Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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TJ?SMS. One copy for one year..;.j..-..$ 2.50 it ii it Bjx montjjS....:.?.. 1.25 l"eri copies for one year.?&?.:.:..-aiS.20.00 TWenty copies for one year.ar.ft';..-j.:..37.50 The clubs of ten and twenty will be sent to any addrees. Subscriptions will not be recelredfor a less period than six months. ADVERTISING KATE?. Advertisements will be inserted at the rate of One Dollar per square of one inch space for the first insertion, and Fifty Cents per square for each subsequent insertion. Liberal contracts made with thoso wishing to advertise for three, six or twelve months. Obituary notices exceeding five lines will be charged for atfadvartfaihg rates-. ? Announcement of candidates, Five Dollars in each case, invariably in advance. Job Work cash on delivery, in everylnstancer ANDERSON C. H? S. C, THURSDAY MORNING, AUG. 3, 1871. Premium lists of the State Agricultural and Mechanical Society can be procured, to a limited extent, by applying at this office. ? Jj?~ The returns of personal property are to be made to the County Auditor ori'of"before the 14th day of this month. Every one should observe this requirement and make their re . tarns promptly, as the law compels the Audi? tor to add fifty per cent, to last year's assess? ment of every delinquent. The Drought. The crops in this section are suffering in? tensely from the hot, dry weather. Until two or three weeks ago, the prospect was generally favorable for corn and cotton, but the most gloomy apprehensions exist to-day. Wheat turned out poorly, the oat crop was effectually rained by rust, and now the corn crop Is likely to be shortened amazingly, while cotton is not thriving at all, in consequence of the cool nights in July succeeding the excessive rains of June. As we write (Wednesday) there is not the slightest prospect of rain, although the weather prophets are predicting showers this afternoon. Exhibition of the Anderson High School. On Thursday-night last, according to pre? vious announcement, the Exhibition of the Anderson High School took place at the Uni? versity Chapel, in the presence of a large num? ber of ladies and gentlemen, from town and country. The exercises occupied about four hours, and embraced original speeches, prose and poetical extracts, amusing and interesting dia? logues, &c. The unanimous verdict of the au? dience was highly complimentary to the Prin? cipal, Mr. W. J. Ligon, and quite flattering to the pupils. The pains-taking, earnest applica? tion of the teacher and1 scholar was made man? ifest iff ever}' portion of the programme^ We cannot discriminate for or against any of the pupils, where it was the rule for every one to be perfect as possible in the position assigned. A laudable spirit of generous emulation and rivalry pervaded the entire school, and the( beautiful order and harmony among them at? tested the wholesome discipline enforced and practiced. The arrangements, too, were such as contributed to the pleasure and gratification of the evening's entertainment, and showed thoughtfuluess and care on the part of the Principal, who deserves many thanks from the community in general for affording a delightful, attractive evening. The audience was unusu? ally well-behaved, and it is not common in these times for large assemblages to merit this distinction. Altogether, the Exhibition was a gratifying success, and reflected credit upon all concerned, especially upon the thorough system ot instruction practiced in the Anderson High School. In this light we look forward to ben? eficial results in the advancement of this insti? tution, and every friend of education will re? joice with us in the progress and prosperity, of the cause in our midst. - Meeting of Directors of the Air Line Rail? road. It was announced last week that a survey was being made from the Savannah River to the town of Greenville, under the direction of Maj. Thomas B. Lee, and at the instance of the citizens of Anderson. On Saturday last, the corps of engineers reached this place, and we learn that the survey resulted in shortening the distance about three miles from the recent sur-' vey of the corps under Capt. Sage. The latter, we are informed/ made the distance fifteen miles from the River to the Pendreton Road,- in the suburbs of this town. The survey of Maj. Lee fixed the distance at twelve miles, and upon a Toute equally as good, if not more practicable. This result wa3 highly satisfactory to our citi? zens, as might be expected, and further develop meuts of the survey to Greenville were confi? dently relied upon to demonstrate the great haste and want of thorough exploration of the recent survey made by order of the Railroad authorities. But in these just expectations our people were doomed to disappointment, as the news was received on Saturday afternoon that the Board of Directors would meet in Colum? bia on Tuesday morning, 1st of August, for the purpose of. locating the route between Green? ville and Gainesville. This intelligence was unexpected, and-caused many surmises as to its probable meaning. Of course, as the survey under Maj. Lee was intended-to affect the de? cision of this very question, the corps of en? gineers was disbanded upon the