Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COLUMBIA, 8. C. Wednesday korain er, Deoember 13.1871 Anotnor PrealtS?ntlal Mlorepr??cntatlon. From President Grant's message, in relation to bis Kn Klux proceedings in Sooth Carolina, we may make, for com? ment, the following extract: "Great caution bas been exorcised in making these arrests, and, notwithstand? ing the large number, it is believed that no innocent person is now in custody. The prisoners will be held for regular trial in the judicial tribunals of the United States. As soon as it appeared that the authorities of the United States were about to take vigorous measures to enforce the law, many persons abscond? ed; and there is good ground for sup? posing that all of such persons have violated the law. A full report of rhat has been done under this ?aw, will be submitted to Congress bv the Attorney General." We do not know what President Grant oalls "great caution." But if the manner in which his decrees have been carried out, at least In York, involve the "great caution" whereof he Speaks, then Bave DB from suoh caution now, hence? forth and forever. Colonel Merrill, his military agent in York, we know, prides himself upon the very thorough manner in whioh he has stamped the life ont ol what he oalls Ku Kluxism in York, but even he will hardly claim any great cau? tion in his military prooeedures. Both President Giant and his military repre? sentative in York may, however, well consider h^w far, in stamping the life out of theil Ku Kluxism, they may no< also have stamped the life out of those great writs of personal liberty, whict 200 years havo consecrated and made dear to the friends of oivil liberty every where. If our Saxon ancestors despised liars and cowards, how much did thej prize the liberties of the individual But if POWER has its day, let it bo rc membered that JUSTICE has its time also They who kiok manacled and impriBonet lions, may yet find themselves confront?e with those same animals in their nativ strength and freedom. But, says the President, seeking to ex ouse himself and his agonts before th country, notwithstanding the large norn ber arrested, "it ia believed that no inno cent person ie now in custody." Whs right have you, Mr. President, or ac informant of yours, thus to pre-judg the cases of the men arrested? Foi morly, it was thought u fair rule to cot sider prisoners innocent until adjudge guilty. But now it seems that all th arrested persons, all tho men that tb grand Ku Klux net draws ia out < York, Union, Spar tau borg and Ohestei are to be deemed guilty 1 Why? B< cause, forsooth, the President is ii formed, and expresses the belief, thi no innocent person is in custody i Here, on the contrary, whatever Co Merrill or anybody else may think, w believe that there are numerous inni oent persons now in custody, to say ci thing of the large number arrested, coi fined, and afterwards released. Again. The President remarks, thi as soon as it appeared that the author ties of the United States were about I take vigorous measures to enforce tl law, many persons absconded, and 1 concludos that all snch persons bad vi lated the law. Let us say to the Pr?t dent, that under ordinary circumstance his conclusion would be deemed fair at logical. But circumstances alter base When these circumstances to whioh v refer are considered, his inference b comes unjust and untrue, as respects least a large number of the self-exile The men who fled despaired of a fa trial. They knew the power of the Ge eral Government. They knew the m lignant spirit of those who had honnd< on the Government. They feared u scrupulous prosecutors, made-up tes (sony, and packed negro juries. Fee ing these, many innocent persons i fused the ordeal of an unfair trial, pi ceded by a long end humiliating imp: sonment. We do not say that th acted right. We feel that? they ought have stood their ground. At the sat time, we can interpret the philoaopl of their action. Does the Preside think it unreasonable that men shou have fled from his dragoons and his st pension of habeas corpus? Does thick it strange that the strongest e men ts of our population in the osti cised Counties should be now in pris or in exile, whilst paralyzed industr and stricken liberties aro the fruits his conquest? He has done all this causelessly done it. And because m have fled to escape his tyranny, and t rough, stern proceedings of his milito agents, he broods them in his messa as absconders. Among those so-called absconders, i young men and old men-your pee Mr. President, in all that oonstitu manhood and devotion to law. Is think it strange that they should hi gone hence. Witnesses, Mr. Preside are cheap in York and elsewhere in t State, and we do not exaggerate wi we say that, for the snm of ten dolls oasb, we can produoe four witnessef swear that Mr. Akerman, or Col. Men has stolen in York sheep, or cows, hogs. Finally, wo remark that we hope t a full report of what bas been done i be submitted to Congress, Let the port be full, and let it include what been done outside of the law, as well under the law. Let the report be and