Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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TH~AlooN T DES. Pidai hed Ecery lednesday. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30 1881 B. S. DINKINS, Editor. Owing to the prominence of the subjed and length of the article pre pared by Mr. Scott, the E:-Auditor we have had to yield onr editorial space, to its publication. MR. J. E SCOT2TS PROMISEIJ STATE I tEYT. Mn. EDITOR : In a communication of last week in the T.s, notice was given that in this issue of your paper the ex-anditor would put in an appearance for himself; and in do ig so. the difficulties in the way of making myself choroughly understood, through the medium of-the press, are fully appreciated. The- system of taxation under which the people have labored so long, are aot only unequal and unjust but of a character so complex and complicated, as very often to puzzle those whom the laws charge with hay ing them enforced. Many points, therefore, necessary here to keep in view, and upon which I would like to elaborate, must be barely touched; and others, no less in con sequence, omitted. on occount of the great length to which suic' review would extend this article. About the first ripple that foretold the coming storm, to which I have been so mer cilessly exposed, was the rumor floating around that so much property hai been es caping taxation. To this Iwill advert in its proper place, and ask all who may honor me with a perusal to bear in mind, that the last work done by me was under a re-assessment of real estate, which, some years ago came around nearly every year, but latterly, eve ry fourth year. I am thus particular to call -up this fact, for as every experienced officer - nows; it is rabove all others a time when -errorsof every description rise to the surface. Jost as the books are practically correct, ind all mistakes and misunderstandings wiped out, here comes this re-assnent and ?the entry to be made from the returns. Nor is this county any exception to the general - act, but it is prevalent all over the State, Sand more directly referable than anything 'ese, to the complicated requirements of the tazaws. My last work alluded to, lay amid -ese troubles and they were very consider : ibj augmented. by the change of blanks that had been in use formany years. They were andprovement in the main, but the people naniia with the forms and much con 4.sf a-resulted. The mistakes in entering wee quite common such as placing acres, where the valuation ought to be; the wood whese the total acres should have been plac ed; land "purchased," in the space allotted to lands "sotd;" and so on. Eight along here there is, a good deal of after conse quences to persons holding any kind of joint nterest in real estate, by reason of the ne glect on their part of coming to an agree ment as to who should make the return, - mortgagor or mortgagee; the same with agents and their principals. It is first en t0red in one name, and then in the other. without any information to guide the audi to, as ethreads his way through this Cre '~ n labyrinth. On the death of the head of - :,efmily, the widow or the eldest son (in a '-.z _-;, ia ew cases both) enters property and the t consequence is, payment in one, and execu ton against the other, brought over from i.mlast book as having made no return, per ;baps. The sae of lands is another "pando - -,-:4 a box. The purchase we will say is on ie; to be paid three yearshence;purchas er to pay taxes. At the expiration of alotted indulgence the title deed is taken, not in the namne-of the one, who has in the interim been paiing the taxes, but a wife, son, or -somne other third person; and when entered upon the record, with not a hint even to ex citeinquiry, it is mistaken for a new tran - .saction entirely, and placed side by side -with the other. It would appear to the un initanted who have never stumbled over - 'these mased batteries, that the "BRecord of Conveyances'would pilot the. u litor through and so it wovld, but for the misfortune that many persens do not record their title-deeds at all, others do so after having them on the tax-books for five, ten, and twenty years. Of course when the prescribed forms are followed, the matter is very greatly changed. --But even then owing to similarity in initial letters, and returning, first with only one letter given' and the next assessment plac ing the fill name, will everlastingly cause onfusion, especially when living near town ship lines, and "listing," first in one and1 then in the other. It.is true that where these is any doubt the auditor can call for tbe 4eeds, but who of the many that go out &cr think of carrying this evidence