An Independent Family Journal?Dcyoted to Politics, Literature and General Intelligence* HOYT & CO., Proprietors. ANDERSON 0. H., B. C, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 9, 1871. VOLUME 6?NO. 86. LEGISLATURE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. Tuesday, February 28,1871* SENATE. The Senate met at 12 M; A concurrent resolution from the House to rescind the vote whereby the General Assembly agreed to adjourn to-morrow,-andto postpone Bdjourmsnt till March 7, was eoricurrec-ia by a vote of 17 to 14. ?*- .?.--vr-'i -i - The bill to regulate &e ; "manner oi drawing Jurors was returned from the House with a refusal to concur in the Senate amend? ments. The Senate insisted upon its amend-, incnts, and appointed Messrs. ""iVhittemore, Les? lie and Arnim as a committee of conference on* the part of the Senate. The House also 3ent back to the Senate, with amendments, a bill to compel County Treasurers to report to the Gen? eral Assembly. The amendments were con? curred in, and the bill ordered to. be enrolled for ratification. A bill relating to the Greenville and Colum? bia Railroad Company v/as also received from the House, which was read the 'first time and ordered to lie over for consideration. The following passed: Bills to regulate the fees of the State Land Commissioner; to amend au.Act to better protect holders of policies of i insurance; to regulate the fees- of Sheriffs and other officers; to amend an Act providing for general elections and the manner of conducting the same. A bill to repeal an Act authorizing the State to give additional aid to the Blue Ridge Bail road Company was also reported upon, and came up for a third reading. Mr. Wilson sent to the President a letter from Win. H. Trescot. Esq., Solicitor of the Company, relating to the affairs of the road, which was read by the Clerk. A protest from the Mayor and Aldermen of Charleston against the passage of the bill was also presented by Mr. Gaillard and read. A long debate ensued, pending which, a despatch was received from Henry Clews & Co., banters,* in New York, stating that $1,000,000 of the bonds of the road had been sold at seventy-five cents on the dol? lar. Upon a final vote on the passage of the bill, the ayes were 19, nays 10, which not being a two-thiras vote, the bill was not passed. At 4 30 P. M. the Senate adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 11.15 A. M. A Senate bill to charter the South Carolina Phosphate and Phosphatic River Mining Com? pany was taken up as the unfinished business of yesterday and recommitted to the Commit? tee, with instructions to report to-morrow. Mr. Yocum introduced a resolution to re? scind, the concurrent resolution whereby the General Assembly had determined to adjourn eine die to-morrow, and to fix the time for Tues? day, the 7th of March. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 53 to 42. The Committee on Railroads reported favor? ably on a bill to incorporate the - Tugaloo and and Chattanooga Railroad. A bill to invest in the .Attorney-General all the powers hitherto conferred upon the Chief Constable, was introduced. -Also, a bill to in-, corporate the Beaufort and Columbia Railroad Company. A bill to charter the North-western Railroad Company, passed to a third reading. Also, a bill to provide for the election of Justices of the Peace, Constables, and for other purposes Also, a Senate joint resolution authorizing the Attorney-General to purchase a fire-proof safe. The Committee on Engrossed bills reported the following: A Senate oill to amend an Act to define the criminal jurisdiction of Trial Jus* tices, passed and was ordered to be returned to the Senate. Also, a bill to prohibit the bringing of paupers into the State of South Carolina. Also, a bill to repeal an Act to amend an Act for the assessment and taxation of property. A Senate bill to incorporate-the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church passed and was ordered to be enrolled for ratification. Also, a bill to amend as Act to define the jurisdiction and du* ties of County Commissioners/ A bill to incorporate the Gowaneville Lodge passed to a third reading. Also, a Senate bill to change the name of the Gap Creek and Mid? dle Saluda Turnpike Company, and to renew and amend the charter thereof. A Senate bill, to make an appropriation for the payment of the mileage ana per diem, of the members of the Genend Assembly, was taken up and caused considerable confusion. The bill had been referred to the Committee on Ways and Meant, of which Whipper is Chair? man, several weexs ago. While Whipper was absent in Washington the other members of tho commifriee were desirous of reporting oo.'the bill,, but could not find the original manuscript copy sent from the Senate. To effect their object, the com mittee copied one of the printed bills and reported upon it Whipper stopped the passage of the oill by stating that it was not the original copy sent from the Senate. The paper was recommitted to the committee. A Senate joint resolution, to appropriate $47,000 for the extension and refurnishing of the State Lunatic Asylum, was taken up and, pending its discussion, the House adjourned, at 8.30 P. M. Wednesday, March 1, 1871. SENATE. The Senate met at 12 M. Mr. 