receipt of the information, as it was useless to continue any further examination of the route at this time and for the purpose stated. Messrs. J. W. Harrison and J. P. Reed, as members of the Board, were summoned to attend the meeting, and left on Monday morning for that purpose. They were accompanied by Maj. Lee, and Messrs. J. S. Murray, A. T. Broyles and B. F. Whitner?the three last named as commission? ers on the part of the town, to urge the claims of the route by Anderson. The meeting did not take place until yesterday morning, how? ever, as we have been informed, and too late for tho result of the meeting to appear in this issue. Personal:?M?j. J; M; W. Hill, traveling agent of the Atlanta (Ga.) Daily Sun, honored us with a call on Monday evening last. He visited this sectiorriu the interest of the admira? ble paper with which he is connected, of which the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens is the politi? cal, editor. The Blue Ridge Railroad. Some weeks ago, it was announced in these columns that arrangements were then progress? ing for an effective programme, looking to the early completion of this great enterprise, so long cherished by the people of this* State. The consummation of these arrangements is now made public. The State stock in the Blue Ridge Railroad has been purchased by an asso? ciation of gentlemen, embracing leading citi? zens and influential capitalists of this State, together with persons of ample means and influence iu New York. This stock has been transferred upon the condition that the State shall be protected from Joss upon the $4,000,000 guarauteed bonds, and that the road shall be completed within five years from the date of transfer. The 3um agreed to be paid for the stock is merely nominal, it is true, but the new company amply reimburses the State by afford? ing protection from any loss upon the State guarantee, and by the rapid completion of the enterprise. Besides, it is- agreed that the State shall receive $10,000 per annum for five years after the completion of the Road, as a further payment for the stock now transferred. We are not at liberty, perhaps, to mention the names of gentlemen forming this new company, but we can assure the public thac many of our most honored and respected citizens are inclu? ded in this combination of capital and influ? ence, as will be acknowledged when the transfer is entirely made, and their names are given to the world. The plan for the completion of the Road is to change the gauge to three feet, and surveys will be commenced without delay to make the contemplated alteration. It is believed that the "narrow gauge," as it is termed, will an? swer every purpose for the most extensive bus? iness and traffic ever claimed for this Road. The subject has been thoroughly matured, and all the sources of information exhaustively explored, with a view to the proposed change. The facilities for meeting the demands of trade and commerce are confidently expected to prove adequate under the narrow-gauge system, while the lessened expenses of construction, and the low cost of operating the Road when completed, afford the strongest inducements for a trial of this system, which is attracting so much attention throughout the civilized globe. In proof of the assertion that this plan has beeu carefully considered, we will state that Col. James P. Low, Chief Engineer of the Blue Ridge Railroad, has in press an elaborate report on the subject of narrow gauge railways, in which the system is thoroughly discussed, and its merits and demerits explained. The adaptation of the three-foot gauge to the wants commerce in this State is reduced to an abso? lute certainty by facts and figures. The report will likewise contain valuable information and interesting statistics concerning the Blue Ridge Railroad, aud we shall look for its publication with anxiety. Educational Institute. The second annual meeting of the Educa? tional Institute of South Carolina will be held in the city of Greenville, beginning at eight o'clock on Wednesday evening, 23rd of August instant. The annual address will be delivered I by Gen. W. K. Easley, and other distinguished ' speakers have been invited and are expected to deliver addresses. The delegates will be enter? tained by the citizens of Greenville, and will be passed over the different railroads, going and returning, for one fare. All persons who propose to attend arc requested to notify Prof. J. B. Patrick, at Greenville, by mail, in order that proper arrangements may be made in ad? vance for their entertainment. Teachers not yet connected with this organization ought to become members at once, and assist to build up ?and elevate their vocation. The Pickens Sentinel. As already announced in our columns, the first number of this new journal appeared last week. Although issued under disadvantages, this initial number bears evidence of futuro success. Its editorials arc pungent, lively and well-written, and manifest an earnest disposi? tion to battle strongly for tho true interests of this State and section, and especially in all that concerns the welfare of Pieken? county.