Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Jtoapsi ml Jiifts. j Prentice wants somebody to keep tally of j the reconstruction laws. j ; The latest Parisian caprice, for male exquis- i ites, is a walking stick with a sword inside at one j end, and matches and candlestick at the other. 1 'Artemns Ward said that the man who wrote ' "I'm saddest when I sing," was a fool to sing j much. Iowa has one hundred and forty-three newspapers, but not one specially devoted to religious matters. Upwards of two hundred wild turkeys have been killed this season in the immediate vicinity of Manassas Station. The Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance of New York, in session at Albany, has passed a resolution excluding negro representatives. The Postmaster of New York, has returned more than three thousand letters addressed to *ha nmmiAtAr of a sincle eift fraud in that city. The State of Iowa has the gratifying honor of being entirely out of debt, a record and a glory which no other State can show. At a large meeting at Jersey City, resolutions were adopted denouncing the Supreme Court and Reconstruction bill. Aooording to the New York Times ^ Gen. Butler admits that "the Radicals in Virginia cannot carry their constitution, unless they have the State government given to them." An Iowa editor suggests that every man be allowed to marry as many wives as are required to wiwb, oook, and keep house for him. He has been unfortunate in procuring servants. An eloping clergyman who had decoyed away a young girl, asks for a suspension of public Opinion. Public opinion would be very glad to see him suspended. Under its present constitution, Michigan pays no salary higher than one thousand dollars to any office^ except judicial, and tney are prohibited from receiving any fees or perquisites whatever. Tho aggregate valuation of real estate for taxation purposes, in New York, is $631,737,860, an increase of $75,737,798 over last year's valuation. A Washington telegram says Mr. Johnson is sewed up: Butler is still bottled up: Grant is ? ~ A. politically used up; Stanton is stunea up; ana me country, constitutionally speaking, gone up. The first of the Southern elections will take place on the fourth of February in Alabama, when the new constitution is to be voted on and Congressmen and State officers elected. At Aroostook, in Maine, it is reported that horses are so plenty and business requiring them so dull iu that region, that good horses cannot be let, even for their keeping. "The McArdle case," intended to test the Constitutionality of the Reconstruction Acts, is set down for a hearing in the Supreme Court of the United States, on the first Monday in March. At a recent execution sale in Lincoln county, Tennessee, sixteen bales of good cotton sold at six centaSwr pound, and sixty barrels of corn in pens, brought only sixteen cents per bushel. A Mississippi negro was recently found dead in the woods by the body of a stolen hog. On the negro the following inscription was pinned?"The nigger killed the hog, and the hog lulled the nigger. Selah." At Montgomery, Alabama, last Saturday, able-bodied field hands were hiring themselves at from $50 down to $25 for the year, and boys, who last year got $5 a month, were hiring for their food and clothing. A meeting of negroes in Mississippi recently responded to General Gillem's order requiring the blacks to go to work to make an honest support, and requested him to modify his order so as to embrace whites as well blacks in its provisions. One of the pleasantries of the gas company in Jackson, Mississippi, was cutting off the supply of light from the reconstruction convention,^Decause k would not furnish security for the payment of the gas bill Herrings are plenty in Scotland. The fishcr maa at Graannolr n?a IttLinyxi many liuniiigs, CtlttC they are sold at three-peuce the basket, and the basket holds 150 or more. It was thought that they would soon sell for a penny a hundred. This is the age of paper. Almost everything is made of paper, from money to bats aud shirt collars, and even water pipes. The latest adaption of the article has been discovered in Maine, where a local paper advertises, for the benefit of the ladies, the productions of the "Pa por Pantalette Company.' The Underwriters' Insurance Company, of New York, is said to be extremely lucky in escaping heavy drafts for losses by fire. A iNew York paper says that its secretary attributes its good luck to the fact that it always tries to confine its risks to "pig iron in the basement" The State Comptroller, of Georgia, was removed at his own request. He stated to the Military Governor that he would not sign any warrant issued by the new Governor, and requested that some military man, and not a toadying renegade, might be appointed to fill his place. A newspaper at Jackson, Mississippi, says that the planters in that section have fully determined to plant largely of provision crops. The experiment of two years nns convinced them thut prosperity can never be restored by the extensive culture of cotton. The total number of emigrants that sailed from Liverpool to all parts of the United States, British North America, the Australian colonies, South America, &c., for the year just closed, amounted to 115,681, and for the previous year 123,383, showing a decrease as compared with 1866, of 7,702. The Herald says that that General J. B. Magruder, late of the Confederate army, voluntarily presented himself in the clerk's office of the United States Court, of New York, recently, and proposed to take the oath of allegiance to the government of the United States. The oath was then administered by Commissioner White in the usual manner, Gen. Magruder promptly subscribing to the same. ??By fifty thousand majority, the people of Ohio decided at the late election, that no negro shall have the right of suflrage in that State. Steps are being taken in the legislature to carry out this determination of the people. Mr. Pennister, of Pike county, has introduced a bill making it a penal offence for any judge of the election to receive a vote from any person who has "a visible admixture of African blood." Cotton is raised in many parts of Italy, and the value of the product of late years has equaled $12,000,000 annually. This crop is all used at home, but in addition, large quantities are imported chiefly from America, Genoa being the princiJal market. There are 2(H) cotton factories in taly, employing 10,000 workmen. _ Lombardy and Piedmont, are the provinces in which the spinning and weaving of cotton have made the greatest progress. John W. Mead, light colored delegate from York, while riding on the street railroad at a late hour Wednesday night, lost his valuable gold repeater, and applied to Lieutenant Hendricks yes terday to assist in recovering it. Lieutenant Hendricks put one of his sharp officers on the track, and the watch was secured, but the honorable light colored delegate from York, does not wish to bt exposed, and we refrain particulars.?Charleston Mercury. It is stated that a German glassmaker hat lately made a remarkable discovery. He has invented a telescope, or magnifying glass, bv meant *?Aof mfvinofn