Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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E. B. MURRAY, Editor. THURSDAY MORNING, JAN. 23, 1879. The United States government ought to take some steps to secure an increase of the Indian population, if there is any justification for the strange statistical phenomenon presented in their case, for the more the Indians diminish in num? bers the more expensive they become. In 1861, when the Republican party came into power, the annual expenses averaged about $3,500,000. At the time the Republicans lost control of the House of Representatives they were costing $7,000,000 per anuum, although the re? ports indicate that they are steadily de? creasing in numbers. The Demo? crats, however, have been 3teadily reducing these expenses, and we hope that when we get both the Senate and the House of Representatives alter the 4th of next March, the cost of maintain? ing the few remaining red men will be reduced at least to what it was twenty years ago. Mr. Manning, the New York bond? holder who procured the temporary in? junction before Judge Bryan to prevent the payment of the interest on the valid debt oat of the fund in the Treasurer's office, is likely to have the pleasure of paying the costs of the case as his re? ward. The temporary injunction was granted as a matter of course, but it will no doubt be dissolved, for the money belongs to the State and no court has the right to say the State shall not use it There was no contract with the bond? holders, and in fact no mutuality about the transaction. ? If the money were lost it would be the State's loss and not the bondholders, and hence it cannot be re? quired that the State shall run these risks and be out of the use of the money, which is entirely in the possession of the State, subject to the action of the Legislature. When the case comes to a hearing the best lawyers agree that it must be dis? missed. The recent act of the Legislature to facilitate the collection of taxes is hav? ing the desired effect Many persons who have already tendered bank bills and coupons for taxes are withdrawing them and paying up the/ money. In future very few of these bills or coupons will find their way into the treasury, for to use them the holders hare to deposit them with the Clerk of Court, then pay their taxes in good money and sue to re? cover them back. If the suit is success? ful the money is refunded, but the State can, by appeals, keep the case in the courts for a year or two; and the act provides that there shall be no costs in the suit except for serving and filing papers, &c %Thus the taxpayer, after lying out of his money for a long time, would have to pay bis counsel fees and costs, and therefore it would not pay. The holders of bank bills will no doubt fund them rather than' further contest the matter. Governor Simpson has appointed Gen. John D. Bratton of Fairfield, Col. John D. Pope, of Columbia, and Col. Zimmer? man Davis, of Charleston, Commissioners to investigate the phosphate question, and report to the next session of the Legislature the condition, extent, co ;t of mining, shipping, &c. We regret that the Governor has overlooked the .up-country entirely in these appointments, for our people feel a keen interest in the devel? opment of the State's interest in these deposits. The Commission should have been -elected from the different sections of the State, giving to the up-country one, the middle country one and the coast itself one. Instead of this, two are taken from the middle of the State, one from the low-country and none from the up-country. The members of the Com? mission, however, are intelligent and honorable gentlemen, and will no doubt discbarge their duties faithfully. If their investigation is thorough, exhaus? tive and impartial, it will prove satisfac? tory to the people, and be the ground? work of permanent legislation to protect the State's interest in these phosphatic deposits, otherwise it will be,a complete farce, and secure no beneficial results. During a recent visit to Washington, Hon. Thomas A. Hcndrtcks expressed the opinion that the South and West would be united in the next National Democratic Convention, and would not consent to be cheated out of the Presi? dential nomination by Northern politi? cians. He thinks the South and West are natural allies, and that they will act together politically in the future. The ardent desire that it shall be so is no doubt the origin of this belief on the part of Gcv. Hendrickf>, but we believe he is destined to be mistaken. There is not likely to be any cheating in the Con? vention, and it is unfortunate to make such insinuations. We admire Governor Hendricks, and would like under other circumstances to see him become the nominee, but just at this time it strikes us that he is not the man for a successful leader, and if he was, talking about the nomination as he is reported to have done, is, to say the least, very indiscreet. He is a great man, and in the future is destined to play an important part in American politics, but just at this time Senator Bayard is pre-eminently the Wrongest, the safest and the most accep ble leader than can be selected, and therefore we think the South will not join the West in the next contest at least, but will be pretty nolid for the Delaware statesman. In all of the Southern States which have been overrun by carpet-bag Repub? lican rule, there has been serious finan? cial troubles growing out of the immense debts which were heaped upou them. In Georgia about $3,000,000 of railroad bonds, issued under Bullock's adminis? tration, were repudiated by the Demo? crats, and the cry was at once <raisod that the credit of the State was ruined. Time, however, has shown differently, for the debt of Georgia, which is admitted to be ?valid, is to-day as Bccure au investment as can be found anywhere, and her bonds Are quoted in the market as worth more ithan one hundred cents on the dollar. "The credit of that State is so good that arrangements are now in progress tc-issUe new bonds bearing only four per cent, interest, which are to be sold dollar for dollar, and the money from them applied to extinguishing the bonds now out? standing, and bearing intereut at seven or eight per cent. This is the effect which refusing to pay a fraudulent debt has bad on the credit of the State of Georgia. If, however, her statesmen had been so conscientious that they were willing to pay the eight millions of rail? road bonds which a thieving administra? tion had sought to foist upon them, the bonds of that State would not to-day be worth more than sixty or seventy-five cents on