University of South Carolina Libraries
To^adayMoraing;, April 20,187?. Let the People Speak Out. Wo have foUowotl with much pleasure ? the review which the Union-Heraty has made of the tax bill, in giving reasons, why it should not become law. Its po? sition upon this question is one which >ught to be rei>i-odueed to the tax-payers sad to all citizens interested in the sub ? stautiul welfare of tho State, as epntrn ?distinguished from the factitious profits *>f efflce-helding,speculation, ring con? trol and corrapt bargaining. It is the -entering wedge to the discussion amongst the Republicans themselves of the vital measure of bixation, preparatory to its ??onsideration at tho next session of the ' <*<meral Assembly. The grounds of ? objection to the bill are the m.inner in which it is passod, the excessive amounts . it levies and tho fraudulent and doubtful ? character of many of the claims which it provides for. As to tho manner, first: The bill was started in the House imme? diately after the Christmas and New Year's holidays. It went to the Senate &ont the middle of Fobrnai-y, and was detained by the Committee on Finance, of which Nosh, of Bichland, is Chair? man, and Whittemore the power behind the throne, until the 26th of March - - the l ast <U\y and hour of the session. Tho ? object of this detention, us statod by our contemporary, was evidently to place it in the hands of tho Governor at the very i?ast minnte, and then adjourn without giving him a chanco to veto it. It was ?thought that, rather than postpone tho collection of taxes for a month or two, that he would sign the bill. In const - dering the first'section, tho Union-Herald -asserts that 1) mills for salaries and eon Ungonts of the exocutive and judicial departments is too small, because sala? ries aro fixed by law and contingents oro ?rut down to a minimum, and neither ???an be lowered at present. A deficit . of 45:1,000 will result. It looks to the Legislature to enact ? a law next winter greatly reducing salaries, to take effect from November 1, 1?76, ho that the pre? sent figures of 1J mills will suffice. The second section levies 1.} mills for penal, charitable and educational purposes, .and is a half mill too much, if those in? stitutions arc properly managed. Tho ;t wo mills for the support of the common ?ehools, together with the poll tax and the district school tax, ought to work wonders, if faithfully and judiciously applied. This is not done. No tox collected -in the State is "more waste ? fully and even criminally expended." The levy in section 1 of 11 mills for le? gislative expenses, is too much. The good people will never be satisfied until the entire legislative expenses ure brought within $100,000. The Union Herald suggests that when the Legislature ? naots a law to reduoe salaries, it will in? clude its own. The \ mill to pay for the public printing, to meet the contract of $50,000 for that object, and $10,000 for the deficiency of last year, cannot be helped for tho present year, because it is a matter of contract; but \ of a mill is ample for all necessary printing, and it should be reduced accordingly. The A tailflevy In' section 7, for claims passed st the recent session, the 3 mill for print? ing deficiencies for '7:1 and 71, tho 1 mill to pay balances of unpaid appro? priations of the year ending October 31, IH74, should all bo peremptorily struck out In connection with this class of levies comes Up tho question, whether . the mode of getting them through is not unconstitutional? Tho passed claim busi? ness is one of the greatest frauds to which the people are subjected. Large amounts are taken from tho treasury by this hocus pocus plan, carried into effect in the closing hours of the session, in the midst of confusion and excitement which effect everybody but those who art? adroitly using them as covors and blinds by which to achieve their spolia? tions. This question will be brought squarely bp at,the next session, by a bill introduced by Senator Coohran, of An? derson, which provides that oil claim hills, to he valid, must be rend three separate times, on three several days, in ?euch house, be duly ?ratitied by thp pre? siding officers, presented to the Govern? or and signed by him, and sealed by the ^Secretary of State. In reference to the 10th section, which levies 2-5 of n mill to pay post dne indebtedness of the Lunatic Assylum, the State Penitentiary and the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum, and which it also opposes, our contem? porary says: "We are unalterably op? posed to levying any tax for any claim, until some other investigation is made into its character than that given to it by I cgislative. committees." ' ttar object in running over these points, is to show our Conservative .friends the attitude of the more ad vanoed section of tho Republican party in this State, as we may in for it from these com? ments and from the expected voto of tho bill by. the Governor. Recurring to one '>f tho earlier articles, we find that a tax 4f ten mills, or one per cent, is con? sidered to bo about right; and if equally ?and properly distributed) to leave no such, deficiency aw aha thirteen mill tax now does. We are not to be understood a* favorttg'-Jn, lar^y siioYa? ten mills, J0 ;????