Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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? HOYT & 00., Proprietors. JAMES A. HOYT, Editor. RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION:?Two Do?abs pertn ??m, and Omc Dollar for tlx months. Subscriptions aro not taken far a lew poriod than tlx months. Liberal deductions made to duba of ton ox moro sub ??rlbsrs. RATBS OF ADVERTISING.?Oat Dollar per square of one inch for the first insertion, and Fifty Cents per sguaro for subsequent insertions less than three months, ho ad? vertisement counted less than a square. Liberal contracts will be made with thoso wishing to advertise for three, six or twelve months. Advertising by contract must ba confined to the immediate business 01 the arm or individual contracting. Obituary Notices exceeding five lines, Tributes of Re? spect, and alh personal communications or matters of in? dividual interest, will be charged for at advertising rates. Announcements of marriages and deaths, and notices of a religious character^ axe respectfully solicited, and will be insertedigraiisv TH?BSDAT MOBNINGr, APRIL 1,~1875. Legislative Notes. It gives us pleasure to know that these notes will not be current again until next winter. After a session of four months and two days, the General Assembly took up the line of march, and returned to the peaceful bivouacs of domestic life. In other words, the Legisla? ture adjourned on Friday last sine die. Not much evil legislation has marked the long and tedious session, thanks to the good sense and honest efforts of the Governor, who has been sustained by the united strength of the Con? servative members and a minority of well meaning Republicans. Without either of these elements, Got. Chamberlain was entirely powerless to accomplish any practical good for the State; with their a56 and assistance, the manly efforts of the Governor were at all times effective and salutary. We congratulate the . people that the session is at last ended, and that there is no probability of an extra meet? ing before the time provided by law. One of the worst features of the present ses? sion has been the immense number of claims which went through without adequate scrutiny. ; This enhances the taxes for the coming year, which will be equal to the highest rate ever paid under Scott's administration. At one time it seemed inevitable that the tax levy would be still higher, under amendments from the Senate, which increased the rate of taxa? tion two and a half mills. These amendments ? were partly receded from at the last moment, and leaves the aggregate levy at twelve mills for State purposes. The county tax is fixed at three mills, in addition to the special levies ' authorized in twenty counties, making the tax for State and county average not less than seventeen mills. This extra levy does not affect Anderson County, however, which still maintains its pre-eminence for low taxation for county purposes, making our total only ' fifteen mills I The House of Eepresentatives displayed the customary liberality in donating the people's money at the last moment. Three hundred dollars were contributed to Rev. Solomon C. Gooseley, acting chaplain, for praying "with credit to himself and satisfaction to the House," during the session. One thousand dollars were awarded to Speaker Elliott for the "great abili? ty, impartiality and commendable industry" with which he discharged the responsible and onerous duties of presiding over the menagerie. The members evidently believed that this money was rightfully their own, since it was tendered as a token of personal esteem to their presiding officer. The Senate refused to make any donations, and the gratuitous services of she dusky chaplain will be unrewarded in this wotld. Other propositions were made and de? feated in the House, which the Union-Herald says is "due to the watchfulness of Mr. Barn w?l, of Charleston, and Mr. Crlttenden, of Greenville, and the fidelity with which the conservative members stuck to their posts at this important day of the session." .The services rendered by the Conservative Denrocrats are not properly appreciated, we fear. Most of them sacrifice private interests for the ;public good, and remain away from home one-third of the year to give their time and attention to public duties. The tact and management of the conservatives gave them an important power and control in many instances. It is not always their policy to originate meas ores for legislation, but to assist in perfect? ing good measures and defeating bad ones Acting together with unselfish motives these .members are a formidable element in the Gen? eral Assembly, whenever the dominant party divides upon any question, and this has so fre? quently occurred during the recent session that the conservatives were constantly gaining in? fluence and power. Such has not been the case since reconstruction. The example of the conservative members should not be lost upon the people. Their strength comes from united and consistent action, untiring watchfulness and seising upon every advantage of division among their opponents? A similar policy among the conservative voters will reap even greater rewards. The Kew Comptroller General. The General Assembly, on Tuesday of last week, elected Hon. Thomas C. Dunn to fill the unexpired term of S. L. H?ge as Comptroller General. The election of Mr. Dunn was sin? gularly accomplished by the