Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOLUME IX.-NUMBER 1922. " CHARLESTON, FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 8, 1872. EIGHT DOLLARS A YEAR. ; A QUEER WTESTIGATM. A JUDGE AND JURY ARRAIGNED-AB? SURD RESULT OF THE TRIAL. The Author of the Investigation Com? pelled to Squelch it-.Vo Charges and E very bod y Exonerated - Indigna? ' tlon of the Duped Legislators-Trie Investi gator to be Investigated. [SPB0IAL TELEGRAM TO THE NKW8.] COLUMBIA, Thursday, March 7. The examination of the charges against Judge Graham took place this morning be? fore the Judiciary committee of the House of Representative?. The fact was made evident that the Investigation bad been Instigated solely by Solicitor Seabrook. Jervey, who introduced the resolution pro? viding for the investigation, testified (hat So? licitor Seabrook had Induced him to do so by his charges against the court. - Solicitor Seabrook being examined failed to produce the slightest evidence of tbe alleged corruption, or of the Improper influ? ences which were said to have been brought to tear in the course of tbe trial. He oven endeavored to escape from the charge of hav? ing caused the resolution of investigation to be introduced. Judge Graham, the jury and all the other parties concerned were completely exoner-1 at ed from all suspicion of improper conduct, and the committee will so report to-night or j to-morrow morning. Several of the mem? bers of the committee make no concealment of their indignation at the deception which they allege to have been practiced upon them by Solicitor Seabrook. Jervey, Hunter, Thom- ] as ind others propose to rise to questions of privilege in the House, In order to expose the secret history of tbe whole transaction, and to exculpate themselves from having con? nived at what seemed lo be an ugly conspira? cy against a Judicial officer in the discharge of his duties._ PICKET. THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE. Passage ot the Validating Act hy the Hoase-Favorable Report upon the Greenville and, Columbia Railroad Bill-Both Houses Hard at Work apon the Calendar. (SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TBB NB WS.] COLUMBIA, S. C., March 7. The House late last night passed the bill in relation to the bonds and stocks of the State, otherwise known as tbe validating bill. Tbe eleventh section was expunged, and a proviso added to section eight. Aa passed by the House the bill is as follows : A BILL relating to the bonds of the State of I * South Carolina, Whereas, Bonds or obligations of this State have been Issued, from time to time, to a large amount, in accordance, as was supposed by the offices issuing the same, with the au? thority and provisions ol certain acta of the General Assembly, including "An act to authorize a loan to redeem the obligations tnown as the bills receivable *>i the State of South Carolina," approved August 26, 1868; also "An act to authorize a Sute loan to pay interest on the public debt," approved August 26, 1868; also "An act to provide for the appointment of a land commissioner, and to define his powers and dudes," approved March 27, 1869; also an act to. amend the lase named act, and for other purposes, approved March 1, 1870; also "An act to authorize a loan for tne relief of the treasury," approved February 17, 1869; also "Au act to provide for the conversion of State securities," approved March 23, 1869; also "An act to authorize the financial agent of the State ot South Carolina, In the City of New York-, to pledge State bonds as collateral se? curity, and lor other purposes," approved Mareil 26, 1869; which said bonds are tully and particularly slated and set forth, in a report made by the treasurer -to the State General Assembly, dated October 31,1871; and where? as d duo ta bave arisen whether said issues were in strict conformity to provisions ol the said several acts, under which they were re? spectively isa u ed ; and whereas lt was the true Intent and meaning of the several acts above set forth that such issues of bonds or obliga? tions should be made in the manner in which the same bave 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 of tbls'Stale; and whereas tbe credit ol this Slate has been affected thereby: SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of South Carolins, now met and sitting in General As? sembly, and by the authority of the same: That the said bonds and obligations issued on behalf of thia State, as mentioned and set forth in the report of the treasurer of this -State to tbe General Assembly, dated October , 31, 1871, were duly and lawfully issued in conformity with the true Intent and meaning ?of the several acts of the General Assem? bly hereinbefore eet forth by their respective titles. SEC. 2. That the acts of the officers of this State, authorized under the provisions of the -laws of tbls State, and of the several acts here? inbefore referred to, to the extent of all issues of bonds or obligations enumerated and set forth in the said report of the treasurer, be, and are hereby, in all things ratified, con? firmed and esi a-J ll s tied. Ssc. 3. That each and all of the bonds named in said annual report of the treasurer j of this State, for the fiscal year ending with October 31,1871, be, and the same are hereby, ?declared to be legal and valid bonds of the State of South Carolina, for tbe payment of | which the faith, credit and funds of the State, have been, and are hereby, pledged. SEC. 4. Tbe section of each of the acts under which said bonds purport to be issued, which Ero vides for an annual tax to pay the interest, i hereby declared to be a part of ibis act, and an annual tax, In addition to all other taxes, ?hall be levied upon the property ot the State by the State auditor or other officer perform? ing his duties, sufficient to pay the Interest on the bonds named in or provided for in this act, .until the principal of said bonds shall become due. BEfc. 5. Hereafter every bond converted or Issued under or in pursuance of any of the laws of this State shall be of the description and style of those heretofore issued under an act entitled "An act to provide lor the conver? sion ol Slate securities," approved March 23, 2860, so that ail the bonds of the Statesbali be of one description and style, as soon as the exchange can be made. SEC. 6. All bonds heretofore authorized to tie Issued shall be issued in pursuance of. and .in conformity with, the provisions oi this act, and shall be converted into bonds, ot the style and description named ' In the next pre? ceding section, as Bpeedlly aa the same can be done. BEC 7. That neither the sum or sums real? ized from any sale or sales heretofore made, .or which shall hereafter be made of any of the bonds of this state, nor the manner ol sale of j -any ot the bonds ot this State shall in any [ manner affect or Impair the validity