Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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?hc ?0*MIc (htyiimJ Kazs* ' r < ^ . YORKV1LLE. S. C.: THJJRSDAY MORNING, SEPT: 14, 1&8S* f^ A BELLICOSE CANDIBATE. y If we are to judge Capt. John C. WitherA sjioon by his demeanor on the stump, we should I say that he has somewhat recovered from the S surprise by which he claims to have been takI en at Hickory Grove on the 31st of August, when a question which has been the daily topic in all portions of York county ever since the - - ? 11.. i adjournment or tne special session ui me General Assembly, was suddenly "sprung" upon him ; but in regaining, his presence of mind after the sudden and unexpected shock wbich so disturbed his equipoise, he seems to have lost his serenity of temper. In taking notice of portions of Capt. Withers poon's Clover and Fort Mill speeches?a report of his la9t one we publish this week?we do not propose to exhibit ill temper, nor do we desire to add fuel to the flame which he kindled by an unwarranted, unprovoked and unjust attack, not upon this paper merely, but which he seeks to render more offensive by making it so ]>ersonal as to apply it to the Editor of the Yorkville Enquirer. While we do not de-' sire to throw a firebrand into the Democratic ranks of York county, we cannot permit these attacks to pass unnoticed and shall reply so far as they provoke. The cause of our offending seems to be the publication of a communication, acopy of which was in circulation and had secured a large number of signatures of persons occupying opposite positions on the question of adopting the new county amendment, requesting iSeuator Ilart and the candidates seeking election to the House of Representatives to publicly define their respective positions on this question. Although this paper was circulated for signatures and had obtained several before a copy of it was put in type, and although it appeared in the Enquirer just one week before the canvass opened, Capt. Witherspoon "was taken by surprise" when Col. Wilson expressed his views on the question at Hickory Grove, and the subject was "sprung" upon him so suddenly that he was unable to reply. ^We are at a loss to see how the question was "sprung" upon him "by the Editor of the Enquirer and a few of his friends," when, by the publication of the communication the other candidates evinced no emotions of surprise, and Hon. B. H* Massey, the first one to speak, discussed it in the most leisurely and matter of fact way.. If he was "surprised" he certainly managed most adroitly to conceal his emotion. Col. Wilson followed Mr. Massey, and during the delivery of his speech it seems that unless the sudden concussion had badly scattered Capt. Wifherspoon's ideas, he might have collected enough to have made a few random shots at least. Capt. Witherspoon was not a new candidate, just entering upon the canvass. His name was announced in the issue of the Enquirer containing the "pertinent and practical question," which so suddenly disgruutled him, and his name had been announced as a candidate for several weeks previous to the appearance of the communication. But was this question really "sprung" upon the candidates? If so, by whom? Capt. Witherspoon says "by the Editor of the Yorkville Enquirer and a few of his friends for a selfish purpose." The "Editor of the Enquirer" says it was first sprung upon the l?eople by the Legislature. The people, then, as was their right, "sprung" it upon the candidates with the view to having the question fully discussed and ventilated as a prerequisite to arriving at an intelligent conclusion ath to how to vote upon it.? While our positioi^ on the question is known, and no attend made to conceal it. we denv anv more comMRci ty in "springing" it upon the candidate^than if we advocatedthe opposite side; norfare we more responsible than would be anySnlitor who admitted to his columns the discussion of a vital public question. It cannot be truthfully said either that the Enquirer precipitated this question, or was the first to agitate it in York county. Primarily the question of forming a new county, or new counties of j portions of York, did not originate with the Enquirer. But last July, when the question was being agitated in the western part of the county, citizens of that section numerously signed a petition which they prepared for presentation to the Legislature, protesting against cutting off a part of the county and forming a new one with i>ortions of Union and Spartanburg. While this petition was circulating, citizens of Gaffney City were industriously laboring for the proposed new county, and not until our issue of the 20th of July was any editorial notice taken of the movement. We have discussed the question occasionally since, under the impression, until Captain Witherspoon fired his broadside at us, that we had the right to do so. Although, as. will be observed, Capt. Witherspoon does not advance a single argument in support of the proposed amendment, he is quite denunciatory of those who show reasons why the amendment should not be adopted. His only reasoning in favor of the amendment, unsupported by a single argument, is deductive, and may be stated syllogistically: Whatever the Legislature does is right; the Legislature passed this Joint Resolution ; therefore, the Joint Resolution is right. Or, following his line of deduction, it might be stated Vwith as much show of reason, and certainly with no less fallacy as to the conclusion: ^ All birds are animals; horses are animals ; therefore, horses are birds. He thinks it is "dangerous" to discuss this question, but pronounces loud and long against the lien law. He has opposed this law for six years, and regards it a curse to the country. He says it encourages extravagance and destroys the manhood ot tne people. ne wouiu not nave the poor but energetic fanner to work his lands to their full capacity, if not blessed with abundant means of his own ; but says: "If he cannot run a ten-horse farm without the lien law, let him run a five-horse farm ; and if not a five-horse farm, for God's sake let him run a one-horse farm, or one that he can run independently by which we suppose he means, as "independently," for the farmer to j play the role of "Sut Lovengood," by hitching himself to tlie plow and having his wife to drive. And it will also be observed that Capt. Witherspoon has too high an opinion of his own ideas, as bad'v as they have been scattered by "springing" on him a legitimate ques-! tion for discussion, to even give the people an assurance that if elected as their representa-j tive he would regard their wishes on either the ' Amendment question or the Lien law. He seems to know just how each farmer should conduct his agricultural operations, and he doesn't propose to consult the wishes of the majority on the most momentous question af-1 fecting their production of a crop ; and as to the Amendment, "It is a party measure, and he for one is ready to give it atrial." Suppose,, as a "party measure," the area of counties were to be increased, or that the lien law were to be perpetual, would he then take the affirmative ? As good Democrats as Capt. Witherspoon can differ in opinion as regards the ex-' pediency of measures originating even with a Democratic Legislature. The Captain's assertion that we desire to "solidify Western from Eastern York," is entirely gratuitous. Nothing could be further from our desire. We would rather bring the opiH)site sides of the county in closer community with each other than by word or deed do aught to estrange the sections. Our very position on the new county movement contradicts his statement. As to eastern repre?6n?