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COLUMBIA. Friday Staining, November^, 1865. Oar Kew LAWS. Thc "Report of the Committee on the us. We gave thc captions of the varions bills proposed, and now proceed, in accord? ance with our enunciation, to give to our readers the most prominent features of the legislation recommended. The preliminary bill, induced by tho emancipation of slaves, requires no com? ment. One of its provisions is as follows: All free negroes, mulattoes and mestizoes, all freedmen and free women, and all de? scendants, through either sex, of any of ihese persons, shall be known <w persons of .olor, except that every such descendant who may have of Caucasian blood seven eights or more, sb&ii be deemed a white person. Another section provides, HS follows: Thc statutes and regulations concerning slaves, are now inapplicable to persons of color: and although such persons are not entitled to social or political equahty with white persons, they shaU li ave the" right to accjuire, own ami dispose of property; to make contracts; to enjoy the fruits of Sieir labor; to sue and be sited; and to re? ceive protection under the law in their persons and property. The relations between husband and wile ?rc amply provided for, making recognition r>f the parties sufficient evidence. * With regard to thc apprenticing of the children of freedmen tho fcllc.win~ sections are recommended: A child of colored parents, cr of parents of whom one shall DC a person ot' color, over the age of two years, may be bound by the father, if he be living in thc District, or in case of his death or absence from the District, by the mother, as an apprentice to any respectable white or colored person, who is competent to make a contract-a male, until he shall attain the age of twenty-one years, and a female until she shall attain the agc of eighteen years. Illegitimate children, within thc ages above specified, may bc bound by the mother. Colored children between thc ages men? tioned, who have neither father nor mother, hving in the District in which they are tbirniS, or whose parents are paupers, or unable to afford to them a comfortable maintenance, or whose parents are not teaching them habits of industry and .honesty, or are persons cf notoriously bad sharacter, or are vagrants, or have been convicted of infamous offences, and colored children in all cases where they are in danger of moral contamination, may be bound as apprentices by the District Judge, or one of the Magistrates, for the aforesaid term. Males cf the age of twelve years and fe? males of tho age. of ten years shall sign thc indenture of apprenticeship, and be bound thereby When the apprentice is under these ages, ind in all cases of compulsory apprentice? ship where the infant refuses assent, bis signature shall not be necessary to the va? lidity of the apprenticeship, and the mas? ter's obligation of apprenticeship shall be j executed in the presence of the District ? Judge, or one of the Magistrates, certified by him. and filed in the office of the Clerk af the District Court. Thc indenture of voluntary apprentice? ship shall be under seal, and signed by the Blaster, the parent and the apprentice, and attested by two credible witnesses, and approved by thc District Judge, or one of tilt- Magistrates. And now comes the most important pro? visions to the great majority of our leaders, viz : the contracts for service. We rinnc-x the most important provisions : All persons Of color, who make contracts I for service, or labor in husbandry, shall be j known as servants, and those with whom ! they contract, shall be known as masters. Contracts between master and servants for more than one week, shall be in writing, and attested by one wbitfe witness, and shall be approved by the Judge of the District Court, or by one of the Magis? trates. The period ol' service slo.il Li expressed in the contract ; but if it be not expressed, it shall he until the twenty-fifth day of hei-i mber of the year in which it is made. If thc rate of wages bo not stipulated bv the parties to the contract, it shall be fixed by the District Judge, or a Magistrate, on application by one of the parties, on notice to the other. A person of color who bas no parent liv? ing in the District, and is ten years of age, arid is not an apprentice, may make a valid aontract tor one year's labor or service: Contracts between masters and servants may he set aside for fraud or unfairness, notwithstanding they have been approved. Contracts between masters and servants shall be presented for approval within twenty days after their execution. Contracts shall not bo binding on thc servant, unless they are in writing, and