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? zy' mt VCLUME IX.-NUMBER 1967 CHARLESTON WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY 1, 1872. EIGHT DOLLARS A YEAR. THE K?-KL?X TRIALS. A HEAVY LIST OF SENTENCES. Robert'Rigging Convicted or Conspira? cy but Acquitted or Murder-Probable Termination or the Trials To-Day. The United States Circuit Court assembled at ten o'clock yesterday morning, and the trial of Robert T. Rlggins, of York County, Charged with conspiracy and murder, was re? sumed. The witnesses for the defence had not jet appeared, and Colonel Hamilton stated that, being unable from this circumstance to pursue the line of defence that be had in? tended, he would endeavor to show by such witnesses as he could find at band tbat the whole upper section of the State, and especial? ly that portion of York County where the al? leged outrages are said to have been com? mitted, bad been, during the summer and ia1! of 1370, In a state of great excitement, .-and that the white people were living con? tinually in dread of arson and murder, caused by the parades and hostile demonstrations of the Sta'e m iii tis. composed wholly of eolored men. He would show tbat this caused grave alarm, and from this he expected to prove the Inference that the organization or conspiracy Into which the defendant had been drawn was not caused by the political relations between ihe two parties, bot rather by the apparent ne* cesslty for some organization to secure con? cert of action for protection and self-defence. By the laws of the State it was unlawful for any Organization to exist except by the per? mission of the Governor, and many applica? tions bad been made to the Governor to allow militia companies to be organized among the White people as well as the colored people; out these applications were invariably refueed. He had hoped to have witnesses to prove the threats made by Jim Williams against the white people, bat his witnesses had not been brought to court, although subpoenas had been Issued for them. Colonel Hamilton then called Mr. J. A. Moro? so as the first witness for the defence. Mr. l?o roso testified that he was in Chester in August, 1870, as the correspondent of the Charleston 'Courier ; was present at a meeting, which was broken op. Here the witness was interrupted by the ?district attorney, who said that the same tes? timony had been ruled ont in Columbia. Colonel Hamilton said he expected to show that, on the day alter the meeting in Chester, the militia were parading about the country, underarms, and causing alarm and excite? ment ; that a company of militia from Ches? ter came across the river and invaded the town of Lancaster-breaking up a Reform meeting being held there, and that the so called Ku-Klux conspiracy was the result of th?-vJonstant repetition of such outrages. Jodge Bond. It you can prove that this particular conspiracy was the result of tbat state of affairs, the evidence will be allowed. Colonel Hamilton. I cannot prove it-by Mr. Horoso, because he was not a member of the conspiracy. Judge Bond. You can prove it by other tds tjmony. Colonel Hamilton. I have no witnesses to prove that this conspiracy resulted (Erectly from this condition of things, but I desire to give the Jury grounds for drawing such an in? ference. Judge Bond decided that the testimony was ( Inadmissible, and the witness was ordered to { go down. v- j Colonel Hamilton then called G. A. Hower- c ton, the keeper of the jail In Columbia, and \ stated that he desired to show the good con- t duct ot the defendant while in prison, and , that at one time, last January, when an escape ? had been attempted by some prisoners, the ( defendant co-operated to prevent it ; but this , testimony was also ruled ont. ? The defence having no further witnesses, j Colonel Hamilton began bis address to the , Jnry. He said: "May it please the court and t gentlemen of the j ury, I congratulate you upon ? the fact tliat you have arrived at last at the ( end of a case in which the testimony bas bee a ? voluminous, and which, I am convinced, bas i been a wearisome trial to you. I congratulate t you also for the reason that I believe you have j conto to tbe trial of tbls case with your mind i relieved of much of the prejudice which has , surrounded the general circumstances of this > case. I believe that the mists of prejudice are i beginning to rise, and that the flrefc, of hatred \ which have been invoked in the progress of j these cases now burns less fiercely. I can | very well understand the existence of this i prejudice, If the horrid stories tbat have been | made current all over the country are to be < believed. It has been alleged, and in high < quarters of the government, that this i * grand conspiracy was "a new rebellion," ; but I think that by this time you ? are convinced that this is no such thing. It i has also been ciicumstanlially told that this j was a resuscitation of the Confederate army : In secret, that lt was thoroughly organized ; throughout the country, with generals and < other officers, and It bas been a great dlsap- i point ment, no doubt, to find that this was all < afable. It ls proven now that the Confeder- \ ate army ls not In lt; that tbe organization, j whatever lt is, Is composed of young men In < the humblest walks of Hie.. It is a very sig- i nlflcant fact tbat after all this labor of the I government, after all this force and treasure ] have been employed, after millions of dollars < have been expended, the highest mau in the i community against whom ls lound any posl- < tive evidence ls Mr. Jim Bunch, a barkeeper 1 in Union County, who had been a private soi- 1 diegul the Confederate army, and who ls a I man In the humblest walk of life ! The j stories of the extent and organization of this I conspiracy are shown to rest on suppositions i alone, they are myths, they are untrue, i they are disproved. You understand I by this time what ls the claws of men belong- 1 lng to this conspiracy. You see them every i day in court, upon the witness stand and on : the streets. They are of the humbler, uned- ' ucated class of agricultural laborers. They are men who work between the handles