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^rraps and Jattsi. ? Rev. A. C. Dixon has deelimed the call of the First Baptist church of Atlanta, and the church has extended a call to Rev. Dr. Charles A. Stakely, now of Washington ; but formerly of the Citadel Square Baptist church, Charleston. ? To help arouse enthusiasm at St. Louis, Kansas Republicans not long ago conceived the idea of sending a train load of corn, consisting of 40 cars, a car for each county. The train was gotten up all right and was held near Wichita in readiness to start until last Monday night, when it was struck by lightning and set on fire. Three cars containing 28,000 bushels of com, were destroyed before the flames could be sudbued. The remaining 37 cars got through all right. After a lot of speech making, in glorification of McKinley, it is intended to give the com to the cyclone sufferers. ? The consolidated returns of reports to the statistical division of the department of agriculture for the month of June shows the State percentage as compared with last year to be as follows < Virginia, 107; North Carolina, 117 ; South Carolina, 111; Georgia, 113; Alabama, 112; Mississippi, 114 ; Louisiana, 109; Texas, 116; Arkansas, 130; Tennessee, 128; Indian Territory, 161; Missouri, 163; Oklahoma, 194. The general average is 116.2, being 1.3 per cent, increase over the May statement. The average condition of the crop for June 1, was: Virginia, 91; North Carolina, 99; South Carolina, 97 ; Georgia, 95; Florida, 85; Alabama, 103; Mississippi, 104 ; Louisana, 94; Texas, 92; Arkansas, 102; Tennessee, 118; Missouri, 92. The general average is 97.2. ? There has been some talk of nominating Senator Teller, Republican, as the Democratic candidate for president on a free silver platform. Ex-Governor Boies, in a letter to a friend in Washington, expresses his opinion in regard to the matter as follows: "Dear Sir: If the eilver delegates control the convention at Chicago, a Democrat will certainly be nominated by that convention. It is not vastly important as to who he shall be, if he is a thoroughly tried and true friend of the free coinage of silver and is capable and honest. It would, in my opinion, be absolutely impossible to unite any considerable number of the delegates to that convention in favor of nominating any one outside of the party for the head of the ticket at least." ? A Philadelphia paper, a few days ago, wired Governor Altgeld, of Illinois, as follows: "E. C. Benedict, President Cleveland's friend, writes that, in his opinion, no Democrat can consistently vote for a candinate on a free silver platform. Will you kindly wire us your opinion of his view ?" The governor sent this reply : "According to reports, there are a number of Wall street speculators who boast that they 'are taking care of Grover.' Let them go on in this benevolent work, and for once give the people a chance to take care of themselves. A little less Wall street and a little more patriotism will work wonders in the country. Tell Mr. Benedict to hnrrnw a Clin and CO duck hunting with bis frieDd. ?The American people are self-sacrificing and will endeavor to get along." ? Twenty-two years ago, says the New York Recorder, Edison's friends urged him to marry, hoping that domestic life would compel him to eat at least one meal a day and sleep with some regard to regularity. Edison said he had no time to court, but if some decent girl wanted to marry him he had no objections. One day, while watching a young woman who was working one of his instruments and to w hom he had never before spoken, he asked her, somewhat anxiously, if she would be his wife. She said yes, and in three days they were married, though he came near forgetting the hour of the ceremony, being busy on a complex machine. Walter P. Phillips has been quoted as telling this story of Edison: One night a frieud of the inventor found biin in his Newark laboratory and went in, saying: "Aren't you going home, Tom ? It's late." "How late?" said Edison yawning. "About 1 o'clock," returned his friend. "Is that so?" exclaimed Edison. "By George ! I must go home ; I was married this morning." ? Secretary of the Treasury Carlisle has made public his reply to the inquiries of the sub-committee on finance of the senate, charged with the investigation of the sale of bonds of the United States iu the years 1S94-95 and 1896. He traces the beginning of the trouble back to the closing year of the Harrison administration, and speaking generally of the various issues, says : "Owing to the discouraging condition of our financial affairs and the conse queiit lack ol counueuce in me aouuy of the government permanently to maintain any reserve under a system of redemption and reissue of notes very considerable difficulty was encountered in effecting the loan iuvited by the proposals of January 7, 1894, and at oue time