nnrtmu on/1 vnconlc in. UI WlilUU 111U lUVOb iuu1vuiv i1vi fVO uuu ivbcvu 1(1 side of the body may be seen from the outside. Ir fact, the whole arrangement and action of the in terior organs, may, by means of this glass, be dis tinguished. The discovery will probably be of ira mease benefit to mankind, as by means ofitth< physician will be able to determine, with unvary mg accuracy, the nature of any particular disease and the proper manner for treating the same. Jay Cook, the great banker, owns an islanc in Lake Erie, which is called Isle Gibraltar, ant to the luxurious retreats of which he sends hi: friends to enjoy themselves in fishing and bath ing. The ecfitor of a Sandusky paper has beer shown the banker's printed cards by means 01 which his friends travel, at his expense, to anc from this Gibraltar Island, to their homes in the east Every month the cards are sent in with the bills attached, and the rich man settles up the travelling expenses. His expenses are great, but his income is equal to that of half a dozen European princes. At the present session of the United States Court, no less than fifty of our most respectable retailers are indicted for selling sardines, cosmetics, perfumery, etc., of foreign importation, without a revenue stamp. The impression prevails general- e |y amongst storekeepers that because these articles t nave already paid an import duty, and in gold, . that they are relieved from further taxation, but it f is not so; such articles, according to the internal * revenue laws, require a stamp, and the vender is liable to a fine of fifty dollars for each violation, t There are now several United States detectives, l regularly commissioned, who trade with the ignorant and unwary, and we would therefore advise . those who offer such articles for sale to look to their ; stamps.?Charleston Mercury. 1 ???????? ( ?0iMfe (inquirer.! zzzzzz=zirrrzr==zz3=i=iir=i=zzizz~iiz: ' YORKTTLLE, S. C.: 1 ? tut nn i o/?n THURSDAY MUKJNIJNbr, JAJM, 3U, 1000. Cash.?It must be distinctly understood that our terms for subscription, advertising and jobwork, are cash, in advance. X.?The paper will be discontinued on the expiration of the time for which payment has been made. A Subscriber finding a (X) cross-mark on the wrapper or margin of his paper, will understand that the time paid for has expired. / SOUP FOR THE DESTITUTE. / The sufferings of the destitute and poverty Btrickin people of the South, have at last excited a sympathetic chord in the hearts of the obdurate body composing the present Congress of the United States; and, in a spirit of tender charity, they have proposed to compensate us for the tax on cotton, which is still exacted, by giving us the remains of oertain vegetables and grasses that were put up by army contractors some years ago, for the use of the United States Army. However thankful we ought to feel for these small favors, we must confess that experience during certain raids on United States army wagons during the war, taught us that the "dessicated vegetables" were not, even in those hungry days, a very desirable reinforcement to a haversack. Our soldiers found them by the ton, in the captured camps of tie epemy, and from the indifference manifested by their owners towards securing them from hungry rebels, we must think that the United States troops did not entertain a very high opinion of their value. The flavor of these decoctions may have improved for the better, however, by their confine ment in the vaults of the Commissary store-rooms, for the past three years, and a lump of the concern made into soup, would no doubt, defer starvation for a while at least. While we had rather have rations of hog and hominy, with less reconstruction, it becomes us to take the best we can get, and under the circumstances, if any of the "dessicated vegetables" should come round this way, we advise all who can do so, to obtain their share, and learn the art of making it into soup. 1 + ^ RADICAL DESIGNS* / It is generally supposed that the main object of 'the Radical party is to remain in power and enjoy its emoluments, and that at any cost to the country. Doubtless this is an object to the hangers-on and office-hunters of the party, who would prefer anarchy and civil war to giving up the loaves and fishes. But this is far from being the sole object of those who control the party. Power is indeed dear to these so-called statesmen, and so also is the gratification of their malice towards the white people of the South. These leaders, however, have a far more deeply laid plan in view, which is ably exposed in a late number of DcBows Review. As the article is rather long, we will endeavor to give its substance. The object of the ruling spirits of .Radicalism, who are mostly representatives of New England capitalists aud manufacturers, is nothing less than to Africanize the South and make it uninhabitable for white meD. This has been openly proclaimed hv some of their writers, and it is to be accomplish eu?not for the benefit of the negro race, but for sole advantage of Northern capital " IF the whites now in the South can be driven out of it and immigration prevented, the South would be lost to civilization; for the negro race, unassisted by superior ability, has never yet been able to maintain the position of a civilized people. The productions of the South wo\ild rapidly decline in quantity and in value also, when in competition with thoso of the North. Our cotton factories would go to ruins, and the small supply of cotton would not more than furnish material for the factories of New England, which result would enable the latter to control the prices of the raw material and the goods manufactured from it. By this means, they could pay as low a price as they desired for cotton, and charge as high as they pleased for cotton goods.? This suggestion affords a plausible reason for the otherwise inexplicable efforts of Congress to break down the cultivation of cotton, which, on any other supposition, seem to be merely an insane display of hatred to our people. Another proposed advantage of this plan, is the transfer of some eight millions of whites to the North and Northwest. It is believed they would add greatly to the annual production of grain and meat, whereby the price of these necessaries would be reduced ; and that the number of mechanics and factory operatives would be so increased that the price of labor would fall to almost nothing.? With these conditions all fulfilled, the capitalists of the East would become the lords of the whole country, paying nothing for labor, food and material, and reaping a rich harvest from manufactures. There is reason to believe that this scheme of "possessing the land for the saiuts" is actually en-J tertained by some of the Radical leaders, who are laboring for the desolation of the South, and the impoverishment of the West and the great majorv__ .fa.: 'PI,of ny Ul U1CU UWII ii;iusvt-V/iciAv;?io ill vuv- Aimv the mass of the Radical party entertain such designs is by no means true ; but partizans never do see the designs of their leaders; their duty is simply to vote and hurrah. Yet the deluded followers of Sumner, Stevens and Phillips, are at this very hour working, to the best of their ability, East, West and South, to produce this result, which, even if accomplished, can end in nothing less than war, anarchy, and the ruin of the country, j WHAT THE CONVENTIONS ARE DOING. Reconstruction is now in full blast, through the medium of pie-bald Conventions, in the so-called ; States of Virginia, North Carolina, South C'aroliI na, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. ! We give a brief synopsis of the doings oftheas' semblies in the other States, during the past week: | Virginia.?On the 20th, a resolution was introduced disfranchising ex-members of Congress . and all State and city officers, from governors down . to policemen. Laid over, i On the 21st, the convention spent the day dis' cussing the bill of rights. A committee was ap! pointed to invite Grant to visit the convention. On the 23d, resolutions were introduced and re. ferred, for a law compelling children to attend . school, and prohibiting special privilcgcsbcinggiven s to any company engaged in bringing emigrants to Virginia. 