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VOLUME XI.-NUMBER 1883. CHARLESTON, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 18, 1872. EIGHT DOLLARS A THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE SEPTATE KILLS THE SILL TO SCREES TBE TH1EVISG OFFICIALS. The Sale of the Spartanburg and Union Railroad to be Investigated - The Pawnbroking Company Squelched A New Amendment to the Constitu? tion Proposed. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NEWS j COLUMBIA, Thursday, February 8. The Senate to-day passed bills to Incorporate the Springfield Baptist Church of Greenville, and to Incorporate the Wdlliugferd Presbyte? rian Church and Academy of Charleston. A resolution was adopted ordering the commit? tee on railroads to Investigate the recent sale of the Spartanburg and Union Railroad. The Senate voted to strike out the enacting clause j of the bill to define the time of commencing Civil or crimloal actions. The bill to incorpo? rate the Charleston Pawnbroking Company was Indefinitely postponed. Whittemore pro? posed an amendment to the State Constitution providing that the general State elections ?hall occur on the same day as the Presidential election. The House passed the bills to create a board of examiners, and to impose certain duties j upon the comptroller and treasurer; to charter j the Spartanburg and Augusta Railroad, and to j require the commissioners of Barnwell Coun- j ty to construct a Jail at Blackville. TETE BIRTH ASD DEATH OF THE PO " LICE BILL. How it all Originated-A Practical Les? son In a New York Police Stat'on- | The Hopes of the WI re-Pullers- A Decisive Defeat-The United States Courts-Another Office or Two to be Created-A Personal Corrected. IPBOX OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] COLUMBIA, S. C., February 7. The Lower House of the General Assembly bas Just accomplished the best day's work of j the session in the defeat, by the decisive vote of 69 to 21, of the iniquitous metropolitan police scheme by which the Radical soreheads t)f Charleston, borrowing a trick from the shrewder rascals of the North, were to re trie ve in yart their fallen fortunes; by which, in fact, the curs were trying to become re? trievers Instead of the black and tan mongrels that they are. It was a pretty device, very ! It was cogitated last summer with no end of | paios and no little expense. Abont a dozen of the unacclimated Charleston officials found lt convenient last August to take refuge in New j York, and amone the other little games of that - wicked metropolis they became ?amlllar with the organization and ma? chinery of the New Tork II. P. force. This was Just what they wanted. If the "rooral" Radicals of New York State had succeeded in stifling the Democratic voice of New York City Blnce 1864, why shouldn't the Radi? cal majority in South Carolina do what they ?leased with the Conservatives of Charleston ? hey continued to investigate the M. P. busi? ness. Through the politeness of Ben Manlerre and Hank Smith, the two Republican commis? sioners, they were shown through the gorgeous headquarters on Mulberry street; then they were Kindly escorted by Detective Jim Irving through various questionable places of resort In that vicinity, including the Dew-Drop inns of Broadway, the cigar divans of Canal street, and the diving bells of the Bowery, and it Is even said that a few of them, ie consequence cf pursuing their Investigations without an escort, were lound one Sunday morning by I j sleepy old John Williamson, captain of the I, Sixteenth precinct, in one of the cells of his etat ion-house In West Twentieth street. How? ever, this gave them an opportunity for study-1 , lng the practical workings of the M. P. sys-1, tem, and besides, it gave one Charleston f County official, whose name 1B omit? ted on account of his well known modesty, an opportunity to perpetrate the best, joke of his lite. He is reported to have said, leaning against a whitewashed wall, and feeling despondently In his empty pockets: -"Gentlemen, they say that 'Heaven helps those who help themselves,' but, if I ever get hold of them, Heaven help those fellows who helped themselves to my watcb and chain." In tact they found ont all about the system as lt existed in New York, and then they took the measure of Charleston, and proceeded to make a bill to fit. In due course of time, they j -dralted their bill to their own complete satis? faction, adopting precisely the title of the ! New York bil), passed April 25, 1864, (an act | to establish a metropolitan police district, and to uro vide for the government ot the same,) and then they rubbed their hands, began the parcelling out of the prospective paironage, and proceeded to the erection ct various other chateaux d'Espagne. As to getting the measure through this winter's session of the Legislature they never thought cf any difficulty lo that direction, and perhaps there would not have been if a certain couple of Charleston County officials had succeeded in getting the full amount of their claims cashed at the last division of spoils by the county treasurer, but they failed to do so. The consequences of this failure have been an J injunction and a lawsuit in Charleston, and a | fatal scarcity of money in the lobby in Colum? bia. The United Brethren, lt must be under? stood, work for cash only. They will not ac- ! cept promises to pay, even from the Governor, I for they reason, and with some plausibility, that although he ls a good enough Governor | { now still he may not be Governor very long, and then where would his promises be ? The debate to-day upon the bill, and, Indeed, the arguments lor the last three days upon the measure, have amounted to very little. The underlying reason of the defeat of the bill ls sufficiently indicated above, and the Idea of attempting a connected report of the speeches on the subject ls like attempting a j serious critique upon a Punch and Judy show, or a disquisition on the dramatic unities In connection with the feats of a learned mule. The parts to-day were taken by Jones, Jervey% I Hunter,'Hurley, Mobley, Jamison et al. The genteel comedy business was admirably sus? tained as usual by the talented Mr. Hurley, And a really admirable speech, and one which probably reflected the views of every honest colored member, was made by Mr. Mobley, in I which he said that the Republicans ot Charles? ton City should be ashamed of themselves ^_lqr trying, after they had been lalrly .and squarely beaten In un election, to legis? late themselves back into office against the .clearly expressed wishes of the community. Finally, the resolving clause of the bill was stricken out, on motion of Mr. B. M. Smith, by a vote of 69 to 21. The bill thus disposed .cf ls the one prepared and introduced by Bowen, and supported by the entire Charles? ton delegation. There are a couple of other metropolitan police bills in existence, ringing the changes on the same subject, but they ore both condemned by the united voice of .the members from Charleston, and lu the face-of ?ach opposition it would be worse than useless to ?tempt to bring them up. In fact, os Dickens says of old Harley, the metropolitan police Iniquity ls "dead as a door nail," and any attempt to resurrect its putrescent corpse will be a dismal failure. In the Senate this morning Mr. Corbin turn? ed up. ofter a hibernation of several weeks, with the following remarkably didactic little 'Composition, which was considered immedi? ately, under a suspension of the rules, and passed without opposition: Whereas the courts of the United States, as .at present constituted in this State, are inade? quate to the business before them: 1. Resolved, That the cause of Justice imper? atively demands an lucrea?" of United States courts in this State. 