Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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LEWIS M. GRIST, Proprietor. | Jniitjjtniitni Jamiln Itttaspaper: <for % |jrflmotion of f|e |olitical, Social, ^gricliltaral aiti? Commercial Interests of % S?4- |tebms--$2.50 A YEAB, IN ADYMCE. VOL. 26. YOEKYILLE, S. C., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1880. * NO. 49. *' ? ? '--1 A 1? MMM tlia JMfaira. THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE, a review of the situation in s. carolina Executive Department, j Columbia, S. C., November 23, 1880. j Gentlemen of the General Assembly: At tht last regular session of the General Assembly of this State, W. D. Simpson was electee Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, and on the 1st of September last he resigned the office of Governor of the State ol South Carolina. The Chief Magistracy of the State having thus, under the provisions of the Constitution, devolved upon me as President pro tempore of the Senate, I immediately as sumed the duties by taking the oath of office It now becomes my duty, under the Con stitution, to give you information of the condition of the State, and recommend for youi nr.noiaai.ahnn ctiph mpflBllTPS R9 Seem tO m necessary or expedient. I have not had time or opportunity to become sufficiently acquainted with the departments of the State, or the wants aud necessities of the people, to be able to give such full and satisfactory recommendations, as I am sure my distinguished predecessor would have made bad he continued in office. I congratulate you, as the representatives of the people, upon the great improvement which has been effected in the affairs of South Carolina, by the administrations which have had charge of the State government for the last four years. The cloud of despondency and gloom, which came of profligate, reckless aud corrupt legislation, is being gradually cleared away, and the hope of a prosperous future invites us to renewed efforts. ^)very interest, material and educational, is being surely and constantly improved. Agriculture, the principal occupation of our people and the chief source of all wealth, is remunerative, whilst land is being gradually enhanced, not only in price, but in real value. Commerce is extending and adding her stores to the wealth of the country. Cotton manufactories have been increased in power and number, and whilst in many portions of the world such enterprises have been run ou short time, or closed temporarily, in South Carolina they have been profitably run on full time. The sessions of the Legislature have been reduced from a duration of several months to about one month. The credit of the State is fast rising to the high position it had before the war. The railroads have been improved in condition and are doing an increased business, which indicate, as surely as anything, the growing prosperity ot the country. The success of the jetties in deepening : . THE BAR OF CHARLESTON , harbor, which is now regarded certain, will develop a prosperous future for the city, and yet verify the wisdom of those who in former days selected Charleston as the Southern terminus of the road from the Northwest to the ocean. Already the increased number of vessels seeking that port, and the much larger receipts of cotton than at the same time last year, indicate the approaching wave of prosperity. Before many years the great trade of the West will require a port on the Atlantic most accessible to the trade of the West Indies and South America, and none will be found combining the advantages of Charleston, S. C. We have just passed through one of our EXCITING QUADRENNIAL ELECTIONS, in which so much is done to derange the business of the country, disorganize labor and excite the worst passious of the people, especially the most ignorant. I believe it would be better for all the interests of the State if we had State elections but once in four years, and then at a time different from that on which United States elections are held. If persous held office for four years they would become better qualified for their duties, and the State is more interested in having an office well filled than in finding berths for untried aspirants. To show what progress has been made in the way of REFORM AND ECONOMY under the Democratic administration of the State Government which weut into power four years ago, I ask your attention to the exnenses of the State for last year, as com pared with similar expenditures for the State while the Legislature was in the entire control of the Radical party. Taking the average annual expenditures of the State Government for the six successive years beginning December 1st, 1868: For these six years there were paid and appropriated for contingent funds 8376,832.74, or an annual amount of 862.805.48. Contingent fund for last year 86,820.17. Difference 855,985.31. The cost of the session and expenses of the General Assembly for the same period were 82,147,430.97, and besides this amount there were outstanding bills payable issued on account of legislative expenses for the same period 8192,275.15, the average cost of each regular session being about 8320.405.16. Legislative expenses last year 840,50-^32. Difference 8279,900.84. The average expenditures for each regular session for the six years for attaches and contingent expenses - have been about 8258,424.65. Let it be borne in mind that this sum represents only the actual payments made. There was a large amount of unpaid claims in the form of legislative pay certificates, estimated at not less than 8500,000. The corresponding amount of last year, Including expenses of pay offi eersof the General Assembly, was 812,776.35. Difference 824: ,648.30. During three years, ending November 1, 1874, the cost to the State of permanent and current printing, and of printing the laws in the newspapers, was $918,629.86. Deducting from this amount all such items as may be called extraordinary, amounting to 8375,000, there remains as the cost of printing for three years the sum of 8543,629.86, or an average annual cost of 8181,209.95. Public printing last year 812,211.40 ; difference 8168.998.55. mt ii?e ?i.? ????i? ?i,. inert; was cuueoteu jiuui uic j?c.'pie m mc years 1873, 1874and 1875 the sum ofS4,349.