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VOLUME XI.-NUMBER 1883. CHARLESTON, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 18, 1872. EIGHT DOLLARS A THE WAR ON CHARLESTON. ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY The Question of a Lease-Speeches of Messrs. Di Saussure, Trenholm and Colonel lint hers-The Co-operation of Georgia, and Alabama Cordially In? vited-The Remarks of "Truthful James." Pursuant to adjournment, the stockholders of the South Carolina Railroad, and of the Southwestern Railroad Bank, met at 12 M. yesterday, at the baak hall, in Broad street, the Hon. H. D. Lesesne in the chair. The minutes of Tuesday's proceedings were read and confirmed. The amendment proposed by Afr. Bice, at the last annual meeting, to strike out Februa? ry in the second line of section 1, article 1, of the by-laws, and insert April, i. e. requiring the annual meeting of the stockholders io be held on the second Tuesday in April, instead of the second Tuesday In February, was brought up as unfinished business. Major David Gavin inquired whether May might not be substituted for April, the later mtfnth being more convenient for the country stockholders ? It being explained that this amendment could not be acted upon at this, meeting, lt was withdrawn, and Mr. Rice's amendment was unanimously adopted. Mr. John Hanckei moved that the usual committees on proxies, and to manage tho elections at the next annual meeting, be ap? pointed by the chair. . The motion was carried, und the chairman announced the following appointments : Committee on Proxies-Messrs. L. C. Hen. j dricks. A. W. Burnett and C. P. Almar. On Elections-Messrs. Theo. Huchet, T. L. Hntoblnson and W. A. Wardlaw. There was now a break In the proceedings, although every one saw that something impor? tant was coming. Whispers of an adjourn? ment were going around, when Mr. Louis D. De Saussure1 rose and said it was well known to the stockholders and people at large that I -efforts were making by outside parties to con? trol the stock and lease the road. It was, therefore, deemed only proper to lay before the meeting the views of the directors opon the subject. The people of South Carolina had upheld the road for many years. It bad been * grievous burden, but relief was at band. The road was in first-rate order, and was doing an excellent business. It bad become a good property, and now that they were about to reap the fruits of their labors a foreign element threatened to wrest the road away. He desired to Bee capital flow to South -Carolina, but lt was a public duty to build up -our own cities before we undertook the task of f nrlchlng our neighbors. They must take care of their own trade. We must take care -of ours. In view of all the tacts he bad pre? pared a paper, intentionally brief, which he wished to offer to the meeting. The speaker then read the paper as follows: The close of the Confederate war found the Southern railroads crippled In resources, the roads run down and partially destroyed; under these circumstances powerful railroad -corporations and capitalists began the work of buying up and leasing Southern railroads, and diverting the local trade io Northern otiles. In our own State the same influences have been at work, and most of the railroads are now owned by capitalists who have no Interest in our State or local prosperity. It has recently become apparent, from the large number of shares which have been pur? chased In the South Carolina Railroad by New York and Georgia capitalists, and by the Inti? mations which they have made, that they Intend, if possible, to absorb the South Caro? lina Railroad, and make it tributary to other Interests than ours. To avoid this it is neces Bary that the Block of the road shall be controlled by those having a common Interest with us, for without such control rt discrimina? tion In freights can be made against us, which would lead to prostration In nade and a want of prosperity in both State and city; therelore, Besolved, That lt be earnestly recommended to the South Carolina stockholders to retain their stock, and that when necessity compels Mern to dispose of it, they do BO to those who nave a common interest ia the prosperity of J the State; to the end that our citizens, who have so long borne the burden of carrying the stock In adversity, may, now that prosperity ls dawning upon us. permanently control the business of the South Carolina Railroad and the trade and interest of the State on this grast highway of her commerce. Resolved, That we are ready, cordially and in good faith, to co-operate wuk the railroads In onr Bister States, to work with them in a Bystem which will retain the business of the South on our own llneB of communication and for our seaports. The preamble and resolutions having been -duly seconded, Colonel Richard Lathers rose and Bald : Mr. President-I hope tbe resolutions will pass; they are Important in every re IaUon to us as citizens of all parts ot our State-as merchants of Charleston, whose Interest and duty lt ls to conserve the Interest ol commerce, and particularly as stockholders of this corporation, chartered as lt bas been as a great highway ot the Slate for the cheap and speedy conveyance of merchan dise to the interior, and the products cf the industry of th? people to ihe seacoast. It ls my opinion, which I give with much diffidence in the presence of so many dlstiu gulshed lawyers, that ihe president and direc tora ol this road, and even ihe stockholders themselves, have uo power to lease this road to be operated by per.