of the ; plough, and side by side with colored labor? ers. It ls among these men that the organl- 1 zation prevailed. It was tbe natural, the ! inevitable result among such classes of the dis? turbed condition of eoclety. It sprung up locally and spontaneously, and was secret, be- 1 cause under the militia laws that had been made lt was made a penitentiary offence for white men to organize without the consent of the Governor. It is, gentlemen, a deliber? ate untruth and slander upon the educated, the virtuous, the intelligent people of this State, to say that they approve these murders and these Inhuman whippings. It is not so. I can speak of the sentiment of this communi? ty upon this subject, and tbe sentiment of that community ls unanimously as much against these outrages as can be the feeling ot the strongest biassed man upon the otherside. You will find that there has been trouble fos? tered between these laboring men ?of the two races In the up-country, and this has led I most deplorable results on either side, bi you will also find that it sprang not from pc Hies, that its origin must be sought for I something deeper far than politics." Colonel Hamilton continued, saying chat t had asserted before and still maintained tbi the Jury in a case of capital felony were lt judges both ot law and fact. He quoted tv. decisions to sustain this point, the flret bein in the United States vs. Wilson and Porte; and the second a case in 2d Sumner. In tb first case the Judge distinctly laid down tht principle, and in the other case the Judge ac milted that the jury were to Judge ot the a] pliability of the law to the case in hanc That, he said, was precisely what he claimec lc was a great, sacred right, and one of th great bulwarks of liberty which the Pilgrim of the Mayflower brought with them in the! bosoms. He illustrated the point byrelailn that nearly two hundred years ago in Londo a poor Quaker, Penn by name, was brough:: u In court charged with the terrible offence c preaching the gospel in Grace Church streel he not being a clergyman of the Esta! lishe Church. There was a law on the statut books which made that an awful offence There was no doubt about the fact that th poor Quaker had preached In Grace Churcl Btreet, and the jury were fully charged by th< Judge as to both the law and fact, but whei they returned into court and the foreman wa asked lor their verdict, he answered, "No guilty, my lord.'1 That was the power they ha< to Judge of the law and the tact. It was i right guaranteed by ihe constitution, wold declares that the trial by Jury shall be lnvlo late, and lt was a right which could not b< taken from them. He called attention tc another right which had for hundreds of yean been guaranteed to the defendant-the righ to be tried by a Jury drawn from the viclnag< in which he lived-by a jury of his peers anc neighbors. There was no Instance on recorc in Great Britain or this country, until these cases arose, where a defendant was tried ex cept before a Jury from his vicinage, and in this case lt wa? a terrible hardship to the de? fendant. Had the trial been in York County all the defendant's witnesses would have been present. There was only one case on record where a similar law had been enacted. It was related In Marshall's Life of Washington, volume 2, chapter 3, that there was great commotion In the rebellious Colony of Massa? chusetts between the government and the people on account of the stamp act. In the neighboring Colonies of New Tort: and Con? necticut they had secret organizations known as the Sons of Liberty, and it was impossible Tor Great Britain to get a verdict of convie* Lion In the courts of Massachusetts. He quot? ed from Justice Marshall: The next measure proposed wa* a bill for the Impartial administration of Justice in the province of Massachusetts Bay. It provided "That in case any person shoal i be indicted In that province for murder or any other capi? tal offence/and lt should appear/ by Informa lion given on oath to the Governor, that the Tact was committed in the exercise or aid of the magistracy In suppressing riots, and that a lair trial could not be haaIn the province, he B??bard-m'nd thc perron, so Indicted, to any ather colony, or to Great Britain, to b?-Iried." 1MB act was to continu > lu force four years, ind wa*, as an Bullish writer observes, the counterpart ot the obsolete and tyrannical act Df Henry Till, lately revived for the trial, in .rreat Britain, of treasons committed in Amer ca. Colonel Hamilton continued: "A few weeks igo I was rldlnz on the public road leading rom Yorkvllle to Chester, and I came upon a nanslon standing on one side of the road. la? ide of that mansion l knew that there was a ady and some bright, beautiful children; but here was a vacant place beside the hearth, a racant seat at the family table, and a terrible eellng-that only the desolate know-of va :ancy and loneliness in all the chambers of that nanslon. That was the once happy home of ar. John S. Bratlon, .the brother of the Dr. gratton who bas been spoken of in the testi? mony in this case, who was as innocent, gen Vernen, as any of you can be, but who was itlll, and who ls now, gentlemen of the Jury, in exile from home, an exile from his country md al', that Is dear to the human heart. Biding i little further, I came to an humble log cabin, md there a silence prevailed like that of the grave. No smoke was curling upward (rom ;he chimney, and no sound of human life disturbed the quiet of the dense wood on ? "e aide, or the pine thicket on the other. That was the cabin of Jim Williams, and I say to you, gen Llemen, that my heart was filled with the pro? foundest sorrow when I reflected on the un? told misery caused on both sides by these unhappy occurrences. I could not help tblnk ng of these two unhappy pictures; and I ;ould not help going to the causes which pro? duced them. I see them clearly, and I hope that yon will see them as plainly; and I tell pou that, as I hope to be believed hereafter as is a truthful man, and as I value my life-long reputation as a truthful man, I believe-I irmly believe-that the cause of these organ 1 satlons was the introduction of that armed militia-the distribution ol those guns to the colored people pending an election. It cre? ated a condition ol things that brought the community into a state ot semi-warfare. I grill call your attention to the facts, as they save come out on these various trials. In the first place, take the County of Laurens here, as you have been told, there was fight? ing, killing and slaughtering by the militia, [n Union County there was the murder jf Stevens, a poor, one-armed cripple, committed by a whole company of this militia. 