1 On the 24th, a resolution was adopted memo| rializing Congress to extend the limitations of the . Bankrupt Act. ? North Carolina.?On the 21st, the conven tinn was encaced in considering a relief ordinance, ) and discussing the question of the per diem oi members. 1 The 22d was consumed, likewise, discussing the I per diem and traveling expenses of members. 3 Eight dollars per day and twenty-five cents per J mile, was finally agreed upon, p Having done sufficiently on the 21st and 22d, [ they rested from their labors on the 23d. 5 On the 24th, the spirit of legislation was rife, : and a resolution was offered authorizing the county ! boards of registration to disfranchise all persons who were engaged in the rebellion, or who gave aid and comfort , A resolution was passed calling on the treasurer, . on the warrant of the President of the convention, to pay the par diem and mileage of members. Georgia.?The Convention, on the 21st resolvd to ask Congress to grant it authority to remove he present State of officers. Also, to so modify he test oath, so as to admit repentant rebels to of- . ioe. On the 23d, it spent the day in trjing to define ' reason. Probably had no dictionaries, or might lave got a definition sooner. On the 24th, the "Repentants" resolved to ask Congress to pay them for their valuable services, nasmuch as Gov. Jenkins had put the State funds jut of reach. In the meantime, a, report was i brought in that the Military had forced the State road to advance $10,000, and the Convention immediately resolved to divide the amount among the members. Florida.?This seems to be a sort of one-horee concern. Twenty-one persons met on the 21st, and pronounced themselves the monaa convention. One Daniel Richards, white, was elected President, and sundry negroes to the other offices. On the 22nd, they sent out invitations to various persons to come in and see the fun; and adopted a resolution to prohibit the sale of property under execution and the collection of taxes ; no doubt forgetting all about their per diem, and a quarter a mile. They did "absolutely nothing" on .the 23d; so the telegraph says. Probably so. The 24th was spent in discussing the proceedings of the 23d, and swearing at the editois for making fun of them. Mississippi.?The pie-balds proposed, on the 20th, that hereafter all persons shall be disqualified from voting or holding office who have, at any time, been connected with the Confederate Government in any capacity, save under compulsion. The disfranchisement is very sweeping. According to this ordinance no one can even fill the position of a common school teacher, who cannot take the ironclad oath, specially manufactured by this convention. On the 21st, a resolution was introduced providing that all marriage licenses hereafter issued, all deeds, bonds, mortgages and other instruments, made and acknowledged before the pioper officers, since January, 1861, be valid and in full force; that, after the ratification of the constitution, no property, except wearing apparel, be exempt from execution for-debt On the 22d, a resolution from a Committee was reported, asking the General Commanding to suspend all taxes for 1867. As this body has been in session for some time, it is supposed that they have already collected all the taxes that can be had on the per diem principle. January 23.?Gen. Gillem snubbed the conyen tion by telling them, verbally, that he would sustain no legislation of theirs except the: framing of a constitution and civil government for the State. The tax ordinance was taken up and adopted. January 24.?Adopting Glen. Gilleiu's advice, the Convention occupied itself in Constitution making. Louisiana.?On the 23d, the convention adopted an article of the constitution providing that every citizen of the United States, who has been a resident of the State for one year, and of the parish for sixty days, eball be deemed an elector, unless disfranchised by this convention. The 24th was consumed in discussing the most effective plan for disfranchising rebels, and providing offices for repentant seekers after reconstruction on the Congressional plan. Bully! 1 ? ? ? CONGRESSIONAL. Monday, January 20.?The Senate refused to recede from its amendments to the House bill removing the cotton tax, and Sherman, Conkling and Morrill, were appointed on the committee of conference. The House resumed the consideration of the new reconstruction bill. Butler offered to amend the bill by vacating all State offices and conferring np fWontmng now pitting, thp pnippr tn fill tbem. Amendment lost Tuesday, 21st?In the House, several ineffectual efforts were made to amend the ]Ieconstrui? tion Bill, when the bill was finally passed by a vote of 123 to 45; Cary, of Ohio, and Stewart, otWew York, Republicans, voting with the opposition. The Secretary of War was directed to issue, for the use of the South, the dessicated vegetables in the Commissary Department, left from the army supplies. The Committee on the cotton tax were unable to agree, and the House appointed a new Committee of Conference. Wednesday, 22d.?The Senate was engaged in considering the reconstruction Din. The amendment to the bill to suspend the cotton tax, was re-affinned by the Senate, that body insisting on removing the duty from imported cotton. In the House, the Committee on Education were directed to inquire into the expediency of providing a general system of education in the South by* which every child between five and twenty would receive the benefits of education. The bill forfeiting lands granted rebel States for railroad purposes, was resumed. During the discussion Chandler called Julian a coward. The Speaker ruled the words unparliamentary. Chandler retorted : "Certainly not, if he is one." Julikn replied that Chandler could test his cowardice aFtmy. time. Chandler said: "Very well, sir, I'll take an early opportunity." The bill went over. Thursday, 23d.?In the Senate the Reconstruction bill was read the second time. Mr. Doolittle spoke in opposition, when the morning hour expired. The Cotton Tax Conference Committee reported in favor of agreeing to the