University of South Carolina Libraries
Scraps and Jattis. ? Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts, has introduced in the senate, a bill to give ' the United States government supreme 1 jurisdiction in lynching cases and to 1 make participation in a lynching a capital offense. ( ? The first Democratic senatorial ' caucus was held in Washington last 1 Wednesday. All of the senators who were elected as Democrats, except Senator McLaurin, and all of those who were elected as Silver Republicans 1 and Populists were present and parti- ' cipated in the proceedings. Senator Jones, of Arkansas was unanimously re-elected chairman. It seems that all of the Silver Republican and Populist senators with the exception of Senator Teller, of Colorado, had entered the Democratic caucus last spring. Senator Teller also was present last Wednesday and participated in the pro ceedings. ? Washington has another big murder sensation. On last Tuesday morning, at 5 o'clock, Mrs. Ada Gilbert Dennis, who conducts a fashionable dress making establishment, was found in her bed with her head smashed by a piano leg and life almost extinct. She ' was conscious; but was unable to tell anything that would lead to the probable identity of her assailant. In a moment of semi-coherency, she said what Indicated that tne guilty party was a woman, and that the name would be found in her book. At last accou its there seemed to be but little probability that Mrs. Dennis would recover. ? Says a Decatur, Ala., of Tuesday: Ben Milam, colored, an ex-slave of Lawrence county, is under arrest charged with kidnapping Negroes and selling them as siaves to the white managers of a Tennessee river island plantation. It is~ alleged that Milam would induce Negroes to accompany him to the island with the promise of securing positions for them on the plantation at good wages, and that when they reached there he would sell them in bondage, where they were confined within stockades. It is said that a young Negro who recently escaped from the island, told the story and caused the arrest of Ben Milam. He reports that a kidnapped Negro has been confined on this island as a slave for seven years. ? Andrew Carnegie has written to President Roosevelt announcing his intention to contribute the sum of $10,000,000 for the establishment of a national university in Washington. He desires the government to take cnarge of the fund for the purpose of administering it just as it administers the fund bequeathed by Smithson, the Englishman, for the establishment and maintainance of the Smithsonian institute. The proposed university is not to compete with the universities already established; but is to accept post graduate students from all of them. It is intended also that thfe university shall devote most of its attention to original j scientific research in the hope that this i country may be brought to equal or ex- I eel Germany along this line. ? Says a Zalfo. Fla., dispatch of Tuesday: G. L. Powell and J. S. Overstreet, two prominent naval stores manufacturers, shot and killed each other in a face-to-face fight about 10.30 o'clock today. Overstreet went to Powell's still, nine miles west of here, to see about some hands. The two men had some words, and both drew their pistols and commenced firing. From what facts are at present obtainable, both men emptied their pistols without doing any damage. Powell then went into the house and came out with a rifle. Roth fired together. Overstreet was shot in the forehead and Powell just below the heart. Overstreet was instantly killed and Powell only lingered for an hour. Powell was one of the largest operators and owners of turpentine lands in Florida. The affair has created a tremendous sensation throughout this part of the state. ? Says a Washington dispatch, of Monday: The friends of the isthmian canal are now watching for the next move of the enemies of the canal, who are allied with the Panama Railroad company. It is expected that the favorite device of playing the Panama route against the Nicaragua route will again be resorted to, notwithstanding the majority report of the isthmian canal commission. The friends of the isthmian canal project say, however, that never have the prospects for the construction of a canal been so favorable as at present. All conditions have worked to this end within the past year. Y/ith every obstacle heretofore advanced removed, the finances of the government are found in condition to warrant the expenditure for the work, and there is general satisfaction over the outlook. ? Senator Morgan, on Tuesday, introduced a bill providing for the construction of the Nicaragua canal. The bill provides an aggregate of $180,000,000, of which $5,000,000 is made immediately available and which aggregate sum such amounts as are necessary are to be appropriated by congress from time to time. The control of the canal and of the canal belt is vested in a board of eight citizens of the United States, in addition to the secretary of war, who is to be president. The members of the board are to be paid a salary of $8,000 a year each, and they are to be chosen regardless of political affiliation. There is a provision authorizing the establishment of a regiment from the regular army on the canal belt to properly guard it, and courts also are authorized conformable to the powers granted by