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J?traps and ^facte. ? Judge David Davis has made an inter-1 esting discovery. He says President Arthur's ! message is the first document of the sort in j forty years that has not referred to the South as a distinctive section of the country. ? The John P. King Manufacturing Cora- I pany, with a capital of 81,000,000, will be or- ; ganized at Augusta, Ga., on the 28th instant. The stock has been subscribed, over $400,000 being taken in Boston, New York and Philadelphia, and the balance in Augusta. This makes S3,000,000 subscribed for cotton mills in Augusta within three years. All mills in that city have made over 14 per cent, on capital within the last year. ? At Shelby, N. C., last week, Amos Horn, J colored, aged forty, caused the death of bis son, Burt Horn, aged sixteen, by kicks and j blows with a walking stick and wagon whip, j The boy was buried on Saturday, but his body was exhumed by the coroner's jury on the j following day, and an examination shows the I stomach, spleen and liver bruised and swollen. The father has been committed to jail. The negroes are excited and swear vengeance. ? In New York, after a long and bitter j contest over the will of Edwin P. Christie, i the founder of negro minstrelsy, who died in 1862, and the will of his son, E. Byron Christie, a decision has been rendered by which the heirs of the widow of the former are entitled to some $35,000. Edwin P. Christie left originally an estate of about $200,000, hut through litigation the major portion has passed into the hands of attorneys. ? Keifer, the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, is, according to the Augusta Chronicle and Constilutionaliat, "a verv burly, red faced, German-looking man. His hair and beard are bushy and iron grey in color. He was noted on the floor of the House more because of bis roaring voice than for anything else. He is an utter Stalwart, and one of the few soldiers of the war retaining vindictive sentiments." ? On Friday morning last, the fast mail train northward bound, ran off the track when between High Point and Jamestown, N. C. The whole train was thrown from the track, thereby slightly injuring many of the passengers, and severely injuring Mr. G. W. White, of Chester, S. C. Mr. White was riding in the last coach, and was thrown from his seat, the stove falling on him. When the train arrived at Greensboro, the assistance of a physician was called, at the railroad's expense, and he had recovered sufficiently to leave on Saturday evening. The rest of the passengers were not materially injured. The.run off was caused by a broken rail. ? Last week was the most successful so far of the Atlanta Cotton Exposition, both in point of cash receipts and general attendance. The receipts footed up over two thousand in excess of the week before, although there was no special event to attract visitors. This week there are special attractions daily, and the attendance and receipts will largely overtop those of any preceding week. The Ex position is fully in shape, every feature being in position and every piece of machinery in motion, and the prospect is that from now until the closing of the gates on 31st of December there will be a rush to the Exposition from all sections of the country. ? A very fine piece of work has been set in place in the ladies' room of the Baltimore and Potomac depot at Washington. It is a memorial stone, to mark the place where President Garfield was shot, and is set in the wall directly over the silver star in the floor which marks the place where the Presideut fell. The tablet is of white marble, about three by four feet iu superficial area, and is an elegant piece of carving. An eagle surmounts the work, holding iu its claws arrows and laurels, and beneath it the American flag falls gracefully about a tablet iu gold letters, inscribed : "James Abram Garfield, President of the United States, shot July 2, 1881." ? The stockholders of the Keely Motor Company in Philadelphia, dissatisfied and impatient beyond endurance, have filed a bill in equitv to oblige Keely to disclose the secret of his workshop. They say that the defendant has secured from the company over SloO.OOO under various pretexts, and ask that he be compelled to give such information as unll^oriaklo cbilla/l nnronna tn n/mcfriinf nnrl work a machine to collect, generate and eliminate the "force,"- and that he shall immediately apply for letters patent upon his inventions. He is also commanded to deliver all the machines he has yet constricted to the company, and an injunction is asked restraining him from removing the same from the jurisdiction of the court. ? At Suanee Station, on the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-Line Railroad, thirty miles from Atlanta, an accident occurred at a late hour on Wednesday night of last week, resulting in the instant killing of Conductor John P. Dean and Flagman Charley Herst, the former of Atlanta, and the latter of Decatur. The cab and two flat cars were totally destoyed. The particulars appear to be that as a local freight train was approaching Suanee at a slow speed the through passenger train from Charlotte ran into it. The engine was badly used up, and the stove in the cab turning over set fire to the cab, from which the flames spread to the two new flat cars being brought to Georgia for the use of the Georgia and Pacific Railroad, now undergoing construction. The body of Charley Herst was partly disfigured by fire. ? At Nashville, Tenn., last Friday, John J. Vertrees shot Senator Smith, of Fentress * il. ~ 1 1^ ' iL? uuuiuy, in uie icu suuuiuer, iu wis rutuuuu of the Maxwell House. The wound will not prove fatal. Vertrees had iu a case in court charged Senator Smith with bribery and corruption in voting for the State debt bill during the last regular session of the Legislature. In the Senate on Thursday, Senator Smitb denounced Vertrees as a liar, and upon the adjournment of the Senate Vertrees sought him at the Maxwell House and shot him. Senator Smith claims that he was taken unawares. He states that he was seated reading a newspaper when Vertrees approached and fired at him, without giving him any warning. Vertrees' friends assert that Senator Smith was in the act of rising and drawing his pistol when Vertrees shot him. ? Two papers up in Lewiston, Maine, the Gazette and the Journal, have just been carrying on a very animated and interesting debate on the question whether cotton manufacturing was more profitable in the South or in New England, the Gazette upholding the Southern cause and carrying off the victory. Taking the question of dividends the Gazette shows they are strongly in favor of the Southern mills. The Graniteville factory of South Carolina paid a dividend of 20 per cent, last year. The Augusta, Ga., mills 15 per cent., the Langley mill 15 per cent., the Woodlawn and Lawrence manufacturing companies, of North Carolina, 15 per cent., and so on throughout the South. These are not isolated cases, as is shown by the fact that the July dividends of the forty-five mills in ! Georgia averaged over 12 per cent. On the j other hand the mills at Lewiston, Me., did not: pay a cent of dividend, and two of them j found