Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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. , , .HW.I I.III...?,.!.?!! Villi- WUK C01JRI12K. ?IY ?M31TII, sYlITII & CO. Whllwvllii, O. THURSDAY-, SEPTEMlHiU ll, 1879. rj?T" i'br subscription, $1.60 por aiMMW, ?(> icth/ in advance; for six months, 15 ceri/s. Jj?Br" Advertisement* inserted at one dollar per tquare of one inch or leas for the first insertion, and fijty cents for each subsequent insertion. jJSsgr* Obituary Notices exceeding Jive lines, Tribnbcs oj Respect, Communications oj a per tonal character, when admissablc, and Announce ments of Candidates will be charged for as adver tisement*. HQ?" Job Printing neatly and cheaply executed. E&f Necessity compels us to adhere strictly to th? requirements of Cash Payments, Tho State Board of Equalization Uns boon railed to moot in Columbia on tho 1st Monday iu Ootobor, (tho Otb dny). As thia will bo tho day on which our court nicots, it will ut once bo seen that L cannot nttond tho mooting of tho boord. This will nocessitnto tho mooting of tho County Board for thosolcction of n now Chairman. I sug gest that tho mooting bo held on Tuesday, tho 10th instant, nt tho Court House, and that ovory township bo represented by its chair man, lt is a mutter of great importance that thc county should bo represented in tho 8tato Bontd by an activo and well informed member, ns tho present assessment when flied will stand for fivo years. Ono member should go there woll posted in tho land I'tattSi tiosof tho county nod represent our rights. Our propor?y has ul?ays been relatively too high, and I nm satisfied tho valuation fixed by tho County Board should not bo disturbed, as it is now above thc salo valuo of our property. Let tho chairmen of tho Township Boards constituting tho County Boards not forget this notico, but attend at tho Court House on tho ICtb instant. 'When a new County Chairman has been chosen, 1 will tako pleasure in advising with him in nil matters pertaining to bis office. Evory citizen is in? torcstcd, ns tho Slate Board acts not upon individuals but by a percentage on nil, if thoro bo any disposition to incrcaso our valu ation. W. C. KEITH, County Chairman. - . - ? ? - - A majority of tho members r" ?bo General Assombly of Goorgia aro in favor of Mr. Tild?n for tho Presidency. Wo believe Mri Tild?n is tho choico of a largo majority of tho Demooracy of tho oountry. - mm -*> mm - Dr. T. G. C. Fuhnestock, of our county, has just returned from Cincinnati, Ohio, where he has been on business for a month or two. Ho informs us from tho best information that ho can gather that don. Ewing, tho Doniocratic candidato for Governor of Ohio, will certainly bo oleotcd. Ho says prominent Grconbaokcrs aro stumping tho State for him and that he will got a largo voto amcng tho Republicans Adger Collogo. Professor Lcgaro has returned from thc low oountry with a fino collection of fossil teeth, Yortobro), &c, collected for tho cabinets of Adgor College, from tiic phosphato beds around Charleston. Ha received muoh en couragement ns to tho futuro patronage of tho college, and found that our fine climate und low charges for board and tuition made an impression upon tho public in theso times of financial pressure. Tho college will open on Thursday of this week, and wo hope io hopr of a largo increase in attendance. - . V Tho Weather and Crops. Aftor a wot season of nearly one month wc arc promised a fine season for fodder and hay saving. Years ngo uonrly everybody by this timo had harvested their fodder, ns planting little or no cotton, tho corn was planted earlier and pressed to maturity. Wo aro now on tho average In tho beginning of gathering fodder, and if good weather contin ues much of it will bo saved of tho best quality. Tho August rains greatly improved tho com crop, and while uplands will hardly average a half crop, tho lowlands will make n full crop. While this is true of corn, thc constant rains of August havo injured thc cotton. Much of thc July crop has dropped off, whilo tho August crop ba| proved a failure. At this time a fair estimate of tho general crop nbout here cnn bo mado, and wo feel sure it will not exceed n half crop per nero for tho land planted. In somo places this will bo exceeded, while in other places it will fall short of tho half crop. Wo have looked at several crops and havo reached this conclusion: Ifn killing frost should not como beforo tho 20th of October tho yield will bc better than a half crop. Peas have almost disnppenred from tho market, but all who havo thom planted should (ry to gather them. - .?. ?