the dollar, because the State's burden would have been heavier than she could bear, and so the good and the bad alike would have been depreciated in value. The application of this to the situation of South Carolina's finances is apparent. If we attempt to pay all that is claimed of us, without regard to wheth? er it is just or not, we will find our State credit bad, because our debt will be mo-" than we can pay; but if like Georgia we have the manhood to say that we will pay tho just portion and discard the fraudulent part, we will not only main? tain the honor of the State, but we will restore her former credit and financial reputation. The State can never inspire the confidence of capitalists by allowing herself to be swindled, and then ratifying the swindle from some morbidly distort? ed views of honor. Let us do what is right and equitable by paying what we honestly owe, and not one dollar more. Then we will have the approbation of every creditor who holds honest demands and of every impartial citizen. We can afford to brook the anger of those who will be foiled in their effort to fasten on us a debt that was created and consum? mated in fraud. THE COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. There is a very general feeling of in? dignation on the part of the farmers generally on account of the increase in the demands of the manufacturers of commercial fertilizers. These demands are exorbitant and unjustifiable. They go up when the price of cotton and everything else goes down. It is an effort by combination of capital and mo? nopoly to make the farmers of South Carolina hewers of wood and drawers of water for these gentlemen, who are fortu? nate enough to have very little competi? tion in their business. They seek to grasp large profits out of what they deem the necessities of the people. The claim that it is expensive to manufacture commercial fertilizers is no doubt correct, but it does not cost half of what they sell for. At thirty dollars per ton there would be a very fair profit in the busi? ness. The present effort should induce our farmers to assert their interests, and if satisfactory arrangements cannot be made in prices, we advise the farmers of the State to abstain from using any more than they can pay cash for at this time, and to prepare for the future by circu? lating petitions to the Legislature re? questing them to take such steps as may be necessary to protect the agricultural interests of the State by providing for the manufacture of commercial fertilizers from the phosphates gathered from the navigable rivers of the State. These pe? titions generally circulated throughout the State and signed by the farmers would secure the favorable consideration of the Legislature if the manufacturers persist in keeping the price up. The farmers of other counties are pro? testing against this injustice, and if they can secure concentrated action, they will crush out this monopoly. We suggest that a mass meeting of the farm? ers of the County be held in the Court House on Saleday in February to con? sider this subject and give expression to their views. If this is thought proper, we would like to have short communica? tions from the leading farmers of the County endorsing it sent to us by next Monday or Tuesday, that we may call the meeting in the paper of next wt ek If it is called we hope every farmer in the County will be present, and that the action which may go forth from the meet? ing insure the abatement of the increase in price of fertilizers. If the farmers submit quietly to this rise in the price, they have no guarantee that it will not be made still higher next winter. In our opiuion, the only safety for tho agri? culturalist is to make these phosphate companies realize the fact that the far? mers of the State have some rights which even monopolies are bound to respect. TUE ROAD LAW, The County Commissioners have had the following abstract of the law, relat? ing to the repairs of highways and bridges, prepared so that the citizens of the County may know what their duties are towards keeping the roads in repair: Under the law as it now stands it is the duty of the County Commissioners to divide the County into highway dis? tricts to be convenient for repairing the highways, and to divide each highway district into convenient companies, and to appoint overseers of the highways. The duties of the overseers "shall be to have ths persons named in their re? spective companies warned out to work the said roads whenever they may deem it necessary tG repair the same. The overseer shall determine the number of days for working at each warning, pro? vided that not more than 12 days are re? quired in a year." Overseers neglecting to work til? roads, when the Commis? sioner having oversight of the section gives orders to the overseers to work the road, "shall be deemed guilty of a mis? demeanor, and upon conviction thereof, in a trial-justice's court, shall be fined in a sum of not fess than five nor more than ten dollars." All able bodied male persouc between the ages of sixteen and fifty years shall be liable annually to work on the public highways under tho direction of the overseer in the district in which they re? side. In warniug men to work on the public roads, it is the duty of the over? seer to make out a list for the werner, and require him to give two days' notice, stating the hour and place of working, and the kind of tool he shall use in work? ing upon the highways and Dads. "If any person of the legal age refuses to work upon the highways and roads (hav? ing no justifiable excuse) according to the direction of the overseer, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, in a trial jus ticc's court, shall be fined in a sum not less than five nor more than ton dollars, or be imprisoned in the County j?il for a period of not less than five nor more than twenty days." It is the duty of employers having per sous liable to road duty in their employ to furnish the overseer their names when? ever required of him by the overseer. The penalty prescribed for a failure to comply with the demand?upon convic? tion before a trial justice?is a fine of ten dollars or ten days' imprisonment for every such offense. If the highway should be suddenly ob? structed, it is the duty of the overseer, in that section, to proceed forthwith to have such obstruction removed, "and for this purpose shall summon to his aid a suffi? cient number of workmen to open and repair such highway." On failing to perform his duty, "shall forfeit and pay to the County Commissioners $15, unless he can show sufficient reason for such neglect." Any person