3o to Round tree's country, and there were the parades and demonstrations of Captain Ferris's company. Wherever you go you can trace these canses as clearly as an effect can possibly be traced back to Its cause. I do not slame the colored men for their desire to bear arms. I do not censure their desire to have militia companies; but I do blame those men those officers of the Stute-who turned them loose without officers-without any one of dis? cretion and intelligence to lead them-to march over the face of a peaceful country. These proceedings must eventually result In a war between the races. And here I beg to call your attention to a significant fact, and one which must be accepted as conclusive evidence of this practice. This fact Is, .that Governor Scott, the Republican Governor of tkis State, has since taken away these guns from the colored militia-taken every arm and every round ot ammunition away from the negroes, and left us unarmed and unequipped, bat at peace with each other. You will see now, I think, how these disturb? ances arose. You will see that the question of politics came in only as an incident of the disturbances. The causes He a great deal deeper. It was a disturbance, an upsetting of the whole conditions ot society. It happened that the colored men belonged to one of the poll leal parties and the white men to anoth? er, and lt was by this accident that all this show ot testimony has been gotten up to show that there was a conspiracy to oppress some? body, because they voted in a certain way." Colonel Hamilton theo recounted the charges contained ia the Indictment, and spoke of the government witnesses who were depended upon to prove the general conspiracy. Gunn, (the $200 Gunn, as he was generally called, since it was shown that the attorney-genera! had given him that amount for his services,] Mullina-:. Mosely and the rest, were, he eald, of that class who are kn OWE as "swift witnesses/' and very swift they were to testify In these cases, although they acknowledged that they were themselves guilty of the most heinous crimes. They had their kasons by heart. They were fully primed and loaded, and they went right off. He once knew a celebrated quarter-horse in Florida. He was an Indian pony, and had one eye. He could make the fastest time for three hundred yards of any horse in the world, and the reason was that at the first Jump he could always get off at his full speed. His master would always stand at his head to start him. He would keep that one eye of his cn his mas? ter, and bis master would start bim by slapping his bands and shouting "Injun." So with these wit nesses. The district attorney held them exactly as the man lo Florida held his pony with a baiter round their necks-and he slaps his hand and hollers "Ku-Klux," and off they go, first Jump, at full speed. He did not believe one word of their non? sense. He did not see how they dared to come upon the stand and expect any sensi? ble, honest man to believe one word they said. The testimony of a principal ia a murder could not be taken against his accessory, and he believed with Greenleaf that these men were not competent to be put upon the stand anyway. He claimed that no conspiracy against the right to bear arms had been shown, because the guns were not kept by that mili? tia company In consequence of their constitu? tional right to keep them, but by the act ot the Legislature lt was made a compulsory duty with them to bear these weapons. As to the murder count he invoked another princi? ple of law, which was that where In the exe? cution of a conspiracy the overt act of killing is committed, then the crime of conspiracy merges in the capital felony of murder as the greater crime includes the less, and he read from Wharton, sec. 296, to shov; that the con? spiracy merges In the overt act, when such overt act has been committed. Gol. Hamilton proceeded, at some length, with a careful re? view of the testimony, pointing out Its dis? crepancies and points of weakness, and he asked the court to charge upon the following pointB: First. That upon a trial for a capital felony the Jury are the Judges of the law and fact. Second. That the existence of the conspira? cy must be proved by the testimony of wit? nesses other than co-consplrators before such testimony can avail to convict the de? fendant Third. The testimony of an accomplice un? corroborated 1B not sufficient to Justify a con? viction for a felony. Fourth. The principal felon can never be used as a witness to convict his accessory, and consequently the evidence of Mullinax and Mosely shall not be considered by the Jury In this case. Filth. Where upon an Indictment for con? spiracy to hiiirieiv-oharruct and prevent citi? zens of African descent from exercising the right to vote, and to Intimidate and oppress Jim Williams and deprive him of the right to bear arms, coupled with the charge of murder of Jim Williams, upon the proof that the mur? der was committed,-the conspiracy merges in the capital felony. Sixth. That this court has no Jurisdiction to try the crime of murder upon this indict-' ment. Seventh. That lt ls no "right" upon the part of the militia of South Carolina to bear arms, that lt is a compulsory duty imposed by the laws of the State, of which, by law, they may at any moment be deprived. He concluded by saying that he supposed lt was not the wish or policy ot a great and powerful government to pursue relentlessly all the underlings who may have been guilty of participation In these outrages. It was rather the policy ot the government tobring terror to the many and punishment to the few, and of the men guilty of these crimes many had