pending the call, it was feared that the effort would fail. However, by extraordinary exertions made during the last two or three days preceeding the time when the bids were to be opened, subscriptions for the whole amount were secured. At the time the contract of February 8, 1895, was made the emergency was so pressing that the whole purpose of the loan would have been defeated if the replenishment of the reserve had been postponed for a sufficient length of time to advertise for bids, aud besides, it was exceedingly doubtful whether, under the circumstances, any sales could have been made to the the general public upon as favorable terms as to the rate of interest as was secured by that contract." Referring to that part of the senate resolution which directs the committee to investigate and report "what effect the bond sale had on the credit," the secretary says that, in his opinion, the sales were necessary for the preservation of the credit of the government and the security of the business interests of the people, and that they, iu fact, accomplished those results. ? The Negro question at St. Louh is growiug more and more vexed. Some weeks ago Thos. P. Miller, proprietor of the St. James''hotel, made a contract with a local Republican club to entertain a certain number of delegates during the session of the convention. The amount the club agreed to pay Miller was $6,000. When the difficulty of accommodating the Negro delegates arose, the club sought to get around it by seuding the Negroes ?/? fit Tomoi! Thi? fit. Jumps re fused to take them. Intead the proprietor rescinded bis contract and told tbe club that, if it saw fit, it could sue. As a reason for his action, be said that should be attempt to entertain the Negro delegates iu bis regular dining room, all of his help would quit and the reputation of bis hotel would be ruined. Some of tbe Negroes have gone to the homes of well-to-do-members of their own race ; but others refuse to do anything of the kind. They propose to be treated just as the white delegates are treated or they refuse to play. ^(orltviUc inquirer. annr mri tttt YORKVILLE, 8. C.: FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1896. ? The Greenville News says, in effect, that A. B. Williams is the man who wrote the Baltimore letter the New York Times on the bond deal. ? In another column is published Treasurer Bates's explanation of his connection with the refunding of the State debt. So far as The Enquirer is able to see, the explanation is perfectly satisfactory. ? According to the Columbia State, Governor Evans has changed his mind about answering the charges contained in the Baltimore correspondence of the New York Times. He does not propose to have anything further to say about the matter until the charges are"put in definite form by some responsible party." He may, however, make some statement during the coming campaign, probably at Manning. BATES EXPLAINS. How the State Treasurer Was Connected With the Hond Deal. State Treasurer Bates, on Tuesday, gave out a statement of his connection with the State bond xieal. It is published in the daily papers of Thursday as follows: "Yes, it is true that I received from the syndicate the sum of $2,031.25. This was for acting as their representative in making settlements with their subscribers, collecting and remitting their premiums aud attending to their express account. "For instance: There were subscribers in Charleston for $2,000,000 of the new issue which the syndicate bad contracted to deliver in Charleston. These were to be paid for mostly in BroWn Consols, but the holders of the Consols naturally would require the syndicate to deliver to them the new issue of bonds before they would part with the possession of their Consols. "Two courses were therefore open to the syndicate. One was to pay the State treasurer $2,000,000 in cash, receive the new houds and then exchange them with the Charleston subscribers. The other was to secure some representative here in Columbia whom the Charleston bondholders were willing to entrust with their bond9, and exchange them for bonds of the new issue. I suggested to the syndicate the employment of a Columbia banker as their representative, but they preferred that I should do the work, and, at the urgent request of the Baltimore Trust and Guarantee company, the agent of the syndicate, on or about the 21st of March, 1893, I consented to act for them as the bondholders in Charleston and else where were willing to place tneir bonds iu tny hands for exchange. "The public will understand that there is a vast difference between, first, my accepting money as a consideration for making a contract for the sale of State bouds and, second, my accepting compensation tendered by the syndicate for extra services as their representative long after the contract had been made. "The first would have been offered, of