Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, December 02, 1875, Image 2

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Scraps and darts. A. H. Martin, a prominent citizen of Charlotte, N. C., died on the 20th ultimo. The chestnut crop has entirely failed along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fifty penitentiary convicts have been sent up from Raleigh, N. C., to work on the Spartanburg and Asheville Railroad. Mr. William B. Astor, the richest man in New York, died la9t week. Twenty-four seats in the next Congress will be contested?fifteen by Democrats and nine by Repuplians. Chief-Justice Waite says he will not allow his name to be used in connection with the Presidency "under any circumstances." In consequence of the inability of the State Treasurer of Georgia to make a satisfactory bond, that office is now declared by the Governor to be vacant. The Sunreme Court of Towa has deci ded that when the loser in a game of billiards settles the score he is guilty of gambling, and liable to indictment. Much excitement is created at the Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, over a gymnast who allows himself to be shot from a mortar to the upper end of his trapeze rope. On the22nd ultimo, Columbus Jones, a white youth some eighteen years of age, killed Henry Jones, colored, in the town of Hickory, N. C., and then escaped, it is thought, to East Tennessee. Judge Hill, of the United States District Court for Mississippi, has literally changed the complexion of the juries in that court by adopting a rule which excludes from the panel all who cannot read, write and compute interest. Cotton culture, which gave some promise of being a success in California, now appears to be a failure. The area planted is growing less, the quantity has deteriorated, aud the want of factories makes the culture unprofitable. Many very good people are annoyed by sleepiness in church. The following remedy is recommended : Lift the foot seven inches from the floor, and hold it in suspense without support for the limb, and repeat the remedy if the attack returns. A circular has been issued by some of the banks of Baltimore, New York and Philadelphia, urging on other banks to secure signatures to a petition to be presented to Congress, with a view to securing the repeal of the law requiring the affixing of a two cents stamp on checks. A drunkard, who was to have a finger amputated in the presence of Albany Medical College students, by Dr. Armsby, died under the influence of chloroform ; and the surgeon says that in nearly every recorded instauces of death from an anaesthetic the patient was addicted to intoxication. Bad seed sometimes brings forth good fruit, as was shown by a case before a court in New York on Monday. A man named Van Wyck sued one Allen for cabbages which he might have raised had the seed furnished by the defendant been good. The jury awarded Van Wyck $2,000 damages. At the recent term of the Federal Court at Asheville, N. C., Polk Allraan,U. S. Deputy Marshal, was indicted for the murder of Andrew Williamson Gunter, on Scott's Creek, Jackson county, in what is familiarly known as the Heel String Nation, and was acquitted after a trial lasting five days. The Raleigh News, speaking of the late Baptist Convention, says that the amounts contributed the past year were: To the State Missions by the State Board and District Associations, $7,000; to Ministerial Education, 61,600 ; to Foreign Missions, $2,500; to Sunday Schools, about $300; to Iudian Missions, 61,430 ; or a total of some $12,050. A Boston paper says: We have just paid six cents postage on a postal card sent us because the sender had, thoughtlessly, written a date on the side designed for the address alone. Pasting any printed or written matter on either face of the card subjects it to double letter postage. The directions are explicit that nothing but the name and address . ? ... 1 _ J ^ *! _ 1 must oe attacnea to ine omer, auy way. It is stated as a fact which has escaped the uotice of all his biographers, that Edgar Allaii Poe was the grandson of Benedict Arnold. His mother, who was known before her marriage as Elizabeth Arnold, an Euglish actress, was the natural daughter of the traitor. This statement rests on the concurrent testimony of a number of old actors who knew Elizabeth Arnold well. Poe himself alluded to the matter occasionally in the company of those who knew this chapter in his family history. The report of the secretary of the National Grange of Patrons of Husbandry, which body is now in session at Louisville, will show that up to September SOth, last, 24,290charters or dispensations had been granted iubordinate granges. About 400 granges have been disbanded, and about 3,000 are delinquent in the payment of dues. This leaves in operation 20,890 granges. The membership of granges varies all the way from 25 to 250 each. Giving each grange a membership of 100, would raakea total membership 2,089,000. It is doubtful, however, if the aggregate active membership reaches a higher figure than 1,750,000. Says the Charlotte Observer: We are informed by Judge Schenck that when he left Lincolnton on Saturday, a surveying party was camped at that place. They said that they were surveying a route, under the direction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, from Danville, Ya, to Spartanburg, S. C., by way of Statesville, Lincolnton and Shelby; beyond this they refused to disclose anything. The B. & O. Railroad Company, several years ago,surveyed a route and secured a charter for what was known as "the Plaster Banks and Coal Fields Railroad," from Danville to Statesville. This new route from Danville to Spartanburg, via Statesville and Lincolnton, would save 40 miles travel between the North and South. An examination of the map will show that it is an exact air-line." Two incidents, significant of the growing comity of North and South, have lately occurred in the Episcopal Church. St. James' Church of Chicago, which was notable in the Northwest for the intensity of Union sentiment among its parishioners, and in whose vestibule stands a monument to the young men of the parish who fell fighting for the Union, has just taken as its rector the Rev. j Dr. Harris, from New Orleans, during the war | an officer in the Confederate service, who afterwards took orders ; and Triuty Church, 1 New Orleans, formely Bishop Polk's parish, has just invited to its rectorship the Rev. Dr. j Thompson, of Chicago, who, during the war, was one of the most outspoken Union men among the Episcopal clergy in the Northwest, j It is true that the Episcopal body never took the war so hard as some of the denominations, and so unifies easier than if there were a church North and a church South to reconcile. The United States Senate, at its next; session, will be pretty equally divided politi- j cally. The Senators may be classified asfol- j lows: Forty Republicans, (including, Alcorn, j Robertson, Hamilton, and Edmunds ;) twen-1 ty nine Democrats, and three Independent Republicans?Booth, Christiancy, and Cameron of Wisconsin. There are two vacancies i f<? be filled : one caused bv the recent death of Mr. Ferry, of Connecticut, and the eternal I vacancy from Louisiana claimed by Pinchback. A Democratic Senator will be chosen iu place of Ferry, of Connecticut, which will give the Democrats thirty, instead of twentynine votes. Should a Democrat be elected from Louisiaua, as it is thought probable and he be admitted to aseat, which is believed improbable, the Democrats will muster thirtyone votes. From the total Republican