the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. There also is !i nrnvisinn makinir three divisions of the canal (luring the construction and there is to be a chief engineer and two assistants on each division, the chief to receive a salary of $6,000, and the assistants, $3,000. ? Washington dispatch, of Monday, to the New York Sun: Senator McLaurin, of Mississippi, was walking down Pennsylvania avenue with his brother this afternoon and. having reached the junction of Seventh street, where two trolley car lines cross, was aroused from his conversation by a terrific clanging of a car gong. Half a hundred other people heard it, too, and saw a young woman standing on the track, with a car rapidly approaching. The motorman, apparently made no effort to stop his car, assuming that the i young woman heard his warning and h would step aside. Her back was to- * ward the car and the girl stood in the tracks oblivious to warning shouts, a calmly awaiting a car coming in the opposite direction. Senator McLaurln, 3 realizing that tne girl was ignorant of her danger, jumped toward the track, ^ and lifting her in his arms, forcibly ^ carried her to a place of safety. The t spectators cheered the senator roundly for his act. It was then discovered ^ that the young woman was deaf and had heard neither the gong nor the d shouts of warning. ^ ?he Horinrillc (inquirer. [ YORKVILLE, ^? 'H a SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14,1901. h a Senator McLaurin is quoted as say- P ing that he has no idea of resigning his ? seat in the senate for the gratification $ of Senator Tillman. y , . , 1< a The senate, on Monday, passed a res- j, olution appropriating $75,000 in aid of il the Charleston exposition. The resolu- * tion was introduced by Senator Depew, of New York. y The political issue in South Carolina ? is whether the government exists for j the benefit of the people or the politic- ^ ians. Whether^the politicians are to be the servants of the people, or the people the servants of the politicians. _ r F From all reports, it appears that the ^ Republican majority is not yet ready t or willing to commit Itself to the Crum- j packer proposition for the reduction of southern representation. The leaders j, see that the thing is loaded, and that the damage by the recoil will be as t great as that expected from the dis- g charge. The Republican leaders of the senate have given out the information that nothing is to be done about the ratification of the reciprocity treaties n ? v>tr fvia 1 o to proalriant mo IlCgUliaiCU VJ luvt * ?VW4V.W..% || Kinley. These treaties were designed j to correct the most objectionable fea- j; tures of the present high tariff and ? to forestall the popular discontent that s the late president saw coming. A lit- J( tie time will probably show whether the t present leaders are wiser than was the p late president. c 1 v Mr. Finley was placed upon two un- s important committees, from which fact it is fair to assume that he isn't considered as seriously in congress as t In this district.?Fort Mill Times. p The committee on Pacific railroads d has always been highly important and v many a congressman has used his best \ endeavors for years to get a place on a It without success. The same is true of o the committee on Territories, and es- p pecially since the acquisition of Ha- ii wail. Porto Rico and the Philippines n has that committee become one of the t most important of the house. The se- s lection of Mr. Finley as the South t Carolina member of the congressional j, committee ought to be taken as some s Indication of what the other members a of the delegation think of him. and ^ taken altogether we are unable to see p that either Mr. Finley or the district g has any serious cause for complaint. ], The sensational Tlllman-McLaurin a episode in the senate last Monday is of g but little significance except when con- c sidered in connection with Tillman's q effort to keep McLaurin out of the next c primary. Senator Tillman has been e working to this end for more than a v year. The first step was the unsuccess- t ful effort to get condemnatory resolu- ii tions through the legislature. The next t important move was those resolutions i in the state executive committee. This g was unsuccessful. It was by this ac- n tion, no doubt, that Senator Jones pro- o posed to justify the refusal of the Dem- c ocratic caucus to provide for Senator c McLaurin's committee appointments, f In a like manner the refusal of the e caucus to be responsible for the com- t mittee appointments will, next spring, be used as a pretext to bar Senator McLaurin from the primary. And rj thus, without giving the Democratic voters of the state a chance to express themselves, will be settled a very t important question in which the vo- r ters thought themselves supreme. v Senator Hoar's plan for the suppression, or mitigation, at least, of theH crime of mob murder, by giving the ' United States jurisdiction in cases c of lynching and making partici- c panon in mem punisname wun death, is entitled to the most impar- t tial consideration. It may "conflict t with" the jurisdiction of the states, but r the states generally have proved their impotence to deal with the crime, or e their indifference to it, which amounts C to the same thing in effect. The pro- t posed measure is an extreme one, perhaps, but the evil is an extreme