course, and accepted prior to the contract and would have deserved severe criticism. The second was tendered long after the contract had been made and was for extra services that I could not have been expected or required to render as State treasurer. The work necessitated the keeping of a special, difficult and extensive account and involved much responsibili ty and trouble. A good portion 01 me amount received went to pay for extra and special clerical work. "I am sure a reasonable public will agree that the work I did was unofficial and did not conflict with my duties as State treasurer. Nor will I be expected to render responsible and valuable services for a syndicate of wealthy capitalists without some reasonable compensation, especially as the compensation was not paid by the State. "Outside of the ?2,301.25, I didn't received one cent from the syndicate or any one else, on account of my connection with tbe refunding of the bonds. . UW. T. C. Bates, State Treasurer." mr. davidson endorses dr. bates. Dr. Bates has received tbe.followiug letter from tbe president of the Baltimore Trust and Guarantee company, the former mayor of Baltimore : Baltimore, June 9. Hon, W. T. C. Bates, State Treasurer, Columbia, S. C. Dear Sir.?I understand that some question has arisen as to the propriety of you having accepted compensation from the syndicate which purchased South Carolina bonds in. 1893, and we think it only fair to state that under the rigorous terms imposed by your then governor, the Hon. Ben R. Tillman, it would have been exceedingly difficult for a syndicate to have carried out the terms of purchase without the constant presence in Columbia of some competent and trustworthy person charged with the duty of performing the various-acts of necessary clerical j labor which were incessantly required. It was not convenient for this company, as 4 *-V>^ nrrndl/Wlffl frt KqUO Qllph ft I LIU BKCIIIi V i l/UO 9J liuivnvo, <~ k-<v representative continually on the spot, and you were asked to act, and the compensation paid you was only fair, and said payment came from the syndicate alone, ana in nowise, even remotely, affected the interests of your State nor the interest of the most insignificant of your taxpayers. The payment for your services was made upon the violation and by the sanction of the executive committee of tne syndicate, it was entirely proper' and the engagement of yourself in such capacity really proved to be a safeguard to your people, because, in the execution of the clerical duties which the syndicate required vou invariably manifested an unalterable zeal for the protection of the interests of your State, and in the exercise of this quality, we think, you often imposed upon the syndicate conditions which would have been quite unnecessary in the conduct of any matters pertaining j to private business. These conditions, J however, were accepted in a cordial spirit, because we thought we recognized in you an officer whose crowning ambition appeared to be directed only in the channel of exercising every scruple of prudence in the conservation of the duties involved by his official capacity. Yours respectfully, Robert C. Davidson, President. BOOT Mil.I. MiTTRRU 1'Vill U11UU ium >U?U< Dedicating Services at Flint Hill?Personal Mention. Correspondence ol the Yorkville Enquirer. Fort Mill, June 10.?The dedication services of the Flint Hill Baptist church chapel, which is about seven miles west of here, took place on Sunday at 11 o'clock a. m. The sermon was preached by Rev. J. E. Herring. It was very instructive as well as edifying, and was listened to by an attentive congregation. The ordiuation of Mr. B. M. Farris, as deacon, took place just before the dedication service began. The charge was delivered by the pastor, Rev. A. L. Stougb. Many of our people were present. After the services were concluded, the hospitable people who had brought dinner along spread it out and bade all to come up and be filled, as there was plenty and to spare, and in all, the day was one long to be remembered by all who attended. Mrs. J. W. Humbert is attending the Ladies' board of missions of the Metho" ? J 1 C?/MI4K iirKinVt mof aist JLpiscupai uuuiouuiu, uiuu *?