it necessary to scale down their capital i to 75 and 90 per cent., respectively. ? The Greenville (S. C.) New thus an- j nounces the death if J. K. Jillson, ex-Super- j intendent of education of South Carolina:] Mr. H. H. Jillson, who is connected with the revenue service in this city, received a telegram from Springfield, Massachusetts, on Thursday, announcing the death of his brother, Mr. J. K. Jillson, at that place. He had been professor in one of the colleges there. Mr. J. K. Jillson was well and favorably known in this State during the Republican regime, being Superintendent of the Public Schools from 1863 to 1876, when he wa9 displaced by the success of the Democracy. He was among the honorable exceptions to the mass of Republican politicians here, and was an honest and efficient officer, always endeavoring to check the abuses which disgraced most of those who held office during the Republican administration of affairs in the State. His efforts were always directed toward the advancement and improvement of our education < cilities. YORK VILLE. S. C.: THURSDAY MORNING, DEC. 15, 1881. THE LEGISLATURE. For our summary of the proceedings of the Legislature, we feel constrained to make our acknowledgments to the Charleston News and Courier and the Columbia Jicgister, which papers furnish comprehensive rei>orls of each day's proceedings. As may be seen, very little public work of importance has as yet been completed. The bill for the repeal of the lien law was effectually killed by the House of Representatives 011 Friday; and though the opponents of the lien law threaten to bring up a bill in another l'orm for its repeal, it is safe to predict, from the vote of Friday, that let the measure be revived in ever so questionable a shape, the lien law will be left on the statute books substantially in the form under which it has given a majority of the people of the State general satisfaction ever since its enactment. Our private advices from Columbia are to the effect that the agricultural committee were equally divided on this bill, and the chairman decided it^fate before the committee by casting his vote in favor of its rej>eal. This led to a minority report in opposition to the repeal, signed by six members of the committee, among them Mr. ones, of York. On the final vote before the II mse, of the York delegation, all voted against the repeal excepting Dr. ftlack, who voted aye. On the subject of a general fence law for the State, which excepting from its provisions two or three counties, has passed the House, the Senate will probal \y be about equally divided, and the fate of .he bill before that body is somewhat doubtfi i. The registration bill, which has passed the Senate, will be strongly contested in the House. While the low country generally desire this law, opposition to it comes mainly from the counties in the up country. The latest phase of this question is thus given by a correspondent of the Neics and Courier, under date of last Sunday: A majority of the State Democratic Executive Committee, at their meeting in Columbia last week, agreed to recommend the adoption of a law providing for registration pure and simple, the severance of Federal and State elections, and the reduction of the number of boxes to four instead of eight, as provided in the bill now before the General Assembly?one box for the State, one for the county, one for the legislative and one for the Federal offices. The committee think that the adoption of such a bill will harmonize the different views of all the counties and secure a very fair settlement of a most perplexing problem. It is not improbable that the two houses will finally agree upon a bill modeled upon the suggestions thrown out by the State Democratic i Executive Committee as above indicated. In the Senate, 011 Monday, the bill for the repeal of the lien law was indefinitely postI 1 mi !11.. -r : ? I>oneu. j.ne committee ut u^ncuiuuc ut mc Senate, to whom the bill providing for a general stock law for the State was referred, met on Monday evening for the special consideration of the bill. This was the third meeting of the committee 011 the subject. After considering the whole matter, the committee determined to rejiort the bill back to the Senate without recommendation. Three of the committee favored the passage of the bill and three were opposed to it. The seventh member was absent: The advocates of the bill claim that it will pass the Senate by a very small majority, while the opponents of the measure are almost equally confident of defeating its passage. A conference of the Democratic Senators was held in the Senate Chamber on Monday night to discuss the registration and the election bill. Mr. Jeter was called to the chair, and Mr. Beatty was appointed secretary. The conference was held with closed doors. In the House, on Monday, a Senate concurrent resolution urging the members of the General Assembly to accept the invitation to visit the Atlanta Exposition and go in a body, leaving Columbia on the -20th instant, was agreed to after a sharp debate. There is a difference of opinion as to whether this resolution binds the General Assembly to go, as the resolution to adjourn, for the recess, 011 the 21st instant has still been unacted upon by the Senate. The majority of the members are very anxious to go, however, and if cheap railroad | fare can l>e arranged the probability is that the Legislature will adjourn on the 19tli and a large number of the members will go in a body, together with the Governor and the Statu officers as an official representation from the State. Under the resolution the members are to pay all their own expenses. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. ? A committee of five, including three colored men, from Floyd county, Ga., visited Anderson last week to see the operation of the fence law, and were much pleased. ? Gov. Ilagood has exercised executive clemency in twenty-seven cases during the past year. Of these, sixteen were full pardons and eleven commutations of sentence. ? The receipts of cotton at Anderson for the month of November amounted to 2,459 bales, making a total of . ',059 bales for the season. Compared with the receipts of last year, this shows a falling off of about one-third. ? In the United States Circuit Court at Columbia last Thursday the the case of the State vs. Ilugh P. Kane, a revenue officer, for the murder of Amos Ladd, was continued until next term, in consequence of the absence of State's witnesses. ? The directors and stockholders of the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad met Thursday afternoon in the Carolina National Rank at Columbia. No changes were made in the board of officers. Various reports we submitted and approved. ? We learn from the Chester Reporter that a negro went into a bar-room in Chester one day last week and offered to bet the proprietor that he could drink a large quantity of whisky without being hurt by it. The offer was accepted, and the proprietor pointed to a keg and told the negro to help himself. The latter turned the faucet and drank of the whisky until he fell. He died that night. ? Another serious blow seems about to fall upon Edgefield?in the reported breaking of | the Atlas Fire