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COLUMBIA. S. C. ?Jt-j ') * H -1-. TfrundJty Mornmg.gsbruftry 27^1873. The Spirit of Ch?nge. The ol?se observer of events, and of the spirit moving them and in thom, Cannot fail to discern the germs of many deep political and social changes. The age is active and restless. Everywhere progress, uqoiry and experiment strive to' keep mo with material growth and physical development. From all quarters fl the globe come the same evidences of restlessness, of the breaking up of the great deep of haman consciousness, of the questioning of all that is old and settled, and the craving after something now and startling. In this the people of the United States lead the van. They are like the Athenians, as described by the Apostle Paul, who spent their time in nothiog else bat either to tell or to hear some new thing. After -the rongh experience of colonial life and Indian warfare, came the war of independence, and a settlement of the Government on a broad and steady basis of popular rights and free institutions. The guar? antee was a constitution eo happily framed, that it was thought to be a work above the unaided powers of man. It was hoped that it would not be subject to decay. It ^wsa ima? gined that it would be perpetual. Vain thought and vain hope! Party epirit, the greed of power, the lust of money, intense eovetouBness, un? reasoning projudico and a diseased prn ? rience were the aotive and ceaseless agents in the destruction of' the f.-ir fabric Ltong-oontiuued political wran? gling and sectional aggression at last cul? minated in bloody war, among the un? expected and unfortunate results of which was a fundamental change in the prinoiples of government and in the habits of the people. From a republio composed of sovereign States of equal powers, it became a central Democratic despotism, which seeks to absorb and is every day absorbing the remaining powers of the States. This governmental ohange'il paralleled by a corresponding change in the people themselves. The institutions of a country more or less reflect the spirit of its people. The vitality*>f the one answers to that of the other. Trial by jury has come down to us from! remote times, as one of the safe? guards of a froeman's rights, one of the great bulwarks for his protection, and one of the 'surest guarantees of publio justice. Its essenoe is its principle of fairness, und'the conviction which every man is supposed to entertain, that ho will be dealt with impartially by it, from its peculiar popular organization. Bat to-day, in this country, this time honored and revered instrument ii itself on trial. Its usefulness and fairness are openly questioned and disputed. Be-j epeotable journals and eminent lawyers pronounce it( a failure. The Governor of Florida recommends that it bo aban? doned. It is charged with liability to corruption. The money of a Tweed, or the political influence of a politioian high in favor, arc insidious influences which go (to make up the verdict. Thus, it is charged, it has beoome perverted and depraved as in the times of the Tadors, when, in the eloquent words of Mr. Hallam, "That pritmoval institution, those inquests by twelve true men, the unadulterated voico of the people, re? sponsible alone to God and their con? science, which should have been hoard in the sanctuaries of justice, as fountains springing fresh from the lap of eartb, became like waters constrained in their course by art, stagnant and impure." We shall consider the subject more fully at another time. ?-. ? Ab?nrtl and Untrue. Iu noticing the olose of the arduous labors of the Legislature, after a three months' session, our Radical eotempo rary over the way finds muoh to oom meud in its industry, its fidelity to its promises of reform, and iu its magna? nimity towards political opponents. As to the first point, we havo no doubt that all of value that has been done could have easily been done in two weeks. Tho praise for economy of time, for in? dustry, for Jarge results of their labor, is wholly undeserved. ?. What reform* have been secured to ttic people In compliance with pledges, we are entiroly unable to discern. As to tbo third transcendant merit, of mild and generous treatment towards those who stand in opposition, we venture to say no sharpness of vision in uny person on tho one side or the other can possibly discern it. Tbo journal mentioned tells us that the opposition