Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, January 03, 1900, Image 2
Scraps and |acts.
? The London Daily Mail has an
article in which it shows that the
Boers have sufficient ammunition to
last them for 10 years even at the
present rate of expenditure. Some of
the ammunition was bought in Germany,
some in France, and some in
England. Not only this, there is a big
cartridge factory near Pretoria, eapa
ble of turniug out cartridges almost as
rapidly as they are now being used.
? A Columbus, Ohio, dispatch of
Saturday says: Joseph L. Myers, the
senator-elect from Coshocton, arose at
G o'clock this morning, after having
u-ulb-orl utl the m'uv from hiu hmne 100
uiiles, the two days previous. Senator
Myers is a farmer aud is not a friend
of the railroads. His object in walking
into town was to save expense and
to show his contempt for the railroad.
Myers is for Bryau and favors the free
Coignage of silver at the 1C to 1 ratio.
? According to an Associated Press
dispatch of Saturday from Washington,
the negotiations recently opened
by Secretary Hay with the great powers
of Europe and Japau with reference
to the opeu door in China, have
met with the most, gratifying results.
Great Britain, Russia, Germany and
France have made favorable respouses,
and the only power that has not
agreed to the arrangement is Italy.
It is not expected that she will give
any special trouble. Japan has all
'along beeu in accord with the United
States ou the subject. The state department
is not willing to give out the
details of the agreement or discuss its
far reaching effect; but if the result is
as intimated, what has for some time
been considered as a very serious problem
is iu a fair way of amicable adjustment.
? A Chicago dispatch says that Representative
Noomau, of Illinois, will
offer a resolution in the house as soon
as congress reconvenes, calling for an
investigation of the action of the secretary
of the treasury in making the
National City bank of New York the
government's depository for the internal
revenue receipts. These receipts
amount to about $300,000,000 a year,
and are very valuable to the bank, as
it gets them without the payment of
interest. What it will be able to make
out of them no one can predict with
any degree of accuracy. The privilege
of loaning them, however, will not
he the only advantage to the bank.
With such an immense amount of government
money under its coutrol, in
addition to its regular deposits, which
now amount to more than $100,000,000,
the bank will be in a position to
exert a powerful influence on the
mouey market, perhaps to control it.
? The will of the late Daniel Sharp
Ford, publisher of The Youth's Companion,
filed for probate in the Middlesex
county, Mass., probate court on
December 29th, disposes of an estate
of about $2,500,000. The will gives
$77,000 direct to public, charitable aud
religious institutions, mostly in Massachusetts,
and provides annuities for
others. The will also bequeaths
$350,000 to the Baptist Social Union,
subject to couditions, among them,
that it shall become a corporation
within two years after the testator's
death. This sum is to be used for the
erection of a building for the use of the
union. The entire Youth's Companion
plant, with certain real estate, is
left to the executors to be administered
lor the benefit of the Baptist Social
Union. Of the residue one sixth goes
to the American Baptist Home Mission
Union, anu oue-iuum cm.u m
other New England charities.
? A Washington dispatch of Thursday
gives the treasury situation as
follows : The accumulation of money
in the treasury has heen going on at a
remarkable rate during December.
All the efforts of the department, to put
money back into the market by the
purchase of bonds, the anticipation of
interest and the transfer of funds to
the banks have not prevented a surplus
of nearly $7,000,000 iu ordinary
receipts during the month, and an accumulation
of net cash about $13,000,000
larger than at the beginning of the
month. The nominal cash balauce today
stood at $297,500,368. The nominal
surplus for December stood yesterday
at $6,968,791 ; but the amount
wOuld have been nearly $11,000,000 if
interest due in January had heen paid
this mouth. The surplus for the past
six months would stand at nearly $25,000,000
if the January iuterest has
beeu anticipated, and from present appearances
the treasury otKcials believe
the surplus for the fiscal year will be
at least $60,000,000.
? The United States cruiser Montgomery,
now at Buenos Ayers, has
been ordered to the west coast of
Africa, and the fact is creating more or
less newspaper talk. Senator Mason,
of Uhnois, started the gossip. He
stated that he had learned that the!
Montgomery was (Joing ponce uuiy
for Great Britain on the coast of Africa,
and that it was his intention to introduce
in the senate a resolution calling
upon the secretary of the navy for
information. At first the secretary of
the navy was not inclined to give out
information further than a denial of
the story that the Montgomery has
been doing police duty for Great Britain.
