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?fce ?fltfevillc (fojitim. ?== ?^ YORKTILLE, S. C.^ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1888. TEE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE. We publish this week, to the exclusion of our usual variety of general news, a lengthy but satisfactory review of the most important Acts and Joint Resolutions passed at the recent session of the Legisla-. ture. This article is from the pen of Senator Black, of York county, and to those who would understand the character of the most important of the legislative work, it will well repay perusal. CONGRESS. Congress re-assembled last Wednesday after its holiday recess. No business of importance was transacted in either house. In the House on Thursday, Speaker Carlisle announced his committees. South Carolina is honored as follows: Perry?on Indian Afiairs; Private Land Claims. Dibble?On Revision of Laws, and chairman of committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. Dargan?On Banking and ? - M ? Currency; Reform in uivn oervice. u-uuiran?On Foreign Affairs; The election of President and Vice-President. Tillman? On Military Affairs; Patents. Elliott? On Naval Affairs; Territories. Hemphill?On Coinage, Weights and Measures, and chairman of committee on District of Columbia. After the announcement of the committees the House adjourned until Monday. In the Senate, the Blair Educational bill was taken up as unfinished business and was opposed by Senator Reagan. Senator^ Vest, Plumb and Blair also spoke. THE SUMTER AN D'PIC KENS SENSATIONS. The coroner's investigation of the killing of G. E. Haynsworth in the shooting affray in his office at Sumter, was contintinued on Tuesday of last week, and on Wednesday the following \erdict was reached: "That Haynsworth came to his death from a pistol shot in the hands of one of the following persons: W. I. Harby, P. G. Bowman, J. R. Keels and K, Pennington, the one doing the shooting unknown, the others aiding and abetting the shooting." These parties are in i&il, except Bowman and Pennington, who are too ill to be removed, but all are grow - * -1 !xL ing better and have engaged counsel wmi the view of making early application for - bail on writ of habeas corpus. The white man lynched by negroes in Pickens county was named Manzeo Waldrop. He was a half-witted farm laborer, and is generally supposed to be innocent of thecrime charged against him, the only witness charging him with the crime being an eight-year-old sister of the victim who died without making any statement. At the coroner's inquest over Waldrop's body, several witnesses were examined, after which the following verdict was rendered : "The jury finds that Manz Waldrop alias Manz Gooden, came to his death on Friday last, 30th of December, 1887, by hanging with a rope, and that William C. Williams, Foster Knox, Cato Sherman, Henry Bolton, John Reese and Harrison Heyward were guilty thereof, and that R. Gaylard Eaton was an accessory before the fact to the killing." All of the above persons have been committed to jail except Knox, who left before the coroner's inquest was begun. All are negroes except Eaton, who is a white man and volunteered his services to assist the constable in conveying the prisoner to jail. It is charged that he did this that he might be enabled to render the lynchers such assistance as he could while the prisoner was in his custody. He has made application for bail. The excitement in Pickens has subsided and there are no fears of further violence. For tke Yorkville Enquirer. THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE. Black's, S. C., January 3. Editor op the Enquirer: In accordance with my promise, I give you below a short synopsis of such Acts and Joint Resolutions, passed by the General Assembly at the session just ended, as are general in their character, or that may be of local interest. This work is not perfectly accurate, as I must necessarily trust to memory in many things. An Act to amend an Act to change the time of listing property for taxation. This act provides that at the time of making the annual returns of property for taxation, which is in January as heretofore, that the returns of the following agricultural products, to-wit: corn, cotton, wheat, oats, rice, peas and long forage, shall be the amount actually on hand on August 1st immediately preceding the date of said return, but applies to only such said products as are actually in the hands of the producers. It will be seen that if any of such articles are on the 1st of January in the hands of a purchaser, whether he be a farmer or merchant, they are liable to taxation as is any other species of property. An Act to validate and confirm the consolidation of the Augusta, Edgefield and Newberry Railroad with the Atlantic and Northwestern Railroad, \o be known as the Georgia and Carolina Midland Railroad, and the consolidation of the last named with the Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad. This is an act simply to validate a consolidation already made, the railroads thus consolidated to form the Augusta Division of the Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad. An Act to provide for the compensation of agents appointed by the Governor in cases of requisition for* fugitives l'roin justice. A/if IBof fKn onrontc onnninf xmo atb }ji \j v iuto maw vnv u^vuvw ^f/v?uv ed by the Governor to bring such fugitives into this State, shall receive in compensation for their services the sum of three dollars per day for the time actually employed, and be reimbursed their expenses actually incurred; the same to be paid out of the regular contingent fund of the Governor. An Act to amend the laws in relation to the location and names of voting precincts in this State. The only change in York county made by this act, is the establishment of a new voting precinct atTirzah Church, in Ebenezer township, and thechange of "Moore's Cross Roads," in Cherokee, to "Moore's School House." An Act to regulate criminal practice in the Courts of General Sessions of this State. This act provides, among other things of no special interest to any person except he be a lawyer (for whom I am not writing) that any person who shall be arraigned for the crime of murder, manslaughter, burglary, arson, rape or grand larceny, shall be entitled to peremptory challenges not exceeding ten, and gives the State in such cases five peremptory challenges; and any person who may be indicted for any offense or crime other than those enumerated above, shall be entitled to five peremptory challenges and the State to two; but no right to stand aside jurors shall be allowed to the State in any case. It is provided that nothing contained in this act shall apply to any case where an indictment has already been found and the case is actually pending. An Act iu relation to forfeited lands, delinquent lands and collection of taxes. For this most important law, we are indebted to Senator Patterson, of Chester, who, I will take occasion to say, is one of the most painstaking, conscientious and able legislators it has