of own ership; and with a multitude ready and waiting, no one would ever think of cate *chizing anmanas tohis title when he stands ready to swear it is his, yet sometimes, a person makes a return on a partially made agreement and the contract never concluded, but down the land goes. These few, by way of illustration, are adduced from the vast array-that stand bristling beside this highway of thorns end thistles; and let an auditor attempt a construction of his dupli cate. from the returns atnd book of past year, without the strictest scrutiny as to the run of these things and he may have a long and promising list, enough to paiyany coun *ty out of debt. But when the deputies come back, escorted by angry tax-payers wanting to know, why, an execution was served on him and he with a receipt. Explain to him that his land was down in his wife's name and the personalty in his. We will assume that he lives near the township lines and is met by another deputy from that precinct, with an execution on a return made by one of his sons who was not certain in which his father resided. There is now but little hope for the auditor to escape without a blessing. And yet, this condition of affairs is common and can only be avoided by ceaseless vigil suice. My custom was to pass the blanks when filled out over to the boards whose knowledge of the circumstances in nearly every case. remedied this to a- considerable extent. In making up the aggregates on these years, rather than write up on an un certainty,. and cause such dissatisfaction, the doubtful eases. were reserved for inquiry un til properly located. Nothing was lost event ually, and the discontent reduced to a min imurr. So many returns camne by mail from non-residents and persons living at remote points, that it was almost impossible to kow where to address a communication and. when found the information was foreign to the exigencies of the case. At best, it used! to be a stormy sea. One of the many changes for the better recently made is that of mak ing the return and paying the same year. During my tenure of otfice we had, as it were, two assessments before one tax-paying. The matter became confused beyond measure, on account of persons thinking that they were gaying on the property last "listed," when it was that of nearly eighteen months before. With this dim outlinin-: of the realities, you can see the extreme 2:.'ger of getting too much property. It is a fact well remember ed, that some of the places left off were in such a condition as not to be returned at the time: part sold, the remainder belong-! ing to two or three persons and the exaict1 share of neither known. The parties prom ised to ascertain and give notice to the office,. As the taxes could be carried forward I held them, and believe now, that it is far better to practice this precaution than to have the books so encumbered. For that year the aggregated amount would be some less,. but next book comphte. But we are to have no mnore of such blunders. Such, any way, were those that caused mae many times to snuff the midnight lamp after a hard day's workr. Yea, for years, as my neighbors know, it udas a rare occurrence for me to regre be fore one, two, and sometimes three o'clock to the people. A very large part of the increased anonint of property is reiadily accounted for. The "abstract" ought to be :much beyond my last. Consider t:e many miles of steel rail tram::, assessed at a pretty high rate over the cou fy, and rented by these mill men, recently constructed and taxed for the first time. Also the saw mills erected, baled cotton, and the annual material increase in wealth and pros. p'erity from y'a: to year and never greater than at this time. Besides these, w: have the addition of swamp lands long since abandoned and of Lte taken up on account of new railroads and avenues opening up r demand. Whenever a man has propety of an y val. ne, now take my word for it he is not liable to allow it to lic around loody and not re turned. Ee the auditor no-;er so "indolent' he will not allow it olr the books. The law, in its mercy. provides a remedy for ambi tious auditors who overleap the ordinary bounds by sending on, unsolicited, witi other papers for settlement with treasurer, "petitions for abatements;" an expression the meaning of which all auditors eithei know, or will find ere they reach the close of thier first year, and the knowledge will come in such a way as to miake a dura ble impression. After thus giving as it were, a bird's eye view of the surroundings, tedi. ous it is true, but necessary to a clear com prehension of the questions at issue, I shall now proceed to give the great cas jeU, the head- and front of