Insurance Company, of Ilart-' ford. I'll is company is reported to have suspended on the 15th of November. By its suspension, Mr. Alvin Hart would lose S'2,600, Mr. W. II. Brunson, $1,225, Mr. Arthur S. Tompkins $750, and Mr. A. A. Clisby $750. ? Says the Newberry Herald: There is no disguising the fact that the cotton crop of this county is going to be decidedly short. The receipts up to the 1st instant amount to 9,103 bales, against 12,251 for the same period last year?a fall off of 3,088 bales. This showing taken in connection with the fact that cotton lias been rushed into market faster than usual this year, makes us fearful that our estimate of 15,000 bales or J of a crop, will not be reached. ? Under the head of Factory Items, the Chester Jteportcr of last week says : The machinery for the Fishing Creek Manufacturing Company arrived here last week. It is to be forwarded to the factory and put into position without delay, and spinning will begin early in January. The Cedar Shoal factory is running regularly and turning off about 300 pounds of yarn daily. There is a revival of the factory talk here in the town of Chester. It is said that $30,000 are in sight for the proposed building of a cotton factory at this place. Additional subscriptions can be obtained. THE FORTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS. The first regular session of the Forty-Sev ; enth Congress began on the 5th instant, and both houses were called to order at noon. ,T. AV. Keifer, of Ohio, was elected Speaker, over Mr. Randall, the vote being, Keifer, 148 ; Randall, 129 ; Ford, 8. Necessary to a choice, 143. McPherson was elected Clerk, the vote being, McPherson, 148 ; Adams, 129; PeLa Matyr, 9. After the organization of the House a number of bills were introduced?one by Mr. Logan to place Gen. Grant on the retired list of the army. On the 6th, the President's message was received and read in both houses. Mr. Edmunds' resolution continuing the committees of last session was adopted, Mr. Pugh having withdrawn his amendment authorizing the President ]>ro tern, to decide whether the committees be divided equally or otherwise between the two parties. In the House, Mr. McKinley, of Ohio, offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted : Resolved, That a "committee of one member from each .State represented in this House be appointed on the part of the House to join the committee which may be appointed on the part of the Senate to consider and report by what token of respect and affection it may be proper for the Congress of the United States to express the deep sensibility of the nation at the decease of its late President, James Abram Garfield, and that so much of the message of the President as refers to that melancholy event be referred to that committee. The House adjourned until Friday. In the Senate on the 7tli, Senators Sherman, Pendleton, Dawes, Lapham, Bayard and Morgan were appointed by the Chair on the Joint Committee for the preparation of a memorial *i"> .lnnH, nf tii?? lofo Prosiilpnt Gnrfiplrl. upuil 1/1IC U.ttAL II V/JL vuv mw?/ Jk 4vwiv*vuv Among other communications laid before the Senate was one front acting Attorney-General Phillips enclosing the annual report of the Attorney. General. A portion of the morning hour was consumed in an uninteresting discussion upon the propriety of dispensing with reading at length of communications from the heads of the departments addressed to the President of the Senate, and on a tie vote on the question, the President pro tem. voted aye, aijd the reading of the communications above named proceeded. The following bills were introduced. : By Mr. Ingalls, enabling the people of New Mexico to form a State government ; tabled. By Mr. Call, a bill granting pensions to soldiers in the Mexican, Creek, Seminole and Blackhawk wars. In the Senate on the 8th, Mr. Garland introduced a bill on the Presidential succession, ' ' ' -r 1. 4-rx upon wnicy ne gave nouce ut ma uucuuun tu speak at a future time. A bill granting the franking privilege to Mrs. Garfield, was unanmously passed, it being the first bill of the session to pass the Senate. Cn the 9th the Senate was not in session, and the House, after a short session in which no business of general importance was transacted further than the appoiniment of a committee on the death of President Garfield, adjourned until Friday. In the Senate 011 thfe 12th,Mr. Edmunds introduced a bill to provide for defraying the extraordinary expenses incurred in consequence of the assault upon the late President Garfield, authorizing the secretary of the treasury to pay the necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in behalf of the late President, provided the aggregate sum allowed and paid does not exceed $100,000. THE TRIAL OF GUITEAU. The trial of the assassin of President Garfield is still progressing, the public interest in it remaining unabated, though the proceedings of the past week were not marked by any unusual incident. The morning session 011 the 7th was devoted to an examination of citizens of Freeport, 111., in behalf of the prosecution. The evidence of these witnesses was that they had known Guiteau's family and did not regard the father of the prisoner insane, and also that they believed other members of the family were sane. Some twenty or thiity experts were summoned for the defense; but the fact that only a few of them gave their testimony excited some remark. It is understood that nearly all the experts summoned for the defense came to the conclusion that they could do Guiteau 110 good by their testimony. Of the few experts who had had interviews with Guiteau none appeared on the witness stand. On the 8th, the Court room was again densely packed. Mrs. Julia M. Wilson, of Leadville, Col., was the first witness. She testified that L. W. Guiteau was her uncle and she knew him from her earliest recollection. She gave a most feeling account of the life and character of her mother, Mrs. Maynard, (who, it had been alleged by defense, had died insane) who died from pneumonia in 18o(>; witness was her constant attendant in to the hour of her death and never saw the slightest indication of Mightiness or insanity. Guiteau, during the examination of this witness became greatly excited and interrupted the testimony several times. At the conclusion of the witness1 examination George C. Maynard was called and corroborated portions of her testimony, and Court took a recess for an hour. Several witnesses were examined, all of whom had known Guiteau in the West and in Boston, and none ever supposed him insane, though all thought him lacking in moral character. Rev. R. S. McArthur, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church, New York, testified that Guiteau had been a member of his church and had been cited before the congregation for immoral conduct. The witness' testimony irritated Guiteau greatly. Scoville objected to the admission of this testimony, when the District-Attorney announced his object was to demonstrate that what the defense calls insanity is nothing more than devilish depravity. Some written interrogatories to President Arthur, and his answers thereto in writing, were put in evidence as follows : Q.? Do you know the prisoner in this case? A.