union of every shade of politics. Before any changes were made, after the result became apparent, Mr Dunn had received 92 votes, and on the final announcement this number was increased to 127 out of 143. As Senator from Horry, Mr. Dunn became known to the people of the State as an energetic and decent Republican, and in the last campaign he was the head-centre of the Green movement. His recent course in opposition to the management of the State Treasurer gives his election additional signifi? cance, for he now has the opportunity of recti? fying abuses in the financial administration of the State government. He is a man of integ? rity and honorable character, who will dis? charge the duties of this important office with credit and satisfaction. We have no idea that he will interfere captiously with the adminis? tration of Gov. Chamberlain, but will assist in every measure of genuine reform. We have received the current number of the Rural Carolinian, which is the best ag? ricultural journal in the South, and admirably adapted to the wants of our farmers. The orig? inal contributions to the March number are well worth a year's subscription. Published by Walker, Evans & Cogswell, Charleston, at j $2 per annum. Subscriptions received at this office. 1 Greenville and Columbia Railroad. In a letter to the Greenville News, Col. Thomas Dodamead objects to the statement that the Greenville and Columbia Railroad "is really dangerous." He states "most emphati? cally that, while in common with all the rail? roads in the South, the long protracted wet weather has had its injurious effects on this roalB, yet the condition of the roadway and track is far better than it has been for the past four years, at the corresponding season of the year; and with the care taken on this road to regulate the speed of trains on the different portions of the track, in accordance with its condition, traveling on the cars of this compa? ny's road is as safe as on any railroad in this or any other country." This assurance on the part of Col. Dodamead will be gratifyingly re? ceived by the traveling public, whose confi? dence in the safety of the road has been some whf.t shaken by the recent floods. The mercantile community would like to "hear from Col. Dodamead in regard to the con? troversy growing out of delayed freights at Greenville. Much has been said in the news? papers about the refusal of the Air Line Rail? road to transfer freight to the G. & 0. R. R. until charges are paid, and a statement has been made by the Air Line officials that the difficulty grows out of the fact that the Green? ville Road is heavily indebted to them already, for which reason these officials refuse to extend any further credit. The origin of the trouble is not a matter of any moment to merchants and business men, who desire to receive their goods without vexatious delays, and who are ready to pay charges at their respective depots. Hence, we would respectfully ask that better arrangements should be made at once, so that goods ordered over the Air Line Railroad will not be detaintd at Greenville. It is not ex? pected that money will be sent in advance to pay freight charges, nor will the public demand unreasonable arrangements from the railroads. But the present difficulty is a serious inconven? ience to the merchants of the up-country^ whose interests as constant patrons of the G. & C. R. R. deserves just consideration from the officials. We would be delighted to learn that Col. Dodamead has removed the cause of dis? satisfaction, and once more set aside these ob? structions to business. The Civil Rights Law. The civil rights law is likely to be slaugh? tered in the house of its friends. Besides the opinion of Gen. Butler that the privileges of bar-rooms are not guaranted by the law, it has just been decided that billiard saloons are to? tally exempt from its provisions. Another decision of more general application has been made by Judge Emmons, of Memphis, in the United States Circuit Court, wherein he denies that the late amendments to the Constitution confer any new powers upon Congress to legis? late in that direction. He delivered an elabo? rate and exhaustive charge to the grand jury, in response to certain questions asked by them touching their duties under the new law, in which he holds that the States alone control the regulation of theatres, inns and other pla? ces of public amusement and resort, with which Congress cannot interfere. We will print a summary of this decision next week. Judge Emmons is a Republican in politics, and a Northern raan'by birth, education and associa? tion. He is an eminent jurist, and a man of unsullied reputation. ITEMS-EDTIOBIAL AND OTHERWISE. ? It is again positively asserted that Secre? tary Bristow will soon resign his place in Pres? ident Grant's cabinet. ? It is said that Mexicans are entering the labor market in Texas, and that they are better cotton hands than the freed blacks. ? A United States Commissioner in Trenton, New Jersey, has decided that the civil rights bill does not apply to billiard saloons. ? The annual meeting of the stockholders of the South Carolina Railroad Company will be held at Charleston on the 13th day of April. ? A destructive wind storm in the West is called a "blizzard,"?hurricane, cyclone, torna? do, whirlwind and words of that ilk not being sufficiently significant. ? Joseph Crews has purchased the material of the Columbia