*?? in Washington, D. C., last Friday. She is the corresponding secretary of the Ladies' Foreign Mission society, of South Carolina. Mr. L. N. Culp is beautifying his residence by having it nicely painted, along with some remodeling. Rev. Springs Robertson, ofPineville; N. C., will preach in the Presbyterian church on Sunday. t Book agents and candidates are plentiful, there being several who gave us a call this week. Miss Roberta Thornwell returned home yesterday after spending several days with friends in Rock Hill. Observer. Revolution or Fiasco.?The silver movement now rampant in the Democratic party is either a revolution or a fiasco. If it is a revolution it will sweep the country; if it is a fiasco there are yet five months in which it can shatter itself into fragments aoroinet n trnlrlpn wall. If the Republicans were going to declare for a gold standard, the outlook might be different, but they are not. As a matter of fact the platform will be even more friendly to silver than the declaration made at the Ohio convention. This, in conjunction with the tariff issue, will keep many States from going over into what would ot herwise be a long list of silver States. The Easthrn States will have to accept this platform, because, while it may not be what they want, it will be iufiuitely better from their point of view than the Democratic free silver platform and candidate will afford. In addition to this, the Republicans will have a campaign fund of $20,000,000, if they need it, to seud out speakers and distribute literature and orguuize in every doubtful State. The Democrats will have only such money as may be contributed by the mine owners of the West. They will get nothing from the moneyed interests in the East, which have contributed large sums jn the past, notably in the cam paigu which resulted in the election ot President Cleveland four years ago. If the silver movemeut is not deepset, liable to bend and waver during the five long mouths that yet intervene before the election, or if it suffers a reaction, the chances are with the Republicans. If it is a tidal wave, nothing can staud before it. A decision as to its real character is just now a matter of purely personal opinion.? Washington Post. To Uniform the Militia. Adjutant and Inspector General Watts has sent out to the militia companies of the State, a circular in which he calls upon them to make requisitions for such supplies as they deem absolutely unnecessary. It seems that the appropriation of the national government this year is much larger than usual, and the adjutant and inspector general thinks that he has, or will have on hand, a sufficient number of regulation uniforms to uniform every company in the State. The various companies are requested to send in the measures for their men. LOCAL AFFAIRS, INDEX TO NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. The Ganson Dry Goods Company?Talks about the rush at their store,' and quotes goods at all sorts of prices to suit all sorts of people. Carolina Buggy Co.?Has a lot of ceiling, flooring, weatberboarding and framing lumber for sale. ABOUT PEOPLE. Miss Bessie Lowry, of Lowrysville, is visiting Miss Eula Lowry. Mrs. Isabella and Miss Mildred Erwin, of Washington, D. C., are visiting the family of Mr. R. J. Withers. Miss Laura Ruff, of Rock Hill, on her way home from Converse college, is visiting her sister, Mrs. C. M. Kuykendal. Miss Emeline Craig, of Chester, stopped over on her way home from Converse college with Rev. W. G. Neville's family for a few days tbis week. Mrs. M. A. Miller and children, of Shelby, N. CM are visiting in Yorkville, the guests of Mrs. Cicero Moore. OUT OF REPAIR. Mr. James Cansler, the well known campaigner, was in Yorkville last Monday on business. Mr. Cansler's physical condition is quite distressing. One of his legs has been a source of pain for years. Now the other is about fail. Just why, he does not know ; but thinks that it is due to overtaxing. "I used to plow all day," he said, in conversation, "but I can't do it now. I can only go until about dinnertime, and during the afternoon I lie up and howl and groan. Sometimes, I can hoe alittle; but not much after I have been plowing all the morning." Asked as to whether or not he would be in the race this summer, Mr. Cansler said that he did not know yet; it depended altogether on whether or not there is any improvement in the condition of his leg. Just now, Mr. Cansler is in a very bad way. ON TO RICHMOND. At a meeting of representatives of Camp Micah Jenkins, held in the office of Judge McCorkle on yesterday, to make arrangements with reference to tne trip to Richmond, it was decided to choose the Southern route. Veterans who go from this point, are to leave on the morning of June 29, at 9 o'clock, by way of the Chester and Lenoir for Gastonia, and there take a train on the Southern railway for their destination. The fare for the round trip is to be ?6.50. Tickets will be good until July 10, and those who desire to do so, may return on any train previous to that time. The rate from Yorkville over the Seaboard Air Line will be 6.43, and quite a number of people in different parts of the county will no doubt find it more convenient to go by this route than by the Southern. LOCAL LACONICS. Until January 1897. The Twice-a-Week Enquires, or The Weekly Enquirer will be furnished from this date to January, 1st, 1897, for $1.06. Election on Jane 20. The municipal election for members of the board of health has been called for Saturday June 20. Another