been my fortune to meet in the councils of the State. Thorough in all his work, conscientious and strong in his convictions, free from demagoguery, but in sympathy with the people, he makes a model Senator, and his county should be proud of him, for in honoring him she honors herself. Pardon the digression. This act restores the old system of collecting taxes that prevailed in this State from 1788 to 1SG8, and will insure prompt collections from defaulters by seizure by the sheriff of the personal or real estate of the defaulter. The execution is issued by the treasurer of the county and is in the nature of a distress warrant, by which the sheriff takes exclusive possession of personalty, and if sufficient of that cannot be found, tp^ of realty, and advertises it for the uSual time, and sells it on sales-day at the Court House, and makes titles to the purchaser * - ? rr\u~ ana puis mm in possession. auc oucm. o deed is to be prima facia evidence of title, and the defaulting taxpayer is barred in two years from bringing any action for recovery of property so sold. In case the alleged defaulting taxpayer has paid his taxes or they are unjustly assessed against him, he can, by paying the amount claimed to the sheriff, accompanied by his affidavit that the taxes are not due, procure a suspension of the sale until he can obtain relief from the Comptroller General. If, however, he allows the sale to proceed after this seizure, then he shall be deemed, in law, to have waived all irregularities in the assessment and sale. It lUii!-?" provides that all forfeited lands in the State be placed on the tax duplicate and subjected to this process for the taxes of 1887 and 1888, like other delinquent lands; and when land is brought to sale for taxes, the Sinking Fund Commission is authorized to buy it for the State and take a deed for it in case the bid for it does not equal the taxes due. The Sinking Fund Commission is further authorized to begin action against persons in possession of forfeited lands for all taxes due and in arrearfor the years 1886 and prior thereto, and they have a discretionary power to compound for all taxes now due on forfeited land at one-half, if paid within one year ; to hear and decide cases in which it is alleged that taxes have been paid in full or in part, and to employ agents in the counties where forfeited land lies, to take possession of it, lease it or otherwise manage it for the State. This act takes effect from its approval, and the ComptrollerGeneral is required to have it printed in pamphlet form and copies sent to each County Auditor and Treasurer in the State. The great necessity for some legislation on this subject is apparent when we recall the fact that there are over one million of onraa r>f fnrfoitpd lands nf)W in the State that are not paying taxes, and upon which there are now a half million of dollars of past due taxes. These lands are principally in the lower section of the State. There is not a single acre of forfeited land in York county. An Act to declare the law relating to the separate estates of married women. This act provides that all conveyances, mortgages and like formal instruments of writing affecting her separate estate, executed by a married woman, shall be effectual to convey or charge her separate estate, whenever the intention so to convey or charge such separate estate is declared in such conveyance, mortgage or other instruments of writing, and that all the earnings and income of a married woman shall be her own separate estate, and shall be governed by the same provisions of law as apply to her other separate estate. An Act to repeal an Act to prohibit the sale of spirituous or intoxicating liquors in the town of Lancaster. This repeals the law prohibiting the sale of liquor in the town of Lancaster, but provides that the town council shall not grant license for less than five hundred dollars per annum. An Act to amend Section 2435 of tho General Statutes relating to fees of Probate Judges. This Act adds to the end of said Section the following: "Swearing and taking testimony of each witness, 25 cents; each official certificate under seal of Court, 50 cents; hearing and filing petition for final settlement and order, $1.00; hearing and filing petition and order in any case, $1.00; copying all orders, per copy sheet of ninety words, 9 cents; signing and sealing commissions to take testimony, S1.00; signing and sealing summons (subpcena writ) and filing complaint and answers, same lees&s allowed clerks of courts; making and certifying any order, $2.00. In all cases, not herein specified, fees are the same as allowed to clerks of courts. The cost of attorneys in the probate courts shall be the same as in similar cases in the circuit courts. An Act to authorize and empower the Charleston, Cincinnatiand Chicago Railroad Company to construct and operate telegraph and telephone lines in this State. The caption of this Act fully explains its k? Aof An Act to repeal Section 2 of an Act entitled an Act to regulate appeals in criminal cases. This act makes it unlawful for any Judge of any Court of this State to grant bail to any person who shall have been convicted of any offense the punishment of which is death, or imprisonment for life, or for any term exceeding ten years. An Act to incorporate the Board of Trustees of the Columbia Canal, to transfer to the said Board the Columbia Canal and to develop the same. This Act transfers all the right, title and interest of the State to the property known as the Columbia canal to the board of trustees for the use and benefit of the city of Columbia, subject to certain limitations and restrictions, among which are the following: That the canal beso enlarged as to carry a body of water one hundred and fifty feet wide at the top of the water, and one hundred and ten feet wide at the bottom, and shall develop at least 10,000 horse power, and shall provide suitable fish-ways for the free passage of fish over any dams they may construct. It also provides for free navigation of the canal, and shall furnish 500 horse power of water to the Slate for penitentiary and other uses, and if the city shall fail to complete the canal in seven years, the canal and all improvements shall revert to and become the property of the State. Thus the State has disposed of a scheme that was originated and kept up in the interest of the city of Columbia at a considerable cost to the taxpayers of the State, and which, if completed by the State, would have probably cost one quarter of a million dollars more. This is only another illustration of the assertion that whenever a State or a nation goes outside of the legitimate functions of government and enters upon internal improvements, or any scheme which involves the taxation of the people for any other purpose than to defray the actual and unavoidable expenses of the administration of the government, that they then pass the line of safety, and are liable to shipwreck aud ruin. The only legitimate objects for which the people's money can be spent are those objects which tend to the people's good, and