The daily phoenix. (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, December 07, 1871, Image 2

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COLUMBIA, S. C. Thursday Morning, Dooenlber 7,1871. A. Popular View or oar State Finance? ?nd our Present Financial condition? al 1. We propose to present to our readers what.may be regarded a popular view of our present financial condition. We propose to appeal to facts and figures. This will enable ns to advance to our conclusions with precision. So long as we confine ourselves to the field of mo? ral argumentation, the gates of debate remain wide open, the field is very wide, and onr propositions, however true, fair and logical to one .mind, may seem the reverse to another. In suou line? ui ar? gument, it is hara io reach conclusions that may be Set down as indisputable. Such,, however, is not the case when we employ facts and figures. In these cases, it is possible to proceed with mathema? tical accuracy and directness. Here we move in right lines, reason upon fixed data, and are enabled to roach the last analysts ol things. The testimony thus secured as to any given proposition may be deemed the testimony of the rooks as certain and as sure as the everlasting hills. That two and two make four that an acid aud alkali will, when com? bined, produce a salt-are propositions which cannot be disputed. We congrat?late ourselves that in fix? ing the, responsibility for the present ruined finances of the State updo the present regime, and more especially upon the State ring of officials, we shall use arguments conclusive and unanswerable, because baaed upon, facts and figuret that are acknowledged. Out of theil own months shall we condemn the mer who have brought this financial inonbut and blight upon an otherwise struggling and impoverished people. We begin now at the beginning. Ao?O?ui?g lo tub ot momenta mudo uni reiterated, the old debt of tho State i set down at $6,605,908.98-this bein) inotusive of bondB issued under presen administration, under Act of Septembe 15, 1868, for fonding bills of Bank c the State of South Carolina, amountin to $1,255,550. We start, then, on th! basia. The present Administration bi gins with a State debt of $6,665,908.9! What is the State debt now? The Comptroller-General and the Sta1 Treasurer both make it for November '. 1870, 87,665.908.98. Id the sum.nov of the present yes Gov. Scott reports it to tho Congre sional Kn Klux Committee at abo 89,500,000. Attorney-General Chamberlain.- in I Chester speech, in Angnst, 1870, assert? that the whole public debt of the St? was bnt 86,183,849.17. In November, 1871, Gov. Scott a Treasurer Parker make the State debt be $15,767,908.98. In December, 1871, the Joint Invei gating Committee of tho General Asae bly pot the State debt at. 620,855,0(M exclusive of $6,000,000 sterling l? bonds in hands of American Bank N Company. . ; '. Thus it is acknowledged that in ab three disastrous years,'the Stale dab admitted to have grown from 86, Ct 908.98 to $15,767,908 98-showing actual increase of $9,102,000. Or, suming that the report of the Joint vestigating Committee of the Hons? established, there is a possible ino? of $14,189,092 in about three ye And the whole truth may not yet be vealed 1 Now, let the people understand t The preseut Administration admit increase of the State debt in about tl years, $9,102.000! It may be, and ] bably is, $14,189,092! 1 It may be morel ! ! Comment is unnecessary. So m now for the increase of the bonded c of the State, for which Scott, Par Chamberlain and Kimpton mast answ We ask, now, that these figures ? be examined. They speak for th selves. Wo shall to-morrow oons the question of tho taxes-what amt has been raised, and what has been c with the money. ..Be Sot DecclTedV* We learn thut in the Hoase, on T day, several members of his own p opened a heavy fire npon Gov. Si We, for one, shall not prejudge move, or any of the movers, but hope that it will always be born mind that there are sham fires as we real fires. Until we see a practical i to call the ring to account, we Bhall Bider that there may or may not b< earnest intention on tho part of th gislative majority to seonre the relit the Btate. The ring must be broke before wo can have anything lik newed life. It may be that the i outside of the Legislature will bo n sary. United States Court-Closing Argu on the FIrat Mw Pointa Made The Hon. Beverdy Johnson apok yesterday, in support of tho pos taken by the Hon. Mr. Stanberry. learn that Mr. Johnson made an argument, mainly on the prinoipl constitutional low involved in the forcement Act of Congress. Wo already spoken of the very high poi that Mr. Johnson holds as a con tional lawyer. We have reason t dare that, cn yesterday, thia u gnishod Marylander fall j sustuinei reputation. After Mr. Johnson ol the court adjourned to deliberate, presume that the opinion of the on the law points made will bo givi dey. On both sides, it is conocdet mach ability has been displayed. Thc Helf-ConTlctecl. Ia August, 1870, Attorn|y-General Chamberlain aaid at Cheater, in thia State: "I am here to defend the policy and acts of Governor Scott ond his ad? ministration