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and |acts. Republican meetings in Craven, Cumberland, and two or three other counties in North Carolina, have nominated Hon. W. W. Holden as tie Republican candidate for Governor. In Bates county, Missouri, a lady who had been divorced from her husband on accountof "incompatibility," has again fallen iu love with him ana re-married him. The Charlotte Democrat says that one million and a half of dollars has been paid out in that place for cotton since the first of last October.? xNTine huudred and seventy bales were purchased there last week. There are now on Ward's Island, New York harbor, one thousand able-bodied emigrants, living upon the charity of the commissioners of emigration. Strong efforts are being made to induce . them to settle in the South. The process of conducting divorce suits has reached great perfection in the Wast. They regularly time them there. One has been granted in Terre Haute, Ind., in a minute from the time the trial began?the best time yet made. The fanners of Woodford county, Kentucky, have organized means for the substitution of white for negro laborers, and the former, mostly German, ?TW arrivinrr in ttlfi COUntrV frOlll the OlSt at the rate of twenty-five or thirty a week. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith, late of the Confederate army, and at present in charge of the Southwestern Iron Works, and Rolling Mill at Chattanooga, has recently been pardoned by President. JohasoiL. ? ??The Supreme Court has overruled the motion heretofore made to dismiss the appeal in the McArdle case for want of jurisdiction. The case will, therefore, come up for argument on its merits, as previously arranged, on the first Monday in March. -? The New York Journal of Commerce says, with reference to the prospects of trade, that "the increasing demand for cotton goods and the daily advance in prices, gives much satisfaction to manufacturers, and is one of the signs of better times." A number of gentlemen met at the Astor House, in New York, on Thursday, for the purpose of perfecting an organization for the purchase of Virginia lands from insolvent owners, and throwing them into market in small lots, for the benefit of men of moderate means. A spendthrift, who had nearly wasted all his patrimony, seeing an acquaintance in a coat not of the newest cut, told him he thought it had been his great-grand-father's coat "So it was," said the gentleman, "and I have also my greatgrand-father's lands, which is more than you can say." Heretofore the city railwaj's of Philadelphia have always given out free passes to the City Councils. This year they do not, and iu revenue the City Councils have passed an ordinance thaf where the fare is seven cents they shall pay one cent for each passenger to the city treasury. The companies hesitate whether to give out the passes, reduce the fare, or pay the tax. Daniel Webster in a discussion on the influence of the Press, spoke as follows: "Every parent, whose son is away from home at school, should supply him with a newspaper. I well remember what a marked difference there was between those of my schoolmates who had and those who had not access to newspapers. The first were always superior to the last in debate, composition, and general intelligence." The Cincinnati Democracy are moving vigorously to secure the holding in that city of the National Democratic Couvention. Cleveland and Louisville are also making efforts to the same end, while St. Loui offers stacks of money as a bid for the conveution. The Democracy of Indianapolis, however, arc quietly moving in favor of their own city. New England and the Middle States will press the claims of New York city. A planter, near Savannah, consigned his cotton crop to a merchant of that city, who sold the goods, pocketed the money, and then failed, after which he wrote thus to his confiding countryman: "Dear friend, I acknowledge I spent your money. I feel that my God ]ias forgiven the sin, and I trust that vou will as I've taken the benefit of the bankrupt act. Affectionately, your friend. On Saturday, Judge Kelley presented, in the House of Representatives, a memorial from three thousand colored people in Mississippi, asking Congress to make an appropriation to cany them to Liberia. They say tlicy see no prospect of success by remaining among the whites. The latter, they say, have all the lands, and refuse to give them fair wages for their labor, and they therefore wish to emigrate. The notorious Judge Underwood, a few days ago, at Kichmond, decided, in a case where an attempt was made to release a man from the custody of the military on a writ of halms corpus, that "Congress, wnich is the war-making power, had not yet declared peace, and the country being in a state of armistice, the civil courts have no right to take prisoners out of military custody." The case goes up to the Supreme Court. The efforts to secure emigrants from Europe for Southern settlement are pretty general. Several of the Southern railroad and steamship liues, in order to facilitate emigration, have made arrangements to issue a regular emigrants' ticket from New York to all points in the South. Aspe cial agent is stationed at Castle Garden, New York, to accost emigrants on their arrival there from Europe, and prevail upon them to proceed South immediately. The probability of a continuous session of Congress hence to the 4th of March, 1869, is beginning to be discussed among the members. Nearly all the expressions point to a recess in June for a couple of months, a re-assembling in September, if events require it, and then u recess until December. The present session cannot possibly complete its financial work before the last of June or the early portion of July, and there will probably be no adjournments for the National Conventions of cither party. A bill is about to be introduced in Congress providing for the speedy disbaudment of all the negro troops in service, aud for re-organizing the same number upon terras which will secure their ultimate colonization in Liberia. More efficient provision is to be made for their instruction while in the service, and a sufficient amount of their monthly pay is to be reserved to secure both their fulfilment of the contract and a comfortable outfit for themselves and families upon their landing in Liberia. As there is no expenditure of money from the treasury required by this plan further than that already incurred, the idea is considered a feasible one. A new plow of a novel construction has just been invented by a mechanic in San Francisco. This plow is. ail .'abijiUtiQU of .the screw propeller to the process of turning up the earth. Instead of a share, six iron blades are set inn frame and geared together after the fashion of a marine screw, and the motion of the machine is also similar. The blades dip into the ground as they revolve, and not only turn and pulverize the earth, but also serve to aid in propelling the machine. This plow can be driven either by steam or horse power, and will trench a strip from six to eight feet wide. The working model of this machine has been found to perform quite well. The Athens (Ga.) Banner relates an instance of a young man living about twenty miles from Athens, who leased a iarm containing 300 or 40tJ acres, most of it well worn. He worked four oi five hands, made over twenty bales of cotton, a large crop of potatoes, over 400 bushels of corn, and with the proceeds of his crop bought the farm, a few days ago, paying $1,100 l'or it. In good times the nlsiee was worth over &.'