Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOLUME XI.-NUMBER 1883. CHARLESTON, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 18, 1872. EIGHT DOLLARS A ; IHE STATE FINANCES. YAJJBS&OSiXXPVDl&TIONANl) TAX . ATIOX. The Text of the Validating Bill-Slr. Wealey*e Bill for the Repudiation of . the Hone?t Debt-Amending the Elec ' ?lott I.a.VFs-The New Stamp Act. COLUMBIA, S. C., February 16. Ia the House this morning, a number of 1 ap? portant bills relating to the finances of the State, which had been for some time In vari? ous stages of preparation, were either intro? duced or reported back from the ways and means committee. The first was the "bill re? lating to the bonds of the State of South Care llna,n now better known as the "validation act," which was reported upon unfavorably by the committee on ways and means. This bill wa? described lu THE NEWS of the 12th instant, and, as was there stated, it provides tor the . validation of all the bonds included in thc last exhibit by the State treasurer, the registration of the same, and the submission of the ques? tion of any future issue of bonds to the voters of the State. The full text of the bill is as fol? lows: A BILL RELATING TO THE BONDS OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. Whereas, bonds or obligations ol this State have been issued, from time to lime, to a large amount, in accordance, as was supposed by the officers Issuing the same, with the authority and provisions of certain acts of the General Assembly, Including "AU act to authorize a loan to redeem ihe obligations known as the bills receivable of the Stat*) of South Carolina,*' approved August 26. 1868: also, "An act to authorize a Stute loan to pay Interest on th" public debt," approved August 27,1868; also, "Au act to provide for the ap? pointment of a land commissioner, and lo de? fine bia powers and duties," approved March 27, 1869; also, au act to amend the last named act, and lor other purposes, approved March 1, 1870: also, "An act to authorize a loan for the relief of the treasury," approved Febru? ary 17, 1869; also, "An act to provide for the conversion of State securities," approved March 23, 1861); and 'An act to authorize the financial agent of the State of South Carolina, In the City of New York, to pledge State bonds as collateral secu? rity, and for other purposes," approved March 26, 1869. which said bonds are fully and partic? ularly stated nod set forth ia a report made by the treasurer ol the State to the General Assembly, dated October 31,1871; and whereas doubts have arisen whether said Issues were in strict conformity to the provisions ol the said several acts, under which they were respec? tively Issued; and whereas lt was the true in? tent and meaning of the several acts above ?et forth, that such Issues of bonds or obliga? tions should be made in the manner In which the same have been made as aforesaid; and whereas, also, doubts have been raised as ' to the validity of some of the bonds mentioned in the said annual report of the State treas? urer, for the fiscal year ending with October 31,1871, although money has been borrowed by or realized out of said bonds, on account ol thisj8late; and whereas the credit of this State has been affected thereby : Be It enacted by the Senate and House o? Representatives of the State of South Caroli? na, now met and sliting lu General Assembly, and by the authority of the same: SECTION 1. That the said bonds and obliga? tions Issued on behalf of this State, as men? tioned and set iorth in the report of the treasurer of this State lo the General Assem? bly, dated October 31,1871, v. ere duly and lawfully issued in conformity with the true in? tent and meaning of the several acts of the General Assembly hereinbefore Bet forth by their respective titles. SEC. 2. That the a Ms of the officers of this State, authorized under the provisions of the laws of this Stale, and of the several acts hereinbefore referred to, to the extent of all Issues of bonds or obligations enumerated and set iorth in the -aid report ot the treasurer, be, and are hereby, In all things ratified, con? firmed and established. SEC. 3. That each and all of the bonds named in sahl annual report of the treasurer Of this Stale, for the fiscal year ending with October 31st, 1871, be, aud the same ard here? by, declared to oe legal and valid bonds of the State of South Carolina, for ihe payment of which the faith, credit ana funds of the State have been, and are hereby, pledged. Ssc. 4. The section of each of the acts under which said bonds purport to be issued, whkh provides for an annual tax lo pay the Interes -, ls hereby declared to be a part ot' this act, and an annual tax, in addition to all other tcj.es, shall be levied upon the properly of the 'AMe, by the State auditor or other officer perform? ing his duties, sufficient to pay tbe interest on the bonds named in or provided tor by this act, until the principal ot said bonds shall be? come due. SEC. 5. Hereafter, every bond converted or Issued under, or lo pursuance of aoy ol the laws of this State, shall be ot the description and Style of those heretofore issued under an act entitled "An act lo provide for the conver? sion of Staie securities," approved March 23, 1869, so that all of the bonds of the State shall be of one description and style, as soon as the exchange can be made. S xe. 6. All bonds heretofore authorized to be Issued shall be Issued In pursuance of, and In conformity with, the provisions ol lins act, and shah be converted into bonds of the style and description named In the next pre? ceding section UB speedily as the same eau be -done. SEO. 7. That neither the sum or Bums re? alized from ?ny sale or Bait-s heretofore made, or which shall hereaiier be made, of any of ' -the bonds ot this State, nor the manner of sale o? any ol the bonds of ibis State, shall In any ?manner affect or Impair the validity and obli? gation Ihereof. She. 8. The Governor Is hereby authorized and required to siga all of the bonds named In this act. Tne State treasurer is authorized and required to countersign the same, and the secretary ol State ls authorized and required to affix the seal ot this Staie to the same with? out dela-y. SEC. 9 Nothing contained In this act shall -authorize the issue or conversion of any bonds of this State, other tbau those named ia the report made by the State treasurer, as specified In the third section of this act, and such as bave been authorized under previous laws of this State. SEC. 10. The Commercial Warehouse Com? pany, In the City of New York, and the Carolina National Bank of the City of Columbia, South Carolina, are hereby declared to be authorized