Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COLUMBIA. Tu&sday Morning, February 6,18S8. IligH Prlfcs---1'lie Currcafy. Wo are pleased to observe in the advertisements of some of our mer? chants, that they ure determined to reduces the prices of the staple articles of consumption to a living minimum. The depreciation of the currency might have been a pretext for in? creased rates of merchandize, but this depreciation of the currency has ceased.. Gold bas fallon in price, and the local causes which made heavy articles of transportation cost a heavy per centage on their originial value, has passed away. The South Caro? lina Railroad is completed, and there is no reason why goods should be kept up at the old prices. The cur? rency is improving, and tho rates of freight are reduced, and nothing but the insatiable greed of gain can keep up prices. There is little or no money, and but little trade. Whatever little currency is in the market, is held by the merchants or shop-keepers, and they take advantage of this state of things. "True, there are exceptions, and by and bye, they may have to succumb, but until that period, we must starve or pay starving prices. We will honor the men who, although their stocks of goods on hand have cost them much more than they can lay them in store now for, will reduce their prices ta a fnjr profit on tho present cost, with the reduced trans? portation. There are many remedial means proposed, and as the ?li?hmond Dis? patch observes, if there were any such tiling possible as a voluntary and contemporaneous reduction of rates, a great deal of trouble and much in? dividual disaster might be avoided, but it is true that no such thing has ever happened and it need not be looked for now. In fact, as the Dispatch says, in a large part of the business of supply? ing the wants of mankind, it woi?d be unreasonable to expect it on any other ground than that of compulsion. Men hold their stocks nt existing rates, and assess upon them their ordinary profits, which, together, make up the cost to tho consumer. Yet those not so sitated are as little disposed to make concessions from prevailing rates. Nor are they illogi? cal in their reasoning on the subject. They ask, what mtist be our guide as to the value of our property, if wo discard the standard prices now ruling in the market ? And each man will further inquire : Of what benefit to society would be a reduction in the value of my goods or property if no one else makes that reduction ? We all know how easy it is to find a reason for doing what our interest or inclination tempts us to do. But this is good reasoning, irrespective of that infirmity of our nature which leads us too often to side with that policy or argument which best pro? motes our own temporary good, irre? spective o? other considerations. i5o that the observant and experienced man may predict, without the danger of failing in his prophecy, that prices will not come down until those who sell and rent are obliged to submit to a reduction. It is at the same time very well for this class of people to look the condition of things fairly in the face. It may do them some good, as well as others. If they do, they must be prepared for a pressure and a crash, more or less severe, which will bear down everything to a rea? sonable standard-a standard in keep? ing with the means of consumers and the extent of business of the country. It is impossible that this violent remedy for tho anomalous condition of affairs can bo long postponed. With us in Columbia, tho direct com? munication we have with New York by steamers from New York to Charleston-thence to our city by railroad-we ought to obtain our supplies at ola prices, save the slight depreciation in the currency. When our railroad communication to the West is opened, we look for a larger reduction in the prices of provisions. - PAKDONED. - A Washington de? spatch says that on Wednesday last, General J. S. Preston. < t South Carolina, was pardoned; also, four others from South Carolina, of the $20,000 class. In the House of Representatives of i Tjouisiana, the Judiciary Committee reported adversely on ail plans and ; bills looking to a stay law. Constitutional Amendment Passed. The House of Representatives lias passed the representation amendment by a vote of 120 yeas against 46 nays. The following is the amendment : ARTICLE -. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included in this Union according to their respective numbers, counting the whole num? ber of persons in each State, exclud? ing Indians not taxed ; provided, that ?whenever the elective franchise shall be denied or abridged in any Slate, on account of race or color, all persons of such race or color shall be excludedfrom the basis of representation. It Lad already passed thc Senate, but before it can be confirmed it must be ratified by three-fourths of the States. Only four Republicans, in? cluding Mr. Raymond, voted against its passage. This shows conclusively the influence of Thad. Stevens in the House, and tho immense strength of the radicals. It is proper to say that tho amend? ment passed as above differs only from the ono previously reported from the committee of fifteen, in leaving ont all allusion feo direct taxes, not changing the Constitution in that respect. The effect of tho amendment is simply to exclude from the basis of representation all to -whom the elective franchise is denied or abridged on account of race or color The amendment is precisely the saine in purport and substance as that in? troduced by Mr. Blaine, of Maine, on the 8th of January, the phrase "civil or political rights or privileges" used by Mr. Blaine being change i to 1 'elective franchise" by the committee of fifteen. - Important-Lands on thc Coast. A special despatch to the Charles? ton News, dated Washington, 2d inst., say s : The question having been submit? ted to Gen. Sherman, who is now here, as to what ho meant by his military order tinning over the island lands in South Carolina to the negroes,-he has stated to a committee of gentlemen from that State, and also -written a letter to the President, that it was only for temporary pur? poses, aad was not intended to last longer than when peace was declared, and the rebels laid down their arms and submitted to the laws. This fact is of great importance, as it has been maintained by legisla? tors that tho reverse of this was Gen. Sherman's idea. He also says that he only intended the lands to be used for the aged and helpless freedmen, and he distinctly says that the title of the freedmen could last only so long as the war lasted. "On the AVlng." FEBRUARY 2, 18G?. DEAR PHCENIX: I am now passing through the old North State, but going at steam car speed. I have but littlr. time for observation. This is destined to become one of the first States in our Southland. She is rich in mineral resources-coal, iron ore, gold, silver, copper, etc., are found in many places, and a few diamonds have been found in some parts oj this State. North Carolina has always been unfavorably circumstanced, her geo? graphical boundaries, the want of si commercial centre, and many othei things have tended to impede thc full development of the rich native resources of this beautiful and pic? turesque land. In literature, this State is not behind many of bei sister States, and especially is thu the case in tho department of tin law. The common school system of this State is beautiful in theory, but fail; to attain the contemplated objects foi the want of a sufficient number o capable teachers. This, howe% ar will be remedied within a few years. The people of this State were some what tardy in joining tho late Con federacy, but when they were arousec they moved with great unanimity and made some of the bravest soldier that have ever fought or died. This people have ever been not?e for their honesty and other trait of high moral character. All thing arc quiet at present and all the goot citizens are rapidly adjusting them selves to the new state of affairs. Th freedmen are generally doing well making contracts, with their forme owners and indicating a dispositioi to be. honest and industrious. More anon. OMEGA. FROM SPABTAKB?KG. -Th? Spartan burg Spartan announces that AV. J Tolleson died at Charlotte, N. C., o the 18th ult., of typhoid pneumonic The Spartan also mentions the deat of another citizen of that District who was instantly killed while tryin to escape from a party of troops wh had gone to arrest him. The Spartanburg Spartan, F. M Trimmier editor, has boen revived. ' Correspondence of ttte Phoenix. WASHINGTON, January 30, 1866. The great question '.of the hour is the President's conversation with a Senator, reported in the morning papers. The conversation has fallen like a bomb-shell in the Republican camp. In this conversation, the Pre? sident states his opposition to further amendments of the Constitution and the negro suffrage bill for the District of Columbia. The Republicans are furious; but they shudder at a rup? ture with the President, because they hate to give up their hold on the spoils. It would seem that the Pre? sident and tho Repubhcan party