! ()< 10 This is but an illustration of what well directed industry will do, anywhere in the South. If our young men, instead of looking towards Honduras Or Brazil, would go to work with energy right here at home, they would soon find that it would pay.? Our lands are not yet exhausted. This being leap year, the present month, February, has twenty-nine days, and as it was ushered in on Saturday, it will take its departure on the same day, so there will be five Saturdays in this, the shortest month of the, year. This may seem somewhat singular and curious, and has been noted as such._ It may be inquired in what number of years will the like happen again. The answer is.casy. It will happen again in 1890, after the lapse of twenty-eight years. At the next leap year, in 1872, there will be five Thursdays in February; in 1876, five Tuesdays^in 1880, five Sundays ; and so on, a retrogression of two days in the week for every leap year l'or seven returns, until Saturday recurs again in 1S9G,_ when theic will be live Saturdays.?Charleston Neics. The Adjutant-General who was appointed Secretary of War ad interim by Mr. Johnson, is General Lorenzo Thomas, one of the oldest officers in the army, having reached his sixty-eighth year. He is a native of Delaware, and entered the Fourth infantry as second lieutenant on the 1st July, 1823. At the beginning of the late war, being regarded as a Copperhead, he was not trusted with any command ; Dut in 1864 he was deputed to the Southwest to organize a body of negro troops. He was efficient in his service, and returned apparently so much of a Radical that the party quite took to him. Latterly, however, the old gentleman has shown a leaning to Mr. Johnson's views, and was by him restored to the post of adjutant-general, from which Mr. Lincoln transferred him, the Radicals say, on account of incompetency; others say, of his Democratic principles. She IJorfeviHc (foqttim. YORKVILLE, S. C.:~ THURSDAY MORNING, FEB. 27, 1868. Cash.?It must bo distinctly understood that our torms for subscription, advertising and jobwork, are cash, in advance. X.?The paper will be discontinued on the expiration of the time for which payment lias been made. A Subscriber finding a (X) cross-mark on the wrapper or margin of Ins paper, will understand that the time paid for lias expired. ANOTHER MOVE ON THE BOARD. "The plot thickens," aud the political strategy of the President has manifested itself in an order deposing Stanton from the War Office, and appointing in his stead, General L. Thomas, Secretary, iul inT}?#> Provident has, thereby forced, directly upon Congress, the long pending issue of impeachment. If that body do not pass articles of impeachment now, they may cease to prate about it any longer, and leave the President master of the situation. If, on the other hand, they do determine in favor of impeachment, the President believes that such a course will be instrumental in disintegrating the radical party, and the means of rescuing the country from their mad grasp. We have rcasou to believe that this last move of the President has been maturely advised and ably counselled. It is probably the boldest stroke he has yet made. The country admires his pluck, and will not fail to applaud it. If impeached in consequence, his friends will rally to his cause, and conservative principles may triumph sooner" than expected. If not impeached, the move is a good one, and will give the strength to his administration it so much needs. Either alternative will produce favorable results, and it is not improbable that the former is the most desirable of the two. THE HOMESTEAD LAW. The Convention, in Charleston, has incorporated in the new Constitution, an article that should have been in the old one, and a part of the organic law of every State; that is the Homestead clause, exempting one hundred acres of land and personal property to the value of $500, from levy and sale. It is a necessary feature in every government, the object of which is to protect its citizens in times of adversity. The present suffering condition of the country is argument sufficient in favor of such leg 1 1 - - -i--.il lsintion; ana it was a cujpauic uvcrsigm. m uur legislators, that foiled to perceive the importance of such a law, in times of prosperity, as a wise preparation for unseen adversities. But thers is a political deception intended and perpetrated, in the matter of this homestead exemption, now incorporated iu the Constitution. The late Alabama election has, in its disastrous results to the Reconstruction Constitution of that State, shown the Convention men in Charleston, that their scheme of Constitution making, might, after all, be repudiated by the people. Hence, it was necessary to incorporate in their instrument, some popular feature like this, to ensure to it the favor of the white voters. As relief, so much needed in fact, would, at this time be exceedingly popular with all classes, the Homestead clause is the bid for favor to the Constitution. Unfortunately for these Constitution-makers, however, tlie ' Act of Congress under which they are called together, requires the adoption of a republican form of Government, not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States. That Constitution declares that: "No State shall pass any ex post facto law, or any law impairing the obligation of contracts" ; plain and forcible words not easily misunderstood, even by minds unaccustomed to construing laws. The Convention, if it is anything'at all, is nothing more than the sovereign body of a State, and can no more go beyond the provisions of that Constitution, than a Legislature could. It is plain, therefore, that a Convention of a State cannot aDnul the Constituiton of the United States. This Homestead clause is an apparent attempt to do that very thing, so far as its retrospective bearing is concerned. It may stand good as to future contracts as longasthc instrument lasts, but it cannot have an ex post facto bearing, and can give no present relief. The Courts cannot recognize its validity as to existing obligations. The deceptive part of this performance arises from the fact that the members of the Convention, evinced, in the discussion of the subject, a knowledge of the inefficiency of the proposed relief, but have, nevertheless, put forth the clause, in artful disguise^ as a bait to draw voters to the polls on the day of election. If Congress were to adopt a general homestead exeuiption, its constitutionality would be questionable ; although it would appear that if no titatc could pass such a law, the Congress of all the States might. Similar wording covers the validity of the legal tender Act, and it is even yet somewhat doubtful whether or not greenbacks are a legal tender. We advise our readers to beware of such cheats, and not vote for the Constitution solely because it contains a homestead exemption. CO-PARTNERSHIP FARMING. One of the difficulties in the way of our farmers, I is the want of capital to cultivate their land as it ought to be cultivated. Indeed, this is often the only real difficulty to be overcome, especially in the case of young men willing to labor with their own hands. Many of these returned from the war without the means to purchase stock or implements, and without the land to work upou. In the interval which has elapsed since that time, the vast iu^jori.ty of this class have, somehow or other, been enabled to maintain themselves, cither by working for others or upon rented lands. Still, even if they have acquired something, they labor under the inevitable disadvantages of operating on a small capital. Under these circumstances, it is to be rcgreted that, the plan of combining the capital of several | individuals and working it in partnership, has not been tried. The value of combination is well un, dcrstood and often taken advantage of, in every , other branch of industry except farming. When I a merchant desires to go into business, or a nianu' facturer to put up a factor}*, and his capital is too small, what does he do ? Instead of going to work on a small scale, lie almost always seeks a partner with capital sufficient to make up the desired a| mount; and thus both accomplish what neither could have done alone- It seems reasonable to conclude that a plan which has so often been sue X*?11.. ?n nnmiTAllffllf. TVmflllftA CUShiUiljr UIUU IU vwc?v w r. equally advantageous results when applied to farming. Suppose, for instance, there arc ten young men whose property would average three hundred dollars each, but, when combined, would amount to three thousand. It -is clear that each of them would be compelled to work on quite a small scale, to dispense with some things which would greatly assist him, and to buy or borrow others that are indispensable to bis success. One or two wagons would suffice for the ten united; but each would need one, if working alone, and it is the case with many other things. Now, if they were to form a company, with shares at $100, and divide the profits according to the stock held by each partner, they would save in the quantity of implements for making a start, and, because of buying more largely, would get them at less expense. There are objections, it is true, to partnerships, as well as advantages; but these can be avoided, if due caution is observed in forming them. All men are not fitted for co-operation. Some must have their own way in everything they are concerned in, and do not relish interference with their notions, from partners or anybody else. Others are too suspicious of being cheated, and others again, deficient in moral integrity. This last class, however, would have less chance for swindling in ? farming partnership than in any other kind of stock companies; for money is not likely to pas; through their hands as frequently as it does in j mercantile business. Upon the whole, the advan-' tage overbalances the disadvanges of co-operation;: for "in union there is strength."- The plan has been successfully tried in England, and it is worthy of a trial here. THE McARDJLE CASE. One McArdle, editing a newspaper in Yicksburg, Mississippi, was imprisoned last summer by General Ord, and applied for a release upon habeas corpus, before the U. S. District Court in that State. The application was refused, and the petitioner appealed to the Supreme. Court. The case was found at the bottom of the docket, but was advanced so as to have an early hearing. Recently, the counsel for the Government mo ^ .1 -i il_. ved to dismiss the case upon the ground tnac me Court could not entertain jurisdiction of such a question. This motion, after able argument, was refused by the whole Court, and the case ordered for a hearing on its merits, on the first Monday in March. This case must decide the constitutiouality of the several acts of Congress, know n as the "Reconstruction Acts," by virtue of which General Ord acted in arresting and imprisoning McArdle. Public opinion has long since decided this question, but the Courts have heretofore been silent upon it. The forthcoming opinion of the Supreme Court may be looked for with interest, and may haye an important bearing upon the future of the country. I 11 WHAT THIS CONVENTIONS ARE DOING. south carolina. "Our Convention," up ttrlast advices, had adopted between eighty and ninety sections of the new Constitution, the most note-worthy of which is that relating to homesteads. It appears from the debates on the subject, that this "tub to the whale" was regarded necessary to ensure ttyeadoption of the Constitution. The section, as adopted, is indefinite as to whether the exemption is to apply on old or new debts, and an amendment was tacked on authorizing the Legislature, at its first session, to enact the laws necessary to cany the provisions into effect. We imagine that after the Constitution is adopted, the section will be decided to be prospective only. Much time is consumed in caucusing, as from what we can learn, nearly every member of the Convention is anxious to be the chosen instrument for executing whatever laws may be made. Adjournment is occasionally talked of, but the 14th of March is the earliest date mentioned for the happy event north carolina. For several days, last week, the Convention had .1 T.M1 ?J? J: a tne -Dill 01 XVIgUU* U1IUC1 UI0UUK31UII* XA. ovuuvu prohibiting the marriage of blacks with whites, was promptly voted dowo, aud a negro delegate gave notice of his intention to offer an ordinance removing the present fine upon magistrates and the clergy for solemnizing marriage between whites and negroes. The North Carolina negroes, it seeins, are determined to have social as well as political rights. During the week, the suffrage question was the subject of deliberation. Some of the ultra Radicals opposed severe test oaths and disfranchisement, while stringent measures were advocated by others. The majority of the speeches, however, were proscriptive. VIRGINIA. The proceedings of the Virginia Convention for the past week, present but little of general interest. Expletives, more pointed than polite, have again become quite common amongst the members. In a debate, it was asserted that the white men of the State never would submit to negro rule, and the men who fought under Lee would sooner come out and lie in the graves with those who had gone before them. The name of Lee elicited applause from the white spectators, which was checked by the Chair. GEORGIA. The Georgia Convention has adopted a section of the Constitution exempting manufacturers and all institutions of learning from taxation ; and a clause providing that in the Legislature, a majority, instead of two-thirds, shall hereafter decide all questions. A resolution requesting the legislature to compel all common carriers to provide equal accommodations, irrespective of class or color, was laid on the table. A report from the Homestead Committee was presented, which exempts from execution and sale, $2500 worth of real estate, and $2000 worth of personal property. FLORIDA. Last week General Meade visited the Florida ^ "* ? Mn?