University of South Carolina Libraries
COLTJMBTA, S.""C. Saturday Morning, April 18,1874. : Tit* Southern Jrf??i The coadition of newspaper enter? prises at the South has recently elicited discussion in several of its journals. The faot is apparent that they are far behind the prosperity of journals in tho Northern oitiea. It is true even of places in the two sections of not une? qual population. It is worth while to consider the views which prevail as to the causes of this disorepanoy. The Mobile Register alleges the prime cause to be that the Southern people do not sustain their newspapers as it is their plain interest to do. The Richmond Dispatch coincides wiih this opinion, and traces the lack of enterprise, charged on Southern journals, to want1 of support on the part of the people. Others concur in this general statement. The Golnmbas Enquirer, in presenting the contrast of Northern suooess and Southern failure, nrges that either from want or indifference, the Southern whites, in proportion to their numbers, do not read as extensively as they do in the North and West, and a glance at the papers of the respective sections will show that the Southern mcrchnuts, with few exceptions, do not appreciate the valne and importance of advertising. Another drawback to Southern journals 1 is the credit system, damaging their business severely, as much iu some cases as thirty-three per cent. The Augusta Constitutionalist confirms this conclusion, jawing, that "in Northern c ties there are-very few readers who do not pay for their paper; the reverse ia true of tho South. If merchants and (subscribers in this section supported their papers with half the promptness nnd punctu? ality that the samo classes at the North support their looal journals, the news? papers at the Sooth would equal those ofxthw regions beyond us." So much for the faot and its causes, as viewed from tho Southern stand-point. The Louisville Courier-Journal, iu considering the matter, concludes that the fault is not altogether with the peo? ple. The newspapers of the South, it' says, lack both the enterprise and tho common sense adaptability, which, added to industry, thrift and care, have built up the great Northern journals. The typical Southern editor harps too I exclusively npon politics, to the neglect | of current news, miscellaneous informa? tion and topios of domestio, financial, soientiQo, literary and social ooncerc, which, justly handled, add immensely to the numbor of readers, including women and children. But a part of the fault lies with the Southern merchant, who needs a lesson in enterprise, as well as the newspaper manager or editor. The) power of the two, properly iustraoted, when combined and working to one end, is illustrated by referenoe tu the press and the growth of Ohicagu. "The press," it says, "has almost created Chicago." The faots of the small aud precarious | aupport of newspapers iu the South seem to admit of no doubt. The causes mentioned are all true. There is a la? mentable want of paying subscriptions and profitable advertisements, and good judgment and vigorous administration on the part of managers, as well an force and variety on that of their writers, it | may be freely conceded, do not always I exist. But, looking over the field, it appears to ub that there are conditions of high suooess connected with these! important particulars, which can but rarely be found in our Southern com? munities. To be prosperous, strong and independent, newspapers must make monoy. To have tho nso of tulcuts and accomplishments und tho benefit of energy and enterprise, they must have the me.iuH of paying for them well. Ouly from large circulation, good adver? tising und strict management on busi? ness principles, can tho proprietor's ex? chequer be ruadu sufficiently pletborio to meet the heavy demands upon it. Circulation is dependent upon popula? tion, regarded both as to its numbers, character and intelligence, upon busi? ness that iu varied and remunerative, and npon tho extent of tho habit and taste for reading. Here population is sparse, business dull and fho reading publio limited. This has notably been the case in this