Afterward the navigation department
was ordered to answer all
questions that the newspaper men
might ask about the cruise of the
Montgomery. But little was developed
further than that the vessel had visited
Liberia. A correspondent of the Associated
Tress says that he has an intimation
that the United States is considering
the advisability of going with
(treat Britain in a demand on France
to definitely state her claim with reference
to the Liberian boundary line.
France has, for a long time, been
claiming territory which lies within
the limits of the Liberian boundary
line, and the settlement of the dispute
may or may not involve trouble.
? There is an interesting dispatch
fioin Austin, Texas; but whether the
information incorporated iu it is only
a joke, we are unable to say : "Kx(iovemor
J. J?. Hogg is determined to
give Colonel Bryan a good time and as
much notoriety as possible during his
stay in Austin. Hogg purchased two
ostriches at the San Autonio Ostrich
Farm three years ago, and brought
the birds to this city. They have been J
kept captive in a vacant lot adjoining
Hogg's home, and have flourished so
well that they are now probably the
champion ostriches of this country in
size. They have been broken to ride
and also to drive double to the facuily
cnrriage. Bryan has taken a deep interest
in the birds, and he and Hogg
have had much fun riding them around
the vacant lot during the past few
weeks. In order to determine which
of the birds is the fleetest on foot, arrangements
have been made to give an
exhibition race between the birds on
Congress avenue on next Saturday.
Bryan will ride one of the birds and
Hogg the other. Although no public
announcement of the proposed race
has been made, the report that it is to
take place has been circulated widely
and it is expected that a hig crowd of
visitors will be here to see it." Another
dispatch of Saturday says that Mr.
Brvan had been suddenly called home
'* ' ?- J .u- ? I .......1,1
to juincoin aim me usincu mec mmiu
have to he postponed until his return.
(The ^orkvilte (inquirer.
YORKVILLE, S. C.:
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1900.
? "The Saturday Evening Post. An
Illustrated Weekly Magazine, Founded
A. D. 1728 by Benjamin Franklin."
This is the title of the livest literary
publication in America. It is published
by the Curtis Publishing Company,
of Philadelphia, and is the twin broth
r?T>L- T -.1:?J II T?.
er ui 1 ue uituics nuuic uuui uai, nni\,u
is doing for ihe ladies what The Post
is intended to do for the men. The
price of the Saturday Evening Post is
$2.50 the year, and if Benjamin Franklin
were living today, he would not
ouly be a subscriber; but would probably
be at the publishing house on
press days of each week to get one of
the earliest copies printed.
? General Lawton, it is noted, onee
spoke of the war in the Philippines as
"this damnable war." He appears to
have changed his opinion of its character,
however, after he got into it, as he wrote
a letter, justifying it not long before his
death.?News and Courier.
We fail to understand exactly what
, our contemporary means. We do not
remember of General Lawton having
referred to the war in the Philippines
as "this damnable war;" but if he did
so refer to it, the letter to which The
News and Courier refers certainly does
oot indicate any cbaDge of opinion.
When he said that if he fell by a Fili
1 pino Outlet ne wouia consiuer mui ne
1 had been killed by bis own countrymen,
lie evidently felt that the war
. was "still damnable," for be believed
i that had it not been for his own countrymen
it would have never been necessary.
We are unable to see the
least inconsistency iu Generul Lawtou's
record. Eveu if he had been opposed
to the.war at the beginning, without
full knowledge of the facts, uothing is
more natural than that he should have
changed his mind in the light of further
information. Indeed, it seems that
the situation has progressed far enough
now to warrant even The News and
Courier in recognizing the facts and
changing its mind..
? The Spartanburg Free Lance is
wrestling with the taxation problem.
It claims that not only does invisible
property escape taxation to a very
large extent; but that borrowers have
to pay taxes on amounts equal to two
or three times the actual value of their
holdings, while lenders escape almost
entirely. For instance, A owns a lot
valued at $500, and when he builds a
house on it for $1,000 borrowed from
B, and secured by a mortgage on the
house and lot, his actual holdings are
no greater than before. Still he has to
return both house and lot for taxation,
and pay taxes not only on his own interest,
but upon B's interest also. B
may or may not return his mortgage
for taxation. If he does return it, then
a single piece of property pays taxes
twice, and if he does not return it he
escapes altogether. The Free Lance
points out that this is a very unsatisfactory
and unjust situation, and suggests
that it would be well to change
the law so as to require A to mention
B's mortgage at the time A makes his
return, iu order that the equalization
board might deduct the amount of the
mortgage from A's return, and charge
the same up to B, who really ought to
pay his share. The problem that is
disturbing The Free Lance has long
been a vexed one, and something
ought to be done to solve it fairly and
equitably.
