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Straps and Jafts. ? The free schools of Texas are in a splen- j did condition. The State's school fund derived from the sale of public lands is large enough to keep the schools open ten months in the year without any school tax, and is constantly increasing. ? The forthcoming report of the Illinois Department of Agriculture shows that the j area of the growing crop of winter wheat! in Illinois is 2,317,000 acres, or a decrease of 405,000 acres from the previous seeding, j The condition of the growing crop is fair. ? The admission is at last publicly made 1 that the New Orleans Exposition is in ev- j erything but a favorable condition. It is now $200,000 in debt, and is about calling j ior anoiner nan million appropriation irom ; Congress. New Orleans is waking to the ' fact that it takes money to run a show. ? Petitions asking the Legislature of Pennsylvania to submit to the voters an amendment to the Constitution prohibiting the manufacture and sale within that commonwealth of alcoholic liquors to be used as a beverage, have been sent out by the Constitutions Amendment Association of Pennsylvania. ? The movement of raising $100,000 to relieve the personal effects of Gen. Grant from mortgage liability has taken practical shape in New York. Several subscriptions have already been made for the object. The conclusion of Grant's physicians is that he is completely broken down in health. , ? According to the official returns from the Secretaries of States, the whole number of votes given for President on the four electoral tickets was 10,036,057, of which Grover Cleveland received 4,842,292 : James G. Blaine, 4,810,219; Benjamin F. Butler, 234,848; and John P. St. John, 248,598. To this aggregate there is to be added 2,262 scattering and -defective votes. ? It is said that a new process for drying timber has iust been discovered. It consists in surrounding the wood with common salt. In ordinary kiln drying the albumen is killed or destroyed, and the surface dries out first, thus sealing the juice inside, to escape eventually through cracks caused by the uneven expansion of the wood. The new process is vastly better. ? A queer case has come up for decision in Utah. One Edward Senior, a Mormon, had two wives. The first, or legal, wife died. Now Senior is dead. The question is whether wife No. 2 is his legal widow, and entitled to a share in his estate. Judge Zane, in the United States Circuit Court, has decided that she is not. The case goes up on appeal to the Supreme Court of the Territory. ? BradstreeVs report of the failures of 1884 forms rather a gloomy record. The number has been greater than any year since 1878, and is a little larger than even in that year, while the amount of liabilities is about the same as it then was. Nearly 11,000 failures, (10,965,) with liabilities of $234,383,132, have marked the year. But relatively the most important of these occurred in the second quarter, which covered the "panic" of May. ? Bristol Tunnel, ou the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was set on fire by strikers last Friday morning and cannot be used for the passage of trains. The tunnel, which is about 1,000 feet long, has solid walls of coal on either side and these are still burning. Three or four hundred feet of tunnel have caved in. None of the incendiaries have been apprehended, as they did their work in disguise, and cannot be identified. ? The Rev. C. S. Smith, the colored orator, who, before his removal to Illinois, was a prominent Republican politician and member of the Alabama Legislature, now seems to be confident that he is to get his reward tor leaving the old party and working like a beaver for the election of Grover Cleveland. Smith is a very brilliant man, and his race look upon him as the coming leader of the colored people, a man likely to fill the shoes of Frederick Douglass. His friends in Illinois and the East will present his claims for appointment as Minister to Liberia. ? Gov. Begole, of Michigan, has written to a Detroit paper defending his course in granting pardons by the wholesale. He says: From my experience in our prisons, where I have devoted much time, I earnestly believe that there are 200 men in our prisons to-day in whose cases the ends of justice would be better served by their release. There are many young men serving out sentences for no other crime than being poor. There are rings in all the large towns of our State that arrest, convict and send to prison persons for no other reason than to make business for constables, sheriffs and justices, that a small sum of money would release. ? The'increase in crimes of violence during the year 1884, just closed, is very marked. Fairly complete returns have been compiled showing 3,377 murders in the United States in 1884, against 1,494 in 1883. Of suicides there were 1,897 last year, compared with 910 the previous year. The number of executions was 111, against 100 the year before, a very small increase when the number of capital crimes has been so large. But this is accounted for in some degree when it is known that 219 culprits met mob violence during the year, against 92 in 1883. Hanging was the general form assumed by these violent acts, only 20 of the number being shot. 157 of the victims were white, G1 negroes and 1 Japanese, while 2 women were nung to telegraph poles out in Colorado. ? The year 1884 will become memorable in the annals of earthquakes. The earthquake last summer on the Atlantic coast was less noteworthy than the latest earthquake in Europe, of which we cannot be sure that the force is even yet spent. Its extent, from Austria to Wales, is less noteworthy than its persistency. Unless the estimate of the number of victims at 2,000 be an exaggeration, this earthquake has been more destructive than any that has visited Europe ; since the Ischian earthquake in 3S81. At; all events it will be remembered as one of I the most destructive even in Spain, the J piety of which was ascribed by the inge- j nious Mr. Buckle to the imminent danger of being shaken up in which the inhabitants ! passed their lives. ? It has been determined to send the j Liberty bell from Philadelphia to New j Orleans, January 25, and the Mayor and several other gentlemen interested in the i matter have made the necessary arrange ments with General Agent L?atta, or tne Pennsylvania Railroad. It will go in a special train over the Pennsylvania Rail-; road. The bell itself is to go in a special ! car, open at the sides, so that it can be seen along the route. In one end of this car is a! small compartment, which will be occupied by the three policemen who will go to pro tect it and remain by it by turns night and j day until it is returned. Attached to the train will be other cars for the special junketing committee that is to accompany : the bell. A pilot engine will run ahead of the train to insure its safety. The trip willj be by way of Louisville. This will be | the second time the bell has left Philadel-: phia. The other time was when, in 1777, ! the British expected to occupy the city, and I it was removed to Bethlehem, Pa., for safety. ? Every fresh detail received from the j Spanish districts in which the earthquake shock was severest, adds new horror to a ; great calamity. At Neirga, a town of ">,0(H) people in the province of Malaga, and 27 miles east of the city of the same name, the earthquake was followed by a hurricane. This finished the destruction of many houses which had already been brought to the brink of ruin by the previous shock. The inhabitants fled in terror from their houses and camped outside the town, j Much suffering has been caused by the j scarcity of provisions. The alarm in Malaga, however, is now subsided and affairs, it is believed, will soon resume their ordinary course. On Thursday night shocks of earthquake were again experienced at Alhama. The town is in ruins. A panic prevails among the inhabitants of Antegriera, 28 miles northeast of Malaga, where shocks have already been felt. On the same night shocks were also felt at Granada, Malaga, Ninja and Algaricobo. The panic among the people is unabated. A number of "^ojyns and villages have been completely dest^r J^^?