University of South Carolina Libraries
An Independent Family Journal?Devoted to Politics, Literature and General Intelligence. T & CO., Proprietors. ANDBBSON O. H., S. C, THURSDAY MORlSTIN.Gr, JANUARY 19, 1871; VOLUME 6?NO. 29. LEGISLATURE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. la;?-. _ ? Tuesday, January 10, 1871. ?** ??s -i; ?- ' SENATE. - The Betr?te met at 12 M., Hon. C. W. Mont? gomery, President^? tern., in the chair. ..The following bills from the House were re? ceived, road the first time and ordered for con? sideration to-morrow : To re-cbartcr the Punk info wn Turnpike Road, in Pickens County; to ?corporate the Nashville Independent Blue's Oha*itable Association. Also, a concurrent resolution for the appointment of a joint com? mittee, to, wait upon the Treasurer of the State and obtain information as to the disposition of the appropriation of $135,000 for Legislative ?xpens1?^, which was concurred in. ?"^concurrent resolution from the House, re qairiig.-the Secretary of the Board of the Land Commission to make a report, was laid upon the table. Also, a-oorawHinication- from the House, stating that W. J. Wh?pper, F. J. Mo? ses, Jr., Aaron Logan and Joseph Crews, had been appointed a committee to conduct the im? peachment trial of Judge Vernon, and that s?ijd[ committee would hand in to the Senate tl?? articles of impeachment so soon us the a?jme were agreed upon by . the House. ^Cfee.following concurrent resolution waj, re-., ceryed from the House: That his Excellency tfiesGovernor do furnish the Geueral Assembly yrith certain information relative to riotous-pro? ceedings in certain Counties of the State; vjhich was concurred in. Mr. Gorbin, for the Committee on the Judici? ary, .reported back upon the following bills, recommending that they do not pass: A bill to define the law in relation to certain easements ; tojt'epeal so much of the Act of 1839 as pro? hibited clerks of the court from practicing law ? authorizing the Governor to appoint a Sheriff of Greenville County, to fill the unexpired term of A: B. Vickers, deceased ; to extend t he juris? diction of the probate judges. Ordered for consideration to-morrow. tMr. Corbiu, from the Committee on the Ju? diciary, reported back the following bills, with afecoraniendatibn that they do pass: A bill supplementary to an_Act to authorize adminis? trators^ executors and other fiduciaries to, sell certain evidences of indebtedness at public sale, arfd to compromise in certain cases; to amend an Act'cntitled an Act providing for the next general election, and the manner of conducting th'e^ame, approved March 1,1S70; to author? ize circuit judges to hold courts in other Coun? ties than tneir own. Ordered for consideration to'-uiorrcw. JNlr. Co'rbin, from the Committee on the Ju djwary, reported back up a joint resolution al? lowing compensation to the Hon. James L. Orr for extra services, recommending that the same do pass. Ordered for cousideratiou to? morrow., Mr. Nash gave notice of a bill to repeal an Act to establish a bureau of agricultural sta? tistics, &c. Mr. Johnston gave notice of a joint rcsolu tioirrbrthe'relief of person:; driven from their homes by outrages committed i:i the upper Counties of the State. The Senate adjourned at 3 P. M. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ^Cue-House met at 12 M. ?Air. .Frost, for . the Committee on Public Laads, reported back unfavorably on a bill amending an Act to provide for the appoint? ment of a Land Commissioner, and defining his duties ; the bill was laid over for a second reading. > ? Air. Smith, for the Committee on Labor, re? ported back upon a bill to fix and tlefermine trie nxrmbcr of hours for laborer.*, workmen and mechanics, recommending a substitute ; ordered to a second reading. Mr. Wilson introduced a bill to authorize the formation and incorporation of the Savannah Valley Railroad Company ; referred to Com? mittee on Rnilroads. .Mk Hayne introduced a bill to establish a new iudkial -and election County, to be known as'Woodbury Uonnty. - Jfe.'-'BrWem?n g:ive notice of a bill to supply thfc-deficTehcyin the appropriation for schools in Charleston County lor 1870. Mr. Hedges gave notice of a bill to create the office of State Engineer, to inspect engines, machinery, &c, aud aiso to license engineers to run the same. Mr. Humbert introduced a joiut resolution, to instruct the Govcrnor.to send ten companies of militia into Union and Spartanburg Coun? ties. Referred to Comiuittcc ou Military Af? fairs. Mr. Byas gave notice of a bill to make ap? propriations for educational purposes for school year'l?71. Mr. Reedish gave notice of a bill to abolish the Boards of Equalization. Mr. Gardner gave uutice of a bill to amend aOjAct tojorgaijize and govern the militia. Mr. Mobley gave notice of a bill to compel the Governor to visit the-Counties of Union and Lauren*. Mr. Frost gave notice of a bill to establish a Btate Normal School. Mr. Whipper gave notice of bills to declare martial lawin the Counties of Union and Lau rens; to-make necessary appropriations for the expense of the militia; to levy a special tax upon the said Counties for the same ; to provide for the maintenance of the widows and orphans of persons