-Yes. (,>.?IIow many times, and when and where did you ever see him ? A.?I have seen him at least ten times, possibly as often astwenty. Altogether, mostly in and about the rooms of the Republican State Committee, in the Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York city, in the Fall of 1880, and two or three times in the streets of Washington, in the Spring of 1881. (,)?What conversation, if any, did you have with him ? A.?None, excepting to return the ; ordinary salutation of the day, and once or twice iii answer to his requests to be employed < in (he campaign, as a speaker by the Republi can State Committee, of which I was chairman. Q.?"What political services, if any, did the prisoner render to the Republican party during the last Presidential campaign ? A. None, that I know of. Q.?Was there ever anything, to your knowledge, in his relations to yourself or to General Grant, or to Senator Conkling, or to any leaders of the Republican party, socially or politically, furnishing a shadow of a reasonable claim on his part for political preferment'? A.?No. Q.?Did you or not ever give him any reason to think that he had, or could have, any political or personal influence with you ? A.? I never did. I have been requested by counsel for the defense to produce a letter written by the prisoner and enclosed to me by his counsel since his indictment. That letter was received by me in the month of October last and not preserved. I do not remember its contents, particularly, excepting that it contained some claim to have rendered important service to the Republican party in the Presidential campaign and an appeal for a postponement of his trial to give him time to prepare his defense. On the 9th, the attendance of spectators in the Court room was greater than for several days. During the examination of Dr. McArthur, for nvncnnnt5rvr? in rnKuffol tllO liloo nf in_ Dil^ t'l UOLV ill I^UUIUU Vi. WUV J'lVI* Ul illsanity of the prisoner, while on the point of the prisoner's past moral character, and touching offenses against the law of which Guitean was charged with being guilty, Sir. Scoville addressed the court and objected to the character of evidence given by the witness, on the ground that the evidence to any other crimes could not be introduced here when the prisoner is on trial for this particular offense. He desired that all such evidence should be stricken out. The Court ruled that evidence could l>e admitted to show the general character of the prisoner. Witness then testilied as to the interviews with the prisoner and said that he never saw any indications of insanity in the prisoner Several other witnesses were examined, all of whom testified to the same effect as Dr. McArthur, viz. : that the prisoner's "disease" is more of the nature of moral depravity than insanity, and the Court then took the usual recess. After recess several more witnesses testified to transactions more or less disreputable in Guiteau's past life, and the prisoner abused them all, calling them liars and every abusive epithet he could think of. Several insurance policies were put in evidence, in which Guiteau asserted there was no insanity in his family. Guiteau poured out such a torrent of abuse upon the witnesses that there was'difficulty in conducting the proceedings. Court adjourned until Monday. Dr. Spitska, the celebrated insanity expert of New York, who dodged both the Government and the defense as a witness in the Guiteau trial, but was finally captured by the latter, and compelled to come, made a close examination of Guiteau in his cell last Sunday and, as the result, declares that he can visit any lunatic asylum in the country and find a dozen patients less insane than Guiteau is. This testimony will be very valuable to the defense. Mr. Scoville claims that the testimony of Dr. McArthur, which told so horribly against Guiteau, was manufactured, and that he will demonstrate it before the close of the trial. Dr. Spitzka was examined on Monday, his examination continuing .through the day, and remaining unfinished when Court adjourned. He testified to the belief that Guiteau was born insane. During the proceedings on Monday, some one in the crowd shouted, "Shoot him now!" which caused great excitement, but the person offering the suggestion could not be found, and the excitement subsided. Warden Crocker has received several anonymous communications leading to the suspicion that an attempt may be made to blow up with dynamite the wing of the prison in which Gui reau is connneu. THE COTTON CROP. The following is the New Orleans Cotton Exchange report for the month of November, based upon replies received up to the 9th instant : .. Louisiana.?Seventy two replies from 32 parishes 011 average date of November 30. The weather during the month has been very favorable, and compared with last year decidedly more favorable. There is 110 top crop. Picking is generally finished. The yield is 1 per cent, less than last year's. There has been 110 damage from frost. 75 per cent of the crop has been marketed. Mississippi.?One hundred and twenty-seven replies from 33 counties, average date of November 30. The weather has been generally favorable, much more so than last year, when it was very wet and unfavorable. A fair prospect for a top crop was destroyed by frost and worms with few exceptions. Picking will be generally finished by December 1st. The yield is 20 per cent, less than last year, which indicates a decrease of 8 per cent, since the report last month. 08 per cent of the crop has been marketed. Arkansas? One hundred and eleven replies from 31 counties south of the Arkansas river, of the average date of November 30. The weather during the month has been generally favorable, and compared with hist year more favorable. Some counties report a small top crop, but it has been destroyed by frost and worms. Picking is finished. The yield is 50 per cent, less tlmn last year; 05 percent, of the crop has been marketed. Mobile.?The following is the Cotton Exchange report for the month of November : Fifty-six letters have been received from 39 counties in this State. The weather during jvovemoer was lavoraoie ior garnering me crop in 30 counties and unfavorable in 0, but it-was generally more .favorable than during the same period last year in all the counties. In 11 counties a small top crop has been made. All the other counties report none. Picking had been finished in 28 counties and will be completed in the remaining 11 about the middle of December. The total yield as compared with last year is reported as the same in 3 and as 25 per cent, less in 10 of the more productive counties and in 20 less productive counties as 27 i?er cent. less. Little or no damage was done by frost. In 19 of the productive counties 07 per cent, of the crop is reported as having been marketed and in 20 less productive counties 70 per cent. Memphis.?The regular monthly cotton report of the Memphis Cotton Exchange for the month of November, including the districts of North Mississippi, North Arkansas and "Western Tennessee, embraces 70 responses. Fiftyeight report the weather for the month of November favorable for picking, and 18 unfavorable. Compared with 1980, 68 