Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THJO DKUCCAATI? TICKET. .Fbr President, HORATIO SEYMOUR, OF N. Y. ,For vice-President, GEN. F. P. BLAIR, OF MISSOURI. COLUMBIA. Wednesday Morning, August 5,1868. TIio Ut i i ut Murder. The killiug of young Smith, a white citizen of this city, by a negro legislator, and the exultation ex? pressed, as a witness testifies, by Nash and Thomas, colored men, und one the negro Senator from Rich? land, have excited deep feeling in this community. Tho occurrenco develops the faot that these negro legislators go armed, and are eager for the use of their fire-arms. We ha*o come to a prot ty pass ! Negroes make laws for us by day, and shoot us down by night, and there is no authority to vindicate the majesty of j the law I. Had a negro been killed, we would have had one-half of Co? lumbia in arrest, and the "Legisla? ture" would, no donbt, have taken hold of the matter. But it was only a white mani "One damned rascal is killed 1" says Nash. Poor Dallas Smith is sent, without a moment's notice, to his long account-brutally, unnecessarily, wantonly shot; and, when the law* seeks to find the mur? derer, and to hold its inquest, negro members of tho "Legislature" and their followers assemble in groups, talk about the insults of arresting "a member of tho Legislature," and evinco a disposition to screen tho murderer in every possible way. Let these parties take care, or they will raise a storm of which they do not dream! Already, have wo borne much-already, havo wo submitted to repeated insults. But tho eye is quick, tho arm is strong, and the resolution is firm. If tho laws of tho State aud the course of justice do not protect tho citizen, the citizens will protect themselves! "Lot us have peace!" says tho radical, and //a's is the peace ho gives us! Tlie People of Union and Governor Scott as Assistant Commissioner of th? Freedmen1* Bureau. The correspondence which wo pub? lish this morning, by request, will repay perusal. Tho manly letter of the UnioD magistrate contains points well made. South Carolina is blessed in having for Chief Magistrate one who is also Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau. But it might be well for this functionary to remember that he is supposed to be Governor for white people, as well as for blacks, and that a "Governor" ought not to have pets. As to the charge that the "Assist? ant Commissioner" makes against certain citizens of Union, we learn from good authority, that they aro entirely unfounded, and that the Commissioner's viows are based upon ex parte statements of irresponsible negroes, to whom ho lends a willing ear. As regards the mattor of "ejecting, " upon which his Excellency, the As? sistant Commissioner, hurps, Mr. Shand might well have retorted "by suggesting that broaches of contract and violations of oaths in effecting ejectment for political opinions, was rather a peculiar weapon of the radi? cal party. Mr. Shand might have referred the Commissioner and Go? vernor to tho mombors of Congress ejected becuuso they wero Democrats; to the number of civil officers ejected in this State and the other Southern States for no better reason; to An? drew Johnson, tho President, almost ejected from his high office; and to the caso of ex-Governor Orr, ejected to give place, four days before his inauguration, to thc present Gover? nor himself. As to tho mattor of employment, let the Commissioner and Governor understand that tho white people will regard their contracts with scru? pulous exactness, but, outside of that principle, they will exercise their right to employ whom they please, white or black, and to discharge parties when they please. Fish in Rock River, Wisconsin, have been sun-struck by millions. .tfSStaie Democratic Convention. ? Convention o! the Democratic party of tho State of South Carolina is hereby called, to meet at Colum? bia, on the night of Thursday, the 6th of August, for the purpose of nominating electors for President and Vice-president of the United States, nnd for other purposes. The Convention will be composed of representatives from each District, according to the rule of representa? tion in the House of Representa? tives. WADE HAMPTON, Chairman Central Committeo. ?-???-? THE: LEGISLATURE. TWENTY-SIXTH DAY'S MTOOEEDLNGS. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. COLUMBIA, August 4.