Friday Morning; Dedember 18,1874. The Bond Question. At the last session of the General Assembly, a committee was appointed to ascertain what bonds of the State -were pledged by the Financial Agent as collateral security for State loans, and to report their numbers, colorB and. denominations and the amounts for which they were so pledged. This was done according to the preamble, in order to diwoovor what had buoomo of $1,756,500, the difference between the amount of hoods reoeived by the Fiuauoial Agent aud the amoaut sold by him, and which was entirely unac? counted for, as well as to provide dgaiust issuing'any bondd under the Act to roduoe the volume of the debt in exchange for bonds iu possession of persons not actually owning them. Senator Dunn, who waa chairman of the committee, made a report to the Treasurer upon the matter iu June, in which he says that a part of the bonds had been sold under forfeiture, that a port bad been pledged subsequent to the time when the authority to so pledge them had ceased according to the terms of the Aots creating them, and also subsequent to the time when the full amount of money authorized to be obtained on them had been obtained. The use of the bonds was ibua doubly illegal. The committee jreporta further, that among the bonds ;ouud to have been pledged by the Financial Agent are 3215,000, par value of the bonds issued under Aot of September, 180(1, to fund past due Interest on the public debt, and in? quires how bonda, winch could only be issued at the Treasury for a specific purpose, came iuto the keeping of the Financial Agent to use for u different purpose. They conclude that they could only have gone iuto his posses? sion either by receiving them directly from-the State Treaburer, or by their havic? bean exchanged for conversion bbuJs and afterwards rc-iasued. The question of illegality attached to these several classes of bonds is left by the committee with the Treasurer to de? termine". In his report, just made to the General Assembly, that officer do? mes the correctness of the statement o5 facts upou which the deductions of the committee are based. Ho states the amount of bonds placed in Kimp ton'a hands, under the several heads of Bills Beouivable, Land Commisbion, Belief of Treasury, Payment of Interest and Conversion of State Securities, to j?v? been $0,511,000, the sale to have am-imntad to $8,057,500, and on hand at last report as collateral security for loans $1,456,500, which, with the amount of sales, equals the amount of bonds. He adds that Kimpton holds this sum of 81,456,500 as collateral security for 8600,000.77 due him by Ihe State. This etatonient, he says, appears in Treasurer Parker's report, and has not been changed since,, and is a settlement made by the Financial Board of the State 16th, November, 2872. The Treasurer accepted the re? sponsibility of continuing to fund, dis? regarding the objections of Senator Dunn, as based upou the irregularities reported, which he oonsidored as tri? lling. But the Senator, iu a review of ibe report, iu the Senate, Wednesday, 3hows that the sum ot 31,-150,500 of bonds reputed as on hand as collateral 3ec rity was mentioned in the Fund? ing Act as among the bonds to be lu.. Jed. If it was the property of the 3tato, it could not be ao funded; and if it was the private property of Kimp? ton, protecting a loau until it should bo paid, it ought not bavo been enu? merated us among fuudablu bonds. But ho gO'>s ou to say that there waa no evidence that Kimptou holds these ?1,-156,500 of bonds, us collateral. The settlement between the Financial Agent und the Fiuauoial Board de nlnrrH, on the other hand, that 51,653,500 of bonds, including thusoi $1,456,500, had been previously pledged to other parties as collateral security for loana to the State, nnd ihut tho amouut for which they were pledged was not suOJ,009.77, (tho amount of Kiruptou'a ciuiin,) but 6489,782.50. Supposing, then, that Ihe bonds are hold an security, they cannot bo brought in at their face ralue. Creditors of tho .State to tho amouut of $189,9S2 oauuot exact ?1,656,500. Tho Sonaior further oor iacta tho statement of tho Treasurer as *V> tho amount to which tho Financial Agent is a creditor of tho. State. Ac? cording to tho settlement between the Financial Agent and tho Fiaauoial Board, in October, 1872, the amount due him waa $629,415,26; but he had effected loans to the amount of 8480.