State for tho last few years. Of the citizens of South Caro? lina, a considerable number think them? selves too poor to pay for newspapers. Tho larger portion of the population do not read them at all, and cannot be counted as among thtir supporters. The field is thus a contracted one it best, It might, if folly utilized, sustain a fow able journals, Bot it is divided and sub divided to such an extent between tho claimants for its support, many of which are oontont with bare remunera? tion nod incidental advantages, that bnt few-glean from it a deoent income, and teWer still can achieve reputation of make themselves a felt aod acknowledged power in it. It is a special drawback.to the success of the legltimato press in this State, that a set of eleemosynary sheets have sprung up all over it, at tbe d iota to of party, uro fod from the State Treasury and aided by partisan legisla? tion, which direota advertisements into their column >, and which for political objects are scattered gralis through tho length and breadth of tbe Stute. Tbeso are some of tbe discourage meuts which tbe journalists of the South havo to encounter. They lie in the very structure of Southern society, and aro particularly strong in States and sections which buvo not recovered from tho prostration of war, aud where tho evil influences of bad government aud corrupt practices buvo taken root aud been perpetuated. Bat there is also a' bright side to tbe picture, and uoblo possibilities to bo achieved in this pro? fession, even in our dosolato and misgo? verned South, which #aro worthy any man's ambition. It is to our own exer? tions that we must look for liberation from tbe evils which shut us in in nar? row spheres of activity, anel tbeso exer? tions cau bo promoted und advanced more efficiently by the pen than by any other agency. Tho press is now tho slavo of tho South, working in ob? scurity, poorly compensated, and not always appreciated. But when tbe country becomes again free and pros? perous, whon it increase.-) in population, wealth and resources, tbo press will re? ceive its just mood and rise to its pro? per position. There is a groat future for tbo press of tbo South. ?> Dlootl and Tliuntlvr. Tbo Union misrepresents General Kersbaw in tbo language attribute;! to him in Washington. Will tbo Union oorrect this misrepresentation? What it says abont tbe grange and General Kershaw's testimony to its wicked eo ca 11 ml revolutionary designs, is similar in purpose, but as it is tbe Union's own thoughts, wo need not notice it. Tbe Union wants somo fresh political capital badly, but it can't get it in this way. What it says of tho Connty tax of Green villa ought to make it blusb, if it bus not lost tbo art. Tbo tux has been in? creased because Allen, tbo County Treasurer, ran away with tbe County funds. When, after conviction, be was put in the penitentiary, tbe Governor pardoned him out. And tbe Legislature released bis bondsmen. And so the County has to lose tho money, und sub? mit to a higher tux in consequonoo. Did not the Union know all this? What it Rays of tho corruption among tbe Democratic members of the Legislature is equally outrageous and cqaally un? true, so far as wo bavo over beard and believe. Will tbe Union favor us with its views upon tho memorial of tbo business men of Columbia sent on to Washington? It is singular that the Union goes so far away for subjects, when ono is so oonveniently at band. Lot tbo public know what it thinks of this passage in tbo memorial referred to: "We believe that the committee now at Washington to represent tbo Govern? ment of the State of South Carolina, and to counteract tbe efforts of tbe com? mittee of tbe Tax-Payers' Convention, are interested iu tbe continuance of tbe present system, by which tho people aro despoiled, and have more or loss en? riched themselves by their connection with the Government of our State." United States Court, Charleston, April 1G?This court convened ut tbo usual hour, Judge Hugh L. Bjnd pro siding. A. L. Sauders and Charles S. Bull were appointed Commissioners of United States Circuit nnd District Courts. Thomas J. LaMotto was re? moved from tho office of Commissioner of the Circuit. Tbo case of Charles P. William*, of Connecticut, against Wm. L. Dawsou and others, was referred to J. E. Hagooil, special master. In the caso of J. a: T. Green against C. II. Baldwin, Receiver of tho Exchange Bank of Columbi.'