not to the promotion of the interests of any individuals or any section of the State. It is to be hoped that the city of Columbia will complete the canal and that the State may reap some ! benefit from it, and that it may never again become a charge upon our treasury. An Act to provide for the redemption of that part of the State debt known as deficiency bonds and stocks, by the issue of other bond's and stocks, and by temporary loan, if such loan shall become necessary. These deficiency bonds, as they are known, amount to about ?426,000, and will fall due in March, 18S8. These bonds, like all the other bonds due by the State, bear interest at the rate of seven per cent. This act provides that new bonds be issued to the holders of the old bonds, the new bonds to bear interest at the rate of 41 per cent., and to be due at the end of forty years from the 1st of July, 1888. The greater part of our State debt, amounting to about six million of dollars, will fall due in 1892, and if we can refund this debt in new bonds at 41 per cent, interest, it will result in a great saving to the State on her interest account. The total amount of interest now paid annually by the State is ?893,000, which requires an annual levy of 2 8-10 mills. If the debt was refunded in 41 percent, bonds, it would only require ?252,600 to pay the interest, which would require an annual levy of 1 8-10 mills, a reduction of one mill in the State levy, which amounts to $140,000 annually. A study of these figures will show that considerably more than one-half of the State levy is consumed in paying the interest on the State debt. An Act for the relief of sureties upon official bonds of certain officers. This Act provides that when any surety of any officer elected or appointed to any office, shall notify the proper officer whose duty it is to approve the bond of such officers, that he desires to be relieved from Jus suretyship, such officer shall give anew bond,and the surety upon the prior bond shfill be released from all liability for any acts or defaults which may be committed subsequent to the approval of such new bond. In no case does the liability of such surety continue more than sixty days after giving said notice. If the officer, when required to give such new bond, shall fail to do so within thirty days after such uotice, he shall forfeit his office and the Governor shall issue his proclamation declaring the office vacant. An Act to punish cock fighting within three miles of an3' chartered institution of learning in this State. mk:., (inf imnnsoo o r?ll n i UMlOll f nf n fitio X Ills ULV luipuoco ci puuiui??vi.v W. -- not exceeding one hundred dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding thirty days. The act provides the same punishment for those who are present at cock fighting as for those who are engaged in it. An Act relating to persons entering or concealing themselves in any house with intent to steal or commit any other crime. Whoever shall enter without breaking, or attempt to enter, any house with intent to steal or commitany other crime, orshall conceal themselves in any house with like intent, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable in the discretion of the Court. An Act to prevent monopolies in the transportation of freights and to secure free competition in the same, and for other purposes. This is a very important act to shippers and consignees of freights. This act requires that on and after the 1st of April next, all railroad companies in this State, at any terminus or intermediate station, shall switch off and deliver to the connecting'road having the same gauge, all cars, passing over their line, and also provides that when any railroad company owning, leasing or operating a railroad shall have its terminus or any part of its track at or near the terminus of any other railroad in this State having the same gauge, or shall cross the same, they shall have the right to join its tracks by safe and proper switches with the other railroad, and shall for this purpose have the right to enter upon the right of way of the other railroad. If auy railroad company shall refuse to allow any other railroad company seeking a connection with its tracks, by means of such switches, then it shall be lawful for the railroad desiring a connection to proceed to procure the right to use so much of the rignt of way of the former as may be necessary, in the same manner now provided for securing rights of way from individuals by railroad companies. An Act to provide for beneficiary scholarships in the W'inthrop TrainingSchool for teachers at Columbia. This act authorizes aud requires the State Superintendent of Education to appoint one deserving young woman (who is without the necessary means to pay tuition) from each county in the State, to a beneficiary scholarship in this institution. This scholarship entitles the holder to one year's tuition, and one hundred and twenty dollars to pay her board and other necessary expenses. The applicants must take their chances in a competitive examination to be held by a board appointed by the Superintendent in every county in the State. The applicant must be 18 years of age. These beneficiary students are required, after the completion of their course, to teach one year in the free schools of the respective counties from which they are appointed, provided positions are offered them as first grade teachers in such schools. An Act to regulate the traffic in seed cotton in the counties of Abbeville, Sumter, York, Edgefield, Berkeley, Kershaw, Richland, Orangeburg, Charleston, Chester and Union. This prohibits the traffic in seed cotton in the counties named, by purchase, barter or exchange, at any time between the loth of August and the 15th of December, without license; for which license the fee shall be three hundred dollars. The applicant must be recommended by at least ten land owners resident in the township where applicant intends to carry on the business; such license shall specify the exact place whereat the said business shall be carried on, and the person to whom license is granted shall keep at his place of business a book in which shall be entered the date of every purchase, from whom ana the quantity purchased; such book to be always open to the inspection of persons applying therefor. Any violation of this Act shall be deemed a misdemeanor, and the punishment therefor shall be by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars, or imprisonment of not less than one year, or both. An Act to amend a* Act to provide for and regulate the incorporation of banks in this State. This act simply allows State Banks to invest one half of their deposits, as well as an amount equal to one half of their capital stock, in mortgages of real estate. An Act to amend section 100.3 of the General .Statutes relating to the county board of examiners. This act amends the above section by adding the following provisions: It gives the county examiners compensation at the rate of three dollars per diem for not exceeding five days in each year, and mileage of five cents for each mile