> 4(51. Of this amount treasurers were paid commissions for collection S151,070 ; county treasurers defaulted for 8109,988 ; total 8261,058 ; leaving paid into the treasury 84,088,' 403. Amount collected from the people in 1876, 1877 and 1878, SI,908,572. Of this amount treasurers were paid commissions foi collection 835,000. Amount unpaid but se cured by judgment or thoroughly solveni sureties 8505 ; total 35,505, leaving paid in to the treasury 81,873,067. The saving ii money taken from this people 82,440,889 In money paid treasurers for collection 8116, 070. In money fraudulently or negligently lost 8109,985. Total 82,666,944. Poll tax es for the common schools collected in 1873 1874 and 1875, 8177,316 ; collected in 1876 1877 and 1878, S311,942. THE FINANCIAL INTERESTS OF TIIE STATE will, of course, claim your special study and. in the consideration of this matter, woiTld call your attention to a careful perusa of the able and lucid report of Comptroller General Hagood. In connection with thi matter, I think the State adopted the wises course, in submitting to the courts, instead o the uncertain arena of politics, the deeisioi of the vexed question of what was her dehl It was very important that the matter shouh be settled definitely and certainly, and as on Legislature might undo the acts of a previou ! one, the question has been submitted to the same tribuual that settles and decides matters - I of dispute and debt between citizens. The j following is ' i A STATEMENT OF THE PUBLIC DEBT. Total consols, $5.210,793.82; total deficien' j cies, $56^,855.98; State scrip (Agricultural College) $191,800; total funded debt, $5,967,449.80. To be funded for ante bellum principal and interest, say $196,570.91; to be fund 4 : ed for p< st-bellum principal and interest, say , $306,316; to he funded for fundable interest, , say $146,689.07 ; to be funded for bills of the : Bank of the State, say $22,145; total bonded |! debt, $6,639,170 78. After all the expenses pj and appropriations of the last fiscal year are (i paid off there will remain, as a surplus, to be ' ' 1 . .1 1- 1 1 OOA 01 *L? nn,nl,nt | carried to me uscai year ioou-oi mo muuuut ! of $110,000. 'I It appears from the comptroller's estimate I that a levy of 4$ mills will raise a sura suffi ' ! cieut to pay the current expenses of the government and the interest. | If the Legislature continues the mode of collecting taxes at two periods of the year, there wii be, of course, a great uncertainty as to the amount in the treasury on the 1st of July. It is important that the interest of the debt be met punctually, and in order to sustain the ?/edit of the State, I, therefore, recommend, if the present mode cf collecting taxes is to continue, that you authorize the Governor, Comptroller-General and Treasurer to borrow, on temporary loan, if there be not sufficient funds in the treasury, so much as may be necessary to pay the interest falling due. I ask your attention to the remarks of the comptroller on the question of TUE I'OLL TAX, and suggest the importance of devising some law by which the tax may be more generally collected. I will have occasion to speak of the forfeited lands and phosphate mining, in bringing to your attention the report of the commissioner of agriculture. The questions, however, of taxation of phosphate mines, which were brought so the attention of the Legislature at its last session by the comptroller-general, have n all been settled, but remain for your de? sion. The r iport of the superintendent of edu i iii_? r a.; cation gives mucn vaiuaoie miormauou as to the condition of THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The school fund, the school attendance, number of schools and the number of teachers employed, were greater during the last year than at any previous time in the history of this State. In proportion to her wealth South Carolina is making as liberal provision for education as any other Southern State. During the political canvass of 1876 it was repeatedly charged that if the^Democratic party obtained control of the government educational facilities in general,and especially those of the colored race, would be diminished. The following tabular statement of the work of the last four years furnishes the best answer to those charges: Number of schools 1876 77, 2.483 ; 1877 78, 2,922; 1878-79, 2,901; 1879-80, 2.973. Increase in number of Schools since 1876 77,490; teachers employed 1876 77, white 1,725, colored 949?total 2,674 ; 1877 78, white 2,091, colored 1,026? total 3,117; 1878-79, white 2,090, colored 1,076?toial 3,166; 1879 80, whites, 2,048, colored 1,123?total 3,171. Increase in number of teachers since 1876-77, 497. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 1876 77, white 46.444, colored 55,952?total 102,396 ; 1877-78, white 54,118, colored 62.121 ?t?tal 116,239, increase 13,843; 187879, while 58,368, colored 64,095?total 122,463, increase 6,224; 1879 80, white 61,218, colored 72,853?total 134,072, increase 11,609. Total increase siuce 1876 77, 31,678. SCHOOL FUND. 1876-77, 8189,352 80 ; 1877-78, 8316,197.10 ; ! 1878-79, 8331,049.90; 1879 80 (estimated,) 8351,415 50. The year 1877 78 was the year in which i the constitutional amendment relative to the school tax went into operation. Full reports have not yet been received from all the counties in regard to the school fund for the last year, but the estimate given ahove is derived from figures carefully compiled in the office of the comptroller-general, and is believed to be very nearly accurate. The report of the president of Claflin University, which is contained in the report of the superintendent of education, shows that that institution is in a flourishing condition, and is affording each year increased facilities for the higher education of the colored race. The a .-erage length of the school sessions for i last year was three and one half months, a slight increase over the sessions of the three preceding years. In Anderson county the sessions lasted six months, and in nine other counties the average length of the sessious ! was frorci four to five months. The shortness of the sessions in the remaining counties 'was due in large measure to the fact that a conj siderable portiou of the current school fund ,j has been diverted by authority of the Legis lature to pay claims incurred before the Demj ocratic party came into power. The whole j amount of these claims, which have been re1 ported to the superintendent of educatiou, is ! 