orders is not possible if the
requirements of the law are observed,
and it is manifest that these provisions of
the statute were designed to prevent the
issue of orders in excess of funds in hand
subject to the sauie. It must be assumed
that the orders in this case were drawn
in conformity with law?Omnia pracsum
untu riti extc nctu?and hence, that F. E.
Wilder, then county treasurer, had duly
made his monthly reports, showing funds
to the credit of the county, that the orders
were drawn upon these funds, and
that the treasurer was duly no:iticd of
the same. It is not alleged that demand
for payment was eser made on treasurer
. Wilder; and, for aught that appears, he
now holds the sums appropriated ;
for payment of the orders, and would |
pay the same upon presentation. If in- j
deed it appeared that he had transferred ,
the money to his successor, this respond- j
. cut, or, even, that he had paid over to j
the latter a gross fund upon final settlement,
mandamus might lie to compel the
respondent to pay the orders. But the
return states expressly that the respondent
has not received any county funds
whatever from his said predecessor.
This view of the case would be fatal to
the motion. But lair, prepared to hold
that if these orders were diawn when
there was no funds i:i the treasury to pay
theiu, they were drawn illegally, and were
consequently, inoperative, and of no effect
as cnforcuhlo demands upon the
treasury. The claims against the county
fur which tho orders were given remain
* 1 '1? i J nnlhainv.nl
UltUCI, IUU UIU IV>jK>ilUVIIIi IIUIliVllMU
to ])av only .such orders a.s follow his
| monthly reports. If upon upplication of
I the relator to the county commissioners
| for fresh orders, the state of the funds,
I with reference to the estimated charges
I and debts of the fiscal year, should in
! their judgment warrant it, they have auj
thority todrawsuch orders, and the treas- ;
j urcr would be bound to pay the same. It
J is not within his province to determine !
I whether any of the money in his bands is
11 >t otherwise appropriated, or, in other
; words, whether there is, or will be a surj
plus after meeting the charges and debts
I for which the funds were raised. Genl.
St. Ch. XIX, Sec. 34, p. 142. Nor is
f he under any general obligation to pay
. creditors of liie county. 1 lay at is, 7/oot/,
[ 1 Rich et. 8. 24. Lie makes his monthly
in 1 ii?;faujiiifliiyMifc
9
dling. Indeed, he was but another Tuil
Cain, and was once arrested for issuig
counterfeit coin of his own make. A
irriage builder and trimmer too, made *
is living in our midst ; and I must not J,
mit the silver-smith, who manufactured t
is wares here, and whose sterling silver j
still to be seen in Beaufort, bearing the t
ame, of Brabant. He committed suicide <]
ff one of our wharves in consequence of \
icurable disease. He was a Frenchman, j
The trade of Charleston had largely in
V'
priated the sums required to meet orders ct
which, he is notified, have been drawn hi
on him, upou the faith of the funds so ir
reported. ct
In my judgment tho respondent would h
have incurred personal responsibility if 01
he had paid these orders, and in refusing h
to pay them he conformed as well to the is
spirit as to the letter of the law. n
Jt w ordered: that the motion for a o:
peremptory mandamus be denied, and ir
that the rule be discharged.
Jno. J. Matter, ci
Beaufort, S. C., Feb. 21, 1873. tl
BEAUFORT AND THE SEA ISLANDS. \
tl
0
Their History and Traditions.
n
number seven.
r 0
BY J. A. J. gi
tl
"Whomever commands the sea, commands the w
(radc; whosoever commands the trade of the world, y
commands its riches."