the ofending, the tax dn. plicate of 1886, that nurseliag of the storm After all that has been said it is nothing more nor less than an unfinished book, and under the following circut:,tances : 'When the primaries came on I very reluctantly laid down my work, which. when progress ed to that stage, cannot be well delegated tc another, ands like other candidates went out for a time elcctione.ring. While the time was short I had hoped that by diligent efforl day and night the loss could be toale ur and would-had it not been for the misfor. tune that my sight failed from the severe strain of long continued work at might, and to such an extent, as to be almost entirely abandoned. The aid of glasses-from the inflammation present-ai rdel but littl< help. I thus saw that in all probability the books might be delayed. So transferring, what had not been already carried there by townships, to treasurer's duplicate, which a copy of the auditors, the former way made ready for collection, laving upon the audi tor's'about six or eight days work wginished. As the curious may desire to know how cold this be when according to orders from the bosses, the auditor's duplicate Lad to be made ready as to the amount of property, by the 30th of June ? I will answer by ask ing another question. How can the per centage to be added on or taken from every man's property separately, when the action of the State Board of Equalization i never promulgated for weeks after the 30ti of June? Simply this : Much of the work had to be done on paper, and all in such a way as to be in condition to admit of what ever changes the State Board might order. My last year was one of these re-assessmen years. Right here that great Railroad case is in point: When the names were written in auditor's duplicate, I carried the Central Railroad matt! r which is a separate and dis tinct entry on tl.e books and on the "ab stract" (or report of the aggregated property: to the back part of auditor's duplicate, where ordered to carry it, and put in pencil, I think, the assessment of a previous year, only as n memorandum, until the rates from Colum bia could be had for that year, which came bearing date about the middle of July. When making up the abstract this paper was be fore me, and I had no occasion to look tc the books. This, it was my purpose to pa to rights along with the few days work lef1 undone on the auditor's book, just as soor as terrific rush of the collection should end But the time was extended, and so soon a possible after making up reports called for, I set about completeing these and othe: things necessary before tarning over the of fice. Contrary to all custom, right or reason as it appeared to me and many others, I wa: required to surrender on January 5th, 1887 while my commission did not expire anti. Janary 20tLh. Thus leaving everythn; nearly a month in advance of any expecta tion on my part. Now, will not every fair; minded man admit that this was unfair anc unjust? To illustrate; consider one circumi stance resulting by which $15 or $18 of th< sum of inaccuracies noted down by Comp troller-Geneal. 1 had pencil notes oin booki between the lines, for my own informuatior in regard to certain cases and never, design ed to remain there, and would have been al token off, but for my unexpected surrender Among them was one relating to an old and very excellent gentlemen of our county. When the book was made ready and passec over to the treasurer, the day he started out, his first appointment was as advertised, neal where this gentleman lived. In..loohinn over it was noticed that no land was assess, ed against him, while he had been paying or several hundred acres for years. It cccurrec to me that he, always so prompt, had forgot ten about the re-assessmient of real estate Looking to his last retun the mnemorandun was made in pencil, of number of acres, and last valuation, etc , and the circumstance rc lated to treasurer, and instruction giveu thal in case he called, to allow him to pay and notify me of fact. There it remained througi the collection, and about the time of my va ating, it came to our knowledge that the lands had all been paid in the name of his children, to whom it had been given. Now, this wasgcounted as a mistake while only memorandum to save trouble to a very oig and feeble gentleman. Other notes were there simply as reminders and while I have never icoked at the duplierte fifteen minute: since leaving the office I believe three-fourths of the errors spoken of are of like character For instance: Where persons paid their pro portion of taxes on interest acquired sinne the last "listing" the amount paid by each was generally noted down, while the origi