places for the registering of the bonds, coupons -or stocks of th? State of South Carolina, and they are authorized on the passage of this act, to immediately advertise ia one or two of the principal papers in each of the cities -o? New York, Columbia aud Charleston, to tbe holders of ail the bonds, coupons or stocks of the State of south Carolina, the necessity ot- registering their authorized tonds, coupons or stocks at one of the above places of registry. In the registration ot said ?bonds, coupons or stocks, the number and denomination of each boud, coupon or certif?cale of stock, the act under which lt was issued, and the name of the person, association, corporation or firm pre eentlng the same, shall be recorded, and the time and place ol registratlonjhall be endors? ed on said bonds, coupons or stock, so that the Bald bonos, coupons or stocks may not be presented at more than one place ot registra? tion. It shall be the duty ot the said Commer? cial Warehouse Company, in the City ol New York, and the Carolina, National Bank, in the .City of Columbia, Bototo Carolina, to publish, la the Cltlea ef New York, Charleston and Co? lumbia, quarterly statements or the whole amount of bonds, coupons or stocks registered by them, their namber, denomination, and the act under which they have been Issued. The Slate treasurer, and the financial agent of the .State, In the City of New York, shall not pay the interest on said bonds or stocks until they have been registered according to the require? ments of this act. The State treasurer shall pay the expenses of advert Ising and registra? tion, as provided for in this act, the usual rates paid for like services, which shall not exceed In amount ten thousand dollars. Bau ll. Tbe honor and credit of this State ls, also, hereby Irrevocably pledged to the hold? ers of the debt authorized by, or mentioned in .this act; thal tue State will Dot hereafter by it? self, officers or agents, until said debt ls fully paid acd discharged, create any new debt or obligation, or by the loan of Its credit, by fi guaranty, endorsement or otherwise, ? lng for the purpose of meeting Its exist ligations, or in and for the ordinary ai rent business of the ?State, without fir milting the question, as to the creation such new debt, guaranty, endorsers loan of Its credit, to the people of this S a general State election, and unless two ot the qualified voters of this State, vol the question, shall be in favor of a f debt, guaranty, endorsement or loan credit, none such shall be created or ma SEC. 12. All acts or parts of acts contri or inconsistent with this act, are, for th pose of this act, but for no other purpose, by repealed. SEC. 13. This act sharl lake effect im ately. The committee on ways and means al turned, but with a favorable report, the Dement bill," which bas also been repor this correspondence, and which authi the fl nanci al board to adjust and settle i accounts of Financial Agent Kimoton, s abolish the financial agency In the City ol York. General Whipper introduced a "bill tc sol?date the debt of the State and to pr lor the payment of the same." This 1 measure philanthropically proposed by li B. Wesley, of the New York Union Trust pany, for the relief ot this much hurd State from all the financial lils that Ile heir to, and which was fully synops'Zi to-day's NEWS. A fresh perusal of its co cat ed providions reveal* no new pointe portance except the general fact that th transparently reveals Its own object (to vide for the bonds now held by a ce clique in New York to the neglect and p dice of all Others) by making a most u discrimination against the "ante-war bc and others which have never been tal with suspicion. The bill provides, in a w for the scaling of seventy-five < on the dollar of all bonds of State which may be offered by holders for that purpose. Now there if reason why the holders of the "ante bonds," and the ''Orr bonds," which i issued in the days of decency and noni should wish to give up their uuqnestle securities at twenty-five per cent, reduc while there is every reason for the anxiel Messrs. E. B. Wesley, Van Schalck & Co., the other signers of the New York pet i il or get seventy-ilve cents on the dollar tor t "new" South Carolina bonds. Issued by Scott administration and tainted all over ? suspicion of fraud. It would, therefore, very natural to expect that the "new St Caroliuas" would be the first to be exchanf and, acting upon this expectation, this proceeds to enact that the money prov! I for therein (by a tax of four mills) shall used, first, to the payment of Interest on new stock Issued lu exchange; second, any be left, to the payment of interest bonds not exchanged; and, third, if any still left, to the payment of the "ante-war" t "Orr bonds." It ls needless to my that th will be but little use tor the second and tb ol the above provisions, and. in fact, the should be entitled "A bill to prov for the payment of the illegitimate and repudiation ot the legitimate debt of State." There ls, however, not the small probability of the passage of this bill throi either branch of the General Assembly, an ls, perhaps, useless to discuss lt further, was to-day referred lo the committee on w and means, where it will doubtless remain a committee nest egg lor next winter's E sion. The following Important bills were repor back by the engrossing committee, passed the House and sent to the Senate for cone renee: Bill to regulate pilotage at the ports Charleston, Beaufort and Georgetown. Bill to amend an act entitled "an act to corporate the Columbia, Walterboro and Ye assee Railroad Company. I Bill to authorize tue mayor and aldermen the City of Columbia to issue bonds, and negotiate and pell the same. Mr. Jervey Introduced a bran-new bill amend the general election law, which ls t third or fourth attempt to secure a portion the much needed reform In ihis dlrectic First the bill was Introduced in the Senate pi riding for an immediate couutingof the vc a':er me closing of the polls at every electic and tor the appointment, upon the boards commissioners and managers of election, "one at least lrom each political party." i't passed the Senate, came to the House, w referred to the House committee on privileg and elections, who reported favorably upon il rest Of the bill, but recommender the Strlkli out of the provisions for iii? representation the different parlies on the election board One argument that was used against lins pr vision was the very captious one that the were various parties-"D?mocratie," "Repu Hean," "Reform," "Conservative," Ac-ai that to appoint one of each party would som times require more than the established nut ber of managers and