8209,940.66. The report of the superintendent of educa! tion gives interesting information, showing ; the many improvements in the public school system which have been made in the last 1 four years. I would commend to your favorable com .deration the recommendation in the report for the further improvement and development of the public schools. The success of the Normal Institute, held at Spartanburg during the month of August, was very gratifying. The Claflin University has a well organized normal department for colored teachers, but the Normal Institute gave to ; the white teachers the first opportunity af! forded them for special training, The meeting of this Institute forms an era in the history I - O # of educetioual progress in this State. One | hundred and ninety-seven teachers attended, and they showed a commendable desire to avail themselves of the great benefits of the 1 Institute. They voluntarily, and at their own expense, gave a month of their vacation season | to study and to do the work of self improve| ment. he praiseworthy spirit thus manifested shou d be encouraged by the Legislature. ' i The full md able report of the distinguished | gentleman who was the principal of the In* stitute gives much interesting information as to the work accomplished, and shows the im! portance ofcontinuing it. Experience in Eu! rope and in this country has demonstrated the necessity for special training schools for 1 teachers. Until this State can found a Nor' mal School, much good can be accomplished * by the holding of institutes during the sutn' mer months. The superintendent of education asks the ' authority of the General Assembly to use, ' during the next year, for defraying the expenses of the Normal Institute, $1,500 of a fund of $3,776.22 belonging to the free school , fund, and now in the hands of the State I treasurer. This fund, as will be seen from 1 the report, is the proceeds of an investment - j of moneys paid in accordance with the s provisions of Act No. 378, approved March t 8, 1871, to establish the Charleston Charitaf ble Association of the State of South Carolina ii for the benefit of the free school fund. The amount of the fund is too small to be of serJ vice if divided amoug the counties of the e State, and, even if much larger, no better s use could be made of it. I recommend that the authority asked for be granted, under such regulations as the General Assembly may prescribe. The following table, which is contained in the report of the superintendent of education, gives the number of educational institution now in operations in this State: Colleges, male and female 12 Professional schools 2 Industrial training schools 3 Private academies or high schools 81 Public academies or high schools 49 Elementary evening schools 3 Private elementary schools 208 Public schools 2,793 INSTITUTE OF THE DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND. It appears that the" appropriations to this Institution have been wisely and economically disbursed. Admitted during the year, 56 pupils; one graduated and two discharged, being incapable of receiving education. Nineteen counties of the State have pupils in the school. I think that any one who would visit this institution, and see the progress which these poor unfortunates are making in education, would be satisOed, if a taxpayer, that the small amount of his contribution, about the 1,350th of his tax, could not be better em ployed. . The method of imparting articulation and lip-reading to deaf mutes, by the system of "Bell's Visible Speech," has been introduced, and some children in the institution, who were born deaf, have, in a little more than three weeks, learned to utter distinctly most of the consonants, and a portion of the vowel sounds. LUNATIC ASYLUM. The unfortunate and helpless condition of the inmates of this institution appeals to the best sympathies of our nature, and I am sure you wil^ give the reports of the board of regents and superintendent of the institution that careful examination and attention which the importance of the matter demands. The board consists of gentlemen of much ability and experience in such matters, who are performing this work of love without compensation, aud whose recommendations I commend to your favorable consideration. The general management under their direction, assisted by the skilful superintendent, Dr. Griffin, and the efficient steward and treasurer, Mr. H. P. Green, has been successful and economical. Whole number of patients treated 541. There now remain 420, of whom 203 are males aud 217 females: 268 are white and 152 colored ; 391 are State patients aud 29 pay patients. The increase for the year has been 45. Of those present 26 may be considered curable, 87 doubtful, and 307 incurable. You will perceive from the reports of thesuperintendent, that much needed improvements have been made, not only in new buildings but in general repairs; and that pro vision has been made against accidents from fire, by which a jet of water can be thrown at any point of the interior of both departments in less than two miuutes from the alarm. The board of regents have been fortunate in purchasing the Parker Farm of about fifty acres, lying close by, with funds saved from the annual appropriation to the institution. The farm may be made not only a means of wholesome exercise and relaxation to those patients able to do some work, but a faithful source of supplies to the inmates. The Asylum has been so crowded that many applicants have been turned away for want of room, and the counties are not prepared to care for them. The question of building additional room is for your consideration, and I invite your attention to what the superintendent says on the subject. The estimate for maintenance last year was based on the lowest rate adopted in similar institutions ; but by prudent economy and good managraent a considerable sum has been saved for the benefit of the institution. I recommend that the amount asked for maintenance for next year be allowed. The Rev. Edwin A. Bolles has been faithfully ministering to the spiritual wants of the inmates. the penitentiary. The reports of the board of directors and the superintendent of the penitentiary will give you all the necessary information as to this institution. There were on the roll of the prison, at the end of the fiscal year, 590 convicts in all; a