2. That a new Unlied States district judge is Imperatively demanded in the Western Dis? trict ot this State. 3. That there should be a new Judicial cir? cuit created out of the States of South Caro? lina, Georgia and Florida, anda circuit Judge appointed thereto. 4. That the Congress of the United states be respectfully requested to take Immediate steps to carry out the foregoing resolutions. 5. That the Governor do forward a copy . t hereof to the president of the Senate, and also a copy to the speaker of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States. The rest of the time of the Senate was oc? cupied as usual by a passage at arms between Mepsre. Leslie and Whlttemore, the subject matter this time being the latter's resolution to provide for the registration of all bonds and securities ot the State of South Carolina at the Carolina National Bank in Columbia, or the New York Commercial Warehouse Company in New York. Mr. Leslie, however, In his remarks to-day, came nearer the point than he generally comes in bis alack? upon the gentleman from Massachusetts and Dar? lington, and he explained why that gentle? man's measures never do happen to pass the General Assembly. He said that lt was the universal custom in political parties to have all questions that were to come up for legis? lative action previously considered in party caucus, and adopted or rejected in such cau? cuses so as to show in public a united front to the common enemy, but that Mr. Whlttemore had preferred instead to paddle bis own finan? cial canoe-to go it alone, In fact-and he must not complain if he got euchred on some ol the tricks... The measure was finally post? poned, with the consent of Its author, to await certain developments in the lower House, which Mr. Leslie declared were about to emanate from the financial officers of [the State. By the way, there is a slight correction to be made. It is, perhaps, not to be wondered at tbat a NEWS correspondent in this microcosm of rascality should be constantly treading on somebody's corns, but where this ls done un? intentionally, lc may be well enough to cor? rect the mistake. In a recent letter describ- . lng the designs and doings of Scott's Ku-Klux, or the L 0. U. B., the name of H. B. Myers, an intelligent colored member of the lower House, was mentioned as one of the Incorpora tors of the grand council in Columbia. Mr. Mrers now desires lt to be stated that he is not a United Brother, and that his name was stricken out ot the bill at bis request, before its passage by the House. This certainly ex? hibits a praiseworthy desire on the part of Mr. Myers to clear his skirts from complicity with an xceedingly vile concern, and entitles bim to this ample and public correction. _ ? _PICKET. THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. WASHINGTON, February 8. In the House, to-day. Hoar's education bill was passed to a third reading-ayes. 112; nays, 97. The bill was originally Introduced by Mr. Pierce, of Mississippi, chairman of the com? mittee on education and labor. It consecrates tbe public lands to public education. One half of the proceeds ot the sale of public lands are distributed annually among the different States during the first ten years upon the basis of illiteracy, as shown by the present census; the other half ls Invested, and the In? terest to be used for educational purposes. No State loses Its share of the fund by legal enactments forbidding mixed schools. Atter ten years the distribution will be upon the basis of population instead of Illiteracy. In the Senate Sherman's bill for retiring three per cent, certificates was passed. The consideration of amnesty was resumed, and the motion on striking out the seventh eectlon of Sumner's amendment failed* by a vote of 25 to 33. Trumbull said he would vote against every amendment, thus, upon the final fc3ue, leaving the bill as obnoxious as possible. The amendment erasing the allusion to churches was passed by 39 to 23. The amendment to strike out the clause regarding jurors failed, 12 to 42. Adjourned. The sums awarded to American citizens by the American-Mexican commission to the 5th Instant are over a halt million. The amount | of claims aggregated eleven and a halt mil? lions. The awards to Mexicans were only $36,000. Their claims aggregate eighteen mil? lions. Four hundred cases are decided and over a thousand are pending. The secretaries ol the navy and treasury, before the committee ot commerce, urged subsides and bounties to encourage Ameri? can shipbuilding. The committee of ways and means to-day bad a conference on the subject of spirits and tobacco. Although they Have not positively come to a conclusion, there [s a probability that they will agree upon a j uniform tax of twenty-four cents on tobacco, and so amend the law as to consolidate distil-1 lers" stamps, and provide tor the removal of ] the present obstructions, go as to facilitate the exportation of spirits. JOTTINGS ABOUT THE 8TATE. r-The citizens of Abbeville have formed a hook and ladder company; William H. Parker, captain. -On last Monday a little son, B?X and a half years old. of Mr. Allison Buddln, the railroad, igent at Lynchburg, was accidentally caught In the running gear of his gin and terribly mangled, causing his death in a few minutes. -Mr. John Mason, a worthy and industrious citizen of Spartanburg, residing three miles north of town, while cutting down a tree, on Friday last, was struck by a falling limb, from the effects of which he died on the fol? lowing Sunday. He leaves a wife and a large family of children to mourn his untimely fate. -We learn that on Thursday night last the stable of Captain J. C. 8. Brown, living about nine miles from Newberry, was set on fire, and seven valuable head of horses burnt to death. Five of the horses belonged to Captain Brown and two to Dr. Bates. -The Lexington Dispatch says that on sales day quite a crowd was in the village. One tract, fourteen hundred acres, near Sandy Run, brought $500, a very low figure. Far? mers say that the people are going to work with a good will preparing for the coming crop. Fertilizers are again becoming the rage, though not quite as much so as in 1870. They also say that, as a general rule, they get enough labor, though there ls some complaint In some localities. -The Spartanburg Spartan says tbat on sales-day nothing occurred besides the land sales, which were at fair prices. 