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Scraps and .farts. ? The annual report of the United States Steel corporation was made public last Wednesday, and showed that for the year ending December 31st, 190S. gross receipts of J482.307.840 were earned, a decrease of $274,706,927 from the preceding year. The net earnings of the corporation were $91,847,711, a decrease of $69,116,963 from the year of 1907. The report further shows that $16,965,181 was appropriated for depreciation, replacement and extinguishment of the bonds, together with sinking funds on bonds of subsidiary companles, which is a decrease of $10,754,663 from 1907. The interest on bonds outstanding and sinking funds of the corporation was $29,247,851, an increase of $1,250,001 over the previous year. ? New York. March 16: A. Leo Well, president of the Voter's League, of Pittsburg, who has been in New York for several days, conferring wun members of the bureau of municipal research, and others interested in clean city government, confirms the report that a movement is under way looking to the organization of civic societies throughout the United States, whose purpose shall be to uncover graft and purify city politics. Twenty or more of the large cities in the country will be in the organization. John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Jacob H. Schiff and other well known men will finance the undertaking it is said. In discussing the proposal to bring the civic bodies of the cities closer together, Mr. Weil said last night: "No specific plan has yet been evolved but something definite will certainly come from the discussions held so far." ? Speaker Cannon and Champ Clark, the minority leader of the house, passed tart remarks, about each other at the White House last Tuesday. The speaker called upon the president early in the morning, and when he was leaving the executive offices made this answer to a question as to the fight in the house yesterday: "The amendments to the rules have greatly improved them. All this st"" about the soeaker being a czar is the purest torn myrot. There has never been a time when the majority could not control the house. What they wanted to do was to make a committee of fifteen czars, dominated by Champ Clark and LaFollette. That is also tommyrot. LaFollette is a fake." When Representative Champ Clark called on President Taft later In the morning and was told what the speaker said, he answered briefly: "Uncle Joe has pareels." Mr. Clark would not comment further except to say that the amendments to the rules amount to very little. ? Owing to the disturbed conditions in Nicaragua and President Zelaya's failure to make serious efforts looking to the settlement of the famous Emery claim, the state department, on March 12, by withdrawing the American Charge d'Affaires at Managua, and ordering the legation placed in the hands of the consul, who will have no dlnlomatlc caDaclty. practically broke off diplomatic relations with that country. Affairs in Central America have been closely watched by the American and Mexican governments, both of which have now come to an understanding that the time has arrived when drastic measures should be enforced to Insure peace In the Central American republics. The state department has come to the determination that if American warships now in Nlcaraguan waters, and to be sent there, are not sufficient to impress President Zelaya that the treaty of peace entered into between the Cantral American republics is to be lived up to, more radical steps will be taken to accomplish that result ? Havana, March 16: The first armed uprising against the new Cuban government occurred last night, a little more than six weeks after the inauguration of Gen. Gomez as president. How small the movement is it is Impossible to determine at present. All that is known is that a sergeant of rural guard, stationed at the town of Vueltas in Santa Clara province, with a party of seven men, some other members of the rural guard and a number of peasants, took to the woods and that the troops are In active pursuit. While the movement Is apparently unimportant numerically, all Indications point to the fact that It Is a part of a widespread conspiracy, the nature of which Is indicated by a dispatch received here this afternoon, which stated that a special train, carrying a detachment of the rural guard, under command of MaJ. Gen. Monteaugude, was proceeding as quickly as possible for Vueltas. President Gomez declared his Intention of Instantly suppressing the uprising and making an example of all concerned. He ordered the rapid concentration of troops in the vicinity of Vueltas for the purpose of surrounding the fugitives. Orders were issued to the troops to make no prisoners if they encountered resistance and not to cease the pursuit until all had been killed or captured. Later it was learned that a conspiracy had been unearthed In which the rural guard had been implicated. At Placetas a farmer captain of the rural T oifftotMo Kir noma a nrl n t guaiu, juavaoi lua wj Vueltas, Corporal Rlchardo and two civilians were arrested on the charge of complicity in the Insurrectionary movement. ? The latest dispatches from the great European centres indicate that the war cloud in the Balkans is daily becoming more ominous and menacing, according to a Washington dispatch. The war-like proclamation issued by the Servians against Austria has excited all of the chancellors of Europe and there Is no concealing the general fear that It is likely to lead to an early outbreak of actual hostilities. How this crisis that threatens the peace of the whole of Europe has been brought about is briefly set forth In the following statement, which will give the average American reader a better understanding of the main facts in the situation than he probably has been able to gain from the flood of cable news during the past few months. Austria, in annexine Bosnia and Her zegovina, provinces inhabited almost wholly by Serbs, stated that she was merely regularizing the long accomplished fact of her possession and virtual government of the two countries. Austria further contends that she has only to settle matters with Turkey, the ancient nominal ruler of the provinces in question, and that Servia has nothing to say in the matter, as she was no party to the treaty of Berlin, and has suffered no territorial loss. Servia, on the other hand, declares that the violation by Austria of the treaty of Berlin, devised to secure peace and security for all the Balkan states, menaces vital Serb interests and reduces her to a position of absolute dependency upon the goodwill of Austria; that Servia, as the head of the Serb peoples, is entitled to ask Europe to insist upon guarantees for the rights and liberties of the Bosnians, and for such concessions from Austria as will secure Servian independence, political and economic, France, Russia and England, as signatories of the treaty of Berlin, are