<L and tneir inhabitants have deserted tffem.. Many persons sleep in the -ailway carriages* A royal decree has been ^ dued ordering that a national subscription W^^^nade for the relief of the sufferers. Pttbtfli lie officials will contribute one day's pay each. By this means alone it is expected that $200,000 will be raised. The Spanish ambassadors, ministers and consuls in all countries will also open subscriptions. $be fotfenttt tihiqnim. YORKVILLE. S. C. : THURSDAY MORNING, JAN. 8,1885. THE STATE TREASURY. The Columbia correspondent of the J\ews and Courier reports that at the close of business on the 31st of December, the State treasury had at its command twice as large an amount of money as it has had at any similar date for many years. The statement shows a total of $414,222.00, of which amount $15,796.44 is to the credit of the sinking fund commission, and $4,727.98 to the credit of the board of agriculture. The State is therefore well in funds for the disbursements of 1885. While the collection of taxes in the fall and winter was not as complete as it was a year previously?when the closeness of collections was phenomenal and the subect of general comment?still it was large and satisfactory, and proved that notwithstanding the hard times the people were paying their public as well as their private debts with promptness and faithfulness. DEATH OF GEN. H ANCOCK'S SON. Russell Hancock, the only son of Major General Winfield S. Hancock, died on Tuesday, of last week, at his plantation, near Clarkesdale, Miss. Mr. Hancock was thirtyfour years of age. He has been engaged in business in Clarkesdale for many years, in addition to carrying on a large plantation. Young Hancock was the only surviving child of the General. He had a daughter, who died in 1875 while on a visit to General Hancock on Governor's Island, of typhoid fever, just after leaving school, aged eighteen. Russell has long been located in Mississippi and was but twenty years old when he effected a runaway marriage with Miss May Guinn, one of the belles of Louisville. Miss Guinn's father, an ex-Confederate, opposed the marriage on the ground that young Hancock was the son of a Yankee nonorni Russell ferried his bride across the Ohio at night, and they were married on the Indiana shore. The stern old father gave in after the elopement. Neither General nor Mrs. Hancock knew of the affair for several months. The General's father and mother have both died within a few years. He has a twin brother, named Hillary, who is a lawyer in Minneapolis, and another brother, John, is connected with the Pennsylvania railroad in Washington. CONGRESS. Congress re-assembled last Monday, after the holiday recess. The usual Monday call of the States and Territories was made in the House for the introduction of bills. It is understood that the consideration of the Bankruptcy bill will be urged this week, and that Representative Matson, of Indiana, will ask for the passage of the bill reported from the committee on invalid pensions, providing for an increase of the pensions of the widows of Union soldiers from $8 to $12 per month, and Representative Payson, of Illinois, will ask for the passage of a bill restoring to public entry lands held within the indemnity limits for the benefit of railroad and wagon road companies. The consideration of bills reported from the committee on military affairs will also claim the attention of the House this week, with the understanding, however, that appropriation bills shall have preference. Among the last named hills is the pension appropriation bill and the Indian appropri ation bill. At the first opportunity, and when its discussion will not interfere with appropriation bills, Representative Reagan will ask that the consideration of the inter-State commerce bill be resumed. If that measure is disposed of before the end of the week Representative Willis will endeavor to secure the consideration of the educational bill. It is his purpose to call up his own bill and move that the Blair bill, which has passed the Senate, be substituted for it. In the Senate the inter-State commerce bill has the first right of consideration, and its supporters express the opinion that it will not be set aside for anything but appropriation bills. Its consideration is likely to consume a great part and possibly all of the week. At least one of the pending treaties is expected to be reported from the foreign relations committee, and a considerable portion of the time o:f the Senate may be spent in executive session. WHERE LIE^TtHE BLAME I On the day before Christmas, in the town of Abbeville, Arthur M. Benedict, a clerk in a store in that town, was shot down by John C. Ferguson, while the latter was crazed with drink. An account of the affair we published last week. It possesses several sad features. The slayer is a young man, highly respected, of a respectable family, and has a young wife and one child. His one fault was a love of whisky. The victim was a quiet, inoffensive young man, a native of Austria, and had been living in Abbeville but a few years. The killing was done with what is called a "bull dog" pistol of 38 calibre, with which Ferguson was armed when he entered the store. Closing a lengthy account of the occurrence, tne frets ana isunner inuuiges me iouuwingreflections which are applicable in too many places besides Abbeville, and may prove a profitable admonition to other communities: In meditating on this scene of blood, which has saddened so many hearts at home and abroad, would it not be well for each and all of us to inquire how much of this blood may be properly chargeable to us individually? It might be well for us to inquire to what extent we are individually to blame for this homicide, and it might be well for us to ask ourselves, if we, as a people, are not more to blame than the misguided neighbor who has slain the Jew and the stranger. If we as citizens, witnesses, jurors, and court officers, as a whole, had done our full duty in the years that are past, would this homicide have been a probability V If we had given moral support to the law against carrying concealed weapons, it is not possible that Ferguson could not have slain Benedict. If those who knew that Ferguson was carrying that pistol had used proper effort to prevent it, Benedict would have been a live man to-day, and Ferguson would have been happy with his family, and as hopeful as the best of our youths. The court being the exponent, not only of the law, but also of public opinion, has that tribunal and that public opinion, upheld the sacredness of human life, and visited just punishment to those who would deprive the citizen of his richest estate? We leave it for others to say if public sentiment is not almost wholly responsible for the recent killing. We made no protest against his violation of the law in carrying the pistol, and, we objected not to the legalizing of the sale of the whisky which crazed his brain. While these facts are no excuse for Fergu<^^vet, are our own; skirts clear? Wo I ; leave it for others to say whether we exert