- We trust that the inhabitants of that county will duly appreciate tie labors of our young cotem porary, and atfard a generous support to the enterprise. Only in this way can it grow and prosper, and render useful service to its patrons. Messrs. J. R. Holcombe & Co. are the editors and proprietors of the Sentinel. Terms, ?1.50 per annum. Department of Agriculture. We are indebted to Hon. Horace Capron, late Commissioner of Agriculture, for the monthly report for July, embracing a summary of reports ou the condition of the crops, with extracts from statistical returns and correspon? dence. It also contains a brief history of tho Department of Agriculture; a notice of the resignation of Gen. Capron,. and tho appoint? ment of his successor, Hbn. Frederick Watts, of Carlisle, Bonn., with appropriate sketches of these gentlemen. Besides, there is a chapter of recent scientific notes, a record of market prices for farm products during the month of July, meteorological tables, &c. The Camden Journal. Wc have unintentionally omitted any refer? ence to the recent change in the proprietary interest of this valuable exchange. Mr. T. M. Pcgues, after a connection of forty-one years with the publication of the Camden Journal, has sold his entire interest to Mr. John Ker shaw, a talented young lawyer, who has edited the paper with uncommon ability and vigor for some time past. We extend a fraternal wel? come to the new proprietor, and good wishes for the future health and prosperity of his veteran predecessor. Baptist Sunday School Convention.? The Baptist Sunday School Convention for South Carolina met at Sumter on Thursday, July 2>T. A number of delegates?lay and clerical?were in attendance. Rsv. W. D. Rice was elected president; Rev. J. O. B. Dargan, D. D., vice-president; Rev. O. F.Gregory,cor? responding secretary; Rev. J. F. Buist, record? ing secretary, and Dr. W. B. Rice, treasurer. Interesting essays were read, followed'by dis? cussions on the subjects under consideration. Mass meetings were held, addresses delivered, and sermons preached in the several churches on the Sabbath. Altogether the exercises were interesting, instructive and edifying. The next convention is to meet on the Thursday before the fourth Sunday of July, 1872. I For the Anderson Intelligencer, The citizens of the lower part of Anderson county held a meeting at Honea Path on the 26th of July, to consider the subject of form? ing a new county out of portions of Andersou, Abbeville, Laurens and Greenville. On motion, R. N. Wright was unanimously called to the chair, and Geo. M. McDavid re? quested to act as Secretary. The chairman stated that the object of the meeting Was to create a committee to ascertain hoVv much territory is necessary to part Off I from Anderson county, and to designate the points and boundaries of the same. On motion of J. L. McCullotfgb, a commit? tee of five was appointed for the above pur? pose, consisting of R. N. Wright, Esq., Dr. W. C. Brown, M. E. Mitchell, Maj. G. W. Cox and Geo. M. McDavid, and requested to report at Honea Path ou Thursday, the 17th of August next. It was suggested that committees from Ab? beville and Laurens be appointed for the same purpose, and requested to meet at a general meeting of all the committees to be held at Honea Path on the 17th August next. On motion of D. S. McCullough, it was agreed to hate these proceedings published in the Anderson, Abbeville, Laurens and Greeu ville papers. On motion, the meeting adjourned". R. N. WEIGHT, Chm'n. Geo. M. McDavid, Sec. For the Anderson Bitelligencer. In accordance with the requirements of an Act of the Legislature, a portion of the citi? zens of Martin School District met At R. CHnk scales' Mill on Saturday, June 24th, at 12 o'clock m. Rev. Mike McGee was calM J? the chair and C, C, Reid requested to act as Clerk. Mr. McGee, on taking the Chair, read a portion of the said Act, and stated the object of the meeting; and urged upon the voters present the importance of common schools, and of making a special levy upon their property for that purpose. The meeting being now organized, on mo? tion of Dr. Jasper Browne, it was agreed that the vote of the meeting be taken viva voce. The following preamble and resolutions were offered by C. C. Reid, voted upon separately and adopted as a whole j Whereas, the Legislature Of South Caroli? na did, at its last regular session, make an ap? propriation of $150,000 out of the revenue of the State for common school purposes, making provision that each School District in the State shall receive its pro rata share of said appro? priation whenever the legal voters thereof shall comply with the requirements of the Act; and whereas, the said Act requires that the in? habitants of each School District shall meet annually on the 24th of June, and there vote for the raising of an additional amount by tax? ation for school porposes before they shall be entitled to receive their pro rata share of said appropriation ; and whereas, we deem the education of all classes of our people of the most vital Importance to the future prosperity of our country, religiously aud politically. Therelore Besotted, By the legal voters of Martin School District, in district meeting assembled, that iu order to comply with the above men? tioned Act of the Legislature, and to promote the educational interest of our community, that we hereby agree to a special levy of five cents on the one hundred dollars worth of our prop? erty for common school purposes. Rotolvcd, That we heartily endorse the ac? tion and recommendations of the Trustees' Convention, held at Anderson C. H. on the 10th inst, and do hereby instruct our District Board of Trustees to carry out the recommen? dations aud intentions of said Convention in the management of the common schools and school fund of this District. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be served upon the County School Commissioner and County Treasurer of Anderson County, and that a copy, together with the proceeding of this meeting, be placed in the hands of the editor of our County newspaper for publica? tion. There being no further business, the meetiug adjourned, to meet again at the call of the Chairman. MIKE McGEE, Chm'n. C. C. Reid, Clerk. Rural Carolinian.?Tho August number of this magaziine is promptly to hand, and contains1 tho uaual variety of interesting and instructive matter. Besides quito a number of standard contributions on various topics, thero is a mass of correspondenco from all parts of tho country; that cannot fail to keep the fanners well posted, in what is being done by their friends in other localities. Tho sources of information of the Rural Carolinian aro not confinod to the South? ern States or the United States, but are extend? ed to South America and Europe, and indeed to all parts of tho world, but everything is written with a view to benefit Southern agriculture, aud information is given from other parts only on such subjects as arc kindred to or bear di? rectly upon tho cultivation of tho soil of the Southern United States. It is tho best and al? most the only periodical conducted on this plan, and ovory Southern planter and farmer should be numbered among its subscribers. Published by Walker, Evans & Cogswell, Charleston.? Terms, ?2 per year. Subscriptions received at this olfieo. Cotton States Mechanics' and Agricul? tural Fair.?We are under obligations to Dr. Win. H. Tutt, President of the Cotton States Fair Association, Augusta, Ga., for the annual premium list. The next Fair will commence on the 31st of October, and from the extensive list of premiums and other attractive features, bids fair to exceed iu brilliancy and magnitude the first grand effort last year. We copy from the circular of the President: "Our exhibition this year will bo on -a-much more extensive scale than that of 1870. We are prepared, with the best arranged and most -beautiful fair grounds in the South, to ofi'er to visitors and exhibitors all possible inducements for instruction and display. Our object is to establish our association as a cotton States in? stitution?uot confined to any section in its aims?and for this purpose wc arc substantial? ly aided and sustained-t>y the capitalists, a^ri-' culturists and manufacturers of our section." ' The Greatest Railroad Feat on Re? cord.?On Sunday, July 23d, a change in the gauge of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad was effected throughout the entire length of-the road, from Cincinnati to St. Louis, a distance of 340 miles, in eight hours. Between daybreak and noon, on Sunday morning, the rails were all torn from their chairs, lifted from the cross ties, placed upon the new chairs provided for them, and firmly spiked down. It was an off day, and no traffic was interruptedi Prepara? tions had been made for the event weeks be? forehand. New engines and new rolling stock had been provided, and on Monday morning business went on, on a new gauge, with a new | equipment, as if no great revolution had taken 1 place. j ITEMS-EDITORIAL AND OTHERWISE. ? Lemons have been grown this season in Southern Florida; ? The cotton trade of Cincinnati amounts to ?5,000,OUO annually.'. ? The Mormons of Salt Lake have celcbra j ted their 24th anniversary. ... i ? Eighteen thousand dollars' worth of win? dow glass was broken in Chicago by hail. ? Governor Holdeu's impeachment trial cost the people of North Carolina the nice little sum of $01,540. ? Montpelier, the home of Madison, is a? vertised for sale. It is one of the most beauti? ful places in the South. . ? The President has appointed a commis? sioner to examine the first twenty miles of the Southern Pacific Railroad in California. ? The wife of Gideon Lee?a grand-daugh? ter of John C. Calhoun?died at Carmel, N. Y., on the 23rd of July, aged 20 years. ? Mrs. Jay Cooke, wife of the eminent ban? ker, died recently at Ogonts, his' country resi? dence near Philadelphia, of heart disease. ? Cant. David H T?dd, formerly of Lex? ington, Ky., and brother of Mrs. Lincoln, died recently at Huntsville, Ala., of consumption; ? A biographical memoir of the late Clement j L. Vallaudigham is soon to be published by his brother, the Rev. James L. vallaudigham. ? It has been determined that the National J Democratic Convention will meet next year in St. Louis, but the time of meeting is not fixed. [ ? The Tredegar Iron Works, at Richmond, Va., are reported as turning out five tons of iron now to every one turned out before the war. j ? The Prince Imperial, son of Louis Napo? leon, is a great favorite with all classes in Lon? don, and is cheered whenever he makes his ap? pearance; ? Alexandria, Virginia', is reported to be making a fresh start in the march of