Rai.ETT.II 81
In the early part of the present century, *
F. Anone, an Italian from London, re- tl
moved to Beaufort and commenced busi- o
ncss on Bay street, at tho corner of Pier c
No. 2, in the building now occupied for a *
similar purpose, by F. W. Scheper. ti
During tho war of 1812 with Great Brit- ti
ain, he amassed a considerable fortune by ^
a species of blockade running. His ^
wares were brought from a point more S
convenient than Nassau; and their trans- *
portation was attended with far less hazard
than was encountered by his success- i:
ors engaged in similar adventures during e
our late war. Amelia Island, then, as b
now, a part of Florida, belonged to Spain, n
and formed a most convenient depot for ti
merchandize; whence it was brought in e
small vessels called, periaugers, (from the h
Spanish pcriagua,) frequently corrupted o
into "pcttiangers.'' Mr. Anonc, made it a 1
rule to sell every thing at double its cost, b
which he naively called, ''only one per. c
cent." He became disconsolate by the t
death of an only son, who fell a victim I
to the fearful epidemic of 1817, and whose
grave, in the Tabernacle cemetery, is b
marked by a prostrate slab of marble, d
once supported on six turae 1 columns of t
the same material. The wealthy mer- v
chant, inconsolable, after this sad bereave- a
mcnt, returned to Europe, where serious i<
reverses must have attended him ; for, at jj
the last intelligence received of him, he,'*
had been reduced to keeping an oysWr n
cellar in Paris. He has probably h/cn S
dead for many years. He was succyded P
here by William Brown, Esq., an Italian b
of English parentage. Ilis business was s
nml r? u CAAI# O Q lift t
I?lIgu mm (liuuiuuic, auu ?n ovvu ?o ?v
had acquired a comfortable comjyoitency v
he removed to the upper part of Georgia 0
in quest of a home where he w anted to r
have good water and no mosquito s. Ven- '
crahlc with years, I saw him ii 1*644 at 11
AtWw* <??.. a hare wid Le hyi found ^
the home he had so long sought I do 11
not, of course, pretend to give theWmes 1
of all who l.hve been engaged in mflrcan- r
tile pursuits, here for the last half cetatu- '
ry, but mention only the more prominmrt. F
Hatch, a northern man, kept on, or nca\ 1
the spot where W. C. Bellows is now to ^
be found- A very largo business was al- *
st> done by Messrs. Levy A Lopez about 11
forty years ago; and the building mw occupicd
by W. Kresscl was erected espcci- n
ally for them, after their business had be- 11
come too extensive to be conveniently 1<
conducted where they had at first opened. c
Intercourse having quite ceased with dis- F
tant ports, nearly all the merchandize for *
Beaufort was brought from Charleston. e
Three staunch schooners were kept con- r
stantly employed iu the coastwise trade, "
to which must be added one, of smaller 11
tonnage trading to Savannah. The large ^
crops of cotton some times demanded ad. ^
diiional shipping, and the Yankee skip- a
per intuitively knew it. During the s
winter months, .therefore, ho wonld v
nlwiiw hr> "on hand" with his trim little t
schooner or sloope, flying to Charleston J
with valuable frieght which would realize i(
to the planter a hundred and fu'ty, or two <1
hundred dollars a bale. Nearly all the a
cotton was called for, and taken from the a
plantations, the islands affording so many 1
landings. Scarcely was there a bale ^
brought to Beaufort for shipment uutil n
the advent of steam among us. These
precious freights were sent off from year
to year without insurance, and I am not'
aware of any loss having ever occurred.
On one occasion, the schooner Fannie encountered
a terrible gale, and was blown
c
off the coast. Iler captain, a pious ^
Scotchman, having lost several nights j
sleep, and overcome with fatigue, retired
to rest on >' aturday, after the abatement
of the storm. Upon awaking, he called *
the'ships company together for the religious
services which he never omitted on r
Sunday, and was amazed to learn that he f
had unwittingly made it a "day of rest," I
and was well under xceigh in another s
week, lie had slept uninterruptedly from S
Saturday evening till Monday morning, r
More sad was the fate of a Massachusetts S
schooner on a like occasion : Two broth- c
crs, Bourne by name, had been for some f
years, in thft habit of coming out here
with good.which they always managed to
sell lower than any one else. They ha 1
spent several v inters among us, always 1
returning to New Kngland in early sum- v
mcr. Their stock was adapted to winter 1
trade, and consisted largely ot "l ankce &
Notions." It was necessary, under their ii
plan of trade, to ship about the time of n
our autumnal exquiuox, when we so fre- d
quently experience those severe gales, a
Having secured a schooner coming south, *
they boarded her for this port, aud one of I
the brothers took passage as supercargo.
She foundered in a gale, and all hands
perished! - The surviving brother has
never been to Beaufort since. Some of t
our New England residents may know t
the family. If uiy memory serves me e
faithfully, they belonged to Falmouth. t
There were tradesmen too, of uo little r
merit; an ingcuious blacksmith whoso t
ski 1 enabled him to operate as well on i
reascd; and, anomalous as it may seem,
ae introduction of steam boats between
hat city and Beaufort, completed the deline
of the latter. Planters sent forward
heir produce to find a market there, and
rdcred their supplies thence.
The long delays attendant upon the
iovement9 of sailing vessels, farther reirded
by their frequent calls at numerus
landings, had rendered a constant
apply of commodities indispensable to
he thrift of the Beaufort merchant, as
ril! as the convenience of the buyer.
