Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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JAS. A, HOYT, f~~~ E. B. MURRAY, jEd'^S THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 1st, 1876. THE RAILROAD CONVENTION. In addition to the reported proceedings of the Blue Ridge Railroad Convention, there is not much to say concerning the assemblage in Charleston last week. It was an able and dignified body of gentle? men, embracing representatives from Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina, who were intent upon whatever means might be employed to resuscitate their favorite project, and re lnme the hopes of more than one-third of a century. The attitude of Charleston towards this enterprise occupied a large share of attention among the delegates from other sections, and several of them gave expression to their surprise and dis? appointment' that the citizens of Charles? ton did not manifest more general inter? est in the revival of this scheme, which is destined to awaken commercial activity and restore its ancient prosperity as the leading metropolis of the South. We will not investigate the causes which provoked a seeming indifference and apathy among the business men of Charleston, for the mere repetition of reasons therefor will not tend to produce desirable results in the future. It is suf? ficient to know that the delegates were made to understand that Charleston was not ready to engage in any project look? ing to investments in railroads. At some future time, when the skies are brighter and the financial distress has has been lifted from the country, it was intimated that the merchants and busi? ness men of Charleston will rally to the project of completing the Blue Ridge Railroad, and lend their assistance to? wards opening up this great highway. But we must be permitted to remark that the projects of the Railroad Convention were misconceived and misunderstood by the good citizens on the seaboard. It was not an effort to commit the people of that locality to the subscription of one dollar in aid of the enterprise, nor was there the slightest prospect of a moneyed discussion, nntil this feature was brought to the attention of the delegates from a distance. The difficulties which environ the Blue Ridge Railroad are complicated and almost innumerable, and these ob? stacles must be removed before there can be any reasonable advance towards its completion. These obstacles and diffi? culties are as well understood in Charles? ton as in any other section interested in the building of the road, and we take it that the greatest good to be attained by an assemblage of delegates from the different States was to devise measures for the accomplishment of this object. In our judgment, the citizens of Charles? ton might aid such an effort with the utmost propriety, and at the same time stand aloof from entangling themselves with financial obligations, which we were plainly told they were unable to do just now. But the measures to which we refer were not even considered, for the reason that Charleston assumed its posi? tion at once and gave no assurance that its citizens were willing to co-operate with others in an effort to free the Blue Ridge Railroad from present embarrass? ments, with a view to re-opening the question as to its construction. Our friends seemed to ague from the stand? point that any movement in this direc? tion necessarily implied the contribution of money at this time, and the result was to discourage, and dishearten the dele? gates from abroad, who are determined to seek an outlet in another quarter, un? less the people of South Carolina will inaugurate measures for the relief of their favorite route from litigation and embarrassment. Upon the citizens of Anderson and Oconee Counties will mainly depend the inauguration of prac? tical measures for the fulfillment of this desired object, and unless we are content to witness stagnation and prostration of every business interest, the energy and thrift of this section will speedily devise the methods for reinvigorating the ex? pectations of our friends across the mountains and bringing unto life the decaying remains of the Blue Ridge ^Railroad. It will require unremitting work and arduous efforts for small com? munities with slender means to pluck success in this undertaking, but only by these mean'' can aught be done to rescue ourselves and posterity from a blighted progress and ignominious failure as com? mercial communities. THE EDGEFIELD TRAGEDY. We print a full account of the brutal murder of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Har? mon, who lived at Winter Seat, in Edge field County, and whose lives were taken by a blood-thirsty mob of infuriated negroes, without provocation and with? out the slightept pretext or palliation. The testimony implicating the guilty parties was carefully gathered from every available source,' and the full con? fession of the most guilty left not a sem? blance of doubt in regard to the perpe? trators of this fiendish deed. Under these circumstances, and with a full knowledge of the responsibility assumed by them, one hundred citizens of Edge field and Abbeville Counties administered swift and certain punishment upon the self-confessed murderers by shooting them within sight of the scene of their crime. There was no attempt 'to hide behind a mask, nor was there any undue excitement in conneotion with the lynch? ing. It was the deliberate act of out? raged citizens, whose homes are in jeopardy while such inhuman crimes are tolerated for an instant. We deprecate lawlessness and disorder as the worst evil which can befall society, but in this instance we believe that the safety and security of every citizen demanded that prompt and unhesitating retribution should be visited upon the villains who concocted and carried out this scheme of plunder and murder. Until the recurrence of such awful crimes as the Harmon mur? der is effectually repressed by the strong arm of the law, we cannot expect any community to refrain from executing dire and speedy vengeance upon such enemies of civilized society. A gentleman has informed the Union Times that the heavy rain on Monday pre? vious to- the issue of that paper actually washed all the rust from his wheat, and it has not appeared since. SENATOR BAYARD. . The New York Herald comments with much favor upon the suggestion that the gallant and intrepid Senator from Dela? ware, Hohi Thomas F. Bayard, would make us good a race for President ns any other Democratic aspirant. In the judg? ment of this influential journal, Senator Bayard's consistency and independence of character become daily more and more conspicuous. We have refrained from much comment upon the probable selec? tion of a candidate at St. Louis, believing that Southern newspapers at this time would exhibit discretion and sound judg? ment in allowing the discussion of suita? ble candidates to assume shape and con? sistency in other quarters, without at? tempting to urge their preferences upon the Democratic party. But the frequent and honorable mention of Senator Bay? ard throughout the country, and the ex? ceeding fitness of that gentleman as a standard-bearer for the Democracy, im? pels us to give expression to the opinion that he is the proper man to receive the nomination at St. Louis. Ho has always been above suspicion, while his public and private record will bear the closest investigation. Always