The Anderson intelligencer. (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, January 10, 1884, Image 2
E. B. MURKAY, Editor.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1*84.
TBRMH t
0?E TEAR.S31.50.
81X MONTHS. 7flc'
Two Hollars If not paid In advance.
THE SAVANNAH VALLEY KAILKOAD.
Despite tlio bard year the prospect for
tte completion of the important short
railroads leading from Greenwood io
Laurens, Greenville and Spartanburg
during tho present year is very assuring.
Indeed, those roads arc almost, if not
certainly, an assured fact, and with their
completion the cities of Greenville,
Spartanhurg and Laurens will have tho
advantages of competition between two
leading railroad combinations-the Clydo
syndicate and the Georgia Central.
Every business man knows the advanta
ges this competition will give to these
places. Thc Savannah Valley Road is
in a condition which requires only a
little public spirit to complete it also,
and it is for the people of Anderson and
portions of Abbeville to determine
whether they will secure the advantages
Of this road by giving a small additional
pittance to ensure ito early completion.
The City of Andersen is ready and anx
ious to do her full p.'.rt to aid this enter
prise, and we have no doubt the peoplo
along tho line, when tho matter is pre
sented to them, will likewise be willing
to do their part also. Tho road, when
built, will reduce freights all along the
line. It will promote the hilliness intc-r
esla of our city, and also the people
along tho route Depots will bo made
aod towns spring up at not less than six
or Beven points. The value of lands
will be enhanced, and tho conveniences
of lifo will be carried near to miles of
country ?/hich now labors under the dis
advantages of distant markets and bad
roads. Tho Legislature bas authorized
the City of Anderson and all of tho
Townships interested to Make additional
subscriptions by taxation, upon tho vote
of a majority of the qualified voler? in
any City or Township, provided a ma
jority of the owners of real estate in
such City or Town-hip first petition for
tho election. Tho wholo responsibility,
therefore, rests with tho owners of real
estate, and wo hope the Directors of the
Savannah Valley will proceed as soon aa
possible to submit tbe question to the
people interested, and obtain the requi
sito petitions. Wo have already put a
great deal of money into tho enterprise
und should not now allow it to fail for
the lack of tho small additional mun
necessary to complete the line. If pos
sible, this road should be built in time
to movo the next cotton crop. It will
be worth to our section every year as
much money as it will cost us to com
plete it.
THE GREENVILLE NE Vf 8 AGAIN.
Tho Greenville News devotes a column
and a half of its space to replying to our
article last week, and in attempting to
placo its malicious personal attack upon
tho Editor of this paper upon high
grounds of public duty. It cannot suc
ceed in satisfying an intelligent and fair
public that it is either fair or sincere in
its abuse of us while it studiously avoids
assailing others similarly situated who
live nearer to its doors. Wo do not try
to shield ourselves hy tho fact that others
aro similarly situated to us. We rely
upon thc common aenao reasons for the
chango to vindicate us, and therefore we
do not bring the names of thoso who,
liko us, voted for tho new railroad law
this year and fur the old last year. We
merely mentioned the fact to ahow the
personal malico of tho News. It is true
that tho News Bupportod us for Speaker,
but it ia also true that it has been steadi
ly assailing ua nineo we declined to take
ita advice about the directorship. The
New? aspires to be a little king in the
up-country, and we committed the un
pardonable sin of failinsr to ohAv onA of !
ita royal edicts. From that timaVorward
it has-in seaton and out of season
abused us for accepting a position wbich
?wo 'GresQfilie gentlemen occupy, and
which King News has been gracious
enough to permit without placing them
under bb powerful displeasure. We did
not charge the News with being controlled
by the Commission's printing. We
merely stated the fact that it had made
$660.00 out of the Commission's printing
last year, as showing that the News had
a pecuniary interest io the concern while
we had noue. As a matter of fact, the
Commission advertised ita changes, and
would probably have continued to do so.
The now law takes away their power to
make rates, and of course their right to
publish rates. It Is, a fact, therefore,
that the New? has probably lost some
money by the change in the railroad law.
Now, It ia not strange that royalty
should be displeased with a diminution
of its revenues. We have not sought a
controversy with the New?, but its un
fair, unreasonable and untrue statements
. Nmtusnwjeaaitatea reply. When the
New? says that we declared the action of
laat Winter "a great and disastrous
blunder" in our recent speeches, it states
an untruth. We said distinctly that the
power given to the Oommiwion bad been
need in such manner as to bring disaster
to some of the railroads and injury to
the people,.but that we believed the en
actment of the law last year would result
In much good to the people, for it bad
shown tho railroads that the people of
. tho State bad tho power to control them,
and that th?y would go just so far aa
waa necessary to prevent injustice, the
result: of which w?uld be that the
railroads in future would not tempt the
peoplo to go to such extremes. We have i
never opposed the Commission, but have i
criticised the action of the Commission- i
era for what appeared to us good cause. I
We still are In favor of a supervisory 1
Commission with very large powers, if ^
w? mistake not, the Green vide News was i
on?of. the meit blatant; and incessant !
critics of the Railroad Commission, and 1
- regaled ifs readers from time to time 1
with Ita commenta und?r auch headings J
s* ?Xost; Strayed or Stol?n ? and point- |
?tl its.comments with remarks similar to ?
. "Infestation wanto i aa to the wherca- ?
boote ot? tbe . South; CbtoUoa . Ballnwd %
Cm?te?w;: Wn?ti last heard from, it r
ttaseomowoero io the 'nelghWrhoo?'iftf $
Atlanta." After the Commission gavo
the Netcs ita advertising, this self-same
Greenville New$ became ita warm friend
and supporter. Now, we think it time
for its editor to abut np and let people
alone who are actuated by as good mo
tives as he, and who, to pin lt mildly, are
not in as suspicious a position as he oc
cupies. The News turned from censure
to praise very suddenly, indeed. It bas
repeatedly censured the Commission be
fore it got tho advertising ; will it please
show us auy article of censure since?
