Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOLUME XI.-NUMBER 1883. CHARLESTON, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 18, 1872. EIGHT DOLLARS A THE POLITICAL CIRCUS. THE REPRESENTATIVE RADICALS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. A Nice Delegation to Philadelphia How the Convention waa Ran by T. .J. Mackey-An Anti-Sawyer Platform -Scott's Modest Refusal to be a Dele? gate-The Convention Endorses Oar Immaculate Governor as "a True Re? publcan and a Faithful Publie Offl- j ?er"-The Delegates Planning the Philadelphia Trip. ?fcc. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NEWS.] Ly COLUMBIA, Wednesday, February 21. The Radical Ring Conven Hen which adjourn? ed at a late hour last night has certainly not { fleft "The Party" in 8outh Carolina more har? monious than it was when it assembled. The j upshot of all the squabbing and the bickering j which attended the organization of the con? vention wasche choice of the following dele? gation to represent the Republicans of Sooth Carolina in the Philadelphia Convention next June: THE DELEGATES. First District-Maxwell, Swalls and Jones. Alternates-Frost, Greene and Whlttemore. t econd District-E. W. M. Mackey, McIntyre and S walls. Alternates-?edges, C. D. Hay ne and J. W. Hay ne. Third District-Elliott, Nash and Orr. Alter? nates-Lee, Wilder and Cain. Fourth District-T. J. Mackey, Allen and Patterson. Alternates-Moses, Mobley and O'Connell. Speaker Moses and Lieutenant-Governor fiansier were elected for the State at large. The delegates are to-day in session, appa? rently duly Impressed with a sense of their new dignity, and busy making arrangements for their trip to the City of Brotherly Love. The following is the platform constructed for the convention by Mr. T. J. Mackey, who bad engineered himself into the positiou of chair? man of the committee on resolutions: PLATFORM. Resolved, By the Union Republican party of the State of South Carolina, in convention as? sembled, that we endorse the administration .of President U. S. Grant in its wise and suc .cessful pol icy which has reduced the national debt while lessening the public taxes, and at the same time preserved full faith with the public creditors. Resolved, That the profound gratitude of the Republicans of South Carolina is due to the Republican majority in the Forty-second Congress, lor the enactment of the act to en? force the iourteenth amendment to the con? stitution of the United S' ates, and to Presi? dent U. 8. Grant for his prompt and timely en? forcement ot the act, whereby the armed bands organized and operated by the Demo -cratlo pam for the suppression of free speech and a free ballot in South Carolina have been themselves suppressed. Resolved, That while we thuB accord a mer? ited endorsement to the man who, in peace as In war, has deserved the well done of the whole country, we respectfully, but earnestly re? monstrate against the great majority of the Federal appointments that have been made In this Slate during the past three years. Where? by the Republican party of South Carolina has been wounded in the house of its friends; and we do here express our belief that such ap ?(ointment of persons not in sympathy with be Republican party of the State, or nation, ls due largely to the misrepresentations made to the President by United States Serator F. A. Sawyer. Resolved, That the national Republican par? ty having declared lo its platform ot 1868 In favor ol amnesty, we do hereby Instruct our delegates to the National Republican Conven? tion to move and advocate tbe adoption of a clause In the national platform lu favor of the rigid enforcement of universal civil Tights for every American citizen on every inch of American soil, and their full and .equal enjoyment ot all public privileges. The platform was evidently little to the taste of many of the most intelligent members .of the convention, but Mackey somehow se? cured its adoption without much difficulty. Governor Scott discreetly withdrew his name as a candidate for delegate at large. His letter was read as follows : STATE OP SOUTH CAROLINA, ) EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, V COLUMBIA. S. C., February 20, 1872. J General JB. B. Elliott: MT DEAR SIR-I find that several of my par? ticular lrlends who have at all times proved themselves true and unshrinking Republi? can?, have a very reasonable, amoltion tobe delegates to the Philadelphia Convention. I feel that it would be unjust to them to permit mj name to take a place on any ticket lu the Nominating Convention whereby some of theirs would be necessarily excluded. I there Tore feel lt but Just to them to ask you to notify my friends that ihey should support some one instead of me, whose services to the party Justifies such an honorable recognition. With the assurance of my earnest co-opera? tion In whatever measures the convention may adopt for the benefit of the party, I have the honor to be Very respectfully, R. K. SCOTT. As a fitting climax to Its proceedings, the* -convention, previous to adjourning sine die, adopted, at a gulp, the following remarkable resolution, which was introduced by Hay ne, of Barnwell: Resolved, By the Republicans of the State of South Carolina, In convention assembled, that we do hereby endorse Governor Robert E. Scott, as a true Republican and faithful public officer. PICKET. THE SOUTH CAROLINA RAILROAD. [From the New Tork Dally Bulletin.] Great interest bas been excited in Charles? ton and throughout the South generally by the proposed sale or lease of the South Carolina Railroad to the Georgia Central Railroad. At the annual meeting of stockholders in Charles? ton, a few days ago, a rather stormy scene took place. The report was not favorable, and a decrease of business during the last year was announced. It was also stated that the company was seriously embarrassed by float ln?fand other debts. No dividends bave been paid for the last five or six years, and the roll? ing stock and road bed are known to be lu a bad condition. Under these circumstances, lt would appear that the sale or lease of the road to parties who would place it ia good and pay? ing condition would be equally advantageous to the stockholders and the people of the State. But this view appears to be by no means popu? lar, and a very angry feeling has been elicited by the reported negotiations of the Georgia Central Railroad for the lease of the road. The South Carolina Railroad extends from Charleston to Augusta, Ga., one buudred and thirty seven miles, ana, with branch roads to Columbia and Camden, making a total ol two hundred and forty-three miles controlled by the company. The Georgia Central extends lrom Savannah to Macon, one hundred and ninety-two miles, with branch and leased Unes to Augusta, MlliedgeviUv, Columbus, Al? bany, ?c., forming a total of live hundred and forty-one miles. Tnls ls a prosperous, well managed railroad and does a good business. Mr. Moses Taylor, of this city, has bought heavily In this railroad, holding, we believe, a controlling Interest in it, and is now a di? rector. Notwithstanding the outside pressure ol public opinion In South Carolina, it id very robable that it the stockholders of the South arolina Railroad were guaranteed anywhere above four per cent. t>n their stock, they would gladly accept it. This viaw is warranted by the favorable reception accorded to certaiu resolutions to ibat effect Introduced in the meeting last week. No formal offer has yet been made, but the indications are that the negotiation will be foon effected. Nor is it probable that the transaction would be other? wise than beneficial to Charleston. Any par? ties making themselves responsible for the itiad would be obliged to increase its facilities and business in order to reimburse themselves. THE GENERAI, ASSEMBLY. The Phosphates Again-liew Election Liiw-TLe Appropriation Bill. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NEWS.] COLUMBIA, Wednesday, February 21. In the Senate to-day, Smalls introduced another bill to provide for the inspection ot phosphates, more stringent in Its terms and more general In its application than the for? mer one. It extends the supervision of the inspector over guanos and all descriptions of commercial fertilizers. In the House, the committee on privileges and elections reported favorably upon the new election law proposed by Jervey. This bill provides lor an immediate count of the votes after the closing of the polls, but spoils the effect of this just and sensible proceeding, by making no provision for the reprenentation of both political parties upon the bonds of commissioners of election. The House then took up the appropriation bill. A long discussion ensued, and without action the House adjourned. PICKET. PROCEEDINGS OE TVE8BAY. A Dall Day and a Stormy Subject Lands for the Landless-The Spartan burg and Port Royal Railroad-An Ambitions Scheme. IFBOX OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] COLUMBIA, S. C., February 20. The superior attractions of another mena? gerie have again proved too strong tor the General Assembly, and that delectable body has had but a slim attendance to-day. The convention, charged with the wonderful task of selecting a baker's dozen of the Attest per? sons to misrepresent this State in the city of brotherly love next June, bas monopolized the attention of the members of the Legisla? ture and the flaneurs of the capital to such an extent that both houses have for once foregone their accustomed oratory, put through their business with the bells on, and adjourned at a rr ?sonable hour. The session of the Senate was as humdrum and decorous an affairas could be wished. The only thing to relieve the dull monotony was an attempted revival of the investigation as to the removal of the granite and other buildlBg material from the statehouse yard. This subject appears to be an old stand-by of the Reformers In the Senate, and when business ls dull the subject comes up. The facts appear to be that under the authority of some elastic resolution which . the Legislature last winter passed one day and probably forgot all about the next day, a large quantity ot valuable cut granite, marble, Ac, Intended for the com? pletion of the Statehouse, is now being ; knocked to pieces by convict and other labor and carted off to private purchasers, the pro? ceeds being supposed to go to that mysterious bourne.from whence no money e'er returns- ; the sinking fund. All this baa very naturally aroused the suspicions of the vigilant reform? ers, and has led to a number of Investiga Hons, each of which has resulted In the assur- : ance that everything was all right, or, If not, that lt would be made all right, and there the matter has rested. It is periodically revived, however, and last Saturday Messrs. Corbin and Whlttemore brought up the matter In the Senate, and secured the passage of a resolu? tion requiring the attorney-general to look Into the matter, and see It legal steps could not be taken to prevent the continuance ot the little Echeme ol plunder. This elicited the following pacificatory reply, which was this morning read In the Senate: OFFICE: OF TUB ATTORNEY GENERAL, ! COLUMBIA, 8. C., February 19,1872. J To the President of the Senate : Sin-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt ot a copy of a resolution adopted by the Senate on the 17th instant, irequeatlag me to lake action in the matter ot the removal of the blocks ot granite lrom the Statehouse yard. I have the honor now to reply that Im? mediately upon receipt of your resolution I called upon his Excellency the Governor, who at once, and in my presence, issued orders for blddlug any turther removal of the said gran? ite. I have no doubt, therefore, that the ob? ject aimed at by the Senate has been accom? plished. It is proper that I should add that the Governor confiders that authority has been conferred lo sell the granite which ls now in process of removal. Very respectfully, your obedient aervant, D. H. CHAMBERLAIN, Attorney-General. This appeared to be eminently satislaciory with the addition ol the following concurrent resolution as a clincher: Resolved, That on and after the passage of this resolution no more granite or marble or any other building material ahull be removed from the Statehouse yard. Alter this Mr. Smalls Introduced a "bill to {>rovide for tho'sale of lands purchased by the and commission of the State of Soutn Caroli? na." The bill empowers the county auditors in all counties in which lands have been put chased by the land commission to s ll and transfer all such lands, and to execute warranty titles for the same, and requires them to advertise for sale all such lands In tracie of from twenty five to filly acres at one dollar per acre; act? ual settlers to have the privilege of purchas? ing the tracts upon which they have located, the purchasers In all cases to pay the expen? ses of locating, papers, stamps, recording, Ac. This, with the proceedings already tele? graphed, completed the business of ihe day in the Senate, which adjourned at an early hour to allow of the participation by its members in the State Convention. In the House the proceedings were also brief and unimportant. Dr. Barker introduced a bill to create a new county out of a portion of Edgefield to be known as Saluda County. This provoked a Utile growl from Mr. L. Cain, who attacked the proposition on general prlncl pleey?