one, and a present one, and is deep-rooted 0 and growing. The victims of lynchers are numbered by th.e legion; the punished murderers by the handful. And the crime has become of nearly every t day occurrence. As all other laws aimed v against it have failed utterly of their c purpose, any new one that promises to be more effective should be tried, and c Senator Hoar's bill appears to afford 11 such promise. Most of the class of v men who are disposed to lynch law. . and are so defiant of state law and courts, have a wholesome respect for v United Staes law and fear of United i States courts.?News and Courier. q And thus The News and Courier, the ^ most incorrigible rebel of us all, sur- 0 renders state sovereignty. What next? ^ T^v-TVcot'Tv Pnllpftnr Dens the Ne- w. pro chairman of the Republican state committee of South Carolina, has gone to Washington and is endeavoring to d make it warm for Collector Koester. ^ He carries formal charges against Mr. Koester, regarding the now famous r' lynching bee in which he was concern- h ed. Deas and his gang hope to have t; the help of Senator Tillman in their fight against Koester, on account of McLaurin being directly responsible for u Koester's appointment and because t( Koester has heretofore made some vig- n orous attacks upon Tillman's policies. But we have an idea that they are counting their chickens before they are c atched. They don't know Tillman, le is a fighter and a hard hitter, but e always hits in front, and does not 1 o around behind ones back to strike 1 t him.?Union Times. If The Times had waited until next > ay, it would have hardly, published he above, we think. In the mail that rought us The Times, we received ally papers containing dispatches to he effect that Senator Tillman has led the charges brought by Deas. Ve do not remember exactly when that lleged lynching occurred, whether uring the administration of Governor 'illman of Governor Evans; but it eems to us that if Mr. Koester were eally guilty, his punishment by law at he time, through the regular channels f justice, could have been brought bout with much better grace than ataches to the present persecution. The Observer heard not long ago of he case of a young man, living in a mall but growing town, who applied o a prominent business man of anther city for work. Inquiring about he applicant, the business man was old that he was the type of youth who fas content to work at about $40 per rionth salary, or less, perhaps, always nxious to get away from his work at he earliest possible moment in order o spend his evenings with the young idies, being something of a social high Iyer. In the country town where this oung man lived there was not a cometent carpenter, brick-mason or mehanic and when one was needed he tad to be imported and paid at least 2.50 a day for his services. But the roung man would have considered earning a trade like any one of these s beneath his dignity and position, so le kept on at what he was already dong?clerking in the country store.? lharlotte Observer. The Enquirer has also heard of this roung man?maybe not of this particuar one; but of his type. The type Is ommon everywhere, not only in Charotte; but throughout the country. It s seldom that we hear of his amount ng to much either In a business or inlustrial way. It is because he mort;ages the Independence that would be lis In the future for the deceptive leasures that seem to stand out before dm In the present. The responslblliy, however, Is not upon him alone, t is upon society generally. There hould be a higher premium upon ndustrial merit and moral worth, .nd a more general contempt for buterfly idleness. We need to give more .ttention to the character of the man nd less attention to the character of ds occupation. 1 ? ? V The Congressional Record, containng a full and accurate verbatim statenent of the McLaurin-Tillman incident n the senate last Monday, is to hand. iYom The Record, it appears that arisng to a question of personal privilege, lenator McLaurin laid bare the conpiracy by which certain Democratic eaders are trying for personal reasons, o rule him out of the party and deirive him of the right of service on the. ommittees of the senate. His speech ^as mainly a review of his course as a enator who had been pledged by his onstituents not to be governed by pary caucuses on questions affecting the >ubllc welfare. He did not say a great leal that he has not already said; but vhat he did say was forceful and conincing. His political status he defined .8 follows: "In my state we have but >ne political party, and inside of that iarty we have a primary system, which 3 regulated by law. Under that prinary system we have the widest latinde of thoncht and freedom of disons Ion. This has been forced upon us by he peculiar conditions which have exsted since the war. I have repeatedlv tated on the stump and elsewhere that 11 I wanted was an opportunity to go iefore the people of South Carolina and iresent my views to them upon the :reat public questions of the day, and et them pass upon them. I have said, nd I say again, that If they think I m wrong I am perfectly content to top right there and let my political areer end. But I claim that as a right, 'here Is no Republican party In South larollna as you understand a party lsewhere, and so long as the rights I'hlch we enjoy under our primary sysem are unabridged and left open there 3 no necessity for any other party In hat state. This Is all that It means, "o me freedom of thought, freedom of peech, and liberty of action are worth nore than a seat In the senate or any fflce under this government." In the ourse of his remarks, he also took ocaslon to say: "I will not be driven rom my party and I will not be forcd Into any party where I do not wish o go." SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. 