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THE MANNING TIMES. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8, 1886. B. S. DINKINS, Editor. THE COUNTY FINANCES. The present state of the finances of the county, in our judgment, is the vest and most coniplex subject be re the tax payers, and for the earn est investigation of our Legislators at Columbia. To those citizens familiar with the county affairs, it is evident that the finances are'in a most alarm ing and wretched (. ndition. Com mencing with, and including the fis tal year, 1882, to the present time, the County Commissioners have been forced, in meeting the current ex penses, to contract debts hundreds' of dollars in excess of the tax money! collected to liquidate obligations of this character, which are denomina ted "Ordinary county expenses." The result of this has been, notwith- I standing an annual special tax levy to settle the unpaid claims, to create a large and increasing debt; and worse still, to completely demoralize the credit of the county. We hazad the assertion that, on account of this damag* to its credit, the Commission ers frequently find it impossible to let out work for less than .50 per cent. of its actual cost. Again, the effect of this is blazingly apparent when what are knowin as "Unpreferred claims" are offered for sale, and 50 per cent. is the highest amount given. The following balances for the fis eMl years 1882-3 and '4 remained un paid after the tax collections for the repctve years were disbursed: iscayear 1882-$1,507.83. Fiscal year 1883-S-1,350.00. Fiscal year 1884-$2,038.00. The balance of '82 has since been paid in full by special levys. A half mill tax was collected to pay the bal ance of '83, which, being disbursed, left $600 inpaid, and now owing. For the deficiency of '85, by act of the Legislature, certain unexpend ed balances in the County Treasury ,were applied thereto, with a special tax levy of one mill, which reduced the debt down to $450 owing now. Notwithstanding the application of an annual special tax, and a consider able sum of money, which, fortunate ly, happened to be idle in the charge of the Treasurer, there is still a debt of a thousand and fifty dollars against the county, standing from the years ,88 and '84. This brings us down to the last fis cal year--1885-ending 31st of last October. In discharging the necessary du -ties of their office, the County Com Misioners, as will be seen by their -report recently published, were forc -ed, during the fiscal year just ended, -to approve claims aggregating $7,724, .90.. Since the publication of the re ort a number of additional claims ve been approved, and before the last claim is handed in, it is safe to .conclude that the total indebtedness 'will amount to $8,000 and over. How -ever, to be sure that we are giving a perfectly true statement of the coun ty's financial condition for the fiscal year, 1885, we will accept the publish ed report as a basis of representation. 'The Auditor's abstract, which is a enmmary of the property of the coun ty, estimates the total taxable proper ty at $1,485,172. To meet the ex' penses of the fiscal year ending last - October, and to pay which the pres - ent taxes are beiig collected, the Leg islature for 1885 provided a tax levy of four milli. The utmost amount to be realied by this levy, when the -taxes to a cent are paid, which is nev -er the case, is $5,940.68. To this .amount can be added about $400 for licenses and fines, which foots up :46,340.68. Thus, with the most lib oral calculation, we have the sum e .