Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

that it will nut bu tu the best ??terosts of the State. Estimates of tho funds required for the ensuing year, also for defi? ciency for the past year, hare been furnished the Comptroller-General. No funds are aow ou hand for carry? ing on the work and maintaining the convicts, and it is with great difficul? ty that we are onablod to get on without money, aa merchants and others are loth to supply us on u credit. Were fuuds supplied US, so that cash payments might bo made, thc work could bo carried on muoh moro economically. Respectfully submit? ted, THOMAS B. LEE, JR., Engiueer and Architect and Acting Superintendant South Carolina Peni? tentiary. Major Lee's statement in reference to transactions at the South Carolin* Penitentiary, and concerning which certain parties have testified. First, in reference to certain iron sold to the State by James Windsor, agent of Major Lee: This iron was purchased from Dr. John Lynch, by me, the inoaoy was paid him for it and T now hold his receipt. The sworn statement of James Windsor, that I purchased this iron with some stone from Dr. John Lynch, and paid him about sixty dollars for them, is utterly and absolutely false. It was not pur? chased for the Stato, nor was it con? templated to ase said iron in tho con? struction of the Penitentiary. Some time after this purchase was made by mo, there arose au urgent demand iu the construction of the Penitentiary, for iron of tho kind I had on hand; not knowing of nuy other lot of tho same kind of iron, and the merchants in Columbia not keeping on hand an assortment of iron of this size, I in? structed my assistant to weigh the iron, make out the bill for it, put a fair price on it and sell it for mc as my agent. The price he put on it, I then, and do now, consider as a fair price, and not above its value. I then considered it as iron of thc very best quality, and caused it to bo applied where only tho best refined iron was admissible; and the usage and teat to which it has been sub? jected have fully confirmed my first estimate of the valuo of this iron; and I now affirm that this iron was equally as valuable as the best new refined ?round iron, and a largo por? tion of it, on which the threads and nuts were, (such threads aud nuts being perfect, and were used for work requiring them,) beiug of higher value than was paid for it, (see price circular of Charles lu Iocs, Balti? more, where bolt ends uro quoted al fourteen cents per pound.) The threads and nuts on this iron wen good as new, anti being used in worl where such threads aud nuts wen necessary, their value was greatei than wa? paid for them. During thc progress of the work, somo of this iron was exchanged (pound foi pound) for new f? round iron, foi which about the samo price bad beet paid to n merchant in Columbia This fact can be substantiated ty Messrs. Goldsmith & Kind, witl whom tho exchango was effected. In reference to certain hogs kep at the Peuiteutitiry and carrieel away and matters incident thereto: I kept hogs at the Penitentiary with the full knowledge and consen of Governor Orr, and sent then away when I saw proper. Accom panying this, pienso find letter or this subject from ex-Governor Orr dated November 27, 1863. I pm chased for myself, last year, fron Mr. O'Hearne, three large aud thre smull hogs. He delivered them t mo on the Penitentiary lot, ami the were penned hero uud fed on off. from the kitchen. About Christmas 1867, I sent away ono of my sma hogs and caused the other two to b killed; of those two killed, tho guar consumed ono and a portion of th other-how much of tho other I ca. not say exactly. A short time afti this, one of my large hogs (very ft and weighing upwards of 20 pounds) was killed at the same tim with the hogs belonging to the Stat? The fat from these hogs (mine an those belonging to the State) wei triutl inte> larti ali together; my he should havo yielded about twent pounds of hird. I claimed at tl time from the store-keeper, au equiv lent in value, for tho meat belongil] to me, which was consumed by tl guard about Christmas time, auel 1 had instructions to send me th equivalent in lard and the trimmini ol the mort. 1 have never receive what I regarded as an equivalen Two jars of lard, containing abo twenty pounds each, (I have sin frequently purchased lard in tl same jars, and when full only twen pounds wore in each,) were dcliveri at my house by tho driver. I d not see the driver when he del i ven tho jars, but came in a short tin after, and my attention was culled tho lard by Mrs. Leo. I examini if, and then remarked