in the management of the fonds and oredit of tho State. I am aware that this is the vital point of oar cause; the rook on wbioh we split, if at . i." He added, that "if anyone fraudu? lent aot, one instance of mis-manage meut or mis-appropriation of public fund" under tbs present -dciioii tra tion" is proved, then "lot your swift condem? nation fall on our* heads, drive us from o Oleo; aye, drive us (rom the State." And again, the Attorney-General said, ?U-* _*Wtm Hn.J. . r^nnA BBB? niivugiw ?HUI? 0"~ single charge, br one single fraud in oar history for the past two years, let us de? scend to merited infamy." Mark these words. They now come home. We pub to the oulti vated and hight j educat? ed Attorney-General the question: Have you not split upon the rook of the finances? Answer that. Has not your piratical bark gone to pieces, and aro not you, and Scott, and Parker, and Kimpton now swimming on tho vant deep of the sea of FRAUD? Again. You utter your own invocation and impreca? tion. Whenever, you have said, tbore is made good a single ohargo, or ene single fraud in your and your associates' history for tho past two years-1868 and 1870-"let ?B descend to merited in? famy 1" We might say descend-self sentenced-to "merited infamy," for the publia tribunal has already convicted your associates, and it remains for you to plead blindness or idiocy; for whether actively engaged or not, it is impossible to resist the eon elusion that you. Mr. Attorney-General, mast have been cogni? zant of the things whereof Scott, Parker and Kimpton stand aooased, But you demaud the legal proofs, Prove it, say yon. Wo answer that, unless some very unusual event shal prevent it, the proofs will be forthcom ing. Now, this we add: We united witl others in the hope that you wereoutsidi of the ring. Our columns are open ti yon. Clear yourself if you eau, and w< shall do justice, oome what may. That Alleged Outrage la York. We deem it doe as well to fair dealini as to Col. Merrill, the military command ant at York ville, to say that he denies th correctness of the statement made to ni Whilst We must protect our informant; and mast, therefore, decline to give tho: names, we rogard it due to ourselves t repeat that our authority is of the bei in York. I .On the other band, Col. Merrill assun us that the reverend gentleman in que tion was treated with the greatest coi sideration, and that he is willing to lea' the matter to the reverend gentlemt himself, as well as to a prominent lawy and gentleman of Yorkville proser Col. Merrill reported to ns the ci oumstances of the case, to show that this minister's case he had discharge bis duty with all possible and prop courtesy. Our conversation beoomii general, Col. Merrill spoke with ma earnestness of his official course ia Yoi aad claimed that he had, under ali o oamstanoes, sought to carry out 1 orders and to discharge the duties of 1 office fairly, justly and considerate! He claimed that the press and pub rumor had misrop rosen ted his course action. He won satisfied to leave 1 vindication to time. He was no pal man. He was a military officer of t Uuitcd States Government, resolved do his duty firmly, bot fairly and imp tially. As we have no disposition to p sent any man unfairly to the pnblic, cheerfully give place to Col. Merri denial of our informants' statemo Whilst we felt constrained to decline give to Col. Merrill the names of c correspondents, we freely give bim ' benefit of his denial of the oharges fleeting upon his official conduct. Tho Sumter News comes to us with salutatory of Mr. W. G. Kennedy, vi has assumed editorial control of t paper. Mr. Kennedy writes in a sp of boldness and independence. Th qualities, combined with prudence and gacity, aro the qualities demanded in position. We extend a hearty weloo to the new editor, and greet him t co-worker in a common cause. Tho New York Nation speaks of state of things at the South, which says, "cannot well be worse, and wh ??so seems to threaten a dissolution sooioty, owing to the deep and unblush ! corruption and rascality of the class w) ? lias there got into power." This is fro ' Republican journal. ; Almost every respectable paper No: j of either party, wherevor reforenci ; made to the subject, unqualifiedly re i diates our State rings of plunder : Thus it is, also, with every right-min ! man of the North, South, East 1 West. ! The Hoa. Revt rdy Johnson is sait ] have delivered, on yesterday, the I : argument ho ever made. It is ? ! nouueed masterly. He rose to the bei of the great argument. -?-?-?.? The New York Daily Bulletin well i that Ktmpton's showing should uoi I delayed ono day. We have been asl ? for it for some time. The Manchester (N. H.) Mirror i the velocity of the wind at Mt. Wt ington, on the afternoon of the l?tl November, waa 100 miles per hour, greatest velocity aver known. I A couple in Newport, R. I., recet celebrated their pearl wedding, hai boen married seventy years. THE UNITED STATES Ciuotrrr COURT. WEDNESDAY, December. : 6, J871.