'Rose introduced a joint resolution, to levy a special tax of $40,000 in York County, to mako amends for a recent raid of the K. K. K. in Yorkviile. The House sent back to the Senate, with amendments, a bill to amend an Act to define the criminal jurisdiction of Trial Justices. The amendments were concurred in and the bill ordered to be enrolled. The House also sent back, with amendments, a bill to amend an Act to define the duties and jurisdiction of County Commissioners. The committee appointed to investigate the constabulary affairs asked for more time; which was granted. ? The committee appointed to ascertain the manner in which $135,000 had been expended under the first appropriation bill asked for more time; which was granted. Mr. Leslie introduced: r* concurrent resolu? tion, which was adopted, authorizing the Clerks of the House and the Senate to draw pay cer? tificates to meet the expenses of the investiga? tion into the affairs of the County Commis? sioners of Charleston. The following passed: Bills to amend an Act to establish and maintain a system of free com? mon schools; to amend an Act to provide for the construction and keeping in repair of pub? lic highways. Mr. Whittemorc introduced a concurrent resolution, that the State Treasurer furnish the General Assembly, on or before the 4th instant, with a list of the bonds of the State registered by him ; which was adopted. Mr. Smalls introduced a joint resolution, to extend the time for the completion of the Port Royal Road. Mr. Whittemore gave notice of a bill to with? draw the endorsement of the State from the Blue Ridge bonds. * A House bill to make appropriations and raise supplies for the yearcommeucingNovcm ber 1., 1870, was, after amendments reducing the amount some $80,000? passed to a third read Mr, Leslie gave notice of a bill to fond the debt of the State, Mr, Nash presented a letter from B. 0. De Large, denying that he had ?Ter received, as Land Commissioner, st cent for tald aold by Genoral Bates, of Spartanbnrg. At 4.30 P. M. the Senate adjourned; ..HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 11 A, M. A Senate joint resolution to appropriate $47, OGO for the completion of the Lunatic Asylum, was taken up, and, after amendments, was passed to a third reading: A bill defining the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace, the mode of procedure before them, &c, was passed to a third reading. The Senate sent to the House a bill to pro? vide for the construction and keeping in repair of public highways, and roads. A bill to create a debt of the State, to be known asi the sterling funded debt, to be ap Slied to the payment of the State debt, was in en^itely .postponed. Mr. Kuh introduced a bill to protect the in [ teiest of the State in t bo digging and mining of phosphates. Mr. Williams introduced a joint resolution, declaring the bonds of the Blue Ridge Rail? road null and void. A joint resolution to require the Governor to communicate with the proper authorities of the State of Georgia, with a view to the re-adjust? ment of the boundary line between the two States, was introduced and ordered to lie over for a second reading. A Senate concurrent resolution, requiring the State Treasurer to give an account of the bonds of the State, was taken up, and, pending its discussion, the House adjourned, at 8.30 P. M. Thursday, Maboh 2,1871. SENATE. The Senate met at 12 M. The (Jommittee of Conference on the part of the Semite reported that they could' not agree with the House committee on the amendments of f i bill to regulate the manner of drawing ju? rors, and begged, that they be discharged. A message was ^received from the House, asking for a free committae of conference. Af? ter iwme debate, the President ruled that the appointment of such a committee unauthorized, and the Senate adhered to its amendments. Mx. Wimbush introduced an address, pray? ing the removal of Judge Thomas, on the grormd of non-residence in his circuit, which tho Constitution requires. A resolution re? quiring Judge Thomas to appear before the Senate on Saturday, and reply to the charge, was adopted, A House concurrent resolution, that the com? mittee appointed to investigate the constabu? lary matters be required to report on the 4th instant was concurred in. A concurrent resolution to require the Presi? dent of the Blue Ridge Road to make a report was laid on the table. Also, a resolution au? thorizing Clerks of the House and Senate to issue pay certificates to the members of the committise to investigate