-ons adverse to the inter? est of the commerce or people of this State, or by which the original myniloo of ihe func? tions of this corpora) iou as a great channel of commerce can be changed or Hs Influence im? paired as a meabB of transit from ihe port of Charleston to the interior of the Slate. I firmly believe that such a measure could be re? strained by an injunction applied tor by the attorney general of ibis Commonwealth on the part of citizens ot ibis state, whether stockholders ID this company or not, because such lease would bf in derogation ot the vest? ed rights of the pr o pie ot the state, by whose authority and lor whose convenience Hie franchise was grauted by the Legislature. A ? railway ia a mere public highway, only differing from a canal or a turn? pike in the mode of propelling or carrying tbe passengers or trei^hts transmitted over ii; ?nd in cases of corpora'ors assuming to per? form these i-ervlces to tbe public at private expense in lieu of the public ur government expenditure for the same purpose, a fran? chise ls granted io such corporation s by which they are empowered, under certain restric? tions, to charge for ihe service; but at the same time such parlies are subjected to grave responsibilities lor neglect or refusal to dis? charge their doti- s in ihe spirit as well as In the letter of the objects of euch a corporation. Therefore lt lo a mt-t ke to suppose that char? gers are conceded for ihe benefit ot stock? holders; iflsir.advantages for the use of their capital and enterprise are bm incidental; the primary object ol'such legislation is for the public convenience. In other words, the pe? pie through i heir Legislature giants monopoly of more or less profit, but require Bpecitlc ser? vice of more or les* si ri i g^ney, and these re? lations cannot be changed adversely to the public interest of tue Si aie wimont ihe con Bent of the Legi-lat ure, which surely would hardly consent io have ber metropolitan city neutralized as a commercial mm to serve the purposes of HU adverse city in another State; Bur, Hr. President, suppose all this was overcome, would ihe stockholders of this company be benefited hy leaning their prop? erty lor a few years io a competing railroad ? If any of you have had Hie m ls lort noe io lease your farms or plantation*, as I have done, I think you will have found ?hat ihe rental you bave received for the time of your contract j will fall far short of tbe necessary cost of re- ? pairs Tor clamase and wear your property i countered while out or your hands. Acct the case of railway property this loss is gre ly intensified. Any gentleman familiar w railways knows that dividends arc easily p tl need, lt the president and superintend^ will overlook the wear and tear o? the roll! stock and the condition of the roadway, those gentlemen propose to operate tl road on a lease, and th? product of the rc fairly stated enable them to pay the promis dividend, then the intrinsic business of t road must furnish the surplus means, as t gentleman who addressed you yesterday this intent frankly admitted that the roud w in fine order, 'and had been well mt aged. If, however, the money is n made from the fair net earnings of I business ol the year, you have plenty examples before you ihat your property VJ be returned to you minus In value at lee the sums you have received for the lease, ai minus aUo the loss of business which m have been diverted from your road to the cc poration which you were stupid enough to e trust with your Interest, The celebrated Fie of New York, engrafted this system on tl Erle Railway, and whereas heavy losses ai frauds have been the fruits of such a poll to the stockholders of 1 hat roar], the loss the other parties connected therewith a equally disastrous. Indeed, centralization railway property, with some exceptions, a3 disastrous to the public Interest as politic centralization has proved to tl ~lvll rights the people. On one hand bloated rallwi kings over impoverished stockholders, ai corrupt demagogues over a dlBfranchisi people. We were actually threatened yesterday 1 the gentleman from Georgia, that unless v calmly submitted to have our property put in the custody of persons adverse to the intere of this State and city, io be controlled even I an adverse railway, that Mr. Moses Taylor, citizen of New York, would coerce the mea ure by the use of a fortune of thirty million Now, Mr. President, I have the honor of knoi ing Mr. Taylor; he ls a gentleman of high cha acter, and worthy of his good fortune. I ai glad he has seen flt to invest In the stock < this raliway, or In any other propel ty ia ot State; but I protest against the use of h name by any one, In so vulgar a i h rear, that h would BO far forget bis own generous feelins and his native modesty as to Haunt In the fae of our poor people, In thle time of their a< vere 1 ty, this thirty millions as a med itu of terror to compel us to surrender the cut tody of our own property and the franchise from our own State. [Applause.] God know our people have enough to encounter at hom from the corruptions and irauds of a Stat government, beggaring them by taxatloi and overthrowing' their credit, paralyzing their Industry, by an ad ml ul si ration which I; without example among a civilized people, All this I say, Mr. President, ls quite enough without the threat of annihilation from th concentrated capital of our wealthy olste Sutes. And I cannot refrain Irom addlo) that we hardly expected this raid made on ou Interest by our brethren of Georgia, wltl whom we are BO Intimately connected, am with whose citizens we are in such lively sym pathy, not only In business relations, bu under the burdens of common political sui feting. Suppose, Mr. President, a few gentlemen OJ Broad street, in connection with a mlllionain of the North, should g) over to Savannah am propose to lease tbelr leading bank for a tern of years, promising their stockholders a dlvi dendof five per cent, at a time when tha bank, for prudential reasons, had omitted a divident because of some heavy loss In ex? change? Would not the stockholders expr?s: as'.ouiehment at even the proposition ? Wouic they not fear that the Charleston Interest might discriminate against Savannah In then discounts, and alter having used the bank tc direct business to Charleston, band lt back tc the stockholders shorn "of lis best customers, and Its field ot operation denuded of Its best Interests?" Ral ?wa j B and banks are the instruments ol commerce, and should be managed primarily for the Interest ot their respective fields ol operation ; to fulfil their duties to the public, whose chartered franchises they enjoy. And this duty, honestly and intelligently dis? charged towards the locality lu which they are respectively located, will produce ample profit to the stockholders. It ls not true, as many would fain suppose, that even Individuals can do as they please with their own. I am no business dreamer or poet, but I recognize still that this right ie limited to a mau's duty as a citizen, and his capital cannot properly be u?ed adversely to the community In which he lives. It ls true one has some difficulty lu defining the exact line of duty and Interest, yet the extreme ls easily found. In case of war no personal in? terest justifies aiding the enemy; and I have confidence that no Carolinian will aid In any attempt to overthrow the commercial Interest of this city and of the reflex advantages of the State. The Erle Canal, that great original artery of