Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THURSDAY IOBYKG, HAT 5, 1870. AGENTS F?R TEE INTELLIGENCER. Walser, Evaito A Cogswell, Charleston, 8. C J?rn? X. Sloajt, jr., Colombia, 5. C. W. H- B. Todd, General Agent. South. Carolina bonds were quoted in New York-on Monday last, old 90 ; new 83. The proceedings of Congress for the past week have been uninteresting, and hence we have omitted the usual summary. * Mr. William J. Hix, an energetic and useful citizen ?1:' this county, died on Saturday last, and was buried at the Baptist church in this place on Sunday. t6T Mr. Albert Hackett, an old and well known citizen, died suddenly at his residence ten miles north of this place on Friday night last. -.-m> '? Ths S?mtek Watchman.?Wednesday last was the twentieth birthday of this staunch and reliable journal. It enters upon a third decade with flattering prospects. A subscriber in Kentucky, enclosing his subscription to the Intelligencer, writes: "I am pleased with your paper, and feel that I can scarcely do without it." This is truly encour? aging, and we thank our friend for his good opinion. Our excellent friend, Mr. M. H. Deal, has placed us under obligations for the first Strawberries of the season. We thank him for the kindness, and would assure all interested that the fruit was delicious and the supply bountiful. We invite attention to the proceedings of a public meeting held at Bishop's Branch on last Saturday. The resolutions deserve careful consideration from the voters of this county, and we hope to hear from every sec? tion concerning the plan proposed to select suitable candidates for the Legislature. "Vinegar Bitters.?A bottle of this popular medicine has been sent us by Messrs. B. F. Grayton & Son, who have a supply on hand It is a purely vegetable preparation, and has .effected many wonderful results, according to the claims of the proprietor. We refer to tie above named firm for additional information. S@* A letter wa3 received here a few days since, addressed t% the President of the "An? derson Cotton Manufacturing Company." One of the stockholders (?) m the recent gigantic swindle fell heir to the epistle, and holds it sub? ject to the order of tho President, whenever that worthy can b3 found. We advise a meet? ing of the company to frame a suitable answer. Mr. Reid Watson, a young and indus? trious farmer, has sent to this office specimens of wheat and oats, fully headed out on the 25th of April.. He-has thirty acres of wheat and twenty acres of oats in like forward condition, which is an evidence of his careful manage? ment and enterprise.. We are always glad to ohronicle the success of young farmers. JSF* That accomplished architect, A. Y. Lee, Esq., of Columbia, is engaged in preparing a series of maps of the ? upper portion of this State, with letter press descriptions, estimate, prices, statistics, and general information, such as will exhibit the character and advantages of | our lands,, water-powers and resources general? ly. It will be in pamphlet form,. 50,000 of which are to-be distributed gratis. -?. Personal.?We-received a call on Tuesday from Col. W. C. Keith,, editor of the Keowee Courier, and one of the Representatives from Oconee county in the recent Legislature. He was here on business, and made quite a brief | sojourn. We were gratified to learn that the popular journal over which he presides with such grace and ability is steadily advancing in prosperity. - Delegates to the Sunday School Con? vention.?We understand that the following delegates have been appointed to represent the Sunday Schools of this place in the State Con? vention which assembles in Charleston on next Thursday: Presbyterian?A. B. Towers. Baptist?Rev. W. D. Beverly and John H. Clark. Methodist?R. S. Hill. Death of Hon. Richard Yeadon. The numerous friends and acquaintances of this distinguished gentleman will be pained to learn of his death, which occurred on the 25th of April,.in the 68th year of his age. Mr. Yeadon had been prominently connected with the history of South Carolina during the past forty years-, and was always highly esteemed for his many virtues as a public servant and private ?itizeo. He was oa?proprietor of the Charles? ton Conner, and at various times in his long and eventful life wielded the editorial pen of that staunch and reliable journal. He was a) graduate of the South Carolina College, a lawyer eminent in his profession, and had serv? ed with distinction in the Legislature. ? ?' ? -: Appointment of Trial Justices. In accordance with a recent act of the Leg? islature, the Governor has appointed the fol? lowing persons as Trial Justices for Anderson eounty: John Wilson and John C. White field, Anderson C. H.; W. D. Wilkes, Bel ton ; R. N. Wright, Honea Path; E. J. Pin son, Williamston; Jas. McLesky, Melville, and Andrew Todd, Stony Point We have given the post office address of each one, mere? ly to designate the section of the county in which they live. We arc entitled to sixteen Trial Justices, underthe law providing for their appointment, and we presume that the remain? der will be announced shortly. The office of magistrate, it will be remembered, was abolished on and after the 1st of May. With a single exception, the