decrease of thirty-five from last report. The health of the inmates of the prison has been very good, the death rate being less than 2 per cent. Important improvements have been made in buildings as well as walls, and the general management of the penitentiary, under the ?a?. rvi m t t \ Civ C11JUCUI supci ILUCLlMClllj V/Ul. JL u uipa* comb, seems to be well conducted. Some additional appropriation should be made to make the buildings secure from fire. The management of the penitentiary farms has been attended with success, the estimated clear profit being between 89,000 and 810,000. I think some provision shou d be made for the recapture of escaped convicts by providing a reward for the captors. Where criminals are to be punished for short terms, say for four or six months, it would be better if they could be worked on the roads, or for some other public interest in their own county. The expense of transportation, in many cases, costs about as much as the labor of the convict is worth. As one of the prime objects of punishment is reform, I recommend that some provision be made for the services of a chaplain to minister to the wants of the qpnvicts. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The able report of this department, made by the commissioner, Col. A. P. Butler, deserves at your hands a careful consideration. It is the first report of its operations since the act creating the department, and includes, ! besides, a statement of its receipts and ex! petiditures, and exposition of the objects of | the act; also the system adopted by the corai missioner, under the direction of the board | of agriculture, to protect the farmers from I the use of inferior fertilizers. It is claimed that the protection is now absolute, while, it | is generally conceded, that before it was a j failure. The modus operandi is given at j length in the report. About 100,000 tons of fertilizers, valued at 83,000,000, were sold in the State last year; i a small discount in value per ton of this | amount would make a considerable sum. The offices of phosphate inspector and j phosphate agent have been abolished, and i the duties thereof are now performed by a I special assistant of the agricultural bureau. The amount of phosphate rock mined and I shipped for the nine months ending 30th of i September last, is 53,054 tons, upon which the State has received a royalty of $53,054. i As to the concurrent jurisdiction of the j commissioner and the comptroller-general j over the phosphate mines, <fcc., I ask your j J consideration of the matter as explained by i I these officers, aud that you make such I j amendments as you may in your wisdom think I best. The report of the commissioner also inI eludes the report of the chemist to the de' partment, Dr. Charles U. Shepard, Jr., and j the report of Mr. E. L. Roche, special assis! tant. j A report of the fish commissioner, made by I C. J. Huske, a practical pisciculturist, who has charge of that department, is included with the reports. I ask a favorable consideration of this subject, as I am satisfied the State will be amply repaid for the small outlay made. With facilities for hatching fish eggs and the ready co operation which is given us by the United States fish com ! missioner, it will not be long before a large i increase of fish will be seen in our waters. J It is not an untried experiment. The fish commissioners of New Hampshire report, "as I th? result of artificial breeding, the price of shad in the New York market had fallen from $18 to $3 per hundred, and fishermen j complained that fish were so plenty they were unable to get fair pay for the labor of taking them, and that a poor man could now buy as good fish for a shilling, or twenty-five cents, as he could a few years ago for a dollar." . The following is the number of fish distributed in our waters : California salmon 30,000, Land lock salmon 15,000, shad 2,230,000, California trout 3,500. I also call your attention to the very im portant subject of immigration embraced in the commissioner's report. A subject of so much importance will, I am sure, receive the consideration it deserves. You might well consider whether a portion of the forfeited lands could not be profitably disposed of in settling immigrants. 8TOCK LAW. While this law would not be acceptable, and perhaps would ncj^be to the interest of a majority of the citizens of some of the counties of the State, yet I am satisfied that it will prove a great blessing in those counties where it is now of force. Besides the j time which is saved from so much fence building and repairing, and which may be applied to improvements generally, the soil will naturally improve mucb< foster by the vegetation which grows, dies and shades the land. Thousands of acres which, before the law was passed, were almost valueless, for the want of timber to fence against stock, are being brought .into cultivation aDd use. PUBLIC ROADS. For more than a half century the attention of the members of the General Assembly of this State has been repeatedly called to the bad condition of otlr public highways. The difficulty with most of the roads, especially in the hilly portion of the State, is that they have been made with no idea as to grades, but seem to have been located in the cowpaths or Indian trails, straight up and down the hills. The consequence is, that, as time progresses, such roads are becoming worse and more difficult to keep in order. I think it would be better if many of the old roads were abandoned and new ones located, by competent engineers. There is a class of convicts which should be worked on the roads. I hope you will mature a plan which will show that there is a prospect of our having good roads at some time, even if in the future. MILITIA. It is the most important function of government to preserve the peace and guarantee, under the laws, the rights of person and property. In this State the military is held in subordination to the civil authority, but in all well regulated governments the civil may become too weak to repress disturbance. Consider the riots in the great State of Pennsylvania, a few years ago, where it became ne cessary to call on the militia. I would recommend that you give encouragement to the volunteer militia. Such organizations take pride in their efficiency, while the militiamen who muster simply because the law requires it, would be an