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Scraps and iarts. ? Articles of Impeachment against Judge Charles Swayne of Florida, were completed last Tuesday by a special house committee which had been .In session several daya The articles number twelve, relating to practically all the charges preferred, and four of the seven members of the committee will sign them. The others will submit * a minority report, rejecting all the articles save the one relating to certification of expenses at ten dollars a day when it was shown that the amount in question was rarely expended. ? Says a Washington dispatch of yesterday: The funds available under the current appropriation for the establishment of rural free delivery postal service have been exhausted and the postofflce department expects to * * ? -A J tklo nroolr discontinue at me euu Ui wis ? vv.. the establishment of new routes during the remainder of the present fiscal year, unless an emergency appropriation that has been asked for is provided by congress. There are about 4,000 applications for new rural free delivery routes that have not yet been examined into. The diacontinuand will not affect rural service already in operation. ? A declaration made by Vice Admiral Doubassoff, the Russian member of the international comission to inquire into the North Sea incident, in an interview, to the effect that an honorable peace between Russia and Japan is likely to be made'is considered highly significant. Admiral Doubassoff has Just arrived from St. Petersburg after a lengthy audience with Emperor Nicholas. "I do not hesitate." said Admiral Doubassoff, "to say we tend toward a not far off peace. We will leave the Japanese Port Ar. thur and the territory they now occupy in Manchuria. We will set ourselves resolute at work to prepare a powerful and invincible navy as this peace will be but temporary and next time we shall be amply prepared." ? The steamer Zeno. which arrived at Waterford, Ireland last Wednesday, had on board the captain and eleven of the crew of the United States Dredger Texas. The Texas bound from Nantzic for Galveston founded off the Western Islands December 9th. When the Dredger went down two boats were launched. One had the captain, and the men rescued, the other the mate and nineteen of the ?? hnat foundered and . t'Rrn. luc avvvnu all In her were drowned. The survivors drifted several days In the open boat without food or water, and when picked up had Just cast lots as to which of the number should be killed and eaten to save the others. The man whose lot It was to die Is said to be Insane. ? Merlden. Miss., Jan. 10: An enthusiastic mass meeting here today, attended by more than a thousand persons, including merchants, bankers and farmers, discussed the Wltherspoon plan for solving the present cotton situation In the south, and the plan was endorsed after the meeting had decided to reduce the acreage this year and to use less fertilizer. The WItherspoon plan provides for the formation of an Immense company, to be known as the Southern Cotton company, capitalized at $110,000,000. Stock will be sold In this company for $100 a share, payable In cotton at ten cents a pound, or In cash. The cotton held Is never to be sold for less than ten cents, nor more than 11 cents. The plan Is the result of careful consideration by a number of the leading business men of this city. ? By order of the secretary of war a general order has been issued directing that a detailed history be kept of the services of every staff corps and department, regiment, separate battalion inrfanAnripnt trooo. battery and company, and forwarded to the military secretary of the army for record. It Is Intended that these historical records shall contain Information concerning the original formation, recruitment, changes In organization, stations, marches, campaigns and battles, etc., together with the names of officers and men killed and wounded In action, or who may have specially distinguished themselves. The initial Installment of these histories will cover not only the calendar year 1904, but such periods as will form a complete narrative history of each organization from its formation to the end of 1904. ? Says a Toklo dispatch of January 12: The Japanese achievements at Port Arthur are more remarkable in the light of further Investigations. The original Russian strength is now estimated to have been almost 50,000 men. It is announced at the army headquarters that In addition to the prisoners already reported, about 13.000 wounded combatants will eventually be brought to Japan. General Nogi's headquarters staff at Port Arthur are at present devoting their energies to dispatching the prisoners to Japan, placing the wounded in hospitals and clearing the way for a thorough Investigation of the spoils of war. Confused reports reach Toklo of the condition of the city buildings. It was said today that General Nogi will not return to Toklo tha at present* oiaiccu oui viwio vi ?.?