Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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\ ? COLUMBIA. Tuesday Morning. March 17. 1868. Reconstruction. The bill directing that a majority of those voting shall decide upon the adoption or rejection of the Consti? tutions submitted to the popular vote in the Sonthern States, has become a law. The President neither signed it nor returned it with bis objections, within the time fixed by the Consti? tution. The people of the Southern States who desire to reject their new Constitutions mast now take tho samo pains to give effect to their wishes as those who desire their adoption. Stevens has introduced a bill admitting Alabama under her former election, and imposing upon her people the identical Constitution which they then rejected. It is not easy to conceive of a more fraudu? lent or unjustifiable political proceed? ing than this. Congress enacted a law declaring that unless the wholo number voting amounted to a ma? jority of the registered voters, the Constitution should not be adopted. Those opposed to the Constitution, acting under this law and for the purpose of carrying out their ?views, abstained from voting. They were ?ntitled to do this by the law were, in fact, invited to do it, as the best means of giving effect to their wishes. And now Stevens proposes to repudiate openly and shamelessly the provisions of tho law on that point. It is a naked and simple fraud. Party necessity may do much, bot it cannot givo a semblance of decency to such a proposition as this. What object it is intended to serve, it is not easy to see. The New York Times thinks it may be that Stevens seeks in this way to get into the Senate two more radical Senators to vote for tho conviction and deposi? tion of the President; but the mo? tive, if this be it, only adds to tho turpitude of the .scheme. Nor is it easy to see how the State Govern? ment is to be orgauized, tho Legisla? ture summoned and the Senators eleoted in time to take part in the trial. Perhaps it is thought they may reach Washington in time to vote, and not to hoar tho evidence or the argument. The Constitution might be again submitted to the people of Alabama under the new law, and the people of the State might be held to abide by that re? sult. There would bo nothing, per? haps, out of the way in this. But to impose upon them a Constitution they bavo distinctly rejected, trans eends tho ordinary limits of party unscrupulousness. -? o ? ? Stanton has been engaged for the past fifteen days in erecting barri? cades to coin maud all the passages in tho War Ollice. He has had heavy new shutters placed on tho windows and tho garrison well victualed. All business connected with tho Depart? ment is now at a dead lock, only the show of it being kept up, with really nothing accomplished. His subordi? nate officials are employed as scouts, watching tho movements of gouty old Gen. Thomas, and guarding against n surprise. If tho President should move against the stronghold, ho should employ a lire engine to wanh occupant Cut, or 0?.S6 that Chinese weapon of offenco with a name moro odorous than elegant. This folly is growing worse Utan absurd; it is becoming disgustingly criminal. --- TENNESSEE.-There about 140,500 white voters in Tennessee. Of these 100,000 are disfranchised by a radical edict sustained by military force. At the same time, 100,000 negroes aro < made voters. This accounts for the recent negro triumph in tho election at Memphis. THE COMINO ELECTIONS.-General Canby bas issued an order, establish? ing regulations for the conduct of the elections for Otate oiiicers mn I mem? bers of Congress, to he held on April 14, 15 and 16 next. A . revising session of the Board of Registration will be held, commencing fourteen days prior to the election. AH per? sons not entitled to registration, will then bo stricken from tho lint?, and there is tho highly important provi? sion that the Boards of Registration shall add to the lists of persons en? titled to vote the names of ull persons who, at that time, are entitled lo registration under tho Reconstruction Acts. -?-??-? THE RECONSTRUCTION CONVENTION. We extract from tho Charleston News the following summary of the pro? ceedings on the fifty-first day-Sa? turday: A propositiou was made by R. C. DoLarge to pray Congress to remove the political disabilities from all the citizens of the State, und iu the dis? cussion which followed, sentiments were uttered by many of the dele? gates, especially the colored mem? bers, which indicated a desire on their part to placo every man in the State upon his former political foot? ing as a citizen. It is understood that such an act would receive the sanction of Congress, and that it is iu accordance with the wishes of both the civil and military leaders of the Republican party. Beverly Nash said it would be ono of the most glorious acts of the Con? vention-a fitting culmination to its work. Petitions praying the removal of political disability were presented from D. L. Thomson, of Beaufort, and Jame.