$7,924.90 to be paid with $6,340.68; and what is the result ? When all the money received by the Treasurer is paid out there will yet remain un paid the large sum of $1,584,22. This as a debt against the county, and will have to be paid by a special tax levy for the purpose. Thus, like the last three years, the county is sunk heav ily in debt. Its credit is being hope lessly destroyed, and unless a ehange is soon made it ishard to tell what will be the final consequences. It is economic, and has now become an ab solute necessity, that the annual ex penses be promptly paid at the end of each year. In our judgment this can be accomplished in three ways: 1st. To reduce the county expens 2nd. To make the tax levy sufli -cient to pay the indebtedness of each :fiscal year. 3rd, To increase the assessment -of property. The first would be the most p~>u lar, but at present we cannot see how it is practicable. At the present val uation of property, the second is the anost available plan, and the pres ent Board of County Commissioners, after furnishing our Legislators of 1885 with an estimate of expenses for the fiscal year '85, urged upon them to make the tax levy 5 mills, which would have just about liquidated the debt. The third and last suggestion appears to us to be just, proper, and the most expeditious, but we fear that it cannot be utilized for the fiscal year 1886. It is a well known fact "that property in this county is not return ed at anything like its real value or eligprice. Complaint upon com plithas been made about this, and teCounty Board of Equalization appealed to for relief, but as yet no remedial step has been taken. It is true that in many instances the own ers make correct and just returns, but in the majority of cases, lands espec ially, are retg~rned at only a nominal value. A& proper appreciation of the total property would not only in many ways great advantage to the owners. Tax es which are now so high would not be near so burdensome, because their distribution would be equitable. But unfortunately, unless by Legislation, we cau't expect i-mmediate relief from this source. Lands were returned last year and assessed by their Equal izing Board, in our opinion, at an in moderately low price, which isrequir ed by law to be done only every four years. The Legislature can order new returns to be taken and a new as sessment, which, if carried out prop erly, would make operative our last suggesion. AWe hnve endeavored as plainly as possibl to give a clear statement of the condition off the county. Every one will agree with us that the pres ent system is most wretched, and a change for the better is imperatively demanded. We hope our Legislators will do something to put On a better basis, the county's finances. LOSS IN WEIGHTS OF COTTON. "Farimer" Replies to the Queries of the Editor of the News and Courier. To the EIRtr of the Xeecs and Curier:-On my return from the fair on Saturday I was invited to cal on 'Mr. Dinkins, Editor of the M:\xo Turrs, whom I tound sick and condniad to his bed. and was shown by him your ourteous note sent him to ascertain the n:tue of "Fariner." author of the com munication published in the TIrs under (ate of NovembAer 3, and while there saw your article calling on the Chariber of Com merce to investigate this serious complaint of short weights in Charleston. I am ex tremely obliged and feel sure that it will lead to good results without any action from the "Farmers' Convention." The object of my letter was to call public attention to this matter, and if possible. to cease this universal complaint that rises from one end to the other of this district. Mv cow munication to The :ews and Ccurier solme two years ago had the sama aim in view, but it acco::lplished nothing. This feeling that the farmers are wronged in weiglrs of their cotton in Charleston is very intense, and in the same