Flower. Mr. Z. T. Bailes, of Pineville, has sent The Enquirer a cotton bloom that was plucked from the stalk on the 10th instant. Off This Time. Our Chester weather prophet has not been keeping up bis heretofore reputation during June. We have been having much better rains than he promised. The National Holiday. The Fourth of July comes on Saturday this year and is only a little more than two weeks off. As yet there have beeu no suggestion of anykind of local celebration. Writing Up the Town. Mr. F. C. Withers, of the Columbia State, bfts been in Yorkville for several days securing the necessary dots preparatory to writing up the town for his paper. Han Not Come Yet. The law requires that Confederate pensions be paid on or before June 15. The money has not been received yet. Whether it will be here by the 15th is rather doubtful, as some of the counties have been slow about sending in their reports, llettcr Register. With the help of the county executive committee, those who fail to register may be enabled to vote in the primary; but there is in store for these people something worse than that. After November they I ...:n Ka AllinMtila nit. nn iiirifls. A great many people are averse to jury duty ; but there is no citizen who would relish the idea of being deprived of the privilege of sitting on a jury if he sees fit. Better register. Meeting of the Creditors. A meeting of the creditors of the firm of Kennedy Bros. Barr9n was held in the office of D. E. Finley, Esq., on yesterday, pursuant to a published notice. All of the creditors were represented either in person or by proxy. The creditors declined to appoint an agent, and the affairs of the assigned firm will be left entirely under the management of Mr. Finley. The liabilities, it was ascertained, amount to about $11,000. No schedule of assets 1 J i (l> > CL UCVil OUUIillklVul IlrlugH Kalu Every Time. The Gaiison Dry Goods Company has a way of holding special sales, usually for one or two days only, and their sales are announced by means of circulars, giving prices and other information. There have been four or five such sales during the past few months, and the last one was on Tuesday and Wednesday. Just about the time the sale was commenced, there was a heavy rain, and this brought to mind the singular fact that the same thing has occurred during several similar sales. Manager Jones has about conic to the conclusion that as a rain produce, his special sales are infallible. Something of a Hardship. Among other things, the new registration law requires that voters may vote only in the townships in which they reside. This requirement has produced considerable dissatisfaction in various quarters. Quite a number of Rock Hill citizens live in Ebenezer township. Most of them, ol . course, waut to vote iu Rock Hill, and several have been so registered; but circumstances may arise under which the legality of their ballots may be questioned. So far as the reporter has been able to learn, there has been no similar cases in Yorkville; but there have been several instances where voters of other townships, who have been voting here for years have desired to continue to do so ; but were unable to get the necessary certificates. Water In the Standplpe. The importance of keeping the standpipe at Yorkville full of water is obvious. Should a fire come along and find only a small quantity of water available, the situation, so far as practical results are concerned, would be the same as if the town was altogether lacking iu the splendid fire facilities of which it is possessed. Many of the people who rent water seeth to think that they have a full right to use or abuse their privileges as they see fit; and for the town to keep the standpipe full under such conditions, is well nigh impossible. There are already in force sufficient ordinances for the complete regulation of the matter, and the situation undoubtedly needs attention. nr i ri/uunnn urinoPT DliAlIVODUnU UUUUL1. Destructive Storm?The Model Farm of Mr. W. H. Bird?The Camp Will Be Represented at Richmond?Mr. Gould Has Bad Luck?Big Success With Bees. Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer. Blacksburg, June 11.?Quite a severe storm of winjl and rain passed over our section on Tuesday afternoon about 3 o'clock. In some localities it was accompanied by a fall of bail. A few trees and fences were blown down, as was also corn and the small grain that bad not been barvested. No otber damage was done that I bave heard of. The crops are all in excellent condition and are growing finely. Evidence oi improved methods of improving and cultivating the soil are visible in every section of our township; but I was especially impressed a few days ago in passing, with the appearance of Mr. Wm. A. Bird's farm, near here, which, for diversified crops, clean, neat, thorough culture, tne apparent improvement in the condition of the