haw- been presented for approval within tin time aforesaid. For any neglect of the duty ' ? make a contract as herein directed, or the evasion of t hat duty by the employment of persons i>f color, from day to day, on his premises, the party offending shall bc guilty of a mis? demeanor, anil be liable, on conviction, to paya sum not exceeding fifty dollars, and not 1er- than five dollars for each persons io employed. For the approval of a cee-tract, the fol? lowing let s shall be paid down to thc District Judge or the Magistrate, as the "ase may be. For a eontraet of one month or less, for each servant, ?00.50 cents. For a contract not exceeding three months and moro than one montb.for each servant, $1.00. For a contract not exceeding six months jud more than three months, for each servant, $2.00 For a contract of one year or anv time moro than six months, for each servant $3.00. For a contract of more than one year, for each year or part of a year over one year, for each servant, .3.00. Three-fourths of which fees shall be paid br the master and one-fonrth by tho ser? vant. The above are some cf the measures pro? posed by the Committee. Ecsidea these there arc of course a number of other points which require notice. We will con? tinue our eqtracts ana annotations. Th*- 9MI Canal-Itu Commercial and Political Insignificance. The famous Suez Canal has. at la3t, been completed, and thc magnificent conception of uniting the Mediterranean Sea and In? dian Ocean has been realized. Europe has long sought to shorten the route to the East, and it now aecms that thc dream of centuries has become a fact. The practi? cability of thia scheme has been debated and denied; the nature of the great flats stretching out on the Northern boundary of thc Isthmus, is said to bc such that no permanent connection can bc kept open, and the ultimate failure of the vast expe? riment is already predicted by the English press. We have no other reason to doubt the sincerity ot thc disclaimers of hostility towards the enterprise which are connected with this expression of opinion; but wo remember very distinctly (says the Peters? burg Indes) that when the work was begun, the British Government at once possessed itself of the stand of P?rira, so that when tho door was opened to the com? merce of the East, by France, thc British Lion should hold the key under his royal hand. This waa thc universal construction put upon thc action of England at that time, and, indeed, is admitted of no other conclusion, for the barron ami desolate cliffs over which she hoisted the Cross of St. George were absolutely worthless under every other hypothesis. It would thus be seen that the Government entertained a different opinion of the practicability of the scheme from that now announced by the press. Certainly M. Lesseps is of a very diffcrent mode of thinking, and it is to be be hoped in the interest of mankind at large that his views ar J not ill-founded. The splendid fables of tho Arabian Nights fall short, in their pictures, of thc results which will accrue from its success; and it cannot be doubted that every re? source of skill and science-every appliance of wealth aud ingenuity-will be exhausted to keep open this communication. -'New" tons, although we remember that Necho, thc Egyptian, constructed a canal connect? ing the Mediterranean and thc Bcd Sea, which, notwithstanding thc popular beliel in its failure-a belief which thc Loudon Morning Post seems to entertain-was un? doubtedly ''open for large vessels" in thc reign of Darius. It is impossible for thc most ardent fancy and the most solid under? standing, toconjecttuo all tho results whick wiil now from the success of the enterprise, but it is certain that the '-centuries looking down" from the Pyramids, will behold s greater glory for the nephew than over, eve? in the flush of his victories, perchec on the eagles of his uncle, and Franco wil gain no ascendency greater than she kneti under Louis XVI, or the great Corsican Apart from the general interest whicl attaches to so stupendous an undertaking the inquiry suggests itself, what influence if any, the success of tho Suez Canal i. likely to exercise on the Emperor's eis ! Atlantic policy? Will the power ant wealth thus acquired iaspire a new deter min arion to cling to his Mexican protecto rate? Will thc "overland route" still pre sent charms to tho imperial fancy'-' Wi! his colonization policy be confirmed? It view of these suggestive questions, th commercial importance of the enterprise vast as it is-becomes insignificant. He i undoubtedly the most inscrutable man o his times- mysterious as the Sphinx o that mysterious land upon whose shore the skill of his engineers has reproduce! the dream of the old Egyptians; but it rc quires little sagacity to foresee that, wit! thc increase of wealth and power, his well considered schemes of cis-Atlantic polio are not likely to be reversed. Two sncl additions at once to thc material prosperit and material glory of Franco, as tho Eas India connection and the Mexican protecto rate-tho ont.