report more favorable and 8 about the same. Sixty-two report no top crop, 14 report a top crop, but it did not mature. Fifty-eight report that picking is completed, and 18 report that it will be finished from December 5th to 15th. The estimated yield compared with that of last year is 49 per cent. less. All report frost, but no damage has been done. Responses indicate that 70 i>er cent, of the crop has been marketed. Charleston. S. C.?The report of the Charleston Cotton Exchange for November is based upon 54 replies received from 27 counties of an average date November 30. All except 11 report the weather during November as favorable, and, in comparison with hast year, more favorable for gathering the crop. Forty-three state that the top crop has been made, but some of them say that it matured only partially. Picking is expected to be finished on December 15th by 14, while 29 report the picking as near finished and 11 as entirely completed. The total yield as compared with last year is estimated ?is the same by 2, as seven-eights by 3, three-fourths by 14, twothirds by 28 and one-half by 10. The frost came too late to do any damage except to kill Jmmo + uiMol frv%\ TliO TU'AlMll'f 1A11 nf nuilic l'*vrrw. w.. ^ the crop marketed is reported by 2 to be onequarter, by 0 one-half, by 7 two-thirds, by 21 three-quarters, and by 18 seven-eights, showing that an average of about three-fourths of the yield has been marketed. Galveston.?The Cotton Exchange report is as follows: 104 replies have been received from 77 counties, of an average date of November 30. Forty-four counties report the weather during November as favorable and 33 as wet and unfavorable. The weather has been more favorable for gathering the crop than at the same time last year in 52 counties, and less favorable in 25. Fourteen counties report top crop, 21 some and 42 none. Picking is over in 54 counties and will be finished in 23 by the 15th of December. The total yield as compared with last year, it is estimated, will average 40 per cent. less. Thirty-four counties report damage by frost and 43 report no damage. Seventy-six per cent, of the crop has l?en marketed. LOCAL AFFAIRS. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Hunter, Oates <fe Co,?Bear in Mind. M. Strauss?Determined Not to be Undersold. T. M. Dobson?Nev York House? Emporium of Fashion. John 0. Kuykendal?A Christmas Paragraph. Dr. J. J. or J. C. Miller?Valuable Mill Property For Sale. J. A. Boyd, Principal?Clover Academy. Withers Adiekes?Xmas Presents. J. M. Adams?Christmas Goods. Latimer and Hemphill?Dissolution of Copart-. nership. F. Happerfield?New Grocery Store. COTTON SHIPMENTS. The cotton shipments from Yorkville for the week ending liist Monday amount to 270 bales ; to the same date since the 1st of September, 3,856 bales. PERSONAL MENTION. We were pleased to receive a call last week from Mr. J. X. Robson, cf Charleston. Mr. Robson represents a large commission business in that city, and his house is well known throughout the State as extensive dealers in standard fertilizers. ? NEW GROCERY STORE. Attention is directed to the advertisement of Mr. F. Happerfield, who announces that he has opened a stock of groceries on Main street, near the depot. Mr. Happerfield is well known in our community as a business man of integrity, and we doubt not he will make his new enterprise a complete success. STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. We have received a copy of the "Second Annual Report of the State Board of Health," a pamphlet of 302 octavo pages. Besides setting forth the purposes of the State Board of Health, the pamphlet contains several valuable papers on health andsanitation by emifient physicians of the State, including jui essay on "Draining for health and profit," by Dr. J. R. Bratton, of Yorkville. FINE GOLD SPECIMEN. We were shown, last Saturday, by Mr. Samuel Jeffries, of Union county, a specimen of gold, in one lump, which he said weighs 45 pennyweights. The nugget was found in a cliff of rocks, on the surface, in Spartanburg county, about ten miles west of Limestone Springs. Mr. Jeffries says the specimen in question is the largest ever found on the surface in this section. CHURCH NOTICES. ?ill La VALI thn nltneolioo nnvt OtrvIOCS Will UC ncm ill blitz biuubiiva ntziv Sunday as follows r Associate Reformed Presbyterian?Rev. R. Lathan, Pastor. Services at 10} A. M. Sunday-school at 9. Presbyterian?Rev. T. R. English, Pastor. Services at the usual hours, morning and evening. Episcopal?Church of the Good ShepherdRev. R. P. 'Johnson, Rector. The rector will officiate in the Church of Our Saviour at Rock Hill, next Sunday. FIRE I.N CHESTER. About 12 o'clock M., on Saturday last, the depot of the Chester and Lenoiy Railroad at Chester was discovered to be on fire, the fire supposed to have originated by a spark from a locomotive communicating with cotton on the platform. There were 167 bales on the platform at thetime, of which only37 were saved uninjured. Ten or fifteen bales were saved in a damaged condition, and all the remainder, with the building and contents, were destroyed. The loss in depot building, safe, oilice furniture, scales and cotton platforms, will amount to about $1,500. The loss in merchandise freights in the depot will probably amount to $1,200. The exact amount of insurance cannot now be ascertained, but it is thought the loss to the railroad will not exceed $3,000. GRAND JURY COMiMlTTEE'S REPORT. At the last term of the Court of General Sessions, the grand jury, in their final presentment, reported to the Court theAimpracticability of their making a proper examination of the books and accounts of the several trial * * t* it- - n L A ? justices, during tne session 01 cue ouuil. im order was passed by the Court providing a committee of the jury, and an expert for them, to make the examination after the adjournment of the Court. On the 8th instant, the committee filed the following report: SOUTH CAROLINA-YORK COUNTY. COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS. To the Honorable, the Presiding Judge of said Court: The undersigned, the committee of the grand jury, acting under the order of the Court, met on the 15th day of November, 1881, (the day fixed by the Foreman,) and with the aid of the expert furnished them, who submitted the result of the examination he had mode of the books of the several trial justices, proceeded themselves to examine the said books, and also the accounh presented by the trial justices to the county commissioners. The committee present to the Court, for such consideration and action as to the Court may seerr proper, the following matters, as the result of their labors, taking the several trial justices seriatim, to wit: James S. Lewis, Yorkville.?We find ninetyone cases entered on the criminal docket of this trial justice since the 1st of January last. Of these, twenty-one cases were compromised or withdrawn without costs to the county; eighteen were sent up to this Court; in fifteen, bonds to keep the peace were taken ; in thirteen, verdicts of "not guilty" were rendered; nineareopen?no entries as to their disposition ; in seven, verdicts of "guilty" were rendered ; in three, recognizances and releases onlj' were taken and