liable to road duty refusing to obey the warning of the overseer on such extraordinary occasions, upon conviction in a trial justice's court, shall be fined $3 per day. Any person, after being warned, can pay into the treasury of the County $1 per day, which will be in lieu of his labor. Overseers have full power to use tim? ber, earth or stone in or near the road, bridge or causeway for the purpose of re? pairing the same; but are not author? ized to cut any trees reserved by the owner in clearing land or planted for shade or ornament, nor can ;hey take earth or stone from withiu the grounds of any person enclosed for cultivation without the consent of the owner. The Wilmington (Del.) Evening and Commercial expresses much amusement at the declaration of some Democratic journals which say Mr. Bayard can pro? cure the Democratic nomination for the presidency by changing his course on certain public questions. The Commer? cial says that Mr. Bayard is not a time? serving nor office-seeking man, and that he would not yield his honest convictions on any public question for the uake of securing any office in the'gift of the people. As illustrative of the character of Senator Bayard, the Commercial quotes his remarks in reply to Mr. Boutwell, who in 1876 assailed him because of his sympathy and friendly feeling for the South. On that occasion Mr. Bayard said: "Minorities have no terror for me; none at all. I have not flinched from declaring on any occasion an opinion that might have seemed unpopular at the time. Is it to be held up to me as a source of reproach that I have tried to make my brethren of the South feel that this was their country, that this was their government, and that they were bound to come and support it, and find protec? tion as they gave it allegiance ? If it be a crime, then I am the greatest sinner on earth. If such feelings, such professions, and such principles shall consign me forever to a minority, then welcome the shades of private life with the unstained conscience that I shall carry there. I would rather have it than all your power; than all the power the people of this country can give, for I have something which they did not give and which they cannot deprive me of, and that is my own self-respect." The man who has the in? dependence and honor to stand up for his principles against his interests, and in the face of prejudice, like Mr. Bayard has done, proves himself to bean upright and honorable man, worthy of the confi? dence and support of all classes of our citizen1, and would be a stronger candi? date than any mere political time-server could be. Expediency is a bad resort in politics. We tried it for several electiens in South Carolina, and did not succeed until we planted ourselves upon the plat? form of uncompromising principle, and nominated an inflexibly honest ticket. So the Democratic party of the United States has been seeking to regain power by the resort to expediency, and so far has failed. We hear the objection urged to Mr. Bayard that though he is a pure and able statesman, it is expedient to nominate for the next presidency a West? ern man. Away with such doctrines. We do not want expedients?we want principles; and when we appeal to the country with a good platform and a spot? less candidate upon it, there are enough houest men who love our government more than they do any political party that will rally to its support, and parry our party to a triumphant victory. The country hits had so much of corruption, of ring rule, of weakness, and passion, and prejudice in its government, that the honest masses cannot be awakened to enthusiasm by anything except the pre? sentation of an unquestionably honest man for their suffrages, and cither party which has the sagacity and nerve to pre? sent such a candidate will certainly carry tin; country. If, however, the candi? dates of both parties are inferior men, or men who have been unstable in their positions, then the side which has the most Qficney will win?or in other words, the Republicans *?j?l fi]spt their candi? date. The Democrats, in order to sue ceed, must plant themselves on the unity, and harmony, and permanence of the government, its honest aud just and economical adi?ir,;3tration, and insist upou the destruction of rings, ihr* re? quirement of competency aud integrity for official position, the abolition of fa? voritism and this recognition of the in? terests and liberties of every citizen or State alike. With such a platform, and a consistent candidate upon it, the fire of patriotism would once more glow with enthusjMm which follows the support of what one houestfy believes is right. It would be invincible. Senator Thomas F. Bayard possesses all of the requisites necessary for such a candidate. Governor Vance, of North Carolina, in his annual message to the legislature of that State, places the recognized debt of the State, including the face value and accrued interest, at $27,120,227. He affirms that in his judgment the 6pccial tax bonds issued by the Radicals when they had possession of the State are uot binding on the people, either in law or good morals, except, perhaps, a small portion of them which were honestly ap? plied to the uses of the State. Not only does he squarely advocate the rejection of the special tax bonds, but he favors Bcaling the old and recognized debt, and upon this branch of the subject he says : "It is out of the question for us to at? tempt to pay it at its face value. In? deed, I do not conceive that there is any moral obligation upon us to do so; nor do our creditors expect it of us. Quite one-half of our property upon which our bonds were based was wantonly destroy? ed by consent of a large majority of those who held them, and no court of con? science upon the earth would permit a creditor to destroy one-half his security and claim full payment out of the re? mainder. Hut we can and should pay something." llad these sentiments been uttered by a member in the South Caroliua Legis? lature, there would not have been lack? ing those who would have condemned it as dishonorable and termed it repudia? tion, with numerous forcible adjectives to assist the expression of their views. As it comes from Governor Vance, how? ever, even the papers, which have been most rampant in their advocacy of the full payment of all that is claimed of South Carolina, cither endorse the posi? tion or quietly concur in it by publish? ing and at the same time speaking in the highest terms of the Governor of North Carolina. We think Governor Vance is right, and that the same code of morals is good enough for South Carolina also. Our debt has already been scaled