1 be follow? ing shows the lands sold and the prices given : J One hundred and thirty-two acres of land, be? longing to the estate ot G. W. Farrow, de? ceased, bought by Captain F. N. Walker, for 1517. One hundred and eleven acres of Mrs. Cassandra Farrow, deceased, bought by A. T. Farrow, for $735; seventy-four acres, by W. H. Rhodes, for $1476. One hundred and fifty acres, (with mills,) belonging to the estate of | Martin Otts, deceased, bought by R. M. & W. J. Rhodes, for $6000. Forty-five acres, be? longing to the estate of Jonsberry Green, de? ceased, bought by Jackson Bulee, for $301. Seventy acres, of estate of Garland Foster, de? ceased, bought by Benjamin Wofford, for $201. THE WEATHER THIS DAT. WASHINGTON. D. C., February 8. The low barometer off the South Atlantic will probably move northeastward on Friday along the Gulf stream. Northeast wind?, with clouds and rain, will continue In the Gull coast from North Carolina to East Virginia. Northerly winds and clearing weather will prevail from Texas lo Alabama. Dangerous winds are not anticipated to-night, yesterday's 'Weather Reports of the Signal Service, U. S. A. -1.17 P. AI., Local Time. Place or Observation. Augusta, Ga.... Baltimore. Boston..... Charleston. Onicago. Cincinnati. Galveston, Tex.. Key West, Fla.. Knoxville, Tenn. Memphis, Tenn.. Mc Washington. New Orleans... New York. Norfolk. Philadelphia. Portland, Me.... Savannah . Sc Louts. Washington. Wdmington.N.C. Kl Bl 29.95 30.32 30.35 29.85 30.?31 30.24 30.13 29.92 30. Ul 30.15 30.00 29.98 30.36 3D.C4 30.38 30.34 29.88 30.23 30.32 29.90 -. ES : o : p 3S| E 36 NE 36 SW 41 S 32 SW 42 NE 52 N 75 W 5U E 45 NW 10 W 50 N 81 N 37 NE 32 NE 27 SW 41 NW 86 SE 36 SE 41 NE |Gentle. Gentle. Gentle. Gentle. Gentle. Light. Light. Fresh. Fresh. Gentle. Uigh. f res li. Fre^h. Fresh. Gentle. Gentle. Fresh. eight. Gentle. Genre. SS o aa H. Raia Clear. Fair. H. Rain Clear. Fair. Fair. Fair. Cloudy. Cloudy. Fair. Fair. Cloudy. H. Rain Thr'ng. Cloudy. Tlu'ng. Fair. Cloudy. tl Rain. Non.-The weather resort dated 7.47 0'CIOCK, iola morning, will be posted in the rooms of the cnamber or commerce at 10 o'clock A. IL, and, together with the weather chart, may (by the courtesy ot the Chamber) be examined by ship, ? m ELI ie rs at any time during the day. PEACE, OR WAR? THE BRITISH LION ROARS AND THE YANKEE EAGLE SCREAMS. Excitement in London Over the Ameri? can Demands-Effect on 'Change "The Situation Grave, but not Hope? less"-The Demand for Indirect Dam? ages only Bleant in a Pickwickian Sense-Spirit of the New York and London Press, ?vc, ir, LONDON, February 8. The excitement over the Alabama claims ls unabated, and Parliamentary speeches keep the public mind agitated. Anxiety in regard to the action or the Washington Cabinet pre? vails in all circles, and business at the Ex? change Is seriously affected. The press is still moderate, but maintains that Parliament ls unanimous against Ameri? can demands. The Times this morniog in reviewing the debate In the Commons yester? day says "it ls evident the House favors the repudiation of the American claims tor direct losses, and approves Gladstone's language in regard to the demands. NEW YORK, February 8. The Trlbuoe's special from London says: "Granville's dispatch contains no threat, but simply calls attention to England's understand? ing of the treaty. Several members of the British Cabinet disapprove of the passionate tone of Granville's speech. The situation is regarded ns grave in the highest English and American quarters, but not hopeless." THE ROAR OF THE LION. An English View of "The American In? dictment." [From the London Standard, January ld.] The statement of the American case, sub? mitted under the Treaty of Washington to the . International Commission cn the Alabama claim?, ls now before us, and we have read lt with regret, with dismay, and with a feeling of utter hopelessness la respect of any amica? ble'understanding with those who can allow such a document to be put forth on their be? half, such as we have uot entertained at any previous period of tbe controversy. Had such a plea come under our notice as addressed to an English court by the plaintiff In a civil suit, we should have said that the latter was acting under the advice of a sharp and un? scrupulous attorney; that he had Inspired that atlorney with his own spiteful and vindictive spirit; and that the pleadings were In? tended, not to present a real case to the court, but partly to prejudice to the uttermost the minds of. the Jury, part- 1 ly to give vent to the bitter animosity in which the suit Itself had its rise. Such arti- 1 fices, such exhibitions of personal mallee, may 1 be permitted in a civil dispute, though neither 1 counsel nor client raises als character by In- : dulglng in them. But a great nailon ought 1 not to plead In the spirit of a pettifogging at- I torney;the representatives of a Slate ought ] not to address an international tribunal, sit- 1 ting for almost the first time In history to ad- 1 Jud?ente on a dispute which would formerly 1 nave had no solution but the sword, and to ] set an example for all nations and ail future 1 time, In the language of spite, and with the 1 demands of extortionate lawyers. Least of 1 all Is such conduct excusable when the de- ( fendant State has done all In Its power to re- 1 move the feelings of resentment and bitter- ' nesB left by the alleged offence; has gone to 1 the utmost verge of the concessions that self- j respect will permit in its desire to conciliate, ' and, as a prelude to the trial ol the issue wheth- j er or not it bas given any Just cause of offence, ' has condescended to express regret that of- < fence, through whatever cause, has occurred. ' What is likely to be the effect upon England, upon Europe, upon our relations with the ( United states, upon the willingness ot other nations to submit their differences to arbitra- ' tlon, of the present conductor the American i Government ? We have shown them a for- t bearance and courtesy unexampled In history. We negotiated a treaty of arbitration, and they repudiated lt with unparalleled rudeness, and in a spirit of sheer hostility. We showed I ourselves willing to renew the negotiation: j we conceded nearly every point In dispute; we consented to make a preliminary expr?s- I sion of regret for the occurrences of which j they complained; we waived our claim J to redress for a grievance similar in prin- < clple, but much stronger In circumstance, < than that on which they res:. their case ! against us; and after this series' of con- 1 cessions we agreed that a court of ar- < bltration should try the claims of those Ameri- 1 can citizens who profess to have been Injured < by cruisers taking their departure from Brit- f lsh ports. And thereupon the American Gov- < ernment presents to the arbitrators a case Im- t peaching our conduct from the beginning of > the war. to the end, and calling upon them- ] and herein the case itself is far worse than J anything we gathered from the summary-to 1 award to America a gross sum, by way of dam- < ages, calculated to include the depredations ' not only