Senator Tillman, of South Carolina,
proposes to keep up his tight against the
armor plate people even though he is told
that under the provisions which he had
inserted in the appropriations hill in the
last congress, the work of building the
proposed new ships forthe navy has been
sadly handicapped. He professes to be- '
lieve that this is due to the work of what
lie terms the Armor l'late Trust, and that
the only thing for the congress to do is
to light the devil with tire. He is strongly
in favor of the government owning its 1
own armor plate factory. "The government,"
he says, "has been robbed of
more than enough money to build such a
factory by the excessive high prices
charged by the Armor Plate Trust. I do 1
not see why the government should he i
made to pay such prices when it is amply <
able to have a factory of its own, audit
would be good business for it to have
one."?Washington .Correspondence of
the News and Courier, , I
That it is desirable to hold the ship- I
builders down to reasonable profits
there is no question. Experience has
proved that when big corporations get
a chance at the government they generally
charge all they cun. But still
the armor plate manufacturers are
entitled to be paid for their work the
same as anybody else. They may or
may not be abusing their privileges,
and they may or may not be receiving
more profit than they are entitled to
receive. However, after all, it is quite
likely that government ownership and
operation of warship building plants
may be the best solution of the problem.
The question, however, is one
that is exceedingly difficult of correct
settlement.
? llim/ it Uilllipillgu ^uui 111 Luis ainvu.
The candidates in York for county offices
will be as plentiful as Junebugs in roasting
ear time. Up to date, however, we
have heard of only one patriot in Catawba
township who has an ambition to otfer
himself as a sacriliceon the altar of his
suffering country. We also hear of one
in Ebenezer and four in Fort Mill. It is
rumored that the western section may
also furnish a few, and that others will
come like blackbirds from thecourthouse
town. Blessed is he that seeketh not an
office, for he shall not live to learn of the
deception of his friends and the ungratefulness
of his neighbors who might forget
he was living on the day of election.
Our platform shall be, the best man for
each office, regardless of section, religion
or previous affiliation or position as to
county division or any other question that
is dead and ought to be buried.?Hock
Hill Herald.
We reproduce the first paragraph as
information, and the last because we
heartily subscribe to it. While we do
not propose to try to designate the
best man for each office, we will, in
making out our own ballot, endeavor
to give those gentlemen the benefit of
it. We certainly will not vote for
any man who deliberately seeks to
raise the demoninational issue or to
provoke strife among the churches.
We can but regard such people
as firebrands of the worst and most
dangerous type, and a meuace to the
peace and happiness of the community.
It is our sincere hope that no
man in tbe county will try to raise
the sectioual issue again. This, as
The Herald says, is dead and ought to
be buried. Its revival now, when
there is not the slightest excuse for it,
can ouly operate to prevent the attainment
of one thing most to be desired,
the selection of the best and most fit
man for each office. But there is another
thing not sectioual that must be
looked into. Some of t hese politicians,
when not closely watched, sometimes
enter into corrupt trades that breed
corruption. We have it sliaight that
a certain corruption breeding trade
was entered into during the last campaign
between certain candidates and
a certain clique of spoils hunting pol
iticians, and that the county is now
suffering from the carrying out of the
provisions of this trade. Not only
this, there is danger of a furt her spread
of the incipient rottenness. We reeoguize
that a detuiled statement
of facts would he more satisfactory
than this general assertion ; but,
unfortunately, we are not now in a
position to give these facts as they
should be given, and as we hope to be
able to g've them later ou. Until we
find it necessary and desirable for the
best interest of the county to furnish
such proofs as we now have, we will
leave it to those who have faith in the
reliability and integrity of Tiie Enquirer,
to decide whether or not we
are talking buncombe. In the meantime,
we are for the fittest men, re
gardless of section, whether they are
new aspirantsor have served one term
or ten, and regardless also of denominational
connection. But we are
against spoilsmen, as candidates or as
officers, and not only are we against
spoilsmen ; hut we are against candidates
and officials who affiliate with
spoilsmen, whether the office involved
be coroner or congress.
SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIKE. .
Because it has been impracticable to
print them sooner, we have withheld
the remarks of Mr. YV. A. Clark on
the shooting of a lleeing Negro, in the
back, by a Columbia constable, until
now. But these remarks are still
timely, and we cannot think of a subject
that is more appropriate for a New
Year's editorial.
Several times within the past few
years, has The Enquirkr called especial
attention to this very subject,
and the sentiments expressed have
been almost identical with those expressed
by Mr. Clark ; but still there
is need for education along this line,
and unfortunately there is little danger
of saying too much. This is one
of the subjects to which we have long
given especial study. In connection
with it we have studied (be Bible,
the letter and spirit of the constitution,
existing social and political conditions,
and we have talked it over with nearly
every circuit judge who has presided
in this country within the past 15
years. Especially we will name Judges
Kershaw, Hudson, Witherspoon, Eraser,
James Aldrich, Watts, Beunet and
Tnwnsend. And while we cannot of
fer a satisfactory remedy, we feel that
we can discuss the evil with the greatest
confidence.
A few years ago it was quite a common
idea among arresting officers that
not only was it their right hut their
duty to kill any prisoner under certain
circumstances. There was a belief,
amounting to a certainty, that a bench
warrant meant that a prisoner should
be brought dead or alive, and that if
he should be disposed to resist, even
to the extent of lying down and refus
ing to go, he should be killed and
hauled to court in a wagon. Where
such absurd ideas could have originated
we are unable to explain. It is
true that improper ideas on the part
of arrestiug officers, on this subject,
have never caused much bloodshed in
this see.lion : hut that was due more to
the lack of occasion than to any other
cause. Now, however, there is not so
much danger. Arresting officers generally
realize that in dealing with
prisoners they have practically no
authority beyond the common laws of
self defense, and that if they kill an
escaping prisoner, who has not previously
placed their lives in jeopardy,
they are liable to punishment for murder.
It seems to be generally understood
that the proper way to transfer
prisouers from .the place of arrest is
not by the intimidation of a revolver;
but with the help of a good stout rope
about the hands aud arms, and feet
also, if necessary.
But in our view, the former ideas of
arresting officers was only a phase of
mistaken notio9S which too largely
pervade the body politic. The form of
an indictmehr^presented by a grand
jury which reads the "State against
William Rowdy," ought to be sufficient
to teach the object of a prosecution at
law. From this every individual iu
the land should realize that he personally
is at once the prosecutor and
judge against William Rowdy. II
William Rowdy has committed an offense
at all, and that is the first fact to
be determined, then that offense
is against every citizen of South Carolina,
and the object of punishing him
is to prevent him from repeating that
offense. If the state of South Caroliua,
i. e., individual citizens, fail to coucern
themselves on the question as to whether
William Rowdy is guilty or innocent,
or if for any reasons except cold
blooded principles of justice the citizens
of South Carolina allow William
Rowdy to go unpunished, tbeu there
is just that much encouragement for
William Rowdy to repeat against some
other individual the offense for which
he was not properly called to account.
Not long ago, in the lower part ol
this state, a desperado of influence and
positiou killed a fellow man in cold
blood. The man was brought to trial;
but through the influence of friends
on some of the jurors, they failed to
agree. He was released on bond, and
the result of the second trial was the
same. During Christmas, while waiting
on his third trial, and probably
acquittal, the fellow was murdered by
a relative ol the man he bad killed.
Comment on these facts is unnecessary.
There will naturally be a feeling
that if the first murderer was really
guilty, he got justice at the hands ol
the relative. ' Maybe so; hut that
does not settle the matter. The rela
tive had no legal or moral right to
commit murder ; and instead of settling
the account he only placed himself
in the murdered man's shoes.
If the jury in the first place had done
its duty to itself, its state and its God.
it would have returned a verdict ol
guilty of murder or manslaughter as
the case might have been, aud that
would have settled the whole matter,
so far as the State of South Carolina
is concerned, forever.
The Haseldeu-Sellers affair is a matter
that is still fresh in the public
mind. The Haselden's made a murderous
attack against the Sellers, and
the two parties shot it out among
themselyes. A great crime was then
aud there committed against the state
of South Carolina and Marion county.
