Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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E. B. MURKAY, Editor. THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 14, 1077. j Mesar?. Blue, Sheppard, Orr, Grey and j Hemphill have been appointv-d a com- j inittee to conduct the impeachment of ^ .Tuilgc Wright. Thia will afford these ( gentlemen a fine opportunity of dinplny- j ing their oratorical abilities, and legal ? acumen, which will no doubt bo done ? with credit to themselves and satisfac tion to their constituents. We wish them every success imaginable in the prosecu- i tion of tho case. i ?rn ( The members of tho Legislature com- , promised on tho pay question by fixing j their salary at six hundred dollars, with j twenty cent* mileage. As we have ni- J ready said, we think the mileage ought j to have been omitted, ns the members of tito General Assembly were presented with free panses over the diifc:ent rall? ( road?; nnd hence when thc y take mileage < it is simply a quiet way of adding about twenty-five dollars clear to their com pensation. The sum taken amounts to near ten dollani per day for both sessions, and seems rather large, especially as so much noise and debate has been mude over it us to attract the critical attention of our people. AH they hnvo agreed to reduce the salaries of future Legislatures to three hundred dollars per session, thc lax-payers may bc willing to accept the figures fixed upon without much com plaint, as it was probably as economical a figure as could be agreed on by both Houses, and by Kettling tho question an earlier adjournment was effected than could otherwise have been secured, and of course the State was saved considera ble expense by tho adjournment. Thc House of Representatives, by more than a two-thirds vote, impeached Judge Wright for drunkenness and other offen ces in office, and the Sen. ".' postponed the trial of the caso until its next regular session. The result of this action is that Wright is suspended from exercising thc duties of Associate Justice until the trial is over, nnd South Carolina has a Supreme Court composed at present only of Chief Justice Willard nnd Associate Justice Mciver. TII?B ?H better than to have a full bench, if it has to be dis graced by the presenco of such a man as Wright. Tho Senate acted prudently in postponing thc trial until next session, for to hnvo gono into it nt this time wan equivalent to granting the offending sable Eustice an acquittal. It requires a vote of two-thirds of thc Sonnte to convict on an impeachment trial, and in tho present inflamed condition of political parties in tho Senate, tho Republicans would never have consented to convict Wright. By tho postponement, timo will bc given for reflection, and by next session a convic tion may bo had. At least, we aro rid of the presence of this infamous charac ter from our highest Court for tho pres ent, and hope we may remain so. Tho General Assembly acted wisely und properly in declaring Carpenter's scat on tho bench as Judge of the Fifth Circuit vacant, and leaving Judgo Cooke undisturbed as Judge of this Circuit. This action was based upon the grounds given by us last week. Tho fight in the Senate to* prevent tho deposing of Judge Carpenter was persistent and determined, but the Democrats, who wero lead by Senators Gary and Crittenden, were too much for them, and tho election was or dered for last Thursday. Gen. J. B. Keishaw received the Democratic caucus nomination, over Senator Mectze and Judge John E. Bacon, and in tho joint ballot before tho General Assembly one hundred and twenty-nino votes were cast for him and two for Hon. S. W. Melton, and hence Gen. Kershaw is tho Judge of the Fifth Circuit. If Judge Carpenter attempts to assert his claim to the office over the rightful Judge, it will Be neces sary to revert to a writ of quo warrante, in which the ultimate decision is certain to be favorable to Judge Kershaw. Our people may congratulate themselves upon having one of the purest and best men in the State added to our judiciary, and also upon getting rid of the arbitrary and extraordinary actions'of cx-Judgo Carpenter. Tho Circuit Judges will henceforth be required to interchange Circuits, as was the practice with the old Judges. This is a good law, and will do much to pre vent favoritism on tho part of Judges to particular lawyers or litigants. It will also prevent, to a very great extent, law yers in some Circuits from talking over their cases with the Judges before Court, thereby making unjust and erroneous impressions bi advance of tho judicial hearing. The tendency of the new low will be to elevate and dignify tho Jndge, and at the same time to render the law? yer independent of any petty spite or prejudice which may bo entertained against him by any Judge. There aro many other reasons which sustain the wisdom of the new law, aa, for instance, if a Circuit -has a lazy or incompetent Judge, the pcoplo of thnt Circuit will not be obliged to suffer perpetually from his short comings. Where the Judges interchango Circuits they will be held more rigidly to a discbarge o? their du ties, and will no doubt perform them with more diligence. They will be com pelled to show themselves ail over the State, and th? people will thereby be better able to decide as to the propriety of continuing them In omeo when a new election recurs. It. will doubtless prove beneficial to the public service. Thr fmpromb Court has rendorcd its deciaiov. in the case of Whipper vs. Reed, which involved the question of tho ten ure of omeo of the Circuit Judges. Th < decision of tho Court which was rendered by Chief 'Jostice Willard, and concurred in by Associate Justice Mciver, was fa vorable to Jndge Reed, and decides that Judges aro cl coted for tho full term of fonr years) whether tho election ia /or a regular term or for an unexpired terni. The result will be to continue Judges itcrd and Shaw in office for about tiro yoare longer, and exclude tho pretensions of Whipper;, and .cx-Gpv. Hoses. This decision ?rill be*of great service to the people of bur State in enabling them to secure free and untrammelled action and oleo in tho election of Judges. It Is for an indifferent or weak man to !