< km inflnnnAfl fkrt /^AnifAn. VOUVUIIllUII). UUU llUUU^ii mo luuubuvg bug vviirwir tion was re-organizcd, and both factions are now working in harmony. Richards, late president of the convention, and Saunders, a colored member, were both expelled, and have gone to Washington with the constitution made by their faction. MISSISSIPPI. The Mississippi Convention does not seem to be getting along any smoother than some of the others. On the 17th quite a row occurred. Such epithets as liar, dog, scoundrel and coward, were freely used; and one member, standing in the mid die aisle, announced his readiness to give satisfaction to anybody who felt aggrieved. ARKANSAS. The Arkansas Convention has adjourned, subject to the call of the President. An election on the question of adopting the Constitution, is ordered to be commenced on the 10th of March and continue for five days. CONGRESSIONAL NEWS. In the Senate, the Judiciary Committee have reported a bill providing that a majority of voters, without reference to the number registered, shall decide all elections under the Reconstruction Acts, including the adoption of the Constitutions. Duly registered persons are to be permitted to vote in any part of the State upon the presentation of a certificate. Sumner presented a petition from the citizen^ of Massachusetts, praying the abolition of the Presidential office as dangerous to the republic. The following is an extract from the petition: "The Presidency is a copy of royalty. It is an essentially unrcpublican institution; for it exaltsan individual into availing power over the rest of the l>opulation. It is a constantly menacing, growing cause of danger to the republic, whose eventual ruin it must lnevitaoiy occasion, n n aoes uui cause such ruiu by direct violent subversion, it must effect the same through corruption; for the Presidency is the source ot universal corruption. In the opinion of the petitioners the earliest possible abolishment of tne Presidency is imperatively necessary to secure the republic from the loss of its liberties through the ascendency of the Executive power. To avoid these dangers they suggest that Congress m-opose an amendment to the Constitution abolishing the Presidency and transferring the executive functions to an administrative commission or Congressional ministry, to be choseu by Congress from their own bod}'." Trumbull introduced a bill, which was referred, defining the jurisdiction of the Courts of the U. States. It is in effect as follows: "It provides that all the Courts of the United States shall be bound by the acts of Congress on political questions, and that it rests with Congress to determine what government is the established one in an}' State; and it is declared that no civil State governments exist in tho excluded States of the Southj and no socalled civil governments in such States shall be recognized by either the executive or the judicial power of the United States until Congress shall so provide, or until said States are represented in the Congress of the United States. The Reconstruction acts are declared political in their character, the propriety or validity of which no judicial tribunal is competent to question; and the Supreme Court of the United States is hereby prohibited from taking jurisdiction of any case growing out of the execution of said acts, in either of said States, until such States shall be represented, etc. And cases from such States now pending before that Court shall be dismissed, and all acts authorizing an appeal, writ of error* habeas corpus, or other proceeding to bring before said court for review any case, civil or criminal, arising out of the execution of said .Reconstruction acts, are hereby repealed." A bill has passed the Senate, increasing the pensions of the Revolution and war of 1812. It appropriates $2,000,000. Mr. Wilson introduced a bill to restore Alabama. After the usual preamble it says: Resolved. That the Constitution of Alabama is hereby declared to be in conformity with the pro visions of the. act to provide for the more efficient government of the rehel'States, passed March 2d, 1867; and whenever the legislature elected under the same constitution shall ratify the ] 4th article to the Constitution of the United States, proposed by the Thirty-ninth Congress, the said State shall be admitted to representation in Congress in accordance with the Iavfrs of the United States. Thad. Stevens opposes special legislation for the admission of Alabama. He sayB that if anything of the soft is necessary, there might as well be a wholesale-letting in of-all the Southern States at once. The Senate Military Committee passed a resolution respectfully returning Sherman's brevet nomination, with a disapproval of the proposed grade. A bill has beCn introduced in the House, and ordered to be printed, removing ex-Gov. Holdeu's disabilities. In the House, Mr. Bingham introduced the following, which wias referred to the Committee on Reconstruction : "Whereas a large majority of the votes given at an election, held on the 5th of February, 1868, were for the constitution presented by the convention of the people of the State of Alabama ; and, whereas, certain combinations of citi ? G*?* /-? *?A#n Tultlt flifl infonf I 4uus ill buiu uuiw; iciuocu iu ?viC) vtawju tuv ?uw?v I thereby to defeat the efforts of the friends of the Union to restore the said State to its proper relation to the Union; therefore, be it enacted, &c., that the legislature elect uuder the new constitution of Alabama be convened at the capital of said State, as soon as practicable, by order of the United States military commander within the said State of Alabama, and that upon the ratification by the said legislature of the fourteenth article of the Constitution of the United States, proposed by the thirty-ninth Congress, and the establishment by law of impartial suffrage within said State as authorized by the said constitution of Alabama, the said State shall be admitted to representation in the Congress of the United States in accordance with the laws of United States." In the House, on Saturday last, Thad. Stevens reported the following resolution: il Resolved, That Andrew Johnson, President of the United Slates, be impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors in office." A general debate ensued, and the House adjourned at half-past five, to half-past seven o'clock. The vote on the resolution was to have been taken on Monday last. , MERE-MENTION. "Bills Receivable" were quoted, in the Char-. leston papers, on Friday last, at 80 cents. In all parts of Texas lands are now held at about ouetenth of their value six years ago, and the tendency is still downward. Recently, Stephen Ives, the proprietor of a hotel at Meriden, Conn., expelled Fred. Douglass from his house, and whipped the editor of Meriden Recorder for commenting on the act"*'The Astor House Hotel in YuikngtoftaUJ.wo y?wmajhri It . Wright is the name, of a newspaper firm in Wisconsin. Two Chinamen, of Canton, recently committed suicide to save themselves the expense of a law suit. -The Washington correspondent of the Radical Chicago ReptthUain, says that Mr. Washburne wrote all of Gen. Grant's letters to the President. When the Pacific Railroad is completed, a traveler may go around tne woria in three months. The Empress Eugenie's moustache is saitj to rival her husbands. *The Cincinnati Canwiercuil has been sued for libel for calling a man a gas pipe. "The keeper of the Georgia Penitentiary notifies sheriffs that he has no money and cannot send for prisoners. Each county must send.up its own delegates to that institution. "The President has nominated Gen. McLellan as Minister to England, vice Charles F. Adams, resigned. ' "The Supreme Court has postponed all-questions involving the constitutionality of the Legal Tender act until the next term. EDITORIAL INKLINGS. Value of a Good Road. It is well known that the value of land is, to some extent, dependent upon its accessibility to market. Land situated close to a good road, is always worth more than the same quality of land cut off from it by a bad road; but few persons are aware how much this difference of location does affect the price of land. Wo find a good illustration of the value of a good road in raising the price of land, in the Country Gentleman. A subscriber to that journal, writing from Baltimore County, Md., says that a turnpike, six miles in length, is now being constructed in his neigborhood. At one end of the road, is a tract of land containing ono thousand acres, which has been for sale for several years without finding a purchaser; because the road leading to it was so bad that no one would buy it, although the quality of the land is very good. The owner has now advanced its price $25 per acre, which makes his tract worth $25,000 more than it was before the turnpike was commenced?a sum more than sufficient to have built the road. And from the experience of other sections of the country, the rule holds good that a good road will more than pay for the money spent on it, by the additional value it gives to the land it passes through. On the other hand, a bad road is a very expensive luxury, both on account of its depreciating lands and the additional cost which it throws upon those who arc obliged to haul their crops to market'over it. The wagons used upon such a road are frequent visitors to the blacksmith's shop, the loads small, and the extra time consumed in hauling the crops would probably suffice to put it in good order. The U. S. Marshal for South Carolina. Some time ago a paragraph appeared in the Charleston Neics to the effect that a petition was in circulation in that city, asking for the removal of J. P. M. Epping, as United States Marshal for South Carolina. A few days after the appearance of the paragraph alluded to above, a Washington telegram was published in the papers announcing that the President had nominated Dr. Thomas Sim for the position. The Ndcs identifies Dr. Sim, after the following fashion, and informs us who he is: "Dr. Sim is understood to be a Northern gentleman of some ability, who located in South Carolina after the war and engaged in planting. During the war he was a Surgeon in the United States Army, and we have beam is the one who enjoyed the distinguished honor of removing the leg of Major-General Sickles, after that officer was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. Following the fortunes of General Sickles to South Carolina, he was, for a time, in one of the bureaus connected with the Post, after which be turned his attention to the more charming pursuit of agriculture." The following paragraph, however, from the Washington Star, indicates that the Nilcs may be "barking up the wrong tree," for one time, at least: . "Among the nominations sent in to the Senate on Friday was that of W. Gilmorc Simms, the Southern novelist, to be United States Marshal for the District of Sooth Carolina. Opposition is made to the nomination upon the ground that Mr. Simms took on active paxfc in the rebellion, and itis doubtfiil if he will be ophfirmed." ' . mm Removal of Mayor Gaillard. On Wednesday, of last week, Gen. Canby issued an order removing Col. P. C. Gnllard, as Mayor of Charleston, and appointing Biig. Gen. J W. W. Burns, of the United States Array, as his , successor. No reasons are given in the Charleston papers for the removal. Gen. Burns has assumed the duties of the position, and the News furnishes ; the following as to who he is: General Burns is par excellence a soldier. Born in Ohio, he was appointed a cadet at West Point from that State in 1842. Graduating in 1847, he served through the Mexican war, ana distinguished himself not only by his gallantry in the field, bnt by an exhibition of executive ability as the Military Alcalde or Mayor of the City of Mexico after its occupation by Gen. Scott Subsequently. \ he was transferred to East Pascagoula, Miss., ana ! then commenced that roving, rambling, nomadic j career which makes every "old army ' officer a i cosmopolite. We find him on frontier duty at Fort Smith, Arkansas; at Fort Gibson, in the Indian territory, in 1850; on the Rio Brazos in 1852 and 1853} scouting among the Camanches in 1854 and dividing his time between murderin^mosqui toes and capturing Seminole Indians in b'londa in 1856-7. In 1858 he was appointed Captain of Staff and Commissary of Subsistence, and in 1859 a Captain in the 5th Infantry. The first year of the war he : was Commissary of Subsistence of the Department of Ohio, and filled that office during General Mc- , Clellan's campaign in Western Virginia. On the 28th September, 1861, he was appointed a Brigadier-General of Volunteers; was subsequently engaged in the siege of Yorktown, the battles of Fair Oaks, Savage Station (where he was wounded), and Malvern Hill. For gallant conduct in these engagements he was brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel in the regular army ; was engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg, and all sorts of skirmishes; received more brevets; was made Major-General of volunteers; resigned the last named commission in 1863; was assigned to his old duties as Commissary of Subsistence; made President of an Examining Board of Commissioners for the Third Milita- 1 ry District; brevetted Brigadier-General for meritorious services, and, after the war, assigned to this department as the Chief Commissary of South Carolina, and Supervising Commissary of Georgia and Florida. Inst, but not least, in this catalogue of honors, is his appointment as Mayor of Charleston. GOLUMEIACONTRIBUTOEIAL BY JA8. WOOD DAVIDSON. COLUMBIA. 