been punished and many more were driven from their homes. The whole upper country of this State had been turned into desolation and sadness. AU that they wanted now was peace; and In those nine counties that were now under martial law he would guarantee that they would give a bond In one million dollars to keep the peace. They only wanted peace and freedom from the gripe of martial law. No one could know, but those who suffered by lt, what that Iron hand of martial law meant. It was a black cloud hanging over the country; a night of agony to men born to be freemen; and If that cloud could be lifted, and that night pass away, they could be sure lhere would be a lasting and enduring peace, and this matter would be set at rest forever. Assistant; District-Attorney Earle followed, briefly summing up the testimony for the prosecution and claiming that the indictment had been tully proven, and then Judge Bond delivered the charge to the Jury. He said lt was their province to determine the facts. The law they would get from the court. They were to weigh the facts and give whatever credence in their opinion should be give; to the various witnesses. The first count char -ed a conspiracy to binder citizens from vu^eg because of their race and color. They must find, in order to return a verdict of guilty, that there" was such a conspiracy, and that it had that for one ot ita objects. Next, they must determine whether the defendant was a member of that conspiracy. The second count charged the same conspiracy, and that in furtherance of its object a murder was com? mitted on Jim Williams. The Judge defined the crime of murder, and gave a definition of malice as used in that connection. The third count charged a conspiracy to deprive the colored citizens of their right lo bear arms, and they must find th at such a conspi? racy existed ; that that waa one o? Us objects, and that the defendant was a member of lt, in order to find him guilty. As to accomplices, lt bad been held again and again that the Jury should be cautioned by the court as to receiv? ing the uncorroborated testimony of accom? plices. An accompli ce stood the same aa any other witness as to his competency to testify, but the degree of credibility to be attached to bia testimony rested entirely with the Jury. With the question of jurisdiction they had no? thing todo, and they should dismiss it from their minds. That might be considered after? ward upon any motion that might be made in arrest of Judgment. The question had been asked: When a number of persons are con? spiring together to commit an act and a mur? der ls committed, bow many of them are guilty ot murder? He charged that every? body was guilty of the murder who went to thepla*eand was engaged In the perform? ance of the unlawful act In pursuance of which the murder was committed. Every conspirator waa bound by the acta of all the others, provided that those acts were com? mitted in pursuance or in furtherance of the general object of tee conspiracy. The jury then retired at 2 P. M., and after an absence of about one hour and a half, returned a verdict of guilty of conspiracy and not guilty of murder. The prisoner was remanded for sentence. While this jury was out, a number of pris? oners who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy were brought up for sentence. The prisoners were called up slDgly and examined by Judge Bond, and each told a pitltul story of his enforced participation in the raid?, of bis final desertion from the Elans and surrender to the Federal authorities, of the months already spent in prison and of the dependant family left at home awaiting his return. In mest of I the cases Captain Earle, of the district attor? ney's office, supplemented these statements with the surmises, suspicions and information in possession of the government, taken from the unsworn testimony of the confessing Ku Klux, and then the sentence was pronounced by the presiding judge. The sentences were as follows: Leander -Smith, $1000 fine, ten years' 1m. prlsonment. William Smith, $1000 fine, ten years' Impris? onment. Plnckney Caldwell, $1000 fine, ten years' Im? prisonment. Julius Howe, $100 fine, four years' imprison? ment. Allison Hays, $100 fine, four years' imprison? ment. Lafayette* Hood, $100 fine, three years' im? prisonment. James A. Sanders, $100 fine, two years' im? prisonment. Felix Dover, $100 fine, three years' impris? onment. William RanBler, $100 fine, eight years' Im? prisonment. Walter Moore,.$100 floe, eight years' Impris? onment. Joseph Lucky, $100 fine, eight years' im? prisonment. Arthur F. Floyd, no fine, two months' Im? prisonment. Creighton Pope, sentence suspended. The court then adjourned until ten o'clock to-day, which, lt ls understood, will be the last day of the trials, as Judge Bond leaves for Bal? timore to-morrow night JOTTINGS ABOUT THE STATE. -The Marlon Crescent asserts that a great number of cattle have died in Marion County, but says that it is mere conjecture whether the cause was murrain. -A correspondent of the Marion Crescent, writing from the west side ot the Peedee, says that very few planters have done planting corn, and none are prepared to plant cotton. -At a meeting of the board' of regents of | the State Lunatic Asylum, held Monday, At? torney General D. H. Chamberlain was elected a regent, vice Dr. Mackey, resigned. -The following Is the result of the election held at Bock Hill on the 6tb of April : Inten? dant-R. P. Hamer; wardens-J. W. Dillon, Dr. James Evans, Duncan McLaurln, and James Stackhouse. -The Crescent hears bad accounts of the crops from all parts of Marlon County. Little cotton is coming up, and the stand ls bad. No rain for weeks; and unless a change takes place it looks for short crops. THOSE CONSEQ UENIIAL BAMA GES. WASHINGTON, May 1. It is officially announced that this govern? ment will not modify Ita case, but should Eng? land propose when she is a belligerent and the United States neutral to waive consequen? tial damages, which may arise on account of vessels escaping hence, the United States will waive thc money consideration in this in? stance. THE NORTHERN METHODISTS. NEW TORE, May 1. The Methodist General