of the cruisers bought by the Confed- * erates In England and armed at sea, but every t cruiser that the Confederates ever equipped > In their own ports; and not the depredations 1 of the cruisers alone, but the whole loss said t to have been incurred through tho increased f rate ol insurance, the transfer of American ' vessels to foreign owners, the cost of purs u- t lng the cruisers (and taking good care not to come up with them,) and the entire expenses of the last year and a half of the war, alleged, In daring defiance of truth and common sense, to have been protracted solely for the sake of . keeping these cruisers at sea. Why, who be- ' Heves that even our present government would ever have agreed to the arbitration if lt had anticipated a pretension so monstrous ? War would have been cheaper, and would have spared us the humiliation that would be involved in submission to so iniquitous and insulting a claim. Those read? ers who have attentively followed our course ( during the last seven years know that the l Standard has studiously endeavored to avoid , everything which could embitter the relations of the two countries, and has advocated peace ' and permissible conciliation to the utmost ot ' Its power. No candid man, therefore, will suspect us of underrating the evils of a war j with the United States when we say dolib- , erately that rather than entertain the mon? strous demands now preferred against Great j Britain, whatever the commission may think < of them, we would infinitely preter to fight. , The harm the Americans could do us would , not exceed the amount of their present de- , mands; and a war vigorously prosecuted, . giving the South another chance for inde- i pendence, would probably put an end forever , to the threats, vexation and exactions which we have endured at the hands of the Ameri? cans ever since the acknowledgment of their Independence. THE SCREAM OF THE EAGLE. Tone of the Leading New York Papers. The New York papers are making quite a stir over the reported difficulties in relation to the Alabama Claims Trealy, and reply editorially to the comments of the .London papers as transmitted by cable. The Herald's voice-as might be expected-ls for war. It says: The representatives ot the British Govern? ment at Washington have been instructed to make proposals of accommodation and com? promise to our government, the very mention of which is an insult to the nation. There ls no doubt that a great deal of this British clamor arises from political causes. On one side stand the Tories, eager to create a public sentiment against Mr. Gladstone and his sup. porters; on the other side, the partisan organs and orators of the administration stripe, anxious, by the adoption of a bullying tone towards America, to force a concession from our government that shall suffice to satisfy the popular whim. The American people have confidence in President Grant, and will be satisfied to leave the honor of the nation In his hands. Of one stern fact the English Government and the English people may rest well assured, that a deplorable war must almost Inevitably be the consequence of an evasion o? an honorable settlement of the differences between the two nations under the tribunal which they have themselves selected. We claim no more than the Court of Arbitration shall decide lo be our due; we will accept no less. By this High Court, and not by a British rabble or partisan press, must the claims of the American nation of every class and description be adjusted. If in the opinion of the tribunal selected under tho treaty of Washington the action of the British Government makes the British nation liable for the loss of our commerce and the prolongation of our civil war, the damages < that may be awarded therefor must be paid peaceably or will be collected at the point of the bayonet. A number of small articles are Interspersed throughout its editorial columns with such pleasing assurances to the warlike American public as the following : "We would manufacture our colton in case of war with England. The pauper labor of Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Sheffield would be driven Into revolution for bread. Ii they went into the army they would be iood for our powder." "A war with England would settle the fish? ery question. Joy to Ben Butler and Cape Cod. Our fishermen would man the priva? teers. That would abolish the three-mile limit." "The battle of Dorking would be an Ameri? can, not a Prussian victory, In case of war with England. The Corkney prophet made a mistake." "We shall not want tor volunteers tn a war with England. There are two million able bodied Irishmen here longing for a chance." The World takes a more pacific view of the matter. It says: It is most unfortunate that the Geneva Com? mission ls called to discbarge its dulles in the year of a Presidential election. General Grant's administration was strongly tempted to frame the American "case" with a view to Its effect as an electioneering document In the ensuing political canvass. A careful reperusal of the treaty since the present outbreak ot incensed feeling in Eng? land, constrains us lo acknowledge that some of Its most Important provisions are vague. We thought this no objection at the time the treaty was promulgated, because we supposed there was a perfect understanding between the two governments resnecling the Interpre? tation which they mutually put upon it. But lt now seems that they differ so widely that the British Government ls ready to repudiate the treaty rather than admit the American construction of it. * * * * As things now look. General Grant's admin? istration hos overshot the mark In irving to make party capital out of inls- controversy. It this treaty ls upset and repudiated, the pub? lic verdict will be that General Grant and his advisers have bungled and embroiled a great question instead ot settling it, and that our foreign as well as our domestic Interests can be safe only in Democratic bands. The Times-administration organ-says: How the British press has progressed from the extremely careful and elaborate manner of it s early treatment of this question to the Qnal frenzy which it is represented by the cable DB having shown for two days past, lt ls Impossible to Bay. Nor ls it quite plain what the British Government may regard as "Indi? rect damages" which lt refuses to consent that the Geneva Board shall consider. But lt ls perfectly certain that the action of the gov? ernment, as announced by tbe Observer, will be a matter of complete surprise to the Ameri? can people. We cannot conceal the fact also that this action will arouse a good deal of feeling warmer than surprise. We were all heartily glad when we supposed that an hon? orable and peaceful way had been found to settle the ugly "differences," as the treaty calls them, growing out of the Alabama busi? ness. If lt shall turn out that our confidence was misplaced, disappointment will be added io the sources of bad feeling which were al? ready too numerous. We slncely trust thai the reported reopening of the matter-for the ictlon of the British