improve? ment. A large number of buildings are going up there. ? The bale of new Texas cotton was sold in New York on last Friday, and brought forty three Cents per pound. It was shipped to Liverpool the next day. ? Col. Thomas Rhett, of South Carolina, holds the position of Chief of Ordnance iu the Egyptian Army, and is now engaged in con? structing powder works at Cairo. ? The recent "cold snap" extended over the whole of the United States. And the summer has been so rainy and cold in Germany as to retard vegetation and injure the fruit crop. ? Count Bencdetti is writing the history of the diplomatic intercourse between France and Prussia before the war broke out, and he proin 1 ises therein to show how Bismarck precipitated the event. ? McGehan, the Ohio murderer, whose counsel Vallandigham was when he shot him? self, recently escaped from jail and has not yet .been recaptured. He was one of seven prison? ers who dug themselves out and fled. ? A series of terrible earthquakes has visi? ted one of the Phillippiue-Islands, in the East Indian Archipelago. The earth opeued and swallowed up more than two hundred persons. Sixty bodies of the dead were recovered, after which the rest of the inhabitants fled the is? land. ? Gen. Ewell, late of the Confederate army, owns 3,900 acres of land in Maury county, Tenn., of which 1200 acres are in cultivation. He has 1200 sheep of improved breedi, and 400 head of cattle. He works a dairy with fifty cows, each averaging one pound of butter per day. ? R. B. McGee, a prominent citizen of Franklin, Tenn., and prior to the war Presi? dent of the Branch of the State Bank at that place, has been arrested in Memphis on the charge of passing counterfeit money. On searching his baggage, $1,200 in counterfeit United States notes were found. Owing to the high social position enjoyed by McGec, his ar? rest has caused considerable sensation. ? Next fall the people of Texas will vote upon the question of dividing that large terri? tory into threo distinct States, to be called Eastern, Middle and Western Texas. Eastern Texas lies east of Trinity river, and contains over 340,000 inhabitants; Middle Texas ex? tends from Trinity River to the Colorado River and ranks next in population ; Western Texas lies West of the Colorado and has over 200,000 inhabitants. The entire State now has S00,000 inhabitants. ? President Grant and family will remain at Long Branch through the season. The Pres? ident has abandoned his trip to the West and California, having been advised by General Sheridan, General Sherman and' many others, that it is now too late in the season for a satis? factory visit through the Western country, t he crops haviug all been gathered and the coun? try being in a bare condition. He has accord? ingly concluded to postpone the trip until the latter part of spring, 1872. ? The Ku Klux Committee has adjourued t<? the 20th of September, leaving Messrs. Pool, Blair and Buckley as a sub-committee iu Wash? ington to examine witnesses. The sub-com n'uttee sont to South Carolina returned last week to Washington, and a semi-official report from them gives a terrible condition of affairs in South Carolina. The general tenor of the evidence shows inefficiency and rascality on the part of the State government, and the inability of the more staid citizens to control ydttag men who Ku Klux white and black Republicans. ? At Navasota, Texas, on the 29th, a con? struction train bound north that evening, with nine cars and eighteen laborers, was precipi? tated into Navasota river by the derrick of a wrecked car striking the lateral braces and rods of the bridge, which caused the accident. The superstructure of first span was carried away, and the second, third and fourth spans went to the bottom with the cars and engine a mass of ruins. Five were killed iustantiy; two fatally injured; and twelve more or less injured. Ono man was thrown twenty feet into the air, fall? ing instantly killed. ? The Baltimore Sun, of Friday, says ?' "Mrs. Elizabeth G. Wharton, confined in the Balti 'more City jail on the charge of poisoning Gen? eral Kctchum, of Washington, and attempting to poison Mr. Eugene Van Ness, of Baltimore, continues to evince a degree of self-control that is truly surprising. She converses very freely upon the subject of the alleged murder, and in every instance when the matter alluded to pro? tests her entire innocence. She appears per? fectly calm and collected, and after reading on Tuesday the charges made against her by her sister-in-law, Sirs. J. G. Wharton, who accuses her of having poisoned both Mr. J. G. Whar? ton and his child, pronounced the charges false in every particular. She complains that she is the victim of the most unfortunate circumstan? tial evidence, and speaks with thegreatest con? fidence of the ability of her lawyers to prove her innoceneo. The only time that she has ever evinced any extraordinary emotion' was when it was hinted that a plea of insanity would be entered in her case. Her daughter, Miss Nellie Wharton, remains constantly in at? tendance upon her mother. The pale cheeks of the young lady testify to her grief, yet Miss , Wharton continues to bear up nobly, though her delicate constitution will, it is feared, suc? cumb to the sorrow she experiences. Frequent ineffectual