Union, recently owned by L. Cass Carpenter, and will shortly establish a weekly newspaper at Laurens C. H. ? There are one hundred and sixteen pupils in the Williamston Female College. Another story will soon be added to the building, in or? der to accommodate a larger number of pupils. ? Rev. Sumter Daniel, who was so lately made the victim of a brutal assault, and whose injuries were thought to be of a serious charac? ter, is now able to be out and attend his minis? terial duties. ? Col. Dudley W. Adams, Worthy Master of the National Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, has purchased six hundred acres of land in Florida with the inteution of establishing an orange grove. ? A letter was carried by the cyclone from Thompson to Edgefield county, and was found on the premises of Mr. H. T. Wright, about six miles from Edgefield, a distance of sixty miles from Thompson. ? The citizens of Augusta have contributed six thousand dollars to aid the sufferers from the late tornado, which has devasted several counties of the State, from the Chattahoochee to the Savannah River. ? An expensive funeral was that of the late Charles Sumner. The Boston Globe prints an official list of the items which aggregate $29, 250.40. The commonwealth of Massachusetts foots the bill, of course. ? Mr. James Nesbit, Sr., of Spartanburg, died recently at Rome, Ga., where he was on a business tour. He was over seventy years of age, a man of considerable means, and highly respected by the people of Spartanburg. ? Under the postal law passed at the recent session of Congress, postage on single copies of newspapers weighing over one ounce and not more than two ounces, has been fixed at two cents. In other words, a two cent stamp is re? quired on every paper. ? The tax on tobacco has been raised from twenty to twenty-four cents per pound, and ou cigars from five to six dollars per thousand, by the act of Congress, March 3, 1875, which goes into effect immediately. The tax on spirits has also been raised. ? Mr. Eaton, in the United States Senate, created a sensation the other day by Baying : "It is time now to talk of the rights of the white men of this country." We thank him for reminding the dominant party that the masses of our population are Anglo-Saxons. ? The capital stock of the Walhalla Bank has been fully subscribed, and the company or? ganized with the following Directors, viz: Samuel Lovingood, D. Biemann, J. W. Shelor, J. P. Mickler, J. W. Stribling, J. J. Norton and R. A. Thompson. Mr. Lovingood was chosen President. ? Senator Christiancy thinks it would re? quire a good many regiments of United States soldiers to repeat the Louisiana programme in Michigan. He holds to the old doctrine that a Federal Judge, drunk or sober, cannot deter? mine who shall be Governor or what members to the Legislature are entitled to their seats in a sovereign State. Destructive Tornado and Loss of Life. The most destructive tornado which ever visited this section of the United States oc? curred on Saturday, 20th of March, traversing the middle country of Georgia and South Car? olina, and reaching clear across both States to the coast of North Carolina. The terrible ravages and vast extent of this storm cannot be fully described in our limited space, but we will endeavor to summarize the most impor? tant details, in order that the reader may form a just conception of its destructive character. The storm commenced on the border of Ala? bama, and the march of the tornado was across eight or ten counties in Georgia, thence on? ward through South Carolina, devastating and destroying property and lives, and finishing its course on the seaboard of North Carolina. Large hail stones seem to have fallen at all the places visited by the storm; trees were up? rooted and twisted off; houses of all kinds de? molished ; horses, mules and cattle were blown away, and many persons were killed and in? jured, while some were even carried long dis? tances by the wings of the wind. In some places, a regular cyclone was seen arising from the earth high in the air, and then shooting downwards to the earth again, carrying every? thing before it. To illustrate the force of the wind, we may mention an instance where a shingle was driven, sharp end foremost, several inches into the body of a small oak tree it happened to strike directly. A lifeless negro woman was found lodged in the branches of a lofty tree not exactly in the hurricane's path, and a child of the same race was blown away, and has not been found at all. It is impossible to give all the incidents of an extraordinary nature which are reported in our Georgia and South Carolina exchanges. The details show an appalling and frightful destruction of hu? man life and property, unequalled in the an? nals of our Southern country. A correspondent of the Augusta Constitu? tionalist describes the awful grandeur of the scene when the storm was approaching: "A black cloud gathered, in the northwest and one in the southwest, and, while the muttering thunder in the distance indicated the cloudy wrath of the impending elements, riffles of clouds could be seen dashing to and fro, north aud south, while the main clouds seemed to emit fire. During this time, which lasted about half an hour, the roaring was like that of distant thunder or rapid discharges of artil? lery. On the tempest came, and we had not long to wait, in breathless consternation, the reality of foreboding