I ed a proper effort to prevent Benedict'; i death, and we leave it for others to say i j there are not to-day many noble younf ! men, violating the law in reference to pis ; tols, and who are only waiting for th< j proper moment to arrive, when they maj ; plunge themselves and families into a sei j of trouble, where sighs and tears will b< j unavailing? Besides a good, healthy moral sentiment j we need a Court which is organized anc i maintained for a higher purpose than o j cleansing guilty stains from the red hand; | of the citizens who may choose to imbu< them in his neighbor's blood. In the name of peace and good order, hav< j we not had enough of bloodshed? Ther | will not our young men lay aside their pis ! tols, and meet their grievances in a niori i couragous way than that of the use 01 tin j murderous pistol? TEMPERANCE IN THE STATE. The Anderson InteUiyencer complains edi torially that none of the legislative delega tion from that county have responded t< the call for information as to how the bil fora prohibition election in Anderson coun ty failed to become a law. The Intelligence: says: "The one thousand voters who petitionee for the right of this election are entitled t< know why the bill was reported withou recommendation in the House, and why n< action was taken on it in the Senate, beyone the refusal of the Judiciary Committee o that body to introduce the bill. Our Sena tor is a member of that committee and cai doubtless tell why the committee decidec against the bill. We learn that two of ou Representatives went before that commit tee, one against the bill and the other for it Why not tell the people how the delegatioi stood, and whattheydid on this bill? The; are the agents, not the masters of the peo pie. We are entitled to an account of tnei stewardship. They are, of course, sinceri in their views, and they ought not to be to< timid to express them. We want to knov who are the members of the Anderson dele gation that arrogated to themselves to re fuse a compliance with the wishes of thei constituents on this bill. Speak out gentle men, and enunciate your positions." The Abbeville Press and Banner, com menting upon the result of the recent elec tion in Columbia on the question of prohi bition, says: "From the election it wouia seem inu there is no doubt as to the public sentimen on that question at the capitol of the State In fact we need not be surprised to see th "no license" party carry the day at an; town as long as the law authorizes the put ting of the license fees into the treasury c the town. We need never expect a fai expression of the real sentiment of the pec pie as long as this condition of affairs exist6 what justice is there in allowing a town t realize the profits from the sale of whisk; while the whole county must bear the cour expenses which may be incurred in th trial of causes which arise from drink?" In dismissing a petition foramandam us to compel the city council of Charlestoi to order an election under the local optio1 law for license or no license in that citj Judge Frasersaid, on Tuesday qAJast week when the petition came up before him 01 argument: "The view that he took of the Statute wa that the time was the substance of it. Ai election held under the local option la\ must necessarily be held in December. ] he could come to the conclusion that th City Council could now order a legal elec tion, or if this application had been mad when the City Council first refused to orde the election, he might have taken a diffei ent view of it. He was inclined to thinl that in this case the registration, whicl the Act of 1877 prescribed, was as much am absolutely a qualification for a voter as reg istration* was under the State law. Bu leaving this out of the question, he did no think that this was the proper time to hav an election, even assuming that registratio: was not necessary. An election orderei under this petition could not affect the sal of liquor in 188f>, nor even in 1880. He wa aware of the motives of the petitioners, am to a certain extent sympathized with th objects which they had in view, but th fault, if any fault there was, was with thenr If they desired to control the licenses fc 188G the proper way for them tc do was t duplicate the petition and serve itonth City Council in time to enable them t comply with the law. He did not regar it necessary to order an election at this time and the petition would therefore be dis missed. Says the Winnsboro News: "Under the new ordinance fixing; lieens at four hundred dollars it will cost two hur dred and fifty dollars more to sell whisk than formerly. We understand that abou eight bar-rooms will take an even start o Januaay 1, six applications having bee already made. How many of these wil survive the winter we can't say. 'That i their business.'" The liquor license for this year in Mar ning will be the same as last year, $1,020. The Camden Journal says: "It would be a blessing for parents, chil dren and every one in the community, i the law against selling spirituous liquor t minors were enforced in this town. W believe that many boys would be save< from drunkards' graves if they were pre vented from drinking when they are boys The law against selling liquor to minors i observed no more in Camden than if i were not in existence. We would like t see it enforced." The liquor license in Anderson for 188 has been fixed at $500, which is $200 highe than last year. The bar-rooms will be re quired to extinguish the lights and clos their doors promptly at 10 o'clock P. M The Intelligence?' says: "Mayor Tolley am his council are determined to rigidly enforc the laws of the city, especially those in re gard to selling minors and men of knowi intemperate habits intoxicating liquors." Columbia aldermen have raised the cit; bar room license from $100 to $200, reject ing a proposition to make it $1,000. Says the Greenville News: "Many of the citizens of the country trad ing with this city are very indignant be cause minors have been allowed to bu; liquor in large quantities, and have beei recently coming to town and returninj home wild and dangerous. In one portioi of Pickens county an organization has beei formed for the purpose of vigorously prose cutingany bar-keeper here who sells li'iuor tho vm'ithinf the neighborhood." At a special meeting1 of Council held ii Florence on Monday, the liquor licensi was reduced ?100, the former price beinj $250. Judge Wallace has rendered his decisioi in the Spartanburg contested election, de ciding in favor of the Prohibition party which will keep the barrooms closed it Spartanburg until the case reaches a fina decision in the higher court. A Small Cotton Chop.?The Decern be report of the department of agriculture upor the cotton product indicates a smaller yielt than the returns of the condition in October The October average was 74 against 08 ii 1883, 88 in the great harvest of 1882 and Gl in the disastrous season of 1881. The re I turns of the condition in October and of the product in December have been unusually divergent this year. The first indicated ; larger crop than last year, the latter i product slightly less, or about 08 per cent The comparative decline is in the State west of Alabama. The comparison witl last year is as follows: North Carolina 100 South Carolina 107, Georgia 101, Florid: 103, Alabama 105, Mississippi 04, Louisiana 08, Texas 80, Arkansas 00, Tennessee 101. Applying these percentages to the figure ! for the crop of 1883 they indicate a produc ! of 308,000 bales in North Carolina, 102,00( [ f'/innlinn TOO (100 in Onnro-iu OO 00/ j HI OUUtU \ aiwiui(l) I V",'UV ??4 v.vv4h??