above named Trial Justi? ces have filled the office of magistrate hereto? fore, and with credit to themselves and satisfac? tion to their neighborhoods. We take pleasure, therefore, in stating the fact that the appointees are men of experience, and that several of them are justly distinguished for their capacity and sound discrimination in the discharge of official dutiti?, ? i The June Convention. The Columbia Phoenix and the Charleston Newa dissent from the views expressed by us a fortnight since. Wo have carefully weighed the reasons assigned by those journals as to the propriety of organizing a State ticket in the approaching canvass, ,and have not been con? vinced that there is a hope of success in the programme of our cotemporaries. To our mind there are overwhelming reasons to the contrary, and we shall proceed to state them briefly. It must be conceded that a movement of this character, to secure an affiliation between Dem? ocrats and Republicans in an effort to bring about reform in the administration of public affairs, must necessarily be controlled and urged forward by conservative members of the Repub? lican party. We think there is no hazard in affirming that it is out of the question to expect the election of any Democrat to fill the Executive chair for the next term. The nominee of the June Convention, with the remotest chance of success, must come from the ranks of the Re? publican party, and must procure the votes of every Democrat in the State in order to insure airiumph over the disciplined forces of the ex? treme Radicals. Such being the case, we are led to inquire as to the individual likely to place himself in the hands of a party organized in this way. Is there a prominent Republican yet connected with the movement? We con? fess that there is no indication to that effect. Unless we have an available candidate, who can unite the entire Democratic vote, and at the same time secure more than 15,000 voters heretofore aligned with the Radical party, de? feat is certain and inevitable. These are plain facts that it will not do to ignore in our calcu? lations. The Radical Convention will assemble in July, for the purpose of nominating candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. If there is a breach among the leaders of that par? ty, and one that will likely prove effectual, the white people of the State will hold the balance of power, and can determine the election by their votes in favor of the least objectionable candidate. In doing so, there would be no sacrifice of principle on their part. It would not only present a choice of evils, but prove an entering wedge to the dissolution of the im? mense patronage and power now controlled by that party. Unless there are strong and influ? ential men in the Radical party, opposed to the corruption, profligacy and misrule of the pres ? ent administration, and who are willing to manifest this opposition boldly and unhesita? tingly in their primary meetings and nomina? ting conventions, there can be no hope of secu? ring an honest and economical State govern? ment for the next two years. Otherwise, the "cohesive power of public plunder" will pre? serve intact the Radical party as at present or? ganized. Admitting, for the sake of argument, that the Radicals will elect the next Governor with? out opposition, we cannot perceive that this will fasten Radicalism permanently upon the State or make it reputable. The campaign of 1872; involving a Presidential election, must necessarily be fought upon national issues. It is entirely uncertain as to the significance of Democracy and Republicanism at that time, as the platforms of 1868 will bo eschewed in a great measure. The issues of the next Presi? dential contest, however, are not likely to in? volve questions upon which the voters of this State will be divided by races, and in the mean? time earnest and practical work will convince the colored people that the declarations of friendship and good will on our part are honestly meant and faithfully adhered to. The distrust and alienation of the past must give way to a better feeling, and this cannot be hastened by imprudent efforts to control their votes in ad? vance of their confidence and faith in these pledges. In advocating the policy of striving to secure the election of honest and incorruptible men to the Legislature, without reference to a contest for Governor, we think there is safety and hope. In many counties, it would stimulate Republi? cans to put forward men without regard to po? litical distinctions, and on these the people could unite heartily. It would prevent a heated canvass, which results disastrously to the agri? cultural interests of the State, where labor is disorganized and rendered uncertain. It would allay bitterness and assuage prejudices not yet overcome. It would place us on a better foot? ing to enter the campaign two years hence. It would undoubtedly take away the motives for organizing the militia, and in a measure disarm the present Executive and his cohorts, and es? pecially would this be the casein the event of a split in the Radical party. We might enumer? ate other and more potent reasons still, but it is unnecessary. We take it for granted that this policy will not