of necessary travel, to be paid out of the county school fund. An Act to amend Section 24S2 of the General Statutes of South Carolina, relating to housebreaking. This act provides that any person who shall break and enter, or break with intent to enter, any dwelling or other house in the night time, the breaking and entering of which would not constitute burglary, with intent to commit a felony or other crime of lesser grade, shall be held guilty of a felon,)/, and punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year. An Act to amend an Act entitled an Act to amend Section 840 of the General Statutes relating to cases tried or examined before Trial J ustices. This act provides that whenever a person is to be tried for a crime, or be examined under section 82!) before a trial justice, or whenever either party to a civil action shall file an affidavit that he does not believe be can obtain a fair trial or examination before the trial justice, the papers shall be turned over to the nearest trial iustice. Such affidavit shall set forth the grounds of such belief and two days' notice of such transfer shall be given to the adverse party, and but one such transfer shall be given to either party. An Act to amend sub-division S of Section SS of the Code of Civil Procedure relating to Courts of Trial Justices. This act strikes out all of sub-division 8 and inserts a new sub-division instead. This provides that in any action or contract where a defendant does not appear and answer, the plaintiff may file proof of service of sumraous and complaint, or of the summons, on one or more of the defendants, and that if no answer or demurrer has been served upon him, when the action is for the recovery of money only, judgment may be given for the plaintiff by default if the demand be liquidated, and if un-liquidated and the plaintiff itemize his account and append thereto an affidavit that it is true and correct, and that no part of the sum has been paid, and a copy be served with the summons on defendant and he shall neither answer or demur, Ua wfi fV L'Violl ho \rn 5iulirmnnf fnt* f hn II1C [Jiauilill OilUii nit ? v juu^iiivni/ JU1 liiv sum sued for as in the case of liquidated demands. In all other cases, when the defendant fails to appear and answer, the plaintiff cannot recover without proving1 his case. An Act to amend sub-divisions 2, 1 and 5 of Section 91!) of the General Statutes relating to Physicians. This Act requires all persons hereafter making application for license to practice medicine and surgery, to submit their diplomas to the State Hoard of Medical Examiners. If upon inspection of the applicant's diploma, the State Hoard of Medical Examiners shall not be satisfied of the applicant's qualifications, they may require him to appear before them personally for examination. The fee for ex I amination of diplomas shall be five dollars j or thirty dollars for personal examination. 1 The clerk of court shall not allow any one to register without a license from the State Board of Medical Examiners. The State Board of Medical Examiners shall meet annually in the city of Columbia on the third Tuesday of August. An Act to amend Section 2485 of the General Statutes in relation to burning or cutting untenanted houses. This amends the law so as to make it apply to tenants having control, under lease, of unoccupied houses, and also applies to crops in possession of tenants, and j provides a punishment of fine or imprisonment in the discretion of the Court. An Act to amend Section 35G of the Code of Procedure in relation to appeals to the Supremo Court. This act adds the provision at the end of said section that a notice of appeal from an order overruling an oral objection to the jurisdiction of the Court, or to the sufficiency of a complaint, shall not operate as a stay of the trial of the cause, but the trial shall proceed and the order may be reviewed only upon an appeal from the ftr*nl inrlrvrvinnf *nr?rlA^orl in QQ If] POflQP Illicit JUUglllClIl ICUUUIU III uuiu inuuv. An Act to amend Section 2498 of tlie General Statutes relating to petit larceny. This Act fixes the punishment for petit larceny at not more than one hundred dollars fine, or not more than thirty days' imprisonment, thus restoring the jurisdiction of trial justices in cases of petit larceny as it was before the decision of the Supreme Court. A similar act was also passed restoring jurisdiction of trial justices in cases of receiying stolen goods where the amount so received does not exceed twenty dollars in value. An Act to aineud .Sections 87, 88 and 358 of tbo Code of Civil Protwlu re, relating to the practice in Trial Justices'Courts. > This act remedies the anomalous condition which permitted a party who had obtained a judgment before a trial justice, to apply for and obtain a transcript of judgment, and file the same with the clerk of the circuit court before the expiration of the five days in which the defendant is allowed to make up his appeal, and provides that defendant may give bond for delivery of property levied upon when appeal is heard and determined. An Act to amend Section 1495 of the General Statutes, relating to posting the schedule of passenger trains behind time. This amends the present law by adding that any railroad company which shall refuse or neglect to post a notice setting forth when any passenger train that is behind time may be expected to arrive, shall forfeit and pay to the State the sum of five dollars, one half of which shall go to the informer. An Act to provide for the manner in which the salaries of the respective circuit stenographers shall be paid. This act makes these salaries payable by the State, instead of by the counties, as heretofore. An Act to provide for the relief of certain soldiers, sailors and widows of soldiers or sailors of the late war between the States. I gave a pretty full synopsis of this act in a previous letter in this paper. It was passed without any change except that tne provision tnat any soiaier or wiuuw ui a soldier who owned five hundred dollars' worth of property should not be entitled to the benefits of the act, was stricken out, and the condition that they do not own a sufficient property to produce an income of two hundred and fifty dollars was substituted therefor. An Act to prohibit Trial Justices who receive salaries in criminal business to charge or receive any fees. This prohibits Trial Justices who receive salaries to receive for their own use any fees for criminal business, or any portion of their constables' fees or salary?and provides a punishment for any violation of this Act. A Joint Resolution proposing an Amendment to Article X of the Constitution of the State of South Carolina by striking out Section 2 thereof. This proposed amendment, if adopted, abolishes the office of County School Commissioner as a constitutional office and brings the regulation of the duties and powers of County jSchool Commissioner under the control of the General Assembly. A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to Article IV of the Constitution of the State of South Carolina. This