prepared to make representations to Vienna, on the understanding that they are not treated as unfriendly actions. Italy sympathizes with Servia, but Germany dissuades Austria from listening to these overtures and presses for the coercion of Servia, to which the others will not consent. Russia has clearly intimated that public opinion will not allow her to be lndilTer" * * ? ent if Austria manes an anempi wi crush Servla. Ik Horkvittr (Snquirtt. Entered at the Postofflce In Torkvllle as Mail Matter of the Second Class. TORKVILLE, S. C.t FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1909. The most independent man in the farming business at this time, is the man who has plenty of corn to last him until the next crop. The general lethargy prevailing in the manufacturing interests is due t? conditions that are beyond local con"" *- ran arm how troi. mere 10 uu svn/U ?, ever, why this lethargy should extend to agricultural pursuits. The man with a farm has complete control of his own affairs. As between the man who now has forty bushels of corn to the horse or mule in his cribs, and the man who hag a bale of cotton to the mule in a warehouse, we would say that the man with the corn is in the best shape financially. Of course, where a man has both the corn and the cotton, he is in extra good shape. The dispatches from Cuba indicate more trouble in that quarter. The Cuban government would have it appear that the disaffection does not amount to a great deal; but Washington seems to be very much concerned, and is looking for an outbreak or proportions that may require the return of the troops to the Island. Gexekal Clement A. Evans, commanding, has issued general order No. 5, calling the nineteenth annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans to be held in Memphis, Tenn., on June 8, 9 and 10, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. In this order, Gen. Evans extends an earnest invitation to the veterans to be on hand in as large numbers as possible. The cotton schedule in the new tariff bill. Is most Interesting, although the reduction is not great, says a Washington correspondent. The duty on thread, carded yarn, etc., in skeins, or singles, has been cut from 3 to 2J cents per pound. This is on numbers up to and including 15. On numbers from 15 to 30 the reduction is from one-fifth to one-sixth of a cent and onefourth above 30. On colored, bleached or dyed singles, 6 cents a pound to 24. Just as the Dingley bill is up to 20 per cent on cotton carded; laps and roping, 35 per cent ad valorem Instead of 45 per cent. On all other cotton duties) affecting South Carolina mills the schedules are unchanged. This section of the bill will be apt to pass without much discussion, for it has been proven that cotton is one of the very best revenue collectors, the sum collected being $52,000,000. Hides, which were 15 per cent ad valorem, are on the free list. Make It a Go. At its last monthly meeting, the York County Farmers' Union decided to repeat Its corn prize contest of last year, and to Increase Interest In the competition offers to give the producers of the first, second and third largest yields on single acres one hundred dollars In cash prizes?$40 for the first prize, $35 for the second prize, and $25 for the third prize. It is pretty generally conceded by people who have observed results, that the competition of last year greatly stimulated interest In corn production, and added hundreds, If not thousands of bushels of corn to the county's aggregate crop. It's certain that quite a number of farmers who had previously paid little or no attention to corn raising gave the subject more time and thought and made more than they had ever made before, to their own profit and to the general benefit of the county. It would be a waste of time and space to try to show people of intelligent discernment that there is great special and general benefit in Increasing the corn production of this county. It is not too much to claim that prac tically each bushel of corn that is raised in the county means the keeping of a dollar at home that would have otherwise gone to the west, and that the country is just that much better off. It is not too much to claim, either, that many of our farmers have fallen into the idea that they can better afford to raise cotton with which to buy corn than they can afford to raise the corn in the first instance. There is little doubt of the fact that this policy has cost this county hundreds of thousands of dollars, and it ought to be clear that the only way to stop this drain is by getting back to the more correct economic principle of producing our corn on our own farms. In trying to stimulate Interest in corn production, the Farmers' Union seeks to promote the welfare of the average farmer as well as the county as a whole, and every individual who joins in with the Union in this work is only promoting his own best interest, along with the best interest of the county. Everybody should help in this undertaking. Anderson's Corn Contest.?In our opinion the decision to inaugurate the corn growing contest is one of the best things ever done by the Farmers' Union of Anderson county. It will inspire additional interest in the Union, and benefit all of its members by getting them interested in other crops than cotton. The officers of each local Union should get as many of their members as possible to enter the contest. Every farmer who enters the contest will be benefited, whether he wins one of the prizes or not. A committee has been appointed from the Union to raise by subscriptions a fund to be offered as prizes. This is a matter that should appeal to the people of the city. The merchants, bankers, manufacturers, lawyers, and all of the others of the city should contribute to the fund, so as to make the prizes that will be offered worth competing: for. All of us in the city are concerned in the welfare of the farmers of the county. We want them to be prosperous, and we want their good will and friendship. We can contribute to this end by helping the Union to offer handsome prizes for the largest yields of corn in the county this year.?Anderson Daily Mail. CHARGE IN COOPER CASE. Judge Hart Made Complete Exposition of the Law. After considerable delay in its preparation, Judge Hart delivered his charge in the Cooper case last Wednesday morning. He had announced on Tuesday morning that the charge would be ready at 2 o'clock that afternoon; but was unable to complete it. Altogether it included sixty-two typewritten pages of 400 words each. Lawyers say that it is the most comprehensive and clear charge ever delivered in a Tennessee court, and includes, with the theories of the state and the defense, a digest of the testimony of every witness who testified on either side. The rnurt room was packed. "The law makes a judge a witness of the law," remarked Judge Hart, "so I will now take the witness stand and give my testimony." He left the