the enemy of cor? ruption, extravagance and dishonesty, he has maintained the principles of the Democratic party pure and undefiled with the utmost scrupulousness, fidelity and dignity. As a reformer, he is the equal of any statesman on this continent, for he has never ceased to make onslaughts upon whatever was detrimental to the in? terests of the whole country. He is a gentleman of the noblest instincts, a statesman of the purest and most unsul? lied record, and a Democrat whose un? flinching courage has won for him the plaudits of every one conversant with the history of the last ten years. While ex? pressing a decided preference for Senator Bayard, we are not unmiudful of the fact that his popularity in the South might be made to work injury to him as a can? didate, especially if this preference is unwisely pushed in the National Con? vention. The correct policy for Southern Democrats, in our judgment, will not per? mit them to assume an unyielding and uncompromising advocacy of any favo? rite, nor to repel others by giving too great prominence to our preferences. But the tide of public opinion is drifting in the direction of Senator Bayard, as a candidate upon whom the East and the West may unite and settle their dif? ferences, and when this sentiment is fully developed in the noniinating convention, we would prefer that the Southern dele? gates quietly confirm the result and cast their ballots as a unit for Bayard. This can be done without ostentation and without parade of any sort. Upon the discreet conduct of Southeru delegates much will depend, however, and it will not be wise for any of them to become obstinate and dictatorial in asserting their preferences. Hence, with all of our predilections in favor of Bayard, we would not hesitate to counsel the support of Tilden, Hendricks, Hancock, Thurman or Parker, when it becomes apparent that either of these gentlemen will consolidate the East and the West, and in case this is made manifest at the opening session, we would regard it the duty of Southern delegates to cast their ballots in favor of any one who is capable of reconciling the conflicting elements in the sections named. In plainer words, we believe that the success, harmony and unity of the party depends upon welding together the Eastern and Western Democracy; that differences already existing as to candi? dates and policy between those sections will become the real issue at St. Louis, and that the South must act with the ut? most discretion to bring about unanimity in the Democratic ranks. Believing that Senator Bayard will best reconcile the conflicting elements, we advise a tem? perate and judicious support from the South at the proper time. BLUE RIDGE CONVENTION. Large Delegations from Georgia, Ten? nessee and South Carolina?The Or? ganization?Cheering Words from Anderson?The Meeting at Night. From the Charleston News and Courier, May 2g. The Blue Ridge Railroad Convention assembled (pursuant to the adjournment at Anderson, S. C, on the 31st of March last) at the Hibernian Hall, at noon yes? terday. Col. J. W. Gaut, of Knoxville, Tenn., was called to the chair, and W. W. Humphreys, Esq. requested to act as Sec? retary. Col. Gaut, in calling the Con? vention to order, said: Gentlemen of the Convention: By arrangement with the local committee appointed by the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, it has been made my duty to call this Convention to order. The names of the several delegations from South Carolina have already been han? ded in to the Secretary, and before this list is read I will only add now, previous? ly to asking for the appointment of a committee on permanent organization, that I am gratified to meet such large delegations from the northern portions of your State, from Georgia, from North Carolina, and to present to you the dele? gation we bring from Tennessee. We are here, gentlemen, in the interest of the Blue Ridge Railroad. We are here to devise means for pressing that most important enterprise through, and mak? ing the connection, if possible, with the city of Charleston and the little city which I have the honor, in part, to repre? sent?the city of Knoxville, Tenn. The revival of this interest occurred at Wal? halla in November last. Delegates were called for, and, after organization aud an enthusiastic review of the questions look? ing to the interests of the people of that section in the great enterprise?the completion of the Blue Ridge Railroad? they adjourned to meet atKnoxville on the 20th of January. Having notice of that fact we made some preparation for the meeting by the organization of dele? gations from our section. At that meet? ing we had quite a large and, I may say, intelligent delegation from South Caroli? na, aud after an interesting discussion of the question under consideration, ad? journed to meet at Anderson on the 30th of March last. At that meeting we also had quite & large attendance, and an ad? ditional interest was thrown into the en? terprise. We then adjourned, as I have already stated, to meet in Charleston to-day. Pursuant to this adjournment we are here. We are here for the pur? pose of consulting with you with refer? ence to this enterprise?we are here, if possible, to devise means to join together the cities of the Valley of the Tennessee with your beautiful "City by the Sea." We are here representing the various interests of Tennessee?agricultural and mechanical and mercantile?and we are hero as one man. We have our political and social differences, and our local con? tests no doubt; but upon this subject we are a united people. Upon the question of establishing the railroad connection North Carolina and between Knoxville and Gliorlestou we are, or ought to be, as one man. We greatly desire this connection because it is the nearest route by which we can reach the seaboard, and because it pene? trates the sections of country that can only be reached by this route" which we - propose to build. We are here to confer with you as to the means and measures to be employed in the completion of this great enterprise. [Applause.] The Secretary then read the list of delegates, as follows : the delegates. Tennessee?Hon. Wm. Morrow, Presi? dent K. and C. R. R.; T. H. Hcald, J. W. Gaut, C. A. King, C. M. McErwin, Peter Kern, W. R. Tuttle, James Rurger, J. C. McKinzie, J. S. Thomas, I. P. Lenoir, C. W. Charleton. H. C. Helm, R. I. Wilson, S. B. Luttrell, C. L. Sevier, I. M. Greer, J. P. Edmondson, S. B. Cas tel, W. A. McTier, W. G. McAdoo. North Carolina?C. D. Smith, W. Hig don, S. T. Kelsey. Georgia?H. W. Cannon, J. W. Green, W. L. Arndalon, D. J. Duncan, A. S. Erwin, W. M. Pickett, John C. Cannon, T..N. McConnell, Henry Beusee. South Carolina?Henry Gourdin, Geo. W. Williams, S. Y. Tupper, E. H. Frost, W. L. Trenholm, C. H. Simonton, F. W. Dawson, James T. Welsman, H. H. De Leon, J. B. E. Sloan, J. P. Reed, Robert Mure, Franz Melchers, J. Reid Boylston, M. P. O'Connor, E. A. Smyth, George R. Walker, L. Zimmer, W. A. Waralaw, John F. Taylor, W. H. Gilkerson, Wm. Richey, E. J. Wiss, W. E. McGee, J. W. W. Marshall, B. F. Whitncr, E. M. Rucker, S. McCully, J. W. Harrison, James L. Orr, C. S. Mattis?n, S. Bleck ley, B. F. Crayton, P. K. McCully, J. E. Breazeale, C. A. Reid, J. A. Hoyt, P. A. Wilhite, J. B. Watson, F. C. v. Borstel, W. W. Humphreys, J. L. Tribble. Wm. McGukin, 0. H. P. Fant, J. A. Drake, H. B. Major, J. W. Norris, John Mc