murdered during recent disturban? ces in the up-country. The Committee on Engrossed .Acts reported as duly an&correctly engrossed, and ready for a third reatffhg, a bill to'provide a salary for the ofijee of Lieutenant Governor; which was paisea,' the title changed to an Act and ordered to .be' enrolled. [The bill provides a salary of $2,500, exclusive of the S10.00 per diem and mUeage, as President of the Senate.] Mr. Gibbes gave notice of a bill to provide State aid to poor farmers. The enacting clause of a bill to provide for the erection of sufficient fences, and keeping the same in repair, was stricken out. A concurrent resolution, instructing Senators and Representatives of South Carolina in Con- j gress to vote against the general amnesty bill now before the United States Congress, was adopt'.'d and ordered to be sent to t lie Senate. A concurrent resolution for the appointment of ajpint committee to secure tho report of Sinking Fund Commission, and transmit the eamc to ci.gh House, was rejected. night session. The House met at 7 P. M., in Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of the country. Mr. Honderson, of Ncwberry, said he would not lay any charge at the door of the Executive. If he be negligent of his high duties, and be inclined to depart from the path of true Repub? licanism, lot him alone, and he will come back to us as many others have done. IT<' thought the colored people of his County amply able to protect themselves, if only, a* "Grabaldy" wiys, the requisite arms be furnished them. They were 1.2U? in the majority, and if this number couldn't sustain themselves, tltere was no need of extraneous aid. Hotter to have a genera! war, and have ten colored men killed to one white man, than thai the present state of affairs should continue. . Question by Mr. Smart?-Would the speaker please request that the front seats be vacated) and invite mourners to the altar ? . . Mr. Dannelly, of Orangeburg, said he had heard nothing but blustering, and talk of mur? ders and riots, &c., and had seen no measures taken, as he desired, to promote peace and har? mony between all clases aud races, and that would redound to the interest of the whole peo? ple. Mr. Allen, of Horry, (Democrat,) was next called upon. He said from the reports and evidence on all sides given, it must be admit? ted that there are serious disturbances in the country; but the idea that all the disturbances were confined to the up-country, or all the out? rages perpetrated entirely by Democrats, was false ; that he was prepared to second any meas? ures looking to the preservation of the peace and the enforcement of the law by all legal means, but would strenuously oppose any in? terposition of the military arm of the Govern? ment, which He felt confident could but result in a worse and more lamentable complication of mattere. These disturbances have a cause, and if that cause be removed, their cure would follow. Let the Legislature cease to do evil, and good would necessarily follow. He op? posed the indecent and unjustifiable attacks made upon the Governor within the last few days. Gov. Scott was not the mau of his choice, but he was prepared to recognize and respect him as the Chief Executive of the State; and that so far, at least during the present admin? istration, he was conscious of no act of Gov. Scott that should subject him to such malign ment and abuse. He hoped that no extraordi? nary and hasty action would be adopted, but that the General Assembly would assist the Executive :in an impartial and fearless admin? istration of the law, which, in his opinion, was fully adequate to answer the necessities of the occasion. Mr. Jamison, of Orangeburg, said the time for reasoning and consideration was passed? the time for action had come. Reasoning was the great fault of the Republican party, and had caused such disasters to it. He favored the levy of a tax upon the wealthy citizeus of the disorderly Counties to pay for every man, j woman and child injured. Then you will see every property holder a vigilance committee, and all outrages will immediately cease. He wanted to dive into the pockets of the property holders, for to them and their money was due the troubles that exist in the up-country. Mr. Hurley believed that the difficulty was not with the white people, nor with the black people of South Carolina, but with the Execu? tive, who had failed to execute the laws from incompctcncy and cowardice to do his duty. He should he forced to obey the behests of tile law; and if he would not, the General Assem? bly must do it for him. We must, us Charles Iicade sr.ys, put .ourselves in his place, and see that the power of the law be vindicated. Suf? ficient laws had been made and ample appro? priation granted to enable the Governor to.sup? press every disturbance in the State since its organization, and if the laws had notbecu duly executed, of a certainty every dollar of the money, at least, had been expended. The whole cause, of all the troubles was the abuse by the Governor of his appointing power, by placing into office ignorant, cowardly and inefficient men. [Immense applause.] Wednesday, January 11,1S71. SENATE. The Senate met at 12 M., the President in the