that 1 hud n received enough. As to the stiusn meat und other parts, 1 received b a very nail portion. Tho sanea meat [ carried to my house myst* und would probably havo weigb about four pounds. Had I recen? t?n" seventy-two or soventy-ti pounds, which one witness teatiii that he weighed and saw delivered the driver, J would not have g more than un equi valen I rdrmeat fi T ?shed by me for the guard. Afi thia-that is, during the present year ton hogs have been sent away by me, viz: Five pigs from one of the sows I bought from O'Henrne, two sows I bought from O'Henrue, onesow presented me by Dr. Taylor, two Chester White pigs, nought from Mr. Boyer, of Chester County, Pennsyl Tania. These wero all my own pri? vate property. About tho time that theso hogs wore killed, I sent some hams and shoul? ders to the Penitentiary, (I do not remember now tho oxaot number,) to bo smoked-this meat was returned to my house. In referenco to certaiu wheel-bar? rows, shovols and picks shipped from the Penitentiary: There were six whocl-barrows, H?X shovels and six picks worn out, which had been thrown usidc. They were "n.fH fer usc, sad ?vero onieretl to be sold. The store-keeper hud them re? paired, so that they would answer a short service, and delivered them to tho parties to whom they were sold. He omitted to charge them on his books; os soon as such omission was ascertained, it was corrected, and tho parties ure now charged with the full value of these articles. In reference to the issuo of stores to private parties: To my kuowledge, no stores have been issued to private parties, with? out their being properly charged on the books for thom; written and verbal orders have both been given to each and every officer having charge of public property, to keep au exact account of all issues to pri? vate parties, in order that they might be paid for. I have labored hard to have these instructions carried out, and believe I have generally succeed? ed; yet I have reasons for believing that my orders have been violated at times, and parties have acted impro? perly. I have more than ouco chuuged tho officers having charge of stores, and oven instituted legal proceedings against another, for ucting improper? ly. Neither verbal or written orders have ever boen given by me, or auy one else, who is authorized to use my name, to any officer having charge of public propel ty, to issuo to the wagon-driver whatever he called for; and any statement to tho contrary is false, and those officers who have dono so have acted improperly, and on their own responsibility. lu reference to work doue for pri? vate parties: Work has been and is now being dono for private parties. The time employed and material used, 1 be? lieve, and have no reason to think otherwise, is properly kept account of by the different foremen, uud re? turned to the clerk, so that the pro? per charges may be made. I believe tho clerk bas faithfully attended to his duties, and tho State has and will receive her just dues. Much more private work might bo doue here, to the pecuniary advantage of tho State, wero fuuds provided to purchase tho material to work on. From the temporary nature of the wall, or fence, around the yard, it is absolutely necessary to keep a large guard forco. Some of this force ar? employed solely as a guard, while a portie n of it, eucL as foremen and workmen, aro as t. reserve guard in case of au emergency requiring their presence. Every employee is hired with tho express understanding that he is to co-operate with the regular guard whenever called upon. In? stances of tho value of this reserve guard aro on record. See testimony of Metz, where Cooper, carpenter, re-captured escaping convict. Tho presence of theso workmen is ol more value to the State than thc wages paid them, as tho work they dc is of equal value to what the Slate pays for their services, and their pre seuce obviates tho necessity and ex? pense of hiring a mau especially foi a guard. It being thus necessary tc bavo this extra guard, and it being advantageous to employ mechanics, it is highly important to always hav< private or custom work on hand, sc that tho time of theso mechanics cat always be kept employed, when no on the State work. In reference to tho bills recoivabh furnished me nt various times ti carry on this work: Those bills wort not curreut fuuds, and I was com pelted to sell them in tho market foi whatever they would bring. I mach theso sales ut the highest murke rates, and an examination of thi account will show that I suceeedet iu effecting sales often above th market rates. These sales and ae counts were carefully