Government is nothing .ess-may assume some less threatening form han that, in whioh UK?..,.aht?? dlsnatch pre? sents it. The Tribune quotes Secretary Fish os au? thority for a complete denial of the report -hat negotiations for reform ol the American jolley have been open between England and imerica. The pith of ita editorial opinions ls is follows: It ls not probable that this outburst of talk s to do any special barm. Its reasons are nanllold. What Is called in London "the sil y season'' is now upon the town in all Its orce. It ls the time of eccentric and Irre ipon8lble discussions in newspapers. The ournals of ihe opposition find the supposed concessions ol the treaty a convenient weapon jf offence against Mr. Gladstone, and lt ls pos? sible that even the government organs have received an Intimation that a certain amount )f violent clamor against the American case nay be of advantage in its Influence apon European opinion. But lt Is not to be seriously apprehended that England will be nisled into the folly of repudiating the arbi? tration on the pretext that that we are asking nore than we have any right to claim. Al *eady the statement above, quoted from a London paper, that Great Britain had Intima? ted to our government an intention of wlth irawing from the treaty, ls categorically do? lled by Mr. Fish. It is probable that the storm of indignant comment, which has risen LS suddenly as that which lollowedMr. Slim? ier'? speech, will subside with equal facility. But if popular clamor should defeat the mlnls ry on this question, and compel their Bucces lors to denounce and withdraw from the Treaty of 'Washington, It ls not the United stales that would be the heaviest loser by ?uch a course. PREPARING TO BACK DOWN. The construct ive Damages only Claim? ed a? an Offset to the Confederate Cot? ton Bonds-No Expectation In 'Wash? ington that the Arbitrators will Al? low the Claim. The well posted Washington correspondent if the New York Tribune, writing on Sunday ast, explains that that porlion of President brant's little bill which has aroused so much re In England ls only a bit of diplomatic 'bluff." He says : The London dispatches Intimate that the British Government objects particularly to the :)alms for constructive damages which the american case contains. It was. impossible :or the American Government to omit these. The very language with which the trealy jpens makes lt necessary for us, at least, to urge those claims before the Geneva Confer? ence. The treaty provides "for the amicable settlement of all points of difference between the United Stales and Great Britain." These claims for constructive damages constitute one of those points ot difference. They have been urged by American statesmen ever since the close of the war, and Cobden even Informed Parliament. as long ago as 1864, that Great Britain would surely be called upon to pay them. Had the United Stales omitted these claims Irom ile cose, all points of differ? ence would noi have been settled by the treaty. Nobody now expects that they will be allowed by the Geneva Conference, but lt is a settled principle in international, as well as in other law, that a claimant must always ask for all that he thinks his due, even though he may have no good reason to expect to re? ceive lt. To show that Great Britain has no right to complain because claims for constructive damages are asked for in the American case, lt ls necessary only to remember the proceed? ings of the commission which ls now sitting in Washington in relation to Ihe payment of the Confederate cotton bonds. It was one of the cendillons Insisted upon by our govern? ment that lt would not negotiate with re? gard to those bonds at all; and Secretary Fish Inserted in the noies which passed between him and Minister Thornton a phrase which It was supposed would entirely exclude them from the Washington Commission, notwith? standing Minister Thornton protested lhat it was not possible lor any such claim upon the United States to be laid belore that commis? sion, under any circumstances. But those claims were brought Into the Washington Conference, and had lo be acted upon. The counsel for the United States refused to make any argument on the merits of these claims, but objected to the Jurisdiction of the com mission. The counsel for Great Britain made an argument in their favor; the commission ruled them out on thc question of Jurisdiction The very suggestion mat the United States should pay the Confederate cotton loan would cause greater excitement here than now pre? vails In England; yet, so secure did our peo Ele feel, that the feeble attempt ot some emocratlc journals to alarm them in this re? spect utterly failed. Among the claims which our government does expect will be awarded are those for ex? penses attendant upon the pursuit and capture of the Alabama and other anglo-Confederate pirates. Careful accounts of ali our expenses of this kind were kept at the Navy Depart? ment, and payment has been asked for. Finally, nobody in Washington who knows the feeling of the English people, believes that England would, under any circumstances, allow the proceedings under the treaty to be suspended. She gained more indirectly by its negotiation than what was simply accorded by the text of the treaty. "For vears," said a Cabinet officer, this afternoon, ''she had been under bonds not to meddle In the politics of Europe, and the dissolution ot those bonds was worth far more to her than all the con? cessions which we have made. If heavy con? structive damages were awarded to us, as is not at all probable, she might be driven by popular excitement into refusing to pay them; but you may rest assured that she will bold on lo the treaty until the award ls made." THE AMERICAN CLAIMS. The New York World makes Ihe following estimate of the modest bill banded in to the Geneva Confereoce in behalf of the United States : . I. For the destruction of vessels and property belonging lo the Gov? ernment of the United States.$ 25,000 II. For the destruction of mer? chant vessels, cargoes and property sailing under the flag of the United Stales. 17,900,633 III. For other damages or injuries to persons, growing out of the de? struction of each class of these ves? sels. [In respect to ihLitem the "case" says it is impossible at present for the United States to present a de? tailed statement, but the amount of claims cannot be less than hundreds of thousands, and possibly, millions of dollars, on account of hardy, help? less seamen and their families.] IV. For national expenditures In pursuit of the cruisers. 7,080,478 Y. For loss In the transfer ot the American commercial marine to the British flag. [In respect to this item the United i Sta:es asks the arbitrators to esti? mate the amount which ought to be paid to them, after we submit statistics in respect to our tonnage before and after the rebellion.] VI. For enhanced payments of in? surance by citizens of the United States, so far as now known. 