*? third detachment of Japanese who attempted to block the entrance of Port Arthur by sinking stone-laden steamers in the channel are expected to arrive at Sasebo. The fate of their seventy companions is unknown. ? During the debate on the army appropriation bill in the house Wednesday. Mr. Johnson (S. C.) made a short speech on the cotton question. He called attention to what he said was a systematic effort, unfortunately successful, to bear down the price of cotton, and asserted that there was no justification for such a brutal campaign of deception and misrepresentation. "I know," he said, "there are some kid glove gentry in New York who would not know a cotton patch from a pea patch, who are undertaking to tell the world that the southern farmer can make cotton at 4} cents." If he had the power, he said, he would have every man who gambled in cotton on the New York Cotton Exchange and who said that cotton can be produced at 4J cents go down and with his own naked hands pull the bell cord of a mule and make cot ton at that price. Mr. Douglass (N. Y.) interjected the remark that most of the men speculating on the New York excl ange were southern men, which cau ed Mr. Johnson to declare that whether they were southern men or not, they were enemies of southern people an 1 of good morals everywhere. The peopie of the south were holding cotton which they had no more idea of parting with at the present price than the owners of United States bonds had of selling them at 25 cents on the dollar. He predicted that before September 1, 1905, thousands of spindles in the United States and abroad would be idle because of their inability to get cotton to spin. Mr. Johnson aigued that It would be perfect!" right for the southern cotton growers to agree among themselves to a reduction of the cotton crop to the extent of 50 per cent Mr. Slayden (Texas) fcald that a curtailmtnt of the cotton crop In this country would only encourage the greater production of it in other countries. He warned the southern members that they should not be deluded by the idea that the .south possessed the only climate or soil which could produce cotton profitably. <fhr \lorkviUf inquirer. YORKVILLE, S. C.i FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1905. The Greenville News says that Cole L. Blease's resolution for an investigation of the dispensary is "Just like a farce." The state would be a great deal better off if it had more men like Judge Hudson 'in the legislature. The pity is that too often they will not serve even if chosen.?Columbia Record. Amen to the first statement; but with the second we beg to differ. Men like Judge Hudson never refuse to serve the people in any capacity. It is men who are not like Judge Hudson that refuse to serve, even if chosen. Senator Cole L. Blease of Newberry, has introduced a resolution providing for a sweeping investigation of the dispensary management. It has been argued that if the dispensary is ...? ?v,n rcfftrmotlnn should IU ue rciuruicu iik iv*?. be accomplished by the friends of the Institution. It is a noticeable fact that the friends of the dispensary are generally on hand when there is talk of investigation. They are anxious to see to it that no enemy shall be vested with power to call for persons, papers, etc. Mr. Blease is commonly regarded as one of the staunchest friends the dispensary management has in the general assembly. The most practical plan that has been brought to our attention for the control of the conditions resulting in the extreme low prices of cotton probably is that proposed by the "American Cotton Growers Union" recently incorporated in Washington, pursuant to acts of congress. The proposed capital stock has been fixed at one hundred million dollars, to be divided into two million shares of the par value of $50 each. It is proposed that subscriptions be made in cash, or in cotton at a valuation of 8 cents a ???J *r""" r\f tho union nrovide puuuu. X Jilt; J^IUWO VTA. kilV , for the accommodation of three million bales through subscriptions and by purchase, and the stockholders, are to have a guarantee that not a bale of cotton is to be sold at less than 10 cents a pound. When the 10 cents price is reached, cotton is to be sold to consumers, and the profits are to go to stockholders. In the meantime all cotton is to be stored in warehouses in the neighborhoods by which it is subscribed. The union proposes to use all its available capital in the purchase of cotton for storage purposes, and promises to give to stockholders the profits on all cotton that may have been purchased. The circulars that have been brought to our notice are signed by O. D. Wilkerson, general secretary. Rooms 408-409, Bond Building, Washington, and by Thomas W. Buckey, resident agent, at the same address. We have no hesitation in endorsing the theoretical practicability of the plan outlined: but as we know nothing of the credibility of these men, we would not think of advising anybody to subscribe to the stock of the union until after they had been assured of the good faith of the undertaking. The Tax on Morality. We confess not a little surprise at Governor Heyward's approval of the special tax provision of the Brlce law. If there was ever a more dishonest sham on the statute books of South Carolina than Is the dispensary law, we ao niive 110 ttuuwieuge 01 it. The dispensary law was originally enacted on pretense of morality. Its ostensible purpose was to restrict and curtail the sale of liquor. From the day the dispensary opened its doors, its object has been profit, and in order to make the profits the greater the policy of the management has been to sell as much whisky as possible. If the sale of whisky by individuals is immoral, the sale of whisky by the state is immoral. There is nothing immoral