Conference opened this morning In the'Academy of Music, Brook? lyn. Bishops Morris. Simpson, Ames and Jones were present. The house was crowded with delegates and the general public. Rev. Dr. Harris was re-elected secretary. The proposition to change the second restrictive rule and admit lay delegates as part of the general conference was then taken up, and after considerable-discussion lt was carried by a vote of two hundred and seventy-nine to six. Dr. Curry, editor of the New York Chris? tian Advocate, voting no. SPARKS FROM THE WIRES. -Bishop Fressler. secretary of the recent (Ecumenical Council, ls dead. -Prince Frederick William Henry, of the House ot Nassau, ls dead. -The North Carolina Democratic Conven? tion yesterday nominated A. S. Merriman for Governor. -The debt statement for April shows a decrease of $12,500,000. There is nearly $109,000,000 of coin in the treasury and $14,375,000 of currency. -The President has signed the bill making tea and coffee free of duly. It goes into effect June 1, and remits tariff on stock then in bond. . -The position ol the besieged and besiegers at Mai am oras is about the saine. i The govern? ment troops nave been reinforced, and the revolutionists' are still four miles above the city. -Five mounted men, yesterday, robbed the Deposit Bank at Columbia, Adiare County, Kentucky, after killing the cashier. The citi? zens are lollowlng the gang, and will lynch them. -Correspondents from Spain report several minor fights, wherein the Carlista were suc? cessful. Serrano delays attacking the Carlists in Navarre till his forces reach twenty thous? and. It is rumored that Bismarck has sent material aid to Amadeus to the amount of ten million francs. THE WEATHER THIS DAT. WASHINGTON, May 1. The area of rain will extend over New Eng? land during to-night; rising barometer with northwesterly to westerly winds and generally clear weather will prevail on Thursday from the lakes to the Gulf and South and Middle Atlantic coasts, and extend over New Eng? land by or on Thursday evening. BrisK northwesterly winds are probable for the upper lakes, and will extend over the lower lakes to-night, but dangerous winds are not anticipated. Yesterday's Weather Reporta of thc Signal Serrice, U. S. A.-4.47 P. itf., Local Tim?. Place of Observation. ts Bs : ? o sis a a Augusta, Qa Ballimore.. Boston. Charleston. Ublcago. Cincinnati. Rey West. Knoxville, Tenn. Memphis, Tenn. Mt. Washington New Orleans.... New York. Norfolk. Phlladeiplila. Portland, Me.... Savannah. St. Louis. Washington .... Wilmlngton,N.O. 30.05 3D. 06 30.15 30.10 29.86 29.95 20.99 30.02 30.0h 30.12 31.07 30.05 30.16 3U.03 ?0.16 30.09 29.98 29.97 30 14 S il S SR W w SE SW w s NW SE S S SE S s s Light. Britte Gentle. Kreith. Brisk. Gentle. Light. Gentle. Fresh. Gale. Fresh. Bi isK. Brisk. Brisk. Brisk. Light. Brisk. Brisk, urisk. Clondy. ? lonely. Clear. Cloudy. Fair. Fair. Fair. Cloudy. Fair. Lt. Rain ?: JUr.lV. Jloudy. Cloudy. Cloudy. Cloudy. Cloudy. Fair. Cloudy.' Fair. NOTB.-The weather report dated 7.47 o'clock this morning, will be posted In the rooms of the Chamber or Commerce at io o'clock A. M., and, together with the weather chart, may (by the courtesy or the Chamber) be examined by snip masters at any lime daring the day. . THE GREAT CONTENTION. HARMONIOUS ORGANIZATION AND IMMENSE ENTHUSIASM. The People's Rebellion from a Fester. lng Party-The Liberals Burn their Ships and will not Retreat-The Na. tlonal Reform Association in Fall Co? operation? [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NOTTS ] CINCINNATI, MAT 1. The long looked-for day for the assembling of the LlberaJ Convention came In with low? ering skies, and at times during the morning there were dashes of rain which somewhat in? terfered with the out-door movements. Large numbers had arrived during the night, and the city was crowded with delegates and others searching tor accommodation. The convention met at noon in Exposition Hall, and long before the hour of assembling streams ol pedestrians and long liuesof hacks were moving toward the hall. At noon the seats and lobbies were crowded to repletion, and thousands were still seeking admission. Fully eight thousand people were in the hall, and the enthusiasm was unbounded. At noon precisely, Colonel Grosvenor, of St. Louis, chairman of the executive committee, called the meeting to order In a brief epeecb, In which he spoke of the great importance of this convention. He claimed that It was the largest In number and the truest representa? tion of public Beutlmen.. that had ever assem? bled; that the sentiment which always does and always shall rule the country was the wis? dom of this convention, and the wisdom and will of the people at the next fall election will make it even more successful. He said he need not make the usual appeal for harmony to men who had abandoned their connection with a successful and powerful party to stake their political future upon this movement for reform, and In conclusion he nominated for temporary chairman Judge Stanley Matthews, of Ohio. Judge Matthews was unanimously elected, and he then spoke, thanking the convention for the honor conferred upon him. He said he believed that that convention would mark an era In the political history of the country. The occasion and the circumstances of the meeting Inspired thoughts which he would suggest, but be would not assume the role of a prophet There were some things, however, that could safely be affirmed In respect to the convention. The main thing above all other thoughts was that the time had come when was heard the voice of the American people, who were determined no longer to wear the collar of a party. [Applause.] We are assembled, he said, as Republicans, but, as Republicans, we cannot continue in a party that festers. They need not be ashamed to have won that name. The past of the party was commendable la Its work of sus? taining union against secession. Its work had become part of the fundamental law, and with lt the principles of equality of all before the law had been established. He considered this convention their rebellion against the Republican party, and lt was the highest eu? logy ot the principles