'Illninn nnd Koenter. A Washington dispatch to the Sparanburg Journal, says: "Senator Tillno V? o r? Alos? oV. o v.o.00 A/.A|nnl iia.il ucio iiicu tiiuificn a^cimoL xvucoici n account of alleged participation in ynchings several years ago. Koester ['ill file affidavits disputing the charges. Lrmy Tout For South Cnrollnn. The mayor and other representative itizens of Columbia, have applied to ienator McLaurin for his assistance in he establishment of an army post in hat city. In reply, Senator McLauin says he will do what he can for the stabllshment of an army post in South Carolina, but the cities must settle he matter of its location among themelves. He will not favor one over anther. \/ Vaahinfcton Batton*./\ Union Times: We are under obllgalons to Mr. Jno. P. Gage for a souvenir rhich we prize very much. It is a leorge Washington button. It is of opper. On the front appears "Long Ive the President," around the rim, rhile in the center is "G. W." These luttons have a history. They were rorn by Governor Gist's grandfather, 'hey were handed down through the list familv and \vpr? trivpn finnllv tn Irs. Jno. P. Gage. There were eight < f them. Mr. Gage will turn them over o Mrs. Clifford to take with her collecion to the exposition. IxpoNition DiaiienHnrleM. Says a Columbia dispatch, of Tues- ; ay: The matter of dispensaries on the 'harleston exposition grounds, which ( eeently created considerable comment i as been settled. The Charleston couny board has simply established, with ; he proper approval, six additional reg- ( lar dispensaries which will be loca?d on the grounds. Yesterday the j umes of the six dispensers elected , ere received by the governor from the \ 'harleston board and they were < promptly commissioned. The commissions will go forward at once and In a few days the exposition dispensaries will be opened. There Wa? No Agreement. Says a Washington special, of Tuesday, to the Charleston Post: It having been stated that the exposition resolutions, which passed the senate last Wednesday, were intrpduced in that body by Senator Tillman under an arrangement which was satisfactory to Senator McLaurin, their author, Senator McLaurin states positively that he entered Into no agreement with his colipne'iip A a stntpfl in The 'Evenlne Post last Wednesday, the resolutions were drafted by Senator McLaurin, who called them on Monday morning but was shut out by an objection from Senator Hoar, on the ground that the senate could transact no business until after the reading of the president's message. Senator McLaurin says he had no understanding with Senator Tillman whereby he was to relinquish the management of the resolutions. The senator was on the floor Wednesday and was prepared to call them up when an opportunity presented Itself. Senator McLaurin further stated that, personally, he has no feeling In the matter, and further than this explanation, It would be improper for him to speak of the actions of a brother sen^ tor outside of the senate chamber. Mr. Covington and the Dispensary. In The News and Courier's report ol the proceedings of the State Baptist convention at Florence, last week, the following was said in regard to a Spar; tanburg minister: "The Rev. J. E. Covington, for the Rev. L. M. Roper, read the report on temperance. The resolutions condemned the sale and use of all kinds of wines, liquors and beer as a beverage, and recommended total abstinence. Mr. Covington led the discussion and for 30 minutes paid hit compliments to all who had in anj wov fnatarort tho fanira of the inldUi tous dispensary law on the state oi South Carolina. He said that he "did not feel lovely to any of them and never will, for this great sin." He severely criticised the use of the profits of the institution for educational purposes. Mr. Covington waxed warm at he told of how mad it made him every time he had to pass by the dispensary on Main street, in Spartanburg, which was from six to eight times a day." A Wedding and n Faneral. ^Bennettsville Advocate: Bethlehem church, in the lower part of this county, was the scene of a happy event and a sad one?a wedding and a funeral? within the same hour last Tuesday afternoon. There was witnessed at the same time and place the most extremely opposite results of affairs of the heart. One beautiful young lady stood in the altar to enter into the joyful consummation of her love. Another, a few minutes afterward, lay in the same altar, a self-destroyed victim ol blighted affections. The first was Miss Annie Lou Rogers, who was married in Bethlethem church, at 3 p. m., to J E. Gregg, of Florence county. There was a large gatheriir#*bf the bride's friends and relatives, the scene was one of gaiety and happiness. Just after the bridal party retired, the lifeless form of Miss Lily Harper was borne into the building, and the minister was called upon to perform, a rite very different from the first. Brightness was changed