--T|*j?" oourtoonvonod at 10 o'clock A. M., Ii dr. Hugh L. Bpud and Hon. Gsorg* ?. Bryan presiding, Tho argclcuont on tbe motion to quash the indictment in the case of the United States vs. Allen Orosby et at was re? sumed. The District Attorney, Mr. Corbin, requested permission to make a few supplementary remarks to his argu? ment of yesterday, and to offer some additional authorities. He desired, 'he said, to call tho attention of the court to the objection made by the defence, that no election had been* named in the in? dictment, at which Amzi Raiuey had been hindered in the free exercise of tho right of voting. The oouuBel for the accused had argued that , the right to vote consisted merely in the axer-aise of it, and that some , particular instance of the deprivation of the right should be alleged; but in this State, the .time of general elections is ?xed by iaw for ihe third Wednesday in October. In cases of vacancies, special elections are or? dered. The right to vote.in such a Go? vernment as ours is not limited to the exercise of it, but is a continuing one, to be exoroised on all proper occasions; and it is proper that it should bo pro tooted by Congress, nuder the power conferred by the fifteenth amendment of the Constitution. Mr. Corbin reud from the opinion of Chief J us ti co Marshall, in the cuso of McCulloch vs. the State of Maryland, declarative of the power of Congress, by appropriate legislation, to enforce the powers granted by the Con? stitution to the Gouoral Government. Mr. Corbin was followed by Hon. Re? verdy Johnsou, in the olosiog argument of the defence. SPEECH OF MR. JOHNSON. May it please the court, I shall beat show my appreciation of the indulgence of yonr Honors, by proceeding directly to dise?es suoh points as I may deem proper in the presont case. It is not my objeot to argue each ground of the motion in de? tail, but I shall direct my attention to those general rules whioh relate to crimi? nal prooeodings in general. Before ] proceed to the consideration of those amendments to the Constitution undoi cover of whioh tho Acts of Congress upon whioh this indictment was framed were passed, I desiro to refer to som? of tho fundamental principles of om Government, about which there hat never been a dispute. At the close o the Revolutionary war, the sererul colo nies wore separate, free and independen sovereignties. Tho oxtgoncios of th* Revolution bad demanded some kind o union or leaguo, in order to resist, will any hope of success, the gigantic powe ; of the British Government ; but SD; colony or State had the right to with draw from such leaguo at suoh time au< for such reason as it deemed fit. Afte the Revolution, it was found that suoh constituted government waa inad?quat to tho accomplishment of thc cuds dc sired; and thou it was that the delegate from the different States met and dc vised the present Constitution. The were men as patriotic, as true, and o devoted to tho causo of freedom, aa han? over assembled together. They ut one appreciated tho dangers that beset th organization of auch n government ii was contemplated. They wished t guard, oa the ono baud, from tho weal ness of a centrifugal government, am on the other, from the despotism of oei tripotai power. They naturally wei most apprehensive nf tho latter evil, fi they had but recently experienced ti tyrannical exeroiso of power by a coi tralized government. Each State d sired to preserve all the powers not abs lately necessary to be delegated to tl Genoral Government, in order to effe the ob j cots of ita creation. Their d mestio sovereignty they retained intac conferring upon the Central Governme the power to regulato our relations wi foreign nations and the commercial i tercourse between the States. Many the States had disregarded the oblig tiona of contract? and mado legal tend a ourrenoy utterly worthless iu point fact. This evil was proveuted by t provision of the Constitution, that n thing but coin should be made a Ioj tender, and that no State should pu any law impairing the obligations of cc tracts. To curry out the provisions of t Constitution, and to establish un arbit between the conflicting powers of t State nod Federal Governments, t judiciary, a co-ordiuato and iudepeu ent branch of the General Govemmoi was created. But there is one thing IL the illustrions framers of the Coustit tion did not do; and if any mun h dared propose such a thing, be won not have been listened to with respei They did not attempt to place in t bands of the Federal Government t power to regulate cr control the electi franchise. In thu first article of t Constitution, this power is expressly : served to the States, and the qualitii tion of electors for the General Govei mont were fixed upon as the same those required of electors for tho lov, house of tho legislatures of the respe ive States. These the States bu changed in a variety of ways. In son a property qualification was required; others, a different age was fixed upc &o. ; and it baa never been dreamed tl the central government had a right interfere. The thirteenth amendmc merely emancipates those who wore f merty slaves-makes them freemen, a gives them such right* merely as fr men may exercise-no more nor le Whether emancipation WUH wise or n I shall not now discuss. I was a mc beroi the Senate at the time thu amei I mont