has had an equal share with tbo Badioals themselves iu the dis? tribution of patronage. It is true it classes bolters with Democrats, as mak? ing up tho opposition, bat incorrectly. Bolters are Radicals or Republicans, and office or patronage, as this journal phrases it, given to such, is not given to the opposition Judge Carpenter was not elected from generous regard and consideration entertained for him, al? though standing in opposition. ,. Nor was Allen, who was eleoted Judge of the Inferior Court, yesterday, ohosen upon any snob grounds. What Demoorat or conservative in the Stato has received any notice or offico from the party in power? Not one. The party in power has de? liberately passed by geutlemon of merit, whom they might have placed in posi? tions whioh they were qualified to adorn, and that without compromising them? selves or their party. They excluded capablo, gentlemen from such positions upon the demand of their party organs. The crack of the whip brought them all into line against'any each innovation. No statement of the article, which we aro noticing, is correct. We cannot con? ceive why aifch preposterous claims should be set up. Alexander the Great wept for more worlds to oonquor. Our Radical Ru Klux organ is better off. Having' ex? terminated the Ku Klux in this State by tho noise of its kettle-drum, aided by the valiant blows in the field of Major Morrill, and the wooden nutmeg elo? quence of Distriot-Attoruoy Corbin, it looks over the border, and in North Ca? rolina finds its old enemy, and deals it a blow. But we. are not sore that it has really found any Ku Klux. It may bo merely beating the air as it did a week or two Since about Lewisvillo, until its statoments were disproved by Lieutenant MoManas, stationed at Chester. We trust that its penchant for this peculiar adversary will some day be gratified by a live one, with formidable horns and a fearful whisking tail. Then we shall seo a change of tune and a quick change of base. The Cases ov the Bribed Congress? men?Who are Most Guiltx??Before Congress acts upon the report of Bishop Poland's committee, it may be well to consider exactly what that report means Stripped of all verbiage, the people con? cerned in the Credit Mobilier frauds aro of two olasses?the briber and (he bribed. Oakes Ames is the embodiment of the one, James Brooks the represen? tative of the other. Morally, tho crime of these men is the same. Oakes Ames, a mombor of Congress, in order to farther the designs of men associated with him in the management of the Union Pacific Railroad, placed certain etock of the Credit Mobilier of America in tho hands of certain members of Congress. In doing this, he bribed them. In receiving the stock and divi? dends, they were bribed. Poland's com? mittee recognized one of these facts in recommending that he should be ex? pelled from the House. The committee atnltifleld itself by ignoring tho other faot, which was equally plum to every unprejudiced mind. The ease of Brooks shows how flagrant this stultification was. Brooks reoeived 150 shares of stock, npon which a oa?h dividend of $9,000 was paid in June, 1868. This was bribery, of course. Let us see whether it differs materially from the other cases. Mr. Henry L. Dawes "bought" ten shares of stock, upon whioh he paid 3800. Soon afterwards he received $400 in divi? dends, and 3200 additional on account of his "purchase." Thorough investi? gation, as in the case of Brooks, the Demoorat, would have revealed a differ? ent state of facti; but, taking it as it stands, it was bribery. Mr. Glenni W. Soofiold "bought" ten shares, and recoived the dividends?one of eighty aud another of sixty per cent. There was afterwards a "settlement" with Mr. Ames. Wus not this bribery also? Mr. John A. Bingham "bought" twenty shares of stock, and was made happy in correspondingly large divi? dends. Mr. William D. Kelley "bought" ten shares of stock, and Mr, Ames "carried" them for him. He received the divi? dends whioh Dawes and Bingham re? ceived. Tho committee tell us this much, thus impeaohing Kelley's veraci? ty, for he denied ever having owned tho stock. Mr. James A. Garfield is in a position identical with that of Kelley. The cases of Patterson aud Colfax were equally flagrant with tho others, and more flugrant in this, that these men were utterly reckless in their prevarica? tion. James F. Wilson is out of Con? gress, and it is scarcely worth whilo to waste