- a mighty impulse to com moree, the other a great and attractiv I field for colonization -cannot fail to go vcr far towards establishing that dynasty whie it is his highest ambition to seat lirml upon thc French throne. In this view of th case, the announcement of the completio of thc Suez Canal expands itself into pro portions which go beyond the halls of th Stock Exchange and the narrow limits o counting-houses, to engross the attentio of cabineta and evoke thc wisdom of Ami ! rican statesman. Even the radicals mua see in it a potent argument in lave ol' a reconstruction ol the South on a equitable basia. MA wm's ELECTION* IN* CIIAELESTON*.- Th telegraphic wires te Charleston have bee down for a day or two, and thc Ckarksto papers, of course, failed to come to bane but wc learn from passengers that Col. I C. Gaillard has been eloctf 1 Ma;*or c Charleston by about 2C0 majority. Legislature South Carolina. Wednesday, November 1. ISG J. SENATE. Thc Senate met at 12 m., and the Clerk read the journal of the proceedings of yes? terday. zion. Benjamin W. Lawton, Senator elect from Barnwell, appeared at the Clerk's t'cek. presented his credential, the oath was administered, and he was added to the Committee on Lunatic Asylum and Medical Accounts, and also to the Committee on Agriculture and Internal Improvements. Mr. Buist introduced a bill to amend and renew the charter of the Calhoun Insurance Company of Charleston; which received the first reading, and was referred to the Com? mittee on Incorporations and Engrossed Acts. Mr. Dozier offered the following resolu? tion; which was airrccd to. sud was ordered to be sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence: Jiesolrsd, That in thc opinion of the General Assembly, grave mattera involving thc future welfare of the State require that this session shall continue. Ballots were held for Senator and Chief Justice. Tho President declared thc Hon. John L. Manning duly eiected Senator, in the Congress of the United States, of the third class, for thc term ending March 5 1S67: and Hon. B. F. Dunkin, dulv elected Chief Justice of the State of South Caro? lina. Adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Clerk called thc roll, the Speaker took thc Chair, and the proceedings were opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Rucie. Mr. R. S. Duryea was added to tho Com? mittee on Claims and Commerce and Manu? factures. Mr. Black to the Committee on Ways and Mean?. Mr. Rawlinson to thc Committee ?rn Colored Population. Mr. Sparkman to tho Committee on Education. Mr. Lord to thc Committee on the Ju? diciary. Mr. Hough to the Committee on Engrossed Acts and Incorporations. Mr. Gayer presentad the petition of citi? zens of Charleston for incorporation of the Young America Fire Engine Company, at? tached to tho Fire Department of the city of Charleston. Also, petition of A. Hilton, Jos. A. Morgan and othe rs, for incorpora? tion oi the'Charleston Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. attached to the Fire De? partment of the city of Charleston; which were severally referred to the Committee on Incorporations. Mr. Wagener introduced a resolution, proposing to adjourn on Friday next: which wa.- ordered for consideration to? morrow. Mr. Mullins introduci d a resolution of inquiry as to whether the offices of Trea? surer of thc Upper and Lower Divisions have been abolished by the provisions of the new Constitution, providing for a single Treasurer for .the tntire State. Mr. Norton introduced a bill to require sheriffs, when rt quested to do so, to put purchasers of real estate at their sales, in possession within one month, when the party as whose property it is sold, or his tenant ia possessed; which was read thc first time, and was referred to the Com? mittee on the Judiciarv. Mr. Cannon introduced a resolution, which was agreed to. that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means to re? commend to the House some plan by which the various tax collectors of thc State may return tho amount of taxes received by them in Confederate money and yet in their possession, or in what way the'samo shall be disposed ot so as to relieve said collec? tors from future liability on that account. Mr. Larker introduced" a bill to repeal the usury laws of this State. Adjourned. DESTCCTIVE FIEE.