* tation we have Clever failed to vote for eastern men and we accord to the eastern side of York county an intelligence, patriotism and spirit of enterprise of which any people may be proud, and we yield to none in our resjwct and admira"IftQjjfor those people. We should certainly nevertlsnv the east of representation; nor do we think that in the past she has cause for complaint. We are not the champion or the partisan of any individual candididate, nor does the question of locality concern us. We have every reason to believe that in the last Legislature, York county was as fully represented by Messrs. Massey, Stewart and .Tones, all from the eastern side, and Dr. Black from the extreme west, as if the same number had been chosen from the central part of the county; and let the candidates be chosen at the coming primary election live in what sections of the county they may, we have too high an opinion of the Democracy of eastern York to attach any importance to the covert threat of Capt. Witherspoon in a certain contingency, as expressed by hi in at Fort Mill last Thursday. But the "most unkiudcst cut of all" was when Capt. Witherspoon, with all the jiomp and show of mock oratory, paraded before his hearers the attenuated ghost of Ku-kluxism. jyith Hamlet we are led to exclaim : 'Angels and ministers of grace, defend us! Be thoo a spirit of health or goblin dainn'd. Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from lieli, Be thy intents wicked or charitable, Thou comest in such a questionable shape That I will speak to thee." Certainly, Capt,, Witherspoon cannot frighten us with this gaunt spectre, or any spirit that he may call from tlie "vasty deep." To any capital he can make by thus attempting to create prejudice against us he is welcome. He insinuates that when citizens of York were uejiigiirierueuauu luipi lauutni^jj' tjicotiun^ann of the military power of the strongest government on the globe, onr abuse of that power would have lieen of service to those unfortunate men. Not a man arrested by Merrill but had our sympathy. But abuse of Merrill would not have alleviated the condition of any of them, and might have caused them greatei hardships. Abuse was not suppressed, as Capt. Witherspoon insinuates, either by fear of the powers that were or by a disregard oi the victims of that power. Where was Capt. Witherspoon at this time ? Did he proclaim from the housetops the tyranny of Major Merrill and his men ? We really don't remembei of hearing from his lips any loud denunciation at a time when even his voice "could have been of aid to the people of York." His | courage at this late day is only equaled by the surprise with which the Amendment question was "sprung" on him at Hickory Grove on the 31st of August?two months after it had been the staple of discussion all over the county! In conclusion, we may l>e permitted to say that Capt. Witherspoon's onslaught upon tin "Editor of the Enquirer and a few of his friends" is only a cheap mode of electioneering. He hopes, by obscuring the main issue, which, owing to the "sudden surprise" he labors under, is too hard for him to disuse of to his satisfaction, to create a little side-show of his own, hoping thereby to attract a sympathising audience. As nobody he has assailed has even used his name, so far as we know, 01 evenhad him in remote contemplation, tin public will easily discern the motive of thisuhpmnp<5t, in a tea-not" which he endeavored to create. We have given this subject a little more space than its importance demands; but. adopting the style of our assailant, "We deem it our duty to our fellow-citizens to say what we do, or we should take 110 pleasure in doing it." .. *? The editor of the Spartanburg Herald makes) some suggestions in the last issue of that paper, which, viewed in the light of recent^ events in York county, may be regarded as the extreme limit of rashness, the ne phi* ultra of impertinence, and a wanton disregard of the rights and privileges of the Legislative candidates before the i>eople of Spartanburg county. The editor of the Herald has had the temerity, the unprecedented rashness, to suggest to the candidates for the Legislature, canvassing that county before the primary election, to define their views, as the editoi impertinently expresses it, "on questions that must certainly arise in the next session." From the HerahVs standpoint this exhibition nf inturfprpnpp vnuv cecm pmiiiprit.lv riorlit, sim) V* HiVVtAVftV?VV WWJ v.M...v..vV proper ; but we warn him, that according to a theory evolved in the York county primary canvass, he is on dangerous ground; not only is he invading the sacred rights and privileges of the candidates by suggesting that they "explore their explatterments," but in thus attempting to "spring upon them questions for discussion," he is likely to "spring" a mine the explosion of which may be attended with direful results. Perhaps the Herald has yet to learn that voters have no rights that a candidate is bound to respect; and though candidates are proverbial for politeness, affability and even gentlemanly deportment, yet arouse one by asking "a pertinent and practical question" and he waxes wroth, greatly to the fear and trembling of the humble voters who were so presumptions as to meddle with a "State question." These remarks are induced by the following arrogant article in the Herald, and again we warn the editor of his danger: The time for the primary election is rapidly approaching. Our citizens will soon be called upon to decide whom they will elect to the various offices within their gift. Upon what principle will they make their decision V We refer more particularly to the candidates for seats in the legislature. Now, we contend that our people should not send representatives to the legislature simply because they are kind and clever men. They are sent there to represent our interest, and-it is but fair that the voters should be thoroughly advertised as to the views of candidates on questions that must certainly arise in the next session. >vnai lor instance, win oe tneir action with regard to tlie proposed division of the county i Certainly the question of dividing counties is an inqiortant one. But what will be the effect of making two counties out of the present county of Spartanburg hardly any one is heard to enquire. Will it be to the benefit of Galfney at this time V How will it affect the interest of Spartanburg city and county V Surely our people ought to hear something in a matter of such importance. Then there will probably arise some question with regard to the lowers of the Railroad Com-,,'' missioner. Is he to have no power to chepfrthe exhorbitant demands of railway corporations ? It is said upon good authorityvthat the rates of freight North and East are to be increased this fall from 10 to 20 pe/ cent. This will certainly affect the price of/cotton, and the result must