even onr contempt on him. It will bo timo enough to settle the case of Wm, B. Allison when ho offers to take his place in tho Senate Wherein do any of these cases differ from the case of Brooks? Colfax was equally guilty. Why, then, is he not i in pouched? Patterson was equally guilty. Why, thon, does not the Senate assert its honor and dignity by expelling him? Dawes, Soofiold, Bingham, Kolley and Gurfield were equally guilty. Why, then, did not tho committee recommend thoir expulsion as well as that of Brooks? The reason is plain, and the country will understand it. Ames and Brooks were mado scapegoats for tho others, with a possible chance for the escape of all. The report is partial, nn just, disgraceful. If Ames and Brooks aro expelled, it will bo a wrong which tho American people will not overlook, for the others are equally gnilty, and ought to receivo a like punishmont. II they escape as well as tho others, tho ontrago will be scarcely less marked. In either event, Poland and his associates will share the infamy and die with the curses of their countrymen npon them. [New York Herald. Proceedings Off City CouMCll?SjMCUU NMtlKf, Oouifoni Cau.mdeb, Columbia, S. C, February 26, 1878. Council met at 3 P. M. Present?His Honor the Mayor, and Aldermen Car penter, Thompson, Lowndee, Carroll, Young, Wilder, Garr, Williams, Griffin and Cooper. Absent?Aldermen H?ge and Mitchell. I On motion of Alderman Wilder, the reading of tho minutes of the previous meeting were dispensed with. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS. A communication was read from W. H. Goodwin, of Atlanta, Ga., who desires I to deliver a course of lectures on natu? ral science, asking Couuoil to appoint 1 the lime, fix the price of admission; one half of proceeds to go to the city for chu iliable purposes. Same was referred to Committee on Wnys and Means. A communication from N. G. Parker, asking permission to put shingle roof on rear portion of a building he is erecting on Richardson street. Sauih was referred to Committee on Firo Department. A communication from J. B. Dennis, D. P. McDonald aua C. H. Baldwin, asking for a Btoue or brick drain, from the corner of Riohlund to Lumber streets. Referred to Committee on Streets. Two communications from F. J. Allen, policeman; one asking for remission of fine; the other to be allowed his salary when sick. Referred to Committee on Guard House and Police. Application of H. Trnsloy, for tavern license, was referred to the Committee on Licenses. Alderman Carpenter, from the Com? mittee on Ways and Moans, reported that, agreeable to the instructions of Council, the committee had settled with R. E. Soott, and be was paid iu full, having taken the amount in bonds. A motion by Alderman Carroll, that the City Clerk be instructed to request Mr. Berg, architect, to furnish the Conn oil with a fail estimate of the cost of the work done on tho now City Hall to date, was adopted. The Committee on Accounts reported back sundry bills that hud been referred to them, and recommended payment. On motion of Alderman Lowndes, tho report of the Committee was adopted. The report of the Committee on Water Works was received as information and ordered to be published. I do hereby certify, that this is a cor? rect statement concerning ull articles on band at the City Water Works, at tlie timo tho same was delivered to Colonel Samuel A. Pea roe, Jr., of the Columbia Water Tower Company. (Sigued.) C. D. LOWNDES, Ch'n Committee on Water Works. Stock on baud at Oily Water Works: 1(31 cords of piue wood, 38 pounds of hemp packing, 25 pounds of cottton waste, 1U0 pounds of tallow, 7 gum or rubber valves, 1 oil stand, capacity 60 or 70 gallons; 1 oil stand, capacity 15 gal? lons; 1 gallon pot and 1 quart pot, 1 turning lathe and all fixtures, 2 stocks on dye plates and 9 tops, 2 tap levers, 1 money wrench, 19 flues, 3 inches diame? ter; 3 grate bars, 1 block and fall, 1 grab block, 10 valve weights, 21 open wrenches, 7 aooket wrenches, 1 oil cup, 1 tallow cup, 1 windlass frame, in com? plete order; 1 grindstone, 1 anvil and bellows, 4 gallons of oil, keg of nails, 2 vises, 200 pounds of old iron. (Signed,) Attest: S W. HOOK, Sup't Water Works of Columbia. I The Committee on Water Works, to? gether with the Mayor, who were [instructed to examine the Water Works and engine, and have the same repaired, beg leavo to report that they have done so, and discovered where the great fault in the