-We regret exceedingly to have to chronicle the following, which we clip from thc New York World, of 31011 day last: "At about 8 o'clock, on Saturday evening, a fire broke out in the wholesale and retail grocery store of T. R. Agnew, No. 2t>0 Greenwich street, caused by a light being carelessly thrown among a quantity of waste paper. Before the fire was extin? guished, the stock of Mr. Agnew was da? maged tn the amount of $10,000; insured for $00,000. The building was damaged tn tho extent of ?5,00; insured for $10,000." Tut: CrAitr.isox OF WASIIIXGTOS. The garrison of Washington is at present com i>osed of seven regiments of the Veteran leserve Corps-the 7th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th, iSth and 24th; the ;Jd and 10th Regi? ments of United States Infantry, the 195th and 214th Pennsylvania Regiments, and the 194th Ohio Volunteers -numbering in the aggregate about 4,000 men. Tin- 5th United States Cavalry is on duty at Gen. Grant's headquarters. The duty required of these troops is light, it being no more than patrolling Long Bridge and doing guard duty at the White House and the various stock houses where surplus Go? vernment property is kept. As this pro? perty is fast being disposed of at auction and private sale, the garrison will ere long be reduced to merely an ornamental body of troops. M?STES?OCS CAVE C>"DEE ru:. CITY OF NASHVILLE, TEITNESSEE.-Partie.- haw for several days pf.st been exploring thc subter? ranean passage's under this city. Mr. A. Stewart descended one hundred and twenty five feet from a cavern nie h r Church street into a chasm below, and was drawn up al? most suffocated by foul air. Several relics were discovered, "including fossils, bones, buttons, and stones resembling agate and marble. The grand chamber of thc cave is forty feet high, thirty feet wide, and eighty feet long. Further explorations aro to be made. A Turi: UNION MAN. -Thc Raleigh stod? dard. Governor Holden's paper, dennes " a true Union man tu be he who cordially and thoroughly endorses the reconstruction policy of'Andrew Johnson, provided bo show his faith by his work.-.' This definition is a not inapt one. And, b< lng pretty true, it follows that the Radi? cal Abolitionists ol the North, who arc just commencing a bitter warfare upon thc President's reconstruction policy, are not .. true Union men," but disorganizers and disunionists ; and, as .such, should be con? sidered the enemies of tho country and treated aceordinerlv Latest News Item?. Commissioner Orton, the accomplished Chief of the Internal Revenue Bureau at Washington, resigned his position last Wednesday, to eater upon the discharge of the duties of President of the United States Telegraph Company, to which position he TY?? r?C?ntly elected. Ula SUccesSO! as Commissioner of Internal Revenne, it is novr announced, w?l bc Hon. E. A. Rollins, the able and indefatigable Assistant Com? missioner. Mr. Rollins ha? been connected with the Bureau from its organization early in 18**3, first as cashier, and aince the elec? tion of thc former Assistant Commiaaioner, Hon. E. D. McPherson, to the position of Clerk of the National House of Representa? tives, as successor of Mr. McPherson. A Georgia journal says that many of the leading Methodist clergymen of that State, in consequence of their hostility to their Northeru metbren, have made overtures to the Episcopalians for a union with them. The United States naval steamer Saranac ?ailed from Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, cn the seventeenth of September, in search of the rebel pirate steamer Shenandoah. A k's'., of ninety-five American whalers ia published by a Honolulu paper, thirty-three of which had been burned or boarded by thc pirate, and the remaining aixty-two of which had not been heard from. Bueuos Ayres newspapers of thc twen? tieth of September have reached us by way of Europe. They contain little additional, however, in regard to the war between Paraguay and the allies. We are told that the Paraguayans have respected property by om national flag. Thc lino of steamers between Now York ard Rio Janeiro, in ad? dition to thc subsidies granted by the United States and Brazil, has been voted twenty thousand dollars per annum by thc | Argentine Congress, on condition that the j trips of tu.