into gloom, and heavy hearts took the place of light ones. Miss Harper committed suicide by drowning herself in a mill pond in Marion county Monday. It Is believed that disappointment In love caused by her parents refusing to allow her to marry the man of her choice, wnsithe cause of het self-destruction. The Rood Rondo Convention. Greenville special, of December 11, tc News and Courier: The various committees having the management of the Good Roads convention have everything: well In hand to secure a large attendance and a successful demonstration of the value of good roads to cities and the country and the economy In building permanent roadways. Arrangements are being made with hotels and boarding houses to entertain visitors at reduced rates. Many private families have consented to take boarders during the week of the meeting, while other families have Invited friends and relatives from other parts of the state to be here. Everything Indicates a very large number of visitors from all parts of the state, and a good number from North Carolina and Georgia. The good roads special train will reach Greenville on Sunday, the 15th Instant. Monday will be given to unloading and getting everything In order to start work on Tuesday. Seven carloads of rock have already arrived. The first work will be done on Washington street, which runs from the Main street directly to the Southern's passenger depot. It is not yet known how much of this street will be macadamized. A road will be built outside the city limits. The Good Roads congress will meet on Thursday, the 19th- Instant. In the opera house and continue through Friday. Senator McLaurin and Congressman Latimer have notified the committee that they will be present. The Southern railway has made a rate of one fare for the round trip on all its lines in the state and other roads will give reduced rates. <RT Says a Washington special of December 11: A conference of southern republicans in congress was held her? tonight, it which were present Senaton? McComas, of Maryland, and Pritchard, of North Carolina, and members of the house from West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Maryland. The chief feature discussed related to the apportionment of representation from the south, with particular reference to Mr. Crumpacker's bill, which seeks to reduce the south's representation on the ground that the Negro is deprived of his vote. The discussion was entirely informal in character, and no action was taken by the conference. The talk showed that the members were not entirely in accord with re-; spect to the bill. Senator Pritchard declared his opposition to it. Another meeting will be held next Wednesday night, at which it is expected some agreement will be reached as to what course the Republicans from the so.uth will adopt on the measure when it comes up in the Republican caucus. The southern Republicans hope soon to perfect an organization for the protection of the interests of that section coming before congress. LOCAL AFFAIRS, NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. H. C. Strauss & Co.?Tell you again o{j' their great sacrifice sale which is to " continue until December 24. They quote some prices for your Information. J. M. Heath & Co.?Give notice that their cost clothing sale Is only to last 12 days more. See fourth page. Tavora Cotton Mills?Want 1,000 cords of oak or pine wood, in 4-foot lengths. I. W. Johnson, Grocer?Tells you that his store is headquarters for all sorts of Christmas edibles as well as family and fancy groceries. Louis Roth?Informs the buying public that he has a complete stock of everything in his line, and that to enumerate would be like carrying coal to 1 Newcastle. J. Q. Wray?Wants you to know that Santa Claus will be at his store from now until Christmas with all sorts of things to please the little folks. W. Brown Wylie, C. C. C. Pis.?Gives notice that real estate will be sold salesday in January in the following cases Isreal McD. Hood, as Admr. vs. Elizabeth Glbbs et al., tract of 273 ! acres located in Bethesda township; i tract of 94 acres, located in Bethesda da township, in the case of Wra. R. Neely, as Admr. vs Sarah Culp et al.; 1 164 acres, located two miles west of court house, in the case of Geo. L. Riddle, as guardian vs. Jacob Battle, i , /\ WITHIN THE TOWN. ?-The law partnership heretofore ex listing between Messrs. W. B. deLoach and P. P. McCain has been dissolved , by mutual consent. Mr. McCain will continue to practice in Yorkvllle as F. [ P. McCain, attorney at law. ^^The Tavora Cotton Mill company . has purchased from Mrs. S. R. Moore, I a tract of some 25 acres lying between the Carolina and North-Western and I the South Carolina and Georgia ExL tension railroads. The purchase was . made against the time when it may be, come desirable to erect a village for op, eratives on this property, and also with r a view to securing a spur track from . the South Carolina and Georgia Ex; tension railroad. Neither of these de[ velopments are contemplated Just at . this time. On the property there is an abundant water supply that can be , made available for the use of the mill, i . and this was also a consideration in , the purchase. HEADING THEM OFF. i Superintendent of Education Carroll has received from the state superintendent of education, a circular letter , dealing with the methods of a certain