in whisky itself; but in the use of whisky. The use of whisky sold by the state causes as much immorality as the use of whisky by individuals. Having perception enough to see this fact, the general assembly, with Mephistophelian shrewdness, sought to divert the profits of the whisky business to educational purposes. The object, however, was not so much to ensure the increased prosperity of the schools iJi to secure the perpetuation of the dispensary. After a while there developed an element of personal Interest In the dispensary management. At least, there Is good reason for so believing. Most of the people who have had control of the dispensary business, seem to have gotten rich quickly?much richer than they could have ever gotten on the salaries that were allowed them by law. Some of the counties that had long since solved the whisky question for themselves, and which the general assembly had been considerate enough to leave at liberty to adopt the new law or not as they saw proper, held aloof. Then to force these into line, ' it was provided that dispensary profits go to the towns and counties maintaining dispensaries?all but a small per cent to go to education, after the , "expenses" of the general management had been paid out of the same. Later on, as various counties began to realize that the dispensary was too extensive both morally and financial ly, and there came a demand that the people should have a right to exercise the option of abolishing dispensaries when they saw proper, the general assembly sought to put a stumbling block in the way of the exercise of this privilege by providing a special tax on all who saw proper to ask for it. This special tax is defended on the ground, that people who escape the debauchery of the dispensary must pay for protection against the lesser debauchery of the blind tigers. There are those who believe that the only object of the levy of this special tax was to discourage the abolition of dispensaries. If it is not immoral to sell liquor as a beverage in accordance with law, there is nothing immoral in the sale of liquor in disregard of the law. If the purpose of the state, therefore is not to discourage the abolition of dispensaries, that purpose can certainly be no higher than to prevent competition. If the governor really considers the dispensary an honest Institution, honestly conducted, and the sale of liquor as a beverage a decent honorable business, then we can understand how he can advocate the levy of special taxes for its encouragement. However, if he considers the sale of liquor as a moral crime, and a statutory crime, as it really Is In counties where there are no dispensaries, we are unable to understand why he should want to levy special taxes for its suppression any more than he would levy special taxes for the suppression of theft, arson, gambling, murder, or other crimes. In counties where there are dispensaries, the laws against these crimes are enforced out of the ordinary county funds, why then there should be a special tax to aid in this particular crime in counties where there are no dispensaries, the governor has not SOUgni xo maae ciear. TILLMAN ON COTTON. Senator Predicts 8 1-2 Cents Within Ninety Days. The news from the south that there Is serious talk among the cotton planters of burning a pari of the last crop, is startling. In answer to a letter, asking me to comment on the situation, I will say that I see no necessity to burn, and I will briefly give my reasons. Thd law of supply and demand Is not at work now in regard to this staple. During the last twelve months there has been the most startling rise in the price of cotton, followed by the most unexampled fall in the history of the commodity. From 171 cents in February to 6J in December, breaks the record in the cotton market. Speculation is at the bottom of the fall. Just as it was behind the phenomenal rise. There was no good reason for cotton ever going to 17J cents, and there is absolutely no reason now for cotton to be selling at 61 cents. That there is a large crop, probably the largest in the history of the staple, is no longer disputed, but the world needs every bale of It. A short while ago the papers were filled with dark forebodings of the disasters threatened to commerce and the manufacturing industries from the shortage of cotton. The English, German and French spinners were looking about throughout the colonial possessions of those countries for suitable land to grow cotton to supply the shortage in the American crop. Now the price of American cotton has run below the cost of production and many silly people in the south are talking about burning it. The world needs all of the cotton that has been grown this year, and needs It at a fair price to the producer?say 8j cents?which leaves a small margin of profit. A 10,000,000 bale crop, such as we grew last year, ought to bring 12 cents, and most of that crop sold for that or above. Twelve millions or 12,500.000, which I consider to be the maximum yield this season, ought not to sell below 8 cents. Sensible farmers In the south are holding their cotton. It costs too much to burn it. There is no guarantee that there will be a large crop in 1905, and the cotton world was never so bare of cotton In its history as it was the firsi of last September. I predict that cotton will go back to 8J cents inside of 90 days, and there will