commissioners, at would be, therefore, au impossibility. Next bill was Introduced In the Senate by Mr. A nlm. which also provided for the lmmedla counting of the vote and tor the appoint mei upon the respective boards of at least one wi: Bhall belong io a party or organization oppo ed to the party In power." This was lotend? to dispose ol the captious objection to th other bill above mentioned, and still accon plish the desired result. At about the Bam time a complicated bill was Introduced in tb Senate by Mr. Wblttemore providing for a immediate counting and certifying of the voti but not for Democratic representation upo the election board. Both of these bills wer sent to the Senate committee on privilege and elections (Corbin, chairman,) where Ai nim's was killed aud Whlttemore's lavorabl reported. On the subsequent discussion c Whittemore's bil), Mr. Cardozo endeavored t so amend it as to provide for non-partea boards, but this amendment was opposed b Mr. Whltlemore, and the bill was passed a originally drawn. It wus then ecut to th House and lhere referred to the Hous committee on privileges and elections, wher it still remains. Now Mr. Jervey, who li chairman of the House committee on prlvi leges and elections, introduces another bill which is very long and very compLcaied, an which doos not provide for mixed boards. It main provisions are that all commissioners o elections shall be elected by the General As sembly}lhat the ballot boxes shall be pu bl iel inspected before the voting, and that Ute vol shall be immediately conni url and cen i tie atier the closing of the polls. This bill wa read by its title, and reforred to the committe on privileges and elections, which committe may be relied on to report favorably on Jer vey's and unfavorably on Whittemore's bili The former may then pass the House; but will the evident disagreement between the twi branches of the Assembly upon this subject, 1 is doubtful il the action of either house will bi concurred In by the other, and, considering the near approach of adjournment, lt ls verj probable that no final action will be laken bj the present Assembly upon this very impor? tant subject. The remuindcr of the business ol the House was unimportant. Mr. Gary propos?e another little catechism for the State treasure! by introducing the following resolution, whlct was adopted and sent to the Senate : Resolvtd, by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, That a committee ol three on the part ol' the House, und-on the part of the Senate, be appointed to wuit on tue State treasurer and ascertain from him i tic amount of moneys received and paid in by thc county treasurers ot their respective counties, and the manner in which the same has been disbursed. The House, then, with its usual degree of consideration lor the taxpaying public, voted itself a holiday until Monday, and aljuurned. The Senate accomplished a considerable quantity of routine work, and then adjourned to to-morrow ai trD A. M., ?ouoiless with the expectation of not having a quorum, and thus inditectly securing the same holiday that the House ls now la the habit of laking every week. Ooe of the most important financial bills now In the hands ot the ways and means commit? tee is a new general license law, which has been previously meutioned in this correspon? dence, and of which I am now enabled to furnish a full synopsis in advance of the report of the committee. The bill provides for the following license lees, each and all of which are required io be paid into the respective county treasuries before thc first day ot March of this year: Stock, exchange, bli), real estate and mer? chandise broker?, lu the counties of Charles? ton and Richland, each.$100 In other counties. 50 Billiard rooms. 50 \ Bowling saloons. 50 I Tenoln alleys. . 50 Hotels, Inns, taverns and saloons are rated according to their rental value, as follows: $10,000 or more.$500 $7,500 and less than $10,000. 400 $5,000 and lesB than $7,500. 300 $3,500 and less than $5,000. 250 $2,500 and less then $3,500. 200 $2,000 and loss than $2,500. 175 $l,5'i0 and less than $2,000. 150 $1,000 and less than $1,500. 125 $750 and less than $1,000. 100 $500 and less th an $750. 90 $400 and less than $500. 80 $300 and less than $400. 70 $200 and less than $300. GO Les* than. $200. 50 Persons, firms and companies engaged in or exercising the business of selling or vending any goods, wares, merchandise, wines, distil? led or malt liquors, drugs or medicines, (ex? cept such as are so'd by auction, under licenses granted them, and except such as are sold by regularly licensed hotel, Inn, tavern or saloon? keepers,) are rated according to their annual amount ot sales, as follows : $300,000 and upwurds.$250 $200,000 and les- "han $300,000. 200 $160,000 and les. than $200.000. 175 $125,000 and less than $150,000. 150 $100,000 and less than $125.000. 125 $85,000 and less than $100,000. 100 $75,000 and less than $85,000. 80 $65,000 and less than $75 000. 70 $50,000 and less than $65.000. 60 $45,000 and less than $50.000. 50 $35,000 and less than $45.000. 40 $25,000 and less than $35.000. 30 $20,000 and less than $25,000. 25 $15,000 and less than $20,000. 20 $10,000 and less than $15.000. 18 $7,500 and less than $10,000. 15 $5,000 and less. 10 The license fees for sellers or venders of wines and distilled and malt liquors, eli her with or without other commodities, are filly per cent, above the rat -s. Banks are rated according to their capital, as follows : Not exceeding $50,000.$250 $50,000 but not more than $100,000- 500 $100,000 but not more than $150,000- 750 $150,000 but not more than $200.000.... 1000 $200,000 but not more than $250,000.... 1250 $250,000 but not more than $300.000- 1500 $300,000 but not more than $350,000- 1750 $350,000 but not more than $400,000.... 2000 $400,000 but not more than $450.000_ 2250 $450,000 bul not mere than $500,000.... 2500 $500,000 but not more than $550,000 _ 2750 $550,000 but not more than $600,000 _ 3000 $600,000 but not more than 1650,000_3250 $650,000 but not more tnan $700.000_ 3500 $700,000 but not more than $750,000_ 3750 $750,000 but not more thau $800.000_ 4000 $800,000 but not more thau $850.000- 4250 $850,000 but not more than $900.000.... 4500 $900,000 but not more than $950 000..... 4750 $950,000 but not more than $1,000,000.... 5000 and for every additional $500,000 over$l, 000,000, $250. Railroads are rated according to the length of their track, as follows: 250 miles and over.$1000 200 miles and less than 250 miles. 900 150 miles and less than 200 miles. 800 100 miles and less than 150 miles. 800 75 miles and less than 100 miles. 500 50 miles and lees than 75 miles. 300 Less than 50 miles. 