engine existed, and had the same altered, which will save in ton hours, in wood, at least (37) seven dollars. Any individual who has seen the engine work, wonld notice that it had a heavy thud, and that the engine vibrated all over; this has been remedied by putting in a new valve, and allowing more space for the water to pass through. Tho engine is now iu better oondition than the first day it was received by the oity. In connection with this, wo beg leave to report that Colonel S. A. Pearce, Agent of the Columbia Water Power Company, has dammed np tbo stream near the corner of Taylor and Gist streets, or the locality called Geiger's mill road, near the Penitentiary, where cows' and horses' filth aooumulates from time to time, and is conveying the same down through the pipe into his lower receiving reservoir, and forcing tbe same into tbe distributing reservoir for tbe use of tbe citizens; also another stream near tho old works. Colonel S. A. Pearce, Agent of the Columbia Water Power Company, has taken possession of (161) one hundred and sixty-four oords of pine wood, be? longing to tbe city, and has usod part of tho sumo to run tbo engine during a part of the time the Canal was broken through. All of which is respectfully submitted. JOHN ALEXANDER, Mayor. C. D. LOWNDES, AUGUSTUS COOPER, RICHARD YOUNG, Committee on Water Works. Alderman Carroll, from the Committee on Schools, asked that the committee be granted power to put a now roof on the oity school bouse, as tho ono now on it was in a bad condition. On motion of Aldermau Lowndes, tbe Bame was granted. Alderman Wilder presented the report of tho anctioncor of tho sale of tbo debris of tbe new market. Total amount sold for 81,816.81; which was roceived as information. Resolution by Alderman Lowndes: Resolved, That tbe Committee on Fire Department bo instructed to run gas pipes into tbe two houses, known as tbo Hook and Ladder Company and the Vigilant Firo Company. Adopted. On motion, by Alderman Carpenter, tho Council adjourned. CHAS. BARNUM, City Clerk. Tub Awrcii End or the Badt Farh bbs o? Naples.?The two baby farmers of Naples, vrhofj? appal?Dg crimes have already been narrated, recently paid the penalty for their deeds on the block in ilia Castle d'Novo, near Naples. The prisoners were brooghk before a judge and jory, and after a brief trial, daring whioh the most revolting details of their terrible crime were elicited, both Boso Porro and Margarita Coraldi were sen tenoed to death. Tho scene in tho conrt room on their being prononneed gailty was affecting in the extreme, the women sobbing hysterically and kneuliug in the dock to supplicate for mercy. ?Towards half-past 6 the prisoners, flunked by an escort of ten gendarmes and preceded by three clergymen, moved from the chapel to iho van in front of the prison door. Tho van con? tained tho prisoners, tho chaplain and assistants, two Sisters of Charity, the prefect and his lieutenant, and the usual guards ou the outside. While tho vau was rolling over tho pavement ou its way to the Castlo d'Novo, many harsh comments were made from groups of stragglers, while an occasional merciful one vouchsafed an ejaculation such as, "The Lord have uwrcy npon them!" for well they all knew the mission of tho rusty wheeled black vuu of the prison. At the oloseof tho prayers for tho dying, the executioner appeared, weuriug u black mask aud black singlet shirt. In tho centre of the platform stood a block, with a little bolt or hook in front for fastening the neck seourely. Tho un? fortunate women when confronting this scone prayed aloud and criod hysterical? ly. The executioner, though evidently a young man, seemed familiar with the paraphernalia of bis sorrowful craft. He drew forth a large glistening axe, with a blade like a colossal razor, aud took up his position on the rear of the platform. The criminals' uyes were bandaged with long strips of linen, which left enough to bind tho head to the block. Boso Porro was first con? ducted to the block. Margarito Coraldi was removed to the entranoe of the yard, aud prevented from witnessing her accomplice's death. The prison bell of Castle d'Novo was now tolling slowly, tho olergy and nuus were pruying fer? vently, aud Boso Porro's white, neck was made fust to the block aud exposed to the glittering nxo of tho exeentioner. The execatiouer, whose mask had boon staring weirdly at tho sheriff awaiting the signal, lifted his weapon aud stepped