Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COLUMBIA, S, C. Tuesday Morning, February 16.1869. ti I*n Isl? de Cuba "-II? Annexation. The subject of the purchase of the island of Cuba (which is by far the most extensive, important and valuable of alt the Weat In? dies) by the United States Government ia now being freely d ..cussed by the press througbont the country, and tho disturbed condition of its political affairs, which have culminated in civil war, is attracting con? siderable interest in the minds of thc pepple generally. To enter into a detailed account of tho causes which have brought about this unfortunate disruption in thal once happy and prosperous isle would oe oupy too much of our space, and is not om intention at present. Nor do wo desire to speak of the horrors that are daily being committed in tho name of war by the opposing factious, represented on the one sido by the Spanish authorities, and on the other by the nativo Cubans. Wo pro? pose only to give a condensed outline ol Cuba, for the benefit of those of our rei d ers who havo no? intormed themselves, 01 who have iiot taken an opportunity to in? vestigate its history, and to show by facts and figures what a very valunblo acquisitiorj ibis island would be, in many respects, tc the United States. First, then, the area of tho island if somewhat leBS than that of Pennsylvania, and contains a population of about 1,500, OOO inhabitants. Tho climate is mild, ant approaches the description given by Ovii of the "Golden Age," in which he says thai "spring wns all the year round;" the soil i: remarkably fertile, and tho production; are those usually found in tropical couu tries, of which sugar is tho leading article Secondly, the Spaniard, the mestizo o: mixed races, the native Cuban und tin negro oompriso the population; and tho re ligios is intensely Catholic. In the next place, Spaiu, the inothe country, has always regarded this island a her ?1 Dorado and has guarded it with i jealous eye; fearing lest it should bo sur reptitiously taken possession of-and th vision of furious and fierce fiUibasteros ha ever haunted her plastio imagination. In deed, so great was her admiration, not fr soy love for Cuba, that the idea of a dispose of it at all, or a proposition to purchase it would have been considered the greatest in dignity, and the party making the proposi tion would have been looked upon as guilt of little less than high treason against thu proud monarchy. We are not prepared to say what has ir duced the Spanish Government to becom willing, al this late date, to dispose of he "gora," unless the revolution now cxistin has something to do with it. Surely, a grei change lina come over the "spirit of ht dream?." However, alie will find a read purchaser io this Government and at round price. Tho Island of Cuba would be of iuculci bible advantage to this country in a coo meroial view. Its splendid harbors, easy i access; its vast and varied production yielding its millions and tens of millions a nually; is enough to stir the cupidity of ai mercantile people, and time alone won demonstrate the untold prosperity wbi< wonld grow out of the commerce of tb fruitful island. That it would be a most judicious pu chase on the part of our Government do not require the dogmas of a logician to d termine. That it will ultimately forra i integral part of the American Union wo a prebend there is none so rash as to den That it ought to form a part and parcel this great republic, we doubt not, is t opinion of nine-tenths of our people, w believe iu the great Madisonian doetri and in tho Democratic idea of "extend? the area of freedom." In fine, therefo: let us have Cuba, "with peace," rather th have her in ber present distorted and d trau ted condition, and all will yet bo v* with us as a nation. Let the purchase consummated by all means, anti we preil un era of prosperity for ber never bei dreamed of in till ber philosophy. There is much that might bo advanced this very prolific subject pro and "OH., I we may take occasion to refer to it agu For the present, however, we extend to very expressive Spanish salutation, a Di A FATAL LEAP.-On Saturday, a yoi man by tho name of Thomas McGuire, > had not long been discharged from the United States Infantry, jumped tbroi tho fash of the fourth story window of boarding house, No. 43 East Buy, anti instantly killed.