House bill, with an amendment exempting cotton from import duties after April first, in which the Senate concurred. The Reconstruction Committee, this morning, agreed to report the following bill : Be it enacted, &c., That the appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the United States shall not extend to any act done, or wh ich shall be done, or to any proceeding had, or which shall be had, under and by virtue of the act entitled "an act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel States," approved March 2, 1867. or of the several acts supplementary thereto, and all such cases now pending in said court, either by appeal or otherwise, from any proceeding had in the premises in any District or Circuit Court of the United States shall be dismissed by said Supreme Court, and no record of any proceedings had, or which might be had, under cither of the District Commanders, under either of the acts, shall be removed to or received in any other tribunal, cither upon habeas corpus, quo icarranto, or in any other manner whatever. The business in the House was unimportant. Friday, 24th.? In the Senate, a joint resolution, authorizing the distribution of dessicated meats and vegetables not needed by the army, to the sufferers in the South, was passed. The Reconstruction bill was resumed. Morton spoke and Nye will follow. The argument will probably last ten days. _L lie ULUUaC UiiHlglWUbV niv? wutvivuvv tec's report ou the cotton tax, and appointed a new committee. On the 25th, the Senate was not in session; and in the House, the day was devoted to speech-making. On the 27th, nothing of interest occurred in the House. In the Senate, the Reconstruction Bil] was under consideration. ? The President and Stanton. The excitement in regard to the difficulty between President Johnson and Mr. Stanton seems, in a measure, to have subsided. Dispatches from Washington state that Grant and Sherman are endeavoring to induce Stanton to resign. The Wash ington correspondent of the Baltimore Sun says that "Mr. Stanton is reduced to the merest clerkship in the War Department. The President wil not permit any order to be sent from that departi raent except in strict accordance with law, which, being literally followed, will prevent any order issuing from the Secretary of War as heretofore, and compel everything of that character to be issued by direction of the President. General Grant will only recognize orders from the President." LOCAL ITEMS. | HEW ADVERTI8EMEHT8. k. Gragnior, Charlotte, N. C.?Wanted. T. 8. Jefferys, Agent?Home Insurance of New Yqrk. T. 8. Jefferys and W. B. Metts, Assignees?In the Matter of Thomas Davies, Bankrupt, r. 8. Jefferys and W. B. Metts, Assignees?In the Matter of R. 8. Moore and James Mason, Bankrupts. ; r. 8. Jefferys and W. B. Metts, Assignees?In the i Matter of R. S. Moore, Bankrupt Enquirer Office?Mink Skins Wanted. Stowe <fc Pegrkm?To whom it may Concern. W. H. Brawley?Assignee's Notice. 1 OUR PREMIUMS FOR 0LUB8. On the third of October last, we first made the nnnrmnramont in reference to the premiums that we should offer for the largest Clubs, and designated the Second Monday in February, 1868, as the date of award. In our handbills, issued on the 28th of November, the same date is mentioned. We discovered only a day or two ago, that by an error of the types, the date of award is fired by the advertisement in the Enquirer, for the first Monday in February. We make this announcement for the purpose of correcting the error. The dateofawardisthe "Second Monday of February, 1868, at 3 o'ctOCK, p. m." t ' . - ? THE DI8TEI0T OOUBT. The January Term of the District Court began its sessions on Monday, the 20th instant, and adjourned on Saturday morning. The following sentences were?passed, upon parties found guilty, during the term? State vs. Charlie Herbert?Petit Larceny?Imprisonment, one week. State v*. Joseph Potts and others?Petit Larceny?Imprisonment, three weeks in Jail, and hard labor. State vs. Nicodemus Smith?Petit Larceny? Imprisonment, four weeks in Jail, and hard labor. State vs. Tom Holmes and Sam Jackson^-Petit Larceny?Imprisonment, two weeks in Jail, and hard labor. State vs. John C. Smith?Assault and Battery? Fine, five cents. State vs. Sam Douglass?Petit Larceny?Imprisonment, two weeks in Jail, and hard labor. State vs. Alex. Stoney?Petit Larceny?Impris onment one day. The cases of the State vs. Eliza Johnson?two cases of retailing without license?were tried, Defendant found guilty, and appeal taken. Also, the State vs. W. M. Kerr?two cases of Assault and Battery?tried, and verdict of guilty. Defendant appealing for new trial. G. W. Williams, Esq., represented the State, the regular Solicitor, C. D. Melton, Esq., being absent CHESYEBT']QNTRIBUTORIAL. nv WM. h. BRAWLEY. CHESJER, S. C., JANUARY 28,1808. COTTON Seems to be advancing in price everywhere else; but the market here has undergone little change. THE TOURNAMENT. It is announced that the Tournament, so long expected, will come off on Thursday, the 30th instant, (weather permitting). ACCIDENTAL DEATH. We are sorry to announce the death of the wife of Mr. Heniy Letson, which occurred on Sunday night, under very painful circumstances. She fell out of the bed, and being quite a large woman, fractured her skull on the wash-board, which produced instant death. 0. D. MELTON ESQ. We observe iu the report of the proceedings of the Convention, that Maj. C. D. Melton has been chosen one of the legal ad risers of that body. Very few men are more competent for such a position. but W-hnre reason to .helifiyfi that ho will decline it. ^ REPUDIATION. It is pateht to every one who has read the reports of the proceedings of the Convention, that the scheme of universal repudiation meets with no favor in that body. A homestead law will probably be passed, and debts contracted for negroes, declared null and void; but beyond this, no other relief can be hoped for by debtors. There has been an impression for some time past, that the Convention would wipe out all old debts. The sooner this notion is dispelled, the better it will be for the country. The Convention has no disposition to do any thing of the kind, even if it had the power; which no sane man believes it has. It will be the desire of that body to make land so cheap, that it will bo within the reach of the, poorest This can best be accomplished by permitting all of the land in the country to be thrown on the market, . 