Grath, J. M. Glenn, R. S. Hill, H. R. Vandiver, J. C. Whitefield, T. A. Sher ard, Robert Reid, J. W. Prevost, G. W. Miller, R. A. Thompson, S. E. Maxwell, E. P. Verner, J. M. Hunnicut, J. J. Smith, G. K. Maxwell, Dr. B. F. James, J. A. Doyle, J. P. Mickler, Joseph Ne? ville, J. S. Verner, Richard Norman, H. Pitchford, J. C. Wardlaw, H. S. Vandi? ver, J. B. Watson, D. Bieman, H. S. Breneker, B. Frank Sloan, W. A. Lowry, J. E. Sibley, W. S Brown. Upon motion of Prof. C. D. Smith, of North Carolina, the following committee of nine were appointed by the chair to nominate permanent officers: Prof. C. D. Smith, Franklin, N. C.; S. Y. Tupper, Charleston ; W. H. Cannon, Rabun, N. C.; Peter, Kern, Knoxville, Term.; W. H. Higdon. Macon County, N. C.; Col. R. A. Thompson, Walhalla, S. C.; Capt. I. M. Greer, Maryville, Tenn.; James A. Hoyt, Anderson, S. C.; Geo. R. Walker, Charleston. During the absence of the committee, which occupied considerable time in de? ciding upon the nominations, Col. W. L. Trenholm, presented a communication from Messrs. James Adger & Co., plac? ing at the disposal of the Convention the fine steamship "City of Atlanta" for an excursion around the harbor at half past four o'clock p. m. The invitation was unanimously accepted with thanks, and Col. Trenholm announced that the Charleston committee of arrangements would see that everything was in readi? ness for the guests at the appointed hour. Col. E. M. Rucker, of Anderson, was then called upon for a speech, and in a most interesting way spoke of the feeling in his section concerning the great rail? road project. He said that the people of Anderson had no such idea as that the road was to be built by any one place. He felt confident that Anderson was wil? ling to do her share, and a liberal share, toward the completion of the road. All the people of that section wanted was an acknowledgment from other sections, equally interested, that the building of the road is a practical enterprise, and they would come forward and give a full, liberal and sufficient subscription. An? derson didn't expect to build the road herself without assistance. All she wanted was a general understanding be? tween all the sections interested, and a liberal contribution from each. Col. Rucker then went into a discus? sion of the great advantages which would accrue to the whole State of South Caro? lina, to say nothing of North Carolina and Tennessee, by the completion of the road, and asserted that, in his opinion, nothing could so surely bind together the States interested?politically, socially and in a business sense?as the link of rail between Charleston, "the Queen of the Coast," and Knoxville, the "Moun? tain City." If, he said, the Union is to be indissoluble, the. building of the pro? jected road would be one of the best arguments to use before Congress for aid in its construction, because it will cement every interest of the people with the strongest bonds. The committee on permanent organi? zation then returned with the following report, which was unanimously adopted: President?S. Y. Tupper, Charleston. First Vice President?R. I. Wilson, Tennessee. Second Vice President?George W. Williams, South Carolina. Third Vice President-^-H. W. Cannon, Georgia. Fourth Vice President?C. D. Smith, North Carolina. Secretaries?W. W. Humphreys, South Carolina; E. A. Smyth, South Carolina; W. A. McTier, Tennessee. Capt. S. Y. Tupper was then escorted to the chair by a committee of three, and, in taking his seat as chairman of the Convention, said: Gentlemen of the Convention : It is needless for me to say to you that this distinguished honor which you have con? ferred upon me was entirely unexpected. I will yield to no man in this Conven? tion in my zeal and desire for the success and completion of this Blue Ridge Rail? road, for I have been educated to believe this the true route to the great West, and what I learned in my early days I still retain. But I do accept this honorable position with great diffidence and reluc? tance. A task has been imposed upon me to which I am somewhat unequal, for I think the people of Charleston should be awakened from their apathy, and should be instructed in the true interest which they have in this enterprise. If there is a community ndr.ch should be made thoroughly acquainted with the benefits to result from the success of this enterprise that community is Charleston. Reports, communications and speeches on this great enterprise, running through nearly a half century, from men of ex? alted talent and illustrious position in our State, have been heard and read by us. If these could enlighten and con? firm the faith of the people in any enter? prise, the instruction has been ours. In the days of our prosperity the treasury of our city and the coffers of our people were open to the requirements of this road. A million of dollars was contribu? ted as freely as was the blood of our sons and brethren in the defence of that ter? ritory now to be benefitted by this work. And if from our losses in that contest our treasury is depleted, and our people arc impoverished, I can say still that the hearts of our peoplr are with you.? [Cheers.] Capt. Tupper then alluded to the great interest taken in the route now proposed by the Hon. John C. Calhoun, and stated his belief that had that emi? nent statesman lived the Blue Ridge. Railroad would have been completed, because by his mighty influence he would have barred the gates of the temple of Janus, and averted that contest which had been the cause of its abandonment. But, continued Capt. Tupper, the great statesman with the eagle eye and giant intellect is dead, and we have found no one to take his place?no one in all the broad confines of this whole Southern land. I would say nothing at this time, if possible, against the hopes of the Con? vention for pecuniary aid in this quarter, but I think it is due to you that I should say this much, that whatever aid comes from this community must come from individual contributions and not from j the corporation. Aid from that source can not be expected. I say this with no view to discourage you,, but merely refer to it as a matter of duty. I have been informed that the work which has been done on the road is of the most enduring character, and upon that point our peo? ple require instruction. What the peo? ple want is a clear account of what dis? position has been made of the money already contributed, and I feel confident that recognizing the importance of the enterprise, our people will do their part to support and forward it. The other officers elect having taken seats assigned them at the head of the hall, the president called for the UNFINISHED BUSINESS. from the meeting at Anderson on the 30th of March last. Several committees, charged with the investigation of the prospects of the road, its material interests, and other matters of interest relating to the great project, reported progress, and announced that they would be ready to report before the adjournment of the Convention. C. W. Charleton, Esq., of Tennessee, moved that a committee of five be ap? pointed by the chair to ascertain and re? port the amount per annum of coal con? sumed by the City of Charleston, its cost, and from where shipped. Prof. Smith seconded the motion ; and Mr. Charleton said in support of his motion that there were large aud valuable coal mines in his portion of Tennessee which he was con? vinced could supply Charleston with