Hicn, however, the regular trip of the
team packet assured the planter that his
rants would he punctually supplied on
he day designated for her arrival, his
rders went to Charleston; where, his
rops having been disposed of, his fuuds
pere readily available. Thus the the
rade of Beaufort dwindled to a mere relil
business. These steamers made
reekly trips between Charleston and
uigusta Ga-, until the completion of the
I. C. R. R., after which their terminus
ras Savannah, as at the present day.
Great cities, unless aided and patronted
by government, are seldom found
xcept at, or near the mouths of navigalo
streams. A commodious harbor is
ot the only requisite for an emporium of
rade; there must be a support of back
ountry; and that back country must
~ ~ 4-ronannvfnfiAn fn f.hft
laVU liil'UUS VI Vtaua|/vi iuw?vh w f
eean, the great highway of commerce, j
'he finest harbor in the world is said to |
?e Milford Haven, and yet soinsignifi- ]
ant is its trade, that I deem it necessary ,
o say where it is, on the coast ofWales I
t hits a poor back-country, and access to <
t, from within, is obstructed by rude and j
arren hills. Not so with Port Royal, |
eep spacious, easy of access, having over (
wenty feet water on its bar at low tide,
rith secure anchorage and as fino shelter ,
s a havemeottW-hayein which the nav- (
is of all the marUimcnationajgught ride
(^safety. To crown all this; wefTxce n
ertileand abundant country'. Our onfy\
eed then is a navigable stream Had
Savannah river found its way to this
loint, and made its embouchure into our
>ay, there would, long since, have been
een the crescent city of the South Atlanta,
with its salubrious shores bristling
rith masts; and the beautiful bosom of
ur waters covered by the white-winged
nessengcrs of commerce. But it is to
he absence of a large river discharging
tsclf here, that wo owe our immutable
>ar. "Being a "natural afui of the sea, and
lot the aiouth of a considerable river,
he bar at the entrance has remained aluost
without a change for a century,
'he British Government is said to be in
ossession of a most accurate chart of
hesc waters, taken prior to the Revoluion.
Recent comparisons have shown
Latthere has been scarcely any change ,
n\ll that length of time.
NThjj the great substitute which art,
- V -IT P
nd too Ingenuity 01 man unor nxr yxr
iavigable stffcaui. is the Railway,., ft "has
iug since been shoiftrtfnrtpffTnlo a water
ourse is the most economical motive
inwcr foi^mills, factories &c., steam is
he most desirable; because unvarying,
quablc and controllable. So lso, is the
ailway more regular, more under the
uanngemetft of man, though produce
nay bo wafted at less expense on the suracc
of a rapidly descending current.
Vith the acquisition of labor, good, relible
labor?the great disideratum of our
oiely smitten country, what fhturc may
re anticipate for our port, blessed by naurcwith
such cxtraodinary advantages!
Jut I am exohangingthepartof a ehron:ler
for the role of a speculator, I must
lesist, and offer as an apology for the
wakening of these sentiments, the fast
pproachine completion of onr great enerprizc,
the Port Royal Railroad. A
liflfercnt theme will engage our thoughts
icxt week.
The Hop at the Sea Island.
The hop given in honor of Washing
on's Birthday at tlio the Sea Island was
eally a brilliant affair. The ladies never
rere in better toilets, the uiusic was excllent,
the gtHitlcmcn were determined to
ic gay, the supper was partaken of with
learty appetites, and indeed there was
10 lag in the merriment from nine,
). m., until 4, a. m.
Br. J. II. Johnson and others
eccntly forwarded a memorial setting
orth the fact of the taking away of the
leaufort Library to Washington, and its
ub sequent destruction by fire in the
huithsonian Institute, asking for an apiropriation
of $10,000 to replace it#
lenator Sawyer had it referred to the
ommittee on claims, which reported unavorably
upon it on the 17th instant.
A Sailor Lost.
On Sunday morning last the schooner
Inna Sims, from Beaufort to Savannah
rith a load of cotton seed, while in- Bort
loyal hay parted with her skiff. While
rying to recover it a man named Andrew
n jnmping, Irom the schooner to the skiff
uissod his footing, fell overboard and was
Irowned. There was a gale blowing and
. heavy sea at the time, the Sim* met
rith some damage, and returned to
3caufort to repair.
Meeting of Saw Mill Men.
A convention of owners and others inerestod
in saw mills and the lumber
rado is to be held in Savannah on the
lightcenth of iMarch next. The object is
o secure concert of action in their busiicss.
We hope all who can will go from
his county. Our lumber trade is growng
in importance and every effort should
FACT VS. FICTION.