>e elected to ofdco by a combination with itrongflr men than it would be by run ling alone. If ali the olections of Judges :omo off at once, ono out of the eight * fudges to bc elected might be an indif- ^ rerent lawyer or improper person to se- , oct, out if tl.oy an elected separately it a not HO likely to occur. Tho '?rc?sion ^ n thia case destroys the election of all - he Judges at one time, mid thereby is calculated to effect much good for ot r * state by preventing tho formation of ? diques or rings in tho election of these jj important officials. One of tho most important measures ulopted rit the recent session of tho Leg- I Mature was the appointment of a gen- v oral investigating committee under ?Sena- I tor Bowen's resolutions. This committee 1 is composed of good material, and wc 1 have no doubt they will bring light out '.? of some of the dark transactions of the ' post eight years. We hopo thoy will ' [?erform the duty imposed upon them < with rigidity, and that they will carry > Lvcry man of whom complicity in the , Sinking Fund, Land Commission, He- I publican Printing Company, Funding, I or other swindles can bc proved, to the criminal courts to answer for their | crimes. The subject of bribery will also ( afford them nn ample theme for investi- < Ration. If they do not lind enough Ut ' * consign Patterson, Chamberlain, Kimp ton, Woodruff, Leslie, Wbittemore, Mo ms aud a score of other cx-exalte.l Re publican officials to thc penitentiary, it will indeed bc surprising to us. It is possiblo, also, that some Democrats may be connected with the corruptions of the past, and if HO, wo hope no favors will bo shown them. What wo want now is that the public sorvice be cleared of dishonest men, and that those who have disgraced and plundered our ?State be severely pun ished as a warning to any who may feel tempted to follow their vile foot-prints hereafter. Among nil the important measures for our people, adopted by the recent General Assembly, none will be more beneficial than the act requiring thc Blue Ridge Railroad, which is now owned and controlled by the South Carolina Rond, to establish and keep open for thc trans fer of freight a depot nt Seneca City. The course of this Road in refuaing to receive freight from or carry ' ! to Scnecn City, has been very oppressive to this section of our country, and the act above reforred to will do much to correct thiH ovil. We regret that the bill to revent discrimination in freights did not also poss, ns it was the more important of the ! two, and Would have afforded relief to a greater portion of upper South Carolina than almost any measure that could have been adopted. Tho bill has not been killed, but will come up nt tho next ses sion of tho Legislature for action. We hope every tewn interested will memori alize the Legislature to enact a law to prevent nnjnstdiscriminations in freight^ and by doing so they will strcngthou tho efforts of tho Anderson and Union mer chants. A few moro acts liko the one requiring tho opening of a depot at Sen eca City wilt soon convinco the hnughty South Carolina Railroad Company that the people have so.ne few rights which oven powerful railroad corporations are bound to respect however intractable they may be in their disposition. ...JU I THE PUBLIC DEBT. Tho Senate and House finally agreed upon tho following rs a compromiso of their differences about the payment of interest on tho public debt, and made it the first section of tho appropriation bill : SECTION 1. That a tax of 7 mills upon every dollar of tho value of ail taxable Eroperty in this State be, and tho same i hereby, levied for the following pur poses, to wit : To meet appropriations Fhst, defray tho current expeles of the government for the ?scat year ending alii October, 1377; Hecond, to pay the interest due the first of January, 1877, 11 and the first of July, 1877, upon the con- | 1 solidated bonds and certificates of stock which have been issued under tho "Act to reduce the volume of tho public debt, and provide for the payment of the same,'' approved December 22,1578, which shall JI be found to be valid and bona fide by the {< commission to investigate the same, and be approved by tho General Assembly at tho next regular session thereof; and, t third, to pay such other iudeh? Juess of tho State as may be reporte . -t be valid by the said commission, and to which it ( moy be applied by the Genera Assombly t ai its nezt regular session. Should the j proceeds of said tax be insufficient to meet all the payments provided for in thu act. the Governor is hereby author ized to borrow, on tho credit of the State, such Bum, not exceeding $100,000 as may be nrv?essary to m?*t such deficiency. It was also amended by substituting . tho first of July and August instead of | ' the 16th of June and July, as the time J1 Tor the payment of taxes ; also, so as to [ margo 1 per cent, per month instead of j 7 per cent per annum on unpaid taxes. Under this provision tho tux will bo collected for the payment of the interest which may bo found due, but the money Krill not be paid out until after tho Legisla ture passes lipon the legslity of the bon lad debt of tho State. This renders the payment of tho fraudulent debt an im possibility, unless it is appro-ed by tho Glanerai Assembly. We think it the .visor and safer course not to have paid the interest until after tho investigation ??w< ita iyJoptiOH hy r'ln Tjior?alot.tir?? and hence approve the substitute, which re quires tho full investigation of the debt. To have paid tho interest 'on it was to admit its legality, and heneo it is butter to formally admit the'legality of all that we intend to pay, ?nd then go to work und pay tho interest on it. It was prob ably better to collect tho tax this year than to wait until next year, when it ur Kana Kaan iiytMQW try lfiwv ? double tax for interest in one year, which wo?ld have been injurious to the pros* peet s of the Democratic party. Hence, If tho ?nvas?igo?on of tho debt, io rigidly carried ont, the settlement is probably tho best ono which could have been rn adc cf this crctes'ion, which ha* vexed the Legislature so much and caused so much discussion throughout the State. - Tho Ohio Democrats havo decided to hold tbelr State convention on the twenty-fifth bf July next, a date suffi ciently carly to admit of preparation for a vigoroua caraprign. In spue of ali the boastful talk which ? the President's friends have been lately indulging in, it is plain that there is disaffection as well et apr2>y la the Republican party io tho Buckeye State, and that unless a change speedily sets in tho olection will revert to tho Democrats by default. In any event the chances for a Rcdical victory aro painfully small. THE FENCE LAW. Tho luw providing for tho holding of lection* in the various counties of the 'tate upon thc subject of changing our ?neo bin?, to os to 'require persons to esp their stock inclosed, was amended u the House so as to require thc- signa ure of seventy-five tax-payers in every ownship lo sign thc petition in order to ecure thc election to be held in the 'ounty, and tho length of notice to bc ;ivcu was changed from sixty to thirty lays, so that thc time in which to g<-t up ictitioiiB is considerably extended. It is not necessary that the signing tax layer shall bc a gentleman, for ludics rho pay taxes have as much right to ictition aa men. Wo make this state ncnt that persons who have gotten up ifty petitioners