150 Auctioneers In Charleston and Richland Counties. $100. Auctioneers In other countle?, $50. Phosphate companies with less than five thousand dollars, $300; for every additional thousand dollars or fraction thereof, $50. Lawyers, physicians, insurance agents and architects, each, $10. Telegraph companies, whose lines are 50 miles or less in length, $50; over 50 miles but not over 100 miles, $75; and for every addition? al 50 miles or fraction thereof, $25, with 20 per cent, additional for every wire above one. Express companies, $250. The enforcing and punitive provisions of this act are as lollows: SEC. 13. Every person, company or corpo? ration carrying on or conducting any of the above occupations or businesses. Is hereby re? quired to make u return, under ihe provisions of ibis act. of his or their respectlvexoccupa tlon or business, under oath, to the auditor of his or tbeir respective county, between the tl rsi day of January and the tirst day of March, A. D. 1872, and between the same dales on each aud every year thereafter; and every person, company or corporation, carrying on or conduct lng any of the above occupai ions or buslueBS, is hereby required to pay Into the treasury ot his or their respective county, for use ol the State, on or before ihe first day of March, A. D. 1872, and at the same lime on each and every succeeding year thereafter; the sum required by the foregoing provisions of this act to be paid Into the respective county treasuries, on his or their respective occupation or business. BRO. 14. It is hereby made the duty ot each and every county auditor In this State, on or before the first day of March, A. D. 1872, and at the sumo time un each and every succeed? ing year thereafter, lo make and deliver to the treasurer of his county a duplicate list; and. at the same time, transmit to the State auditor au abstract of the returns made to him, under the provisions of this act. SEC. 15. It shall be the duty of the treasurer of each and every county lu this 8tate, upon the receipt of the sum or sums specified to be paid upon any occupation or business, under the provisions of tills act, to give to the per? son, company or corporation pay lug the same a ceri.'llcate tu ihe auditor of his couniy, spe? cifying the sum paid, and the occupation or business on which thc same was paid; and said auditor, upon presentation to him of such certificate, ls hereby author? ized and directed to issue lo the person or com? pany or corporation presenting ihe same a license authorizing him or them to carry ou or conduct such occupation or business tor the period of one year from the first day of March, for the Issuing of which liceuse said county auditor shull receive ihe sum of one dollar from the person, company or corpora lion receiving the same, as compensation tor taking thu returns and iRsuing the licenses provided tor In this act: Provided, Thal any person, company or corporation who may commence any ol'the occupations or business specilled In this act alter the first day of March, A. D. 1872, or of any succeeding year, shull take out a license Irotn the time of com? mencing BUCII occupation or business uutll the first day of March next (hereafter, lor which they ahull paya sum prop irtionaie to the number of montliB intervening between such periods. SEC. 16. The county treasurer of each and every county sha'l, on on before the 15th day of March, A. D., 1?72, and at the same lime In each and every aucceediug year thereafter, pay, or cause tu be paid. Imo the State treas? ury, all moneys received by him under the pro? visions ot I his act, and the Slate treasurer shall receipt therefor lo county treasurers In the same manner as is provided in section 102 of un act entitle:! "An act to pr?vido for the assessment and taxation of pr.'peny." passed the 15th day of September, A. D. 1868. SEC. 17. Any person or persons currying on or conducting any occupution or business named ia this act, without having first com? plied with its provislouf, eh ill be deemed guil? ty of u misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a flue not less than double the amount of license Impos? ed upon such business or occupation, and be Imprisoned in ihe jail ol the county in which Fucli offeuce Is committed for a period of not less than six months, or either, or boih, at the discretion ol'the court; and every company or corporation currying on or conducing any occupation or business named in lins act, with? out having first compiled willi its provisions, shall be fined iu a sum not less thuu double the amount of license imposed upon such busi? ness or occupation; and ihe attorney-general is hereby authorized and directed to lake all legal proceedings necessary for the collection of such fine. PICKET, AN'OTUER UNIVERSITY OK TUE SOCTU.-The Methodists of Tennessee have Inaugurated a scheme for the estuolishment of a University upon pretty much the plau of that proposed by the Episcopalians before the war und but partially carried out, owing to the troubles and impoverishment of the country, und Hie death of its two ablest adv?cales und promo? ters. Bishops Polk and Elliott. A meeting of the Board ol'Trustees was held at Nashville the other day, ai which the following officers were choseu: President, Hon. E. H. East; Secretary, the Rev. Dr. D. C. Kelley; TreE urer, the Rev. Dr. A. L. P. Green, all of Nash? ville. There wus also appointed an executive committee, consisting of Judge East, Dr. Kelley, Dr. Green, Hon. E J. Morgan, Col? onel Jordan Siokes. Major David T. Reynolds, and the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Young. The en? terprise, which i3 one of no Inconsiderable magnitude, is now fairly afloat, and our Metho? dist friends feel confident ol Its succesB. LAWS OF THE STATE. ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMRLT OF SOUTH CAROLINA. Published by Authority. JOINT RESOLUTION to change the nameB of Sam? uel Dogan, Columbus Dogan and Simon Dogan, to Samuel Farrow, Columbus Far? row and Simon Farrow. Be lt enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of 8outh Carolina, now met and silting in General Assembly, and by the authority of the same : That the names of Samuel Dogan, of New? berry County, and Columbus Dogan and Simon Dogan. of Union County, be changed to Sam-* uel Farrow, Columbus Farrow and Simon Far? row, and that hereafter the said Samuel Dogan, Columbus Dogan and Simon Dogan, shall be known and called Samuel Farrow, Columbus Farrow and Simon Farrow. Approved February 15,18V2. AN ACT to regulate the labor of persons con? fined in the penitentiary ot the '. tate of South Carolina. SECTION 1. Be lt enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, now met and sitting in Gene? ral Assembly, and by the authority of the same : That all labor, of whatever character, which ls now being, or may hereafter be, discharged by any person or persons, who are now or may hereafter be confined in the penitentiary of this Stale shall be for the exclusive benefit ot the State; and the labor of the convicts In the penitentiary shall not be hired to any person or persons for a price less than is paid lo any other c'ass of laborers for the same kind of labor; and the superintendent of said Institution shall keep a correct record, stating the kind of labor, and the amount realized therefor, and the whole of which amount shall be turned over to the State treasurer monthly, to be retained by him, subject to the draft of tbe said superintendent, for the bene? fit of said institution, which draft shall be ac? companied by a written statement of the items for which each amount ls required. SEC. 2. Any violation ot this act on the part ol the superintendent shall be an official mis? conduct, and, on Information of any person to the attorney-general, he shall immediately commence legal proceedings against him therefor. SEC. 3. All acts or parts of acts Inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed. Approved February 15,1872. AN ACT to incorporate the Saxton Riflemen, of Charleston, South Carolina. SECTION 1. Be lt enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, LCT: met and sitting in Gene? ral Assembly, and by the authority of the same: That G. D. Mitchell, J. W. Green, M. Smith, D. Smith, G. Alston, A. P. Johnson, Henry Fraser, J. R. Carter, - Ferguson, M. C. Brown, A. Williams, Adam Singleton, J. W. Jenkins, John Smalls and Charles B. Brown, and their assc slates and successors, are here? by made and created a body politic and cor? porate, under the name and style of the "Sax ton Riflemen, ot Charleston, South Caro? lina." SEC. 2. And the said corporation shall have power to make by-laws, not repugnant to the laws of the land; and shall have succession of officers and members according to their elections; and to keep and use a common seal, the same to alter at will; to sue and be sued, In any court lu this State; lo have and enjoy every right, power and privilege Incident to such corporation; and lt ls hereby empowered to acquire, retain and enjoy all such property, real and personal, as may be given or be? queathed to, or purchased by it, and to sell, convey or mortgage the same, or any part thereof, at will. v SEC. 2. That said corporation may, from time to time, Invest their moneys, assets, or nay property which it may acquire, in such real and personal property, bonds, stocks, or In Burettes, in such sums, and on such terms and conditions, as lt may deem proper, and to execute bonds, ike, under its corporate seal. Provided, That the maximum value of all property held and owned by said corporation shall not exceed twenty-five thousand (25,000) dollars. SEC. 4. This act to continue In force during fifteen (15) years, and may be given in evi? dence without being especially lmpleaded. Approved February 15, 1872. . AN ACT to Incorporate the Cheraw Fire En? gine Company as a part of the fire depart? ment ot the Town of Cheraw. SECTION 1. Be lt enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, now met aud sitting In Gen? eral Assembly, and by the authority of the same: That Theodore F. Malloy, Thos. W. Bouchier, James A. McCrelght and W. L. Reid, and their successors in cilice, be, and they are hereby, constituted a body corporate* and politic, under the name and style ol the "Cheraw Fire Engine Company," with a capital stock not exceeding the sum of five thousand dollars, with the right .to sue and be sued, to plead and be lmpleaded, In any court of competent Jurisdiction; to have and to use a common seal, and the same to alter at will and pleas? ure, and with all other rights, privileges and immunities that are now secured by law to like corporate bodies. SEC. 2. This act shall be deemed a public act, and ehall remain ia force for the term of fourteen yeats. Approved February 15, 1872. AN ACT to Renew the Charter of the Pendle? ton Male Academy. Be lt enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of South Curo llna, now met and sitting in General Assem? bly, and by the authority of the same: That the charier of the Pendleton Male Academy be, and the same is hereby, extend? ed and shall continue In force until repealed. Approved February 15, 1872. AN ACT to Establish a Public Road in Barn? well and Oranaeburg Counties. SECTION 1. Be lt enacted by the Senate and House of Repr?sentai ives of the Slate of South Carolina, now met and sitting in General Assembly and by the authority ol the same: That J. D. Cleckly, F. E. Salinas, Isaac S. Bamberg and Daniel Qualtlebaum be, and they are hereby, authorized and empowered, Immediately aller the passage of this act, to lay out, construct and open a public road, leading by thc west and north (direct way) irom Bamberg, in Barnwell County, to Fogle's Mili, on the Orangeburg Boad, In Orangeburg County. 8EC. 2. That in the construction of said road the commissioners aforesaid shall cau?e lo be contracted and erected euch bridges as they may deem necessary: Provided, how? ever, The cost of erecting such bridges shall not exceed the sum of four hundred dollars, to be paid, equally, by the Bald Counties of Barnwell and Orangeburg. SEC. 3. That said commissioners be further authorized and required to order out all per? sons liable to road duty residing within five miles of the line of said road, as located, (ex? cepting those living In incorporated towna,) to perform three day's work In each month on Bald road until Its completion. Approved February 15, 1872. AN ACT to alter and amend an act entitled "An act to charter the Town of Hamburg," Approved February 28,1871. SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives ?of the State of South Carolina, now met and Billing In Gen? eral Assembly, and by the authority of the same: That the act to which this ls amendatory be altered and amended by striking out from section first all after the word "Georgia," In the eighth Un?; of said section, and inserting In the place thereof "one mile in a westerly direction, up and along the Savannah River; tbonce one mlle and a half In a northerly di? rection, upon a line at right angles with the line of the Savannah River; thence one mile and one-half of a mlle In an easterly direction, upon a line parallel with Ihe line of the Sa? vannah River; thence one mile and a half In a southerly direction, to the Savannah River, and upon a line at right angles with the line of Savannah River; thence one-half ol a