A Card from the Iptcndent.
The proprietors of the Sea Island hotel
laving sought to impose upon the public ,
he belief that (he town council wishes to
hrow unjust burdens upon them in order
o obstruct the prosperity of the hotel, I
leem it just that such falsehoods should
ie corrected by a plain statement of the
ruth.
The town assessment on the hotel
jroperty is $8,000, making the amount
>f tax $80. The state law provides, that
>illiard rooms shall not be taxed lessthan
^50, which is the amount laid by the
own ordinance. Ab they say they keep
. a. 1 At 1 J iL.
i temperance nousc, incir rax unuer mo
)rSinance is $20; on livery stable $25;
naking the total taxes the town adcs the
lotol proprietors to pay, exactly $175,
md no more. Yet in their card they say
:hey are called on to pay $4'50.
They admit having invested $25,000 in
:he hotel, hence, under the town ordilance,
on their real estate alone, their
:ax should be $250; yet including lijenses,
they are asked to pay $175. It
jeemstome "that little section in the
institution (sec. 8, art. 9)" would fit
ight in here?"taxes to be uniform, in
cspect to persons, and property, within
:he jurisdiction of the body imposing the
same." Are the hotel proprietors anxious
to have their asscssnrent increased?
I would suggest to them before beginning
to push very hard, against people
for selling liquor contrary to law. within
the town, to examine the amended charter.
These gentlemen know very well that
it is the custom to apply to council for
relief from taxes, where persons think
they have good grounds for so doing;
ind in no reasonable matter has council
aver refused to grant relief. The truth
is, these gentry designed to ignore the
town council and town ordinances entirely.
They thought by a quibble, to have
fill the benefits of selling liquors without
paying the usual town licenses; two
words in the tax ordinance "or suppl.ving'*
put acornplcte stopper on their shabby
purpose. They intended to supply
their guests with liquors, and refuse to
pay the town for a license on the ground
that they kept no bar, and did not sell liquors,
but supplied their guests. Disappointed
in this, their editorial lackey,
with characteristic obsequiousness, proceeded
to cast his filth over the mefobfc^s
of the town council.
ItHe stated that the expenses of the
town three years ago were $4,500. and
that in two years these have jumped up
two thousand dollars. Wc will see presently
how much truth there is in this
statement. \
When GenACanby appointed mo to
my present portion about five years ago,
the town had :ui anti-war debt, principal
and interest off nearly $3,000, and there
was a judgment against the town for
8S00; there was a new floating debt of
about $1,400. To meet this there was
not a dim^n the town Treasury. The
old debtor were compounded and have
gradually been paid, theuew debt cleared
off, aim except during the yellow fever
scp4on, each year's expenses have been
?opi within the year's income.
Before the war, the average yearly expanses
of the town were, in round numbers
about $4,000, and besides this each
citizen was required to do police or patrol
duty at night, and were required to furnish,
free of expense to the town, a
certain number of hands to work on the
streets. For such service now of course
the town has to pay.
Deducting old debts paid, new hose
bought, expenses on jail ami court house,
yellow fever expenses, and such other
items as in no proper sense constitute
the regular current expenses of the town,
we have this result:
Current expenses of the town for year, from
Aug. 1868 to Aug. 1S89; 8.l,t73 03
Current expenses of the lowr for year from
A .. two to Auk 1S70, 3?31 32
Current expenses of the town for year from
Aue. IS701<> AUK I*71, 3,304 10
Current expenses of the town for year from
Aug. 1S71 to Aug. 1872, 2,040 22
Current expenses of thu town for six months
from July 1872 to Jan. 1873, 1,470 11
From the estimated expenses from
Jan. 1873 to Jan. 1S74, deduct Si,400
for new hose; $275 for lamps and police
material; $750 town note, and wo have
the estimated current expenses for the
year, $3,752, it being the design to expend
the increase over previous years on
the streets and sidewalks.
The question of sewering 9th street for
nearly forty years was a subject of anxious
discussion among citizens and by the
various tqwn councils; its necessity was
felt to be almost imperative, yet that result
was not achieved till last year,
though it was proposed in council in 1822.
Its effects as a sanitary measure arc of
inestimable valuo. Our citizens cannot
have forgotten that four years ago burfrlnrins
mid robberies were of constant oc
currcnce, sometimes two or three in one
night, while the town was cursed by a
gang of rascals, dangerous to the safety
of our inhabitants. The disorderly characters
havo been driven from the community,
while a robbery now is of unfrequent
occurrence.