- - Public Schools. W. C. Benet, Esq., delivered an address beforo tho Abbovillo Teachers' Association at Abbeville, on tho lat of August, 1870, on our public fchool system which lins been pub lished in full in tho Charleston Netos and Courier, and commented on favorably. We havo at intervals discussed this subject und condemned tho system ns it now operates. Mr. Bonot presents tho objectionable features of tho present system under four heads. 1. Tho tendency to regard results rather than methods of instruction; in other words, to look in education to tho 'poodiost rn ot hod of | gaining information usorul in activo lifo, rather than tho training and discipline of tho 1 mind and fitting it for sound wliolcsonio reas oning on any and all subjocts. This h noth ing moro nor loss than tho utilitarian ?doa, which dwarfs tho intellect in limiting it to a ningle practical end, excluding, of course, tho classics and nil those Rtudics specially adapted ai tho development of tho reasoning powers. 2. Tho lowering tho standard of information, n neeo?sary con?eqoonco of such a co ors o of instruction ns is found in tho public schools. Thoy aro intended for a general diffusion of knowledge, and in this respect tho order of instruction must he lowered. 3. The loss of Individuality, nnd 4th the inculcation of a spirit of communism. We think those strong points, except tho lavf. which appears to na a neodhss fear. Wo hardly ink their- eau over bo any danger of communism in the 8'?)(h? or i|t len*t ;it any conceivable period. ' 'i'*' " ' . I I ll 11 III III I I Ml I I L l .?????Ul ll 11,11 lilli nm Woro it otherwise., wo think tho diffusion of knowledge though in tit-bits, would ho o preventivo. Among tho advantages of tho svstcnv are first, n moro general diffusion of knowledge, and second cheapness, tho largo numbor of pu pila dcorensing thoespeneo por capita. Those two propositions aro undoubtedly true, but do they compensate for tho large numbor of noadomics, which wo had beforo tho war, whoro young men woro trained for college, ouch ns lbom of Konnedy at Slnbtown, Lc vere 11 nt Williamston and Hudson nt Winns-? boro, and others of a li ko kind' With a froo school fund sufficient to pay tho tuition of those unable to pay for- themselves, these academies offered nil tho advantages of tho prevent freo schools, with a system of disoi p?no und instruction far better. Tho groat trouble of tho[prcscnt xystcm is that mor pny their two mill tux nro unwilling to >. .. tributo anything (arther towards education. Tho pro?cnt fund- being insufficient to koop open tho schools (br moro than about thrco months, instruction becomes partial and \xn~ satisfactory. Hence Mr. lionet properly takes tho viow that tho school tax fhould bc reduced and bo rando a stimulus rather than n supporting fund. Another disadvnntogo ol tho freo school system is tho little interest parents take in tho teacher? they employ and tho little stimulus to send their children ovcrv day. If tboy paid for tho tuition of theil children directly, they would koop their child ren in regular attendance and soo to tho chnn acter nnd qualification of tho touchers. Th? systom is, however, a constitutional require ment and tuny develop nnnually into mon useful ness. At all events, it cannot bo dis* penscd with nt present nnd we nil sboulc strive to mnko it as serviceable ne possible fo tho ends in view. Tho Stock Law. Tho agitation of tho stock law, which ha been going on actively in other parts of tb Stato for some time, has assumed definid shape in our county. Wo mentioned in ou Inst issue tho two plans under consideration promising to follow the subject hereafter Wo have heretofore spoken of this matter a ono which should not bc hastily adopted 0 rejected, for where n law is proposed, willoi revolutionizes our whole pnat ideas of ai occupation, tho foundation nnd support of al other avocations and even life itself, it is th part of wisdom to hasten slowly. An erro in such a matter would bo n great drnwbac to tho country nnd work almost irroparabl injury. Much of thc clouds and doubts havo hoe romovod from tho question by tho praotlot test and approval of I li c law by tho peopl first of Mecklenburg County, North Carolin! and