of that party; for lt shows that that party has the high courage to set about the work ot reforming itself. [Ap? plause.] Parties cannot live on past reform? ing. It was because those who control Republi? can machinery and principles had diverted them from their true purposes that this move? ment was initiated. The war bas ended, and peace has come ; BO ought to end all military rule, [cheers] and everything that keeps alive and fanB the embers of the dead past. Judge Matthews concluded amid great applause. Colonel Grosvenor then moved to adjourn until 10 A. M. to-morrow, and that in the meantime the States select their quotas of delegates to represent them. Before the mo? tion to adjourn was put, however, loud voices proceeding from all parts ot the hall were heard calling for Senator Schurz. A scene of the greatest enthusiasm followed, members and delegates mounting the seats, swinging their hats and calling at the top of their voices until Schurz appeared and made a brief speech, tn which he advised work and not speech-making. He concluded with second? ing the motion to adjourn In spite of repeated calls to go on. The meeting then adjourned amid great cheering. The National Reform Association. The National Reunton and Reform Associa? tion met at half-past ten this morning, about six hundred members being present. Judge Stallo, of Cincinnati, was elected temporary chairman, and in a short address of thanks he stated that although the convention did not meet with the larger one they had a common cause, and would be found together. After the appointment of secretaries a motion was carried to appoint a committee on permanent organization, and the convention then took a recess until alternoon. At the afternoon ses? sion tbe committee on permanent organiza? tion was Instructed to report at the morning session to-morrow. Addresses were delivered by several members, and a motion that this convention nominate its own ticket was lost on the ground that the convention could show Its preference some other time. The conven? tion then adjourned. Notes and Gossip? The small arm-chair sent for (he use of the president of the convention was occupied by John Adams when he signed the Declaration of Independence. It is quite plain, painted black, with gilt decorations, and upholstered in snuff colored reps. It is authoritatively stated that Senator Fen? ton left town this morning, but his friends are mysteriously reserve as to the reasons tor his departure. The Minnesota delegation stands nine for Trumbull and two for Davie. The Southern States are all represented, but the Northern and Middle States, of course, make a much larger show. Several prominent Democrats are here, watching the progress of affairs, illinois is here in full force. The New York delegation had an exciting meeting this afternoon; 125 delegates being present. It was resolved that the delegation cast Its vote solid for Horace Greeley, until ten delegates request the delegation to retire lor another consultation, after which the vote shall be cast for Greeley subject to the direc? tion of the delegation. Strangers continue to pour Into the city from all parts of the country, crowding still further the already overflowing hotels. Although conciliatory counsels seem to pre? vail there is still a hot fight over candidates. This morning appearances were favorable for Greeley, but since the adjournment of the convention there bas been wide division of sentiment, and it is bard to tell who ls ahead. A strong card which is played by Western men ls opposition to Greeley on account of his high protection principles, but his friends still appear to be confident. Davis, lt is now thought, has but little chance. Trumbull and Brown appear to divide the strength west o? the Ohio, but there ls little hope for either except tor the second place, it ls thought that the first ballot will furnish but a slight Indication of the strength of the candidates. It is rumored to-night that the Chase movement has a strong under-current of strength. The nominations will probably not be made before Friday at the earliest. It ls rumored that a movement will burst out suddenly in favor of Chase, but this, how? ever, ls mere conjecture as ye't, and all sorts of rumors are In circulation. Among them ls one to the effect that at a caucus of promi? nent Free Traders, held to-day, they expressed a perfect willingness to compromise their free-trade plank so as to take all Liberals aboard. I: ls now generally conceded that Adams wli! show the greatest strength on the first ballot. DAWN. THE LUNATICS STARVING. A Horrible State of Things-No Dinner at the Lunatic Asylum-Begging- for Provisions-The Return to the Peni? tentiary Mandama?. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NXWS ] COLU M BIA, WEDNESDAY, May 1. To-day there was nothing for dinner at the State Lunatic Asylum. The superintendent was running about town trying to obtain provis? ions, and a merchant, who carries a heavy load of Stale indebtedness on bis- shoulders, advanced, as a matter of charity, one day's rations. Subsequently a warrant for $2600 was accepted by the State treasurer. It is of no use. Old merchants, who kept the Asylum afloat in the pinching times of war, are aglta ing thc question of assuming the support of the institution to prevent suffering to the unfortunate inmates. This ls a sad com? mentary upon the efficiency of the present r?gime. The mandamus to the State treasurer to show causa why the appropriation for the Penitentiary le not paid ls postponed until Fri? day lor argument. The return of the State treasurer Is very supercilious. It claims, first, that the drafts on the treasury are paid by checks, and, second, that the checks were protested. The same loop-hole will not sei ve in the case of the Lunatic Asylum, for which a like mandamus will assuredly issue lt the funds for its support be not forthcoming. Three stables were'burned in Greenville-, last night, by Badical incendiaries. SALUDA. THE IMBECILES ADRIFT. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NEWS.] RINGVILLE, S. C., May 1. Thirteen imbeciles, turned out of the Asylum under the act of the Legislature, are en route for Charleston to-night. CONGAREE. DISASTROUS FIRE IN SAVANNAH. Tuesday night Savannah was visited with one of the most destructive fires which bas occurred in the city for years. It broke out about 11.30 o'clock, in the furniture store of Newmark & Buckert, No. 194 Broughton street, whence it spread to Nos. 192 and 196 and some other bandings, completely destroying all ot them. The fire department worked nobly, and about 4 A. M. got the flames under control, so as to confine them to the buildings above named. The lose, which ls estimated at ? HO, - OOO, IB as follows: Nc? 194 and 196, buildings owned by Mrs. Charlotte Branch. Loss $25,000. Insurance $10,000 in the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company. No. 192 and other tenement buildings, owned by A. A. Smel's estate. Loss $50,000. Stock of Messrs. Newmark & Rucert, furni? ture, In No. 194. Loss $25,000. Insurance $22,000 In three companies. btock and furniture of George w. Allen, In No. 192. Loss $25,000. Insurance $15,000. Stock of E. J. Kelly & Co., In building of Smet's estate. Loss $16,000. Insurance $6000. Stock of dry goods of J. Levkoy, In same building. Loss $14,000. Insurance $4000. Mrs. McCarthy and G. H. Gato, lo No. 196. LOBB-. Insurance $1000. Much property was also damaged by Its hur? ried removal from threatened houses. Three persons are reported as slightly Injured, but none seriously. THE SOUTHERN COTTON CLAIMS. WASHINGTON, D. C., May L The judgments entered upon cotton claims Irom Savannah, Mobile and New Orleans do not amount to more than two million dollars. The Morrill amendment, which passed the Senate, baa the effect of reviewing the Su? preme Court decisions in constitutional ques? tions before the court. For this reason, lt ls thought that it cannot pass the House. In any event, it is not thought that judgments obtained prior to the passage of the amend? ment will be disturbed. These are made pay? able within ninety days from the dale of entry. THE SPANISH REVOLUTION. MADRID. May 1. It is officially stated that the Carlist bands have di?appeared altogether from the depart? ment of Guouzcoa. Amescuas, the strong? hold of the insurrectionists, in the department of Navarre, is to be stormed to-day by the gov? ernment forces. NEW YOBX, May L A London special dispatch eays that late ad? vices from Spain represent the insurrection to be rapidly spreading, and refuted the report that disaffection had appeared among the troops. A London letter lrom Emilio Castel? lar explains the troubles lo Spain, and the cause of the election outrages. He says the opponents of the Ministerialists were outraged by arrests and imprisonment, the polls were surrounded by Ministerialists to prevent their opponents reaching them. The forces of the army and navy went to the polls in regiments in line of battle, and had their votes given to them by their officers. -In his quiet retreat at Auburn alts Mr. Seward, wrapped up in a placid contemplation of his recent clrcumorbltal ramble among Mikados, Rajahs and Sultans, and indulging In complacent reminiscences of bis threescore years and ten. Experience and philosophy have taught him how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong, and he eagerly submits ab hoste doceri, even though the enemy in hts case ls a double-barrelled paralysis of the arms and lefts. Inability to induce muscular motion is as nothing to him who can revel in mental and digestive delights, and keep an assiduous amanuensis on tenter-hookB irom morning to nli? h i as he dictates poetical deBcripiions of mosques and palaces for the benellt of posteri? ty. Thus does the ex-Becretary pass his time, awaiting with exemplary patience, amid hlB booKs and pictures, the hour when a kind re? covery shall enable him to post off on some other world-wide tour. He Is surrounded by curious, beautiful and suggestive objecte, which serve to divert and delight bim. Oil paintings relative to the purchase of Alaska and other histcrlcal themes, gold-beaded canes of public significance, Pompeian busts, East Indian shawls and Abyssinian stools encompass him about; and as ol Len as the humor takes him he drops off into a cosy nap tinctured with dreams ot former glory, present repose and iuiure canonization. Happy he who can thus retain perennial youth. -In Massachusetts, recently, there was a wedding, in which the bridegroom, a widow? er of nearly seventy, married a lady whom he and his former wife bad brought up from Infancy, and wbo had lived In bis family as a daughter for forty years, TBEHEALTB DEPARTMENT. The following directory of the Health De? partment has been prepared by Dr. George S. Pelzer, the City Begistrar, and la pubUahed for the information of the public: Office of Board of Health and City Begistrar at City Hall. BOARD OF HEALTH. / Hon. Jo?in A. Wagener, residence Ko. 64 St. Philip street, ii a vor, Cn airman. General W. G. Des a o as a re. Ward No. 1, resi? dence No. 27 East Battery. George H. Moffett, Ward Ko. 2, residence No. IO Legare street. Thomas M. Hanckel, Ward Ko. 3, residence Kol 47 H&861 8tf66t * Captain Jacob Small, Ward Ko. 4, residence Ko. 4 Boll street. Thomas D. Dotterer. Ward Ko. 6, residence northeast corner Henrietta and Meeting streets. H. E. Olney, Ward No. s, residence No. 140 Com? ing street. Thomas D. Eaaon, Ward Ko. 7, residence Ko. 78 America street, ? William L. Webb, Ward Ko. 8, resident No. 37 Rutledge avenue. * Medical Committee. George S. Pelzer, M. v., City Registrar, resi? dence No. 48 Cannon street. ^E.^Geddings, H. D., residence Ko. 16 George J. P. Ch;za'. M. D., residence Ko. 0 Wentworth street. Stanaino Committees. On Hospitals and Dispensarles-Dra. Pelzer, Geddings and Cnarai. OD Low Lots, Drainage and Nuisances-The Mayor. Dr. Pelzer and Messrs. Hanckel. Am all and Webb. ; On Barlil Grounds, Sextons and Hearnes-Dr. Chazai, General DeSanssnre and Mr. Moffatt.