chair. Mr. Whittemorc, from the Special Commit? tee on Impeachment, submitted a number of rules for the guidance of the Senate; which were ordered lor consideration to-morrow. Also, reported an order lor the prohibition of all out? siders from the Senate during the impeachment trial of Judge Vernon, except such as shall procure tickets from theSergeaut-at-Arms, who will issue tickets to the number of 800; which was ordered for consideration to-morrow. Mr. Hayne introduced a bill to confer and impose upon the Laud Commissioner the pow? ers and duties of Commissioner of Agricultural Statistics. Mr. Whittcmore iutroduced* bills to dispose of the lands forfeited to the State, and to cre? ate aschool fund from the sale of the same; to further amend an Act entitled "An Act provi? ding for the assessment and taxation of prop? erty." Mr. Wilson introduced a bill to authorize the formation of and to incorporate the Savannah Valley Railroad Company. Mr. Nash introduced a bill to repeal an Act to establish a Uureau of Agricultural Statis? tics, &c. Mr. Arnim introduced a bill to amend au Act to provide for the construction and keeping in repair of public highways, roads, &c. Mr. Whittemorc gave notice of a bill for the maintenance and support of illegitimate chil? dren. Mr. Nash gave notice of a bill to repeal so much of the Act to orgauize and govern the militia as provides for the appointment and pay of an Assistant Adjutant-General. Mr. Johnston gave notice of a bill to estab? lish a house of correction. Mr. Corbin introduced a resolution, that the Laud Commissioner be requested to inform the Senate what lands had been purchased by him and by his predecessor, and, if possible, to state further what price had been paid for the same. Mr. Nash introduced a concurrent resolution, that whereas the committee appointed to in? vestigate the electoral atfairs in the Third Con? gressional District, in 1869, had drawn from the State Treasury the sum of $17,583.05; a special committee of two from the Senate and k-from the House be appointed to investi? gate the matter. Agreed to. Mr. Johnson offered a concurrent resolution to afford relief to persons who have been driven from their homes. A bill to regulate the granting of licenses to retail spirituous liquors was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. A resolution to appoint a special committee to compare the printed reports of the Comp- ; trollcr General with manuscript copy, was ta- j ken up for consideration, aud amended so as to provide, in case of any discrepancy, fur a com? parison of the copy with tho vouchers in the ollice of the said Comptroller General and State Treasurer. Adopted. Messrs. Arnim aud Wimbush were appoin i Led said committee. Iiills to regulate the appointment, jurisdic? tion and duties of Notaries Public, and to au? thorize Circuit Judges to hold Court in other Counties than their own, received their second reading. A bill to amend an Act providing for the next general election, and the manner of eon ducting the. same, wus made the special order for 1 P. M. to-morrow. A bill supplementary to an Act to enable ad? ministrators, executors and other fiduciaries to sell certain evidences of indebtedness, and to compromise in certain eases, received its sec? ond reading. The following were ratified : An Act to pro? vide a salary for the Lieutenant Governor of the State, and a joint resolution authorizing the State Auditor to suspend proceedings in cer? tain cases. A bill tr> extend the jurisdiction of Probate Judges of this State, and a bill authorizing the Governor to appoint a Sheriff of Greenville County, were rejected. On motion of Corbin, Hon. John Wilson was appointed on the Judiciary Committee. The chair announced Messrs. Swails and Hayue a committe on the part of the Senate to investigate the manner in which the $135,000 appropriated to pay the per diem aud mileage of members of the General Assembly had been overdrawn. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 12 M. Mr. Frost reported favorably on a bill to consolidate the offices of Land Commissioner and Commissioner of Agricultutal Statistics. Mr. Jamison, from the special committee ap? pointed to wait upon the Governor and ascer? tain what action had been taken by his Excel? lency to protect the lives, liberty and property of the citizens of the State, begged leave to make a verbal report, stating that thie commit? tee had waited upon the Governor, and were received in such a cool and disrespectful man? ner?the Governor stating that he was at a loss to comprehend what the resolution meant? that the committee were forced to make merely verbal report, not desiring to have such a re? port recorded upon the journal. Upon the whispered suggestion of Mr. Whipper, however, he ceased making his report, and asked for further time?to-morrow, at 1 o'clock?which was granted. Mr. Whipper introduced a bill declaring mar? tial law in various Counties. Thebill provides that the Governor be authorized to declare the Counties of Laurens, Union, Spartanburg and Newberry tinder martial law, and to order to those Counties a sufficient *umber of compe? tent and efficient officer.; of the militia, with a command of not less than 2,500 