So far as we have heard, not one thing
has been done to punish the guilty.
How does this affect the view of our
own people as to the sacredness of
human life in their midst? How do
they know when they might be the
victim of some lawless thug, who in
the carrying out of his bloodthirsty
design, fears but little restraint beyond
his own brutal inclinations. We who
feel that we ought to have the protection
of law, how do we know when,
unarmed aud defenseless as we have
to be if we keep within the law, may
have to yield up our lives to armed
desperadoes?
A number of years ago, in this county,
a Negro was charged with a horrible
murder. As the result of the deep
and patriotic iuterestof a whole neighborhood,
he was convicted beyond a
shadow of a doubt. Owing to the
complexity of the case aud the large
number of witnesses required to establish
the different links in the long chain
of testimony, there wus reason to believe
that if a new trial could be
secured the case could not be made out
again. There was a possibility of a
new trial on the strength of some
technical errors. The attorney took
advantage of his right of uppeal, notwithstanding
the absolute certainty of
the prisoner's guilt, and the people interested
waited until the day that had
been fixed by the circuit judge for the
execution, and hanged the prisoner,
notwithstanding the fact that the uppeal
was still pending in the supreme
court. This cuse was one in ten thousand
where lynching seemed to be justifiable,
not ou account of any derelic
tioii of a jury; hut on account of the
act of a lawyer making an improper
use of a safeguard that is only intended
to further rather than obstruct
justice.
Some weeks ago, a Negro committed
the crime of rape in this county.
There was no attempt at lynching at
the time. The case was tried and the
jury found a verdict of guilty with a
recommendation to mercy. This
meant a life sentence in the pcnitcn
liary. People in the neighborhood
were dissatisfied and talked so strongly
of lvuchiDg that the sheriff considered
it prudent to transfer the prisoner
to another county for sufety. As to
jlist how much real danger there was
of a lynching in this case we have
never been able to definitely ascertain ;
but had the lynching taken place, after
the trial, conviction and sentence, under
the circumstances, the guilty people
would have only brought down
upon themselves well-merited reproach
as lawless savages.
These incidents all illustrate different
phases of the same situation. The
*:?~r u i: *:ii :
saiicnty ui iiurnuu me is suit tin important
question with us. There is no
question of greater importance in the
promotion of the enjoyment of liberty
and happiness. And as we see it, this
society is to be further secured only
by greater individual interest in the
welfare of the community in which
one lives. Let those citizens who are
uot prominent and who led in thought
give the right kind of example to those
who follow in their steps. Let every
man demand that the most exact jus,
lice be dispensed to all ?high and low,
rich and poor, in the magistrate courts.
, Let unfair, partial and corrupt rangis
trates be summarily ousted from office.
Let every citizen realize and appreci
ate the tremendous responsibility that
F devolves upon him as a grand or petit
juror, and let him scorn to recognize
i any juror he knows to be recreant to
> his duty. Let all demand the highest
. integrity in judges, and let there be no
hesitation in denouncing disreputable
practices among lawyers. This course
upon the part of the individual will
secure the sanctity of human life and
will ensure the safety of property and
personal liberty.
THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Probability That Further Fighting Will
Take Place Within a Few Days.
Though there have been columns and
columns of telegrams from South Africa
since the disastrous defeat of General
Buller at Tugela river; there has
been but little news of additional fighting,
and not a great deal to indicate
clearly the general situation.
According to all published reports,
General Methuen is still in camp on
the Modder river, some 15 miles south
of Kimberly, and iu heliographic communication
with that town ; but with
the Boer army that recently repulsed
him, still iu his front. Generals Gotacre
and Freucb are at a standstill on
the border of the Orauge Free Stale,
and General Buller is still on the
wrong side of the Tugela river with
the main force of Boers between him
and the relief of General White in
Ladysmith.
General Methuen is reported to have
been engaged since his battle in eu,
trenching his position so us to muke it
impregnable agaiust attack, and in-1
stead of attempting to attack him the
Boers have merely been terracing the
hills and arraugiug barbed wire entanglements
against his further advance.
Generals French and Golacreare rath!
er more at liberty than is General Methuen,
in that the armies which oppose
r them are not so strong in proportion ;
but still they are unable to advance
because of the hills which the Boers
can make so hot a little further on.