- " On rabdc Institutions-Dr. Geddings, and If sara. Eason, Dotterer and Olney. - On Epidemics, Public Hygiene and Quarantine -Drs. Geddings, Chazai ann Petter. - On Accounts-Dra. Pelzer, Geddings and Oha* ML . ? COMPLAINT BOOKS . \ ' . are open at the upper and lower wards Guard? houses, and citizens are requested to report all nuisances prejudicial. to the public health a? promptly as possible, at either ol the above named places. f I OITT HOSPITAL. Hazy ck st eet, above Queen street. Surgfon In charge, J. S. Buist, M. D. Residence and office, No. 206 Meeting street. Marine Depart mont, City Hospital. Mazy ct street. Surgeon in charge, 3.8. Buist, M. D. HEALTH DISTRICT NO. 1. Bonnded on the north by centre of Calhoun street, on the east by Cooper River, on the south br south Battery, and on the west Dy centre or Meeting street. ? ? Physician In charge,' Dr. Manning simons. Office and residence, Church street, above Broad, next to tue Charleston Library building. HEALTH DIST ai CT MO. 2. Wes ern Division, Shlrras' Dispensary. Bounded on the north by centre of Calhoun street, on tue east by centre of Meeting street, on the south by Sooth Battery and Ashley Elver, and on the west by Ashley River. Physician ia charge. Dr. Joseph Tates. Office at snirra'd Dispensary, Society street, between Klug and Meeting streets. Kesldence No. 14 Lib erg street. -v -. 7 .< v^, The physician in fcharge or this district ls re? quired ro attend at the Lower Wards Guardhouse when called npon. HEALTH DISTRICT MO. 3. Bonnded on the north by City Boundary, on the east by Cooper River, on tbe south by centre or Calhoun street, and on the west by centre of Meeting street Physician in charge, Dr. J. L. Ancrum. Office and resldenco No. 10 Mary street, opposite Eliza? beth street. / . . ? > . ;. Tbe physician in/harge or this district ls re? quired to attend at the Almshouse when called opon' _/ Hff?LTH DISTRICT MO 4. Bonnded on the north by City Boundary, on the east by centre or Smith street to Cannon street, then by centre or cannon to Rutledge avenue,. then by centre or Rutledge avenue to George street, and tn ea by a line running in the same di? rection through to City Boundary, OD the south by centre or calhoun street, and on the weat by Ashley Blver. Physician tn charge, Dr. T. Gr inge Simons. Office No. 18 Ashley street, onposlte United States Arsenal Residence Ko. 21 Rutledge avenue, op? posite Radoilffe street. The physician in charge of this district la re? quired to attend at the Old Folks' Home when called upon. ? HEALTH DISTRICT MO. 6. Bonnded on the north by City Boundary, on the east by centre of Meeting street, on the south by centre ot Calhoun street, and on the west by cen? tre of Smith street to Cannon street, then by cen? tre or Cannon street to Rutledge avenue, then by centre or Rutledge avenue to Grove street, then by a Une running in the same direction to City Boundary. . Ph?alelan in charge, nr. Isaac W. AngeL Of? fice and residence, St. Phillp street, opposite the Keck Market. The physician la charge of this district ls re? quired ta attend ac the Upper Wards Guardhouse when called upon. -^ OFFICE HOCES. From 8 to 9 morning; from 2 to 8 afee All dispensary patients who are able required to attend at the office or the health dis? trict lu wh'Ch they may reside during the above specified offl e hours. The pnyslclaps lu attend? ance will sflord medical and surgical re 1er and medicines gratuitously to all des tit ute .sick: poor persons, residents or their respective districts applying for treatment, who may. In their opin? ion, be entitled to dispensary relier. It ls recommended that office patients attend punctually at the beginning or the office hours. Calls may be left on the slate at any tims during tRe day at the respective offices, and at night at the residences of the physicians In charge. The number and street mus: be carefully given in all applications for attendance at home. fiostcttcr's Sitters. INFECTIOJF1N^TH?TA?B.-AT this season the vegetable world takes a new lease cr life; but to the sensitive and delicate mern bera of the hnman family it Is a time of dan? ger and often or great suffering. The moisture which rises from toe earth and hangs suspended over lt In the form or morning and evening mists and fogs, bolds in solution, so to speak, the me phltlc elements which produce lever and ague, remittent revers, rheumatism and many painful nervous disturbances, and which aggravate dys? pepsia, biliousness and all minor a flections of tbe stomach and the bowels. Thia, therefore, ls a critic?1 period or the year, a season when the renovating, rerreahlng and purifying operation ol the mightiest or all vegetable tonics and alter? ative?, HOSTE TTE R'S STOMACH BITTERS, ls salva ion to the weak, and the best security for the continuance or health and vigor or the strong. Kow is the time not only to protect the system against the common ailments of the sea on, but to prevent the disorders Incident to a warmer temperature. Let not the exhausting beats of the summer months find you unprepared to meet them. A course Ot HOSTETTER'S BITTERS, commenced now, will put all the physical eher, gles in fighting trim, double the capacity of the Internal organs to repel the causes of disease, re? fresh the brain and clear lt of all hypochondria eil cobwebs, and place the whole physique m an attitude ol defence, with every evadable point fortified and guarded and as nearly lnva'nerable to unwholesome influences as lt ls possible for the haman structure to be. apr29-mwfiDAC C OTTON STATES LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, PRINCIPAL OFFICE, MACON, GA. The above Company has appointed the under? signed Agents for the State or South Carolina, under the firm name or ABNEY 4 PARKER, Office In Columbia. As Sub-Agent, they have secured the services of M-. WILSON GLOVEB for the City or Charleston, with authority to take risks m any part or the State. ' - The above named Company ls rapidly Increas? ing in numbers and in financial strength, posses? sing now a large surplus fund or sm te every $100 of liability, with other peculiar inducements. To those d?sirons of making good and safe invest? ments at home, lt commends itself. M. W. ABNEY, 3. W. PARKES, (Late Supt. Lunatic Asylum, Columbia, s. c.,) General Agents. WILSON GLOVER, Agent, Office South Atlantic Wharf, apr22-mws8.m8y6.8,ll charleston. 3- ? YT7TLAPPING PAPER FOR SALE--4>LD W NEWSPAPERS in ^R^^^?^ Price 60 CENTS PER BXJSDRED. Apply_at tt* office or THE NEWS.