refers to jurisdiction and term of office of Probate Judge. It gives jurisdiction in all matters testamentary and of administrations?in business pertaining to minors, and dower in cases of idiocy and lunacy, and persons non compos mentis, and fixes his term of office at four years. An Act to renew and amend the Charter of the town of Black's. The only feature of interest in this act is the provision prohibiting the granting of license for the sale of distilled spirits and wine, and allowing the sale of lager beer and other malt liquors, and applying the principle of high license to druggists who do a large business in tilling prescriptions for distilled spirits by physicians. This license fee can be made to cover 50 or 75 per cent, of the amount of such sales by druggists. In the act renewing the charter of the town of Fort Mill, the same provision exists in regard to requiring druggists to take out a license before they can sell distilled or any other liquors upon prescription by physicians. An Act to amend Chanter XX of the General Statutes, entitled of the "University of South Carolina." This act reorganizes the University and makes it consist of a College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts; a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; a College of Pharmacy; a Normal School; and a School of Law; and such other Colleges and Schools as the Board of Trustees may see fit to establish, or as the funds at command may warrant. It makes theClaftiin College for colored pupils at Orangeburg, and the South Carolina Military Academy, at Charleston, a part of the University. An Act was passed amending the Charter of the town of Rock Hill; also an Act to authorize and empower the Town Council of llock Hill to issue bonds to the amount of four thousand dollars for the purchase of a steam fire engine and for the improvement of the fire department of the town. 1 Also an Act to establish a new school distriat in the county of York, to be known as the Rock Hill School District, and to authorize the levy aud collection of a local ! tax therein; also, an Act to authorize the School District of Rock Hill to issue bonds to the amount of seven thousand dollars for educational purposes, to be used in erecting school buildings and purchasing furniture for the same. An Act was also passed providing for the establishment of a new school district embracing the town of Black's and author- < izing the levy and collection of a local tax i in the same. < It is a significant fact that nineteen Acts j were passed this session of the Legislature establishing special school districts < and authorizing the levy and collection of local taxes for school purposes. It is evi- ] dence of a growing conviction among the people of the State, that in our present i condition it is the only way by which efti- ( cient schools can be maintained in each > community. This is but the pioneer j movement which will, before many years, | result in a system 01 eminent iree uuunuuu ] schools in every school district in the State. \ The necessity for the education of the masses is so urgent, and the greatgood that will result therefrom in our moral, social, political and material advancement so evident, that prejudice and old fogy ism- may stay i its progress for a time, but these move- i ments never go backward, and those who ( oppose them, as a rule, become their most zealous supporters. An Act was passed incorporating the ] Yorkville Building and Loan Association. . The corporators are G. W. S. Hart, J. A. . Latta, w. G. White, T. B. McClain, John 1 M. Hope, S. L. Miller, W. H. llerndou, 1 Wm. B. McCaw, and J. 11. Lindsay. J An Act was passed increasing the pay of 1 trial justices and constables in the several 1 Judicial Districts in York county as fol- 1 lows: In the 1st district to $75 for trial < justice, and constable to $75; in the 2nd, 1 3rd, 4th, Gth, 7th and 9th districts, for trial justice to $00, and for constable $05; in the 1 8th district for trial justice to $75, and for i constable to $75; in the 5th district for i trial justice to $100, and for constable to i $75; and in the 10th district for trial jus- i tices to $100, and for constable to $100. < A Joint llesolution was passed author- ] izing and empowering the county com- 1 % missioners of York county to borrow a sum equal to one half of the amount of the taxes levied for the purpose of paying the county expenses, and to borrow a sum sufficient to pay the past indebtedness of the county. By the same Resolution the School Commissioner and County Treasurer are authorized to borrow a sum equal to one half of the amount levied for school purposes, to pay school teachers' certificates. The rate of interest to be paid not to exceed 8 per cent, per annum. The county tax levy for the next year is 24 mills for ordinary county purposes, 7-10 of one mill for interest on the Chester and Lenoir Narrow Gauge Railroad bonds, 9-10 of one mill for retiring the same bonds, rrn/1 1 mill ir\ riot? r*ouf- itwlnhfnrlnDGC anu 2 ****** vu pwj I'UOV lUVtVUbVUHVU?/f which, together with the 5 mill State levy and the 2 mill constitutional school tax, aggregates 11 G-10 mills. In Cherokee township there is a levy of 2] mills to pay interest on Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad bonds. It will be seen that the increase in the State levy is S of one mill. This increase is caused chiefly by two items of the appropriation act. One is $50,000 to pay pensions to disabled Confederate soldiers. To this item I trust no citizen will raise any objection. The other is an increased appropriation for higher educational purposes, chiefly to the South Carolina University, as follows: $84,100 to the University and its different branches, and $5,000 to the Winthrop Training School for Teachers. Of this $84,100, $20,000 is furnished by the United States Government, $5,000 of it being derived from interest on the Agricultural Land Scrip, and $15,000 from the Hatch fund for instruction in agriculture. Having expressed my views so freely in your columns heretofore as to the policy of devoting so much money to the purposes of higher education, and doing practically nothing towards giving the masses an opportunity to gain an elementary education, that it may be superfluous to say more ; but it is a subject of so much importance that it should be kept before the people. I will repeat that the basis of all prosperity, that is real, healthy and enduring, must be based upon the intelligence of the masses, and all moral, social and political advancement isdependent upon it. There can be no other justification for levying taxes upon property for educational purposes than that it makes better citizens of our children, that it thus secures a better discharge and a higher appreciation of the elnHps nf piti'/enshin find benefits and DTO teets the ones who pay the taxes. Now the connection between this taxation and its results, if applied to a system of free common schools, where every taxpayer can avail himself of its advantages in procuring for his children a good elementary education, is apparent. This