When the town note for $730 is paid
the town will be out of debt, for the first
time in nearly thirty years.
Durinif the past five years, I have re
ceived on account of the town over $20,000.
The town records clearly show, bevond
dispute or cavil, to whom and for
what purpose, every dollar of that sumhas
been expended.
I know not what the future may havo
in store for me, but none can take from
mo the consciousness, that during nearly
five most trying years, in the face of bitter,
factious opposition, when rascality
and corruption in office held sway throughout
the state, I ia this office held the
good name and honor of our venerable
old town, pure and untarn^hed. Despite
the reviling* of shameless and unprincipled
men, I am proudly conscious that no
taint of dishonor rests on my official career.
Yours truly.
R. S. BKN.nt.TT.
Intcndent town of Beaufort.
Died, Febunry 24, 1873, Maiy M.
Porteous, aged 38 years, 11 mouths and
OBITUARY. bh
p?
At a meeting of the members of the Beaufort B4r j
held on the 11th February, 1873, for the purpose of bo
paying* becoming tribute to the nlcmoryof their be
recently deceased associate, Mr. Kicbard J. Davant, og
on motion of Mr. \\>F. Colcock, Mr. It. DcTrevUle de
was called to tho chair, and Mr. C.J. C. Hutaon re- fri
quested to act as secretary. br
Mr. DeTrevillo explained the object of tho meeting br
in a few feeling and appropriate remarks, in which *a
he alluded to his long acquaintance with Mr. Da rant,
hi* great admiration for his sterling integrity, bis un- at
swerving rectitude and his rigid adherence to the Pp
path of duty under all circumstances both in his pub- w
lie and private life. He said, if Mr. Davant had any |Q
fault that it was that he was too rigid in thedischarge
of his duties. an
Ho further said, that It ?u roc to mat me war, 01 Dl
which he vaa so long an able member, should cx- 0(
press their appreciation of his many virtues and wl
should pass appropriate resolutions In token of their
sorrow In bis death and their heartfelt sympathy w
with bis bereaved family. re
Mr. W. F. Colcock then rose and said: H
Mr. Chairman?Richard J. Davant la dead T How w
strange?how sad, how solemn do these words fall on
our ears, and with what Icy coldness do they touch sf
oar hearts! There is a feeling within na that almost m
prompts na to exclaim: "Oh! it la not, it cannot be to! c<
Has death-indeed robbed us of our friend ? Will we T
never again behold those lineaments which are so t>
freshly daguerotyped on our memories! Will we nev- Jii
er more hear that voice, whose echoes have scarcely d
died away within these walls! Is that form which It
but a wbl'e ago filled that seat now enfolded In the b
cerements of the graveI" Alas! alas! the answering lg
voice of the sepulchre proclaims, "Yes! be Is here;
Death Is the conqueror and tho victory Is mine!" cl
Awaking to the sail reality we accept with bleeding h
hearts tho mournful truth and bowing with submls- 01
slon to the decree which separates us from our broth- tl
er, wc seek for consolation In tho sweet retrospect of u
his virtues and his worth. He was a good man, lov- c
lng mercy, doing justice and walking humbly before
God. To all of us his death is a deep affliction. To j?
me it is a supreme personal bereavement, for we h
have been knit together for nearly a half of a ccntu- tl
ry in the cloecst tics of NoUierhood. h
In 1823, we commenced the study of tho law to- h
getber iu the village of Cooaawatcbie, then tho coun- t]
ty scat of justice. Tbero the tree of our friendship
wai planted, there it put forth its tender leaves in *
our youth, blossomed in oar manhood ami spread Ita 0
verdant foliage over Mir heads In our okl age. Few r
?may I say none, outside that sacred circle which enshrined
him, knew him better or loved bird more; ?
and in this sad hour It Is my pride and pleasure to tl
say that during all that Umo .not an unkind word tl
ever passed between us?not a-momentary shadow j
ever eclipsed the sunshine of our love. I gave him r
all my heart, and received his In return. Of deep 0
convictions, earnest nature, and Inuependant thought p
hi examined, weighed, aud decided evcrythiug for f
himscll, and it was an honor to bo numbered among t
his friends. An ovcrshsdowing sorrow has befallon t
us Mr. Chairman, aud I say to each of our mourning |
Irlcnds I
"Oh faint not in a world like this, a
And thou shalt know ere long '
Know, how sublime a thing it is,
To aaffer and be strong." 1
Death h j again invaded our ranks and another *
toiler sleeps by the way-side. When this great enemy
sends his heralds In advance, and sickness, '
diseases and lingering decay announces his approach,
we arc in some ,.;?asuro prepared for his coming;
' but when ho steps suddenly into our midst without
note or warning, and : irikesdown his victim, we then .
