REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
Appointed to Investigate the Fi
nancial Condition of Clarendon
County.
At the session of the Legislature,
December, 1887, a Joint Resolution
was passed, appointing S. A. Nettles,
Joseph H. Montgomery, and Henry
L. Reynolds a committee to investi
gate the financial condition of Clar
endon County. Acting under this Res
olution, the above named persons met
July 3,1888, and organised by electing
S. A. Nettles chairman, and Joseph H.
Montgomery secretary. Dr. H. L.
Reynolds then stated that his. busi
ness and professional engagements
were such that he could not serve reg
ularly with the Committee, but that
he would endeavor to be present as
often as practicable, and that if at any
time the other two members should
fail to vaee om any subject, or point
at issue, that he would comein as an
arbitrator. The labors and opinions
of the other two members were, how
ever, characterized throughout with
harmony and unanimity, and there
arose no necessity to call on Dr. Rey
nolds for arbitration. He, further
more, did not find it convenient, or
see fit, to assist in the investigation.
The other two members of the com
mittee regret much this failure on the
part of Dr. Reynolds to act with us,
and realize that we have thus been
deprived of valuable counsel and as
sistance.
Realizing the responsibility of the
duties we were about to undertake,
we, S. A. Nettles and Joseph H.
Montgomery, appeared before Clerk
of Court Janes E. Davis, and took
an oath before him to discharge to
the best of our abilities the duties
that would devolve upon us, faithful
ly, conscientiously, without fear or
favor. Throughout our whole inves
tigation we have endeavored to let
these words (faithfully, conscientious
ly, without fear or favor) be our guid
ing principles.
sCeoor, COMIsfoNE.
We find the School Commission
er's office has been very poorly kept.
The books and records are worth lit
tle or nothing to the county.
The Treasurer's school book, and
his settlement sheet, show more mon
ey to be to the credit of the schools
than do the School Commissioner's
books. Prior to S. J. Bowman's term
of office, the old books show a con
siderable indebtedness, but we have
reason to suppose that this apparent
indebtedness has been all settled.
When we examined Maj. P. G.
Benbow's book, in August, 1888,
although all of the schools had, been
closed for somine months, there was,
nevertheless, not the scratch of a pen
to show that there had been any
money with which to pay the school
expenses; and yet we found all the
claims paid. We found, however,
that. the claims that had been. approv
ed were. registered.
This registry should have been
performed as soon as the claims were
approved, and not wait some months
and then enter them, without refer
ence to number or date, upon his
book.*
Very seldom does a school district
usein the same year all the funds
placed to its credit. In our opinion
such reserved fund should be carried
forward to the next year, and placed
to the credit of the sme school dis
triot. This seems to be the better
plan, but the Treasurer taking a dif
ferent view allows this unused fund
in a district to remain there year af
ter year, he using for the district only
eo much of the funds of a given year
as is necessary, leaving the balance, if
any, toaccumulate. The School Com
misoners, we are informed, desired
thus to dispose of these balances, but
the Treasurers would not allow it.
In this conneotion we would recom
mend that the ' feasurer at once re
~or to the School (Commissioner the
fulamount of all funds in his hands
to the credit of the public schools;
and that the School Commissioner,
and board of examiners together, ap
portion this fnnd to the sever al school
districts, as seems to them best and
just; and that hereafter the Treasurr
er (upon notification by the School
Commissioner, at the close 'of each
year,of the amount of claims approv
ed in each school district) carry for
ward the balance to the succeeding
year, placing such credit to the re
spective school districts.
We are decidedly of the opinion
that this offie, as generally exercised,
is largely an imposition on the peo
ple. The offier is not. infrequently
a man unfamiliar with, and incompe
tent to perform, the real duties of the
offce, and frequently his highest ami
bition seems~ to beto draw his salary.
The pay of this offce as generally
understood, not only in this county,
but throughout the State, is at least
three timettoo much. Two hundred
dollars per annum would be a big
salary for the work usually done. The
chief duties of this offeer should-be
to visit the .schools; to see that suita
ble school houses are used; that
proper-teachers are employed, and
that they are doing their duty; to en
deavor to awaken and enlist the deep
interest of the people in the subject
of education,-in short, to improve
and elevate the public school system.