-Tho petition of Georgiana Hey ward, of Charleston, praying to bo relieved from the pay? ment of a double tux, was recom? mitted to tho committee. The Cdmmittee on Privileges and Elections made a report on the case of the Anderson delegates. The committee say that a large number of affidavits were taken, and they were unablo to come to any conclusion, ns to whether the incumbents or tho contestants were most entitled to the neMs. They, therefore, i coom ni end that a new writ of election be ordered. Tho report was made the special order for Thursday. Tho Judiciary Committee reported on the bill proposing to invalidate all sales made during the war of proper? ty of minors or of loyal persons, who were absent from the limits of the so called Confederate States. Tho com? mittee recommended that the bill be indefinitely postponed, and the re? port was adopted, but subsequently reconsidered and laid on the table, in order that the bill might bc taken up hereafter. Notices were given of bills "to in? corporate the Wando Company," and "to revise and consolidate thc statutes of South Carolina." A bill to incorporate the Home Insurance Compauy of Charleston, was introduced and referred. The Judiciary Committee made a favorable report on the bill proposing to record the certificates of sales of land in Beaufort District, as titles, ?fcc. Ordered for consideration to? morrow. A bill to provide a Public Admin? istrator was introduced, read the first time, and ordered to be printed. Chesuut offered a joint resolution to provide for the appointment of a committee to investigate and report upon tho facts connected with tho disturbance of Saturday night last, with authority to send for persons and papers. Accounts of P. F. Frazee, E. L. Bryan and J. J. McCiuter were pre? sented, and, under the resolution adopted by the House some time since, were laid over until the regu? lar session, when they will be referred to tho Committee on Claims. At the request of Wilson Cook, he was relieved of tho chairmanship of the Committee on Vacant Offices, and O. M. Doyle appointed in bis place. Tho Chair announced J. H. Jenks and W. J. Whipper ns the Commit? tee on Enrolled Bills. The consideration of the unfinished busiuess, being the bill to organize the Circuit Courts, was resumed, and after sundry unimportant amend? ments, the bill was passed to a third rending, and sent to the Senate. The Committee on Engrossed Bills reported that the bills "to incorpo? rate the Langley Manufacturing Company," and "to fix the amounts of the bonds of certain public officors," had been engrossed; where? upon they were taken up, read n third time, and sent to the Senate. The Committee on Agriculture, tc whom had been referred a bill "foi tho better protection of sheep, hogs and beef cattle," reported unfavora? bly thereon, on account of its im? practicability. The bill provided that wherever the flesh of such our mais was exhibited for sale, the horns, hides and other parts of their bodicf which were usually marked, should be exposed, and subjected to fine any person who violated this provi sion. The corumittt'e said that ordi nnuces-to this effect were already oj force in the larger cities; but in thc smaller towns there were no clerks tc enforce them; and the matter wa; not of sufficient importance to jus ti fy the expense which would bo en tailed by tho appointment of sud ofiioials. They, therefore, recoin muuded that the bill do not pass. On motion, the report and the bil were laid on the table. Neagle offered a resolution to ap point a Committee of Five to inquir? into tho condition of the banks o this Stato, giving full information si to their condition, and make sud recommendations to this House a may bo deemed proper. Tho resolution was adopted, am under it, the Chair appointed Neaglo Jenks, Webb, Wm. tMcKinhiy an< Henry Johnson as the committee. Tho bill "to quiet rights vested ii tho military authorities," was re eeived from the Senate, read the firs time, and appropriately referred. Whipper moved to amend th rulos, so Hint the House shall mee hereafter at 12, instead of ll o'cl oe: a. m. The motion was adopted. DcLnrgo asked, for information what the price of such a journal a JU- 1 -^ that of to-day cost. No responso .was given. A motion to adjourn was made and lost. Banaler offered a resolution, in? structing the Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into the expediency of organizing a battalion of State troops, to guard the State Peniten? tiary, and to be under the control of tho Governor of the State. The House then adjourned. SENATE. The joint resolution from tho House, calling upon S. E. Leaphart, late Comptroller-General, for a report of the operations