and obli? gation thereoL SEC. 8. The Governor ls hereby authorized ?nd required to sign all of the bonds named in this act. Tbe -State treasurer is authorized and required to countersign the same, and the secretary of State ls authorized and re? quired to affix the seal of the State to the same without delay: Provided, that no bonds shall .be signed by the Governor or countersigned by the State treasurer except for tho conver? sion of bonds or stocks already issued pur? suant to law. -SEC. 9. Nothing contained in this act shall -authorize the issue or conversion of any bonds ?of this State, other than those named in the report made by tbe State treasurer as speci? fied lu third section of tbls act, and such as have been authorized under previous laws of this State. SEO. 10. The Commercial Warehouse Com? pas^ in the City of New York, and the Caro? lina National Bank In the City of Columbia, South Carolina, are hereby declared to be authorized places for the registering of the bonds, coupons or stocks of the State ot South Carolina, and they are authorized, on the pas? sage ol this act, to immediately advertise, in one or two ot the principal papers of each of the cities ol New York, Columbia and Charles? ton, to tbe holders of all the bonds, coupocs or stocks of the State or South Carolina, the necessity of registering their bonds, coupons or stocks at one of the above authorized places of registry. In the registration of Bald bonds, or coupons or stocks the num? ber and denomination of each bond, cou? pon or certificate of stock, the act nuder which it was Issued, and the name ol the per? son, association, corporation or firm present? ing the same, shall be recorded, and the time and place of registration shall be endorsed upon said bonds, coupons or stock, so that the same bonds, coupons or stocks may not be presented at more tban one place of registra? tion. It shall be the duty of the said Commer? cial Warehouse Company, lu the City of New York, and the Carolina National Bank, In the City of Columbia, South Carolina, to publish in tbe cities of New Tork, Charleston and Co? lumbia, quarterly statements of the whole amount of bonds, coupons or stocks registered by them, their number, denomination and tbe act under which they have been issued. The State treasurer and the financial agent ot tbe 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 expense of advertising 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. SEC. ll. All acts or parts of acts, contrary to or Inconsistent with this act, are, for the purposes of this act, but for no other purpose, hereby repealed. SEC. 12. This act shall take effect Immedi? ately. The final success of the validation bill, and ot the bill for settling up the financial agency, is now deemed certain. The railroad committee of the House have reported favorably upon the Greenville and Columbia Railroad bill. The Senate, to-day, passed the following bills: To incorporate tbe Elver Guards of Hamburg, S. C.; to incorporate the Damascus Baptist Church, of Sumter County; to legalize certain marriages; to Incorporate the Gower? ville Lodge, No. 107, A. F. M., of South Caro? lina; to incorporate the Reedy River Baptist Church, of Greenville County; to establish a public ferry in Fairfield County; to charter the Spartanburg and Port Boyal Railroad Com? pany; to amend the charter of Mount Pleas? ant; to reopen* a public highway la Rich? land CouBty; to renew tbe charter of tbe Congregation Derekh Emeth, of Columbia; to amend the act to secure advances for agricul? tural purposes; to Incorporate the Lancaster Riflemen; to recharter Mountain Lodge, Ne. 15. I. O.O. F., of Greenville County; tore cbarter the Raleigh and Augusta Air Line Railroad Company; to supply the deficiency In the appropriation for free schools, for the year ending October 31, 1871; to pay L. S. Langley, school commissioner of Beau? fort, $137 45; to amend the act incorporating the Wac cam aw and Little Bl ver Canal Com? pany. ' The House passed the following bills: To require all bonds and stocks of the State to be registered; to declare public a certain road in Orangeburg County; to alter and amend the charter ol Greenwood; to Incorporate the Port Royal Blver Ferry Company; to amend the act regulating the manner of drawing juries; to amend the act regulating the practice and pleadings ot the State Courts; to incorporate the Charleston Homestead Association; to In? corporate the Laboring Society of Christ Church Parish; to incorporate the churches of Antioch, N*W Hope, Bethel Grove and New Bethany, of Laurens County. The House also passed the Joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Slate Consti? tution with a view to checking the further increase of the State debt ' PICKET. PROCEEDINGS OF WEDNESDAY. No Adjournment yet-Another Investi? gation-The Tax Levy-Detalla of Leg? islation. [FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] i COLUMBIA, March 6. A considerable amount of business in the way of the final passage ot bills of more or less importance has been transacted to-day by both branches of the General Assembly, and lt would really seem as though the members were at last determined upon an adjournment at some reasonably proximate date. It ls use? less, however, to speculate upon the chances of adjournment, alter BO many demonstrations ol the fickleness In this respect of our sapient legislators, and lt would almost appear that this wished for date will never arrive, and that the whole question of adjournment sine die is but a pleasing and delusive will-o'-the wlsp, which ever recedes as last as we seem to approach it. Only a day or two ago, aller a number of postponements, both houses agreed upon to-morrow, the 7th of March, as the day of final adjournment, and we all drew a lang breath and hoped that the question was settled; but now to-day the Sen? ate comes forward with a resolution to airain postpone the wished for date until the 13th instant-a week from to-day-and lt ls an even, chance if lt be not again postponed, as that day approaches, for many days or even weeks to come. In the meantime the rapid and almost inter? minable debate In both houses continue upon every possible subject, and at every possible occasioo. Io the Senate this morning another war of words was waged upon the question of allowing a dam to oe constructed across theCongaree. It had been hoped that this question had received its last consideration upon the second reading ol the bill when lt was debated for four weary days, but this reasonable expectation was doomed to dis? appointment. The bill coming up for Its third reading thia morning, Senator Nash proposed an amendment to the effect that tbe quarry on this side of the Congaree, where lt is proposed to construct one end of the dam, should not be disturbed until the factory which the bill requires to be built should have been