the affaire of the Charleston County Commissioners. Mr. Leslie introduced a bill to create a debt of the State, to be known as the sterling fund debt. Ordered to lie over. A. bill to make appropriation for the present year was passed, with amendments, and sent to the House. Mr. Leslie introduced a bill to authorize the building of a road from Black ville to Allendalo, in Baruwell. A communication was received from the State Superintendent of Education, complain? ing of the inadequacy of the contingent fund placed at bis disposal by the appropriation bill. - Mr. Whittemore introduced a bill to provide for the withdrawal of the endorsement of the State on the Blue Ridge Railroad bonds. Also, a bill to retire and cancel the hypothecated Blue Ridge bonds. A House bill to grant, renew and amend the charters of certain towns, was made special or? der for to-morrow, at 2. P. M. A joint resolution, to extend tho time for the completion of the Port Royal Railroad, was passed to & third reading. ; The bill relating to the Greenville Railroad was referred.. , A bill to re-charter Maxwell's Bridge passed to a third reading. Also, a bill to authorize the Commissioners of Greenville, Pickens, Oco> nee and Spartauburg Counties to provide means to pay the interest on certain funds. A resolution to meet at 7 P. M., to-night, was adopted. A bill to establish an agricultural college was laid on the table. i A bill to incorporate Claflin University and the State Agricultural College was passed to a third reading. A House concurrent resolution, for the ap? pointment of a physician to visit other States and get information, with a view to improving the State Lunatic Asylum, was laid on the ta? ble. A bill to abolish the Sixth Circuit was passed to a third reading. Also, a bill to provide for j the appointment of a supervisor of tho State House and grounds. Pending the consideration of a bill to incor? porate the Columbia, Walterboroand Yemassee Railroad, the Senate adjourned, at 8.15 P. M. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 11.15 A. M. A Senate concurrent resolution, instructing the Clerks of both Houses to draw pay certifi? cates for expenses of the committee of investi? gation into the affairs of the County Commis? sioners of Charleston, was concurred in. The Committeo on the Judiciary reported back the following Senate bills: To enable judgment debtors to sell their real and person? al property; 1o regulate the granting of write of habeas corpus; to regulate the disposition of fines and penalties imposed and collected in criminal causes. The vote whereby the bill to errate a debt of the State, to be known as the sterling fund debt, for the purpose of paying off the debt of the State, was indefinitely postponed, was recon? sidered and the bill recommitted to the Com? mittee on Ways and Means, with instructions to report upon-the same, at 2 P. M., to-day. Mr. Shanklin introduced a concurrent reso? lution, requesting the President of the Blue Ridge Railroad to give to the General Assem? bly a full and detailed account of the expendi? ture of the money raised by tho hypothecation of the bonds of the road, and also an account of the costs and expenses of the road. Adop? ted. ' A concurrent resolution to instruct tho in? vestigating committee on the Land Commission to report the result of their inquiries up to this time, was introduced by Mr. Boston, aud adop? ted. The Speaker announced to the House that he had on his desk a report from the Land Com? mission. The report was made the special or? der for Saturday next. The following passed: Bills to provide for the election of Justices of the Peace and con Tstables. The third Wednesday in May ia fixed I as the day of electioh. i Tho Committee on Education reported fa { vorably on sundry teachers' claims, Which were 1 ordered to be paid. Also, favorably on a bill I to established a charitable aasoaatron In I Charleston. Also, on a bill to establish agri? cultural colleges. Also? nn&Torably on a bill to enlarge and dense the powers of the Board cif School Commissioners of Charleston; Mr. Smith introduced a concurrent resolu? tion requesting the Governor to take steps in view of the increasing need of enlargement in the Lunatic Asylum, by sending some compe? tent physician to visit other States and ascer? tain the most improved plans upon which to construct buildings and the arrangement of grounds. Adopted. The Senate sent to the House, with amend? ments, a bill to make appropriations for the present fiscal year. The House refused to concur in most of the amendments, and a message to that effect was sent to the Senate. Mr. Whipper presented an address on tho piirt of the Legislature to Governor Scott, pray? ing the removal of Wm. M. Thomas, Judge of the Sixth Circuit, under a charge of violating the Constitution by not living in bis Circuit Also, a resolution, which was adopted, instruc? ting and requiring Judge Thomas to appear before the House to-morrow, to show cause why he should not be so removed. A b: 11 to amend an Act to organize the Su? preme Court passed to a third reading. A message from the Governor was received, sending in the presentment of the Grand Jury of Marion, ana inviting tho attention of the House to the grievances therein set forth. Pending the discussion of a bill to determine the day for the election of Mayor and Alder? men of Charleston, the House adjourned, at 8. 