wus proposed, and supported Humanity, religion und sound policy seemed to deiuund that iu a republic Government liko ours, personal shiv* should uot exist. At that time, tin wes no thought of vestios the lato ?lai with the right of suffrage. Cougr has been eduoated up to that idoa stu Whether it o wise to allow this pri loge to so large a body of ignorant, expotienced aud uneducated citizo time will show. In muuy of the Stat they out-numbered the whites, and lill control all the offices-legislative, exe tive and judicial. That it may wi well, no man more earnestly desires tl I. That it has worked well, I more tl: doubt. If they havo the same in) lootual faculties as the whites, and I I i Hove they have, education may fit tb I for tbo high responsibilities of tb ! novel position, and preserve the dei , nies of the country, so far no their ai ?duct might affect them. lu the Di ! Soott case, it was decided that a no< j was not a citizen, iu tho judicial sense the Constitution. The same decisi was rendered iu Pennsylvania. Wi tber correct or cot, it now makes difference The fourteenth umondmi j declares that all persons who are bc here, or are naturalized, shall be o zena. But that amendment doe? not give tho right of suffrage. Congress had not still been eduaated to the idea. They tried the persuasive plan, and de? olared that should discrimination be made in voting, representation should be proportionally diminished, thereby conceding that, in their opinion, the power to regulate the right of suffrage remained entirely to the State?. The States, in that respect, are sovereign-' were before tho Constitution, and are recognized to be so by the fourteenth amendment. Now, what does the fif? teenth amendment do? Does it aim to grant a right, cr tc deal with a right al? ready existing? Whore did the right to vote exist? ?t existed in the laws of the several States, and cannot be considered as conferred by this amendment? Such a oouB tr notion would be a gross injus? tice tc Congress. The counsel of the Qovernment have presented their view of the oase in as able a manner as it is possible for it to be done. They have spoken as well and ably-I hope they will pardon the oonditioo-as could be done on that side of the question. They bold that the States, by adopting the amendment, have conferred snob power on Congress. The most natural ques? tion that here arises is, why they didn't say so. I am confident, may it please your Honors, that if the fifteenth amend? ment bad, in unambiguous words, at? tempted to deprive the States of the powor to regulate suffrage, it never would have been ratified. Our ancestors were jealous of this right, and not only would not give it, but expressly denied it lo Congress. Can wo now undertake to as? sume that, by the ratification of tbe fif? teenth amendment, it was contemplated to change the very frame-work of our Qovernment, and that we conoeive our? selves so much wiser than the patriotio founders of the Constitution? Did not ? Congress simply say, we desire to pro? tect a certain class-not to confer a right, but to preserve ono already granted? Now, may it please your Honors, under what authority does Congress presume to pass the Acts of May 31, 1870, and April 20, 1871? The learned counsel cannot surely fiud tbe authority uudei the original constitution. The Act ol April 20, 1871, is assumed to be pass?e bv authority of tho fifteenth amendment for tho Act of tho 20th May, 1870, then is not the shadow of authority. Nor st far as the first section of the Act infers that the amendment grueled the righto suffrage, it is void for want of authority for reasons already urged by me. In the mode of electing United State; officials, Congress bas some power; bu where does it get the right to iuterfer> in State elections in any manner wbatso ever? Tho amendment must be cou sidered side by side with other equal! potent provisions of the Constitution and construed so as to work consistently if possible. Do you suppose,, you Honors, that if tho amendment bad bee worded so as clearly to give Congress tb power assumed by this Aot, that it woul have received the sanction of tho Staten If Congress can pass auoh a law au thii it can regulate suffrage in every respeo oan fix tho ago, and eau even extend t women the right of suffrage, uot as I bi lieve that it is intended for them to mil gie in these base coucerns that stir th passions of men, but fitted for bight and nobler purposes. If Congress cat not, it is simply because tbe fifteent amendment does not give them tl power olaimed nuder this Aot. Tl counsel stated yesterday tb at they fou LI it extremely difficult to frame an iudio ment under this Aot. Well may tin say so. The bill was evidently ii raf te by some one utterlj ignorant of the for of legislative enactment; and wo mu admit there are Borne auch in Congre now. The seventh section provides that, in the Act of violating any of the pr visions of this Act, any other feloi shall be committed, the puoisbme shall be the same as that affixed to sui felony by the laws of the State ia whi< the felony is committed. The counsel say that theascertainme of the felony is not for trial but to ser as