No wonder the people cry out against
the present system: the fault lies in
the School Commissioner. - This of
ficer should be a man possessing a
certificate of educational qualification
from the State board of education,
and yet a considerable percentage
of them throughout the State could
not stand a second grade examina
tion. We reeommend that the Leg
islature, at ita next- meeting, pass an
act empowering the constitutional
provision requirng School Commis
sioners to possess a first grade certifi
cate from the board of examiners of
their respective conti~e befrev they
can enter upon the discharge of their
duties as School Commissioner.
The Conyers salary matter we found
to be correct, he having collected for
his salary and traveling expenses only
so much as allowed by law.
cotVNTY COmtISSIONEfs.
We are deeply impressed with the
idea that the County has not always
been represented by County Com
sioners, who, when it same to their
own salaries, had the best interests of
the county at heart, and the most
economical methods of transacting
business. It seems to us that the
getting of all the mileage possible
was the paramount idea. Construc
tive mileage and double mileage were
charged when possible. We have ex
amined the accounts back for ten
years, and it is the same throughout.
The account of the board of 1883-4
and 1884-5 appearing so unusually
large we summoned each member of
that board before us. This board
charged "constructive" mileage. That
is, for example, when they went to a
place for inspection or other purpose,
they would imagine they had return
ed home and come again, charging
for the imaginary travel. They would
then proceed on their way to another
point, do what they came for, imag
ine again they had returned home
and come again, charging again for
the imaginary travel. Then they
would make another. inspection, and
charge this time for the real travel of
coming and returning. The law says
plainly that but five cents a mile for
each mile actually traveled shall be
charged. By this constructive mile
age a board would sometimes charge
five or ten dollars more on a single
trip than they were entitled to. The
board for these two years above nam
ed consisted of Messrs. J. H. Mc
Knight, B. G. DuBose, and R M.
Harvin. This board, consisting of all
of its members, went over to Salem
in March, 1884, to "receive" a bridge.
As M:. -DuBose's account was the
smallest of the three, we take his ex
actly as it appeared on their account
book:
1884
Mar. 17. 1 dayon board and mileage $ 2.80
18. Inspection Black Rive r
- bridge and mileage 1.20
18. Inspection Johnson's cross
ing and mileage 5.00
19. Inspection roads, &c. 5.00
$14.00
(Read testimpny of B. G. DuBose
as to number of days served.)
The following is a part of Mr. Du
Bose's testimony before us, which
will serve to demonstrate construc
tive mileage:
"On March 17th, 1884, I met the
"Board, and that night returned home,
"a distance of sixteen miles. On
"March 18th, the next day, I went to
"Black River Bridges, near J. H. Mc
"Faddin's, which I inspected; then I
"inspected public roads up to Eli Mc
"Faddin's six miles from J. H. Mc
"Faddin's; from there I inspected the
"roads to Mrs. Wheeler's a distance
"of four miles; from Mrs. Wheeler's
"I went to Johnson's Crossing and in
"spected those bridges a distance of
"ten- miles; then I inspected one
"bridge and the roads from Johnson's
"Crossing to W. 3. Gibbons's, a dis
"tance of eight miles; from WV. 3.
"Gibbons's I returned home, which
"was the 20th day of March, a distance
"of thirty-three miles. The distance
"from my house to Black River is
twenty-four miles. Including the
"day I was on the board, the 17th, I
"was engaged four days on this trip,
"and traveled a total distance of nine
ty-one miles. I did not charge for
the actual distance traveled, but for
"the distance from my residence to
the place I had to go, at ten cents a
"mile. .I made one charge from home
"to Black River Crossing, and anoth
"er from home [on the same trip] to1
"Johnson's Crossing, though I did not
"actually return from the Black River
"Bridge inspection.
"On one occasion I signed checks
"in blank But did it only once, and
"refused.thereafter to sign any in
"blank I refused in every way to~
"have any thing to do with the build
"ing of the present rotten county jail.
"[Signed] E. G. DuBosE."
In substance, with reference to the
charging of mileage, the testimony of
Messrs. McKnight and Harvin, the
:ther two members, is what Mr. Dui
Bose's is.
As each member of the Board this
year used up his seventy days allow
ed by law, of course no more days
ould be granted them. Therefore on
this famous "17th March Black River
Bridge Trip," Mr. DuBose charged
more mileage by $3.45 than he should
have. Messrs. Mc~night -and Har
in charged for this trip. even more
han Mr. DuBose. Nor is this an is
lated case. Numerous others simi
lar in nature can be found.