*, ?w)vv? | in Florida, 061,000 in Alabama, 847,000 ii Mississippi, 480,000 in Louisiana, 90"),000 ii I Texas, 513,000 in Arkansas and 314,000 ii j Tennessee. The remaining territory wil ' give about 50,000 bales. The figures art provisional and may be modified. It ii possible that the general disappointment ai the outeonje of the middle and top croj have made the December returns conserve tive, but it is certain that the rate of yiek i will be much below the average. | THE LAST LEGISLATURE. !?' 3 _ P f -4.V INTERESTING LETTER FROM SENATOR r J RLACK. ^ ? Black's S. .Tanunry 2, 1885.?In giving J,' \ you, agreeably to your request, "a resume of the { proceedings ol' the Legislature, and a short syn- ^ 1 opsis of the leading provisions of Acts of gener- a * al or local interest," I do not claim perfect accu- j racy, as I am compelled to trust to memory for ' , the details of some of the Acts passed. The fol- | ^ I lowing are the most important of the Acts passed | j j f at the late session: . , "An Act to amend Section 174!> of the General * Statutes, in relation to the sale of intoxicating ' liquors in incorporated towns." f This Act was simply to remedy the defects in } the (ieneral Statutes as applied to the incorpo- .,( 1 rated towns of the State in which the sale of _ liquors was prohibited by special enactment. t| 3 "An Act to authorize the levy and collection ^ of a local tax for school purposes in School dis- ^ trict No. lit (McConnellsville) in York county." (j This Act authorizes the voters of the said f( school district who return real or personal prop- ^ ertv for taxation, to levy and collect an annual tax, not exceeding two mills, to supplement the Constitutional two mill tax for free scliool pur poses in said school district. The levy to be { ) made by a public meeting to be held by the tax- j j payers for that purpose, before the first day of ^ March next. e "An Act to regulate the admission and disr charge of patients in the State Lunatic Asylum." This Act requires that all physicians oxamin- }] ing persons alleged to be insane, shall certify, y l under oath, that they are registered physicians, ^ ) and not related, by blood or marriage, to' the per- ^ t, son to be examined ; that the persons they re- (j j commend for admission are epileptics, idiots or ^ j lunatics, incurable at home and violent or dan gerous. Physicians giving a certificate to a per son who is simply epileptic, or physically or mentally imbecile, unless such person is violent 1 or dangerous, shall he deemed guilty of a misde- v 1 meanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined in r the discretion of the Court. Any Probate Judge (] or Board of County Commissioners committing , to the Asylum any perhon without a certificate, in accordance with the above requirements, are also subject to lino upon conviction. County ^ f Commissioners failing to remove from the Lu- 1 - natic Asylum any person belonging to their j r county, after thirty days'notice from the Super- 1 0 intendent of the Asylum that such person is not 9 ? entitled, under the laws, to he an inmate of the 9 Asylum, are also made subject to fine. ^ The Charter of the town of Black's Station was 9 - amended so as to change the name of the town 1 - from "Black's Station" to "Black's," and to em- H r power the Town Council to work persons viola- J i. ting the town ordinances upon the public streets upon failure to pay fines imposed. "An Act to confer certain powers upon the ? " Clerks of the Courts of Common Pleas, in conn- 1 y ties which have no Master." This Act applies among others to York county, ^ and empowers Clerks of the Court to grant orders ' for the sale of lands in partition, in cases not J j. .inntnotod Tt ju rofinivpfl that Clerks of the * k Court shall submit their action in such cases to k the Presiding Judge at the next sitting of the " Circuit Court in his county for revision and cone tirmation. y "An Act to provide for the completion of the main building of the State House." if This Act appropriates seventy-five thousand r dollars for continuing the construction of the State House for the year 1K8.5. The Governor, Secretary of State, and Comptroller-General, are ' appointed a commission, and authorized to em0 ploy an architect and let out the work by cony tract, and requires the superintendent of the t Penitentiary to furnish such building material e and convict labor as may be necessary. This appropriation met with no opposition in either branch ot the General Assembly, as it was generally conceded that if the building was allowed n to stand in its present unfinished and unprotect_ cd condition, it would soon be irreparably damaged. The building will be completed upon a r? modification of the original plan, which will cost much less money, but having due regard to its architectural appearance. There are over ono 1 hundred thousand dollars' worth of dressed granite and marble work now on the grounds, g and the architect estimates that an annual appro^ priation flf seventy-five thousand dollars for seven years, will complete the building. The State . House was planned on a magnificent scale in * ante-bellum days, when the State was rich ; but e it would be poof economy to abandon it and saerifioe what the State has invested in it. e "An Act to provide for a seal of office for each r County School Commissioner in this State and to requiro the County Commissioners to furnish the same." The title of this act explains itself, h "An Act requiring all convicts hired from til the penitentiary to be and remain under a sworn - officer and guard appointod bv and responsible t to the Superintendent of the Penitentiary." jt The object of tliis act is to mako it impossible for those hiring convicts from the State e to overwork or otherwise mistreat them, and n that such corporeal punishment as may be neces- * tl sarv to enforce discipline, shall be inflicted only e by a sworn officer of the State, responsible for > g his acts. 1 j "An Act to empower Probate Judges to administer oaths as fully and effectively as other officers." e This Act empowers Probate Judges, while in ofI. fice, to administer oaths, take depositions, affidar vits, and probate of deeds and other instruments, 1 o as is now done by Clerks of Court and Notaries ( e Public, and allows them the same fees as are ' 0 now allowed by law to other officers performing { , similar duties. a "An Act to amend Section 1743 of the General J '? Statutes relating to the sale of spirituous liquors j J- by druggists upon prescription." l The amendment provides that no druggist or i apothecary shall sen more man one uuu ujiuh j tho same prescription, whether such prescripe tion shall direct more than one sale or not; and i- if a sale he made a second time upon the same y prescription, the druggist shall be deemed to it nave sold without any prescription. It further n provides that no druggist, although lie may bo n agraduateof a medical college, shall give a prel{ scription, unless lie is also a regular practicing " physician and in actual attendance upon the S patient for whom such prescription is made. "An Act to extend the powers of Masters as !_ to the sale of real estate." This Act authorizes Masters to sell real estate, lying in another county other than that for which lie is Master, at the Court House of the county [. in w hich such real estate is situated. f "An Act to provide a mode of procedure by . which lands may be taken by cities and towns for streets, roads and highways for public use." ? This Act provides for an assessment of the value d of the lands proposed to be taken by a board ot !