may go on nud secure eventy-fivc at once, and forward them o this place by Tuesday, 10th of July loxt, directed to O. H. P. Fant, Esq., Jhairman of the lion rd of County Com? niasioncra. This is the last day that it viii do to have thc petitions reach here, n order to give the Commissioners time o make up the order for thc election. Wis would again urge our people to dili gence in every township in Anderson Uounty in procuring the necessary signa tures to a petition, and having it here by die 10th day of July next. We havo lienrd from Savannah, Garvin, Martin, linnea Path and Centreville, and are au thorized to say that the necessary peti tions will he perfected in caeh of them. Tho other townships will no doubt act promptly, and be up with the ones named abovo. It is very important to have tho vote taken this year, for if it is deferred to next year, "i -ill bo used by designing men to injure thc Democratic party by effecting a dissatisfaction in it, which cannot bo cured in time for thc fall State and County election. Let us, then, attend to it now, and, in order to do no, sonic man in each township must go to work upon it immediately. We will be glad to hear from each township as soon ai seventy-five petitioners have been secured. THE FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION. Messrs. Walker, Witherspoon and Mectze, from the Sonate, and Messrs. Hamberg, Coit, Shaw and Hood, from the House, were appointed ns a committee to investigate the validity of the various kinds of public debt hanging over South Carolina, and to report their action to thc next session of the General Assembly. This committee lins a very importnnt and responsible duty to perform to the people-thc tax-payers of South Caro lina-and we believe it will bc dis charged faithfully and fully, despite tho general intimation that tho consolidated debt is to bo accepted OH a finality by thom, and that their only duty is to ns cert'.iu tho character of the remainder of the outstanding debt. Nc one ia author ized to say this of tho committee, and wc think it derogatory to tho honor and in tegrity of tho gentlemen who composo it, to suppose that they will follow the ex ample of tho infamous presidential com mission by shirking a plain and open duty. Tho committee was raised to investi gate tho State debt, and it is their sworn duty to do so fully and without reference to what any political party hos done upon . he question. They do not represent anybody except tho Legislature, and they cannot consistently refuse to investigate overy particle of tho public debt, and if they fail to moko a full aud complote in vestigation of tho whole debt thc Legisla ture will bo obliged to reject their report. Tho people will not be trifled with upon this matter. They have heard so much about tho fraud connected with tho State debt that ?hey will not rest satisfied with anything short ot a minute examination jf overy bond and ita antecedents. No :ommission dodgo will satisfy thom, and ho advocates of any erasion of tho in ended investigation had as troll cea^ .heir efforts to distort tho mcauing of tho resolutions appointing the committee, for he gentlemen composing it will not, we iclicve, pursue any such extraordinary :ourso as that desired. The Legislature has at last adjourned, ind although there are Home things upon vliich nd are not folly in accord with *.ts iction upon, yet, as a session, it must radoubtedly be considered a success. It aas done much in tho great work of ro brm, and no doubt at its next session ?viii carry this important matter much further than it has dono up to this time. The reduction of taxes for State purpo ses to seven instead of twelve or even fifteen mills on tho dollar, as has bcon tho Republican practice, alfords our peo ple demonstrative evidence of tho bene fits to bo derived from Democratic gov srnmcnt. Thia immense reduction of sxpenses is onough to induce our people to bave patience with any apparent minor shortcomings, and we believe that it the next session tho reform? necessary will be perfected. Wo publish olsewhera the lint of acts passed at tho late session, and by referenco to their titles our peo ple will perceivo that although the ses sion has seemed long its results have been very advantageous. The removal of the oppressive tax on certain counties j for widows and orphants of persons ai ledged to have been killed for political reasons, tho fence law, the law requiring Judges to rotate, thc new law relative to drawing juries, the prohibition of tho ?ale of seed cotton after sunset, tho abo lition of tho Hen law, and tho election law for Charleston, and some other sim ilar laws, aro very important features of tho permanent -vork of the session, and overy ono of these measures will afford great relief to the State from abuses, the DppKx ?ion of which hos long been felt. The acts reducing the expenses of tho government are another admirable fea ture of the session, And are probably as extensive io tholr application as tho nature O? tho C??? WO?ld ?ii?W ?t ihn time. Tho session has been sufficient to provo that reform can bo effected, even with our present cumbrous form of gov ernment, and we congratulate the mem bers upon the result of their laboro. - Alabama Conservatives are rejoiced over the statement emanating from tho frlendsof tho carpet-bag Senator Spencer af that 8tate. that he does not intend to return to Alabama, and will probably resign as Senator. They think, however, that tho latter part is most too good to be true. Spencer is now in the Black Hills country endeavoring to turn s.n honest penny. DEBATE AS TO THEIR VAT. Wc gave last week the debato which took place in the Senate over tho < House resolution to -fix the pay of 1 member* of tho Legislature at $500.00, i and that debate resulted in the Senate i fixing the amount at $800.00. We now ' give the debate which occurred in the < HOUKC upon thc question of agreeing to < tlie Senate's amendment : Mr. Cnlltsori, of Edgeficid, and Mr. I Hamilton, of Beaufort, occupied the at- , tcntion of the House with a debate upon I '.?ie value of a modern legislator for half an hour, thc former estimating thc real 1 value of a first-class South Carolina statesman ut fifty cents per day, while Mr. Hamilton disagreed with lum, put ting tho value ut $0 per diem, to the gen eral satisfaction of the House, and par ticularly that portion who favor payment for extra session. Mr. Connor-Tho less we discuss the subject of pay to members the better for tts. Thc people 'di over the State arc beginning to come :o the conclusion that thc chief aim of our legislation is to pro vide for thc p.r, of members of the Gen eral Assembly. This question muH be settled by a 'onference committee, be cause the two blanches of thc General Assembly dille.