the commerce of the City of Kew York, first established Ihe commercial su? premacy of that city, and the accumulation of capital there created the Empire State ol New York. Charleston ls the metropolis of this State, and the South Carolina Railroad, I trust, will ere long justify our hopes that the commercial prosperity of the one will but be the product of the agricultural wealth of the other, and thal our great artery o? transit from the Bea to the mountains will be as profitable to ihe stock? holders as IIB Judicious management will be productive of success to the industry of our people. Mr. President, I have but a word to say, and I close. Compare the City of Savannah wli h Charleston after the war, and the field of the Georgia railway with our own. Charleston was a mass ol ruins, and her people a population almost literally without means to avert starvation. Savsnnah came out of the war In a better condition than lt went in, because filled with colton, which was soldjat enormous prices. Her aggregate capital for commercial purposes was practically In? creased, and commercial men and their capi? tal and Interests gravitated towards Savannah, as they always do where these are lound. The Georgia railway, not only equipped but In order, was ready to reap the harvest which th?se advantages presented. I well recollect when your president fiist called on me In New York on the subject of financial negotia? tions to rein>tate the road, which hardly ex? isted as a means of transportation, ev. ? the road, in great part, almost obliterated; and the bonded debt, with twenty per cent, gold Interest due on it, was well calculated to ap? pal a man of even more energy and hopeful? ness that we all know he possesses. His honest and enthusiastic statements im? pressed capitalists in his favor, and his skill and economy in rebuilding the road and ope? rating it has relieved it from financial embar ra-smen;, so that to-day you have a valuable properly almost created out of the energy and good Judgment of your president and bis able board ut directors; and you must, as I do, re? gard them us tar better custodians of your property and the directors of your interests iban auy bedy o? men who would approach you in the way of a mere speculation. There? fore, when the rich wayfaring stranger, wi tri bis thirty millions, visits our friends in Geor? gia, let him b? financially entertained by food ol their own providion; but I beg them to spare our pet ewe lamb which has so long been nur? tured in our bosom. [Loud applause,] The preamble and resolutions were then put and unanimously adopted. On motion of Mr. John Hanckel, It was then resolved that when the meeting adjourn lt do adjourn sine die, and that the managers of election be requested to report the result of tftfi election through the morning papers, sod also to the presidents ot the road and bank re? spectively. The Hon. Geo. A. Trenholm now arose and offered the following:* Resolved, That the stockholders of ihe South Carolina Railroad cordially Invite the directors ot the railroads of Ueorgla and other neigh? boring States to confer with the directors ol this road, whh the view to the adoption of a coraprehenHlve system of management that will secure to Savannah and Charleston the commerce that legitimately belongs to them. Io support of this resolution. Mr. Trenholm said there were many difficulties surrounding Southern railroads which could be easily over? come by a better understanding among their managers. He cordially agreed with the vlewB of the eloquent gentleman who had preceded him as to the results which must flow from a leaae of the road, and as to th? motives which should govern their determi nation. When a Slate, exercising the so^ ere;go light of eminent domain, gare certal privileges to great corporations, it was wit the purpose that those privileges should b exercised for the public advantage. A corr mon carrier was given Ihe right to take prl vate property, to cross roads and navigabl streams, in consideration of the benefit which lt should confer upon the public, J great railroad properly managed was a publi good. Take such a road from bur own peopl and place it in the power ot a rival corporation and instead of a blessing it would be an in-tm ment ot oppression. The Georgia Central Boat offers, lt is said, to lease our road. What I the offer ? The South Carolina Road, with th< exercise of the greatest economy, Is barel; able to maintain Its line and equipment an? pay the interest on its debt. It pays no di vi dentis; yet the Central Hoad offers, it ls said five or six per cent. Where is lt to corni from ? It can only be obtained, if obtained a all, by (axing the people along the line o road. The proposition ls to Increase the rah of travel and transportation all over the Soutl Carolina Road. If the required revenu* could be derived from unitorm rates upot both roads (the Central and South Carolina] what necessity Is there ol leasing ? It wa; only needed that the two roads enter into at agreement not to reduce their charges below fair and remunerative rates. He was glad to hear what the preceding speaker bad said of the New York capital isl (Mr. Mosts Taylor.) He knew him by reputa lion, and if he were present no such state? ments as those made yesterday would have been allowed to go forth. Nor would Mr. Tay? lor hear with any satisfaction that sentiments so ungenerous had been attributed to him. [Applause.] Recurring to the leasing of the road, Mr. Trenholm said lt was the old story of Ahab's vineyard. Like Ahab we should answer, -'It is my Inheritance. I cannot sell it." They had an example *n the Greenville Road, where a Ring of sloe'.holders bad bought a control? ling interest, and having a majority of the Btock he J called a convention, and, in con? tempt of the minority, had decided to lease the road. Such a combination would not be upheld in this road. It would be Inconsistent with the rights and obligations of the corporators-with law and equity, and with that sentiment of justice and honor which should underlie all great and public transactions. Tb; Mr. Taylor, al? ready mentioned, would scorn to buy up and govern a road in this manner. Let him come to Charleston, and, being a stockholder, let him examine the reports and workings of the road. He (Mr. Trenholm) would welcome him as a member of the board. His Interests in New York should be opposed to the combi? nation now attempted to be made. A body of Northern capitalists (the Pennsylvania Com? pany) were obtaining the control of