1,120,795 VU. For prolongation of a civil war, the ad? dition of a large sum to the c:st thereof and of the suppression ot the rebellion. [As lo this item the United States claim that, after the battle of Gettysburg offensive opera? tions by the insurgents were conducted only at sea, through the Anglo-Confederate cruisers, with the hope of involving this coun? try in a war with Great Britain, and that the latter ought In equity to reimburse the United States for the expense thereby entailed upon them.] VIII. Interest upon all the claims up to the day when the award is payable by the terms of the treaty, which Is twelve months alter the dale ol the award, at the usual rate of in? terest in the City of New York, where most of the claims of individuals are held, which ls seven percent, per annum. The United States claim thal interest should be computed from an average day, say July 1, 1863. According to the foregoing statement, so far as it goes, the figures reach the sum of $26,136,896. It will be observed, however, in the reading ot' the exhibit, that the amounts for damages or injuries to persons growing o,.; **ti Uu doctriiot nn of V?QOAIA nv the Con? federate cruisers, the loss in the transfer or the American commercial marine to the British flag, the prolongation ot the war, due to the continued offensive operations of the Confede? rate privateers after the battle of Gettys? burg, and Interest upon all the claims up to the day when the award ls payable, according to tbe terms of the Washington Treaty, are not enumerated In this schedule. The amount of the claims will vastly Increase the Ameri? can demand. A CARD. OAKLAND, KERSHAW COUNTY, February 6. To the Editor of the Sumter Watchman: DEAR SIR-It has come to my hearing that a report is current, that In the late race between my mare and Mr. Birch's horse, at Sumter, on the 26th of January, a system of Jockeying was resorted to, by which the horse was made to beat the mare. I brand this report, so for as I am concerned, as a bose, malicious ile. In Justice to the pub.lc who were present at said raoe, I would state the facts, so far as I was connected with them, not as a vindica? tion of myself, but simply because, as owner of the mare, I deem lt due to them. On or about the first of January, Mr. William Fludd made up a race with Mr. Birch, between "Belle of York" and a horse said to be named "Bullet." Mr F.udd sent for the mare about thc 10th of the month. I did not see her again until the morning of the race. Mr. Fludd in? formed me that morning that he had given Mr. Burch one hundred dollars to substitute VWild Arab" for "Bullet" In the race. I agreed to lt, thinking lt was a good thing, as the mare had before beaten the horse. You may Judge of my surprise when the race end? ed by the horse winning lt. I bet my money on my mare, and advised my friends to do the same. Your3, respectfully, febO-l B. G. ELLERBE. SIPPINGS FROM PUNCH. COMPLIMENTS OK THE SEASON-SCENE IN A BAR? BER SHOP. Fond Parent. "I hope you will be very carelul, Mr. btlmpson. I have always been accustomed to cut their hair myself." Mr. Stlmpson. "So I should have thought, madam." "CHEEK"-SCENE IN A RAILWAY CARRIAOS. Commercial Gent (to Swell who was smoking u fragant Havana) "Would you oblige me, sir, by changing into another carriage, or putting you: cigar out pro tem." Swell (nonchalantly.) "O, certainly." (Throws his cigar out of the window.) Commercial Gent (complacently producing and filling his meerschaum ) "Sorry to trou? ble you, but I never cun enjoy my pipe when there's a bad weed a goln!" THE RAINBOW May be accurately described as the real Noah's Arc. SAT UPON-A DINNER TABLE SCENE. Hospitable Host. "Does any gentleman say pudden?" Precise Guest. "No, sir. No gentleman says pudden." DUTIES AND IMPOSTS-IMPORTANT NOTICE TO TRAVELLERS. Any person arriving from the Continent ls permit? ed to clear bli throat at the Custom nouse free of all duty. NOTE BV A FOREIGNER. On England's possessions the sun never sets. True; and on one ot them, London, the sun never rises. SALE OF TBE GREAT ATLANTA HOTEL.-The Atlanta Sun, of Wednesday, says: "Yesterday the Kimball House was sold by the sheriff at public ' outcry, before the courthouse door, under a builders' lien, lor purchase money, and for Stale, county and city taxes. Dr. Joseph Thompson was the purchaser, paying $15,010. The State, county and city taxes amount to $9090, and the builders' Hen $6000. Dr Thompson 1? liable ror $54,000 of purchase money for the lot also, making his outlay ag? gregate about $69,000. Considering that the oui'Uing cost about $600,000, this may be con? sidered; at first thought, a handsome outlay. The building Is mortgaged lor $200,000, and of course lt will require much litigation to re? lease lt of this incumbrance. Mr. B. H. HUI, couusel for Dr. Thompson, paid the $15,010 to the sheriff, and secured the titles to the prop? erty." GRANT'S KEW DUMBA. THE TROUBLE ABOUT THE ALABAMA CLAIMS. Will the Administration Buck Down 01 Figut 1-England'* Chickens Com lng Home to Roost-The Fraudulent Koform Legislature-Tammany to be Abolished-Canonization of Jim Flak -The Amusement Business In Nt York. [FROH OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW YORK, February 4. The temperate, even Indifferent, tone of the American press relative to. the difficulty which has arisen about the adjustment of the Alabama claims, is In curious contrast with the fury of the Loudon press on the same subject. It was supposed here, at first, that the angry feeling in England was but the nati; rai expression of the surprise with which the announcement of the enormous damages claimed by America was received, and that lt would soon blow ever, but a special cable dis? patch, published in one of the morning papers, gives a more serious aspect to the case. If I Chief Justice Cockburn has really counselled the British Cabinet to recede immediately from the Treaty of Washington, leaving to the United States to decide between a new treaty or war, our government ls placed in an em? barrassing dilemma. To consent to annul a contract In which we have secured most of the advantages, upon the dictation of the other party, who jlnds lt inconvenient to carry out its provisions, Isa humiliation scarcely to be borne. Ie would cover the political party and the adminis? tration submitting to it with ridicule, and in? sure their defeat in the Presidential cam? paign. On the other hand, can the govern? ment accept the alternative of war F After the revelation of the rottenness and ineffi? ciency of our navy, what bone can we have of I successfully coping with England for five years to come ? If we cannot afford to go to war with Spain because we would be blown out of the water if we did, how much prospect would there be of our thrashing the biggest naval power of the world ? And If we at? tempt the conquest o? Canada, when will the national debt be paid off? This ls General Grant's new difficulty. If England repudiates the treaty, his administra? tion, supported by Congress, must submit to ! the indignity, and ne repudiated In turn by a disgusted people, or he must plunge the coun? try into a war, in which all the first battles are likely to be won by the enemy. Either