fears. In an instant it was upon us?the awful roar, the quivering of the house, the breaking of window glass by the force of the wind, the debris flying across the west of the house, fence rails and limbs of trees shooting fifteen feet in the air, and dark? ening the atmosphere. It lasted for full three minutes, when all was over, and we ventured to look out of a drenched house. What a sight I It appeared as if we had been magi? cally transported to a new country. Houses, fences, and forest gone that we were accus? tomed to look at daily, and many houses in view we could not see in the distance before 1" This graphic description will give some idea of the vast destructiveness of the tornado, which was equally furious at every point vis? ited to that of the place here desenbtjd, and in some places the destruction was apparently greater and more general. The strangest thing regarding the storm is that not a single large city was struck or injured; ouly small towns and villages were the sufferers. Atlanta, Macon, Columbus, Augusta, Savannah, Colum? bia, Charleston and Wilmington were on all sides of the storm track, and the damage in all these cities does not amount to anything unu? sual. The chief sufferers are the farmers and planters, whose unhappy lot it was to reside within the track of the fearful destroyer. In Georgia, the storm originated in Harris County, where twelve or fifteen persons were killed and a good many wounded. The little village of Mt. Airy was totally destroyed, not a house remaining. Baughville, in Talbot County was completely demolished; ten whites and sixteen negroes were killed; five churches, six stores and four school houses destroyed. A lady aud five children were killed, and their bodies blown from fifty to one hundred yards. In Monroe County, the storm was fearful, and a long list is given of the houses blown down, persons injured and accidents generally. At Milledgeville and in Baldwin County, the damage was immense, and several persons were killed. Fully fifteen houses were destroyed in the town. The clouds as they passed over re? sembled an hour-glass in shape, and were so luminous as to create the impression that a large fire had occurred, and the fire bells were generally rung. A bale of cotton was blown to pieces, and a team passing from the Asylum to Milledgeville was overtaken, the wagon blown away, and the harness torn from the animals, severely injuring them. In Glascock County, the force of the storm is said to have been terrible, and that fully thirty-five persons were killed, showing that the worst effects were felt in that vicinity. There were sixteen houses on Mr. Massey's place, near Sparta, in Hancock County, and of them all there is not one piece of timber left upon another. Hewn logs were blown a mile and a half, and shingles from the roof to the distance of several miles. His wife and only child were killed, while he was attempting to save them. A young lady was blown into the top of a pine tree and awfuily mangled, sur? viving only four hours. Other casualties are reported on this and adjoining places. The town of Cam ab. on the Georgia Bail road, likewise suffered seriously. Ten or twelve houses were blown over and literally torn to pieces. Only one dwelling and store remain in the village. Fifteen or twenty whites were injured, and many others escaped by the fact that the inmates generally ran out into the open air upon the first sign of danger. In McDuffie County, the destruction was ex? tensive, and a long list of losses and injuries are reported. The same is true of Columbia and Richmond Counties, bordering on South Carolina, but the most notable devastation took place in the region previously traversed by the storm. Entering Edgefield County, thence into Aiken and Barn well Counties, we next hear of its effects in Sumter, Marion and adjacent country. The tornado crossed Savannah River about ten miles above Augusta, and the same ravages ensued. Dwellings and out-houses were prostrated, and a few casualties occurred, including two negroes killed in Edgefield. The loss of life was greater in Barnwell Coun? ty, and more general destruction took place in the track of the storm. Hail stones of great size fell in this section, and a number of hogs and pigs were killed by them. In Aiken, tfce only damage reported as yet is the blowing down of the Catholic Church, which was in the edge of the storm. ? The Milledgeville Union and Rccorder8ay& a "gentleman who saw the whirlwind strike the Oconee river, says the water went up, he thinks, a hundred feet in the air, and for a few moments the bottom of the river where the tor? nado passed laid bare, and the mud and soil was blown into the tops of the trees." ? The Edgefield Advertiser says Maj. Wm. T. Gary has decided to remove at once to Augus? ta, where he will continue the practice of his profession. "And to the people of Augusta we very honestly give our congratulations upon the addition to their Bociety of a gentleman of such high culture and eminent professional attain? ment." Another Veto by the Governor. Gov. Chamberlain has been kept busy in watching the legislation of the recent session, gven though other duties had not demanded so much of his time, and he has not failed to in? terpose the veto power whenever he deemed it necessary for the public good. The proceed? ings of the last day's session were marked with another veto message, which shows careful