<<? i - .' ri W'.tM '! ''?< I ?WrtTbelieve Mt th e tax may be brought within it The great duty of our people is to come up to the aid of the Governor in demanding that only a reasonable and just tax shall be imposed upon thorn. They should strengthen his hands and tho bands of all in his fcjarty who, in ike party, are making a stand against heavy taxation, legislativ?* frauds and conve? nient processes by which thoir money is taken so unsparingly out of their pockets. You see bore the Republican** are divided as they have never been be? fore since thoy assumed the reins of con'-" trol over South Carolina This will be the opportunity of the people. They must take advantage of it and speak out with tho authority which rightfully belongs to thorn. Let them demand that only a proper and necessary tax shall be levied, and that it shall bo applied to only proper and necessary objects. The Orangeburg Arte*, also a Republican journal, says that if the Governor should "put a quietus upon this last swindle of tho Legislature, by vetoing' it," it shall move tha,t "meetings be held at tho Court Houses, on some sale-day, in every County in the .State, and resolu? tions of thanks bo passed and forwarded to him." The idea is not u bad one. Wo would suggest, that to tho resolutions be added one or two that tho tax shnll not be more than eight or ten mills, at the outside, that claims must liavo a harder road to travel, and be undoubt? edly authentic and valid, before paid at all, that several of the leeches now suck? ing the blood of tho State be summarily cut off, that both salaries and offices be reduced, that appropriations for sham education shall be kicked out of the way, and, in general, that tho Government shall mure closelyapproximate economy^ decency, honesty and justice. Qifail .vxd rai.tr.nn> 1:. - -The Turf, Firlti and Farm corrects a common error North in calling partridge qnniL "All farmers," it says, ??and pot hunt? ers say quail. The sportsman invaria? bly steers clear of the vulgarism. He knows that the partridgo of our country resembles the European quail in no one particular save in the habit of partial emigration. 'While the meat of the quail is dark and often loaded with fat, that of the partridge is white and in? variably lean. Again, the quail is po? lygamous, while the partridge is monoga? mous. Our partridge is a bird far the superior of tho European quail, hence one reason Why the two should not bo confounded." ? Amur. Amkkic.vn Asnivkus.uiiks. April may well bo called the month of Ameri? can anniversaries. On the 19th of April, 100 years ago, was fired the first shot in the cause of the American colonies ?the shot that "rang around the world." On the 12th of April, the first shot of tho South was tired on Fort Sumter. On the 14th of April, ten years ago, the flag of the United States was raised again over the ruins of the same fort, while but five days before General Lee had surrendered tin- remnant of the Confederates forces to General Grant. On the 14th of April. 177?, was organized the tirst anti-slavery society in Ainoriea. tho Brooklyn Kujlc notices it as a significant fact that the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the. hurried re? sistance to British oppression were or? ganized at about the same moment. The republic and tho agitation that was, in less than a century, to test its strength of self-preservation, were born together. There was, however, no sympathy then between tho friends of American iiberty and of abolition. New England was en? gaged in tho slave trade, and slavery pre? vailed in Northern as well as Southern colonies. There would never have been a union either for independence or a common government, except by tho to? leration of slavery. As has been already staled, tho oelehration of the hundredth anniversary of tho battle ofLoxington or Concord occurred on Monday. Quite a controversy has been going on between the two towns r.H to winch tired tho first shot of tho revolution. Mr. George William Cnrtis, who has been selected to deliver the oration in Concord, has boon asked his views on the subject. He an swers: "At Lexington, the militia, sixty or seventy in number, wero drawn up in lino, and, refusing to disperse at the bri? tish summons, were lired upon by the British, at least 000 strong. Then the Americans were ordered to rotiTO, and as thoy diil so, r few returned tho British flro. At Concord, the Americans ro solved to cross tho Old North Bridge, which was held by the British, and w ero advancing for that purpose when the British fired. Then the Americans wore ordered to return tho fire, which thev did, and the British retreated. The af? fair at Concord was deliberate, inten? tional, organized resistance. At Lexing? ton it was a massacre; at Concord A bat? tle; and the Americans were as wise in retiring at Lexington as they were in ad? vancing at Concord." The Louisiana CoMPROMisR.