truthful. Let us havo no mere Ii of truth, but the whole body and all parts. Bridget Conlan, a white woman, found dead in her bed in Charleston, the li th. Verdict-visitation of Got EMckena und Judge. Orr. The compliment paid bj Judge Orr to the people of Pi o ken P, wherein he ?peaks iu bis judicial charge of the happy immunity . that Piokens baa en? joyed from crime and outlawry, we have read with great satisfaction. We know that the compliment is well deserved. Io all Sooth Carolina there exists no bet? ter and worthier community than that to be found in the mountainous portions of j oar State. . ? , ; We must, however, sty that it was not necessary for Judge (9rr to compliment Piokens ai .the exponte of other and less favored Counties. Hod .Piokens been sabjeot?d to the same influences that prevailed in the other Oonoties, aa human nature ia,the same everywhere, it ia likely'th?t io Piokens, as elsewhere, the great writ of habeas corpus wonld have been suspended. ' In the discharge of his jodioial f unc? tions in his circuit, we believe that Judge Orr has discharged his high duties with fidelity, sagacity, and in a spirit of com? mendable fairness. This we freely and fully say, as tho result of both oui observation and of the information thal has oome to ns. When Judge On travels out of hi? circuit and ventures tc pass judgment upon other aeotiona o , the State, and to express an opinion ai I to the neoessity of the harsh Federa proceedings that have been brought t< bear upon certain Counties of the State then we take issue with him and under take to say that he could scarcely hav taken in tho whole situation when h undertakes virtually to endorse the wa upon South Carolina, as carried on b Grant & Co., upon the representations o unscrupulous and designing and mali}, nant persons. Timely Word?. We call attention to the communioi tiou of onr esteemed Abbeville correi pondent, who writes above the noni ( plume of "Tax-payer." Whilst we ha\ not deemed it our duty to advise ot people against tho payment of the taxes, as a mode of relief for the pri sent, yet we do urge that the paymei thereof be deferred to the latest poss bio moment. We have every reason I eonclnde, that jost so fast os the publ money is paid into tho State Treasury, goes to fill the craws of the cormoran who havo BO gorged themselves with tl hard-earned fruits of the people's 1 hors. In tho meantime, our prese: duty is plain. It is to pursne by leg methods the plnudering ring. That the issue. Break up the ring. Let i other issue oome in to divert attentio Let us see to it that the issue is n changed. Let us see that we keep o vantage ground. Let the honest hunt? of the people go straight forward. \ have pointed ont the immediate game Parker, Kimpton, Scott, Ohamberlai tho Financial Board and its agent these aro the men for JUSTICE to 1 hold of. The Gradations of Vlllalay. In November, 1870, Treasurer Pari set down the State debt at $7,665,908.1 In May, 1871, it is repeated that t State debt is $7,665.908.98. In September, 1871, Gov. Soott ports to the Congressional Ku El Committee that the debt is $9,528,564. On November25, ParkerandKimpU el id omne genus, acknowledge to 1 New York Tribune correspondent tl the State debt is $15,806,908.98. When the Legislature meets, G Soott informs them that the whole pi lio debt isbut $11,994,908; "which sta ment he knows, from severe persoi scrutiny, to be correct, nothing be: suppressed." Finally, the Joint Investigating Ct mitton of the Assembly declare that State debt is above $20,000,000! The Financial Board oonsists of Soi Parker and Chamberlain, and Kirup is their agent. Legal action is the rec HOLD THE JUNO RESPONSIBLE. A Valuable Suggestion. We invite the attention ot tho m bora of tho General Assembly to communication of oar able Fairf correspondent, who signs himself " TioN." It is n fcubjecfc which, we j sume, will receive due considernti The duty referred to is one impc apou ibo Legislature, and ii involve matter of great concern to the pul As universal suffrage is the soi whenoe terrible results have come in State, every measure calculated to pu this sonrco is of prime importance. -??s ? ? A Letter from Rock Hill. Our readers will find, in to-d PHCENIX, a letter from Bock Hill, f Mr. William Dillingham, who, we assured, is a most worthy man. letter is addressed to the Now York vance, a paper published at Ogdensb a city on the St. Lawrence, and near the Canada lino. That letter have weight. It will repay perusal, as it is of home thrusts. ? o ? ? Some Feejeeans, genuine, tb oro bred cannibals, have arrived overlat St. Jo., and the Herald has in tor vit them. Two of them are said to 1 assisted at a feast of twenty sailors, Polonius* feast when he was at sap] but as a rule they prefer block mei white. Perhaps in their far off o home, they scented the African m tiou to the North-west, and went fo The Nashville papers, after a o experience in cheap subscription r have returned to their old prices. ' have found it impossible to publish newspapers at a price which, while : oreases their oiroulatian to some ex does not begin to