bench, walked around to the chair which has been the center of attraction for two months and began to read: "While this Indictment contains but one charge upon Its face, it embraces four distinct felonies?murder in first degree; murder in second degree; voluntary manslaughter; involuntary manslaughter." After defining murder in the first degree, he said: "The distinctive feature of murder in the first degree is premeditation and this element involves previously formed design to kill." He added: "The question to be determined Is?was the mind of the slayer at the time of the killing so far free from excitement as to permit premeditation ?" Judge Hart declared malice to be the chief thing to be taken into consideration in determining second degree murder. He continued: "The legal meaning of malice, in cases of murder in the second degree, is that it is not confined to homicide committed in cold blood with design and premeditation, as in first degree murder, but extends to all cases, however sudden of occasion, In which the act is done under such cruel circumstances as are indicative of a wicked, depraved and malignant spirit, ? ii? inflicted, even as wnen uie i>uu??i.Uvu. , upon provocation, is outrageous in its nature and beyond all proportion to the offense. Were the use of the deadly weapon by one who dies, killing is shown and death is clearly proven to have resulted from use of the weapon by him, it is presumption of law thut the killing was done maliciously, that is, with such malice as is required to support murder in second degree." Judge Hart defined manslaughter as unlawful killing of another without malice. Continuing, Judge Hart said: "Previous threats by deceased against defendants or acts of hostility toward him, or previous abuse of him, how violent so ever it may have been, or trespasses upon his property, Is not such provocation as the law recognizes as sufficient to reduce unlawful killing to manslaughter if the killing was done after lapse of such time as would have served a reasonable person to regain self-control "A killing under these circumstances would be deemed by the law malicious and not the result of provocation and, therefore, would be murder. "You enter upon this investigation with the presumption that the defendant is not guilty of any crime, and this presumption stands as a witness for him until it is rebutted and overturned by competent and credible proof, sufficiently strong as to satisfy you beyond reasonable doum mat me defendant Is guilty of some one of the offenses which have been heretofore defined and explained to you." Judge Hart finished his charge at 11.15 o'clock, central time. The Jury immediately retired. Awaiting the Verdict. Nashville, Tenn., March 18.?Another day passed and no intimation of an agreement came from the room in which twelve men are trying to decide the fate of Col. Duncan B. and Robin Cooper and John D. Sharpe for the murder of former United States Senator Edward W. Carmack. This is the second day of suspense and the feeling is generally growing that there will" be a disagreement Counsel on both sides, however, as well as the court hold that there will be a verdict. Judge Hart convened court at 9 a. m., and began the regular grind of criminal cases. In one hour fourteen negroes accused of minor misdemeanors and felonies were tried by juries and convicted, most of them on pleas. Many of the audience who had been regular attendants at the Cooper trial marveled at the expedition with which their cases were handled as compared with the nine weeks devoted to the famous trial which is yet to be finished. The jurors went to supper at 6 o'clock this evening, ate in silence and hurried back to the big room to resume their deliberations. Each time they leave the room they lock the door and one of their number carries the key. Judge Hart remained at the court house until noon. He then left and communicated with Sheriff Borum by telephone twice during the afternoon, once at 2.45 and again at 5.15. Upon the latter occasion he told the sheriff that even if the Jury reached a decision he would not receive it before 9 a. m. tomorrow. Sharpe Acquitted. A Western Union bulletin received in Yorkville at 2 o'clock this afternoon was to the effect that the jury has acquitted Sharpe and is unagreed as to the Coopers. Cannon Seeks Revenge.?Evidently nettled at the strong showing made against his rule by the alliance between the Democrats and Republican insurgents, Speaker Cannon announced the other day that he would not consult Champ Clark, the minority leader as to the appointment of Democrats on committees. The Democrats had forestalled this by resolving that they would not accept committee assignments without the consent of Mr. Clark. Commenting on the situation, 1- - kimonlf qq tVl I . t\. CAyicsocu iiiuioviA. w lows: "Originally the speaker had the power and exercised it to appoint all committees, both the majority and the minority members. Under Speaker Reed, when Bailey of Texas, was the minority leader, and under Speaker Henderson, I think that the minority leaders were consulted a good deal regarding the appointment of minority members. When Cannon was elected speaker and Williams minority leader, the speaker conferred on the minority leader the favor of appointing minority members on committees with one or two reservations. "Now the speaker resumes the power of appointing the majority and minority members on committees for the purpose of punishing me, because 1 had the courage to fight certain things that he wanted done. He has a perfect right to appoint the majority and minority members and I'm not complaining about it, but his efforts to punish me will be absolutely futile if his purpose is to swerve me from the line of conduct which I think is for the welfare of the Democratic party, and therefore of the country. Committee assignments do not make and unmake men in the house of representatives. I had nothing whatever to do with the appointment of the committees on ways and means, and the committee on rules and I would not have cared a baubee if he had put me on the tail-end of the committee on ventilation and acoustics. Every man makes his own place in the house of representatives. He did not give me my place and he can't take it away from me." LOCAL AFFAIRS, NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. M. B. Love, Yorkville No. 5?Wants to buy a pair of moderately priced mules. J. E. Jones, Chester, S. C.?Want four men to work for the Singer Sewing Machine company. Edw. R. Shannon, Yorkville No. 4?Offers single comb Rhode Island red eggs for sale at $1 per 15. Bratton's Farm? Has thoroughbred Berkshire pigs for sale, and also pure bred buff Orpington eggs, at $1 per setting of 15. N. Jane White, Admrx.?Requests persons Indebted to estate of B. Frank White, deceased, to make settlement. Creditors will present claims. Victor Cotton Oil Co.?Will close its ginnery for the season after March 24 and 25. L. R. Williams, Probate