nal amount stood until settlement time. There was no earthly necessity for any such blow out. No necessity for calling to the in quest the Con' ptroller-General. the Fore man, and the newspaper Editors. With an eye to the eternal fitness of things, the Cor onor ought to have been present also. How pleasant to have a horse to ride when one i? needed. Mr. Cooper in his presentment claims that General Stoney came to see whlat caused thne delay and a settlement could not be effected, on account of the condition of my affairs, or words to that effect. Now this is most singular. The condition or the booksi were known and harped u pon months before Some one writes to the Comptroller and equested that he would defer his coming till the next wveek. Gen Stoney says Mr. Bradham did. Come when he might the books would have been the same, so must it not havn been that Mr. B. was not neadly himself? Ah! had I been called in, the worki would have been done in a short time and all that has followed been avoided. After having sent thetm to Columbia, the books were placed under the scalpel of an expert and one well worthy of the name. And a more thorough currying over, I pre. unme, no set of books in the State ever re eive, resulting in the discovery of sixty-oa r to dollars, in taxes, out of nearly twice ten thousand, spun out in sums from 15 cents o hndeds of dollars, an d among thousands of tapayrs. That a man shonld be treated thus for sixty-one dollars ! TIhe first ste> for or settlement for the year wvas to scrutinize the books and ca'lculations closely, that in ease errors of any character appear they might be rectified;.and so wonld this amount in due time. To show what Comptroller General Stoney thought of the muatter, from a letter in my posessiotn written after the work had been gone over, that he was satis fed from the outset, there was "no money vvlue involved," but that I haed been inexcu sably arel.ss in writing up the book. But there was a money value involved to the ex tent of sixty-one dellars. How can this be reonciled ? Easily enough. The amount bin so small-about the taxes of one well to do man-he did not regard it as anythiing more than might arise at any time, under such difficulties. Gen. Stoney is a gentle. man: a brave and good man; but he has been cers make but little allowance for misaven tures. But he is a high officer, and perhaps is right. It is evident, however, when he says there was "no money value involved," that his allasiou as to carelessness was in regard to the 'forms." Indolent I may be, bnt all the same when a sixteen-year-old boy I foilowed General Hagood and staff-officer Captain Stoncy over many a field and into the smoke of thebatteries. Whilethe Comp troller General's duties may demand such not so with Ithe grand jury. They are a sworn body of inquisitors, whose powers are large and far-reaching. They are author ized to impartially scrutinize closely and weigh mitigating circumstances, with every other. They are to hear with the dignity becoming a body so responsible, and keep the oudide world beyond their doors. When a fair even-handed decision has been reach ed then, and not till then, make it known, ist to the courts. Let us see now, how near Mr. Cooper in his presentment approached to this ideal. How far upholding what has been the palladium of popular rights and justice. I say "his presentment," on account of the fact that he has persistently claimed the job as his own, and it certainly bears the "sign manual" of its paternity. The work was delegated to him and we all know, aside from his repeated deciaation, that during a large part of the time t:;-y were putting the "ex-auditor" through the mill, I may say the whole time he was here alone, a eritdde Marius amid the ruins of Carth.ge. The Grand Jury, as a body, did then as they al ways do, give in their as-ent to what had been reported. All of their names I do not remember but their were gentlemen in thwt body, who would stick to the last hour rath er than do a fellow nhan an act of inj nstice. I shall now take hold of Mr. Cooper's pre sentment, this offspring of Nigbt and Chaos, for in reference to wild state.ments it is only equaled by the manner in which it was con ceived and his conduct while collating things tLat bore upon the character and reputation of his fellow citizens. Did he N ith dionitied reserve enter into the meric; of the investi gation and to prevent the cffort at inquiry being turned into an engine of oppression, keep within himself whatever facts appeared? If so, haw came the correspondent from Mayesvilie to one of our "papers" in posses sion of his most secret thoughts and designs -that some would be "barked" others "bruised" which were literally fulfilled ? Ei ther it was Coopered at smubody's shop, or Mr. Cooper gave the item of news. He stood in the position of a Judge, and should have acted thus. Let us suppose that one of our circuit judges had begun a judicial inquiry as to the guilt or innocence of certain per sons and before concluding should on the street corners or at church give to the by standers his opinien in full of the accused, who would allow him to longer sit in judg meat on the case? Follow the illustration furthef, and suppose that the person charg ed has never had the privilege of saying one word in his own behalf and be condemned unheard and he in a stone's throw the <n tire time? Ought not the blaze of the cen tury grow dim before an outrage equalling the days of the Spanish Inquisition? I will give Mr. Cooper the credit to say that his original design was to "be just.' He pro claimed in this town, that his intention had been "to be lenient" but he "had been bad ly treated," as you will see, thus suffering personal fcelings to guide him in a trust so responsible, and attempting to turn that blood-bought legacy of the ages into an en gine of oppression. I will gi e the facts of the case that all may see the working of the system inaugurated by Foreman Cooper and called Justice. I fear the syren voice cf the tempter whispered in his ear, now is the time to drive your s.take." At any rate, it' was noised around th'it the Foreman was a candidate. Englan's great cardinal while warning Cromwell to "be just and fear not," still more solemnly charged him to "fling away ambition, for by that sin fell the An gels." Ambition! ambition! from righteous Abel to the present, the blood of victius has stained thy footsteps ! Will man ever be just and fear not? Mr. Cooper at least has made a terrible failure. If not, "in Heav en's name," let the Poor Iiouse and Corart House go together. While making the investigation he hailed me very pleasantly; and express ed his great delight at the meeting. He said a certain person (nameless at tids tGme) had had a great deal to say about my books, and that he would need some information on the subject. I readily agreed to respond when ever called upon. He left, using some rare anathemas on any man, who would try to tear another down, anid build himself upon the ruins. How graevfully some persons wear two faces undler one hat. But never was I (ailed upon from that dlay, for any thing. Once I was invited betore them as a representative for another party. Again by summons, to testify an d told it wvould require only five minutes; but concerning another matter entirely. This, an hour or two be fore the presentment was read, During that brief stay I informod the Foreman, that my treatment had been rough; that .some of the very precautions adopted by me to prevent trouble, had been misconstrued and made the cause of trouble. But all for n" purpose. Like an Iowa Justice who, when "noon ' ar rived, left a lawyer pleading eloquently, with the information that "the Court would then go to dinner; when his speech w-as ended to look its a drawer, designaLted, and the decis ion would be found made out the night be fore, w~iwhatte sue." charged against ine shows beyond dispute. one of two things, that he acted upon what had been told him, or then willfully nmisrep resented the facts of the case, These are his words, on refering to audlit.>r's office : "We examined the books of J. E. Scott. He had not completed, nor had he tonched them." Now this alhoost surpass.: belief. "Had not touched them !'' He feared sonr e one might misunderstand the first half of the sentence, and give me credit for a partially prepared book, and clinched the assertion by saying. "nor had ho touched them." And this in the face of the fact, that the books arc there to show for themaselves; the taxes collectoai on what was there and the Comnptroller-Ge eal's verdict of a variance of sixty od 3 dol ars~ only, on the whole. Even this sma l suma is not a just one, becautse there w-er. pncil notes, only desiguied as reminders. rI several places counted as errors, when rihtiv they out to have been erasedl an. woolI have been. Ceneral S. says this book I ot 188a G would not hold in couri; Coopt r I sa s noneof them would. Nearly all have .)sd the test already int the couris. He claiims to have found no "additionals" since 1870. It is very certain that, the last year, from October to January 4th, all taken by me were put on ille and keep for sate-keep ing in Tr, a ;urer's sat e. When about to leave tbheCourt klouse, I went to auditor's offie' for purpose <(f handing themi over, but he hap penedl to be out. Expecting to leave town for some days, I