sinco by thc people of Anderson Count; South Carolina. Under this loadorshi; Abbeville, Chester nnd other counties bai adopted n similar stock law. Will it PU our pcoplo, nnd if so, wdiat portion of tb county? Wo find men who favor such a la in every part of the county, but in ll Northern and Western sections of lite conni tho largo majority oppose it, nnd wo thin with reasons. In parts of these sections whet ono nero is under cultivation from three fivo hundred aro in nnti"e forest, nnd tho topr grnphy of tho country is so broken ns to I unsuited to cultivation. While this is tn; the forest abounds with thc richest pnsturng lasting until far in tho winter. People t situated would naturally oppose a stock lin ns tho timber is almost inexhaustible ur too remote from market to bc of nny valu Beside?, Ibers is oiiough chestnut timber i these sections to last for contorios, nnd it n quick grow til and not valuable to mani facturera. Pei haps a different stato of things exists thc lower parts of thc county. While limb is sufficiently plentiful to last, for nil purpos of fencing nnd firesvood, for n number years, still it is becoming sufficiently scar to show thal in time it will bc exhausto Shall wo continuo to fence crops nnd cut dov our timber until we arc compelled to mal a virtuo of a necessity and then adopt a std law? It will then bo too late to save c timber and it will require a half century f old and durable wood to grew again? Timb to ns has appeared in thc past of little vale lu fact many mon would give away tho till ber on land they desiro to clear to got taken off. Dolour Walhalla that plan li ceased, as a rule, and timber has b^gun assume value It will constantly incienso value for years to come, foi it i:i beliov nearly seventy-five per cent, of tho timb suitable f>.r manufacturing purposes in t United States has been destroyed. Tho dr may como when many of the water powers this county will bo utilized in turning ni chicory for thc manufacture of buckets, bo gics, wngons nnd other wooden articles. In speaking of tho value of limber Spartanburg County, tho Abbeville Pressa Jianncr pronouncer it worth ono thousat times moro than her gold mines, of whi that county is justly proud, nnd expies? surprise thal tho pcoplo of I lint county shou not seek the benefits of thc stock law. Wh this may bc a little exaggerated, still thc d is coming when limber will become ntl nrtii of real value. This is morely one view of tho ndvnntop of a Ptock law. It is, however, further co tended, and wo think truly, that thc spat pnsturngo in thc lower part of thc county dc not justify tho largo expenditure required i fencing crops. Thc sum is certainly mu fold abovo tho value nf cur stock nnd I nnnunl repairs required perhaps equals c stock in cost taine. It is farther contended, md wo think tru that thc stock law would introdueo thc pla ing of grasses adopted to onr soil and clim and in thc introduction of an improved bri of stock of all kinds. Our prosont ser stock is of little value as milker", nnd require about ns much feed ns tho best mil flrs. Many of our best farmers now find profitable to encl ase their cattle and ho though pcrmitto.1 by law to turn thom largo. This is a question fur tho farming el solely. Wo believe a stook law would beneficial to that part of tho county bel Walhalla, hut still in view of tho mngniti of tho change proposed, wo would not petit j thc L?gislature to pass such a Ia v until j sense of tho pcoplo specially interested I j bi?fln n'< oe ri a i nail by a po n!|ir volo, cithor townships or by an ngro?d upon lino, shall further discuss llijs'matter hereafter Assassination Ia n most detestable crime, not only being cowardly, but nlso evincing tho very worst und roost degrading state of sooiul feeling. To meet an enemy and shoot him down openly rcqulros both nerve nnd courage, or le meet and fight on equal terms with deadly weapons* but to sneak on him in thc night or waylay him by day nnd shoot him in the book, or when lonni expecting danger, is tho work of cowardly knaves. It ie a crime willoh in our better days was almost un known in America nnd especially in the South. The bloods of tho South used to resort to the din Ho to square their difficulties, while tho great mass of tho people met and knooked out their quarrels, getting bloody noses and broken heads ns tho result. Assassination was confined to degenerate Italy nnd