mlle in ? westerly direction, up the Savannah River to the said Savannah Bridge, said town to be In the form of a square." SEC. 2. That said act be further amended by striking out, from the seventh Une of section 10 of Bald act, the word ''fifteen," and Insert? ing In place thereof the words "thirty-five." Approved February 15, 1872. COTTON MOVEMENT FOR THE WEEK. NEW YORK, February 18. The receipts at all ot the ports tor the week were 88,966 bales, against 86,236 last week, 92,688 the previous week, and 120.813 three weeks since. The total receipts since Sep? tember have been 2,091,196 bales, against 2,653,339 for the corresponding period of the EreviouB year, showing a decrease of 562.143 ales. The exports for the week were 76,459 bales, against 75,185 for the same week last year. The total exports for the expired por? tion ot the cotton year amount to 1,152.074 bales, against 1,576,333 for the same time last year. The present stock, as compared with that for the same time last year, ls as follows: Feb. 18, 1872. Feb. 18, "1871. At all ports.?83.030 700,033 At the Interior towna. 88,057 123,807 In Liverpool..535,000 750,000 American cotton afloat for Great Britain.203,000 205,000 Indian cotton afloat tor Earopo....260,010 143,495 THE WEATHER THIB DAT. WASHINGTON. D. C., February 18. Northerly winds and clear weather will probably continue on Monday In New Eng? land. Light winds, mostly from the north? east, will prevail In the Middle Atlantic and Gulf States. Tne lowest barometer will con? tinue south of Virginia and east ot Mississippi, with cloudy weather. Yesterday'* Weather Reporta of the Signal Service, U. S. A.- 4.47 P. Bl., Local Time. Place or Observation. A-jgusta, Qa.... Baltimore. Huston. Charleston. Chicago. Cincinnati. Galveston, Tex.. Rey West, Fla.. Knoxville, Tenn. Memphis. Tenn.. Mt. Washington. New <'rican-,.... New York. Norfolk. Philadelphia. Portland. Me.... Savannah . sr. Louis. Washington. Wllmlngton.N.C. re ? 29.051 30.00 30.02 29.07 30.09 30.11 29.92 29.85 30 00 30.03 29.89 '29.85 .10.06 30.08 31.IO 29.97 30 06 30.011 30.lOl 30. OU O la NW S SW E NE S N SE S NE N NE N N NE Calm, N SE SE I Light. Gentle. Light. Light. Fresh. Gentle. Qentle. Fresh. Gentle. Light. uris*. Brisk. Gentle. Gentle. Light. Ltffhr. Light Gentle. Gentle NOTE.-The weather renort uateu 7.47 U'CIOUK, chis morning, will be posted In the rooms of the cn&mber or Commerce at 10 o'clock A. M., and, together with the weather chart, may (by the courtesy or the Chamber) be examined by ship? masters at an? time dunn? the dav. TR?E NORTH CAROLINA OUTLAWS. A Moat Daring Robbery-Lowrey amt his Gang In Lumbercon-Store and Sheriffs Office Entered and the Safes taken on*- 8^2,000 in Stoney taken Parsalt of the Robbers. [From the Wilmington Journal.] Henry Berry Lowrey and his gang of out? laws entered the Town of Lnmbertou some? time during Friday night and committed the boldest and one of the most ouccesslul robbe? ries ever known In this State. The gang, lt seems, first broke Ino Mr. New berry's carriage manufactory, where they sup? plied themselves with such tools as lhey need? ed. They then visited the stables of Mr. A. W. Fuller, where they secured a horse and dray, and thus prepared, proceeded to the store of Mr. A. H. McLeod, from whence a heavy iron sale was taken and placed on Hie dray. They next visited the sheriffs office in the court? house, from whence his Iron safe was also taken and placed with the other. They then started from the town with their plunder, but as the sheriff's safe was found yesterday morning lying In thc street, about one hun? dred and fifty yards from his offloe, lt ls sup? posed that lt dropped off and was abandoned. Early Saturday morning, as soon qa the loss was discovered, the sheriff being absent, his deputy, Mr. Alex. McMillan, sum? moned a poBse of men and Blurted In pursuit. At a point about three miles from the town they came up with the gang, but being too weak to effect their capture a messenger was sent back for reinforcements. A large number of men Immediately volunteered, and proceed? ed at once to the scene, but the robbers had effected their retreat, carrying off with them th? money, but leaving the sate and a portion of the papers behind. These, with the horse and dray, were taken back to the town, when it was discovered that the sate had been forced open with sledge-hammers and cold chisels, with which the gang had provided them? selves at Mr. Newberry establishment. The loss ls very heavy, and consists of $22,000 in money, taken from Mr. McLeod's suir, a Jot of goods and a number of vuluabie private papers from the sheriff's office, whlcit were destroyed. Nearly all of the money stolen were ot deposits, which, as there ls no bank in Lumberlon, had been placed In the safe by different parries for salekeeping. Be? sides, Borne $1000 worth of merclnndise wus taken from the store, none of which was re? covered. The town has been lu a tremendous state of excrement, which had abated but very little wheu our informant wrote u?. 6UDDBV DEATH.-Mr. E. B. Cunningham, ol Greenville, was riding home on the 14lh inst., when his horse became unmaoaireable, ran away, threw his rider upon the frozen ground. Two colored men, upon seeing the riderless horse, went on and discovered Mr. Cunning? ham in a dying condition, from a fractured skull. Mr. Cunningham was a highly respect? ed clt'zen and an efficient farmer. IMG RULE AT THE SOUTH. THE PLUNDERING CARPET-BAGGERS. A Blt of Radical Testimony-How 9 jalh Carolina lias been Robbed?Corrup? tion tn the Legislature-The "Forty Thieves." [Correspondence or ihe New York Tribune J WASHINGTON, February H. The sub-committee on debts In the rebel 8tate8 makes a very startling exhibit of affairs In the Insurrectionary Slates, notably in South Carolina. The report begins by stating that the committee has not confined itseit to the answers of State officials, but has consulted Intelligent citizens of all parties. The com I mittee has examined all sources of informa? it on, from the American almanac to the re? port of the commissioners of agriculture, and the census of 1360 and 1870, and also records I of the War Department. The report says: Stale officials generally have been courteous and attentive, anti many have rendered us great service; but our Investigation, as to some States, bas been made more difficult by Inattention and neglect of State officers, and In several States the inquiry ordered by the committee has been resented as an Infringe? ment of State rights and official dignity. Ex Governor Bullock, of Georgia, sent a letter, more remarkable lor argument against our proceedings ns a breach ol State rights, than for the tacts furnished; and