asked the reasurer to hand them over, "ie informed mue that it bad been done. The setlement sheet sh-ows the amount; the datcs, and hand writing wirlI show set fort'a who wvrote them and when. Yet MIr. Cooper says, none could be found. Why did he not ask mec? I waited and ex pected to be summioned w'hen needed, as in the other cases. Nay, it is palpable that the Foreman, as the Mlayesville letter prophesi ed, was after "barking" and "bruising;" and aftr selecting his victims, he left no steo unturned for its accomplishment. The little books of the "additionsls" were kept every year as can be proved by abund ant testimony. Whiea c'a et cle:k Williams frmi Comptroller Gereral's office came to examine alidirs, they were gathered up the~n. After this we discus'eai the listing down of the office but as so m'any records nadl to be speciied no deulnite plan was adopted. Day after (lay passed and it ws finally never done. But no one ever asked me a question about them. until an hour or two before reading the presentment. From the time r. Williams camne and saw where they were e tered, instead of in the back otf the book (all of which was used by the regular returns) the space was enlarged aJ tihe next year's will show. As I call them to mind, every require meat of the huge books of those days was complied with, excepting the entry in the - ,s.umi io1. thiei fully do:ne onr Treasur U;. .d:. I ru , . 1M. A.EHW. COLUMBIA MARBIEIGRANITE WORKS. C. MAYHEW & SON, W Manufacturers of, and Dealers in all kinds of American Mare Work. ALL KINDS Granite Monuments TO ORDER. I ' Estimates furnished for all kinds of Railroad and other heavy Masonry. Ca Brickn Machine and Brick for Sale. I have for sale one Steam Brick Press in good condition, which .All be sold very low. Also, 500.000 brick of good nuality. Terms cash. W. SCOTT H ARVIN. Mannng, S. C. Nov. 9th, 1887 GET THE BEST and Cheapest DRUGS AND MEDICINES By puriasing at the Popular and re liable.Drug Store of JADINKINS& CO., D .!Rs n Drugs, Medicines and Chemicals Paints, Oils, Glass, Perfumery, Stationery, Fancy and Toilet Articles, Fine Cigars and Tpbacco, etc. Our stock of Patent Medicines is now complete in every particular. TRY CERASINE COUGH CURE. Cures Conghis. Colds, and all diseases of the Langs or Throat-never fails. 25 cents per bottle. Pa~.serP~TION DEPAnRTMENT: Physicians Prescriptions accurately comn pounded by a competent and experienced Pharacist at all hours day and night. J. G. DINKINS & CO., PHAR SACEUTICAL CHEMISTS. [Sign of the Gold Mortar.] On the 30th day of November 1887 I will apply to the P'robate Jndgc for Clarendon County, fn r a 1ir~al dse.l:rt e as admnimstra tor of the cstate of Samuel C. Brunson, dt. ceased.S. E. BRUNSON, Administratrix. Nov. 4, 18S7. On the 30th, day of November 1887 I will apply to the Probate Judge for Clarendon Couty for a final discharge as administra tor of the Estate of George Washington de ea ed - A. W EINBERG, Stata et SOUth Carolina, (COUNTXi OF CLARENDON, C'u'rt <{ Commanon 1leas. Moses Lev'i, Plaintif, against A ~nna~ L. Blackwell, Defendant. JrnDGMENT. TNDERi .iND BY VIRT CE OF AN ORl i.. at ti at directtd in abov stated case by .Jdge 1. D. Witherspoon. hea'ri%'g (d1 February 18th 1887, I will sell i front of Clarendoni Court Hfouse, at Manning, with *in legal hours, on Monday, the 5th day of Decembr next to the highest bid der for cash, the following pioperty to wit: All that piece parcel or tract of land, lying being, and sit v:'te in Clarco don County, in the State of South Carolina, containing one hundred and Ininet-six acres more or less and bounded as follws to wit: North by Black River swamp; and lands belonging to person or persons nnknown, South by lands of Mrs. IM. A. Biarkwell and Mrs. M. A. McElven, East by lands of WVm. R1. Carpenter Sr., and WVest by lands now owned by said Moses Le vi and B. A. Walker. Purchaser to pay for papers.H. H. LESESNE, N.9,17,SheriayClarendon County. 1is oeen~Z. -:o: The POLICE GAZETTE will be mailed securely wrapped, to any address in the Untd *tts for three months on receipt of ONE DOLLAR. Liberal discount allowed to postmasters. agents and clubs. Sample copies mailed free. Address all orders to RICH ARD K. FOX, FnaxxuI SQUARE,NY F.0. Stoney, M! STIErr, Over D. 3. Winn's Clothing Store. Ctting and making to order. Cleaning oep. :n, .a Dneing snecialties. Satis er's duplicate. Nor was the oruissiou any secret at all. I do not suppose that a half dozen o~fices in the State carried this out, and so reported by expert. The very im possibility of working up in tune for the May collection, caused the change and eve ry Grand Jury in ten years has seen the same and had the reason given. And great