- as to what is proper. It needs no appeal to this House to ?xm vince its members that we should not agrco to the Senate amendment. What has already been agreed upon by this House is too much, but I don't know that it can bc amended We have been ad vocating reform -retrenchment-and have practiced it sen-rely as far as county officers all over tho State aro concerned, and wo have just refused to pay tho solicitors, while in attendance on the General Asseirbly, more than $5 per day, and now wc niai m for ourselves about $0 per day. It is inconsistent with our ac tion with reference to other officers, and inconsistent with all our professions during the late political canvass, and I hope it will bc reduced below $600 by the committee of conference to bc ap pointed. M.. Orr spoke in defense of the Senate amendment to give thc House $600 and mileage of 20 cents for both of the ses sions, except thc Mackeyites, who were to receive $200 und mileage. Mr. Bradley, of Abbeville, thought that $400 and mileage was a plenty for both sessions, and made a strong speech in defense of his position. He was glad that thc newspaper reporters, who were a power in thc land, were present, and bc hoped they would scud abroad the words and actions of this House, and let thc constituents of tho members know how they stood upon this salary ques tion. Mr. Verucr, of Oconec, favored $000 for both sessions. Mr. Hemphill, of Cheater, thought $6 per day fair compensation. Mr. Andrews-I ain't in favor of no salary grab. There is men here that can identify to the fact that mc and the gentleman from Lexington has always been doing nil ?.ho fighting against high salaries. I don't ask you to give me one cent for last session. I nm not to blame for it. I was recognized by the legal Senate. When thc Senate come I bowed submission to this House. But I ask, gentlemen, if their services for last ses sion of twenty-nine days is worth any more than ours this session of forty days? I am a poor man, but I have a prido in mo for conscience, fidelity and justice, i ask the majori ty to do justice to tho minority, so that we may go home and join band in band and be one peo ple. But if any injustice is done me I will be compelled to preach it on the val ley and tho hill top. Now, let us come down to a fine point. Tnko the number of days you served. But don't you take $400 for twenty-four days last session and only give us $200 for forty day. The Senate is responsible for me standing herc. If it had not been for tho Senate, 1 would have been with you before Christmas. Mr. Curtis opposed the amondmcnt. Ile wuuid rather get nothing than vote for the araeudment of the gentleman from Anderson. Mr. Orr offered n modification of his amendment, which gavo thc Mackeyites $d00 and 10 cents mileage, instead of $200 and 20 cents mileage. Mr. R. R. Hemphill said that the news paper reporters had taken a great deal of interest in thc pay of the members, and yet they each did not pav moro than thirty-five cents taxes. This amount, di vided amongst 125 members and attach ?es, would leave a fraction of a cent to be paid by each reporter. And then ho made a pathetic appeal to tho generosity of those who paid thirty-five cents taxes to jr; ve the members a traction of a cent each. Mr. Gantt, of Beaufort, made an uppeal for $600. Mr. Miller, of Beaufort, wanted full pay with tho other members. Mr. Hamilton, of Beaufort, favored taking $600 for tho last session and $200 for the extra session ; but if a' majority of tho Houso opposed tho extra session pay, of course he would hevo to submit, and would do so cheerfully. After a lengthy debate, the vote being taken upon tho Senate amendment, the House refused to concur in Ute same, and tho bill, together with the amendments, was returned to tho Senate. On tho following day Mr. Orr offered a resolution that it is tho sonso of this Houso on tho above bill, as far as said bill relates to tho pay of members, that those members who served at tho regular Bc??ion aro entitled to $200, lesa what thoy have already received, aud to those who have served at the extra session $4O0 and one mileage, and that tho report of thc committee of conference is adopted with this understanding. Mr. Minort opposed tho resolution, and Messrs. Andrews and Humbert, col ored, favored it. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 78 to IS. Tho vote (adverso) on tho adoption of tho report* of the committee was recon sidered, and thc report agreed to by a vote of 81 to 12. The concurrence of the Senate com mittee in the Houso provision denying pay for last session to members ortho Mackey House was an evident surprise to the Republican side of tho House, several members on that side protesting. Mr. Cir stated that thc members of tho Wallaco Houso would receive $600, in cluding tho $100 received last winter, and that the Mackeyites would receive $500, including the $200 paid by D. T. Corbin to tho members to elect h:m United States Senator. Mr. Ferriter asked Mr. Orr if ho thought tho money ought to bo returned. Mr. Orr-No ; Corbin got ; what he wanted, and you got what you wanted, nnd I think you aro entitled to your money. The report was then adopted by yeas 71, nays 19. - Senator Ransom, of North Carolina whilrt appreciating President Hayes' lib erality and fair dealing towards tho South, scouts tho idea that it will produce sufficient disaffection in the Democratic ranks in North Carolina or Tennessee iu &IYU tun tvujmui icana control o? those SUtcs. - Jarrett's bridge, which for many years has spanned the T?galo River six miles from this plaeo was on las?. Thurs day night lifted from its pillows by a' severe wind and set fiat down in the river. The Bridge ? was covered, - and ?vcr three hundred feet in length. Tbcooa Herald. - J. G. Payne, son of Bishop 1'ayne, of Ute Southern Methodist Church,'ls an nounced as a candidato for Sorgeant-.it Arms cf tho House. Ho is a brother-in law of Senator Gordon, and a classmate of Senator Lamar and Representative Chalmers, of Mississippi. THE FENCE LAW. MR. EDITOR : Arc wo to allow the re cent act of our Legislature, in regard to thc fence law, to ho as pearls before ?wine? or shall wc ratify its wise aud rioblo action in behalf of our ?tato? Thia question, fence or no fence, in the eyes of justice, is confined to the land owner and tenant ; but in tho eyes of our present law it gives all the right to par ticipate. Where a man owns a cow, and own? hut a small piece of land, or no laud at all, (and is not a tenant,) and contends against tho fence law, simply contends that h's neighbors shall feed that cow eight months of the year, am; in many instances the whole year.