publishing company, the name of I which the state superintendent does not want published In the papers on his responsibility. The circular, with , the name of the publishing company omitted, is as follows: , County Superintendent of Education: I Dear Sir: The state board of educa, tion authorized the company to ' sell maps and globes, at the prices , agreed upon, to the public schools with ; the proviso "that no sale shall be made except to trustees assembled in meet' ing." 1 I have Just received a letter from Sul perintendent Bright, of Pickens, stating that two men representing them| selves as agents of company, : have come to his county, that he fears 1 they may be "fakes." and in any event i fears that if they are permitted to can. vass the county there may be a repetition of the chart swindle business of a few years ago. Hence, his board has f forbidden a canvass under its authority i in section 25 of the regulations of the . state board (page 31, school law), and has adopted the following resolution: 1 "The county board, after considering i the map question, decides that if . the said company desire to sell in this county, that samples be fur nlshed the county superintendent: and - that trustees make selections therefrom: the county superintendent to order the same as other supplies. Or that they send samples to be paid for ! when sold." I recommend that your board take similar action and notify the company that no personal canvass of school boards will be permitted: and ( also notify trustees that they shall not buy from agents, but may examine the supplies in the office of the county sui perintendent. and upon their judgment npdor whnt fh#?v rrp >< BOUT PEOPLE. J. D. Brandon, of Zeno, was In , Torkvllle, Thursday. Mr. Calvin G. Parish, of Gaffney, was in Yorkville on Wednesday. ^Miss Maude Stewart, of Rock Hill, is on a visit to the family of Mr. H. H. , Beard. Mr. E. C. Dobson, of Washington, D. , C., arrived in Yorkviile on Thursday evening. ' VMr, Geo. L. Riddle and Miss Helen Kiddle, of Zeno, were in Yorkville on 1 Wednesday. Clover Review: Mrs. W. J. Whltener, of Yorkville, has been visiting relatives here this week. W*MIss Cornelia Elliott, of Lancaster, 'is in Yorkville on a visit to her father, Mr. Cope Elliott. ^Master Frank Riddle is on a visit to Mrs. M. J. Clark and Mrs. Dr. Fain, at Dandridge, Tennesse. Rev. A. N. Brunson left yesterday 1 for Lodge, S. C., with the intention of being gone two weeks. ^rMajor James F. Hart left on last Monday for a visit to relatives and friends at Chatham, Va. VMr. and Mrs. W. B. Steele, of Rock Hill, were in Yorkville this week, to attend the Steele-Foster wedding. Mr. J. Hope Adams and family, who have been living at Gastonia for some time past, have returned to their home at Bethel. Mr. James Cansler, of Tirzah, was in Yorkville Wednesday. He says that he is certainly in the race for railroad commissioner and that he -Is in the race to win. ?"Clover Review: Messrs. W. B. Smith and S. H. Sifford returned yesterday from Charleston where they have been attending the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of A. F. and A. M. Supervisor Gordon will go to Greenville next Monday to attend the good roads convention at that place, and to witness the demonstrative work of the good roads train. Mr. Wilkerson may go along also; but he was not certain when last seen, whether or not he could get off from his private business. Commissioner Stanton does not expect to attend the convention. VMr. John E. Carroll and wife have : ^returned from a trip to Charleston. They took in the exposition grounds, of course. Mr. Carroll says he had a pleasant time of it; but that the expotion does not amount to a great deal as , yet, very few exhibits having been put in place. He was pleased to note that there does not seem to be any disposition on the part of the Charleston peo- ( pie to take advantage of strangers. ! There was no trouble about getting entertainment and prices were very reasonable. , /News and Courier: Mr. and Mrs. W. "w. Lewis, of Yorkvllle, are spending a few days in the city. Mr. Lewis is one of the leading lawyers of the Yorkvllle bar. He Is also a member of the board of visitors to the South Carolina Military academy. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have made frequent visits to Charleston in the past, and have too many friends here to be styled strangers Mr. Lewis called yesterday on his friend and former townsman, Deputy Collector of Customs Withers, and spent a pleasant half hour talking over old times. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. The annual meeting of the county board of commissioners was held in the office of tne county supervisor last Wednesday, pursuant to the duly advertised announcement. All of the members were present. mere was a nooa or accounts Deiorc the board for payment, most of the holders urging that they wanted the money with which to pay their taxes. The report of the treasurer, however, showed only a small amount of available cash on hand, and as the law forbids the drawing of warrants when i there Is no money with which to pay, but few warrants were drawn. As usual, there were several petitions from Indigent Confederate soldiers and widows for outside help. Some of the petitions .were granted and others were laid aside for further consideration. The commissioners are beginning