a Une of railroads running parallel with the Atlantic coast, which should carry the products of the South to Norfolk, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and even Boston, without touching a South Atlantic pori. New York was Interested In keeping open these South Atlantic ports. Sa? vannah was threatened as well as Charleston. No combination of hers could defeat the great monopoly. But if the Georgia and South Car? olina roads would combine, they could, with the advantage of a long sea line, defeat and break up the Northern Ring. [Loud applause.] As regards the proposed lease, be would ask what was the guarantee ot the Georgia Central Railroad good for? That company haa a capi? tal of $5,000,000. It had a bond debt of $789, OOO. It had leased the Macon and Western Road, with a capital of $2,000,000, guarantee? ing a dividend equal to Its own. It bad rent? ed the Augusta and Savannah Road, with a capital of $850,000, at $73,000 a year. It had leased the Southwestern and the Muscogee Railroads, of 257 miles, with a capital and debt of $4,639,000, at eight per cent, per annum. It owns in the Southwestern Road stock to the amount of $423,000, aBd in the Muscogee Road to the amount ol $25,000. The bonds of the Western Railroad, amounting to $1,200,000, were guaranteed by the Central and Georgia Roads, one-half of the liability falling on the Central. This made a total debt of $14,326,000, to which lt was proposed to add the capital and debt of the South Carolina Railroad of $10,000,000, making a grand total of $24,326,000. He (Mr. Trenholm) would not accept the guarantee of such a road. The Central Road was pursuing a darlog and dan? gerous course, and he believed lt would end la failure and ruin. The proper course for us was to Invite them to unite in a combination which would secure prosperity and safety to both. The Hon. J. P. Boyce here rose and said he could give a few facts which would throw light upon the value of these guarantees. About a year ago the Central Railroad leased the Macon and Western Railroad, the stock of which, a few days after the completion of the lease, he (Mr. Boyce) had sold tot 110 and 112. Yesterday the same stock was offered to bim at 101. Mr. John H. James, of Atlanta, rose and said: The people of Charleston have miscon? strued what I said. I came here In the Inter? est of no raHroad. Atlanta is not opposed io Charleston. She gives the Charleston route more business than she gives Savannah or Macon. But railroads ought to pay. They ought to pay dividends. I don't know Mr. Moses Taylor-never saw him. I repeated what was told me. I bought Block In the South Carolina Railroad because lt can be made to pay. I saw there was a fight up, and James could make something out of lt. You said you were going to defend yourselves against the Ring by buying up the stock. I warned you yesterday you would be bought out. Did you do lt ? Why, this morning how much stock was offered a long the streets ? I was offered four hundred shares. Now, If you want to keep the road why don't you buy that stock? What I buy I keep till I can get a profit. Then the man who bids highest takes the Block. I am lu for making money, and only spoke for James. 1 he resolution was again : -ad, when the Hon. Alfred Huger rose. He had a few words to speak, but, unimportant as they might be, he would rather not let them remain unsaid. He had heard ihe opinions and arguments of the gentleman, (Mr. Trenholm,) and fully concurred in them. He would like to call ihe attention of the meeting to this fact. It was not Improbable that he was the only survivor of the Legislature which granled Us original charter to the South Carolina Road. If any clause had been proposed to be Inserted In the charter to authorize the leasing of the road, the mover would hardly have dared to show his face in either house. The arguments used wben the charier was granted were of the same Import as those his honorable friend had so logically staled. It was a chain lo bind the Southern States to? gether. It was, when completed, the longest road In the world, and with Its connecting lines lt was expected to transport our cotton | and that ol our neighbors from the Interior to the seaboard. Ever man who voted for the charter did so feelig that he should love his neighbor as himself "But Mr. Chairman, the idea of parting witt that road seems to me like nothing more or less than bartering away our offspring. God ! I would as soon sell my child, .?ed and worn as I am. I cannot spek of lt. Part with our child ? Aller rearln it and caring for lt; alter watching lt In trlalsind troubles, and seeing lt emerge Into llgbtind hope from the dark? ness of ruin and depalr ? I saw the trouble coming. I risked le little I was worth with no triumph in prosect but the triumph of J utter ruin." The ?nerable speaker, whose pathetic words wendeeply felt by every one, said also that he ha seen the direction put their shoulders to the wheel in the face of difficult lea which semed insuperable, and at length brought tb old road through. The stockholders had at received dividends, but the people of the cantry had. He wanted to hear of no worse rfalry between Georgia and South Carolina exept the generous rivalry of striving lo do the umost for each other. The Hon. Geo. ATrenholm asked leave to state the plain proposition, that when a com? mon carrier had coiled merchandise and pas? sengers lor one yer, and at the end of the year found that the/ecelpts and expenditures were equal to each ither, it was plain that the work of carrying pssengers and freight bad been done at its exct cost. This was the case with tbe South Caolioa Hoad. It had ren? dered a great and important service to the country. Il had glenthe public a dividend, although lt did notiow give one to its stock? holders. The resolution ws then put and unani? mously adopted. ; The meellng having on motion, resolved it- j self Into a commlttetof the whole, with the Hon. Gabriel Cannon n the chair, the follow? ing resolution was iut and unanimously adopted : Resolved, That the thank? of this meeting are due and are li ere ty tendered to the Hon. H. D. Lesesne for t h e tole, courteous and digni? fied manner In whib he has presided over their deliberations. Upon Mr. Lesesne'iresumlng the chair, the resolution was reportjd to him. He expressed his gratification for lib kind and flattering ap- j predation ol his smalservlce, which had been rendered easy by the characteristic decorum and propriety which hd prevailed during the deliberations of the meting. On motion, the neting then adjourned stn? die. Result of tte Election. DIRECTORS OF THE SOiTII CAROLINA RAILROAD COUPANT. I. Wm. J. Magrath. 