., and others, tho bill was dismissed as to Arthur P. llayuo, deceased, ouo of tbo defondauts iu tbe case. Wm. B. DeSuussurn was admit? ted to practica law in tbo United States Circuit Courts. Jesso Iv. Stone, Wm. McKinnoy, G. R. Tbomasson, D. ti. McKinney, W. W. Sims and James A. Barnwell received their final discharge in bankruptcy. Tbe report of Registrar Clawhou, in tbo matter of A. C. Sutton, of York, was oontlrmed. Clikoiso to tue Loaves and Fjsh.es. Humbert, tbo embezzling County Trea? surer of Orangeburg County, seems dis? posed to bang on to his office. Judge Glover, whose bond was approved by tbe County Commissioners on Tuesday last, made a formal demand upon tbe ex-Treasurer that tbe office be turned over to him, which the latter refused to do. Tbe grounds given for the refusal wero that tho papers prosented by tho new Treasurer lacked the seal of tho State, and that a regular commission from tbe Secretary of -State would bavo to be preaonted before tho office could be turned over. Galvoston, Texas, is growiog. Its present population is 84,350, an iucreaee of 20,000 iu tho last three years. A Movk in tub *Riairp Direction.? We published the presentment of the Grand Jury of York Gonuty in our issue of Tuesday, the 14th instant. On bear? ing the report of the Grand Jury, on motion of Mr. Solicitor Brawley, it was ordered by his Honor Judge Mackej: That so mnoh of said report as recites the unlawful and oppressive acts of Joi n B. Habbard, Deputy United States Marshal, and John MoManus, United States Commissioner, and their assistants, bo forwarded by tho Clerk of this Conrt, duly certified, to the United Stutos District Attorney at Charleston, and to Hon. Thomas A. Douglass, Com? missioner of Internal Revenue at Wash? ington, D. O.; and so much thereof as relates to th? alleged couuectiou of Lieutenant H. H. Buuuor with said un? lawful aud oppressive uots, bo referred to tho commauding officer of tho post ut Yorkville. It is further ordered, that :i beuch warrant do issub for the arrest of John B. Hubbard, and that hu bo bound over in the sum of $1,000, to answer nn in? dictment to be preferred ngaiut him, on account ot stioh alleged unlawful and oppressive conduct, ut an adjourned sossiou of this court, to bo boldeu ou the -1st day of July next. It is further ordered, that Johu Mo Manus, United States Commissioner, do show cause ou tho 21st day of July, why a bill of iudictment should not be preferred against him, for and ou ac? count of the unlawful and oppressive acts charged ugaiust him in tho report of the Grand Jury. It is also ordered, that P. J.O'Conuell, late ageut of the Catawba Indians, do tile with tbo Clerk of IhiH Court, on or before tho 21st of July next, a statement, under oath, of all moueys received by him us ngeut of the Gitiwha Indians, and of his disbursement of the same. It it further ordered, that the snid P. J. O'Conucll do show cause, on or before tho 21st of July next, why u bill of iu? dictment should not be preferred ugaiust him for his failure to report, annually, to the Court of Common Pleas of this County, his transactions as agent of tho Catawba ludiaus. It is further ordered, that M. L Owens, agent of the Catubu ludiaus, do ?lo with the Clerk of this Court, on or before the 21st of July next, a state? ment, under oath, of all moneys re? ceived by him as agent for the Catawba ludiaus, and of his disbursements of tho same; statiug the time when tho same was received and paid out, and the amount paid aud to whom, aud tho m>iu uer in which the sumo was paid. It is further ordered that tho suid >.I. L. Owens do show causo, on the said 2lst day of July, why a bill of indict? ment should not be preferred against him for his failure to make a report of his transactions as such ageut, and for his failure, to pay over the moueys re? ceived by him to tho Catawba Indians. Crrv Imi'hovkments?Cauomna Sav? ings Bank of Charleston.?The