has been that change. From a third to half the work cat off. There were five columns for taxes on each booJt-no-. only one; and many other changes equally as great. It is like exchanging a wheelbarrow for an Ex press train. le recon:;aends a commission of investi gation from 1'70. Why not go back farther: How will the incoming Grand Jury relish the compliment, to have their "occupation gone ?" Is some one aspiring again ? Our Senator and Representatives are wise and good men. and will look to the persons that compose this committee. In a work of such magnitude they will place those there, who will neither need, nor allow outside aid. Such as will not use a high trust for purpos es of ambition or revenge. Such as will keep their counsels from the curious, and report only to the Court. Perhaps they may find the books since 1880 a sample of that of 1886, with those sixty dollars diffewance each year-which for a moment I do not admit. Even if true, that amount out ef about S20. 000 span out among mn..y thousand pcplrle. in smna from 15 cents to hundreds of dol hars, dot s not make a bad showing:-it is only :-10 of one per cent.--about one good farm er's tax. They may find traces of an over charged heart and an over-worked hand. running far into the early morning, in the ed'ort to do the immense work then reguir ed, in so short a time. Yes, while passing for yers through such fires of aflietion as kall to the lot of few, they will find some thin, more than carelessness or indolence as a 1 ason for not filling out a blank space, or calling in such help as could be obtained amid this scene of disaster, desolation, and death. And now after having done every thing that a man could do under such cir cumstances, to be arraigned before the bar cf public opinion, and for what ?-$6O. Cer tainly a rude chastisement for an offense so small. But withal, I have an abiding conti dence in the triumph of right. Deep down in the heart of every man is a Heaven-born sense of justice, which may for a time be permitted to he obscured by passion or pre. judice, yet will at last a.-seit its sovereignty and give every man all that I ask of them - simple justice. Into the hands of this arbi ter I commit my cause. I have not trans. greased the bonds of legitimate criticism, nor gone beyond the actual facts of the case or such as a natural inference will establish. Regretting the necesity for such a course, I stand, nevertheless, where I shall ever stand, defending myself and my character to the last extremity. J. E. SCOTT. Z. E, WALKER, DIALER IN GENERAL MERCHANDISE Pure Wines and Liquors, and al) Malt drinks. The only bar-room in Sumter kept by a colored man. The colored peo. ple of Clarendon are cordially ivid ed to call on him. Z. E. WALKER, North side Liberty Street, 5UIT E R, S. C. Choice Drugs DRUGGISTS and COUNTRY nrerchan' supplied with the rEsT GOODS, at the Lowves Pae::s. Dr H BAER, Wholesale Druggist, Nos. 131 & la Meeting streer, Charleston, S. C. JERVYHOUJSE J. E. JERVEY Prop~r ie to r, SUMTrER, - - ' S. C. Aug. 31, em. Wuibern & i'etper Wholesale Grocers, AND DEALIS IN Provisio'ns, Liquors, Tobacco, Etc 679 & 16 East Ba , Charleston, S C W. F. B3. HAYm'woranz, Sumter .9, C. B. S. D~tr.ns, Mass;ria, S. C HAYNSWORTH & DINKNS, ATTORNEYS AT LAW MANNING, S. C, G. ALLEN ii UGGINS, JR. DETnn SURGEoN, e' Oflee on Street South of Cot~i House. Mebr3i T LE Sum e SheaStere MESSBS BU.MN& BTE. prsn hi clim toth pope flae tJI psetar theiret claim fo the m. f lrn F. Na Wilson, INSURANCE AGENT 3IANNING, S. C. C. E. STUJBBS, CASH COTTON BUYER, SUMTER, S. C. Any parties having Go-rroN to offer deliv ered at depot, by tel.:graphing me, will re ceive my p)rompt attention. My tradeI is large in Clarendon County. Sumter pa~c guarat~e&~-Jler~s A BIG BOOM ! IN SUMTER ! Caused By SCHWARTZ BROS, We are selling Dry Goods at such remarkably low PRICES that it places their whole' community in a most prosperous condition. WE ADVISE All the people of Clarendon County to call on 0eoib%'art 3T when in Sumter. They have the most complete and attractive line of Dress Goods and Trimmings Ever shown in Sumter;also Dry Goods of all kinds generally found in any first-class Dry and Fancy Goods Store. Full line in all the latest styles in Cloa~ks and Jerseys, Such as Walking Jackets, Wraps, Newmarkcts, Dolmans, etc., etc. And at such low prices that will almost take your breath away to hear them. o-O-o NOTE THIS : Every one buying a dollars' worth from them receives a Ticket which means- a chance of winning a Handsome Black Silk Suit trimmed elaborately in beading and jet orna ments, made to order to fit the winner, valued at $7 5. To be given- away January 1st. We say again, don't miss