80UTH CAROLINA, 24TH FEBRUARY, 1868. Sudden Death. The death of Mr. James S. Guignard, an estimable and venerable citizen of Columbia, shocked , the community, by its suddenness, last week. He 1 was found dead near the city, having fallen from his horse while riding. The cause was appoplexy. Fish. The fish market is fuller than we have ever known it at the same time of the year. Shad, flounders, and black-fish can be had regularly; but nrWfl are hicli?shad, from $1 to $1.50 apiece ; flounders, about half that price ; and black-fish at a corresponding rate. Hogs. The marshals are busy these fine early-spring days, wc see, at gathering in all the loose swine they find about the streets. They take dogs, ropes, aud a wagon; aud bag their prey with great ease and skill. In this connection we advised the Man about Town be a little careful in going about the streets; but he flatly told us that he did not see any sense in our advice. A Willing Captive. At a recent meeting of the Chamber of Commerce in Charleston, Major Theodore G. Barker, in response to a toast, made a handsome and spirited little speech full of fire and point. Speaking of South Carolina, he said: "There she stands, her Executive a willing captive [great cheering]," etc.' This is heavy on the Executive ; and wo doubt if that functionary will see much fun in it. Great Cheerers, however, did see fun in it At the University. * The Lecture of Dr. LaBorde on Sir Walter Scott, i last week, was in every respect an eminently successful one. The complex character of Scott?the broad humanity that marked him among authors and among men?was given in the happiest style; and the learned Lecturer kept, with remarkable | tact, the just mean between the gravity of mere logical analysis and the levity of a conversational sketch?the happy link between learning of: the desk and the culture of the drawing-room. It was ? ? ? a. 1!. J .1 interesting tlirougnoui; in pans grapnic; ana ai the close touching. The broad and catholic humanity of the subject found an earnest and sympathising deliueator in the Lecturer. . The next lecture in the series will be delivered on Thursday, the 27 th., by Prof. Sachtleben, whose subject is Goethe's Faust, Part First. This week was the one assigned to Prof. Darby; but that gentleman's lecture is postponed, until the following week?Thursday, the 5th of March. New Books. We mentioned a few weeks ago that Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, has recently published her second book. Her first was a kind of life of her husband; and this second one. is also full of "my dear Albert" though it is entitled Leaves from tlie Journal of Our Life in the Highlands from 1848 to 1861. The Harpers, of New York, have just got 1 them out an American reprint of this Leaves, illustrated with two steel engravings. The book is very light, every-day-life-like domestic, and chatty ; and withal a rcadahle book, because of the peculiar life and romantic localities treated of. It will doubtless endear Her Majesty to her own subjects, in that it exhibits her as an earnest and womanly sovereign, full of good impulses and good works; and it is a curious thing to the Amerioan reader; but it will not in itself contribute any great deal to Her Majesty's literary reputation. Mr. i Bryan, of J. J. McCarter's bookstore, of this city, has done u9 the favor of tins royal Journal, which ' they have on sale at $1.75 a copy. They have also almost everything else in the literary line that you . could call for. Wc have just received a copy of the seventh edition of Mrs. Margaret J. Preston's charming war 1 poem, entitled Beechenbrook, published in Baltimore. The cheap editions of the novels of Dickens, at 25 cents a volume, are attracting some attention; and are really?that of Peterson at least?very nicely gotten out Appleton also has a cheap edition at prices varying from 15 to 35 cents a volume, nf whirh. however, the Drint is verv small In the way of small print, the Diamond Edition is a marTel of typographical neatness. < We have the pleasure this week of acknowledging the favor of copies of the following three novels of the Harper series, from Duffie & Chapman, who have these books (to say nothing of a large stock of others) for sale: 1?Guild Court, by George < MacDonald. This is a story of life in London; and receives most of its tragic interest from the mazes of British law in the contested ownership of properties, its characters being mainly of the mercan- < tile class. Mr. MacDonald, best known as the >, author of Annals of a Quiet Neighborhood, is an Englishman. Guild Court is in paper, and sells 1 for 50 cents. 2.?Margaret's Engagement is .an anonymous work. It also is a story of English life; and to a great extent of money-life, but has a good deal also of aristocracy and a spice of nobility. It turns upon money; with love, law, and meanness i revolving around it. There is a good lot of family ' fusses, and a sprightly shower of witty and pointed ( dialogue. It belongs to the same series as the foregoing, is in the same style, and sells at the same price. 3?Broionlows, by Mrs. Oliphant. This is also a story of English commercial life, the principal scene being Dartfordshire.. The heroine is a lawyer's daughter and the hero a lawyer's clerk; the main interest being inherited money, the side issues being love and litigation. The mystery is well managed, and the stretch of interest well sustained; and it ends well The price is 37} cents. LOCAL ITEMS. HEW ADVESTISEXEHTS. P. C. Harris, 0. Y. D.-Citation-J. 0. Patrick, Applicant?Wm. R. Moore, deceased. K. F. Aoickes?Notice to Tax Payers. W. B. Metts, C. E. Y. D.?Notice to the Creditors of Rev. A. Whyte, deceased. Dr. John May?Wanted. L M. Dobeon & Co.?New Orleans Molasses. ? ? -Corn Starch. 14 44 44 ?Garden Seeds. ? " 44 ?Bank Bills Wanted. W. B. Williams?Revenue Taxes. " 44 ?Whiskey for Sale. KETUEH DAY.The number of suits in the Common Pleas Court entered for the York Spring Term, up to Return Day, on last Saturday, was small, numbering only seventy, passing through the Sheriff's hands.? some of these were tor renewal 01 oia executions. BAFKBUPTGY. There have been referred to W. I. Clawson, Register in Bankruptcy, at this place, up to this date, one hundred petitions for voluntary bankruptcy. A large number of these are from York District, and others from Union, Spartanburg, Lancaster, Chester, Newberry, Kershaw, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Richland, Greenville, Abbeville, Anderson and Fickens Districts. Only two references for involuntary bankruptcy have been made. IMPORTANT FROM'WASHINGTON. ' # i THE PRESIDENT REMOVES STANTON. GEF. L. THOMAS APPOINTED IB HIS PLACE. Stanton shows Fight and appeals to Congress. GENERAL THOMAS ARRESTED AND RELEASED ON BAIL. THE SECRETARY'S* OFFICE GUARDED BY SENTINELS. STANTON WILL NOT GIVE UP.. THE PRESIDENT TO BE IMPEACHED. &c., dec.) dec* On Friday last, the President sent the following communication to Mr. Stanton: Executive Mansion, \ Washington, February 21,1868.) Sir : By virtue of the power and authority vested in me as President, by the Constitution and laws of the United States. you are hereby removed from office as Secretary of the Department of War, and your functions as such will terminate upon the receipt of this communication. You will transfer to Brevet Major-General Lorenzo Thomas, AdjutantGeneral of the army, who has this day been authorized and empowered to aet as Secretary of War ad interim, all records, books, papers and other public property now in your custody and charge. Respectfully yours, (Signed) ANDhEW JOHNSON, President To the Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Washington, D. C. Immediately after the meeting of Congress, the following communication from Stanton, was presented in the House and Senate: " War Department, 1 Washington City, February 21,1868. j Sir : General Thomas has just delivered to me a copy of the enclosed order, which you will please communiuate to the House of Representatives. Your obedient servant, EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. In the House, immediately after the reading of Stantou's communication was concluded, Mr. Covflde moved the adoption of articles impeaching the President. Mr. Nioola objected. The Speaker decided that it was a privileged questionbut the matter was finally referred to the Reconstruction Committee. General Lorenzo Thomas, has officially accepted the position oTSecretaiy of War 'ad interim, and will apply to the Courts to expel Stanton. later. Washington, February 22. After an Executive session of seven hours the Senate passed a resolution to-day that the Presi dent bad no right to remove Mr. Stanton. At eight o clock this morning General Thomas was arrested on a warrant issued by Judge Carter, of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, on the affidavit of Mr. Stanton, for an alleged violation of the Tenure of Office LaWj but was subsequently released upon giving bail in the sum of five thousand dollars to appear on Wednesday next. Both Houses of Congress met to-day for business. Stanton encamped in the War- Office last night, and is still in possession. The Reconstruction Committee has decided, by a vote of 7 to 2, to prefer articles of impeachment against the President, in consequence of his recent action in reference to Mr. Stanton. The negative votes were cast by Messrs. Brooks and Beck, tbe two Democratic members of the Committee. After his release from custody, Adjutant-General Thomas found his office door locked and Stanton had the kev. General Thomas went to Stanton'B office and found him, Generals Howard and Dent, and ten members of Congress present Sentinels guarded each of the doors of the department, and visitors were only admitted after their cards had been inspected. Several cards were presented for General Thomas, but admission was refused him. Col. Moore, the President's Private Secretary, called to sec Mr. Stanton, but admission wis refused him. General Thomas remained in Stanton's room until half-past twelve o'clock, when he left the War Office. During their interview Stanton notified General Thomas that he would not give up the Secretaiyshipj nor obey General Thomas as Secretary of War, and that he had also instructed all the employees of the Department not to obey him (Thomas). At two o'clock Genera] Thomas had a prolonged interview with the President, during which the latter said that he desired to test the whole matter legally in the Courts. still later. ?r . Washington, Febrnary23. Stanton has been lodging in the War Ofioe since last Friday. He was recommended to this course by Congressmen, who apprehended that an attemDt would be made to take possession of the of See by force. General Grant yesterday detailed Colonel Carr, a member of General Emoiy's staff, to remain at the War Office, and the guards have been doubled. A luge number of members of Congress called on Stanton to-day, and held long consultationswitKhim. They assured him of the support of all the Republican members; that their party would act as a unit in both Houses, and now that impeachment is fairly inaugurated, there would be no faltering until the matter is finally settled. After the impeachment resolution passes the Honse to-morrow, Stanton will go home, as his friends think that after that event the President will not venture on any aggressive movement It is ascertained that Generals Grant and Emory, the latter commanding the Department, will obey no orders of the President which conflictwith the Tenure of Office Act or the expressed will of the Senate. It has not transpired, nowever, that the President has issued or intends to issue any such orders. In the whole matter, so far, the President has confined himself to civil proceedings, and has directed that an application be made to the Court to-morrow for a writ of quo warranto against Stanton.' The excitement to-day has been great, butevents have made no Drocress, and this evening nublic sentiment is toning down. The more wild of the Radicals assure their listeners that three days will do the work, bat with each hour they are growing less confident The Houso adjourned last night at Half-past 11 o'clock, to meet to-day at ten. Nearly all the Democratic members of Congress. Mr. Seward, and many prominent citizens ana strangers, called on the President to-day. The excitement which pervades other circles is not perceptible at the White House. The President has nominated Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, as Secretaiy of War. The following preamble and resolution of Senator Wilson were passed by a vote of 29jU> 6: "Whereas the Senate nas received and considered a communication of the President, stating that he had removed E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, and has designated the Adjutant General of the Army as Secretary ad interim. 'Therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the United States, That under the Constitution and laws of the United States, the President has no power to remove the Secretary of War and designate any other officer to perform the duties of the office adinterim." j Copies of the resolution were ordered,,to be delivered to the President and Stanton. LETTER FROM CHARLESTON. As we are unable to send our usual contribution from Chester, by reason of our absence, we send instead, a few lines from this city, where our business has called us. . k t t ,/ / The Convention is the great object of interest here, at this time, to strangers. The natives seem to ignore its existence, utterly. They rarely speak of it and never visit it, imagining that some odour, not of sanctity, would render the atmosphere dele- * terious to white people. Not having any such scruples, we have attended two sittings of the body, and must confess considerable Surprise at finding it so well behaved, and parliamentary forms and usages so generally and strictly observed. The colored element decidedly predominates, and gives the Convention the air of a negro assemblage. The delegates all sit together?no separation of races being attempted?the white members seeming on terms of great familiarity with their colored brethren. 