must come to blows. But both opponents aro playing-the President for the advantage of the issue, and the Re? publicans to save the patronage. The President cannot count securely on one-third of either House. The Republicans cannot agree on the pro? posed amendment to the Constitu? tion, changing the basis of represen? tation. It is intended to refer it back to the committee. Some of the Re? publicans object to the amendment, because it is too favorable to the South. They say the South will gladly give up eighteen or twenty votes in the House to prevent negro suff rage, especially as the South would lose uothing in the Senate; and by dividing Texas into four States, with very little aid from the Northern Smites, could control tho Senate. Hence this amendment does not go far enough to suit some of the radi? cals, who are bent on making a cer? tainty of negro suffrage. The negro suffrage bill for this Dis? trict lingers in the Senate. It is tc be hoped that it will pass, so that the President may get a chance tc veto it. The President's position is very pe? culiar. He cannot rely upon his Ca? binet for active sympathy in his policy. McCulloch is a mere financier; of tin balance, Mr. Seward is the only con servative in the Cabinet. Harlan'.? speech, made a few nights ago, ir which he says lie prefers to trust negroes that are ignorant, but loyal, with the right of suffrage, than tc trust wise rebels, shows how radica he is; and Harlan is a specimen bric! of the Cabinet. A letter from Mr. Barringer, o North Carolina, is very prominently paraded by the Republicans, as justi fying their action in reference to re construction. Barringer advises de lay, and says tho Southern peopl have not made sufficient proof o their loyalty. Governor Brownlo\ is also out in a letter in the sam strain, only a little more so. I have just seen an intelligent gen tleman from the new State of Wes Virginia. He saj'S the la xs there ar extremely oppressive on former COD federates. Almost the only privileg a Confederate has there, is the priv: lege of being sued; and yet the Gc vernor of that State is calling for mor repressive laws. No importance i attached to the rumor that the presoi: Virginia State Government is to b set aside, and a Provisional Govemc appointed. This rumor is set on foe to scare the Legislature, which doc not entirely agree with Governc Pierpont in the distribution of th State patronage. The Governor warn to take care of his particular friend and the Legislature, too, has i friends to be taken care of. Mr. Wilson has introduced a bi increasing the number of cadets i West Point, and confines the appoin ment of them to States represented i Congress. The object is doubtless 1 fill up the cadet appointments befoi the Southern States are re-admitte< It is to bo feared that Trumbull bill, which gives the island lands i South Carolina to the negroes, wi pass the House. It is thought thi the President may veto it. Gen. She man says he never intended to gb the lands to the negroes, by his orde beyond the period of the war. She man is very conservative now. OBSERVER. Advices from Nassau to the 17t ult., state that the cholera is makii terrible ravages in some of the We India Islands. The disease pvevaih in its most violent form at Guad loupe, and had also made its appea ance at Barbadoes. In consequen of the epidemic, the Legislature h: re-assembled, and the authorities In taken counsel to adopt measures meet the emergency. A law w promptly adopted for enforcing qui antine and placing funds at the coi maud of the Executive. Later a vices from Pointe-a-Pitre state th thc population of that place had be reduced nearly one-half. People wt flying in all directions to escape t plague, which was spreading rapit to all the districts. List of Proposed Amendment? to tho Constitution. A Washington correspondent of the New York Times says : As much confusion must necessa? rily exist in the public mind as to the nature of the original proposition and the subsequent amendments, I append all that have been offered in regular order, many others having been offered, but, as after a certain parliamentary limit amendments can? not be entertained, they will not be voted upon. The original proposition (by Mr. Stevens) is as follows: "Resolved, ??" the Senate and House of Representatives of ?ic United States of America, in Congress assembled, tvoo-tftirds cf both Houses concurring. That the following article be proposed -to the Legislatures of the several States as an amendment to the Con? stitution of the United States, which, when ratified by three-fourths