^The suc? cess of the Wheeler, compromise leems to be established by tho proceedings of tho Louisiana Legislature, on Thursday While this arrangement leaves Kellogg in possession of tho Governorship, it gives the Conservatives the advantages to which they woro entitled by the elec? tion of 1874. One branch of toe Legis? lature is opposed to him, and.he is thus reduced to the position of u moro execu? tive, offioer. In this neutral condition he will remain till the election of 1870, when a new Governor will be elected, and when the popular voice will proba? bly be rospoctod. In the meantime there is a prospect that tho State will enjoy political trenquility, no essential to the restoration of business and property. The widow of the"late Bishop Polk died in New Orleans on the 18th. Republican troops have marched from the Eastern extreiniry of the island to within sixty miles of 1 lavana. occupying all the strategic points in their way. In telligence received siuoo the publication of the journal referred to makes it appear that small parties of the patriots have been within fifteen miles of Havana, and retired unmolested. Publio property has 1 Wro been destroyed in thnt section o*f the island to a considerable extent. If the patriots can hold a base line within thirty miles of Havana, they will virtu "ally'isolate that city from tin- other parts of the island. This will be a mat? ter of vast military importance. It is also certain that the disposable force of the Spaniards has been so reduced that both in Priente and Cumaguev they re? main in fortresses or entrenched camps, and will not fight in the field. The re? sult of this is, the patriots have full and complete possession of those districts, and the Spaniards cannot get either rein? forcements or information. It is further stated that the per ccntoge of desertions from the royal forces is such as to make it certain they cannot conquer the Cu? bans, even with all the reinforcements that can be drawn from Spain. Since Valmaseda has been in command as Cup hiin-General, more than 11,000 Spanish troops have been landed at Havana. The question arisen, what has become of them? What has become of all the rein? forcements which Spain has sent to Cuba since the war began? Or, were they only men of straw? At all events, tho\ seem to have been absorbed by some unknown agency in the most mysterious manner. ?. ? ? Diversity or PaonrtTK.? Some of the Virginia papers are appealing to the agri, culturiBts of that State so to diversify their crops that in no case can they be lelt without a sufficiency of food for their own support, even if they have no pro? fits. The Petersburg and Richmond newspapers are strongly advocating this rule, nnd, it is to be hoped, have a good prospect of success, rhere are some portions of Virginia in which tobaeco is practically tho single crop, and if it fails to yield largely the consequences are dis? astrous. The Gulf States, in case of any accident to the cotton crop, find them? selves in a like predicament The New Orleans Picayune advises the planten, of Louisiana tri diversify their crops. In three years the cotton, crop of the South has yielded 11,750,000 bales, of the esti? mated value of $725,000,000. The value of tho cropH for the three years preced? ing tho wnr was 4531,000,000. Yet, not? withstanding this largo increase, the Picayune says that the cotton States are every year going deeper and deeper into debt. As a partial remedy, it suggests the diversification of the crops, so that the planter may have more fur his per? sonal support and for that of his em? ployees, and less need for expenditure on this account. It seems scarcely credi? ble that with an average annual return of $234,000,000 from cotton the Southern States should bo in such a deplorable condition, but it appears to be true. All that they can make seems to be turned into ashes by official plunder and mis governnient and consequent disorganiza? tion of labor. At the same time, no com? munity can prosper which depends upon only one crop. Diversity of agricultural interests is one. of the secrets of North or Middle State prosperity, and might be tried with advantage in the Southern States. Haiti more Sun. Emi?ikation t.