issued ; in two, defendants were committed, in default of peace bonds; in one, the defendantJlcd; in one, a commitment only was issued ; and in one, there was a mistrial. The fines entered aggregate twentyone dollars. The treasurer informs us that twenty-six dollars have been paid over to him since the first of January last. The charges made we find correct, with this exception, (if our view of the law be correct,) he charges $1.25 for "summons for jurors." S. M. Fewell, Rock Hill.?Thirty-four cases have been entered on the criminal docket of this trial justice since the 1st day of January last. Of these, verdicts of "guilty" wore rendered in four teen ; nine were sent up iu mis umn j m seven, verdicts of "not guilty" were rendered ; iu one, a bond to keep the peace was taken ; in one, notices were issued tfl parties living in a state of adultery; in one, a mistrial was had ; and one was withdrawn, with the consent of the Solicitor. The tines entered since the 1st day of November, 1880, aggregate forty-six dollars, of which forty dollars only have been paid over to the treasurer. In the case of the "State vs. Mat. Rainey," this trial justice charged two dollars for a search warrant,'and his constable two dollars for making the search. Are these charges correct? This trial justice has also collected onedollar and fifty cents each for seventeen trials; one dollar and twentysix cents six times, one dollar and twenty cents I twice, and sixty cents four times, for "summons for jurors;" forty cents eleven times, and fifty | cents three tiuies, for commitments. Are these charges correct? T. G. Culp, Fort Mill.?Thirty one cases have been entered on the criminal docket of this trial justice since the 6th day of February last. Of these, in ten verdicts of "guilty," and in three verdicts of "not guilty," were rendered. Six were compromised without costs to the county; four were sent up to this Court; in four, peace bonds were taken ; and four are open?no entries as to to the disposition. The fines entered aggregate forty dollars, of which thirty-eight dollars have been paid over to the treasurer. The two last tines of one dollar each were entered August 25tli, and September 1st, respectivel}'. We iind several charges incorrect, though they were paid by the defendants and not by the county. We are entirely satisfied that the charges were so made through want of familiarty with the fees allowed bylaw. This trial justice entered upon the discharge of the duties of the office about a year ago. The erroneous charges are all made in cases brought before him shortly after ho assumed the office. In the case of the "State vs. B. M. Ferris" the costs seem to have been paid in full, J though the defendant was found "not guilty." W. P. Good, Yorkville.?Twenty-seven cases havo been entered on the criminal docket of this trial justice since the 16th day of May last. Disposition : "Guilty," niue; "notguilty," fourteen; peace bonds, three; and "sent up," one. Charges correct, except the charge of $1.26 for "summons forjurors"?which is correct or not, as the court may hold the law. A. L. Nunxeky, near Smith's Turnout.? Twenty-six cases have been entered on the criminal docket of this trial justice since the 1st day of January last. Of these, verdicts of "not guilty" wore rendered in nine, and "guilty" in three; in four, defendants Jlcd ; in three, entries of tiol. pros, were made; in two, prosecutor defaulted; two were sent up to this Court; in one, defendant escaped; in one, a witness was bound over to this Court; and in one, party was bound to appear before trial justice Fewell. In the case ! of the "State vs. Alex. Marion," this trial jusj tice charged, and collected of the county, one i dollar for trial, though the case is one of those in which nol. pros, is entered. In the case of the "State vs. Alex. Smith," this trial justice collected the costs of the county, though the entry, as to disposition of the ease, is : "Aro/ pros, entered? defendant promising to pay cost." The tine of one dollar imposed on Hector Love, July 8, 1S81, has not been paid to the treasurer. In the case of the ".State vs. Geo. Lee," the entry on the docket is "guilty," and the sentence "to pay all costs." In the accounts presented, this case is marked, "not guilty," and the costs?$'2.40?collected of the county. W. D. Camp, Black's Station.?Twenty cases have been en the criminal docket of this trial justice, since the 1st day of January last. In two of them, this trial justice collects live dollars each, as for "proceedingsin bastardy," from the county. Those charges are not correct: He 1ms paid over ten dollars for fines entered. We also find an entry of twenty-live dollars as a fine against Charley Canada, which it docs not seem the trial lustice over received. Why? He can, doubtless, ex-, plain. Other charges are correct. S. L. Davidson, Bullock's Creek.?Seventeen cases have been entered on the criminal docket of this trial justice since the 1st day of January last. Disposition: Withdrawn, without costs to the county, seven; guilty, three ; open, (no entries), three; not guilty, two: and took bunds to keep the peace, two, Fines, thirteen dollars, which have been paid over to the treasurer. All charges correct, except one?twenty-live cents, instead of twenty cents?for a commitment. G. C. Lkkch. Hickorv Grove.?Sixteen cases have been entered on thecriminal docket of this trial justice since the 1st day of January last. Disposition : Not guilty, six ; guilty, live; sent up, two; coin promised, one; and a lunatic, one. (The disposition of one eutry has been omitted herefrom, through oversight.) Charges on book are all correct. On account presented, we find two items : In "Stato vs. Jerry Moss," $1.50, "subpoenas for jury;" and in "State vs. Nancy Jackson," 81.50, "jury tickets." We suppose those items may represent sums paid to the jury. D. M. Wallace, Bethel.?Eight cases are entered on the books of this trial justice, since the 1st day of January last. Disposition: Not guilty, four; and guilty, four. Charges on books are all correct, so far as the county is concerned, except one charge of twenty-tive cents, instead of twenty cents, lbr a commitment. In two of the cases, being "proceedings in bastardy," the defendants gave bond, and the trial justice collected of each live dollars as his costs. Though the committee have no sjunpathy for the defendants, duty bids them to present the charges as incoirect. The book of this trial justice has been very nicely and neatly kept. In presenting bis account to the county commissioners, he only drew fifty per centum thereof, which was error against himself. We find one or two improper charges in the a'ccount. Still he has received less than the sum to which he is justly entitled. W. J. White, Coates' Tavern.?Seven cases have been entered on the criminal docket of this trial justice since February 5, 1881. Disposition : Guilty, four; not guilty, two ; sent up, one. In five of the cases the trial justice entered a charge of two dollars for trial, and in four a charge of aixty cents for issuing summons for the jurors. He also enters, sixteen times, a charge of fifty cents for "witness," which entry we do not understand. The fines imposed aggregate fifteen