men, fully armed and equipped. Referred to the Com? mittee on Military Affairs. Also, a bill to levy a special tax upon certain Counties. Mr. Thomas gave notice of a bill to empower the Speaker of the House aud President of the Senate to convene the Legislature at such times as they deemed necessary. Mr. Cain introduced a bill to provide for the support of widows and orphans whose husbands and fathers have been, or may be, murdered on account of their political or other opinions, or on account of race or color. Mr. Parker introduced a bill to compel all County officers to locate at their respective County seats. Also, a concurrent resolution, that a committee of five members of the Gen? eral Assembly be appointed to visit the up country, and investigate the causes of tho dis? turbances there, and report the same without delay ; which was laid on the table. Mr. CrTttenden introduced a bill to amend an Act to provide lor the construction and kefcping iu repair of public highways and road3. Mr. liyas introduced a bill to make appro? priation for educational purposes for the year ending January 1,1872, and for other purposes. Mr. itccdish gave notice of a bill to amend an Act to limit the cost of criminal prosecution. Mr. Jamison gave notice of a bill to author? ize the Governor to establish a State guard, to be stationed at the capital. Mr. Reedish oli'ered a resolution, that the Sergeant-at-Arms be requested to report the ontoun': of money he has obligated himself to pay for the rent of committee rooms and other incidental expenses. Mr. Singleton gave notice of a billt? prevent persons in the cities or in the country from going in disguise. A bill to protect the rights of parents, and prevent the procuring and carrying from the State of persons under the age of twenty-one years, was postponed. A bill to determine the number of hours which shall constitute a day's labor for all la? borers, workmen and mechanics employed by the State, was passed to its tbird reading. It provides that eight hours shall constitute a le? gal day's labor from October to March, and ten hours the remaining months, unless otherwise specially arranged by contracting parties. The Speaker gave notice of a Republican caucus, to be held to-night, at 7 P. M., in the hall of the House. Adjourned. Thursday, January 12,1871. SENATE. The Senate met at 12 M. Mr. Whittemore, from the select committoe appointed to consider and report on the sub? ject of the impeachment of T. O. P. Veruon, Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, repor? ted the following order: That the Clerk of the Senate inform the House of Representatives that the Senate is ready to receive the man? agers appointed by the Hous?. of Representa? tives to carry to the Senate articles of impeach? ment against T. O. P. Veruon, Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. Adopted. Mr. Wimbush, for the Committee on Incor? porations, reported favorably on a bill to re charter the Pumpkintown Turnpike Road, in Pickens County, recommending that the bill do pass. The Committee on Education, to whom was re-committed a bill to amend an Act entitled "An Act to establish and maintain a system of free common schools for the Stale of South Carolina," reported back the same with amcud meuts. Mr. NuhIi introduced bills to repeal so much of an Act entitled "An Act to organize aud govern the militia of the State of South Caro? lina," as provides for the appointment and pay of an Assistant Adjutant-General; to amend Section ? of an Act entitled "An Act to provide for the appointment of a Land Commissioner, and define his powers and duties." Mr. Whittemore introduced a bill for the maintenance and support of illegitimate chil? dren. Mr. Johnston introduced a bill to provide for the establishment of a house of correction. Mr. Arnim introduced a resolution, that the Committee on the Penitentiary be instructed to inquire if the Penitentiary is now governed by a lawful officer, styled Superintendent. Adop? ted. A bill to define the law in relation to certain easemeuts, and for other purposes, was rejec? ted. A joint resolution to allow Hon. James L. Orr compensation for extra services, was in? definitely postponed. A bill to amend an Act entitled "An Act providing for the general elections, and the manner of conducting the .same," was made tho special order for to-morrow, at 1 P. M. The report of Select Committee appointed to consider and report upon the message of the House of Repp"; utatives in relation to the im? peachment of T. ''. P. Veruon, Judge of the Seventh Judical Circuit of South Carolina, on rules of procedure and practice in the Senate, J when sitting in the trial of impeachment, was made special order for lo-morow, at 2 P. M. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 12 M. Mr. Lee, from the Committee of County Offices and Officers, reported upon a bill rcgu j biting the salaries of School Commissioners in the State. Mr. Gardner, from the Committee on Mili? tary Affairs, reported unfavorably upon a joint resolution authorizing the Governor to call out the militia, in certain cases and for other pur? poses. A bill to amend au Act to establish n Land Commission ; also, a bill to provide for the sur? veying of public lands; also, a joint resolution to provide for the support of persons driven from Union County, were ordered for a aecoud reading. Mr. Dennis, from the Committee on Public Printing, reported upon the original bill and the substitute to provide for the State printing ?recommending that the substitute be laid up? on the table, and that the orignal bill, with amendment, do pass. Also, reported upon a concurrent resoulution, authorizing the publi? cation of 1,000 copies of the report of the Com? missioner of Agricultural Statistics?recom? mending that the resolution be adopted; which was so' ordered. Mr. Sumter gave notice of a bill to submit the question'of removing the County seat of Barnwell fron>: Unrnwell. to Blackville to the voters of the County. Mr. Hedges gave notice of a bill to levy a tax of $3 per ton as royalty on all phosphate rocks dug in this State. Mr. Moore gave notice of a bill providing for the payment lor improvements made upon the property of others. Mr. Boston offered a concurrent resolution for the appointment of a joint committee to confer and report to the General Assembly up? on such matters as are most important to be acted upon at the present session. Adopted. Mr. Jamison, for the special committee ap? pointed to wait upon the Governor and ascer? tain what steps have been taken by him to quell the disorders in the up-country, and protect the lives, liberty and property of the citizens of the State, reported that the committee had waited upon his Excellency, and were informed that no special action had been taken by him beyond the employment of the ordinary civil remedies, except in the case of the disturbance in Laurens County, when Uuited States troops were called upon and sent to said County; and that, furthermore, his Excellency did not deem it advisable for him to resort to any extraordi? nary measures while the General Assembly was in session.. Received as information. Mr. Keedish introduced a bill to provide for divorce and alimony. Referred. Also, offered a concurrent resolution, that the members of this House in-view of the failure of the Land Commissioner to make his report", take steps to to ascertain the transactions of the Land Com? mission in. their respective Counties, and to re? port the same to this House, and have it print? ed for the information of the public. Adop? ted. Mr. Frost introduced a bill to establish and maintain a State Normal School, and to use the Citadel building in Charleston for that purpose. A bill to authorize the purchase by the State of a manuscript compilation of the penal stat? utes of the State, by E. 13. Scabrook, Esq., of Charleston, came up for a second reading, and, after considerable discussion, and an amend? ment so as to fix the sum to be paid at $1,000, the further consideration of the bill was post? poned till to-morrow, at half-past 1 o'clock. Mr. Whipper, from the Committee on Judi? ciary, reported unfavorably on a bill to amend an Act to abridge, revise and simplify the mode of procedure, &c. Also, reported favorably on the following bills: To regulate the manner of drawing jurors; to amend Section 279 of an Act to abridge, revise and simplify the mode of procedure, &e. Also, reported favorably upon a joint resolution, that the Hon. James L. Orr receive compensation for extra sevices rendered, with an amendment that the sum to be paid be fixed at ?800. Also, a resolution that the Speaker be authorized to grant leave to the Chaplain of the Senate to hold divine services in the hall of the House. Rejected. .A bill to consolidate the officers of Land Commissioner and Commissioner of Agricul? tural Statistics, came up for n second reading and was the subject of much warm discussion, pending which the Speaker announced that the time of adjournment had arrived, and the House adjourned. Friday, January 13, 1871. SENATE. The Senate met at 12 Mi, Hon. C. W. Mont-' gomery, President]?'o (em., in the chair. Mr. Whittcmore, from the Committee on En? grossed Pills, reported upon a bill to regulate the appointment, jurisdiction and duties of No? taries t'ublic; which was passed and ordered to be sent to the House. Also, upon a bill to re? peal so much of the Act of 1839 as prohibits Clerks of the Court from practicing law in the Courts of the State. The bill excepts the Courts of the County in which the Clerk resides and also requires that he be duly qualified according to law; which was passed and ordered to be sent to the House. Also, upon a bill to enable Cir? cuit Judges to hold Courts in other Circuits than their own ; which was also passed and sent to the House. Also, upon a bill suplcmcntary to an Act to authorize executors, administra tors, trustees, and other fiduciaries to sell cer? tain evidences of indebtedness and to compro? mise in certain cases ; which was passed and or? dered to be enrolled. The Senate received from the House the Sen? ate concurrent resolution that a committee of investigation be appointed to examine the pa? pers and vouchers of the SState Treasurer, with regard to the amount of money stated to have been drawn to defray the expenses of the elec? toral investigating committee of the Third Con? gressional Dislriet, in 1809 and 1870, with a