bank? ing otlioe of the old firm of George W. Williams >V Co., corner of Hay no and Church streets, is undergoing a tho? rough overhauling and remodelling, to make accommodations for the Carolina Saviugs Bank of Charleston, which has been recently chartered by the State Le? gislature. The work is under the skill? ful superintendence of J. H. Devereux, Esq. We learn that it is tho intention of Messrs. Williams & Co. to transfer tho baking department of their exten? sive business to the new bank, which will bo put iuto operation with ample capital, at an early day. The banking house fronts ou Church street, aud is iu the centra of the block between Hayue and Market streets, which bus for so many years been the scene of commer? cial activity. The approach to the bank will bo through a neat vestibule, in which is located oue of the vaults of the institution. Tbo apartments to be oc? cupied by tbo officers are finished with taste and convenience. The cashier's room is lighted and ventilated from tho sides and ceilings. Tho spacious di? rectors' room is on tho second floor of the Hiyuo street building; it will be fitted with tho conveniences of a com? mercial library, maps, charts and tho like. The nicchunic&l work iu progress reflects credit upon tho energetic Deve? reux Brothers. It is understood that I the seuior of the firm of George W. Williams & Co. is to be at tho head of the now institution; Joseph R. Robert eon, Yice-Presideut, aud Wui.E. Breese, Cashier. Mr. Williams is known to be ono of our most active aud successful merchants, and a sagacious, prudeut financier, having been for more thau a quarter of a ceutury couueoted with sum.) of tho loading banks and railroads of the South. Mr. Williams' long expe? rience iu the management of lie -.noes, is n guarantee that ho will make the Caro? lina Savings Bank a sucoess. Increased capital and cheap railroad freights are greatly needed to develop tho superior commercial uiivnuiugou aud manufactur? ing iuterests of Charleston. No invest? ment has proven so profitable since tho war as money used iu bankings The high rate of interest, however, has not ouly been a hindrance to tho commerce of Charleston, but has also home hea? vily upou tho agricultural and manufac? turing interests of the State. We, therefore, hail with pleasure any effort that is mado to augment tho bankinn capital of South Carolina uud to in? crease her railroad facilities. [Charleston News and Courier. Stocksand Bonds at Auction.?Mr. W. Y. Leitoh sold tho following stocks and bonds at auction in Charleston, on the 16th: 150abarcs South Carolina Rail? road stook ut 12,'.< to 12*?; 8 shares North-eastern Railroad preferred stook at 40 to 40j?; $2,0?? soouud mortgage bonds North-eastern Railroad Company ataOJa; 41 sharos gas stock at 22>?; 2U shares People's Bank stock at 7%; $584 City Charleston stock at 03'4 ; all for cash. Crrr Matters.? Subscribe for the Phoenix. Business is terribly dull and money scarce. Gash will be the rule at the Phoenix office hereafter. Dr. W. O. Fisher's soda fountain dis? penses a geouino temperance beverage. Try it. Chief of Police Jackson will dispose of a lot of forfeited artioles?pistols, etc.?at auction this morning. The Phoenix job office is complete in every respect,?and cards, posters, pro? grammes, bill-heads, etc., aro turned out with alacrity. Messrs. Hoffman & Albrecht ure in receipt of another lot of good things? strawberries, green peas, Bologna and tfnoked sausages, etc. Wm. Laidler, Eiq., of tbo old Charles? ton Courier, is on a visit to tbo city. Ho reports things iu the up-country us being uuusuully dull. Fresh supplier* of strawberries, green peas, asparagus and all tbe early vege? tables of tho season; likewise, some prime country butter and eggs, at E. E. Davies it Co.'s. The Columbia Dramatic Association give three performances in Parker's Hall next week?Wednesday, Thursduy and Friday?when tbe "Octoroon" will bo prcuented. Persons iu nearly nil parts of the city were affected by the lightning on Thurs? duy night. One lady was prostrated and severely injured by striking her head against a door. Tho rain storm of Thursday night was tbe