realise that he is indeed tho "King of Terrors."' t
Such has been his recent work among us I It seem*
but as yestciday our well-beloved friend was with us
in the full enjoyment of all his faculties, and actively
engaged with his accustomed dilligcnce In the duties
of Ills profession and to-day he is numbered with
the dead ! Wli.it a commentary upon the uncertainty
of life, and what a loud warning to us all. But If
we like him arc ready for tho summons, "better Is ,
the day of our deAii than the day of#our birth." ,
Richard James Davant, was horn on Hilton Head, (
in the district of Bciufort, on the 22d June 1805. Ho (
was educated at home among his friends aud com- f
pinions of his boyhood and his youth, and In lA25f (
he entered the law office of the late Judge William ,
D. Martin, and was admitted to the Bar in 1827. In (
1833, at the early age of twenty-eight be was elected ,
by the legislature to the lmportaut office of fommts- (
sioner In equity, which office lie con tingled to hold (
for thirty-one consecutive years, when In 1864 he docllned
a re-election. In I860 the Port Royal Railroad
was chartered, and soon after, though Oiling the office (
of commissioner In equity, he was solicited by the (
friends of that enterprise to accept the office of President
which he filled until 1HAA when he resigned. In (
1801 ho was appointed one of the board of visitors of (
the State ML itary Acad amy, and wn eleot?d by his j
associates to preside as their chairman. In ISA.) the
parish system of representation was abolished, and j
instead of four senators from Beaufort district, only ,
one was to bo rlwtcd, Mr. Duvant was chosen with- ,
out opposition to fill this honorable ami responsible j
position and held it until the adoption of th Aiew
constitution.
It will thus be seen by this brief sketch that our (
lamented friend was marked immedlately as he as- ,
turned the obligations of manhood, as one whom his
country and his friends needed for duty. And well
and faithfully did be perform every task that was
ever assigned hint. *Of clear and vigorous intellect,
sound judgment, unspotted integrity and unwearied
Industry, lie accomplished all he undertook with eminent
success, and lias left behind hint as a public
man, a name which will bo ever honored and cherished
by his foliow-citizens.
And when we turn to tlin contemplation of his
character in private life, we see there everything to
love, admire and respect. UnitedJrom early life in
those ties which aliko bless and consecrate life, he
enjoyed an unusual share of domestic happiness and
peace. Soutounded by a largo and devoted family,
hU home was the seat of love, order and cultivated
refinement. Of him it may truly be said that "howpitality
stood porter at his door" As a husband,
father, friend and neighbor, he illustrated with exemplary
fidelity every virtue which can adorn these
endearing felalionsof life. Confessing from an early
age bis Saviour before m n. he added to all these the
crowning graces of the christian character.
La?t of alt, it was hero in our midst that we, who
M.mhlitil lav our humblo offerings on his
tomb, knew him host and mourn him moot. As a
member of our noble profession, bo did everything
to elevate its character, preserve its purity and maintain
its influence. Learned in tho law, liberal in
practice, true to his client, yet Kctiorous to his adversary
"with noble ends by noble means pursued," he
was in the truest sense of these words a lawyer and a
gentleman.
Hut be Is gone! No more shall we see that calm
quiet, dignities! form amongst us, or receive that cordial
gretlng with which ho ever welcome as to his
proseuce?long, ayo long will wo mourn his death
uud fcul that a void has been left in our circle which
it will bo hard to <111. Hut we are not left to mourn
without comfort. We have a well-grounded assur.
ance that our lamented friend has "exchanged the
bankruptcy of earth for the heritage of Ileavon" and
has entered into the Rest that remains for the people
of God.' Let us ever hare before us his shining
example- and humbly pray tli.il we may bo rc-uniUd
to Item iu eternal fellowship when we shall stand unpleaded
at the bar of "hoodwinked Justice."
Jiesuli-cd, That in the death of Kichard J. Davant,
the liar lias lust a most valued associate; the State an
cuiiucntly useful citixcn; society one of its noblest
members; and bis family and friends, one who was
inexpressibly dear to them iu ail the relations < f life.
I b-g leave to olfer the following preamble and resolutions?
Ilesolrtd, That as mrmlicrs of tho War we will ever
> ? ei. .I.intv ?
hold in affectionate rcliunioniiicu u>? ? _ .
lawyer, bis virtues aa a wan, and bla long career of
usefulness and distinction.