occasionally to Spain and Mexico. Wherever it existed it was regarded ne n mark of moral degonornoy nnd social degradation. Wo are glad lo say it is still un common iii America, bul it has existed occasion ally among our peoplo slnoo tho war, being ono !of tho scars of that great revolution and of thc corrupt tlmcB in our Stain. This groat crime now nnd then creeps out hero and Ibero, os wit nessed by thc enso which oconrrod n fow years ngo in our sister county nnd in other counties and by the recont killing of Alexander Bryce, Jr. Every good citlzon is Interested in putting a slop to this enormous crime, as well as ail other crimes, by bringing to punishment llioso who aro guilty of them, ft la an abstraol duty proceeding from our obligation to llic'govcrnmcnt in tho preservation of law and order to ferret out tiio perpetrator* of such a crimo. Il is equally a duty we owo ourselves and families to do this, ns every crime of this character, which goes uuwhippod of justice, lessens tho security of life and property among us. In lliiscfforl no consid?rai ion of (ho social or moral ?landing af tho deceased or of Ills slayers should be weighed. Wc know thc law has been violated and the law should bc vindicated, that it may not fall into disrepute, and each man become the judge and executioner of bis own wrongs. Wc know that thc highest typo of murder lins bren committed mid thc highest sanction of the law should be inflicted. Tho lnw docs no.tslop to inquire whe ther a good or bad man has fallen, for nil nrc under its protection equally, ns much ns God needs rain and sunshine on thc just mid thc unjust. Whether the best man that ever lived has boen slain or Mic worst man who ever breathed Ibo breath of life has fallen, is never a question under the law, but whether thc sacred majesty of thc law lins been broken. Wc admit il is natural thal when n good man has been slain public feeling should bo aroused and every effort bo made to vindicate tho law and avenge his death. This is one of tho rewards of n well spent lifo, and n just one, but in all cn?c3 of murder no reasonable effort should be spared to arriv? nt the guilty parties. How are thc good judged in (Iiis world? Abstractedly none arc good, bul in n relative point of view, Hie good nrc judged by the public opinion of thc best men of the country formed upon their character and conduct in life. If this snme public opinion should pronounce badly of thc deceased, still nil will admit that no ono worthy (0 aid in forming this opinion would even tolerate I li e idcaof playing thc assassin, much loss actu ally do his work. Taking, then, this view of thc case no mon would deny but thc slayers of Bryce ave bad men and worse enemies lo society (lian he cvr wns. Dut wc do not propose lo apeak of his past faults, for il is a maxim ns old ns Mic best days of thc Bonmn Empire, lo say nothing of the dead unless it be good, (nil <k mortui*, niai boum?.) Il is an equally old say ing and true that "tho good deeds of men are written in water, while <heir bad deeds ure engraved on brass." In early life Bryce lind the clements of many virtues, which al times out cropped lo his death. Tf lie was opposed to yon in politics or in anything, he was open in Mich opposition, though he may hnvo used secret means lo carry uiit his ends. If he was a friend to a man he would standby him lo thc extent of his means, and (lus Irait of character above nil else led lo his financial ruin, for we doubt if any man in tho Stale lias stood bail for more men in thc last len yean than Bryoo. In ibo Toidinson campaign he bolted (he regular liehet and advocated the ticket supported hy thc Democrats. For (his he lost casie willi bis party and never any moro exercised much politi cal influence. But il is not of Bryco wc write, bis virtues if any bc allowed him by the public opinion, or lib faults, whatever I li cy nifty bc claimed to be, bul of thc manner of his death. Slain in his own field, within a few yards of bia door, in the night and without a moment's warn? ing, having not even lime (o utter the prayer of Hie poor publican, (for we are told he could only say, "Lord have mercy,") tho great crime thu? comm Ut od is ie ordinary oases of homicide iikc a mountain lo a mole hill. It demands thorough i investigation. While all our readers willagree with US in this, still all must remember that be cause a great crime lins been committed is no reason