be adopted, without the endorse? ment of a State Convention, and while differing from our friends as to t ho necessity for an as? sembly of this character to determine such a course, we beg leave to announce that the col? umns of the Intelligencer are open to those favor? ing a State Convention in June, and we will be glad to hear from them. If there is a desire for Anderson to be represented, we trust that the friends of the movement will at once inaugu? rate proper measures to secure that object. ?T* The Charleston Republican has an ar? ticle concerning "the Harris swindle," in which allusions are made to our people that arc un? just and untrue. He has not since been styled a carpet-bagger, nor has there been any dispo? sition in this community to connect the affair even remotely with politics, as the Republican insinuates. It has been viewed by all classes as an unmitigated "sell" on a gigantic scale, and the effort of this Radical organ to make politi? cal capital of the result must prove a failure. Indeed, the article referred to involuntarily suggests that there mut.t be some connection between Harris and politics! Otherwise, be? yond the story of some colored people that they had met Harris at the Executive mansion last summer, he would never have been thought of as a Radical emissary. -o ? Wm. J. Whipper, colored, in addition to his numerous other duties as codifier of the laws, ct cetera, has been appointed Brigadier General of Militia for Charleston District. It is reported that Land Commissioner DeLarge (colored) will receive the appointment of aid dc-camp to the Governor. Gen. Whipper and Col, DeLarge! ??The next annual commencement of Da? vidson College, N. C, will take place on Thurs? day. J.une 30. Hon. A. P. Aldrich, of Barn well, will deliver the oration before the literary societies. ; The Stockholders' Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad was held in the city of Columbia on Thursday last. On motion, D. H. Chamberlain, Esq., was called upon to preside over the deliberations of the meeting, and Mr. C. V. Carrington requested to act as Secretary. The committee on proxies and stock representation reported nearly 60,000 shares represented. President Hammett read the annual report of the President and Direc? tors, which, with the General Superintendent's report and the usual tables, were received and adopted. An amendment to the by-laws was then proposed and agreed to, creating the office of Vice President. Other changes were made in the by-laws, but we are not apprised as to the nature of these alterations. A resolution was adopted, which accepts as a part of the charter Section 11th of "An act to regulate the rights and powers of railroad companies," pass? ed Feb. 14,1870, by which the Directors are empowered to consolidate with other railroad companies, and carry out other provisions of the aforesaid act of the Legislature. The election of officers for the ensuing year was the next business in order. Of course, this was agreed upon before the meeting, and the parties now controlling the company had printed tickets. The following is the result: President?Frederick Bush. Vice-President?J. J. Patterson. Directors?John J. Patterson, J. W. Harri? son, Niles G. Parker, James L. Orr, Timothy Hurley, D. M. Porter, Joseph Crews, H. H. Kimpton, James M. Allen, A. J. Ransier, George W. Waterman and F. L. Cardozo. A complimentary resolution of thanks to President Hammett, the Board of Directors, and Superintendent Meredith, was then adop A free ticket for life was voted to President Hammett and family. Resolutions of thanks to Mr. Chamberlain for the able and efficient manner in which he discharged the duties of presiding officer, and to .sir. Wright for the use of Nickerson's Hall, were adopted, and the meeting adjourned. The Board of Directors held a meeting on Friday night, and elected the following officers: C. V. Carrington, Secretary; Reuben Tomlin son, Treasurer; D. H Chamberlain, Solicitor; John H. Moore, General Superintendent. Su? perintendent Moore was formerly connected with the New York Central Railroad, and is said to thoroughly understand his business. President Bush, Joseph Crews and George W. Waterman constitute the Executive Com? mittee. Mr. J. O. Meredith has been elected Superintendent of the Workshops at Helena. The Columbia Phcenix has been informed that President Bush is a geutleman of means ?a New York banker, and that his intention is to go to work at once, and put the road in complete order, so as to rank it as first-class. We are not fully posted as to- the details of the present arrangement, and neither are we in possesion of much information concerning the new President and some of the Board of Direc? tors. It is understood, we believe, that the re? cent transfer of stock made at $2 per share has thrown the Road into the hands of a joint stock company, embracing twelve shares, and that these shares are held by prominent members of the State government, some of whom are repre? sented upon the Board either by themselves or others. There are many surmises as to the fu? ture prospects of the Road, in which the people of this section are deeply interested, and time will develope the facts, wo presume. It is not