to fifty cent3 on the dollar, and should not be further reduced, but the fraudulent claims which are act up against our State should neither be admitted nor paid. They are no more of an obligation against us thau the special tax bonds of North Carolina are against that State. The fact that the holders of them have already in this State reduced their fraud? ulent claims fifty cents on the dollar does not strengthen them in law or equity, for the legislation under which the exchange was made and its execu? tion were entirely the work of the parties committing the fraud in the first place. The people of South Carolina would do well to think of this, and see to it that these iniquitous burdens are not imposed upon them. The representatives of the people of South Carolina should take courage from the manly position of Gov? ernor Vance in favor of rejecting the special tax bonds of North Carolina, and assume the position that this State will not pay the fraudulent portion of the South Carolina bonds. It is more hon? orable to oppose such frauds than to cringe before them. THE PHOSPHATE QUESTION. Mb. Editor : The people of this State, and especially the farmers, should closely scrutinize the recent action of the com? panies manufacturing commercial ma? nures in the city of Charleston and else? where in banding themselves together and increasing the price of guano at this time, when there appears to be a perma? nent decline in the price of all kinds of agricultural products, and when ruin and bankruptcy are looking almost every tiller of the soil fall in the face. And they should not only scrutinize, but for themselves should thoroughly investigate, the phosphate question, and, if possible, devise some plan to put a stop to the selfish extortion practiced by the monop? olist, and put a stop also to the rapid exhaustion, as far as home interests are concerned, of the deposit itself. I thick the present time propitious to bring this subject to the attention of the people, and with your permission, Mr. Editor, I will submit a few thoughts thereon, hop? ing that by the combined efforts of the consumers some practical plan may be devised to cause this inheritance, which belongs by right to the people, to inure to the common good. I will not consume time or space in endeavoring to prove the importance of guano, taking it for granted that a general experience has long ago established the fact that guano, if hon? estly manufactured, is a valuable aid to successful farming, especially so if it can be bought at a reasonable price. The manufacturers and miners of the phosphate rock have millions of dollars invested in these operations, and enor? mous profits have been and are still made by them, and any effort to deprive them of their monopoly will call forth all the opposition which their millions can bring to bear. Charleston City has also re? ceived large benefits from the foreign trade in these phosphates, and any effort to put a stop to thi? trade will encounter that opposition also. The phosphate monopolists &dll argue, as all monopo? lists do, that trade and commerce should not be meddled with by tinkers; that supply and demand, if let alone, will regulate themselves, &c. So they might, but the troublo is that the monopolists will not let then; alonp, but band them? selves together and increase the price by force, when, according to the nature of things, the price should be lessened. But the first question to decide is, Shall this great wealth be given to a few men only, or shall it be given to the people, to whom it rightfully belongs? If the monopolists should have it all, there is an end of it, for they have it all row, but jf the people should have it instead of the monopolists, let every man rise up and demand the people's rights, and no matter how great tho opposition, let them never cease battling until the monopolists are. if need be, rooted out of existent, ^nj tjie people's rights secured. There lies deposited in u<c navigable streams alorg the sea coast of this State a phosphatic rock or bone, rich in fertil? izing properties, and out of which the commercial manures are manufactured. This deposit, being in ihv navigable streams, belongs to the State, and the State can dispose of it as it sees proper. During the power of the Radical party private pasties oigani;re.J. themselves into companies, and by paying kir^e bribes obtained from the Legislature the exclu? sive right to dig and mine these deposits. After awhile the same rights were exten? ded t.p ptbor companies, except that they were given exclusive rlgl/t^ only & cer? tain specified territory, The rBtate claimed only that these organized or chartered compauies should pay as a royally one dollar per ton on every ton dug or mined. This in brief was iu? Condition of things when the Democrats came Into power. As soon as the subject began to be investigated by the Legislature many difficulties presented themselves. The white people of the State had been pur? posely kept in the dark concerning the management of this interest, for it was a mine of wealth to the Republican leaders as well as to the favored monopolists, i There were grave doubts whether the i Legislature had the right or power to re-1 strict the privileges grunted hitherto; besides, the extent of the deposit was not known, and information could be obtained on this point only from those interested in making the extent of the deposit appear as great as possible.? Then, again, the financial difficulties ef? fecting the State at the time, together with the known poverty of the people, made it absolutely necessary to lessen the burdens of taxation by every means possible, and as the tax-payers received considerable aid from this source it was thought best to continue the system then in force.until at least a better conception was had of the subject. The objections to this system were many, and were all well understood, but there was but this plan and one other proposed, and no time was had to mature a better one, so it was determined to organize or charter as many companies as desired it that the monopoly business might be broken up, and each and every charter so granted was made repealablc at the will of the Legislature, going to show the necessity there was felt to exist to adopt a new and entirely better system so soon as that system could be mapped out. The one other plan proposed and the plan adopted by the last Legislature, was proposed first in the interest of those living upon the sea coast, and was not calculated to obviate a single objection met with in the other plan, but instead contained insuperable objections of its own. From