45 P, M. Friday, March 8, 1871. j SENATE. j t A message was received from the House sta- ] ting that a committee of conference had been appointed on the appropriation bill. The following passed: Bill to renew and amend tho charter of certain religious associa? tions ; to provide for teachers' institute; joint resolution to confirm the appointment made by the Superintendent of Education of the free school fund; bill to amend an Act providing for the assessment and taxation of property ; joint resolution, with amendments, to make an appropriation of $47,000 for the State -'Lunatic Asylum. A message was received from the Governor stating that he had votoed the bill to compel County Treasurers to receive County checks in payment of taxes. The following passed: Bills to authorize the County Commissioners of Pickens, Spartan burg, Greenville and Oconeo to provide means to meet the interest on certain bonds; to re charter Maxwell's Bridge over Seneca River; joint resolution to provide for the publication of certain statutes and journals of the State. A communication was received from the At? torney-General asking that his name be stricken out of the sterling fund bill. The following passed: Bill to provide for the appointment oi a Supervisor of State House and Grounds; to declare the right of way across the Savannah aud Charleston Railroad; to amend the code of procedure; to incorporate the Claflin University; to amend an Act for tho protection of migratory fish; to amend Section 12 of the code of procedure; to extend the time for the completion of the Port Royal Railroad. ? A concurrent resolution, authorizing the Gov? ernor to transfer to the Superintendent of the Penitentiary a certain tract of land, was made the special order for to-morrow, at 2 P. M. A bill to charter the Yemassee and Millen Railroad Company, was referred to the Com? mittee on Railroads. A bill to create a sinking fund, for the pay? ment of the principal of the public debt, was made the special order for to-morrow, at 1 P. M. A bill to grant, renew and extend the char? ters of certain towns and villages, was mado the iipecial tjrder for to-morrow, at 2 P. M. A pill relating to 'the- Greenville and Colom? bia Railroad Company was taken up, and,'pen? ding its discussion, the Senate adjourned to meet again, at 7.80 P. M. HOUSE OF REPRESEjSTATIYES. The House met at 11.15 A. M, A joint resolution authorizing the State Treas? urer to pay L. A. Bigger $12,000 was indefinite? ly postponed. A joint resolution making an appropriation of $47,000 for tho Lunatic Asylum passed. Tho following bills passed: To amend the charter of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church; defining the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace and the organization of their courts; to further amend an Act to provide for the as? sessment and taxation of property; to change the name and amend the charter of the Gap Creek and Saluda Turnpike Company. The following passed : A joint resolution au? thorizing the Attorney-General to purchase a fire- proof sale. A bill to incorporate the Winynh Guards was passed to a third reading. Also, a bill to amend the charter of the Charleston Enterprise Rail? road Company. Also, a joint resolution to re? quire the Governor to communicate with the proper authorities of the State of Georgia, with a view to the re-adjustment, of the boundary line between the States. Also, a bill to incor? porate tho Tugaloo and Chattanooga Railroad Company. Also, a bill to renew and amend the charter of the town of Anderson. Mr. Levy presented a petition from R. B. Carpenter,"praying for the payment of tho bal? ance of his salary due as Judge, which was re? ferred to 1 he Committee on Ciainte. At 2 o'clock P. M., Jndge Thomas, of the Sixth Circuit, presented himuelf before the bar of the House, agreeably to a joint resolution adopted yesterday, to stow cause why he should not he removed from office for a violation of the Constitution in not residing in his Judicial Circuit. The address to the Governor was read, and also the resolution of the House. The Speaker then inquired if the Judge was pre? pared to make his defence, or would he ask for further time. Judge Thomas replied that the notice given him had been very brief, but on account of the grave cmergeucy of the occa? sion, the necessity for prompt action on the part of the House, he would waive