> niE Tkkkitouii:.' CAiarouNla. -The rapid increase of emi? grant travel over the Union Pacific this spring has already been noted. Fuller information shows that there is a general rush of immigration to Nebraska. Utah. Wyoming and the Pacific coast this spring. The Union Pacific Railroad is compelled, it is said, to employ the passenger equipments of connecting j roads East to move the people Westw ird as fast as they arrive at Omaha. Two and sometimes three emigrant trains are despatched from that point daily. 3,500 emigrants were carried from Omaha dur? ing the first seven days of this mouth. During the month of March, California I alone received 10.000 of these new set? tlers. This travel is exclusive of the regular first class travel, which is also proportionately large. It is a notic able fact that East bound travel is light a* present, the roads being compelled to haul back comparatively empty trains. Freight trains are. also accumulating ut Omaha so fad that the Union Pacific fiuds j' almost impossible In keep it Some Mexican raiders have bi en cap? tured, and they say thai the desperado Cortina pays them a head for beeves and $1 a head for the horses they cap? ture in Texas and bring to him." Cor? tina makes a nice clean profit, of course, at this rate, and he has been permitted to drive the traffic so long that be thinks it is perfectly legitimate. The Mexican Minister Mariscal, speaking of the dif? ficulties of the border Hfe, the other day, at Washington, was cold-blooded enough to remark that, "if people chose to live in a malarial country, they cannot com? plain if they get chills and fever," mean? ing that Americans living on tho border who havo their cattlo stolen should not complain of the catastrophe. There is such a thing, however, as properly drain? ing a malanai region, and it should ho done od the Rio Grande. Madrid despatches about'the Carlist* ore to bo taken with considerablo re? serve, but if it be true that the Carlista have taken to tarrying off women and ohildvon and holding them fur ransom, thoir treasury must nave run oven lower than usual. Poverty is, if not the greatest crime, certainly the greatest weakness of Don Carlos and' his adhe? rents, and really tho difference botwecn this mode of raising revenues and the AI Ehonsists' way of conscripting men and oys and making them buv exemption, is ona of degree rather than of kind. Only one is organised oppression and the other is brigandage, and the Carlist war has been vory little more than bri? gandage from the Lginning. vicinity of Horso Cove, N. C, were am buHcadod, a few days ago, and one of the United States officers, named Bogies, was killed. u.TCrrx Matte*?. If yon are asked to lend your ph<rj?x, suggest to the would be borrower that ho had better subscribe. Reading matter on every page. The Supreme Courts meets to-day, ,nt It o'clock. The Fourth Circuit wilTbe first taken np. The drawing of the Greensboro Lotte? ry was postponed until s o'clock this morning. Sunday was n peculiarly uncomforta? ble day. Tho way in which tho dust got up and ilustcd was worthy of the most blustering of March days. Notwithstanding tho prognostications of the Chicago Adventists, the world still wags along, and you will have to pay your debts as usual to-day. Uemember the lecture by Mi ?s Anna K. Dickinson, in the Opera House, Thursday night. Hi t subject will hon novel one "For Your Own Sake." The firemen uiuke things lively every night, practicing for tho approaching tournani"ntK. Competitors will have to be sharp to beat the Columbia boy.*. An attempt was made to fire tho dwelling of Mr. F. I'eroival, a few nights ago. Th? sumo evening, Mr. Muller had his -itock of clothing carried off by sniin- one who entered his bed-room. We have hc< u requested to state that a fair for the benefit of the Vigilant Fire Kngine Company will be held in the store-room South of Messrs. H. A S. Hoard's, to-morrow (Wednesday) even? ing. Th<- 2fith instant is the fifty-sixth anni? versary of the introduction of Odd Fel? lowship into the United Stabs?, which will be npprnpriutely celebrated in States more prosperous than South Carolina. \e\t week, then' will be n round of cnt?rtainmout? Monday evening, the tableaux in aid of the Memorial Associa? tion ; Tuesday and Wednesday, l,Ludy Washington's Tea Party," nnd more to hear from. Disastrous account * have been received from nearly every section of the Spite of the effects of the late cold snap. Fruit and early vegetables have been nipped. I Tli<* loss will bo immense, as the season j is over n month behind. Deputy Marshal Grant, yesterday, ar? rested Lewis Tucker, of Ncwberry, on? charge iif perjury he having sworn that he was worth over $:i,000. Tucker had offered to go on the bond for the release of James Heyward. The coining bonnet is to have a hurri? cane deck and a bell-tower, and will also have- a signal Ugh*, birds of paradise, quail and Welch rabbits. Architects are planning higher doors for its accommo? dation. An in- lY'-etnal attempt was undo to enter the store of Mr. J. H. Heise, on Plain slrc'-t. by meo.ns of a crowbar, on Sunday night, but the planks of the back door wer? too strong for them. More shot-guns, wiih steady hands, i needed. They are publishing odes to "G< ntle Spring" in New York, with a foot of snow on tho ground. The same has been done here, but Jack Frost paid us two or three visit* in as many nights past, and the odes are now awaiting the re-appearance of balmy spring. We occasionally h sue a half .