be a million bales that will not come to the market even at that price. There is absolutely no need for panic anywhere, and none but -idiots will burn cotton. The southern planters are in a better condition financially than they have ever been within my recollection. We have had a good price for cotton the last two crops. Most men are out of debt and have money in the bank. At least half of the cotton which has not yet gone to market is held by men who are absolutely independent and need not sell at all if they do not wish to do so. Deduct, then, 1,500,000 or 2,000,000 bales from the last crop to be carried over unless the price suits and it will be seen that the law of "supply and demand" will go into force between now and next summer. The cotton will not go into sight at the present price, and I know of no means to make men sell who do not want to and who are not obliged to. I will say in conclusion that there will be very little burned, and unless the price rises between now and April, there will be a large falling off in the acreage of the next crop. There is nothing to be alarmed about, and the country will jog along In the ordinary way after the present flurry passes off. I LOCAL AFFAIRS. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. M. C. D. Owen, Gastonia, N. C.?Is desirous of securing: sidesmen and collectors to represent the Singer Sewing Machine Co., in York county. Horse _&nd buggy furnished. Jas. M. Starr?Makes announcement of the fact that he will continue to handle fertilizers and wants to see you before you make your purchases for the coming crop. L. R. Williams, Probate Judge?Gives notice that Mary A. Simril has applied to him for letters of administration on the estate of Napoleon A. Simril, deceased. J. Edgar Poag, Broker, Rock Hill? Advises you to start the new year right, and gives some good advice In regard to buying and selling real estate, and offers a large list of real estate for your consideration. T. W. Speck?Has moved his Jewelry store to the Moore block across tho _ street and invites you to call. Ferguson & Clinton?Have cnoice tomatoes at 10c a can, and also have choice canned corn. They call your especial attention to their buckwheat flour and Georgia cane syrup. J. Q. Wray, The Leader?Tells you his special sale of embroideries, shirt waist patterns,?etc., will close tomorrow. Thirty pounds of rice for only $1. The First National Bank?Offers you prompt, liberal and courteous attention and solicits your business. Sam M. Grist, Special Agent?Prints a clipping from the Anderson Mail regarding the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, N. J., and makes a statement about the business In York county. Star Drug Store?Tells you that It Is not a "Cheap John" but wants you to remember that its prices are Just as low as is consistent with flrstclass quality. Foushee Cash Store?Will have a give away sale on Monday and Tuesday, beginning at 8 o'clock a, m. It calls your attention to numerous bargain offerings. WILL HOLD COTTON. In addition to those already reported, the following gentlemen agree to withhold from the market, In accordance with the recent mass meeting resolution, the number of bales of cotton opposite their names: W. R. Carroll 10 bales. W. I. Witherspoon 5 bales. T. E. McFarland B bales. J. B. Plaxico 5 bales. Including the cotton already reported, the farmers of York county stand pledged to withhold 529 bales. NEW IN8URANCE RATES. The new rates of the Southeastern tariff association for Yorkvllle were promulgated on January 11. In some cases the rates have been increased and in some th?y have been reduced. The following comparison selected at random from the old and new rate books will give an idea of what has been done: ... Old. New. W. R. Carroll $2.60 $2.60 Bratton's Hall 3.75 3.40 Parish Hotel 3.60 3.30 J. M. Heath & Co 1.70 2.15 A. Rose 3.00 3.55i G. H. O'Learv 2.05 2.36 York Drug Store 2.10 1.90 L. B. Foushee 2.35 2.30 B. N. Moore 2.50 2.60 W. B. Moore 2.80 3.15 Carroll Bros >*.. 3.75 3.45 L. M. Grist's Sons 2.00 2.25 Jackson's Livery Stable^ .. 4.00 3.75 J. Q. Wray .. 4.. 2.05 2.40 Ferguson & Clinton 2.20 2.35 Star Drug Store ,... 2.50 2.35 T. W. Speck 2.50 2.25 Withers Adickes 2.05 2.25 Strauss-Smith Co 2.00 1.75 W. E. Ferguson 3.10 3.00 Louis Roth 3.10 3.95 ABOUT PEOPLE. Miss Cora Clark of Llncolnton, is visiting friends in Yorkvllle. Mr. Charles W. Smith visited friends at King's Creek this week. Miss Mattie Caldwell of Clover, is the guest of Mrs. A. Y. Cartwright. Mr. Manning Stanton of Bethel, has taken a position with the StraussSmith Co. Mr. Frank M. Sandlfer of Guthries vllle, has moved to Yorkvtlle, and will be engaged In the mercantile business. Mrs. Belle McCaw has been critically ill for some days past; but her condition is now believed to be more hopeful. Mr. George H. Cody, who for several years past has been engaged in railroad work in Tennessee, Is in Yorkville on a visit to the family of Mr. A. Cody. Mr. Clarence Hobbs has succeeded Mr. A. S. Clark as agent of the Southern railroad at Yorkville. Mr. Hobbs is a brother of Mr. S. L. Hobbs who formerly held this same position, and is already well known in Yorkville. He gave up a position as train dispatcher to accept the agency at Yorkville. Mr. Clark goes to High Point, N. C., and takes with him the best wishes of Yorkville people. GOLD WATCH C0NTE8T. Following is the status of the gold watch contest as shown by the last report of Mr. John E. Carroll, turned in yesterday afternoon: Clara Fleming, Wilkerson 64 Belle Smith, Hopewell 64 Fannye Smarr, Olive 58 J. F. Gorrell, McConnellsville 20 W. H. Stephenson, Philadelphia.... 