Judge?Gives notice that Ellas Ramsey has applied for letters of administration on the estate of A. W. Ramsey, deceased. Thomson Co.?Announces a special sale of muslin underwear for ladles' and children to begin next Monday and continue for one week. Other store news. C. H. Smith?Offers 75 bushels of seed com for sale at $2 a bushel. Loan and Savings Bank?Advises you to keep a reserve fund on hands for emergencies. All Its business affairs are confidential. J. L. Williams & Co.?Explain that buying and selling strictly for cash Is why they are able to undersell others. New arrivals. Carroll Furniture Co.?Has added a line of Steams & Foster mattresses to Its stock. Bed springs and bed lounges. York Supplv Co.?Asks you to come and see the John Deere line of farm Implements. Fertilizers, seed sweet and Irish potatoes, seed oats, etc. York Drug Store?Calls attention to the merits of chloro-naptholeum as a disinfectant and deodorizer about your premises. York Furniture Co.?Invites the ladles' to see the Perfection blue flame wick oil stoves, which makes an ideal stove for summer use. Sectional book cases and rocking chairs. Yorkvllle Hardware Co.?Offers ten cook stoves and several majestic ranges at reduced prices. They say they are bargains for the first comers. Lavadura Chemical Co.?Tells about the easy wav that the clothes washing can be done If "Lavadura" Is used. See fourth page. Royal Baking Powder Co.?Again points out reasons why you should nap Rovnl haklne powder. See fourth page. First National Rank?Wants you to deposit the gold money you may be keeping as souvenirs. It will return it to you and pay interest on it besides. Wa'ter Rose?Says he always has for his customers the best fresh meats and green groceries the market affords. J. C. Wilbom?Has 279 acres near Sharon, and 235 acres near Rock Hill, for sale. A drawing card for a merchant. Farmers' Wholesale Grocery?Calls attention to Purina feed for work animals, and also for hens and little chicks. R. B. Davidson Co.?Says it pays to handle and sell the best, and says the Farrand is the best. Because of the weather, the farmers have not been able to do as much work as they would like to have done. There has been very little plowing this year, and everybody is eager to get at it. The contractors who are constructing the power plant at Ninety-Nine Island, are pushing their operations by means of electric power from the Great Falls and Catawba plants, thus using the Catawba to help harness the Broad. There was a heavy frost last Tuesday, heavy enough in some^.localitles almost to admit of the tracking of a qKhu Rnfnro p*!i ml nation. neople generally took it for granted that the peach crop was killed; but afterward to the surprise of investigators, it develops that such is not the case. The escape of the buds is attributed to the idea that they have become inured to the chilly weather. But up to this time, the common impression is that there is but a slim chance for peaches the coming season. It gives The Enquirer much pleasure to record the big real estate deal noted elsewhere in today's issue. It is a cause for congratulation all round. Mr. A. E. Willis and family are to be congratulated on coming to York county. The fine farmers in the neighborhood of the Jones-Brown plantation are to be congratulated that Mr. Willis is to be their neighbor. And last, but not least, Mr. J. C. Wilborn Is to be congratulated on the successful consummation of a real estate deal of such large proportions. Mr. C. J. Hughes, agent of the Farmers' Co-operative Demonstration work in York county, Is finding himself literally overrun with the popularity of his work. When he commenced, he was told that about forty farmers would be all that he could undertake to visit during the two days a week for which he is to receive pay. Already he has more than eighty applications in and the interest is still on the increase. It will be impossible for him to take on nearly all the people who desire to avail themselves of the benefit of the Instruction the agricultural department is giving. The Enquirer will be pleased to acknowledge any subscriptions that may be made to the hundred dollar fund that the Farmers' Union of York county proposes to raise lor the purpose of prizes in its proposed contest. The subscriptions are not to be binding unless as many as twenty-five farmers notify Mr. A. L. Black, the secretary of the Union of their purpose to enter the contest. All subscriptions will be payable in cash on or before November 1, next. It is not proposed to raise exceeding $100 in cash; but merchants and others who desire to do so may offer special prizes in the shape of goods to be given for the first, second or third highest yields, as the doners of the prizes may direct. THE SPECULATIVE MARKET. Yesterday's developments in the speculative market are summarized in an Associated Press dispatch of last night from New York as follows: Following early activity and quite a sharp break in prices the cotton market rallied a few points, but ruled quiet in me ia.it: iiauuig mui uic wiuov steady at a net decline of 4 to 7 points. The market opened barely steady at a decline of 4 to 6 points in response to lower cables and during the early session sold off to a net loss of about 8 to 11 points under general liquidation and local bear pressure. Unsettled European political conditions, apprehensions that tariff revision would lead to a period of unsettled general trade in this country- and talk of easier spot offerings from the south were among the bearish factors, but after stop loss orders had been executed on the early decline offerings became lighter and during the balance of the day there seemed to be enough profit taking by recent sellers to maintain prices at a slight recovery from the lowest. Sentiment, however, continued very nervous and it was noted that some of the prominent brokers were sellers on every little bulge. Southern spot markets officially reported early were generally 1-16 to l-8c. lower. Wires received from Memphis late in the day reported a considerable spot demand, but it seemed to be the experience of local brokers that mills were lowering their buying limits as rapidly as futures declined. The weather map showed no further precipitation in the southwest, nor was there any Indicated for the next 24 hours by the forecast. Reports are now reaching New York that the comparatively low price of fertilizers has led to the booking of unusually heavy orders. Receipts at the ports today 13,859 against 21,093 last week and 11,079 last year. For the week 100,000 against 121,129 last week and 93,055 last year. Today's receipts at New Orleans 2,350 against 2,045 last year, and at Houston 3,856 against 3,671 last year. WITHIN THE TOWN, ? The town council has not yet announced Its conclusion as to what It will do with the petition asking for an election on the question of amending the charter so as to provide that franchises may not be granted