Ladysmith, Kimberly and Mafeking
are all holding out stubbornly, the
beleaguered forces making occasional
sorties more or less successful to their
immediate objects. For instance, one
sortie might be made to capture or
dismount a gun that is doing especial
damage and another to check the extension
of outposts that are becoming
uncomfortably close. Eucb of these
movements is attended by a greater or
i 1 ?r
icnacr uuuiuci ui tasuaiuco vu uuiu
sides; but comparatively speakiog
they are not of especial interest.
The next important move, it is
thought, will be made by General Buller.
There is a feeling that not only
this commander but his men also, are
chafing severely under the check they
received, and the general is anxious to
do something to retrieve his reputation.
As to whether he has been
strongly re-enforced since the battle is
uot known ; but there is every reason
to believe that the Boers have not
only been putting iu the time strengthening
their fortifications; hut have
been doing everything possible to perfect
their plans for meeting the next
attack. The chances of success for
the Boers ought to be greater in the
next battle than in the last. At any
rate the British, to win, will have to
do considerably more stubborn fighting
than they bave ever done up to this
time.
The feeling a few weeks ago was
quite general that the British must
inevitably win in the long run. This
feeling is based on the knowledge of
the British resources in men and money
and their historic reputation for
stubborn courage and perseverance.
The most general opinion as to the
ultimate result is unchanged ; but quite
a number are beginning to believe that
the outcome is not so certain even iu
the long ruu. The nutural strength of ;
the Boer positions is something unusual,
and the Boers seem to be as stub- (
born as the British. To many the '
task of driving the Boers from their 1
fortresses is beginning to look like an i
impossibility, and even the British are
unable to accomplish impossibilities.
The followiug Associated Press dispatch
of yesterday morning from London
summarizes the situation as it was
understood in that city at that time:
The success of General French iu
driving the Boers from Colesburg has
shot a welcome ray of light through
the gloom of the campnigu in South
Africa. Kverywhere it is commented
upon as an example of sound tactics
and as au illustration of what may be
done when the right methods are employed
with the Boers. The government
is urged to take the lesson to
heart and to see that no stone is left
unturned in the eudeavor to get the
largest possible forces of cavalry and
mounted infantry to the front.
Now that General French has the
Boers on the run the hope is expressed r
thiit he will give them no rest; hut
will hnrruss them limit they have
found their way across the Orange
river, which is 12 miles di-tant. The 1
old wagon route to the Free Slate
traverses Cidesberg and crossed the
river hy a fine bridge 1,340 feet long.
Il is believed that the Boers retreated (
toward Nervals Pont, further east,
and the question is whether General '
French will he aide to secure those twd
bridges before the Boers destroy lliem.
One important effect of the success
of General French is that il will probably
have a deterrent influence upon .
Dutch disaffection. There is some disposition
here to exaggerate the irapor
tance of small skirmishes and engagements.
It should be borne in mind '
that General French has only 2,000
men, and so far us the important points
of campaigu are concerned the situaI
.: ? n u 1
linn is virtually uiicuangru.
At Modeler river the Boers appear
to lie modifying somewhat their line of
defense. General Buller's scouts have
discovered a Buer camp established in
the vicinity of Springfield, southwest
of Colenso, hy a Free Stale commando.
A similar movement has been made at
Modder river. A lurge force of B ?ers,
it is reported, has formed a new laager
about 15 miles dowu the stream at'
Kameelhoek.
Heliograph from Ladysmith show
all was well on December 31. The
bombardment. was being continued;
hut its intensity had relaxed.
CAPTURE OF COLESBURG.
The capture of Colesburg, referred
to above, occurred on December 31.
A dispatch of January 1, to the London
Daily Mail tells the story as follows
:
"Yesterday afternoon a big force of
cavalry and infantry with 10 guns,
under the personal command of Geu
eral French, moving by a detour, oc
copied some bills three miles from
Colesburg, where the Boers were in
strength, confident in the natural aid
afforded them by the hills arouud.
"'"i- ?.l
i lie enemy ? ^josuiuii caiciimcu oia
miles around the entire village. At
daybreak our artillery opened the bailie.
The Boers were, lakeu by surprise;
but replied vigorously. An artillery
duel was maintained fur two
hours. Then a Boer Hotchkiss collapsed
and was abandoned. We cap
lured it. A Boer big guu was silenced,
but this and the olher Boer guns
were withdrawn lo the northward,
whither we are harassing the Boer
retreat by a damaging shell tire.