awkward squad when service was required. But it is too much to expect young Aen to lose their time and pay all the expenses of their organization. The State should give some assistance, and I comraeud the matter to your favorable cousideration. The Centennial celebration of the battle of King's Mountain was entirely successful and reflects great credit upon those patriotic citizens who originated and conducted it. Many citizens from our sister States, especially North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee, were present to show their appreciation of the importance of the event. The victory won at the battle of King's, Mountain reanimated the drooping spirits of the patriots of the country, who, on the 17th of January, 1781, achieve#, under Gen. Morgan, another glori ous victory at the battle of Cowpens. This battle was, in the language of the distin-* i - i i ._ r> r*. iL. c.i it. guisneu nisionuu, x>aucrun, me uei ihjk hi we chain of events that led to the surrender of Cornwallis and the successful termination of the war for American independence. It is proposed to commemorate the centennial of this battle in an appropriate manner, and the President of the United States, the Governors, and citizens generally, of the old thirteen States, have been invited to cooperate. I hope you will give the matter a favorable consideration. COMMISSIONERS AND MANAGERS OF ELECTION. According to law, it is the duty of the Governor to appoint commissioners of election, "at least sixty days prior to any such election." I submit that some provision should be made for the appointment, in the event the Governor should fail, refuse or neglect to do his duty in the premises. CODIFICATION OF THE LAWS. It is now difficult for a lawyer to ascertain what the statute law of the State is. The mode by which our laws have been amended for many years past, has had the effect of almost putting it out of the power of an unprofessional person to find the law in the books. The constitution requires a revision, digest and promulgation of our laws every ten years, and I recommend that it be done as soon as possible. CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES. There are several changes which should be made in our organic law, but whether by amendments in the constitutional form, or by convention, is a question of some doubt. I am inclined to favor the former method as the wisest. To elect our judges for life, or during good behavior, I consider one of the best changes that could be made. With a pure, learned, and impartial judiciary, not subject to the whims and caprices of popular elections, the rights of person and property, as well as the liberty, of the citizen, are safe. But when the high office becomes a reward for eager partisanship, or the judge has to maintain his zeal and devotion to party politics, that he may be re-elected, then are the rights of the people in jeopardy. I ask your atteution to the report of the secretary of State, in which is included the report of the land commissioner: Number of acres of land unsold, 56,371; total value, $158,076.04; balance of purchase money due, $47,493.87. You will also find on your table a very full and explanatory report from Dr. Lebby, who has charge of the quarantine station at Charleston. It is a matter of congratulation that our quarantine laws have been for so many years under his management, efficacious in protecting our citizens from pestilence. The Executive Mansion, I am informed, requires some repairs and improvements, and I recommend that you appropriate for this purpose and for furniture of a permanent character, seven hundred dollars. IN CONCLUSION, gentlemen, I desire to call, your attention to what I presume most of you have considered, the importance of doing something to check the growing evils of whisky drinking, and the carrying of concealed weapons. I believe it is generally conceded that strict prohibitory laws have been unsuccessful, yet prudent and wise legislation can do much good. Public opinion ought to enforce the law against giving or selling liquor to minors. And now, in closing this communication, permit me to invoke the blessings of Divine Providence upon all your deliberations, with the hope that they may result in good to every citizen of the Commonwealth. Tiios. B. Jeter, Governor. IpsftfUatWfltts gUMiug. THE SCOURGE OF THE CAROLINAS. In 1775, when in his twenty-second year, Tarleton was gazetted as cornet in the King's Dragoon Guards. In 1776 he obtained permission from the Colonel of his regiment to volunteer for service in North America, where "the insolent rebellion of Great Britain's ungrateful children," as it was regarded in this country, had just burst into a flame. His first act, after landing in New York, was to surprise and capture General Charles Lee, who, beiDg an Englishman by birth, had, upou the outbreak of the American rebellion, ' resigned his British commission and joined the cause of the insurgent colonies. Geo. Lee was looked upon with singular antipathy by the officers of the army which he had deserted, and ip 1779 and 1780 Tarleton's health was the most popular toast that it waa possible to propose at a mess dinner in England, or at any of the publie meetings held to celebrate what was then regarded in this country as the approaching collapse of the rebellion. A century has passed since those days, and it is necessary at present for an Englishman to visit the States of North and South Carolina in order to appreciate the terror still awakened in those regions by the name of Col. Tarleton. Fiction has added to the daring, unscrupulous deeds in which he was the principle actor, and we are acquainted with no volume which is more pregnant with materials for a military romance than one from the pen of Rev. Dr. Caruthers, entitled, "Interesting Revolutionary Incidents and Sketches of Character, chiefly in the Old North State," which is the local name for North Carolina. In this, and in other works of a like kind, Col. Tarleton. stands before us as be appeared to the dwellers on the frontiers of North and South Carolina, through which he carried fire and sword. "Tarleton," says a contemporary writer, "possessed a form that was a perfect model of manly strength and vigor. He stood rather above the middle height, and had a face almost femininely beautiful. Without a particle of surplus flesh, his rounded limbs