9. B. H. Rice. 2. Geo. A. Trenbolm. 10. Wm. A. Courtenay. 3. L. D. DeSaus8ure. ll. James S. Gibbes. 4. John Hanckel. 112. James P. Boyce. 6. Andrew Slmonds. 13. James Conner. 6. Geo. W. Williams. 14. W. L. Ellis. 7. Henry Gourdin. 16. Daniel Tyler. 8. Francis J. Pelzer. DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD BANE. 1. J. C. Cochran. 8. J. 8. Gibbes. 2. L. D. DeSiuBSoxe. 9. W. J. Magrath. 3. J. P. Boyce. io. W. A. Pringle. 4. J. H. Wilson. ll. Henry Gourdin. 5. W. A. Courtenay. 12. B. H. Rice. 6. G. W. Williams. 13. James Conner. 7. P. J. relzor. ' . _._ A RUNAWAY CAUGHT-MORE RAIL? ROAD CONSOLIDATION. SAVANNAH, February 14. Johu Conner, who absconded from Scran? ton, Pennsylvania, with ten thousand dollars, was arrested yesterday aboard the steamer Magnolia from New York. Nine thousand nine hundred and seventy-nine dollars were recovered. The annual election of officers of the Allan tic and Gulf Railroad was held to-day. The old board was re-elected. A proposition to extend the road to Mobile met wilh great favor, but was referred for further details. An offer from Morris Ketchum, and others of I New York, lo lease the road was read, and a motion requesting the parlies to make a defi? nite offer was adopted, which proposition Is to be submitted to the stockholders at a future meellng._ NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. WASHINGTON, D. C., February 14. The Homet was allowed to go from Balti? more to New York under bond. The Criminal Coan is entertaining a motion for the arrest of judgment In ihe case ot Con? gressman Stokes. The impression ls that Stokes will escape the penally. SENATE.-Sumner's resolution of Inquiry re? garding the sale of arms occupied the entire day. Adjourned without action. The discus? sion was Ditter and confined entirely to Re? publicans. Hoi SK.-Beck introduced a resolution tn inquire what had become of the navy, which was objected to on account of Schofield's ab? sence. The committee on ways and means reported a bill abolishing the tariff on tea and coffee. Frenkllnbar. In reporting the bill, i-tated th it a majority of Ihe committee of | ways and means were opposed le ihe repeal. The naval appropriations occupied the rest ol of the day. _ TEE OLD WORLD'S NEWS. NEW York, February 14. The Herald's London special says: aNo English cabinet continuing the negotiations uniter the treatv as the case now stands could hold office for twem y four hours. Therefore, the arb tratlon ls ended, unless some mutual understanding, modifying the point at Issue, is made." WASHINGTON, February 14. Slr Edward Thornton apprehends no se-1 rious trouble between England and America over the treaty. LONDON. February 14. The expedition lu search ol Dr. Livingstone has departed. The comic papers cartoon tho Ameilcau claims for indirect damages. PARIS. February 14. The membere of the Right have declared their unwillingness to fuse with the Orleanisis in the Assembly. NOTES FROM NEW YORK. NEW YORK, February 14. Dutch George, the celebrated counterfeiter, is dead. Mayor Hall intends Buing the Times for libel If he is acquitted. The Reform ticket swept Staten Island. 8everal motions to quash the Indictment against, stokes were refused. The Judge and Jury will consider the question ot the Illegality of the grand Jury after che evidence and argu? ment. SPARKS FROM THE WIRES. -E. A. Bulkley, president o? the Etna Fire Insurance Company, ls dead. -Mar.ll Gras, at New Orleans and Memphis, was iinprec-denilv auccesslul. -The re ot m ticket ls successful In Rich? mond County. New York. -Three children were burned tc death yes? terday ai Wluoua. Minn. -Two perons were killed yesterday by a col.i-lou on the Hariford and New Haveu Rail? road. #? -Nine million two hundred and fifty thou? sand bushels of wheat are in store aud afloat at Chicago. -Tue steamer Nashville, with $170,000 of frelirlit fur New Orleans, was Bunk by ice at ClucinoaiL -Aver & Brothers tobacco factory, ia Mc Lean County, Ky., was burned down, and the supposed incendiary was lynched and found ?Mri THE REPUDIATION DODGE. WESLEY'S KEW YORK SCALING BILL. Provisions of the Bill-Honest Bond? holders to Lose One-fourth of their Bonds for the Benefit of Holders of Il? legal Bonds-A Modest Proposition In the House-Six Dollars a Day in the Summer. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TDK MEWS.] COLUMBIA, S. C., February 14. Wesley's Bealing or repudiation bill will probably be introduced in the House by Den? nis, of furniture fame, to morrow. Tbe bill provides for the issue ol ten millions of regis? tered stock, for which the outstanding State bonds shall be exchanged at the rate of sev ty-flve cents in stock for every dollar in bonds. A special tax of four mills to be levied every year for the payment of interest. Messrs. Orr, Palmer and Childs and two citizens of New York to be commissioners to certify to bonds presented for exchange. The financial board to select a New Tork bank to transact the busi? ness of exchanging. No more bonds to be Issued without the sanction of two-thirds of tbe voters of tbe State. Ten thousand dollars are appropriated for expenses. The Senate passed a bill to provide the man? ner of conducting special elections, and the amendment to the constitution causing the Stale and Federal elections to be held on the same day. ' The House adopted a resolution to adjourn on the 26th, subject to the call of the speaker, who may convene the House In special ses? sion upon the demand ot a majority of the members. PICKET. THE REPUDIATION AND BLUE RIDGE BILLS. Petit ton of the New Torie Bondholders -Their Modest Request-The Lancas? ter Election Case- Hayne's Land Com? mission Report. I PROM OUR OWN C J RR ES PONT 3 NT.] COLUMBIA, S. C., February 13. The only feature of general Interest In the legislative proceedings, to-day, was the pas? sage to a third reading of the House bill to re? lieve the State of its guarantee of the Blue Ridge bonds, wblch was accomplished by a vote of 80 to 19, and ls equivalent to Its final passage by the House, Inasmuch as tbe debate upon any measure is practically confined to Its second reading, and the third reading ls purely a matter of form. The nature of its reception by the Senate ls still, of course, a matter of doubt; but that body has shown in more cases than one its remarkable facility for the sumersault business, and there la no knowing after all but tbat