at? tention to the details of legislation, so striking? ly in contrast with his predecessors since re? construction. He vetoed the act to declare the true intent and meaning of the act to fund the public debt. The main ground for the veto is that the explanation sought to be made is not in harmony with the present settlement of the Eublic debt, which the Governor considers imself bound to sustain, in accordance with his pledges. This measure proposed to make the interest on State bonds and stocks funda ble up to the time of consolidation, and the funding act provides for paying the interest from January 1st, 1874, to the date of consoli? dation. The Governor alleges that this change would greatly retard the process of funding, which is now going on with such gratifying rapidity. He regards the duty of adhering to the present settlement of the public debt as paramount to every other consideration. In order that a clearer insight may be given of the Governor's motives in vetoing this act, we subjoin a portion of the message itself: It should be borne in mind always, in con? sidering this subject, that those of our public creditors who bought our bonds at from seventy to one hundred cents on the dollar do not look with favor upon a law which takes from them one-half of their debt, and substitutes for the other half a security worth only from fifty to sixty cents on the dollar. It will never be possible for the State to re? cover the confidence of such men, or of the public generally, until a long course of unde viating fidelity to our new promises shall con? vince them that we are seeking, to the best of our ability, to repair the grievous wrongs of which they are the victims. I fear there are some who feel that this sub? ject of our public credit is remote and unim? portant in its relations to the interest of the mass of our citizens. No mistake can be great? er. There is not a man in South Carolina whose pecuniary well being is not largely bound up with the condition of our public credit. Our vast natural advantages of climate, soil, water power, minerals are waiting for the coming in of capital to develop them and en? rich all our people. That capital must come from abroad. Why does it tarry? No one cause is so potent as the utter wreck which has been made of our public credit. Men who have surplus funds will allow them to lie idle rather than invest them in a State whose public cred? it is the sport ef the indifference or passion which rules the hour. Public credit is like personal honor. It feels a stain like a wound. It cannot be trifled with. Therefore, while the "consolidation" act was originally a measure with which I had no con? cern, to-day it is the only method open to us for recovering our public credit, and I must stand by it at all times and in all its features, and the same obligation rests upon every mem? ber of the General Assembly. I am aware that it is argued in support of the present act that there are matters of doubt connected with the "consolidation" act which the General Assembly ought to set at rest. It is true, perhaps, that the view which I have presented of the intent of the act may, if car? ried out, prevent any surplus fund from arising with which to extinguish a part of the public debt. If this result were certain it could not change our duty to first pay all interest upon the "consolidation" bonds and stock accruing on and after the time specified in the act, name? ly, July 1, 1874. This is the first duty. If this exhausts the whole fund, it will be a result for which we are not responsible, because it will arise from a faithful adherance to the terms and meaning of the act itself. But if there are real doubts to be settled up? on this point, the proper place for their settle? ment is in the courts. The construction of statutes, the interpretation of doubtful terms, the settlement of conflicting interests arising under legislative enactments, are properly judicial and not legislative functions. The public creditor could not object to an appeal to the courts, for he holds his rights under his contracts with the constant and understood reservation that the courts must, whenever doubt arises, construe those contracts. The State could rot object to such a tribunal, for she professes herself to be bound by the pledge of her faith and honor, and she has clothed her courts with the power to interpret her du ties and to fix her liabilities in all cases, which are properly subjects for judicial cognizance, j There are some changes made by the present i act to which, of themselves, I should make no objection, because they appear to promote the general object for which the "consolidation" ! act was passed, and could not be regarded as impairing the contract established by that act; but all such changes become absolutely unim? portant compared with the paramount duty and interest of standing by that act in its integrity and entirety, as a final and complete settlement of our. public debt. If I could agree with the declarations made in the first section of the present act, I should still deprecate its passage, because the iue vi table effect of any change whatever in the "consolidation" act will be to unsettle the returning confidence felt by our creditors, and to seriously retard the comple? tion of the work of exchanging our public debt, which is so essential to all our prosperity. When, however, the present act goes so far as to change