vote take those whose votes cannot always be counted upon?Alcorn, Robertson, Hamilnton, and Kdmunds?and their list is diminished to 36.1 Leaving out the question of the Louisiana senatorship, the Democrats will be able to cast a total vote of 30. Add to this the four doubtful Republicans above named and they "will have34. To this add three Independents, Booth, Christiancy, and Cameron of Wisconsin, and opposite to the undoubted Repulican element would number 37, or a majority of one. Although most of the seuators put down as doubtful or Independent Republicans more frequently vote with the Republicans than the Democrats, it will be seen at a glance that when they do the latter they will leave the Republicans in the minority. Such a circumstance is likely to happen very seldom, but it ' i ? - j l.j . J: i. would nave occurred last wiuier imu a uireuL vote been taken in the Piuchback case. $he ^JotkviUc <?uquivcf. YORKVIL.LE, S. C.: THURSDAY MORNING, DEC. 2, 1875. flow to Order the Enquirer.?'Write the name of the subscriber very plainly, give post-office, county and State in full, and send the amount of the subscription by draft or post-office money order, or enclose the money in a registered letter. Postage.?Tho Exquiiiek is delivered free of postage to all subscribers residing in York county who receive the paper at post-otfices within the county; and to all other subscribers the postage is paid by the publisher. Our subscribers, no matter where thev receive the naper, are not liable for postage, it being prepaid at the post-office here, without additional charge to the subscriber. Watch the Figures.?The date on the "address label" shows the time to which the subscription is paid. If subscribers do not wish their papers discontinued, the date must be, kept in advance. Cash.?It must be distinctly understood that our terms for subscription, advertising and jobwork, are cash in advance COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. The commencement exercises of King's Mountain Military School, for the school-year just closed, were held in the hall of the Yorkville Female Institute, on Thursday last. The corps of cadets, preceded by a band of music, and escorting the faculty, officers and graduates, marched under command of Lieut. Reynolds to the hall, where a large audience awaited their coming. The room had previously been tastefully decorated and otherwise prepared for the occasion, and presented altogether a pleasing appearance. The exercises having been opened with prayer by Rev. R. P. Johnson, Col. Coward, the Principal of the School, delivered a short address, appropriate to the occasion of its 6rst public exhibition since the war. He alluded to the founding of the institution by the lamented Micah Jenkins and himself, to their original aims, their difficulties, and their ultimate success?a success soon checked by the breaking out of a war in which both deemed it a paramount duty to take an active part. Speaking of the reopening since the war, he said that his constant aim, and that of his assistants, had been to reJ fKnon nnnninloQ KnfVl nf UUgui&c aim cuiuioo iuuov ^/i iuvi|/?vuj ?>w? v. mental and moral culture, for the inculcation of which the institution had been first established. The address was tasteful, forcible and chaste, and received from the entire audience a most attentive hearing. The Cadet speakers were then introduced in the following order: Withers Adickes, of the Second Class? "The Fireman ;" Leon M. Williamson,graduate?The March of Intellect; M. W. Culp, of the second class?Macbeth's Soliloquy; J. Robert Lindsay, graduate?The Influence of Woman ; Robert F. Jenkins, of the second class?"The Raven J. Stanyarne Wilson, graduate?Oratory. The declamation of the members of the second class was highly creditable, giving signs of faithful effort, and elocutionary talent of no mean order; while the original essays of the graduates showed that, in addition to a close attention to their regular studies, they had found time for the special study of English composition and of such matters of general information as cannot well be embraced in a stated course of instruction. Their ready command and critical knowledge of English proved the great advantage of a constant drilling in rhetoric and composition, such as they had received. At the close of this part of the exercises, the graduates came forward and received their diplomas at the hands of the Principal, who accompanied their presentation with appropriate remarks and a brief farewell to the recipients. The exercises were closed with a benediction by Rev. Robert Lathan, after which the Cadets marched back to their barracks. On Thursday night the Cadets and their invited guests enjoyed themselves at a "hop" at the school building. There were a large number of ladies and gentlemen present, not only from Yorkville but from other portions of the State, and everything passed off delightfully. Thus closed the first commencement of King's Mountain Military School since the close of the war. Nine years ago, the exercises of the institution were resumed, under the management of the present Principal, after a suspension of nearly five years?a suspension due to causes with which our readers om r\nrfo^fltr familiar Sihdp flint rprinpnintr ............. , b, it has been the constant aim of the Principal and his zealous assistants, to bring the school gradually, yet permanently, up to a standard of study and a fullness of curriculum which would give it a place among the leading colleges of the South. Those branches of education and those methods of instruction have been adopted which seem best adapted to the changed condition of our people and the present needs of the Southern youth. Modestly, yet energetically pursuing its course, both ouward and upward, the school now contains all those features that are necessary to attain the end in view. Under many discouragements naturally incident to the times, with many obstacles to overcome, and many difficult euds to accomplish, the Principal has succeed in placing his School on that basis of solid, practical learning, which has been the constant object of his wishes aud exertions. Nor have his labors been without visible fruit?a fact clearly shown in the literary productions of the class just graduated. With the beginning of the next term,on the 1st of February, 1876, the school will present additional advantages, in many respects, both to those who may desire to complete their education under its fostering care, and to those who may wish, after mas' * '?d -" ?-~ ohirtir fa nnfn?? leriDg Its pruscriueu uuuiau ui atuuj, wv/ an institution of still higher grade?such as the University of Virginia, Princeton College, Yale or Harvard. The curriculum is to be still further extended and improved, and such features added to the general organization as will ensure the greatest possible advantage to the student, and keep the institution fully abreast with the times. We sincerely trust that when the new session opens, the condition and prospects of the school will be ranch improved in all respects. Its merits certainly entitle it to a full share of patronage from the people of this State and of the country at large. LOG AX. AFFAIRS. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. W. H. it J. P. Herndon?Twin Brothers YeastCorn Sheller?Leather?.Shoe Findings. M. Strauss?New Goods. I F. Cliristman, Agent?For Sale. ; J. A. Carroll?Fine Liquors. ] Mary S. E. Barron and A. A. Barron, ExecutorsNotice. IIURNT TO DEATH. On Saturday last, a negro child named John C. Miller, was burnt to death on the plantation of Mr. David L. Black, in the vicinity of town. The child had been left in the kitchen by its mother, and is supposed to have been playing near the fire-place, when its clothing caught ou fire. REV. A. L. STOUGH. The above divine, who for the past eleven years has been pastor of the Sugar Creek Baptist Church, having moved to Shelby, N. C., for the purpose of assuming the pastorate of the Baptist church in that place, on the 21st instnnt the congregation of Sugar Creek, in regular coufereuce, passed a series of resolutions highly complimentary to his labors in their midst, and warmly commending him to their brethren iu his new field of lubor. II. S. CIRCUIT COURT. We learn by letter from Columbia that Jacob Mull, who was arrested near this place some time ago for violation of the internal revenue laws, was tried this week iu the U. S. District Court in Columbia, and on being fouud guilty, was sentenced to one year's imprisonment. It has not yet developed whether he will be returned to the jail here to serve out his sentence, or be seut to the Albany penitentiary. The grand jury returned a true bill against W. R. Love, charged with violation of the revenue laws, and failed to return a bill against W. E. V. Estes for a similar otfense. THE NEWS AND COURIER. With its issue of last Monday, the Charleston News and Courier appeared in a fine dress of new type, and printed on an enlarged sheet, which fact speaks well of the success and prosperity of that journal. Long recognized as the leading daily of the State, it is now among the largest, handsomest and best conducted dailies in the South. Notwithstanding its enlargement, there is no increase in price, viz.: 810 per annum; or through their agent in this place, Willie Ferguson, subscriptions will be received payable weekly, ?.* Mfa np tt.ontn Aonta nop ivpplr n 11 fl f lip at tuc l ate vt tnwiitj w-tiM u wu | mmw paper will be regularly served to subscribers, residing in town, immediately after the arrival of the train every evening. ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING. Last Saturday, while a party of freedmen were hunting on the lands of I. D. Witherspoon, Esq., near town, Decatur Alexander, a young colored boy, was accidently shot by his gun, while in his own hands. It seems that he had been leaning against a tree, with his right leg thrown over his gun, when on moving his leg. it is supposed his foot came in contact with the hammer of the lock, causing it to discharge the load, which entered his leftside, penetrating the left lung and causing death instautly. A jury of inquest was empannelled by Trial Justice Williams, acting as Coroner, who rendered a verdict in accordance with the above facts, which were detailed by the companions of the deceased. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. ? In Newberry county, a much larger area thau usual has been sown in wheat. ? The Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad Company, offer a reward of 8500 for the arrest of James Fetner, the engineer of the train which caused the recent loss of life and property on that road. ? The Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad has reduced the freight on cotton from Chester to Charlotte, or to Columbia, from two dollars and fifty cents to one dollar and fifty cents per bale. ? A new town of thirty-two acres has been laid out around the depot of the Cheraw and V^UCSIVI XVilllluau, liui LU-casii UI jjauLaa^i Court House, and adjacent to it. Half-acre lots, covered with forest, sell for $250. Fifty acres contiguous have been sold for $5,000. ? The Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad Company has paid Mr. Dishraan two thousand dollars in full settlement of his claim for damages sustained at the time of the recent accident uear Pine House. The Company has already settled several other claims of a similar nature. ? Governor Chamberlain has pardoned Charles Sims, couvicted of burglary and larceny at October terra, 1875, of the court of sessions for Union county, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment in the peuitentiary. The solicitor and judge recommended the pardon, for the reason that the evidence did | not warrant a conviction. I A f tlift ??ooQnf form r\f (Ko flonmofAion iXll litlV/ IbVVUb l>v* U4 U 4 VUV VVVIgWVV IIU circuit court, the old board of county commissioners of that county pleaded guilty of official misconduct, and were each sentenced j to pay a fine of twenty-five dollars and costs ! or to imprisonment in the county jail for i twenty days. The offense consisted in the failure to discharge some of the duties required of them by law. ? The Union-Herald, of Sunday says: "We are informed that the committee on ways and. j means has nearly completed a supply bill, | and that it will probably be ready to report on Monday. We are assured that the bill ! will very nearly correspond with the sugges! tions made in the governor's veto message, i Full and free conferences have been held be; tween the members and the executive officers, | so that the bill, when presented, will be the ! result of a careful comparison of views. As ; it now stands a majority of the committee are | said to be willing to report a bill which will ; levy not to exceed ten and one-half mills." Correspondence of the Yorkvillc Enquirer. LETTER FROM CHESTER. Chester, November 29, 1875. On Tuesday a scene occurred on Main street, | that may require a passing notice. The prom; inont characters were Mr. H. C. Brawley, of ! Carmel Hill, and Isaac Castles, colored, of i the same place, with Judge T. J. Mackey in the role of peace-maker. Castles, who had rented land from Mr. Brawley, brought cotton ; into town on the day in question with the view of selling it without having satisfied his rent. Brawley, who was also in town, obtaiued an ! attachment upon the cotton, and proceeded to 1 levy upon the same, when the altercatiou bei tween him and his tenant occurred. Judge j Mackey, happening to he near, interposed his : influence to bring about au adjustment of the difficulty. At first he inclined to the side of : Castles on the supposition that he was a sub- ^ renter and not obliged to make any return to j Brawley. But when it was shown that he had /^irantlir r?f Rrawlpv thp .TlldirP lEUlmi U 'IW?J , , gave the cotton to the proper person?the ' owner of the land. During the dispute the Judge threatened both of the parties with imprisonment for using language more forcible than elegant in his presence. Still, he succeeded, by the power of talk, in bringing about a peaceful, if not a satisfactory settlement of ' the difficulty. Last week, a difficulty occurred between Robert Miles and Seward Nolin, both colored, in which the former received a stab in the ab domen. While the wouud is serious, it will hardly prove mortal. If it so happens, Nolin will be tried upon the charge of murder at the next term of the Sessions Court. Mr. R. A. Love, of this county, lost his gin house and screw by fire a few days ago. A considerable amount of cotton belonging to I Mr. Love, and a bale or so belonging to Mr. McNinch, a neighbor, was also consumed. The unfortunate occurrence took place while the gin was in motion, and was in all probability the result of matches in the cotton. Mr. Love's loss was, in a great measure, covered by insurance. The trial justices of our town are kept tolerably busy, these days, attending to the complaints of the colored element. Their wrongs are frequently confined to the domain of their imaginations, and have no foundation in fact. Even where a farmer has furnished a laborer with