of his office, from October, 1867, to July G, 18G8, was read a first time and referred to the Fiuance Committee. Tho petition of W. M. Kerr, pray? ing tho removal of his political dis? abilities, was referred to the Special Committee. The Committee on Roads, Bridges and Ferries reported favorably on tho petition of J. W. S. Tucker, for per? mission to re-establish Tucker's Fer? ry, over the Ed is to River; also on the petition of John F. Hightower, Abraham Blythe and W. E. Earlo, in reference to the Saluda Gap Road; also on the petition of F. W. Weldon in reference to a public road in Green? ville. All which were ordered for con? sideration to-morrow. The Committee on Incorporations mado a favorable report on the peti? tion of the educational society of Co? lumbia, praying a charter, Ordered for consideration to-morrow. Randolph introduced a bill to pun? ish persons, who may attempt to hold office by authority of the late Provi? sional Government, which was read a first time and made a special ordor. Tho bill subjects to fiue or imprison? ment all persons who, having been removed or superceded by military authority, shall afterwards attempt to exercise the duties or draw the pay or salary of their offices. Tho resolution proposing to rescind so much of General Conby's Special Orders, as continues in office the Town Council of Laurensville, was indefinitely postponed. Tho bill to provide a Private Secre? tary for the Governor, was read a second time and referred to the Com? mittee on Finance. Tho bill to defiuu tho jurisdiction and regulate the practico of Provost Courts, was read a third time. Bills to incorporate the Neptune and Palmetto Fire Engine Compa? nies, of Greenville, were read a second time and ordered to be engrossed for a third rcadiug. The bill to lix the salaries and re? gulate the pay of certain officers (Jndges) in this State, wn.s read a second timo and referred to the Com? mittee on Finance. Thc Seuato received from the House the joint resolution proposing to appoint a committee to investigate the disturbance of Saturday night, and made it a special order for to? morrow. Adjourned. Correspondence. HEADQ'RS ASSISTANT COM. , BUREAU R., F. AND A. L., DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA, COLUMBIA, S. C., July 21, 18G8. Robert W. Shand, Esq., Magistrate. SIR: I am informed that certain citizens of your County are ejecting laborers from their plantations, with loss of wages and their crops. The principal cause appears to be tho refusal of these colored men to join tho Democratic Clubs. Let me assure you, that all 6uch acts of out? rage will be carefully investigated, and both yourself and the landlords will bo held strictly accountable for all damages that may be sustained by colored men thus wronged. I will send an officer to investigate these cases, in a few days. Very re? spectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) R. K. SCOTT, Assistant Commissioner. UNION C. H., S. C., July 22. Gen. R. K. Scott, Assistant Commis? sioner, Columbia, S. C. DEAR SIR: Your extraordinary com? munication, of July 21st, was hnuded to me this afternoon, by an unknown negro. In it you say that you have been informed, "that certain citizens of your (my) County, are ejecting labor? ers from their plantations, with loss of wages and their crops." To this I have no reply to make, except that I havo not heard of any such cases, and am persuaded that you havo been misinformed. You then go on to say, "The prin? cipal cause appears to bo the refusal of these colored men to join Demo? cratic Clubs." This language implies an opinion derived from an investiga? tion. You do not say that such has been your information; nor that such has been the charge preferred, but that it appears to be so. Still lower down, your language implicates my? self and the landlords of Union, in this "outrage," as you politely term it. Therefore, for myself and said landlords, I indignantly repel the accusation. After having expressed your de? cided cenviotion by the word ap}}ears, you conclude your letter os follows: "I will send an officer to investigate these cases in a few days." Putting the two sentonoes together, the lan? guage seems to admit of but one in? terpretation; and that is-that you have formed an opinion, without having had an investigation; and E ... I voar opinion thus formed, does great injustice to the citizens of this Dis? trict, and reflects with great.'severity upon my official conduct. As a civil officer, my contact and intercourse with whites and