com? pleted, and the use of the water power ren? dered necessary to run the same. Ou this Les? lie offered an amendment to the amendment providing that the quarry should not be dis? turbed until the building of the factory should be commenced, and upon this question there ensued a debate which lasted two hours, and resulted after all in the withdrawal of both amendments and the passage ot tho bill In the shape In which lt came up. It ls extremely doubtful, however, If the bill receives a favor? able consideration In the House-not on ac? count of any objectionable leature in the bill itself, (for it is perfectly well understood that in this Assembly the merits of a measure bave very little to do with its success,) but for the alleged fact that a Blrong opposition of "strikers" bas been formed who will Insist upon the defeat of tbe measure unless its friends will come down handsomely to secure Its passage. The following preamble and resolutions were Introduced in the Senate to-day by Senator Owens, from which lt would appear that the rage for ''Investigations" at the expense of the State ls not wholly extinct, and that some? body is on the lookout for another roving commission lor the Bummer months wtth, doubtless, Incidental hopes of some small pickings: Whereas. By au act ol this General Assem? bly, passed the 15th day ot September, 18C8, the county treasurers of the several counties of this State were required to report to the county commissioners oi their said counties on the 15th day of each mouth the amount of moneys collected by them for county purposes and the amounts paid out and what for; and. whereas, lt is alleged that the county treasurer of Charleston County has reported the sum of $72,000 as having been collected by him for county purposes, and bas failed to report to the county commissioners for what purpose or to whom said moneys have been paid spe? cifically. Therefore, be lt Resolved by the Senat?*, the House of Repre? sentatives concurring, Tbat a committee of two on tbe part of the Senate and-mem? bers on the part of the House be appointed to Investigate the amounis ot moneys collected for county purposes for the years of 1871 and 1872 and the amounts disbursed of said moneys, tbe purposes for which they were paid out and to whom, with authority to ex? amine books and records of said office and power to take testimony and administer oaths in respect to such examination. Said committee are requested to report the result of their Investigation and examination to the judge of the first circuit within thirty days irom the appointment of said commit? tee. ?.. This resolution was laid over for considera? tion to-morrow. As already reported by tele? graph, a number of bills and Joint resolutions were finally passed by the Senate to-day. Among these was tbe joint resolution provid? ing for the levy ot eight mills tax for State, and three mills for county purposes, which was amended on the motion of Senator whi? temore so as to provide for a tax of six mills for g?nerai State purposes, and two mille as a distinct and specific tax for school purposes. The levy ot three mills for county purposes was not disturbed. It will be remembered that this proposal of eight mills tax for Slate purposes, which bas now passed both houses, superseded the proposal ot fifteen mills State tax, which was Included among the provisions of one ot the general appropriation bills. Now it ls reported that an effort Is on foot to pa?s another joint resolution providing for a special tax of six mills on the dollar, ostensi? bly for the purpose of paying Interest, which. If successful, would bring up the tax to very nearly the figure first proposed, and so earn nt ally advised by Comptroller-General Neagle in bis recent speech before the HOIISP. Among the other measures of some impor? tance that passed the Senate were the fol? lowing: Bill to incorporate the 8outh Carolina Beal Estate and Joint Stock Company. This ap? pears to be one of those franchises that the present Assembly is so fond of granting to themselves, and lt empowers Messrs. Frost, Maxwell, Nash, Swalls, Whitemore. Mobley, Jamison and a few others (all members or officers of the General Assembly) to associate under the above name for the purpose of a general bankin? business, and also, as it would appear, for a sort of pawnbroking bu? siness, inasmuch as they are authorized to loan out money on Interest on real, personal or mixed property, with power to sell or dis? pose of the same at pleasure, ?cc. Bill to Incorporate the Georgetown and Saotee River Railroad Company. This ls a local Echeme, which names E."J. Brown, E. W. Denny and W. H. Dennis as Incorporators with authority to construct a railroad irom Georgetown to the San tee River by the most practical route, and lo such point thereon as may he most suitable for a terminus to their railroad. A bill to provide for the payment of certain debts by the County or aiken, which simply provides that the n?w County of Aiken ehall assume such share of the debt of the adjacent counties out of which lt was created, as shall be its proportion la ratio to the taxable prop? erty as taken from each of the other counties. The railroad committee reported in favor of the bills to incorporate the Laurens and Ashe? ville Railroad Company, and the Spartaoburg and Port Boyal Railroad Company, both ol which were duly described at the time of their Introduction. The lower house was engaged during most of Us morning session with along debate upon ibe question of locating the proposed Agri? cultural College and Mechanical Institute pro? vided for in tbe Congressional grant of agri? cultural land scrip. The House bad previous? ly passed a bill devoting a portion of the un? used buildings and land of the State Univer? sity at Columbia to the new institution, and had rejected a bili which sought to Incorporate the proposed coll?ge with the Cintilo Univer? sity, In Orangebnrg County. Tbe Senate, however, reversed ibis action of the House by Inserting an amendment in the House bill, which, lu effect, makes the new college an ODpendage to the Claflin University, and it was on the question of agreeing to this acilon of the Senate thai the debate arose. Messrs. Smart, Bose mon and other members of the committee on education, spoke in favor of the original bill, and en? deavored to show that the State University was tbe most suitable place for tbe location of a new State College; but Jamison, Huuter and a few others as strenuously urged the adop? tion of the Senate amendment. Jamison was evidently working in the interest? of Clsflin University and the county Irom which he was elected, but Huuter appeared io be simply op? posed to the State University on general prin? ciples, because it had been the alma mater of many distinguished South Carolinians whose color was different Irom his own, and for whom he therefore cherishes the