1J-,..j-1_: Ifl?a. JjCtnoUCDtor, cnen, aeiuae muiseu uy uiciuvu^u. that he can evade his debts and hold his property; but while it is yet time, let him propose to pay what he can, and.all just men who have money owing to them, should accept of a liberal compromise. In this way, and only through this means, can debtors escape utter bankruptcy. ^ THE RECONSTRUCTION BILL. The new Reconstruction Bill recently passed by one House of Congress, and awaiting the action of the other, provides: Section 1. That the existing provisional civil State Governments?those set up by President Johuson and so far left by Congress at the discretion of the military commanders?iu the ten unreconstructed Rebel States, shall not be recognized by the Executive or judicial authorities of tno linked States. Sec. 2. That the General of the army (General Grant) shaH have full and absolute authority in the execution of the Reconstruction laws over each and all the ten States embraced in the five Southern Military Districts. Sec. 3. That the General of the Army, in his discretion, may remove and appoint the civil officers in said States, and the President shall not interfere with nim in these matters or in the appointment of the military district commanders. Sec. 4. That it shall be unlawful for the President to order the army or navy to the support of any existing-provisional govcrnmentof said ten unreconstructed States. . Sec. 5. That any interference by any person with intent to prevent the execution of the orders of General Grant, under the law, shall be held to be a high misdemeanor, subject to a penalty of five thousand dollars fine and two years' imprisonment. As apropos to the above bill, and explaining, in condensed logic, its monstrous features, we give, from the Baltimore Gazette, the following scene, enacted in the House just before its final adoption by that body: "Just before Mr. Bingham, of Ohio, who reported the bill, rose to close the debate, his colleague, Mr. Carey (Republican) propounded to him four questions, saying that upon the satisfactory character of Mr. Bingham's replies would depend his (Carey's) vote on the pending bill. These - questions were?1st If General Grant should fail or refuse to execute this law, or should execute it " " nmpl manner, to what tribunal I IU Ur UWpUlW UUU Vi?v- 7 would ho be responsible for the non-feasance or ' malfeasance? 2d, As by the terms of the bill the President cannot interfere, can the General be tried ! by a court martial, and if so, who can order, and [ who shall constitute the Court ? 3d, Not being a civil officer, can be impeached, and if so, by whom, and before what tribuual? 4th, If he cannot be arraigned before any earthly tribunal, is he not made an absolute despot ? These four inquiries, so simple in their nature, i fell with decided effect upon the Radical side of i the Hall, and immediately Butler, Schenck, Bout. well and others, rushed oyer to Bingham's desk to . prompt him in his replies; but that gentleman ; deemed it more prudent not to answer, and at once called the previous question, thus not only stopping debate, but cutting off Ben. Butler's amend' ment, which he so strenuously endeavored to get before the House, and which was intended to pass , the State Governments of the South into the hands . of the Negro Conventions. These four inquires by Mr. Carey should be published far ana wide. 1 They were propounded by a Republican, and were not answered by Mr. Bingham. They tell the ;| whole story of to-day's proceedings in a few words, 'and in words which cannot be misunderstood." COLUMBIA OONTRIBUTORIAL; BY JA8. WOOD DAVIDSON. 1 1 I JOLUMBIA, SOUTH OABOLISA, 27TH JAHUABY. 1868. Sreeley and Hogs. Greeley's advice to the South is Root Hog, or Die. There is practical wisdom in it. We hand t round. Horace has a right to speak?to Hogs, tie understands their wants; has been one a good while himself; and it is "all in the family" with him in the matter. We like hogs. The Negro. The Kadicals are beginning to feel the weight they are carrying. It is said that both Garfield ?j t?;?i.? ?? t?-j:?i?c auu Diugottui, raimug xvauiuuo ui vuiu, ca)/iu? the deliberate opinion that "the negro must he thrown overboard." Do our negroes not understand the relation they occupy to the Radicals yet? Or must they go on until they are actually "thrown overboard" before they see it? We think they must; but they will go overboard none the less or later for that. The Convention. The Qfcrcury belabours this body with unremitting sarcasm, burlesque and railery. A Northern correspondent of a New York paper writing from Charleston says: "You may be astonished when 1 tell you that there is scarcely a Southern white man in the Convention who has character enough to keep him out of the Penitentiaiy." That is heavy on somebody. We think it too heavy; but it is noteworthy as coming from a Northern man who might be expected to sympathize with,this "Great Ring-streaked-and-striped Negro Convention," as the Mercury rejoices to style it. Periodical*. In sectarian periodical literature, we know of nothing more admirable in the South than the Southern Presbyterian Review, published in this city under the management of an association of ministers. The ability of this quarterly is a longago-recognized fact that should commend it to all who desire discussions ill this sphere of literature, and especially to those who agree with the theology peculiar to this denomination. The price is $3 a year. The address is Rev. James Woodrow, Columbia, S. C. The second number?that for February?of Lippincolfs Magazine, mentioned in another column last week, has appeared. Its typography is the perfection of neatness; uud its letter press is fully up to the highest standard of Northern monthly journalism. The price is $4 a year; and thirtyfive cents a single number. Messrs. Duffie & Chapman of Columbia?who have done us the courtesy of putting on our table this current issue?keep the Magazine for sale by the number,, and will also reoeive subscriptions for any period of time?a month, a quarter, or a year. At the University. The Lecture of Prof. John LeConte, postponed from Thursday to Friday evening, on account of the bad weather, was a decided success. In some directions, the Lecturer went beyond the power of the non-professional hearers to follow him; but yet his results were, despite all their inherent intangibility, brought lucidly forward. The least learned there could not fail to gather an immense amount of information, both useful and beautiful; and the most learned there, we venture, hardly ever listened to a more learned, brilliant, and impressive demonstration of the magnificent dimensions, the dizzying velocities, the awe-inspiring order, the the ineffable beauty, and the stupendous grandeur, of this material universe of ours. Although the house was full, and the audience the most flattering possible, yet, it is apparent that though these University Lectures have now been going on for a couple of months, our public is not yet fully awake to the importance of the series?to tlie va!UeTS~he dfcrtved ItoUTthis new fbrm of iff structron. On Thursday evening, the 30th instant, the next Lecture will be delivered by Dr. LaBorde, upon the Character and Genius of Sir Walter Scott. On Thursday evening, the 6th of February, it is understood, Dr. Darby will deliver the next lecture in the series. His subject has not transpired yet. Ariel again. Since last week, we have read Dr. Howe's notice of Ariel's brochure; and the reading prepares us to affirm the opinion of it then suggested. It w, by far, the most able and satisfactory answer to Ariel, as far as it goes, that we have seen. It is, to a great extent, philological, butnot exclusively so. It goes far to establish the fact that Ariel is both unscrupulous and uulearned. In the Critical Notices of the last number of the Southern Presbyterian Jtecicw, just out, we find a joint notice of Ariel and Helper. It