-; Augustus Black, of Abbe? ville District, und referred to tho ap? propriate committee. How DEDTS ARE SCALED IN EDOE FIELJ> BY JURIES.-The Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions is now in session iu Edgefield Dis? trict, His Honor Judge Glover pre? siding. Last week, says the Adver? tiser, "tho decision of suits for the payment of negro debts, und of debts for various considerations, con? tracted before the war, came before the juries; aud wc would state, ns a matter of general interest, that the verdicts, almost without exception, were as follows: In cases of negro debts, twenty-five couts in the dollar upon the hire of negroes from the date of purchase until the end of the war. In cases of debts for all other considerations, twenty-five cents in the dollar upon tho combined princi? pal and interest." A STORY WITH MORE POINTS THAN ONE.-Thc action of the Senate, tell? ing Mr. Stanton not to obey the President, reminds us of the incident related by a traveler, who, in passing a farm house, heard thc father giving his son directions as to some work about the firm, and the vixenish mother iu tho doorway, advising the son "not to mind anything the father tells him." Thc traveler addressed the Iud with: "You don't seem to have a very high veneration for the old gentleman?" "Oh, that's no? body but father! wc don't care any? thing for him! Mother and I don't! Nor don't tho rest of us! and Bill and I have almost got the dog so that he Won't mind him!" With such a state of feeling, no family or govern? ment could lonj; maintain tho respect of the neighbors or world, and cer? tainly never could be prosperous and happy. - Cincinnati Inquirer. NAPOLEON'S PROJECTED PILGRIMAGE. We have bad it reported that Napo? leon and Eugenie intend during tho course of the coining summer to visit tho Sultan at Constantinople, that Napoleon himself is to visit Francis Joseph at Vienna, and now wo learn by ix cable despatch that he is to visit the Czar at St. Petersburg. Thero is but one inference which is of any value to tho world generally to be drawn from these vnried reports, and that is, that in tho meautimo there is no danger of a European war. Accustomed as we have becomo to surprises, wo see no reason to doubt that tho European nations, though troubled internally, are not this year to be nilli led with a general war. _\Ntna York Herald. Wm. H. Gilliland, Esq., an old merchant of Charleston, died in that city, on Sunday last, at the advanced age of eighty years. SUICIDE OF' A "WIZARD-PROFESSOR ANDERSON KILLS HIS SON AND SHOOTS I HIMSELF.-Tho Cleveland Leader oou ta*2S thc fcllo^ilig GOVreopuudeuco, dated Maroh 6, from Meadville, Ohio: Before this cornea to hand jon will have learned that Prof. Anderson, the well-known prestidigitateur, com? mitted suicide last night in Cincin? nati, by shooting, first killing his little son. The cause, no doubt, wn.s domestic trouble. A despatch was received here this morning from Cincinnati, saying that Mrs. Ander? son would no doubt bo on the Kant em bound express train, which ar? rives about 10 o'clook. and in company with a man who was described. A telegram to Mrs. Anderson was nlso sent, which, if she wa/? discovered, was to be given to her. Mrs. Ander? son was on tin* train, and in company with tho man described, whoso nome is Morris, an individual who had boon in the employ of Prof. Ander? son as a supernumerary. When the despatch wus handed to her, Morris reached ont his head and took it, ? opened and read it, and then handed it to the victim of his wiles. It read about as follows: "Your husband last night killed your little boy, and thon shot himself. They aro both dead. Come back, for God's sake!" Tho poor creature was quito crushed by tho awful news, but struggled to her feet and left the car, tho man Morris following her. She went into the McHenry llouse, aud remained till the afternoon express train left, when she started for her desolate home. The appearance of the couple ut trncted attention on tho train. She seemed to be dejected, and laboring under great distress of mind, and paid but little attention to him, who talked to her almost incessantly in a low tone of voice. She is represent? ed to bo quito a tine-looking woman, of thirty to thirty-five years of age, with a face indicating weakness rather than wickedness. No punish? ment could bo too severo for the wretch whe ia the author of this terrible tragedy. We pity the poor ruined woman. - - . - SALE OF THU SMETS LIUBARY. The celebrated Smuts