bitterest ha? tred, which he does not hesitate to parade on all possible occasions. The Senate amend? ment was finally carried by a vote of 55 to 48. The only other business of general Interest transacted by the House was tbe passage to Its third reading of the bill to authorize the financial board to settle up and dispense with lhat rather expensive luxury known as the financial agency of the State ol South Caro? lina In the City of New York. PICKET. THE VALIDATING BILL. How lt Pawed the House. The Columbia Union (Radical) gives the fol? lowing report of the circumstances attending the passage of the validation bill In the House ol Representatives on Wednesday night: The bill relating to the bonds of the State of South Carolina, making valid all the bonds and obligations issued in behalf of the State, as mentioned and set forth In the report ot the treasurer of the State lo the General Assem? bly, ratifying and confirming ali the issues, and declaring the bonds io be legal and valid, for the payment ol wbich the faith, credit and funds of the Slate are pleged, was the signal for another long tesl of strength of the several factions. A part of the minority {ought the bill with all their might, and another portion sat apparently satisfied with the uselessness ot contending against ir, Mr. Yocum voclier ously endeavoring to get the ear of the chair. Falling to do this, be continually called "Mr. Speaker" as each vote was recorded, until compelled to take his seat by ihe ruling of the chair. Section eleven was reconsidered and a mo? tton made to strike out, which was carried. This section provided that no new debt, obli? gation or loan should be created without a two-thirds vote of ihe legal voters of the 8tate, except for the purpose ol meeting Its existing obligations. The bill was passed to a third reading. The lollowlng protest was made by a part of the opposers, and an additional one on the part or the opposing Republicans, it is said, will be prepared : "Upon passing the bill 'relating to the bonds ot the State ol Soutb Carolina7 to its third reading, we vote no upon every section and line, for the following reasons : "Under this bill, a tax of six mills, in addi? tion to all other taxes, must be levied to pay the Interest on the amount of Slate debt as reported by the treasurer. This will swell ibe State tax levied upon the peopl? to twenty mills, exclusive ot the (ax levied under the license law and stamp bill, which can and we fear will be passed by ihe same instrumentali? ties that secured the passage of this bill; Ibis tax, amounting in the agtrregate to twenty nine mills, our people canuot pay, and cannot be necessary for any legitimate purposes of an honest government. Besides, If the ?tocks and bonds heretofore Issued, the total amount ot which ls an unknown quantity, were issued in conformity to and by the authority of laws already passed, then they are already legal, and need no funner law io validate them. If they were not issued by authority of law, then they should not be made legal by the passace of ihls bill. ''A demand for a bill to declare the bonds and stocks already issued legal is a clear con? fession that all of them are not legal, which ls further confirmed by the provisions of ihe bill, which exonerates the officers who issued them from all legal responsibility for any vio? lation of law and good failli, of which ibey may have been guilty. Hence, we solemnly protest. In the name of the people, against ihe passage of a bill which we hold to be un? necessary, unjust and burdensome, and to the people we will appeal directly." Signed by J. E. Hasood, John C. Sellers, L. Williams, S. 8. Crittenden, G. W. Taylor, T. R. BiBS. Joel Ailen, F. A. Miles, 0. M. Doyle, J. M. Shanklin, John Wilson, IL D., J. L. Wofford, D. B. Duncan, R. M. Smith, J. E. Du? senberg, B. G. Yocum. A. P. Holmes, THE PALMETTO STATE. A CHARCOAL SKETCH OE SOUTH'CAR OLINA IK 1879. j The Deplorable Condition of our Pub? lic Affairs, as Described by a Tribune ' Correspondent- Gigantic Thefts, Uni? versal Corruption, and at Government In the Hands Of Unprincipled Ad ven? turers. [Correspondence of the Kew Torie Tribune ] WASHINGTON, February 22. The condition of South Carolina ls deplora? ble. In (be days ol s?cession it was the great, est offender. In the days of reconstruction it Is the greatest sufferer. The government of the State was lormerly IQ the bands ol an aristoc? racy. Tbey were a body of men jealous, wit lui. dogmatic, but high toned ana honorable. The rou of Its representatives in Congress for near three-quarters of a century, the names of its cirio and military heroes In the war of (he revolution, shine with alustre that ls un? dimmed by comparison with the men of any other State. True to ihe souvenirs of Its former history, it precipitated the slaveholders'-rebellion, and led its hOBts to their doom. It sought In its passion a bloody arbitrament on the field of battle, and a bloody arbitrament it has had. With sixty thousand voters, lt put seventy thousand soldiers in the field. The end came, and South Carolina was black with desolation. The smoke and the fire of civil war ascended from every household, and the stain ol blood was on the garments of every survivor. Its young men had swiftly gone down to bloody fraves till the dead outnumbered the living. I he means of support were swept away as by I fire and whirlwind. Havoc and spoil and ruin were its only cain. This ls where the end of the rebellion left South Carolina. What has been its condition since ? What ls Its I condiiion now ? The population of the State ls something over 400,000 blacks, and something under 300, ooo whims. The result ot (he war bas made a yet greater disproportion In the comparative I numbers of the voting population. These are estimated to be in the proportion of 40,000 white to 60.000 black voters, the' aggregate being over 100.000. Bat in tbe Legislature, out ot one hundred and twenty-four members, there are but thirteen representatives of the I white minority. The rest ot the assembly ls I black, with the exception that here and lhere 1 ls a white representative of a black conatitu ency. There are enough of these, along with I a few intelligent colored people, to lead the great mass of ignorance and barbarism of I which the main body ls composed. Without going into details, it is enough to I say that the men wiio lead and manage the Legislature and the State Government are thieves and miscreants. The great body of I the Legislature are the ignorant and corrupt instruments with which the leaders work, and though the individuals composing this mass are bought and sold like cattle in the market, their venality In some cases Is relieved of I much of Its criminality by reason of the dense-1 ness of their ignorance. Numbers of the blacks who occupy seats in the Legislature I regard themselves only In the light of em