except with the consent of a majority of the voters. First, The Enquirer in Informed, the petition will be examined to determine whether it contains the names of the requisite majority of freeholders, and second there have been intimations of doubt as to the exact meaning of the law that permits the amending of the town charter at the instance of a majority of the voters. The law on this last mentioned proposition, however, appears to be quite plain. ABOUT PEOPLE. Mr. R. Willie Lowry returned to Yorkville this morning, after finishing his course in cotton grading at Milledgeville, Ga. Mrs. J. L. Guy of Chester R. F. D. No. 4, is spending several days in Yorkville with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Lowry. Mr. Arthur M. Suggs, who is attending school at Littleton, N. C., had the misfortune to fall recently while playing basketball and break his left arm. Mr. R. M. Wyatt of Smyrna, was in Yorkville, Wednesday. Mr. Wyatt is the blacksmith for his neighborhood, and a good one?can make almost anything that is to be made of iron and make it right. Mr. Wyatt, however is complaining some of his health of late. It is the result of two much heavy work, and he says that while he does not propose to dodge anything that he can do, he will be compelled in the future to give preference to lighter Jobs. TOWNSHIP ASSESSORS. Following are the town and township boards of assessors for York county, the chairman of each board, being ex officio, a member of the county board of equalization: Bethel?J. B. Ford, chairman; J. M. Craig and R. Meek Barnett. Bethesda?J. T. Crawford, chairman; C. S. Gordon and B. F. Merritt. Broad River?J. W. Qulnn, chairman; J. J. Scoggins and J. J. J. Robinson. Bullock's Creek?J. C. Blair, chairman; J. C. Kirkpatrick and E. M. Bankhead. Catawba?J. R. Gettys, chairman; R. H. Cowan and John S. Stultz. Ebenezer?W. M. Carothers, chairman; T. M. Oates and A. A. Barron. Fort Mill?S. H. Epps, Sr., chairman; W. L. Hall and D. G. Kimbrell. King's Mountain?John M. Thomasson, chairman; W. D. Moore and W. M. Faulkner. York?R. R. McCorkle, chairman; R. E. McFarland and G. M. Carroll. Rock Hill city?T. L. Johnson, chairman; W. G. Stevens and J. E. Parker. -d-?'--in- Ttr u Mnnm chairman: 1 UI IV V I lie TV. M. C. Willis and W. C. Latimer. BIG REAL ESTATE DEAL. The largest real estate deal that has taken place In York county since the war, was consummated last Tuesday, when Mr. J. C. Wilborn, the well known real estate man of Yorkvllle, sold the S. M. Jones?Brown plantation, to Mr. A. E. Willis of Lynchburg, Va. The plantation involved in the deal includes something over 1,000 acres, located pretty nearly half way between Yorkville and Rock Hill, and although the purchase price has not been made public, it is understood that the consideration was close in the neighborhood of $30,000. The deal has been on for some weeks. The land was virtually sold at the beginning of it; but the next question was to suit Mr. Willis with a desirable home In an acceptable location. Mr. Wilborn, of course, did all in his power to bring Mr. Willis to Yorkvllle; but influenced by various Important considerations, among other things educational advantages for his children, the location of relatives in Yorkville and the supervision of a large plantation he owns in Barnwell county, Mr. Willis had considerable hesitation between Yorkville, Rock Hill and Colum-. bia. All doubts have been settled in favor of Rock Hill, where Mr. J. Edgar Poag succeeded in selling to Mr. Willis the Dr. W. G. Stevens' residence, one of the handsomest in the place. Mr. Willis is originally from Barn?-ii to o hrnthpr nf Mr. WCH t'uuuij, aim 10 u. miv??v. ? M. C. Willis, proprietor of the Yorkvllle Buggy company. His family consists of a wife and four children. He is a large farmer of wide experience, and his acquirement of the Brown plantation will probably have no little bearing on the development of that already splendid agricultural neighborhood. EXPIRED SUBSCRIPTIONS After tomorrow, such subscriptions to The Enquirer as have been returned on clubs and which remain unpaid or otherwise unprovided for, will he discontinued. This rule of more than forty years standing. Is understood by most of the subscribers to this paper, but is repeated for the benefit of those who may not understand It. So far as lies in our power to avoid anything of the kind, there is no favoritism and no discrimination in the matter. The mailing lists are revised In strict accordance with the subscription books, and names are left or stricken out as the case may bo, as the books show. But in the keeping of a record of more than two thousand names, It is reasonable that mistakes are made. It sometimes occurs that a name pi op erly credited on the books has not be<-n r\r-\ fVin mollintr list RVfifV fif fort is made to avoid such mistakes; but in spite of the greatest care they will occur. Those of our subscribers who fail to get the next issue of the paper after this, will attribute that failure to one of three things. 1. That their subscription has expired and not been returned. 2. That their subscription has not been paid. 3. That there has oeen a mistake or oversight somewhere. Where the subscriber has not paid and does not want to pay, there is no harm and nothing to do. Where there has been a mistake, and the subscriber will make complaint, we will do all In our power to correct it as soon as possible. After tomorrow, the price of a single subscription will be at the rate of $2 a year, payable strictly cash in advance. Two or more subscriptions accompanied by the cash will be entered at the rate of $1.75 each. LOCAL LACONIC8. Winds Up Tomorrow. The Enquirer's club contest winds up tomorrow at 6 p. m., and the prizes offered will be awarded on a basis of the subscriptions returned and paid by that hour. The Straight Road Proposition. The county board of commissioners on yesterday made an inspection of the road routes that have been agitated by parties Interested, looking over the proposed route from Rock Hill to the Biggers Hill and the proposed route to "John Steele's mail box." The board announced no conclusion as to what it would do. Bank at Sharon. Sharon is to have a national bank soon. Our information is that the proposed bank is to organize with $25,000 capital, about half of which is to be furnished by local people. The question of organizing a bank has been under consideration quite a while: but the understanding now is that everything has been practically settled except the paying In of the capital stock. A brick building is to be erected for the home of the proposed bank. Funeral of Mr. J. M. Spratt. Fort Mill special of March 16, to the Columbia State: The body of Mr. John M. Spratt was placed in the fam lly plot In the cemetery tnis aueraoon by many loving: friends. The funeral services were conducted In the Presbyterian church by the pastor. Rev. W. A. Hafner, and were attended by a large crowd of sorrowing