We do not care to follow this theme fur
ther, and therefore close our article with
a paraphrase of the latter part of tbe
article from the New?' reply te us: But
when tho fact is remembered thstlho Newt
favored the railroad bili iast Winter and
then for months criticised tho Commis
sion until it was given tho advertising of
the Commission, whereupon it changed its
course and supported the Commission
with as much force as it bad criticised it
before: When these circumstances aro
considered, they force the couclusion
that tho Neil's' action requires some
further explanation than a general alle
gation of imbecility before the Commis
sioners advertised in the AVtM, or imbe
cility after the Commissioners advertised
in the Netct. Until some satisfactory ex
cuso is found for this course, it ia to be
oxpected that the New? "?Ul seek to di
vert retention from ita own gymnastics
by attacking other people, but personal
abuse of others will not induce the peo
pie to forget or justify the remarkable
course of the News.
*"
TA BI FF PROBABILITIES.
Very great anxiety is felt throughout
tho country to ascertain the purposes of
tho gentlemen who compose tho new
llouso Committee on Ways and Means,
as they will practically determino what
tariff legislation is to bo had, If any,
during the coming session of Congress.
It seems tc bo pretty woli conceded that
a majority of tbs members of that Com
mittee favor nom? inmediato action for
the reduction of tariff revonues. They
will, however, meet witb no little difficul
ty when they begin their work, for their
views as to tho different industries will
bo very divergent. For instance, it ia
reported that eeoing tho havoc tho Ohio
wool-growers played with tho Republican
party in that State for taking the tariff
off of unmanufactured wool, the Demo
crats will seek to placate them by restor
ing tho tariff at once. It in also serious
ly stated that there is a strong probabili
ty that tho tariff on sugar will be remov
ed or very largely reducod. It will,
therefore, be soen that there is danger of
the party running into sectional and
class legislation on the matter of tariff
reform. To further reduco tho tar
iff on sugar, without greatly re
ducing it on ali otbor protected
industries would be little less than an
outrage upon the agricultural interests of
the country, and would mast probably
make Louisiana a Republican State,
besides producing 'serious troubles in
several other States.
It will not bo ponaible, in our opinion,
to make any material tariff changes
without doing injustice to some interests,
until the party is ready te formulate its
position in lui1, upon the important issue
of the tariff. There ia but ono of two
plans that striko us as entirely fair and
equitable. The first and simplest mode
of collecting revenue ia to ascertain the
actual financial necessities of the govern
ment, and then levy a uniform per cent,
on ali import** aufficient to meet Inoso
necessities and no more. This is a tariff
for revenue only, making the matter cf
protection an incident, and not the pur
pose of the duty levied. In this levy
tho necessaries of life should as far as
practicable bo admitted free of duty, to
tho end that labor might bs burdened aa
lightly aa the needs of the government
will permit. It is true that this policy
would afford undue protection to some
articles, and inadequate protection to
others, bot protection not being the pur
pose of a revenue tariff, this would not
enter into the consideration of the anea
Ucc, theoretics*!/ speasing. Ii might,
however, as a practical question render
the uniform rate of tariff impracticable,
for revenue being the object whenever
tho uniform rate goes so high aa to stop
importation by permitting American in
dustries to entirely undersell any class of
imports, the revenue from 'such imports
would be entirely stopped ; and on the
other band, when the uniform rate ron*
den tho duty on a certain class of arti
cles so low that the manufacture of auch
articles entirely stops at home, ouch ar
ticles would yield a higher revenus if
the rate of duty wore raised to the high
est point which would ternit such foreign
products to this country at a rate which
would undersell the home article.
Whenever the duty is made high enough
to enable the home producer to compete
with the foreign supply, the tariff be
comes in its nature protective. We be
lieve that all tari Ga levied by this govern
ment have been either directly for the
purpo?? of protecting home industries, or
such protection has been kept steadily
in view as an incident of such levy.
Then the only other equitable form of
?ariff la its effects upon American indus
tries, would be a tariff adjusted so as to
taiae the necessary expenses of the gov
ernment, and laid qpon all imports other
than tho exempted necessaries of life in
such manner as to permit the American
manufacturers to make a Uniform small
profit in compatiUoa with imported goods.
This, while in one sense it might be
terned a tariff for revenue, would in re
ality become protective, for protection
would be the basis of the levy, end not
merely sn incident to iL
The tariff la the most complex question
of the day, and any policy that may be
adopted will be severely crititaeed. It
.oems to us, therefore, that the safest
course for the party now ls to content
Itself with the investiga tiona necessary
lo enable it to act with a thorough
knowledge upon this matter. Any re
fisi?n that can bo m ado BOW will bo of
ffl^i&B taoerfect, and ?Ul doubt
'OH injure instead of advancing party
iaat tho Democratic aarjorlty lo the
Etoo* will Botbe^re^Ititttla Its action,
^SS?tel^g?^^Mt IVOba.
M??|l!WWi? Wl?tan as tho
wtpw removal of Ute duty on ?gara
fhilo ino tn'rlff remains aa at present ar*
Wg?3. rt woQ?d bo both', unjust and
mpoliti?. On th? other hand, wo think'
s moderato duty should ho imposed til""1
wool, for as loog as manufactured wool- '
eos are protected the Dieu who hate their -.
money in flocks should also bo protected, j
Whenever the tariff is touched, it should ?
be with thc firm purpose of doing abso
lute justice to all American intoreids to
be sffecled by '.he tariff. Until the party
is prepared in kuowlodgo of the wants of
tbo country, and a firm purpose lo do
equal justice to all, no important chan
ges can be rafely made.
THE ?TANDI?UI i'ONiillKMMIONAI. COM?
MITTJCK.1.
Speaker Carlisle announced the
Standing Committees of the Hou-u of
Representatives on Christmas eve. Tho
principal chairmanships wore awarded as
follows :
Elections-Mr. Turner, of Georgia.
Ways and Means--Mr. Morrison, of
Illinois :
Appropriations -Mr. Randall, ofl'ewi
sylvania.
Judiciary-Mr. Tucker, of Virginia.
Hivers and Harbors Mr. Willis, of
Kentucky.
Agriculture-Mr. Hatch, of Missouri.
Eoroign Affairs- Mr. Curtin, of Penn
sylvania.
Naval Affairs--Mr. Cox, of Nevr
York.
Tho Representatives from South ('uro
lina have been assigned aa follows:
Mr. Dibble is on the Committees on
Public Buildings and Grounds, ?ml
Amcricau Ship building and Ship-own
?"g.
Mr. TiUman is on the Committees on
Claims and Pensions.
Mr. Aiken is Chairman of ibo Com
mittee on Education and a member of
the Committee on Agriculture.
Mr. Evins is Chairman of the Com
mittee on Territories and n member of
tho Committee or? Alcoholic Liquor
Traffic.
Mr. Homphili i: on the Committee on
Revision of Laws.
Mr. Dargan ison the Committee on
Patenta.
Mr. Mackey is on thc Committees on
Manufactures and Lahor.
While there is of course some personal
disappointment about the make-up of
the Committces, th? general sentiment is
that Mr. Carlislo has formed the com
mittees impartially, and with u view to
efficient action upon the various subjects
committed to their charge.
Director Mnrrny.
We are really pleased to seo so much
good evidence that Director Murray, of
the Columbia and Greenville Railroad is
not a depraved or hardened man, and io
tains tho sensitiveness regarding tiis per
sonal and official character which char
acterizes every gentleman. The evidenco
ia furnished by thc devotion of all tho
editorial space of the last issue of the
Anderson IltTSLLIOENCEK to tho defence
of Director Murray, th? Jitor of that
excellent newspaper, ngaiust the several
public criticisms of his action tin t havo
appeared. The defences ore also conclu
sive evidenco of tho ability of tho wi Uer,
for every impartial reader of them will
coincide in thc verdict ?hat they mike
the best possible showing for a very bad
case.
As regards tho Naen, Director Murray j
IB decidedly in error. It is always the !
natural inclination of a public man
whose action is attacked to attribute tho
attack to Borne unworthy motive and per
suado himself that it is not caused by his
fault but by the malice or avarice of thu
person making it. Director Murray has
obeyed thia impulse of human nature,
and is probably sincere iu his belief that
he has acted the part of un upright and
W?BO atateaman and that the ndverso crit
icisms are the results of envy, hatred,
malice and all uncharitableness.
Tho ttuth is the ?V?IM has only good
will for Mr. E. II. Murray. Not very
long ago this newspaper led au energetic
and vigorous effort to make him Speaker
of the House of Representatives. Bu?;
we have a very ds-ciuco. dislike to the
proceedings of Editor Murray of tho IN
TELLIGENCER and Representative Murray
of the County of Anderson, and lo the
identity of Director Murray, of the
Greenville and Columbia Railroad, with
those two cfiicinls. In seeking a cause
for the malice ascribed to us aud for our
editorial courso Editor Murray reaches a
conclusion which is very ridiculous. We
are described as bating bim because he
declined to accept our advice, and as
desiring to maintain the power ot the
Commission because of the advertising it
1 would do. The only way to rebut the
first charge is to introduce evidence that
I the editor of thia newspaper ia atill al
j ?owed to go at Urge and to vote, having
; u?t y?i reauueu a ?t&gs GI ?UICCJ uSm??u
I in* official notice and aubjecting him to
challenge at the polls. The second
charge ia eliminated from the discussion
by the fact that if there ia any more ad
vertising to be done we do not know it,
and that if the new railroad law affects
the advertising matter one way or the
other we are profoundly ignorant of it.
All of thia ia aside from the real point
of the controveray, however. Mr. Mur
ray may squirm and thro?/ mud aa much
aa ho likes, and may prove any amount
of corruption and malice againat the
News ana everybody else who criticizes
him. He is in the dock and his incoher
ent and foolish denunciations of the pros
ecutors have no sting or fore? and will
not affect the verdict. Neither will hia
declarations that others are as guilty aa
he or that he has done a wrong and fool
ish thing by the advice of the buainess
men of Anderson relieve him. As an
editor and a representative of the people
he is supposed to have a certain amount
of brains and independence. He ia not
supposed to be the exclusive property
and special puppet of tho morcnants of
Anderson or anybody else.
If Editor Murray and Representative
Murray had within a year reversed his
position on a very important public
auestlon to which he had presumably
evoted much thought, we would have
been justified in charging that bis mind
is weak: and vacillating and that ho had
aided ic committing v/hat he now regards
as a crime against property and an
egregious folly, oecause he knew no bet
ter. If the creation of the Railroad
Commission and the bestowal of arbitra
ry powers on it was as great and disas
trous a blunder as Mr. Murray declares
it in his recent speeches to have been,
no man who voted for it is worthy of
pabilo confidence; if the railroads aro
as dangerous and tyrannical and the
Commission ia rs much needed aa was
declared in Mr. Murray's several speech
es in December 1882, no man who voted
to interfere with the Commission or
against the old railroad law ii worthy of
public confidence. Mr. Murray can
accept the hom of the dilemma that he
prefers. Either way he is convicted of
folly by his own evidence-evidence de
I livered with the solemnity and publicity
that make its strength equal to that of
an oath.
But when the fact is remembered tbst
Mr. Murray favored tho Railroad Com*
m lesion And supported it for months,
that ho was elected a director of the
Columbia and Greenville railroad with
no visible or known fuuetions or duties,
and that tl roafter he began to oppose
the Railroad Commission with as much
force as he bad supported it ; when these
drcunvOanoes are considered they force
tho conclnalon that Mr. Murray's action
requires somo further explanation than a
general allegation of imoecility io 1832
oe imbecility in 1888. Until tome satis
factory explanation ia made Mr. Mur
ray must expect unfavorable criticism,
and abuse of his critics will not justify
hita.-Greenville New*.
THE RAILBOAB QUESTION.
A Sj iioj.il? or ide Remarks or Mr. K. Ii.
Murr?y In the IIouio of Itrprusentatlves
ia favor <>f .Moil If vi io; tho I'nv. cm of tho
ii: lin1 '.M Commission.
In 1810 ono of the mont noted debate?
In thc history of our country occurred itt
Congres*, over the establishment of the
American system, or what is more fuinil
i iarly termed the system of protection to
I American industries-io other words,the
j protective laritf. In this debate Mr.
i (?albot?n advocated the tariff, while the
: great Webster opposed it. When tho
j question again was agitated in lSli*, Mr.
Calhoun favored the abolition of the
protective tariff mid .Mr. Webster favor
ed its continuance. Thus each of these
great men had changed his position on
this most vital of all thc questions of'lia?
tional policy, lu consequence of this
change of opinion, Mr. Calhoun '.vas
twitted with the taunt of inconsistency
hy those who dui not agree with him, and
Im answers, embodying one of tho
grandest sentiments of human nature,
has become historic. ile said: "I
would rather he right than to be consis
tent." And yet, Mr. Speaker, we lind
men hero to-day -members of this HoudO
-on thia very hill thal we are now con
sidering launting men with the charge
of inconsistency for having changed their
opinions in u measure upon the nuestion
of what powers should he grunted to the
Railroad Commissioners in South Caroli
na. They eeok to dwarf this important
question into a personal issue. We uro
not here, sir, to try tho question of the
consistency of any member of this House,
hut, in the idea of Mr. Calhoun, we are
here to seek tho right, and act upon such
information as we can comma:..l to guido
us in reaching a conclusion. It is, Mr.
Speaker, a question of too much ir por
lance to the people of South Carol, ia to
be narrowed into the compass of a person
al debate. Despite this fact, if one
had listened to tho tirades which emana
ted from some of the members of this
I louse on yesterday, they would havo
imagined that tho gentleman from An
derson was on trial here instead of the
railroad law of the State. I cannot con
descend lo notice the baseless insinua
tions of the gentleman from Charleston.
They have my unbounded contempt.
The Speaker, interrupting: "I sup
pose the member from Anderson ?loes
not intend to transgross tho rules of the
House relating lo personalities in
debate?"
Mr. Murray : "No, sir !"
The Speaker : "I suppose the member
does not apply tho term he has used to
the member from Charleston ?"
Mr. Murray: "I mean to say, Mr.
Speaker, that I do not choose to follow
tho gentleman from Charleston upon the
low plane of personal abuso that ho has
seen tit to pitch this discussion upon.
Were I disposed to go into mens'motives
upon this measure, I could show perso
nal reasons why tho member from
Charleston may be opposed to the pass
age of thin bill, but personal vituperation
is not argument, ana feeling that I have
substantial reasons for the ndvocacy of
this bill, I shall not on my part attempt
lo lug any irrelevant subjects into my
remarks. In the beginning of my re
marks I shall make reply to the personal
attack that has been made upon mo in
this debate. And first, Mr. Speaker, my
friend from Marion reads the speech I
made in thia hall lust winter upon tho
railroad bill. In doing so he compli
ments me over much, but he gives uo in
formation to tho members of this body,
who heard that speech for themselves,
arid who know as well as thc goatloman
himself that I now favor faking away
some of the power which we then confer
red upon the Railroad Commissioner?;
and the gentleman from Charleston, aa
though he were unearthing some hidden
attempt at deception, tells the House
that I am a director of tho Columbia &
Greenville Railroad, and have been
! elected since the passage of the existing
Railroad Law, to the enactment of which
I contributed my support last Winter.
The facts stated hy him are true, but
lhere is nothing new to tho public iu
them. My election as a director was
published in the daily papers last Spring,
.end my re election was again published
since this bovly met, und only a few days
since. Therefore, the members of tho
House know that I was a director before
the gentlemen from Charleston told them
of it. As this directorship has been
made the occasion of comment here, I
may be pardoned for saying that there is
nothing connected with it, in any par
ticular, that I would desire to withh}ld
from tho public. The circumstances
under which I accepted the position were
simply these : Somo time last Spring I
received a telegram from Col. J.H. Rion
asking if I would serve as a director of
tho Columbia & Greenville Railroad. I
conferred with some of my friends, who
concurred in the opinion that I must
either accept the position tendered or
cease my criticism of r??ir?H? manage
ment, for the position offered was one ia
which I could inform myself upon
railroad matters, and that it waa my duty
to either so inform myself or cease my
criticism, I telegraphed a reply that I
would accept. Several cf the prominent
business men of Anderson, every one
with whom I have conversed about the
matter, also advised me to serve aa direc
tor upon tho ground that they would like
to have some one interested in the pros
Eerily of our city upon the Board of
Erectors. There was absolutely no
conference or agreement of any kind
whatever as to my acceptance, and I
havo been, and still am, perfectly un
trammelled by thia position. It ia not a
source of prout, and I have noi a dollar's
interest in retaining it. These are the
circumstances under which I am before
you ns a director of Ibo Columbia &
Greenville Railroad. If it be culpable
j to have acted thus, then I am liable tc
I censure for it. Now, Mr. Speaker, it ii
j intimated that I do not represent my
i people, but that I favor the railroads iu
advocating this bill. It is true that I do
not represent my people fully in this
matter, for they favor a total repeal of
I the existing law. These resolutions,
I which I will read, express the sentiment?
of the business center of the County I rep
resent :
ANDERSON, 8. C., Dec. 6,1083.
Messrs. E. li. Murray, and gentlemen,
Repr?sentative? from Anderson County,
S. C. :
At a meeting of the Board of Trade
of Anderson, which met this p. m.. at 4
o'clock, the following preamble and res
olutions were unanimously adopted :
WHEREAS, the rates and regulations
established by the Railroad Commission
for the State have resulted in inconven
ience and injury to our city and commu
nity at large ; therefore, be it
Resolved^ That it is the sense of the
Board of Trade of Anderson, S. C., thal
tho said Railroad Commission should be
abolished, and that our Senator and Rep
r?sentatives be requested to advocate and
urgo the abolition of aaid Commission ;
and failing in this, then that they advo
cate a repeal of BO much of the Act
creating said Commission as authorize:
them to regulato freight and passongci
rates.
Resolved further, That the Act of the
Legislature requiring cotton tobe shipped
by weight should be so amended as tc
allow the same to be shipped by tho bale
Resolved further, That copies of these
resolutions be forwarded to our Senator
and Representatives in Columbia, S. O,
A. B. TOWERS, Pres. B. Trade.
J. G. CUNNINGHAM, Seo. pro tem.
I cannot go as far as th ?se r?solu tic ni
ask me to go, for I believe that' it ia the
duty of the State to supervise railroad
corporations, and the Commission, witta
proper powers, can be of areal benefit to
the people. Neither do I, in any way.
represent tho railroads. They would
prefer to have tho law repealed also. I
stand here to advocate what my judgment
tells me is right and best for the interest
of South Carolino. Hut, Mr. Speaker,
the gentleman from Cbarleatou tells you
that I have, ac editor of the INTELLIGEN
CER, criticised the Columbia & Greenville
Railroad for running a freight and pas
senger combination train last Winter,
and for Btopping passengers some hun
dred yards from tue depot at Andenion
while freights were being shifted. It is
true and I contiuued thc criticism until
the imposition was removed, and wheu
the relief came to our people it was by
the act of the railroad, and not from any
assistance from the Commission. I not
only criticised these things but others al
so, arni will continue to criticise wherever
I think proper; but the fact that I con
demn any action which I think wrong
' doe* not render me incapablo of doing
'justice in other respects. Next, it is I
stated that I have changed my position
since last Winter. It is true". Then I
Htatwd, in advocacy of thc existing law,
that if upou trial wc found it working
badly, I would favor ita amendment. I
stated then, and members on this floor
will bear me out, that the present law was
experimental, that something ought to bo
done, and that its passage at that tinto
was the best thing that could bc doue. I
did not like the law, and when tho
amendment to permit grouping townn
along any line of railroad was lost, I
came very near opposing tho bill, as my
colleagues and others will remember.
Hut for thc fact that it was tho best
that could be done, and that it was to
take that or adopt somo schemo hastily
gotten up, it is not probable I would
have voled for tho bill as it stood last
Winter. There were reasons then which
contributed to tho passage of that law
that did not have the significance attrib
uted to them. Vor instance, Richmond
& Danville stock was up to 250, and wo
thought, of course, tbat tbat road was
making immense dividends. The fact baa
since transpired that this waa a fictitious
value run up iu Wall Street. Tho spec
ulation has ended in disaster tr. t ie men
who went into it, and that str/cV. is now
3noted as only worth sixty cezita on tho
ollar, showing that the dividends are
really nothing "ike so great as we suppos
ed last year. We also knew that several
important railroads were hoing built in
Georgia, which hasasimilarCommission,
and thought therefore that the law of
that State did net deter capita), and that
it would not do so here. We now havo
(lie iuformatiou that tho building of
these road? in Georgia hail been contrac
ted for before the law was passed, and
that now no new railroads are being
built.
The first reason for tho passage of this
bill lies in the fact that the existing law
deters capital from coming to South Car
olina for investment in railroads. The
proof of this is the fact that the comple
tion of tho Spartanburg & Aaheville
Railroad bas been indefinitely postponed,
and that tho only work being dono in the
State is that iu which the local subscrip
tions are being used to grade nome short
lines. The officers of these lines tell us
that they cannot sell their bonds, because
capital is unwilling to invest in property
which the owncs cannot control, but
which is to bc r.. .naged by three Railroad
Commissioners. Ex Gov. Hagood, the
president of the Carolina, Cumberland
Gap & Chicago Railroad came before the
Railroad Committee and told tia that bia
financial agent in Europe has written to
him that capita?;sts ibero are unwilling
to put their money in South Carolina
Railroad bonds, because of tho power
which the Commissioners have to fix
rates hero. Gov. Hagoodis not interested
in any road in operation. He is soeking
to build a line to complete with existing
roads in a large portion of tho State.
Therefore, his interests are the peoples'
interest. The gentleman from Greenville
who spoke yesterday, (Dr. Mauldin,) who
is president of the Greenville & Laurena
Railroad, told us that while in New York
recently he found it impo ible to place
railroad bonds in this State. He, too, ii
building a competing road, atid his inter
ests are also the peoples' interesta. An
additional proof of the truth of thie
proposition is, that as far back as my
knowledge extends a number ol
railroad charters have been applied
for at every session of the Legisla
ture. At this session only one chartei
bas been asked for, and that chartei
a-ked to bate the contrmplated rosi
exempted from the powers of the Com'
mission. This exemption was stricket
out in the other end of this building, anc
then the charter was withdrawn, so that
I might say, with entire accuracy, that
not a tingle railroad charter baa beer
asked for under the present law. These
facts, Mr. Speaker, I take it, prove con
elusively that the present law ia deterring
capital from coming into this State foi
investment in la'lroada and will therefore
check railroad building, and thereby
keep down competition.
But our opponents ask us to poin
them to any road that has been built tr,
outside capital since the war in Soutt
Carolina. I reply, the Air Line, anc
every road that has been built, so far m
I know. I do not mean to sav that i<<
home capital has been put into thc. <
roads, but I do assort that not one o
those of which I know anything coule
have been built on capital raised enii?s!<
at home. Therefore, if we want nev
railroads we must, io the experience o
the past, look to foreign capital at leas
to help very largely io building them.
The second reason for the raodificatioi
is, that the Commission's exercise of th
power to fix rates bas worked disastrous!,
to some of the important lines of n'A
road in this State. To begin with, tah
tho Columbia Sc Greenville Road rs ai
illustration. During the year endini
September SI, 188a, in which the rail
road rates were in force, this read pai<
out of ita earnings its operating e.rpen
ses and fixed charges, including intoret
on its debt, and spent $46,153.80 in rc
pairs upon ita lines. After paying .hes
necessary expenses the income o? tb
road and all of its branches amounted t
only $804.27. The sum spent io repaii
was not unnecessarily large, for it wil
require .a similar expenditure for th
next ten years to put the line in any thin
Uko thorough order.
Now during the months of Octobe
and November, of 1883, the earnings c
this road were $66,534.34 lesa than fe
the same months in 1882. Of this sui
about 27 per cent, is due to decrease i
business, nut the other 73 per cent, i
due to the Commission's rate* or in othc
words the rosd lost during these month
in round numbers $48,000 by the Cont
mission's rates, so that if it should ear
as much fur the rest of the year as it di
last year, it would still be about $48,00
short of ita necessary expeuses. It wil
of coarse, continue to lose heavily i
tho Commission's rates remain.
The Charlotte Columbia & August
Road lost during tbe samo period $8,728
83. Its rates have not been reduced s
much, because it was already workin
under competitive rates at several point!
and much of its business was throug
business. These facts show that th
Commission has made grave mistake)
There is no donbt that they have acte
in a thoroughly conscientious and hoi
orable manner, but they hate, I suomi
acted without sufficient informatioi
Two of the Commission were before tb
Railroad Committee, and one cf tb et
was examined. He could net tell whi
was the base of tho Commission's rab
and finally admitted that they took th
South Carolina Railroad's rate. He cool
not tell why. Said they did not koo'
what the-loading and unloading of a to
Of freight and hauling ita gi von distan c
would coe?, and that they had not prc
portioned their rates to meet the ex pei
sea of maintaining separate roads.or t
the debts of those roads. . And whe
pressed for the reason for taking the?
rates, said they thought they wera fal
and ?quitable; and, in reply to the quos
lion why they thought eo, said ho sup
posed because they were the cheapei
rates io the State. I pause a moment
ur. Speaker, for correction, if I har
misstated these facts in any particular.
I bear none. Now, sir, is not thia
enough to show that the Commission has
not tho experience or th) information
necessary to enable them to manage thc
fifty million dollars worth of railroad
property in this State? I take it that no
member of this House would like lo have
his property taken out of his hands and
its management given to men who could
not g!ve better reasons for their action
in connection with it.
Thc third reason for the modification
is, that the businesa men of the greater
portion of the Stale ask for it, and rep
resent that the Commission's rales are
injurious to the business of the State.
These petitions come here from every
Court House town along the line of tho
Columbia <k Green ville and the Charlotte,
Columbia & Augusta. I believe, except
the town of Union, and wo havo petitions
from at least three fourths of the other
prominent towns along these lines, and
also from some of the lower towns.
There is not a petition here against tho
change from a single body of business
men, or from any individuals in tho
State, so far as I know. It has been
said that thc railroads got these petitions
up. I do not know how they were rained,
but I do know that the resolutions from
Andoraon were not gotten up by the
railroads, but were sent tome in responso
to an inquiry for my information. Even,
however, if these petitions were gotten
up by tho railroads, they havo been pre
sented by the representatives front their
respective Counties, and it is admitted
that the signatures aro genuine; there
fore it shows that the railroads and the
people are on better terms than the
Commissioners and the people. If HO, I
think tho Legislature should grant lhe>o
Editions, and modify the law as the
usin?es interests of the State desire.
But we are told that tho businet-s inter
ests must be benefited by the kw if the
railroads aro iujured. This by no meant:
follows. TUG rates may bo arranged sc
as te annoy and inconvenience the busi
ness men, sud at the same time to injure
tho railroads. For instance, the freights
ft om Charleston to points along the Ail
Line-like Central, Westminister anc
such points-go by way of Atlantt
cheaper than thc Columbia & Greenville
can carry them under thc Commission'i
schedule. To points towards the Nortl
Carolina line they co by the Northeast
ern Road into North Carolina and back
It ?vi!!, therefore, be seen that ihesa are t
great many complex questions entering
into thia matter, and it seems to me tba
where the railroads and the busine^
men both claim to bc injured, thal i
should be sufficient reason to induce tb?
change asked for. These are the reasoni
for the change.
During this debute I havo regretted t<
hear the railroad officials censured fo
being present in this House and accuse?
of lobbying. They not only have th<
right to come into this hall, where th
highest or tho humblest has the right ti
come ; but as a matter of fact they wer
specially invited by the unanimous vol
of the Railroad Committee to com
before us. The opponents of tho chang
were also invited. The Commissioner
came. They have not been censured fo
doing so, and I submit that it is in ba
taste to invite gentlemen before you au
then censure them for coming.
A few words more aud I will close, fe
I know that the House is weary of thi
debate. We do not propose to abolis
tho Commission. We retain it. wit
power to prevent oppression, bul withoi
power to oppress. The Committee ia ut
wedded to this particular bill. It is con
posed, in part, of roy bill, and in part <
the bill of my friend from Chnrlestoi
(Gen. MeCrady,) aud both of us vote
for the changes tbat have been made L
the Committee. The scope of this bill
to give the railroads the right to appe:
to our own Courts, and if they viol?t
our laws severe penalties are impose*
The Commission also have the right i
report to the Legislature, and such chai
gea as may be necessary to protect tl
tieople will be made in our laws. Th
till fixes the passenger rates, and enfo
ces first aud second-class cars. It seen
to me that it amply protects the peopl
and ia much fairer to the railroads tnt
tho present law. I know, Mr. Speakc
that there are differences of opinic
among the member* ou this bill, but
am satisfied that in the vote about to 1
taken the result will represent the jud
ment of the members of this body, wit
out prejudice, and that the desire of em
will be to do that which is best for Sou
Carolina. I hope the results of our a
lion will redound to the true interest
our State, let this issue be decided as
may. _
The Freeze In Other Places.
PETERSBURG, VA., January 6.-T
weather here last night was extreme
cold, the thermometer in exposed plat
registering 6 degrees below zero. Ma
hydrants were frozen up. To-night t
Appomattox River at this point is froz
over, and navigation impeded.
INDEPENDENCE, IOWA, January 6.
boy and girl named Hines, aged six a
seven yean, were frozen to death in b
last night.
JAMESTOWK, DAK., January 5.-Yt
terday was tho coldest day ever knoi
in this locality. It was 48 degrees belt
zero in the morning and 42 below
noon. The air was filled with frost, t
the stiff breeze from the Northwt
calmed down last evening and the weal
er moderated. No trainB have run
the Jamestown and Northern road
Carrington since Tuesday.
CHICAGO. January 5.-Tho thornton
at 5 o'clock tb?B morning dropped to
degrees below zero, which, taken w
the cold record of yesterday, makes
the severert showing in the way of <
treme weather known here in many yen
At 8 o'clock the thermometer was s
24 degrees below and at the same ht
Kansay City reported 24 degrees belt
St. Paul 20, Omaha 34, Dubuque
Des Moines 24 and Keokuk 25 belt
The effect in this city has been to p
tinily paralyze the ordinary courue
business. A number of largo wholes
houses have not sent out their hoi
trucks, and those teamsten and street i
driven and conducion who are out br;
ing the weather are suffering greal
The severe weather caused a great ms
needy people and professional tramps
besiege the relief agencies and pol
stations. Several trains loaded with 1
stock are still snow-bound ten or t we
miles from the stock yards. Some cat
were frozen to death and other; ?.
partially frozen and bad to be kill
Hogs Buffered less than cattle. Co
laden can were' on the same trains w
the stock and the grain is being used
feed. The suffering for water is gr?
Men sent to dig out the trains w
offered fifty cents an hour, but w
obliged to return to the city nearly froz
- The Atlanta Constitution says
"Certain editorials and commuoicatii
in the State papen are supposed to in
cate the beginning of an organized atti
upon the Railroad Commission. It
not thongbt that the railroads desire
have the Commission abolished, but i
indications are that an effort will be mi
to curtail ita power."
- A new industry is announced
Florida-the insurance of orange grot
It is also said that several American a
one British company are now preps
to guarantee against frost and fire.
5rove owner at Fort Marion has for so
me past insured against fire. 1
premium rates for this class of insurai
are said to be very low.
- Several young men in the "Corn
portion of the county and just across
river over in Union are reported to
making preparations for a move to To
It baa been estimated thai botw
seventy-five and one hundred pen
bave lea Fairfield during the pres
reason for Arkansas, Texas and Flori
- Winntborr Newt.
Thc (greenville and Laurena Read?
GllKKSVII.LK, January G.-Tho execu
tive cummittce of the Greeuvilie and
Laurens Railroad Company held a meet
ing here last night for ino purpose of i
opening the bids and awarding the con
tracts tor the grading ot the sections of i
the road now ready fur thc contractors.
Stuart, Husong & Co., of Teonessee, were ?
tho lowest bidders, and wen' awarded the
coutract for the whole of the eight and ?
a hali miles at the Greenville end ol' tho
line, for which hide were received. The
contractors are a company of wealthy
and experienced men, who will push thc
work through with rapidity. They ten j
tract lo begin the work hy February first !
aud to Complete it hy thc first of July.
Their contract covers tho most expensive
part of the line and will he executed at
a cost lo thc company of an average of
twelve cents a cubic yard for earth work,
including cuts an.! tills, which amounts
te about 13,01)0 pei mile. The railroad
company have tho option of paying for
the work, if they desire, in Creon vii!?
and Laurens County bonds, at ninety
cents on the dollar. This is a very satis
factory beginning for tho building of the
road. Contracts for tho grading of four
miles of the Laurena division will bc
awarded on the 23d inst. The remaining
twenty-four miles of road is mostly on
an easy ridge, and it ia the lightest kind
of work. This will he graded by n con
btruction force under the superintendence
of Capt. J. \V. Kirk, the chief engineer
of the road, who states that the whole
line will be graded and ready for equip
ment hy J ti i y 1. Many changes in the lino
originally surveyed have been ruado by
Capt. Kirk, whose reputation as an adopt
at tiiidiug easy grades and short lines is
unrivalled. Tho reduction in cost hos
been so great that it is now contemplated
that tho wholo lino of thirty-seven miles
will he graded and supplied withcrosstka
at a cost of from $(?0,000 to $70,000.
This docs not look reasonable, but it will
be done, and thc road will havo on hand
a cash surplus of something like $75,000
with which to extend its linc toward
Asheville, which it is the determined
policy of the Greenvjilo and Laurens
people who own the road now about to
bc built to do. The peuple of Cireenville
oro especially wide awake on thc subject
and at the right temper to push the road
through the mountains without delay.
The survey of a linc from here to Ashe
ville ps*8iug through the upper section
of this county via Marietta will be made
by Capt. Kirk and his corps in .March or
April. His knowledge of the route al
ready acquired warrants him tn saying
that he can cross thu mountains at it
grade of not more than soventy feet to
the mile, with ono slight tunnel. Before
the end of the present year tho road
from Laurons to thia city will be in oper
ation, and the people of this section aro
enjoying rational hopes of the ultimate
and early realization of the grand
scheme of a railroad across the moun
tains and to tho West.-News and Cou
rier.
- A married wtwian named Vnnder
Linden has been arrested at Leyden,
Holland, charged with having murdered
in the last few years sixteen persona, her
victims being nearly all members of her
own family. Sho insured their lives first,
and received tho insurance money after
their deaths. The woman has confess-. d
ber guilt. It ia supposed that she pois
oned" five of her own children.
- The first loom, it is stated, ever
made in the South was put in operation
at tho Atlanta, Ga., cotton factory last
week. It was made by the "Georgia
Mill Supply Company," and nronouueed
tho best loom in the factory.
- Some of the orango growers of Cr
iando, Fla., and vicinity, tho Reporter
says, have sold their fruit on the trees at
ten dollars per thousand, thinking that
price preferable to shipping and taking
chances with commission men.