the bill may pass. In the Senate, this morning, there was also a little sensation In the shape of a petition from various bondholders In New Tork, pray? ing for the acceptance of the funding scheme, mentioned sometime ago in this correspon? dence, as proposed by Mr. Wesley, of the Union Trust Company, New York. The petition was brought to Columbia "by Mr. Wesley, who la in town for a few days looking after the Interests of this device, and ls as fol? lows: Nsw YORK, January SI. 1872. To the Honorable the Senate ana House of Repre? sentatives of the State of South Carolina: The subscribers, your petitioners, owners and representatives of owners of bonds of the State of Sonth Carolina respectfully pray yoar honorable bodies to provide by law for the funding and con o-iiJaria- rr iht> various loans or your State toto a registered stock, not to exceea me sum or rea millions of dollars, with Interest payable quarter, ly, at and after the rate of six per cent, per an? num; and your petitioners are willing to ex? change thc bonds or your state now held or rep? resented by them for such registered stock at the rate of seventy Ave per cent, of the par value of said bonds; provided, that in any lawcreauog such registered stock as prayed for by your peti? tioners there shall be a'provision made for a per? manent tax HU nielen t to pay i he Interest thereon and create a reasonable sinking fund therefor, and also provide In the same statute that the debt of your state shall not be farther Increased, except by a vote In ra vor thereof cast by a major tty of the legal voters of yonr State at any gene? ral election. This petition is signed by eighty-two firms, corporatlono and individuals, of whom the largest owners of stock are as follows: E. B. Wesley.$100,000 E. A. Quintar?. 110,000 Van Schalck & Co. 240,000 S. H. Alden.110,000 A. Michel backer. 140,000 Jno. H. Hand. 100.000 DeRham & Co.114,000 Jae. Flanagan. 60,000 A. D. Williams A Co. 50,000 Tracy B. Edson. 50,000 H. 8ilbershorn. 61,000 Gbas. L. Lawrence. 50,000 L. Burnham. 60,000 Jos. Andrade. 60,000 J. W. Brown. 60,000 W. H. Williams. 60,000 R. H. Thompson. 70,000 The petition was offered by Senator Nash, referred without debate or comment to the committee on finance, and ordered to be printed. Previous to the introduction of this petition in the Senate the tollo wing bills were intro? duced : By Mr. Bleman, bill to authorize aliens to hold property. Ry Mr. Corbin, bill to amend section 158 of the Code of Procedure. By Mr. Duvall, bill to provide for the pay? ment of Jurors' and witnesses' tickets, which provides that county treasurers be required to pay j uro th' and witnesses' tickets ou presenta? tion out of any moneys in their hands, and to receive such tickets In payment of county taxes. The railroad committee made a decidedly suggestive report upon the bill to aid in the construction of thc Georgetown and Charlot te Railroad. They recommend that the bill do not pass, lor the very sensible reason "that lrom Information received from several sources it ls questionable If there be such a corporation as the Georgetown and Charlotte Railroad Company." The committee on privileges and elections submitted a long report upon the protest of Phineas B. Tompkins against F. A. Clinton, the sitting member of the Senate lrom Lan? caster Conuty, the upshot of which all ls that they recommend the unseating of th* incum? bent, and that the seat be declared vacant. Various evidences o? fraud in the election are produced, and the testimony would Beem to show that Mr. Tompkins was elected by a majority of forty-three, and thBt, therefore, he should be entitled to the seat; but the com? mittee do not go so far as that In their recom? mendation, but merely recommen i that, the election be declared null and void, and the seat of the member from Lancaster declared vacant. The report of the present land commis? sioner. Senator-H. E. Hay ne, has also made its appearance, and a careful perusal ot Us eighty paires will tend to prove the truth of that gentlemen's recent remark upon the floor o? the -enaie that he bad stolen nothing while in office because his predecessors had left nothing to Bical. AU of which ls sugges? tive of a clever cartoon by Nast. during the recent Tammany troubles in New York, in which the four culef braves of that tribe were pictured as standing lu a circle, and each one pointing the floger ol scorn and obloquy to his lefi-hand neigh nor. with the exclamai ion, "He IR the ihief I" Thus, Tweed was pointing to Swenney, 8weeney to Hall, and Hall lo Connolly, uutil at la>t Connolly was found to be pointing to Tweed, and the ring was com? plete. Ia the prewnl case, Hayne proiesis his lnoocence. In which of cours-? we flrm'y be? lieve: but he says that his predecessors plundered. His immediate forerunner was DeLarge, and UcLarge, we all know, is liou estjbut still DeLarge admits that there have been swindles. Tue predecessor of DeLarge was Leslie, and now Hie question comes, what would Leslie have to say lt he were asked who had com milted the swindles in the office ol the land comm BS1<mer ? In the HOUBB to-day the proceedings, outside of the passage of the Blue Ridge bill, were exceedingly uninteresting. The ' only new measure of any importance was the Introduc? tion by Green of a bill to compel attendance at school of children between the ages of Blx and sixteen years, which provides that every parent, guardian or other person -having chll 1 dren between the ages of six and slxleen !n their employ or charge shall send such chil? dren to school for a period of at least four consecutive months In each year. Non-com? pliance with this act Is declared a crime, and ls made punishable with fifty dollars fine and thirty days Imprisonment, or thirtv days' lah or on the public roads. PICKET. * T S THE BASTARDLY ASSAULT UPON GEN? ERAL D. JET. MAURY. The Fact* or the Cate. [From the Huntsville Advocate ] The Memphis Appeal has published an ac? count of an assault made by Mr. Trice, the conductor of a sleeping car on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, on General Dabney H. Maury, on the night of January 31st, at Chattanooga. This account varies very ma? terially from the facts of the case, and was probably derived from Mr. Trice, who desired to forestall public opinion In bis favor. Gen? eral Maury has felt constrained to place in our hands for publica1 loo the following pri? vate letter, which he addressed, on the Int In? stant, to Major Wicks, president of the Mem? phis and Charleston Railroad