horn of the dilemma destroys Mr. Grant's chances of re-election. It ls probable that the administration newspapers, which have been dozing over the late news from London, will shortly awake to a realizing sense of the per? plexity of the si tua! lon. It used to be a favorite saying of Pierre Soule. In Confederate times, that England would come to rue the day when she refused to Join Napoleon In giving material assistance to the South. It Is an odd verification of this prophesy that the London Journals are now engaged in showing how much cheaper it would have been to England If she had inter? vened then than it will be if she has to pay the enormous claims now made by the Amer? ican Government. A war waged in conjunc? tion with France, In 1664, wouid have crippled a rival at a third ot the expense now attend? ing a settlement of Its indemnification de? mands, or of a war resisting them. The Uni? ted Slates, as a consolidated nation, has had the good luck to reap the benefits of Eng? land's blunder; but what will history say of the English statesmanship of the last decade ? It seems to be agreed on all sides that the "Beform" Legislature ls a failure. Even the Times, the apologist of Radical frauds gener? ally, ls constrained to scold its lriends at Albany for the poor show they are making. The Legislature was elected oa the reform Issue, but it has been six weeks in session and has done nothing towards bettering things in this city. Indeed lt appears to be as cor? rupt as nu j- Of tts prodooof eora, for tho calen? dar is filled with Jobs and the lobbies swarm with the old familiar faces. The iact ls that the Republican politicians are thoroughly cor? rupt, and not a whit better than Tweed and his Tain many gang. They have more than a two-thirds majority of both houses, and In? tend to use lr, as usual, lo make money for themselves. It Is well understood that Tweed's agents are at work in the lobbies, and that Tweed will shortly take his seat in the Senate, without opposition from the Republican mem? bers. It ls io be hoped that he will go over and j oin the party to which he naturally be? longs. The Reform Democrats of this city were regularly organized last evening by the meet? ing of their general committee at Apollo Hall. Almost the first action of the new Dody was the adoption of a resolution calling on the Legislature to repeal the charter of the Tam? many Society, or Columbian Order, on the ground that the members had violated the charter by using the society to support a cor? rupt political oligarchy. It ls a sad commen? tary on our politics that the first meeting of the Reform Democratic general committee developed frauds in the election of its mem? bers, and that after the meeting broke np ope of the delegates was assailed la the ball and terribly beaten by a gang of ruffians. It seems that parties change, but the politicians are the same as ever. The interest in the life and dealh of Fisk has not yet evaporated, for one of our literary Bohemians ls about to turn an honest penny out of lt. Mr. C. G. Rosenberg, known In newspaper and theatrical circles, announces a lecture (fifty cents admission) al Steinway Hall, entitled "The Good in James Fisk. Jr." He proposes to show the better side of the nature ot the late Erle magoate, and for that1 purpose has been collecting all the informa? tion attainable of his deeds ot kindness and charity, and his work for the public weal. The colonel's regiment ls raising a sum ot I money to build a monument over his grave at Brattleboro'. His will was lately admitted to ! probate, the value o? his property being esti? mated therein at one million of dollars, the bulk of which goes to Mrs. Fisk. Still another theatre has been opened in this city, christened the "Theatre Fran?ais," and dedicated to French comedy. It is situated In Sixteenth street, near Filth avenue. There are now nearly ill ty places of amusement open In New York and Brooklyn, inclusive of pic? ture galleries and minstrel halls. Of these not less than eighteen are legitimate theatres for the performance of plays and operas. Enter? tainments are given nightly In four languages: English, Italian, French and German. This can be said of no other city of the world, and shows the truly cosmopolitan character of New York. In Parle, its only rival In this re? spect. English ls seldom heard on the stage, and German never, and at present even Italian opera does not pay and ls not given. Nra. A QUEER EXPERIENCE. Mark Twain's First Lecture. I was home again, in San Francisco, with? out means and without employment. I tor? tured my brain for a saving scheme of some kind, and at last a public lecture occurred to me. I sat down and wrote one, In a fever of anticipation. I Bhowed lt to several friends, but they all Bhook their heads. They said nobody would come to hear me, and I would make a humiliating lallure of lt. They said that as I had never spoken in public i would break down in the delivery, anyhow. I was disconsolate now. But at last an editor slapped me on the back and told me to go ahead " He said, "Take the largest house In SiS'and charge' a dollar a ticket " The auda? city ol the proposition was channing; lteeemed taucht with practical wordly wisdom, how ever0 The proprietor of the several theatres eudorsed the advice, and eald I might have his handsome new opeja-house athati-prlce fitly dollars. In 6heer desperation ? took lt-on credlr, for sufficient reasons. In three days I did an hundred and fifty dollars' worth of printing and advertitlng, and was the most distressed and frightened creature on the Pacific coast. I could not sleep-who could under such circumstances ? For other people there was facetiousness in the line of my postere, but to me it was plaintive with a pans when I wrote lt: "Doers open at hall past seven o'clock. The trouble will begin at eight." That line bas done good service since. I have even seen lt appended to a newspaper advertisement, reminding school pupils in va-. cation what time next term would begin. As those three days of suspense dragged by I grew more and more unhappy. I had sold my two hundred tickets among my personal friends, but I feared teat they might not come. My lecture, which had seemed "Humorous" to me at first, grew steadily more and more drei ry till not a vestige of fun seemed left, and I grieved that I could not bring a coffin on the stage and turn the thing into a funeral. I was so panic-stricken at last that I went to three old friends, giants in stature, cordial by nature, and stormy-voiced, and said : . . "This thing is going to be a failure : the joke? in them are so dim that nobody will oversee them. I would like to have you Blt In the .par? quette and help me through. They said they would. Then I went to the wife of a popular citizen, and said that if she was willing to do me a very great kindness I would be ?lad if she and her husband would sit prominently in the left-hand stage-box, where the whole house could see them. I ex? plained that I should need help, and would turn towards her and smile, as a signal, when I had been delivered of an obscure