proportion as the farmers' cotton crop falls short his sense of loss is appreciably increased. Please understand distinctly that the hones ty of no particuiar factor is questioned-but these losses have and do occur daily, and my honest opinion is that he cannot be held responsible for an act which he does not himself commit. He receives at his office the marks and weights of cotton which have been assigned him, rendered to him by a public weigher who is not in his employment and whose salary is only indirectly paid by him as wel' as others. When "farmer" complains of loss of wcghts the factor mere ly encloses him a statemeut of the public weigher that these particular bales weighed so much. You write to the factor to have bale or bales reweighed at your expense, and receive for reply that these bales have been delivered to the purchaser and regret that "irregularity of mails," &c.,-but "they were weighed by a sworn weigher," &c., &c., There is no responsibility of factor to far mer, and yet farmer has paid at the gin so much per hundred for ginning, has paid the railroad, as per receipt, so much per hundred for transportation to Charleston, and all that the poor fellow knowcs is that the loss has come out of his hard-earned labor, and thac he can get no redress, Why not do away, then, with the public weigher, and let the factor be responsible? and let him earn the twenty cents for his weighing? and let him go back on the rail roads if there is loss on the weight of a bail during shipment, that the farmer may have some point to which he mav look for re dress. As we are c the subject, and the Ex change seems to hnave this matter at heart, would it not be well to tell the farmers what becomes of samples that are taken from the bales-what becomes of them ? It is aphys ical impossibility to put them back into the bales, unless it might be done at the steam press. Is it done there ? Is it done any where? Farmer does not know it, nor does he believe otherwise than that it is a dead loss to him. Who gets them? What is done with them? If desired I will forward the account sales alluded to at my earliest convenience, with necessary affidavits; also, all substantial complaints from farmers in reference to loss of weights in Charleston, which will be filed at the office of the sheriff of Clarendon County at my request; also all complaints of Manning merchants on the F une subject left at the same office, or any and all infor mation to throw light on the same subject that will tend to a full investigation by that honorable body, the Chamber of Commerce and then neither farmer nor factor may be so "unhappy." F w Congress convened last Monday. The principal business of the first day was the reading of the President's message, which was afterwards order ed to be published. The message was published in full in yesterday's News and Courier. THAT HACKING COUGH can be so quickly cured by Shiloh's Cure. NOTICE ! HE COUNTY AUDITOR (or his repre .Lsentative) will be at the subjoined places, for the purpose of receiving Returns of er-sonal Pronerty on the days fixed in this advertisement. No returns will be taken of any Real Estate except in such cases, where there is change by purchase or sale; improvements or des truction of property by fire &c. Such chang es must be carefully noted. All persons not handing in returns by the 20th of February, 1887, will be fined by the addition of a penalty of 50 per cent, Persons Ltetween the ages of 21 and 60 years are liable to Poll Tax, except in case of disability. APPOINTMENTS: Falton, Thursday, 6th January liodge's Corner, Friday, 7th January. Tindal's Mill, Monday, 10th January. Sprott's, Tuesday, 11th January. Brunson X Roads, Wednesday, 12th Jan uarv. D. Levi's, Thursday, 13th January, Summerton, Friday, 14th January. Duffies Store, Monday, 17th January. ' Foreston, Tuesday, 18th January. Wilson's Mill, Wednesday, 19th January. Brailsford's Store, Friday, 21st January. McFaddins, (Midway) Monday, 24th Jan uary. Boyktin's, Tuesday, 25th January. W. J. Gibbons, Wednesday, 26th Jann arv. Beulah Church, Thursday, 27th January. Bethlehem Church, Friday, 28th January. 