ploy ees of ihe government. Their pay Is six I dollars a day for the session, and special pay tor their separate votes on every measure ID I which there is money. These votes are bought I and sold without even a pretence of hiding the flagitious transaction. The negro himself I Is hardly conscious of criminality while he makes bis bargain. He owns bis mule. He sells lt. He owns his chicken. He Bells lt. He considers his vote just as much a part of his personal property as hts mule and his chicken. Why should he not sell it also ! He does sell It, and he naively wonders that any body should complain. Of course the scale of pay varies. It ls just according to each man's intelligence and ra- I paclty. A few hundred dollars In special gradin les ls enough to satisfy the demands of I a plantation negro. Others get more, and more, and more. One ot tbe smarter sort was accused the other day, on lite floor ot tho I Hons-", by a colleague, with then having $12,000 ol Slate bonds in his pocket, corruptly obtained. And the oharge was not denied. But the evidence of gross and universal cor? ruption is palpable in the way everybody lives who has anything to do with the govern ment. There ls a happy-go-lucky air among them all. If a black gets into the Legislature, that ls enough. He works DO more. He has no occasion. He has money enough. It ls the same with the occupants of the executive offices. All are sleek and fat with their iii potten gains. They are like pirates who have captured a richly-laden ship. They riot in the plunder, caring not at all for, nor even thinking of, the owners. But the lrrefraglble evidence of gigantic theft and corruption stands like a monument I Irrtbe vast Increase of the State debt, an In crease for which tbere ls nothing to show. The State may be searched in vain to find where the money has gone. It ls In no public work. It 1B in no sobemes of public improve ment. It has simply been stolen. It has gone I into the pockets of the highway robbers who compose the legislative and the executive government ot the Stale. Behold the stupen-1 Sous sums ! In 1865 the bonded debt, accord? ing to the report of the Congress committee, who have lately returned from their investiga-1 Hons, was, in round numbers, $5,058,000. In 1868 lt was $6,454,000. On the 20tb ot Decem? ber, 1871, it had risen to the enormous aggre? gate of $15,768,000. It was not. even certain that this sum covered the whole liabilities of I the State. So much fraud and complicity in I corrupt practices by the State officials bad been developed, so much chicanery had been un earthed, so much wilful concealment and ap parent Ignorance of the amount of the rob-1 berles and Issues of the Slate bonds was mani-1 fested, that there was no certainty that even the frightful aggregate which was established I would ' not be augmented when all the plun dering had come to light. But whether lt be more or not, we have here an addition to the State debt since the war of near $11,000,000. And this sum has been, mil lion by million, dollar by dollar, deliberately stolen bv the villains who have bad possession of the State el nee that period, with the excep-1 tion of such moderate sums as were necessl tated by the measures of reconstruction. The methods of robbery have been too vari? ous and universal to be enumerated in an ex position so general as this. Suffice it to say that they have Involved everybody ol any ac-1 count who belongs to the majority. It Is a I trembling morass of corruption that shakes under ihe tread of the loves;igatlon. There ls no chance to stop or punish the flagrant crimes i hat have been committed, because everybody, outside of a mere handful of representatives of the taxpayers, is implicated. Whatever I villany ls exposed, or whatever investigation | is threatened, silence is at once restored by I threatening the threatener with an examina-1 tion and exposure of their own criminality. It I ls simply a band of robbers threatening to tell on one another. Was there ever such a bur? lesque on free government ? i The State is mired, and tbere seems to be no standing ground for an effort at extrlca Hon. And yet lt must be extricated or gov-1 ernment is a failure. As has been already said, there are but thirteen representatives out of one hundred and twenty-tour members of the Legislature who are regarded as repre- J sentad ves ot the taxpayers of the State. Of these, eight come from two upper counties ad? joining Georgia. These representatives are J tired of a hopeless struggle against the thieves J who have plunged the State In bankruptcy, and threaten general confiscation. These two counties have petitioned to be set off to Geor-1 gia. As their excision would just about ex? tinguish the trifling minority ot the Legisla? ture and leave it a unit in KB corruptions, it is supposed the majority will grant the prayer. I So that the last remnant of the holding ground of th? taxpayers seems to be on the point of I disappearing. It is thus that 300,000 white people, more or less, composing the intelligence and property holders of the State, are put under the heel of 400.000 pauper blacks, fresh from a sute ol slavery and ignorance most dense. Guided by unprincipled adventurers (Tom other Sutes, who make use ot these freedmen as their agents for the most nefarious acte which were ever committed under the shelter of R-publi can forma o? government, this blind and unin? telligent mass is precipitated upon the intelli? gence and wealth of the Sute till they are buried ONt of sight. It ls sometimes asked why the white people of the State do not endeavor to influence the blacks by kind treatment and persuasion as lo their true interests. The answer Is, that the Jealousy of the black of his old master ls prc found, unyielding and universal. Where the klndeBt personal relations prevail, where the freedmen remain on the old plantations, and work the land on shares lo contentment and harmony with the proprietors, the testimony Is that, so far aa voting ls concerned, the old master ls utterly without Influence. He can? not obtain a vote or the promise of a vote. In this matter the black will listen only , to the unprincipled adventurer who rides through the country claiming to b? one of those who gave freedom, to the slaves. Conscious of their present liberty, the freedman's dread of Its possible lose makes bim the most suspicious and apprehensive of mortals. In poverty and sickness, in trials and troubles, be resorts to bis old master, and Beeks bis aid and counsel with a childlike confidence. But In voling he Is steeled to his advice, and will die before he will take it. Thus overwhelmed and helpless, what Is the average property-holding citizen to do ? He alms faithlutly to get upon bis legs and keep upon his legs, but the grinding taxation actually imposed, and still more that wbich ls ihreatened, makes, bim despair of escaping