Company. We have known General Maury\from boy? hood, having been a fellow student vwlth bim at the University of virginia. He bas made his own Imperishable public record by valua? ble services as an officer in the Mexican war, when he received honorable wounds In both arms, and as a general in the Confederate ser? vice, where /IIB cause was ever "up ward and onward, and true to tbe line" or patriotic duty. We therefore credit tbe entire truth? fulness of his statement, and have no hesi? tancy in denouncing Mr. Trice's assault on him as uncalled for, cowardly and brutal. Its I dastardly character Is aggravated by the fact that General Maury ls a man ot small stature, and Inferior strength, unarmed, and with both arms injured by wounds received in his coun? try's eervlce. Mr. Trice ls ihe man who perpetrated the scandal about Mr. Jefferson Davis, and. If re? ports be true, many passengers have hesita? ted and refused to take berths ia his sleeping car, in consequence of their disbelief of bis statement In that connection. He ought to be summarily dismissed from the road. Here ls General Mauay's letter: ?> ? HUNTSVILLE, February 1, 1872. Jfajor il. J. Wicka-DEAR SIR: Last night I arrlved-.ln Chattanooga by the train from Virginia, having been since Sunday week travelling almost dally. I therefore went into the sleeping car at Chattanooga to secure some rest. The conductor of the Bleeping car met me, and politely informed me that any of the berths would be army service, as be had no other passengers. I laid my travelling bag and shawl upon a seat, and fell into a civil chat wlih the conductor, during which be In? formed me he waa from Louisa County, Vir? ginia, the adjoining county to my own, Hpottsylvanla. I asked him his name. He said his . name was Trice. I turned trom bim. and, without a word, took up- my valise and shawl and went out of the sleeping cat and went Into the next car In front, I had been in that car about five or ten min? utes, when I missed the cape of my overcoat, and thinking I might have left lt in the restau? rant of tbe depot, went hastily in and asked the proprietor if I had left my cape there. He told me no. I then went into the sleeping car to look for lt, and found lt lu the Beat where I had placed lt. I took lt up, and was on my way out of the car with lt, when the same conductor confronted me, and said to this ef? fect: "You left this car very abruptly just now, sir; why did you do so ?" His manner was aggressive. I replied, ''Because, slr, I chose to do so." And then, with coarse lan? guage and Insolent manner be de? manded again my reasons. I replied: -I left the car becaiiBe you are the author of a scandal upon the Southern people." He then ran to the stove, took up au Iron poker, about eighteen Inches long, and came quickly up to me with lt, denouncing and threatening me in violent and foul terms, until I had reached the door of (he sleeping car, when, just as I etepped out upon the plat? form of the car, he suddenly caught me around the neck, with the arm holding bis lantern, threw me down upon the platform, and struck me rapidly and violently on the back of my head with the poker. He Inflicted several cuts upon my head and several upon my arms before he was prevented by Mr. Peck, the brakesman, from further violence. I bad no weapon upon my person, nor anywhere within reach, and, having been maimed In both my bands, was at his mercy from the moment he threw me down. These are the main facts, known to me, about this outrage. I lay them before you, and am, respectfully, yours, DABNEY H. MAURY. A FEARFUL STORM IN THE NORTH? WEST. CHICAGO, February 14. A fearful storm has prevailed In the vicinity of Sioux City. The mercury fell forty degrees in two hours. 4 A hurricane, with blinding snow, continues. Several deaths are repor ed trom the sudden cold. The trains on this division ol' the Central Illinois Road are all blocked by the snow. Tbe thermometer this morning waa eighteen degrees below zero. A report that Spotted Tali and his baud were frozen ls believed, out the prostration of tbe telegraph by the storm prevents verification. ST. PAUL. February 14. The heaviest snow storm of tbe season oc? curred to-day. Tbe thermometer was below zero all day. The railroads west are blocked up, and lt ls feared that the Canadian survey? ing party, numbering twenty-five men under Colonel McNab, which left Dunleath for upper Superior, have perished. When last heard from, January 27ib, they were lo an open boat. The lake ia full of ice, and a storm ls pre? vailing. _. THE WEATHER THIS DAY. WASHINGTON, D. C., February 14. The highest barometer will probably extend oo Timi slay northeastward over the Gull and South Atlantic States. A rising barometer and pleasant weather will prevail over the Middle and Eastern States, and west and northwesterly winds will prevail from New England to Florida and westward to the Mis? sissippi. An area of Tow barometer will pro? bably develop In the upper Missouri valley, clear weather prevailing lu the Southern and Gulf Slates, except the immediate coast west of Texas, where easterly winds and cloudy weather are anticipai ed. Warning signals have been ordered, but dangerous winds are not anticipated for Wednesday night on the Gulf or Atlantic coasts. Yesterday's Weather Reports of thc Signal Serrice, V. S. A.-4.-17 P. BL, Local Time. Place of Observation. K AiKUBta, Ga.... Baltimore. -tost?n. Criarles ton. Cnieago......... Cincinnati. Galveston, Tex.. Key West, Fia.. Knoxville, Tenn Memphis. Tenn Mt. Washington. New orleans... Sew York. N irtolK . Philadelphia.... Portland, Me... savanuah . I.'mW. Washington.... Wilmington,N.C 29.881 42 W "?9.98 25 MW 2'i.4? 28 W 29.77 46 W 30.06 16 W 80.12 lO?VV 30.21 65 ->E 3-1.05 69 MW .0.91 2o W 30.16 41 VV 29 23 16 S JO.14 40 NW 29.62 23 sW .?0.65 30 SW 29.6; ;-4NW 2K.31 36 'E 29.85 4 W 30.OH 22 W .9.72 25 MW ?9.6? 44 W D ss i o : 3 3 iBrlak. 'Brlhk. ? risk. Brisk. Fresh. (tri8K. Gentle. Brisk. Brisk. Fresh. Brisk. Fre>h. Brisk, resb. Brisk. Fre.-u. rtrlsk. BriBK. Brisk. Brisk. cn 3 *?? Olear. Pair. Fair. Olear. Kain C'lg Up. Fair. Fair. Cloudy. F.lr. L. Snow Clear. Fa.r. Fair. Fair. Cloudy. Clear, lear. Cloudy. O.ear. APPOINTMENTS BIT rae. I?UVJSKN. R.-Bv con? sent ol tue pariies, lu the case uf G. W. Pat? terson vs. the South Carolina Railroad Com? pany, the Governor has appointed F. W. Mc Master. Esq., as apecial Judge to try the case, Judge Mellon betug incapacitated from serv? ing, as t<e has been counsel In Hie case. Govern->r SJOI t has removed C. M. Thomp? son, tria' Justice for Kershaw County, and has made ihe following appointments: N liarles Public-C. C. Turner, lor 8partanburg: Leven Argoe, Oak Grove, Orangeburg; A. W. Cle? ment, Anderson County; W. S. Hastie, Charles? ton. OR AN rs NEPOTISM. MOBILE, February iii** The Mobile Tribune cays D. C. Sugg, a class-' mat? of General Horace Porter of tne.Eresl dent's staff, bas been made deputy collector of customs at Mobile. He was unknown to Collector Miller, and his appointment was a' dictate to him from Washington. He was appointed postmaster In Huntsville by Grant, last winter, at Porter's request. His appoint? ment In the customhouse is understood to explain In part.the influences which procured Warner's removal, through Porter and Came-, ron. 7 Mattitb. ::;oa _....?^?^?u??w?a5M>i DARGAN-WK "KESBERG.-On the evening Ott the 13th February, 1873, at St. John's Lutheran Charoh, by the Rev. Trios. William Doab, Locus O. DABO AK, of Darlington, 8. c., to J. ANNA, daughter of F. R. Wickenberg, of Charleston. . ... fanerai floticgg. .. J "~^^HE^BELATIVE8, FRIENDS AND Acquaintances of Mr. and Mrs. DUNCAN nIN . G RAHM, also of his mother; Anne Dence, and Mr. and Mrs. B. Cal lo w ay, are particularly Invited to attend the Funeral of the former, THIS AFTXB NOON, at his late residence, Laurel street, near Line, at 4 o'clock. _ lebis ftr* NIAGARA FIRE ENGINE COM? PANY, No. 8.-You are hereby summoned to" ap?, pear at the Englne-House, In uniform, THIS AF TBBMOOK, at 3 o'clock, to pay the last tribute or respect to your late brother member, DUNCAN5 INGRAHM. ~ By order. JAS. M. HOLLOWAY, . 3 febi6 Secretary.; ASHBY.-Died, in Darlington County, February; 12, 1873, at the residence of his son, THOMAS ASHI?V, in the eighty-ninth year of his age. Special Notices. ^?-NOTICE- - CENTRAL POSTOFFICE BOX.-By. permission of Stanley G. Trott, Esq;,. Postmaster, a POSTOFFICE BOX has been placed In my Grocery Store, No. 376 King street, nearly opposite Hasel street, for th? accommadation of the publia .f> All Letters deposited will be delivered' at the; principal Poeto ca ce in time for the regular malls. EVERT E. BEDFORD, 'i Successor to W. 8. Corwin * Ca, febl4-e Na 276 King street : > ?Bf FRESH VACCINE MATTER, " TAREN FROM THE ARM, FOB BAU AT . ? i . V.v^ :. 1 BURNHAM'S DRUG STORE, NO. 431 KING STREET, fe bl 2-1 mo CH AB LISTO H, S. C. pw* THE CHARLESTON OHARITA?, BLE ASSOCIATION, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREE SCHOOL FUND.-OFFIOAL , RAFFLEB NUMBERS. CLASS Na 849-MOBMIMa. , ?.}. 20-60 -32 -64-74-13-10 -62 -43-60 -83?-6T; OLASSNo. 850-EVXKIMG. - 66 - 6 -37-77-23-73-14-43-24-83-11-741 AB witness our nan? at Charleston thia 14th day ; of february, 1873. FENN PECK, . .-. JAMES OnjJTiANTV octa Sworn ccmmlwmonert. ~j?Y' ST. JOSEPH AND DENVER CITY RAILROAD COMPANY. ExEcrrrvs OPFICS, No. 81 NASSAU STBXXT, .;' NSW YoBX, February 1, 1872. ' : The Couponsand registered Interest doe Feb*:, ruiiry 16,1873, on the First Mortgage Eight Per' Gent. (8 rf-c.) Gold Bonds (E. D.) and the Eight ' Petr Cent, (8 p. a) Gold First Mortgage binung Fund Land Grant Bonds (W. D.,) of the St. Joseph and Denver City Railroad Company will bo paid at the office of the Farmers' Loan and Trust . Company of the City of New York, upon presenta* ? tlon and demand on and after that date, Free of Tax. FRANOIS A COFFIN, Ass't Treasurer, fcb6-13_St. J. A D. O. R. R. Co. iflnnicipal ftotiiee. ~p?r TAXES.-^-THE TAXPAYERS OF the Seventh District of Charleston County, oom? prising Edlsto, John's, Wadmalaw, James Island ! and St Andrew's Parish, are hereby notified that the Tax Books will be In the city, at the Fire? proof Building, February 16, for the Collection of State, County, Poll and School Taxes, for the yeer j 1ST], and will remain open 16th, nth, so tit and 21st, closing 33d. N.B.-The delinquent Tay pay era or i860 will have no farther time allowed from that data WM, H. W.GRAY, ifebl2-s Deputy Treasurer, ?w* O N MAR R I A O E. -?Ikf" Happy relief for Young Men from the effects of Errors and Abuses in early Ufa Manhood re? stored. Nervous debility oared. Impediments to Marriage removed. New method of treat*, ment New and remarkable remedies. Rooka and Circulars sent free, In sealed envelopes. A4? dress HOWARD ASSOCIATION, No. 3 South Ninth street Philadelphia. Pa? oe til. mw* CLEAR AND HARMLESS AS WA?. TER-NATT ANS'S CRYSTAL DISCOVERY FOR. THE HAIR.-A perfectly olear preparation In one bottle, as easily applied as water, for restoring to gray hair its natural color and youthful appear? ance, to eradicate and prevent dandruff, to pro? mote the growth of the hair and stop Its failing ont It ss entirely harmless, and perfectly free-' from any poisonous substance, and will therefore take the place of all the dirty and unpleasant preparations now tn usa Numerous testimonian have been sent us from many of our most promi? nent citizens, some of which are subjoined. In everything In which the articles now. in use aro objectionable, CRYSTAL DISCOVERY ls perfect lt is warranted to contain neither Sugar of Lead, Sulphur or Nitrate of SUver.lt does not soil the clothes or scalp, ls agreeably perfumed, and makes one of the b;at dressings for the Hair in asa It restores the color or the Half "more per? fect and uniformly than any other preparation," and always does so in frem three to ten days, virtually reeding the roots or the Hair with an the nourishing qualities necessary to ?ts growth and healthy condition; lt restores the decayed and Induces a new growth or the Hair mare posi? tively than anything elsa The application of this wonderful discovery also produces a pleasant snd cooling effect on the scalp and gives the Hair E. pleasing and elegant appearance. We call especial attention to the fact that a Um Ited number or trial bottles will be given way gratuitously to those wishing to try lt Yon witt notice that in pursuing this course our aim ls to convince by the actual merits or the article. ARTHUR NATTA N'S, Inventor and Proprietor, Washington, D. O. For sale hy the Agent, DB. ti. BAER, Na 131 Meeting street, Charleston, S. 0. novis-sinthiy ?gncnUttM, ^orticn?nre, &t. W ILLIAM FERGUSON, FLORIST AND GARDENER, SPF.LNO STREET NBAS RUTLEDGE. A choice assortment of ORNAMENTAL TREES Rosea, shrubs, Fruit Trees, Bouquet?, Camella, Flowers, Greenhouse Planta Aa Catalogues can be got on the premises. jan24-36 E ARLE & BLYTHE, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, GREENVILLE, 3, 0. MO* Practice la State and Federal Courts. 49- Special attention given to Collecting and Bankruptcy. janje-imo