be remunerative, A letter from Senator Carpenter mates that the lives lost by the f and prairie fires in Wisconsin, will i ber from 1,200 to 1,500. Revelation or th? II-JUMI Trude. Whereas this Board of Trade aro uot opposed to the construction of legiti i mate city improvements at a fair price, bat are io favor of auoh measures; .tud whereas it is contemplated bj the City Council to apply to the L?gislature to pass an Act giving Council .power lo issue city bonds to tho uinouut of 8800,000; and whereas, in the judgment of this Board, auoh an Act would bo ruinous to the true interests of the oiti zens; therefore, be it Resolved, That the President of this Board invite a public meeting of the tax-payern of the city, without regard to party, by advertisement, at Ourolina Hail, on Saturday next, at 12 o'olook, to protest against a measure so injurious to the interests of the city. Agreeably to the above resolution, I hereby invite the meeting at the time and piaoe biguided. It. O'NEALE, Ju., President. To the legislature. Seo. 8, Alt. VIII , of tho Constitu? tion, requires : "It shall be the DUTY of the General Assembly to prov ide from time to time for the registration of voters." Your "duty" and your oath of office demand that you enact a law providing for this registration. Every time you meet and adjourn without pas?ing such an Act, you aro virtually guilty of per? jury. There eau be no honeat election with-1 ont a proper antecedent registration of voters. Let not this session terminate without passing an election law that will guurd against frauds; and among other provisions, oarry out the requirement of the Constitution as to registration. It is at least to be expected that the rep? resentatives of tho Demnorntio party, now in the Legislature, will make some attempt to prevent the frauds their party has said so much about. AC1TION. A HIGH OLD BILI,.-The Committee on the Judiciary, of the House of Rep? resentatives, have reportad favorably upon the bill "to declare thu use of certain words a misdemeanor," and re? commend that it do pass. There is a prospect, then, the Legislature willing, that naughty expressions will soon cease to sully the lips of the liegos of Smith Carolina, and that not even the worst member of the Columbia ring will be called a "thief, rogue, scoundrel or pol? troon," except in n strictly Pickwickian sense. Tba pleasure of calling a fancied foe by hard uamen is not deep enough to compensate for "imprisonment, with hard labor, in the County jail," coupled with "a fine of fifty dollars," at the dis? cretion of the court. We fear, however, that inveterate vituperators will find a way to evade the law. They will whip the foul fiend around the stump by in? venting a new vocabulary of abuse. Snppose, for instance, that, instead of making nse of "the opprobrious epi? thets" forbidden by the law, they call their tergiversating neighbor a Scott, and fling at the head of u nouveau riche the stunning title of Parker. Would Ihe use of these names, "in a ru lo, angry or revengeful mnuner," expose the unfortunate offender to trial in n court of "competent jurisdiction?" Or, if a heedless Conservative shouted out that Sir. So-and-so was a Mackey, or a Hen? dricks, or a Bowen, would the guilty wretch be likely to sojourn for an un? pleasantly long period undor the roof of the County jail? We are anxiously waiting for the coming of that millen? nial time when all words shall be sweet as houey. and uo man shall merit a harsher titlo than that of angel or saint. But BO long as the citizens of South Ca? rolina are only to bo mada reverential by an Act of Assembly, it is justas well for the Judiciary Committee to make their legal nets close enough in texture to hold j the little fish as well as tho big ones. I And if they can, by law, prevent pro? fanity and obscenity, we would suggest that they cut a little deeper, and, by law, prevent any member of their own body from telling fibs, pocketing tb? public moneys or showing the white feather. After ali, tho stiug ot the Act to "de? clare the use of certain words a misdo j m eau or" lies in its tail. The second section provides that any person who may be indioted for assault cud battery may plead, in justification, that thu lan guage which the bill prohibits has been ; used townrds him, with this quuli?ca- ' tioo: "Provided, Tho assault and bat-, tery shall bo proved not to have been . excessive." We humbly hint that this is j rather vague. What is to bo deemed nn j "excessive assault and battery?" Mr. j Jones calls Mr. Brown "a liar, thief, scoundrel and poltroon," in "a rude, j angry or revengeful manner," and Mr. Brown, in tho language of the ring, taps j Jones' claret und closes his peepers. ; Wonld that be an "excessive" assault i and battery? Aro wu to frame a slidiug j scale in this fashion: A thief, ouo black ? eye; a thief and liar, two black eyes; a ; thief, liar and poltroon, two black eyes j and the forfeiture of the front teeth. And is the force of muscle to be taken into consideration? What io to justify a j blow with an umbrella or a slap in tho face? Is tho aggrieved person