no? tification that the House concurred iu the reso? lution. The President announced, as the com? mittee on the part of the Sonate, Messrs. Nash and Swails. Also, received from the House a concurrent resolution, that 1,000 copies of the report of the Commissioner of Agricultural Statistics be published ; which was made the special order for ten days hence. Mr. Owens, from the Committee on Finance, reported unfavorably on a bill to increase the salaries of the Justices of the Supreme Court. Mr. Owens introduced a concurrent resolu? tion, that whereas it is reported that the Super? intendent of the Penitentiary has grossly abused his olfice, by speculating in the flind-i appro? priated by the State for i tie maintenance ol the Penitentiary, and by speculating in convict la? bor and otherwise, be it Resolved, That a committee of three on the part of the Senate and-of the House be I appointed to investigate the affairs and transac? tions of the said Superintendent and tho Hoard of Directors, to have the power to send for per? sons and papers, and to report the result of their investigations at an early day to the Gen? eral Assembly. Upon this resolution, considerable debateen scucd, participated in by Messrs. Leslie, Nash and others. Mr. Leslie stated that in his opin? ion there were strong grounds why this inves? tigation should be instituted. That $50,000 had been appropriated by the State for the support i of the 1'enilentiary, andthe indications were that the great bulk of it had gone to fill the pockets of speculative State authorities. He stated that the Governor had made a contract ! with a Mr. Popo, wherebv the State had been I swindled out of $30,000. "The contract was that Mr. Pope, for.ijlOO, should put a certain piece of land, around or about the Penitentiary, in an agricultural condition. Whereas the inten? tion simply was.to get the wood from the land ! ?several thousand cords of which were cut by convict labor, and resold again to the State at $4.50 per cord, for the use of the Penitentiary. Also, that numerous brick-yardshad sprung up, upon which convict labor was employed, and the bricks purchased for the Penitentiary, and sold also to private parties; and that the con? victs, too, had becu employed to do farm work and labor of other kinds for private parties, against the interest and to the detriment of the State. Leslie also charged, upon the authority of anonymous letters, that damaged provisions had been furnished the convicts in the Peni? tentiary and full prices charged therefor against the State; and thatthe Superintendent received a per centage on all goods purchased by him from several merchants of Columbia and of Charleston; and that numbers of the bills and accounts in his office, purporting to be bills from merchants for goods furnished, and so charged against the State, were drawil up in the hand-writing of the clerk of the Peniten? tiary, and were manifestly fraudulent The concurrent resolution was finally passed, after being so amended as to direct the Stand? ing Committee on the Penitentiary to investi? gate the matter, instead of a special committee of three. A bill to amend an Act providing for the next general election and the manner of con? ducting the same came up for consideration, and was the subject of some warm debates par? ticipated in by Messrs. Corbin, Leslie, Nash, Smalls and others. The question at issue was the provision in the bill requiring that in the appointment of commissioners and managers of election, there should be one at least from each political party. Leslie wished to amend so as .to read, from the opposite political party, leav? ing the Republican or the party in power al? ways a majority of the board. Mr. Corbin sup? ported the provision in some able aud pertineut remarks, stating that it was but fair and just that each party should be represented in the management of elections, and that it was the only way by which a minority or'defeated par? ty would ever be convinced that a fair election was had. He stated that in Beaufort County, in the late elections, numbers of women had actually voted, and large numbers of boys from ten to twenty years-of age, all of which would be prevented if both parties were represeuted on the board of managers. Mr. Nash opposed the enactment of any such law ; thought it an insinuation against the honesty of the Repub? lican party, and an admission on the part of the Legislature that the gross frauds charged upon them at the last election were true; didn't believe the Democrats would pass any such law were they in power. His rule of moral conduct was to do unto others as you think others would do unto you. A vote was then taken upon the amendment offered by Mr. Les? lie, which was lost, as was also a motion of Mr. Smalls to indefinitely postpone the whole mat? ter. Messrs. Nash, Smalls & Co., then seeing that they were in a hopeless minority, com? menced fillibustering, making motions to ad? journ, &c, during the course of which the committee on the part of the House to draw up articles of impeachment, and conduct the im? peachment of Judge Vernon, were announced. F. J. Moses, Jr., for the committee, read the articles of impeachment. At the close the President declared