the measure of punishment. Th say that the United States bas no j ur diction over offences against the laws a State but will punish for it. What d they think whon they framed the indii ment, and concluded against the pea and dignity of the State of South Cai Ima? They argue, may it please yo Honors, thai if the prisoners are convict it will cot divest the State of the rig to prosecute. But, suppose the adi tional felony be murder, us it is in number of cases, and tho prisoner is, j sentence of ibis court, hong, can t courts of South Carolina try and ha ? him too? Men have not the lives of oa Tnore is no definition, your Honors, i the offences to be committed in conni 1 tion with conspiracy, exoept the gene ! term felony. There aro, in some of t j indictments, a charge of murder. If t 1 prisoners are tried in this court for mi ! der, and escape, could they not evade t ? State courts under protection of tl fundamental priuoiple?of criminal lu that a man shall not bo put in jeopar of his lifo more thun euee for the sa offence. A few more remarks, une have dono. ?rave queatiuus, iuvolvi the constitutional powers of tho Gene Government, and a conflict of sovereignty with that of the State South Carolina. The question shoi properly bo decided by that noble I bunal the Supreme Court of the Unil i States, but for which the Goverumi I would not have lived a score of yea lt was manifest to the fathers of t j Constitution that questions of so I reignty would arise, and they establisL this court that we might not, as with t mother country, decido our difieren by war, but in this independent judie brunob of the Govorumont. lu nu bcrs of instances has this tribu stepped in to check the eucruachmei , of State Legislatures, aud now tl : should consider the validity of the aoti ; of Congress. They are but men, o ure liable to err. Party ends, and au i duo desire for tho preservation of pow ' may buvo warped their judgments. 1 PreKidout may uot know, ur may dis gard constitutional limitations in anxiety to seen ru his re-election. C< , gress may define rebellion ns it sees and clothe the Executive with powot ' suspend the writ of habeas corpus, i march his legions iuto a quiet e peuccublo country, whero there is no i : position to the Government. Suul state of things can only be checked the Supremo Court. You, Mr. Pros iug Judge, knew that no man, dur: the calamitous war, moro constantly c consistently opposed tho disruption tho Uniou than 1 did, by my vote un . proper occasions, but 1 had hoped i ; war now ended, lt seems not, ho WOY ; and tho Ku Klux, a name rende ' classic bj being inserted in tho Pn dential message, are classed as rebels. There have existed secret societies throughout the history of the world. We bave bad Masons from time imme? morial, societies for the promotion of learning, and societies that prided them? selves on knowing nothing-and pretty hard to pat down, too, were these Know Nothings in Baltimore and in Louisiana. Now, this Ka Klax sooiety is decried for that it attempts to interfere with auf? trage-because employers ?will not em? ploy those who vote not as they do. I should like to know how many appointees of the Qovernment Would retain their positions if they should vote contrary to tbs rali og majority? J nat mn jone as men cannot rise above the level of party considerations, and look solely to the well-being of the country, will such a state of things continuo. The Great Architect of the Universe has so regulated the various planets in their respective orbite as to guard against a collision, which would result in chaos and destruction. May he, too, so guard and protect our political relations, that they may not result in rain, disappoint the world, and defeat the wisdom of our honored ancestors, who fought and auf fered for our liberty I May he let us go on in our respective orbits, and instruct the world io the best mode of preserving constitutional freedom. At I2j? o'clook, the court adjourned till to-morrow, at ll A. M. Railroad. Mn. EDITOR: Being also sn anxious bat silent adv?cate of tho enterprise of ? railroad from Augusta to Spartanburg, I also beg leave to make a few remarks. Railroads are our modorn highways, made to facilitate trade and travel, and every place, of any importance, should have roads running North, Mouth, East aod West, to trade er travel in any direction; have choice of markets, and be so situated, that if any road or market demands exorbitant rates for freights or merchandise, the people oan trade or travel in another direction. Now, this cross-country roud from Spartanburg to Augusta will not necessarily deprive Co? lumbia or Charleston of our trade and travel, if they ure justly entitled to it, but enable un to havo a ahoico of mar? kets-to go to Augusta, Charleston or Now York, by a direct route, and trade whero our in toron ta demand, i. e., travel on that roud and Irado at that market which offers tho greutest inducements. All we wish, ia, to havo the power ol goiug to Augusta and New York when our interests demand, by direct routes; but, at the same time, not be deprived of the privilege of going to Columbia and Charleston by direct routes. If any one will