3prWhile not filling other appointments the office will be open in Manning. J. E. SCOTT, Auditor Clarendon County.. THE EARTHQUAKE Izs aid no offect on the immense Stock of Goods DAILY ARRIVING AT MY STORE, Except to Shake the Prices DOWN a Little. M Y Stock this year is very large, and consists of everything needed in the county. I have just returned from the Northern Markets, where I bought my goods in such large quantities as to get the very lowest prices, and I expect to sell them at corresponding figures. My salesmen will be found polite and attentive, and every effort will be made to give my custom ers satisfaction. Of course I cannot, in this space give anything like a list of the goods I keep, but whatever you wish, anything, just call at my store, and in nearly every instance you will find what you want. No other store in the State keeps as large a stock of General 1erchandize as I do. FAMILY GROC.ER~tIES. Y Stock of FAMmy GRocERIrs has been selected with unusual care and my customers will find them to be the BEs. It is useless for me to at tempt to enumerate what I have in this line-what you wish, I have. I buy bacon by the 10,000 pounds, and at lowest market prices. A large supply of FAMY So.k on hand. Try a barrel of AcmE FLoUtR-TE BES'r MADE. Tobacco and Cigars. A very large stock of all grades and prices. Smoke tl- Swr Vioir Cigar-the best 5c. cigars in the world. The PRIfcE DAvE is also a very fine cigaI. CLOTHING. BOYS, Youths, and Gentlemen will find my stock of CLOTHING to be un usually large this year, and specially adapted to this market. Be sure to examine my stock before purchasing. I also have a full supply of all kinds of FUassHING GooDs. SHOES AND HATS. I have the latest styles in H.mTs and SHoEs, and enough for all the county, and I propose selling them. For a cheap and comfortable shoe, buy a pair of Oun Ow. TmHREE DoLun SHos--eve:-y pair warranted. Babies shoes in endless styles. A stock of the Zeigler Shoes always on hand. Gossamers and Rubber Coats. T HE ladies are requested to call and examine this line of goods-they are CHE.R, and just the thing for a rainy day. Dress Goods Department. PRIcEs AND QUALITY THE ATTRACTnoN. Cashmere, double width, Ladies' Flannels, Diagonal Cashmere, Brocaded Sateens, Kemingston's Sacking, all wool, Delanes, Poplin, Lustre, Silk Warp Henrietta Cloth, Brocaded Worsteds, Camel's Hair Cloth. CALICOES, CRINOLINE, WIGAND, CAMBRIC, SELICIA. EMBROIDER.IES. AFull Line of Cambric, Mull, and Nainsook Edgings, Insertings, Em broidered flouncing, All-over Goods, Colored Embroideries in Varie ty, Everlasting Trimmings, Torchon Laces, Etc. Zephyr Shawls, Ladies' Bonnets, Infants' Hoods, Scarfs and Sacks, Jersey Jackets in all Styles and Colors, Solid Colored Hose, Leggins, Corsets, Hoop Skirts, Bustles, Merino Underwear, Gents' Shirts, Gloves in Variety, Millinery of the Latest Style. Hats Trimmed and Untrimmed, Window S ha de s, L acee Curtains, Carpets, and Everything Kept in a .First Class Store. FURNITUR E. I have been before the public too long in the Furniture Line to have to blow too big. I have on hand in my Furniture Store all kinds of Furni ture of every Style. Coffins at all prices, from $5 up. RUBBER BELTING ALL SIZES FROM 2 TO 12 INCHES. :o: Cotton. L IBERAL advances will be made on Corrox, or it will be bought at the Highest Market Prices. M OS ES LE VI, Manning, S. C. ESTABLISHED 1844. Charleston iron Works, Manufacturers and Dealers in Marine Stationary and Portable Engines and Boilers, Saw Mill Machinery, Cotton Presses, Gins, Railroad, Steam boat, Machinists', Engineers' and Mill Supplies. W Ilepairs e.recue~wi wi/h promptness~ and Di.