"Colesburg is in our hands, and the
few remaining Loyalists are jubilant.
We have captured many wagous aud a
considerable quantity of stores.
"Our losses were quite slight but the
B >ers must have suffered heavily.
They may stop at Achterlang or cross
the river altogether at Norvalspont,
where the bridge is still intact."
MERE-MKNTION.
Admiral Dewey has subscribed $50
to the Brumby monument fund.
A British warship captured a German
steamer a few days ago with several
German ollicers and a number of sol
iliui-a on liiiu Pit Kolliwt I'm- I tlii 'I'rxiiu.
vaul. Portuguese Republicans say
tliat if King Charles yields Didagou
bay lo Great Britain, they will over
throw the mouarchy. Chairman
Taylor, of the Roberts investigating
committee, says his report cannot
reach the house until January 15.
An eclipse of the sun will occur on
May 28. It can best be observed in
northern Africa. The trausporl
Thomas, having on board the body
of General Lawton, left Manila last
Saturday. The American Wire
and Nail company has put up the
price of nails a quarter of a cent a
pound. The director of the mint
reports that within the past three
months the value of silver has decreased
one hundred and eighteen onethousandths
of a cent an ouuee.
The Florida orauge crop for the present
season is estimated at 500,000
boxes. It is reported thut a uuui
her of insurance companies doing business
in Texas bave determined to
withdraw on account of the anti-trust
laws of that state. Andrew Carnegie
has given away more than $5,- i
000,000 during the past year to hos- <
pitals, colleges and libraries. The
Duke of Couuaught hus been made
commander-in-chief of the British
forces in Ireland. Count Tolstoi,
the Russian author, is critically ill. 1
There are a large number of Ameri- I
cans in the British army in South Af i
? T_ A ?< AXn
,i^a. x.. uuc Wm.uaUU u. ,
are 75 Americans. A London dispatch
says that the United States gov
ernment is about to purchase the
Danish West Indies for $4,000,000.
There was a heavy fall of
snow in Charleston and Savannah 1
on Sunduy. Irish all over the *
country are still engaged iu anti- '
British agitations. Last Monday j
was celebrated throughout German} j
as the beginning of the Twentieth century.
The recently published statement,
under this heading, to the.effecl
that Generals Wheeler and Lee had <
been confirmed as brigadier generals t
was lakeu from the St. Louis Globe |
Democrat. It was, however, some- a
what premature, as the appointments ;
have not yet been confirmed.
J 9 ii
/I VUIUI Cli vntan jiiinin
Jumes Huffman, u Yorkville Negro, i!
formerly of Company C, Ninlli United t
Slates cavalry, is here on a visit to his i
old home. He wus in the buttle of s
Santiago, aud is able to talk interest- b
ingly of the lighting around El Cauej q
mid op San Juan Hill iu July, 1898. a
It will he remembered thut the Ninth a
uid Tenth cavalry, both Negro regi- u
ments, lighting dismounted, did somt fi
>f the best work that was done in the h
Spanish war. Company C, of the w
Ninth cavalry, lost 27 men in killed g<
uid wounded during the four days
luttle, and of these 13 were killed tl
niiright. Huttman says he had the oi
rown knocked out of his campaign bl
lat by a piece of a shell or some other vi
nissile, he is not cerlaiu u hut; hut olh- sc
tv\i?e lie wus uot hurl in the least, pi
from his conversation one would judge It
hat he is quite proud of the record of of
lis regiment iu the war. He is well ih
ileused with army life, too, and iu- or
ends to re-enlist after a few months tb
uore of liberty. tb
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
INDKX TO NKW ADVKKTISKHKVTS.
Glenn A Allison?Say that all are pleased
with the stock sold by them and say
that they can please you with a horse or
mule. They sell buggies, harness and
wagons.
Grist Cousins?Have just rectived new
goods, and otter fresh candy at 10 cents
a pound.
T. W. Speck, the Jeweler and OpticianTells
you to take care of your eyes, and
says he can lit you with spectacles and
eyeglasses.
W. H. Hicklin, (Juthriesville?Has Jersey
bred cattle of both sexes. He invites
correspondence.
Rook Hill Bugity Co., Rock Hill. S. C.?