better coal than she was now getting, at cheaper rates, if the Blue Ridge Railroad was completed. The motion was then adopted, and the chair appointed the following committee: T. H. Heald, Tennessee; W. R. Tuttle, Tennessee, and W. L. Trenholm, J. A. Blake and Robt. Mure, of Charleston. On motion of Mr. Charleton, a com? mittee of five was also appointed to ex? amine into the marble interest of North Carolina and report to the Convention. Mr. Charleton stated that his object in making this motion was that he had re? cently learned that a very superior quali? ty of marble had been found in large quantities in Western North Carolina, and as this interest would be one of the items which would go to enrich the Blue Ridge Road when completed, he thought that the Convention should be possessed of all information on the subject. Mr. Hoyt thought that the necessity for the appointment of this committee was obviated by the fact that the Ander? son convention had appointed a commit? tee to look into the very same matter, to? gether with other matters. Mr. Charleton said that he hoped the Convention would not oppose the motion. A committee could do no harm and would be able to report specially on this matter, with more facility than the other committee, which was required to attend to a number of things. Mr. Geo. R. Walker moved that the motion be laid on the table, on the ground that another committee was not needed. This was lost. The motion of Mr. Charleton was then adopted unani? mously. The following committee was then ap? pointed by the chair to select speakere for the session, and arrange for the re? ception of the public in the large hall : J. A. Hoyt, J. W. Harrison, J. B. E. Sloan, I. M. Greer, W. A. Wardlaw. After a few remarks from Col. Harri? son upon the necessity for a large audi? ence at night in order that the people might know why they had come down from the mountains, the Convention ad? journed to meet at 8 P. M. Evening- Session. The Convention reassembled at half past 8 o'clock, the president, S. Y. Tup per, in the chair. A motion was adopted providing that the Convention meet to-day at 10 o'clock. The committee appointed to select speakers to address the convention then announced the name of Col. W. L Tren? holm, who was greeted with a hearty round of applause. He said that he was commissioned, in the name of the com? mercial community of Charleston, to ex? tend a hearty welcome to the delegates. Charleston, in one direction at least, had a boundless prospect. There was no bar? rier between Charleston and Europe. In the other direction there was a mountain barrier, which had to be cut thiough; a a highway had to be opened to the West and Northwest, and the realization of this fact gave rise to the project of build? ing the Blue Ridge Railroad. The fact that the enterprise had not yet succeeded was no reason for the abandonment of hope. He extended to the Convention the thanks of the community of Charles? ton for having by their presence revived the hope of the building of the road.? Charleston would make no vain promises, and although its citizens were not yet ready perhaps to contribute again, they did not give up the hope of building the Blue Riuge Road. The presence of so many delegates would encourage the peo? ple, and impress them with the necessity of contributing all in their power to com? plete the road. Prof. C. D. Smith, of North Carolina, was next introduced. He said he came here to advocate views intimately con? nected with the interests of Charleston. The only two questions involved in the discussion were, first, whether the invest? ment was a safe one, and second, whether it would pay dividends. He would un? dertake to show that iu his section of the country the freight lists would support the road. On the contemplated Blue Ridge Road there would be freight each way which would pay the road hand? somely. There were mines of superior coal, carbonate of zinc, copper, iron, mar? ble, in addition to the vast mineral re? sources of Western North Carolina.? Quarries could be opened withiu a few miles of the contemplated railway and the transportation would pay the road. The only obstacle in the way of working these quarries was a want of transporta? tion. The construction of the road was a question of great commercial interest to Charleston, and he trusted that its completion would be crowned with a cel? ebration which would be the dawn of an era of commercial liberty. Mr. A. S. Irving, of Athens, Ga., was next introduced to the president, and gave an interesting description of the in? terest felt by the people of his section, as evinced by their work in building the Northeastern Railroad. If the Blue Ridge was to be built they would assure them of a Georgia connection at Rabim Gap which would open up the whole railway system of the State of Geor? gia. The Hon. E. M. Rucker, of Auderson, S. C., advocated the importance of the Blue Ridge connection. It was a mat? ter of vital importance to a growing city to bring the productions of the We3t and Northwest to its port. The building of the line would result in the growth of small towns into great cities. The great drawback to Charleston was that there, were no through lines leading to it.? With one great through line the city would become the great commercial metropolis of the southeast Atlantic coast. Col. R. L Wilson, of Tennessee, thought that it was the duty of Charles? ton and South Carolina to complete the tunnel through the mountains. He ad? vocated the immediate prosecution of the work for the reason that at no time could as cheap contracts be secured. He read a communication from the president of the Knoxville and Charleston Railroad, offering to complete their line as soon as a guarantee was given of the construc? tion of the line to the border of Caro? lina. Col. C. W. Charleton, of Tennessee, said that when he read the News and Courier's editorial of Thursday morning he was disposed to take the return train home. But after some consideration, be? ing a sort of a half editor himself, he came to the conclusion that the editors sometimes go off half-cocked, and some? times told chunks of lies. So he thought he would remain. But after the speech of the first sneaker, (Col. Trenholm,) who said that Charleston could not now subscribe to the road,- he had come to the conclusion that the editor had probably by chance told the truth. When he heard that speech he began to think hail Columbia. That speech meant that the people of Charleston were not ready for this road. What were the delegates here for then? It was no use to sow seed if there was not the soil here to take it. The people of Tennessee had no idea of giv? ing up the project; they intended to complete their section of the road.? Their purpose in coming to Charleston was to see if the people of Charleston would meet them at the Tennessee line, and they were met with the statement that Charleston was willing to receive them, but was not ready to contribute its share of the work. He thought that the temper of the Convention was to carry the road in another direction, and a reso? lution would probably be offered in the morning to hold the next Convention in Augusta or Atlanta. The Tennessee delegation had no idea of sowing seed for ever, and they had about come to the conclusion that they had better adopt the Augusta outlet. The tide of feeling in his opinion, would diverge from Charles? ton. Knoxville was