virtual confiscation. He would get out ot the State if he could, but there ls nobody to buy his property. On a visit to South Carolina a few years ago, Senator Spragne. of Bbode Is? land, attracted by the great natural advant? ages of a water-power at the capital of tbe State, purchased lt, and spent a considerable sum ol money preparatory to starting manu? factories there. The development, soon after, ol the corruptions and measureless robberies of the State Government, brought bis opera? tions to a dead stand? and now he only awaits the forlorn hope of an opportunity to extricate his venture from the clutches ot toe thieves and villains who have the State by ihe throat and are sucking Its life's blood. "Why don't you rebel again ?" asked a Bos? ton man who WHS lately travelling through the Stale. '"This time you would have a reason." Alas, why ? Subjected to oppressive condi? tion, such as it may be safely said no State or community in the civilized world ls to-day enduring, the white minority In South Caro? lina are qnlet and dumb. They have no life. Their spirit bas gone out. Their inertia amounts to demoralisation. The fires of war licked up all their available substance. The grave covers a generation of their fighting men. Until time repairs the waste of blood and sinew lost by war, there ls no material to organize Into resistance. At present lhere seems to be no beart for ir, and no thought of lt But do not the wild crimes of the Ku Klux youth of the State foreshadow a possible future tor that wretched people that demands the earnest attention of thoughtful statesmen? Baa 1 we too, have a Poland lu the South ' Can we expect long to regulate the internal ad? ministration of law and Justice In the State by military nile ? And, after all, are tbe Eu-Eiux outrages but the expiring embers of an old contest, or are they in many cases the kindling sparks of u Hew ? One thing seems plain to the most ordinary apprehension. The condition of things now existing lu South Carolina would not be borne a month in any Northern State without a tax? payers' league being organized to resist the payment of all taxeB imposed for fraudulent purposes, and without the swift establishment of a court of lynch law. So mncb treason aa that exists In the blood of every American citi? zen worthy of bis birthright. Admit everything, and bas not South Caro? lina Buffered enongu ? Admit lhat she was a hotbed of 'sedition. Admit that she was the cauldron lu which was conducted tbe venom that poisoned a nation. Admit anything and everything. Is lhere to be no expiai ion ? Be collect that a generation ls rapidly rising that had no hand In these things-a generation al? ready more than ball way to its maturity. J. 8. P. FROM THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. Hore Presidential Junketing-Ke? lt tux Convictions and St nience? In Alabama-The' Cotton Claim?-Con. gresalonal Doing*-The French Arms Sale, ?cc. WASHINGTON, March 7. The Presidential party bas gone to Philadel? phia, and will r..tum aa Mondav 'ihe attorney-general has advices of Alleen convictions fir Ku-Kluxlsm at Huntsville, Ala. Three of the prisoners were sentenced to twenty years at the Albany penitentiary. Generals Payne and Ewing argued before the appropriation committee, this morning, in favor of tbe bill paving tbe lawful owners the market value of all cotton seized after the 30ih June, 1865, less five eenie per pound for the expense of seizure. A bill will soon be reported giving each claimant the amount awarded by the commission. In the 8enate the Michigan lumbermen pro? test against the Chicago relief bill. A bill was reported compensating the helrs-al-law of Mrs. Minor Botts for property destroyed during the war. The consideration of the deficiency ap? propriation bin was resumed. A motion to strike out a million appropriation for Judiciary expenses, Incurred In the enforcement of the act of February 28, 1871, failed-yeas 73, nays 100. This ls the Ku-Klux bill, and is to cover expenses for four months, from February 18 to June 20. The bill was finally passed. The Senate passed a bill giving Raleigh, North Carolina, money for a public building. The business in tbe House was unimpor? tant. The Senate arms committee convened, and Invited Sumner and Schurz to attend, asking questions. Schurz appeared when the secre? tary ol war was on tbe stand. The evidence Indicates Irregularities, If not violations, of ibe law and official orders in the eale of arms to France. DISASTROUS FIRES. CINCINNATI, March 7. The fire at the wharf destroyed tbe follow? ing boatp, with cargoes: Champion, Argosy, St. Charles, Kate Robinson, Major Anderson, Ablona. Also damaging the New Orleans wharf and boats. The other boats were re? moved by tugs. Toe fire originated on the St. Charles, and the captain and some others jumped overboard and swam ashore. It ls feared that some are lost. The Champion was loading for Red River and bad nearly com? pleted her cargo. The Kale Robinson was loading for the Tennessee Elver. The Argosy had iwo hundred barrels of whiskey aboard for New Orleaus. The loss is over a quarter million. A large amount of cotton and oiher freight caught fire from the burning steamers and was burned. Two deck hands belonging to ihe St. Charles are missing. BOSTON, March 7. The storehouse of Pltis & Co., with a large quantity ot cotton, was burned yesterday. THE EVER-FAITHFUL ISLE. KET WEST, March 7. All the foreign consuls were Ignored at Ma? tanzas during tbe Alexis festivities. The American consul alone hoisted bis flag, al? though he was treated with the same disre? spect. There are strong rumors from the in? terior ot Cuba that Maximo Gomez, succeeds C?spedes as president. The Venezuelan Gen? erals Garldo and Modesto favor Gomez. THE GREAT CENTENNIAL. PHILADELPHIA, March 7. General Joseph B. Hawley is president of the Centennial Commission. James L. Orr, ol South Carolina, ls on the executive committee, though lt is stated that he cannot or will not qualify as commissioner. ' SPARKS FROM THE WIRES. -A blasting party at the Empire Iron Works, Twigg County, Kentucky, approached a tardy fnse when ibree were killed. -A riot took alace In Jersey City, Wednes? day night, at Wilson's Zouaves (colored) ball, In which a negro was shot and a policeman's thumb was baten off. -The crank pin of the steamship Metropo? lis, from New York for Wilmington, broke off Hatteras. The Metropolis made for Wilming? ton tinder sall. -It Is rumored that the relief gooda for the Chicago sufferers wus lost or stolen In the general order warehouses ol New York City. -The redemption or twenty million of United States bonds of 18C2 commenced yes-, terduy In New York. -The New York Commercial Advertiser states that there ls a general movement among the mechanics to strike April 1st. The Advertiser warns the Worklngmens' Union that lhere may be a combination among em plovers throughout the country equally as strong as theirs. CITY AFFAIRS WHO IS CITY TREASURES ? Proceeding? of the City Pal her? 1 Evening-Dlr. Thoma?'