material as to the persons controlling the des? tines of this or any other Road, if the adminis? tration of its affairs is marked by prudence and honesty, and for the best interests of the coun? try. While we are not disposed to censure or condemn without just cause, we are equally op? posed to any laudation of this new regime until the results shall justify it. Wc acknowledge that the reputed owners of the majority stock are not the persons we were induced to believe, in January last, were seeking to gain control of its affairs for the purpose of inaugurating an auspicious era in its history. They are not the agents of corporations and capitalists at the North, as we understand it, but the majority of the present owners of the Road are influential members of the Radical party of this State. Whether the power and patronage of the Road are to be thrown in favor of that political party, we are unable at present to determine. But this much wc do know, that its destiny is in the hands of an entirely different class of men from what we expected, and we feel it due to truth and justice to state this fact in the plainest and most unmistakable language. -, The Savannah Valley Railroad. Our Abbeville neighbors are about to revive this important railroad connection. Stephen C. Millett, Esq., has addressed a letter of in? quiry to W. B. Dorn, Esq., of Liberty Hill, in which he informs that gentleman that the Port Royal Railroad will be completed about the 1st of September next, and that he thinks the Sa? vannah Valley Railroad can be built. He is President of the Port Royal Railroad and seems to be a man of great energy and active enter? prise. He asks pointed and practical questions concerning the proposed route, and indicates his willingness to undertake the project of making it a success. The Abbeville Press and Banner says that the war only prevented this road from being an accomplished fact; that the scheme is feasible; that the right of way can easily be procured, and a liberal subscription obtained along the entire route. A pubfle meeting is to be held at Dorn's Mine on next Saturday, and the leading men of that section are manifesting much interest on the subject. The people of Anderson are doubtless ready to co-operate with our friends below in any prac? tical and earnest measures to secure an object of such great importance to this section. A correspondent of the Press and Banner makes the following suggestions as to the route: The Savannah Valley Railroad was charter? ed in 1852, which was to extend for thirty-six years. It would require but little trouble to galvanize it into new life. There ought to be a tew alterations. ? The road ought to cross the Savannah River at or near Fury's Ferry and run into Augusta instead of Hamburg. From Dorn's Mine it ought to run the most direct route to Anderson, which would carry it by Abbeville C. H., which is very nearly on "an air line" from Dorn's to Anderson. This route would save ten milos of road, and make the line from Knoxville to Savannah or Charleston much shorter than any other line. -+, ? A telegraph line to Edgefield in now con ted. movement in this direction ? become of a similar For the Anderson Intelligencer. Bishop's Branch, April 30,1870. The citizens of this community, both white and colored, met this day. Maj. R. F. Simp? son was called to the chair, and J. C. Watkins requested to act as secretary. The chairman briefly and very forcibly set forth the object of the meeting, and after de? liberation and remarks made by several citi? zens, it was Resolved, 1st. That we think it highly im? portant that unity of action among our voters, in our county elections, should prevail, so that good, honest and capable men may be chosen to execute our laws ; and in trying to do this, we will have nothing to do with old party dis? tinctions. 2d. That when citizens meet to do equal jus? tice to all, fair dealing demands that represen? tation should always be apportioned to the sev? eral interests to be represented. Therefore, when the whites are in the majority, white men should be chosen ; when the colored are in the majority, colored men should be choseu, if they have competency. When the majority of either may be small, representation should be divided, so as to give the minority justice. This we hold to be true always and everywhere in a representative Government. 3rd. That we acknowledge the fact that the colored population among us are free, and are fellow-citizens, and entitled to all the legal rights that white persons are. We hereby pledge ourselves to protect them in the enjoy? ment of these rights. _ 4th. That as there are many and good objec? tions to a Central Committee making nomina? tions for the county; and as we desire to give the most general participation to all our citi? zens in making choice of our rulers, we propose that the sixteen Townships in the county be divided into four divisions, and let a mass meeting be called in each division, to nominate a candidate for the Legislature, and pledge themselves to the support of the four nominees of the county that will be nominated for elec? tion next fall, and then let the four uominees meet at Anderson Court House, and of their number select one as a candidate for Senator. 