attempts have been made to induce her to leave the prison. The case comes up for trial, before Judge Gilmor, at the September term of the Criminal Court." The Port Royal Railroad. This company has been recently reorganized in New York, with Mr. Wm. Applcton as Pres? ident. The firm of Appleton & Co., the well known publishers, has obtained a leading in? terest in the Road, which will be pushed for? ward to an early completion. Hon. James B. Campbell, of Charleston, is said to be the only member of the new company from South Caro? lina. ITEMS OF STATE NEWS. ? Rev. C. P. Gadsdcn, of the Episcopal Church, died in Charleston or. the 24th ult. ? The President has recognized Andrea C'as sard as Consul of Costa Rica, at Charleston, S. C. ? A correspondent at Walhalla informs us that there w:is a good rain at that place on Monday last. ? Dr. Edmund Ravcncl, of Charleston, died on the 28th. He was one of the founders of the State. Medical College. ? "Clifton," the spacious and elegant resi? dence of Capt, Henry A. Gaillard, of Winns horo, was destroyed by fire on the 20th ult. ? The survey of the route for the Wilming? ton, Columbia and Augusta Railroad, between Columbia and Augusta, has. been commenced. ? The gin-house of Mr. J. M. Latimer, jr., near Lowndesvill?, was blown down by a severe storm recently, making a perfect wreck of the cotton gin. ? The Spartanburg Spartan informs us that in the case of B. F. Bates, for the murder of J. G. Hampton, the jury could not agree, and a mistrial was the result. The case will be re? heard at the next term of that Court. ? Another shocking murder has occurred in Willi?msburg county. Mn E. J. Singletary, postmaster at Leesville, was shot on the night of the 24th inst., and instantly killed.. .His body was perfectly riddled with balls. No one knows anything about the matter. ? Two citizens of Lancaster repaired to the North Carolina line, on the 28th, to settle a difficulty according to the code ; but upon ar? riving on the ground and measuring off the distance, the challenge was withdrawn?much to the dissatisfaction of a crowd of attendants. ? The Columbia Phaznix states that H. E. Hayne, the Land Commissioner appointed last winter, has notified DeLarge that unless the books, papers and other property belonging to the office of the Land Commission are imme? diately turned over to him, as successor of De Large, that he will apply in the name of the State, lor a mandamus to compel a compliance with hia demand. ? The Spartanburg Spartan has the fallow? ing in regard to the Air Line Railroad : We understand the bridges on the above road, be? tween this place and Charlotte, are all under contract by energetic and responsible contrac? tors. The bridge across Pacolet will be over 100 feet high and will cost near $400,000. The grading is being pushed forward rapidly; con? siderably over half is completed between here and Charlotte. ? The Newberry Herald learns from a reli? able source that a colored man was last week driven from Mr. William Smith's plantation, near Chappcll's Depot, by a number of negro men disguised as Ku Klux. Mr. Smith em? ploys an unemployed blacksmith to work in the field as a day-laborer, and he performs his task so well as to give offense to other colored operatives, who abuse him, and, because he does not leave Mr. S's. employ, they seek to Ku Klux him. ? Hon. R. B. Carpenter was serenaded in Columbia on last Saturday night. After re? peated calls, Judge C. made his appearance, and was cordially greeted. He delivered a short and pithy address, which was warmly received by his numerous hearers. After giving an out? line of his evidence before the Ku Klux Com? mittee in Washington, he gave the substance of a conversation between himscif and Gen. Grant's factotum, Senator Morton?the latter gentleman having informed the Judge that he? ad been "read out" of the Republican party, because he ran against "the party" in South Carolina. "Well," said the Judge, "if running on an honest ticket is contrary to Republican principles, I am perfectly willing not only to be read out, but to remain out." Death of Edmund Rhett, Jr.?The Charleston Courier records the demise of Capt. Edmund Rhett, jr., which occurred at Cordcs villc, on the Savannah and Charleston Rail? road, on Saturday morning last, 29th of July, in the 3Gth year of his age. His remains were carried to Charleston, and after the funeral services at St. Phillip's Church, were interred at Magnolia on Sunday afternoon. We copy from the Courier: "The community were saddened on Saturday last, by the announcement of the death of this well known and talented Charlestonian. For many years he was associated in the editorial management of the Mercury. His contribu? tions to that great political journal were marked by great vigor of style. One that is fresh in our memoiv, published in the spring of 1S61, upon the occasion of the killing of Jackson, at Alexandria, Virginia, for hoisting a Confede? rate flag in the presence of United States troops, then preparing to invade Virginia, was universally copied, and commented on as a brilliant article. "Since the war, Captain Rhett has lived in retirement on and near the family plantation on the Ashepoo, where he has devoted himself assiduously to growing rice. This involved