-hoot, but our readers lose nothing by it in reading matter, as we make np the amount lost, as witness this morning, when tho Puu: nix contains over thirteen columns the most of it small type. A very good old book teaches us. by parable, that tho man who hid his talent in a napkin <li 1 not do well. How well w;!l those merchants succeed who hide their capital, their business and them? selves from all who do not, by more chain*:*, enter their stores? The wintry snap has dissipated all calculations of early vegetables. Tho destruction is general. Various devices were resorted to. but it is thought they availed nothing. Replanting is indis? pensably necessary. Yesterday morning, there was a heavy white frost. In the afternoon it was much warmer. A pocket-book, (containing $17.10, n gold pen and a receipt to Goo. Wither spoon for use of a sewing machine, signed by N. W. Trump,) was lost, on Sunday night, between the State Houso and the corner of Marion and Taylor streets. A liberal reward will bo paid upon leaving it at tho Wheeler A Wilson sowing machine office. Bakor and Farron, sustained by the I dramatic company, afforded a pleasant I evening's entertainment, at the Opera House, last evening. Their comio situa? tions, dances, songs and drollery wero extremoly well received. A large audi? ence was pieseuL. Il made one forget tho prevailing dullness to witness the lively scones whioh were so well.pre? sented by this company. Tho Solicitor of tho Treasury Depart ruent has decided that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue has a right to exa? mine the chocks of any bank for tho pur poso of ascertaining whether the law that requires stamps on chocks has been violated or not A lot of spies and in? formers are roaming over the country engaged in this dolootable business. Bo on the a loh for them, and bo careful to I remember what the revenue law demands 1 in this respect i Fire. ?About half-past 10 o'clock, Sun? day morning, fire was discovered on the roof of the dwelling of Col. A. C. Has kell, in the South-eastern portion of the city. Notwithstanding the distance, the firemen were on harttl in good time and succeeded in extinguishing the flames, and saved the house, although a new roof will be indispensably neces? sary. All hands worked energetically, and the furniture was all removed. Cant. Alligood promptly summoned two of his 1 teams and assisted in the transfer to Col. Hoskell's temporary abode. Just as the firemen were putting their apparatus in order to depart, another alarm was] sounded, and away they sped, but the alarm proved to he a fapte one. The Post Office Robbers.?Chief of | Police Nix<>n and Deputy Marshal Canton are entitled to great credit and the thanks of the entire community for the skill with which they have managed this affair. Yesterday, the entire party of ] colored thieves, five in number?Larry McDuftie, Ben. Moody, Hay Martin and Amelia Heed- were bound over by ITnited States Commissioner Boozer, in sunn ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, to appear at the May term of the United States Court. liy-the-way, Capt. Nixon has been instrumental in "Bonding up" twenty individuals on charges of grand larceny, during the past three weeks, ("base 'em out. Tue Lu>y Washington Tea Pakty. The receptions will be hold on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings next April '27 and 2S. The object is to realize fund to assist in the construction of a lecture room for the First Presbyterian Church. The following are the managers: faille* Mrs. F.- W. McMaster, Mrs. Jane Dsrgnn, Miss Mary McKenzie. ffentkmen - Col. F. W. McMaster, Messrs. F.ben Stonhouso. H. Mttller, W. Clark, R. Ii. Bryan. Jas. R. Scott, R. O'Noale. C. Beck, .!???. Morris. Dr. F.. B. Turnip seed. The ladle* in charge of tables are re? quested to meet at Mrs. Tappan's, on Blanding street, to-morrow (Wednesday) afternoon, at 5 o'clock. A Fvr.vL Kencostke in Kixjefieij?. - We learn that a fatal shooting affray occurred at Edgetield Court House, yes? terday, at 12 o'clock, resulting in the death of Mr. Marshall (tlover, and the j slight wounding of the two Stevenson brothers. It appear* that the Stevensons wore tenant* of Glover, and all purtiee had repaired to the town for a settle? ment. Words arose, and, as we are in? formed, Glover was shot down; while on the ground, he used his pistol on the brothers, wounding them both slightly. The firing was returned, and he re? ceived his death wound after being so severely wounded that he could not rise. Altogether there were about fifteen shots fired. The Stevenson* attempted to escape, but were arrested and lodged in jail. There is much excitement. The Jewish Passoveb.- The Feast of I Possovor, "i'esoch," is ono of the three great festivals of the Jewish church. Under the requirement* of the Mosaic law, all males of a certain age assembled at Jerusalem to observe this .festival, in order that their piety and devotion might be strengthened and social inter? course and brotherly lovo confirmed. It was upon the recurrence of tho Pas*- | over, and under tho inspiration of its associations, that tho renowned Jewish I warrior, Judas Maecabee, impressed [ upon the minds of his valiant sons and IlCOple tho history Of tho redemption of I srael from Egyptian bondage, and to his teachings may bo ascribed tho heroic and successful strnggle.s of the gnllant j Asmoncuns against the powerful legions | I of Syria and Rome. In that ora of strife and bloodshed, the celebration of the Passover had a two-fold signification?a blending of the religious Hierarchy with litt civil polity, in order to restrain the cupidity and ambition of aggressive I nationalities. Since the destruction of the second temple, the Passover has been observed as a purely religions cere? mony. The festival commenced last evening, in accordance with the statute to be found in the 12th chapter of Exodus. Several days before the holi? day, every Jewish house is thoroughly cleansed from garret to collar, and tho evening beforo its advent, purged of j every article containing leaven; the uso of which is strictly forbidden for seven days. Instond of bread, "Matsote," un? leavened bread, or Passover cakes, pre-1 pared in a peculiar manner, is eaten. Four days out of seven are regarded and observed as days of solemn assembly. The services in tho household and the | synagogue are replete with the narration of the redemption of God's chosen peo-1 pie; the rooital of the miracles of Moses, the chanting of hiB grand and eloquent epic, "I Will sing unto tho Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously, the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea." The ritual also contains songs of thanksgiving for deliverance from Egyp? tian slavery, the giving of the law and the possession of the land of promise. The old and tho young of both sexes unite in otYerinc; the incense of prayer | nnd grateful homage to God, not only for his providential assistance and relief to their ancestors, bnt also for his mercy extended to them in being permitted to renew and enjoy the privilege of cele? brating the Passover. The feast (with its ceremonials) is generally observed by every Jewish family throughout tho world, and, like the "New Year" and I Day of Atonement, is regarded as among ; tho most sacred days ?MhWewlaW ca | lendar. . , a.. aSs* r? **_>'"?*? i ? ! .-su-fc List or New AnvavnsEVENTs. ! A. C. Haskell?Card of Thanh*. Jfc. Booms to Bent m .$S& f \ Meeting of Chicom Tribe. ?%r Application for Charter. ? ' Meeting Acacia Lodge. ? i I t Meeting Independent Fire Company. Horn. ABiirviXH, April 19.?WKMer House -L. B. Chratham. N. Y.; C. A. Noye.s, Mas*.; W. 8. Turner, Augusta; H. W. Rica, Le^ngtons .W. R Kline, WU mington; J. H. Harrison, S. C.; J. B. Duvnl, Baltimore; j. B. Bucklin, Pa.; P. 8.^intfi, N. Y.; J. Woodruff, Charleston; R. Arndt, H. Van Antwerp, W. H. Beck, city; Jj Mayer. Pa.; J. L. Addison, Edgofield; J. M. Clark, Augusta; Leo Hagood, city; Judge A. P. Aldricb, Barn well; Mr. and Mrs. John Outhwaitc, J. N. Outhwaitu, Ohio; C. M. Hopkins, Baltimore; T. J. Borden and wife, Misses Borden, Ckax. O. Shead and wife. Miss Shond, Mass.; 8. Boyd, Pa.; Mrs. W. D. Davis, MIrh Davis, 'Providence; J. M. Nathans, Pa.; J. L. Little, city; D. 8. Henderson, Aiken; R. Bell, Mass.; P. F. Baker, T. J. Farron, L. Barnes, P. Short ?V. H. Collins and wife, Miss Kent, M. Wood, J. E. McDonough, U. C. Coburn, J. Kinlun, O. Frederick, H. Lamlon, R Menge, Jos. Human, Baker A Farron Troupe. Mansion House?W. IL Par vent, J. L. Fillebrown, eity; R. C. Logan, Green? ville: T. M. Emerson, city; F. G. Person, H. C.; S. Fair McGregor, R C. Tyler, B. Mock, city; J. H. Todd, U. S. A. Columbia Hotel--P. B. Kennedv, N. C.; A. N. Tallev, Jr., G. A C. R R.*; E. H. Greene, N. C; J. McC. Bowen, Md.; W. J. McDowell, S. A U. R. R, J. M. Seig ler. G. A C. R R.; F. J. Moses and two children, Ga.: Maj. Moses, Sumter; 8. C Gilbert, S. C.; A. J. Frederick, Orange burg: T. S. Clark son, N. C.; M. J. Kevins, S. C.; J. D. Stoney, S. C.; F. M. West, N. C; R. Mayo, Jr., Virginia; J. W. O'Brien. Charleston; C. B. Trunrbo,FT. Y.; C. M Simmons, Ga.; R D. Alex? ander, Chester. Colombia, S. G, April 19. 