llmt nu innocent man should suffer. This would bc a greater crime still, for the law must be jost and merciful though man be un just and cruel. That an innocent man should suffer under nnd by virtuo of the law would l bring it into disrepute, belie its purposes and render it an instrument of unjust vengeance Instead cf prelection. Therefore "-Ll'.e r.1! nen should appreciate thc magnitude of this crime and thc duty of ferreting out iii perpetrators, 1 BMH no man should bc convicted except on convincing proof. Ia proportion io thc inagni lude of (ho crimo mid tile sc?cri'y of its pun ishment should bc tho strictness of the proof required. If the State fails to be able lo establish guilt on any parly, and failure in mich cases is natural, then thc law will have done nil in ils power, and no one cnn com plain. Thc slimness of (he evidence at pre sent cnn best bc seen by tho subjoined report of thc testimony laken nt the Coroner's inanest. It is greatly to bo rcgrcltcd that thc work of tho inquest was so imperfect. There ficto the tracks of Ibc parties mid I hey appear not to have been followed further limn two and a half miles. Thc killing having occurred Just nfcer much rain thc i nicks might bavo been pursued lo thc very doors of thc parties, for wc aro informed thc trucks were peculiar and distinct. If after viewing Ibo body and taking such testimony as wns then available, thc Inquisi tion had adjourned fo a future day and these tracks been followed, it might haVc saved the arrest of i?nocont raen and resulted in tho arrest of thc guilty. Tho warrant contains eight names, and it may bo '?at no one of the eight was lhere. Tho inquisition virtually proves nothing but tho denth and Bs man nor. Tho Coroner mid every 'r.;u' Just ?co noling ns Cornier should knew i Iud his duly ?a lo ascertain tho causo of death and when by the hands of violonce, if possible by whose hands. In doing (lifo, wo tako it. (bat ho is limited lo no (imo or menns which ?re lawful. Were it olhcrwiso (lie in quisition on a dead body would becoino a - fu reo nnd' tito worst murders would never be investigated; No evidence- or none to tho point might bo voluntarily offered and the vordiot "Ito carno lo his death by tho hands of persons unknown," become a stereotyped ex pression. . This will not do. Wo know of in quisitions in Now York winch huvo been held for weeks, and in the oase of tho Nathan murder, perhaps for months. Wo tldnk tho only limit in timo to an inquest U tho ex haustion of all reasonable means of discovery of tho slayers-of a person. Here wero cmos wliio 11 wero not properly pursuod. In speaking of tho inquost wo do not con demn or even blame tho jury oe Trial Justlco noting ns Coroner. Ho is a man who strives at all times to do his whole duty, and he fol lowed tho usual rulo in snob oases. Besides it is not ids duty to search out testimony, but to hear nil that is offered and givo proper time to get up any further testimony likely to become available. In this connection ho may mako proper suggestions. Wo aro besides in formed thal tho noting Coroner did ask over nnd over again if any further testimony was ready or likely ^9 offorcd, and hearing no atlii mative response, tho jury rendered their verdict. The following is thc substnnco of (ho losti 1 moiiy taken on thc inquisition: Jesse V. Cox, being sworn, says: That on I last night (tho 25th of August, 1879,) de ceased was nt my house. L live at ont fifty yards from deceased. About ono hour in tho night he started buulc home. I como to the door with him, when 1 sow somo person in tho road out toward tho creek. Could not tell whether thcro was one or two or more. 1 coiled his attention to it. Ile said wo would step down that wuy and seo who it was. As wo started ho said he thought it was his mulo that hud gotten loose. Wo theo started together in t hut direction to sec if it wus the mule. The objcot passed out of our sight behind thc hill towards the creek. I got ahead of him ubout fifteen or twenty steps. Deceased was still coming on. As 1 advanced nearer tho ercck saw two men standing in tho cotton. 