be that thousands of dollars will be taken from the pockets of the people and deposited with the corporation. Proper legislation, it seems to us, could regulate, or at least check the excesses of freight rates. Are our people to know nothing of the views of their candidates on so important a subject ? Then the old question of continued appropriation for higher education, will doubtless again arise and other questions of more or less importance. What we contend for is that our i>eople be informed on the leading questions of the day. We believe that our elections could be made and should be made an educating influence. We venture the assertion that the candidate who avows his conviction and fights it out on that line, must be victorious in the end. What opinion is more common than that appropriation for high education, and for the benefit of the rich, aiyd at the expense of the poor ; and how easy it: would be to prove the converse. Let the candidates then announce their opinions on this and other issues. Let them boldly meet and defeat error and prejudice. Any other conduct would be withholding from the people what they have a right to^ejpeetr" TllR_JEMtr~rffu, MEETING. Last Thursday was the day appointed by the County Chairman for the joint meeting at Fort Mill, of the candidates before the primary election. It was a wet and disagreeable day ; but notwithstanding the fact that rain fell almost constantly during the day, there was a very respectable numl>er of citizens present by the hour apiMiinted for the speaking?all anxious to hear the candidates declare themselves on the issues of the day. On behalf of Mr. Brevard D. Springs, Precinct Chairman, the meeting was opened by Hon. W. II. Stewart, who after stating the object for which the meeting was appointed, closed by saying that the Yorkville Enquirer of that day contained a solicitation for him to become a candidate for the Legislature in the approaching election. The publication was made without his knowledge or consent, and while he felt flattered by this manifestation of confidence on the part part of a number of his fellow citizens, and grateful for the implied compliment, he was compiled to decline allowing his name to come before the people, and availed himself of the first opportunity to publicly announce his determination. lie then introduced Col. W. B. Wilson, candidate for the House of Representatives. Col. Wilson commenced by saying that he was glad to meet the citizens of Fort Mill, and his presence before them as a candidate was due to a call of his fellow citizens which he felt it his duty to obey. lie then reviewed the condition of our State Government since Democratic ascendency in 187(5, contrasting the present political and financial prosperity of South Carolina with the period of Radical rule and plunder. He referred to the noted declaration by Grant in 1808?"Let us have peace and went on to show that every public act of Grant, as well as all stalwart national administrations after him, bad been, as related to the people of the South, in direct opposition to tMs sentiment, and so far from giving us "iv je," sectional hostility wasarrayedagainst the South. The only way to avert the dangers threatening us from this source is to remain firm and united. Efforts are being made to break the Democratic ranks by the organization in our State of Greenback and Independent parties, both of which mean the same thing, and are calculated to strengthen Radicalism. He warned his hearers to keep clear of Greenbackism and Independentism, which are Radicalism in disguise, and in the present campaign to rally as they did 187(5 for the perpetuity of Democratic measures, home rule and honest government. He graphically depicted the condition of affairs in Columbia during the reconstruction era, and down to the overthrow of the Republican party, who had increased the State debt, from five millions to twenty-nine millions and under the administration of Governor Closes, who was only recently convicted in the criminal court of New York as a petty thief, the credit of the State had become so low, that the Lunatic Asylum and other charitable institutions would have closed had not benevolent jierons stepped forward and advanced supplies for their subsistence. But in 187G the people rose en masse and hurled off the yoke and as the Red Shirts saved the State in 187G, so is the struggle renewed again in , 1882. The danger now is even more threatening than then. We have the combined powers of three parties to contend with, besides the aid of the national administration which is extended to break down the Democracy of the State in order to secure a Republican ma- , jority in Congress. There never was a time in our history more demanding the unity of the Demoratic party, and he had that con- , lideuce in the patriotism and intelligence of. York to believe that her Democracy would dof , its full duty. j There are some questions on which the peo4 pie will differ, but while we may differ on\ questions of expediency that may arise inside the party, a calm discussion of them will tend i to enlighten the people, and while we may have our differences, as has been the history of j every political party, yet they can be discuss- , ed among ourselves to our mutual benefit. ! lie then discussed the proposed Constitutional amendment for reducing the area of coun- . ties, reviewing the question in its different ( bearings, his argument being substantially the same as his Hickory Grove si>eech, reported ! last week, his conclusion being that instead, as claimed, of strengthening the Democratic power in the Senate, it would, if adopted, perpetuate Republcan rule should that party again come in power. But on this, as other ( questions as a Representative, he should obey the expressed wishes of a majority of the DemI ocratic voters of York county. He then closed by again reminding his hearers that owing to the growing strength of , Greenbackism and Independentism, with the Republican party and the powerful aid of the , patronage of the national administration, our J success is more imperilled than in 1870; but . if the people of South Carolina will bury all feeling of discontent and act harmoniously ( in the present canvass, it may open the way to ( a national victory in the storm of 1884. J. C. Chambers, Esq., candidate for Repre- ! sentative, was in^xt introduced. He advoca- j ted as general propositions economic legislation, and liberal appropriations to increase the efficiency of the free public school system. ( On the proposed Constitutional amendment, he said it was submitted for a vote of the j>eo- , pie, and whether or not they would adopt the , amendment, it was for them to say. Local ] divisions on this subject should be thrown , aside. He was opposed to the proposed amend- , ment, and regarded the argument of Col. Wil- j son in opposition to it as good and satisfacto- ] ry. Other arguments could be adduced against , it, one of which is that the amendment proposes to give the right to form new counties ( to the Legislature, without any reservation. The Legislature, under the provisions of this j amendment, can divide your county, whether . you wish it or not, and you cannot prevent it. They can also equalize the indebtedness of the ; 1 IlkAtr Irtlllf OAA >\VA?U1U Iiew