Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, January 13, 1905, Image 2
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