recent investigations it is proven that the extent of this deposit has been greatly exaggerated. We need every bit of it at home to manure our own worn out lands, but as it is, it is be? ing fast transported beyond the border* of our own State, and while monopolist and consumers in other countries are be? ing made rich with its use, our own peo? ple are practically denied the use of.it, and, if this rapid transportation contin? ues, we will soon awaken to the fact that our great mine of wealth has been ex? hausted and is gone, and all the great anticipations arising therefrom have gone with it. South Carolina, like the other Southern States, has for a long time felt the burden of being hewers of wood and drawers of water for our more enterprising and active brothers across the border, and in the management of our phosphate interest we are simply ex? emplifying the common custom of allow? ing others to come in and reap the bene? fits of a wealth which could be made to materially advance the interest of every individual in the State. We never have been, and may be never will, be able to fix a price upon the products of our labor. Whatever speculators say we must take for our cotton we have to take, but these phosphates are one thing we can control. We can prevent this exportation, and can manufacture them, so to speak, at home. Then, in the name of common sense, let us do it. In the adoption of a plan to perma? nently and profitably dispose of this de? posit, the first concern should be to see that none of it is transported beyond the borders of the State, and that every ounce that is dug goes to manure our own worn out lands, that the productions of our soil be increased to the greatest extent possible. Now, the present plan in operation is absolutely at variance to these ideas, in that it has for its prime object the mining of as great an amount as possible. This objection alone to the present plan is sufficient to convince every one that the plan is not in the per? manent interest of the State; but besides this great objection there are others equally as great, for is it not under the operations of this plan that the monopo? lists are able to band together and de* mand a price for their manure entirely disproportionate to the benefits derived from their use! It may be well, how? ever, that this last plan was adopted, for the subject is a new one to our people, and we have no experience as precedents to guide us in disposing of it. After a trial, if it doc; not work as well as ex? pected, it will only serve to bring all to a common opinion, and all will see the importance of a radical change in the whole system. Believing that that time is at hand, and that all arc even now ready for a change, rendered absolutely necessary by the recent action of the mo? nopolists, I have thoughtfully matured the outlines of a plan which I think will ob? viate all the difficulties hitherto met with nnd which will accomplish all the objects desired, The plan in short Is as follows: Re? peal all existing charters to companies, and, by legislative enactment, give to all the right to dig, but upon the expressed condition that all rock so dug or mined shall be sold to the State alone and at a stipulated price, and punish by heavy penalties any one violating this condi? tion. Then with the convicts in the penitentiary let the State manufacture this rock into manure, and by so doing the Statexould obtain piofitabje employ? ment for those who are now an expense, and the profits thus obtained would save to begin with the expense of maintaining that institution, which ia annually be? tween thirty and forty thousand dollars. Then to Bave what the State now receives from royalties, a profit sufficient to bal? ance that income should be charged upon the manufactured article. To il? lustrate; The crude rock would cost from two to three dollars pet tftc; the cost, allowing wages for the hands em? ployed, to manufacture a ton would be about $12, which, added to the cost of the rock rojdd he $15. Thon charge a profit of say $v per ton, Lml the cost to the consumer would be $17 per ton. Considering the number of tons used in this State, and consider also how great would be the increase in llja use of \p at such a price, nnd one can readily see how large an amount $2 per ton would realize to the State. I don't think it un? reasonable to state that the amount thus raise*} wwjjlf) l?a nhjoist sufficient to meet the expenses of the entlie State- govern? ment, or it might be applied first to pay ofT the valid debt of the State, which in the course of lime would save millions in the shape of interest. Ttiajf what an impetus would be given to farming could the formers obtain guano at >17 per ton, and a pure and un? adulterated article at that. It could be, and would be, applied to all the crops instead of to cotton alone, as now prac? ticed. Thus all the raised productions of the Slate would be largely increased, and now life, thrift and energy would be I infused into every kind of busiuess. Fanning would become profitable, and I Lhc profits derived therefrom would c? iible the farmers, to improve their lands and establish their operations upon a more permanent basis. Besides, every dollar expended in the digging and man? ufacture, together with all the profits ac? cruing, would he expended among our own people and kept at home. Then there would be another benefit directly felt. The depleting our wealth as fast as ships can carry it away, a system ruinous in itself, would not only be stopped, but by prohibiting exportation we would also put a stop to the furnishing of a fer? tilizer to our neighbors and ethers, which enables them to increase the very pro? ductions from which our profits must come. The subject is a great one, and I have only attempted to give some of its im? portant features. A great deal more could be said and written, but I hope I have said enough to show to every one how nearly the matter is connected with his individual interest and prosperity. I will say, however, in conclusion that I am not wedded to this or any particu? lar plan if a better one can be devised, but I do wish to see the phosphate mo? nopolists crushed, or have it so arranged that the fanning interest can have some redress against their heartless exactions. R. W. Simpson. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. Gleaning* from our State Kxcluuiges. Sumter True Southron : Mrs. Corrie E., wife of Rev. C. C. Brown, pastor of the Baptist church, died on the 11th instant, after a brief illness.The store of Mr. J. E. Schwerin, at Wedgefield, was de? stroyed by fire, with the entire contents, on tast Saturday morning sometime after midnight. He awoke only in time to get out of the house in his night clothes, and did not save his books or anything else. He estimates the loss at $2,500 or $3,000, and was insured for $1,000. The fire is supposed to have been incendiary. Marion Merchant and Farmer : Six res? idences were burnt in this county during the past week.Mr. A. P. Edwards, near Mullins, had a little child, two years old, burned on last Friday so badly that it died in a few hours.D. C. Waddell, Esq., cashier of the Bank of Marion, will ? leave for Ashville, N. O, this week, to take charge of a bank at that place. Spartanburg Herald: New dwellings are going up in the suburbs.Nothing except one bale of cotton was sold by the Sherin" on last saleday. Can any County beat this?.Nine gentlemen bought the Cleveland lots on the square, and its a company propose building nine stores on them. Spartanburg Spartan : A negro child was burned to death lest week at GafT neys. There was no criminal careless? ness.A few stray shot struck Mr. Alfred Moore, son of Dr. A. L. Moore, of Williford's, while out hunting last week. Very slight injury.Jim Stevens, a re? spectable colored man, was badly cut at a party last week at Reidville. Sunday he was thought to be in a dying condi , tiou. Two of the persons cutting him are uow in jail. Kingstree Star : Mr. J. B. Moore bos on exhibition at his shop in this town several specimens of welded copper, in the shape of forks, rods, plates and i rings, which shows that he has unmista? kably discovered the art of welding cop? per as certainly and effectually as iron. .Mr. J. M. Staggers has resigned the office of Intendant on account of his private business.Williamsburg coun? ty is without an Episcopal Church or congregation throughout its whole ex? panse. And there are not more than eight members of that church in the county. Religion, however, is by no means lacking, nor are churches want? ing. Abbeville Medium : Hubbard, the great detective fraud, has got down to his proper level at last,>and is digging gold in Col. J. R. Cochran's mine in Oconee county.James A. Spencer, a member of the Mackey mob from this county, is said to he driving a dray in Charleston for a living.A serious cut? ting afTray took place at Ninety Six last Saturday between Dr. A. J. Watts, of Laurens county, and Mr. Thomas C. Pucket, in which tho latter was serious? ly, perhaps mortally, injured.A bold , and successful raid was made on Mr. Visanski's jewelry shop in Due West last Wednesday night, and valuables taken to the amount of fifty or sixty dol? lars. The burglars effected an entrance through the rear window by the help of an auger and chisel, which were left be? hind, and may lead to the apprehension of the guilty partv.A negro, two or three years ola, fell into Mr. J. D. Pace's well, near Hodge's lost week, and was almost miraculously delivered from a waterv death by its mother. The well was forty feet deep, and the child fell to the bottom. The mother was. some fifty yards distant from tho well at the time of the accident, but lushed to the rescue and climbed down into the well, holding to the wall rock and the piping of the pump. The child wa:i found clinging to the pump, up to its mouth in water, and beyond ibe jmwpr. oS speech. The wo? man placed it in a bucket,' which had been lowerod to hor in the well, and with this load on her head safely climbed back to the surface again. But few such in? stances as this of miraculous escapes and motherly devotion ever occur, and as such it is worth recording. Port Royal Advocate : Mr. J. II. Mil? ton, the masler car-builder cf the Port Royal and Augusta Railway shops, has been presented by his fellow-workmen with a handsome testimonial in the shape of a double case gold watch. The freednicn arc said to be playing sad havoc v/ifli the wooded lands belonging to the government school faims and other reservations on the adjaceut islands. They cut and transport the wood to Beau? fort and to the phosphate works for sale. ......The aea island cotton crop inade in the vicinity of Beaufort has been a very large one, It is a pity that nearly all the seed Is shipped to foreign countries. The mills this year are doing a paying business, buying the crops in the seed at 4j cents. The seed is worth about $20 per ton.The orange trees on the is? lands and even in the city have not been injured by thp |a?.^ cold" spell, as they would doubtless have beun it ?ieet had accompanied it. Newberry Herald: The total amount of tax delinquencies on property the past year was only $1,813.00. The number of polls stressed in the county is 3,941. Of this number 1,020 paid promptly. About $500 have been collected on executions. .The meeting of the Newberry Con? ference, South Carolina Synod, has been postponed to Friday before the fifth Sun? day in March! The meeting will be held at Grace Church, Prosperity.,...'.Messrs. W. L. Gray and John W. Fowler, of Laurens, carried up a load of convicts from the Penitentiary to Laurens county Suturdav. They had sixty-seven on board; il|ly-aix men and eleven women. They got then) to ditch and work lands on Warrior and Diirbib ' crcek3; The cf.iitnint- with the State is for one year, tha State dottiing (be convicts, and the hirers feeding and paying ..... * a head per month for them. The con? victs were all colored, were well clad and in fine spirits. Pickcns Sentinel: Mr. Samuel Suther? land, nil old and respectable citizen of Pumpkintown township, died at his resi? dence recently.The dwelling house of Dr. S. W. Clayton and nearly the entire contents were consumed by fire bust week. The lire, if>js supposed, originated from a stove.The residence of Judge Field was entered!in the night, some time , since, and robbed of *1,200 or $1,250, funds held by him as Probate Judge ??: this county. Since the robbery, he Ii;:.? turned over the office to Iiis successor, Judge Durant, and we arc informed by that gentleman that Judge Field has made good to him every cent with which he stood charged on the cash book. Aiken O ri --Journal: Senator A. P. Butler was in town on Tuesday last, lie has been moving with vigor in the fish commission, lie says that Aiken county will in probability be more benefited by this cultivation than any other county in the State. Abbeville Press and Panner: Mi. J. M. Malhews' gin shop and mills at Ninety Six, were burned on Sunday night, sup? posed to be the work of an incendiary. The Presbyterian Church and Captain Rogers' dwelling narrowly escaped des? truction. No insurance. Loss estimated at $1,000.It is said there is a combi? nation between the colored men of this county and Edgefield to demand for their services on the farm one hundred and ten dollars a year, or in case of failure to get that price, tc refuse to work. We can stand it if they can.Some of the stu .tlents of Erskine College built a fire in diuphemian Hall Tuesday night of last week, and left in rather a careless man? ner. About 7.30 o'clock the flames were observed by some one passing. The alarm was given, the doors burst open ar.d the fire extinguished. Fifteen min? utes more, and the hall would have been a smouldering ruin. About $100 will repair the damage.The municipal elections at Cokesbury and Hodges pass ed olT quietly. In former the dry ticket was elected. At Hodgcjs the wet ticket prevailed. The following is believed to be the result: Cokesbury?