friends. Mr. Spratt was a gentle nature, a noble character without blemish or stain. The late beloved pastor of Mr. Spratt, Dr. Jas. H. Thornwell, In the last report to his congregation, said thus of him In speaking of the work he had accomplished outside his pulpit: "It would have been impossible to have undertaken any of this outside work had It not been for the wise counsel, the accurate book-keeping and unswerving Integrity of John M. Spratt, who has been my safeguard, steering me through its difficulties and has so handled these large amounts with such minute care that full settlements were easily made. Through him I have secured a reputation for wise business management without detracting from my pulpit or pastoral work, another Instance of the truth, other men labored and he has entered Into my labors." These words from the Hps of that Immortal minister stand out today plainly bespeaking the character of John M. Spratt. Rev. Mr. Hafner paid a beautiful tribute to his beloved co-worker and friend. PRESIDENT'S FIRST MESSAGE. It Recommends a Speedy Revision of Tariff Schedules. President Taft's first message was received by the senate and house last Tuesday, with demonstrations in both bodies. The message was as follows: "To the Senate and House of Representatives: "I have convened the congress in this extra session in order to enable It to give immediate consideration to the revision of the Dingley tariff act Conditions affecting production, manufacture and business generally have so changed in the last twelve years as to require a readjustment and revision of the import duties imposed by that act. More than this, the present tariff act, with the other sources of government revenue, does not furnish Income enough to pay the authorized expenditures. By July 1 next the excess of expenses over receipts for the current fiscal year will equal $100,000,000. "The successful party in the late election is pledged to a revision of the tariff. The country and the business community, especially, expect It. The prospects of a change in the rates of import duties always causes a suspension or halt in business because of the uncertainty as to the changes to be made and their effect. It is, therefore, of the highest importance that the new bill be agreed upon and passed with as much speed as possible consistent with its due and thorough consideration. For these reasons I have deemed the present to be an extraordinary occasion, within the meaning of the constitution, justifying and requiring the calling of an extra session. "In my inaugural address I stated, in a summary way, the principles upon which, in my judgment, the revision of the tariff should proceed, and indicate at least one new source of revenue that might be properly resorted to in order to avoid a future deficit. It is not necessary for me to repeat what I then said. "I venture to suggest that the vital business Interests of the country require that the attention of the congress in this session be chiefly devoted to the consideration of the new bill and that the less time given to other subjects * nAoalAn Kn Kilf rnr legislation uns ncmiun, ter for the country. fSlgn^d) "William H. Taft." "The White House. March 16. 1909." TARIFF SMASHES ,PARTY LINES. Democrats Want Benefits as Well as Republicans. The house committee on ways and means agreed yesterday after the first meeting of the full committee to report the Payne tariff bill back to the house without amendment. Representative Broussard of Louisiana, voted for a resolution to this effect, but all the other Democratic members voted against it The Democrats were given until next Tuesday to prepare a minority report on the measure. That party lines will be eliminated during the consideration in the house of the Payne tariff bill was indicated by the action of Representative Broussard of Louisiana, in withdrawing today from the meeting of the members of the minority committee because he differed with their views on the tariff. With few exceptions, each member of the house will fight for the interests of his home district. There is little prospect of any lengthy general debate on the bill and the consideration of the measure under the five minute rule for amendment will be proceeded with as soon as possible, probably by the end of the present week. Unless a "gag" rule, for the prevention of unlimited amendment under the five minute rule is brought in, the momhore r\f (ho Wfl VS and means committee will not report a separate bill. Their report will be drafted by Minority Leader Clark and will severely criticise the wool schedule in the new bill. It Is contended by the Democrats that It has not been cut sufficiently to place it on a revenue basis. There probably will be numerous amendments offered and heated discussions affecting them are anticipated. The inheritance tax. Philippine free trade, internal revenue and maximum and minimum features of the new bill are endorsed by the minority leaders and there has been much favorable comment upon the measure by Democratic congressmen. It is understood that the minority leaders favor the removal of the restrictions on the quantity of sugar and tobacco that can be admitted from the Philippines free of duty. On the other hand several southern Democrats are endeavoring to have the free trade provision amended so as to exclude rice, their contention being that rice would be sent from the Philippines to the United States markets and sold for two cents a pound, if admitted free from the islands. This, they say, would ruin the rice industry in this country. A number of Democrats will join with some Republicans in favoring the continuation of the duty assessed by the Dingley bill upon lumber. The fight for free lumber will be headed by Champ Clark, it is understood. He has frequently expressed himself in bitter terms regarding the lumber situation in this country. During the tariff hearings he arraigned the lumber magnates and delved deep into the intricacies of stumpage and railroad land grants. It Is not thought there will be any serious opposition to the tariff placed on tea. SOUTH CAROLINA'S FINANCES. ' enator Mauldin Thinks They Are In Very Good Shape. The following is from the Columbia Evening Record: Dr. W. L. Mauldin of Greenville, who as chairman of the senate finance committee, has been watching state finances for many years, while here today expressed himself in an optimistic way about the present condition of the state's finances. Me does not agree with the view that the habit the state has gotten into of borrowing from a hundred or so thousands a year to half a million, which latter sum will have to be negotiated this year as was done last year, is a bad policy. "True," said he, "this entails an item of from $8,000 to $12,000 in Interest charges which would not have to be spent were the state on a cash basis, but it has the effect of holding these fellows down in the legislature on the RDnronriations. If they did not have