much education and no more every State owes to every child within its borders. Now does this principle of justice apply to the taxation of the people, when these taxes are applied to higher education ? It will be seen by the statement above given that nearly one third as much money is appropriated for the University as is expended altogether for the free common schools of the State; that is to say, 260 puD'ls in the University receive the benefits of $89,000, while all the other children in the State receive but $300,000. The question then comes up, is it fair and just that the people should be taxed, and the proceeds thereof applied so unequally? There can be no compensating return to the people in the way of increased intelligence among the masses from the expenditure of this sum of money. The truth may as well be told, and it is this, the average legislator is not in sympathy with the condition and wants of the masses. They are in most parts of the State selected from a class whose very pursuits and associations do not bring them into sufficiently close contact with the people to enable them, or to cause them to properly study the moral and social questions that affect them, and to properly appreciate tnecrying necessity ior uoingsuiiieuuijg iu help them to bring up their children who are to be the future stay and support of the State, more intelligently, and to encourage them in their struggles with poverty with the hope that the life of their children may not be so hard and uninviting as theirs have been. If there is any one thing that the average South Carolina politician delights in kicking every time he encounters it in the Legislature, it is the free common school system ; and in hugging to his bosom the delusion that every time he votes away money to a scheme of higher education, that he js doing the best thing that can be done to educate the people of the State. A careful study of the finances of the State will convince any one that the widest field for reform and reduction in taxation, is in our county affairs. It is to the county commissioners of the different counties of the Stale that the largest discretion is given in the expenditure of money. It is but just to say that in York county a reduction of expenses within the last three years has been made. At the first session of the Legislature after the people of the county liad honored me with a seat in the Senate, I and the delegation in the House, after a careful examination of the financial affairs of the county, concluded to fix the levy at 24 mills instead of 3 mills, as had been previously levied. This policy has been kept up for four sessions, and let us see what has been saved by it. One mill levy in York county raises85,200; then 4 mill reduction saves $2,GOO. This for four years saves $10,400, from which deduct a deficiency of $2,300, leaving a saving of $8,100. By good management and economy, I have no doubt that in the near luture, a still lurtner reduction of the county levy, to 2 mills can be made, without in any way impairing the efficiency of our county government. It will be remembered that in the last two years certain expenses amounting to no inconsiderable sum have been taken off the county. For example, about $2,000 to outside poor, $250, for transporting convicts to the penitentiary, $400 for salary of circuit court stenographer, and the expense of printing reports of county commissioners and school commissioner. Which, taken together, amount to considerably more than one half of one mill. I ain not reflecting upon our board of county commissioners, but am considering the matter simply as a question of fiuance, and hoping thus to direct the attention of the people to these questions and.invite them to a careful study of these important matters. Yours .respectfully, John G. Black. MERE-MENTION. Eight Nihilists were hanged at St. Petersburg on the 2nd instant upon the charge of attempting to take the life of the Czar during his recent visit to the Don Cossack country. In the Democratic Legislative caucus of the Kentucky Legislature, Thursday night, Senator Beck was chosen by acclamation as the nominee for U. S. Senator. Business failures occurring throughout the country during last week number: For the United States 250, Canada 23?total 270, against 203 the preceding week. The Charlotte Democrat says that one or two North Carolinians have been about bankrupted by the "humbug known as the Keely motor invention." On Saturday last, 3Ir. Lamar tendered to the President his resignation is Secretary of the Interior, and it was accepted by the President. Bickford Mackey, of South Carolina, lias been nominated by the President for United States O'onsul at Paso del Norte, Mexico. Governor Foraker, of Ohio, was inaugurated in Monday last for his second term. ? Nathan 13. Sutton was hanged at Oakland, Cal., last Friday for the murder of Alex Martin, a ranchman, in September, ISSG. Strenuous efforts were made in Sutton's behalf for a commutation of sentence, but Governor Waterman refused to interfere. Since Governor Waterman acquired bis office by the death of Governor Bartlett, four'months ago, six executions have taken place in that State, and although sflforta in behalf of the condemned men bave been made in every case, Governor Waterman has refused pardons or commutations. When Sutton was placed on the jcaffold'he made a speech. He said: "I idmire the firm stand Governor Waterman has taken in matters of commutations tnd pardons. If he holds his grip the community will have but little to complain of as regards the showing of executive clemency." LOCAL AFFAIRS. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. I J. Hope Adams, Administrator of the estate of J. Mack Adams?Application for Discharge. R. T. Gillespie?Seed Oats for Sale. M. W. White, D. I). S.?Office in the Allison j Building. Winchester Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, j Conn.?Winchester Repeating Rities, Ac. i R. H. Glenn, S. Y. C.?Sheriff's Sales. W. M. Kennedy, Secretary?Public School. James R. Kennedy?Candidate for the office of i Judge of Probate of York county. L. A. Barron, Administratrix of the estate of j Sam'l D. Barron?Application for Dis- I charge. ' T. M. Dobson <fc Son?At Cost! At Cost! ! ! II. F. Adickes?Grand Central Fancy and Dry j Goods Establishment and depot for Boots and Shoes. Withers Adickes?Our Stock. Walter B. Moore & Co.?Seeds?Doors, Sash and Blinds?Coffins and Caskets. Jjowry it Starr?Landreth's Garden Seeds. Sf.miiQCi Vloacin 'TfiL-n "NTnHnA T. E. Castles?A Mare Mule Colt Strayed or Stolen. G. \V. S. Hart, President?Notice, Series No. 1 of the Building and Loan Association / has been opened, etc. / HUGE TURNIP. Mr. Joseph Herndon has left at our otlice the mammoth turnip of the season, it measuring 2 feet 4 inches in circumference and weighing? pounds. THE TltADE OFF. The sale of C. G. Parish's brick store building to J. B. Pegram, reported last week, has fallen through. Mr. Parish will continue business in the house as heretofore. X STABLE BURNED. About 11 o'clock last Saturday night the barn and staldes of Mr. A. A. Barron, of Clay Hill, Avero burned, and besides the buildings and contents of provender, two mules and ono horso were burned up, and ono mule so badly injured as to be worthless, and a colt slightly injured. The loss to Mr. Barron is about $S0() on which there is no insurance. The cause of the tiro is unknown. PERSONAL MENTION. iVf ? T T.offrt Tiflin a a nn n?o rrn/1 no /mimI iUl. IVUUU1U ?