to the left side of the prisoner. Ho raised tho axo about ono foot from the nock of Boso Porro, by way of taking aim, and then swinging it above his head, ho brought the heavy blade down with all his might, aud tho head dropped over the block. The trunk rose nearly a foot aud u half, as if living, by the sudden spasmodic action of tho severed nerves. A litter wasj immediately at hand, and the trunk and head of what was Rose Porror, the infamous baby farmer, were removod, and Margarito Coraldi was lud to the block. She prayed constautly, and did not evince any great fear until her head was forced on the fatal stand, when sho uttered a brief, nervous scream. Her head was not completely severed with the lirst blow. Tho skia of the front of tho ueck remained uncut, aud the body, springing back, exposed a ghastly gap which made every spectator shudder, and caused the platform to be smeared with blood. A pull was thrown over the body and its head, and both were re? moved ou a Uttbr to await, like Porro's corpse, burial in uueonsecrated ground. Tho fulfilling of the executioner's con? tract was to wipe and whet tho axe he used, and replaoe it in tho scabbard lit for futuro emergencies. The Working Men Uneasy.?Yester? day, meetings of various trades organi? zations, principally Germans, were held to consider what action should be taken at au early day to inaugurate a striko for the enforcement of tho eight-hour sys? tem, and otherwise ameliorate their con? dition. At tho Tenth Ward Hotel 300 German shoemakers assembled to dis? cuss the matter and tho advisability of turning out ou strike simultaneously with the other trades for a demand of their rights. Herman Toibler presided. A committee was formed to attend on the St. Crispin Society, and inform them of the intention- of the meeting to bo ready to act in unison, so that all might tarn out on striko at the same hour. Another committeo was appointed to tako tho best means in making success? ful arrangements and report at a meeting to bo held next Sunday. The cabinet makors and pianoforte makers (Gorman) also met at Germania Hall and discussed tho subject of obtaining the eight-hour law, and a committoo was appointed to report on the best means of oarrying on the strike.?N. Y. World. * *-? A New Order.?It wa3 rumored among the police laBt night that Col. Johnson was about to tako the samo step with regard to tho housos of ill-fame that recently proved so effectual against gam? bling houses, and that ho had issued an order to his lieutenants to place a policeman at the door of every such estab? lishment, with instructions to take tho namos of all visitors. If this order is aolualiy carried into effect, it will create a sensation in some unexpected quarters. It would be an effort at tho solution of the social ovil question in an entirely nevel diroction, und one that would re? quire time to demonstrate its value. [Louisville Courier-Journal. The McFartjAnd Richardson Case ? Tho last act in this tragical case was onuotod at Indianapolis last week, when tho Supreme Court of Iudiana decided that tho divorce granted Abby Sago McFurland from her husband, Daniel MoFarlaud, was legal, uftirming tho judgment of tho court below. Tho hus? band was tho appealing party. Tho mar? riage of Mrs. MoFarlaud with Richard? son was, therefore, legal. McFarland, we believe, is now an inmate of an asy? lum for the insono. Mobb Destructive Fibes hi Savan? nah.?On Monday morning, at half-past 5 p'cjook, an alarm was sounded for Sta? tion ?;No. 13, corner of "West Broad and Broughton, caused by the discovery of fire in a block of tenements on the tract of land between the rear of Groover, Stnbba & Co.'a warehouse, on Fahrn street, and tbe canal. The fire broko out iu one of tbe tenements on the Northern side of the tract. Tbe flames spread with fearful rapidity, a severe gale blowing at the time, and the entire block, which was composed in the main of ouo story aud-a half frame tenoments, were soon in one sheet of angry flame. The wind for awhile blow in the direc? tion of the splendid warehouse of Groover, Stubbs & Co., and tbo roof caught firo several times. Tbe two tene meuts on tho opposite Bide of Indian street, belongiug to Miss Mary Feely, also fell victims to the fire; but hero the flumes were stayed. The damage to the warehouse was not great, and fortunately not over sixty bales of cotton were scorched. Tho entire damage will not amount to over $2,000, which is fully covered by insurance. The entire loss from this fire amounted to twenty-four tenements, nil occupied by colored peo? ple, who wero enabled to save all their household goods. Of tbe houses de? stroyed, fifteen were the property of Dr. J. C. Hubersbam, and wore valued at ?