? Plea - Connell Decides In Favor or Coogan. A special meeting of Council waa held evening in the Mayor's office. Preaent Mayor, and Aldermen O'Neill, Bowen, G Smith, Moran, Brown, Johnston, Eel Glover, Sweegan, Garrett, Michaels, V and Sig wald. Major Stone was present in the place ol Attorney Corbin, also Treasurer Thomas the treasurer elect, Mr. P. J. Coogan. The resolutions offered by Aldermen Si gan and Gage, and passed at the last meet relating to the office of the city treas? were read. Mr. Thomas vas then reqnei to read his objections to vacating his of and in response to this he asked to be alio' the privilege of being represented by conn Alderman Sweegan inquired of. the cit; torney whether tbiB could be legally allow? Major Stone said that, in bis opinion would be legal lt the Council saw flt to al loi, Alderman Sweegan. then moved that thia allowed. ;. .,'..! . ~ ? Alderman Voigt hore objected to the adi BIOB of counsel, as contrary to the purpor (he resolutions pa?sod at the last meeting, afterwards consented to withdraw bis ob; lions. The motion, seconded by Alderman 0'N< was put and carried, that Mr. Thomas be alli ed to be represented by one counsel. Mr. Thomas then sent for his counsel, i shortly after Major Theodore G. Barker t Introduced, who read the answer of : Thomas in response to the resolutions past by Council, claiming that be was legally ek ed to his office io July, 1869, for four yea was faithfully performing tbe dulles oft same without any complaints being ms against bim, and that he did not DOW dell it to P. J. Coogan, because the latter, aa was advised, was not legally entitled to I same. Tbe positions of the answer were s fained by Major Barker in an elaborate ar] ment, to which Major Stop" responded la I place of Major Corbin, claiming to represt and advise the Council, without being att ney for Mr. Coogan. Major Barker having been heard ia rep Alderman Si g wa ld moved that all who wc not members of Connell (reporters excepte be .requested to retire. Tbe motion was ci ried, and Council then weat lato the consldei tloa ot the case, the city attorney belog pu ent. After discussing the matter for some tin Alderman Smith said he was not ready to vc intelligently on the question. They were s ting in a Judicial capacity, and many arg meats bsd beea suggested, and much law cit by both ai the counsel, which required time think over. With this view only he moved i adjournment. The motion waa put and lost. At the advice of tbe city attorney, Conni thea weat la a secret session to dispose of ll legal question. Every one bat Council and I clerk retired, when tbe following pre amt and r?solution were passed : Whereas, The City Council of Charlesto: on the 7th day of March, 1872, In Council t sembled, have, alter a full bearing of the ca of Stephen Thomas, late oily treasurer, wi was duly summoned to appear before the ann show causo why h? should not be remo ed from tbe office of city treasurer for rem lng to deliver up the books, papers, ?ko., hlB said office, and to transfer the same lo h lawful successor, decided that the canses signed by said Stephen Thomas is losufflclei to sustain bis Bald refusal: Now, therefore, Be it resolved, That the said Stepben Thor as la hereby removed from the said offle which he assumed to hold in violation of tl ordinance of tbe City of Charleston. The removal of Mr. Thomas being thus r solved upon, the Council thea passed the f? lowing resolution to carry their decision lal effect: Whereas, At a meeting of the City Connel held on tbe 7th day of March, 1872, Stephe Thomas, late city treasurer of the City < Charleston, was, upon sufficient cause, after full bearing of the case, declared duly remove from the office of city treasurer; cow, then fore, Be it resolved, That the committee of wa; aod means be Instructed to lestai forthwith I J. Coogan, tbe present city treasurer, Into tb said office, and, for this purpose, (hey ar required to call upon said Stephen Thomas t surrender to P. J. Coogan the said office, anc in their presence, to deliver to bim, tbe sal P. J. Coogan. all tbe books, records, archive; moneys, bonds, stocks, vouchers and all ot he property and papers whatsoever belonging d said office: that they verify the receipts (o b given for the same by the said P. J. Coogan city treasurer, and that they cause a cop: thereof to be made for their use, which copj shall be filed with their report to the COUDCI Of their action herein. And be it further resolved, That la case th? said Stephen Thomas shall refuse to surrendei the books, records, archives, moneys, bonds stocks, vouchers and other property and papen connected with the office of city treasurer which he may have in his possession, trier, the said committee shall take possession ol the same, and shall take such ste ps as to then shall seem necessary for the security thereof, until such time as the said Stephen Thoma* and sureties upon his official bond shall have been notified that the said property will be delivered by them ta [the said P. J. Coo? gan, city treasurer, at a day aod hour to be by them fixed, at which time the Corn mi : tee shall proceed, in the presence of the said P. J. Coogan and the said Stephen Thomas and his sureties, lt they desire to be present, to make out a full and careful inventory cf all the property, of whatever kind, in said office, and belonging or In anywise appertaining thereto, taken possession of by them, and shall deliver a copy of said inventory to the said P. J. Coogan, city treasurer, and shall lake from said P. J. Coogan duplicate receipts therefor, one of which receipts shall be tor the said Stephen Thomas, and the other shall be retained by the said committee, and carefully [?reserved with their minutes; and immediate y upon executing such receipt, the said P. J. Coogan shall proceed to discharge the duties of said office. Council then adjourned. DEATH or A SCHOLARLY DrvnJE.- The Au? gusta papers announce the death of Bev. John Neeley, of that city, lo bis 68th year. Mr. Neel/y was a graduate ot Trinity College, Dub? lin, came to Augusta about thirty years ago, and was ordained a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was an assistant for many years to Dr. Ford, the rector of St. Paul's, and afterwards to Rev. W. H. Clarke, the present.rector of that church. The de? ceased ranked as one of the ripest scholars of the South. _ AMONG TUE TRIAL JUSTICES.