any claim he might have to demand further time. He stated that on Monday he would have to hold Court in Union, and if the General Assembly wer? of the opinion that they could find somo one better qualified than himself to peforin tho duties of the office, he certainly would bo glad to bo relieved from his official obligations; and if tho House was ready to proceed with tho prosecution, he was prepared to make his de Ceucc. Ou motion of Mr. Whipper, a com? mittee of iivo were appointed to investigate the facts of the case, with instructions to report at the next meeting of the House after adjourn? ment to-day, until which time nil further pro? ceedings in this novel cause were suspended. A resolution that when the House adjourns, it staud adjourned till 7 P. M. to-day was adop? ted. The following passed their second reading and were ordered to be engrossed: A Senate bill to charter the Cheraw, Lancaster. Union and Greenville Railroad Company; a senate bill to regulate the call of the Supreme Court docket; . Senate bill to provide for the government of the State institution for tho education of the deaf, Affairs In York County. "We copy the following summary of local in? telligence from the Yorkville Enquirer of last Thursday: Track Torn Up.?On Saturday night last ?fortunately after the train had passed that point for Yorkville?a portion of the track of the King's Mountain Railroad, about two miles from town, was torn up. The road was repaired on Monday, and the train has been since run? ning as usual. united States Troops.?Company C, 18th Regiment United States Infantry, numbering about ninety men, under the command of Cap? tain John Christopher, arrived at this place on Mo^ttv last. We are informed that the troops have been sent here for the purpose of assisting in executing the civil law, in case the civil au? thorities should require their services. Another Gin House Burnt.?On Tuesday morning last, about 8 o'clock, a gin house, near Ebenezer, in this county, belonging to Dr. J. M. Lowry, of our town, was firea by an in? cendiary, and, with the contents, entirely con? sumed. The gin house con tained about 1,500 bushels of cotton seed, an Emory gin, with "condenser", valued at about $850, a thresher, and a number of other articles, i Accidental Fire.?The dwelling house of Miss Mary McMahon, at Plnckneyville, in Union county, was accidentally destroyed by fire on Monday evening last. The building destroyed possesses historic interest, as it was originally built and used as the court house for the old "Pinckney" Judicial District. Subse? quently it was purchased by Colonel McMahon and converted into a dwelling house, and was one of the finest residences in Union county. We are in formed that about one-third of the contents of the dwelling was saved. The loss sustained is quite heavy. Murder of a Negro.?On Sunday morning last, news reached town that on the night pre? vious a negro man, named Anderson Brown, living four miles north of Yorkville, had been I murdered. Immediately upon reception of the news. Corouor James H. Fayssoux, accompa? nied by Sheriff Glenu and other citizens of town, proceeded to the scene of the murder. A jury of inquest was summoned and the following facts elicited: About 11 o'clock, the wife of the murdered man was awakened by the barking of the dog. She called her husband, who got out of bed and went to the door, when he was asked his name by some persons in the yard, and also to whom he formerly belonged. On answering that his name was Anderson Brown, and that he for? merly belonged to Lawson Brown, ho was told by the men to follow them. In a short time the wife heard the report of fire-arms in an east direction from the house. A son of the [ murdered man also testified that ho got out of I bed about the same time as his father, and ob? served six persons in the yard. Their faces were covered. Five were dressed in dark clothing, and one in white. Twelve shots were counted. The body was found next morning about 200 yards from the house, with a bullet hole through the forehead, and one through the bowels, with several small shot in the arm and shoulder. The verdict was that he came to his death by gun-shot weunds through his head I and bowels, at the hands of persons unknown I to the jury. Ku Kvax Raid.?On Monday morning last, about 1 o'clock, a party of disguised men, supposed to number fifty or sixty, came into Yorkville and proceeded to the building known as Rose's HoteL In this building b the office of E. M. Rose, the County Treasurer) and a liquor establishment belonging to D. 8. Russell & Co. One of the rooms is also used as the office of the County Commissioners. A front door was broken open by means of a piece of timber used as a battering ram. On entering the room, the party who had effected an entrance, immediately stated that the object of their visit was to obtain posses? sion of E. M. Rose, the