supplies during the year, aud holds a claim equal to, if not exceeding the value of j the laborer's crop, still the latter takes a different view ofthe matter, and imagines that the farmer is in debt to him. The shortness of the crop and the low price of cotton, are ar-! guments that fall upon deaf ears, and a suit is brought to recover the amount claimed. The case is so plain that a decision is reached without the expenditure of much time or j thought by the trial justice. However, the! farmer is put to considerable trouble, as he is : II. J ^ 1 i ; t t \ compelled 10 leave nis ousmess, iu uiuci iu air lend the trial of the case. It does seem that | a trial justice should have some reliable data, ! upon which to base the issuing of a summons, J or else he becomes an instrument of persecu- j tion to the community. For the first time since the close of the : war, thanksgiving day was religiously ob- j served at this place. Services ; in which the ' different congregations united, were held at the Presbyterian Church. Rev. A. F. Dick-! son, Rev. Thomas Mitchell and Rev. G. \V. ! Walker conducted the services, the latter preaching a very good sermon from the 14th j verse of the 50th Psalm, "Offer unto God i thanksgiving." He enumerated the various ! blessings that had been bestowed upon us as a j nation, among which he placed our republican form of government; and then alluded j to other nations, who, taking encouragement; from our example, were endeavoring to follow ! in our footsteps. Mr. Walker referred to the condition of the Southern people, and their reasons for thanksgiving. His allusions to the "lost cause," and the heroes of that terrible j strife were appropriate and beautiful. The sermon was attentively listened to by a large audience. At the close, Rev. Mr. Dickson made some happy remarks, the purport ef which was that thanksgiving day was a proper time for helpiug the poor and forgiving our enemies. The Bank and the Post Office were closed, but, with this exception, business flowed along in its accustomed channel. On Thursday morning, Main street was lined with waerons. filled with poultry. Citizens bought freely, probably with an eye to their thanksgiving dinners. Thursday was decidedly the coldest day of the season. The appearance of the clouds indicated every hour the coming of the beautiful snow, but fortunately it appeared not. At night rain began to fall, and continued at intervals until morning and throughout Friday. Still the coldness continued, and the warmest clothing was extremely comfortable. Winter has now fairly 6et in, and those who contemplate leaving these parts, temporarily, for a warmer climate, had best take their departure. Saturday was a beautiful, and, also, quite a busy day. In marked contrast with the other days of the week, there was a considerable amount of cotton in town. There is a time beyoud which farmers cannot hold their cotton, however much they may desire it, and that time is on the point of arriving. Dublin Walker, dealer in fraudulent public school certificates, has been pardoned and walks the streets with perfect freedom. The Conservative portion of U?? oommuuity think it remarkably strange that the developments which have been effectual in securing his pardon, were not produced upon the trial, as the persons who were the authors of the late disclosures were witnesses at the time of the trial. The reasons for the pardon won't "go down" with people who have any sense, any penetration, and, consequently, everybody connected with it, from Chamberlain down, need not lay the flattering unction to their souls that they are deceiving anybody. People hereabouts may not be able to see through a stone wall, but their perceptive faculties are sufficiently acute to understand some things, however much they may be enveloped iu mystery. The personal property of the late Barney Humphries, colored, consisting of a horse, and a lot of books, was disposed of at public sale to-day. The books were for the most part of a religious nature, aud did not appear L-- : * A 1 I tu uc in great iicmuiiu. uau tucj uccu uu * - i els of the sensational kind, they would have met with a more cordial greeting. The deceased was a preacher of great popularity among his own people, and was at one time probably the most influential colored man in the county. Chester society was favored last week with the presence of interesting and attractive young ladies from Union and Liberty Hill. Their charms were fully recognized by the young men, who paid them considerable attention. Our fair friend from Liberty Hill took her departure to-day, leaviug pleasant memories of her visit with those whose good fortune it was to make her acquaintance. Qui. THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE. The legislature of South Carolina assembled in Columbia at 12, M., on Tuesday, 23d instant. At the hour of assembling a quorum was present in each house. In the Senate, upon the conclusion of the proceedings incident to the opening of the sessiou, a message was received from the House, announcing its organization. A similar message was sent from the Senate to the House. Messrs. Whittemore, Evans and Swails I were appointed a committee to wait on the j Governor, with the House committee, and in' ? ? /*i 1 A 1 1 i torm mm tmu me vjreuerai Assemtny nau met and organized. After a short interval the committee reported that it had conferred with the Governor, I ; who anuouuced his readiness to deliver his 1 i annual message. The private Secretary of j | the Governor then proceeded to read the raes- j \ sage, an epitome of which may be found in : i columns to-day. The various matters cou- i | tained in the message were then referred to ! the appropriate committees, i Notices were given of the introduction of ! sundry bills in the future, after which the j i Senate adjourned until next day, at 12, AI., ! in respect to the memory of Vice-President I Wilson. In the House, Messrs. Coleman, from i Chester; and Simmons and Whipper from , Beaufort, were sworn in as members. The Speaker announced Message No. 2 from his Excellency the Governor, returning to the House, in which it originated, the act to r aise supplies for the fiscal year 1875, without his approval and his reasons therefor. In this message the Governor recommends that Sections 1 to 6, inclusive, of the tax bill be so modified as to reduce the total appropriation to 9 5-6 mills, the remaining sections from 7 to 13, inclusive, he recommends be stricken out, and that all claims contained thereiu be made the subject of a separate j net And that the navment of these claims bo distributed over a terra of years, uuder such J other precautions and regulations as may be best adapted to secure justice to the claimants and to the State. On motion, the veto message was made the special order for the next day, Wednesday, at 1 o'clock, p. m. Message No. 3 of his Excellency the Governor communicating the intelligence of the death of Hon. Henry Wilson, Vice President! of the United States was read. A preamble ! and resolutions were offered by Mr. W. E. j Hayne, of Marion, and unanimously adopt-1 ed, that the House adjourn in (respect to the I memory of the deceased Vice President. The House then adjourned. Wednesday, November 24. In the Senate, a resolution by Mr. Cochran, to appoint a committee to report to the Senate, so soon as practicable, such amendments to the Constitution as they think necessary, was adopted. Notices were given, of the introduction of a number of bills in the future, after which the Senate, after having been in session only about half