to view with much concern the noticeable steady increase in the number of such petitions being filed. During the meeting, the commissioners gave careful consideration to the financial condition of the county. It appears that since the building of the new court house, the $10,000 borrowed for that purpose, has been carried over from one year to another, being taken care of by means of a new loan from year to year. On account of this and other smaller amounts borrowed, the county has to pay Interest charges to the amount of about $1,000 annually, and the commissioners are of opinion that other arrangements should be made. For the present it was decided to ask for an increase of one-half mill on the tax levy. "The supply bill" for next year was agreed upon as follows: For county auditor $ 500 For county commissioners and clerk 1,000 For county treasurer's commissions, for county and school only 600 For county board of equalization 350 For jury, witness and constables' tickets 4,000 For clerk of court 1,000 For sheriff 2,000 For trial justice and constables. 3,000 For coroner 400 For poor house and poor 2,000 For repairs on roads and bridges 4,000 For chaingang 4,000 For repairs on public buildings.. 500 For contingent fund 1,000 For public offices 1,000 For post mortem, examining lunatics and conveying 800 For jury commissioners and insurance 100 For court house 500 For county jail 300 For Catawba river bridge 2,000 For interest on Catawba river bridge note 420 For physicians' and attorneys' fees 500 For county superintendent of education and examining board 650 Total $30,620 The total levy necessary to raise the foregoing amounts is 5 mills, and in addition to the foregoing, the board recommended township levies to pay interest on Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago railroad bonds as follows: In Catawba township, 2j mills; in Ebenezer township. 1J mills; in York township, 3J mills. THE CHERRY TREE FRAUD. At last the Amos Owen Cherry Tree company fraud has been officially exposed. Franklin Sherman, Jr., entomologist of the North Carolina Crop Pest commission, visited Henrietta last week, investigated the matter thoroughly and submitted a detailed report to Mr. S. L. Patterson, chairman of the commission. The report is published in full in the Charlotte Observer, of Thursday. It appears that among other things the Amos Owens Cherry Tree company was using, as a part of its advertising matter, an alleged certificate from the Crop Pest commission, setting forth that the chery trees offered for sale had been duly inspected and found to hp ud to all reouirements and Dron erly marketable, etc. With regard to this, Mr. Sherman explains that on September 6 last he gave Dr. Frank Bright, of Henrietta, such a certificate to cover a few trees that had been properly inspected. It develops, however, that since that time trees have been brought to Henrietta from different parts of the state, wherever they could be found and fraudulently sold and shipped under this certificate. With regard to the history of the firm the report says: Dr. Frank Bright (formerly of Henrietta, now moved to Florida), started the affair, and feeling soon became strong against him in Henrietta, and about October 1, 1901, he disposed of the matter, leaving it to his father, Rev. T. Bright, who had the company incorporated during October, and sold it to C. D. Wilkie, of Rutherfordton, about November 1. Mr. Wilkie was the author of an article published at about this time, stating that the company was on a firm basis and doing a legitimate business (or to that effect). He sold to Chas. Watkins, of Henrietta (?) and Geo. W. Rollins, of Forest City, about November 20, and they sold to M. C. (or C. M.) Paget, of Henrietta (?) or Forest City (?) about November 25th. Mr. Sherman talked to quite a number of people in and around Henrietta, and every one who was not interested in the firm denounced it as a fraud. The people told of numerous claims by agents, especially from a distance, that had not been paid. In some cases these H nims were afterward Dresented in person or through acquaintances in Henrietta, and the company paid them to avoid exposure. The present status of the company Mr. Sherman gave as follows: At the time that I began this investigation, Friday, December 6, I was informed that Mr. M. C. (or C. M). Paget was the owner of the concern. On Saturday, December 7, I heard that he had disposed of half of bis interest, and on Thursday, December 10, I heard that he had disposed of the remainder. On Monday, December 9, I called at Forest City (then the mail office of 4 the company, and may still-be), to see Mr. Paget, but was told that he had gone to Rutherfordton. In this connection It may be that Mr. Paget had had time enough so that he could have learned of my presence, and also, that I am informed that the corporation papers of the concern were drawn under the direction, supervision, or other guidance of a certain Rutherfordton lawyer, or lawyers. In concluding his report Mr. Sherman says: Th^ main evidences of fraud brought out by the investigation are as follows: * 1. Non-payment of agents. 2. The inferior quality and grading of trees. 3. The false statements of employes regarding the source of trees. 4. The false claims made by the company in its circulars. 5. The frequency with which the ownership of the concern has changed hands. 