of said Legislatures, shall be valid as a part of the Constitution: 'Repre? sentation and direct tc^es shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within thin Union, according to their respective numbers, counting the whole numbei of persons in each State, excluding Indians not 'taxed: Provided, Thal whenever the elective franchise sholl be denied or abridged in any Stak on account of race or color, all per? sons ot such race or color shall bc excluded from the basis of represen tation.' " For this Mr. Kelly, of Pennsylva nia, offered the following as a substi tute : "Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the seve ral States which may be includec within ?Tiis Union according to theil respective numbers, counting tin whole number of persons in eacl State, excluding Indians not taxed provided, that whenever the elective franchise shall be denied or abridget in any State on account of race o: color, all persons therein of such rnc< or color shall bc excluded from tin basis of representation: And pr?vida fur?ier, That this article shall notb< construed lo affect the power of Con gress to regulate the qualification fo electors of the most numerous brand of the Legislatures of the severn States." Mr. Baker, of Illinois, moves ti amend Mr. Kelly's amendment as fol lows: "Representatives shall be appot tioued among the several State which may be included in this Unio according to their respectivo nun hers, which shall be determined b counting the whole number of pei sons in each State: Provided, Th? whenever the elective franchise sha be denied or abridged in any Stat on account of race or color, all pei sons of such race or color shall li excluded from the basis of represei tation, and no State within this Unio shall ' prescribe or establish any pre perty qualification which may, c shall in any wise, abridge the electiv franchise." Mr. Lawrence, of Ohio, moved tin the pending resolution and am?ne ments be recommitted to the Con mittee on Reconstruction, with ii ! structions to report an amendment 1 j the Constitution which shall-firs I apportion direct taxation among tl States, according to the property i each; and which shall-second, a] portion representatives among tl States on the basis of adidt ma voters who may be citizens of tl United States. Mr. Elliot, of Massachusetts, move to amend the instructions of M Lawrence as follows: by striking o all after the word "Constitution and inserting in lieu thereof: 4 I roviding that representatives ai direct taxes shall be apportion! among the several States which nn bo included within the Union, accor ing to their respective numbei counting the whole number of pi sons in each State, excluding India not taxed, and the elective franchi shall not bo denied or abridged any State on account of race or coloi Mr. Schenck, of Ohio, moved amend the amendment of Mr. Elli as follows: "Strike ont all after the word 'rc resentative, ' and insert 'shall apportioned among the several Stat which may be included within tl Union, according to the number male citizens of the United Stat I over 21 years of age, having the qui i fications requisite for electors of i I most numerous branch of the Sti Legislature.' The Congress, at th first session after the ratification this amendment by the requii number of States, shall provide law for the actual enumeration such voters, and such actual ei meration shall be separately made a general census of the population all the States within every subsequi term of ten years, in such manner Congress may by law direct. '1 number of representatives shall i exceed one for every 125,000 of act population, but each State shall hi nt least one representative." Mr. Broomall, of Pennsylvai moves to amend the original prop? tion, by striking out all after the wc provided, and inserting that: "Whenever by the constitution laws of any State the right of F frage shall be denied any proport of its male citizens over the ago twenty-one years, the same prof tion of its entii*e population shall excluded from its basis at represei tion." In addition to all these prop tions is tlie President's amendment, already printed, as follows: "Repre? sentatives shall bc apportioned among the several States which may be in? cluded within the Union, according to the number of qualified voters in each State. Direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to the value of all taxable property in each State." The President's Views. The special correspondent of the Charleston Cowrie?