an hour, adjourned until Friday, in consequence of Thursday having been appointed as a day of uational thanksgiving. In the House, the message of the Governor, vetoing "An Act to raise supplies for the fiscal year commencing November 1st, 1875." was laken un for consideration. On the vote being taken by yean and nays, the I veto was unanimously sustained. Notices were given of the introduction of a number of hills at a future day, due mention of which will be made when the bil ls have beeu introduced. Friday, November 26. In the Senate, the president announced Messrs. Cochran, Whittemore, Swails, C. Smith, Nash, Keith, Maxwell, Greene and Corwin as a committee to consider and report by bills or joint resolutions sundry amendments to the State constitution. Mr. Whittemore reported favorably on a bill authorizing the qualified voters of Chester county to vote upon the question of a fence law. Also, on a bill to make the obtaining of money or property, under false pretences, indictable. Mr. Swails, from the committee on railroads, reported favorably on a bill to incorporate the Chester and Union railroad company. Mr. Cochran introduced a bill to apportion representatives of the various couutieu in this Slate in accordance with the provisions of the State constitution. In the House, Mr. Hirsch, of Williamsburg, introduced a bill to fix the legal rate of interest on contracts. Mr. Wallace, of Union, introduced a bill to authorize the appointment of two additional Trial Justices for Union county; also, a bill to incorporate the town of Jouesviille, Un ion couiily. Mr. Hirsch, of Williamsburg, introduced a bill to fix the legal rate of interest on contracts; and Mr. Couch, of Chester, a bill to fix the rate of interest in tbe State aud prevent usury. Mr. Davis, of Charleston, introduced a bill to provide for a reprejentation of the South Carolina National Gmrds at the national centennial. A bill to amend the law relating to the bonds of Sheriffs was amend*d so as to make the bonds of the Sheriffs of Spartanburg and Greenville counties $15,000, and passed to a third reading. As soon as the bill providiagfor an annual registration of voters was rend, half a dozen members jumped up to make motions to kill it. Mr. Crittenden rose and npoke to the bill, saying it had been introduced in accordance with the recommendations of the Governor, and moved that it be recommitted to the Committee on Privileges and Elections, which was adoDted. Saturday, November 27. In the Senate, a bill was introduced relating to liens on crops; also, a bill authorizing the county treasurers to takt charge of the lands of the State purchased by the laud commission of South Carolina. The judiciary committee submitted a favorable report on a bill from the House, authorizing the qualified voters of Chester county to vote upon the question of a fence law The bill was made the special order for the 1st day of December. Mr. Whittemore introduced a bill to establish a State Normal School. Mr. Cochran introduced a bill to divide the State into five Congressional Districts; aud Mr. Andrews a bill to repeal the lien law. The bill to apportion the representation of the various counties was referred to the Committee on Privileges and Elections. A bill to limit the charge for advertising legal notices to 81 for every hundred words for the first insertion and fifty cents for each subsequent insertion ; a bill to amend the law in relation to the protection of deer; c.nd a bill to amend the law regulating the admission to the bar of attorneys, were reed a second time. The last was amended by striking out "male citizen" and inserting "person," so as to make women eligible to the legal profession. The vote on this amendment was 12 yeas to 12 nays, and the chair cast his vote in its favor. A resolution by Mr. Cochran, requesting members of Congress to use their influence to procure the passage of a law to prevent the peddling of liquor, and to instruct Trial Justices to prosecute persons uow peddling it, was adopted. In the House, Mr. Gary introduced a resolution, which was adopted, providing for the appointment of a committee to investigate and report as to the cause of the failure of the South Oarolina Bank and Trust Company. A bill was introduced proposing to tax all persons engaged in peddling stoves, sewing machines and lightning rods. Mr. Lewis preseuted an extract from the presentment of the grand jury of Horry county, recommending a consolidation of the offices of theCounty Treasurer and Auditor, and to reduce the salary of School Commissioner. GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. The message of Go,w..;or Chamberlain was read before both houses of the General Assembly ou Tuesday of last week. It is an elaborate paper, insisting strenuously ou perseverance in tbe reforms which have been begun, and exhibits throughout a tone of hopefulness for the State. We give below an epitome of the most important subjects treated in the message: TAXATION. The amount of taxes levied and collected, the methods of their levy and collection, and the objects upon which they aroexponded, are the most important subjects with which the State government has to deal. By the present assessment of real property, .. i.w,,u muiln in 1X7J tlio total value of real property in the State|is $90,095,407. While there are, no doubt, individual instances of error and hardship in the present valuation, yet, so far as my information extends, the general result is as far as can reasonably be expected. If Ihe individual taxpayer will avail himself of the means afforded by the present laws for his protection against unequal or excessive assessments, I think the instances will be very rare in which injustice will bo finally done. At the last session of the General Assembly, the "taxation and assessment" acts wore careYully revised and an additional act relating to "forfeited" lands was passed. The tax laws of the State aie now, in my judgment, well adapted to secure, ih the language of the Constitution, "equality and uniformity" in the assessment of property for taxation. The total valuation of personal property under the assessment of 1875 is $415,701,000, in which is included a considerable amount of personal property which has hitherto escaped taxation. l am happy to express my belief that the tax laws of the State are now administered with fairness and ability, and no instances are known to me in which complaints duly presented have not received due consideration. Tho results ire highly creditable to the people, as well as to our tax j officers. In the aggregate tax for the past year I of $1,555,201 US, only $12,51747 have been returned j as nulla bona, being less than four-fifths of one : < cent. In IS72 the returns of nulla bona amounted i to $48,.'$92 77, and in 1873 to $51,303 00. i During the past year, under the decision of the j ITnifnd States Sunremo Court, the entire property ! 