9 Pearl Langford, Allison Creek.... 18 Nettie Green, Bell Creek 62 Lida Smith, Beersheba 77 Benj. Black, Fort Mill 11 Wilmoth Jackson, Point 64 Ella Carroll, Fairvlew 105 Minnie Palmer, Blalrsville 123 Blanche Love. Tirzah 66 E. P. Castles, Beaty 27 J. Hamilton, Gold Hill 4 Florence Cody, Piedmont 4 L. W. Jenkins, Yorkville Graded,.. 7 Ella Neely, Yorkville Graded 9 Sudle Allison, Yorkville Graded... 2 J. K. Roach, Fort Mill Graded 2 Margaret Blaine, Oak Ridge 2 Isabel Arrowood, Bethel 2 Susie White, Masseys 2 W. A. Kennedy.I.esslie 3 Bessie Shurley, Shady Grove 2 Lillian Milholen, Ogden 2 F. M. Howell, Bowling Green 1 Bessie Karis, uiancs Mrs. J. T. Jones, Clover 2 Mattle Ford. Y. C. Mills 15 THINKS IT A GOOD THING. There Is a difference of opinion as to whether the recent tremendous drop In the price of cotton Is a misfortune or a blessing1. That most people who have cotton on their hands consider the situation as a misfortune but little short of a disaster, there is no question; but at the same time it Is not Jifflcult to understand how people who consider the situation with reference to the country as a whole and the future may look upon it otherwise. "I have no hesitation in saying that the drop in cotton is a positive blessing to this whole country," remarked a prominent and well-to-do business man of the county to the reporter a Tew days ago. "And how do you make that out?" the reporter asked in surprise. "Well, It la Ilk* this," the business man continued. "You know we had Just passed through several years of hard pan experience, and during that time we had learned a great deal about economy. Many of us who had never been able to make both ends meet In the most prospeppus times were Just forced to learn bow this can be done and that was all there was to it. "I am sure that you will agree with me In the observation that as the result of the higher prices of cotton last year there began to develop all kinds of extravagance and a tremendous Inflation of values. Lots of people had more money than they knew what to do with, and they spent It In a way to make even more careful and conservative people lose their heads. This was because people were buying things they did not need and paying long prices for them. "It is a fact that right now there are numerous merchants in this section * *- surrounding' who ana in inc ww?- ? have been brought to a close pinch by the present situation. Encouraged by the conditions that pre\ ailed last fall some of them strained their credit In order to take advantage of the tremendous boom that they seemed to believe would continue forever, and now that the bottom has dropped out for a little while they are beginning to feel the pressure. "Now, why do I say that the drop at this time is ? blessing rather than a disaster? Just this. If conditions had continued for a few months longer as they were going, nine merchants out of ten would be loaded to their fullest capacity. That a shrinkage would come sooner or later was inevitable, and if that shrinkage had been postponed until say the first of March the whole country would have been In for the most serious financial crash the present generation has seen. "It Is true that the present situation is pretty bad for lots of people. It is hard on people who bought cotton at 9 and 10 cents to hold for a better price. It is hard on merchants who have not made the bulk of their collections. It Is bard on people who still hav.e cotton that they would have sold at 10 cents and who failed to take advantage of that opportunity to pay their debts. In fact It is a wet blanket on the boomy conditions that have prevailed for mote than a year past. "But still the situation Is not near as bad as It could have been," the speaker concluded hopefully," and not near as bad as It would have been had the slump been postponed for a month or two longer. The country Is In good condition, most of the farmers have money left from the cotton already sold at good prices, corn Is plentiful, and barring the few individuals who have been caught in the squeeze, and who have my sincere sympathy, no great harm has been done. Prices will Improve later on, within sixty or ninety days and country as a whole will be better off for the experience through which It has passed. LOCAL LACONICS. New County Dispenser. The county board of control met this morning for the purpose of electing a county dispenser, vice J. W. Snider, deceased. There were six applications and after giving due consideration 'to the claims of each of them, the board Anally decided to give the place to Mr. John S. Sandlfer of Yorkvllle, formerly deputy sheriff. York's Committee Assignments. The York members of the general assembly have been assigned to committees as follows: Senator Brlce: Claims and Grievances, chairman; Finance, Federal Relations, Incorporations, Railroad and Internal Improvements. Representative Ardrey: Agricultural, Ways and Means. Representative Beam guard: Ways and Means, Hospital for Insane. Representative Saye: Hospital for Insane, Public Schools. Representative Massey: Dispensary, Medical Affairs. As to 8tate Pensions. The county