* 982.50 od the bonds now under diacns j eion, with which the State was credit ed, and so tbe balance doe him was redncedto$139,482.76. - ColiI Water. 1 We are well awaro of tho action taken by the National Cheap Trans? portation Convention, as inuutioned by oar correspondent, "A Frioud," against the proposed petition tu Con? gress of tbe Texas and Pacific Railway Company to extend aid to its construc? tion, by guaranteeing the interest upon its bonds. Tho scheme has all the odium to meet which naturally comes from tho ubaso of the system in tue extravagant sums voted to Northern and North-western railroads. Congress has expended hundreds of millions upon them, und opened up a lucrative field for speculation aud spoliation on tho Credit Mobilier plan. Xow comes the time for it tu be virtuous, aud, in the opiuiou of those who would forever keep the South as a satrapy, and deny to it all modes of extrication from the myriad evils which encompass it, to deny to thh grind Southern enterprise, which will span the continent by a road which no suowa or ioe will over block up, tho noodod and uc oossary aid. Bit we Lnpe that, notwithstanding this opposition, its claims will got a dispassionate bear? ing und put o >usidoration from Con? gress. It is not fair, surely, that we shall have the shadows of these gigan? tic frauds cast over every reasonable scheme ol internal improvement that may be projected. We havo mentioned such considerations nn eeom to advise that this railway can be assisted by the Government, while, nt the same time, fully protecting its own groat interests. It cannot be built from the sales cf land, but when built the laud would be immensely ouhunced in value, nnd prove an excellent security. It has but to tuku u first mortgage upon iho line, its franchises, lands nnd property of every description, to b-.i protected beyond anj- pt-radveutttre. We trust that tho Southern members will ad? dress thoir earnest attcutiou to tho subject. If the scUemu be practicable j in itself, if its adv lutagos can bo showu I i to be beyoud calculation to our whole Southern und S?utu-wcstcru States and Territori'.s, in tho development of thsir vast resources, in the addition to their population, it the eotiblishmeut of a hotter uuu safer highway from Europe and tiie United States to the East thanuny lunt now exists, it should be the pleasure, us it is tho duty, of our statesmen to demonstrate them. We believe it can bo done, and all petty, partisan aud sectional objections swept away. ? ???-????? We are inclined to think thut every? thing Congross will likely do in the matter of SouLborn troubles this r-os siou will tend to increusu rather than diminish tho unpopulatity of Radical? ism. It Congress does nothing, that will be well for the Republicans. But as sure as anything is dune, it will bo done badly. Wbilo we do not believe that anything can save a doomed party from destruction, it would be belter for tho countrj if ltatiiculistn gavo up tbe ghost without any frantic and una? vailing efforts for life. - The He-union of Hampton's Cayal iiy Brigade.?Wednesday was a gala day in Augusta. Hundreds of ex-Cou federate soldiers wore to bo seen ou tho streets?tho gro.it uttractiuu being the re-union of Hampton's Cavalry Brigade. At 10 o'clock, the veterans assembled in Girardey'a Opera House, and an organization wu.s efleeted, cullcel "The Society of the First Cavalry Bri? gade of thy Army of Northern Vir? ginia"?tho objects uf the association being the preservation of the memo? ries which constituted the bond uf union of the old brigade during the lato war, au 1 Ihn collection of the data from which the history of the brigado cau be written. The following officers were elected: President. Inent.-Geu, Wade Hampton. Vioo-Presidouts-, Maj.-Geus. M; C. Butler, William T. Martin, P. M. B. Young, Brig.-Gous. L. M. Baker, G. J. Wright, Coin. j. L. Black, T. J. Lipscomu, Lieut.-Cols - Magruder, J. E. llioh, J. F. Waring, Mnj. J. F. Hart, Capt. G. A. Roberts. Historical und Correspond? ing Soorctary, Mij. Theodore J. Bar? ker. The association meets iu Augoi.ta on tho second Woducsday iu November, 1875. A resolution wu.s adopted, that the surviving officers of the various com? mands composing tho "old first bri? gado" be, and uro hereby, eurucbtly re? quested to oommttuieato to Mnj. Bar? ker, at Charleston, S. C, such his? torical facts as are iu thoir possession in regard to the muster rolis of their companies and tho part taken by them in tho engagements of the war, that a complete aud reliable record may thereby bo speedily secured. Lotters were read from proraiuent ex Confederates, regretting their ina? bility to be present. Alter the meet? ing there wus a street parade, with cannon-firing, otb., followed by a sabre contest for valuable prizes. In tbe evening, tbe Opora House was crowded, to listen to an address from Lieut.-Gen. Wude Himpton, who was introduced to tbe nndiouce by Geu. M. C. Butler. Gon. Hampton c.imo forward amid tbe wildest applause. He said tbe survivors of tbe First Cavulry Brigade had requested him to recount thu his? tory ot thu brigade during the war. Unfortunately ho hud received this no titicttion ouly throe days ago. H:u first impulse, on account of thu short? ness of thu timo, was to decline. Hut wlieu he considered that they hud never failed uim, he. could not. There was another consideration: He longed to look them in tbo fa io once uiore. Iu th^ ubsceueo of all preparation, ho would touch fcr a fow minores upon the deeds which had given the brigade t-o glorious ii reputation. They bad fought on a hundred battle-iieJds, from Virginia t;> Georgia. What more could he any? The brigade was organized just uftcr the buttlesurouud Richmond, uud he bud the good fortuue to bo placud iu command of it. Perhaps it waa not. known tu uil of thorn that it was first iuteuded that tiiat command ahomd Le tomporary. Alter the g il luut Gregg waa killed, Gen. Lee wrote to him and asked him to take com? mand of that lamented olueor'd bri? gade. He wrote to Gon. L-.'o and asked him if it wn.i hit. particular de? sire that hi should command that bri? gade. Gin. Leo wrote to him to con? sult his ovm wishes. Me then replied that he pruferrod to command the First Brigado to any other in the ser? vice, j Applause.J Ho recounted nomc of the notubh: exploits of the brigade iu Yirgiuin und Maryland, llo spoke some time .since at the fair grounds ia Frederick City. Ha fouud that it tftis on the very spot where the First Bri? gade bud txtiidti so splendid a light. Tho people there lold him that the brigade did great execution on that momor.iblo occasion. All of the but? tles that they were engaged iu were gruven in hi:> hvart. What brigado in Lee's army could show a bolter record than the First Brigade? He felt it due i to the meu whom Le hud had the honor \ to commund that their deeda shcind not go unrecorded. Gen. B~e said on j more than oue occasion thai the. I cavalry deserved all praise. Ln t!:-. hud campaigu tat. cavalry of tloj Army of Northern Virginia turned in Laorn than 2Q,Ul)U prisoners. He bad two letters, one from Gen. Lee :.i. l the other from Gcu. J. 12. Johnston, (it... Lee i, in reference to the buttle of Five Forka: "Hudyou been bore wit!. ' ?..il your cavalry, the disaster would I never have occurred." General John-! Bton said tue record of r.tiu cavalry ot i tht: Army ot Northern Virginia was us graud us Ihttt of any command in the world. Ho had spoken of the past, now Ut htm speak of the future. The i clouds were now lifting from over us. The Democrats had not guiued success! olo-io. Many honest Republicans had I joi:ied with them at tho North, aud : there irere boueut Republicans a: the I North. Bet us obey all the laws. Let us divest these meetings of all political significance, uud show the people that 7>ti meet only to perpetuate tho memory of our dead. He prayed to God that they might live to see tho day when just ice again reigned in the land; when they might feel that their blood had not been she! in vain. Loud c iils wero made for Gen. M. C. Butler, who, iu response, said he did not think they should lose sight of their identity in the geueral submerg? ing of the South in the nation iu the. future. Tbuy should not lose" sight of the fact that tboy hud heeo Southern soldiers. He could appreciate their trials. When they surrendered their swords, they did not expect what had come to pass, li they could have an? ticipated it, tbuy would never have j surrendered their swords. [Voices? I never!! He did not say this with the purpose of indulging in any disloyalty. Uut it was due to tbo truth of history that wo .should put upon record the iudiguitiea offered to ns. He did not believe that these indiguitiee had been put opon us by too soldiers on the other side. If the settlement of the diflicultioH had bucu left to thu men who fought each other, the}' would have been settled upon terms of equity und justice1. W? have duties to per? form now to tho pa?t ud to the future. They hud .'