look at the map, they will nee that a cross country road from Spartan? burg to Augusta has become a grand ne? cessity, and munt be built somo time, The country through which it must pas: ?B about the wealthiest portion of South Carolina, aud is now without a road; und the road proposed would enable them tu use, utilize and receive benefit from the Air Line Hoad, the Spartanburg and Union Hoad, the Greenville and Colum? bia Roud, aud the roads connecting ul Augusta. Can any other road be named that would do the same amount, or any? thing like tho namo amount, of goodi If the Laurens Road wan oontinued oe to Greenville, Laurens would be benefit ted to some extent; but the oross-coun try road would bo of far greater ad? vantage; and, if she is to have but one road, this one would give her thc greatest number of advantages, as she could go to Niuety-Six cr Spartanburg, and from those places iu any direction desired. I will say, just here, that il the people of Laurens do cot go ou thu siastically for this Air Line Road, the; are perfectly blind to their own interests, The point to be decided is, where ought this road to run? Aud I uow assert con? fidently that the Air Line route, alreadj proposed, is the route, and will bo best for all parties concerned. Greenwood and Cokeabury want the road toc?me by them, And Newberry wants the road tc come by her, and says: "Leave out the intermediate points in applying for youi charter, aud if you fuil, we will build the road." Now. it seems to mo, that the best oourso for all parties to pursue would be, to supp?t t the Air Line Road, via Laar? sn, Ninety-Six and Edg* field, which splits the difference between those abovo md those below, and thus New? berry, and Cokesbury aud Greenwood, joan, by ruQuing op or down the Green ville Road to Ninety-Six, go to Augusta, whenever interest or pleasure demands. Au air line road will not only be of the greatest benefit to all parties concerned, but will, at the samo time, meet the de I mandu of Augusta for the shortest route to Spurtauburg-passing through tim fertile and productive country-for Au gusta will not only tap tho Air Line al Spartanburg, but also the Union and j Spartanburg Road, which in to bo. am: j will soon be, carried on through thc I natural gnp io tho mountains to Ashe j ville, N. C.-thus opening the shortest route for Augusta to Cincinnati and tin great Weat. No; Augusta will nol j "sleep" over her interests, bnt sol j promptly iu favor of au air line road to j Spartanburg, and thus benefit and j satisfy all parties concerned. FENN. TAXATION IN ABBEVILLE.-We aro in '> debted to Mr. T. A. Sullivan, the Assist ant Auditor, for the following interest? ing items with regard to tho valuation ol real sud personal property in Abbeville and tho taxes asnessed: Number of aoret 1 of land, G10.C35; value of tho same, $4.053,095.70; value of buildings, '?? SiU.Gli 30; vaine of real estate ic i towns, $402,998; value of personal pro i porty. 82.417.320; total rubie of real and Sers'onul property, $7.388.029; poll tax, 5,228; State tax, 85l.71G.20; total State, ' 856,95-t 20; County tax. 822,104; total I tax for ull purposes, $79,118.20; total , amount of school tax charged on dupli? cate for 1872, $7.039.80. [Abbeville Press and Banner. DEATU OF A FAITHFUL COLORED AT? TENDANT.-Our obituary oolnmn to-day contains a funeral notioe of Catharine : Steele, who died la this oity, yesterday, j in her sixty-seventh year. Sbe will be remembered by many of the old families : here an a faithful colored attendant, who i endeared herself to them, aod ooo of ! them in particular, by her dutiful regard for their wants. Sbo was one in our . colored population who never forgot the past and its associa tin ns, and cared nothing for tho innovations of tho pre? sent. Sbo WUK greatly esteemed by those who knew her, and died regretted. [Charleston Courier. There were 2t> deaths In Charleston for the wock ending the 2d-whites 8; oolnred 18. Mr. Wm. K Davis, a prominent mer? chant of Charleston, died on the 5th. Zia O ?O CL 1 Ito XXI. o PHCBNIXIANA.-The prioo of single oopies of the PHSKIZ is five cents. The PHOSNIX office is supplied with all necessary material foi as handsome cards, bili heads, posters, pamphlets, baud-bills, oiroolars, and other printing that maybe desired, as any office in the South. Give ns a eall and test oar work. The attention of tho Engineer of Water Works is called to the condition of the spout at the Court House. ? small-sized river waa flowing from it yes* terday. Tho road ambition travels is too nar? row for friendship, too crooked for love, too ragged for honesty, and too dark for oonsoienoe. The weather prophets predict a cold winter, because the corn husks are so thick, and an old baohelor predicts nu? merous weddings, because there are so many cabbage-heads. The following officers wore elected \a.f\ evening io Richland Lodge, No. 39, A. F. M., to serve the ensuing year: G. T. Berg, W. M.; J. B. Ezell, S. W.; J. F. EuBor, J. W. ; A. G. Brenizer, Treasurer; G. A. DarliDg, Seoretary; J. P. Wil? liams, Tiler. How to make a slow horse fast-Don't feed him. Yesterday was soother cold day. The thermometer at the