- | * Therefore, it behooves all such gentle men. in order to keep their good self- | ( resj-'.'ct and dignity, to speak very eau tiously on this subject of fence or no | 1 fence. Now, Mr. Editor, I nm among that class of men who can speak freely on this subject without being biased by self interest. I am both a small laud-owner and a large renter, und eau say that I am about ((pially interested in having the fence law established. On my own land (which is rented to others) I wish to save my timber, curtail thc expenses of my farm generally, and have my lands protee. .i by the laws of tho State from being grazed down and kept poor (and in many instances made poorer) by other persons stock. As a tenant it will save me a considerable amount of fencing, as every tenant builds or keeps up a certain amount of fencing, and it will make more lund subject to cultivation, and thereby cause tho tenant to rent land upon better terms than now, and this is more money for my labor. Some ten ants think under thc now fence Inw they will not be alloueto keep any stock, but this is entirely a mistake ; for exam plc, if I am renting from B, and he will not furnish me pasturage, or allow me lo enclose one, out of tho rails that now enclose tho farm, I will rent from C, who will do it. Cannot any one sec that this thing of pasturage regulates or adjusts itself to thc surrounding circumstances as does thc rules of renting and hiring? Some of our good old land-owners ure against the fence law, not because of it being moro expensive, for no ono has so figured it out rightly, but because it changes his system of farming that he his father and grand-father have all mndo a good living under, and says he wants tho people to continue to do as they used to do, everybody to build their own fen ces. I most assuredly agree with him in this last phrase, but will say that his saying is a centennial one, and that a new century of American independence and progress has now begun, and that i is not necessary to blot out all tho say ings and doings of the past to make time and progress march together; but some cases we are to add to that which has been said and done. Under this rule I beg leave to add to my venerable old brother farmer's centennial saying, that he "want* everybody to build their own fences" I say, and heep their stock wit hi the enclosure. h The new fence law, when put in opera tion, will be of grcnt benefit to every citizen of the State, viz. : it will tend to lull the sound of the axman's stroke, and thereby protect and increase our beauti ful forest (which is now every day fright fully diminishing,) and by increasing the forest wo dc not only cheapen the fuel and building timber, but science tells us that wo will increase our summer show ers, and consequently increase the pro ducts of tho land, in which every indi vidual is interested. Last, but not least, it will make a wonderful improvement in our stock. If any one doubts this, let him tell me where wc go to get nil of our improved stock-the Ayrcshire, Devon, Durham, Holstein, Alderney and Jersey cows ; the Colsnold, Southdowu and Ma rino sheep; tho Berkshire, Esses and Suffolk hogs. All of these noted breeds of domestic animals originated in a country where they have a fenco law similar to the one now proposed with us. I may say further, that no ono eau point out a breeder of live stock who does not only fence up his stock in pastures, but at the samo time he will find him fenc ing in his fields. For what? To heep out other people's stock. Yours truly, P. H. D. S. AN INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE. Under thc following resolution offered by Coi. Bowon in tho Senntc, Messrs. Cochran and Mectze from that body, and Messrs. Sheppard, Dibble and Muller from thc House, were appointed to per foim the important trusts therein .;ct forth : 1. That it bc referred to a joint com mittee, to consist of - members of tho Senate and - members of tho Houso of Representatives, to investigate and ascer tain whether any improper or illegal uso has been made of the public funds or credit of the State, and by whom, and to cause legal proceedings to be instituted against all persons Implicated in tho same. ?. That it also be referred to said com mittee U> inquire into tho sale or disposal by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of tho property or assets of the State, and to whom the same was dis posed of, and for what consideration, and to nxnnrrjiin tv h nth. ir tho action ol' the commissioners therein was legal and valid, and if tho disposal of tho said assets and property wis illegal, to causo legal proceedings to be instituted to recover tho same, and to convict tho parties impli cated therein. 8. That it he abo referred to said com mittee to investigate the election of Hon. J. J. Patterson to the Senate of tho Uni ted SUdcs on December 10,1872, and to ascertain whether tho same was procured by corruption and bribery. *4. That said committee arc authorized to sit during tho recess of the Senate, with the power of sending for persons and papers, and that the members of said committee be allowed thc per diem of members of the General Assembly while engaged in the performance of their dnUefj under this resolution. 5. That thc testimony taken by the committee of the Senate bo transferred to the committee appointed under his concurrent resolution. - Toe Cabinet to-day instructed Everts to address a letter to Minister Foster, at Mexico, to communicate thia determination of this Govcrnmcntto stop predatory incursions into Texas. . Mexico must restrain her people or General Ord will ba inatkocted to follow and punish marauders on Mexican soil. Among the causes of delay in reaching an under standing between the two Governments will be the translation of Mr. Ewarts' English into Spanish, and meantime General Ord is to be vigilant under the old system. icts Jana" Joint Resolutions Approved by the ("oTcrnor. An net to repeal an act entitled "An I ct for the relief of the widows and or bans of persona killed because of their olitical opinions." 