1 1 ' The President, A. CI. Mackey, Esq., is a very good presiding officer. Some of the secretaries and the door keepers are negroes, the latter having the appearance of "corn-field hands." There are a few respectable white men in the Convention, who are likened to with respectful at tention. Un the occasions when we were present, the negroes certainly bore off the palm of superiority in oratory. Some of them spoke very well indeed The debate, which was on the subject of treason to the State, was very spirited, and would not have been considered inferior in most deliberative assemblies. Some of the colored speakers surprised us very much by their good sense, ease of manner and familiarity with all the roles of order and courtesies < of debate. Among those most remarkable, were Whipper, Wright and Langley, from Beaufortall black; Cardoza, DeLarge, and a few others, spoke well They, however, are bright mnlattoes, and have more white than negro blood. From all that we saw, we think Whipper one of the ablest and best tempered men in the body. Altogether, we believe the colored element there superior to the white. With very few exceptions, there are no white men in the body of any character, though it is not such a grotesque assemblage as it has been represented by some. The great object in view is the formation of a State Government, which will be thoroughly in harmony with the Black Republican party in the North. If this object can be accomplished, we think there is a disposition to frame a Constitution which will be aooepted by the majority of the people of the State. The repudiation of contracts; based upon negro property, is a bid for popular acceptance. * 11?i t 1j m .n A uoerai numesieau pruvuuuu nui, iu ou piuuability, be a part of the Constitution, and will, it is thought, make die new Government popular with those who, by reason of their debts, would he stripped of all their property if the old regime continues. | Of course, they will make suffrage universal No disfranchisement of whites will be incorporated in the Constitution at present proposed There is great opposition to the Judiciary system, as proposed by the Committee. Very material modifications will, in all probability, be made before it is adopted. There seems a disposition now, to erect a respectable system, and some influences ore at work to produoe those changes in the plan proposed, which will remove its most objectionable features. At one time, it was thought that the Convention would eontinue in office all of the old Jtfeiges and Chancellors; bnt there seems little hope of that now. A few of the Judges are yery obnoxious to the Qonyention. Judge Wardlaw is particularly objectionable to the negroes, on account of tis alleged paternity of the old "Black Code," framed in 1865. Judge Inglis is riot liked, because it is alleged that he drew the ordinance of seoession. Judge Aldrich, because of bis conflict with Canby. With these exceptions, the Convention might be disposed to retain all of the other Judges, were it not that they are afraid that their repudiation and homestead schemes, would bo declared unconstitutional by the Courts. On this account, they will endeavor to have the Judiciary entirely in harmony with the principles of the Radical party. . The Convention will probably nominate all the 4 State Officers before it adjourns. Thos. J. Robertson, of Colnmbia, is an avowed candidate fer ^ Governor, without opposition as yet He has a bad record as a hard, cruel master, in the days of slavery, and. many ugly stories are told of him. He attempts to neutralize all of. these faults by a ???? ? " " ?? M AtTAMril'nM 4fl<at 'n maUYa am/] Yipcruus uuucu vi c va j tuiug tuai u uuuic auu generous in oar State and her institutions. His money will probably secure the nomination here. A. G. Mackey and Mr. Rutland, are the candidates for U. S. Senator.' Whittfemore will probably be in the field. Mackey will, in all probability, be one of the Senators. Hie other is riot decided on. We think ifcwithin the Emits of possibility, and not improbable, that Gov. Orr will be the other U. S. Senator. He is said to be in entire harmony with the Convention. Allen, of Greenville; Goss, of Union; and Near gle, of York, are candidates for Congress from the 4th Congresaonal1 District W. H. B. PBOOEEDEVGS . *; r o* ibb RECONSTRUCTION CONVENTION. TWHOT-aZVlMTH DAT. SAnTBDAT/SfeUraaiy 15.?The Convention as- m sembted at the nsual hour. 1 T. J. Robertson offered the Mowing resolution: "That the general commanding the district be requested to iasuean order applicable to the State of South Carolina, authorizing any attorney, solicitor or counsellor admitted to practice in any of the Courts of the United States, or in any Court of Record in any State, and resident in this State, to practice in any of the Courts of this State. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The unfinished business was taken up, which wars resolution petitioning Congress to loan one tdflHon of dollars to the State of 8onth Caroling fn nnfihlp fro^lRPn nnf? AtfiPT-a tn nnwiYiaoalon/lain w vuwwiw > V.^ ?V?MV?W w |IU*VUW^ M?UU0 1U small tracts. The remainder of the day was consumed in debating the resolution, without reaching any definite conclusion. The News, in commenting on the day's proceeddebate yesterday developed the fact that the freed man is determined to have land. If he cannot get it by purchase with the public funds, he will secure it by a system of taxation so onerous, that everv unplanted acre must be sold by the sheriff. This is the long and short of the proposed legislation of the Convention, and of the next General Assembly. The colored delegates are pledged to it, and you might as well attempt to compromise with them as to make an oyster walk. They have hung the banner on the outer walls, and 4 the motto thereon is?"Death and destruction to big plantations." TWENTY-eighth dat. Monday, February 17.?The Convention assembled at the hour to which it was adjourned on Saturday. Prayer by Rev. Barnett Burton, alias Barnett Crenshaw. The day was consumed, according to the Neves, in discussing the question, "shall we petition Congress for a million of dollars?" The discussion was kept up from eleven to half-past two, when the "previous question" was called and the matter brought to a direct vote. The report of the Committee, asking the loan, was sustained, and the petition will go forward on its mission. We observe that Senator Wilson telegraphed to the Convention, that it is all "love's labor lost,", and that the money will not be forthcoming. Lo i the poor negro. twenty-ninth day. , Tuesday, February 18.?The Convention as- f scmbled at 10} o'clock. The consideration of the Legislative part of the Constitution was resumed, ana the sections embraced in it up to the thirtyfifth were adopted, with but little debate, and passed to a third reading. Here the "course of true love' j met with aa obstruction, and the heavy artillery