.elected this good old city of j Augusta, renowned for the manner in which it welcomed strangers, for their! first re-union. It did him good to uomo among these people, because they wero free. Trio veterans no-1 knowledgcd gratefully tho hospitably | extended to Ibutn. It did them ail' good to uomo hero. Galls wero made for Major W. T. Gary. Major Gary said tho call was j altogether unexpected. Heretofore a black cloud had oppressed South Cnro- J i linn. But Georgia was ntui enough to ; lend an inspiration, :ind under thut iu- ? spiration they had baudt-J together a small body oi men whom ho liud the honor to command. The singular doteulion anil punish moot of the kidnappers of Charlie Rosa is oue of tbo must curious of lL:o ro? mances of crime. They wero huntod j from oue end of tho eoutineut to the I other, and their pursuers were stimit lated by tho offer of immense towards. Vet both of tbo guilty purlieu were killed not '?. great distance from tho scone of tboir orimo by an elderly gen? tleman, who had tbo resolution and steadiness of hnnd to bring down a oouplo of burglars who were forcing an entrance into hid premises. Crrx Matters.?Subscribe for tho Phoenix?don't borrow. Reading matter on every page. Best oi oigars ut Columbia Hotel Cigar Store. Finn Norfolk oystora at Fiuu's sa? loon. Choice brands of champagne und other wiuca at Hardy Solomon's. Buy your cigars at the Columbia Lintel Cigar Store. Uo to Fiue'a saloon to get the finest oysters in town. Crackers?eating and tire?oan be obtained at Hardy Solomon's grocery. ! All tho choice brands of tobacco kept at Columbia Hotel Cigar Storo. Anything und everything iu the gro cury lien at Hardy Solomon's. Choice cigars and tobacco ai. Colum? bia Hotel Cigar. Store. All tho necessaries for compounding ogg uogg can be obtained at Hardy Solomon's. Transient advertisements and no? tices ?*?.er.} to buy , their Christmas goods. It is understood that if arrangements can be eiiected with the (ioorgia aud Charlotte, Columbia nnd Augusta Riil roads, n fast train will bo put on thu SjuHi Carolina Railroad. A valuable horse belonging to Mr. M. II. Qerry was rttu into by a vehicle, a few days ago, and o::e end of tun shafts entered hii chest to the depth ' of nearly two foot. Tho animal died uft.-r live days' uud'ering. c'rs. Martha Black, relict oi Samuel Black, Esq., departed this lifo ou Sa? turday right List, after u lingering illness, from typhoid fever. Her re maius were carried to Fairiiidd, f>r iu- ] torment. Shu leaves several children. Too largest tnsortmont of canned goods iu tho oity, including brandy fnr.tr-, jellies, preserves, miuoo-meat and the celebrated English plum pad? ding, is to be fouud ut tho grocery e? tablishmcut of John Aguow & Sc-n. j All the Hebrew ladies of Columbia1 arc respectfully invitod to meet at Mrs. j Lyons' residence, corner of Bull and j Lady streets, eu Sunday afternoon, at I ,j o'clock, for the purpose of forming a "Ladies' Benevolent Union." At the sign oi tho Indian Squaw will be found tho choicest collection; of im-1 ported and domestic cigars, chewing aud smoking tobacco, pi pro and j smokers' articles. Tho live cent cigar { sold by tho proprietors, John Agoew & j Son, are the best in the city. Notices in the local column are charged for at the rate of fifteen cents a line, for nine lines or more LesB than that space, 81. All ? local refer? ence to advertisements will be charged for. 1 i The weather, yesterday, was very little like mid-winter?being unusually warm. The stores were throngod with Christmas purchasers and tho elreets were crowded with wagons. It looked like old times. John Aguew ?t Son have a large stock of golden chop fire cracker?, full c?unt, which they are (selling low down at wholesale. They have, also, a full assortment of shot, Cup?, guns, pistols, &o.; and are agents for Dtipout's