1 went towards them to seo who it wes. Deceased wat? still eomitig on behind mc. I advanced to within ten steps of them mid asked them who they were They made no reply ot that tithe; they both presented their guns. I asked them what they meant. Asked thom thc second timo. Thoy osked me who 1 wus. 1 told them who I was. Tho larger one of tho two wunted to know who that other mon wns, ond pointed in tho direction of tho deceased. Told him it was Alox. Bryce. Ho then stepped to tho other ono and handed him a pistol. Seemed to be a navy size; then returned to his former posi tion. I then ashed them what wus thc matter that they would not talk. Just as I asked them that. Alex. Ii ry 00 stinted towards thc house in a run, when thc taller one fired his gun ot thc deceased, ns I took it. Thc other one then says I will speak and speak now, at tho sime time he fired on deceased and started in pursuit of him. Ho lind tc make a circle to get round mo and ran up near to deceased, 1 think wilkin six or seven steps, and fired a scoond time. Think lu was using a duublo barrel shotgun. When he lind fired thc lust time deceused called ti mc and says "Come here Jesse " At thal time he fell on his faoe and died rightawuy Doth thc men then turned and ran off out of night. I saw no more of them. I don't know that I know who they were. Thej were dressed in dnrk clothing, with their coils buttoned up to tho chin, lind or dark ha's. They had on, as I think, frock coats, ti nd one of them was n rather tal) man, Tho other wus a low, heavy set mun. Saw their tracks. Measured tho trneks. Think I would know thc same tracks again it 1 were to sec them. Thc tracks came from tho direction of Messiah Cobb's and went back thc sumo way. Deceased never spoke to either of the parties. Mrs. Rebecca J. Cox, being sworn, says I heard thc guns fire and ran to tho door nnd saw two men run off. Could not tell wlu they were. Dr. W. A. Williams, being Rworn, says [ have examined tho body of tho deceased and find one gunshot wound on tho righi side of thc spinn' column, which appears t< have been made by n minnie bul), ranging upwards and to tho right, sufficient to huv< caused death. Also n wound on tho lef arm nbout two and a half inchon long Could not tell precisely how it was pro duced. There wns also otic wound to tlx rijiht of tho naval. Think it was ouused bj a buckshot. Tho wound in the bock cousct the death. Isaac Long, being sworn, says: 1 assist?e in tricking thc parties who did tho shooting commencing in thc field where thc shooting was done. Think I followed thc track; two and a half miles. They went out o thc field lo thc ridge, out by tho left o Mussiah Cobb's field, crossed at tho lowe end of his field, th rec fou rt hs of a mile fron his house. Did not track them any further Thc same tracks had come and gone bool tho same way. There is no pnblio road tho way. One of them had ou heel irons, nie thc shoes seemed to bo half soled. Henry Smith, being sworn, says: I wa with Isas? Dong in following thc tracks, fully concur in all that Long hos said in hi evidence. Thc lurgest shoe seemed to hav some tocks on the outside of each solo. I was rattier a straight shoo with high heels. STATE OF SOUTH GAROMNAI OCONEE COUNTY/. An inquisition ordered taken in th County of Oconee on tho 2Gth duy of Ac gust, 1879, before H. A. II. Gibson, Tnt Justice, ucting Coroner for thc said Conntj upon tho view of tho body of A. Bryce Jr., of Oconee County, then and thora boin dead, by tho oaths of J. li. Abbott, G. \\ Shirley, A. P. Cox, Spencer Chant ben Bailus Chambers, William Turnor, Joh Roach, J. li. Blackwell, W. V. Fondle; Joseph Lee, Richard A. Smith, Jcromia Roach, Isaac Smith, being a lawful jury < inquest, who being charged and sworn t inquire for tho Stato of South Cnroliti wi. en and by what moona tho said A. Brye Jr., onmc to his death, upon their oaths d soy that tho said A. Bryoo, Jr., was killt and murdered by some person or pcrsoi unknown to tho jurors, by gunshot wound against tho peace nnd dignity of tho sad Stato aforesaid. In witness whereof, I, II. A. II. Gibso Trial Justice, acting Coroner aforesaid, ai tho jurors aforesaid to this inquisition ha interchangeably put our hands and seuls tl doy and year above mentioned. [Signod] H. A. H. GJHSON, Trial Justino Acting Coroner. J. BEN ABBKTT, Foreman. G.W. HmnT.RY, A. T. Cox, SPENCER CHAMBERS, BAILUS CHAMBERS, WlM.TAM TURNER, JOHN ROACH, J. H. lifiACKWRLIi, W. V. FENDLEY, JOSEPH LEE, RICHARD A. SMITH*,. JEREMIAH ROACH, ISAAC SMITH. Au Open Letter. SPARTAN nu R0| Soplomber 3, 1879*. W. P. OAMIOUN, ESQ., FAIR PLAY, S. C. DEAR SIR:-Your lotter concerning tho appa rent failuro of your Toaohors' Union to no? complied tho rosults desired, and containing