*nd declared that If Edgefield were lo be sliced up much more its name should be changed to "a tenltory for the creation of new counties for the benefit of aspiring poli? ticians." Dr. Bosemon introduced a bill to incorpor? ate the Fireman's Union of Charleston, wnlch namea Thomas S. Dennison. John R. Camp? bell, P. S. Attel, H. B. Pickenpack, A. B. Mitchell, M. S. Robinson, Daniel S. Brown and a few other colored firemen as Incorpora tors, and confers upon them the usual rights and privileges of chartered companies. The committee on privileges and elections reported unfavorably, as was expected, upon both ihe Senate bibs to secure a reform in ihe present manner of conducting general elec? tions; and the committee on railroads re? ported in favor of the ambitious little scheme known as the bill to incorporate the Sparlanburg and Port Royal Railroad company. This bill names as ^corporators W. J. Whipper, R. Smalls, James M. Baxter, J. J. Patterson, James N. Hayne, H. C. Cor? win, H. G. Worthington, G. Cannon, B. A. Bosemon, W. H. Jones, H. W. Duncan, J. S. Kooley, D. B. Duncan, Timothy Hurley, Wm. Munro, R. M. Smith, S. J. Lee, J. H. Evins, J. B. Jeter, L. Wofford and W. J. Wilkins, and their associates and successors, authorizes ihe construction of a railroad from Spartanburg to Port Royal, and ls said to be a pet device of the ring that has recently obtained possession ot the apartanburg and Union road. PICKET. DISASTROUS FIRE IN MARION.-The Crescent savs : On Tuesday morning the fine dwelling house of Mr. Samuel M. Stevenson was dis? covered to be on fire. The Inmates of the house were silting in ihe house, unconscious ot their danger and great misfortuue until a servant ran in and Informed them that the roof of thc building was wrapped In flames. With but two hands on the place, of course, nothing could be done to check the devouring element. In a few hours the dwelling, kitchen and smokehouse, and all outbuildings, except the carriage LOUB'J on the west side ol the public roao, were in ashes. The furniture was saved, but slightly damaged, and with but very loss; out, notwithstanding this, Mr. Ste? venson's IOBS cannot be less than $3500. It is not known how the Are originated, but ihe general supposition is lhat the roof was Igni? ted by a spark lrom the chimney. There ap? eara to be but the oue opinion, that this terri le calamity was accidental. PLUNDERING THE SOUTH. THE REPORTS FROM THE GREAT KU KLUX COMMITTEE. No Evidence, bnt Martial Law is a Good Thins; for Grant-His Power Ought to he Extended-What the Honest Mem? bers of the Committee Say-Southern Vultures. The first six pages of the majority report contain no evidence, but are simply devoted to proving from reports which existed before the appointment o? the committee that the Ku-Klux organization was a reality. Atter de- j daring that the Eu-Elux was organized for | the purpose of defeating the Republican party, the committee acknowledge that much fraud and corruption have been developed during the investigation. They, however, lay the onus of this fraud upon the former slavehold? ers, whom they declare refused to vote or take any part whatever In elections. Thrown upon their own resources, the negroes elected Ignorant men of i heir own color to office, and also many unworthy white men who bad ob? tained their confidence. The committee call these white men educated knaves, and say that they corrupted the nonest negroes. Alter this direct assault upon Governor Scott of South Carolina, Governor Reid of Florida, and Governor Bullock of Georgia, the committee say that this state of corruption and demorali? zation accounts for many of the wrongs of which the people justly complain. The cern- [ mlttee add: ? These remarks are not applicable to all the reconstructed Slates. They are to several of them. Taking South Carolina as an Illustra? tion, and lt ls certainly as bad in these respects as any of ihe Stales, and there can be no doubt that venality and corruption In the Leg? islature prevailed largely. There they are spoken ol as existing by men of all parties, aud seem to be concedeo. Certainly their ex? istence ls almost universally believed by the Eeople of the State. With such material as the legislature, and with such views ot virtue out? side as are shown to have prevailed, corrup? tion was inevitable. The committee next assert that martial law was necessary where it was declared by the Pre aident, lt does not make lt very clear why this was so, as the State government was lu the hands of Grant's friends, who, lt declares, were the victims of the Ku-EIux. The com? mittee, however, content themselves with laying the entire responsibility for the out? rages upon the ex-slaveholders, because they had bela themselves aloof from politics. The committee declare that the law of 1871 bas been effective in suppressing tbe Eu-Elux outrages, but they oppose a revocation ol martial law. They recommended that the power conferred on the President be extend?d until the end of the next session of Congress. They recommend that the Judiciary lu the Bouihern States be Increased, so as to speedi? ly iry all those accused ot .belDg connected with the Eu-Elux organization. They recom? mend also the pa-sage of a law removing dis? abilities. They especially ask, however, that those who have been elected to office in de? fiance ot the existence of constitutional disa? bilities shall be excluded from the benefits ol an amnesty bill. Representative Stephenson, from the sub? committee on debts and election laws, says that the Governors of Georgia and Florida looked upon the proceedings of the commit? tee as an invasion ot Slate rights. Investiga? tion showed that these offic als were more concerned about their own dignity than that of the States. The report concludes with a statement ot the general finauclal condl ion of the eleven States. The total ascertained loss by the rebel ion In tliese_eleven States In property, ao??i8 ami debts, ?nH fVmfed-1 erate, ls $5,262,303,554. Aud to this the legiti? mate, including debts due Northern mer? chants, $2.976,145,955 00. This was $218,456, 384 47 greater than our national debt at its maximum, aud $247,220,949 85 more than the assessed value of all property lu the Southern States In 1860, less Blaves. Senators Blair and Bayarrl, and Represent? atives Cox, Van Trump, Waddell, Robinson and Hanks, constituting the minority of the committee, submit THE MINORITY REPORT. The minority report deals with every ques? tion that came under the consid?rai lon ot the committee, and gives a terrible picture of the existing condition of affairs in the South. Speaking of thu existence of Ku-EIux in the Southern States, the minority report says : "While we do not Intend to deny that bodies of disguised mea have, in several of the Sutes of the South, been gullly ol the most flagrant crimes-crimes which we neither seek to palli? ate nor excuse, for the commission of which the wrongdoers should, when ascertained, and ' duly couvicted, Buffer speedy and condign punishment-we deny that ihese men have any general organization, or political signifi? cance, or ibat their conduct is endorsed by any considerable number of the white people lu jany 81 ate; on the contrary, the men and the bands by which such outrages are per? petrated are almost universally regarded by the intelligent people of the several Slates as the worst enemies of the South, as they furnish the men now lu power at