County Treasurer, and proceeded forthwith to search the house for him, forcing the doors of the building, when they found one locked or fastened. The fur? niture in the rooms occupied by the County Treasurer and the County Commissioners was demolished, and the papers and records of the respective offices scattered and strewn over the floors. The liquors in the bar-room of Russell & Co. were also poured out and destroyed. A hole was made in the outer covering of tho safe, but no entrance into it was effected by this means. During Monday, the whereabouts of the County Treasurer was not generally known; but on Tuesday, he made his appearance on the street. In an interview with him, he in? formed us that when he heard a noise in the street, ho made preparation to leave the premi? ses, and that it was with the greatest difficulty he escaped from the crowd. The building sus? tained no further injury than the forcing of the doors and destruction of the office furniture as above recited?the only object apparently of the raiders being to get possession oi the Treas? urer. There are Btories in circulation of othor acts said to have been committed by the Ku Klux at this building, but they lack confirma? tion, for which reason we withhold them. The raiders next visited the dwelling of Thomas Wright, colored, one of the County Commissioners, probably for the purpose of capturing him; but he and his family had taken the precaution to absent themselves, and fortunately no violence, further than slight in? jury to a few articles of clothing and the breaking of a lamp, occurred at this house. The party were mounted, though while en? gaged Ln town their horses were in a skirt of woods in the vicinity. Wo suppose thoy re? mained about an hour, and when they left, took the Howel's Ferry Road in the direction of Broad River. -+ Remedy for Ear-ache.?I have found the following to bo a most excellent remedy for the ear-ache?an agonizing affliction, from which the little folks, by a sudden cold, aro apt to suffer: Take a bit of cotton baiting, put upou it a pinch of black pepper; gather it up into a point and dip it into sweet oil. Insert this in the ear, and put a flannel bandage over the licnd, keeping it warm. It will very soon give relief. Br. Tresoofg Letter In Reference to Ike Bine Ridge BallroAsV We give below the letter addressed by Hon. W. H. Treacot, Solicitor of the Blue ?fdg? B?flfMd, to Senator Wilson, fa referaico Id &e> legislation proposed fax regard to the State endorsement of that- Company's bonds. Al? though this letter has probably effected its ob? ject, and prevented unwise and hasty legisla tion, we know that our readers will find It interesting, since the facts stated are important and Valuable to this community, sti deeply in? terested in the early completion of the Road and its ultimate success. Here is the letter i Blub Ridge Rajlbo1]\ . Solicitor's. OincEj Feb. 2S, 137L 7b Bon. John Wilson, State Senate. Dear Sir, : I "have received copies of the bills which you sent me, and regret very much that the President of the road was not allowed, before their introduction, an opportunity to correct the misapprehension under Which they have evidently been introduced For, allowing that the motives which such suggested them were tho purest and most patriotic, I feel sure that a knowledge of the condition, both of the road and the company, would satisfy those most anxious to.adopt them, that such legisla? tion is both unnecessary and impossible. As I understand, the enacting clause of one of the bills was stricken out, and the other amended, so that the following section compri? ses the whole legislation proposed: "That the endorsement heretofore made by the Comptroller General upon the contracts or bonds of the Blue Ridge Kailroad. under the Act of September 15,18(58, be, ana the same is hereby ordered to be retired and cancelled. "That, to recover the bonds of said company, now pledged in the city of New York, the sum of $400,000, if so much be necessary, be, and the same is hereby, appropriated, and the Treasurer is authorized and required to redeem and cancel the same." And, as the justification of this legislation, the preamble of the bill recites the following facts: "Whereas, the faith and funds of the State were pledged, upon express conditions, which have not been complied with; and whereas it has been found impossible to nego? tiate a sale or hypothecation of said loan, either to the United States Government or private capitalists; and whereas only $1,100.000 of said bonds have thus far been pledged as col? lateral security; therefore, be it enacted," &cx, &c. Allow me to examine each of these facts in its order. 