Says the cheapest buggy is not the best;
but the best is the cheapest. See their
agents, Glenn A Allison.
I. N. Plaxico, Sharon, S. C.?Extends to
all the compliments.of the season.
YVhisonant A* Castles, Hickory Grove, S.
C.?Offer bargains in hats and other
lines.
W. B. Moore & Co.?Extend thanks and
Speak of the next year.
H. C. Strauss?Makes a few remarks on
the subject of business.
Riddle & Pegram?Make some very important
and interesting announcements.
Jas. M. Starr A Co., Leading Druggists?
Extend thanks and promise a con-.
tinuance of prompt and eflitnenf service.
Lowrance, Williams & Co.,?Make their
New Year's bow.
W. M. Kennedy, Agt.?Extends thanks.
TAX TIME EXTENDED.
It is just as a good many people
thought it would be. The governor
and comptroller general have ]ajd their
heads together and extended the time"
for the payment of tuxes, without
penalty, until February 1.
Possibly some few people in this
section may be benefitted by this extension
; but. they are not many. If
they are numerous, it is because many
of them anticipated this unbusinesslike
custom on the part of the authorities,
and refrained from paying within
the time prescribed.
Of course, such people are not to be
blumed. If there are any who held
I t. I . f .L I. 12 ! .1. .. 4l
iihck uecause oi meir neuei mai ine
time would be extended, aud tbey
could make use of the money iu the
meantime, they only showed better
business ability than did the authorities
on making the extension. Instead
of doiug the state a favor in making
this extension, the authorities only
work an injustice upon those who have
paid their taxes wilhiu the time prescribed.
If it is just to impose a penalty
for failure to pay within tbe lime
set, it is equally just to allow rebates
to those who may have paid within
the original limit.
The official notice of the extension
has not yet been sent out; but it will
be forthcoming within a few days.
^ SALESDAY.
Yesterduy was salesdaj for January,
and notwithstanding the innovation of
turning a Tuesday into a "First Monday,"
and the bitter cold weather,
there wus a pretty good crowd of people
in town, though not so many possibly
as there would have been under
normal salesday conditions.
Most of the people were here on
business. They included all tbe regular
stock traders who had come on
Monday and also quite a number of
people from the country, who were
principally on tbe lookout for horse
and mule flesh. y
A large number'of people examined
tbe stock of tbe regular traders during
the day, and it is unnecessary to say
that there was no special enthusiasm
over the advance in prices. It was a
case of looking hard at the mules and
. t_ i i_ i _ r * t s a 4 it.:.
luinKing naru 01 me prices. ai uiis
writing, 12 m. Tuesday, the reporter
has inforraution of only a few outright
purchases. The indications, of
course, were that there would be sales
during the day, and there were also
judications that a large portion of the
stock business just now is to consist
of swapping poorer mules and horses
for better oues, by the payment of differences,
etc. But still there is no
reason tobelisve that the present local
supply of mules and horses is anything
like sufficient to supply the practically
immediate demand, even at the
ruling prices.
BLIND TIGER BUSINESS.
We have said more than ouce that
,he whisky laws are as well observed
n this county and in Yorkville as in
iny county and town in the state,
rhis statement we sincerely believe r;
o be true ; but still there is more ilegal
whisky sold here than there
>ught to be.
As a rule, the blind tiger traffic is
tonfined to Negroes; but from time to
irne more or less prominent whites
mve beeu engaged in it, and there
ire rumors that such is the case now.
5o fur as The Enquirer is concerned,
t, has always beeu bitterly opposed to
he whisky business, whether legal or
llegul, and it is especially opposed to
he illegal business. In lighting tbe
llegal business in Yorkville, we bave
uttered great loss. We have always
elieved that the burning of The Enuirer
ottice in 1890 is directly traeehle
to our principles along tbis line,
nd we know thul we have suffered
luch violent antagonism ever since
ooi the same cause. Our principles,
owever, were uot burued in 1890, and
re do not feel that they have underone
any change up to this time.
While it is a fact, as has been stated,
iut there are rumors connecting more
r less prominent people with the
lind tiger whisky business in Yorkille,
and that we are cognizant of
ime of those rumors, it is not our
ace to state such rumors as facts,
must lie remembered that rumors
ten originate in pure malice, and
at when so originated, they feed upi
the suae material. It is possible
at mis may be tbe case with some of
e rumors now current in Yorkville;