- twelve free holders, to be chosen bv the town or 5. city authorities, and the owner of the land. In s caes of a town, a petition signed by a majority ot V the voters of the town, setting forth the necessity of such street must be presented to the town 0 authorities before such lands can be taken. In the case of a city 110 such petition is required. ") "A11 Act to change the time of listing property r for taxation." Heretofore we have been paying taxes on an - assessment made nearly eighteen months prior e to the collection. To make the importance of this Act plainer to those who have not studied the j subject, the collection of taxes made in the fall d of 1884 was upon the assessment made by the e Auditor in June, 1883, while another assessment 1- was made in June, 1884, upon which the collecll tion of taxes will be made in 1885, and tho average tax-payer is bewildered to find that the . amount of his tax does not correspond to his ( Y last return, upon which he supposes lie is paying. A .mllmi- trnnbln nonnested with tile Old SVStCIll ? was in the case of transfers of real estate from one ? person to another. There was always a lien for i one year's taxes hanging over the land, and a lia- t - bilit'y of the purchaser for the personal tax of the r i. former owner of the land, if he had removed : Y from the county after the assessment, and beforo . ^ the collection of the tax ; and also gave much in- 1 convenience to parties interested in settling up ? estates of deceased persons. It resulted annual- t il ly in a loss to the State of, perhaps, thirty thou- ? !1 sand dollars of taxes in this way. The assess- H .. merit being made eighteen months prior to the : s collection, some white people and many negroes, ' who are peculiarly a nomadic people, would leave s | their township or county and be lost sight of by 1 the county Treasurer, and thus their poll tax, and f q in many eases, their personal property tax, be ^ y lost to the State, besides giving much trouble to 1 ? the county Treasurer. The Act simply provides c that no assessment of property whatever shall l be made during the year 1885, and that the next r assessment shall be made during the months of *: January and February, 188f>, and the collections , for that year shall be made on that assessment, 1 j thus bringing the assessment and collection ot t . taxes within the sameyear. The collection of tlie t ' taxes for the year 1885 will be upon the assess- + : incut made in 1884. Dispensing with the assess- f ! ment for 1885 will save to theStuteubout twenty I r ! thousand dollars this year, this being the i | amount paid to the Auditors of the State, and for t j ! the expenses of an assessment. r I "An Act to amend Section 1451 of the (leneral $ * j Statutes relating to passenger rates charged by 0 1 railroad companies." ' r ^ i This is the Act recommended by the Railroad ? - | Commissioners, and allows tho Railroad Comj i | allies to base their passenger rates on the pas- 11 j | sengcr earnings per mile of road. It will result l1 , in an increased rate for passenger fare of one I half cent per mile on eight railroads in this 1 1 | State, and altogether it looks as if the Railroad j j law of this State had been emasculated and 3 modified to such an extent as to almost render 1 it a nullity, and the three Railroad Commission- | 11 j ers more ornamental than subserving any use- j b J fill purpose to the people of the State. j o j "An Act authorizing and requiring the County j 1 Commissioners of the several counties to trans- | <>r Imliiticcs remaining in the hands of County j 5 Treasurers for one liseal year, to the credit of the | t i same fund for the next liseal year." I a ) ! This general act is intended to dispense with 1 n ) I the necessity for special acts of the General As- ! S( . sembly, which was heretofore necessary when ! !, I any county had funds left over which it was de- ! 1 sired to transfer to the next fiscal year. The fact j P 1 that the County Commissioners did not have tlie j Cl 1 j power to transfer balances from one year to the o ; ! next, was brought to my attention by a resolu-1 a ^ tion adopted by the Hoard of County Commis- | ^ j; siouers of York county, and the result was the i ^ passage of this general act. j ii ; "An Act to regulate the admission of foreign " , surety companies, to do business in this State." I j* l j This Act requires all surety companies, not b I chartered bv this State to furnish proof to the I ri omptroller General of the State that such com- ; any has a paid up capital of two hundred and j fty thousand dollars, one hundred thousand i ollars of which must bo invested in United ! tates Government Bonds, and deposited with 1 ' le proper oflicer of the State by which such ! jinpanv was chartered, for the'protection of j s policy holders, and to pay, for the use of I 10 State% an admission fee of "fifty dollars and a annual tax of two dollars for each agent emloyed in this State. The Tax Act provides for a levy of f?J mills for tate purposes, and the two * mill Constituonal school tax. The levy for York county for ; 11 purposes is 11 7-10mills', made upas follows: | mills State tax; 2 mills school tax ; 2J mills < riuntv tax, and 1 7-10 mills Railroad tax. The } me lor collection of taxes without penalty is ; xtended to the 20th of November, instead of the Dth of October, as heretofore. As you have already published a statement of ,J lie amounts appropriated for the different do- . yrtnients of the Government, I will mention nK' n I'nu- of iiifi nnnronriiitimis that excited iscussion unci opposition. The appropriation of mrteen thousand dollars for the support of the lilitia, aroused very strong opposition, but nally passed the Senate by a majority of one ote, on the ground that it was an useless exenditure, that the State needs no armed police ;>rce, that on the eve of the accession of the lemocratic party to the control of the National loyernment, we had more reasons than ever to 1 xpect an uninterrupted peace and the establishaent of more kindly relations than ever beween the races, and it strikes mo as a sad eomaentary on the gratitude of our State, that rhilst she felt able to give fourteen thousand ollars to her Militia in time of peace, she reused to give the small pittance of two hundred ollars to each of the two blind veterans in fork, who lost their eyesight by gunshot rounds in the service of the State in the late rar. Is it true that Republics are ungrateful ? The appropriations to the South Carolina Uniersity, which includes the Charleston Citadel, ras opposed on the ground that we were giving , disproportionately large share of the funds levoted to the objects of free public education to lie higher institutions of learning. I have been at some pains to make a careful alculation of what York county pays in taxes or the support of the University. In round lumbers, our county pays for this purpose, ifteen hundred dollars, a sum sutlicient to run a ix months' free school in each of the ten townhips in York county every year. For the suplortofthe Charleston Citadel, our county pays even hundred and tifty dollars, a sum sufficient o run a three months' free-school in each townhip. In other words, she pays for the education ?f two beneficiaries from York county in the litadel, a sum sufficient to give free tuition to wo hundred children nearlv four months in ivery year. I was struck with the apathy, if not ndifference on the part of a majority of the nembers of the Legislature, to the proper advancement and development of our free comnon school system. We must all realize the act that from ho other source than an efficient fee common school system, can we look for hat genuine cntiusion 01 Kuowieuge aim giuwm >f general intelligence