1 of the Northeastern Railroad Company, and a large part of the property of the South Carolina ! Railroad Company, has been subjected to taxation. Thcqucstion of the liability of the property < ol the Savannah and Charleston Railroad Compa- < ny, and the Air Line Railroad Company, is still ponding in the United States Courts, and in the < meantime the State authorities are enjoined from I i enforcing the collection of any taxes on their property. It is believed that during the present j year final decisions favorablo to the State will be j reached in these cases, and thus several millions ! bo added to the taxable property of the State. i I have no special recommendation to make upon i the subject of our tax laws, but I shall warmly i favor any changes which may promise greater i efficiency or fairness in the administration of this ! department of government. EXPENDITURES. | In the matter of expenditures I have the satis- i faction of saying that great advances have been made during the past year toward a proper scale and measure. The entire appropriation for legislative oxpen ses for the fiscal year wan 8150,005. The appropriation under this head for the preceding fiscal ! year was 8190,000, while the average cost of a regular session of the General Assembly from 18(58 to 1878, inclusive, was 8820,405 10, the cost of the regular session of 1871-72 reaching as high an amount as 8617,234. In honorable contrast with former years, it should also be mentioned that no obligations have l>een issued or incurred by the i officers of the General Assembly during the past j year, in excess of the appropriations made. The intolerable abuses of former years in con- j nection with contingent funds have also been in | a great degree removed. The entire amount ap- j propriated during the past year for the contingent j funds of all the Executive officers, including the [ contingent fund of the Supreme Court and the j special litigation fund of the attorney-general of 87,500, was 815,250. The entire appropriation for j legislative contingent expenses was 818,000. The ! corresponding appropriations for the fiscal year 1878-74 were, respectively, 847.100 and 882,500, showing a decrease in the aggregate of about sixty-live percent, in favor of the last fiscal year. * But the gain to public morality and economy is still greater when wo consider the fact that all Executive contingent funds have been drawn during the past year on vouchers approved by and filed with the comptroller-general. Accountability and publicity, the two chief safeguards of official integrity, have thus been secured. For the hist fiscal vear the Governor's contingent fund was reduced from the previous annual average of 825,(J00 to 88,900, and at the end of the year the sum of 8247 04 remained undrawn. I herewith transmit to the General Assembly a detailed statement of the disbursement of this fund, in accorddance with the requirements of Section 7 of the last general appropriation act. Provision having been made at the last session by an act entitled "An act relative to contracts for the Executive departments of the State government, and for the General Assembly," (acts of 1874-75, page 058,) for supplying the Executive departments and the General Assembly with fuel and stationery, to bo paid for by an appropriation from the phosphate royalties, it is obvious that the appropriations for contingent expenses to be made by the general appropriation act of the present year should be greatly reduced. LEGISLATIVE EXPENSES. On the subject of legislative expenses, the message urges a short session, "which would be of incalculable benefit to our State, not only in reducing the expenses of the legislative department, but in the wholesome and long-needed example it would furnish." PUBLIC PRINTING. The public printing ban been reduced during the past year from the annual average of $181,309.05 during the three preceding years, to the sum of $50,00 a year. This branch of the public work should be hereafter thrown open to the lowest bidder, under such regulations as will secure fair and genuine competition and the faithful performance of the proposals thus received. REDUCTION OK OFFICERS AND SALARIES. In prosecuting the work of retrenchment, the number of salaried officers, and the amounts of the salaries paid, will require strict examination. At the last session of the General Assembly, a bill upon this subject was matured and passed by the House of Representatives, which was a long step in the right direction. Tliis bill is now upon the calendar of the Senate, and I most heartily urge its immediate enactment into law. AlTHUl'KJAl lDna A?U UAClviEi.'Vinoi The total amount of deficiencies for the last fiscal year, including the loss in the South Carolina Bank and Trust Company, is $308,872.15, of which it should he said that $127,724.03 are the result of the failure of the South Carolina Bank and Trust Company. Of this amount the sum of $249,473.29 (as I have pointed out in detail in my message of this date, returning the Tax Act of the last session,) should bo provided for in the levy for the present year. If the General Assembly shall perform its duty in this respect, we shall, during the present year, witness the prompt and regular payment of salaries and appropriations for public institutions, and a consequent restoration of our State credit, together with the increased efficiency of every branch of the public service. The ultimate burden of taxation will not thereby be increased, while in the absence of extraordinary causes the entire item of deficiencies will be eliminated from the next annual tax levy. Such results will follow the simple discharge of our constitutional obligations, and I do not permit myself to believe that the General Assembly will fail to secure them. FAILURK OF THK SOUTH CAROLINA BANK AND TRUST COMPANY. The failure of the above-named institution is next alluded to. The amount of funds belonging to the State in the bank at the time of its suspension, is stated by the Governor to be $205,753.79, of which amount $100,829.30 belonged to the funds for the payment of the interest on the public debt, and the remainder, $98,924.49, belonged to the general appropriations for the last fiscal year. Regarding the amount likely to be realized from the assets of the bank, the Governor says: What amount the Stab? will finally receive in the distribution of the property of the bank, on account of its deposit, it is now impossible to determine even approximately. The nominal amount of the liabilities of the bank is reported by the receiver to lie $398,455.08, and the nominal assets $314,969.24. Of the assets of the bank, it may, in general, be said that they are, to the last degree, unsatisfactory and uncertain in value, as well as unavailable for present conversion into money. The evil effects of this failure have not been limited to the State, but the funds of several of the counties have also been lost. The management of this lwnk, the causes of its failure, ana the responsibility therefor, I do not deem it my province to discuss at this time. The property and assets of the bank boing in the hands of the court, all legal questions involved in the failure must be determined by the court. The circumstances attending the deposit of the State funds in this bank, as woll as the motives of the several members of the board having the selection of the banks of deposit for Htatefunds, have already been made known to the public. If the General Assembly shall desire further information respecting these matters, I shall be ready to furnish all information within mv nower: or if it shall hereafter seem ineum bent on me to discuss those matters further, I shall make a special communication to the General Assembly. In this connection, the Governor recommends legislative enactment to ensure the safest method of keeping the State deposi ts in the future. THE PUBLIC DEBT. Since November, 1st, 1874, $2,624,706 80 of the bondsandstock authorized by the consolidation act of December 22, 1873, have been issued. The entire amount of this class of our public securities issued up to that date is $3,618,290 82. About seven-tenths of all the bonds ami stock made exchangeable under that act have thus been exchanged. The great disaster of