examined a Mu encl of each month by one of th Commissioners of the Penitentiary (appointed to do so by resolution o tho Board of Commissioners,) cm his approval of them is endorsed 01 tho aeconuts for each mouth, and u( i further issuo of funds would bo mad to mo by tho Governor, without tb written notification of this Cominis sioncr thnt ho had examined my ac counts and found thom correct, now claim this approval of ray nc counts made at tho end of encl month, by an officer authorized b Luv to cxurnit.e tho sumo, as a finn discharge from them. In conclusion, I have made over effort to economizo tho funds of th State and carry ou this work to th best ad van tugo nud to the interest of the public. The position I holi is no sinecure. I have bad man; difficulties to contend against. Ii the discharge of my duties, I Imv carefully and anxiously avoided doing any one a wrong. I have sometimes let what I regarded as faults or ne gleot of duty, go unpunished, for fear I might possibly do the parti? s a wrong; notwithstanding I have made many bitter enemies, who have been unceasing in their efforts to injure me; and this investigation now, baa been brought about by representa tions made from sheer malice and envy. Anonymous communications of dark insinuations aro only mado by men who would stab you io tho dark. I now leave this mutter in your hands, with a consciousness that I have done my duty, and with the hope that, in considering thc evi deuco bofore you, you will give due weight to that malice and ill feeling, (though not written down, Lut I be? lieve well known to you,) which cer? tain persons who have testified, bear towards me. My annual roport to the Governor will bo ready in a few days, lt bas been thus late delayed by this inves? tigation. Respectfully, THOMAS B. LEE, Jit., Euginoer and Architect and Acting Superintendent South Carolina Peni? tentiary. SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE, b. C. P., COLUMBIA. S. C., December 10, 18(58. To J. C. JANNET, J. LEVIN, W. H. Wino, Committee to investigate af? fairs of the Penitentiary. Destruction of tile City of Aluino*- | Thousands ot Lives Lost. Tho city of Alamos, situated in tho Southern portion of Sonora, Mexico, has beeu swept out of existeuee by a visitation of uature-namely, a com biued attack of two great furies, wind ami water. The terrible eveut occurred during the great sea storm, lasting from tho 15th to the 18th ultimo. Tho New York Herald pub? lishes tho following ?letalis from a private letter: On the 10tli it commenced to rain, and ou the 16th a genuine ruin and wind set in, lastiug until the 18th. It seemed as if tho very flood-gates of Heaven had opened, aud that a j second deluge was upon the world. Thc wind, too, roared with dreadful fury, and all tho elements seemed combined for soino dreadful carnage. Wo little thought what was iu store for our beautiful city. But soon the talo was told aud tho destruction! complete, or almost complete. The storm lasted until late in tho evening of tho 18th. During its continuance it appeared as if no human beiug could livo within its reach. Tho Alamos river was swollen to a great height, and in its wild, headlong course, carried everything before it. Houses were swept away like so many straws, and whole blocks of buildings were thrown down liko so many trees. Tho wiud was no less terrible tbau tho water. Houses were un? roofed and blown to shatters; tiles and like materials were scattered through thc air like chuff, and strong trees wero uprooted, us if they had been corn-stalks. The best part of the city is totally destroyed. About tho only buildiugs saved, worthy of mention, aro the mint, tho church, aud tho old Stato College. These stood on high grounds, and this ad? vantage, with their solidity, saved them. The loss of lifo has been quite large. Sixty dead bodies have been picked up. Some of them wero mangled fearfully, and could scarcely be recognized. Mauy of tho bodies weie found milos down tho river. Undoubtedly the number found will be largely increased by other unfor? tunate ones. I have written you these few lines hurriedly, but do not attempt to describe or explain this most extraordinary phenomenon of a seventy-two hours' whirlwind and deluge. The ruined city of Alamos was the Athens of North-western Mexico, or, at least had that reputation. Its women were reputed to be tho love? liest and most intelligent throughout the republic, and its citizens were highly spoken of as contrasted with those of other populations. There was a great deal of wealth, refine? ment and luxury among the better classes. It was a sort of sanctified Jerusalem, where tho proud Spanish blood and brain held ascendancy und would not bo poisoued with contact with Indian and negro mixture. Alamos, as a city, had fame before thc great metropolis of Now York was known. It is old among tho many old towns of Mexico. Sur? rounding it have been some of tho richest mines in tho world, and from which the city has had its chief sup? port. At tho time of its destructiou it contained a population of about 7,000 souls, though geographical dic? tionaries pluce tho number at 10,000, which is at least 3,000 too many. Unhappily for its people, tho num? ber is lessened through a terrible misfortune, and tho "City of Pop? lar Groves" has fallen to tho dust (even as mau fulls) in its strength. --?-??-?--. JAPAN.-The Mikado left Kioto on tho 4th of November and pussed through Yokohamu and Jeddo. It was tho first occasion in twenty cen? turies of a Mikado visiting distant portions of his dominion, and great enthusiasm greeted the procession. Jeddo, which had boen nearly de? serted, was repopulated and its ruined palaces were rebuilt in honor of the visit. COLUMBIA. Tuesday M om inp:. December 29,1888 The Ctibnn situation. The Madrid correspondent of tbe London Times expresses confidently the belief that the declamations of the partisans of immedinto and un? conditional emancipation in Spain, havo produced some commotion among the slave-holders of Cuba. Others maintain thut the unwise po? licy which Spain has pursued of go? verning Cuba with the sole and sin? gle idea of wringing from it as much tribute as it could be made io yield, and totally ignoring the native Cu? bans in the distribution of official patronage, hos led those disaffected by these causes to avail themselves of the revolution in Spain to striken blow which might lead to a redress of grievances, or possibly to inde? pendence. Gen. Dulce, the newly appointed Captain-General of Cuba, has sailed from Cadiz for Havana, with reinforcements, but he can hard? ly arrive before tho middle of Jami-, ary. Official announcement has been made iu Madrid that tho election of tho Cuban deputies to tho Cortes will be held after his arrival; but un? less tho revolution is crushed before that time, it can scarcely bo pacified by so tardy and inadequate a method of redressing inequalities and wrongs. Gen. Dulce, however, hus adminis? tered the Government of Cuba be? fore, with great acceptance to the people as well as the Government, and if any one, by personal popula? rity, as well as proprietary interests in the island, eau bring matters toan amicable adjustment, he is the man. lt is curious, that while Spain was QOttiug up a revolution, Cuba should go into tho same business on her own aceouut, and it would be edifying to know how Geu. Dulce eau condemn tho Cubans for rebellion, when he has just been committing the samo crime at home. Or is it tho failure in which the iuiquity of rebellion consists? Another contradictory thing is the sympathy manifested in the United Slates for Cuba and at the same time for Spain. The Balti? more San declares that our hearts appear to bc large enough to hold both combatants, though possibly before we go into hysterics over the Cuba movement, it might bo well enough to ascertain, in view of the possibility of its being a revolt against emancipation, whether wo are not weeping on the wrong sido. The Columbus Sun very properly thinks "it is a curious way to cele? brate Christ's natal day by getting drunk and doing tho very opposito to his teachings." We fully agree with our cotemporary. It is a pity that we Americans cannot find some way of general rejoicing without the aid of whiskey. It is a very bad habit to say tho least of it. Perhaps, though, we aro such a matter-of-fact, dollar-hunting people, that it re? quires au artificial stimulant to ele? vate us above the atmosphere of cot? ton and dry goods. THE GENERAL AMNESTY.-Speaking of President Johnson's Christmas proclamation of general amnesty, the New York Herald says: "This present proclamation re? stores to Davis and company all their rights, privileges and immunities under the Constitution and laws of the United States, but this does not restoro these men to their status as citizens in full communion. The constitutional amendment fourteen, section three, debars from any civil or military office under tho United States, or any State, any man who, after having taken an oath as a civil or military officer of tho United States, or as a civil officer of any State, to support tho United States Constitution, shall havo participated ia rebellion against the same, or given aid and comfort to tho enemy; 'but Congress may, by a vole of two thirds of each house, remove such disability.' The President's full and unconditional pardon, therefore, only restores tho leaders of tho re? bellion to their rights as private citi? zens; for they can only be restored to tho right to hold au offico of any sort, civil or military, Stato or na? tional, by a two-thirds vote of each house of CongreK'j. And section five of said amendment says that Con? gress shall have power to enforce its provisions by appropriate legislation. Not oven the Union Leagues, then, eau reasonably object to this sweep? ing amnesty proclamation, and wo doubt not thut the general publie judgment coucerniugit will be that it iu a good thing." r_ooal X-tez-auB?. POCKET Di ABIES.- Wo are indebted to Messrs. Duffle & Chapman and Bryan & MeCarter for neatly bound pocket diaries for 1869. Thoy have different styles of these useful memo? randum books. CHRISTMAS TREE AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH.-Mcssrp. M. E. Cooper, D. Jones and others connected with tho Baptist Sunday School, prepared a Christmas tree, uud on Friday last, a crowd of highly elated little mor? tals inspected the wonder/id tree, and obtained samples of tho fruit it bose. Carolina Hall was tastefully deco? rated Inst night, uud a goodly num? ber of the wives and sweethearts of the soldiers attached to tho garrison at this post, whiled away soveral hours "tripping the light fantastic toe." Tho music-furnished by tho 8th Infantry baud, uuder tho leadership of Mr. Kenstler-was most excellent. CHRISTMAS DINNERS FOR THE POOR. -Our Mayor and Council, ever mindful of tho wants aud pleasures of those who, unfortunately, are de? pendent upon tho public for a support, determined to give thc occupants of the Poor House and tho Freedmen's Hospital a Christmas diuner. A subscription was taken up among the members of tim Board, and a liberal amount iu cash contributed; u call was then mado upon the butchers and the occupants of stalls in thc market, every one of whom-white as well as colored-responded freely and promptly, with meat, fowls and vegetables. A committee was up j poiuted, superintended by thc Mayor, the necessary preparations made, and about 2 o'clock, on the 25th, everything was declared ready, and the tables were soon lilied by a largo number of aged, sick and infirm in? dividuals, of both sexes, whose hearts were made glad, by this substantial evidenco of good feeling from theil moro fortunato fellow-citizens. It J was quito n journey from the one point to tim other-tho Freedmen's Hospital being at ouo extremity ol the city and the Poor House at thc other-but many persons visited tlu I two, and by pleasant words aud ki at greetings, still further gratified tin participants in this truly charitable demonstration. The affair will lonr. bo remembered with pleasure ty those who were present. Tho property disposed of 3*ester day, brought fair prices, considering the times. There was cousiderabh competition. The following aro tin principal sales: Tho "Kinsler's Hall' lot, comer of Richardson aud Taylo streets, containing one*fourth of ai acre, was bought by Mr. G. Dicrcks at $7,200. Tho Kinsler briek-yan property was bought by Governo Sprngue, of Rhode Islaud, for $22, 250. Tho Kinsler "homestead" lol in Cotton Town, 2% acres, S4.20? The "oid homestead," on Richardso street, near Blanding, brought $2, 500. Several lots below the Colleg brought sums, varying from $120 I $.'100 per acre. We understand thr Gov. Scott and several other partie have purchased, at good prices, sev< ral lots along the canal, with tho ii tention of erecting manufactorici Let tho good work go on. Columbi will, in a few years, wo sincerely bi lieve, be one of the principal maur faotnricg towns in tho South. SI has mauy facilities-tho principi being railroad communication i half a dozon diff?rent directions, b sides unequalled water power. FAST AND CHEAP PRINTINO.-V\ have just added a fast card press the Degenor ct Weiler patent-to th machinery of the Phtrnix office; ai: havo also madcadditious toourstoc of fancy type, cards, paper, et Persons in waut of any styles i book and job printing, aro invited I call aud examino samples and price Cards printed at shortest notice, at at prices varying from $3 to $10 pi thousand. MAIL ARRANGEMENTS. -The pc office opon during tho week from 8 a. m. to 6 p. m. On Sundays, fro 4 to 5 p. m. Tho Charleston and Western mai aro opon for delivery at 5 p. m., ai close at %% p. m. Charleston nig mail open H\<? a. m., dose A\% p. m Northern-Open for delivory 8>2 a. m., closes at 2.45 p. m. Greenville-Open for delivery p. m., doses at H'-?.j p. m. CASH.