ctllU Wit? UIU UUU1IL)' <13 wicj may ijcc jsiw|sf-*&9 r and the people affected would have 110 voice j in the matter. The speaker said he lived in the extreme western part of the county?a section r as liable to be affected by the amendment as ; the people of the extreme east whom he was . then addressing; consequently as to the pro- i bable effect of the amendment he was in the same condition on the one hand as were they i on the other; but while he opposed it, yet , should he be elected he Avould carry out in erood fllith the will of the }>eople on the question. ^ Mr. George L. Riddle was next introduced, lie said his appearance before the people as a candidate for Representative was at the solicitation of his friends, and should he be honored with an election, he would serve the people to e the best of his ability. He was opposed to the 0 proposed Constitutional amendment for reduc- a ing the area of counties, argument against j which measure had already l?een ably set forth . by speakers who had preceded him ; but while he entertained the opinion that it would prove 11 a dangerous political expedient, failing in the purpose for which it was designed, yet if elect- s ed, he would be governed on this, as other \ measures, by the will of the majority of his b constituents as expressed at the ballot-box. d Mr. William Wbyte, candidate for Represen- P tative, was next introduced, and spoke sub- n s?a*rtfolly as at Hickory Grove, a reptwptu^ ^hiclws"in the Enquiuek of last week. -*~3Cfter Mr. Whyte had concluded, Capt. John b C. Witherspoon was introduced. He said that c owing to the fact that his hearers were un- c comfortably situated by reason of the rain, and the time was growing short, he would not detain them with an arraignment of the Re- " publican party, nor portray the misrule of e that nartv while in nower in this State. This i ? was unnecessary after what had been said on the l' subject by those who had preceded him; nor e did he deem it necessary to lecture the people si of Fort Mill as to their duty as Democrats in g the approaching election. In 1870 they did S( their whole duty, and from that time until now they had never faltered, and the best evi- .1 deuce of their devotion to the principles of 11 the party and their duty to the country, was <1 the cheerfulness with which they were then exposing themselves in the rain to hear the i questions of the day discussed. Sympathizing ji with them in their uncomfortable position r; this evening, he would not contribute to detain al them any longer than he could prevent, but tl would proceed with what lie had to say as swiftly as he could. As to the proposed Constitntionar amendment, he said he was in favor of it. It is a 1 party measure, introduced by the Democratic \ party, and no pet scheme of his own, but he , was nevertheless in favor of it. / It was pass-i "] ed by the Democratic party as a party measure,* l and therefore he favored it.]; We should view j ' the question as a State issue, and not in a J narrow view. But, he contended, it is dan- j gerous to discuss it in this Democratic primary election. There may be differences of opinion among Democrats on certain measures, but these differences should be kept in the s Democratic ranks and not published to the j world. But the effort had been successfully ! made to bring the discussion of the question in this canvass, and he regretted to say that those who had brought about that movement had induced our State Senator to address the ^ l>eople on the question?when it was no funeral . of his?on the opening of the canvass at Hick- . ory Grove, in which lie made a lengthy sjieech, J urging the people to vote against the pro- c posed amendment. On that day we were taken by surprise; the question was sprung upon us at a time when we were unprepared to discuss it; and in addition to this, ad- 1 vantage was taken of us, by putting us up to [ a speak first, so that we were deprived from re-! r plying to Senator Hart. But we have since 1 ( replied to his sjieech, and shall continue to j reply to it. They talk to you about turning j our State over to the power of the Republican j party by the adoption of this amendment. Is . t not the State under control of the Democratic ^ party, and did not a Democratic Legislature * submit this proposition ? The Democratic party of South Carolina know what they are t doing, and they are not going to throw the c State into the hands of the Republican party. As to numbers the State is already Republican, and so are nearly all the Congressional districts ; but the Anglo Saxon race is sui>erior to 1 the negro majority, and can and will control * the State government. The Radicals will nev- ^ er again rule the State. These are my honest ^ convictions. , At this point, warming up to his subject, r the speaker continued : But this question was sprung upon the people by only a few persons, and for a selfish purpose. I charge it as the work of the Editor of the Yorkville Enquikeh, and a few of his friends, the object being ^ to solidify Western from Eastern York. Sen- t ator Hart, in his speech at Hickory Grove, had * even went so far as to dissect York county, ( in order to show who would go to Rock Hill, the "Xew London." It is a part of their purpose to vote the western side of the county against the eastern. But surely they do not want to deprive eastern York of representa- t tion. If eastern York is ruled out, while I promise to abide the result in this election, yet if by this primary election we are to be deprived of representation, I say it would chill ^ the entire people of the eastern part of the S county, and our vote contributes materially to swell the Democratic majority of the coun- ^ ly. 11161'ty Wilb <1 L1U1C 111 UII19 tUUlii/j niKii : the Enquirer could have been of aid to the people of York?when Merrill was arresting J and imprisoning her citizens. Had the Editor i of the Enquirer taken a manly stand then, he could have rendered the people of his county a service. I deem it my duty to my fellow citizens to say what I do, or I should i take no pleasure in doing it. i I have made an honest appeal to the people of \ western York. They will tell you they do ^ not want to see the county lines disturbed, but in conversation with people from Hickory j Grove to Black's Station the people have told ] me that the eastern side of the county shall i have representation. At Hickory Grove, I J told them that when Rock Hill could get a ? court-house, I for one was ready to take it. I J told them Rock Hill had not" yet conferred j with Fort Mill on this subject. But York has j not yet proposed for a new county; and if.she does Lancaster and Chester will oppose it. It may be a long time before a new county is formed, even with the adoption of the amend- i lnent, and I may say that I do not expect to c live to see a court-house at Rock Hill. I have heard since coming here to-day that some one is circulating a lie in regard to' my F candidacy. Since coming here I have been t informed that it is circulated here that I am a t candidate in the interest of whisky men, and I c wish to publicly deny any such charge, and to ^ 3ay that who ever makes that charge is a liar, 1 and that 1 can generally be found at Rock J . I " " ? |>l~" Mftfr ("'apt.. Witlierspoon had delivered