1 An act tb repeal an act to protect the . atcrcst of the otate whereon payment of aterest now duo remains uupaid on onda issued by any railroad company ' nd whereon the guaranty of the State ns ndcrsed. Joint resolution to allow Augustine T. ?mythe, of Charleston County, to redeem crtain forfeited hinds. An act to incorporate the Mechanics' 1 Udlding and Loan Association, of Oreen Hie. An act to extend thc time for county ifficers elected at the last general election o qualify. An act to amend an act entitled "An ict to incorporate tho town of Greer's, in ?rcenville County." Joint resolution to repeal special tux evicd in ridgefield County. An act to amend an act entitled "'An tct to amend an act entitled 'An act to dter and amend an act to incorporate he town of Marion and for other pur K)se?.'" An act to enable John E. Allen, Enrn ;st Gary and William Wragg Johnson to ipply for admission to the bur. An act to establish and charter Yaw uiney Ferry in Georgetown County, State )f South Carolina. An act to provide for the filling of va .aucies in county offices nnd to regulate .he holding of elections therefor. An net to amend an act entitled an act o incorporate the Piedmont Manufac turing Companv, approved February 18, 1874. An act to authorize and direct thc Intendant and Wardens of the town of ?Suinter to fund the past indebtedness of the said town and for other purposes therein related. An act to establish and charter Pringle Ferrv in Georgetown County, State of South Carolina. An act to amend an act entitled an act to amend an act to provide for the re demption of forfeited land upon certain conditions therein named. An act to carry into effect thc l-l th section of article 4 of the constitution, relating to the judiciary. An act to amend the charter of the town of Yorkviile. An act to regulate the appointment and salary of Trial Justices in and for the county of Barnwell. An act to incorporate thc town of Batesburg, in the county of Lexington. An act to authorize and empower the Governor to appoint a Trial Justice resi dent in the town of Blackstock. An act to provide stationary and fuel for the General Assembly. An act to change tho limits of the town of Anderson. An act to prevent Clerks of Probate Courts from practicing as attorneys in such courts. An oct to amend the chartor of Gaffney City in Spartanburg County. An act to abolish tho office of official stenographer. An act to authorize William A. Sims, Dr. P. P. Butler, S. S. Linder and F. E. Linder to erect gates across certain roads in Union County. Joint resolution to amend joint resolu tion entitled Joint resolution to amend a joint resolution entitled 'A joint reso tion to appoint trustees under the will of tho Inte Dr. John De La Howe." Joint resolution to authorize the Gov ernor to effect a loan. An act to require the Blue Ridge Rail road, in South Carolina, to erect and keep open a depot at Seneca City in snid State. An act to declare and punish fraud in the sales of produce. An act to amend section 1, chapter 09 of the revised statutes, and to authorize the Governor to appoint tho liegen ts of the Lunatic Asylum from Richland County. Joint resolution directing and requir ing tho State Treasurer to pay over what ever sums of money may be due to the lato Chief Justice Moses on account of his salary as Chief Justico to his widow. Joint resolution to appoint a commis sion to investigate the sale of tho Colum bia Canal. An act to prohibit the sale of intoxi cating liquors within two miles of Lang ley Factory. An act to amend an act entitled "An act to incorporate the town of Laurens." Aa act to renew and amend the charter of the town of Honea Path, Anderson County. Au act to repeal an act entitled "An act to incorporate tho town of Chestnut Grove, in thc county of Chester." An act to amend an act entitled "An act to incorporate the Camden Building aud Loan Association." An act to prevent the sale of spirituous liquors within three miles of Williamston Female College., Anderson County. An oct to amend sections 55 and 56, chapter 120, of the revised statutes, rela tive to liens on crops. An act to aitcr tho names of Henry Lawrence Ragin, Annie Ragin, Annetta Lillian and Henry Darcie Ragin to tho names of Henry Ragin Thomas, Annie Thomas, Annetta Lillian Thomas and Henry Darcio Thomas, respectively. An act to incorporate tho town of Elko, in Barnwell County. An act to authorize and empower the County Commissioners of Orangoburg County to permit the Independent CitH zens' Fire Engine Company of Orange burg to erect their engine house upon a portion of tho jail lot in said county. An act to amend an oct outitled an act supplementary to chapter lo, titlo 4, part 1, ot the general statutes of South Caro lina relating to the militia and for tho better reorganization of tho same. An act to incorporate tho Spartanburg and Rutherford Railroad. An act to authorize T. W. Willett to build certain wharves, warehouses aud elevators on Battery Creek, in Beaufort County. An act to regulate tho inspection and measurement of timber aud lumber. An act to charter a ferry over Slc phena' Creek, in Edgefield County, and to vest tho same in the County Commia sioners of said county. An act to authorize John O. and Rich ard P. Stewart- and M. S. Lynn to erect and maintain a gate across certain roads in York and Union Counties. An act to authorize Bnjamin L. Bris bane to erect a wharf or warehouses on any property owned hy him in the town or city cf Port Royal. An act to regulate the disbursements of undrawn balances in the Stato Treas ury. An act to provide for the drawing of juries in certain counties and to amend tho law in relation to the drawing of juries. An act to regulato the election of Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Charleston. An act to make appropriations to meet the ordinary expenses of the Stato gov ernment for the fiscal year commencing November 1,1876. Joint resolution to rescind a joint reso lution providing for the payment of certain moneys to the late County Com missioners of Darlington Uoun.y.' Joint resolution to authorize and em power the Town Council of the town of sumter to opcu such new streets as in their judgment they deem, necessary, upon the same terms as arc now con ferred on County Commissioners of coun ties. An act to authorise E. A. Schoper to construct a wharf in the town of Beaufort and to collect wharfage. An act to alter and repeal section 20 of an oct entitled "An act to regulate at tachments approved September 24, A. D., 1868. An act to amend an act to incorporate the town of Johnson's Turnout, in the county of Edgefield. An act to amend section 15, of chapter 19 of tito general statutes, relating to tho i<ower in school districts to levy and col lect special taxes tor school purposes. An act to incorporate thc town of Sum nit, in the county of Lexington. , An act to prohibit tho sale of seed cot ton between rho time of the setting and , rising of tho st;n and to regulate thc sale t jf seed cotton. \ An act to prohibit the same person '. from holding the office of trustee and ? teach a public school at the same time. \ An act to repeal an aci^ entitled "An j net to establish St ?li certain scholarships ? in the University of South Carolina." An act to prohibit the retailing of in- ! Loxicating liquors within three miles of . Wcllford High School. \ Au act to amend section 17, of chapter ; 40, of the general statutes, relative to ; persons liable to work on public high- j ways and roads, so far as the same may j relate to tho counties of Spartanburg, Chesterfield and Abbeville. ( An act to amend an act entitled "An J act to regulate tho npppoiutment and salary of Trial Justices in and for the , town of Abbeville." Au act to dispenso with the recording \ of certain deeds in the office of th' Sec retary of Suite. Joint resolutiou