- vessels bo extended to Buenos Ayres. A despatch from Morehead City, North Carolina, saya that tho purser of tile steam? ship Eagle, From Havana, spates that the negro insurrection itt Jamaica, heretofore reported, lia? assumed serious proportions, and that at tho solicitation of tho British Consul four Spanish war vessels had" been despatched to assist in suppressing it. In Louisiaiiutho Provost Marshal'- Courts organized by the Freedmen's Bureau have boen abolished by General Fullerton, and all cases relating to tho freedmen aro turned over ti- the State courts, the officers of the bureau, however, being instructed to see that tho negroes receive justice. The Confederate ex-Ciovcrnor Allen, nowa voluntary exilt in Mexico, who was nomi? nated by his admirers for re-election as i Governor nf Louisiana, has, it is said, de? clined thc honor, expressing hts intention of remaining in thc dominions of Max; mihan. Tho Herald** correspondence from St. Tiiomas, West Indies, communicates the fact that the Haytien rebellion has at last collapsed. This "news was brought to St. Thomas hythe UnitcdSiates gun-boat Kan? sas, Lieutenant Wells commanding, who, in conjtmction with the United States Consul Folsom, seems-to have taken an im? portant part ii: bringing mutters to a crisis. For some months past the insurgents, under Sahi&ve, have boon besieged in the town of Cape Haytien, and at the date of last accounts previously received were re? duced to Hindi a condition of starvation that flour sold for twelve hundred dollars a I barrel, and bread for four dollars a liai. Consid Folsom came near falling a victim to their lawlessness. Coal belonging to thc American Government was seized, and in other res-vct.-i tho American flag was vio? lated. T.iis led to prompt action on tho part ol thc Consul and Lieut. Walls, and a iiint about resorting to extreme measures brought thc rebellion to the ground. On the ?d mst., when tho Kansas left Cape Haytien. it was agreed to surrender the town to President Geffrard and thc legally constituted authorities of the republic. Theoantaiii of the British gun-boat Fau .1 acteel .in concert with Consul Folsom and Lieutenant Wt 11s throughout, this affair. Official orders have been is=ued for a farther reduction of our national army, by tho disbandment ol fifty-four regiments, consisting of organizations of both white and colored troops, in addition to those heretofore announced. Besides this, it is expected that in a short timo tho majority of thc Veteran Reserves will bo mustered out of service, as department commanders have been instructed by tito WarDeoar? nient to ascortain what officers and enlisted men of thai corps desire te? leave tho army, and io immediately grant discharges to all such. It is all?gea that as a general tiling the privates ot' this organization deslio to bo mustered out. while officers, finping themselves in confortable positions, wish to be retained m the service ot tho country, and aro making strong efforts to accom? plish their object. A circular purporting to have been issued to these ?nicers, and calling for contributions of mony and a mooting in Philadelphia t-"> further their designs, has boen sent tc> us. EXTRAVAGANCE ?S DSESS.-Now that thc fashionables aro returned to tho city, the Opera House begins to put on a costiy"look. Opera cloaks are worn tl it cost almost fabulous pri?es, while jewelry ia disported that ii would cost a common Nevada silver mine to btv. The .milliners and dress makers of the city were seldom, if e ver, so busily employed as they aro now, and never before on snell costiy material. Fora wed? ding coining off in the upper part of thc city, one establishment only has some sixty odd dresses in charge, which will cost moue}- enough to buy thousands e?f acres of laud in Nebraska, Dacotah and Idaho. [ A* ir York Express. CUCE roi; A Bens.-The best thing for a burn is the following, and every family ought to know it. ?As soon as possible, after thc burn, throw a little green toa in hot water; lot it steep. Stir an Indian meal poultice. Spread the tealeaves on tho poultice, pul it on the burn or scald, what? ever it may be. If burnt with powder, it will take it ont and tue skin will be as clear as ..?vcr. "AD that's bright must fade," is not ap? plicable to aime set of teeth brushed with Fragrant Sozoclont. Its protective , pre? servative and beautifying properties will preserve thc whiteness, soundness and natural polish of good teeth throughout life. And when unsound, it will arrest de? cay, and remove from the breath the taint which decomposition generates. T Local JTtoxxxfl?. "Cotton Blanks" and permits-indispe? able to all persoas purchasing or shipping cotton-?an Le obtained at this office. CASS.-W* ?rl-h it distirctly anderslwd that our terms for subscription, advertising and job vcork are ?euh. Tb? money must in every case accompany orders, or they vii not be attewtedte. Thin rale applies to all. JUST PUBLISHED.