a request fur soino suggestions as to how to mako it a power for good in your oounty, has boen received. Of course my first impulso was to sympathizo with you and tho curliest tendiera associated with you in this work, and to regret tho want of interest exhibited, both by teachers and parents. But, on second thought, I conclude that a partial failure ni*y bo good for you, just as you aro beginning this work. It will bring out and develop the latent power you have. You must examino thc work which you imvo already dono nnd sen if it be good. Thoso of you who hnvo this matter in obnrgo mu6t determino to succoecT. Special instruction for teachers is given in Normal Schools, Institutes nnd Conventions'. Normal S hools continuo from year to yoar as other schools or colleges. Thoy liavo a rogular faculty and classes and a fixed course of instruction. Institutes oro of shorter du ration and last ono to four weeks, or perhaps longer. In balli these tho teacher is taught how to teach. Tho pcoplo aro not interested and never attend. Tho Convention, however, and I think your Union is of tho nature of tho Convention, is a sort of a mass mooting in tho interest of education in which teachers and parents aro alike interested. Sometimes a little instituto work may bo dono even in a convention, except that you cannot have a model das? and go through with a few recita tions. Tho teachers cnn only exchange their pl atm and practico and tell wherein thoy suc ceed and wherrui they full. Lively discus sions B .mcliiv.' d pprir.,< up w hieb intense'^ interest teachers ai.J audience But I am nwaro that you will, in a great moasuro, fail, if tonchors take no interest in your conventions and parents fail to appreci ate their value. If youu can get the latter to attend, then it will depend on the teachers to entertain and instruct them. In order to get tho pooplo interested you muet uso printer's ink freely. I sim old sup pose that all your teachers read their county paper. K they do not, tho missionary should bo sent tn enlighten (hom. Appoint a day fer your Union or convention, get ont an at tractive programme, giving one hour for ibo discussion of each subject; assign two teach ers to speak on each subject, not to exceed fifteen minutes each, then throw the question open for general discussion. Ilavo on essay or two by some of your female teachers. Ask tho young pooplo of tho community where the convention is held to turn out and give you music. It will rest you when tired. Givonn intermission nn hour long for dinner nml social intercourse Invite tho good house-keepers of thc county to turn out and bring well-filled baskets. Fried chicken helps out very much in thoso conventions. In selecting your subjects for discussion tako such as would interest tho most common toachcr. Thc inductive and deductivo sys tems of philosophy, evolution, tho atomic theory of light, arc tho stars inhabited? and such liko subjects would kill any convention in tho world. These should bo a voided. But corporal punishment in schools, tho best method of teaching writing, or geography, cr reading, will bo fresh to every teacher, pupil and parent. Tho duties of the teacher and tho parent, the giving of prizes, thc co .educa tion of (ho sexes and similar questions will awaken an interest on tho part of everyone present. Teachors and patrons will go to their homes feeling a deeper interest in their work. Th is is tho great object of a Conven tion or Union-to impart enthusiasm to (cochera and to make parents take a moro lively intcrost in the education of their children. Now I euggest that for your next Union you get ont nt onco an inviting programme, advertise it well, invito through your poper everybody, make a big thing of it. Every? body likes to go where there is a big crowd/ Lot every teacher go with something to im part to his fellows, or with somo sensible, pointed qeestion to ask. If you do not havo tho success you desiro just now, work tho more earnestly, and it will como ono of thoso days. Earnestness and patience will succeed* Tho very apathy of teachers and parents should arouso your manhood and make you snatch SUCCCSB from defeat itself, An election for Governor took placo in Maine on Monday last. Eighty?two io\yns giro Davis, Republican, 23,007; Garcclon, Democrat, 0,573; Smith, Oroonbnckcr, 11,744. This shows n heavy Republican gain. Subscribe for tho KKOWKR COURIER, Who lias onco