%pa(tch. Sendfnn' 2p'ix lists. East Day, Cor. Pritchard St., Jan13 Iv Charleston, S. C. WIf you need any Clothing. Furnishing Goods. or Hats, send your orders to F A LK & CO., 3 KING STREET, OPPOSITE HAsE, Charleston, S. C., as they have reduced the prices of their entire stock to cost, on account of change of firm. TONSORIAL ARTIST. JOHN S. WILSON, I have opened a first-class Shavitg Saloon Attorney and Counse!Ior at Law, at the Enterprise oftice, and solicit the pat- .40a ronage of the citizens of Manning and com- Feb. 25 munity. PRIcEs--Hair Cutting, 25c.; Shaving, loc.; SS Shampooing, 25c. Attorneys at Law, .m Special attention given to children. C. C. IIEDIC, MAN.INo, S. C. Office South of Court House. July 7, 1886. A. LEVI, Dr H BAER, A'rror.NEY AT Lxw, WholesrJe Druggist, Nos. 131 & 133 Meeting street, Charleston, S. C. ZNotary Pubic with seal Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Foreign and Domestic Chemicals, Glassware, J. E. SCOTT, Spices, Brushes, Essential Oils, Sur gical Inti uitents, Perfumery. Fancy Goods, SHOW CASES, of all sizes, .4s. 4 and -1! articles usually found in a Feb25 First-class Drug House. Prices low IV F. B. HtAysWoaTH, Sumter, S. C. Quick sales and sm.ll profits. B. S. DI S. C. Mc~ob , Jr. HAYNSWITH & DINKINS, A. McCobb, Jr.,I GENERAL EYSAT LAW, COM1MISSION MNERCHAkNT, 11a-1ilgS.. AND DEALER IN Lime, Cement, Plaster Paris, Hair, Fire Bricks and Fire Clay, Land Plaster and Eastern Hay, Agent for White's English Port- Wholesae Grocers and land Cement. Commisson Merchants. No. 198 EAsT BAY, CEARLESTON,S. 0. 159 EAST BAY, INALID ROLLING CHAICHAIESTON, S. C. INVA (RECULUINING Direct Importers of Ales , Porters, (RECL.INING)anBrdis A Priceless Ines radis Boon to tho3a who awnable Tag ator "7'' m I~l aM E T R i n z tho world. .edocxua ~ M 3~ . i ~~ a toaw=Uacuesc recui?nig rolling cx.ur~,jt a~u Eas Chair Co., New Haven, Conn. Ew a & ElmWx THIS PAPEIR.rz&osi ewspaper Advertising Bureau(10Street, and 117 contracts rrnl NOtC m iade for It in NW RHARLESTON S. C. CoInvite attent'ion to the following WM. Shepherd & Co., 232 MEETING ST.. Charleston, S.C.Lgtrw na,1 b o i JOWhitNx. Sgr ls.ILrSON, Attorneyand Couslfor Sti. w b. 5m n GodMean ing, abo of 0. Theseie Southaf of ther manyattact inweA onst aoei, Lanw, ose kepr illr N tgre l twithei adva $ T. E.VSCOTT, Atto rge for Ckngelor day ae. TWOMF B R. 3.sswo1 ,OmS. C Stoves St~ B. StepDnT, Mas , . Br. ATTTRNEYSA ATHLAW OLESA~ Jewelry, Se and Platd arers Spetalesale Glasers, and Famisn Mercants Utenils.CHAR.LESTON, S. C. ~Send forineseLast andnCirc. DRUG STORELESTON, S. C. DR.J. . DNK s silnvttheo e a teo to FAheDlown stan, frmery ocupid b theanrulOte Pugar, 15. THs. oT1. of J. . Dinins & o., ad iso nfe4eines anErice Editis on. $1.g prepaed t suppy th peope of i e Lyri. of thegar1s. Bftl o ngs Claendn ithwhchoo d th South 20 d born ~21b. Tomate, 90hets amidtoz. Drugs ad Medkne Good e $1nn for page ofa50. at th Lowst Po~db~ Prics.ese arertut a tewof thie many Churach Flio n d tiae Conayrfedig Band uer - PanrsOti, GASS TOLETARTCLE, Tepers will be itgrat to hei add vasn TOOTHA) HOVi BSE, CMs, tageecip tof sedfricopy fourothyPrc A full an select sock of a L ist,. . Oan M conul i rt a clways.ro torMarch arg il e dotr t thcin for ore PateStephdnNThomas, Jr.,&,cBro. thAcrT-io-ofATMCES- 1AHE y contatl o hnd A, o laedelr hSilrverinMobld WHLEALltekd sw ell.udb An legnt ssrtmnt f fne prcals a e blososan CRS E N T OA CO. !FWancyme adSmnnevr ton illg anWatches o act a Jewent frepie Tinwares, HouthiFubook.iLiberalxservicerkwill Goods, PowrKtchenR an 'boe gi 273rseie rnerd Sendfo Prescpions.prtmntARNLESTON, &. C. cmpour~nd byf or it.