the failure of the South Carolina Bank and Trust Company has been most severely felt in its influence on this great public interest. It gave a shock to the growing confidence in the good faith of the State toward the public creditors, depressing the market value of the public securities and checking for a time the process of exchange. Since the 1st July, 1675, about $.500,000 of consolidation bondsand stock have l>een issued, the coupons of which, from July 1, 1874, remain unpaid. I recommend thatatax be included in the annual levy now to be made for the deficiencies of the last fiscal year, to pay this amount of outstanding interest, amounting to $30,000. The vital necessity of faithfully adhering to the contracts and obligations incurred by the present settlement of our public debt, I trust, needs no enforcement. It is as essential to the general prosperity of the Shite as to the interests of her creditors. If good faith and unflinching honesty shall bo observed, the year on which we have entered will witness the eompleteexehange of the' '.d debt of the State, a result which will be seeor.d to no other result of ourefforts to restore the honor and welfare of the State. I recommend that such action be taken as will fully meet the just demands of the public creditors under the consolidation act, and remove all doubts respecting our intention to make that the point of departure for a new career of faith and honor, which shall help to hide the errors and failing of our recent history. COUNTY FINANCES. I am glad to express the belief that the financial conditions of many of the counties of this State has been greatly improved during the past year. In general, I think the former habits of extravagance and fraud in countj'atfairs have been corrected. A majority of the counties are, however, burdened, like the State, by floating indebtedness. The requisites of a proper scheme for the settlement of this indebtedness are the same, in my opinion, as those already stated: First, the proper auditing of all claims; and, second, their gradual payment by taxation. Wherever these claims can be subjected to judicial scrutiny, such a course will furnish the best attainable mode of auditing the claims. To guard against future evils of a similar character, I recommend that county commissioners be required to make specific levies for all the leading objects of expenditure, as is now done by the State. This will, to a great degree, prevent the diversion of funds from the objects which are most essential to the maintenance of county government, such as the pay of jurors, the dieting of prisoners, the ordinary expenses ofthe courts, and the support of the poor. County taxes are now extreme- , ly burdensome, and every effort should be made ! to reduce them. REPORTS OF STATE OFFICERS AND OFFICERS OF PUJIIjIC institutions. The reports ot State officers and officers of pub- ; lie institutions are noxt alluded to, from which it I appears that the respective departments are in a satisfactory condition. From the report of the su- ; porintendent of education, the following facts are j collated: The school population of the State, con- i sisting of > outlis from six to sixteen years of age, 1 amounts to 239,264, of which 85,566 are white, and , 153,698 colored, showing an increase since 1873 of 9,162. The present number of free common i , schools is 2,580?an increase since the last year of , , 227. The present actual school attendance of both j ; sexes-is 110,410, of which 47,001 are white, and | 63,415 are colored?an increase since the last year !' of 5,078. The whole numberof teachers employ- i ed is 2,855 of whom 1,876 aro white, and 079 col- j in-ml?.un !ndprtyjo uinnn tlin IimI. vonr nf 9"2H. Thrt I average monthly wages of teachers is $31.64 for 1 < males and $251.21 cents for females. The average ; length of the last school year was 4J months. The ! number of common school houses in the State is 1 2,347?an in crease during the last year of 119. The superintendent of education estimates the amount of money necessary to keep our free common < schools open for a period of six months each year at $600,000, or 100,000 per month. i i STATU PENITENTIARY. From the annual report of the directors of the i 1 State penitentiary, it appears that on the 31st day ( of October, 1874, the institution contained 166con- j victs; that during the year ending October 31,1875,1 ' additional convicts to the number of 312 were; received; that during the same period nine escaped convicts were recaptured, making a total i ! of 489 inmates during the year. Of this number it further appears that 46 were pardoned by my predecessor between the 1st November and the i 1st December, 1874, and that 16 have been pardoned by ine between the 1st December, 1874, and the 3lst October, 1875; that 44 have been discharged by expiration of sentence; 4 by commutation of ^ sentence, and 21 under the regulation allowing a reduction of one-twelfth of the time of sentence as a reward for good behavior; that 24 have escaped; 4 have died ; 1 was Mhot in an altercation with a guard, and 1 was drowned; 6 are designated as "trustees," who should, prior to May 1, 1875, have been dropped from the records as "escaped," making a total of 167 discharged during the year, and leaving 322 in confinement on the 31st October, 1875, of which number 318 are males and 4 females. The Governor is pleased to announces great improvement during the past year, especially in the (tost of maintaining the prison- * ers, and does not recommend an increased appropriation for the support of the penitentiary for the present year. In this connection the Governor says : "I call attention to the rei>ort of pardons, reprieves, and com mutations granted by me since December 1, 1874, which I herewith transmit, agreeably to the requirement of Section 11 of Ar tide III of the CoiiHtitution. In discharging this most onerous and painful duty of my office, I have endeavored faithfully to redeem the promise made in my inaugural address. The whole number of pardons and commutations granted by me up to November I, 187">, was thirty-six. With scarcely an exception, nil applications for pardon or commutation have been referred b}' me to the judge who tried the case, and, as will be seen in nearly or quite every case, my action has had the sanction of the courts and best citizens of the State." JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND CONSTABLES. I again urge that the provisions of sections 1, ? 