*,, nuder date of tho 30th ult., writes: The President had another free and full conversation yesterday upon pub? lic affairs, not with members of Con? gress, but with private citizens. He spoke very decidedly and strongly against the new freedmen's bill, which has passed the Senate by a vote of thirty-seven to ten. He talked of the bill for forcing negro suffrage on the people of this District as impolitic and oppressive. He did not say whether he would veto it or not, but ? intimated that the feelings of the in I habitants of tho District ought to be ! respected. The President remarked that if the ; people would observe the coiu*3e ol J things here in Congress, they would I withdraw all confidence from thal bod}'. He considered the establish? ment of the Joint Committee of Fif? teen on Reconstruction as a delega? tion of power to an irresponsible and . dangerous tribunal. That body, ope j rating in secret, with unbounded ; powers, is an obstruction to free de j liberation and independent action on i the part of Congress. Hi? expressed his disapprobation of the entire course of policy which hud KO far guid?e ! Congress. He uttered strong objec? tions against the proposed amend ments, or any amendment, to thc Constitution, at present. There is meaning, certainly, in traci utterances as have lately come so free ly from the President. In the sam? proportion in which his political ther niometer rises, that of tho Republi cans in Congress fall. Thus it is tba Senator Fessenden speaks so sensibly I and with so much moderation. Thu it is that the radical power in botl ? Houses are becomiug a little dis couraged. One or two vetoes wouh scatter and confuse them. After Mi Fessendei. ?eclarations anti explana tions, there is little danger of an al tenipt to impeach and remove Presi dent Johnson-certainly so far as hi conduct heretofore is concern?e It would be difficult to obtain, 1 opposition to Mr. Fessenden's inflr ence, a two-third's vote for remo va if the House should, as they can dc j prefer articles of impeachment by bare majority. I The Courier states that a gran ! complimentary banquet was given i the Mills House, Charleston, to h Excellency Gov. James L. Orr, c Thursday night. Quite a number < distinguished guests were present, tl ! event being made an occasion for pleasant and social re-union. The invited guests assembled in private parlor of the Mills Hon about 8 o'clock, and sat down to supper served np in the magnifi?e: style of the establishment, with ever thing of the richest and choicest d scriptiou. Lieutenant-Governor Pc ter presided at one end of the tab] supported on the right by the G vernor and Bishop Lynch, and < j the left by Wm. Gillmore Simms ai Ii. W. Spratt, Esqs. Mayor Gailla j did the honors at the other end of t j table, supported on the right by Ho i A. Burt, and on the left by the Ho A. G. Macke}'. The evening passed oft' in the plc saut interchange and steady flow i wit and sentiment and impromp i speeches, it being previously undi stood and agreed upon that ? ! speeches were to be avoided in t I proceedings. The party separated ! an early hour in the morning, w j pleased with the social and agreeal incidents of tho occasion. FROM MEXICO.-Late Matamoj ? dates have been received. Bagd ; was abandoned by the Liberals a ' by tho United States guard on t '20th ult. The Imperial troops entered on the same day. Nearl}' the merchants of Matamoros, bc j Mexican and foreign, and among 1 former several prominent and inf ential Liberals, have published solemn protest against the conduct the United States army and the ci officers on tho Texas side, ehargi them with being responsible for troubles and outrages on that front by acting as partisans of Juarez, v has no basis for operations tli except, that afforded by said offici The protest is very severe, and truth is officially certified by the C suis of Spniu, France and Great J tain, resident at Matamoros. j Baker, late detective of the "S ' Department, was found guilty on 1st by a jury of the charge of fi imprisonment, but not <>n that ! extortion. Local Iitoxao.?, Advertisements, to insure insertion, should bo handed in by 4 o'clock p. in. CASH.-Our terms for uubncription, ad? vertising and job work are ?aili. \Yr hoi}? all parties will bear this in mind. COUNTERFEITERS. -We learn that HOURI parties passing off counterfeit note* wei., arrested in this city on .Saturday last. "THE Conn."-Thc Acts passed hy tho Legislature relative to thc freedmen, for sale at this office. Prien 20 cents; by mail 25 cents. MAIL DETENTION.