___OT and SHOES, laG. ALEAUGNJ. W oDRDU HByOK OSt., Da.J. . DWesisutilrattheol THE sell aE -npicsa ouJ..Dnkns&Co, nd i ouTe inouende n tnhed diion. n g NORTHEATERN R. i. COMPANY. M 0 - - -----XW PASSENGER DEPARTMENT. CHAILESTON, S. C., June 20, 1886. O N AND AFTER THIS DATE THE fol lowing Schedule will be run. Leave Charlestn, No. 43 12.05 P. M. Leave Charleston. No. 47 12.25 A. . Arrive Florence, No. 43, 4.10 P. M. Arrive Florence, No. 47, 4.11 A. M. Leave Florence, No. 40, 1.3.5 A. M. Leave Florence, No. 42, 11.05 P. M. Arrive Charleston, No. 40, 5.00 A. M. Arrive Charleston. No. 42. 4.5 P. M. Nos. 40 and 47 will not s~p at way sta tions. Nos. 42, and 43 will stop at all stations. No. 40 will stop at Kingstree, Lanes and Monk's Corner. Fast Line between CHAnBis-oTN AD COLUMBIA D UPPER SOUTH CA oiM. Cvndtsed cIedule. Goi.c, WEST. GOING EAST. 7.20 A. x. Lv. Charleston, S. C. Ar. 9.10 P.M. 8.40 - 1 " Lanes, " " 7.45 9.33 " 1" Sumter, " "1 6.42 10.40 " Ar. Columbia, " Lv 5.27 3.02 P. x. " Winnsboro, " "3.48 4.18 " " Chester, " " 2.45 6.05 " " Yorkville, " " 11.45A 3E 7.01 " "Lancaster " "7.00 5.0.3 ""Rock Hi'.1, ""2.02r P 6.15 " Charlotte, N. C" 1.00 12.48P MIAr. Newberry, S. C. Lv 3.04 p M 2.42 " "Greenwood, " " 12.41i 6.30 " Laurns, " " 9.10'& 4.47 " " Anderson, " " 10.22 5.35 "" Greenville, " 9.4" 6.33 " " Walhalla, " 8.20" 4.10 " Abbeville, " 11.05 3.20 " "Spartanbur," j " 12.10 P x 7.10 " " jHenderson'f NC " 7.00 x On Sandays train will leave Charleston, S. C., 8.45 A. M., arrive Columbia 1.00 P. 31. Returning leaves Columbia 5.27 P. M., arrives Charleston 9.45 P. 3. Solid Trains between Charleston and Col umbia, S. C. Special Parlor Cars attached to this train between Charleston and Colum bia. No extra charge for seat in these cars to passengers holding First Class tick ets. T. M. EsmasoN, Gen'l Pass. Agent. Gen'l Sup't. TO THE PEOPLE OFCLARENDOy. Having made arrangaments with the best distilleries, I am now pre pared to furnish my customers with the PurestDistilledLiquors. - :O: My stock is now complete with the choicest brands of Whiskies, Brandies, Wines, Cordials, Beer, Ale, Porter, Etc. Etc. I have in stock a magnificent line of Cigars and Tobacco in which I defy competition. &YLiquors for Mdicinal pur poses a specialty. I also take pleasure in introducing the Kurnitz ie's celebrated Wire Grass Bitters; also the Carolina. Ginger Tonic. These Bitters and Tonics are noted for their medicinal properties. My Pool and Billiard tables ARE NEw aMD Fas--cr~ass. Thanking the public for past pat ronage and soliciting a continuane of same, I remain, Respectfully, Ja6 S. WOLEOVISKIE, Ae-r. $1 18 W7ee3E.. The POLICE GAZETTE will be mailed, securely wrapped, to any address in the United States for three months on receipt of ONE DOLLAR. Liberal discount allowed to postmasters,. agents and clubs. Sample copies mailed. free. Address all orders to RICHARD K. FOX, FaixsI.x SQUnnz, N Y, Bernard O'Neill & Sons, EstablIished 1845. W01e5sle Grocers .AND COMMISSION MERCHANTS, 191 East Bay and 48 and 50 State St., CHARLRSs-oN, S. C.. i7 Cornsignments solicited. Aug 18 Wulbern & Pieper Wholescale Grocers, AND) DEALERS IN Provisions, Liquors, Tobacco, Etc. 1679 & 16 East Bay, Charleston, S C HO! FOR Santa Claus. HEADQUARTERS AT MRS ED!WARDS. Now is the time to lay in your supply of Christmas Goods, before the rush comies on-every delicacy to be found there-Children's toys a specialty. Remember Santa Claus has his headqua