blacks are of frequent occurrence; and, while the people of respectability and property, following the example of the radicals now in power, are fnst resolving to prefer political friends to political enemies, I have yet to hear of any attempt to violate existing contracts, because of political action. Negroes, generally, do not join De? mocratic Clubs; aud little effort is made by tho whites to induce them to do so. The few who have joined, have boen so much abused and threatened by others of their own race, well armed with United States muskets and other weapons, that tho temptation to remain awayois very great. All this will bo estab? lished to the satisfaction of the officer, whom you purpose to send hither to investigate these matters. And now for a simple statement. An aged gentleman, of great respect? ability, npplied to me, under legal advice, for proceedings against two of bis laborers, to compel them to leave his plantation. Ho charged that they bad repeatedly broken their coutract, and that he could stand it no longer. The particulars of tho breach, ho stated to be, a frequent abandonment of their work, against his express orders, to attend drills and leaguo meetings, onco or twice every week, during work hours. He asked my opinion about the matter, and I re? fused to give it in advance of tho trial. He applied to me for the ne? cessary notice, prescribed in the "Act to amend the law in relation to tenancies," ?13 Stat., 41G,] "whoso duty" it became to issue it. This Act bas been extended in its terms by General Cauby, and thus specialty approved of by him. The notice was issued and served personally, July 15, 1868. The negroes sent word back, "That they would go to Colum? bia, to see about it." They went, or sent, I presume, and have received countenance and support from the Governor of the State, upon their ex parte statements. Now, I conjecture that this case is the sole foundation of tho charge you prefer against tho landlords of Union District. I am satisfied that yon could have heard of no othsr in? stance. An ejectmeut, for tho cause stated in your letter, could not have taken place in this District, without something being said about it, with 1 out its reaching my ears. Did not these freedmen, through their attorney-for, if I have beeu correctly informed, they remained nt home and sent ono of their race from an adjoining plantation-show you tho copy of the uotico served upon them? If they did, you must have seen that they wero to show cause before me, in ten days from the per? sonal service thereof, why a warrant of ejectment should not be issued against them; if you did not then see it, you must, or should have known, that such was the require? ment of the Act. Tho information received by you, must have con? vinced you that thc trial had not yet tuken place. In fact, threats are al? ways intended as preventives; and, therefore, your threats show that you were aware that tho trial was ii futuro. It was under these circumstances that your letter was written, iu whicl you say, that "all such acts of out rage will be carefully investigated, and both yourself (I) and tho land lords will beheld strictly accountable for all damages that maj- be sustained by colored men thus wronged." Il this was not intended to force mj judgment and intimidate my con science, it is most unfortunately ex pressed-it will so appear to the pub lie when published. If it was not sc intended, the positive assurance iron mo, that nothing contained in youl lost lotter will, in tho slightest de greo, influence my decision, ma] relieve your mind. You know fal well that a refusal to join Democrats clubs is no legal offence, and ni breach of contract. You might hav done mo the justice to suppose tba I knew as much. You could hav easily satisfied yourself to this effect if the supposition was too violent At any rate, you aro well aware tba it is au established legal principle that an officer is presumed to hav faithfully discharged his duty, unti tho contrary appears. Withont single instance of dereliction of dut; proved against me. you might bavi presumed, further, that I would, a tho approaching rVial, discharge m; duty, and render a judgment accord ing to the law and the evidence. If I become satisfied, upon th hearing, that these laborers ough not to bb dispossessed, they will rc main where they are. If my mini arrives at a different conclusion, th warrant of ejectment will bo issued If resisted by the armed bands c negroes who infest that portion o tho District, I will mako out a