not obliged to come to Charleston. Port Royal was almost in a bee-line from Knoxville; he had some faith in the building of that line, none in this, and when he returned to his constituents at Knoxville he would say to them that he received no encour? agement here, but had had a cold blank? et thrown upon him. The Convention then adjourned until 10 A. M., to-day. Second Day's Proceedings?Interesting Reports and Debates. From the Charleston News and Courier, May 27. The Blue Ridge Railroad Convention re-assembled at Hibernian Hall at half past 10 o'clock yesterday morning, Presi? dent S. Y. Tupper in the chair. Judge Reed presented the following report, which was received and adopted : The committee appointed at the Knox? ville Convention, and continued over by the Convention at Anderson, to confer with the companies or individuals own? ing the sections of the Blue Ridge Rail? road within their respective States, on the subject of consolidating their several interests and organizing a new company for the ownership and management of the entire line, beg leave respectfully to report that the litigation bptween the trustees under the mortgage and the assignees in bankruptcy, over the proper? ty of the Blue, Ridge Railroad in South Carolina, which it was confidently hoped would be ended at the late April Term of the United States Court in this city, re? mains in statu quo, and as there "is no other term of the court until November next, there is no one with whom to treat in relation to the use of this property; nor have they anything to report in rela? tion to the sections of the line in the other States, additional to what was said at Anderson, than the following letter from the prcsideut of the Knoxville and Charleston Railroad Company, addressed to one of their number: May 25,187G. Mr. R. J. Wilson?Dear Sir : For the information of your committee, I desire to say that the owners of the Knoxville and Charleston Railroad can, beyond doubt, with the aid they can get at home, complete the road south of Maryville to the Tennessee line when the building of that portion south of said lino is guaran? teed. Once at the State terminus, they would be willing to consolidate under one management upon just and equitable terms, or if Charleston or any combina? tion of persons desires to control the whole line to Knoxville, the Knoxville and Nashville line can be had for cost, upon the condition that the road is to be completed, aud the people of East Ten? nessee to be guaranteca against any in? jurious discriminations in freights. Yours, truly, W. Morrow, President K. and C. R. R. There is, therefore, no difficulty about consolidating the line promptly and on terms entirely just and equitable, except as to that portion of it known as "The Blue Ridge Railroad iu South Carolina," as to which, nothing can be done at present. Respectfully submitted, J. P. Reed, Chairman. Mr. Cannon submitted the following report, which was also adopted: The committee appointed at the rail? road meeting held at Anderson to report to the Convention to assemble in Charles? ton, beg leave to make the following re? port : First, on the character of the soil, climate and productions. This is a mountainous country, with rich valleys; the climate is healthy; water good; the products arc corn, wheat, rye, oats, grass, clover, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbages, turnips and fruits. The grass is good and can be grown with profit. Corn can be raised in the bottom lands in quantities from forty to fifty bushels per acre by little cultivation. Secondly, this is a well timbered country. We have the white oak, red oak, chestnut and poplars; the black locust grows in abundance, together with the wild cherry. In regard to the abundance of the min? eral productions, there are large quanti? ties of mica. Corundum is found in abundance. Gold, copper, iron and various other minerals, together with the very best quality of granite. Thirdly, with respect to the distance of these pro? ductions from the line of the Blue Ridge Railroad. The timber lays along the road, mica but a short distance away, and the corundum mine within ten miles of the line. H. W. Canxox, Chairman. Judge Reed then introduced the fol? lowing resolution: Resolved, That the friends of the Blue Ridge Railroad be requested to continue their efforts with unabated zeal to enlist the public in a renewed effort to complete the continuation of this most important line of railway. In support of the resolution, Judge Reed made a long and earnest speech. He said that he was in some degree re? sponsible for the assembling of this Con? vention, and he felt that some sort of apology was due both to the delegates and the people of Charleston. ? It was not intended to ask Charleston for three millions of dollars now, and it was a mis? take to throw a wet blanket over the project as the News and Courier had done, and as had been done by other gentlemen on the floor. The object of this Conven? tion was simply to bring the matter to the attention of the people, to continue sowing the seed. The people of Charles? ton had done a great share of the work, but not more than those in the up-coun? try. He trusted that there was enough patriotism and energy left to take this matter in hand and carry it through to success, as the opportunities occurred. No money was asked for. There was no organized company to ask for it. Cin? cinnati had contributed twenty million dollars, aud it had only been asked if Charleston could not raise three millions to complete the connection; but it was not asked for now. Another difficulty was that the delegates misunderstood the people of Charleston. The people of Charleston had not had the matter brought properly to their attention, through the influence of certain interests. The influence of the South Carolina Railroad was not favorable to this project, for possibly very wise reasons and mo? tives. Another difficulty is that the peo? ple had within a few years past been se? duced from their first love. The Spar tanburg and Asheville Road had been the thorn in the side of the Blue Ridge Road from its very commencement. The opposition of the people of Spartanburg and Greenville had probably prevented the completion of the road before the failure of Bangs & Co. He desired to say, however, that there should be no an? tagonism between the two roads. They would not be too much for Charleston. The Spartanburg Road was not the right route for Charleston. The people of Charleston had not made up their minds not to give money towards this project, were not opposed to it, and when the proper time comes and the matter is brought to their attention they will put up their money. Mr. Kclsey, of North Carolina, thought that delay at this time would be fatal. The only way to build up Charleston was to build*the Blue Ridge Railroad. The entire trade of the Northwest and South? west must inevitably come through the Rabun Gap, and it only remained for Charleston to say whether she would take that business or let it go in another direc? tion. Mr. G. R. Walker made an eloquent response to the remarks of Col. Charleton delivered on Thursday night. He re? minded the Convention that while Ten? nessee had only built sixteen miles of road, South Carolina had built a contin tinuous line road from the seacoast to the foot of the mountains. There were also fifty-six miles yet to be built across North Carolina. When the gap