6. The direct fraudulent dealings of the company in purchasing trees from distant sources (Mitchell county), and having such trees shipped under the label "Amos Owen Cherry Trees. After carefully weighing the facts, I am moved to make the following recommendations: 1. The absolute withdrawal of the certificate now In use by the company. 2. The notification of the postmaster general at Washington that the company has been found fraudulent with request that a fraud order be Issued for the following postoffices: Forest City, Ellenboro, Caroleen, Henrietta and Rutherfordton. 3. The notification of station agents at the following points that the company cannot legally ship stock: Caroleen, Henrietta, Forest City, Bostic, Rutherfordton, Mooresooro, Lattimore, and Shelby. 4. The publication of a condensed account of the findings in every dally and weekly paper in North Carolina, and in the leading papers of Atlanta, Columbia, Charleston, Norfork and Richmond, with request that the item be published for four consecutive issues, if same can be done without charge. 5. The publication of an account of this affair as soon as possible in the bulletin of the North Carolina department of agriculture. 6. The submission to the governor of the facts in the case, in order that he may act according to his best judgment. 7. The posting of notice of the fraud in the postoffices of Forest City, Ellenboro, Caloleen. Henrietta and Rutherfordton. It Is my opinion that no effort should be spared to make the fraud known to every person". The fraud has been practiced almost exclusively upon women and girls, mostly of the poorer classes. It seems to me that the men who have been the guilty parties should receive all the odium accumulating from their fraudulent acts. As it is likely that those who have had this company in charge will be sued, it is my opinion that the crop pest commission should do all that it can to aid the aggreived parties in bringing the defrauders to justice. Very respectfully submitted, Franklin Sherman, Jr., trn4amnlao>lof Raleigh, N. C., Dec. tlTuSST LOCAL LACOlflCS. Tax Collections. Tax collections up to this time amount to only about J16.000. The figures are some 610,000 behind those of the same date last year. Klnley's Committees. The speaker of the house of representatives announced his committee assignments last Friday. Cohgressman " Flnley's committees are as follows: Territories, Pacific railroads. * Charter Granted. The secretary of state, on Tuesday, granted a charter to the "Farmers' Mutual Life Insurance Company," of Yorkville, W. S. Wilkerson, president; J. Frank Ashe, vice president; and D. * E. Boney, secretary and treasurer and general manager. Rock Hill Rural Route. In reproducing a paragraph from the Charleston Post to the effect that the rural delivery route fronj Rock Hill Into Bethesda township would become effective on January 1, "December 1" was printed instead. The correspondent of The Post had It January 1. To Attend the Bxposltlon.'v^^ / The York county alumni ^THhe South Carolina co.'lege, held a meeting In the office of W. B. Wilson, Esq., at Rock Hill on December 10, and a resolution was adopted urging all the alumnus of the county to attend the celebration to be held In Charleston on 1 ft i/cv,cm uci x*7. Ministers' Conference. A. R. Presbyterian: The A. R. P. Ministers' conference of Gaston and York counties, meets next time at Clover, S. C., Monday after the first Sabbath In January. The social feature In these conferences Is very pleasant. A profitable discussion of the subject: "What preparation do we need In addition to the sermon?" took up the time of the last meeting at King's Mountain. Mexican War Veterans. Washington special of Tuesday to The News and Courier: At a meeting of the delegation held recently, Representative Finley was selected as South Carolina's representative on the congressional committee. Representative Finley introduced a bill today to clear the military record of Marcus Bird, of York county, from the charge of desertion. Bird was a member of the Third dragoons in the Mexican war. After the war was over he deserted and the charge has rested against him ever since. Smallpox at the Chalngrangr. Speaking of the smallpox situation at the chaingang on Wednesday, Supervisor Gordon said the story to the effect that Dave Logan has smallpox again, is incorrect. Logan, he said, j did have smallpox while he was on the 1 chaingang last spring, and he is suffering from a breaking out no\y; but it is hardly a ne wcase of smallpox. "Some people around here," said Mr. Gordon, "have been trying to make it appear that they do not believe there is any smallpox out at the chaingang at all. The suggestion was made to me today and I offered to give ten dollars to the man who would go into that pest tent and remain an hour. There were no takers," Mr. Gordon concluded with an amused chuckle. Hiirjflnry at Hickory Grove/ N. Burglars entered the store of MrNj. N. McGill, at Hickory Grove, last Wednesday night, and carried off a quantity of flour, several pairs of shoes and some coppers. Other articles were probably stolen; but as to that there was no way to determine definitely. The burglars entered through a window, after tearing off the blind and smashing out the sash. Prom the character of the work, it appeared that they were rather green hands at the busl