We examined C. L. Witherspoon,
hairman of the Board of 1884-5 and
885-6, and B. C. Horton, Chairman
f the Board of 1886-7 and 1887-8.
he testimony below will show that
hey, when it was possible, charged
ouble mileage.
Mr. Witherspoon testified as fol
ows:
"In making out his account
against the county it was his rule to
charge ten cents a mile for distanee
"actually traveled one way. If he
"continued on a new road till he got
back home he would charge ten
cents a mile for every mile traveled;
"but if at any time, after inspecting
"bridges or other work, he should re
turn by same road he went out by,
"he would charge nothing for distance
"back. I never read the law on the
"subject.
"[signed] C. L. WrrHERSooK"
Mr. Witherspoon says that he nev
er read the law as to the pay of coun
ty commissioners during the term he
served in that office. Sad indeed it
is, that an officer holding such a high
responsible position, should disburse
the people'smoney without knowledge
f the correctness of his action.
Mr. E. C. Horton, chairman for 188-7
and 1887-8:
"On February 29th and March
"1st he was out inspecting roads
"in St. James township, and that
"for the two days' work and mileage
"he charged $10.05. The distance of
"the township is about eighteen miles
"from Manning where deponent re
"sides. Of this ten dollars And five
"cents, $4 wE per diem, and $6.06
"was nileage. During this trip he
"traveled sixty and one-half (60 1-2)
"miles. charging ten cents a mile as
"lie did not return same way he went.
"Deponent says if he goes to inspect
"a bridge or other work, and does no
"other work, he charges ten cents a
"mile for the trip there, and nothing
"to return; but if he cafres back by
"a different route, and for other work,
"inspection of roads for instance, he
"would also charge ten cents a mile
"for the additional distance traveled.
"I make it a rule never to return
"by the same road I go out by, as I
"wish to see and inspect as much of
"the roads on a trip as possible. On
"these inspections I charge ten cents
"a mile. The clerk of the former
"board, Mr. J. G. Huggins, who was
"also our clerk for one year, told me
"this was the custom with the Com
"missioners. Members of other
"boards, also, told me this was the
"custom. I believe I am acting
"within the law in making these
"charges."
"[Signed] E. C. HonToN."
Mr. Horton says that, "he believed
that he acted within the law" when
collecting these charges. He most
certainly never read the law on the
subject. We are satisfied that the'
testimony of the other members of
the board would have been substanti
ally the same. Mr. Horton expressed
himself to us as perfectly willing, in
case he were convinced that such
chrrges were wrong, to refund all
such overcharges to the county.
We think we have said enough to
show that hundreds of dollars, prob
ably tore than a thousand, have been
wrongfully abstracted from the coun
ty, and we recommend that a commit
tee of the Grand Jury be empowered,
by Legislative enactment, to ascer
tain the exact amount thus over
charged since 1876, and that the
Commissioners who have made these
overcharges be required to return
the same to the county.
Not enough "red tape," and too
much carelessness and confidence, is t
common in this office. Commission
ers have, when a day's work exceeded ?
their usual one, or two, or three
hours, become impatient, and signing1
a number of checks in blank, have
gone home, leaving their clerk to fill
in the amounts at his leisure. We
think this practice about discontinued.
The office of County Commission
ers is probably the most important
office in the county, and yet is sought
after, not infrequently, by men incom- b
petent for the office. We have good t
reasons for believing that the law de
fining the duties of the office is sel
dom read by a County Commissioner. r
The clerk of the board is frequently
the board. Clarendon County has ;
had some good men on her board, y
and some that were not so good. And
yet, some persons may say that,
"when we view it rightly, we do
not think the Co.mmissioners so much ~
to blame after all, it being natural 1,
with man to wish to better tis con
dition, and the office offers to many
this advantage." To such persons we
would answer, that it is inate with
man to attain a higher standard of t
action, and he who would gratify his
avarice at the expense of his constit
uents, is unworthy of a public
trust. We believe that if the Board
of Commissioners wcre the right kind
of men, and would not follow prece- ~
dent, but work for the good of the
d&unty, that their individual expenses 1
would be cut down about one-half of
what they have been. What we say a
may appear harsh and uncharitable, t
but the records of the office, and the
affidavits in our possession,will prove
all wp have said. Let us illustrate:
A bri'dge in a distant part of the
county is reported to need repairs.e
The board at a nieeting decides that 1
it will consider the matter, and the
entire board goes to the bridge to
"inspect" it. