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BY CL?NKSCALES & LANGSTON. ANDERSON, S. C.. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1898. VOLUME XXXIII-NO. 40. THAT is the inducement we are making to secure your trade. We couldn't begin to sell Goods at lower prices than others if we" sold on credit. Cash Buying and Cash Selling is the only way to cut prices down. We have cut them deep, and the advantage is mostly gained by you. Every cash dollar you spend with us will purchase more than a promise to-pay dollar will buy anywhere ; and when we say we can save you from 10 to 20 per cent, on your purchase we mean every word of it, and can easily prove it. By an interesting turn in trade we secured a big lot of All Wool Clay Worsted Suits much below their market value. These Goods are full regular made, with good Serge linings, and sewed with Silk all over. They are $7.00 Suits, but as we sell for cash and can turn the money over quickly we have marked them- * They won't last long at the above price. Your money back if you want it. THE SPOT CASH CLOTHIERS. COTTON IS CHEAP AND SO ARE LIVE AND LET LIVE IS OUR MOTTO ! WE have a choice and select Stock ol" FAMILY and FANCY GROCERIES, Consisting of almost everything you may need to eat. Our Goods are fresh, were bought for cask, and will be sold as low as the lowest. Please give me a eall before purchasing your Grocerie?. Thanking all for past favors and soliciting a continuance of the same We are y?urs to please, G. F. BIGBY. MAINE BLOWN UP . FROM OUTSIDE. SITUATION IS VERY SERIOUS. The Boar ' of Inquiry Does Not Fasten Responsibility. WASHINGTON, March 25.-The Court of Inquiry appointed to investi gate the cause of thc Maine disaster has reported that the loss of thc bat tleship was due to an outside explo sion. The State department, by direction of the President, has cabled United States Minister Woodford at Madrid to notify thc Spanish government of this conclusion. The President and cabinet advisers held two extended sessions to-day, one at 10:30 a. m., and another at 3:30 p. m., at which the report was consid ered in detail. Members of the cabi net stated after the meeting that never siace the wrecking of the Maine has the situation seemed so critical. The Spanish government has cabled officially to Washington that the Spanish naval commission holds the disaster to the Maine to be of internal origin. The government of Spain, it can be stated positively, is not dis posed to turn back the torpedo flotilla now proceeding from the Canaries and would be disinclined to consider a j suggestion from this government tend ing to interfere with the disposition by Spain of her own naval forces. War preparations on an unprece dented scale is being hurried to com pletion by the war and navy depart ments, and the country practically is on a war footing. The foregoing gives the record of one of the most eventful days the national capital has seen since the close of the civil war. It was a day of profoundly important action, of the deepest anxiety, coupled with naval and military activity, one step follow ing another in rapid succession. Rep resentative men of the administration, public men in all branches of official an4 Congressional life, no less than the public in general, share in the tension to which the situation has been wrought. There was lao effort among the highest officials, nor, in deed, was it possible from what was clearly apparent in the developments of the day, to minimize the situation. Viewed in detail, the findings of the Court of Inquiry was the most vital feature. Commander Marix, Judge Advocate of the Court of Inquiry, de livered the report to Secretary Long early this morning, and shortly after it was carried to the White House and placed in the hands of the President. At 10:30 thc Cabinet assembled, half an hour earlier than usual, and began the consideration of thc momentous document. Even the rigid rules of secrecy which prevailed at Cabinet meetings were made doubly strict in this case, and no intimation of the re sults reached by the Court were known until 2 o'clock, when an Associated Press bulletin gave the information to the country, as well as the eagerly waiting officials throughout Washing ton. These results, briefly stated, are that thc loss of thc Maine was due to au explosion from thc outside, the Court being unable to fix the responsi bility for the explosion. The Cotirt docs not express an opinion as to the character of the explosive, but thc testimony goes to show .that it was a powerful submarine mine, the exact character of which is not determined by the testimony, though the belief j was expressed that it was a floating j submarine mine. There were two ex ! plosions, the Court finds, the first ; from the outside, and that set off one j of thc smaller magazines. It'was this result, expressed in de tail and with thc precision of a Court . deeply conscious of its responsibility, together with the evidence on which ] it was based, that occupied the atten I lion of the Cabinet throughout its ; extended sessions of the morning ?ind i afternoon. All other and lesser sub i jects gave way to this foremost ques ' lion. There was no change in the plan of making thc report public and i submitting it to Congress early next week, accompanied by a brief message from thc President. While interest was thus centered at the While House, thc navy and war j departments were hurrying forward j their work of preparations. Thc ad \ rance of the Spanish flotilla contin ? ned to receive the closest attention of ? naval officials, and while so far as could be ascertained, no definite line ' of action was determined upon, thc need of intercepting this fleet was : urged by the highest naval authori : ties. From the standpoint of the Spanish government, this movement was not a menace, having been de cided on many weeks agu. On the contrary, the Spanish government holds that the extensive armament of the Dry Tortugas is a more direct hos tile act against Spain than any move ment of the flotilla. Instead of stop ping the flotilla, the present attitude of Spain tends towards reinforcing it with other Spanish war vessels, not as a menace, but from what the Spanish government feels is a requirement called forby the existing condition of affairs. Hardly less suggestive than the ap proach of the torpedo flotilla, was the information received here to-day by the highest military authorities that the Spanish government had hurried to completion extensive fortifications on thc island of Puerto llico. lying just off Cuba, and the only Spanish possession in this hemisphere other than Cuba. The exact character of those new defenses has been made known herc, and they are being given weight with the military authorities as showing the disposition of Spain. The orders issued by thc navy in partmcnt during the day covered branch of naval armament. Thc ing squadron'1 was definitely i lished with Commodore W. S. S j in command. Ile will hoist his modorc's flag on the flagship I lyn nexo Monday. The squadrot consist of exactly five ships. ! of the squadron will bc the cnn mored cruiser Brooklyn, thc h ships Massachusetts and Texas thc cruisers Columbia and Minn Hs. Other ships which are. n hereafter, at Hampton Hoads, wi bc of the flying squadron, but w long to the North Atlantic statio der Captain Sampson. The i squadron is to be a small, COD fleet of the best ships in the navj quick service at any point alon Atlantic. At the same time the North A tic station, under Captain Samps< to be further augmented. The cr Cincinnati, which left Port Anl three days ago under sealed ordc: to report at Key AArcst and bece part of Captain Sampson's fleet, gunboat Wilmington, also coi j from Port Antonio, will likewis port to Capt. Sampson at Key V as will the gunboat Vicksburg, nc Hampton Roads. Late to-day navy department gave out the fol ing list of vessels, as shoeing th< act character of each fleet: The following vessels compose North Atlantic squadron: New Y Iowa, Indiana, Miantonomoh. E Puritan, Terror, Marblehead, M gomery, Castine, Nashville. Hel Wilmington, Vesuvius; torpedo bc Foote, Dupont, Ericson, Cush Porter. Winslow: tugs, Leyden Samoset. The following vessels compose flying squadron: The Brooklyn, ? sachusetts, Texas, Minneapolis Columbia. Some of the other important de opments of the day may be s marized as follows: Requisitions were made on naval ordnance bureau for a h number of quick-fire four-pounder six-pounder guns to be mounted the revenue cutters and the st< yachts about to be purchased. ! bureau determined to use the qui fire guns for these craft which I been origiially intended for the lantic liners, St. Paul and St. Loi Capt. Bradford, chief of naval eqi ment, completed plans for securin naval coaling station in waters so of Cuba, and the papers are i ready for final action. The stat will not be on Navassa island, as been suggested, but is likely to bc one of the several fine harbors Haiti or San Domingo, or else on Danish islaud of St. Thomas, whict open to purchase from Denmark fo considerable sum. Late to-day thc battleship Tc: was ordered from Hampton Hoads the New York navy yard to repair 1 machinery for hoisting ammuniti and guns. Favorable answers wi received from the New York na militia of their readiness on sin notice to supply oflicers and men man thc single-turret monitors n called into service. Orders were issued to-day to ha all the warships painted black, a co that is better adapted to hostilit: because thc vessels will not afford good a target. Thc navy department was inform by cablegram from Lieut. Colwe naval attache to the United States e bassy at London, that agents of tl government had purchased a "Sch: chau" torpedo boat that had been co structcd for thc < J ci man govcrnmei: Thc new acquisition is of thc genci type of German torpedo boats and regarded as a valuable addition to o navy. One feature regarding her th I alfords special gratification to the o? i ci?is of thc nary department is th j she is now ready for sea. It is c j pected that in a few days she w ; leave for the United States. She wi j he able to make the journey aero \ the Atlatic without difficulty, as si is a good sea-going vessel and her co capacity is ample, for a trip to th country. She is a 23,-knot vessel ar about 150 feet long. While of til same general type of thc Hedgers an Foote of the United States navy, si: is a trifle larger. At the navy depar ment the precise dimensions of th new boat could not be given. Th ? price paid for her, the navy oflicci at this time declined to state, but j was said to be very reasonable. Wor j on the vessel has just been complete* she never having been in service. Sh i is supposed tn carry three torped tubes and two small calibre rapid ' lire guns. Nine to twelve men will b j needed to man her. Word reached thc navy depart men officials to day that thc Span isl authorities have taken steps to supple meat the existing fortifications at Sai Juan de Puerto Rico, the main port o the island of Puerto llico. The new: is regarded as significant, l'uerti ? Rico is the only other possessio* I which belongs to Spain on this lierai j sphere beside Cuba. The officials ol J thc department, while acknowledging ' that information of the above charac j ter has reached thew are very char) about imparting any of the details tc the press. The city of Puerto Rico is fortified after the old style prevalent j in early days, the defense consisting : of a wall which completely encircles ! it, of several forts ai: strategic points, j while thc only points of egress and in I gress are through massive gates. ! These fortifications are being strength ened and the armament has been in : ereascd by two large guns of formida ; hie patterns and calibre. San .luau . has, 2H.414 inhabitants. ! General Fingier, chief of ordnance of thc army, to-day bad a long con ference with Secretary Alger with ref erence to additional guns and gun car riages. A few days ago Secretary Al lier allotted to General Flagl?r$1.000, OOO from the emergency appro tion made by Congress to be usc the ordnance bureau in the discn of General Flagler. This amount not, in the opinion of General Fla sufficient to meet tho rcquircmcn thc present emergency and his co once with the secretary was to ol an additional allowance. After a i ful canvass of thc situation. Seen Alger gave General Flagler a lil additional allotment from the ar: priation, but no information coul obtained cither from General Fh or from the secretary's office as t amount. The sum must be a considerable one. however, as ( Flagler said it was to be used to c provisional contracts entered inte thc construction of new guns of i ous calibres and their necessary riages. Pending action on thc report of Court of Inquiry. Lieutenant C mander Maris, the Judge Advocat the Court, will be on special dut the office of the Judge Advocate ; eral. Here he will be availabl supply any information that the Pi dent or Secretary of the Navy may sire in connection with thc proci ings of the Court. The enlistment of men for the ni service is progressing satisfactoril, the Washington navy yard and a g class of men is being obtained. Lieut. Colwell, naval attache to United States embassy at London, been directed by thc navy departm to urge upon the builders of the cently purchased cruiser Albany, i merly the Brazilian vessel Abre the necessity to hasten the consti tion of the ship with all possi speed. In the ordinary course work the vessel would not be c( pleted before next December, but i believed by officials of thc navy partment that if thc builders placed under pressure she oan made ready for sea within th months, and perhaps even in 1 time. Orders have been issued design ing Capt. Sampson as commander chief of the North Atlantic station Admiral Sicard was detached fr command of the squadron and allon six months leave by orders issued day. The effect of this six monti leave is practically to close Admi Sicard's active service in the navy. The revenue cutters which will ordered into service and their prese stations are: thc Woodbury, at Po land, Me.: Hamilton, Philadelph Hudson, New York; Manning. Bi ton; Calumet, Chicago; Greshe Milwaukee. Morrow. Wilmington. C., and Wiudom, Baltimore. T vessels will fit out at Norfolk. WASHINGTON, March 26.-Preside McKinley talked freely with his Cc gressional visitors to-day. both in i gard to his plans for thc future a? his appreciation of the situation wi reference to Cuba. His program is follows: To send the report of tl Maine Court of Inquiry to Congre on Monday without recommendation and with nu explanations on his pa further than to say he has acquaint* Spain with thc finding- of the Com to follow this Tuesday or Weduesd; with a message dealing with the co dition of the non-combatants in C ba, and asking for an appropriation $500;000 for their immediate relief; present anew this condition to Spar asking that country to make provisic for the care of her own helpless pei plc. and to come to some terms wit the Cubans which will bc satisfactoi to them and put an end to the war. This failing, to forcibly interver on humantarian grounds. The Pres dent indicated to his callers an abu ing faith that peace still may be pr< served, and a determination on hi part to accomplish that end, if it ma bc done with honor to our own com try and without disregard for the d( mauds ot' humanity. He frankly an repeatedly averred to-day his desire t prevent conflict, while at the sam time indicating a firm purpose to se eure relief for the starving rcconcer trad ns. Indeed, the latter purpose appearer to be the topic uppermost in the Prcsi dcut's mind. He dwelt upon thc fae that the recognition of thc heiligeren rights or independence would not b? of any material service to these unfor tunates. He admitted that such ae tion might be of assistance to the met at arms, the insurgent army, but they he said, have shown a capacity to taki care of themselves, and do not statu .in pressing need of our kind offices. The President believes Spain vii interpose no obstacles to eur sendin? succor to her indigent people, and h( will ask Congress to act promptly thal thc aid tn bc given may not arrive tot late to relieve thc ??resent pressing necessities. This done, the I'resident is hopeful that Congress will remain quiet while the executive branch ol the government continues its efforts to secure a peaceful settlement of thc difficulty. He thinks it not too late to do this, and he made thc assertion to-day that Spain was willing to meet thc United States half way in adjust ing the entanglement without going to blows. He referredjonly casually to the sailing of the Spanish torpedo fleet, leaving thc impression on his visitors that he considered that so far in this matter Spain is acting within the bounds of her own rights, and that no just complaint can yet he made by this country in regard to this course. He did tiot enter into details regard ing the proposition he may make, or may have made, to Spain, for un doubtedly some are now pending, but he loft the impression that he would be satisfied with no settlement that would not give thc Cubans a very lib eral form of government. Ile admit ted frankly that autonomy had proven a failure, and expressed the opinion that it would he as difficult to satisfy thc Americans with any settlement that might be made as it would be to satisfy thc Cubans themselves. He ! reasserted thc possibility of securing an agreement on the part of Spain to allow Cuba to conduct her own affairs with absolute freedom, except that 1 thc island should be required to pay the mother country a specified sum in the wa>' of tribute every year out of her revenues, seeming to think that tl is would form a basis upon which both Spain and the Cubans could agree without the sacrifice of too much pride on either side. 3Ir. McKinley reverted often in his conversations to his desire to main tain peace, and dwelt upon the fact that war meaus not only thc loss of life and property, but that it also would injure our public debt, add to our pension rolland result in many ways to our disadvantage and distress. He also made it clear that whatever course he might pursue in the future, he would not at present demand any indemnity at the hands of Spain for thc loss of the Maine, preferring to leave that matter to the adjustment of a more quiet period. The President also spoke of possible complications with other nations, but did not mani fest any uneasiness cn this score. | Senators who have visited the Presi dent have, without exception, so far as can be learned, assured him that ; the Senate appreciated his efforts to preserve peace under proper condi tions, and have told him that there is no daDger of precipitate action in that body. They got thc impression that if the worst comes, and it is absolute ly determined that no other course will avail, thc President will be found ready for armed intervention. On the score cf politics he assures them that he would rather see the Pte publican party fail of future success than to wage an unjust war, but that if war must come, it must be a war for humanity and that this fact must be made so evident that he will have the entire nation behind him in a con flict at arms. War and the Corn Crop. M:r. John S. Storrs, of Cincinnati, writes to the Neicsand Courier as fol lows: "From what I believe to be inside information, I think war with Spain is inevitable. The threatening condi tions that exist from the 'Maine' inci dent, coupled with the fact that Don Carlos is scheming to usurp the throne of Spain, towards which end his fol lowers are encouraging the war senti ment, gives color to thc threatening conditions. I further believe that if war is declared, it will be a long and desperate one. Knowing the influenc? that you have in any cause that you espouse, I am prompted to suggest for the benefit of the Southern planters, that you encourage the planting of more corn and less cotton, upon thc theory that all cereals will bring good values, while cotton will suffer if wal is declared. Should it bc averted, you will have done the Southern plant ers a great deal of good in using the argument that you can produce through the existing conditions, by which thc benefits of surplus corn crop and limi ted cotton crop would be naturally felt.j ' Wc do not know what opportunities our correspondent has had of "inside information:' but it cannot be denied that thc situation is extremely critical and that war is imminent. The Pres ident has borne himself with dignity and courage in the exciting conditions of the last few weeks, and will do what he can to restrain the impetuous and put off the evil day as long as possi ble. There is agencral demand among the reckless and irresponsible, how ever, for war with Spain, ami these two classes of people appear always to be in thc majority in this country. Whether they shall succeed in their designs or not, the advice given by our Cincinnati correspondent is eminently wise and proper. [f we shall have- war. the larger the provision crops of this country thc better for the comfort and happiness of our people. What the Southern farmers should il" is to plant more corn and less colton, if war begin it will not end in a few weeks or mouths, but will be "a long and desperate one." Spain, always formidable in the field, will be fighting for its life and will fight with the very desperation *>f des pair. We have no doubt how the contest will end-the United States will win. but not without struggle and sacrifice. Any sort of disturbance in the ocean commerce of the country will tell against the cotton planter.-. Any long continuance of the impend ing trouble will enhance the value of the food crops. The South should plant only enough cotton to supply the home demand, and should plant all thc corn it can grow and gather. - .The following persons,'' says the Prairie (?rove. Arkansas, Kecord, "were conspicuous for their disgraceful condnct during survices at rhe Cumberland Pres byterian Church last Sunday night: Emmett Pyeatt, popping match and talk ing during the sermon: William Pittman and Horace Winstead, laughing and talk ing during prayer and preaching; Roy Mock, laughing and talking during ser mon; Hugh Poison, eating pecans and talking during serriee*. This depart ment will be continued HS 'ong as the necessity for it is apparent. ST.UK OF OHIO. CITY OF TOLKDO, I LccAS COUNTY, | . FRANK J. CHBXKY makes oath tnat lie is the seniar partner of thu firm of F. J. CUESTKY ?t Co , doing business in tho City of Toledo, County and State aforesaid amit tat said firm will pay tho tum of ONE HIJNDRKo DOLLARS for each and every ?ase of CATARRH that cannot be cured bv the use of HAI.L'?? CA I A UK II CURK. FRANK J. CHENEY. Sworn to bet?re mc and snb?erib?\l in my pr?? ence, ibis 6th day of December, A. D 1886. [SEAL; A. W. GLEASON. A'utcry PubH*. Hall'* Catarrh Cuie is taken internally and acta directly on the blood and mueons surfaces o? tie .system Send for testimonials, tree. Addr.iM. P. J. CHENEY A CO..Toledo 0. Seid by Druggists. "5e. STATE .NEWS. - There is a queer superstition iu Lexington county, that to remove warts from cattle you have but to name the animal Mike or Fanny and, presto, thc wart is gone. - Work on the jetties at George town has been begun. An appropri ation of $2,000.000 wss made for deepening the bar in Winyah bay and removing deposits or shoals at the mouth of rivers entering into same. - The Florence correspondent of the Nines and Courier reports that he was told the other day that arrests would soon be made of parties who took part in the Lake City assassina tion and that all of them are negroes. - The citizens of Greenwood have had some delay and trouble in build ing their Court House, and the con tractor. Mr. Partee, has thrown up the job. The County Commissioners will complete the work, it is supposed, I by the first of May. - James P. Freeman and James ' O. Bowen, son of Col. IL E. Bowen, of Briggs, left last week for the Klon dike gold regions. They will be absent from thi's county about two years. Good luck to you, boys. Picken* Journal. - The State Democratic Convention will be called together in May. They will reorganize then. It is probabh that the executive committee, when elected, will orcjer the campaign to begin early in June. There are now 45 counties, and it will require nino weeks to make the rounds, provided they lose one day in the week. - Magistrate D. Perry Davis wa* shot and killed by James Jackson, Wednesday afternoon at Windsor, in Aiken county, as he got off the train returning from Aiken. It is impossi ble to get particulars of the killing at this time, other than what is above stated. It is known that bad feeling existed between the two men, the result of a difficulty about two weeks ago. 1 - It is reported that Ben Tillmai will take a hand in the interest of Col. R. B. Watson who is a candidate. If Ben does take the stump to advo cate Colonel Watson we may look for a hot time this summer. "Your Tncle George" does not relish the idea of a combination trying to double him aud will doubtless make greater efforts than ever before to get elected. -Darlington Newa. - One of the most prominent clergymen in the State called the attention of the Columbia State to a shameful spectacle witnessed on a train at Spartanburg a few days since.' ? A constable had two prisoners charged with blockading. One was a negro man and the other was a white woman; the officer had them handcuffed to gether. Many strong protests were made by passengers, it is said, but without avail. - Saturday night some negroes had a lively, social time on the farm of H. E. Gray about five miles from Laurens. About midnight their joy and hilarity reached a climax, when lights were extinguished and pistols brought forth. A general firing bega* and continued some time. When lights were brought it was ascertained that two were seriously aud perhaps fatally wounded and six others dis abled. - In the matter of the Lake City murder the verdict of the coroner's jury is that Baker and his infant came to their death by "gunshot wounds from parties unknown to the jury." Though a month has passed since the tragedy. Solicitor J. S. Wil son, of that circuit, has been unable to procure a single witness who will testify that he knows or has any reason to believe that any one person whom ho can name was in any way connected with tho cold-blooded mur der. - Luther, the little cleveu-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry McMahan, who live near Fairview church, was killed near his home last Thursday evening by a tree falling on him and crushing his skull. The lad was out with several companions, near the same age. felling trees and cutting them up. He attempted to get out of the way of a falling tree, but ran in the same direction that the tree was falling and was killed instantly. The funeral was conducted on Friday by Rev. J. L. Mullinix at Fairview c h u r c h.-f h mi ee .Vf irs. - Four car-loads of ammunition for use in the big forts on Sullivan's island have been received and another supply is expected soon. At Charles ton arrangements are being made ta sink torpedo mines in Charleston harbor. Some of the material needed has already been received. Work OH the fortifications is being rushed. Many of thc heavy guns have beea mounted and are ready for action. It is said that orders have been received from Washington to waste no time in getting the forts in shape for emergen cies. More troops have also been ordced there.