pension board will meet in the offlce of Mr. J. F. Wallace, pen sion commissioner, on tne nrsi mommy In February for the purpose of revising the present pension list and taking up the consideration of new applications. The law provides that the pension commissioner be at the office of the auditor every Saturday for the purpose of receiving pension applications. Mr. Wallace, however, is to be found in his own .office every day, and takes especial pleasure In attending to pension business whenever interested people care to call. First National Bank. The stockholders of the First National Bank held their annual meeting in the office of that institution on last Tuesday afternoon, and after listening to the annual report of the directors, tendered a vote of thanks to Cashier Allein and President Wllkins for the highly creditable showing they were able to make. All of the incumbent directors were re-elected as follows: O. E. Wllkins, W. I. Witherspoon, W. B. Moore, J. M. Stroup, Dr. W. M. Love. W. R. Carroll, John L. Rainey. A. N. Wood. R. C. Allein. At a subsequent meeting of the directors Mr. O. E. Wllkins was unanimously re-elected president and Mr. R. C. Allein was reelected cashier. Petition In Bankruptcy. Messre. Whltesldes Bros, of Hickory Grove, have filed a petition in bankruptcy, through Thos. F. McDow, Esq, attorney. Their nominal assets are in the neighborhood of $18,000 and their liabilities are between $11,000 and $12,000. It is understood that they were doing a very prosperous business until about a month ago, and their affairs were in good shape until the heavy slump in cotton developed. Even then, they would probably have been able to pull through if let alone; but creditors became clamorous and in order that there might be no preferences, they decided to go into bankruptcy. The misfortune of these well-known and highly esteemed gentlemen will be generally regTetted by their many friends and acquaintances. There Will Be a Row First. Charlotte Observer, Wednesday: A citizen from Fort Mill, sixteen miles from Charlotte, was in a talkative mood yesterday. "There is, I think, n a..t ?. auDHiannai movement on iu?i In Fort Mill to have a dispensary established'^here, with the especial view < of catering to Charlotte trade. Why not? This inter-state commerce laws sanction It and the distance is convenient." .How would it do business with Chaflotte?" "Well, there's no legal objection, I believe, to establish- < ing an exppegg company running from | 1 Fort Mill to Charlotte, and such a company would, by the declaion or the supreme court of the United States, nave full right to delivery ? tc0 mon carrier all goods entrueted to Its care." "How serious are you?" "Entirely so, I assure you. There Is no especial sentiment against the liquor business in Fort Mill and If the town can do business of that sort that will benefit it, it will be started. n>elieve." THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. An Able Paper Setting Forth Conditions In 8outh Carolin*? Governor Heyward's annual message to the general assembly was read to the house and senate last Tunaday. In It the affairs of the state are discussed In a straight-forward business-like manner, and there is no hesitation on the part of the governor in making such recommendations as he considers proper. The most important recom mentations probably are vdth rejsrd to compulsory education, taxation, the dispensary law and the increase in the existing number of Judicial circuits. Taking up the subject of finance the governor tells the general assembly that the government expenditures have exceeded the income from all sources each year since 1100, until now there is a deficit amounting to 1365,698.51. He calls attention to the constitutional requirement of the levy of taxes sufficient to pay the expenses of the government, and remarks that if the general assembly had fulfilled its duty the present situation would be different. Attention in directed to the law fixing a nominal penalty for failure to pay taxes. The governor thinks the penalty should be at least 10 per cent. As a further means of hicreasng the efficiency of the tax machinery, it is suggested that the office of auditor be taken out of polltica The constitution provides that auditors be appointed; but under conditions that have developed they are virtually elected by primary. It is suggested that all parties be prohibited from nominating auditors so the governor may be free to select these officers with a view to their efficiency. The governor says that notwithstanding the splendid educational fa cllitles existing throughout tne suue there are many parents who refuse to allow their children to go to school, and they should be forced to do so. He recommends the passage of a, law providing for compulsory scfteol attendance in the case of all children between the ages of 8 and 12 years. The work of the commissioner of agriculture, commerce and Immigration is reviewed with discriminating encouragement. Commissioner Watson is commended for the good work he has done up to this time, and In view .of the limited appropriation that ha? been made for the use of this department, it Is suggested that the commissioner be exempted from the provisions of law prohibiting the use of passes by state officers. The dispensary law is dlscusfed at length and certain important .changes are suggested. Xf JS proposed