and full broad chest seemed moulded from iron, yet at the same time, displayed all the elasticity which usually accompanies elegance of proportion." We were admitted by the same writer to the spectacle of a combat between Tarleton and a violent horse, which no one else dared to mount. TUte untamable brute was a coalblack stallion, magnificent in shape and appearance, and with an eye that seemed to defy control. He was led by two grooms to the front ofTarleton's tent, and at a bound the Colonel threw himself into the saddle without touching the stirrup. For an instant the animal seemed paralyzed with terror; then, with a perfect yell of rage, he bounded into the air like a stricken deer. The undaunted rider plied the scourge and rowel without mercy until, with a scream of pain, the tortured and vanquished animal flew like an arrow across the level ground in front of the encampment. "I have witnessed many stirring scenes," says the writer, "during the Revolution and since, but never one half so exciting as the strife between that savage man and savage horse." The war in the Carolinas was a conflict between guerrillas rather than between armies, and in it Tarleton distinguished himself by raids which he executed under cover of night The country, sparsely settled, was full of "tories," as they were then called, or loyalists who sympathized with the English, and of "rebels,".like Maridn and Sumter, who were a match for their enemies in the field. Such were the distances over which Tarleton and his little band of picked horsemen traveled by night, that no rebel ever lay down to rest without dreading, lest he might hear the tramp of horses and the oaths of dragoons before morning broke. A characteristic story of the Colonel's prowess is still told. In the upper country of North Carolina, there once lived a rebel named Keitt, who, aided by a few congenial spirits, had worsted every party of English soldiers that approached his lonely dwelling in the woods. Taking half a dozen wellmounted troopers with him, Tarleton resolved to surprise the desperado, and after a ride of more than 100 miles he stood before the door of a log ca.bin just after midnight. Keitt was at home and alone, and, in response to a loud j li j.i:? li ? it 1 i. commuuu uiuumg luili nuneuucriu tuc mug o name," he discharged his rifle through a loophole, sorely wounding Tarleton's horse and narrowly missing the rider's thigh. Before the rebel could reload, Tarleton had sprang through an open window and grappled with his assailant. The struggle was short, and Keitt, whom Tarleton respected for his bravery, escaped the fate ususually meted out to rebels?a short shrift and a long halter?and was carried back a prisoner to the English camp. Stories of such desperate acts of personal daring as this preceded Colonel Tarleton to England, and upon the close of the American war none of the offlcers who had worn the King's uniform was more popular among his countrymen at home than the son of the Liverpool merchant. He was admitted upon terms of the closest intimacy to the little coterie of the Prince of Wales' friends, and was sent to Parliament by his native town as its member. In the House of Commons he distinguished himself among the ranks of the opposition, which never ceased to wage an active and unscrupulous war against the King and Mr. Pitt.?London Telegraph. SENSIBLE ADVICE. A distinguished writer, speaking of the duties which parents owe to their children, says: "A mother makes a great mistake __i 1- - J 1 wneii sue uuea uui uuuoiauuj uuun mc tuuudence of her daughter. The daughter should shnre all her secrets with her mother. Many a home has been blighted, and shame has come to many a household because the mother was too busy or too careless to keep herself in constant sympathy with her daughters. The same is true of the father and son. The young man who spends his evenings from home, and feels that it would be robbing him of his mrfbly independence if he should tell where he goes, is banking agaiust every interest in the future. Fathers and mothers should never allow themselves to grow so old that they are not interested in all that interests their children and their young people. Home comforts, and home amusements, and the best society of youog people should be sought with more care than choice investments in stocks and bonds; for one pays dividends only for a few years, the other will go on compounding its interest long after you are gone. Young people crave recreation and amusement, and will generally have it; how much better that it should be enjoyed in the homes of the land, and directed by loving hands. Your wild boys and thoughtless girls are mainly recruited from homes where enjoyment is not to be found. "The parent who sees the boys aud girls of the household full of fun and frolic should not grow anxious that he does not see more tears and solemn faces. These come soon enough amid the anxieties and perplexities ot life. Make home the happiest place in all the world?so that your sons and daughters, as they go out into the great world to buffet with its trials, and temptations, will in every quiet moment hear the echo of its loving words and remember its tender admonitions, and thus be strong to conquer in every honorable pursuit. FOILED BY A WOMAN. "Madam, it is my duty to arrest you." "You dare l?ot!" . The lips were white with passion, rather than fear, and the lady stood before me like J a lioness at bay. Even then I could not help i knf nnfo fVm onlnnrli/l Knoiifw nf fViifl flMPJIYlH UUW UVIV C|/1VUUAU UVMMVJ V* ?u<V . ? v. lady?t'all and slender, eyes black and flashing?almost lurid now ; the spectacle she presented standing there in the middle of the apartment, was more the appearance of a queen than a hunted criminal. "I mu9t," I replied. "I do not doubt your innocence; looking in your face it is not marked with guilt. But I am constrained to do my duty, however inimical it may be to my feelings." "Will you allow me to change my dress?" she said in a tone almost pleasant The hard lines around the mouth had relaxed, and the passionate glow on the face gave to it a pleasant smile. "Certainly ; I will wait for you here." "I wish to send a messenger for a friend; will you allow him to pass?" "Certainly." This was my first interview with Eugenie Cormille. I had seen her here for months, the leader of our gayest and most