frequent exposure to the malarial influences of that section, and is believed to have hastened the disease under which ho has suffered for many years." Proportional Representation.?The principle of proportional representation is ma? king headway both in England and this coun trv. Upon a recent occasion in England, where an effort was made in the British Par? liament to dispense with this feature in a cer? tain case, on the ground that it had not worked well, the objections urged were over-ruled. It was seen that the majority had, in the case under consideration, over-reached itself in the effort to grasp more than it was entitled to, and the principle was re-affirmed. In this country the ablest journals, without distinction of par? ty, endorse the measure, and whenever consti? tutions are to be revised, a popular demand springs up for the cumulative system of voting. Recently, in Western Virginia, a large public meeting was held to bring about a convention to revise the constitution of that State. Among the objections to the present constitution, the resolutions adopted mention that the system of repres:ntation is defective; and that no pro? vision is made for the principle of minority representation, which is pronounced "one of the most practical and valuable discoveries which, in modern times, has been made iu the science of popular government." If popular governments are to be made enduring and to fulfil the ends for which governments are in? stituted, it must be done through tho medium of some such instrumentality as that contained in an improved system of voting.?Phoenix. "The Thieving Caiu'ET-Baggers."?Mr. Grcclcy's appropriate epithet for the impecu? nious loyalists is followed singularly enough by a fiercer denunciation of these precious har? pies in the Springfield (Mass.) Republican. The truthfulness of the picture is too lamenta? ble, but pity 'tis, 'tis true : "They arc doing more harm to the country to-day "than the locust or caterpillar, or any other kindred pest. They arc teaching the less intelligent and discriminating Southerners to despise and hate the Northern people more heartily than ever; they arc debauching the freedmcn ; they arc bringing disgrace upon the great Republican party and upon the National Government. That their rapacity is insatiable, aud that they steal every penny they can lay their hands on, are comparatively trivial counts in the indictment against them. Yet this con? stant plundering is a very serious matter to the communities which arc plundered. It means increased'indebtedness and heavier taxation.' It is just such rascality that is making the name of llepublican a stench in the .Southern States, and bringing suspicion and enmity upon honest immigrants. And matters will not mend much so long as needy and greedy adventurers are appointed to responsible Feile- : nil offices, and fellowshippcd by Northern Kc-' publicans on the floor of Congress." 1 The Land Commission. Spartasburg, S. C, July 20th, 1871. Hon. C. P.Jjeslie: Sir?Y?ur letter of the 25th May, touching the investigation of the affairs of the Land Commissioner was received, and answered. In that letter you propounded to me a number of questions, to which you requested answers. I am not a reader of the Republican, and ytfur communication addressed to me, through its columns, would not have been noticed by me, but for the fact.that my attention was directed to it by a friend. Dr. Hayes was Chairman of the Committee, and I have some doubts as to the propriety of appearing in the public prints before the investigation is completed, and re? port made to the Legislature. Answer 1. I conducted the examination for the most part. Answer 2. All the witnesses examined were sworn, their testimony taken down by the Clerk, and subscribed by witnesses. Answer 3. You were active in bringing wit? nesses before the Committee, and rendered im? portant aid in the examination of a few of them. Answer 4. I think there were twenty five or thirty witnesses examined touching the matter referred to in this question. Answer 5. I do not know why the testimony has not been published. The affidavits Were left with the Clerk with instructions to make up the report. I informed the chairman that, the testimony was in the hands of the Clerk/ subject to his order. The investigation being: incomplete, I suppose to be the cause of its no* being published. Answers 0 and 7. I think the testimony al? ready taken is insufficient to show that yon. have acted "dishonestly" in the discharge of your duties, or that you have made "margins or other moneys outside your salary as Land Commissioner." But the testimony equally convinces me that you made an improper selec? tion of agents. There can be no doubt that the State has been defrauded through these agents and land dealers. It docs not appear that you were a party to these fraudulent trans- ? actions; but you, at least, failed to enter your protest, and expose them. On the contrary, you approved many of them. You will hardly, deny that a proper discharge of your official duty would have prevented many, if not all, the' frauds which were perpetrated by agents and venders of land upon the State. The conclu? sion follows inevitably that having permitted a wrong, which you could have prevented, in? volves you