himself, he retired in good order, and the Chair- c man explained the absence of Hon. B. II. Mas- [ sey, candidate for Representative,- who, as } Chairman of the Board of Directors of the J State Penitentiary, had visited Columbia on x business connected with that institution. I No other candidate for Representative being j present, the Chairman introduced John P. * Gage, Esq., candidate for Probate Judge, who * spoke in a pleasant strain, entirely in his own behalf, and was followed by W. Porter Good, Esq., candidate for the same office, who took . up the thread of humorous discourse where 1 Mr. Gage dropped it, and spoke with equal 1 earnestness in his own behalf. i At the conclusion of Mr Good's remarks t the Chairman read a letter from Wm. B. ] Williams, Esq., candidate for reelection for recommendation to the appointment of Coun- 1 ty Auditor, regretting that the duties of his 3 office at this time prevented him from meeting t his fellow citizens at Fort Mill, but he was f again l>efore them for their suffrages, and if f elected would serve them to the best of his H iibility. Dr. E. L. Glenn and Dr. J. B. Allison, can- a rlidates for County Commissioner, each ad- c dressed the audience briefly ; when, it being f ascertained that there wereno other candidates j present who desired to speak, the Chairman 1 congratulated all present on the success of the ^ meeting and the entertainment afforded by the various candidates. He said it was the duty ' of the people to support the candidates that c will be chosen at the primary election, and re- t minding his hearers that already opposition to ^ the State ticket is looming up from the Greenback camp, that party having nominated a 1 ticket, he urged upon them the full perfor- 8 mance of their duty in the State election, and c hoped {hat section of the county would be ful- S ly represented at Yorkville to meet the Democratic State canvassers on the 13th. In response to calls, It. II. Glenn, County Chairman, took the speakers'stand and con- t jratulated the crowd on the success of the meet- r ng. He was glad to meet the people of that sec- t ;ion, for whom he had always entertained the 0 greatest respect. He hoped that portion of the county would turn out en masse on the 13th, md as County Chairman he extended a cordial c nvitation to Eastern York to come to York- d .dlle on that day and hear Hon. Hugh S. a Thompson and other candidates on the State 0 icket. Reminding his hearers that there are A ilready two opposition candidates in this dis;rict for Congress; thflt the Greenbackers had >ut forward a State ticket, and that the [iepublicans are by no means idle, he said the democracy must be on the alert, and the best E neans to ensure success was to close up the n anks, shoulder to shoulder, and commence a vork at once. a 't o TROUBLE BREWING IN FAIRFIELD. a Some person in Fairfield county has had the tffrontry to write, and the Winnsboro News 0 \nd Herald has been so indiscreet as to print, tl l communication calling upon the candidates ai a Fairfield to "define their respective posi ions on the all-imi>ortant question of the Lien ^ aw." The communication reads as follows : j( Messrs. Editors: Please allow me a short ^ pace in your columns to ask a single question : ^ )ur primary election is drawing near, and it y( 3 deemed very necessary that the candidates (j( efine their resi>ective positions on the all-im- p ortant question of the Lien law. Gentle- n, nen, speak out?are yon, or are you not, in e( avor of the repeal of the Lien law ? We ^ xiyiook for a reply before the primary, and ope>kat full barns and anticipated stuffed orn-cribe will allow you all to see your way lear to abate a nuisance. S. Ridyetcuy, September 5,1S82. Now, we don't pretend to know whether Ridgeway" is on the "western" or the "east- f0 rn" side of Fairfield county, nor do we im- q ugn to the writer motives of arraying west- 0I rn Fairfield against the eastern side; but "we ! ^ ubmit" that in addition to the fearful risk of I 0f iving offence to some candidate, the last f0 mtence smacks very much as though the q ommunication were "accompanied with an I nplied threat." This practice of "springing" <j uestions on candidates ought to be abated. gj, ?- de fg* Railroad Commissioner Bonham, who has *r ist completed his annual iusiiection of the i .. lilroads of the State, reports that he found ,ll< II the roads more or less steadily improving j th leir road l)eds and superstructures. I an LOCAL AFFAIRS. I . | Cil . NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. j til r. R.Gardner, Administrator?Chosen in Action, fr iV. Holmes Hardin, President?Stockholders' Meeting. r. M. Dob.?ion?Fall and Winter Styles. J? iV. 0. Latimer- Just Returned. . fii f. 0. Kuykendal?York Drugstore Paragraphs, f. M. Adams?Bargains for All?Dollars in \our Pocket?Tobacco, Snutf and Cigars?Repairing. ^ * ... m PROLIFIC COTTON. ti Mr. W. 0. Guy, of Bullock's Creek town- 12 ihip, has sent us a cotton stem five inches fo ong containing a cluster of twelve fully de- ^ reloped bolls. RELIGIOUS REVIVAL. M We learn that an interesting religious revi- in ral, conducted by ltev. J. I.. Tillman, travelng evangelist of the M. E. Church South, has ^ ust closed at Gastonia, .N. U., with twenty 0i inversions. at THE (1AMG LAW. -tl: Sportsmen may lie interested in knowing ^ hat the Game law of this State has been so rj amended that the legal time for hunting part- cr idges and other game birds is from the 1st of tl Ictober to the 15th of March. i,11 . . dt SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION. Col. A. Coward has consented for his name ti ;o go before the State Executive Committee 1* or nomination for the office of State Superinendent of Education, to fill the vacancy on lie State Democratic ticket, occasioned by the tc leclinature of Rev. Ellison Capers. O THE STATE CANVASSERS. ^ By a letter to the County Chairman, we ie earn that the following gentlemen of the itate canvassers will address the jieople of SI fork on "Governor's day Col. Thompson, A Jol. Richardson, Col. Miles, Hon. J.J. Hemplill, and perhaps Gen. Butler. U( SEPTEMBER GALES. The most severe rain and wind storm at his season for many years occurred here last ^ Saturday night and Sunday morning. One or a iwo buildings in town sustained slight damage, ir ind growing crops were injured. A great ai leal of fodder in the field was completely ^ mined. CHURCH NOTICES. " Presbyterian?Rev. T. It. English, Pastor, tl Services at the usual hours, morning and ivening, next Sunday. ^ Associate Reformed Presbyterian?Rev. R. p( Lathan, Pastor. Services at 10.30 A. M. >unday-school at 9 A. M, gi Baptist?Rev. W. L. Brown, Pastor. Ser- c< nee at Union at 10 o'clock, A. M., and immeliately after this service the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be administered. Preach- n ng at Yorkville at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. THE WHEAT A*ND OAT CROPS. The following reports have been furnished Vi is as to the amount of small grain threshed g] n York county the past season. We would ti ie obliged to other threshers for reports of *J( heir operations, so that all may be aggregated : l,! Wheat. Oaix. H. Dover 4,575 2.500 ^ L. N. Gulp, 4,180 8,000 1 lall A Brian 4.000 3,000 si r. P. Robinson A Co., 5,130 5,745 m >. L. Milling 3,012 5,1(51 ol \ L. A J. O. Moore, 5,747 8,070 1. L. Davidson, 2,!)