1. The non-compliance of the company with the conditions of the endorsement. On the 15th September, 1868, the Act was passed authori? zing the endorsement of $4,000,000 of the bonds of the company, by the Comptroller General. But, by reference to the Act, you will perceive that a distinction is made between the first Si,000,000 of these bonds and the re? maining $3,000,000. The issue and endorse? ment of the first $1,000,000 had been author? ized by a previous Act, that of 1854, upon certain conditions. The Act of 1868 simply recites that "whereas the Comptroller General of the State has not endorsed any of the bonds issued by the said Blue Ridge Railroad Com? pany, in South Carolina, under authority of said Act (1854;) and whereas the conditions imposed upon said endorsement by-said section have become impossible and injudicious, while the completion of said road has become more urgent in the interest of the State; therefore, be it enacted," &c., "without reference to the said \ provisos and conditions, whenever any contract or contracts may be made by the President of the said company under its seal, and as provi? ded by said Act, and not exceeding1 $1,000,000, i it shall be the duty of the Comptroller Gener? al to endorse thereon that the faith and funds of the Stato are pledged/' dec. Section 1, Act 11868. The Act then proceeds to authorize a like I endorsement of "an additional amount, not ex j ceeding $8,000,000," and to this additional en? dorsement it annexes the condition that "the I said bonds, or any part thereof, shall not be j used unless upon the express condition that I npon application to Congress of the United States or to private capitalists, the amount of $3,000,000 in currency, or so much of the same as may be necessary, shall bo furnished in ex? change, or upon security of said bonds.'1 Now, I think, it would bo difficult to show how the language of this proviso prohibits the hypothe? cation Of even these additional $3,000,000 fora j less amount than $3,000,000 in currency,should the company deem it necessary to raise the less amount. But waiving this, it is clear, from the explicit' language of the Act, that the use of the first $1,000,000 is bound by no such, limita? tion. With that, the company have power to deal at any rates of sale or hypothecation their interests' may require. Now, it is precisely with this first $1,000,000 that the company has; dealt in its hypothecation. For, if you will turn to the receipts annexed to the report of the investigating committee, you will find that the bouds in the hands of Henry Clews & Co. ran from No. 1 to 250, and from 360 to 600, that those, not in any sense hypothecated, but held for Mr. Steers, to protect him against con? tingent and improbable damage, run from 251 to 350, while the numbers held as collateral by Mr. Kirapton are not given, and if they do not fall within the first $1,000,000, it is simply be? cause the bonds have not been signed by tho trustee. Mr. Clews, in their regular order, and tho substitution will be made as soon as the signature is completed, which a telegram very recently recieved from Mr. Clews informs us is very nearly effected. I havo referred to this first $1,000,000 by its numbersuas if the num? bering determined its priority, only to show how careful the President has been ; but you will remember that no law requires this numer? ation, and that the first $1,000,000 issued, with any numbers, or Without numbers, would be tho $1,000,000 with which tho company is au? thorized to deal without any condition. I think, therefore, I may safely assert that in the hypothecation referred to, the company has not violated any express condition to the en? dorsement required by the Act of 1868. I would also suggest that these bonds are not properly hypothecated. They have been placed in the hands of Messrs. Rimpton and Clews, who undertook their negotiation, and who, pending that negotiation, have made such ad? vances as the interests of the company required, and a portion of these bonds (about $2o0,000) are now in Europe, for the purposes of this ne? gotiation. 2. The impossibility of the sale or hypothe? cation of tho bonds. You can readily understand that, In refer? ence to this, it is impossible to speak fully with due regard to the interests concerned. I can only say that telegrams, both from New York and Europo, received in the last few days, do not indicate the impossibility which tho pre amblo of the bill assumes.. But I can say this: that if these bonds have not been negotiated, tho blame does not rest with the President or' tho company. The Financial Agent of the State, who was also one of the joint negotiators ' of these, bonds, had always impressed upon the t President that. tho credit of this State was ia rolYcd in pressing these bonds, Mib. the fitate endorsement, upon the market} ami b defltf enco to hii suggestions, and coDtm?sd by m earnest desire net to ^bynwt tfie firuisTW condition of the State, the Pieattirst -mmM every effort to postpene tho xm ef these boafa to the latest moment. But In the spring o? 1870, Messrs. Kimpton and dews notifed