-Charleston News. The official sales of gold und silver by United Stales States Treasury from Janu 1803, to January, 18J9, wero ?238,500,1 Tho tuxes on tho amouutsold were $148,1 Commissions 8203,000. Premiums $108,i Net receipts S316,500,000. Tho GrrcnT-lllo and Columbia Railroad Company. MB. EDITOB: In your paper of Sunday morning, Gol. H. P. Hammett, the Pre? sident of the Greenville and Columbia Rail? road Company, takes issue with Governor Scott's statements and arguments in his re? cent veto of tho Greenville Railroad bill. Occupying different slund-poiuts, it wat natural there should be a wide divergency of opinion upon the aspect aud bearing ol the questions treated upon, but as thero if additional matter introduced into Colone! Hammett's statement-much of it, however, being irrelevant-it will do no harm to ex amine the questions in dispute. Governor Scott vetoed the Act alluded tc hccatiBe he deemed it both unconstitutiona and inexpedient. It purported to re-enac! and amend an Act passed by tho Genera Assembly in 1866, under the provisiona government, entitled "An Act to alter anc amend an Act to lend the name and credi of the State to the Greenville and Colum bia Railroad Company in the ro-adjustmon of their debt." Tho Act which this las named Act purported to alter and amcuc was passed by the Gcncrul Assembly on tin 28th day of January, 1801, more than i month subsequent to tho secesi?n of th State from tho Union. This body was or ganized in violation of tho laws, and fo purposes destructive of tho Union, and wa actively engaged in levying war against th Government of tho United Slates. Al their actions were, therefore, illegal, an? must be considered null and void, am among them must undoubtedly bo con sidcred tho Act which forms tho basis o tho bill under consideration. To reenpitu late, the Act of 1S69 amends tho Act o 18G!i, which amends tho Act of 1861, whicl was passed by an illegal and uuconstitn tional body; and the original Act bein void and of non-effect, tho amendments t it can have no binding force upon th people of this State. That this was th opinion of the framers of the present Coi: stitution of this State, is demonstrated i Section IC, Articlo IX, providing "that n debt contracted by this State in behalf c the lato rebellion, in wholo or in part, sha ever bo paid." Aud, with still further sif nificance, au ordinance was passed, prc viding "that all Acts, or pretended Acts, r legislation, purporting to havo been passe bj' the General Assembly of tho Stato sine the 20th day of December, 18G?, pledgin the faith and credit of tho State for tl benefit of auy corporate body or private ii dividual, aro hereby declared inopcratiN until the General Assembly shall nssemb and ratify the same. Aud it shall bo tl duty of the Genoral Assembly, at its fir session after the passage of this ordinance, \ attend to tho same." In this ordinance < the Convention, tho Act of January 2 1861, pledging the "faith and credit of tl State for tho benefit of tho Greenville ar Columbia Railroad Company," was as di tinctly alluded to as if it had beeu spec fically named. Its validity, therefore, d pended upon its ratification by the Goner Assembly at its first session after the pa sage of tho ordinance. Tho Convontic ordained that tho Geueral Assembly abou convene at Columbiu, on tho 12th day May, 1868, but it was postponed by i order of General Cunby until after Congre had approved of the Constitution uud which it was elected. This took placo < the 25th of June, and Congress direct that the Legislature should meet at the e: of twenty days from the time the Act we into effect, unless the Governor elect uhou sooner convene tho same. The Governt in the exerciso of the discretion conferr upon him, called the General Assembly I gether upon tho 6th day of July, when convened accordingly, organized and pi ceeded to the transaction of busine Among other subjects brought to its att( tion was a bill introduced into the Sent by Mr. Leslie, on tho 25th of July, to " enact certain Acts lending the name a credit of the State to the Greenville a Columbia Railroad Company, and to vi date the aotion of said company tberet der." It was taken up and postponed peatcdly, until the 24th of August, wi its further consideration was postpot until the next regular session of the Gone Assembly. It thus appears that aftei session of two months and twenty da notwithstanding some very powerful indu menta-among them a trip over the road Greenville, to which the members of General Assembly were invited, and which many of them participated-tho amendatory of the Act of 1861 failed to ceivo the ratification of tho General Ass? bly at its first session after the ordinanci the Convention, and thereby became operative. But in addition to tho action by our S Convention in relation to tho assnmptioi debts incurred during tho rebellion, it bo recollected that the Legislature, at first session, by un almost unanimous v ratified tho fourteenth article of tho am( meiits to the Constitution of tho Un States, making it a part of tho Constitu of tho State, which was a condition pr deut to her re-admission into tho Un Tho fourteenth section of tho amende declares "Neither tho United States any Stato shall assume or pay any dot obligation incurred in aid of insurrectio rebellion against tho United States* bu gaeta debts, obligations and claims sha held illegal and void." And as giving p and significance to this restriction of constitutional amendment, thc Comm on Finance of tho Senate, in its repo September, 1868, remarked: "In 1861, i tho Act of secession had passod, tho ? loaned its name and credit to the Green and Columbia Railroad Company iu tin jostment of their debt, to tho urnou $1)00,000, guaranteeing tho bonds of company for tho same; all of which w aid of tho rebellion against tho Ul States; and as this General Assowbl; adopted the fourteen.th article of amend? ments to the Constitution of tho United States, therefore it is recommended that the State of South Carolina treat these bonds, giren in aid of insurrection and re? bellion against the United States, now amounting to over $1,000,000, according to tho terms of the amendment to tho Consti? tution, viz: as illegal and void." Several members of this committee bad beon mom burs of the Constitutional Convention, and were doubtless acquainted with tho views and policy of that body, in reference to tho Greenville Railroad bonds; but on account of the lateness of tho period at winch the report wan presented, and the pressure of other business, tho Senate was prevented from taking any action upon it. Tho application of the prohibitions of tho Constitutional Amendment to the Greenvillo Railroad bonds, derivo additional force and significance from the solemnity and impor? tance attached to the ratification of that in? strument. A few of tho Senators having voted against it, a resolution was offered by Mr. Cain, of Charleston, for the appoint? ment of a committee of five, with instruc? tions to report whether the Senators who voled in the negative on the ratification of tho amendment to the United Staten Constitution, bad or hud not violated their oaths and committed perjury. If it was then deemed criminal to vote against thc ratification of the constitutional amendment, 6tirely a faithful compliance with all ib provisions, now that it is nu integral portion of the State Constitution, is not the lest binding and obligatory. Col. Hammett alludes to conversations ant interviews with Governor .Scott, iu which in expressed himself favorably in regard to bil bill. It is true that Col. Hammett called ot the Governor with it draft of his report, written in pencil, professing to be in re sponso to the joint resolution of the (leno ral Assembly, requiring all railroads whos< bonds were endorsed by the State, to malu a satisfactory exhibit of their ability to pa} their interest, and that th? Governor ex pressed the opinion that it was a very satis factory report. He referred to it in hr message to tho General Assembly as au nu companying paper, and it was transmitter therewith. Why it does not appear arnon? tho printed documents, isa matter for other to explain, but its absence was of slight itn portanoe, as is shown by the passage of hi bill by so largo a majority. Col. Hnmmett states that, in n conversa tion at the Hank, in presence of Gov. Or and Col. Childs, that he (Gov. Scott) wouli do nothing against the bill, and that be cai get the certificate or affidavit of those geu tlemen to that effect. Ho will not be pu to tho trouble of procuring tho certificate of a conversation at a private and social iu terview, usually regarded among geutleme ns sacred; but bo mistakes and mis-state the purport of that conversation. The onl point discussed at that interview was, ns t the liability of the State, under tho Act t December, 180(5, wherein it was asserte that the State was bound for the endorst ment, whether tho present Legislature rat lied tho Act or not. The Governor ndmitte tho probability that the Acts of the Prov sional Legislature would be held as vali and binding, where rights had boen veste under them, notwithstanding the ordinanc of the Constitutional Convention had su: pended their operation. At that time, tL Governor bad not particularly examined tL Act of I860, nor was his attention called 1 tbe fact that it was not an original Act, bt merely amendatory of an Act passed in 186 by a body not recognized by tho State Gi vernraent. He, however, urged sever objections to the propriety of coufirmii the Act of 1866 to the full extent that i friends demanded. Among others, was fa disbelief that thu road could meet the int rest on the bonded debt, and he urged tl exclusion of the $600,000 from tho bi His exact Inuguage to these gentlemen wc that be certainly would not interpose 1 own opinions, or opposo tho bill, if it w the desire of the people of the State that should become a law. Ho was earnestly i sured by these gentlemen that it was t wish of a majority of those, upon whomjt burden would fall, if from any cause t State would become responsible for her e dorsement. The Governor, thereupon, tl probably remark, that under such cirou: stances, he would do nothing in oppositi to the bill. Now, admitting all this to true, and that oven Col. Hammett's inf enees are correct, what is tho conclusi tbat mon of common sense and comm fairness would arrive at in regard to i matter? Simply that Col. Hammett, a other friends of tho road, in a convorsati with the Governor of tho State, urged th views with their usual onergy and pen teuoy, in a matter in which thoy as indi duals were deeply interested, and propoi to irrevocably commit the State to tho si port of a measure of very doubtful proj ety, to say tho least of it; and that Governor, wearied with their importuni and glad to put au end to tho interview, withholding further objections, gavo tb tho opportunity of taking advantage of old adugo, of equivocal propriety, that 1 lenco gives consent." Much of tho G ove or's timo has boen occupied by tho advocr and promoters of railroad scboraes, in wh they aro deeply interested, and after li aud wearisome discussion, thu details agreed upon, ami yet wli^n they come beforo tho Legislature, nearly i;very gu and restriction important for the protect of tho interests of thc Stato aro omitted fi their provisions. This is montionod w out intending to reflect upon any gentler or corporation asking tho credit or bond tho Stato in furtherance of their intore but it, must be remembered that tho rev tions of time will place in control and rectiou of both publia aud privnto inter otbor mon who may not bold tho a, opinions aud viows as we do in relutio: these matters. They should also recol that the credit of the State is a nacrod tr sud it should neror be administered in t a manner aa to countenance the suspicion that it v/as done for the benefit of the cus? todians. Colonel Hammett's insinuations as to im? proper influences brought to bear for the passage of what he calls the Governor's pet scheme, the Blue Bulgo Railrond, are wholly wanton and gratuitous. That great measure commended itself so strongly to tho favorable judgment of tho Slate and tho General Assembly that snob appliances wero entirely uuuccessary. Wo havo not the time to go into an ex? amination of Colonel Hotnmwtt's figures, or their delusive character, in reference to tho conditiou of tho road, could readily be shown. It may be stu ted, however, that the new bonds, authorized to bo issued by tho Act of 1861, and which were endorsed "Confederate States of America," were de? posited in tho Bank of the State, and sold for Confederate bonds and Confederate notes, and at tho close of tho war there were upwards of 3100,000 in Confederate securities in tho vaults of the batik which had been received from this source. It ia also known that the Prcsideut of tho road, by public advertisement, invited tho hold? ers of the bonds payable in 1863, '61, '65 and 'tiS, to exchange them for the new issue of "Confederate States bonds," and that a i largo amount of said bonds were so ex? changed, and that other large amounts of said bonds wero purchased by the company for Confederate bonds and Confederate note.?, the earnings of their road, and that it is generally believed that a large propor? tion of the bonds BO exchanged and pur? chased for Confederate securities, and which uro now proposed to be endorsed by thc State, are at present in the possession of tho company. It may bo hoped, from these statements, that enough bas been shown to justify the Governor's opinions us to the unconstitu? tionality and inexpediency of the Act under consid?ration, und that indulging them iie would be false to his oath of office, ?md to the people who placed him in it, if he hud affixed his signature to it. X. Local Items. We learn that William Shiver, Esq., has] becu appointed, by thu Postmaster-General, Postmaster ut Kingsville, in this County. Col. Wm. Shiver and Representative S. B. Thompson have been appointed Magis? trates for Richland County. Wo learn that Major Davis has leased his uew hotel to Messrs. Badenhop Sc Gorman, of Charleston. The papers wero signed yesterday afternoon. Governor Scott has pardoned Dallas Jef? ferson nud Scott Mishaw, who were sen? tenced to twelvo months' imprisonment, at the May term, 1868, of Sumter Court. Tho Barnwell Journal is the title of a now weekly, the publication of which has just been commenced in that County. It is put forth by Mr. John S. Shuck, and is a read? able paper. -o Passengers for Charleston and interme? diate points can lay abed until a reasonable hour and then catih the train over tho South Carolina Railroad, whioh now leaves at half-past 7 o'clock. There is also con? nection made, at a later hour, with trains | for tho North. We call the attention of our readers to the new plan and new features contained in tho advertisement of tho National Life In? surance Company, of which our neghbor, "Queen's Delight," is agent. He seems de? termined to advance the interest of his fel? lows, in not only improving their health and patting them in u good condition for j insurance with that incomparable panacea, but presents some strong inducements in a financial point, namely: how to make money ] and improve the condition of the poeket by insuring. Call and get a book. THE CONTESTED EJECTION FOB CONGRESS IN THE THIBD CONGRESSIONAL- DISTRICT. For tho lost three or four days tho examina? tion of witnesses on the part of the contest? ant S. L. H?ge has beon going on in this city, against tho validity of the election of j J. P. Heed as a member of Congress from this District. Thc investigation is boforo W. H. Wigg, Judgo of Probate, Judge H?ge is conducting the examination in per? son in his own behalf, and Joseph Daniel Popo, Esq., has been retnined as counsel for Mr. Recd. Thc examination of Talbud occupied tho greater part of Friday and Saturday, and, wo aro informed, that it was in many respects tho most extraordinary evidouco that ever was given. Ho confosscd, in his examinai ion, to tho murder of Ran? dolph, and gavo in full tho shocking de? tails. Tho examination is continued from 9 o'clock io tho morning until 9 o'clock at night. Questiou and cross-question are followed up with rapidity, and we suppose tho evidence in print in this easo will fill a printed volumo as big as a family Bible. Will it bo as truthful? Wo understand that Mr. Hogo proposes to examine in tho Dis? trict DOO witnesses; and, probably, Mr. Reed as many more. Who will ever read it? Mr. Hogo has selected Columbia to conduct tho examination of many of his witnesses, because he does not consider his person safe in Newberry, Abbevillo and Edgofleld Counties. 3)RATH OF "ASA HKABTZ."-The New Or? leans papers announce the death of Major Enoch George McKnight, in that city, on tho 10th instant, from consumption. Georgo was a resident of Columbia for mauy years, and served his apprenticeship in the South Carolinion office. In 1850, he removed to the South-west. At the commencement of the late war, counocted himself with a Louisiana regiment, aud was tinnily elected Major. At Corinth, wo believe, ho was mado a prisoner; was confined at Camp Chase aud Johnston's Ishtud. lt was while a prisoner of war that be acquired consi? derable notoriety as a writer, over tho sig naturo of "Asa Heartz"-bis communica? tions being addressed to his "left bower, Jack O'Dimuntz." COURT OF COMMON PLEAS ANO GENERAL SUSSIONS-February 15.-A motion was made by Mr. John T. Sloan, Jr., to dis? charge John Williams, (colored,) on the ground that he bad been under arrest since May last, ?iud that no bill of indictment had been given out, though this was tho second term since tho prisoner's urrest. Solicitor Tallej explained that no bill was given out because the offence, acording to the uffidavit accompanying thc warrant, showed that tho offence was committed in Fairfield County. The casu was one which bolonged to an ad? joining Circuit. Tho Judge ordered his discharge. Tho case of Culviu Campbell, indicted for larceny, having been assigned for to-day, the prisoner was arraigned, and put noon his trial. James D. Tradewell, Esq., and H. W. Rice, appeared for the prisoner; Mr. Talley for tho State. Campbell is the man who was indicted for steuliug tho money drawer from Dr. Miot's drug store, in Au? gust last, taking off about $300, besides some valuable papers. The jury, after being out for some time, returned a verdict of guilty. Upou the motiou of Mr. J. T. Sloan, Jr., Robert Perrin, (colored,) who bad been in jail for some time, upon tho charge of grund larceny, tho Grand Jury having found no bill against him, was discharged by thc Judge. To-day bas been assigned for the caso of Thomas Richardson and W. W. Gray, for the homicide of Dallas P. Smith. -o NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.-Special attention is called to tho following advertisements, published for tho first time this morning: E. H. Heinitsb-The Best at Last. J. L. Southern-The Southern Hotel. Chnrlotto and S. C. Railroad-Chango. S. C. Railroad-Change of Schedule. D. C. Poixotto Sc Son-Auction. J. H. Sc M. L. Kinard-Great Reduction. -o HEADACHE, DYSPEPSIA, COSTIVENESS. Should you be afflicted with either of the above complaints, use "Heinit.sb's Queen's Delight," and you will get Bpeedy relief. This valuable remedy (to which we call spe? cial attention in another column) is regard? ed by every one the very best remerjr for those diseases arising from a disordered state of the stomach, nerves and bowels. Indeed, it is asserted, upon high authority, that "Heinitsh's Queen's Delight" is the most extraordinary medicine known to me? dical men. The cures border on the mira? culous; and it must be a subject of rejoicing that so excellent a medicine is discovered in our midst. Try a bottle of it. 'For sale by FISHER A HEINITSH, Druggists. -o Mrs. Gaines will compromise with the oity of New Orleans for $1,600,000 cash. SOUTH CAROLINA RAILROAD. GENEBAL B?P*RtNTMrOXHT'8 OfTICS. CHAKI, ES TON. February 13. 186?. ON and after SUNDAY., FEBRUARY 14, the Fassengor Trains of tho South Carolina Rail? road will ruu as follows: FOB AUO?8TA. Loavo Charleston.8.30 a. m. Arrivo at Augusta.5.10 p. m. Connecting with Traine for Montgomery, Mem? phis, Nashville and New Orloans, rta Montgomery and Grand Junction. rOR COLUMBIA. Loavo Charleston.8.30 a. m. Arrivo at Columbia. 5.45 p. m. Connecting with Wilmington and Manchester Railroad, Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad, and Camden Train. TOll OUAIILKSTO?.. Leave Augusta. 8.00 a. m. Arrivo at Cbarloston.5.00 p. m. Leave Columbia. 7.45 a. m. Arrivo at Charleston. 5.00 p. m. AUOUSTA NIOUT KSl'UESS. (Sundays excepted.) Leave Charleston.7.30 p. m. Arrivo at Augusta. 6.30 a. m. Connecting with Trains for Memphis, NashviRo and New OrlcanB, via Orand Junction. Leave Augusta. 4 10 p. m. Arrivo at Cbarloston. 4.00 a. m. COLUMBIA NIOHT EXPRESS. (Sundays excepted.) Leave Charleston. 6.05 p.m. Arrivo at Columbia. 4.45 a. ra. Connecting, Sundays excepted, with Qreonvillo :.nd Columbia Railroad. Loavo Columbia. 5.30 p.m. Arrivo at Charleston. 5.30 a. m. SUMMERVILLE THAIN. Leave Charleston . 3.00 p. m. Arrivo at Summerville. 4 20 p. m. Leave Suramorviiln. 7.10a. m. Arrivo at Cbarloston. 8.25 a. m. CAMDEN UUANCII. On Mondays, Wcdnosdaya und Saturdays. Leave Kingvillo. 4.20 p. ia. Arrivo at Camden. 7.00 p. m. Leave Camdon.6.35 a. m. Arrivo at Kingvillo. 9 20 a. m. (Signed,) IL T. PEAKE, Fob IC General Superintendent.