})(! 4,018 ' dcGill A Jenkins, 7,000 3,000 1 Tohn E. Lowry 4,7l0 4,300 * THE WH1TAKEK MEETING. tl We have received for publication, the fol- ci owing communication, signed by a number ?f the citizens of Whitaker in reference to . he statement of "Looker-On," which we je mblished three weeks ago in connection with he anti-Mornon meeting. The communica- tl ion of "Looker-On," as also the proceedings if the meeting, was published merely as news, (ither going for what it was worth, and in the lame spirit we print the reply below to "Looksr-Onse Mr. Editor: We are citizens of the town vv if Whitaker, S. C'., and if there is any taint m if Mormonism, or sympathy for those claim- di ng to be such, we are not aware of it, except en t be on the part of "Looker-On." That wri- to er may be tainted with something not very jood, or he would not try to create a false w mpression by publishing the statement over vi lia aimiatnro nf "TrtnlrPV.Oll" in t.bft EX- nf jUiREi: of August *24. "Many Citizens." st THE CHESTER FAIR. "J "We have received a copy of the premium ist of the fourth auuual fair of the Chester vv Ygricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical pi Yssociation, to be held at Chester, commen- hi :ing October 17, and continuing four days, ivery arrangement has been perfected, to nake this exhibition more successful than any ret given under the auspices of the Associa- tli ion. The grounds and buildings have all been tr >ut in first-rate order, and every care taken tli or the accommodation of exhibitors, visitors . md exhibits. The premium list is an unu- [j ually full one, and every department will re- js leive due attention. We trust there will be a <p ull representation, both in people and exhib- U ts, from York. Tliough the fairs of the Yssociation are held in Chester, on account of m ts central location, yet the three other counies?York, Lancaster and Fairfield?are re- iK ognized in the organization and are expected of o contribute to its success and share in its ? ... . lenefits. Col. John S. Bratton is the vice- w (resident from this county. Premium lists, ;iving all desired information, may be proured on application to G'apt. J. K. Henry, Iccretary and Treasurer, Chester, S. C. to ha THE LIEN LAW. The'following is the full text of the Act of je he last regular session of the Legislature in eference to the disposition of personal proper- te y on which mortgage or lien may exist, with- ? ut the written consent of the mortgagee or CQ ienee. This is the Act referred to in these gt olumns last week, and the opinion of legal on linds is that it applies to crops the same as ny other personal property on which mortgage r lien exists: l.n Acr to punish any person or persons who x shall sell or dispose ot any personal property . on which mortgage of any kind may exist 81 without the written consent'of the mortgagee. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of sei tepresentatives of the State of South Caroli- ex a, now met and sitting in General Assembly, wi nd by the authority of the same, That from sec nd after the passage of this Act, any person r persons who shall sell or dispose of any per- He jflal property on which any mortgage or oth- ] r.jien exists, without the written consent of sai lie mortgagee or lienee, or the owner or holder in; f such mortgage or lien, and shall fail to pay 1 ie debt secured by the same within ten days no fter such sale or disposal, or shall fail in such * me to deposit the amount of the said debt thi ith the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas am >r the County in which the mortgage or lien Mr ebtbr resides, shall be deemed guilty of a me lisdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall j er 3 imprisoned for a term not more than two 1 nol jars, or be lined not more than live hundred . did illars, or both, in the discretion of the Court: j rovided, That the provisions of this Act shall j for it apply in cases of sales made without knowl- j iioi Ige or notice of such mortgage or lien by the sus jrson so selliner such property. ! ey Approved, December 17,1881. j Sts _ ? | + J* For the Yorkvllle Enquirer. I - tha A. R. PRESBYTERY. ter Tlie First Presbytery of the Associate Re-j 0? rmed Synod of the South, convened at Back ^ reek Church, in Mecklenburg county, N. C., j wo 1 Monday the 4th instant. The opening | J rmon was preached by Rev. J. T. Chalmers, bel ' Winnsboro, S. C'. On calling the roll, about liei rty-five members answered to their names. *ie nly Revs. C. B. Betts and J. M. Todd were ^ isent. Mr. Plexico, student of theology, j ] slivered a sermon which was sustained as a | 1 ecimen of progress. Rev. J. M. McLain ful imitted his charge. Calls were presented j ^a: om Steel Creek and Chesterville Congrega- ^ )ns. The former congregation asked for ?or e pastoral services of Rev. G. E. McDonald tra id the latter for the pastoral services of Rev. tioi '. M. Pressley. Mr. McDonald accepted the ,11 from Steel Creek and it is understood at Mr. W. M. Pressley will accept that om Chester. After a pleasant meeting, Presbytery ad- j timed to meet at Charlotte, X. ('., on the 1 st Monday of April, 1 SS:i. L. j THE GREENBACK CONVENTION. The Greenback-Labor-Reform Convention et in the hall of the House of Representaves on Tuesday of last week. There were !0 delegates in attendance, of whom oneurth were colored and the rest of the num>r was made up of disaffected Democrats and ironic office-seekers. According to the pubshed accounts of the convention, Judge ackey was the most conspicuous personage attendance. lie was conspicuous not only in ie proceedings, but the only man of the whole imber having a State reputation. The con- ! mtion was called to order at half past 12 clock by .J. Hendrix McLane, who made an Idress, at the close of which he moved that ie Rev. I. D. Durham, of Aiken county, be ade temporary president, and I)r. V. P. layton, of Fairfield, and Dr. Bowen, of Maon, temporary secretaries. A committee on edentials was appointed. Twenty-two counes of the State were represented, York beg among the number which failed to send 'legates. nni.^v nlmii pAnWiftn. 11JC JllrtUY>li L Ul^UlllMktlUll \JL IIIU VUU*UIIon was perfected by the election of the temirary officers and by the appointment of W. , Mitchell, of Orangeburg, as sergeant-at ms. On motion of Robert D. White, of Charlesin, a committee of seven, one from each ongressional district, was appointed on platirm and resolutions. The committee was ipointed as follows: Robert D. White, Charston; L. A. Wise, Richland; M. Kelley, Williamsburg; J). It. Elkin, Fairfield, L. J. lealey, Lexington ; W. II. Brown, Aiken ; .. B. King, Greenville. Mr. W. W. Russell, of Anderson, moved lat a committee of seven be appointed on animations. Mr. Fishburne objected to this motion, and iade a vigorous speech against it, saying lat the policy of the Convention was to jht monopolies, that the adoption of such resolution would place too much power t the hands of the chairman, and that it mounted to the usual plan adopted in packed onventions of carrying through a cut and L-ied ticket. Mr. S. Augustus Sanders of Summerville, heartily concurred in the remarks made by le distinguished Senator from Colleton." Mr. Russell withdrew