that the powers of the state board. of dispensary commissioners be somewhat curtailed as to the purchase oLAquore, and that the salaries of these officers be raised from $400 per annum to 81,500 per annum. It is suggested also that each commissioner be required to give bond In the sum of 810,000. There are also some recommendations intended to insure the purchase of liquors for the use of the state from the lowest possible bidders, and to diminish the opportunity for graft. Of course, the governor does not intimate that there Is anything wrong to the business as at present conducts!, but he wants to put a stop to crltietsm. He does not hesitate to say, hogever, that the tax amendment to the Brice law is just and proper; that coon ties which refuse to participate la the liquor business snouia pay a special tax to enforce the dispensary lair"?*"A recommendation that was made last year. for the erection of tab additional judicial circuits is re-lt?rated. The general assembly Is reminded of the result of the vote on blismlal sessions last summer, and the governor does not hesitate to say th?t all needed legislation can be provided with bienniai sessions. In this coanectlon, however, he suggests the necessity of extending the terms of state officers from two years to four )?ars, I and providing that no state 4flcer shall thereafter serve more than * single term. The governor calls attention te the fact that in his message of last year he recommended the enactraeat of legislation that would enable cotmtles so desiring to issue bonds for tha Improvement of public roads. No attention was paid to the former reeom- ' mendatlon and necessity for such leg- ' lslation is re-iterated. The message discusses a number of i other subjects of less importance than 1 those referred to but all well gorth 1 a place in such an admirable ^bcu- ; ment, and concludes as follows:-' < In as brief space as possible lhave ' endeavored to give you information 1 concerning the most Important depart- ' ments of our state government, and have made for your consideratlottguch ' recommendations as appear to m to ' be necessary and important. I rejoice ! to add that progress and prosperity 1 continue to bless us, with the uplift. ' lng influences that come from the ear- ' nest labors of a united people. The 1 welfare of South Carolina is lately ( in your keeping and much hope for 1 her future will depend upon the/r?. 1 suits of your deliberations. There was 1 once a temple erected with no soinds ( of the tools of labor, with no co ifu. 1 8ion of haste and disorder, wit iout ' noise and strife. Imbued with this 1 sDirif. with united zeal and devifclon t may you quit yourselves like men, {hbv t your deliberations add to the upbflM. t lng of our commonwealth; may |jey s contribute to the reign of law and order, to the peace and happiness oflju2 people, and to the dignity and h*,or of our state. MERE-MENTION. * The plant of the St. Louis qj ^ company, about twenty miles from 3t Louis was destroyed by fire Wedn * ? day. The property loss was ab {250,000 and 500 men were thrown 1 of employment The boiler of ? u locomotive attached to an eastboi id i express train on the Erie railroad < J. ploded at Creston, O., Wednesday, k i~ f lng the engineer and fireman and.iI* verely injuring two other men... ? A sixteen year old student at Blngh, 'J. E Military Institute, Asheville, n. ? n committed suicide by hanging hinis If e Wednesday. Homesickness is asaij* V IL i ed as the cause of the deed.... Three men were killed by the explosion of a boiler in a cotton gin at Blevln's, Ashe county, N. C., Tuesday Insurance companies in the north which have placed policies on cotton in warehouses throughout the south are said to be cancelling these policies on cotton in districts where the staple is being burned even in the smallest quantities Dr. R. K. Smoot, president of the Theological seminary at Austin, Texas, died at his home In that city Wednesday, of heart disease. The National Live Stock association is in annual session in Denver. Col., with more than 1,000 delegates in attendance Three persons were seriously Injured, and several slightly injured in a panic eaused by a run on the New York State bank in New York city, Wednesday. There was nothing wrong witff the bank, and the run was caused by a mistake of so pie small depositors. To offset the ran, friends of the bank made a rush with deposits. During the day they deposited 1440,000. The withdrawals amounted to 955,000 An unsuccessful attempt was made In Washington luesaay mgni to aynamltu the statue of Frederick the Great, recently presented to the United States government by the emperor of Germany. A charge of explosives with lighted fuse was attached to the fence surrounding the statue, but was removed by an officer before it exploded. The attempt is thought to be the work of a crank In a fight between German troops commanded by General J. Melsler. and insurgents under the brigand Wltbols, in German Southwest Africa, January 2 and 4, four German officers and fifteen men were killed, and four officers ard forty-five men wounded... .Alva N. Adams was Inaugurated governor of Colorado at noon Tuesday, in Denver In a battle between the United States regulars and insurgent Moroe on the Island of Jolo, one of the Philippine group, January 8, one American officer and two privates, and one Moro leader were idlled, and