Library, we are informed, is to be sold in New York city early in May. This col? lection of books, it is well known in j Savannah, was mado by tho late A. I A. Smets, Esq., ut an expense of 1 830,000. and probably has no equal I in extout or in the number of rare j and valuable works which it con? tains, in this country, and for a pri vato gentleman's lil n ary, it is certain? ly unsurpassed by any iu the world. Wo are sorry that this valuable library is lost to Savannah. Here? tofore we had hoped that public I spirited citizens would come forward and savo it, and make it a nucleus j for tho foundation of a public libra? ry. However, that has not been done, and tle> books arc now to bo sold at public sale, aud New York, as tho great metropolis of tho country, i has been selected as the place of sale, and there the best prices will doubt? less bo obtained for tho volumes. In the Smets' collection there aro works of great antiquity, and vo? lumes which dato back for st al centuries. Ii would be imponible for UH to particularize to any great ex? tent, where the field for observation is so large. There are books of ex? ceeding rarity, aud works, interesting ! from associations; all combining to I make this ono of tho most valuable ; libraries ever offered for salo. Among other things, thero aro Missals on vellum, written by the Monks in the j thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, which aro richly illumi? nated; a fragment of the Ritual of I the Doad, on papyrus, which is j 3,000 years old. The oldest manu? script in the library is a copy of the j Moralia in Job, written liv Pope I Gregory the First, surnamed tho Great, in the sixth century. It is i written in Roman hand, on parch [ ment, and is in a lino state of pro ! servation. Tho Coronation of Georgo j tho Fourth, with tho portraits o? ihn I nobility of England, is another rich and raro work, of which tho Smets' collection contains tho only copy in the United States. Cromwell's Bible, and tho Court of Henry tho Eighth, with splendid steel portraits, by Holbiue, are also among tho works in thia library, and very many other I volumos, ancient and valuable, too numerous to mention. [Savannah Republican. Tho Richmond Dispatch says it is now asserted upon authority which is said to be good, that Wade will resign his office if Mr. Johnson is convictod, and allow Mr. Speaker Colfax to succeed to the Presidency. Sr. PATRICK'S DAY.-To-day, March 17, if tliti anniversary of the natal day of I relam?'s natron saint. KEKT COOL.-This advice may seem premature, but Mr. MeKenzio thinks not, and yesterday inaugurated the icc cream era. He expects to keep it up-weather permitting. OODET'S LADY'S BOOK.-We have received from J. J. McCartcr, Esq., the April number of this old-estab? lished fashion monthly. Messrs. Duffie Sc Chapman have also fun ?shed us a copy of thc above. THE CENTRAL HOTEL.-This estab? lishment, located on Plain street, a few doors from Assembly, has been leased by Mr. D. 13. Clayton, who, wo believe, is an "old baud nt the bellows." He has materially reduced the rates usually charged in hotels, and promises good fare to transients and permanents. THE DRAMATICS.-Tho second per? formance of the "Southern Dramatic Association" was given last night to a very full house, and wo but echo the general sentiment, when we state that the characters materially im? proved on their first efforts. The pieces selected-the comedy of "Ben. liolt" and the farce of the "Perse? cuted Dutchman"-were admirably adapted to the abilities of the com* pauy. Select such plays, Mr. Ma? nager, and your audiences will be highly gratified, and disburse their quarters liberally. THE ISRAELITE SUNDAY SCHOOL. We had the pleasure, on Sunday last, of attending the examination of the children attached to this institution. The little ones were well np to tho mark, and proved conclusively by their prompt und earnest answers to the questions propounded, as well as in their declamation, that the teach? ers bad devoted themselves earnestly to the good work in which they are engaged. Mrs. I?. E. Levy and Mrs. L. T. Levin are the superintendents of the school. SARGENT AND HIS EXHIBITIONS. - As nn act of justice to Mr. Sargent, the magician, we would state that thc exhibition on Monday evening, thc 9th instant, was for the beuefit ol the. "Ladies' Industrial Association,' and the proceeds-$9.50-were turne? over to the managers. Tho exhib? tion on Tuesday night, for the relic of tho poor, (the proceeds of whiel were to bo turned over to Rev. Wm Martin for distribution,) was ar ranged by the lessee of the hall-tin proposition having been made to Mr Sargent to perform nt a stipulate! price, to which ho agreed. We havi reason to believe, however, that tin receipts were not oven sufficient