requiring certain re pairs to bu made upon thc roof of the State House, and to repair thc fencing around thc same. Joint resolution to raise a commission to investigate the indebtedness of the State. An act to charter the Grangers' Savings Bunk of Anderson, S. C. An act to make appropriations for the payment of tho salary and mileage of the members of the General Assembly, and the salaries of the subordinate offi ces and employees, and other expenses incident thereto. Joint resolution to declare valid tho recording of certain conveyances recor ded without the endorsement of tho County Auditors. An act to authorize thc Governor to satisfy judgments entered in favor of the State. An act to amend an act entitled "An act to charter the town of Allendale, in tim county of Barnwell and State of South Carolina." Au act to prohibit thc sale of intoxi cating liquors within three miles of R; ige Spring Baptist Church, in Edgeficld County. Au act to establish uniformity in thc sessions of the Circuit Courts. Au act to provide for tho custody of official bonds of county officers and fer tlic examination of the same from time to time. An act to prescribe thc modo of prov ing bills of thc Bank of thc State ten dered for taxes and the rules of evidence applicable thereto. An act to prohibit thc digging, mining and removing of phosphate ~rock ana phosphatic deposits without license, and the purchase of the same from unauthor ized persons. An act to amend un act entitled "An act to amend an act to regulate the ap pointment and salary of Trial Justices in tho city of Columbia." An act to raise supplies and make ap propriations for the fiscal year commenc ing November 1, i876. An act to revive the charter of the Washington Artillery of Charleston, S. C. Joint resolution authorizing nnd re quiring thc Attorney General to inquire into the matter of tho phosphate compa nies of thc State with a view to denne and protect the interests of the State therein. ? _ _-? i_ :_ii., r-i_II_ ?lil uci/ tu uikui uuinio tuc uuiuiiua Rifle Battalion of Charleston, S. C. An act to amend an act entitled "An act to authorize the Governor to appoint additional Trial Justices for Union, Greenville and Marion Counties. An act to repeal an act entitled "An act to charter tho town of Hamburg," ap proved February 28th, 1871. An act to further reduce the number and regulate the pay of officers, attach ?es, clerks and laborers of the General Assembly, and to provide for the manner of electing, appointing and paying the same. Au act to utilize tho convict labor of this State. An act io provide for and regulate tho public printing of South Carolina. Joint resolution to provide for a reor ganization of the University of South Carolina and of the State Normal School. An act to reduce and fix thc salaries of certain officers. An act to reduce aud fix the price cf dieting prisoners. An act to abolish tho pay of Con. mis* sioners and Managers of Election and of their clerks. An act to reduce the pay of County Commissioners and their clerks. An act to require all school claims and claims for teachers to bo sworn to. An act to render officers of incorpora tions pcrsonably responsible in certain coses. An net to regulate the appointment of county officers. An act to reduce and fix the per diem and mileage of members of thc General Assembly. An act to authorize tho County Com missioners to submit to the qualified olectors of their several counties, a prop osition to alter the fence laws and to pro vide for effectuating tho same. An act to revive tho charter and to ex tend the time for the commencement of work on tho Andersou, Aiken, Port Royal and Charleston Railroad. An act to prohibit tho unauthorized absence of certain officers from duty. MacYengh's Reply to Bntlor. Mr. Wayne MacVeagh publishes the following letter in reply to Gen. Butler's scurrilous reply : PHILADELPHIA, June 6. Gen. Ii. F. Butler, Washington. D. G.: I fear you have overworked your in vective faculties, for your long and la bored letter of to-day shows signs of failing powers, and will go far to destroy that reputation for scurrility which you have so sedulously fostered. Tho issue between you and mo was of your own seeking, and is so plain that you cannot obscure it by any amount of misrepre sentation, however irrelevant or vulgar. You deliberately wrote and published concerning me four sheer falsehoods, without a particle of foundation for any Ann nf Iknm rn.?~.<.r^r.'. T -linn itt if M?S you on the national pflTory,rwithr n'very legible stateir?nt pf your offenses upon your forehead As you have endured your punishment for an entire week, and now virtually confess that every state ment made by you was untrue, I have no objection to your getting down : but you must not suppose that i placea you there in resentment only. My chief pur pose was to exhibit you as a warning to younger men, by showing them that in ui.ila nf ,,.-.,..? AV?IISW --.5 ...?,..._..-l._ J become the leper or our politics, by rea son of tho general conviction that you habitually disregard tho eighth and ninth commandments. That purpose has been fully answered by tho comments of the country upon your character, and I have no further interest in the matter. I shall not even take tho trouble to deny any new falsehood you raay th??,- it tGToar advantage to invent about me, for those who know mo will no* boliove anything yon say against me, and those who know you, of course, will not believe anything you say against anybody. (Signed) WAYNE MACVEAGH. - Ex-Senator Logan hos been offered and bas declined the mission to Brasil. He had an interview with tho President on tho subject and positively refused to accept the offer. This piece of news will naturally surpriso the general public, as this is tho first time tho gifted Logan has been known to decline anything in the appointment line; but let nobody rais tako ; thc Lognn'a?voieo h for war, and there is a vacancy at St. Petersburg. Appointment of Cosstj CSSccrs. Tho following county officer? hare been .ppointcd by the Governor and con irmcd by the Senate : County Treasurers-Abbeville, J. I), 'errin ; Aiken, L. A. Hansom ; Aud?r on. Samuel E. Moore ; Barnwell, Alfred Uurich; Beaufort, W. J. Goodintr Jharlfston, P. C Gaillar;.: Chester' Fohn. B. McFadden ; Chesterfield, Theo! T. Malloy; Clarendon, J. I. Ingram holleton, John D. Edwards; Darlington', ?. A. Law; Edgefield, B. F. Mayes; iui i?, ?.j. MM, Jjwui-T , JV ui a uaw, r,. JJ. Jantey ; Laurens, Wm, Anderson ; Lex ugton, D. I. Hendrix ; Marion. S. A. McIntyre ; Marlboro, J. A. Petcrkin . dewberry, A. B. Whites ; Ocouee, R. 8 ['orcher; Orangeburg, Robert Copea" Pickens, Wm. R. Perry ; Richland, w' iL Gibbes; Spartanburg, J. H. Blossin ramc ; Sumter, W. F. B. Hayneswortli ; Union, John P. Thomas ; Williamsburg W. J. Lee ; York, T. C. Robertson. County Auditors-Abbeville