heaviest and the most protracted within tho memory of tbe oldest in? habitant. It poured 6teadily all night and continued at intervals during yes? terday rooming. Gold hns an attraction for lightniug, eveu. Tbe lightning-rod on Mr. Steig litz's building was struck, during tbo storm of Thursday night, und the gold tip spirited away. The shock was so severo that, persons half a block off, were affected by it. As dueling is becoming fasbiunuble once more, and mny, probably, become contagious iu this section, we desire to inform gentlemen kiliingly inclined that there is for salo at the Phoenix office a pair of No. 1 dueling pistols, with tbe necessary appendages, neatly put up in a muhoguny caso. An unusually heavy thunder clap, on Thursdu}- night, caused the horses at? tached to the Columbia Hotel omnibus to run off. They were standing iu tbe street, awaiting tbo arrival of the Au? gusta train, and rnn to the stables, when they stopped of their own aocurd. No damage done. "Tho Blue Ribbon" is tbo latest pro? duction of the author of "St. Olavis," "Meta'sFaith," etc. It is an admirable story; tbo character of the heroine is original and skillfully marked out, and an interest is cast around her which never fl 133. Tho sketches of society in a cathedral city are very vivid and amus? ing. Mr. Du flat has tho book for sale ? price fifty cents. Fatal Accident.?Coroner Colemau held an inquest, on Thursday, over the remuins of a colored man named Geo. Williams, who was killed near Acton, on Wednesday last, by a tree falling on him. It seems that Williams and a uumber of other hands were engaged in cutting down trees, when one fell unex? pectedly and caught tbe uufortnnate mau, killing him instuntly. Some Pertinent Inquiries.?A tax? payer, who has promptly paid bis tribute of 8500 iuto tho city treasury, writes to us to inqniro why tho city authorities givo notes to tho endorsers of their note to securo them? He thiuks, and correctly thiuks, that if tho endorser has to take up tho notes of the city, that the city is as muoh bound to make good to lite endorser the amount ho has paid iu its behalf, as any other noto it can make. Tho second note cannot raako tbo obligation to pay any more binding. Why, then, this complication and possible field for fraud? Our cor? respondent further asks, what has be? come of the enormous tax ju'l collected? Is it possible that tho city government has not enough on hand to pay a few thousand dollars, without having to borrow at tbo ruinous rate of 1J? per oent. iutorest a month? Those are questions which tax-payers have a right to ask and to havo promptly answered. Phoextxiana.?Tho late departed? last winter's bonnets. Custom may lead a man into many errors; but it justifies none. Fashion artioles explain to tho eve rage man what the average woman wears. Tbo ladies need very littlo information on the Bubjeot. Tuny eye one another and hook all their new fanoies. It has been remarked that ladies havo generally a great fear of lightning, nnd this has boon superficially ascribed to their natural timidity; bub tbe real truth is that it arises from their con soionsnes9 of being attractive. TbibtJte to thb Mbmoby ov Db. La? Borde.?Ou the second day of the ses? sion of the Medical Atsooiiition of South Carolina, juat held in tbia city, the fol? lowing preamble and resolution, offered by Dr. TaJiey, were adopted and or dered to be sent to the family of the de? ceased: Whereas, to perpetuate the memory aod to record the virtues of our honored dead, is a sacred duty and a grateful task; aod whereas, since the last annual meeting of our association, we have been called ou to deplore the loss by death of Dr. M. LaBorde, one of our earliest aud .most esteemed honorary members: Resolved, That in the decease of Dr. LaBorde, the South Carolina Medical Association recognizes the Iocs of one who has contributed much to the eleva? tion of the standard of medical educa? tion and ethics in oar State; of one who to rare culture and exalted character added a genial temper and a benevolence that knew no limit short of his utmost capacity to do good to his fellow-men. Dr. LaBorde was one of the few surviv? ors