1875. : For tho great kindness and aid so generously and earnestly bestowed upon my family and taysclf, on yesterday, tho 18th instant, when our dwelling house was on fire, by so many, that to express our feeling to each by personal commu? nication is impossible, I beg leave to tender thanks in this public form to tho Independent Steam Fire Engine Com? pany, tho Vigilant, the Thomix Hook and Ladder Company, the Palmetto Steam Fire Engine Company, and. the Enterprise, to them and to their mem? bers severally, to the many neighbors who, by their prompt and 'devoted en? ergy, held the fire in check . until every? thing in the house had been removed and put in safety, and especially to tho gentlemen, officers of this post of tho United States Army, and the men of the garrison, who rendered so much material aid with such real kindness that it can? not but be remembered gratefully. I shall never forget all this kindness, and hope that the whole community will take this, as it is meant, for an expres? sion ot the gratitude which wo feel so earnestly. A. C. HASKELL Mr. Beecher has been going through the most difficult part of his whole task 1 ?the explanation of his remarkable ] letters. It is difficult, because the gene mi public docs not readily sympathise with the peculiar modes of expreeeion current in Brooklyn, though to Mr 1 Beecher and his friends it may seem plain ; enough. Thus, when he was asked ?'hat he meant by saying that he was on the ragged edge of anxiety, remorse asd ' I despair, and passed most of his time in the horror of great darkness, and he re- . plied that "these were feeble words," and that ' 'if there had been any stronger j in tho English language he would hare used them," but that, nevertheless, they were mere rhetorical expressions, and. did not moan anything in. particular. . most readers, accustomed to less heated langnage, will be tempted to give him up as an insoluble conundrum. Tli- North Carolina peoplo are very much in earnest over the preparations for , celebrating the centennial of the Meck? lenburg Declaration of Independence, which occurs on May 2(>, and, to testify their general good, feeling, sent a cordial invitation to President Grant to. bo pre? sent on the interesting occasion. Grant, however, through his secretary, declined curtly, saying that he was too busy to at- ! tend. Knowing that the President has an abundance of time to attend the Con? cord and Lexington centennial this week, . and to lounge at Long Branch, the North Carolinians are very indignant at hie treatment of their courteous invitation. Prof. Huxley, speaking of the origin of tho horse, gives the following lucid explanation of its existence: "The evi? dence, based on the analogy of known developmental facts, that a three-toed Hipparion form, which lived in the Mio? cene epoch, gave rise by the suppression of the phalanges of the rudimental toos and some other slight modifications, to the apparently one-toed later Tertiary horse, is as satisfactory to my mind as the evidence, based on the analogy of known structural facts, which leads mo to have no doubt that the said extinct Hipparion had a simple stomach and a certain kind of heart" The Jonesboro Grange, No. 35L of Jefferson County, Alabama, recently adopted resolutions severely condemn? ing the course of the action of Congress toward the South, bewailing the op? pression which they suffer, pledging themselves to every Grange in the United States to aid in sustaining the Constitn tion of the fathers of the country, and asking in return tho sympathy ana cha? rity of every member of the order of ths Patrons of Husbandry. They also invite emigration. The wrongs of the Booth may form one of the issues of the farmers' party in 1876. Look ont The "Breeding 'Doves" la the name of " a new oolored society in Atlanta. We have the ??Rastling Jacobs," the "Chil? dren of the Furnace," and others of that kind, but there is a metropolitan twang about the title of "Breeding Doves" thai is perfectly characteristic. .The only hope for Savannah, in a ?v^ty ? tenso as this, is for some of our colf*^ societies to have the indopendehca to ' oome outandol^Uge n*m*e to tha "Setting Swans*', and the "Whopping. Cranes of Freedom," T f SprsMxa.-?A wag- say? it is feared that Spinner's resignation will cause a panic in the rural district*, wherb An impres? sion prevails that bis signature awou \ bolhwM the American eagle struggling " with the serpent of rebellion. Aa his aooceanorn signature resemblea a bunch of fish-hooks, the rural districts may be appeased by tire impression that the drowned eagtt wru be caught by a new i halt. ???? i ? ? ?? * *