5th. That we invite all the citizens of our county, without regard to race or color, to unite with us in this endeavor to have honest, good and capable men elected to make equal and just laws for our whole people, and put down bribery and corruption. 6th. That our fellow-citizens are requested to meet in the different neighborhoods and concur in the above plan, or suggest a better one. J. C. WATKINS, Sec. Shall we have a Beform in Government ? The last number of the Missionary Record, published in Charleston, and edited by Rev. R. H. Cain, colored State Senator, has the fol? lowing significant editorial. We gladly hail this evidence that the corruption and venality of the Radical office-holders will be rebuked and condemned in their own party. It will lead to good results,- in our opinion, and ought to be earnestly encouraged: No one who is not blinded by prejudice, and carried away with partisan feeling, can deny that there is need ol reformation in our affairs of government, in some departments. We have always been among those who have de? sired an honest and just government, both in State and municipal affairs. We know that in the Republican party we have some of the most unscrupulous demagogues, some of the most dishonest of men. We have never been so wedded to party as to wink at all its sins, or to spare any of its numerous sinners, when we have believed they needed scoring at our hands. Wc have marked out for ourselves a path of honesty and just dealing with mankind, and we cannot be turned from that path by any personal or.party interests. Whenever we have thought proper to'call in question the actions of Republicans, we have so done unhesitating? ly, and shall continue so to do. We have scru? tinized the doings of certain officials of the State and of the county, as well as of the city, and we cannot sanction certain transactions which have taken place, to the detriment of the people's good, and the prosperity of the county and State. We think that the manner in which the land commission of this State has been conducted, has been more with a view of speculation by a few individuals than for the good of the thou? sands of poor people of this State. We have been among the earnest supporters of the land commission for securing homes to the poor. In the discharge of our legislative duties we urged this measure as the best through which the poor could speedily be placed beyond want and dependence. The act creating the com? mission we regard as a success, and would have proved such had the mantle of responsibility fallen upon the shoulders of an honest well wisher of the poor. But unfortunately for the cause of suffering humanity, it fell where the springs had dried up, where there was no sym? pathy nor interest, save that of peculation. Two hundred thousand dollars of bonds were issued under the direction of the commission, which have all been expended before the meet? ing of the last Legislature, and only forty-five thousand acres of land bought, according to the statement of the commissioner. Last session resolutions were offered in the General Assem? bly requesting him to report the condition of his office, ana what had been done; yet at no time could a report be elicited. Subsequently a change was made in that office, but unlike any other-officer of government, Mr. Leslie has not yet turned over his books and papers to his successor. No report has been submitted to the Governor or advisory board. No one seems strong enough to bring Mr. Leslie to account for his disregard of a plain duty as a State offi? cer. Two hundred thousand dollars of the people's money has been expended, and no one knows where, now, to whom, nor for what it has been expended. Yet we have an advisory board, composed of the Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller General and At? torney General?all the heads of the State, and through whom Mr. Leslie has operated, and yet they permit him to walk with impunity, giving no account of his official conduct. Do they not know that the people will hold them strictly responsible for whatever may be wrong in this matter ? There are other facts in relation to this land commission which are not the most flattering in point of business?transactions which have occurrred since the new commissioner has been appointed, but with which he was not connect? ed, which do not reflect credit upon those who are connected with it. The public arc not idle and careless observers of these transactions, and when the time comes, will surely render a prop? er verdict in the case. In our county affairs there never was a more reckless expenditure of public funds, of no practical good to the county, than in Charles? ton County. Wc know of transactions which will make an honest man blush to mention? the expenditures of monies wrung from the taxpayers, which may be characterized as high? way robbery. In certain transactions in city affairs we forbear to speak, hoping that the time is not far distant when we shall have a reformation, even in the present Council, which will reflect honor upon its name. The school question is another which enters into the vital? ity of the nation's progress and prosperity; and yet there has not been a dozen