cele? brated gun-powder, which is the best in use. Ramsay's old Scotch whiskey, pure old Jamaica rum, old Oturd brandy, genuiuo Holland gin and the choicest brands of eld tye, u? well >\n sherriep, ports, Madeiras aud champagnes are to be obtained in groat uhoudauco, and ut tbe iowest prices, at the store of Johtj Agnew & Son, corner Main and Plain htrunts. To-night wo are to bare "Article ?17," by MiMj Ada Gray und A talented company of theatrical artistes, ut Parker's Hall. We have given several notions of their performances, copied j from papers where tho company hare exhibited, aud will only say, if you want to see a good exhibition, be on | hand to-night. Reserved seats ut Ly Brand Si Sou's Musio Store, Yesterday evening, wnile Mr. Hey- j ward Greon was on bis way home, he ' was accosted by a colored man, named Lewis Darn well; some words passed, when Barn well cut Mr. Green acros. the neck aud face?indicting u pevero but not daugerons wound. Mr. Green promptly knocked his iissailaut down, and then went home, where his wound was attended to by Dr. Tnruipseed. The jaw bon- prevented the jugular veiu being cut. The wounded man is doing vary well. Oii-i ol the most appropriate and ae- j ceptablc Ci:ii-tinas or New Yoar'a gifts that can be presented to n sister or I sweetheart or musical young lady, is n : year's subscription to tho Southern j J/u.if'.ti.',/fHrn,il, with tho valuable pre? miums which accompany it. Tho sub? scription prico is now 81.25 per year, post-paid, and every subsenbt r hr.s a \ choice from four vuinabio premiums., | worth from 53 cents to Si each, or if preferred, a chance in a superb i^'jO Square Grand Piano, which will be rallied among Journal subscribers. Luddou .v Bates, Savannah, Ga., are the publishers. The New Postage Law.?On the first of January, lbT?, the new postage law?requiring pro-payment at the office of publication for all papers sent outside of the County?goes into effect. RoudouU of Richland Couuty receive their papers free of poBtuge. Subscribers to tho Daily Phucnix will, therefore, eucloso the postage with their subscription, which will be as follows: One year, DO cents; six months, 25 coots; three months, 15 cents; one month, 10 cents. Tin Weekly, one year, 30 cents; six j months, 15 cents; thruo months, 10 cents. Weekly GlkAnek, ono year, 20 cents; six months, 10 cents; three months, 5 cents. Whero tho postago is not seut wiih the subscription, tbe time will bo shortened to that extent. The new ratea of postage uro less than half of tho old. At a meeting, yesterday, of the Committeo of Twenty appointed by the citizens, tho following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That Messrs. Bach man Sc Youmains and Carroll ?v Jnuney be re? quested to represent tho citizens in the o.ibj now ponding beforo the Court, uu.t that a Committeoof Three bo ap? pointed by the Chair to confer with the attorneys and make the necessary arrangements. Messrs. Swafileld, Wheeler aud Browu were appointed said committee Rt solo d. That a Committee of Five bo appointed by tho Chair to solicit contributions to defray tho necessary expenses of ibis committee, and that they be required to keep a list of con? tributors, with tho amounts of euch, und deposit tho same with Messrs. Scott k Sou, to I ho credit of tho com mittcu. Dr. Wheeler, Major Hampton Gibbes, Messrs. Ehrlich, P. Brown and Cantwell were appointed said com? mittee, .Mail a k na scj e m e n r s.?N orthe rt mail opens C.3? A. M., 3 P. M.; closes II A. M.,<> P.M. Charleston opoiisS A. M., 5.30 P.M.;closes8 A. M..GP. M. Western opens t/> A. M., 1 P. M. j closos tl. 1.30 P. M. Greenville opens 0.45 P. M.; closes G A. M. Wil? mington opens 4P. JI,; closeB 10.30 A. M. On Sunday open from 2.30 to 3.30 P. M. ' Direct r jf?sf' ^^mpor!? a.?Oar neighbor) Mr. j. (X1 HSeegera1, whose prime log or helps tho a to mach a of lovers of beer, and whose ioe oools the throats of parched individuals, now adds pure juice wines and brandies from California ior general purposes. He received a car-load, yesterday, direct from the golden land, and pro? poses to dispose of it in quantities and on terms which will be satisfactory to tboae in need of theso delicacies. Mr. Soegora adopted "Excelsior" as his motto in early life, and carries it out. Executive Appointments, Etc.? Governor