to do hi? ; level best, and leave it to the "court of i oompeteut jurisdiction" to detormine I whether tho punishment was excessive? , These are obvious di ill cu lt i es, which we ! considerately suggest for tho contempla- ! tiou of the individuals who, if thu bill j should pass, are most likely to find it necessary to avail themselves of its libe- i ral provisions. - Charleston News. ALAS! THE Poon NEOROI-Even the ? Yankees do not practice what they preach. Thoma?? Chester, colored, of :1 Harrisburg, Pa., who has figured in the: newspapers before as a barrister. Seo., applied to tho committee in Philadelphia ; to purchase a ticket to the ball in thut | city to the Grand Duke Alexis, but wus refused. CheBtnr, it seems, had an in- ! terview with tho Emperor of Russia a . year or two ago, and is well acquainted j with tho fair-haired Alexia. This re fasal has not only greatly disappointed ! Mr. Chester, bat has created consider? able talk among certain newspapers. ? ? Chester is reported to have said; "I have the right to attend the funerals of. dead white mon, as I did attend the . funeral of Oen. Grogory; but it seems I ! cannot be permitted to go to o living white man's ball." Ho did not get his : ' tioket. Another colored mnu, named Dorsey, who livos in Locust street, Phi- < ladelphiu, was refused in the same way, ' I which, in a published letter to tho Grund I Duke, ho attributes to "that flunkey < spirit in certain poor-souled Republionn ! | Americans who, whilo they are ever so j I ready to fawn upon the groat, are also | i ever ready to insult tho humble and 1 j friendless." 1 TUB U KIT ED STATES OXBOOIT GGUBT Tm AD OF Ku EDTJX OASES.-TUESDAY, December 12.-The court convened at 10 A. M., Hon.HughI*. Bond and Hon. Qeorge 8. Bryan prodding. Mr. Hart submitted a motion, accom? panied with affidavits aa to tho pecuni? ary disability of the d?fendante, that the clerk be ordered to summon witnesses in the case of the United State? vs. John P. Qage el al., at the expense of the Go? vernment. - Judge Bond refused to grant the or? der, because no bill had aa yet been found against the parties by the grand jury." Mr. Corbin announced to the Oourt that he was ready to proceed to trial in the case of the United States vs. Bobert Hayes Mitchell, Sylvanus Shearer, Wm. Shearer, Hugh Kell, Henry Warliok, James Neil, Addison Carroll, Miles Oar roll, Eli Boss Stuart and Josiah Martin, oburged with conspiracy against James Williams, acias Jamos Bainoy. Judge Bond announced that the oourt had not yet decided as to the validity of the court's charging a violation of the right to keep and bear arms. Mr. Corbin theo said, as there was no other business before tho oourt, and as he was anxious to be getting on in the trials, he would enter a nolle prosequi to the questionable counts, and proceed with the others which charge a conspi? racy to violate the right of suffrage. Tho parties indicted were called, aud all answered to their names, except Hugh Kell and James Neil. The District Attorney elected to try drat Bobert Hayes Mit hell, and the clerk proceeded to empi. jnel the jury. James Simpaon, (colored,) was the first name drawu. He waa examined on the voire dire and accepted. Also, the fol? lowing: William Smith, (colored,) Barn? well; Ephraim Johnson, (colored,) Qeorgotown; F. J. MoMaker, (white,) Newbarry; James Magill, (colored,) Charleston; Gabriel Cooper, (colored,) Joseph Taylor, (colored,) Wm. Mooney, (white,) Columbia: Phillip Salters, (co? lored,) Wm. F. Dover, (colored-,) Charles? ton; Josesph Keene, (colored,) Htutev borg; Isaac Blank, (colored,) Columbia. All Republicans. The following were rejected by the prisoner, uuder his right of peremptory challenge: Edward Reid, Addison Ri ohardsou, Henry Daniels, David Lieaby, Andrew W. Curtis, Henry Fordhuin, Adam Cook, N. E. Edwards, colored, und W. H. Jackson, white. Mr. Corbiu challenged peremptorily Andrew W. Burnett, of Charleston, am ordered to "stand aside" J. P. Holloway and John A. Pugh, colored, and W. Ii DeBcrry, of Darlington, white; E. C Rainey WUH disqualified, on account o having served UB a juror in the Ciroui Court of the United States within tw< years. After the jury was formed, Mr. ('orbit addressed them. Hu dwelt upon tin importance of the trial, and stated tba the Qovernment would endeavor ti prove, first, a general conspiracy o armed and disguised parties, bound to gether iu a secret organization, by ni oath, the penalty for the infraction o which was death! death! death I and tie purpose of which was to control the co lored votes by threats, violeuce sud in timidation; that they were first orgn nized in 18G8, suspended operation somewhat in 18G9 and 1870, but lootnei up into more terrific proportions agaii in 1871; that by them, or through thei agency, many colored persons wer whipped, abused and killed; that the, murdered Jim Williams, the partiouln points of which homicide he woul bring out on tho trial; that forty or lift of those conspirators met, armed an disguised, at an old muster ground known as Briar Patch-proceeded frot there stealthily, iu thu night, to th house of Jim Bainoy - broke iuto hi house, dragged him to the woods, au hanged him by a rope to a tree until h was dead, leaving pinned to his breast card, with the derisive words, "Jim Ba ney on his last big march;" that the sai parties visited other colored persoc also, and compelled them to take a oath not to vote the Republican tick* again; and that he would show that th was done not only to prevent Raine and othors from voting iu 1872, but b< canne of their having voted in Octobe 1870. The witnesses for the prosecution wei then called. Mr. Stauberry demaudod that they L kept separate, and that the others I taken from the court room while one wi giving his testimony. Tho Court so ordered. The first witness called was Lieut. 