/ UakbU) H JIW AO Vll{jU^VU ?VJ va T Mm. engineer by the Atlantic Coast Line, returned to his homo hero last week on a short visit and left yesterday for Augusta, (la., from which point he will commence locating in the direction of Sumter the "Manchester and Augusta Lino," one of the three roads now under construction by the Atlantic Coast Lino. Mr. J. A. Darwin and bride returned from their bridal tour last Friday evening, and on Friday night received the congratulations of their friends at the residence of Mr. Darwin's mother, where a reception was given and an elegant supper served. \HK ROSE OSBORNE COMPANY. ThV Rose Osborne Company played here last Friday and Saturday nights to largo and delighted audiences. Miss Osborne, who plays in the leading roles, is an actress of fine ability, and on Saturday night appeared as "Coralie Loriot" in "Fortune's Fool." It may not be generally known that this fine drama was written by a citizen of Charleston expressly for Miss Osborne, but such is the fact, and her rendition of "Coralie" is her own creation. Her acting in this character is powerful in the extreme, and cannot bo improved. She is well supported by a full company of talented actors, and the orchestra is superb. KILLED BY A BLAST. Last Friday, on Mr. Kinsley's work on the C., C. and G'. Railroad, about half way between Hickory Grove and Black's, a negro laborer was killed and two others were seriously injured by a blast. The charge of powder was ignited by electricity, the battery in charge of * 1 " ' > ? TT?t 4,^1 nk/Mlf I me ioreman, ivir. rvuyue, uciug luvaiou auuu? two hundred yards distant. He claims that before touching it off he ordered all hands away, that all had time to get away, and he thought all were out of danger before he touched the wire to the battery, On Saturday an inquest was held by Trial Justice Camp, but the jury failed to agree upon a verdict, being equally divided as to the cause of the deathhalf the jury attributing it to negligence of the deceased, and the other half to carelessness of Mr. Rhyne. The inquest was adjourned until Monday, the result of which we have not ascertained. The negro who was killed was from Union county and had not long been on the work. CHURCH NOTICES. Episcopal?Rev. Edmund N. Joyner, Rector. Services next Friday at 11 o'clock A. M. Sunday at 11 o'clock, A. M., with the Lord's Supper, and services at 4 P. M. Sundayschool at 3 P. M. Associate Reformed Presbyterian?Rev. J. C. Galloway, Pastor. Services next Sunday at 11 A. M. Sunday-school at 3.30 P. M. Presbyterian?Rev. T. R. English, Pastor. Services next Sunday at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M. Sunday-school at 3 P. M. Prayer-meeting tomorrow eyening at 7 o'clock. Methodist Episcopal?Rev. W. W. Daniel, Pastor. Services next Sunday at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M. Sunday-school at 3 P. M. Prayermeeting this evening at 7 o'clock. Baptist?Rev. F. C. Ilickson, Pastor. ServicesnextSunday morningat 11 o'clock. Sunday-sclionl at 10 A. M. Prayer-meeting this evening at Tso'clock. J YORKYTLLE HUILDING/ASSOCIATION. At the annual meetiqg/JT the share-holders of tho Yorkville Huildingsjmd Loan Association, held in the Cpdrt Houkeslast night, the following oflicere'wero elected imder the charter obtained jttfthc recent session of the Legislature : President, G. W. S. Hart; Vice-President, John A. Latta; Board of Directors, Wm. II. Herndon, John M. Hope, Sam'l L. Miller, T. B. McClain, W. G. "White; Secretary and Treasurer, J. K. Lindsay; Solicitor, W. B. McCaw. By virtue of a resolution adopted, Series No. 1 of tho shares in tho Association was extended to ">00 shares, and the books of the Association are now open for subscription to the shares thus provided for. Under tho temporary organization, which terminated with last night's meeting, the operations of the Association through a board of trustees were attended with gratifying success, the round sum of ?2,437, invested in first-class' securities having been turned over to the Association as the substantial exponent of their management. The otliccrs of tho Association publish in this week's issue of the Enquirkr an important notice in reference to the extension of series No. 1 of the shares of stock. Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer. LETTER FROM ROCK HILL. ^ IIock Hill, January 0.?The ?*rindest social event that has ever taken place in Rock Hill, was the banquet yjrta ball given by the married people of mrf town in honor of the\resurrection ^Ttock Hill from ner asnes.V me Danq^ei was given iu uie new Carolina Hotelytlie large and handsome parlorAof wMch were tilled with the older persons!while across the street, in ltoddey's Ilalythe young people wer$ assembled, tripping the light fantastic toe to the sweet nmsifs rendered by the Italian band, of Charlotte. The dining rootp of the hotel presented a beautiful appearance, both to the eye and the appetite. The room was tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers, and three tables, extending the entire [ length of the room, were filled with all that could tempt the appetite, as will be seen by the following bill of fare: Oysters, Fried and Stewed. Roast Turkey, Cranberry Jelly. Westphalia Ham, * Apple Jelly. IJoned Turkey, Asper Jelly. Pate do Fois de Strasburg. Pickles, Chow-Chow, Queen Olives. MAYON'AISE. Chicken, Lobster, Potato. Roman Punch. Orange Cake, Layer Cake, " Chocolate Cake, Fruit Cake. Cocoanut Cake, Pound Cake. Charlotte Russe, Wine Jelly, Orange Jelly. Vanilla Ice Cream. Oranges, Apples, Malaga Grapes, Layer Raisins. Coffee. Tea. Supper was served from 8 P. M. to 12, during which time over three hundred persons partook of the bountiful repast. The ball room presented the appearance of a fairy land, filled with beautiful young ladies, representing Columbia, Charlotte, Chester, Winnsboro, Lancaster, Yorkville, I Clover, Fort Mill and other towns. The ' ball was opened with a grand march, led by Mr. R. T. Fewell and Miss Mamie McAden, a Charlotte young lady. At 11 o'clock there was an intermission in the dancing, and Hon. W. B. Wilson, Jr., standing in the centre of the room, introduced Mr. Fred H. London, who, in a little speech presented C'apt. Allen Jones, who is soon to remove from Rock Hill, with a handsome gold-headed cane as a testimonial of the appreciation and esteem in which he is held by the citizens. The head of the cane is inscribed: "To Allen Jones, from the citizens of Rock Hill, S. C., January 5, 1888." On accepting the ' cane, C'apt. Jones responded iu a neat and feeliner renl v. The dancing concluded with the german, led by Mr. John T. Itoddey and Miss B. Springs, of Charlotte. The old folks as well as the young people, seemed to enjoy themselves. A meeting of the persons living in the new school district, extending a mile and a half each direction from Gordon's Hotel, was held on Friday night and a levy of two mills was made on all real and personal property. The town election will take place on Thursday next. Very little interest seems to be taken in it. The same old issue will be sprung, to-wit: "Who shall be marshal of the town?" Auditor W. B. Williams has been in town for the past week, trying to induce the citizens to tell him how much they are worth. Miss Gertrude Davis, daughter of Capt. T A r TA i? 1 i. 1 1 VnsT. u. iu. x/ityia, iu?l ui imu oiuicu iiuui aj^a, on the night of the banquet, a handsome gold watch. Mrs. Mary S. Crawford, mother of our townsman, Dr. Thos. A. Crawford, died at her residence in Bethecda township, on Wednesday last, of paralysis. Mrs. Crawford was a most estimable lady, a devoted mother, and beloved by all who knew her. Hal. Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer. REMINISCENCE AND NEWS. Etta Jane, January 9.?Thirty years ago Hickory Grove was a great rendezvous for cross-roads politicians, lawyers and other men of leisure and loquacity. In fact it was a kind of "bulletin board" or "fifth avenue" for the western part of the county, (then District). A corps of jolly fellows kept it up to its most attractive, capacity. Many of these good fellows have passed to their rewards beyond the grave, and we hope the readers will pardon us for making mention of their names as we proceed with our reminiscenses. Election day was a great time. The "Nation," "Blue Water," "Sandy Branch" and part of the "Coaling Ground" would turn out en masse to support their favorite candidates. These pugilislic athletes would frequently carry a black eye or a broken head for sometime afterwards. Nearly in front of where Mr. McDill'snew store house now stands, stood a stable to which the differept parties would repair for drinks, and where many a "hoosier" has "fit" a good fight when rocks, sticks and brickbats were all on exhibition at the same time. Many of your leaders will remember George W. G. Cot b, the little tailor, who Av+AMoitTAlkr in +Via swixt fimno nf li^uicu CAtcuoi vciry iu utu IIIUWQ VI Hickory Grove's best days. George was proverbial for his politeness, especially when hevwas in '/good spirits." One day a stock drover by the name of Wm. G. Cork calledbtthfe Grove. George, in one of his happiestmioods, accosted him, and the following ooHoquy took place: "How do you doCsir?" "Moderately well, sir; how do you do?" "Pretty well, thank yeu^though I believe I haven't the pleasure of your acquaintance," said George. "Cork is ray name." "Ah," said George, "perhaps we're some kin then; my name is Stopper; but it's a Cobb stopper." It's unnecessary to say that the Cork assumed a florid complexion while the Cobb beat a hasty retreat. Poor George! The last we ever heard of him he was a member of Co. B of the gallant 12th S. C. Regiment. He never returned to this side of the Potomac after the battle of Gettysburg. Of his fate we have never learned the particulars. The disciples of Nimrod are giving the birds a lively time in the Hopewell section. Every available weapon is brought into action from the most improved breech loader, to a rock in the hands of such an expert marksman as Jimmie Smarr. Mrs. Alexander, wife of the late Mr. Joseph Alexander, died near Hopewell last Wednesday, 4th instant, and was buried at Salem on Thursday following. The few days of fine weather has put the farmers to finishing up their wheat sowing on the plantations, where this work was not finished before the bad weather stopped it last fall. j. l. s. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. 7>a?i k/ir> Ti1 a s3a?*inr? illtnif -"ivcuucu ij. uuuuuiii) a uu^iug iiiiutv i distiller of Greenville county, has been arrested and committed to jail on the charge of illicit distilling and retailing liquor without a license. ? Henry Beecher, a colored infant of nineteen months, was drowned in a fifty pound lard can filled with water at Columbia, the other day by his sister, Dora Beecher, while playing. The coroner's verdict was accidental drowning. ? The Columbia Register of last Saturday says: Every-one will be pleased to learn that Mrs. A. C. Moore, the victim of the Christmas Day accidental shooting, is now thought out of danger and so improved as to be able to walk about the room. Mrs. Moore will, however, suffer the loss of hearing in the ear near which the bullet struck. ? Chester Reporter of Thursday: Mr. John McFadden, an aged citizen near Smith's Turn Out, was found dead in his bed last Saturday morning. An inquest was held by the coroner Sunday morning. The verdict of the jury was that the deceased came to his death from natural causes. ? The Lancaster Review prints a long account of an assault on W. J. Blackman, a wealthy farmer of Lancaster, who was attacked while in his own stable yard on the evening of December 20th and beaten nearly to death by several men, who then went to his house, broke open his safe and stole $2,000 in gold. Blackman's wife, who was in bad health, has since died of the fright and shock. Five white men and a negro have been arrested charged with the crime. ? The Supreme Court has refused the motion for a new trial made by Jasper N. _ , jjavis unaer sentence 01 ueam in Anaerson county for the murder of his wife in September, 1886. Davis had deserted his wife and children, and Mrs. Davis being unprotected in her own house, spent the nights at her brother's, a short distance from her house. On the night of the 25th of September Davis visited his wife, but she refused to be reconciled to him on account of his cruel treatment. The following morning, as Mrs. Davis and her chii- * dren were going to their home, Davis, who was in ambush on the roadside, shot his wife dead. His only defence, at his trial in October, 1886, was the plea of insanity; but it did not avail with the jury, who after fifteen minutes' deliberation, found him guilty of murder, and he was sentenced to be hanged on November 5 of the same year. The counsel for the defendant appealed to the Supreme Court, and fourteen months after, in December, 1887, the case was argued. A new trial was asked for upon the ground that the Circuit Judge had erred in several particulars while making his charge to the jury. The decision of the Supreme Court sustains the Circuit Judge in every point, and the case is remanded to the Circuit Court for the purpose of having a new day assigned for the execution of the sentence. (vw i i run . Iprlitt Reports. YORKVILLE, Jan. 11.?Cotton, 9 to 91. LIVERPOOL, January 9.?Cotton quiet; uplands, 5jd. CHARLESTON, January 9.?Nothing doing ; middling nominal, 9 15-16. NEW YORK, January 9.?Cptton easy; uplands, 101. Futures closed weak, with sales of 193,100 bales, as follows : January, 10.20 to 10.22; February, 10.28 to 10.29 ; March, 10.40 to 10.41; April, 10.50 to 10.51; May, 10.58 to 10.59; June, 10.67 to 10.68; July, 10.72 to 10.73; August, 10.76 to 10.78; September, 10.36 to 10.40; October, 10.03 to 10.05.