used tho Very truly yours, CHARLES PETTY. Tho pooplo residing in Hall. Anderson, Centreville, Varonnos and Savanunh Town ships, in Andorson County, havo votod by largo majorhios to tax themselves to build a railroad from Dom's Mino, by Lowndostille, to Andoreon 0. II. Thc road will bo con structed at an early day, and will bo of groat advnntago to tho town of Andorson. Tho olcotlon in California was for.eighty different offioos: Congross, Legislature, Go vernor, &o. Thoro wore th reo tickots: He publican, Domocratio and Workingmen. Tho Republicans carriod tho Stato by n largo majority, including at least thrco out of tho four mombors of Congross. - mm -. Thirteen hundred pieces of property word sold on 8nlcdny in Charleston or forfeited to tho Stato for taxes; This ie n bad showing for Charleston. Final Settlement 'PUB undersigned petitions to the Probhto 1 Court nt Wnlhnlln, S. C., for a final sottlc incnt of Mic lis?ale of Jopthn Norton, deceased, on Friday, tho 17th day of Ootobor, 1879. at. IA' o'clock A. M., and for a final discharge- fro nv said ?slate as Executor. J. B. SITTON, Kxeoutor. September ll, 1879 48.it Notice to Teacher^. THERE is in tho hands of tho County' Treasurer of this county a small umount of money to bo paid to touchers in tho fol?' lowing townships for thc years 1874 and 1875; Seneca. Centre, Tugaloo, Wagoner and Chuttuga For tho yonrs 1875 and 1870: 'Centre, Seneca, Tugaloo and Pulaski. ISAAC WICKLIFFE, School Commissioner Ooonoo County. September ll, 1879 43-2t labial Settlement rrHI'13 undersigned potitions to tho Probate .1. Court at Walhalla Court Ilonso for a Final Settlement of tho estate of Jarnos F. Ballinger, Rebocen E. Ballongcr, Nancy A. Ballinger, John T. Ballinger and Mary A. Ballinger, minors, on the ".1th day nf Octo ber at 11 o'clock A. M.-Simpson Dickson, Guardiun--now deceased, nnd ask the estate, of said dnconscd'to be released from any furthor llnbilily. .) AMES N. DICKSON. JOSIAH L DICKSON, Executors. Scptcmbor ll, 1879 43-4t 1 ?Sb?tiff's Safe. BY virluo of an execution to mo directed T will sell, on MONDAY, sale day in Ootobcr, 1879, at the Court Ilonso door in Walhalla, between tho legal hours of Bale; tho following described property, to Wit: ONE Tit A CT OF LAND, containing 28 acres, moro or less, lying on tho Public Road leading from Walhalla to Knox's Bridge ad joining lands of Sanmel McJunkin, John Ucid nnd others. Lovied on ns tho property nf Isaac Harbin, at tho snit ol- John W. She? TERMS OF SALE-CASH;, purohascr to poy extra for titles. JAMES IL ROBINS, Sheriff Ocoucc Couuty. September ll, 1879 43-4't JOHN ANSEL CABINET MAKER, UPHOLSTEB AND HAS for sale and on hand what every one needs sooner or later: COFFINS IN CASK HTS, CASKS IN CA.SH HTS, COFFINS Willi or Withe ut Glasses. Embalming Mt o tait O Bim ?al case!* of (ho most improved patterns in (ho United States. Prices reasonable, according to tho limes, September ll, 1879 43-ly VALUABLE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE. STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Oaorie? County Elizabeth Counts against John Hyde, as Executor of tho last will and testament of Mary R. Scoggins, deceased, Sarah H. Hyde, wifo of John Hyde, nnd W. B. Scog* gins, Defendants. BY virtuo of a deorota? ordor mndo In tifo abovo stated ease, on tho 20th day of June, 1879, I will soil by publio auction at tho Court Ilonso in Walhalla, in tho county nnd State aforesaid, on tho first Monday in October, 1879, within tho legal hours of salo tho following Real Estate: Two-thirds in ono tract of land on Conner ross Creek, containing ono hundred nnd twenty-one and onordiali acres, moro or less, adjoining lands of John Dowis, Sarah A. Hyde and ot hers. TERMS OF SALE-One-third oash, tba rcmnining two-thirds on a credit of twolvo months from day of salo, tho naroo to bose? cured by bond nnd mortgage ol tho premisos, purchaser to pay extra for all papors and recording mortgage J. II. ROBINS. Sherill'Oconco County. Sept. ll, 1879 43-4t ptE>S MACHINE will proffer it overall others, and AGENTS soiling it find it just what tho PLOPliK want. It makoff tho shuttlo lock stiloh, runs onsily, doos the widest rango of work, and winds tho bobbins without running tho works of tho mnohlnc Write for dcscriplivo circulars and full parliou PIULA. SEWING MACHINE COMPANY, 1301 fe 1303 Button wood. Street, illili A OHL F ll I/ft, IM. August 2), 187'J 40-40?..-x"