the Senate adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 12 M. Mr. Whipper, from the Committee on Ways and Means, reported favorably on a joint reso? lution, that Judge Platt be allowed compensa? tion for extra services. Also, on a bill to com? pel County Treasurers to receive tho order of County Commissioners in payment of taxes. ! _Mr.. Sumter introduced a bill to submit the. question of removing the County seat of Baru-_ well to the voters of said County. Mr. Ilayne gave notice of a bill to provide for the securing of advances for agricultural purposes, Mr. Barker gave notice of a bill to amend an Act providing for the appointment of Trial Justices. Mr. Adamson introduced a resolution that all hills and resolutions handed out to standing committees prior to January 10, 1371, be re? ported upon bv the 16th inst. Laid on the ta? ble. Mr. Allen gave notice of a bill to consolidate the offices of County Treasurers, Auditors and Assessors. Mr. Recdish gave notice of a bill to provide suitible egress from public buildings and tene? ment houses. The Committee on Military Affairs reported ' unfavorably on a bill to repeal an Act to estab? lish a State police, and to authorize the Gov 1 ernor to call out the militia when necessary. Also, a bill to declare martial law in certain Counties, recommending certain amendments. Also, on the Senate bill repealing an Act to establish a State police. The following bills were received from the Senate and referred to their appropriate cemmit tces: To repeal so much of the Act of 1839 as prohibits Clerks of the Court from practicing law ; authorizing Circuit Judges to hold Court i in other Circuits than their own ; to regulate the appointment, jurisdiction and duties of ' Notaries Public. The consideration of a resolution that the Governor request the President of the United Suites for a sufficient number of military offi? cers to drill the militia of the State, was made the special order for Wednesday, at 1 o'clock P.M. A bill to consolidate the offices of Land Commissioner and Commissioner of Agricultu? ral Statistics was postponed to Monday, Janu? ary 10. Mr. Whipper, from the committee appointed to prosecute the impeachment of Judge Vernon, reported articles of impeachment, which were adopted. The articles embrace charges of drunkenness, gross neglect of duty, &c, at Newberry, Greenville, Columbia and elsewhere. Adjourned. ?.-- . Two Important Facts.?One who has ob? served and written upon agriculture for over forty years tells us: "The vast majority of far? mer)* testify that they make most of the profits of their business from a/eie choice acres upon I their farms." It is natural, therefore, to in? quire, why do they not gradually bring other acres up to the quality of the few choice acres that pay so well ? And why waste labor upon any that cannot bo so brought up to the paying mark, a single season longer than necessity compels? It would, of course, be unreasona? ble to expect an immediate change of plan in culture, but why not aim at a gradual improve? ment? ! .'< nother fact well-suited to a new year's mcd ! itation, is the testimony of almost every planter, that he has never been out of debt, and has I never had a dollar to spare, since he gave up I raising his own plantation supplies, and de? pended exclitsirelv upon cotton.?Fairfield Her? ald. Federal Interference In Elections. Gov. Hoffman, of New York, in his annual message to the Legislature, puts forth a fc?M and unanswerable protest against the Federal government using its military arm for inter? ference with State elections. Gov. Hoffman" sounds a key-note to which twenty States, out* side of the military satrapies in the Sdtfth,will furnish the chorus. After a little while, the people of the American Union ^will think strangely enough that they beheld such a state" of affairs as has existed under the adrainiatfa tion of a President professedly Republican After reciting the particular circumstances at? tending military interference at the November election in New' York; Gov. Hoffman says i I deem it my solemn duty to protest how for? mally against these outrages, which, it is given out, will be renewed at future electiohs> with preparations looking to a greater degree of intimidation and coercion. In this protest the people of this State do, I am confident, by au overwhelming majority, earnestly unite. The/ are not to be misled by the pretence that mili? tary force is necessary to prevent fraud. For" they well know, what all history proves, that military elections are never honest nor free ; that military force at elections has always been used by ambitious rulers to hinder a full and fair expression of popular sentiment; in factr to perpetrate and cover fraud, not to prevent it. If elections are not honest, they should be made so by the force of public opinion and by law ; military force asserts its supremacy over, both,, and is itself a fraudulent and final over? throw of a free ballot. No State is, or ever .' was, more devoted than New York to the Union and to the Federal government; none more submissive to that government's constitutional authority; none more ready to defend its rights and vindicate its .power; but-our Union is a Union of