fashionable society. In her splendid mansion she dispensed the most profuse and elegant hospitality. A Spanish lady?a widow she had represented herself?and had been a resident here almost a year. No one ever suspected her of being aught but what she seemed, until one day I was ordered to arrest her as a murderess. "It was now alleged, said Mr. F., that this young lady wa9 none other than the woman who had poisoned her husband in Havana and fled with all his wealth. Ah immense reward was offered for her apprehension, and the circumstances that had come to our knowledge pointed ber out beyond all doubt as the person we were in search of. Yet the 1? i? J ?3 i? person woo nail reuuguizeu tier tuc cvcuiu^ before at the theatre advised us to be careful lest she should escape us.a I laughed at the idea. Mr. I., and myself were sufficient to arrest a lady. We were old enough in the ways of cunning to defeat any such attempt. When the lady left me I stepped to the window and said to Mr. I., who was waiting at the door, "The lady desires to see a friend ; suffer her to pass." Almost at the same instant the door of the apartment the lady entered was opened, and a youth?apparently a mulatto boy?came out and passed hurriedly through the room and into the ball, and from thence into the street. It "was no doubt the messenger, I thought, and I picked up a book and commenced reading. Nearly an hour passed and still the lady did not make her appearance, nor did the boy return. The friend she bad sent for must live at some distance, or the lady is unusually careful about her toilet, I thought; and so another hour went by. At last I grew impatient and knocked on the door. "Madam, I don't wait any longer." There was no reply. I knocked repeatedly, and at last determined to force an entrance. Strange fears harrassed me. I began to suspect, I knew not what. It took but a moment to drive in one door, and once in tbat apartment the mystery was revealed. The robes of the lady were upon the floor, and scattered over the room were suits of boys' apparel, similar to that worn by the mulatto. On the table was a cosmetic that would st^in the skin a light delicate brown. I was foiled for a surety; the lady had escaped in the guise of a messenger. I should have detected the ruse: I felt humiliated and determined to redress my error. I knew she would not remain in the city an instant longer than necessary. I hurried to her banker's and found she had drawn the amount due her an hour before. "Who presented the checks?" I asked the clerk. "A mulatto boy. It was made payable to bearer." There was yet a chance. The French steamer left within an hour; it was possible she would seek that means of escape. I jumped into a cab and arrived ten minutes before she left the wharf?just in time to assist an aged, decrepit gentleman into the cabin. There were few passengers; none answecred the description of the person I sought. I stood on the wharf watching the receding vessel until it disappeared. I was in the act of turning away when a hackman approached me with the remark : "Mr. F., did you see that old man on board ; be had a long white beard and hair that fell on his shoulder ?" "Yea." "Well, sir, there's something curious about him.""Why ?" "Why, sir, when he got into my carriage he was a mulatto boy, and when he got out he was an old man." I will not repeat the expression I used then?it was neither polite nor refined?for I knew the vessel would be far out to sea before she could be overtaken. I was foiled by a woman, nor could I help rejoicing that she had escaped. FAST SOUTHERN MAILS. During the past session of Congress, additional appropriation was made for Southern fast mail service. There was a meeting on the 20th ultimo of Southern managers in Washington, at which an arrangement was completed, and it was agreed to put it in effect on the 28th ultimo. The following is given as the terms of the arrangement: A fast mail will leave Boston at 6 P. M., and New York at 4.35 A. M., arriving in Washington at 11 A. M. It will arrive in Richmond at 2.40 P. M., Atlanta 9.30 A. M. and New Orleans the following morning, which will be equivalent to a saving of one business day. By this arrangement not only New rtrloona hnf oil intprwpninor r\ninta between uuw'u" w"v "" g r~ Washington and New Orleans will be benefitted, as this line will perform local service. The mail which arrives at Atlanta by the existing arrangement, at 11 P. M. will arriv"at 9.30 A. M., and all cities and villages wil receive corresponding benefits in the saving of time. Not only will the towns on the line of the route receive such benefits, but by its connections with lateral lines, the entire service in the South will be greatly improved. This train will also, by connections from Richmond, continue South via, the Atlantic Coast Line via. Wilmington, Charleston, and Savannah to Jacksonville, decreasing thetirae4to the extent of one business day to the cities named, together with their intermediate points, also to points on lateral lines, la addition to the above train, there is also a special fast train on the Virginia Midland, between Washington and Danville, which leaves Danville, at 10.40 P. M. on the arrival of the train which leaves New York at 4 P. M. This Virginia Midland special train arrives at Danville, Va., at 7.45 A. M. in time to connect with the Piedmont AirLine train for the South, which, taken in con nection witu tne otner rasi trains, gi VCO tuv South a double daily fast mail service that is unsurpassed elsewhere. The Southern railway managers very kindly placed trains at the disposal of the Department, which it promptly accepted, knowing and appreciating the value of such service to the patrons of the Post OJfice Department. ORIGIN OF THANKSGIVING DAT. The origin of the observance of Thanksgiving day, like many other interesting matters, is little understood by those who most would like to know of it. It is supposed that the day was originally suggested by the Hebrew "Feast of the Tabernacles," which was held at the end of the year. The protestant Episcopal prayer-book, which was ratified in 1789, recommends the first Thursday in November as the proper day, except when some other one is appointed by the civil authorities. The last Thursday in November has of late years been generally selected. The " , * ? ?i nrst recoraea ooservance 01 me icauva* wwur red on