among the masses of the leople which we all know to be so vitally lecessary to the material growth, happiness and irosperity of any people. The appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars >f the earnings of the penitentiary to the Colunbia canal, was opposed on the ground that t was not a legitimate subject of State aid, tnd by others, that it was a project in which 10 sane man of business judgment would put lis own money, and as agents of the people, ,ve should not expend the money of the State n speculative enterprises which our judgment loes not approve. "An Act to facilitate the giving of bonds rcjuired by law." This is intended to enable public officers, with>ut going to the trouble of soliciting the aid of heir friends, to givo bonds. Under this law, a nan who is elected to an office can apply to a mrety company to supply liis bond and pay the company a premium, as for any other insurance. Hie law requires that such surety companies ihall have a paid up capital of two hundred and ifty thousand dollars. "An Act to authorize Trial Justices to enforce Agricultural Liens in certain cases." By this Act Trial Justices have jurisdiction in lie enforcement of liens where the amount does lot exceed one hundred dollars. The following bills were rejected: A bill to reical the lien law ; a bill to provide for an enume ation of the inhabitants of the State; a bill to epeal the Factory exemption law. The most important measure that was continled to the next session of the Legislature is a fill to provide a more uniform assessment of property in this State for taxation. The unejual operations of the present system was exilained in your paper during the session of the Legislature. This measure was postponed to the lext session in order that it might be fully digestKl by the members. The present system is so liiperfectand unequal, that it is to be hoped that iome better plan will bo adopted. If I was not so busily engaged, I might have jiven von a more satisfactory synopsis, but you ivill have to take it as it is. Respectfully, John (f. Black. ? # - MERE-MENTION. In pursuance of instructions from the War Department, troops have been ordered to Oklahoma and other parts of the Indian Territory, for the purpose of removing unluthorized settlers."" Louisiana sugar planters are discouraged and depressed. 3wing to drought last summer the crop will all short, and the prospect for the coming year is gloomy. No contracts with laborers ire being made for the new year, and much ipprehension is felt as to their future, as ;hey are without means of support and are lependent upon their daily labor. Seven )r eight years ago, A. M. Truesdall was a Chicago millionaire; now he is an inmate )f the almshouse, the victim of strong Irink. Paymaster W. H. Smythe, staioned at Savannah, Ga., wound up a spree )y disappearing from that city after drawng from the bank United States funds subect to his order. He arrived in New York, )y which time he sobered up, and has made estitution, though he will probably becourtnartialed. *By the breaking of a mill lam near Meaford, Ontario, last Friday, a ?reat body of water, which was held back, ushed down the main street of the town, sweeping the buildings before it, and what vas once a fine avenue is now the bed of a iver. Frank Hurd, the defeated Ohio Free Trade Democrat, being reported to lave recently said that Grover Cleveland is ilso a Free Trade Democrat, and President )f a Free Trade Club, the President-elect ays that he never has been connected in any ,vay with any such organization. The lorthern ice crop promises to be a very large ind fine one. Cutters are now hard at vork. A California justice, being puzded by a case, put the two lawyers who ar*ued it under oath as to the correctness of heir interpretation of the law. One took he oath readily, but the other declined and ost his case. The St. Louis Post-Dis)utch estimates that there are 10,000 skilled aborersnow out of employment in that city md nearly 10,000 day laborers. Governor Cleveland will continue his residence * 11 x?i i 11 Aioany Willi lie ujuveis iu vr <1311111^1011 1,0 ake posse&sionof the White House. The legroes who went from the South to settle n Kansas, have had sufficient experience n that State, and as many as can get away, ire moving to Arkansas and Texas. Jn he United States Court at Cincinnati, last Saturday, Police-Lieutenant Mullen was enteneed to twelve months in the county ail for the imprisonment in Hammond treet police station of a number of voters in last election day and preventing them rom voting. The yield of the Lead-'ille, Dakota, district in gold, silver, and ead for the year 1884 was $12,3.52,400, an inTense of $2,134,400 over the preceding -ear. Large quantities of corn are now icing shipped to market from the Nebraska /alley. Frank Hurd has given formal lotice of a contest of the election of mem?er of Congress from his district. The ellerand assistant cashier of the Lexingon, Ky., City National Bank has defaulted or about $40,000 and tied to Canada. On Tiday night last, two men boarded a train ictween Perceyville and Philadelphia, and obbed the passengers in true border ruffian tyle, escaping with their booty. Govrnor Cleveland sets much speculation at est by saying this to the correspondent of he Brooklyn Eagle: "No Cabinet appointtient has been made; none has been offerd; none has been determined on." Mrs. jucretia Garfield, the wife of the murdered 'resident, owns an interest in a gold mine n Stanly county, N. C'., and she is exacted on a visit to the locality next nonth During the severe cold in Neraska last week, seven men froze to death n the road between Niobrara and Long ; 'ine. , ^ +. ? ^ ? The Anderson IntdUjencer is informed hy farmer of that county that he had made lore money out of his rice crop the past cason than lie had out of his cotton crop, nd he plants considerable cotton too. That aper says there are several farmers in that ounty who have been trying rice growing n a small scale during the past four years, nd they have made a success of it. We i re glad to see this, and we hope others will \ ry the experiment. Some of these gen- < lemen are increasing their area every year, ] nd they say it is no longer an experiment, i ut an established fact that a very superior < ice can be grown in Anderson county. LOCAL AFFAIRS I NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. [Jerry it Barber?The Yorkville Bakery. 1 , f. Reatty Williams, Judge of Probate?Citatio1 " J." F. Jackson, Applicant?James Jack#11' ; ' deceased. | fj: J. W. Dobson and R. A. Parish?Dissolutiol01 j ] Copartnership. I. Beattv Williams, Judge of Probate?Citati<#~"*1 Jos. F. Wallace, C. C. C. Pis., Applicarf?' j Cynthia Kirkpatrick, deceased. John It. Ashe?To My Friends and Patrons. Withers Adickes?Purchasers of Hardware. ! Parish it Colcock?New Firm. Hunter ?fc Gates?The Mammoth. M. Strauss?Great Inducements. Herndon Brothers?Dissolution?New Firm. Parish, McKnight it Co.?Why Is It? Kennedy Bros.it Barron?The Year 18K4. W. C. Latimer?Fine Shoes, liiddleit Peg rain?Groceries and Plantation SoP" plies. James B. Allison, Clerk?To the Public. IMPORTANT ACTS. On the fourth page of this issue we publish tho full text of several important Acts passed by tb? last session of the General Assembly. We ab? print this week a highly interesting letter from Senator Black, giving a resume of the most important work of the session. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. Tho new board of County Commissioners, consisting of James B. Allison, Joseph X. steels and Robert W. Whitesides, was organized 11st Monday, by the election of Joseph N. Steele, chairman, and J unes B. Allison clerk. The board elected 0. E. Spencer, Esq., counsel, Dr. J. F. Lindsay physician to the poor-house and jail, and Mr. A. J. Davinney, superintendent of the poor house. The next meeting of the board will be on Monday, the 19th instant. CHURCH NOTICES. Presbyterian?Rev.' T.' R.' English, Services next Sunday, at the usual hours, forenoon and evening. Baptist?Rev. J. E. Covington, Pastor. Services in the church at Yorkville at 11 A. M. Episcopal?Rev. E. N. Jovner, Rector. Services at the usual hours next Sunday, morning and afternoon. Methodist Episcopal?Rev. J. T. Pate, Pastor. Services at Philadelphia Church at 11 A. M. next Sunday ; and in the church at Yorkville, at 7.30 P. M. ' THE WEATHER. Last Satu rday was a cold and most disagreeable day in Yorkville. The weather was cloudy, the ground frozen hard and the thermometer marked 17 degrees. About dark a light rain commenced fulling, which changed to sleet, and on Sunday morning the trees were covered and the ground was coated with ice. The temperature moderated on Sunday afternoon, the sleet melted away and rain fell on Sunday night and through the day on Monday, rendering the streets of Yorkville, which are noted for their firmness, disagreeably muddy. Reports from various points in the West indicate that Friday and Saturday were the coldest days on record in that section of the Union. SALES-DAY. On Monday last, sales-day for January, the Clerk sold at public auction the following property by virtue of decretal orders of Court: At the suit of S. Younts and others vs. James H. Harris and others. Tract of 56 acres in Fort Mill township. Bought by C. 10. Spencer at $12 per acre. At the suit of G. W. S. Hart, administrator, vs. Mrs. Josie P. Durant and others. House and lot in Fort Mill. Bought by Mrs. Josie P. Durant for $501. At the suit of M. 10. Wilkerson vs'M. M. Ormand and others. Tract of 0.1 acres in Fort Mill township. Bought by W. G. Graham at $0.5C per acre. At the snitof W. H. Williams vs. John 10. Williams and others. Lot of four acres in Yorkville, known as the IOdgar Williams lot. Boughl by T. W. Clawson for $64. MORE YEW FIRMS. Messrs. G. H. Berry and B. J. Barber, well known bakers, in Yorkville, have formed a partnership for the purpose of conducting the bakery business in all its branches, at the stand occupied by Mr. Berry for several years. Mr. Barber has been a citizen of Yorkville for the past two yoj'-t .ifld"hns gained an -onviuWe-r.}p*H tation as a baker of fino bread, while for a longer period Mr. Berry has conducted a successful business in the same lino. By their advertisement in another column it will be seen that they offer special inducements to purchasers of the _i... tx* ~ v SUlll U1 111U. The new firm of Parish & Colcock, grocers, proprietors of livery stables 'and dealers in fertilizers, make their announcement this week, These gentlemen are well and favorably knowr to the public. In addition to a full line of groceries, it will be seen that they can suppy several brands of fertilizers, while their livefy business, under diretcion of Mr. Parish, is complete and in satisfactory operation. The old firm of Herndon Bros., which has been in business continuously since September, 1872, as grocers, confectioners and bakers, is dissolved by the retirement of Mr. Joseph Herndon, and a new firm, under the old name, succeeds to the business. Mr. W. H. Herndon ol the old firm, has associated with him his younger brother, Mr. Hubert J. Herndon, who undei the firm name of Herndon Bros, will continue the business of the old firm, as heretofore. SAD DEATH. The many friends in Yorkville of Mr. Ben T, Moore will be saddened by the news of his untimely death, which occurred in Columbia on Tuesday of last week. Mr. Moore was the son of Dr. Alexander Moore, and was raised ir Yorkville, and before going to Columbia had acted as salesmen in different stores in this place and also in Chester before entering the service of Mimnaugh & Co. The Columbia Regiatei of December 31st, contains the following notice of his death: Mr. Benjamin T. Moore, a young man who hasbeen employed in the city as a dry goods clerk, died about half-past 2, P. M., yesterday, of mania-a-potu, in the 24th year of his age. Mr. Moore was a victim of excessive alcoholic indulgence. Tuesday evening, the 23rd instant, he left the Store of Mimnaugh <fc Co., where lie was employed, went to his room at the Central House and there remained until about 2 o'clock hist Saturday morning, when he jumped lrom his window on the second iloor, while suffering with delirium tremena. He received 110 injury from his leap. Mr. Coleman, the county iailer, and brother-in-law of the deceased, took Mr. Moore to the jailer's apartments and summoned a physician on Sunday morning, who did all that "was possible for the relief of the young man, but without avail, as he began sinking Monday night. Mr. Moore was at one time the most reliable salesman in the house of Mimnaugh it Co., and was entrusted with the business of the Chester house during the absence of the head firm, but his unfortunate lova of strong drink bore him down. Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer. LETTER FROM UNION. Union*, C. If., S. C., January 3.?Hoping that the readers of the Enquirer passed a pleasant Christmas, and that many more as pleasant may be theirs to enjoy, it is my pleasure to join the many in extending to all the annual and proverbial greeting, "A Happy New Year!" The last few days of the old year were quite eventful, and somewhat unprecedented in the annals of our iriland town with so small a population. On the 30th of December there were two marriages and one death. While the two couples launched their frail bark upon the troublous sea of life, to stem its treacherous tide, to whom I wish a safe and happy voyage, another was freed from earth's cares to begin a new life on the other shore in the realms of eternal bliss. The death of Col. Joseph (Jr. Harlan, on the morning of the 30th was not an unexpected event, lie had been an invalid for some time past and a great sufferer. He was well known and highly respected throughout the county. A colonel of militia and captain of a company in the Seventh Cavalry in the late war, he was thus crowned with military honors in times of peace < . ?nml ? L.;n/) ami war. a guiiuut suiuici auu cv Amu commander, he won the love, respect and confidence of all his men in and out of ranks. The newly-elected county officials have filed their approved bonds and are now ready to enter upon the discharge of their respective duties. 