States; the elements of its great strength are the home governments of the people. To weaken the parts is to endanger the whole. Half a century ago, when Federal officers were accused of interiug with State elections, not by armed forces, but simply by exerting an influence through the distribution of patronage, De Witt Clinton, then Governor of this State, addressed the Legislature as fol? lows : "As a member of the American confederacy it is not only our duty, but our interest, to sus? tain the respectability and to promote the au* thority of the national government by a patri? otic and enlightened exercise of our imffragea, and by contributing all our energies to estab? lish a wise and public-spirited administration. But in attending to measures so important, we ought not to overlook the duties which we owe to ourselves. Our government is complex in its Organization, and it is essentially necessary to preserve the State governments in their pu? rity and energy. A free government could never exist in a cointry so extensive as the United States without a judicious combination of the Federal and representative principles. The apprehensions which some of our wisest statesmen entertained at the formation of {be Constitution, that the State governments would constantly encroach on the powers of the na? tional government appear not to have been re? alized. The practical tendency has been in the opposite direction. The power of the general administration has increased with the exten? sion of its patronage. And if the officers un? der its appointment shall see fit, as an organ? ized and disciplined corps, to interfere in the State elections, I trust there will be found a becoming disposition in the people to resist these alarming attempts upon the purity and independence of their local governments ; for whenever the pillars which support the edifice of the general government are uudeimined and prostrated, the whole fabric of national free? dom and prosperity will be crushed in ruin. I have considered it my solemn duty to protest ' . against these unwarrantable intrusions of ex? traneous influence, and.I hope that the nationr -. al legislature will not.be regardless.of its.duty on this occasion." These words, more applicable now than then, are so forcible and eloquent that I qaote them, in the hope that they may impress themeelvee upon the minds and upon the hearts of the whole people. To depend, for the peace and order of localities, on the Federal army is not self-government; to substitute the regular sol? dier with his musket as a peace officer, in place of the constable with his writ, is not to pre? serve the peace, but to establish the condition of war; to surrender elections to the control of the President, supported by armed forces, is to surrender liberty and to abandon a republic^ ? Handsome Old Men.?No one is insensi? ble to beauty. Statesmcn; scholars, veterans, look with softening eyes on the budding love? liness of fresh young girls, whether rosy blondes or golden brunettes, coquettish or queenly in style. We daily feel the attraction of th* round outlines aud the pure complectiou of youth ; of its vigor; of its.lithe, agile grace; its elas? ticity aud vivacity. Our hearts warm at the confident eagerness with which it looks forward to its future achievements in life'; yetwesmile sadly, too, for we have known many apparent ly as strong and as ready, swept ciown by the swift, strong tide of temptation, or worn by the constant friction of the current of care, or stranded on the lone beach of disappointment. Thus, to the contemplative, the admiration with which young men and maidens are re? garded must always have its alloy of melan? choly. Put sometimes we see old men upon whom we gaze with a sense of entire satislaction. If wc meet them on the street, we involuntarily turn and look again ; if wc see them in assem? blies, our thoughts are diverted from acting, music or oratory. We feel that the straight shoulders have borne the burden of life brave? ly ; that the head has not bent from its fine poise by shame; while the firm mouth, the uutroublcd eyes, and the, brow, furrowed, it may be, impress us with a sense of lofty calm. We know that we are looking at the lives and characters of these men; that low aims, low pleasures, and vain trilling have had no part in the work; .that temptations have been re? sisted, passions have been controlled, that worthy effort has been earnest and persisting. We have an intuitive perception that they are "unspotted from the world," that their faces are lighted from within. The beauty of youth is God-given, aud dfc lights the eyes, but is frequently marred orlost before mid-life. This beauty in age is the use? fulness preserved, developed, elaborated. I doubt if any thinker ever met the late General Robert E. Lee without experiencing this in some measure. Scores of men posses as fine features as his, a few areas trect'ahd no? ble in their bearing; but his appearance con? stantly reminded one that man wasmadeinthe image of his Creator.?Richmond Dispatch. j-?<y>.? ?. ?. , ? The Rochester Democrat says woman is a world without an equator. And what is quite as remarkable, in every latitude she is without parallel. * '