schools estab? lished in any of the parishes or districts outside of the large cities, and yet the commissioners are drawing their pay, and all other officers are feeding at the public crib, while the people are bleeding at every pore. We say to Republicans and to that party that unless they themselves i begin a reform, and that speedily, the people will reform the party by electing others more ? competent and honest, who will carry out the j great principles of government, namely, the [ good of all tue people. We warn our officials in State, county and city, that unless they rise commensurate with the demands of the times and the wants of the people, they will be hurled from power and their places filled with better men, whether they be to the manor born or of foreign birth, whether they be of the Republi? can or the "Citizens' Party"?so that they are honest men, and will secure to the people the blessings of civil liberty and human pros? perity. The Richmond Calamity. The telegraphic dispatches relative to the terrible calamity which occurred at Richmond last week will be found upon our outside pages to-day. These dispatches present, in a suc? cinct form, the particulars of the melancholy scene, and read in connection will furnish a complete history of events during several days of sorrow and lamentation among the good people of Richmond- Every Confederate sol? dier, whose lot caused him a sojourn among the liberal-hearted and generous citizens of that city, will read the story of this disaster with genuine and unaffected sorrow. Through long years, the devoted women of Richmond alleviated the sufferings of the sick and woun? ded to the fullest extent of their abilities, and their prayers and sympathies were wafted "on every breeze to the homes of the dead and dy? ing. In this hour of their deep distress, it is natural that a kindred feeling is awakened is the breasts of surviving soldiers and relatives, and the impulse is quickened to send relief and succor to the distressed widows and or? phans, some of whom perchance gave food and nourishment to our own blood. But the link of humanity and sympathy is not compassed by sectional bounds, and from every quarter of the Union are heard generous offers of assis? tance and substantial aid. Every community should cast in its mite to relieve the suffering necessarily resulting from such a dreadful ca? tastrophe. As an addenda to the dispatches referred to, containing other and more particu? lar information touching this event, we give the principal portion of an account copied from the Enquirer of the 28th ult. It is stated that some fifty-seven persons were killed and nearly two hundred wounded: The daily papers having announced that the Court of Appeals would make their decision at 11 o'clock, in the Ellyson-Chahoon Mayoralty case, an immense crowd packed the court-room, in the second story of the Capitol, before the hour named. The court-room is just over the hall of the House of Delegates, and was lite? rally packed in evory part, with persons ea^er to hear the expected decision, buddenly the packed gallery gave way, and was thrown for? ward with a heavy concussion, into the centre of the court-room. This occurrence, with the rush and surging of the crowd, caused the whole floor to break through from the walls, and sink in a cloud of dust, and, laden with its load of human beings, down into the hall of the House of Delegates below. The mass which fell buried beneath its ruins the persons who happened then to be in the hall. It is exceedingly fortunate that the catastrophe hap? pened at the early hour of 11; for if it had oc? curred after the House of Delegates had met, scarcely any of the members could have es? caped. A large meeting of Delegates which had been held in the hall had just adjourned. The scene which was presented after the fall of the suspended court-room was frightful beyond description. A thick cloud of dust filled" the vast space. Every individual of the vast throng of human beings was begrimmed with dust. Many were bleeding and groaning from the injuries' they had received. Many lay dead in the promiscuous crowd. Through the in? cumbent floor of the fallen room, the legs and arms and heads of the persons who had been caught beneath it, were protruding ; some still under the spell of death; others moving in efforts at extrication, or in the agony of pain and suffering. The greater number of the persons who went down with the floor, readily made their escape from the hall below. Those who were struck by timbers and caught by the gallery above, and those who were in the lower hall and caught by the falling mass were the sufferers from the occurrence. It is a cause of thankfulness that so small a proportion of the great number of persons who were in the court-room has been injured. The Judges of the court itself all escaped un? hurt. They were in the conference-room, just about going into the court-room, when the floor sank. Very soon after the catastrophe occurred, almost an instant, as it were, those who were uninjured commenced most active exertions to rescue those who were buried be? neath the heavy joist, gallery, stair-ways, and tons of fallen laths and plaster, and whose groans could be heard