is savagely severe upon both of them; and fairly makes against Ariel the damaging point that he is not a man of any legitimate claim to science?has hardly a smattering of it?is ignorant of even the language of science. In general, this notice is'very suggestive and satisfactory; but is merely a notice, and not a review?it indicates the line of argument by which Ariel may be answered, but does not propose to elaborate the answer. We learn that a new Reply to Ariel is in the hands of the printers, or soon to be placed there, which will probably be better than any of its predecessors. It is time, if the clergy are going to answer the thing, that they do so properly. All this bluster or sophomorical rant at Ariel, is very damaging to the reputation for common sense, on the part of those who indulge in it. EDITORIAL INKLINGS. A Determined Youth. A Bureau Agent, in Texas, was recently killed by a boy, under the following circumstances: Captain Culver, the agent alluded to, accompanied by a soldier, called upon a Mr. Stewart to collect a fine which the former had imposed upon him. Mr. S. who was on his way to shoot a beef, accompanied by his son, declined to pay it, as he had appealed to a higher authority. Culver insisted upon payment, and demanded Stewart's gun ; Hut Stewart refused to give it up, saying, however, that he would take it home and put it upon the rack over his door, wheu Culver could take it if he chose tc do so. When they reached the house, and while in the act of putting up his gun Stewart was shot by both the Bureau gentry. Mrs. S. who was behind the house made some noise, which caused the assassins to shoot her, but not mortally. At thif juncture, her son came upon the scene, and seeing his parents both lying dead, as he supposed, he fired one barrel of his gun into the body of Culver. On this, the soldier fired two shots at the boy, who returned the fire, wounding his enemy, who endeavored to change his base to a safer country. But the boy captured Culver's pistol and shot him again, when he returned to Culver, who was nol quite dead, and finished him with an axe. A large , sum of money was found on the person of the defunct Agent, which circumstance, in conjunctior with others, indicates that he was about to run a way from the country. Farm Labor in Virginia. , The farmers of the Old Dominion have experienced a great deal of trouble, from the propensity of freedmen to leave them just when then labor was most needed. Some of the farmers hav< adopted the plan of so distributing the aggregate amount of a year's wages, as to pay their laborers for each month according to the value of labor du ring that month. By this plan, the wages is re duced during the months in which the laborer has but little to do, and increased in the main workinj month. Supposing the year's wages to be $120, the pay per month will be as follows: For Janu i aryand February, $7 per month; March, $8; A i pril, $10; May, $12; June, $17; July $16; August $12; September, $10; October, November, De cember, $7 each." By this arrangement, a freed t man is debarred the privilege of living on fall pa] with nothing to do until April, and then leaving his employer in the lurch to pocket the loss. This pl&i may not strike Gen. R. K. Scott very favorably; but, if we are not misinformed, the farmers of Ohio (his native State) pay their laborers on a similar sytem. How Hancock Treated Longstreet. The New Orleans Times to illustrate the way in which one honorable soldier meets another once in arms against him, says: "A few days ago General James Longstreet called at the residence of General Hancock and sent in his card. General Hancock was then engaged with some friends, ladies and gentlemen. He immediately left them to receive his old army friend, more recently his foe, but now again his friend, and after a warm greeting, insisted upon conducting General Longstreet into the parlor and introducing him to the company there assembled. The style of the introduction was so peculiar that we reproduce it for the special benefit of the malignant Radicals, as a full justification for their suspicions of General Hancock's loyalty. "T ?'' Ml'/I ^lanOMl TTon/wV JJitUlCS UilU (JCUUCUICU) OOIU UVUVIW mwuwvj "allow me to introduce to you a gallant gentleman, to whom I ,.m indebted for an ungraceful limp, and whom I had the misfortune to wing in the same combat." We must add that, although the company was composed exclusively of ladies and gentlemen whose sympathies were on the Unionside in the late war, the incident excited a profound and most pleasurable sensation, and the two distinguished soldiers were regarded with increased admiration." PROCEEDINGS op the RECONSTRUCTION CONVENTION. [continued from first page.] solicitors secured. F. J. Moses, Jr., from the same oommittee, to whom was referred a resolution to employ the legal services of C. D. Melton, Esq., one of the State Solicitors, in aid of the purpose of the convention, reported that they had naa the same under consideration and recommend that it do pass, with the amendment that Major D. T. Corbin, United States District Attorney, be included in the same arrangement The question being token on the adoption of the report it was decided in the affirmative. penitentiary affairs. Lemuel Boozer, white, of Lexington^ from the committee on the Miscellaneous Provisions of the Constitution, to whom was referred a resolution that a committee of five shall be appointed to proceed to Columbia, and investigate certain reports concerning the penitentiary, reported that they hod considered the same, and that, in the opinion oi the committee, its subject matter was one which belonged exclusively to the Committee on the Judiciary, since the resolution was a proposition to appoint a commission to review the action of the Judiciary of the State. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. bribery in elections. Timothy Hurley, white, introduced a resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Franchise, that hereafter all elections in the State shall be free and voluntary; that any elector allowing himself to be bribed or corrupted by meat, drink or moneys, shall be punished therefor; and that if any perI irnn roVin nliafl Jirfirtlv or indirectlv. give nromise of, or bestow any suet rewards, be elected, be shall thereby be rendered incapable to hold any office oi trust for a period of ten years, and be punished bj fine and imprisonment. THE MILITIA. The same delegate offered a resolution, that all able-bodied male citizens in the State between eighteen and forty-five vears of age, except such persons as are exempt by law, shall be enrolled, armed, equipped and trained as the legislature may pro vide. All officers to be Commissioned by the Gov ernor, and to hold commissions during good beha vior. The legislature to fix the divisions in brig ades and regiments. The Governor to appoint al officers above the rank of major, and m^ors ant other subordinate officers to be elected by the sev eral commands. Referred to the Committee on Miscellaneon Provisions of the Constitution. A FUTILE ATTEMPT TO ABOLISH DISTRICT COURTS Rev. J. M. Runion, white, of Greenville, offer ed the following : Be it ordained, &e., That the inferior courts o [ each district known as District Courts, be, and th same are hereby abolished, and all judgments an decrees of such courts, rendered after the passag i of this ordinance, shall be null aud void. Dr. Neagle, white, of YorL moved that th convention go into committee of the whole on thi subject 1 The President explained that all resolution i whose object is of a permanent character are re quired, by rule, jo be referred to a committee, be fore they can be considered, unless the oonventioi suspend the rules for the purpose of immediat 1 consideration. > B. F. Whittemore, white, Darlington, movei to suspend the rules. The motion was agreed to. The question being on resolving the oonventioi into committee of the whole was then taken, am 1 likewise decided in the affirmative. J. M. RUTLAND IN THE CHAIR R. C. DeLarge, colored, of Charleston, said h > was opposed to toe manner in wnicn uie reauiuuui was being treated. He agreed with its spirit, am ' did not deem this class of courts essential to thi proper administration of justice in the State ; bu ' the question of abolishing one of the branches o the government was a grave one, and the responsi bUities which its decision involved were too impor ? tant for the convention to act hastily and withou , that careful consideration, which could only b given by a committee. Indeed, he did not knov but that instead of facilitating, they would retan justice by rushing this resolution through the con vention, as they seemed inclined to do, regardlea of the consequences. L. S. Langley, colored, of Beaufort; J. H Rainey, colored. of Georgetown Timothy Hurley white, of Charleston; B. H. Randolph, colored of Lexington, opposed, and Runion, white, o Greenville, favored the resolution, i Dr. Neagle, white, of York, thought the con vention was acting too hastily. It was true tha , public opinion condemned District Courts; trui that they cost the State fifty or a hundred thous and dollars per aunum, but the change contempla ted should be made with care and deliberation. With reference to the right of the convention U legislate on this subject, he had no doubt It wa here to form a civil government And what di< that mean but to create an organic law, and gene ral laws, and to provide officers to execute the? laws ? The convention had jurisdiction over ever; ' official position in the State, and he (the speaker could place no other construction upon the acts o Congress. Tney were here to frame a constitution to estab lish a government, and unless they could make th< machinery to put it in operation they might as wel go home. Hence, he argued?the complete con ! trol of the convention over the District Courts o ' the State. i Dr. A. G. Mnckey, President, said he did no , intend to obtrude his views upon the convention ! but this was one of the most important question that could come before the body?not so mucl with reference to the principle involved in the or ! dinance itself, a principle upon which a very larg i number of people of all shades of political charac ; ter agree?but because its introduction is evidence ! not only of an improper desire to legislate upoi matters clearly not within the province of the con vention, but of a wish td legislate with unseeml; 1 haste. 1 In regard to the character of District Courts, o the necessity for their abolition, he intended to sa; i nothing. It was not the time or place to discus t the principles involved. The real question unde [ consideration was: What right had the oonventioi ' to pass any such ordinance? Were they possesses " of legislative powers outside the specific purpos i for which they were called together? And if i should be determined that they had such authori tv, was it the best way to exercise that power, b thrusting at once upon the convention, withou due consideration, one of the most important met sures that can command its judgment? Now, said the speaker, I contend that this cor A^IIA/1 nn/lon tbn T?iwir [ BllLUUUUttK WUVCUUUU TTOO UWI^U uuu^i vuw aww? , struction acts of Congress and-the order of Genera ' Canby. It was called for a specific purpose and n : other, and it is illegal and wrong for it to adopt an 3 measure which it is not authorized to review an consider. I know that if I should say the convet . tion is possessed of legislative powers, I should b 3 on the side of what I believe to be the heretic* r political opinions of this State. I know it has bee 1 generally neld in South Carolina that conventioc > of the people were sovereign and -unlimited in thei - powers; so much so that it was unnecessary thei - acts should be referred to the people, because , was deemed they were the people themselves. Bi . this is an opinion I have never entertained, an one which I believe no jurist in the ooantry woul scarcely hold 1 It is generally conceded that conventions ai } called to make constitutions?not to make law; l This, in my opinion, is the object of this bod; And yet, critically considered, it is not even to make a coritetitution. We have not even the power of declaring what shall be the constitution of South Carolina. Our powers are limited here as in every other State, namely, to the simple proposition of what we believe would be a proper form of constitution : and until the people shaliTatify our action, it will be of no effect whatever. Now, if we cannot frame a constitution without first submitting it to the people, can we undertake to- sit here, from day to day, without passing?through the usual forms of first, second and third readings?ordinances which upset the very foundations of society; ordinances which are to destroy courts that for two years have been in existence, and in which the rights and property of many citizens are involved? Have we a right to declare that those courts are . m abolished, without any reference to the people, and that all judgments and decrees of such courts, rendered after the passage of this ordinance, shall be null and void ?' Have we a right to declare that we will change the whole state of society at T once? I The gentleman who preoeded me admits that whatever ordinances we adopt must be submitted to the people. This is a great admission, but it should be followed with the remark, that such being the case, it is wholly unnecessary for us to pass any such ordinance, as the one probosed. We have appointed a Committee on the Judiciary, to whom are to be submitted all these questions for discussion, and after laborious investigation, with the aid of such legal counsel as they may secure, they are to recommend to the oonvention what course should be adopted in reference thereto. . * Why did we appoint this Committee on the Judiciary? That it might be a mere shadow without subetanoe. That after haying -.appointed it to frame a portion of the constitutromelating to the iudiciary, we shall tako grave subjects out of its hands, resolve ourselves into a Committee upon the Judiciary, and without examination, without instructions, without legal counsel, pass an ordi- ' nance which we all admit is a mere brutum fulmcn ?a harmless thunderbolt?which can have no effect until acted upon by the people?