\V. H. Gil kerson, Intendant. Wardens?Anton Berg. G. Whit Connor, Henry Owens, Edward Murphy. Hodges?J. M. Miller, intendant. Wardens?L. R. Dantzler, F. S. Anderson, S. Thomas, James Ellis. .The Abbeville Medical Society have appointed the following gentlemen to at? tend the State Medical Association, which convenes in Charleston on the second Wednesday in April next: Delegates? Drs. Wenck, Edwin Parker, J. C. Max? well, A. T. Wideman, E. II. McBride. Alternates?Dr. W. T. Jones, J. A. Rob? inson, J. L. Pressiy, J. D. Neel, J. W. Ligon. Chester Reporter: General R. H. Ander? son arrived in Chester on Thursday, ac? companied by his wife and daughter, and will remain until Friday afternoon. He looks as calm and cool as when he led his division (p the hotly-contested field of Seven Pines.A negro woman, whose name we did not learn, while at work in the field on the plantation of Mr. Adams T. Walker, one day in the early part of last week, was so severely burned from her clothes taking fire that she died next day.On Monday afternoon Wal? ker Meek, a drunken negro, committed a most unprovoked assault upon William Walker, a quiet orderly colored citizen of this town, inflicting a number of serious wounds upon his head and breast, and leaving him in a critical condition. Meek was at once arrrsted and taken to jail. Ninety-Six Guardian: About six weeks ago a stranger made his appearance at Hodges Depot, in this county, represent? ing himself as a sewing machine agent. He gave his name as John Brunsen, said he was from Illinois, and that his father was Sheriff of a county in that State. He also expressed a wish that he did not want his people to know where he was. He fell ill shortly after his arrival with consumption, and died on last Saturday. The Town Council bought him a very nice coffin, and had him decently in? terred. A telegram to Galena, Illinois, failed to elicit any information. Rock Hill Herald: Within the past week not less than forty to fifty negro men, many of them with families, have embarked at this place for Texas. They have been induced to leave their native homes by agents who have come here from Texas.The municipal election held here on the 13th instant resulted as follows: Intendant, J. R. London ; War? dens. W. L. Roach, J. V. McFadden, W. G. Reid and A. D. Holler. The ticket is composed entirely of Democrats. .Within the past month or two we have heard of quite a number of young men coming to this section from North Carolina and Virginia in search of em? ployment o i farms. All those who come at all recommended as to character and habits find no difficulty in getting good homes at living wages. Greenville News: Dr. Hidcn,. who was accidentally shot a few days ago, is steadily improving. We hope to sec him out again in a few days.Jackson, the notorious scoundrel who was put in jail for a job of thievery a month ago, broke jail and is loose again to do his deviltry. He is about six feet six inches high, slim as a bean polfc, and has a hang-dog appearance. He pretends to be a gold digger, but his forte is digging into other people's pockets. He is a most accomplished thief and scoundrel. HAMFrON IX CHARLESTON. Tho Governor Gives the Metropolis a Fleas ant Surprise and Accepts the Invitation of the W. L. I. to Visit the City on the 22d of February; From the Charleston News and Courier. Columbia, S. O, January 13. Governor Hampton was strong enough to-day to allow him to take another air? ing in his chair which, on this occasion, was wheeled out into the yard of Ids res? idence,' where ho remained for some time. It will be a very pleasant surprise to the people of Charleston to know that the Governor will very probably do them the honor to make his first appearance in public, since his accident, in that city on the 22d of February, in order to partici? pate in the celebration of Washington's Birthday, The invitation was tendored him by the Washington Light Infantry, and, as I am informed, has been accen? ted by the Governor conditional only upon the state of his health at the ap? pointed time. If he continues to im? prove at the present rale he will un? doubtedly be ablo to acknowledge the W. L. I.'s invitation in person, and thereby add a new and abiding interest to the day they celebrate. Klliny SMITH PAY" A visit to hamp? ton", Columbia, January 17.?Governor Hampton has so far improved that bis son, Major Hampton, who has been in constant attendance at his bedside, re? turned yesterday to Mississippi. The Governor was able to-day, for the first time, to move about his room with? out assistance, andj with the aid of his crutohes alono, reauhed his buggy, stand? ing at some littlo distance from the door. He drove about six miles into the coun? try, making two calls on his route, and returned home refreshed and in no wise fatigued by his ride. He hopes to be able to visit Columbia during next week, and will very probably be quite strong enough to do so. He also speaks quite confidently of his intended visit to Charleston on the 22d, and even contem? plates a trip to Florida in the interim. Col. Palmer lias tendered a special car for his use on the road, and it is proposed that he shall spend a few days on the St. John's River, aud return by way of Charleston. i Governor Hampton was visited at in. residence tq-day 'uy hjs ojd, aomnanjQr) in-arnis, Gen. 1^'irby Smith, the Bluchcr of Bul| Run. Governor Ifampton and lien.