this obligation hanging over their heads they would make every appropriation asked for, almost Members of the legislature for the most part are not the large taxpayers and they have no natural restraint. I do not think it altogether a wise policy to have the state on a cash basis. And this money that is borrowed is not a debt. It is an obligation with something definite and tangible, the coming taxes, in view to meet it. If we borrowed money with nothing in sight to pay it that would be a debt You newspaper fellows ought to get out of the habit of calling this a debt "And I certainly do not agree to the proposition of making the levy such any one year as to meet this floating debt and place the stat? on a cash basis at once," he continued. "I did favor half a mil] as a sinking fund to take care of this situation at one time, but I am not fully persuaded that even that would be a wise course to pursue. It is well for the state, as it is well for most individuals, to have an obligation ahead to spur the people's representatives on to care and economy." Dr. Mauldin does not agree with Comptroller General Jones that the assessments should be placed on a market value. "Raising the assessment will not reduce taxes or cause any more care to be exercised," said he. "On the contrary experience has demonstrated in the counties and in the state as a whole that increased assessments just incite mere appropriations. The state levy has for tne past z& or 30 years ranged between four and a fraction and Ave and a fraction mills, although within the past fifteen years or so the valuation has gone up from $175,000,000 to nearly $275,000,000, We have practically the same levy now on almost twice the valuation. And county taxes and levies run about the same way throughout the state. "Oh, yes," he answered to another question, "It would be very well to have property better equalized, but I think this state will compare favorably with any other In that respect. I am yet to be Introduced to the practical plan by which It can be Improved." MERE-MENTION. The United States government has decided to keep three war vessels in Central American waters, because of the unsettled conditions down that way The railroads of Missouri desire to return to the 3 cent fare, and the governor says he will exhaust all the powers of the state before he will permit it W. E. D. Stokes, a Kentucky horse breeder, has recently refused an offer of $75,000 for a thoroughbred stallion, Peter the Great, from the Russian government He last week sold a 3-year-old colt for $12,000 A plot of ground 73.1x73.2 feet was sold in New Tork last week at the rate of $307 per square foot Harry H. Brown, president of a defunct bank of Napa county, CaL, Is under arrest in Washington, D. G., on a charge of embezzlement Mr. Roosevelt will leave New Tork on his African hunting trip next Tuesday The telegraph operators of the French postofflce department are on a strike at Paris, and the military is required to preserve order. As yet there has been little rioting Curtis Jett, who is serving a life sentence in the Kentucky penitentiary for the assassination of Jas. B. Marcum and Jas. Cockrell, has given out a confession in which he states that he is guilty of all the crimes laid at his door Hundreds of Indians are dying in the northern districts of Canada from an unknown disease George T. Angle, editor of Our Dumb Animals, died in Boston on Tuesday, at the age of 86 years... .Emile Ford, a negro, was lynched at Athens, La., Monday night. The negro had entered the sleeping apartment of a wnite woman It Is announced in Philadelphia that 500 Pinkerton detectives have been employed to work In the coal mines of Pennsylvania to anticipate trouble in case of a strike among the coal miners ?.The Pennsylvania Steel company has announced a 10 per cent reduction in the wages of its employes, effective April 1. The reduction affects 6,000 men The navy department has placed a contract for the erection and equipment of a wireless telegraph station at Washington, capable of sending messages 3,000 miles The Krupps of Germany, gunmakers, are to establish a guncotton factory in Mexico The city council of New York has under consideration the idea of offering a large reward for the arrest and conviction of the murderer or murderers of Detective Joseph Petrosino, the New York detective who was assassinated at Palermo, Sicily, Saturday night. Petrosino was Investigating the Black Hand society at the time of his death Edward Payson Weston, 71 years old, a professional pedestrian, left New York on Monday on a walking trip to San Francisco. He expects to reach his journey's end on July 8.?The St. Patrick's Day parade in New York on Tuesday was participated in by 75,000 norcnnc Pntrick H. narroll. a saw * r ? maker, was shot to death by Jas. M. Shelton, a Pullman car porter, at Indianapolis, Ind., Wednesday. The negro was arrested The court of appeals of Manitoba has confirmed the decision of a lower court by which the plumbers' union of Winnepeg was fined $25,000 damages as a result of a strike The legislature of Nevada has passed a bill placing games of bridge whist, eucre and other social card games played for money and prizes, in the same class of gambling as poker, roulette and faro Charles Chanler, brother of ex-Lieut. Gov. Chanler of New York, accidentally killed a man named Gillard, at the Chanler home near Charlottesville, Va.t Monday evening. Gillard's wife had asked Chanler for protection from her husband. Gillard forced an entrance to Chanler's dining room and attacked his wife, threatening to shoot her. In a struggle for the pistol the weapon was discharged and Glllard fell dead. Chanier was exhonerated... .Six persons were killed and five injured at Montreal, Canada, Wednesday morning by a runaway engine jumping the track and plunging through the waiting room of the terminal station By a decision of the New York court of appeals, John R. Hegeman, president of the Metropolitan Life Insurance company, will have to stand trial on a charge of perjury, the specific count being falsifying a report to the state insurance department in 1905 A civilian fought duels with two army officers at Eisenach, Germany, Tuesday, with pistols, and killed both of his opponents. 