soil, and the promising appearance of the crop upon it, will compare favorable with any farm in the county. There are other farmers in this township that are not a whit behind Mr. Bird and his farm, all of which have diversified crops and raise an abundance of all the necessariee of life, making cotton a surplus. A good many of our old soldiers intend to go to Richmond to the grand reunion of Confederate Veterans, and the prospect is that "Camp Hart," of our town and section will be well represented. Messrs. B. J. Gold and W. Anderson have been appointed delegates and G. M. Moore and E. H. Bridges, alternates, to the business meeting of the association. Mr. Gold, who is adjutant of our camp, has been very energetic in working (he matter up, and from him I have obtained the following facts: The cost of the round trip to Richtaond and return will be $6.55. For $1.00 additional a steamboat trip from Richmond to Norfolk and Fortress Monroe; and for 50 cents more, a round trip to Petersburg, will be furnished the veterans. Every veteran should take this advantage of a trip that he may never have the opportunity of taking again. Unfortunately for Mr. Gold, after all of bis enthusiasm and work in the matter, he has been chosen as a Juror for the approaching term of court, and it really looks as if the fates were against his carrying out a most cherished desire but I hope some arrangement can be effected by which the court will be adjourned one week, thus enabling all of the veterans who wish to, to attend the reunion. Mr. W. A. Whisonant has had considerable success with his bees this year and he showed me yesterday a frame of beautiful rich honey free from beebread, etc. weighing eight pounds. Eight of these were taken from the upper partition of a gum making a yield ,of 64 pounds, the bottom part of the gum was not touched, w. a. LETTER FROM CLARK'S FORK. What the Crop* Are Doing?Picnic at the Springs?Gold Mining Operations. Correspondence of the Torkville Enquirer. Clark's Fork, June 10.?Since the rain the farmers of this section are all smiles. Corn seemed to have stopped growing entirely, and although cotton was not suffering, it will also be benefitted. The oat crop is light. So is upland ? u?* Inn/4 wKnaf iu rarr orvnH W ucat, JD^tLWUl lauu II uvuv 1U ? QV Most people complain of their wheat not being very tall this year. Mr. J. J. Scoggins, of this vicinity, has a held that is rather higher than he wanted it to be. As the result of the wind and rain it has fallen down so badly that nothing could be done with a cradle. Mr. Faulkner is in it today with his reaper. The Piedmont springs, about a mile from here, are developing into a place ol note. Dr. Caldwell has moved his family up there for the summer and will take boarders. I noticed in The Enquirer last week that somebody has given notice of a picnic to be held at the springs on the 20th instant, under the auspices of the young people of the neighborhood. Ii the party who gave the notice does not live in the neghborhood I suppose he has consulted somebody here with reference to it. If not, it might be well for him to do so. Mrs. R. L. Smith, of this place, is on a visit to her lather, Mr. Dickson. Two of our citizens who have been keeping "batch" awhile, have been using starch for soda, by mistake, of course. They say it takes a lot of starch to answer for a little soda. The development of the gold mine/on the plantation of Mr W. A. Love is being pushed slowly, but steadily. The work of placing the machinery has been stopped for a day or two on account of the rain ; but will be recommence, I understand, tomorrow. Puer. HICKORY GROVE NOTES. Closing of the Iilgli School?Personal Mention?The Slilllliiglaw Hand. Correspondence of the Vorkrille Enquirer. Hickory Grove, June 10.?The commencement exercises of the Hickory Grove High school, with Miss Mamie i Brice, of Fairfield, as principal, was one of the grandest successes of the season. Though the weather was very inclement and angry clouds of destruction were hanging over our little city, a large and appreciative audience assembled to witness the closing exercises, i To say that the young scholars crowned themselves with honors, both to them selves and their competent teacher, would but express the sentiment of this community mildly. Master Lunce Wylie was awarded the prize, a nice gold pen, for best progress, and Miss Dorcas Martin a volume of Moore's poems, for general excellence. The prizes were awarded by " the Rev. J. P. Knox in an appropriate address and with good advice to the young folks. As stated above, these were the closing exercises of one of the most successful sessions of the school, and every scholar, from the youngest to the oldest, showed the carefal training they have received under a competent teacher. Miss Brice is a daughter of Senator Brice, of Fairfield, and it is with reluctance that