the most essential feature of the "consolidation" act, I have no alternative. I, at least, must stand by my pledges and main tain the settlement as made by the act of De cember 22,1873. Very respectfully, D. H. Chamberlain, Governor. I ANDERSON THEATRICAL COMPANY. , This company of talented performers propose enacting in Masonic Hali on Thursday and Friday evenings, April 8th and 9th, T. S. Ar? thur's celebrated temperance drama, in five acts, entitled "Ten Nights in a Bar Room," the proceeds to be devoted to a charitable purpose. The various characters will be impersonated by young ladies and gontlonaen who have de? voted much tiino and study to each, and who, on account of thoir former successes in the drama, cannot fail to givo entiro satisfaction to all those who may attend. It is needless for us to emunerato any of tho many exciting and interesting incidonts which will take place in tho acts, as nearly all are familiar with Arthur's best work; but suffice it to say, that each will be rendered in a style destined at onco to inter? est and to please. Theatricals should be on couragod and patronized, for they have a bene? ficial and instructive influence upon the people, siqco through them we aro shown the different phases and variotios in all classes of real life. All arrangements and preparations have been made to insure succoss, and we bospoak for this company a crowded house. Tho price of admission is fifty cents?rosorved soats 75 contst Seats can be secured by calling at Simpson, Hill & Co.'s, and at tho Post Office. Bo suro to attend. ? Judge Mackey, of the Sixth Circuit, min? gles justice and jocularity when occasion per? mits. Recently when empannelling a Grand Jury, he requested those desiring to be excused from service, to come to the bar, and state their excuse. Two had tried in vain, when the third, feeling sure that he had sufficient excuse, stated: "I am deaf in one ear." The Judge replied, "It was long since decided that the Grand Jury have to hear but oue side of the case; one ear will suffice." ? The Marion Star says: "No freshet in the Great Peo Dee since 1705?eighty years ago?has been as high as the one which passed dowu the river last week." ' TOWN AND COUNTY NEWS. T. D. KENNEDY, Local Editor. SAD DE ATS. It is our painful dutj to announce the de? mise of Mrs. Theodosia D. Brock, the beloved wife of Mr. J. A. Brock, which occurred on Tuesday evening? after a long and painful ill? ness. Tho coming of the Destroyer's footsteps is at all times sorrowful and distressing to rel? atives and friends, but when death strikes down the innocent and young, we realize more keenly the anguish of sorrowing hearts, whose only consolation is that he lets the panting spirit free from earth's tribulations, and there springs up bright creations to defy his power, while his dark paths become a way of light to Heaven. With the bloom of youth upon her cheek, and the brightest prospects of the world before her, none can fail to sympathize in this painful bereavement. Sho was gentle and lov? ing in character, modest and unassuming in demeanor, faithful and devoted in her profes? sion as a Christian. How short and fleeting the time since the bridal wreath was worn ! The pale flowers of the tomb take its place so soon, and the tears of surviving kindred and friends fall upon the newly made grave. May His infinite mercy and love attend the bereaved husband and the little innocent boy so uncon? scious of his loss?a mother's love and watch? ful tenderness. BRIET MENTION. The ton market has been active during the past week, and middling commands 154 cents this (Wednesday) morning. Tuesday last was the livelies* day of the sea? son, owing to the large number of wagons in town. Judging from the quantities of mer? chandize carried away, and from the smiling countenances of the merchants, a profitable business must have been done. I S. Bleokley is noted as an antiquarian, and [ has recently discovered a goose?on the planta [ tion of Mr. B. F. Hammond?whose age is twenty-four years. We know of many older j geese in the world, but they are not web-footed. Sylvester is not one of them, either. We were shown on Tuesday last, samples of the celebrated "Cheatham Cotton," raised in Jefferson County, Georgia, and it was certainly the finest we ever saw. We were informed by Capt. John T. Cheatham, who was here selling the seed of this cotton, that the average num? ber of bolls to the stalk was about five hun? dred, and that frequently from three to four bolls were produced from one square. The seed were sold at one dollar per hundred. We are sorry to learn that little Baylis, son of our worthy townsman, Mr. John H. Clarke, met with a severe injury on Friday last. It seems that Mrs. Clarke went to the residence of her father (Mr. David Crosby) on that day, bringing little Baylis with her, and while play? ing in the yard, he was attacked and bitten through the upper lip by a fierce bull-dog. The wound inflicted was severe and painful, but at last accounts the little fellow was doing well. Any person in want of an excellent Family Bible at cheap rates will call upon Mr. John B. Watson, who can furnish a splendid edition at lower figures than ever before offered in this community. These Bibles 3re purchased at wholesale rates, and sold at the original price of the publisher, with freight added. It is through the liberality of a benevolent citizen, who wishes to be instrumental