IictulveA, That wo tender the widow and children
of our dear friend our heartfelt sympathy in their Irreparable
bereavement?and that a copy ot these
pruccedlng bo transmitted to tbuui by tho secretary
of this meeting.
JiuukeJ, That hi) Honor Judge Maher be requeued
to order thc.se proceedings to be entered on the
minutes of the court; aiid that the secretary do publish
tbem lu the Charleston and llcaufort papers.
Those resolutions were seconded by Mr. James W.
Moore, who rose and said;
Mr. Chairman?It is with feelings of profound sorrow,
that I rise to second the resolutions, which hare
just been read. With tbe exception of our honored
friend, who has introduced those resolutions, 1 stood
in closer and wore Intimate relations of friendship,
with Mr.. Oar ant, than any other member of this
Bar. I hare known hiui all my life. In my boyhood
I listened to his teachings. In youth I began to appreciate
tho groat powers of his intellect. In my
manhood I learned to admire his talents, to esteem
his character, and to lore the many noble trait* of
' *
?, when It has been so fitly said "hospitality stood
rter at the door.
He was my neighbor, he was my friend, and the
ods of friendly intercourse were drawn as closely
tween us, as they could bo between two, whose
es differed by jnore than thirty years. And I uuntand
that, because of these intimate relations of
endshlp, which existed between our departed
other and myself, by the common desire of my
cthren of the Bar, has devolved In me the duty of
Minding these resolutions.
I accept this duty with a feeling of Intense sadness,
id In discharging it, I endorse freely and fully, in
Irit and in letter, every word, every thought, every
ntimcnt contained in, and expressed by those resotions.
Our associate and friend has passed away front
aong us, and *e owe it to bis memory, that we
ect together here, and make this open expression i i
our approbation of bis character and conduct,
bile living, and our sincere regret at his death.
Were I to speak of his learning, his talents, bia unearied
Industry, and his many virtues, I could only
peat what has been so eloquently and an truly said,
e was here with us, bo was a great part of us, and
e all tyew him welL , ..
The dockets in the desk before > on Mr. Chairman
leaks mo/e plainly and clearly than any words 0/
line could tell, of his ability as a lawyer, and the
mfidence and trust reposed In him by his clients
bo foct that his name appean on the record in one . 1 1
ilrd of the cases on those dockets; the foct that the
irics were discharged on the morning of the second . i 1
xy of the term, simply because he could not be bene \ A
1 his scat, show unmistakably the reliance placed
jr too aniens ot tow county in nis attainments aa a
iwycr, and his integrity as a man.
I always regarded .as the greatest beauty of bin
laractcr, his true and sympathetic heart Call on
im in the day of your need, go to him in the hour
r your misfortune, and the warm grasp ol Ids hand,
le kindling glance of his eye erer responded; and
>ld you that he made your cause his own; that be
ntered heart and soul into yoor trouble and sorrow.
Mr. Moore then spoke moot feelingly on the sublet
of his personal relations to Mr. Darant which
ad erer been of the most cordla' nature. Ho said
hat there was a warmth of attachment which he
ad always felt towards the deceased, that rendered
is death to him a keen personal bereavement, He
lien added:
Mr. Chairman and b other members, my emotion
111 not allow raejo dw<^| longer on these sad memrics,
so intimately associated In my mind, with tho
emcmbrance of our departed brother.
He has left us never more to return. H? acted
roll his part while hero. And he has passed from
his court of limited jurisdiction, to thst from whlcb
here is no appeal, the tribunal of the Great Jehovahle
has laid aside the robe of the advocate, and bows,
evcrentfy, himself an humble suitor, at the footstool
f tho great white Throne. But be has left an examile,
which we should all strive to cultivate. Let as j
allow the path be has pursued, so that we too may
>c ready when the sum mom all all come. 80 that
rhen the setting son of our day of life, shall throw
lis last rays upon us, wc may gladly lay aside the
teavy armor, worn In this world's turmoil and strlfe>
ind joyfully prepare to "pass orcr the river, and rest
icneath the shade of the trees."
The preamble and resolutions were then unanlnonsly
adopted. Alter the adjournment of the Bar
Meeting, the following communication was sent to
he secretary, who now appends It as a part of the
iroceedlngs.
Mr. Hutson: I cannot permit tho opportunity of
ifferlng my tribute of respect to the memory of our
enerablo and much loved elder brother, R. J. Da'
ant to pass by?I would most willingly hare tenlered-lt
at the mdetlng of ths Bar of which you were
he secretary, but my feelings at that time pre rented
ne from deing so.