Pollock House re? corded 29 at 9 A. M. ; 40 at 3 P. M.; 34 at 9 P. M. Young ladies will now hesitate before rushing into matrimony. It is getting to be the thing to present the bride with sewing machines. We had a call, yesterday, from Rev, Mr. Garter, the avant courier for the con? cert, ou Monday evening nest, by the orphauB oonnected with tho asylum at Lauderdale, Miss. This institution baa been in exiateucu for five or six years, and tboy now have 200 little unfortu? nates (many o? them the children oi deceased Confederate soldier*) undci their charge. Tho canso is a laudable ooo, and the entertainment, as we are creditably informed, ls well worth at? tending. Miss Baie, tho Soldier's Friend, ten? ders her thanks to Mr. Templeton, for i "liberal donation in the way of tickets lo his entertainment. Some young men ure a little partial to blue-eyed maideos; others like dark-eyed lasses; but the mon eyed girls have thc most suitors. Mr. P. W. Kraft was thrown from hit horse, yesterday, and severely but nol 1 j dangerously injured. Our neighbor, Mr. Seegers, thinks IK has paid dear for his Christmas turkey. \ i The bird desired to change his base, yes 1 terday, and went through one of thc large panes of glass in tho front window. Gov. Scott has uocopted tho resigna tiou of P. M. Whitman as Sheriff ol Beaufort County, and George Holmes appointed in his place. The following additional appointments have been made Wm. Qodtrey, Notary Public for Ches? terfield Couuty; L. H. Little, County Commissioner for Laurens County; F. C. Randolph, Commissioner of Deed? for South Carolina, in Montgomery, Alabama; Rev. D. Klein, Commissioner of Deeds for South Carolina, residing al 93 Canal street, New York. MAIL AnsANOiaiKKTS.-The Northen: mail opens ot 3.00 P. M.; closes 7.If A. M. Charleston day mail opens 4.01 P. M.; closes 6.00 A. M. Oharlestoi night mail opens 6.30 A. M.; closes6.0C P. M. Oreen ville mail opens 6.45 P. M. ; oloses 6.00 A. M. Western mail opens9.00 A. M.; closes 1.30 P. M. Or Sunday office open from 3 to 4 P. M. TUB LATE BISHOP DAVIS.-Wo call at? tention to the appropriate resolutioni adopted by the wardens and vestry ol Trinity Church, in relation to the me? mory of the late Bishop Davis. SOPBBMB CounT, WEDNESDAY, Decem? ber 6.-The court met at 10 A. M. Pre? sent-Chief Justice Moses nnd Associate Justices Willard and Wright. A. L. Buchanan, administrator, rs. F. A. McNinoh et ul.; John M. Swann rs. Ann H. Pong, continued. Samuel McAliley vs. Osmond Barber, et al. ; re? cord to be completed. L. C. Hinton, administrator, vs. Sa? rah Kennedy et al. Mr. Brawley re? sumed and continued his argument foi respondents; Mr. Brice for appellant, in jroply. J. D. Oaskey, sheriff, vs. Win. McMul ' j lan. Mr. Mooro for appellant; Mr. Ker? shaw for respondent. ; W. R. A. Thomas .et at, rs. John W. I Kelly et al. Mr. Bobo for appellants; ' i Messrs. Brawley and McAliley for re 1 ' apondents; Mr. Bobo in reply. 1 Wm. C. Houze, admiuistrator, vs. 1 j Thomas C. Houze, et al. Mr. Patterson 1 j read brief for appellant, Mr. McClure ' j for respondents. The case wns conti ' ; nued for tho purpose of completing ro ?cord. ? Dabney. Morgau & Co. rs. the Presi ' i dent and Directors of the Bank of the State of South Carolina. Opinion filed, ' ; So much of circuit decree ns gives a I preference to the fire loan bond-holders j and fire loan stockholders in tho pay I ment to be made out of the assets of the ! bank, set aside. Said assets to be held i for distribution among all the creditors 1 ! of tho bauk in rateablo proportion to the , amount of their respective debts. Any i collaterals or securities held by any of j snob creditors for or on behalf of the , j bank, to be accounted for by them. The j chums of holders of bills of the bank j issued since December 20, I860, to be subject to the condition in tho opinion of thc court expressed. In taking the . account of claims by depositors, tho value in national currency to be as I sessed, with regnrd to time, facts and circumstances of the deposits. Such ' parts of the circuit decree, not incon? sistent herewith, confirmed. Case remanded to Oirouit Conrt for ' necessary orders. Opinion by Moses, : C. J. : At 3 P. M., the court adjourned until Thursday, 7tb, at 10 A. M The Templeton* have certainly been complimented with what may be termed fashionable hou^e^. Sou?o of our very beat.citizen's have been present at emoh performance, and signified their gratifl- ' cation by rounds' of upplause. La?t ' night, "Still Waters Bun .Deop" .-waa., the principal attraction, and it was very effectively rendered. The Leon Bro? thers displayed their skill in another : line-as guitarists; and capital it.was, too. "May-the-Fay" was, as usual, warmly welcomed; she is emphatically a child-wonder. To-night, a varied bill ' will be presented. A NEW WORE.