Governor Reed, of Florida, declined to answer at all. although he has forwarded to a member of the sub-com mlltee several copies of his message. He protested against the invasion of the rights of the State ot Florida. Generally where our Inquiry has been resented, evaded or Ignored, we have discovered rearons for concealment which convince us that officials are more con? cerned about their own dignity than that of the State. In South Carolina the State treas? urer has neglected all Inquiries; the Governor has answered promptly, out sent us such con? tradictory statements that we can give little weight to any. The worst condition of affairs was found in South Carolina, and to the finances of that State the committee devotes unusual space, and the most extraordinary evidence ls shown of knavery and corrup? tion. Alter citing a portion of the message of Gov. Scott of January 9, 1872, Mr. Stevenson, says : This may explain the Increase of debt, and it ls probable that money could not have been otherwise procured. Yet we cannot agree that lt was proper to submit to such disastrous and degrading terms continuously for three years, had the oredltof 4 . i State been unsul? lied up to 1860. It might .lave been expedi? ent to make light loans on almost any condi? tions to preserve her good name, or a great emergency might bave Justified such terms temporarily for limited amounts; but fora State to go upon the street as a mendicant borrower, and remain there buffeted from broker to broker for three years, raising money io pay old and dishonored debts at a cost of three dollars in renewed obligations for every dollar paid, seems to us indefensible. It ls not Justified by showing that it was legal, nor by the fact that citizens of the State conspired to destroy her credit lo order to overthrow the government. A public officer should take such a course only on legal compulsion to preserve the existence of a State, and there was no such necessity In this case, which was mainly that of borrowing money to pay old debts, and damaging the credit ot the State and weakening the govern? ment by every loan. It wonld have been better to have levied increased taxes to meet actual emergencies. But taxation seems to have been avoided as if to conciliate, and that levied was hardly sufficient to pay the ordina? ry expenses of the State, economically admin? istered. On the subject of corruption, after stating the extravagance of the Legislature, the writer makes this -extraordinary state? ment, the proof of which, however. Is con ial82"Mn the body of the report. Even the recent, Investigation by a Joint committee of thc LegHature to delect corruption Is follow? ed by charges, sustained by proots, that mem? bers ot the committee and men connected with the Legl-lature were more anxious to make illegitimate profits for themselves than lo perlorm their duly. It ts charged and In evidence that there has been corruption In the Legislature in connec? tion with acts conferring or extending corpo? rate privileges, and thai bribery has prevailed to such an extent that legislation has been controlled by a band, composed of members of both political parties, and of both colors, commonly called the Forty Thieves, who would not permit such measures to pass until they were satisfied. To show that the report ls not a white-washed document, as has been reported, lt is only necessary to Insert the following paragraph : "The worst feature of corruption In Eouth Carolina ls that members of both parties and men of all classes are Involved In lt, and that public abhorrence of corruption, which ls the safeguard of popular government, seems wanting or dormant. Even the old aristocratic class, to whom we had been taught to attribute sentiments of chival? ric honor, have not scrupled to bribe officer3. lu the op?rations of the land commissions, the venders were generally nli' citizens of the planting class, who held more land than they could utilize, and the frauds committed in the sale ot their lands were with their consent and to their advan? tage, by bribery of the officers by the land? holders. The. evidence before the committee shows that General M. C. Butler, who was the independent candidate tor Lieutenant-Gover? nor of the State in 1.870, and a native of the State, has given some valuable testimony. He was u major-general ot the rebel army, a large planter, a lawyer, and a leading citizen of high standing. He slated under oath, while the committee was silting in South Car? olina, that If he had land to sell and could sell lt by buying a State senator for five hundred dollars, he would do so. Dr. R. M. Smith, of Spartan burg County, an old citizen, Demo? cratic member of the Legislature, testified be? fore the said sub committee lhat he could see no wrong in bribing a public officer, and com? pared Hie transaction to the purchase of a mule. After cttiig certain testimony to establish his statements, Mr. Stevenson goes on to say it is sufficient for citizens of other States to realize such prevalent corruption, affecting all classes of society, bringing to the same level patriot and rebel, white and black, the old citizen and the new. Probably one cause contri? buting to produce this result Is (he condition or civil war which has prevailed in the State, In wlilch the power has been almost exclu? sively in the hands of one class and the prop? erty io the hands ol the other. While open hostilities have generally and continually existed, there bas been mutual enmity more bitter than usually accompanies flagrant warfare. Hence, some of the men in office may have regarded what was taken from the treasury as taken from the property-hold? ers, enemies of the government, and therefore spoils of war; and, on the other hand, some properiy-hoiders have come to consider what they procure by bribery and corruption as a righi of which they are wrongfully deprived, and which they are Justified in recovering by any means. Another cause seems lo be the contempt which the old property class mani? fest and feel for freedmen and all who co-ope? rate with them politically. This gives to bribery of such person?, in ihe eyes of the old native class, the semblance of the purchase of a slave. Tne report shows, by fact and testimony, that the Ku-Klux organization was in full ex? istence in the spring and summer of 1868, and active and efficient in ihe Presidential election of that year in favor of Seymour, and con? trolled by violence aud intimidation about one third of ihe State. It was in operation before the new government began to receive laxes, und before the burdens of government had Oeen fell in any way. Tnese dales disprove, therefore, the allegation that the deplorable tuianc i al condition of the Slate was ihe cause ot the organization of that band of outlaws. The committee conclude that the financial condition of Soulh Carolina cannot be si gned an a cause ot' provocation of the Ku-Klux Klan, or the bloody proceeding* of the order. It ls, however, proper to add that the mal? feasance and corrupiion of Republican officials must have indirectly tended to tura society over Into violence, by bringing the State gov? ernment, the pariy in power, and the national authority into contempt, and by increasing the reluctance of well-disposed Southern men to identify themselves with the Republican party, ot even to Interfere against such au or? ganization to protect Republicans. NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. ' -- The Sale or Arma to Franc? and Ger- ^ many ,a Violation of International V:^ Lr.w-Thc Government Arsenal? at Work f^r Belligerents. WASHINGTON, February ?7.''