of the first class graduated in the South Carolina Medical College, and to the day of bin deuth, his pride and his uffjetion for his alma mater continued unabated. The early years of his pro? fessional life were spent in active prac? tice; aud though, by the current of after events, he was diverted' from its pursuit, bis deep interest in and his ready co operation with whatever tended to the advancement of medical know? ledge were conspicuous. His work on "Human Physiology," though he did uot clttim for it the consideration due to moro elaborate treatises, was fully abreast of the elementary works of the day ou that subject. As a writer, his style was easy, ornate and perspicuous, aud bis pon, like bis purse, was ever ready to second the promptings of his generous heart. As a shining example of euuobliug qualities and an ornament of our profession, we will tenderly che? rish bis memory. List of New Advertisements. Chief Jackson?Sale of Property. P. Cautwell?F. M. Beef. Meetiug Stockholders G. & C. B. HoTEii Arrivals, April 17, 1874.? Columbia Hotel?W K Blake, Spartan burg; Judge M Moses, C H Suber, W W Mtlam, Newberry; S Swandale, Green? ville; W H D Gat Hard, Pendleton; J S Laud, G & C R R; J M Mclntosh, New berry; P P Phillips, Pa; R L Jordan, N C; Mrs J W Dickinson, Mass; J W O'Brien, Charleston; M O'Brien, Ga; W Laidler, W D Kennedy, Charleston; M Walls aud lady, S L Quattlebaum, S O; J F Newmeyer, III; A O Cotcbett, Ga; J C Lambert, Ohio; P L Phillips, Ala; IJ R Davis, La. Wheeler House?A. M Bell, Md; N K Sawyer and wife, A Cusbman and wife, Maiue; E Peck, G J Bogart, NY; WB Spoouer and wife, Mosb; P L Perry and wife, Miss Alien Perry, Conn; A N Talley, Charlotte; Dr S R Lewie, S 0; D Foster. Savannah; J L Chambers, Chester; J H Adams, Riohland; H G Blackwell, N Y; S H Melliohamp, T B Jenkins, Wilmington; J J MoOlnre, Chester; N S Baldwin, N J; Dr A H Davega, S M Davega, Chester; Miss H Moore. Charleston; C P Townsend, Bennettsville; C L B Marsh, NC; S A Armstein, N Y; W Scott, Ga; D Wyatt Aiken, Miss E Aiken, Abbeville; S Kopper, N Y. Hendrix House?-Lather P Smith, J B Watson, Miss T Watson, Miss K Wat I son, W S Sharp, wife, four children and servant, W F Barr. Mike O'Neal, Robt Stork, Anderson; J W Starnes, Doko; W J Da vis, Ridgeway; J HDenck, oity; Win M Smith, Augusta. Testimonial* ? I unhesitatingly testify that Dr. T. G. Lauo buB cured me of stammering and can cure any case ri_*\t will give him their attention for a few days. My first intorview with Dr. Lane was Monday night, and I have not stammered one time since. ROBERT Y. LEATELL. Columbia, S. C, April 15, 1874. Professor T. G. Line has cured me of stammering. If I stammer now it is my fault, aud not his. GEORGE WT. FETNER. Columbia, April 8, 1S74. The doctor has cured many cases in Columbia, and many for nothing, and will euro any one that stammers, even if they are too poor to compensate him, by an immediate application to him, as he will only be in the city a few days longer. Columbia Hotel, April 16, 1874, ? ?-???-?-1 A Washington letter says: The Senate Committeo on Claims has before it a singular petition from one Frank Ar? nim, of Arnim's Heights, S. G. Arnim claims that he captured the last ledger of the Southern Confederacy and de? livered it to the Treasurer of the United States in 1SG7. He says that through ' the information contained in the ledger the Government obtained a lot of Con? federate gold whioh had been secretly transferee! from Andersonville to Au? gusta. He intimates that he ought to have $6,000 for this. The committee applied to Gen. Spinner, the Treasurer, for information on the subject. Gen. Spinner writes that the gold spoken of was captured two years before tho lodger was received by him, although ft says the ledger oontained some valua e information. London is literally built on a founda? tion of pipes. One gas company sup? plies two distriots with nearly 400 miles of pipes. Then there are the under? ground telegraph pipes, and '2,500 miles of drain pipes, the lead and iron pneu? matic tubo9, .the sewors, the water-pipes and the underground railway. Nothing makes a porson laugh so much as a set of new tcetb.