1 S. Godfrey. Lieut. Godfrey stated thi ho was u Lieutenant in thu 7th Unit?. States Cavalry, and was stationed ? Yorkville. The witness was here interrupted t the entrance of tho grund jury, wi made the following returns: Tho United States r.s. John P. Gag Ernest Lowry, Edward T. Avery, Hoi ard Davis, alias White, Henry Tool alias Heury Tew, Frank (Jowan, Frat Fowell uud Samuel Stewart, oharg< with conspiracy against Isaac A. Postt Truobill. ' B. V. JACKSON, Foremau. Tho United .Stutes ns. Napoleon M 1er, Rufus MuLain, Chambers Brow Sylvanus Shearer, Hugh H. Shear? Elias Ramsay, Robert Biggins, Hug Kell, Henry Warlick, Andrew Kirkpu rick, Robert Hayes Mitchell. Alon Brown, W. Johnson Neil, Addison Cn roll, Miles Carroll, Harvey Gunuiu Pinckoey Caldwell, Robert Caldwe Bascom Kennedy, Holbrook Good, Jol Caldwell, Robert Dixon Bigham, 1 Ross Stewart, Kinniel Ferguson, Jol S. Brattou, James William Avery, Joaii Martiu aud Julius Howe, oharged wi conspiracy against Gadsden Steele. Tr bill, except ns to John S. Bratten ai Julius Howe. As to them no bill. ll. F. JACKSON. Foroman. After tho g ra ml jury had made tin return, Mr. Hart asked that a day l'or t trial of tho casu of tho United Stutes i Jehu P. Gag?, vt al., might be fixed thal djfouce might prepare. Mr. Corbin stated that it was impon? ble to lix any day, inasmuch ai I prisouers were all severing iu their tris und ho could not tell how long it mig bu before they got through. Judge Rood said the court would e iloavor to give the defendants notice I toro trial. The examination of Lieut. Oodfi was then continued. Mr. Corbin handed wituot-s a par. iud asked if ho recognized it? He sa Lie did; that about the 26th of Octet last, ho was ordered by Col. Merri commandant of post ut Yorkville, proceed to thu house of ono Mr. S. 1 Browu, with nu order, siguod by S Drown to Lia daughter, directing her rive mo a constitution and by-laws .ho Ku Klux Klan. Mr. 8 tn ?ber ry lioro objected to any ! parol evidenoe being given of tbe con* tenta of tho order, which waa sustained by the Oonrt. The witnesa then went on to tay that he delivered the order to the daughter of Mr. Brown; with her assistance went into the private desk of Mr. Brown, and tbero found the papers which be held in bis hands; that he received them and endorsed on them the time and manner of his getting them, &o., attaching his signature thereto, and that he carried the papers and delivered them to Gol. Merrill at Yorkvillo; that he uaw no alterations wbatevor in the paper. Mr. Oorbin asked witness what was the small paper ho had in his hand? Witness answered it wus a list of names fonnd with the large paper. The dofenoe not desiring to oross ex? amine, the witness was called down. Alberton Hope (white) was next called by the prosecution. Ho said ho was a resident of tho Western portion of York County, and had resided there for oleven or twelve years. The same paper, about whioh witness Godfrey was examined, waa banded to bim, and tho question asked if be had ever Been it. His reply was: I cannot be positivo as lo whether I have seen this paper or uot. I did give a paper purporting to be the constitu? tion and by-laws of the Ku Klux Klan to Mr. 8. G. Brown; I cannot say if this bo it; I did not rcooguizo tho hand? writing; it has been a long while; and I can't swear toil; I did not read all the contents of tho paper. Mr. Bumberry here objected that the evidence tending morely to establish the identity of the paper, should go to the jury; which view the court sustained. Mr. Hopu then cou tinned: Bo far as my memory serves me, the constitutional part of this paper is tho same as that I gave Mr. Brown. I think I got the pa? per from Major J. W. Avery, iu 1868. I had expressed a desire to see the ground? work of the Ku Klux organization. Mr. Corbin-What did you understand Major Avery's connection with tho klan to bo? Mr. Stanberry objected, and the com t ruled the question out. Mr. Corbin-Have you been a member 1 of tho klan? Wit j ess-I was never sworn, und did not oousider myself a member of nov Ku Klux Klau. I atteuded n meeting on or about the lat nf March last. I don't know whether you would call it u Ku Klux Klan or not; I did uot. I was olecled commander of tho party. There hud beeu HO much burning of houses, barns, &o., that tho neighborhood was uneasy, and we met to provide means of I safety aud protection, lt waa said that { some of the persons present were mem? bers of the klan. They did elect me commander. Borne others were elected or appointed. 