rising in mournful ca? dence above the noise and confusion incident to the horrid occasion. Some thoughtful ones ran to the bell-house, and, obedient to their suggestion, the bell-men commenced tolling, which soon brought out all the fire department and many citizens. The report was rife, and for some time believed, that the Capitol was on fire. When the firemen and citizens found out what was demanded of them?help for the helpless?they, went to work nobly, the former with ladders and with their hands, and the lat? ter by every exertion of strength, endurance and perseverance, to rescue their imprisoned fellow-mortals. The heavy timbers, &c, had been pitched out of the windows. The records of'the court, such as had been recovered, were thrown into the railing enclosing Washington's statue, together with a hundred hats and as many shoes. The corpses of those taken from the ruins were all laid on both sides of the capitol, as were the wounded. The wounded and dead were alike borne away as soon as their friends could be informed of their condition. The catastrophe destroyed the room of the Supreme Court of Appeals, the Clerk's office, and completely wrecked the Hall of the House of Delegates. In the latter place, the Speak? er's chair and all the desks and seats on the East side were crushed, a page killed, and' j._..._1_?_?_A -VT--/_J_;_ at 3 o'clock, the debris had been cleared oft, and the floor, covered with eighteen inches of plaster and laths, was left in charge of a po? liceman. It was considered hardly possible neath. There were many touching incidents connec? ted with this catastrophe. Wives in search of their husbands, sisters in search of their broth? ers, and mothers anxiously inquiring of every one the whereabouts of their sons?all with grief on their countenances and despairing looks. It was a sight to touch the hardest heart. The situation of the fallen timbers and the debris from the court-room was such that as they rescued one sufferer, they could some? times near the piteous moans of a dozen more, and who can tell the agony that this gave them as they toiled on in their sad work. The city presented a mournful appearance. Most of the stores, especially on Mam street, were closed, and many of them draped in mourning, as was the first station house. The police force lost seven of its officers and men. A glance at the inside of the walls of the buildings revealed the cause of this frightful calamity. The old hall in which the lower House meets, was so very high that when it was deemed necessary to have additional offices in the capitol, a floor was thrown across, and thus two stories made of one. In doing this the architect, instead of inserting the floor beams in the wall, rested them upon a ledge or offsett in the wall, which projects not more than four inches, and on this frail support, tim that any more unfortunates bers, measuring at least two feet by eight of ten inches thick, were rested, the constant ten? dency of which was to press out the walls and lessen the support. For many years the floor has been concave to an extent that was alarm? ing, but familiarity had, as usual, removed the doubts of its safety. If we may be pardoned for any consideration of loss other than that of human life, we will mention the smash-up of an old and much honored relic of bye-gone days, the Speaker's chair of the House of Delegates, which was formerly used in the House of Burgesses, dec? orated with the royal arms of Great Britain. It was subsequently moved here from Williams burg, and has been used in the House of Dele? gates ever since. It was buried and broken in the ruins of yesterday. ITEMS-EDITORIAL AND OTHERWISE, ? Mrs. Jefferson Davis is still in Europe, . and was in Paris at the last dates. ? Chief Justice Chase is going to Europe for the summer. ? Hon. Sanford E. Church is the Democratic nominee for Chief Justice of New York. ' - ? Illinois has now 6,000 miles ? of railroad, costing ?120,000,000. ? The remains of Gen. Pat Qeburne have been transferred to Helena, Arkansas. ' ? A bill has passed Congress giving a pen? sion of $3,000 to Mrs. Lincoln. ? John P. Hale, late Minister to Spain, is to have a public reception at Dover, N. H., on his return home, early in June. ? Count von Bismarck is recovering from his recent illness. Baron Liebig, the eminent chemist, is seriously ill. ? Ex-Governor Manning has been appointed special agent of the Southern Life- Insurance Company. ? The Manassas (Va.) Gazette is a paper of Southern proclivities, all except one column, which supports Grant. ? A warm political campaign, for this sum? mer and fall, is preparing in Maryland. There are about 45.000 black voters in the State. ? W. N. H?ge has been appointed route agent over the Greenville and Columbia Bail road, vice Wm. Griffin, removed. ? The name of the Wilmington and Manr chester Railroad has been changed to that OF Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta RailroadL ? The Government at Madrid denies the up? rising of voluuteers in Cuba, and asserts that the late news from Cuba direct is favorable. ? The proprietor of the Working Christian, published at Yorkville, proposes to remove hia paper to Charleston. ?Mr. James T. Wellsman, an experienced