J. Townes Robertson; Aiken, J.H. Mergan; Au lerson, T. J. Pickens ; Banwell, J. J. vVeissingcr ; Beaufort, B. B. Sams . r?harleston, W. S. Easou ; Chester, J. il! [bawley ; Che*t?rfield, Oalom L. Evan? . Clarendon, Junius E. Scott ; Colleton, j' J. Fox; Darlington, James T. Brielow; ridgefield. Joseph Merri wether; Fair field, J. N. Withers; Georgetown, W. H. Honi ll; Greenville, L. Williams; Horry J. E. Beaty; Kershaw, D. McQueen; Laueaster, T. F. Clyburn ; Laurens, W L. Boyd; Lexington, W. M. Drafts; Marion, J. A. Smith ; Marlboro, P. 1\ Meekins ; Oconee, Charles E. Watson "; Oratifreburg, James Van Tossell ; Pickens' John O.Davis; Richland, J. Meighan j Spartanburg, Benj. Woflbrd ; Sumter, C. H. Moise; Union, I). Jehison; Wil liamsburg, T. M. McCutchun ; York, W. A. Mooro. Jury Commissioners-Abbevillo, Ed ward Henderson ; Aiken, H. B. Burkhal ter; Anderson, Samuol Johnson; Barn well, J. M. Hair ; Beaufort, John Conant ; Charleston, Richard Holloway ; Chester M. White ; Chesterfield, S. W. Spencer ;' Clarendon, James E. Tindal; Colleton, Charles B. Farmer, Sr. ; Darlington, L. W. Cannon ; Edgefield, E. W. BuneoD ; Fairfield, J. S. Leo; Georgetown, J. A. Jackson ; Greenville, Georg? F. Townes . Horry, B. L. Beatty ; Kershaw, L. W. R. Blair; Lancaster, James M. Shaver; Laurens, 8. D. Garlington ; Lexington, John Fox ; Marion, D. Murchison ; Marlboro, John A. J?eRae ; Newberry, John S. Hair ; Oconee, H. S. Vandivcr ; Orangcburg, J. W. Moseley ; Pickens, W. T. Bowen; Richland, Gleio A. Katnincr ; Spr rtanbnrg. John H. Mont gomety, Sumter, J.NrFrierson ; Union, Asa Smith ; Williamsburg, McBride Scott ; Ycrk, D. C. McKinney. - The New Orleans Democrat learns that Packard has accepted an offer mado to him to lecture through the North and West, thc Bubjcct of his lecture being the Louisiana question, and the compensation secured is to be $25,000. - One hundred and fifty millions of Roman Catholics celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the elevation of Pope Pius IX. to the episcopate which occurred on Sunday Juno 3rd. The venerable Pontiff received five thousand pilgrims at Rome, and doubtless indulged in a little pardon able prido as the ceremonio3 immediately about him suggested the vost constituen cy throughout tho world which acknowl edged him os the head of the church, and were simultaneously doing honor to his name. - A despatch from the Hot Springs of Arkansas states that ina public speech at that place Robert Toomba, of Georgia, spoke in the warmest terms of approval of President Hayes and of his policy. He snid that ho could not endorse tho manuer of Hayes' accession to offico, but that Hayes was the first man in forty years who bad carried out pledges mado previous to the election. Mr. Toomb3 took care to add his usual assertion that he was himself as much of a rebel as ever. - The Philadelphia Item says it has been positively r 'sorted in Washington that cx-Presideni Grant, while ostensibly visiting Europe for pleasure, is really to take command of tho whole Turkish army against Russia. The story is that England was instrumental in making the choice of a now commandor for the Sul tan, in the hope that Grant's success would render her interference unnccoi* sary. It is added that the offer was brought to this country by the Presi dent's son-in-law, Mr. Sartoris, who, with Fred Grant, is to be on the Generala staff. Finally, tue latter's commission, it is said, dates from May 1, and his pay -three mouths of which ho is to receive in advance upon taking command-will bo largely increased should he succeed. - We can state to the public a most gratifying fact-that tho committee ap pointed at tho last meeting of tho Board of Trade to devise some financial plan whereby the necessary funds may bo raised to finish the Knoxville and Charleston Railroad have had their final meeting and thoir report ngrecd upon without a dissenting voice. We arc not at liberty to disclose to tho public tho exact naturo of tho report, hut will say that it is just the thing. When submitted to tho voters of Knoxville, they will adopt it by an overwhelming majority. Re member this. Wo tell the people of Knoxville to bo of good cheer. Tte Augusta and Knoxville Railroad teilt be built at an carly day. - The Republican leaders have about given up the effort to resuscitate tho Whig party in the South since they have found out that the principles they were arranging for the revived Whigs were nimply the principles of tho present Dem ocratic party ; and that the old Whig leaders they Were going to reinstate ?vere already leaders in th6 Democratic party. This deprived their project of all its flavor, and lt is easy to see that there was nothing in the proposition except a bid to furnish votes for Republican national candidates. T>ere was no life in tho scheme at the start, and those who were most sanguine abour lt have 'ven forced to conclude that the solid south will con tinue so long as ?he Republican party continues, despite its efforts to take on n Whig disguise. . - Oliver P. Morton has evidently lost Ms hold upon the Republican party in Indiana. He lectured Saturday night in Indianapolis to fewer than 100 people. lUU lari tu nv ino iFi?C?cM? Ct. ..\Z . .-'.~ woro to be devoted to charity waa hardly sufficient to explain this paucity of hear ers when it was known that the onto great Indiana war-horse was to be tho attraction. Tho timo was when men s hostility to charity, oven, would not have hept tho pcoplo of Indiana away from listening to Morton. He lectured upon the proper method of choosing a Presi dent. Even ho doesn't favor the idea ot choosing a Presldeut by returning boards or by eight-io-seven c?m?i'i?sions. *. this had heon generally known in Indi anapolis he might liavo had 150 people as his auditor?. Senator Morton's Btar is a fallen or falling one. Bm IwvexnoK.-Lloyd, the famou* wan man, who mado all the maps for Gcncnii Grant and the Union army, certificate? o? ?Wob ho published, has Just invented a wa) ui guning ii luuct jp?.??.; T, ? prim Lloyd's Map of American Continent allowing from ocean to ocean-on one entire sheet Of bank note paper, 40x50 indies large, on a lightning press, and colored, ?lied ami varnished for the wall so aS to stand wash ing, and mulling anywhere in tho worlct n>r 30 cents, or unvarnished for 25 cents. Tins ?nap show? the whole United States and Territories In a group, from surveys to ion, with a million places on It, such ai towns, cities, villages, mountains, lakes, nv.*s, streams, gold mines, railway stations, ThU map should ho in every house. A'>? Lloyd's Great Map of Philadelphia and thc Centennial Grounds, showing even- hou><\ Btrect and number.' Hauic aire and prlco " America. Send SO cents to the Lloyd Map ?om,>any, Philadelphia, and you w ?1 RM wpy hy return niall.-A\ Yd llltuttak* Ch?tian WetUy.