October 3, 1575, when the good people of Leyden, in Holland, gave thanks for their deliverance from a seige. In 1608, when the pilgrim fathers were exiled to Holland, they temporarily revived the occasion, In America the first known celebration was in 1621, shortly after the landing of the pilgrims, when Governor Bradford, according to history, "sent four men out fowling that the people might in a more special manner rejoice together." Ever since that time Thanksgiving day has been generally observed in the Hew England States, the governors annually issuing the proclamations for that purpose, but it was not until 1680 that it became a recognized annual custom. To go back a little in the recoun^al, a day in July, 1623, was appointed a day of fasting and prayer on account of drought, and it is recorded that rain came abundantly while the people were praying; for this another day was appointed for thanksgiving the same to be observed with religious exercises. In 1755 60 the English governors of New York also named days for the giving of thanks. During the Revolution, Thanksgiving day was a national institution, being annually ordered by Congress. After 1784 there was no national observance UBtil 1789, when, by request of Congress, President George Washington recommended a day of thanksgiving for the adoption of the Constitution ; also in 1795, on account of the suppression of an insurrection. In April, 181.5, President Madison followed the example of bis illus trious predecessor. Since tbat time ine custom has annually been observed in an appropriate manner. In New York the day of thanksgiving was not the subject of any serious thought from its chief executives until 1817, and its adoption by the Southern States did not occur until several years later. Driving a Hen.?When a woman has a ben to drive into the coop, she takes bold 01 iter skirts with both hands, shakes tbem quietly towards the delinquent, and says "Shew, there 1" The hen takes one look at the object to convince herself that it's s. woman and then stalks majestically into the coop in perfect disgust at the sex. A man doesn't do that way. He goes out doors and says: "It is singular nobody here can drive a hen but me," and picking op a stick of wood, hurls it at the offending biped, and observes: "Get in there you thief." The hen immediately loses f her reason and dashes to the other end of the yard. The man straightway dashes after her. She comes back with her head down, her wings out, and followed by an assortment of stovewood, fruit cans and clinkers, with much puffing and a very mad man in the rearThen she skims up under the barn, and over a fence or two, and around the house, and back again to the coop, and all the while talking as only an excited hen can talk, and all the while followed by things; convenient for handling, and a man whose coat is on the ' ^ tfl An fllA ATWAlin^ SAW DUUJiKj ttllU YViiuoc uat 10 uu iuo givuuuj and whose perspiration and profanity appear to have no limit. By this time the other hens have come ont to take a hand in the debate and help dodge missiles, and the man says every hen on the place shall be sold in the morning, and pats on his things and goes down the street, and the woman has every one of those hens housed and counted in two minutes, and the only sound heard on the place is the hammering of the oldest boy as he mends the broken picket>-&kcfed. These plans of driving are applicable to the rases of other things than hens. The person who goes about the business gently and calmly will seldom fail of success, while for him who resorts to the fire and thunder plan we may always look with doubts as to successful results.?Mobile Register. A New York 8en8ation.-i.mong the arrivals at New York, Saturday, on the steamer Oily of Brussels, from Liverpool, was Esoofally Hiptala, a Bombay merchant prince of immense wealth, who brings with him his four native wives. These latter are in charge of another woman and a eunuch. In addition to these there are a number 0! other male serva its. All the attendants wore eith- ' er a turbai or red fez, and were dressed in half European costume; but their master was attired, with the exception of his nether garments, in true Oriental style of splendor. Under a loose overcoat, which was carelessly thrown open, could be seen a long garment of pale silk: descending to the knoes, on which - * 1 1 t 1 _ _ was worked a mass ol gold emoroiaery m a bewilderment of fantastic shapes. The names of the four wives are Vageerbai, Allah Buni, Thahajan and Omdabai. Their appartments in the vessel had been specially and luxuriously fitted up. Their door was guarded by the eunuch. Their faces are round and swarthy, with features well marked. Omdabai, the prettiest, is only 12 years of age. They were thinly clad, and had an abundance of jewelry. Through their no. 38 are pierced holes, from which hang rings of diamonds, pearls, and other precious strues to far below the mouth, swinging to and fro. Their ears are also almost hidden by huge ornaments, and all of them wear around their shoeless feet one or two bands of silver and gold inlaid with rare stones. All are small in stature. Mr. Hiptala speaks very good English. He says his visit is simply for pleasure and as a private individual. He intends traveling through the country, visiting all places of interest, and,will leave part of his retinue in New York while he makes a tour of the States. a?* So long as you pay a negro promptly, so soon as the work is done, you may count on him every time; but just let one get fifty cents in your debt and his services are lost to you forever. Sometimes you can get one to work it out, but he does so grudgingly; and if he is in your employ for ten years after, imnrejflion that vou have wronged him out of half a dollar never leaves his mind? and the darkey is honest about it, too. Many a good hand has been ruined by getting in debt.?Oglethorpe Echo. I?" It is related of the Grand Duke Constantino of Russia, that upon one occasion at a ball at the Tuileries, in the palmy days of the second empire, the Empress Eugenia asked him which woman in the assemblage seemed to him the most beautiful. His answer was, perhaps, as disappointing to the fair Empress as it was complimentary to his wife. "Your majesty,"'said he, "must excuse me. I am only a barbarian, a Cossack. I only know one handsome woman ; she is my wife." ^