dollars, no part of which has been paid over to the treasurer. The account presented to the county commissioners, as against the county, has not yet been audited or paid, and the commissioners have been notified not to pay the same. In it, the trial justice gives the county "credit" lor the fifteen dollars, amount of fines; but his account, when properly made out, will not amount to that sum. This" plan of giving the county "credit" has r.ot.as we understand it, the sanction of the law. R. T. Gillespie, Clay Hill.?Five <;ases have been entered on the criminal docket of this trial justice since the 1st day of January last. Disposition : Dismissed, three; guilty, one; not guilty, one. Charges all correct. Z. D. Smith, Zadok.?Three cases have been entered on the criminal docket of this trial justice since the 1st day of January last. His book was very nicely and neatly kept, and showed but one erroneous charge?twenty-live cents, instead of twenty cents?for a commitment. After completing the examination of the books and accounts of the trial justices, the committee, in the afternoon of the same day, adjourned, subject to the call of the Foreman. Respectfully submitted. Henry Massey, Foreman, Sam'l L. Reid, N. B. Bratton. mmmmmmmmmmmmamma MERE-MENTION. Guiteau's trial will cost the government one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The record of murders and attempts at murders in the State of Michigan since January last foot up 133. Jefferson Davis, accompanied by his wife and daughter, arrived in New York "Wednesday.* By the burning of a theatre at Vienna, last Thursday night, 580 lives were lost. The arguments in the Flipper case have been delivered, and the court has rendered its verdict, but it will not be known until passed upon by the reviewing authori ties.* * * *U0l. jonn >v. jeorney, uie wen khuwii journalist, died in Philadelphia on the morning of the 9th instant. The McPherson barracks at Atlanta were sold at Auction last week for 916,000. ;The death of Gen. Kilpatriek, U. S. minister to Chili is announced. ? Postmaster-General James has tendered his resignation, to take effect 011 the 1st of January ? The President sent to the Senate last Monday the 'nomination of Frederick T. Frelinghuysen to be Secretary of State, and the Senate confirmed it unanimously, without discussion. THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE. Monday, December 0. The Senate was not in session. In the House, reports on bills were submitted as follows: Favorable to amending chapter 117, title 5, of Revised Statutes, relating to assignments of insolvent debtors. Unfavorable 011 bill to give trial justices jurisdiction to foreclose liens under $100 ; adopted. Favorable on bill to require persons who purchase cotton seed and lint cotton to keep a record of the persons from wliom such purchases are made. The special order, being the consideration of bills on election laws and railroad law, was discharged, for the day. A bill to amend an Act entitled "An Act to further regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors in this State, so as to except the county of Charleston therefrom and to keep in force in said county the Acts respecting the sale of spirituous liquors theretofore of force," being called for a second reading, was postponed on account of the absence or the member of the Charleston delegation in charge of the bill. The following bills were read the second time and ordered to a third reading: A bill to provide artificial limbs for all soldiers of the State who have lost then* legs or arms, or w*ho have beeii permanently disabled in their legs or arms, during military service in the years 1861 to I860, inclusive, and who have not been supplied under former Acts of the General Assembly. Bill to amend section 125, chapter 4, part 2, title 2, of the Revised Statues, so as to extend the time within which an action may be commenced against executors for the recovery of debt due by the testator or intestate. ^ The following bills were read the third time: to autnonze me county commissioners ui Chester county to apply the money now in hand, which was collected for the purpose of retiring bonds issued by said county in aid of the Chester and Lenoir Narrow Gauge Railroad Company, to the payment of the coupons upon bonds issued by said county in aid of the Cheraw and Chester Railroad Company. Bill to establish and charter u ferry across the Catawba River, between the counties of York and Lancaster, and to vest the same in James M. Ivy, his heirs and assigns. At the evening session, 011 the reading of the bill to revise and consolidate the General Statutes, an important amendment as proposed by Mr. Murray was adopted. It provides to add the following paragraph to sect ion 8'13, pertaining to trial justices' courts : That where any person is charged before a trial justice, and makes oath that he is apprehensive that he cannot have a fair trial, his case shall be transferred to the nearest trial justice and tried by him, as though he had issued the warrant. Fending the reading of the bill for the revision of the Statutes, at (i.'lO F. M., the House adjourned. Tuesday, December 0. Tiie Senate met at half-past 7 o'clock, F. M., a quorum present. The reading of the journal of Friday's proceedings was disj>ensed with, and on motion, the Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock, A. M., next day. In the House, the session was devoted almost exclusively to the work of clearing the calendar, and a large number of bills only of local significance were read the third time. The militia bill came up on its second reading, and the first twelve sections of the bill were read without amendment. The thirteenth section, which provides for the continued employment of a State armorer and night watchman at a joint salary of ?400 a year was stricken out, and the Adjutant-General is left to take care of the State property in his office as best lie can. The seventeenth section, which provides for the appointment of ten aides by the Governor, was amended, so as to leave it discretionary with the Governor as to the number of aides he should appoint. Section thirty-four, which provides for the levy of a tax of one-tenth of one mill on all taxable property of the State outside the city of Charleston, which is elsewhere provided for, the proceeds from which shall be distributed in counties where the taxes are paid, for the purpose of improving the efficiency of the volunteer troops of the State, one tenth of the amount raised to be given to the National Guard in sucli counties where this organization exists. Mr. Murrray moved that this section be stricken out. Mr. McCrady spoke in favor of the section, and after a debate, in which other members participated, for and against, the motion was lost by a vote of 37 yeas to 50 nays. The bill amending the General Statutes in relation to the time in which actions may be brought against executors and administrators, passed its third reading. The bill repealing the lien law was made the special order for Thursday. A bill to lix by law the weight of a bushel of cotton seed was under discussion at the time of adjournment. Wednesday, December 7. In the Senate, the committee on agriculture submitted