80UTH CAROLINA NEWS. ? The condition of Senator M. C. Butler, who is 111 In Columbia hospital, continues critical. ? President Taft has appointed E. W. Durant, Jr., to be collector of the port of Charleston, vice Crum, who was never confirmed. ? It is rumored from Washington, that notwithstanding the senate's refusal to confirm the nomination of Joshua Wilson as postmaster of Florence, President Taft will probably reappoint Wilson. ? Chester, March 18: The cotton warehouse of Joseph Wylle A Co., with its contents, consisting of somewhere between 350 and 500 bales of cotton, was destroyed by Are early tonight. The Are spread rapidly, and 8. M. Jones & Co.'s stables, the city's stables, and several negro tenant houses belonging to E. C. Stahn were damaged or destroyed. Wylle & Co., also lost a considerable supply of baled hay, a number of new wagons and other valuable property, including their stables and sheds. Fortunately all live stock was saved. The Are department did splendid and effective work, and at 8.30 o'clock, although the Are at one time threatened to sweep a large part of the business district, the Aamesare practically subdued. It is Impossible at this time to estimate the damage with any accuracy, but it will easily reach $35,000 or $40,000. R. G. Smith's and J. B. Wylie's stables were in danger for a while, but were saved without loss. ? The Washington correspondent ot the News and Courier claims that the appointment of E. W. Durant, Jr., as collector of the port of Charleston, is to be taken as significant of the end of John O. Capers' Influence as political referee in this state. It has been commonly claimed that Capers was largely responsible for the nomination of W. D. Crum. Capers has given the News and Courier correspondent the following statement as to the whole situation: "I have never recommended Crum for appointment, and when asked about the qualifications of Mr. Durant, I recommended him unqualifiedly. Mr. Durant married the widow of my classmate, and I have always entertained the warmest feelings for him. When I lived in Charleston, he lived just across the street from where I did. and I know him to be a man of the hlgh ? A - A# ant.n/lll) eei vuanwitn auu ? unu vi ability. I did not recommend him when I was first asked about the appointment, but recommended the appointment of CapL J. o. Ladd, postmaster at Summervlile, an old Lnlon soldier. Postmaster Harris asked me about Mr. Durant and I spoke in the Highest terms of him, but said I had never thought of him in that connection. 1 did not continue to press Capt Ladd's appointment because he had a good position in the postmastership, GK and Mr. Durant was wholly acceptable to me. I was also asked whom I would favor if a Democrat was to be named, and I replied 'Billy Storen.' As ifor Crum's original appointment, when the appointment was under consideration 1 came to Washington in company with T. L. Grant, and urged the appointment of R R Tolbert, tor the office. I stated to President Roosevelt that I was opposed to Crum's appointment, if for no other reason, especially because a sub-committee of the state committee, upon which there were two white men and five negroes, had expressed itself as opposed to Crum's appointment and in favor or Tolbert's. At no time have I recommended Crum's appointment" C&pt Capers was asked also as to his remaining in hie present office of internal revenue under the new administration. "I know nothing about that" he replied, "that is, so far as Mr. Taffs wishes in the matter. I have not seen him, nor tried to see him on the subject, but have tried to maintain a dignified bearing in the matter. If it is the president's wish that I remain as commissioner, for a reasonable length of time, I shall be glad to remain. If, on the other hand, he desires to appoint some one else that will be satisfactory to me. I have not made any effort whatever to influence him and I shall not either directly or indirectly." ? Columbia special of March 16, to Greenville News: There was a spirited little row in the Washington-Carroll party last night over what Richard carroirs inenas ascnoe to jeaiousy uu the part of W. T. Andrews, a wealthy Sumter member of the party, who Is accused of trying to exploit the party to advance his political fortunes ??<l prominence. The row ended in the triumphant victory of Carroll and the humiliating setting down of the aforesaid Andrews. It appears that Andrews wanted to take charge of the party from here on, but Carroll's friends protested that this would be unfair as Carroll had made all the arrangements for financing the enterprise, and an effort was made to have Carroll go right out before the audience and fight It out before the crowd' by giving the directions and laying down the law, but Richard Carroll Is Si too much of a diplomat for a stunt 111 Al * TT- t J UA n./x..U line mau ne oaiu uo nuuiu ^uu w?y party at Columbia if Andrews persisted in his attempt to swing on to Washington's coattails. Finally Washington himself took a hand to save j his friend Carroll and himself perhaps ' some embarrassment, insisting on Carroll going on with the party and threatening to jump the remainder of the South Carolina itinerary if Carroll was not to have controL Then Washington went on and indirectly rubbed this in by paying Carroll and his management a very high compliment. This ended the contest The same sort of jealousy among the blacks came near causing trouble at Rock Hill, Sunday. Henry Toole, the Rock Hill barber, who is regarded there as an excellent negro and an exceptionally intelligent one and has scores of warm friends among the very best white people, was guyed a deal by the negroes on account of Washington before the latter arrived, and some of them had cooked up a conspiracy to hiss Washington at the speechmaking, but the hissing did not materialize?probably for three reasons. One was that the great majority of the negroes were delighted with Washington and his talk, another was that the principal "nigger's nigger," Editor White of the local negro newspaper, was given a prominent part in the proceedings, and the third, perhaps the most potent, Mayor Roddey said the first negro who hissed would be slapped in the calaboose. The mayor^-?^ took the position that while under the Justly celebrated fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Federal constitution the negro's grand American privilege to express his sentiments in hissing could not be questioned in ordinary circumstances, he would rule that hissing Washington on Sunday would be declared to be unlawful under the "disorderly conduct" ordinance of the unterrified town of Rock Hill. i Washington stopped at Toole's home while In Rock Hill and Toole acted as a sort of general master of ceremonies. Toole's wife sang a solo at the speechmaking, which was very highly complimented by Washington, who also said he could wish no better epitaph ( than to have the brief speech of Mayor Roddey employed to welcome him engraved upon his headstone. Wants New Leader.?"The almost unanimous sentiment from Democrats I have met is that a new man should lead in the next contest. Mr. Bryan must recognize the soundness of this view." This utterance by Gov. Hoke Smith of Georgia at the Grover Cleveland birthday dinner given by the Democratic society of western New York at Buffalo last night, was greeted with applause. Gov. Smith spoke on national issues, and throughout his address threaded a plea for adherence to the Democratic principle or Seymour, Tilden and Cleveland. He paid a tribute to Cleveland, to whom he referred as "a rugged, honest and cap- | able old-fashioned Democrat without frills."