21, 22, 23 and 24 ot Article IV of the Constitution, relating to the election of "a competent number of justices of the peace and constables in each county, by the qualified electors thereof, in such manner as the General Assembly may direct," be put into practice. The adoption of new constitutional provisions will give little confidence in our good intentions, while important existing constitutional requirements are wholly and persistently disregarded. Though the General Assembly has the power, they have not the right, to deprive the electors of the counties of the constitutional privilege of electing justices of the peace and constables. If one constitutional requirement can be disregarded, all can be, so far, at least, as they depend on the positive action of the General Assembly. The results of the system of trial justices appointed by the Governor certainly cannot be considered so favorable as to justify the annulling of an important part of the Constitution. Let the Constitution be enforced in all its provisions, and a public sentiment will then be cultivated _ which will make the Constitution the shield for * all classes of our people from the wrongs or excesses which the interests of any political party may prompt. MINORITY REPRESENTATION. I am confident from various indications, that the principle of minority representation is growing in favor among all the pieople of the State. It offers in theory, certainly, and in practice, so far as yet tested, a mode of reaching that highest result of our representative system, the true proportional influence of each class or party into which our voting population may be divided. The rule of the majority is not thereby destroyed, while the voice and influence of the minority is not wholly suppressed. In this State its advantages in our counties and municipalties would be peculiarly great. Our voting population is now, in a great measure, divided uponlines which are not conducive to the best results in our public affairs. Minority representation will mitigate these evils without changing the basis of political power. Practically, though not in name, this principle has already been applied in some of our counties and cities. Citizens of both parties or races have voluntarily agreed to share political power in approximate proportion to their numerical strength, respectively. The results of such a course have invariably been satisfactory, so far as I am in- ^ formed, and I am sure that the example will be repeated more and more widely in the future. What isthus here and there secured by the voluntary concert of our citizens, will bo secured firmly and universally by the adoption into the law of the State of the principle of minority representation in all county and municipal elections. 4 I cordially and earnestly urge this measure upon your consideration at the preseut session. THE ELECTION OP JUDGES. At the present session elections of Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas and of the Supreme Court will take place. It cannot be deemed Improper in me to present to the General Assembly the paramount importance of a wise discharge of this duty. The ancient fame of South Carolina in ^ this respect should be kept steadily in mind. The standard of character and attainment once universally observed in this State should never be lowered. Legal learning, a judicial spirit, and a high, unblemished personal character, should mark every man who shall be elected to sit in the seats of Harper and Duncan, of O'Neall and Wardlaw. If all these qualities are not attainable, let the one quality of personal integrity never be lost sight of. That community may well be pitied which is doomed to submit its great interests to the decision of one whose judgments will reflect his own passions or interests. THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF 1876. Under thishead, the Governor recommendsand urges that the proper steps shall be taken by the General Assembly to ensure a representation of the resources and industries of the Slate at the centennial celebration to be held in Philadelphia next year. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, the Governor says: I have now discharged, so far as I have been able, the duty imposed upon the Governor by the Constitution, to "give to the General Assembly, from time to time, information of the condition of the State, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary or expedient." The measures which I deem most essential to the present welfare of the State are: First, the prompt passage of a supply act which shall impose the lightestpossible burden of taxation ; second, the enactment of a law which shall require all disbursements of public funds, except the interest on the public debt, to be made upon warrants of the comptroller general, issued upon vouchers approved by that officer and permanently recorded in his office; third, the keeping of all appropriations within the limits of the funds actually provided for by taxation; fourth, the immediate and large reduction of the scale of all public expenditures ; fifth the equitable adjustmentof the floating indebtedness of the State upon a plan embracing the rigid scrutiny, by impartial agencies, of all claims, and the gradual payment by taxation of the valid claims; sixth, the inflexible observance of exact good faith respecting the public A debt. ^ The work and spirit which I commended to you a year ago, I commend with increased earnestness to you now?the work of correcting abuses and .itof/i.ini. nr\r\i\ <iH m i n iuf rat inn ?the nnirit ofintflV- ' rity and fidelity toward those whose trusts we hold. Some gratifying results have been reached, but the future has heavier tasks than those already achieved. I might urge these things upon my political associates as essential to the life and success of their political party, for so they are; but I choose to urge them upon the common, unassailable ground of the public welfare. He will be a blind politician who is not also a patriot. The truly wise public man in this State to-day will labor and pray for the peace and honor of South Carolina ; for the increase of official integrity; for the confirmation to every citizen of all civil and political rights; for the establishment of government which shall protect all and oppress none. D. H. CHAMBERLAIN, Governor. "The Boys in Grey."?We were wont to admire the boys who wore the grey, though it was not for the grey alone, but for the noble, chivalrous hearts that beat under it. They commanded the admiration of the true and brave in every laud. But how few admire a fine head enveloped in grey hair and whiskers?very few. We all love admiration and nothing in our appearance is more calculated ** to secure it than pretty hair. If old age, sickness or sorrow has robbed you of it, you can regain it by the use of Dr. Tutt's Hair Dye. Its popularity is so great that it can be found on the shelves of every druggist in the land. -?mrv?YM'U'l mrX /IT nrmrnerrtttf ^ luauiuu any vyumuinna*. YORKVILLE, December 1.?During; the past week but little cotton lias been offered in this market. Wo quote prices at from 9 to 12 cents. CHESTER, Nov. 29.?Cotton.?Middling, 12; low middling, llj; good ordinary, 11. CHARLESTON, November 29.?Cotton steady. Middling, 12j. LIVERPOOL, November 22.?Cotton steady. Middling uplands, 6Ad. "* NEW YORK, Nov 29.?Cotton quiet. Sales 820 bales at ISA to 13 7-16. Futures closed quiet. Sales 15,400 bales. November, 13 1-16 to 13 3-32 ; December, 13A to 13 3-32 ; January, 131 ; February, 13A to 13 3-32; March, 13 9-16 to 1319-32; April, 13? to 13 25-32; May, 13 29-32 to 13 31-32; June, 14 3-32 to 14A ; July, 14 5-32 to 14 7-32; August, 141 4 to 14 5-16. Comparative Cotton Statement. NEW YORK, November 26.?The following in the comparative cotton statement for the week ending to-day; 1875. 1874. Receipts at afl ports for the week..183,S23 165,525 Total receipts to date 1,481,278 1,277,298 Exports for the week, 129,677 90,597 Total exports to date, 664,648 569,935 Stock at all United States port.s...594,831 570,286 Stock at interior towns 85,298 103,426 Stock at Liverpool, 533,000 529,000 American afloat for Great Britain,216,000 247,000 Financial. NEW YORK, November 29.?Gold $1.14? to M.141. HYMENEAL. Marriku?On the 2]st ujtimo, by Rev. J. M. Garrison, Mr. PINl'KPJlfii BKUWiN and Miss MARY S. WRIGHT. Both of Fort Mill township. In Pittsburgh, Penn., on Thursday, 18th ulti mo, by Rev. M. W. Dallas, Mr. CHARLES B. GRIST, formerly of Yorkville, S. C., and Miss EMMA F., youngest daughter of F. X. Fritchey, af Coshocton, Ohio. On the 3ftth ultimo, by Rev. W. W. Ratchford, Mr. MILKS F. S. McCULLOUGH and Miss FRANCES C. BRANDON. All of York county.