-' Tbe developments made In tbe Senate,'ta&?& under discussion to-day, on the sale ot arma % to tbe French Government during the Franco? German war, Is likely to be followed by equally vi positive evidence that two hundred tbousjuoa stand of arms were sold to the Germans lu ' clear violation of the neutrality laws. Aside from the alleged evidence of fraud there 1J a very general apprehension that this "aid and comfort" to belligerents will have a serions . t?tet on the American case submitted to the . Geneva conference, on the ground likely tb be cse urned In the British case ' that the United States Government have not ex? ercised tbat "due diiltgence" denned in tho . 6th article of the Washington treaty forappllca- r tlon to the course of the British Government In allowing the Alabama to escape from one o? Its ports. In the debate In the Senate to-day on the investigation of the Bale of arms to the French, some of the administration senators very boldly insinuated that Mr. 8hmner>had not only been in communication withjthe Frer-cb authorities, but had taken .steps with them calculated to materially embarrass hlS' own government. The discussion -to-day-in the Senate called out a large attendance o? spectators and Beveral of tbe foreign represen? tatives; and while there is possibly some roora for doubt as to whether the government waa defrauded out of two millions ol dollars or not, it seemed very clear that three hundred thous-, and stand of arms had been sold to France, and that this trovernment actually set rta arseaale to work furnishing cartridges for tba" Bam* in clear violation of the neutrality laws, for such express cases made and provided. The House to-day was occupied In debate. The Senate had no session. The majority and minority Ku-Kluxreports are nearly ready. They agree that nearly all the Southern StateB are approaching financial rain from bad legislation ami Ku-Klnx. One* report attributes bad legislation to the Ka Kin::; the other attributes the Ku-Klux to bad legislation. --.-?-' THE OLD WORLD'S SEWS. 1 LONDON, February 17. F? The case submitted by the counsel ot Great Britain to the board of arbitrators at Geneva has been laid before Parliament. The docu? ments divided Into ten ee edon a, and seems to review the whole matter very completely. It st .ya that the board must determine ihe question of failure of duty; If it decides that there has been such failure, then lt must award a gross sum for damages or define the limit ot liability for the guidance of the asses? sors of such damages. The circumstances of the f,al ling of tbe vessels are detailed with much particularity, and lt ls argued that they were widely dissimilar. It ls contended stren? uous'y that there was no negligence and ns j breach of neutrality on the part of England, but that whether the decision la In her, favor I or against her she will abide, by lt. ?-.< - PARIS, February 17. Tho activity of the Bonapartlst agenta creates excitement at Versailles. SMALL-POX TN NEW YORK. Naw TORE, February 17. r Tho small-pox Is decreasing, owing 50 very , general vaccination. Six deaths to-day and twenty-five for the week. The new cases are mostly varlolold. LEASING THE SOUTH CAROLINA BAILROAD. [Prom the Abbeville Presa] Th? public mind of Charleston Is very muon, agitated over a proposition on the part of .the Central Georgia Boad to take charge and con? trol cf the South Carolina Boad. The Jouirnala of th?; city have been thoroughly discussing the matter, and show very conclusively, wa think, that auch a step would result in ruin aa well to the road as to the city. Its very de sign ls to destroy the South Carolina Boad, by obtaining control of Its affairs, and divert trade from Charleston; thus building up Sa? vannah and Georgia interest. The Inducement held forth is a dividend of four per cent to the stockholders for a limited time; botas the Charleston papers show lt might well afford to pay a much higher price to accomplish its purposes. We trust the permanent interests of our own road and elly will not be sacrificed in th i pursuit, of a temporary present advan? tage. THE MILITARY PRISONERS.-Tbe Torkvllle Enquirer says: On Thu.sday afternoon last, the following York county prisoners were re? turned from Columbia for Imprisonment hero until their cases are disposed of: B. T. Biggins, W. H. White, J. F. Little, M. 8. Bowen, and B. P. Caldwell, white; and Sam Stewart and Frank Fewell, colored J. 8. Mdler, who was tried at the recent term of the United State Clroutt Court, has also been sent here to serve out bis term ot imprisonment, which will expire on the 28th of March next. Including those re? turned from Columbia, there are now twenty two military prisoners in confinement here." Scxoing ?Untl]mes. NOTICE OF REMOVAL. THE SINGER SEWING MACHINE COMPANY WILL REMOVE TO No. 186 KING STREET, (Forest House Block,) opposite D. H. SUcox'a Furn ture Warerooms, on or about 26th February, iebie-fmwimo _ THE NEW IMPROTED WHEELER & WILSON SILENT SEWING- MACHINE ! THE BEST IS THE CHEAPEST ! WHEELER & WILSON VI CTORIOU8 AT THE LATE STATE FAIR, HELD AT COLUMBIA 1 Why it Should Have the Preference of all Others t 1st. Because lt ls the simplest. 2d. Because lt sews easier. 3d. Because lt sews faster. 4 ui. Because lt uses no Shuttle. 6th. Because lt mates less noise. 6th. Because lt Is more durable. 7th. Because it bas been before the public for over twenty years, and hence lt la no experiment to try it. Ninety thousand more Family Machines sold than by any other Company. Its late Improve? ments set lt far ahead of anything In the market. Adjusting and repa ring done promptly. All work warranted. Call and examine, whether wishing to purchase or not? WHYTE & HARRAL, General Southern* Agents^ NO. SOO "KING- STREET. fcbJ