1 called them warners; some called them night-hawks. They were couriers to carry orders aud give1 alarms; and there was a man, too, to keep the roll. Tho witnesa was theu cross-examined | by tho defence. Mr. Stanberry-Wheo was this meet iug? Answer-About 1st of Merell. What was the cause of that meeting? Auawer-Well, there bad been a great ! deal of inoendiarism in the neighbor- ! hood; houses nt Mr. Allison's, Mr. Oas- ! tie's, Air. Browu's und several tithers, were burned. The people were much excited, sud we met to consult about ! measures of protection and guard i against the threats that had been"made. Mr. Corbin objected to witness men- j tiouing threats that he himself had not heard. Mr. Johnson-Tho prisoner nt the bar ; is charged with conspiring to violate tbe I right of suffrage. The counsel for the ' prosecution have brought out this ga- ' tberiug uud attempted to show that its object was to violate the right of suf- j frage. Now, isn't it perfectly compe tent for us to show that such was not the object of tho meeting? And if we can prove tbut this meeting was to guard against threats of violence, or to prevent burnings, no matter whether tho threats ! were actually made or not, or tbe burn- ! inga bad beeu committed, still ll. ty were acting iu self defence, end for thu sole . purpose of protecting themselves, and I did not meet with a criminal intent, us charged. Court ruled thu testimony admissible. ' Mr. Stauberry-What wa9 your mo- : tivo in going tu that meetiug? Witness-Protection of myself and the helpless ones around me from further i conflagration, aud from the threats I had i heard. Mr. Stanberry--What ? ere tho threats? 1 Witness-Tho threats, as I under? stood, were that they would take ali, ' from tho eradlo to the grave. Tho court continued lu session till o.'J o'clock P. M., and hold au evening ses? sion from 7 to ll o'clock P. M, wbeu it adjourned till ll o'clock to-morrow. Tho testimony given lust evening will be published in our uoxt issue. lu Pleusantou, Texas, last month, one i Frunk Polica suicided by blowing out his braius. He had been iifllictud with the chills, until life to bim was a burden, i aud be vowed that if he had another he ' would kill himself. The next day ho felt thu ohill oomiug on, aud told u gen- : tleman who was with bim of the fact. { Every attempt waa made to keep it off, by drinking hot coffee, otc., but to no effect; sud, before he could be prevent ed, the mau drew his pistol, put his head , to it and tired, killing bimst If instantly. Tho J ace ko u ville (Ala.) Republican sayB ' tbero is a ludy living ut Colombiana, Shelby Couuty, who gave birth to a. child a few days ngo, ut tho age of j Beventy-three years. Suo is the mother of several children, the youngest of j which, before this ope, is thirty-two ; years old, sud tho mother of several1 children also. The old lady was doing well nt last accounts. . - The clerk of a Now York court paz- ? sled himself to death trying to make i Dut thu naturalization papers of a man i boru of au Irish fat lier and an Eoglish mother, uti board a Dutoh brig nuder French colors in Flemish waters. Wo lon't sen what uso suoh a mao could bave for naturalization papers anyhow. A odored womau was fonnd dead in n shell flat lu Charleston, on tho ll tb, ind there was oonsi lerabln excitement lino ti g the colored fraternity-matty . mpposing she had been murdered* but it tho inquest it was proven that she' lied of congestion of the lungs. lt) lviht Thomson, Colin., on S recent Sunday, j'.ist after prayer, as tho minis- , ;er was rising from bis knees, tho pulpit ono of tho old, high and waisted sort) ; ipplod over, and shot him out among ! he congregation like a stone from a* liing. L.KGI8L.ATIVK PKOCBKDIWOS. | TUESDAY, DECEMBER li?, 1871. SENATE. Tbs HOUR te met at 12 M., Pr?sident Ranaier iu the Chair. Tho following bills were read a ?bird time and passed: To renew the charter of the People's Bank of South Carolina; to renew the charter of Strawberry Ferry, on Cooper River; to iuoorpornto the Mountaineer Fire Eugine Company, of Walhalla; to inoorporute the Gheraw Fire Eogino Company ss a part of the fire department of Cheraw. Mr. Clinton introduoed a bill to amend the charter of the town of Lancaster. Joint resolution (by Mr. Barber) to take ? recess from December 22, to January 0, 1872, was laid over. A uumber of petitions were lead aud referred - auiong which,was thepeti tiou of the County Commissioners of Richland County to sell the old court honan lot, on tho corner of Washington aud Riobardsou streets, in the city of Columbia-the proceeds to be used for certain purposes. Also, a petition pray? ing authority to levy an additional tax for County purposes of one and a hall mills upon the tax of 1872. Concurreut resolution to order and I authorize the Comptroller-General tc commence legal proceeding? to secure books, uccouuts, vouchers and papers ol the Financial Agency of the State ul South Carolina, was pasBed. A uumber of bills wero wad und rc Iferred. At o P. M., tho Souute adjourned unti tc-oorrew at 12 M. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tho House met ut 12 M., t? peake i Moses in the Chair. The Committee on Charitable and Re I i Rion s Associations reported upon cer tain bills to incorporate certain churches Tho Committee on County OfBoer and Offices reported favorably upon bill, with certain amendments, "lo cit fine the jurisdiction und duties of Count , Commissioners." . Mr. Tolbert introduced a bill to iucoi ' porate the towu of Ninety-Six. ? Mr. Wilkes introduced the followiD j bills: To punish disorderly persons; t < amend au Act entitled "Au Act to pr< tect the rights of parents, and to prc vent the procuring and carrying froi I tho State persons nuder tbe ago < ! twonty-sno years;" to enable trial jai i does and justices of the pence to act ( i coroners; to prevent tho further isaui ' salo and hypothecation of bonds of th ; State, under the several Acts of the Get i eral Assembly heretofore passed, and ft J other purposes. Also presented claim < j William Holmes, Constable of ?nderst County. Mr. C. D. Hoyne introduced a bill I fix the rates of passengers' fare on tl railroads iu this State. Mr. Davis-Bill to incorporate tl Euterprise Association, of Charleston, j Mr. Hunter-Bill to punish auy pe sou or persons making or drawing ai lotteries or other schemes of chance, i for being concerned iu the same. Mr. Smith-Bill to renew and amei the charter of the town of Mount Pie sunt. Mr. Jervey-Bills to abolish the off! of Assistant Adjutant-General, and devolve the duties of said office upon t Adjutant and Inspector-General; to ab Heh thu office Of Land Commissions and to devolve the duties of said o ill upou the Secretary of State. Mr. Adamson-Bill to amend au A entitled "An Act relative to tbe jurisd tion and duties of County Co ni in issie ers." Mr. Cousart-Bill to ameud the chi ter of the town of Lancaster. Mr. Johnston-Bili to incorporate ci tain churches in Laurens County. * Mr. Hagood-Bill to amend an ? entitled "An Act to incorporate the to of Pickens." Mr. S. B. Thompson-Bill to inoorj rate the Shiloh Baptist Church, in Ri< land County. Mr. Fr?V-Bill to confer upon Tr Justices certain jurisdictions. Mr. White-Bill to provide for tho lief of the widows und orphans of lin killed by tbe Kn Klux Klan. Mr. C. D. Huyne offered a concurr? resolution, to repeal and discharge joint committee appointed under a jo resolution of the General Asaemb passed at the last session, for investig ing the accounts of the Treasurer, Coe trollor-General, and Financial Agent, New York. Mr. Yocuni introduced a joint rest tion, calling upon the Clerks of House and Senate for certain inion tion concerning the Republican Priut Company. Mr. Keuucdy introduced a resoluti declaring tho seat of J. Banks Lyie e member of this House vacant. Mr. Henderson introduced bills to thorize the County Commissioners Newberry to levy a special tax; to ni extra pay for managers of elections h< ing special elections. Governor's Message No. 2. returui without his approval, nu Act to chai the North-western Railroad Company South Carolina, was passed over his vi The following joint resolution and 1 wore passed: Joint resolution relativ bonds and stocks now in bands of S Treasurer; bills tc amend au Act ecti "An Act to incorporate certain to and villages, and to renew aud ara certain charters heretofore granted, proved in the year 1855;" to empo the Judges of the Probato Court their respectivo Counties, to issue ex ti OHM; to declare the uso of certain wi u misdemeanor, and to punish the sa to authorize and empower W. C. Gi ty, F. W. 'fowles aud D. H. Towle establish and build a wharf at Marl Point, Wudinnluw Island; to incorpo the Mount Pleasant Evangelical Lu ran Church, of Barnwell County; tc corporate tho Mission Presbyte Church, of Summerville, to incorpo the Wallingford Presbyterian Chi aud Academy, of Charleston; to pro for tho punishment of embezzlemci public money and other purposes. Senate bill to regulato tho granta divorces was postpoued. At il P. M., the House adjourned i to-morrow, ut 12 M.. ... -? . - - A woman iu Rochester heard sound trying to burglar ber premises one ni lately, aud she just kept watch. V she saw a baud grasping the window she quietly chopped off three or foi its fingers, and waited for the obaj put iu the other baud, bathe didn't elude to, mid went away as mad as t der. Tho woman's husband want Qud tho remainder of the man, to what be thinks of tho joke. She di with her little axe. John Calvin hus been fined and prisoned for profano swearing in C where, if it hadn't been for his u nobody would have thought anythii it. CITY MATTERS.