his motion, with the ;atement, however, that the delegate from olleton had totally misapprehended its purirt. Pending a discussion on the advisability of aing in caucus to make nominations, the invention took a recess until 4 o'clock. When the convention reassembled, Mr. Rob*t E. White, of Charleston, submitted.the reirt of the committee on the platform and fsolutions. - The platform declares that under the Con itution, Congress alone has the power to lake and limit money and regtriate its Rue. That all money emitted by Conpobq cthmihl ho u tamil-tender ? that the Na onal bonds are a heavy burden upon the iajr and industry of the country and should be lid as rapidly as possible ; that legal tender reenback money, gold or silver should be issu1 directly from the treasury at Washington, hat the interests and rights of her labor lould lie protected by the Government and 3t sacrificed to National banks and monopies. That the State Legislature should not we passed the No Fence law against the ill and interest of voteres in certain sections, hat all citizens should be equal before the w, and that all attempts to interfere with le free and untrammelled suffrage are a ime against civilization. The resolutions submitted chargeFirst. The violation of the most solemn edges made to the people in 1870 by the aders under Hampton. Second. The creation of useless offices and lereby an increase of public expenses. Third. The sacrifice of the phosphate inirest of the State for the enrichment of a few idividuals, instead of utilizing it for the payen t of the State debt. Fourth. Extravagance in legislative expens ; #87,000 for 1881-82, and an extra session ; liereas, it was in 1859, less than $10,000. The ode" of legislation, too, only increases the squietude and political unrest which excludes ipital and also emigration, which now amounts 11,000,000 per annum. Fifth. The unconstitutional election law ith its eight boxes, which is a political dece to disfranchise many thousands of voters ' both races. The registration, though conitutional, has been most shamefully abused id has illegally excluded many from regisation. Sixth. The unconstitutional poll tax law, hich imposes a mark of ten dollars or im isonment for thirty days, which the law fords. Seventh. The gross neglect of enforcing the ws against carrying concealed weapons, duing, miscegeneration and licentiousness. Eighth. The refusal to leave the fence law to ie vote of the people which has been so des- , uctive to the interests of so many, and as ie law now stands should be repealed. Ninth. The Lien law in its present form aces the impoverished buyer at the mercy of ie vandal with his usurious percentage, which tantamount almost to confiscation. It re- , lires modification, permitting 12 per cent, to , s collectable by law on cash prices. , Tenth. We condemn unequivocally the : ileage grab of the last Legislature. , Eleventh. We are opposed to the Constitu- j anal amendment because it places the entire rtitical interests of the citizens in the hands a trial justice. 1 Twelfth. We think that the offices of audi- . r and treasurer should be united in one offir to be elected by the people. The appoint- , e power has been most fearfully abused to , e public detriment. Thirteenth. It requires ceaseless vigilance j guard against rings and monopolists, which , ive consumed the vitals of the State. j Fourteenth. We condemn the gerryman- ] rihg of the State. j Fifteenth. We condemn the threatened in- ( nded shifting of the ballot boxes. j Sixteenth. An unnecessary multiplication , officers with extravagant salaries tends to j rrupt the civil service. The salaries of our , ate and county officers should be reduced ( e-third. , Seventeenth. We are opposed to the enact- ] sut of a prohibition law until that question j all be settled by a yote of the people. Eighteenth. No railroad should be allowed j change its schedule of freight rates without ( zing thirty days' notice of such intention. , A 11 _ - J..1.' 41,.x Alter tue miupuun ui tuc |u<iuuiiii, icj?ic- j titatives of the press and all spectators were j eluded from the hall, and the convention, th Dr. Durham in the chair, went into ;ret session. r Mr. Sanders, of Colleton nominated the j l m. James B. Campbell for Governor. ; t Mr. Fishburne rose to a point of order. He s d that Mr. Campbell had already been noin- j r ited and endorsed by the Convention. j d He was informed that the nomination had ! t t prevailed. j 1; fudge Mackey said that there were two ; p ngs which should lie considered, the fitness j a :1 availability of a candidate for this ofllce. ! t . Campbell would add lustre to the move- ! n nt, but he should be consulted as to wheth-'t he would accept the nomination. It would a t do for the convention to nominate a can-1 v [ate who would not serve. \ c Vfter some further debate the nomination j C Governor was suspended, and then the | tl nination for Lieutenant-Governor was also j f< ipended. After a little while Judge Mack- j tl moved that the Convention nominate a full j f< ifo j 0 Campbell was again sprung. Mackey said f( it he had been informed by Mr. W. J. Oliver b it Mr. Campbell was unalterable in his de-1 a mination not to accept the nomination for cl vernor. That he, Campbell, thought he ; dd serve his State better as a member of I ngress from the First District, and that he ' t< uld be a candidate for that position. j S dr. Fishburne wanted to know "if Camp- C 1 was our only chance V" and to this perti- t< it inquiry Mackey indignantly replied, "No, t< is not our only chance. We have a thou- J 3 id chances. This great movement does not t< >end on any one man for success." ai fishburne sat down. j n fhe motion to go into the nomination of a oi 1 State ticket prevailed. J. Ilendrix Mc- n ne was nominated, and the nomination was tl onded by W. W. Russell, who glorified : Lane as the standard bearer of the party I the last four years and as never having. t< iled its banner in the dust. The nomina- J; ii was greeted with vociferous applause and J then confirmed by acclamation. Loud calls were made for McLane, who said : "I hardly know what to say, but if you will give me your unflagging support we will have this Government. 