Wash? ington the only excuse left to maintain war I upon them, and tc continue the system of | robbery and oppression wblch they have inaugurated-a system which ls destructive not only of their peace and prosperity, but is Intended to blacken and malign their charac? ter as men before the count'y and the world. We will show, by testimony incontrovertible, that in no one of the six Stales of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississip? pi and Florida, has tuere at any time existed combinations of lawless men in one-tenih part of any of Bald States. These six States have, ia the aggregate, a population of 4,973, 738, and the total number of their couuties exceeds 420. We do not fear successful con? tradiction when we say that there never was a disguised band lo one-tenth part of them, or In over forty of these 420 counties; slimly In a county here and there, or at most in one or t wo counties together ia several of ih?6e t tates have such bands committed depre? dations; and we will show to all men not blinded by prejudice or passion that the Eu-Elux bill and the conduct of the majority ol this commltttee as inaugu? rated, co i inned and reported, is the grossest outrage, the foulest calumny, ever perpetrated or circulated upon or against a helpless people by their rulers-who ought, f Dr that reason, il for no other, to be their friends Instead ol being their relentless enemies and calumnia? tors." The state of noclely at the close of the war and the overrunulng of the country by an army of adventurers, ls thus drawn: ''Before I even breathing time was allowed them a set of | harpies, most of whom had shirked the dangers of the battlefield, camp follow? ers, horse holder?, 'cowboys,' plunderers from both sides during all the years of si rife, rushed down singly and in r-quads on that people, thus prostrated and delenseless, and for their own private gain seized and carried off whatever could be lound worth seizing lu that country. All remonstrance or reals'ance was stifled and crushed out by the cry of dis? loyalty lo the Union, and especially to the Republican paity and its continued suprem? acy." The charge that Northern men who went Bouih with the intention to reside and trans? act business were driven out ls entirely con? tradicted by the -testimony; ou the contrary, the sworn evidence of witnesses of irreproach? able character, proves that men who went South in good faith to settle amongst the people are as kindly treated and as likely, lo be promoted lo official position as they would If ihey moved from oue Northern State to another. The investirai ion into the financial affairs of these Slates reveals the existence ot fraud and cuiruption of the most astounding nature. Notwithstanding the unwillingness of the corrupt officials to make known the condition of the monetary affairs of the Stales, the true situation was arrived al, and the re? sult shows the grossest mismanagement and corruption. Bullack, In bis response to a re? quest for information, delivered the commit? tee u lecture on Btates' rights, and quoted Jel fersun and ol hers to prove that the Inquiries were not bound to be respected; others re? fused to answer altogether. The efforts of the minor officials were so biassed that in frequent instances their testimony was in direct con? flict. The record of the different Governors ls not uninteresting, and the report gives lt In a concise way: "The public records of the country show that Governor Holden, of North Carolina, has been successfully impeached lor high crimea and misdemeanor?. Republicans uniting in so doing. Reed, of Florida, has Just been Im? peached by his own Legislature. Bullock fled from Georgia to escape certain conviction. Smith, of Alabama, was guilty of issuing at least $500,000 of the bonds of that State frau? dulently to the managers of the'Alabama and Chattanooga Railroad. Brownlow, while In Tennessee, tyranlzed orer the people in the most shameless manner, being equaled In that regard only by Davis, of Texas. Scott, of South Carolina, barely escaped impeachment even from his corrupt Legislature. We will forbear In this report from speaking of the present status of Warntotb, of Louisiana, and Clayton, of Arkansas, as they are now under? going investigation before committees of the Senate and House.-' The financial standing of each State is given, and the statement reveals the following terri? ble condition : ALABAMA.-Debts atd, liabilities, July 1, 1861, $5,939,654 87; deb* and liabilities, July 1, 1868, $7,904,396 92; present Indebtedness, actual and contingent.-; including railroad bonds, $38,381,967 37. i ARKANSAS.-Debts and liabilities, In 1861, not exceeding $4,036.9$ 87; debts and liabili? ties, actual and contingent, Including rail? road and levee bonds, tow $19,761,265 62. FLORIDA_Debt In 1869, $221,000; debt now, including railroad bonds issued and authoriz? ed, $15,763,447 54. GEORGIA.- Debt In I860, $2,670,650, debt and liabilities, June, 1871, including railroad bonds Issued and authorized, $50,127,500, rail? road bonds withdrawn, having been deemed fraudulent, $6,000,000. leaving the present in? debtedness $44,137,500. LOUISIANA-Debts and liabilities January 1, 1861, $10,099,074 34. debts and liabilities Jan? uary 1, 1868, $14,347,051 62; debts and liabili? ties June 1,1871, $41,194,473 31; excean of ex? penditures over receipts, 1871, $9,345,733. NORTH CAKouxA.-Debts and liabilities July, 1861, $9.699,500;de^ts and liabilities July, 1868, $15,779,945; debts and liabilities now (Governor's message, ) $34,887,467 85. SOUTH CAROLINA.-Debt 1861, about (exclu? sive of some $6,000,000 of contingent and pro? spective liabilities, most of which were settled in some way, not very clearly explained,) $4. 000,000; debts 1871, luclndlng bonds to rail? roads aod bonds In dispute as fraudulent, $39,158,914 47. MISSISSIPPI_In 1860 she had no debts, but January 1,1870, her State debt was $1,796, 971 30. TENNESSEE-Debts aid liabilities in Octo? ber, 1861, $20,105,606,166: debts and liabilities In January. 1871, $46,638,263 40. This has been reduced since. (See Governor's mes? sage to the Legislature, October, 1871.) TEXAS.-Texas had no debt before the war. The comptroller states it, November, 1871, at not less than $3,000,000; debts and liabilities, Including railroad bonds, now (see proceed? ings of taxpayers' convention,) $17,000,000; wnlle the taxation imposed in 1871 was, as stated by the committee of that convention, $5,361 00. VmoixiA.-Debt and liabilities In 1861, $31. 