#,500; insured for 83,900. One, the property of Randolph Boiling, colored, the occupant, insured for $400. James Williams, colored, also owned tho tene? ment he occupied; insured for $500. Three were owned by J. C. Steele, oo lorod. The other tenements, owned by Miss Feciy, were also insured for their full value. Yesterday morning, the old homestead of the Falligaut family, on Anderson street, between the shelf road and Whita ker street, was discovered to bo on firo. It was completely destroyed. A Lady Receives $95,000 in Money I from tue Government.?During the lute war, n citizen of Savannah, named McDaniel, purchased a large amount of cotton und stored it in or near that city. Wheu Savannah was taken possession of by tho Yankees, this cotton was taken in tho name of the Government of tbe United States, and confiscated. Before and during the war, Mr. MuDauiel was a man in alHuent circumstances, but, like thousands of others, tho close of tbo war found him reduced to poverty. Since then he has died, and his widow has been making her own living by personal exer? tions. She came to this city, where she has earned a support principally by her needle, and has never murmured at her lot. By advice, she was induced to put in a claim at Washington for the cotton belonging to her husband. Tho ser? vices of lawyers at the seat of Govern? ment were procured to prosecute the claim. Mrs. MoDaniel did cot sit down and await the issue of the suit, but, as stated above, went to work to earn an honest living. Some days ago, her law? yers at Washington telegraphed for her .to come on and get the moony, as the claim had been granted. She immedi? ately repaired to that oity, and on yes? terday, we learn, returned to Atlanta, bringing $95,000 iu greenbacks. [Atlanta Sun. Manufactures ?Only a few years ago, Fall River, Mass., was a mere village, and was ecarco even an aoorn compared with auch tall oaks as Lowell, Lynn and other cities. What it is now may be gathered from a correspondent of the New York Tribune, who writes: "Fall River seems to bo the most rapid? ly-growing city in New England. Dur? ing the past year its population has in? creased nearly 7,000, while its cotton mills, for some years past its specialty, have augumented in proportion. It is now the City of Spindles,"having robbed Lowell of that honor by tbe extraordi? nary oxtent of its manufactories and the enterprise of its inhabitants. Fall River has now in operation thirty mills, con? taining about 1,100,000 spindles, repre? senting some $25,000,000 of capital, and employing about 15,000 operatives. The success of the mills there has been al? most unprecedented, as may be inferred from the prevailing prico of tbo shares." Let this be a lesson and an example as to manufacturing, and enterpriso, and industry, to all tho tbo cities and towns I in tho Southern country. Dead.?Mr. Theobald Fehrbach, who was found some days since in a cabin on tho Georgia side of tho Savannah River, a few miles below the city, with his throat cut, died at tho City Hospital Monday morning. It will bo recollected by our readers that he stated bo was assaulted by somo party or parties to him unknown; snveral days previous to tho timo ho was found in tbe cabin, and his throat cut from ear to ear. The injury was too great for him to recover from, and after lingering many days in that remarkable state, with his throat cat across and bis windpipe severed, nature succumbed at last, and he died on Monday.?Augusta ConslUutionu.isl. Hotel Arrivals, February 26,1873.? Wheeler House?Chiriski Combination Troupe; Charles Cobrs, Robert Wing, J V MoNance, Charleston; J B Bartlett, A Montgomery, Philadelphia; P H Mc Caslan, Abbeville; H A Lamb and sisters, S C; R Hallott. NY; LO Carpenter, N Noah, city; W A Bradley, Augusta; H P Haminett, J O Hndnutt, Greenville; R Boatty, Union; G B King, Now Orleans; T P Slider, Nowberry; J Compton. Columbia Hotel?J E Thames, S C; L Liuder aud daughter, Spartaubug; W J Crosswell, S C; G A Henderson, L E Jones, Baltimore; Mr and Mrs James MucKeune, Pa; F \V Dawson, Charles? ton; J T McNeil, Tenn; H Portwee, N C; C L B Marsh, Wilmington; J W O'Brien, S C; C K Kuowles, NY; GO Dougluss, Ga; T Marcos. A L R R; W W Adnel, Huntsville; J C Rootb, city; W 8 Auderson, Aikon; M W Garey, G B Lake, Edgefleld. TZ* b o a X" _ X. t o iaoL mm * * - City Mattibb.