was graded to meet one side of the line then they could frighten Charleston with the bugbear of another route; until then South Carolina would not scare worth a cent. Before Tennessee could accuse Charleston of apathy it should say what it would do toward building these fifty-six miles in North Carolina. Charleston was not pre? pared to put up a dollar to build a road through a wilderness until there was an assurance that the line would be com? pleted on the other side. Gen. J. W. Harrison desired to throw a little oil upon the troubled watera, to calm this tempest in a teapot. The dele? gates had no fault to find with the man? ner of their reception in Charleston ; but they did not intend to lose sight of the magnitude of the enterprise and to pass the time in recrimination. The road could only be built by a united action on the part of the people of the four States. He suggested that if the people of the four States would unite and make appli? cation to the National Congress they might get aid in the building of the road. Col. Cannon, of Georgia, stated that last night he thought the funeral sermon of the Blue Ridge Railroad had been preached. This morning, however, he felt a little more hopeful. He was one of the parents of the Blue Ridge Rail? road, and had been nursing it all his life. J He was free to say that nothing could be expected from Georgia, and they looked to South Carolina. Judge Reed's resolution was then adopted. Mr. Heald submitted the following re? port of the Committee appointed to report the amount of coal consumed in Charles? ton, which was received as information: Your committee would beg leave to re? port as follows: Total amount of coal consumed in Charleston per annum, 15, ??0 tons; price, ?8.50 to $10 per ton? $150,000. Tennessee hard bitumen coal, as shown by Judge Templar's and Col. Ferry's report, would cost, delivered in Charleston, $5.80 a ton, a saving to the city of about $50,000. T. H. Heald, Chairman. Col. Charleton presented the report of the committee appointed at the last con? vention, in reference to railroad connec? tions, as follows: One all important question in regard to the Blue Ridge Railroad and its con? nections is the relative distance by this line and those already in existence to the great West, of which Cincinnati and Louisville, in the Ohio Valley, may be taken as the representative points through one of which those at a greater distance must be reached. By the lines already constructed Louisville is seven hundred and eighty-two miles from Charleston, and Cincinnati eight hundred and eighty nine miles. This distance, however, will soon be diminished by the completion of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad to Chattanooga to seven hundred and forty six miles and seven hundred and sixty eight miles respectively. To gain this saving of one hundred and twenty-one miles in reaching the Southern railroad system, Cincinnati has already expended $10,000,000 and has voted $6,000,000 more. If this amount should prove insufficient for completing the Vork, the heavy investments already made will in? sure that the remainder will be finished. Should the Blue Ridge Railroad be com? pleted to Knoxville there is no doubt of the extension of the Knoxville and Ohio Railroad to a connection with the Cin? cinnati Southern Railway near the State line of Kentucky, which will require but about twenty miles of road to be con? structed in full, the grading haviug been already completed on the remaining six miles. This connection will make the distance from Louisville and Cincinnati to Knoxville two hundred and fifty-two and two hundred and sevehty-four miles respectively, instead of four hundred and forty-eight and five hundred and fifty five miles by the existing railroad lines. The intense rivalry for the Southern trade which exists between the cities of Louisville and Cincinnati renders it al? most certain that the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company will com? plete its Knoxville branch to a connec? tion with the Knoxville and Ohio Rail? road as soon as it shall be assured of the completion of the line south of Kuox ville. This was a favorite plan with the late Hon. James Guthrie, president of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company, whose reputation stands almost unrivalled for ability and success in rail? road management. This road has already been completed to a distance of one hun? dred and forty miles from Louisville, leaving but sixty miles still to be built in Kentucky, .and upon this sixty miles a considerable' amouut of work has been done at the northern end. The remain? der of the work lies through a region very favorable for railroad construction, as is also the case with the nineteen miles yet to be graded in Tennessee on this line, the latter including only three miles of heavy work. By this independent line the Louisville and Nashville Rail? road Company would reach Knoxville in practically the same distance as. via the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, without being controlled in any respects by the interests of the rival city. South of Knoxville, in Tennessee, the Blue Ridge Railroad line includes sixteen miles of completed line and thirty-eight miles of work not yet commenced. The sixteen miles completed includes some of the, most expensive work upon the line, while the average cost of the remainder will be but moderate. As the estimates for the cost of this section have long been made by the en? gineers of the Blue Ridge Railroad Com? pany, we do not need to include them in this report. The distance to be built in Tennessee is so short, and the interests of our citizens in the completion of the line so great, that wc feel no hesitation in stating that, providing the States of South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina shall complete their portions of the line, that which lies in Tennessee shall be completed in time to unite with them. Mr. Charleton then introduced the fol? lowing resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That an executive committee of five be appointed, whose duty it shall be to select the time and place of holding this Convention at an adjourned meeting, and attend to such other matters as may be legitimate in the premises. The following committee was appoin? ted: C. W. Charleton, Tennessee; Prof. Smith, North Carolina; Judge Reed, South Carolina; Col. Erwin, Georgia; Capt. J. T. Wclsnian, Charleston. Gen. Harrison introduced the follow? ing resolution, which was also adopted: Resolved, That a committee of two from the States of Georgia, South Caro? lina, North Carolina and Tennessee, and three from the city of Charleston, he ap? pointed to memorialize Congress on the subject of aid for a grand freight railway from Knoxville to Charleston. The following committee was an? nounced : South Carolina?J. \V". Harrison, B. F. Perry, W. L. Trenholm, Geo. W. Wil? liams, J. B. E. Sloan. Georgia?A. S. Erwin, E. M. Rucker. North Carolina?Dr. W. L. Love, Col. J. C. Robinson. Tennessee?Dr. Morrow, C. W. Charle ton. Mr. J. W. Gaut then introduced the following resolutions, which were adop? ted : Resolved, That the thanks of this Con? vention are due, and are hereby tendered, to its president for the able and impartial manner in which he .has presided over this body. Resolved, That the thanks of this Con? vention are hereby tendered to the citi? zens of Charleston for