calling on them if you want Dry Goods of any description; they will save you money. Dress making and Ladies underwear a specialty. Samples cheerfully furnished by mail. SCHWARTZ BROS., PALACE DRY Goons ExPomem. FALL ANNOUMCEMENT OF S. A. Rigby, Having purchased one of the finest and most complete assortments of General ?aerchaa dise which has ever been brought to this market, and being determined to sell at rock bottom prices. I defy competition. Tsadies, just step in my store and my accomplished clerks will show you a beautiful assortment of short and long Cloaks. Dress Goods In Almost Endless Variety.. a.71 wvrsSI a specialty. No store in Manning daros compete with my unrivalled stock. HATSANDCAPat ayprice you ma~y desire from CAP15 cents to $3.00.. HATS AND A" n " Clothing for Men aid Boys of the finest fabric and best workmanship-can suit the dude or the plain farmer. Gr-cOeriegs of every kind and quality at the lowest prices. Another specialty-HAMS--never sell an inferior one. It is entirely useless to attempt an enumeration of my stock. Examine i1 and you will be convinced of the fact that I can and will do all I promise. gar Highest prices paid for cotton or other produce. Respectfully, t, 12, '8'7 S. A. Rigby. The Manning Academy. M AN~~IlhGr, B. C. A GRADED SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. EIGIITEENTH SESSION BEGINS, M1ONDAY, AUG4UST 29, 1887.. S. A. NETTLES, A. B., PIc1PAL.. Miss JosIE H. MCLEAN, MRs. S. A. NE1TES, Assistants The course of instruction embracing ten years, is designed to furnish a libie eral education suited to the ordinary vocations of life, or to fit stude'nts.for. the Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior class of colleges. PLAN OF INSTRUCTION.. The most approved text books are used. The blackboard is deemed an essential in the class room. The meaning of an author is invariably required of each pupil. In all work done, in whatever department, and whatever the1 extent of ground covered, our motto shall always be Thoroughness.. To' this end, we shall require that every lesson be learned, if not in time for- the. class recitation, then elsewhere. No real progress can be made so long as the pupil is allowed to go on from day to day reciting only half-perfect lessons. TERMS PER MONTH OF' FOUR WEEKS ; Primary Department (3 years course),............ ......... $1.00,.$1.50, and $2.00: Intermediate Department (2 years' course),.............. ...... ........... 2.50 Higher Department (2 years' course),......... ................ $3.00 and 3.50. Collegiate Department (3 years' course),..........................4.00 and 4.50. Music, including-use of instrument,.................................... 3.00 Contingent Fee, per session of 5 months, in advance,..................... .2 Board per month,..................-------------.................. 800 Board from Monday to Friday (per month).......................... 5.00. WE DESIRE ESPECIALLY TO URGE UPON PARENTS AND) I Guardians the great importance of having their children at school promptly the first day. The student who enters late labors under serious disadvantages, and seldom takes that stand in his class that otherwise he would have taken. The Principal feels much encouraged at the hearty support given the. school heretofore, and promises renewed efforts to make the school what it should be-FIRST CLASS in every respect. For further particulars, send for catalogue. Address S. A. NETTLES, Manning,S.. MANNING. S. C., AUGUST 15, 1881 A Graded School for Boys and Girls. PRINCIPALS: MISS VIRGINIA INGRAM, - - - I. I. BAGNA L. The Fourth year of the Manning Grove School will begin Sep'ember 5th, 1887' It is the purpose of the Principals to givre thorough instruction in the elementary branches, and then advance the pupils as rapidly as sound judgment will admit of, MBoard and lodging can be had upon very reasonable terms, and in good families. Boys and young men desiring to prepare for college, will find the course of instructio adirably'adapted to that purpose, and special attention will be paid to thateclass ofst dents when desired. Spocial attention given to Calisthenics. The school building is in complete order for comfort and convenience, being well ven tilated and amply heated in winter. First grade...........-.........Si0 I Fifthg "''..................... .0 Second grade................---- 0 Sit -d.---........---.-- .----- n Third grade....................2.00 | Seventh and Eighth grades. ...400 Fourth;'grade --..--..........-......2.50 j Drawing and Painting............25 For further particulars apply to either Principal. J. L. David &Bro., Men, Boys' and Ohildrens'f 279 -i' 2om Ir ~ ST-, .. - .. . Cnau s-rrox. S. C.