-The Ida Raymond, who published Southland Writers, two years ago, has another book just, oat, entitled The Living Female -Writers of the South. Our Teading public do not need to be told tb at Ida Raymomd ia the ,, nom de plume ol an accomplished lady of Mobile-one ono bas done more than any other to encourage Southern writers of her own sex, and to impart an esprit du corps to their now large and increasing number. This book covers the same field as her last, but does so in a far better way. The material is better as? sorted and many errors of that are cor? rected in this; and two years are added. There are 181 writers sketched in the twelve Southern States. Of these, Geor? gia has most-30; Louisiana comes next, with 27; then Sooth Carolina third, with her 25; then Virginia, 24; Alabama, 19; Kentucky, 14; Maryland, 12; North Carolina, 8; Mississippi and Texas, each, 5; and Florida, 4. In some way connected with Oolum-, bia, are Mrs. Margaret M. Martin, so widely and affectionately known for ber ' religion* poems, stories and sketohes; . Mrs. Mary Ewart Ripley, now of Hen? derson vii le, N. C., whose stories and sketches have won for her a large circle of readers; Miss Clara V. Dargan now Mrs. McLean, of Yorkville-whose i poetry and tales have both won ad? mirers; Mrs. Louisa S. MoCord, the most vigorous female writer ia the State, whose successes in both tragic and lyrio verso, as well as in the sterner domain of political economy, make oar State i proud to make recognition of her pro , minence; and Mrs. Mary C. Rion, widely and well known as the author of the best book we have on floriculture. Bo sides these, there are the venerable Mrs. ? Oilman and Mrs. Glover Jervey; Mrs. Caroline A. Ball, whoso Jacket of Grey endears her mose to every heart that over beat beneath the grey; Mrs. King Bowen; Mrs. Shindler, Mrs. Durr, Mrs. i Clemson Lea, Mrs. Laura Gwyu, Mrs. I Moans, Mrs. Ladd, Mrs. Whitaker and Mrs. Deas; and Miss Poyas, Miss Jeanie 1 Dicks m, Miss Annie Barnwell, Miss Marian Reeves-author of Ingemisco ano > tiemdolph Honor-Miss Alice Simons, I and Mia* Cheeseborough. These of oui State. Outside of South Carolins, there ar< many that we wish to know something >f ; such as Mrs. Warfield, whos< "Household of Bouverie" is one of th? , best novels ever written by an America! woman; Miss Francis C. Fisher, whosi "Valerie Aylmer" aud "Morton House' have recently had such a Buccess all ove I the country; Mrs. Beulah Evans Wilson , who does novels in the learned way; Ma lame LeVert aud Madame de Vende Chaudron, famous in their special waya ; Mrs. French, to whose pen Westen . literature owes so mnoh; Mrs. Preston of Virginiu, whose "noble pathos" ii var themes has placed ber name vcr; high amoug the gifted women of tb Sooth; Miss Moore, the sweet singer o the prairies of Texas; and-but where ti stop? There are 161 writers mentione in the work, besides many an honore name of the past noticed fitly in the it troductory. A capital feulure of this book is a fa ' index-a feature^without whiah no bool ' not eveu a novel, should ever be seo I out to the public The index to this 1 ,' carefully arranged and complete. Th I volume is an octavo of 568 pages, and i from tho press of Claxton, Renison ! ' Haffolfinger, of Philadelphia. 1 The work has this dedication: "T , John R. Thompson, of Virginia, Jami Wood DuvidsoD, A. M., Sooth Carolim Hon. W. G McAdo, Georgia, Charil . Dimitry, Louisiana-a quartette < ( Southern authors who have ever kindl encouraged and judiciously advised tl 1 'female writers of the South'-this r cord of them is respectfully dedicated. HOTEL ARRIVALS. December 0. . Columbia Hotel-D. L. PriDgle, Georg town; G. S. Cameron, Charleston; 1 B. Friedlerger, Chester; Robert Hem: ' hill. Abbeville; Geo. C. Brown, 1 Duffey, Georgia; J. A. Mabry, Tenne see; A. C. Kelley, H. Scales, J. R Ire N. C.; Col. Merrill, U. S. Army; W. s Connors, Lancaster; S. M. Rierson, 1 C. ; Maj. S. Smith, Fred. Skrete, ?. I Army; Mrs. Campbell Bryce and ti daughters, Columbia; James Harri New York; Steadman Yoadeu, Charle ton; H. Gallmao, Pomaria; L. L. Gu01 wife, sister aud two children, Abbeviii W. D. Kennedy, Augusto. Nicker son House-E. S. J. Hayes, Le ingtou; C. F. Mason, Md.; E. P. Batl Charleston; D. Barrow, New York; , E. Taylor, 8. C. ; A. 8. Douglass, W. : ; Douglass, J. B. Douglass, Winnsboi D. Hilton, Pa. ; Miss E. Frasier, Miss Jones, Charleston; T. K. Cofield, Mis J. C. Carter, Kentucky; G. Gree Ballimore; S. Lander, 8partanburg; i J. Jones, Newberry; L. Jones, W. Gayer, Charleston; E. A. Gregg, Mi M. E. Oregg, Qa.; Miss M. E. Hutohi j son, Charlotte; J. D. Baker, New C leans; Miss King, S. C.; J. M. Seigh t Newberry. i LIST OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. j G. Sciinonelli-Italian Tailor. Sc'bels it Co.-Privato Sale. Revcnne Stamps. ! Tribute of Respect. I John Templeton-Theatre. A. D. Trimble-Orphans' Concert. ! Mrs. H. English-To Rent. I J. M. Talbott-Just Received. ? J. Levin-Auction. E. Hope-Teas, &o. j J. D. Bateman-Northern Hay. - - M AM-i-.w i nu Na ENTERPRISE IN CUASI ! TON -Charleston is fast becoming a ma ', facturing as well as a commercial oily. rJ Urgent manufactory of doora, sashes, blin ! Aa., lu tho Suutheru Htates is that of Mr t\ T?ALE, on llorlbeck's Wharf, in that o I salon rooms at No. 20 Hayno street. POALK'S advertisement appoars in snot column. Nov; "The best way to find out is to pa ; ring on it," was tho blushing reply o ? yoong woman to the remark of 1 j lover,.that he hoped her "hand was i ' a counterfeit."