fal statement of the case and submit i to you, in a capacity other than tha in which you write, for such actio: as yon moy deem demanded by yon oath of office. But no intimidatio: can influonce my judgment. I hav my duties to perform, and, in m humble sphere, they will bo pei formed conscientiously, and to th best of my ability. If yon decide four days before tho trial, at a dh tance o? seventy-?ivo milos, upon the testimony of one negro, (who has never spoken a word to me on the subject,) that my contemplated judg? ment-os to which I am myself pro? foundly ignorant-is an act of out? rage; if I have your assurance that I am to "be hold strictly accountable for all damages that may bo sustained by colored men thus wronged"-i. e., by my verdict-I can only 6ay, that, while such languago from one in your position augurs ill for tho causo of justice during your administration, I must submit-having the power, you rmist exercise it. A military trial, we thought, was a thing of tho past in South Carolina, for we had so inter? preted a recent order of Gen. Cauby. If my accountability is to be estab? lished before a civil tribunal, permit me to osk, how it is you can predict their action with such unerring cer? tainty? You write as Assistant Commis? sioner of tho Freedmen's Bureau; you also claim to be Governor of this State. It will he no satisfaction to tho people of South Carolina to kuow that you extend over them two protecting arms, either of which you can drop at pleasure, according to the exigencies and circumstances of tho case. I have written as respectfully as it was possible to write, in replying to your letter. If Thavo misinterpreted your meaning, I am sorry for it. Frequent perusals have established me in the opinion that tho words yon uso will bear but ono construction, to wit: a reflection upon the dis^ charge of my official duties, nnd ar effort to influence me in the future by military intimidation. And 1 have replied at leugth, to satisfy you that your threat, if intended as such is wholly disregarded, and fails tc influence me in either direction. I am, very respectfully, your obe dient servant, (Signed) II. W. SHAND, Magistrate, Union District. Public Meeting. A mass meeting of the Democrat! party, of Fairfield District, was heh in the Court House, at Winnsboro on Monday, the 3d day of August The President, Hon. W. R. Robert son, stated tho object to be for th two-fold purpose of ratifying th nominations of the National Derne eratic Convention, holden in tho cit of New York, on the Fourth of Jul' lost; and for nominating delegates t meet in Columbia on Thursday, th Gth inst., to elect electors of Prc sident and vice-President. T. W. Woodward offered the fol lowing resolutions, which were nos uimously adopted: Whereas, tho Democratic Natiom Convention, which assembled in th ( city of New York, on the Fourth c July last, did nominate the Hoi Horatio Seymour, of New York, fe President, and Gen. Frank P. Blaii of Missouri, for vice-President, c the United States, and did declar and adopt a platform of principle as the political tenets of its parti bo it, therefore, Resolved, That the Democrati party of Fairfield District, in mai meeting assembled, do most sinceri ly and heartily endorse and ratii tho platform of principles so ch dared, and the nomination of tl candidates so made by said Convei tion; nud hereby pledge themselvi to work most vigorously and str nuously for the maintennnco of th? principles, and the election of sai nominees. Be it further resolved, That we tei der our earnest gratulatious to oi Democratic colored friends, for tl patriotic and manly courso whic they have evinced for tho success the Democratic party; and we co dially invite them to continue thc etlbrts in the good work-beliovii it to bo the only party which w secure them happiness and prc peri ty. On motion of J. B. McCants, committee of five were appointed 1 the Chair, to nominate their repi sentatives to attend the meeting Columbia, on the 6th instant. The committee nominated the fi lowing .gentlemen, viz: Messrs. A R. Robortson, I. N. Withers ai R. G. Lamar. B. B. Cook presented a series resolutions from the Broad Riv Democratic Club, and on motic the Chnirmau of this delegation w requested to present thom for t consideration of tho Convention, assemble on the 6th instant. On motion, the meeting adjourne subject to the call of tho Presidei W. R. ROBERTSON, President. I. N. WITHERS, Secretary. AN ESCAPED LUNATIC.-An innu of tho lunatic asylum, in Columh who had escaped thorofrom soi time in June last, was captured y< terday by thc detective officers. 1 had made his escape, and embark in a small boat on the Saluda Hiv. From that time, nothing had be heard of him, and it is supposed tl ho lurked through tho swamps. ( Saturday, information was lodged the detective office of his presonce the city, and on yesterday the unf< t?nate man was arrested, and w probably romain in custody un arrangements can bo mado to so him back to the asylum. He w very docilo when captured, and c not appear to be at all insane. [C7?arle8lon Courier, ilk. Local T.tem?, To Mrs. J. M. Sill we ?re indebted for a bottle of that iraperior tomato catsup, which she knows so well how to prepare. Buy a bottle, and give ^ it a trial. The funeral of the young man Smith, who was killed on Sunday moruiug last, was attended by a large number of citizens. He was interred in tho Baptist church-yard. We have been presented by Dr. E. E. Jackson with several more speci- ? mens of the "Baird" tomato, grown in tho garrison garden, from seed purchased from Dr. Jackson. They are largo, smooth, and very fine. TUE BARBECUE AT RIDGEWAY ONE FARE.-We aro authorized to state that passengers will be carried to and. from Ridgeway, on Saturday next, for one dollar. Tho train will I run through to Winnsboro, to ac j commodate visitors from that point. MUSICAL PUBLICATIONS.-Peters' Glee Hive, and Peters' Parlor Compa? nion, for the Auto, violin and piano, (for August,) have been received. Each publication contains sixteen pages of choice music. Single copies thirty cents. Address J. L. Peters, box 5,429, New York. THE SMITH MURDER.-The two coroners, Messrs. Walker and John? ston, continued their investigations yesterday, and adjourned to meet this morning, at 9 o'clock. A num? ber of witnesses were examined, and several parties implicated in the unfortunate affair. We shall give an abstrnct of the evidence, on the con? clusion of the inquest. John Wil? liams, a news boy on the South Carolina railroad, identified Thomas Richardson (who claims to repre? sent Colleton District in the present Legislature) as the man who fired the fatal shot. On this affidavit, Magistrate W. B. Johnston commit? ted Richardson to jail. The Central Executive Committee are requested to meet on the Gth instant, at Nickerson's Hotel, Co? lumbia, at 7 P. M. As business of importance will be brought before the Committee, a full attendance is desirable. WADE HAMPTON, Chairman. MAIL ARRANGEMENTS.-The post office open during the week from 8}? a. m. to 7 p. ta. On Sundays, from 4 to 5 p. m. The Charleston and Western mails are open for delivery at 4Jy p. m., and close at 8\.i p. m. Charleston night mail open 8>?? a. m., close 4>? p. m. Northern-Open for delivery at 8).< a. m., closes at 2.45 p. m. Greenville-Open for delivery 5f? p. m., closes at 8}? p. m. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.-Special at tention is called to the following ad? vertisements, published for the first time this morning: Hosteler's Stomach Bitters. Rooms to Rent. Richland Lodge No. 39. Broad River Bridge Company. The Legislature draws its slow length along, consuming time and tho people's money in bickerings and quarrels among the dominant party carpet-bagger against scallawag, and occasionally, for variety, negro against both. In the proceedings bf Friday, no business of public iuterost was trans? acted, except in the House. The bill allowing tho Air-line Railroad of South Carolina to extend their road within the limits of this State to Charlotte, passed its several read? ings.-Charlotte Times. REPUBLICAN MASS MEETING.-Yes? terday evening, about half-past ^ o'clock, two white men, two fifes, ono drum, two tallow candles and about one hundred colored men and women, assembled on the Citadel Green, for the purpose of discussing "matters of great importance to the city."-Charleston Couriei'. A colored wedding, at Williams? burg, was disturbed, tho other day, by the entrance of a detective, who hurried tho blushing bride off to jail, on a charge of larceny, before the ceremony was concludod. A freed-woman, named Molsey Pringle, committed an assault with a knife upon another, named Juno Thous, near Goose Creek, a few days ago. The wounded woman died in an hour. Christopher N. Bender and Ben. Whitfield, two horse thieves, while being conveyed from Raleigh to Memphis, were taken from the sheriff by forty masked horsemen and hung to a tree. It is reported that Butler wants to join tho Democracy to steal the silver' lining of tue cloud in tho political sky.