-Tba price of single copies of the PHONIX is 8 ve cents. Tbe PHOENIX offioe is supplied with all necessary material for as handsome cards, bill head?, posters, pamphlets, baud-bills, circulara, and other printing that may be desired, as any office in tue Hon th. Give ns a call and test oar work. We hath received from Wm. Bummer, Esq., nf Pom aria, a copy of bis descrip? tive catalogan of Southern and accli? mated fruit trees, evergreens, roses, grape vine?, ornamental trees, etc The fruit trees ca exhibition at oar late fat are tbs sizes ordinarily sent oat; although large-aizod trees, be aasurea us, can be furnished. ? Dan. Bice's Paris Pavilion dirons, we aro assured by Mr. D. 8. Thomas, tba litersrv agent, will be in Columbia abo^Bjf Monday, next, the 18th inst. This is j Dan's first vieit to Columbia. The vete j ran has with him a most excellent oom ! pa ny. Ho has retired several times-for j he is immensely wealthy-bat the ring I bas snob attractions that he is forced to I take hold nguiu. The weather was somewhat obauge i able, yesterday, aa Pollock's thermome i ter will verify. At 9 A. M., it recorded 47: 2 P. M.. 57; 7 P. M., 52. The Missionary Record puts the brand of Cain npon the public plunderers. MEETINU OF THE COLUMBIA BOARD OP TRADE.-The Board met lust evening. Tho meeting was an earnest ono. As will be observed, the Board, through the President, invite a public meeting at Carolina Hall, on Saturday next, at 12 o'clock, to consider the bond issuance which the City Council desire the Le? gislature to authorize. A missionary writes from Pekin, China, that a new chapel was torn down by a mob, aad the carpenter who was building it thrown into prison. The prospects of the mission nm moat dis? couraging. Cannot Grant suspend the writ of ha? beas corpus over there, or send Commo I doro Bogers, os he did to Corea. SUPREME COURT, TUESDAY, Deoeinbei i 12.-The court met at 10 A. M. Pre I sent-Chief Justice MoseB and Associate ! Justices Willard aud Wright. ; Mr. Dunkin resumed and concluded I his argument for respondents. Mr. j Memminger was heard in reply, i Charles D. Ahrens vs. the President, Directors, ?fcc, of the State Bank. Mr. ' DeSanssure wes heard for appellant*. 1 Mr. Phillips for respondent. At 3 o'clock P. M., the court adjourn ; ed until Wednesday, 13th, at 10 A. M. i M AH. ARRANGEMENTS.-The Northern ?mail opens at 3.00 P. M.; closes 7.15 j A. M. Charleston day mail opens 4.OU P. M.; closes 6.00 A. M. Charleston t night mail opens G.30 A. M. ; closes 6.041 j P. M. Greenville mail opens 6.45 P. ?M.; oldies 6.00 A. M. Western mail ' opens 9.00 A. M.; closes 1.30 P. M. On ' Sunday office open from 3 to 4 P. M. ' THE TRIBUTE OF TRINITY TO THE LATE : BISHOP.-On Sunday last. Trinity I Church, in this city, was crowded. The i chancel, the reading desk and the pulpit ' were draped in mourning, out of respect to the lamented Bi? hop Davis. Tbe aged and highly venerated pastor, the 1 Rev. Peter J. Shand, took advantage of tho solemn memories excited by the re I oent death of the Bishop, to make refer 1 ence to the lessons involved io tho event; and in conni mimi, he paid au eloquent I and discriminating tributo to the vir? tues, the mental qualities and the ser ! vices of the deoeuBed servant of God. Upon the whole, Mr. Sbaud's Bermou excited marked interest, and its power, beauty and scriptural dignity were worthy of the subject,- the preacher and ? tho occasion. I HOTKLJ ARRIVALS, December 12. ; Nickerson Hons*-Aop;. B. Knowlton, j Oraugebnrg; Mrs. C. R. Bryce and two daughters, S. C.; B. D. Townsend, So? ciety Hill; J. H. Bradley and wife, U. S. A.; J. M. Seigler, G. aud C. R. R ; ! R. D. Bacot, J. B. McOants, Winnsboro; W. B. Wilson. W. B. Williams, York; Wm. Johnston, Charlotta; K. Strauss, Philadelphia; W. R. Kline, Chester; J. H. Gay, R. C. McGinuia, Charlotte; J. S. Shuck, Aiken; G. Steele, York; J. P. Gage, Miss S. Few, Miss H. May, R. T. May, R. D. Galbruth, R. T. Fawell, W. S. May. Rock Hill; L. E Sibley, B. R R. K ; J. S. Ofield, G. (TInm, Baltimore; Mrs. Houston, child and servuut, New. beru; A. F. Fowell, L. Chumben?, ii. T. Avery, R. E. Cooper, Ebenezer; Grav Tole, H. Tole, Charlotte; D. P. Steele, R ick Hill; W. H. Adkins, J. F. Henuiu, T. Brattou, J. B. Hope, J. Park Wilson, S. G Kusler, A. H. White. York; Jab? z Norton, Sr., Chester; R. J. Donaldson, Cberaw; T. C. Perrin, J. S. Cotbran, Abbeville. Columbia Hotel-M. J. Bujai, New Or? leans; T. Lyons, G. B. Eiiai, N. C.; H. J. McCormick, Theo. G. Barker, J. Wu I bu ruf? William Stone, J. DeLaoo, Charleston; J. McCullough, New York; V. H. Stnrne, Ky. ; J. C. Winder, J. F. Bryce, N. C. ; J. Bratton, wife and son, Mibs A. H. Porcher, Fairfield; W. T. C. Bates, St. Matthews; Thus. Mitchell, H. C.; W. Munroe, Union; Mrs. A. L. Young, S. C. ^ Central Hotel-A. Gremball, A. GP Martin, Mrs. C. H. Pettengill, Stuart Laud, Charleston; W. C. Meredith, G. & C.* R H.; A. Kennedy, Nashville; J. L. Conner, Winnsboro; J. A. Porter, Boonettsville; C. P. Sullivan, Laurens; T. P. Sima, Union; J. C. Richarde, S. C.; Geo. D. Mill, Charleston; W. U. Levester, M. Nicely, G. & C. R. R.; H. R. Finnigan. Ridgeway; F. A. Miles, H. P. Adams, Marion; T. M. Wilkes, Wal? halla; Simpson Jones, H. C.; W. H. Whitlock, Richland; A. Josselyn, Coo sawhatobie; J. K. Rabb, Alston; W. H. Sligh, Richland. LIST OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Convocation Columbia Chapter. Wm. Sommer-Pomaria Nurseries. James Fisk, in his love letters to Mrs. Mansfield, writes "1" with a ?mall j, and "God" with a small g.