we . give her up; but we look forward to the day, in the near future, when sue snau return, and continue in the satisfactory work just begun. Your correspondent is indebted to Mr. Lillian Purcell, of Gould, for the exhibition of the first cotton bloom. Mr. Pur- , cell is a hustler, or in other words, the ' early bird, and will no doubt ca?ch the woms. ' Mr. Chess C. Leech has returned from Wofford. Welcome home, old boy. Messrs. "Morgan and Sam Leech went to Cleveland county last week to engage themselves as ''Planter's Register men." Shillinglaw's band, of Yorkville, have the best thanks of our people for the music they furnished last evening. It was enjoyed and appreciated by the audience; i but when "Tillman's Pitchfork" was rendered, by request of the audience, their appreciation reached to the utmost top of the ladder. The last sweet.strains of "God Be With You" was the last farewell to our people by one of the beet bands that has ever visited ourhoepittality. h. w. t. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. Death of W. g. Whllden. 1 William G. Wbilden, the well known insurance man, of Greenville, died last 1 Monday, aged 68 years. He was firel^asu/liiiutar for the Continental Insur 1 ance company. Watermelon Shipment*. | Watermelon shipments through thia State from Florida to the Northern [ markets have commenced on a small , scale. The South Carolina watermelons will be ready for market within 1 a week or ten days. I Miller la President. A meeting of the board of trustees 1 of the State Colored Normal, Agricultural, Industrial and Mechanical col> lege, was held at Orangeburg on Wed1 uesday. Thomas E. Miller was elected president of the college. The selection of a faculty was postponed until a future meeting of the board of 1 trustees. v,-'; i Modified the Order. The State board of control has ; modified the order requiring county dispensers to give surety company, . instead of private bonds. In cases where dispensers have already given private bonds, the bonds will be allow- "S ed to stand ; but when new bonds are to be given, they must be in a surety company. The Privilege Tax. News and Courier, Thursday: The income from the privilege tax has very , nearly reached the $50,000 mark. Today the fund amounted to $49,187.87, and it is possible that it wili be run np to the $50,000 mark before the , end of the season. This fund goes entirely to the support of Clemson college and will be very welcome to that institution. Ia Judge Earle a Candidate ? / Columbia Register, Wednesday: One . 1 of the political rumors current yesterday was that Judge Earle would be a candidate for United States senator. No confirmation of the story could be obtained, but the rumor was generally talked nf in nolitical circles. Should the judge become a candidate matters would become greatly complicated and would add further uncertainty as to the outcome. Judge Earle is a kinsman of Senator Irby and this lends doubt to the rumors. Candidatea For State Offices. News and Courier, Thursday : The question is being generally asked now ' why there are so few candidates for the various State officer. No one seems to know. It may be that they will come out before the 22d, when the pledges have to be filed. It seems that with the complications that are now on and which seem to be gathering every day it would be a good time for candidates to come out and at least make ready for the fray in . case there should be any new developments. Under the rule of thepar * il-J U.. OO/t ! ty unless pieages are uieu uy iuc the candidate is cut off. Up to this morning the only pledges filled with Chairman Tompkins are: For State , treasurer, Dr. W. H. Timmerman ; for ' governor, G. Walt Whitman ; for solicitor, Cole L. Blease. The assessi meuts which have to be paid to the x State committee have to be sent to ' the treasurer of the committee, Colonel Wilie Jones. J POLITICAL NEWS NOTES. ? Connecticut and Maryland Democrats declared for the gold standard on Wednesday. ? The McKinleyites are reported to have selected C. W. Fairbanks, of Indiana, for temporary chairman of the - -- J T?U? TVT St. JjOUIS convenuou, auu Iiuuu au.. Thurston for permanent chairman. ? Senator Teller is to be the leader of the Western silver delegations at St. Louis, and in the event of the failure of the party to declare squarely for free coinage, it is predicted that he will bolt. ? Reed's managers have given up all hope that their man will stand auy chance of being nominated at St. Louis. They declare emphatically, however, that under no circumstances will Mr. Reed allow the use of his name for second place on the ticket. ? The New York Herald has published a story, alleged to be based on the statements of an unnamed cabinet officer, that Cleveland has entered into an agreement by which he is to give the Republicans all the influence of the administration in the