It it true that I did not enjoy as close and intimate
elatlons with Mr. 6avant as existed between him
ind the morer and seconder of the preamble and
vsolut Ions sdop'ed by the Bar, but my acquaintance
rltb blm has been of long duration?orcr twenty |
rears?and during a portion of that timo, of a very
ntlmate character. I can truly say that during the
rhole of that period there never was thesllgbtestdU.
ord between ns. I knew blm before Uie evil diy
amo upon us, I knew blm alter our fortunes were
ihattered, and no one could or did more truly approdate
all the catUiablo qualities of lib character In
;ho various relations of life, both public and private,
ban I did. All who knew blm as well as wo did,
nust unite in saying that his life was unblemished
ind that he performed bis public dotiea with eminent
seal and ability,and discharged bis social and
lomcstic duties with exemplary fidelity.
Ills affection for bis fondly was striking, and the
:hicf end and aim of his life seemod to be to make
them happy, lilt borne a (Actions were a part of his
nature- I remember meeting him In 18(56, standing
imldst the heap of asboa?all that remained ta mark
the sj>ot, where stood that happy home of which hi*
loving friend Mr. Colcock so truly said "hospitality 4
itond porter at the door," and around to which sc
many memories of ttiose'happy days, gono to return
no moro, are gathered, and upon ray asking blm
what be Intended to do replied, "I want to build a
homo for mjr family upon the foundations of their
dW homo before Idle." It was a labor of love, and
lovingly did he attend to It. Early and late he purmod
his obj ct. Hardly a nail was driven or a brick
laid but tnidor hh supervision and he Jlrcd long
enough to accomplish tbo wish of the evening of bis
life. Hardly was it completed, when he was called to *
"the Heat" which wo are taught awaits the rigbieou
man. He lived a long life, surrounded by loving and
loved friends, no died not In the bloom of youth, or
In the flush of manhood, hut when bis "three score
and ten" had been nearly attained?leaving behind
him a record pare and free from stain or spot May
wo living remember his example and dying leave behind
us a memory as dear to all who knew us.
RespeetfolTy,
Ciia*. E. BELL.
On the next day, (ths court of common pleas being
in session) tho clinlrmau of the mooting presented
the preamble and resolutions adopted by the Bar to
his Honor Judge Mahcr, who responded as follows:
Gentlemen of the Bar: The Court Is painfully
sensible of the irreparable loss which the profession
and tho country have sustained In the death of Mr.
I>.ivnnt, and realises with orofound sorrow the gft-st J
vacancy which it lias occasioned hero. It shares tho
burden of your grief and Is grateful for the opportunity
of uniting with you in paying appropriate honors
to the memory of your departed brother. Tho
Court feels that It can add nothing to the Just and
eloquent tribute that the Bar offered and adopts tho
language of the resolutions as expressive of its own
sentiments. It Is meet that the records of this court
should bear testimony to the worth of one, who, as
an officer of the court and a member of the Bar, illustrated
here for the greater part of his long tnd use
fill life ?fl the sterling virtues which adorn and en-*
noble man.
The resolution* will be entered In the Journal or
the court in accordance with your request, wlth_thja_
rcsjionse.
IilCU'D. DkTKKVILUL
C. J. C. Hrrsox, Chainnan.
Secretary.
NO TIC E.
NOTICR TS HKREBY (HVKN THAT JOHN
M. MURRAY. Pilot on Port Royal and St.
Ileicua Pars has ls?-n suspended for the term of threw
months from th> dale of this notice.
By order, Board CoramIsslonor* Pilotage,
M. B. TRKVETT,
feb.27. C. B. C. P.
NOTICE. 4
Colored Soldiers and Sailors.
All Colored Soldiers or Sailors or their
Legal Representatives,
Who have received notice from the Treasury Depart
of their _ .]
CLAIMS FOR .PAT, BODSTT, PRIZE
Money, db o.f
nd who hove not rewired the amounts due them, .
are directed In order to speed? payment of the same
bj this 0?c?, and Wit
boat Farther Expeue by Claim ante
to wad tbeir Names, with Post Omen Address, }
to tbo
AdJoUat General, V. I. Armjr, Wilfc*
iagton, D. C,
Tbey should also state (n
What Company and Rsftmeat tits ?er
rice WM rendered.
K.D.TOWmiD. < J|
. Adjutant General,
Wam Pepaetmrnt, '
Adjutant General's OtBee,
Wtakispdsa, D. <fr 't UTA.