the courtesy shown and hospitality extended to the members of the Convention. Resolved, That the thanks of the dele? gates of this Convention from a distance are due, and arc hereby tendered, to the various railroad lines leading to Charles? ton for the unusual courtesy of free trans? portation to and from the Convention. In seconding the resolutions, Col. Wil? son stated that the delegates would leave Charleston with none but the kindest feelings. The people in his country wanted the road to be built, and wanted to bring it to Charleston. When the time came they expected the people of Charleston to come to their assistance, and he knew they would do it. [Ap? plause.] Mr. J. T. Heald introduced the follow? ing resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That this Convention tender its thanks to Messrs. Adger & Co., agents of the splendid steamship "City of At? lanta," and to her commander, Capt. Woodhull, for the excursion around the harbor and across the bar of Charleston, and we shall carry home with us lasting and pleasant remembrances of the same. The president, S. Y. Tupper, in taking leave of the delegates, spoke as follows: I receive with much satisfaction this vote of thanks from the Convention, and I tender you my grateful acknowledg? ments for the same. My duties have been light and most agreeable, made so by your courtesy and dignified proceed? ings. In taking leave of you, gentlemen, permit me to say that your presence in Charleston has afforded us much pleas? ure. We have listened with great atten? tion to your eloquent and instructive ad? dresses. 'Tis true that no great enthusi? asm has been manifested by our citizens, but the causes have been explained, and our condition here we trust is understood. Many also had supposed that this Blue Ridge project had been consigned to the tomb of the Capulets?they are glad to be undeceived, and renewed interest will be awakened. Those who have been present at your deliberations are doubt? less impressed with the importance of the enterprise, and your earnest determi? nation, with reasonable assistance ? from this community, to complete the work. They will prove good missionaries in the cause; they will properly report to their friends and neighbors the interesting nature of your great faith in the success? ful result of your labors. I trust it will not be long before we will with one voice extend an invitation to you to renew your visit to Charleston, and that, too, with stronger assurances of sympathy. We thank you for your attendance here, and, in bidding you farewell, I wish you a safe and happy return to your homes and your friends. Resolutions of thanks to the secretaries and reporters for the faithful manner in which they had discharged their arduous duties were adopted, and the Convention then adjourned. OUR WASHINGTON LETTER. Washington, D. C, May 27, 1876. THE SITUATION. As the time for the meeting of the Na? tional Conventions approaches, the inter? est in their action increases, and the con? test grows warm, uutil in Washington it has reached boiling point. So far, the fight is within party limits, on eitherside, and is accompanied by so much smoke and noise, that the1 true positions of the candidates are somewhat obscured. The Republican candidates have been busily engaged, for the past two months, in stab? bing each other in the back, and attempt? ing to cut each other's throats. Blood has been drawn frequently, but the lively kicking kept up on all sides precludes the idea that any one of them is killed yet. The Democratic candidates have refrained from attacks on each other, but some of them have suffered assaults from their local enemies. Governor Tilden, although sustained by the unanimous vote of the Utica Convention, is meeting with the same bitter opposition that has followed him since he first commenced war on the Tweed Ring. The same men who oppose him now, opposed him when he was elected Governor of New York by 53,000 majority, and have opposed him, step by step, in the policy by which he has saved nearly $8,000,000 to the tax? payers of the State, in les3 than one year and a half. These are merely local fights, however, and need not concern the party at large. After the nominations are made, the factions will fall into line, and present a united front. Ohio will rally to the support of Thurman, should his name appear upon the ticket, eager to do honor to one of her most distinguished sons; or New York will give her Reform Governor the largest majority she has ever given. There is not one of the dis? tinguished Democrats named in connec? tion with the nomination at St. Louis who would carry his own State by an overwhelming majority. The Democratic party has reason to be proud of her lead? ers to-day. With a list embracing such names as Thurman, Bayard, Tilden, Hen dricks, Parker and Hancock, to choose from, ? ticket may be put into the field that cannot be beaten. ANOTHER FAVORITE SON. New Jersey Democracy has put in its claim for recognition at the hands of the St. Louis Convention by sending thither a delegation instructed to vote for ex Governor Joel Parker. So, day by day, our candidates increase, in the hopes that a multitude of counsellors may wisely choose among them. Joel Parker is a good man, a thoroughly honest one, and a favorite of the people of his State. He is the only Democrat elected Governor of New Jersey since 1861, and he adminis? tered the duties of his responsible office with great acceptance to men of all par? ties. He is apparently as cordially en? dorsed as several gentlemen more promi? nently spoken of. BLAINE STOCK RISING. The five States of Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, and New Hampshire having all elected Blaine delegates, and a majority of the Missouri delegation being also for him, has given his stock a send up, here, that makes his friends jubilant. The National Republican, which not long since could hardly find epithets severe enough in which to express its contempt for Blaine, now sings pecans in his praise, with that servility that has characterized its whole course. It heads its telegraph dispatches of the work of yesterday's con? ventions with stunning headlines, of which the most prominent is "Blaine the universal choice." As vultures scent the carrion from afar, such organs sniff the chances of success from day to day. UltYSES ti. GLA.NT JR., who is a genteel looking young man of about twenty-one, and who is at present private secretary to his "governor," the President, was admitted to the bar of the New York Supreme Court, a few days ago. He is undoubtedly the most prom? ising of the President's progeny. Colo? nel Fred has not, as yet, given promise of future usefulness, while Jesse is a youth upon whose future it would be unsafe to venture any predictions. Like bis father, Fred is a Hard drinker, and already has the appearance of a bon vivant. Ulysses, Jr., proposes to start out on his own nook, and try to make a respectable S lawyer of himself, and, in a few weeks, will settle permanently in New York to practice his chosen profession. It is but just to say that the young man, by his modesty, good sense, and intelligence, has won the good? will of all who have come in contact with him at the White House. A. F. B. LETTER FROM WASHINGTON. From Our Special Correspondent. Washington, D. C., May 20,1870. Last Saturday the scene in the House of Representatives was a lively one. The