1 learn that there are numerous petitions now in circulation for signatures soliciting the appointment of postmaster at this place. I note, however, with great pleasure, the avowed purpose of the President-elect to adhere strictly to the policy and approved system of "civil service reform," a principle which has ever characterized the actions of our honored Governor in all his executive appointments. The municipal election was a very ex siting and interesting one to the advocates ->f both sides?the issue being license, or no license. The result was first decided in favor of the dry party, whereupon the advocates of license protested, and by consent a re-canvass of the ballots was made, in which attorneys were employed and arguments submitted, which resulted in throwing out a sufficient number of alleged illegal ballots as to change the vote in favor of the license side. Immediately after the result was made known, the town council granted license to several barrooms, to take effect on January 1st, 18So. Then the nolicense party obtained hpfnrn Jndore Wal lace a temporary injunction; but at this writing the Judge has not filed his decision. Fears are entertained among the farmers of the county that the small grain crop has been materially injured bv the recent freezes. I had the pleasure of meeting in our town, recently, my genial friend, Mr. Sam'l L. Miller, of Yorkville, who made some large sales here in the heavy grocery line. Occasional. Correspondence of the Yorkville Enqairer. LETTER FROM CHESTER. Chester, January 6.?On last Tuesday a preliminary examination was held in the ease of Jerry Paul, Sauney Fowler, Dissie Fowler, Hence Hall, and Josh Glover, all colored, charged with riot. The prosecutor. J. E. Hudson, testified that on the 29th of last month, while riding along the public road, a mile or so from town, he was assaulted by the accused without provocation. Stones were thrown at him and he was otherwise the recipient of improper and abusive treatment at their hands. The State was represented by P. T. Morgan, Esq., "aimtfie defendants by J. M. McNeel, Esq. After hearing the evidence and the arguments, Trial Justice Itobinson discharged Hence Hall and Josh Glover, and sent to jail Jerry .Paul ana sauney ana Dissie Fowler, to await their trial at the next term of the Circuit Court. A considerable number of colored people left the Lowrysville and Lewis Turnout sections of our county last week for different places in the West. If my information is correct, the majority were bound for the "bloody plains of Kansas." An agent of some Western railroad accompanied them. Doubtless by his glowing representations of the Western country, ne was chiefly instrumental in the departure of these people from their old homes. A year's experience will convince them of the truth of the old adage thatthere is no place like home. The sections named are the only portions of our coonty in which the colored people have the emigration fever. I have heard of one ortwo families in the Blackstock's neighborhood that have gone to Louisiana. Tnis departure was occasioned by the desire to be with relatives in the latter State. There was a big crowd of colored people in town on New Year's day. They seemed to be as happy as heart could wish. A party of negro men, masked and attired in the most ridiculous costumes, appeared on the streets, to the great delight of their colored brethren and sisters. The bank and postoffice were closed, and comparatively little business was done by the merchants. The partnership of Wylie & Agurs has been dissolved by mutual consent. Capt. J. L. Agurs retires from the business, which will be continued by Mr. Joseph Wylie. As Mr. Wylie is one of the best merchants in the State, he will doubtless direct the business as successfully in the future as he has in the past. His friends wish him a continuance of prosperity. ' United States Commissioner Galbraith helda preliminary examination recently in the case of J. K. Porter and Jeff Clack, charged with selling spirituous liquors ; without paying the government tax. The testimony failed to sustain the charge, and the accused were discharged. Mr. J. G. Baird, of our town, was recently united in marriage to Mrs. Laura John^ f Ti.iA WTr\o4- XT5a niontr frioriflq nt i SUU, U1 JUUC iri'oii ixii] Iiiuuj x. 1 this place wish him all possible prosperity and happiness in this new relation of life. Mrs. Adelaide Irwin, an aged lady of our ; town,died on last Sunday. Her first hus^fDHTWHSs^rr". Ifartwell Sledge, who was' well known in this county. After his death 1 she married Mr. Irwin, of the neighborhood . of Providence, N. C. She has been living ' forsorae time prior to her death, with Mrs. > Sledge, of this place. She was an excellent, pious lady. i Mr. Thomas Sanders, of our town, has a very ill chiid. The probability of recovery is slight. i There was a large crowd in town yes terday, notwithstanding the disagreeable I weather. The good farmers trod our mud, dy streets with supreme indifference to the [ rain that fell a good portion of the day. The only property that was sold consisted of , Goble's interest in a house and lot near the depot, and four bales of cotton. Some land ! was expected to be sold, but the sale of it . was postponed. The store of Messrs. Whitesides & Mar rion, near Richburg, was broken into last . eight, and a small amount of money and | some jewelry were stolen. The thieves will doubtless be captured. ! On last Wednesday evening by Rev. Mr. Brown, Mr. Alexander Barber, of the neighborhood of Fort Mill, was united in marriage to Miss Emma Key, of Richburg. [ The wedding was a quiet affair. The many friends of the newly married couple wish 1 them all possible happiness through life. .About six o'clock this morning rain fell 1 in torrents, and the wind blew with great force. For a few minutes the sound was 1 like that of an approaching cyclone. I ' know of one lady, at least, who was greatly alarmed. Woman-like, she siezed her ba ' by, and rapidly fled to a place of suposed safety, leaving her old man to battle 1 with the storm as best he might. Fortunately the storm passed ov^r without doing My damage. m. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. 7-A lodge of Brotherhood of Locomotive . Engineers was organized at Florence on the ->Otfi of December ? A man named S. F. Donohue was arrested and committed to jail in Camden, charged with passing bogus coin. ? The Hon. Carl Schurz, the great leader of the Independent Republicans, is to deliver a lecture in Charleston on the 21st instant. He will doubtless receive agene, rous welcome in that city. ?Says the Spartanburg Herald: The winter thus far has been most favorable for 4- huaiupss.n udgeneral farm work. The roads { have remained good up to the close of the year. For saving meat it has been most favorable. Then the health of the county has been very good. ? Columbia Reg inter, Friday: Mrs. Manning, the wife of ex-Governor John L. Manning, died at her residence in Clarendon county at 7 A. M., on Wednesday, the 31st ult. of pneumonia. Her mother, Mrs. Clark, ol Maryland, died at the same place about a week previously, and Governor Manning was performing the last sad offices for the deceased when he received intelligence of his wife's dangerous sickness. ?On Wednesday night a fatal difficulty occurred in Darlington, between Pat Lindsay and Jack Robinson, both colored. As usual. a woman was at the bottom of it. At the coroner's inquest it appeared that Pat nude the attack on Jack, and during the fight, Jack being overpowered, made use of pistol and inflicted a wound from which Pat died on Friday morning. The coroner's jufy brought in a verdict of "willful murder." ?Columbia Register, Saturday: The ComniKsion to supervise the work on the State IRnse held a meeting yesterday and electOil AToI/vh TaK? 1> Vmnncjnn r\f vv. A-Aajvji ?J UIII1 IV. xllCl UOtC VI lVUimiiViv, the architect. Major Niernsee was the architect of the work when the war interrupted its progress. He will at once return to Baltimore and remove his family to Columbia, making this city his residence. The architect will enter upon the perfection of his plans about the loth instant, and when the contracts for work have been entered upon he will superintend the construction. ? There are in South Carolina 793 postj offices which is an increase of 23 over last year. During the year 50 new offices were > I established, 33 discontinued and 10 had the nane or site changed. The Presidential postoffiees, or those where the appointment of postmaster is made by the President, are nineteen in number, an increase of three over the previous year. The aggregate salaries of these postmasters amount to ?28,500, while the aggregate receipts reached the