938,144 59; debt and liabilities In 1871, $47,390, 839 96. "The aggregate increase of the debts and liabilities of the several States will be found greatly to exceed $200,000,000." In tills (earful account no notice whatever has been taken of the debt contracted during i he war, as all indebtedness lu aid of the re? bellion was repudiated by the fourteenth amendment to the constitution. The syste? matic sj stem of robbery pursued'through the medium of local taxation was the exciting cause which led to the disturbances which did actual? ly occur. The report says upon this: "This character of larceny committed In neighborhoods caused more disturbances than ail the wholesale plunder of the States; lt came home to every man's door; lt was Been and felt every day and every hour; lt waa a festering sore on ihe body politic; and the of? fenders were sometimes pretty roughly dealt wltb, while sometimes they professed to have been'Ku-Kluxed' to hide their owft^illanvJ' ? -Taking Soutn uanntna for an example, it appears tn at the men who were entrusted with the disbursement of the money of the people, and who ruled over them with a hand of iron, all told, only paid the paltry sum of seventeen dollars yearly taxes, but while sparingly paying out, great care was taken to have their income largely Increased. Corn taring the salaries paid In 1870 willi these paid before the war, lt appears that the increase lu favor of the carpet-Daggers amounts to $126, 989. Although the value of property In the eleven State* of the South has been reduced from $4,433,757,942 in 1860 to $2,026,440,971 In 1870, being a loss of $2,307,300,971, or over $300,000,000 more than now remains, the State taxation on what those people now have was. In 1870, $12,813,615. while it waa $8,165,486 In 1860, wheo their affairs was managed by their own people; and the county taxation In 1860, on ali property they then owned, waa only $3,116,184, while now, under carpet-bag and negro rule, lt is $14,298,630, or $11,183,446 more on the remnant silll In existence than lt was on the whole property they owned before the war. Looking over some of the items of this reck? less expenditure, li ls discovered that the offi? cials were remarkably kind to the inmates of the penitentiary, fur In South Carolina lt ap? pears that $12,536 71 was expended for hired lubor In that building, notwithstanding the fact that between two and three hundred con? victs, a majority of whom were colored men, were during the year, living in that Institu? tion at the expense of the State. Another Item of expenditure In the same State was for taking the census. It appears that the sum of $75,624 was expended In this way, and thal, ti o, only a few months belore the taking of the Federal census-the government census, which was far more complete, costing $43.203. Speak? ing of the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in nine ot the counties of South Caro? lina, the minority say: "We have no means of knowing upon what specific Information, If any, the President bas suspended the writ of habeas corpus In nine of Ihe counties of South Carolina, because, up to tnis lime, he has fulled to respond tu the re? solution ol the House of Representatives upon i hat subject. With our opportunities of know? ing what has and what hos not transpired In South Carolina ai nee the passage of the law to enforce ihe fourteenth amendment ol'the con? stitution, we arc bold to say that the exesjJse of this usurped dominion over the great writ of right ol the people, lamely claimed lo be rightfully delegated to the Preaiaent by act of Congress, ls wholly unsupported by aoy state of facts which would justify its suspension, even by the rightful trustees of the power un? der the constitution." The report closes with an arraignment of the President in the following words: "It is a painful duty to arraign the Chiel Magistrate of the Republic before the great tribunal of the people. Ic would have been a much more pleasant task, In a crisis which should hush it?to silence all mere pany criticism, to represent him to that court of last resort as having per formed his high trust, In relailon to these Southern troubles, wilh moderation, jusilce, wisdom, and the strictest Impartiality, and that under a broad and large-hearted admini-tralion of the govern? ment, peace and harmony had been restored between ?he people of the two sections, and that all the bitterness and ran kling animosities ol a great civil war had been lost and ab? sorbed in the proud recollections of a Joint struggle for Independence and liberty, and the common glory of the earlier and better days ol' the republic. "What we complain of, and what the great body of the American people should visit with their censure and condemnation, ls the in? difference and the positive Inattention of the Federal Executive to the terrible results which may lollow ihe maladministration ot affairs in the Soulhern Stales; and that he seems to be so far forgetful of bis duties lo all the peo? ple as to submit himself, perhaps unconscious? ly, to the dictates ol party vengeance, or the accomplishment of party ends In the future, rather than to do equal and exact justice tu all classes of citizens." -The colony ol Chinese at North Adams, Mass., Imported about two years ago to work at a shoe faciory In that place, are represent? ed io have Improved very much in their per? sonal habits and appearance miring ihe pusl year. Most of ihein now drees after the American fashion, and a large "proportion have learned to read and write. Fully three fourths of their number attend Sunday school, and, on the whole, they are said tc compare favorably with the most of the for elgn population who come to the Unltec IBtates Ignorant of our language. It ls In con temp'atlon to bring fifty more of these peoph to North Adams this spring. * LAWS OF THE STATE. ACTS OF THF GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF SOUTH CAROLINA. Published hy Authority, Ax ACT to authorize the erection of a certain bridge over the Wateree Elver. Whereas, a majority of the people of Jfcr shaw County have voted in favor of the erec? tion of a free bridge over Wateree River, on the Columbia road, near Camden, to be built and kept up at the expense of said county; therefore, SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and I House of Representatives of the State of) South Carolina, now met and sitting lu Gene? ral Assembly, and by the authority of the same? ' ? That the County of Kershaw be, and is here by, authorized to build a bridge over Wateree River, on the Columbia road, at the Camden Ferry, to be kept ap and maintained at the expense of said county for the public use, free of toll. SEO. 2. That the county commissioners of | said county, and Mannes Baum, T. H. Clark and W. M. Shannon be, and they are hereby, constituted a special commission to contract or and superintend the construction of said bridge, and to raise and disburse the funds re? quired for the same. SEO. 3. That, whenever deemed necessary, a majority ot said special commission shall issue the bonds of said county, to an amount not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, payable ten years after date, and bearing Interest at the rate of eight per cent, per annum, payable annually, on the first day of July, in each and every year, and shall dispose of said bonds at such times and places, and In such manner as