-Oar terms are strictly cash. If an advertisement is to bo inserted, hand over the money; if a paper is subscribed for, tho money must ac? company the order-otherwise no attention will be paid to them. This is a rule which will be adhered to. Tho Northern papers are full of learned articles of prodigious length upou "the wants of the South." How insufferable tho vauity which prompts a few Northern travelers to suppose themselves better informed upon the economy of tho South than its own people. Pride, we are told, 1 over has its fuli; how long will it be I before this arrogance and assumption moet with their just deserts? It should bo romemoercd that the timo within which persons desiring to go into voluntary bankruptcy, with? out paying fifty cents on tho dollar, may commence proceedings, extends only to tho 1st of January next. There is a Hebrew word whioh just fills a vacant space in the English language, and ought to bo adopted. It is sheln/eil, nud signifies one of those fussy fellows who is always making a great show of doing some? thing, and never does anything. IMPORTANT TO THE BAU-TRANSFER OF CIRCUITS.-For tho information of tho members of the bar, we publish tho followiug order which has recently boen made by Judge Moses, in re? ference to tho circuits: For causes deemed sufficient why Judge Green, of the Third Circuit, and Judge Rutland, of tho Fourth Circuit, should be respectfully trans? ferred from ono of the courts of their circuits, at the approaching term, it is ordered, for tho purpose of carry? ing ont the arrangements necessary therefor, that Judge Green hold tho Circuit Court for Kershaw County, beginning on the first Monday in January next-that Judge Boozer hold the Circuit Court for Sumter County, beginning on tho first Mon? day in January next-that Judge Boozer hold tho Circuit Court for Fairfield County, beginning on the second Monday in March next, and that Judge Rutland bold tho Circuit Court for Newberry County, begin? ning on the first Monday iu March next. In all other respects the said judges, ns to the courts of their cir? cuits will conform to the regulations now, by law, prescribed. It is fur? ther ordered that tho clerk of the Supreme Court do forthwith trans? mit a copy of this order to each of tho judges above named, who will respectively canso it to bo eutered in tho inmutes of the courts which thoy are hereby nssigued to hold. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. -Special at tcntion is called to the following ad? vertisements, published for the first time this morning: D. C. Peixotto & Son-Auction. Alpha-Wants a Bed-Room. C. H. Baldwin-Potatoes, Flour. D. B. Miller-Brick for Sale. John A. Smith-To Rent. Campbell & Jones-Golden Drip. Russia is vigorously and relent? lessly crushing out everything in Po? land that marks its nationality. Mauy young Polish oonples who would not submit to a Russian mar? riage service havo been secretly mar? ried at So?pol, b> a smith, who, uutil recently, did a very good busi? ness. The Russian authorities found him out, and seut him to Siberia. The marriages made by him were declared illegal, and tho unlucky young husbands have been enrolled in the army. Even baptism must be dono ala Russe. The peasants think there is no saving efficacy in thia, and the Christian ceremony is'?often performed at the very pointjBpWte bayonet. The Catholic iuhaouaots aro in some districts escorted to church by soldiers and polio?officers, so resolutely do they resist the intro? duction of the Russian language and semi-Greek services into their churob service. A SHOUT AND CHEAP TRIP.- -When tho railway across the continent of America is completed, there will be constant conveyance by means of railways and mail packets for passen? gers desiring to travel round thc world. The grand tour will be 22.000 mile? in length, and will cost SI,500, and will be accomplished in aboul eighty days. Tho "American tonrial will be able to visit England, Japan, Chitin, Ceylon and Egypt. He wil cross the Atlantic, North Pacifie anti Indian oceans, the Red and M?diter ranean sens, the continent of Ameri ca and the delta of Egypt. Ho wil be able to sail tho beginning of May, and to arrive home again about the middle of July. An encounter took place at St. Joseph, Missouri, on tho 23d, be? tween Hon. J. E. Early, a prominent lawyer, and Col T. A. Green, also e lawyer, iu which Mr. Early was shot and killed. Tho affair grew ont ol au articlo published in tho Ifcralc yesterday, reflecting upon Green ase lawyer, whioh Green suppoaod Earlj to be tho author of.