Chamberlain is waking up the State olH^iais. Tho following are the appointments and removals yester? day : Beaufort?Treasurer, Ceo. Holmes: Auditor, Ij. S. Langley. Lexiogton? Treasurer, S. (Jorley, vice E. ?. J. Hayes, removed; Auditor, C. E. Leap hart, rice E. Walker, removed. New berry?Treasurer, Jesse G. Smith, vice D. It. Pbifer, rejected; Jury Commis? sioner, A L. Sneed, viceS. Young, re? moved. VY?liamsbnrg?Treasurer, P. H?lur, ro-uppoiuted. Darlington ? Trial Justice, P. Lowenthall; W. H. Dewberry, H. G. Parnell, R. D. F. Rollins, S. II. Berloy, Trial Justices, and ?J. H. Horu, Notary Public, re? moved. Colleton?Trial Justice, E. J. Limebouse; D. H Farmer, S. A. Jaoo by, removed. Charleston?Treasurer, Tim. Hurley. SUPREME Court?Thursday, De? cember 17.?The Court met ot 10 A. M. Present?Chief Justice Moses and As? sociate Justices Wright nnd Wiliard. Thu- Seventh Circuit was oalleu. Ex purte Giborno L. Sohurapert? petition for sdmissiou to practice in tho Supreme Court. Mr. Baxter prj pet. Upon production of tho proper evidence, the petition was granted und Mr. Scbumpert sworn and enrolled as an attorney, solicitor aod counsellor of tne Suprwme Court. John McCullough el til , respond? ents, rs. Jacob Ed bier, appellant, Mr. Schumpurt waE heard for appellant, j Mr. Baxter for respondents. Mr. j Sehutuper! for appellant in reply. ! Eliza R. Stewart, respondent, rs i Henry II. I>!ease, appellaut. Mr. I Baxter was hei.rd fcr appellant. Mr. V.J. Pope for respondent. Mr. Bai? ter fi.r uppellant iu reply. John Winsmith, appellant, ps.'Jo? |seph Walker, respondent. Submitted, j James P Cameron, resp^ndeut, John E. Renwick, appellant. Conti ! UUCd. Robert Smalls, respondent, rs. T. E Wilder, uppellant, On motion of Mr Whipper, lor appellant, restored to dotkrt. At 0 P. M., the Court ndioorced uutil Friday, lath, 10 A. M. The Spartanburg and Asueyille Railroad.?A. C. Kaufman, E;c]., Secretory and Treasurer of the Spar tanburg nod Abbeville Railroad, is an enthusiast on tho subject of this road. He says that eight miles of the roud will be built by Christmas; all the heavy grading ou tbe first or South Curolina division will be finished by tbo lust of January. The whole of tb-i division will be graded early iu June, and can bo ironed in one month. It is not thought the cost of treBtling this division will exceed -Si,000. There is no bridging to be done on tbe road, and only live trestles to be built, the longest of these being 300 feet. Mr. Kaufman says the people all along the line of tho road are enthusiastic, and that, iu all probability, by July or August, the whistle of the locomotive will bo beard in the mountain fast? nesses of North Carolina. List op New Advertisements. J. C. Dial?Christmas Goods. ?T. C. Seegers?Wines, Arc. Dr. Clopton?Piles Cared. Hotel Arrivals, December 17.? Hendrix House?Q C Montgomery, J D Liviugston, Riohland; E C Zsmp, Camdeu; W R Roof, Simeon Corley, Mrs H A Moetze, Lexington; j Austin Scott, Fair field; W F Staik, Choster; H C Motley, Richlaud; Geo JoyDer, Beaufort; W B Green, Ga; A P Bouk night, Edgefield. Mansion Bouse?J W Cook, Va; L E Heudricks, Dr E W Wheeler, An? drew Crawford, city; W M Crook shanks, Atlanta; Dr J A Clopton, A!n; 11 Richards, Union. Mr. Editor: Your advocacy of the Southern Pacific Railroad romiads me of b^ing iu Richmond recently, when the National Cheap Transportation Couveution assembled tbore. During j Us sitting, Mr. William Johnston, of Charlotte, formerly President of the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Rail? road, offered u series of resolutions, the sum and sabstanco of which was to ask Congress to guarantee tbe inte? rest upou the bonds of that road. Tbeso resolutions wore overwhelm? ingly voted *.owu, tiio delegates from Virginia even opposing them. Tbe I North-west, through ouo of thoir mosi verbose orators, expressed "amiz.e mout" that uny man would at this late day presume to ask for Govcrnm;.1:.; } aid to railroads. This Couveution so noted in the face ! of tho fact that tho Government has [aided Northern nnd North-western railroads within the pant lilt con years by grants of 3115,000,000, whilst the South ban never received nor asked for one dollar. Whether Congress will, in your life? time or mino, aid a Southern railroad, is a question time alone can answer, A FRIEND.