him that they had negotiated the bon 3s, and he wtit on the point of forwarding the bjada to them, when he was stopped by an injunction, movea at the instance of several tax-payers of tho city of Columbia The injunction waa dis? solved by the Court, but the bonds were freed too late, for, during the pendency of these legal proceedings, the war in Europe broke out and put an end to a negotiation which had been, t may fairly say, completed. Sinco that time the* company has been harassed by suits in New" York,, which have terminated in their favor^ bnt which, you will see..must be calculated to embarrass their proceedings in die sale of their bonds. And now when, after constant, mali- ' cious and most annoying interference, they have succeeded in vindicating their rights, the I present proposed legislation is even more cal? culated than all their preceding difficulties t0 prevent that sale which they have hoped at various times to effect, and which this preain j bio blames the company for not accomplishing. 3. That only $1,100,000 of the said bonds have thus far been pledged as collaterals. This is literally true, but it is very far from1 conveying the whole truth as to the extent to which these bonds have become legitimately liable for the responsibilities of the companyi In the first place, you know that the Blue Ridge Road is composed of three companies besides the company in South Carolina. As soon as the Act of 1868, authorizing this en? dorsement, became a law, the President, whtf was also President of the other toads, called the companies in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, and, upon the State endorsement of these bonds, they consented to the mortgage of their respective properties.- As 'far as thair mortgages, therefore, are concernec, they hate been made on the laith of this endorsement. Next, in Georgia and North Carolina, satis? fied that this endorsement, this pledge of the faith of the State, secured the completion of the road, the people along the. line ol the road j have subscribed and are subscribing lands, amounting to several hundred thousands of acres, all of which has been subscribed upOtt their confidence in the honor of tho State and' the perfect faith of its obligations. Again, arrangements have been made with several of the largest holders of tho first mort> gage bonds of the company to exchange those * bonds for the bonds endorsed by the State,- add this arrangement is only waiting foi its com? pletion, the full execution of the bonds by theJ signature of the trustee in New York. And, finally, not only are these bonds pledged by their issue for all .the outstanding debts and contracts of the company, but there is a special contract signed and sealed with Mr. Steers, the chief contractor, by which he is en? titled to have $2,000,000 of these bands depos? ited with a trustee upon condition that he nej gotiates them and receives payment for his ca* ti mates of work done in the bonds so negotia? ted. Mr. Steers has not so far demanded this deposit because he believed the company could themselves negotiate their bonds; but if the company be restrained by legislation from, dealing with their own securities, he will doubtless, and most properly, insist upon the immediate execution of nis contract; and yott will observe that this bill is an explicit reeog* nition of the obligation of the State to meet just such liabilities..... Upon this misconception of these facts' tho bill directs that the endorsement of September 15,1868, "be and- the same is hereby with' drawn, and the bonds or contracts so endorsed ordered to be retired and cancelled." By whom? The bonds not hypothecated in NeW York/ viz: 2.792 are deposited With the Fantf* era' Loan and Trust Company, subject to the* joint order of the President ana Mecert. Clews & Co. Now. if the President is not jo directed by the stockholders, he cannot deliver up the. bonds, and without his order no legislation of the State can get possession of them. There they will stand with theendorsemeniof the ?tat* upon them, and the Legislature can rid itself of that responsibility only by a direct repudia? tion. If this Is what the Dill means, I cam only say it la a lesson aa easily learned m taught, and, in the present llnatiwa! conditio* of the State, does not seem exactly calculator} to strengthen Its credit ' As to the bonds 'that are hypothecated, I think it Is a very doubtful question whethef tho holders of these collaterals can surrender them for the purpose of having the endorse*. ment cancelled, and there is no question that they cannot sell or deliver these bonds without compliance with, the conditions upon which they were pledged, vizi' such notice to th?~ company of a desired re-payment of their ad' vances as has been provided for* This legislation, therefore, before it becomes practical or practicable, requires the ? What is the best cure for the