-Thc mail train from Charleston on Saturday afternoon at 4.25, did not arrive until Sunday at 2? a. m. Tho ?rain ran oft tho track, without injnry to the passengers, we learn; hence tin: delay in its arrival. TH? BURNINO OF COLUMBIA. -An inter? esting accouut ol tho * 'Sack and Destruc? tion of the City of Columbia, S. C.," ha? just been issued, in pamphlet form, from the Thar ute. steam power pres?. Orders can be filled to any extent. We nave heard it rumored that the Mills House is charging $5 per day. We take great pleasure in informing tho public that it is untrue. Tho charge per day is the name as that of thc Charleston Hotel - $4 per day for transient boarders. THE WEATH ?R.-It made a desperate at? tempt to snow, yesterday morning, about 9 o'clock. It soon held up; but the atmos? phere grew colder every hour. About sun? set., then; waa a slight fall .of something between snow and sleet, and we would not bo surprised if our readers should lind a white coat on the ground this morning. A meotiug of tho Israelites of Columbia was held on the 4th inst., at Odd Fellows' Hall, for the purpose of organizing a He? brew congregation, when the following officers were elected to serve for tho ensu? ing year: President, M. Foot; Vice-Presi? dent, I). C. Peixotto; Secretary, J. Mendel; Treasurer, II. Solomon; Trastees, J. C. Lyons, J. Levin, S. E. Massardee, M. Gold? smith. THE SUNDAY MAILS.-Several merchants have complained to us that they receive no mails on Sunday.from Charlestou. We do not understand the cause of this defection on thc part of the post office at the other one of thc line. From Columbia, the letters written ou Saturday evening aro mailed to Charleston every Sunday morning. Tho post officials at Charlestou must sleep late on Sunday mornings. Seriously, however, it is a great inconvenience tc the mercan? tile community, this continnefd ailnre of tho mails on Sunday. WEEKLY FAMILY PAPER.-On tho 14th instant, we shall commence the publication of a family paper, entitled "The Weekly Gleaner-A Home Companion." The paper will be double thc size of tho Phonix, and will contain the cream of tho news, miscel? laneous matter, editorials, stories, etc., in tho daily and tri-weekly publications. Sub? scription price $4 i>cr annum. Specimen copies sent on application. There will bo an interval of two weeks between the pub? lication of thc first and second numbera. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.-Attention is call? ed to the following advertisements, which aro published this morning for tho first time: C. D. Ebcrhardt-Tailoring. Burn <fc Taylor-Carriages and Buggies. Apply at this Office-Carriage Trimmer. True Brotherhood Lodge-Meeting. Fisher ,t Lowrance-Potatoes. Apply on Sumter street-Day Board. T. J.'Gibson-Potatoes, Onions, Ac. A letter to the Loudon Times, dated at Madrid, 'January 5, says of tho in? surrection in Spain: "At the head of the insurgents, or at least at the direction of their move? ments, is, it is now ascertained beyond doubt, Gen. Prim, who has with him j Milans del Rosch and other officers, his fellow-campaigners in Morocco and Mexico. If one could believe his Progressista friends, Prim knows very well what he is about, hos met with full success, has been joined by a detachment of troops and volunteers, and commands a forco of 6,000 to 8,000 men. At Oillairejos des Sal vanes, he had, on the 2d, ordered 2,000 rations. If all we hear is true, and he has no chance of success in front, he has the open country in his rear, and the whole of Arragon and Catalonia, it is supposed, to support him." HEALTH OF NEW YORK.-The health commissioners of New York had an important meeting on Tuesday. Three thousand posters were ordered to be printed, and distributed about the city, calling upon parents to have their children vaccinated immediate? ly. The inference from this would seem to be that small-pox is unplea? santly prevalent. It was also resolved to ask the Legislature to petition the General Government to adopt a uni? form system of quarantine, to be ap? plied to tho whole coast, permitting each State to select its own grounds and appoint its own officers, but com? pelling each State to adopt the Fede? ral plan. This is intended as a pre? caution against the cholera. Late accounts from the West India Island of Guadal crape, state that the cholera still continued to rage there with fear? ful fatality, I Colonel Wood, formerly of thc ? Natchez Free Trader, who went to Brazil to negotiate with the Emperor ! for a tract of land on the Amazon for I a Southern settlement, came passen - I ger on the steamer South America, i Tho Colonel ia quite enthusiastic I over the success of his scheme.