a majority of said special commission may direct to ralBe funds for the construction oj said bridge. SEO. i. That the said county commissioners be and are hereby authorized td levy an an? nual tax on (he assessed value of the taxable property owned in said county not exceeding two mills upon every dollar of the value of { said property, within the townships of Wa? teree and DeKalb, of Bald county, and not ex? ceeding one mill upon every dollar of the value of such property within the other town? ships of Bald county, which tax shall be col? lected as provided by law for the collection of other county taxes, and be paid out by the county treasurer upon the order of a majority of such special co m miss'on. SEC. 5. That the proceeds ol such tax shall j be applied, first to the payment of the inter? est on said bonds, and the - surplus, if any, shall be security, invested under the direction of the Joint special commissioners, and or?ate a sinking fund to be applied to the payment and extinguishment of said bonds at their ma? turity, or to pay up and cancel the same be? fore maturity, as said commissibners may deem expedient, and when the same are fully paid and extinguished, the said tax shall cease to be levied, and the said special com? mission shall cease to exist. SEO. 6. That the Bald special commission j shall appoint a treasurer, who shall give bond before entering opon the discharge of the duties of his office, In such amount as may be UpymvJ -i.fllulvuli L-. tAxo pwtf -o?Olttt>-.-A for the faithful discharge of his dulles, who shall receive and disburse the proceeds of the bonds hereinbefore authorized to be issued, and all other moneys coming to his hands, by direction of said special commission, and be subject to such rules and regulations as the said special commission may prescribe. SEC. 7. That the said special commissioners shall, annually, file a correct account of their receipts and disbursements, and a report of their proceedings in the office of the clerk of the Circuit Court, on or before the first day of the January term of said court, to be open for the inspection ot the citizens of said county, and to be laid before the Grand Jury, at said term, for their examination, and falling to do so the members of the Bald commission shall be liable to indictment as for a misdemeanor' and, upon conviction, shall each be punished by fine, or imprisonment, at the discretion of the court, not exceeding one hundred dollars lin', or six months' imprisonment. SEC. 8. That, in case of a vacancy at any time lu said special commission, occasioned by the death, resignation, removal or refusal lo serve of the said Manuea Baum, T. H. j Clarke and w M. Shannon, or their succes? sors, or any one or more ot them, such vacan? cy shaf? be supplied by the remaining mem? bers of such special commission, by appoint? ment, irom among the twenty persons in said county who shall have paid, In bis own right, the highest tax to ihe Slate for the year next preceding such appointment. Ste. 9. That for the purpose of enabling the said special commission to carry Into effect the provisions of this act, the said County o? Kershaw is invested with all the rights of the State In the piers of ihe bridges or the Cam. deu Bridge Company and the landings and roadbed which formerly led to and from ihe same; and the said special commission may make such compensation to the stockholders ot the said company as may be deemed equita? ble and just by the said special commission, under the circumstances ol the case. Pro? vided, That the entire cost of said bridge and Its appurtenances shall not, together with the compensation to the Camden Bridge Company, exceed the sum of twenty thousand dollars. SEC. 10. That the Camden Bridge Company be, and they are hereby, authorized to keep up the Camden Ferry* up to and until the opening of the bridge hereinbefore provided for, at the same rates of toll as were charged on the first day of December last; and the said company shall then cease to be a body politic and corporate; but the stockholders thereof, shall then be at liberty to sell their property and assets, and divide the proceeds of the same among them ratably, according to the number of the shares of the Bald stock, held by them respectively, having first paid the debt of the Bald corporation: Provided, That nothing contained in this section shall conflict with or abridge any of the powers, rights and priviledgee, hereinbefore conferred upon the said County of Kershaw, or the said special commission. SEC. ll. That this act shall be ? public act, and be so taken and deemed In all the courts of this State. Approved February 15,1872. AN EXCELLEST MASONIC APPOINTMENT. The Marlon Crescent is gratl?ed to learn that Grand Ma?ler R. S. Bruns has appointed Major Solon A, Duroam, District Deputy Grand Master, for the tenth masonic district ol' the State. This dlf-trlct embraces all lodges in the counties of Marlon, Marlboro' and Morry. MURDER.-We learn that a slabbing affray took place last Thursday near Davis's turpen? tine alsiillery, in Marlon County, between a white man named Hog and a colored man named Jim Wheeler. Wheeler was stabbed in the left side, from the effects of which he died on Friday night. SOUTH CAROLINA WINES. A Pleating Sketch, of Marlon-Wine Oro win? and Wine-Making in Soutb Carolina. [F ROM OUR TBAYHUXO QOBBBSFOXD ii T J. MARION, February 16. Marion ls soaped somewhat like the letter ! L, being built principal! j- along the line of two streets, running one south and the other east from the courthouse, " te Intersection of these streets form the public square, a roomy area, about the size of Hampstead Mall, charleston. In the centre of the square stands the courthouse, a large two-story brick building perfectly square, with a portico on the east front The'second landing of the portico ls reached by two handsome Iron stair? cases, slightly spiral In form, one on the north | and the other on the south tide. The four sides o? the public square are occupied by stores and other business houses of the place. Some of these are brick buildings ot two and three stories, with handsome ironie. The residences are chiefly one-story wooden houses with piazzas fronting the street. They are kept neatly whitewashed. A number are adorned by beautifully laid out flower gardens, which are filled with evergreens, carefully trimmed in cone and other shapes. The streets bear | no names; the two before alluded to are lined on each side with elm trees, from which fact the town receives the local name of "The City of Elms." Unlike most other coun-1 try towns In South Carolina, Marion can boast 01 having street lamps; Indeed, lt ls extremely well lighted. The means used are kerosene lamps placed inside of common stteet lan? terns, and mounted upon wooden posts. Toe Methodists are the most numerous in the town; though there are likewise a Presbyte? rian and a Baptist church. Another promi? nent feature ls a Masonic