--The pries pf single copies of the Phomii is ?ve cents. Scarcely have the streams throughout the State begun to subside, when we are again visited with a heavy rain. Yester? day, rain fell all day, and in the after? noon it was very heavy. We learn that hucksters charge one dollar per pair for chickens. About the only persons to regret the adjournment of the Legislature will be the keepers of hotels, boarding houses and a few suburban hasberiss.' ? The Chiriski combination give three entertainments in Irwin's Hall, com? mencing this evening, and terminating Saturday evening. Ventriloquism, jug? glery, mesmerism, wire-walking, Ac, will be the order of the performances. Presents will be distributed to the laoky holders of tho winning tickets at the close of each exhibition. A $15 cham? ber set will be the capital prize for this evening. A mule team ran off in Cotton Town, yesterday. Nobody hurt. A fair for the benefit of the Vigilant Fire Engine Company is in progress at the hall corner of Main and Qorvaia streets. Henry Ricks, tho colored- man who disappeared mysteriously from his home in Lexington County, some time Bince, I has concluded, after tramping around considerably, to return to his home. It is not the first time he has played the absconding joke on his family and friends. The National Hotel omnibus was badly I wrecked, the other day, by the horses running off aud dragging it over hills and gullies. The following officers of the South Carolina Bible Society have been eleoted for the fo'lowing year, viz: Rev. Qeorge Howe, D. D., President; Rev. William Martin, Rsv. W. S. PInmer, D. D., LL.D., Col. A. O. Haskell, Vice-Presi dents; R. D. Senn, Secretary; Eben Steuhouso, Treasurer; and W. J. Daffie, Depositary. Heotor Williams was slightly wounded by a pistol shot, while attempting to I escape from the police, Monday night. Tho Radical papers are endeavoring to revive Eu Klux outrages in North Caro? lina. I H. M. Davidson has been appointed a [ Notary Publio for Columbia. Remember the meeting this evening for the organization'of the '"Farmers' aud Mechanics' Building and Loan Asso? ciation, of Richland County." The vestry room of the Catholic Church is being rebuilt, and the other damages by the fire repaired. Some delectable information is im? parted to the patrons of the Columbia Water Power Company in the report of the Committee on Water Works, pub? lished, this morning, in the Council pro? ceedings. Thb South Carolina Railroad. ?Mr. j. H. James, of Atlanta, in an adver? tisement in the Charleston papers, claims to represent $2,000,000 worth of stock in tho Sooth Carolina Railroad and South-western Railroad Bank, and with the co-operation of others, at the next meeting of stockholders, on the 8th of April, "proposes to eleot a Board of Di? rectors who hold large amounts of the stock, aud who will ran the road in the interest of the stockholders." He claims by this arrangement that their stock "will be worth $75 or $80 por share, in? stead oi its present price?$30?and pay handsome semi-annual dividends." Mr. Jamca asks for proxies, so that he may carry out this arrangement. Phcenixiaxa.?There is one consola? tion in theso bitter cold nights, cats don't yeowl around back yards and under windows, and there is a great sav? ing in the article of boot-jacks. "You look liko a bear," said a vife to her husband who had gone in his shaggy over-coat to tako her home from a party the other night. ' 'Dm not as much bare as you are," he retorted, nodding at her neck and arms. Thore's trouble bruin in that family; but it's too cold 'for divorces. It is mach better to decido a difference between enemies than friends; for ene of our frionds will certainly become an enemy, and one of our enemies a friend. Many peoplo consider the game of base ball a silly, nonsensical amusement. Thoy aro mistaken. A Terre Haute "catcher" recently caught a coal oil lamp on tho fly, hot from the hands of his in furiatod wifo. An earthquake period, to begin on the 25th inst., and to last until the 7th of March, is predicted. List op New Advertisements. John Agaew & Son?Tools. D. C. Peixotto & Sons?Hay, &c. Meeting Aoaoia Lodge. D. C. Peixotto i. Sons?Auction ?ales. H. W. Purvis?Offioial. Old Style Principee Cigars.