-Henry Draine was tried and found guilty of an assault and battery upon Ellen Washington, and was sen? tenced to pay a fine of one dollar and costs, or go to jail for twenty days. He was also bound over to keep the peace. Caroline Grant, for flying at and baltering Wallace Smalls, was visited with a like sen? tence, except an increase ot one dollar on the fine. Albert Holub was examined on the charge of brutally beating a lad, on Tuesday last, at Potter's wharf, and com m ii ted to Jail for trial beiore the Court of General Session?. Trie prisoner resisted his arrest wllh a hatchet, but was capiured aod disposed of as above. HUSH HiFLE ULTJB-AI a regular meelina; or this club, held jut evening, Ur. A. 0. Magrath, Jr., was unanimously elected third rice-presi? dent . . A?usEifEMTH.--The Lingards open: to-night at the Academy. Aside from' the. -general merits bf the company, the wonderful protean ch auges for which Mr. Lingard is world famous ought tb be seen ind enjoyed by every The charming Mrs. Oates,. whose singing and dancing created so great a furore'when she ..ast visited Charleston, begins a seaaai of comic opera on Monday:with her ?n? sind Weil drilled company.' Fortunio le the first opera on tbe bills. Full homes next week will oe a matter of course..... . ... j . _.. . - t ,;. . Lydia Thompson, with the' lesser light*, of her blonde constellation, la looming np In the distance. ._ ; , : ? . - "Ia ri A DAOQSB?"-On Wednesday .-after? noon a wblte man named Peter Daniels en? tere i the residence of a lady in Market street when she. wai alone In the house, and lick? ing down the door of her apartment, rushed! ID, brandishing a huge dirk knife In his hand. He threatened to kill her, and made aiunge at bor with the knife as ehe BO reamed at the top of her voice. She had presence of mind enough to spring aside from the blow, and the knife descended on a colored woman, who was holding a child .Jost behind bec,'.In? uit, ting a severe cut in the call of her leg. The lady ran Into the street ? crea ml Dg mar- ? der, and the neighbors, rushing In, secured ' Daniels, who thought be bad got into a lion's den by mistake. He was taken to the Guard? house abd brought before Trial Justice Lovett yesterday for examination. The evidence against bim was dear, and in default of one thousand dollars ball be was committed to Jail tor trial at the next term of the Court of General Sessions. , : - DEATH OF MB. JOHN H PREAMP. -Oar baal - ness community wai saddened yesterday by the death ot this aged and highly esteemed cit lien, after an Illness of several weeks' dura? tion, at his residence, southeast corner of Bro id and Bing streets. Ur. Enrkamp was a native of Badbergen, Hanover, and immigrat? ed to America In 1830. He sojourned ono yeal: in New York and.then came to Charle*, ton, which has ever since been his home.. For a short time he served as a clerk with Ur. Bundrock, and then formed a copartner? ship with Mr. Schultz In the grocery business. The firm wai not of long duration, and, u;ion Its dissolution, Ur. Hnrkamp opened'business on lils own account, at the corner of Slog and Broad streets, where he has been for ove: thirty years. He was the third member and, with the present Mayor and Ur. John H. Ostendorff, was one ol the fd undera ol the German... Firs. Company. For a long number ot years he has also been a zealous and active member of the Freandscbaltsband. Ur. Hnrkamp devoted, himself entirely to his domestic affairs, and never mingled In public life. By a close at? tention to his business and the exercise of a sound judgment and high Integrity, he'.von ?he esteem of his brother merchants, and had gradually amassed a fine property. For yean his establishment has been recognized as one of tbe landmarks of the business community, and be had mnoh sympathy when, in Febru? ary, he was stricken with his last Illness. He lingered until half-past "tencero-.,, when he died, In his sixty-third year. The funeral will take place this afternoon at lour o'clock. THE METHODIST CONFERENCE. WABRENTON, YA., March 7. The Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Bishop Paine presiding, ls in . session here. The main business ls the ex? amination of the character of minist?re: The . name of Dr. Huston was not called.' Dr. Hus-? toa arrived here and visted (be Conference. His case comes up to-morrow. Since? bis er- - rival here, Dr. Huston has withdrawn bis withdrawal from the ministry. THE OLD WORLD'S NEWS. KIEL. March 7. Shocks of an earthquake was felt through? out Germany during the entire night. LONDON', March 7. The French Atlantic Cable Company hava resolved to lay another cable. The Tichborne claimants' trial for perjury occurs In April. JOTTINGS ABOUT THE STATE -Mr. James Heise, ot Columbia, died on Wednesday, aged fifty-eight. -The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the following: Trial Justices-J. D. Pitta, F. A. Whitney, J. C. Smith and A. B. Gantt, New? berry County; Edward Fant and D. L. Hall, Anderson County; Elijah ti. Bediearne, Ches? terfield County; fi. J. Humphrey, Darlington County. Kennedy G. Belllogs as audlto : for Lancaster County. Dr. Otto A. Moses as in? spector of phosphates. -A very ead and distressing accident, which resulted fatally, occurred near Klngstree on the 27th ult. A little daughter of Mr. Gunn, four or five years of ase, was playing lo a field where some broom-sedge was belog burned, when her clothing caught on fire, and before assistance could reach her she was so badly burned that she died from the effects of ber injuries in two days. TBE WEATHER THIS DAT. WASHINGTON, March 7. Partially cloudy weather, with northerly a u.c. northwesterly winds, will prevail on Friday over the New England States. Partially cloudy weather, with northerly winds, will prevail overjthe Middle States. Southeasterly winds, with partially cloudy weather, will pre? vail over the South Atlantic. Southerly winds,wlihincreased.cloudiness and threat? ening weather, will extend Irom the Western to the Eastern Gulf States. Dangerous winds are not anticipated for the Guli and Atlantic coasts to-night. Yesterday's Weather Reports or th? Signal Service, V. S. A.-4.47 P. M., Local Time. Place of Observation. AURosta, Ga.... Baltimore. Buaton. Charleston. Chicago. Cincinnati....... Galveston, Tex.. Key West, Fia.. Knoxville, Tenn. Memphis. Tenn? Mt. Washington. New Orleans.... New York. Norfolk. Philadelphia. Portland, Me.... Savannah . Sr. bonis. Washington. Wilmington,N.e. Bi Bs ss 30.28 JO.15 29.05 30.27 30 28 30.30 29.84 30.10 80.18 29.92 29.44 30.02 30.09 30.22 30.19 29.87 30.27 -9.83 SI to 30.26 sf : o : ts SE w w SE NE E SE E E S W SE W S sw sw B B . NW S 2 Light. Fresh. Fresh. Gentle. Brisk. Light. Gentle. Brisk. Gentle. Gentle. Storm. Fresh. Frtsh. Fre*h. i-resh. Fres li. Gentle. Fran. Fresh. Pre h. I? Clear. Fair. Fair. . dear. L.Snow Ulondy. Thr'ng. Fair. Olondy. Clear. Cloudy. Fair. Clear. Fair, "air. Fair. Clear. Clear, loody. Clear. NOTE.-The weather resort dated T.47 o'ciocs, thia morning, wlU be posted in the rooms o? the Cn&mber of Commerce at io o'clock A. M., ana, together with the weather chart, may (Dy the courtesy o? Uie Chamber) oe examined by ship munera at any tune daring the day.