joke "and then," I answered, "don't wait to inves? tigate, but respond I" She promised. Down the street I met ft man I bad never seen before. He had been drinking, and was beaming with smiles and good nature. He said: "My name ls Sawyer. Ton don't know me, but that don't matter. I haven't got a ont, but If you knew how bad I wanted to laugh, you'd give me a ticket. Come, now, what do you say ?" "Ia your laugh hung on a hair-trigger f that is. ia lt critical, or can lt get off easy1? My drawling infirmity of speech so atiected him that he laughed, a specimen or two that struck me as being about the article I wanted, and I gave him a ticket, and appointed him to sit in the second circle In the centre and-be responsible tor that division of the house: I gave him minute instructions about how to detect indistinct jukes, and then went away and left him chuckling placidly over the novel? ty of the idea. I ate nothing on the last of the three event? ful days-I only suffered. I had advertised that on the third day the office would be opened for the Bale of reserved seats. I crept down to the theatre at fonr in the afternoon to see if any sales bad been made. The ticket seller was gone, the box-office was looked op. I had to r-wallow suddenly or my heart would have got out. "No 08168," I said- to myself. I might have known lt. I thought ot suicide, pretended illness, flight ? thought of these things In earnest, for I was very miserable and scared. But I had to of course drive them away, and prepare to .meet my fate. I could not walt for half-past seven; I wanted to face the horror and end it-the feel? ing of many a man doomed to be bung, no doubt I went down back streets at -six o'clock, and entered the theatre by the back door. I stumbled my way in the dark among the ranks of canvass scenery and stood on the stage. The house was gloomy and silent, and its emptiness depressing. I went Into the dark among the scenes again, and for an hour and a half gave myself up to tue horrors, whol? ly unconscious of everything els?. Then I heard a murmur; lt rose higher and higher, and ended in a crash, mingled with cheers. It made my bair rise, lt was so close te me and so loud. There was a pause, and then another: presently came a third, and before I well knew what I was about I was in the middle of the stage, staring at a sea of laces, bewil? dered by the fierce glare of lights, and quak? ing in every limb with a terror that seemed like to take my life away. The house was full-aisle and all I The tumult in my heart and brain and legs continued a full minute before I could gara any command over myself. Then I recog? nized the charity and the friendliness in the faces before me, and little by little my - fright melted away and I began to talk. Within three or four minutes I was comfortable and even content. My three chief allies, with three auxiliaries, were on band In the par? quette, all sitting together, all armed with bludgeons and ali ready to make an onslaught upon the feeblest joke that might show Its head. And whenever a joke did fall their bludgeons came down and their faces seemed to split from ear to ear. Sawyer, whose hearty countenance was seen looming rodly in the centre of the second circle, took lt np and the house waa carried handsomely. Inferior jokes never fared so royally be? fore. Presently I delivered a blt of seri? ous matter with Impressive unction, (lt was my pet) and the audience listened with an absorbed hush that gratified me more than any applause*; and as fdropped the last word of the clause I happened to turn and catch Mrs.-'s Intent and walting eye ; my con? versation with ber flashed upon me, and in spite ot all I could do I smiled. She took It for the signal, and promptly delivered a mel low laugh that touched off the whole aadlence, and the explosion that followed was the triumph of the evening ! I thought that that honest man Sawyer would choke himself; and as for the bludgeons, they performed like pile-drivers. But my poor little morsel of pathos was ruined. It was taken In good faith as an Intentional Joke, and the prize one of the entertainment ; and I wisely let it go at that Ail the papers were kind in the morning : my appetite returned ; I had abundance of money. "All's well that ends well." THE OLD WORLD'S NEWS. PARIS, February 8. Minister Washburn returns to the united States on leave. Colonel Hoffman has charge of the legation. LONDON, February 8. - The steamers Colorado and Arabian collided just outside the Mersey, when the Colorado was run ashore to prevent her sinking with all on board. The Arabian was comparative? ly uninjured, and rescued the Colorado's pas? sengers except five steerage passengers, who, through fear. Jumped overboard. The new company which proposes to lays tel egraph direct to New York has been regis? tered. One of the features Is to fix the tolls at twenty shillings per ten words. NEWS FROM CUBA. HAVANA, February 8. The captain and crew ot tar British schooner Lark, who were driven Into Cuban waters by a gale and seized, were balled at the Instance ol' the British consul-general. The Cuban General Casandoa was killed. The Irregular weather retards and shortens the sugar crop. ?jP CLEAB AND HARMLESS AS WA TER-NATTANS'S CRYSTAL DISCOVERY FOR TUE HAIR.-A perfectly clear preparation in one bottle, as easily appUed as water, for restoring to gray hair its natara! color and y oath rai appear? ance, to eradicate and prevent dandruff, to pro? mote the growth of the hair and stop ita railing ont. It ls entirely harmless, and perfectly free from any poisonous substance, and will therefore take the place of au the dirty and unpleasant preparations now in ase. Numerous testimonial have been sent as from many of oar most promi? nent citizens, some ef which are subjoined. In everything in which the articles now m use are objectionable, CRYSTAL DISCOVERY ls perfect lt ls warranted to contain neither Sugar of Lead, Sulphur or Nitrate of Stiver, lt does not soil the clothes or scalp, ls agreeably perfumed, and makes one of the b. st dressings for the Hair In use. It restores the color of tue Hair "more per? fect and uniformly than any other preparation," aad always does so in from tiree to ten days; virtually reeding the roots of the Hair with all the nourishing qualities necessary to Its growth and healthy condition; lt restores the decayed and induces a new growth of the Hair mere posi? tively than anything else. The application of thia wonierfnl discovery also produces a pleasant and cooling effect on the scalp and gives the Hair a pleasing and elegant appearance. We cali especial attention to the fact that a limited number of trial bottles will be given way gratuitously to those wishing to try lt. Yon will notice that In pursuing this course oar aim ls to convince by the actual merits of the article. ARTHUR NATT ANS, Inventor and Proprietor, Washington, D. a For sale by the Agent, DB. H. BAER, No. 131 Meeting street, Charleston, & C. novlS-smthly_ J) EEUVIA N GUANO. -?ooo tons, Direct Importations from Pera. For sale at Government Prices, febi-thsms . OE J. W. WILLIAMS A CO.