Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, February 27, 1868, Image 2
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