1 am willing to spend all my efforts, and, if need be, die in - the attempt to carry our movement through. If you don't mean business you are mistaken in the nomination you have made. If you stand by me and follow me through I will be Governor of South Carolina, or by the Eternal we will have a military government. This bloodthirsty oration occasioned another outburst of applause. ' W. W. Russell, T. J. Mackey and Robert D. White were then nominated for Lieutenant-Governor. Russell and Mackey were withdrawn. White was eulogized by Mackey, who said the ticket should be headed by the plough and hammer, and that White's chisel was never truer to the marble than his heart was to duty. Mr. Sanders and T. II. Russell also eulogized White, and his nomination was made unanimous. White took the floor, and after reciting his devotion to the party declined the nomination ? i. .r .????? ..?.i kin uii ciix'uuiii ul ijis iiuiiieu menus miu 111s uuties to a large family. This brought out Mackey again, who said that he would make party speeches in the State and spend his last dollar for the cause. That White need.only remain silent and leave his cause with the people. A committee of five, with Mackey as chairman, was appointed to confer with White. Mr. S. Augustus Sanders was then nominated for attorney-general, but this was more than even aGreenback Convention could stand, and on motion of Major T. H. Russell the Convention adjourned until 8 o'clock. At the night session of the Convention the doors were again closed and Mr. Augustus Sanders came suddenly to grief. When the Convention came to order Mr. Fishburne again occupied the floor, and forbearance ceasing to be a virtue, Judge Mackey declared that the dignity of the body must be maintained, and moved that Fishburne be removed from the hall. . . After a considerable scuffle the refractory member was put out, and then by a unanimous vote he was expelled from the Convention. After a great many nominations and almost endless speech-making the State ticket was completed .at 11 o'clock as follows : For secretary of State, Thomas Baskins of Sumter ; comptroller-general, Simeon Corley of Lexington ; attorney-general, C. B. Farmer of Colleton ; treasurer, W. H. Stanton of Oconee ; adjutant-general, J. T. Johns of Darlington ; superintendent of education, Rev. I. D. Durham of Aiken. On motion of W. W. Russell the Convention then went into the nomination of Congressman from each Congressional district. The Hon. James B. Campbell, of Charleston, was nominated from the First District, and T. J. Mackey from the Fifth District. Mackey addressed the Convention at length, declaring that every pledge made to the. colored people by Hampton in 1870 had been ruthlessly violated, and reviewing with much severity the Registration and Stock laws and other measures adopted by the last Legislature. Mackey spoke for three-quarters of an hour, after which the nominatiohs for additional districts were proceeded with. T. H. Kussen, of Anderson, vas nominated from the Third District; D. It. Elkins, of Fairfield, from the Fourth District'; Dr. Bowen, of Marion, from the Sixth District. No nomination was made from the Seventh District, and the executive committee were authorized to nominate a candidate from the Second District. The convention, then, at 12 o'clock, adjourned. MERE-MENTION. Observers say that ^11 the signs this year point to an early frost.; Out of forty-one applicants for cadetship at West Point, fifteen were rejected. Among the rejected was S. W. Livingston, colored, of Florida ?The State central committees of the two wings of the Republican party of Georgia have had a meet- ? ing at Atlanta and harmonized their differences. Jesse James subscribed to five newspapers, but his object was not a literary one. lie desired to be posted as to railway schedules and the various vamounts offered for him, dead or alive. 'There were ten deaths from yellow fever in Havana last week. An advance in Southern freight rates, amounting to 5 cents per hundred pounds, as agreed upon by the Southern Railway and Steamship Association went into effect on .all Southern lines last Monday.?At least a half million pounds of dried fruit have been shipped from Greensboro, N. C., the present season. Mr. Keeley, of motor fame, has bound himself to run a railroad train from New York to Chicago at a cost for fuel not to exceed fifty cents. At that rate the fare, according to the Inter-Oi'tan, ought to be about a nickel for the round trip. ? The Mormons declare that they will resist the Edmunds law. They say they want no carpetbag government foisted ui>on them by the United States Government. There are several cases of yellow fever at Pensacola, Florida, and the disease threatens to become epidemic. ? For several weeks the trial of what is designated the star route cases has been progressing at Washington ; the defendants being under accusation of defrauding the government in contracts for carrying the mails. On Saturday a verdict of guilty was rendered as to some of the defendants. In a fight last Friday evening the Mayor of Danville, Va., shot and mortally wounded the nliiof nf T>nlipo r\f H?ijf fnwn Thp \favnr HP.-> cused the police officer with failing to pay over some fines that he had collected. It is reported that James B. Campbell will de2line the Greenback nomination for Congressman from the Charleston district. Tiie Office Seeking The Man.?A numt>erofthe citizens of York county addressed i note to Hon. W.B.Wilson requesting his consent to permit his name to come before the voters of York county as a candidate in the primary election for a seat in the House of Representatives. Mr. Wilson replies: "I had no idea or desire of being a candidate, but when publicly called upon, as I now am, I feel that private interests and preferences must give way to the duty of the citizen, and that I cannot, with propriety, refuse the request that has been made." It is truly refreshing to note such an exhibition of good jense on the part of the voters of York county 11 thus selecting their public agents, and the 10 less noteworthy instance of the highest irder of patriotism illustrated in the manly reply of Mr. Wilson. When the people shall lave learned to adopt the same rulers of common sense in reference to the conduct of their \ublic interest, that they adopt in reference to ;heir private interest, a new era will have lawned upon us. We will theu have more wholesome laws, a more effective adminis- , ;ration, and fewer defalcations. Let the good ;ime hasten.?Saluda Argus. Woman Suffrage in Utah.?The report >f the Utah Commission has been received at Washington. The Commission report as to he appointment of registration officers and ay that it was not deemed advisable to comnence a new registration, but they had deciled to order a revision of the existing regisration lists as required by the Territorial iw, and to apply to it the governing principle of the Edmunds Act. The Commission lso say that later embarrassment came in he form of a demand on the part of certain on-Mormon citizens of high character that lie Commission should assume jurisdiction nd decide that the local statute authorizing romen to vote was illegal and void. They oncluded that it was not competent for the lommission to repeal or modify the statute in lie manner suggested ; that the principle of amale suffrage is in no respect in conflict with he purpose of the Edmunds law, and thereare that the Commission had nothing whatevr to do with the subject. Moreover, they .mud, on investigation, that this statute had een in force for twelve years without being djudicated in the courts of the Territory, or isturbed by Congress. ... ? : Guiteau Oxck More.?The report of I)ocars.I. W. S. Arnold, of New York, E. (). Imlresnenre. of Philadelnhiu. and .1. N. Me lonnell, of the army medical museum, selected 3 make a microscopical examination of Gui?au's brain is published in the Philadelphia fedical News of last Saturday. In reference ) their report the Medical News says editorilly: There is in the microscopic revelations o reason for changing the opinion which we riginally expressed that Guiteau, an abnorlal character, justly suffered the penalty of le law for the high crime he committed. Eg* A second primary election, held in Ches?r last Friday, resulted in the nomination of ames F. Barber for the Legislature and W. . Lncasfor Auditor.