- - . - How much greater will be the influence of this convention if, with dignity and decorum, we say, ; we will touch none of these things; we have come gfl here, under the Reconstruction Acts of Congress, to frame a constitution for the acceptance of the people of the State, and we wiQ confine ourselves to this task. We win give to each portion of the constitution that due deliberation to whichit is entitled. We wiU divide the questions which arise , t among the appropriate committees, and let thebe, i at their leisure, uninfluenoed by eloquence, or other considerations, which might control them upon i this floor, determine what is right or wrongj and present it here I Then wifl be tune enough for us : to talk of abolishing District Courts. Butif we pass this ordinance now, who can predict where we shall stop? . L - *v, i From afl the information I have been able to ob: tain upon the subject of preceding constitutional - ? ?2 c J.. cuuveuuuua, uiiu iiuui u smuy ui uic uuicoujuiwuj upon the subject, I believe that a constitutional convention hsus no rightto pass any other ordinance than such as has been committed to it by the people. In this case there is bat one ordinance that s this convention can pass, and that is to levy and collect a tax. Its next and only other business is . to frame a constitution. Iu conclusion, I move that this resolution be re> ferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and that. I the Committee on the Whole do now rise. : The motion was agreed to, and the chairman, J. r Ml Rutland, reported action. ; The question occurred on adopting the report of thd Committee of the Whole, and it was decided 1 in the affirmative. - m jurymen to bead and write. *~1 J. K. Sasportas (colored), of Orangeburg, offer- i , cd the following, which was referred to the oom mittee on the Judiciary: " " Whereat, The bulwark of life and liberty de pends upon the intelligence of those who sit in - judgment on their feDcw-men, be it 1 Resolved, That all persons may sit on juries with1 out regard to race, color, or previous condition, - provided they are registered voters, and are able to read and write legibly. s W. E. Johnson, colored, a preacher, submitted a resolution: "That ministers may hold office if they wish to do so." ' / The convention then adjourned to meet at 12 M., to-morrow. ^ f -1 e 8events, day, i Wednesday, January 22.?The convention Was e called to order at 12 M. Prayer by F. L- Cardoxa, colored, of Charleston, e The chair announced that the first business in s order was re ports from Standing Committees.' contracts based on slaves, s C. C. Bowen, from the oommittee on the Judi> ciaxy, to whom was referred a resolution in regard to contracts, the consideration for which was-the q sale of slaves, reported an ordinance: first All e contracts, whether "under seal or not, tho consider- . ation for which is the sale of slaves, are null and I void and of no effect Second. No sqit at law or equity shall be commenced or prosecuted on such contracts, and proceedings for tne satisfaction tad J n payment of decrees which have been recorded, eni tered or enrolled, are hereby prohibited. Third. All orders with reference to such contracts which may at any time have been made in any court of e this State, either of law or equity, whereby any a properly is held subject to decision as to the va] lidity of such contracts, are also hereby declared e null and void and of no effect t The President stated that in his opinion the f term "ordinance." is synonymous with "bill," as used in the legislature, and according to the roles - of the House of Representatives, which had been t adopted for the guidance of the convention, no bill e can be passed until it has been read three times. v He therefore decided that the ordinance had been ] read the first time. - The President also requested the convention to s appeal from any decisions of the choir with which ' j avint* mmlif v\/\f aovan or*/4 vincj nooiimn fvin wum/> %_ bucjr uiiguv uvvw^iwv^ uuu wuuo WBOiunq vuo igop/u. sibilky of the same. f PENITENTIARY AFFAIRS. , C. C. Bowen, white, from the Committee on the f Judiciary, to whom was referred a resolution appointing a committee of five to investigate affairs in the penitentiary, reported that thoy had had the t same underconsiaeratiou, and were of opiuion that ( 3 the subject matter is beyond the jurisdiction of the . convention, that institution being under the con trol of the provisional authorities of the State, and the supervision of the Commanding General They ) therefore recommend that it be referred to Majors General Canity, with the request that the case re- ^ 1 ceive from him the necessary investigation. JURORS. b C. C. Bowen, from the same committee to whom y had been referred a resolution relating to jurors, ) repotted it back with the recommendation that it f be referred to the Committee on Legislative Provisions of the Constitution. Not adopted. FINANCES. e N. G. Parker, white, from the Committee on ' j Finance, reported that they had under cousidera tion the resolution relating to bills receivable, and. f being in correspondence with Governor Orr and General Canby, desired further time. Further t time was granted. , THE SUPREME COURT, s J. K. Jillson, white, of Kershaw, offered a res1 olution to reorganize the Supreme and such In ferior Courts as the legislature mav establish. It b provides for the election of the Judges by the two h houses of the legislature in "grand committee ;" , each Judge to hold his office until it is declared vaa cant by act of the General Assembly ^and provides - further as to the manner in which vacancies are to y be filled when they occur from any cause, Ac. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. r THE SPECIAL ORDER. ? y The hour having arrived for the consideration s of the special order, which was the favorable rer port of the committtee on the Executive, on the ^ n resolution to petition General Canbv to suspend "9 i sales of property under execution for three months, e B. F. Whittemore moved that the special order it be discharged. i- F.J. Moses oppoeed it on the ground that if y this important question was postponed from day it to day. the first of February, which is salesday 1- throughout the State, would be upon us, and the object of legislation would be defeated. i- A running debate ensued, which was participai ted in by Whittemore, Whipper, Langley, Cham- - 4 il berlain and others, and an attempt made to kill o the question by parliamentary tactics, y The yeas and nays were taken three times; once d on a motion to postpone discussion till to-morrow, i- which resulted?yeas 46, nays 68, and another e. time on a motion of T. J. Robertson, white, of d Columbia, to postpone indefinitely?ayes 24. nays n 86; and a third time, on motion of Dill, to lay on is the table?ayes 28 nays 82. t, ir This species of warfare upon each other by the ir respective parties in the convention was kept op it an nour or two, when the hour of adjournment arit rived, and the matter was left unfinished for tod morrow's consideration. d . eighth day. * Thursday, January 23.?The Convention ass. sembled at 12 M., and was called to order by the 4 f.ifteadentfA. G. Mackey. {