-The Sack and Destruc? tion of the City of Columbia, originally published in the Columbia Fhonix. A pamphlet edition of the above has just been issued and is for sale at thia office price SI a copy. _ ELECTION FOS MEJ.BE as OF CONG?ES?. - A series of resolutions was adopted by the Legislature, yesterday, providing for thc election of four members to tiio United States Congress. A notice published in another column gives full particulars, to which attention is directed. DEBOW'S REVIEW.-The publication of this sterling periodical is to be resumed early in January. Ey reference to cur ad? vertising columns, it will be seen that Hr. J. W. Aing? r has been appointed agent for this eitv. THE INTERNAL REVENTE GUILE.-"We have received from Messrs. Townsend ? North a copy of the above highly useful work, being an abstract of the Internal Revenue and Direct or Land Tax Laws of the United States; with Schedules of Taxations. Li? cense, Stamp Duties, etc., besides other useful information; compiled by C. J. Elford, Esq. NEW ADVEBTISESIENTS. . Attention is cull? ed to the following advertisements, which ar? published for the first time this morn? ing: Olney & Co.- Lime, C< mont, .vc. Jao*b Levin-Hams, Pickled Beef, .ve. Hanahan JC Warlev-Umbrellas. " " " -Crackers. Apply at this Office-Kev Lost. West Male .Vea l, mv-Rooms tc Kt ut. Nomination of W. J. Laval for Treasurer. Philip Er<sr. in- -Dry Goods: W. B. Stanley- Cheap Light. " " -China. Glassware. ?vc T. W. Ainger-Agency DeBow's Review. Campbell & Milling-Groceries, James G. Gibbe s - Anetio;-, sui-. Election for Members of Congress HEADQ/RS COM. BUREAU RE?TC?::I -, FEEEDJIE>- ANT- ABAXDOXED LAN:>S. IN THE FIELD, CHABLESTOK, S. C. October 2ti, lv:.5. lb all Officers tuid Agcntsof/ht Bure-v in ?Sowh Carolina, Georgia and Florida. GENTLEMEN: It is with a desire to re? store confidence, which has been sc much impaired, in many Districts, between the property-holders and negro laborers, that 1 send you this communication. The Commissioner deprecates the ase e-t any offensive expressions in th. letters and reports made at i'd forwarded,, and earnestly enjoins a simple statement or facts. **l acts ot violence, where freedmen arc con? cerned, made known by the court s or other? wise, should always be carefully recorded and reported, whether the guilty parties are white or black; but angry debates and imprudent speeches must be avoided. Any ebulhlions of temper andjexpressions of dislike on the part of tho inhabitants to? wards you. will naturally awaken feelings of resentment. Yet I beseech you, as indi? viduals who have an important trust com? mitted to you, to keep vour duty steadily in view, and carefully abstain from recri? minations. A true friendliness to the freedmen demands tim: they be taught to look to the property-holders for employ? ment. The purchase and rental of lands must come from the -same course. On the part of the employer, ir is equally argent and for their interest to secure the c?nn dence of their employ?es. Schools, home? steads, rentals, sale's, church privil?ges; shares in crop-, good wages anti kind treatment, are inducements that, can be offered. Endeavor to convince them of the practicability of those things, where th** present circumstances have filled their minds with forebodings of evil, and where old habits muk* them heartily disbelieve in rice labor. Have in mind "examples of success, more or les.- complete. One or two that have worked well for the first two years will aid you. It will be some time before matter.- will settle so that there will not be jars, quarrels am! some acts of vio? lence; but I do not bclit ve this is the gen- - ral wish or feeling ol' tho people, whether white- or black. Oui object is to ?lo simple justice, doing everything we ca", that w!J contribute to good "order and g >od gov. fo? ment. Respectfully von;.-. " 0. O. HOWARD, Major-General and Commissioner A letter from the Norfolk navy yard says that in the dry dock is a portion of the frigate Congress, out ot' which is being re? moved old gun?, tanks, .vc, and frequently something much resembling the remains o? ?i human body, is exhumed. Alongside oi the wharf ar? the once Confederate ram Texas. Albemarle and Richmori 1. all -i them formidable iron-clads. The steamer St. John, of the Albany line, exploded her boiler, in Now York, on thc 30th. Seven persons were killed. The cause ol' tho explosion is not known. A locomotive on the Raleigh an?1. Gaston Railroad, exploded on Monday, instantly killing two persons. The property of the Bank >} Vii gio;., at Danville, Virginia, has been .-..': for f 11,500. Thc Si?cle ot Paris calculates thatther* .?rt in Europe more than 2,000,0 ?0 Catholic Freemasons. A scientific exchange- -ays-?.Lat the oyster is a lamellibranchiate mollusc:!. What .? pity. Thc Methodist Conferenc* ?rn : in Char? lotte, N. C.. on the 1st inst.