- SaiUm ff?rs hotj'l severely wounded about the same time at uianaast? * both were conveyed to the same house to receive medical attention. The surgeons first approached Gen. Hampton for the ( purpose of dressing his wound, but , though himself suffering great pain, he j waived them aside, and, with character' isfic generosity and thoiightfulness, di? rected to care first for his brother officer, who, he said, most needed their atten? tion. The order was obeyed, and Gen. Hampton waited patiently and uncora- . plainingly until his friend had been first FIGHTING FOR THE INTEREST. Tlu> N?xt Move or the HhIiIcm of Valid State I fond*. From the Charleston Newt and Ojwirr. COLUMBIA. Sunday Night, Jan. 19. It is expected that to-morrow an ap? plication will be made to the Supreme Court for a mandamus directed to the Siate treasurer requiring him to pay the January coupons of the bonds in Sched? ule >r> of the Bond Commission and of the deficiency bonds which matured on the 1st of January, in the manner ami out of the funds provided in the appro? priation act of December, 1878. This application will be made because of the restraining order issued by the United States Court in Charleston upon the ap? plication of certain bondholders, and which enjoins the State treasurer from the payment of these coupons in the manner indicated by the Legislature. The application will be made in behalf of certain parties who arc holders of cou? pons in Schedule 5 of the Bond Commis? sion, and also holders of deficiency bonds. It will be made upon the ground that no present right is vested in the holders of the bonds in Schedule G to have applied to those bonds the direction given for? mally to the State treasurer aa to the ap? plication of certain funds which are iu his hands to those bonds in case they be? came established as valid obligations of the State, but that the action of the State in that matter to the State treasurer was simply directory, and continued subject to such other disposition of the bonds in his hands as the General Assembly might think proper, particularly when, in this direction in t\m Act of 78 to him, there was contained also the pledge of the State that whenever these bonds in Schedule G were declared to be valid and binding obligations of the State, provis? ions should be made for the payment thereof. The treasurer, it is supposed, will simply set forth the restraining order granted by the United States Court, and prssent that to the Supreme Court, as the sole and only ground upon which he has declined to comply with the directions of the Legislature. It is pi.-nable that, upon his return being made, the parties who are applyitig to the Supreme Court for mandamus di? rected to him, will reply, showing the insufficiency of that return. Judge Ma? grath represents the parties who arc ps titioning the f''nreme Court for this or? der on the Stat. treasurer, and the attor? ney-general, who is expected from Wash ton to night, will probably appear for the treasurer. It is thought not unlikely that other parties will intervene and to be heard. C. McK. Results of Investigation.?From the report -f a special Senate committee, of which Mr. Meetze was chairman, ap? pointed at the last session of the Legis? lature to ascertain what funds and prop? erty had been received by the Joint In? vestigating Committee on Public Frauds, we make the following synopsis: W. B. Nash turned over to that committee $2,009 little bonanza warrants, and a re? ceipt for $1,559.74, signed C. J. Iredell, for big bonanzas. The bonanzas for which the receipt was given have been funded in deficiency bonds, and are in the hands of private parties, and the committee recommend that the Attorney General institute proceedings to recover them. Hon. John R. Cochran has in his pos? session the following; State property, re? ceived from persons who have made compromise with the State, and as the functions of the committee have ceased, and he is now but a private citizen, the committee recommend that this property be turned over to the Comptroller Gen? eral: Little bonanzas, $2,000, W. B. Noah ; big bonanzas. $540, Gaillard and IL; little bonanzas,$27,000,A.O.Jones; little bonanzas, $22,837.34, Woodruff; Comptroller's warrant, $4,774.09 and $132,359.20, Woodruff. In addition to the above, there was turned over to the State real estate from Woodruff, $G,000, and- printing press, $800; real estate from A. O. Jones, $14, 000. The real estate of W. B. Naih, $3,000, has never beeu turned over to the Suite according to the agreement. The committee recommend that the Comptroller General be instructed, to? gether with the Attorney General, to take steps to recover all property to which the State is entitled. The recoin.i mer.dation? of the report were adopted, after striking out "Comptroller General" and inserting "Secretary of State" in? stead.? Columbia Register.. Notice. A LL persons are hereby notified not in XX. employ or harbor ray son, Charlie Wcrdluw, who ii under fifteen years of agc^ and has left me without cause or my con? sent. He is about four feet, six inches high, and stout. Persons disregarding this notice will be proceeded against at law. ADAM WARDLAW. Jan 23, 1870_23_*1 Notice to Fiduciaries. ALL Administrators, Executors, and other Fiduciaries who by law are re? quired to make their Returns to the Jud^e of Probate, are hereby notified to do so du? ring the month of January, or the penalties of the law will be enforced. W. W. HUMPHREYS, J udgc of Probate. Jan 23, ISTfl_2S_2_ Dissolution. THE partnership heretofore existing un? der the firm name of Barr <fc Fant is this day dissolved by mutual consent. The books of account, notes, ?.tc, due the firm will be found in the hands of Mr. W. F. Barr, at the store occupied by the firm, and all persons arc notified to call promptly and settle their indebtedness. Tl(q business will be continued by Messrs. Barr <t Co. Thankr ing the public for a liberal patronage, wo respectfully solicit its continuance to the new firm. W. F. BARR, J. REESE FANT. Jan. 20,1870. CO PA Ii TNERSHIP NO TICE. THE undersigned have this day formed a copartnership lor the conduct of a Gene? ral Merchandise Business ut Anderson C. 11., under the linn name of BARIi & CO. They are successors to the late i'tnu ol bun, & Fant, and will occupy the" store-room formerly occupied by {hem.' We respect^ fully solicit a continuance of the' patronage heretofore accorded the old linn, as well as a trial from the trading public generally.' " W. F. BARR, J. FEASTER BROWNE. W. 1?. BROWN. Jan 2p, 1S73 2$ * b NOTICE FINAL SETTLEMENT The undersigned, Admiui'sfra frators of February, 1879, for a final settlement of said Estate, ami a discharge from said ad? ministration. J. M. ACKER, ISAAC 0. Ji^RPER, Administrators. jait, -??\i87fj_ . a?a Ladies' Fiae Shoes! "V\rhl beg to call particular attention to T T our stock of ladies' SHOES and JAU'EKS, manufactured torus by T. Miles Si .Sims ami Dulsheiner Bros., Philadelphia. L'lea.e look at our Stock before buying. A. B. TOWERS L CO. Get 10 13 A Hats and Caps!! LARGE and tine assortment of HATS and CAPS, for sale low by A. B. TOWERS & CO.