business man, has been elected to the impor? tant position of Treasurer of the South Carolina Railroad. ? The Richmond capitol was built in 1792, and is now nearly seventy-eight years oli It will probably be abandoned as a public institu? tion. ? The management of the Laurens Railroad has passed into the hands of Mr. T. J. Lamotte, of Columbia, who promises to push the work of repairing the road vigorously. ? CoL H. P. Hammett, the retiring Presi? dent of the Greenville railroad, has been pre* sented with a handsome set of silver by the officers connected with the Columbia depot. ? Hugh R. Pleasants, a veteran iournalist. for many years connected with the Richmond press, died in that city on Wednesday, while the disaster at the capitol was taking place. ? Mr. John B. Cleveland, the oldest native citizen of the town of Spartanburg, died sud? denly at that place on the 18th, from a fit of apoplexy, in the 52d year of his age. j ? Gen. Canby has relinquished command of the Department of Virginia, and directed all officers to report by letter to Gen. McDowell, commanding Department of the East. ? The Columbia Phoenix is authorized to state that hereafter there will be neither freight " nor accommodation trains over the Greenville and Columbia Railroad on SuncUvy. ? It is rumored that in a very short time trains on the South Carolina Railroad will be run between Augusta, Charleston and Colum? bia in six hours. ? The Lancaster Ledger says it is .reported that Mr. C. P. Leslie, late Land Commissioner, has left the State, leaving an unsettled balance of $100,000. It makes the statement as mere rumor, and asks for information. ? A joint resolution passed the United States Senate on Monday last, declaring the 30th of May a perpetual public holiday, to be observed by the people of the United States in decora? ting the graves of Union soldiers. ? In the United States Senate on Thursday Mr. Suinner offered a petition asking that the word "white" be struck out of the Natura? lization laws, and Mr. Ferry stated that a bill would soon be introduced for that purpose.;/ ? Gen. George E. Pickett denies the story about his going to Egypt. He is on hjs way back to Richmond, and says that he has no de? sire to quit his native State while he can find a home within her borders. ? A veritable Ku Klux has been arrested in York county by one of the "State constables. He is accused of whipping a colored man, with the assistance of twelve others not yet taken. The valiant constabulary must not rest, now that thay have caught a live Ku Klux. * ? Gen. Jordan has reached the United States, with two Cuban secretaries, for the pur? pose of advancing the interests of the insur fents. He enlisted for one year, and is not* a eserter from the Cuban cause, as has been al? leged. ? A lady in Michigan has recently recover? ed her reason after being insane twenty-three years. The interval has been a blank, but she remembers vividly whatever occurred before it, and sadly puzzles her new friends by her stories of "what occurred a few weeks ago." ? General Bragg has been removed by the New Orleans authorities from the office of conr troller of the water-works of that city, and a few days ago he turned over to his successor, a* mulatto, public property to the value of twe millions of dollars. ? General Fitzhugh Lee has written a letter,, in which he asserts that the late General George II. Thomas offered his services in wri? ting to the Governor of Virginia, at the begin? ning of the late war, and was Southern in his feelings to an "almost bellicose degree." ? Patrick Henry Aylett, one of the most prominent victims of the Richmond calamity, has been distinguished as a writer, lawyer and.. popular orator. He was a direct descendant of Patrick Henry, and possessed no ordinary pow? ers of eloquence. , ? The Walhalla Courier announces the death of Mr. Elijah Alexander, Sr., one of the most highly respected citizens of Pickens coun? ty, in the ninety-eighth year of his age. The " deceased had lived to see his country achieve its independence, and through the mutations of time, witness its demoralization, degradation' and loss of liberty. ? The Union Times shows that the present cost of the State Constabulary system is $31,? 500 a year, including the salary of Chief Con? stable Hubbard. This large amount is paid by the whole State, the counties which have no resident State Constables paying for those which, in this particular, are more favored, if less blessed. ? The annual parade of the Charleston Fire Department took place on Wednesday, all the white and colored companies joining in the pre? cession. There were no special festivities as in times of old, the engines of the different com? panies having dispensed with the usual decora? tions, etc. The department was reviewed by the authorities, when the line broke and all quietly housed their machines. ? Wm. A. H. Sigourney, a well-known poet : and newspaper mau, was found on the Bloom- ' ingdale road, near New York city, on Friday night shot through the head. He is supposedte have committed suicide. ^ Major Sigourney was, the nephew of Mrs. L. Sigourney, thepoet, and was one of the nnmerous claimants of the au? thorship of the poem called 'The Beautiful Snow." '