three officers and three men were wounded. ROCK HILL AND VICINITY. Lively Municipal Election?Delegates to the Woodmen Convention?Farmers' Co-operative Uninrv?Fire at Edgmoor. uorrMDondeece of Um Yorkvllle caeou*. Rock Hill, Jan 13.?The municipal election yesterday for the election of a mayor, alderman for Unit ward, alderman for fourth and one alderman at large, excited considerthle interest and was quite \ spirited contest from the opening u the polls until they were closed. It was the liveliest municipal election Rock Hill has had for a number of years. There were-two candidates for mayor, J. J. Hull and an. u. uryani, ana two ror aiaerman at large, B. N. Craig and J. U. McFadden. There waa no opposition in the other races. There are 335 registered voters in the city and there wei* 287 votes cast in the election yesterday, which resulted in the re-election of J. J. Hull for mayor, and the re-election of B. N. Craig for alderman at large. J. W. O'Neal was also re-elected alderman for first ward without opposition and W. H. Wylie waa elected without opposition for the fourth" wa'd. ' The vote for each candidate was as follows: For mayor, J. J. Hull, 173; M. O. Bryant, 144; alderman at large, B. N. Craig, 175; J. M. McFadden. 101; first ward, J. W. O'Neal, 60; fourth ward, W. H. Wylle, 43. "here are SB registered voters iq the first ward and 54 In the fourth wa'rd Although the contest wan quite lively and the candidates who had oposition have been working hard for several days to win the fight, the affair passed off pleasantly and' nothing but the "kindliest" feeling continues to exist between the defeated and the victorious candidates, and the friends of both. At a meeting of Walnut Ckmp W. O. W,. Monday night, delegates to a meeting of the head camp, which will . be held in Savannah. Ga, on March 14, "? were elected as follows: M. G. Bryant. A. J. Evans, W. H. Hope and J. E. Parker. The cotton buyers are sJl "out of a Job" over this way. There has been almost no cotton at all on the market ? the past two weeks. Thn noil fnr a maolino t\f tha mam. l vail ivi a vuv (mvim bers of the Farmers' Co-operative Union and all others who are In sympathy with the work the union 1* trying to accomplish, resulted In a large and' representative meeting of farmers and business men In the hall of the Commercial club Tuesday afternoon. President F. C. Whttner presided and explained the objects and purpose of the meeting. The cotton growers on this side of the county have been fully aroused on the cotton situation for some time. The business men are also deeply Interested in the natter and it was very evident that all those present at the meeting Tuesday afternoon came with' the Intention, of doing " something and sticking to it until re- a suits come. A resolution was submitted by J. H. Miller pledging the owners of cotton to withhold from sale a specified number of bales until the same could be sold for not less than twelve cents. This 1was adopted and . signed by about twenty-five farmers. Tho number of bales set opposite ^helr nimes ranges from one to twentyrflve. A resolution pledging the cotton growers to reduce their cotton acreage for the year 1905 at least 25 per cent md to use no more commercial fertilizers In Its cultivation than they used In the year 1904, was offered by T. L. Johnston. This resolution was also adopted and was signed by quite a number of farmers. f The following delegates were appointed to the New Orleans convention: Catawba, N. 3. Williams; J. A. Barber, alternate. Ebenezer, F. C. Whltner; J. H. Miller, alternate. Bethesda, P. M. Burris; J. H. Steele, alternate. There wefe several very Interesting and enthusiastic addresses and everybody seemed to be alive to the needs of the hour and were willing to take any action looking to the betterment of the present situation. Whatever the final result of the movement may be,, there is no doubt if the fact that the people are much closer together on the subject at the present time than they bave ever been. 1?M ili- -I J - 41.A AAiintv uerore on mis aiuc U1 U(C WWMV Early Tuesday morning a barn on Mr. Sidney Clinton's plantation near Edgmoor, was destroyed by Are toother with Its contents consisting of something over 150 bushels of corn, a arge quantity of fodder and other "oughness and farming toois. A horse, Jiule and a cow also perished in the j lames. When the fire was discovered >y Mr. Clinton the roof of the large >ullding was already failing in and it vas impossible to subdue the flames >r save anything from the burning )uilding. The loss is estimated at rom $600 to $800, with no insurance. "he origin of the Are is unknown, alhough there is some suspicion that. he barn was fired by an Incendiary;hit nothing has developed so far to., mpport this theory. the general assembly, House and Senate Convene In Annual Session and Organize. The general assembly of South Carolina convened in annual session in Columbia last Tuesday, and proceeded jf 0 organize preparatory to entering lPon the work for which it has met. The house was called to order by C. Hamer, the clerk, and effected preliminary organization by the elec[on of Altamont Moses of Sumter, aa hairman pro tern. Mr. Mendel I* 'roith of Kershaw was the only nomlee for speaker, and he was re-electd to the place by a unanimous vote. Speaker Smith delivered an appreciate address on taking the chair, and ^ 1