in doing good, I that this arrangement has been made with pub? lishers, in order to save tho usual commissions to purchasers. No one makes any profit on the transaction, and such an opportunity does not often present itself. We learn that on Friday last a robbery was committed at the residence of Mrs. Powell, a few miles above this place, by a young man named Thomas Elliott, who worked on the premisas. Elliott, finding that no one was in the house, entered by force, and proceeding up? stairs, broke open a trunk and took therefrom ten dollars and fifty cents in money. He came to town with the money, and had the ten dollar bill changed in one of the stores. The money was missed on Saturday, and suspicion resting on Elliott, Mr. James Powell came to town and inquired if any of the merchants had changed a ten dollar bill answering to the description he gave, and receiving a reply in the affirma? tive, ho went home and had Elliott arrested and lodged in jail on Sunday morning. Every man, woman and child in Anderson County is urgently invited to examine Jordan's patent churn power now on exhibition at Wil? son & Reed's, underneath this office. We want this examination made within the next two weeks, and not spread over the entire summer, for we are not ready to be made crazy with tho incessant noise of turning the crank, which goes on steadily from early morn to dewy eve, much to our discomfiture when we are seeking to probe into the depths of the Congressional Record, or some other light and entertaining literature The whirl of the cog? wheels in that machine only requires eight minutes to make butter; but to look for? ward to a whole summer of lengthened and sultry days, without intermission in the mo? notonous whirl, is sufficient to drive one mad in less time than it takes to produco the butter. Hence, we want the peoplo of Anderson Coun? ty supplied without delay, so the owners of the patent right will, like any other Arabs, fold their tents and silently steal away from this vicinity. Messrs. John A. Reeves and M. J. Wilson will furnish further particulars. IMPRO VEMENTS. Improvements are still the order of the day. Mr. John E. Breazoale and Mr. S. Bleckley are adding to the appearance of their handsome residences by having them paiuted. Many changes and improvements have rocently taken place in tho northeastern section of our town. Mrs. David Watson has erected a capital new plank fence around her lot, and the lots and premises of Messrs. J. B. McGee and W. N. Aloxandor have undergone considerable im? provement, in the way of new fences, repairs, I etc. We aro glad to seo that a spirit of energy pervades the citizens of that once neglected, though beautiful portion of our thriving town, and hope that those living in other localities may profit by thoir example. PERSONAL. Among tho members of the bar from a dis? tance who wore here during the week in at? tendance upon tho Court, were Hon. A. Burt and Gen. Samuel McGowaa, of Abbeville; Capt. W. E. Earle, Col. a. F. Townes and Maj. J. H. Whitner, of Greenville, and W. C. Keith, Esq., Maj. S. P. Dondy and Col. J. J. Norton, of Walhalla. Wo had a visit on Saturday last from Mr. James G. Holmes, Jr., representing the reliable and extonsive establishment of Walker, Evans & Cogswoll, No. 3 Broad Street, Charleston. Mr. Holmes is making a tour through the np enuntrv, and is supplying lawyers and public officers with everything needed from this fa? mous printing establishment. He llkewiso has a kindly word for the "Confederate Or? phan's and VVidow's Home," a noble institu? tion, which is doing a good work in the city of Charleston. THE COURT. Court convened at this place at 11 o'clock on Monday last, his Honor Judge T. H. Cooke presiding. After the different jurors were called and empannelled, the Judge then deliv? ered his charge to the grand jury. He said it would be well for them to examine as to whether the Jury Commissioners had done their duty in selecting men who were compe? tent, both morally and intellectually, as the importance of the position which they filled as jurors, demanded that they should be drawn from among the best and most intelligent citi? zens of the County. According to the old cus? tom, he said jurors were drawn from among the tax-payers of each County, and were selec? ted with much care. It is your duty to visit all the public offices in the County, and see that the record of each has been properly kept, also to inquire into and ascertain whether the Solicitor has discharged his duty or not. All offices from the highest to the lowest should receive your closest scrutiny, in order to es? tablish a system of justice and honest in the management of public affairs. You should direct special attention to the office of the j County Commissioners, on account of the va ! rious changes in the law in regard to their du? ties, and ascertain whether or not they are keeping up to the requirements demanded of them, and whether any irregularities exist in their office or not. Should you need assistance, and legal advice in order to better enable you to discover irregularities, you will be accom? modated by some member of the bar. It has long been the custom to pay off State witnesses on the certificate of the Clerk of the Court, but this is wrong; they ought to be audited by the County Commissioners, and none paid unless this has been done. Under the head of public offices, it become8,',your duty to