majority and minority reports 011 a bill to repeal all acts relating to agricultural liens excepting landlord and labor liens. The majority report is unfavorable to the pro]K)sed repeal and the minority report favorable, Ordered for consideration next day. The bill to establish a general stock law, and also a large number of other bills of local nature, were received from the House and appropriately referred. Mr. Witherspoon introduced a bill to charter the Charlotte, Anderson and Atlanta Railroad Company. Also, a joint resolution authorizing the county treasurer of York to pay certain funds to certain school trustees. Also, a petition for the relief of John L. "Watson, for services as treasurer of York county. In the House, after the conclusion of the routine work, the special order?being the Convention bill?was taken up; but on motion of Mr. Simonton the consideration of the bill was postponed until Monday. The House then took up the election law, the question being a motion by Mr. Parker to strike out all of chapter 1, relating to registration, except the first section. He called for the yeas and nays, which resulted?yeas, 56; nays, 50. Mr. Johnson then moved the postponement of the bill until the 20th instant, which, after considerable discussion, was adopted. The militia bill was then taken up, when Mr. Jones, of York, moved to reconsider the vote whereby the thirty-fourth section, providing for the levy of a tax of one-tenth of one mill for "the purpose of improving the efficiency of the volunteer troops," &c., which had been passed on the previous day. Mr. Jones said he made the motion to reconsider, but did so with no intent to diminish any amount which should be thought proper to be appropriated for encouraging and aiding the volunteer system. He thought that as there are counties where no volunteer organization exists, it is unnecessary to levy a general tax applicable to those counties, when the aid desired could be secured by an appropriation. He disclaimed any wish or purpose to diminish, by one dollar, whatever was shown to be necessary. A vote was then taken, and the motion to reconsider was adopted by ayes, 54 ; nays, 47. Mr. Jones then moved to strike out the section. Mr. Johnson spoke in favor of retain ing the section. Mr. iJiacK, 01 i one, reyiieu to Mr. Johnson, showing that the scheme of the bill in antecedent sections provides that the militia organization of the State shall consist of the volunteer troops and National Guards ; and that the number of existing volunteer troops and National Guards shall not be increased, and therefore, there could be no reason to raise a fund by taxation from every man in the State for purposes, which, under the very letter of the Act itself, it could not be m;ule to apply. lie also thought it an unnecessary burden on the people in the counties where military organizations do not exist, to levy this tax. Mr. Murray also spoke in favor of striking out the section. The motion to strike out the section was then voted on, and was agreed to, being a reversal of the judgment of the House on the same subject the pveceding day. Section forty-six was then stricken out, to conform to the action on section thirty-four. On motion of Mr. Simpson, the power of imprisonment for offenses against the Act was stricken out of section 79. Mr. Simpson offered a substitute for section thirty-four, which was adopted. It provides that all appropriations made for the benefit of the State militia shall be distributed among the counties in proportion to their representation in the nouse of Representatives ; and provided that in the case of counties where no ? mi Avict fhaf-. t.hft fund Ill J1 i til Vy Ul^itiii/xltiUiio i/aiwvj viiw? - . shall be under the control of the AdjutantGeneral. In the evening session, after a number of bills of a private or local nature were read a third time and ordered to be sent to the Senate, the special order, being a bill to revise the General Statutes, was taken up, and the reading thereof resumed at section 934 and continued to section 1,072. The only material amendment made was section 1,071, pertaining to the road law, which was amended so as to make the ages between which persons shall be liable to road duty from 10 to 50, in all the counties; and section 1,072 was amended so as to exempt from road duty "teachers and students of schools and colleges, ministers of the gospel, millers who are employed on merchant mills working at least six days in the week, and the warner for five days." \ Thursday, December, 8. In toe Senate, the bill to provide for a general railroad law for the State; a resolution from the House providing for a recess from the 22ud of December to the 10th of January ; and a bill to cede and vest in Mrs. Susan A. Boylston all the right, title and interest of the State in that portion of the canal on Catawba River, which lies within the boundaries of the land of said Susan A. Boylston, in Chester county, were made special orders for subsequent days. Other bills acted upon are not of general importance. In the House, Mr. Alexander offered a concurrent resolution to take a recess on the 22nd of De cember and resume on the 17th of January, which was amended to read "the 10th of January," and adopted. The special order, being the general railroad law, was discharged, and the bill for therepeal of the lien law was taken up. A lengthy discussion ensued, in which Mr. Black, of Spartanburg, spoke in favor of the repeal. Mr. Barber, of Chester, spoke against the repeal of the law. He said it was urged by a class of men who farm well on paper; but when it comes to actual results, their work ilnn't "nan nut.." Mr. Marshall, who claimed to be a Granger, also spoke against the repeal, and among other arguments in favor of continuing the law, he said that of the whole amount of liens given in this State, about one-half were held by tlit six counties of Darlington, Abbeville, Barnwell, Sumter, Fairfield and Marlboro, the very six counties which are shown to be in the advance in agricultural and industrial progress and prosperity in the State. The debate was prolonged, without reaching a conclusion, to the hour of adjournment. The evening session was devoted to reading the bill for the revision of the General Statutes. Friday, December 9. In* the Senate, among the bills introduced, was one by Mr. AVitherspoon, to prevent the sale of intoxicating or spirituous liquors in the town of llock Hill. The bill to declare the law in regard to the partition of real estate, and to authorize a convention of Judges to prescribe the rule and form therefor, was read the third time, and ordered for ratification. The bill to repeal the lien law was made the social order for Monday. ? bill to confer upon the Court of Common Pleas authority to hear and determine any issue affecting the validity of the original contract of marriage was passed to a third reading. In the House, a few bills were introduced, among them one by Mr. Black, of York, to incorporate the Cherokee Falls Manufacturing Company, in York county. The bill for the repeal of the lien law was resumed, and after another lengthy discussion, the motion to strike out the enacting words of the bill, which had been made at a former