Plucked Before I?- Was Ripe.
So far as Mr. Spier's qualifications for
tlio olliee nre concerned, he is doubtler-a
fully up to the average of Federal district
attorneys in the South ; but his partisan
and unfair conduct iu tho South Carolina
cases laid him open tojust censure, which
may yet cost hun lila place. A diatin
gui'shed (Jcorgiaii remarked four or fWe
years ago that Emory Speer was a right
smart young man. hut "he was plucked
before he was ri pe," and his aubsequent
career has justified tho judgment.
\\ belber he is confirmed or not he baa
the melancholy satisfaction of knowing
that he b:w alienated the better people
of bia Slate.-Savannah AV?-?.
WAKRIIfO.
\IAJ persons are notified not lo hire or
harbor <.ur sons-Isbam8ihipaon
and Tony (?ray, colored-as they aro nil.
norn, and under contract through us to
v..?rk for Maj. lilias McGee for this year.
Persons disregarding this notice will be
proceeded against ot law.
HARRY McOEE
EMILY McGEE.'
Jan 10, 1884 2fi_ ia
-o
jt\.N Y ono who desires to purchase Mules
on timo, or transact ?ny other business
with me, had bettor see me before January
llth inst., aa I w ill bo absent from homo
for some limo after that date.
JOHN E. PEOPLES.
Jan 10, 1S84 ?16 1
notice to Trespassers.
ALL persons nre hereby warned not to
hunt, tish, cut any timber for any
purpose, drive out of the roads, makepatba
through field?, or otherwise trespass, by
day or night, on any of our lands, situated
tn Anderson County, Willinmston Town
ship, S. C. Those disregarding this notice
will bc prosecuted at law.
A. F. ELROD,
Maa. 8. M. ALLEN,
W. O. WHILDEN,
J. R. WELBORN,
If M. PRINCE,
W. P. WOODSON,
MRS. MILLY FLEM I VG
J. N. RHODES,
NANCY M. CARTER
A. P. WELBORN,
F. M. WELBORN,
T. F. ANDERSON.
Mus. L. J. STRICKLAND.
Jan ld, 1984_20_1
TWTOTICE TO CREDITORS,
u^i All persons having demands agalnit
the Estate of P. P. Uaynie, doccased,
aro hereby notified to present them,
properly proven, to the undersigned within
thc time prescribed by law, and those in
debted to muko payment.
J. T. HAYNIE, Adm'r.
Jan 10,18S1 27 3?
vrOTK.?, FINAL SETTLEMENT.
_13l Thc undersigned. Administrators of
the Estate of P. A. Masters, deceased,
hereby give notice that thoy will, on tho
13th dav february, 1884, apply to the Judge
of Probate of Anderson County fora Filial
Settlement of said Estate, and a discharge
from said Administration.
C. S. BEATY,
J. L. MASTERS,
Administrators.
Ju ,0, 1834 20 6
-VTOTlf'E FINAL SETTLEMENT.
_1N The undersigned, Executors of
the E-dato of West A. Williams, deceased,
hereby give notice that they will apply to
the Judge of Probate for Anderson County,
on 12th day of February, 1884, for a Final
Settlement bf said Estate and discharge from
their otlice os Executors.
A. M. GUYTON,
M. B. WILLIAMS,
Executor?.
Jan 10, 1884 2? 0
ANDERSON CLOTHING STORE!
BH?OtC ?? I
CLEARING OUT SALE OF
CLOTHING, SHOES ?ND HATS.
BEING desirous of closing out our entire stock within the nest thirty days, we
offer some HARE BARGAINS to all wanting CLOTHING, SHOES.
HATS, FURNISHING GOODS, &c. We have still a larg? atock on hand, and
can make it to your interest to call and examine before pnrchasing elsewhere.
t*aT COME AND BE CONVINCED -?l
Appreciating the difficulty experienced by our friends in paying even small
bills this season, we extend the time thirty days for closing them with us. All Ac
count, not satisfactorily arranged by 1st February will be placed in hands of a
Trial Justice for collection.
Jan 8. 1883 25
I J. P. SULLIVAN. W. A. VANDIVER.
1884.
WE SPEAK FOR YOUR TRADE.
You can save Time, Money, Annoyanoe and
Unnecessary Delays.
OUR PRICES WILL BE UNIFORMLY LOW THROUGHOUT, as we do
not believe in the "unmercantile" practice of offering some goods at cost in
j order to make salca on more profitable ones.
OUR STOCK IS GENERAL AND COMPLETE.
ttSf* The iargest sleek PLOWS in tho City-Pure Steel.
KS* The BEST COFFEE n specialty.
Very respectfully,
T o, ott 4 J-n P? SULLIVAN & CO.
Jan 3, 1884 25_
FALL AND WINTER GOODS.
Now in Store and to arrive a
A FULL STOCK OF GENERAL MERCHANDISE,
STAPLE AND FANCY DRY GOODS,
NOTIONS, GROCERIES,
?AT? UAPS,
CLOTHING, BOOTS AND 8H0E8,
HARDWARE. SADDLES AND BRIDLES,
CROCKERY AND GLASS WARE,
BAGGING AND TIES, a full supply always on band,
ACID AND BONE ASH,
First-class Fertilizers for small grain.
ALL of which I will sell LOW for Cash or Barter. Give me a call before buying, at
No. 10 Granite Row.
W. IT. BABB.
Sept IS, 1833 0
CHRISTMAS HAS COME AND GONE,
Now, Where are you Going to Get Your
PRESENTS, FRUITS, tte. ?
Why, of course,
? .'? . . . trV.::'-" ? . ' * '-"Vi
Jp0R he keeps a larger assortment and better Goods than y ou can get elsewhere.
ORANGES, BANANAS,
APPLES, CANDIES,
TOYS, CHINA WAREt
VASES, &C.
Aro all kept by him. and sold CHEAP for the Cash, at McCULLY'S CORNER, Ander
son, 8. C. . ? * ?
. Dee??, 1883 22