visit the Jail, and see that the prisoners are well kept, also, to visit the Auditor's office and Poor House. See that the County Commissioners aro doing their duty towards the poor, in regard to feed? ing and clothing and otherwise providing for their comfort and welfare. I know that in a neighboring County the poor had to go beg? ging in order to live, since all the monies for their support in the hands of the County Com? missioners had been expended for other pur? poses. Now, in order to obviate such a calam? ity, the Board of County Commissioners should levy taxes for specific purposes, and should keep them separate, drawing their checques on the Treasurer for certain purpo? ses, which should be specified. It is also your duty to pass upon all licenses granted outside of corporate towns and villages, and it is to be hoped that you will refuse the granting of such licenses, for they are demoralizing to the labor of the country, since they induce much cotton stealing and entail untold misery and woe upon the people. Liquor shops in the country are the greatest nuisances, leading on, not only to the demoralization of the labor element, but also to the darkest crimes. Discontinue these, and drive all mean characters out of the coun? try. The County Commissioners have the power to license the sale of malt liquors with? out applying to the Court, but they are not en? titled to grant any license for the sale of spiri? tuous liquors, and if they have been doing the latter, I hope that you will correct them.? There never was a time when the Vagrant law was more needed than at tue present, for there are so many idle vagabonds traveling about over the country, who live upon honest indus? try, and who should be reported to the Court, which has the power of sending them to the Penitentiary for twelve months. This falls under your supervision, and it is to be hoped that you will report all persons whom you may know to be vagrants. Your County, I am happy to say, is a prosperous one. not hav? ing been in debt since reconstruction, and the greatest interest should be manifested by all in its welfare and prosperity. It is highly essen? tial that the County Commissioners should keep up the public roads, as a great deal de? pends on their being kept in good condition, and it will be your duty to see that all public roads receive the necessary attention. Strict attention should be given by you to the office of Trial Justice, as this office has been greatly abused in order to render the business a lucra? tive one. In some sections Trial Justices have three or four constables who get up disturban? ces for the sake of furnishing their employers with cases. If the Trial Justices in your Coun? ty are not morally and intellectually compe? tent, they should be reported to the Court, and the Court will have them removed. He then went on to charge them conoeming the crimes to be tried, and explained the law in relation to murder, larceny, etc. In.conclu? sion, he said: Yon are invested with very high power. As the Grand Inquest, you are above all the officials of the County, and if you per? mit the various officials to go unnoticed and uninvestigated, a bad state of things will exist. It is your duty to look after them, and regu? late all inaccuracies and irregularities. After the swearing in of the State witnesses, the Grand Jury repaired to their room to de? termine on the various bills presented for their consideration. The following are the cases disposed of up to the time of our going to press: The State vs. Andy Spencer. Assaulting an officer?two indictments. Pleaded guilty to the first, and the second was nol. proa. The State vs. James Anderson and Andrew Thomas. Grand Larceny. Guilty. The State vs. Alexander Campbell. Assault. Guilty. The State vs. Charles Murray. Grand Lar? ceny. Pleaded Guilty. The State vs. Andy Spencer, Reuben Young, John Young, Thomas Brown and Barvus Fra zier. Riot and Assault. Not guilty. The State vs. Alexander Mattison. Murder. Continued on account of his still remaining in the possession of the United States Court, The State vs. Henry Ledbetter. Murder. Not Guilty. The State vs. William M. Martin, murder, continued on account of the ?ickness of mate? rial witnesses. The State vs. James Walker, murder. The prisoner, who has been for many months in tho custody of the Sheriff of Pickens County, was sent for, and ordered to be brought before the Court for trial on this (Thursday) morning. But few criminal cases remain to be tried, and tho Court will probably adjourn on Satur? day next._ In the case of Andy Spencer, Reuben Young and others, indicted for a riot and an assault I upon the Town Marshals last Christmas, Messrs. Featherston <fe Brown and E. B. Mur? ray, Esq., counsel for the accused, raised the point that, as no valid Town Ordinance existed for the suppression of drunkenness, swearing or boisterous conduct, and as the Marshals ar? rested these parties unlawfully, owing to want of legal authority to act in the matter, the prisoners should be set free. After much dis? cussion on the question, and failure to prove the existence of a valid ordinance on the sub? ject, his Honor instructed the jury to find a verdict of not guilty. It is to be hoped that the Town Council will at once take proper steps to provide against future evils, by enact? ing a series of Ordinances which will cover all misdemeanors, and provide for quiet and order in our town.