sub? ject for debate was a "bigger man than old Grant"?that is Door-keeper Fitzhugh's esti? mate of himself. When the clerk road the letter, it caused a roar of laughter through? out the House. After the letter was made public, charges came fast and thick that' Fitzhugh was guilty of arson, perjury andi blackmail; but the worst crime is his assas sination of the King's English?murder most foul. It was proposed to subject him to the modern process of investigation. Mr. Harrison said if they were td investigate every man's character previous to his ap? pointment to office, the House would be in? vestigating for an unlimited period. Colo? nel Fitzhugh is an exceedingly popular man, and it is a cause of regret to his friends that his description of the pains and pleasures in? cident to official life in Washington should cause his removal, for since writing the above I hear he is to step down and out. It is rumored that the letter was written for amusement, stolen from his desk and sold to bis political enemies for five hundred dollars. The Senate has been in secret session for the past few days on the Belknap impeach? ment?the question of jurisdiction over one who has resigned civil office. There is evi? dent reluctance to assert it on the part of some Senators, and the result is yet doubt? ful. The committee on the investigation of the Government Printing Office charge Mr. Clapp with embezzlement of funds, but Ins friends say it was, at most, a loose and per? haps wasteful expenditure of money, and not intentional fraud. Judge Buckner, Chairman of the District of Columbia Committee, says in a day or two he will offer a resolution in the House to appoint a commission, which shall be designated by the presiding officers of the Senate and House, to frame a District formt of Government. THere shall be five mem? bers, three resident citizens and two to be chosen at large. Poor District of Columbia!! Capital of the United States; then the birth? place and nursery of civil rights, trouble? some babe, which all of Mother Goose's melodies, sung by Sumner, failed to quiet. Then we were told that this was no longer a District, but a Territory, with a territorial form of government. With all of these ex? periments the District lives in beauty, and is radiant with its foliage and flowers.? Apropos of flowers, negro suffrage saddled twenty millions of dollars of debt on this city, from which incubus it never can re? cover unless Congress assumes the payment, as it should, the debt having been contracted under authority of Congress by officers ap? pointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Senate Committee considered the pro? priety of restoring the franking privilege as far as official documents are concerned, but have come to no resolution thereon. The restoration is a mere question of time. On Thursday Mr. Mackey presented a memorial of the Palmetto Guards of Charles? ton, which sets forth that they intend to erect a suitable monument in Charleston in memory of the battle of Fort Monltrie, suc? cessfully fought against a British fleet on the 28th day of June, 1776. The monument will be surmounted by a figure in bronze of Sergeant Jasper replacing the flagof the Fort which had been shot away. The Guards ask for bronze metal to the weight of forty five hundred pounds. The United States owns a large quantity of condemned cannon. The Guards ask that this quantity may be g'.ven them. The memorial is signed by eorge Buist, Benjamin Webb, Julius J. Westcoat and others. The project is en? dorsed by Governor Chamberlain as likely to be productive of the best results to the State and country. Thursday evening Mr. Hendee, of Ver? mont, offered a resolution that the thanks of Congress be tendered to the Governor, and through him to the people of Vermont, for the statue of Ethan Allen, a Revolu? tionary hero, wr- o was born on the 10th of January, 1737. He was distinguished for his bravery and fearless devotion to the rights of the people, and became the leader of the Green Mountain Boys when fighting for their homes in Vermont against the authority of New York. Vermont was then a Territory, and originally claimed by New York, New Hampshire and a portion by Massachusetts. Settlements commenced in 1724 under grants from New Hampshire. Under these grants the pioneers cleared lands, erected homes and set up their house? hold gods; but they were not long destined to remain in undisturbed possession. New York called upon the settlers to surrender their charters and re-purchase. Many abso? lutely refused to do so, and a struggle com? menced which lasted till 1769, when Ethan Allen came to reside among them, and his remarkable career is dated from this time. He was a master spirit, and his indomitable will accomplished the result of securing to these people their rights. The "name of Ethan Allen is dear to the hearts of all Americans, and his statue is worthy a place in the old Hall of Representatives. Congress has requested each State to con? tribute to the National Hall of Statuary two of its distinguished citizens as each may select, Virginia was the first State to have a marble statue of Washington, by Houdon, end set it up in the 8tate House at Rich? mond, of which a copy in plaster, or the model, is now in Statuary Hall. The idea is a good one, as it not only per? petuates the lineaments of the great men -of the past and makes their example a lesson to the present and future generations, but it is calculated to develop art talent, and will make this portion of the Capitol very at? tractive. The initial step has been taken to bring the present session of Congress to a close by Mr. Morrison preparing a resolution to ad? journ on the 12th of June. It is not possible that this will be agreed to, as there are in? vestigations afoot which cannot be closed by that time. HAMILTON. The Greenville Daily News has enteret! upon the third year of its existence, and we congratulate our lively neighbor upon the occurrence. COMMENCEMENT WEEK OF FURMAK UNIVERSITY. THE entire order of Exercises of Com? mencement Week, beginning June 18th, are as follows: SUNDAY?Commencement Sermon, by Rev. James C. Furman, D. D. TUESDAY MORNING?Closing Exerci? ses of Greenville High School. TUESDAY NIGHT?Address before the Literary Societies of Furman University, by Rev. J. A. Chambliss, D. D. WEDNESDAY MORNING?Address at the Female College, bv J. E. L. Holmes. WEDNESDAY NIGHT?Female College Commencement. THURSDAY MORNING-University Commencement. THURSDAY NIGHT?Address before the Alumni Association, by C. M. Furman, and Alumni and Students' reception. A large attendance is desired on the occa? sions, and the public are invited to attend. The old students of the University are es? pecially invited to attend the University Commencement, and arc urgently requested to send a contribution (great or small) to aid the Committee in their endeavors to make the exercises more interesting. Address, J. F. DARGAN, Greenville, S. C. June 1,1876_46_ TO THE PLANTERS. of ANDERSON COUNTY. IT will prove to vour interest to defer the purchase of MACHINERY, until you sec the CHAMPION -AGRICULTURAL ENGINE, and the Celebrated Buffalo Pitts Thresher and Separator, at Anderson C. H., on Salcday, the 5th of June. This machinery is superior to that of any other Manufacture in the Country. For circular and prices," address, ERIE CITY IRON WORKS, Or, Charlotte, N. C. R. F. Divveh, Anderson, S. C. May 2?, 1876 45