in equal moral guilt with the agents and land venders. "Juifacit per alivm, facit per se." I have made the answer to these last questions more at leugth that you might not understand that, in my opinion*the investigation had removed all suspicion from your conduct in the premi? ses. Some one is to blame in this business; and who, but those connected in the Laud Commission ? So far as the testimony has gone you stand exonncratcd from the charge of dishonesty. But upon whom does the guilt rest ? You are at liberty to publish. Respect? fully, JOKL FOSTER. P*. S.? The above is substantially the same as before written. Charleston, S. C, July 27,1871. Hon. Joel Foster, Spartanburg, S. C.: Dear Sir?Your letter dated July 20tb, in answer to my letter dated May 25th, has just been received. I am surprised at your letter, and I think the people will be surprised. I do not mean to speak disrespectfully or unkindly of your communication, hut allow me to say that if this is the best information you can give to the public, in my opinion, it would have been better that you never had undertaken the task, or had turned the subject over to some other Democrat who would have felt a suffi? cient interest to have made a thorough investi? gation. The object of my letter was to enable you to state from the evidence who the persons were, if any, who robbed the State in connec? tion with the Land Commission, their names, the amounts, and every particular specifically set forth in connection therewith, and exactly the part I took in any one of those transactions.' By way of illustration, suppose that Mr Hayes,' Chairman of the Committee of Investigation, a known Republican, had written the letter, you have put forth to the public, I ask you if. the whole Democratic press of this State would' not have said, and had a right to say, that the report was trifling with the people, trifling with me, and that it was whitewashed from begin? ning to end. Again, I ask, in the name of the people of South Carolina, a specific answer to the follow? ing questions: First, who were the improper agents appointed by me, and their names? Secoud, how was the State defrauded by them, and how much did they receive? Third, what were the fraudulent transactions of which I ap? proved. To this much I think I am entitled. Yours rcspectfullv, C. P. LESLIE. Explosion of a Ferry Boat and Tearful Loss of Life. NEW York, July 30.?The Staten Island ferry boat Westficdd, crowded with passengers, exploded her boiler at 1.20, to-day, in the slip at Whitehall street. The concussion was ter? rific, shattering the forward part of the boat and killing a great number of people. The hurricane deck was thrown clear overboard and a large number of persons fell into the water and were drowned. The entire number of lost is supposed to be 150. New Yoke, July 31.?Thousands of people are congregated around Bellevue Hospital this morning, eager to hear something of their friends, supposed to be killed or injured by yesterday's explosion, aud a large force of po? lice is engaged in preserving order amid the general rush and excitement of the occasion. Of the forty dead bodies brought to Bellevue Hospital yesterday, twenty have already been removed by friends for interment. Of the bodies still at the hospital several have been recognized and will be removed to-day. In the Morgue are eleven victims of the explosion yet unrecognized. On one slab are the bodies of a woman and two children ; on another slab, those of a woman and child ; and on an? other that ot a woman ; there are five bodies of men. Most of the bodies present a fright? ful appearance?for in addition to the fact that they are much swollen and the features distor? ted by water, they have, in most cases, been terribly scalded. Since early this morning, a regular stream of people has been passing in solemn file in and out of the Morgue?cither from curiosity to witness the awful spectacle'of' the unrecognized dead lyiug there, or with painful interest, trying and yet fearful of re? cognizing among the yet unknown victims the features of a relative or friend. There are about sixty injured victims of the explosion in the wards at Bellevue Hospital. The surgeons state that at least half of them are beyond re? covery. Later.?The deaths thus far reach 50; in jurcd 142. The unfortunate boat Westfield at? tracts largo*crowds to where she lies moored, at the foot of E:ist Thirteenth street, in charge of Coroner Young. All human remains, bits of clothing, &c, have been removed by the fire? men to the Morgue. The force of the explo? sion was upward, blowing away the main deck, cabin deck and hurricane deck, in almost a straight lino across and a little forward of the centre of the boat. The bulwarks forward were blown away, and metal shade around the funnel lies crumpled like_ paper on the bow. Iron pipe an inch thick, joined to the steam supply chest, was torn away like cloth, and hurled against the side of the* boat. The wa? ter tanks wore thrown backward towards the stern a considerable distance. The after part of the cabin is eompartively uninjured. ? An alarm of fire occurred at the residence of Henry Kaufman, in Walhalla, on Sunday night hist. The llanies were quickly subdued, and little damage done. It was the work of an incendiary.