hall, which would be much Improved by a new ooat ot j pain'. Although a very destructive flee oc? curred here In 1869, the citizens have not yet provided themselves with a fire engine: some day they will rue the consequen? ces of their negligence. A considerable traffic in cotton is carried on between this place and , Wilmington, N. C., the freights to that point being lower than to Charleston. However, a large portion of the merchandise sold here ls purchased at the latter place. The principal business men of the place are Messrs. S. A.. Durham & Co., E. H. Gasque, C. Graham, J; Brown, A. Wlicover, M. leeman and C. Clark. In the line of assorted goodB are Messrs. D. S. Price ? Co., and W. C. McMillan In the drug , business. The place also supports two weet ly newspapers-the Crescent and the Star. The municipal and county offices are filled by Democrats, truly a refreshing fact, when wo i consider how seldom such cases are found lu lower South Carolina. About eight mites (rom Marion on the lino of the Wilmington, Colombia and Augusta Railroad ls Muiiln's Depot, worthy of note as the location of an enterprise not often men with In South Carolina. This ls a vineyard and wine press,owned by Dr. R. Yampin, a na? tive of Poland, but lor a number ot years a resident cf this State. The doctor has sixty acres of land under cultivation, planted in vines. His wine cellar is a long, low brick building, the floor of which is four feet below the surface of the earth. THU building ls one hundred and sixty feet long by forty wide. It has no windows, but ls furn-1 lshed with light and air by a false roof over the Junction of the roof proper, extending1 thc entire length. Within these walls is a sight well calculated to make the heart ot a man who loves the good things of ihls world leap within him. Banged In long rows lying on their sides, with lead-colored bodies and red heads, are a host of Immense hogsheads, labeled re? spectively, sherry. Madeira, concord, flowers, port, catawba, scappemong. The doctor pulls a key out ot bis pocket, and as he turns, first one cock and then another, you begin to feel very much as if you have reached the "happy land.1' The cellar contains at present six tbou Baud gallOUB Ol* WIUC. TUC ?uviut'o viaoy*?d ic now yielding three thousand gallons per annum, although only a small portion is old enough to bear fruit. When the whole of I lt becomes productive lt will yield about 160,000 gallons yearly. The doctor has made a I good move In appointing the courteous firm of Dr. D. S. Price & Co., Marion, 8. C., agents for the sale of hts wines. It is to be hoped that Dr. Vamplll'8 example will, before long, be largely followed in every section ef the State. CONGRESS AND THE TARIFF. Thc Revised Duties on Rice, Tea, Coffee, Salt and Cottons-the French Arms Scandal In tbe Senate, dec WASHINGTON, February 21. It ls stated that Mr. Douglass, commissioner ol internal revenue, has drafted a bill, at the request of the committee on ways and means, which concentrates the whiskey tax at 70 cents. A tariff bill ls reported in the Senate from the finance committee, which makes tba j duty on tea ten cents, on coffee two cents, on rock and bulk salt nine cents per hundred weight, and In -packages twelve cents per hun? dred weight, on cleaned rice one and a half cents per pound, on hides and skins five per cent., ad valorem. After the first of July the dulles on cottons, wools, silks, iron and steel will be reduced ten per cent. Barley and various drugs have been placed on the free hst. In the Senate the entire day was occupied in discussing the sale of arms to France, Morton, Cookllng and Sumner speaking. Conkllng's amendment Instructing the committee to in? quire whether any senator bad been in unlaw? ful communication with the agents of foreign governments was passed. This points at Sumner and Schurz, who partially base their call for investigation upon Information fur? nished by the Marquis de C ham bro n. In the House, Buckley, of Alabama, intro? duced a resolution Instructing the committee on ways and means to inquire into The expe? diency of admitting machinery for spinning cotton lree of duty, which was passed. An amendment making the legation of St. Petersburg one of ihe first class was passed. Adjourned. THE WEATHER THIS DAT. WASHINGTON. D.C., February21. The barometer will probably continue rising, with pleasant weather on Thursday over ihe lakes, Ohio Valley. Middle and Easffrn States. An area ot light rain will advance by Thursday morning Into North Carolina. Partially cloudy and clear weather, with a rising temperature, will prevail In ihe Gulf Stales, and rainy weather In Georgia and Northern Florida, clearing away during the night. Weeterlyl winds will increase in New England, but di- \ mlnish from New York to Wisconsin. Au area of low barometer will develop on Thurs? day in the Missouri Valley. Dangerous winds are not anticipated lor Wednesday nighrf ex? cept possibly on the Gulf of Florida. Yesterday's Weather Reports of the Signal Service, U. S. A.-4.47 P. M., Local Time. Place of Observation. Augusta, Ga.... Baltimore. Huston. Cti ar les ton. Unicago. UinclnuatL. Galveston, Tex.. Key West, Fla.. Knoxville, Tenn. Memphis. Tenn.. Mt. Washington. New Orioans New York. Norfolk. Philadelphia. Purtland, Me.... Savannah . St. Louis. Washington. Wllmington.N.C. B gi SS 29.871 .9.74 29.67 29.87 29.97 30.00 30. Os 29.93 30.21 30.01 29.29 29.85 29.82 29.74 29 69 29.47 29.8? 30.03 29.78 29 83 O 5? SW w w sw N SW N S N NW W SW w SE NW W N SW SW sw 5 Light. ueiitie. Fresh. Light. brisk. Gentle. High. Fresh. Fresh. Gentle. Gale. Brisk. Brisk. Gentle. Fresh. Fresh. Light. Gentle. Fresh. Gentle. ? fa Lt. Rain Clear. Fair. Cloudy. Clear. Fair. Clear. Hair. L. ita in. Fair. Cloudy. Cloudy. Fair. Cloudy. Fair. F<dr. Cloudy. Fair. Fair. Cloudy. SOTS.-The weattier reuort dated 7.47 O'Clock, thlB morning, will be posted In the rooms of the ctiamber of Commerce at 10 o'clock A. M., and, ccf ether wita the weather chart, may (by the courtesy of the Chamber) bs examined by ship? masters at any time during the day. .. A. NARROW ESCAPE. The Recent Accident ou the Savannah .nd Charleston Railroad. ' [From toe Savannah AdveTtlserj A brief account hag already been published of an accident that occurred on the Savannah add Charleston Ball road ou Sunda;, evening. Fro ai a gentleman who was ou the .train, ve have recelvedj the following addi?onal parti? culars in relation to the affair. About elght P. H., when the train arrived at tile bridge crossing the Savannah Elver, the watchman at the Bridge signalled down the-train. ?> The signal was obeyed? and the train stopped on the other, side of the river. The watchman then informed the conductor and engineer that there was a slight depression of the lill on one side of the track crossing the bridge. They both examined it, and were.of opinion' it could be crossed in 'safety, but not caring to risk the lives of the passengers, the conductor decided to send the engine over first. The engineer, Jno. Bonneau, fireman and the conductor, S. K Slawson, then started across on the engine. Alter proceeding a short distance from the train, and when Jost over the depression, the.trestle suddenly gave way, precipitating the engine and tender luto the river. The fireman and wood-passer (umped irom the engine on one side and the conductor and engineer tamped from the op? posite Bide. Owing, to the. swiftness of the current, the engineer and wood passer were carried some distance down'the stream, cling2 lng to pieces of the debris of- the bridge. A boat put off at once irom the Georgia Bide In charge ' of the- bridge watchman and a negro; and rescued them about three hundred vards below the bridge. The conductor and fireman being upon the opposite side, managed to cling to the string? ers, and from them climbed up upon the bridge. Through the courtesy and kindness of the passengers on board the train, 4ry cloth? ing was furnished to the four and ev?ry atten? tion paid them to render them as comfortable as possible tinder the very unpleasant circum? stances. Captain Butler started out the regu? lar train from this olty at 11.15 Sunday night, (schedule time.) As soon as the state ot affairs at the bridge was ' discovered the train' n ?.urned to the olty, and Captain Butler was notified of the accident. He Immediately started, in company with Conductor Wil? lis, to obtain a steamboat to go np the river to the bridge and bring down the passengers and malls. After making every effort. Captain B. was unable to obtain a boat of any description until ten o'clock A M., yes? terday, when the owners of the E. D.. Morgan placed that boat at his disposal. Conductor Willis took charge ot. her and started for the scene of the accident at eleven o'clock A. M. The train of cars was left all this while upon*? . the bridge, the passengers being two miles from land on either side, and.wera unable either to advance orteturn. During the night. they made themselves as comfortable as poe-! slble under the circumstances. Having nothlDg to eat or drink for twenty hours, their sltaadon : can well be imagined as anything butadelight ful one. A meeting was held on the train, and resolutions were passed thanking the conductor . and engineer for their thoughtfulness in not1 risking the lives of their passengers, and for their bravery In putting themselves forward to first incur the danger and risk of crosalng. The steamboat returned to the city about ball-past six o'clock yesterday evening. The train left upon the bridge will be taken back to Charles- ? ton. Captain Butler left at eight o'clock last evening opon a train from this city to take up provision a and supplies for the employees of the road left at the bridge. The bridge will be repaired as soon as possible, the very high stage of water interfering considerably with any operations at present. It Is: not believed that tue engine is seriously damaged. Efforts to raise it will be made at once. The cause of the sudden giving away of the trestle ls supposed to be from damage received by one of the piers, against which an Immense cypress log was violently dashed by the current a few days since. The log was cut away as soon as it lodged, and a depression of about two inches was noticed In the track upon that sida of th? bridge. Natuin? serious, however, was antici? pated at the time, but the high stage of water and unusually rapid current doubtless weak? ened the trestle and precipitated the accident. Mr. Gadsden, the superintendent of the road, left Charleston yesterday morning to make arrangements -fer repairing the bridge, and also for the transfer of passengers across the . river from one train to the other. For a few days we presume trains will run from both Cities as far as the bridge, when transfers will be made and eaoh tram return. IHR OLD WORLD'S NEWS. LONDON. February 21. In reply to a letter of inquiry addressed to bim, Premier Gladstone bas written a long letter, explaining, in an extremely amicable manser, the present position ol her Majesty's Government concerning the treaty of Wash? ington, and denying the utterance of offensive passages in his recent speeches In the House of Commons, as has been erroneously re? ported. The Times, in an article on the Alabama claims controversy, says: "Our relations with the United States are such that nothing should be done to lessen the authority bf the govern? ment." The Times hopes, though faintly, that the American Cabinet will yield to public opinion. It ls reported that Lord Nortbbrooke will ' e Viceroy of India. PARTS. February 21. The Opinion Nationale asserts that a conspi? racy bas been discovered, In which the generals under the late Emperor are the leaders. Their plan waa to disperse the Assembly by force, and take possession of the government, when they were to be supported by a laree number of ex-officers and soldiers ot,the Empire from the north. The. Opinion says, in consequence of this revelation, the Belgian frontier ls care? fully guarded, and no one ls permitted to cross Into France without a passport. The Gaulois, lu its issue ot this morning, says: ''King Amedeus, of Spain, has become disgusted with the ungovernable disposition of the Spanish people, and has urged his father. King Victor Emauual, of Italy, to sanction his abdication." The Gaulois further says that Victor Emanuel counsels patience on the par* of King Amedeus. MADRID, February 21. Sagos ia has formed a new ministry. Her- * rara la minister for the colonies. ROME, February 2L It ls reported that on Sunday last the Pope signed a decree convoking an (Ecumenical Council, the place of meeting to be either in the Island of Malta or in the Tyrol, as shall be hereafter determined, and when the council meets the Pope will leave Borne. + ittillnurrj, tDtjite (?oo?s, SFt. Ribbons, Millinery and Straw Goods. 18 7 3. ALSO WHITE GOODS, EMBROIDERIES, 4C. ARMSTRONGTCATOR & CO., iJfPOBTBBS, MAMTATUKKEB AND JOBBESS BONNET, TRIMMING, NECK and SASH RIBBONS, VELVET RIBBONS, NECK TIES, Bonnet Silks, Satins, Velvets and Crapes, FLOWERS, FEATHERS, ORNAMENTS, FRAMES, Ac, Ac. Straw Bonnets and Ladles' and Children's Bats, Trimmed and Untrimmed; and in connecting Warerooms White Goods, Linens, Embroideries, Laces, Nets, Collars, Sets, Handkerchief, Veil? ing, Bead Nets, Ac., Ac Nos. 237 ANO 239 BALTIMORE STREET, BALTI? MORE, MD. These goods are manufactured by us or bought for cash directly from the European and Ameri? can Manufacturers, embracing all the latest nor eiues, unequalled in variety and cheapness la. anymarket. Orders filled with care, promptness and dis? patch;_febi3tuthslmo* pa* NOTICE TO BRIDGE BUILDERS. Sealed Proposais wm be received at the Office of the County Commissioners until the 1st day cf March next for the Building or a BRIDGE cross? ing the Wateree River at Camden. All bids must be accompanied by the names of sureties. Janl2 m3fl J. F. SUTHERLAND, Cha^InSA