t< pay tho proposed sum to Mr. Sar gent-small though it was. OUR BOOK TABLE. -We aro indebt od to Messrs. Duffie & Chapman fo copies of two volumes of Peterson' (Philadelphia) cheap edition of Chas Dickens* works. They aro pnblishci at the low rate of twenty-five am thirty-five cents a volume-th cheapest edition of Dickens yet pub li-.lied iu this country, we believe When complete it will consist o seventeen volumes, all of which wi) bo furnished at tho remarkably \o\ price of four dollars. We cunno too highly pruiso the enterprise o tho firm who thus place tho works o Charles Dickens within reach of "th million." "Tho Pickwick Papers, tho first of tho series, is regarded a ono of Dickens' best productions and affords infinito amusement t young and old. "Martin Qhuzzlc wit," is a novel specially interestini to Amorican readers, HS it contain tho author's observations on Americ and what he saw during his Hrs visit, twenty-five years ago. I The wrath of an old citizen was excited yesterday morning, in the market, from the fact, as he declared, that ho could not obtain a deoeVt piece of meat. T^e asserts that he saw several choice lot?, and on in? quiry, was informed that] they wero for the garrison and the penitentiary. Wo hope this is a mistake; as tho citizens are entitled to a shore, at least, of the best. By the way, the report is that such excellent fare is furnished at this State institution, as to make it an inducement to half starved mortals to get quartered within its granite confines. SEBGKANT BATKS.-Thia young Federal officer, who is now on his rounds through the (so-called) Con? federate States, carrying the United States flag unfurled, (to disprove tho prevailing idea at the North, that, a ..Yankee" cannot pr.ss through tho Southern States unmolested*) left Augusta, yesterday morning, at 10 o'clock, und expects to arrive in Columbia to-morrow (Wednesday) afternoon, at ? o'clock. He will como by the Ridge route. He has received many handsome presents and been warmly welcomed wherever he has appeared. The citizens of Augusta furnished him with a very handsome walking suit. Thu ladies of Mont? gomery also presented him a taste? fully embroidered red sash, which he wears on his entrance into the differ? ent cities. While in Augusta he was a guest at Nickersou's (Planter's) Hotel, and was the constant recipient of invitations and pleasing flowery testimonials. Major Vaughan, who is "writing up" the Sergeant's trip, and the servant in charge of hit, bag? gage, will arrive here by rail to-day, and will take up their quarters at Nickersou's. Tho sergeant is repre? sented as a plain, matter of-fact young mau, who claims to bo an out-and-out Demoorat. We would suggest that the patriotic soldier be met at the ferry by our citizens, and escorted to Nickersou's-as Mr. Wright has extended him an invita? tion to take up his abode there dur? ing his stay iu Columbia. Let us prove to tho slanderers, that our peo? ple appreciate and are prepared to do honor to a just mau-be he Con? federate or Federal. The Augusta Chronicle, of the 15th, says: "SF.IUSEANT BATES.-This gallant soldier and gentleman will leave our city to-morrow (Monday) morning, at 10 o'clock, starting from the Plant? ers' Hotel, on his journey to Wash? ington city. His mission is to provo to tho people of tho North and West, that when tho people of the South laid down their arms, their warfare against tho Union ceased, and that now they aro truo to tho Union and tho Constitution and the flag of our common country. Thus far the Southern people, appreciating his patriotic mission, have received bini with tho utmost hospitality, and wo feel assured that be will receive noth? ing but kindness and hospitality ^ from tho Southern people in both tho Carolinas and Virginia. "We sincerely wish tho Sergeant n safo arrival in Washington, so as to demonstrate fully to our enemies and the enemies of thc Constitution and Union, that tho peoplo ol' tho lato Confederacy aro now tho truest of the truo to the Union and the Con? stitution, as founded and expounded and administered by tho fathers of this Ropublic." MAIL ?BBAKOBUENia-The post o?ice oj?e?i during the week from 8,' ? a. m. to 6 p. m. On Sundays, from ll? to 2i.< p. m. Tho Charleston and Western mails aro open for delivery at ii pi m., and close at 9 a. m. Northern-Open for delivery at lO'.i a. m., closes at 1 p. m. Greenville-Open for delivery 5j? p. m., closes at 8 p. m. NKW ADVERTISEMENTS.- -Attention in call? ed to tho following advurtiaemcutp. i-ub Uahed thia morning for (ho flrnt tlm> leo Cream at McKenzie^. M. W. Bythewood-Auction Halo. D. 0. Peixotto h Bon-Auction Hale. Kxtra Meeting Palmetto C. E. Club. J. E. B. Sloan-Cotton Factor. BoRular Meeting Columbia Lodge. Begular Meeting Independent Fire Co.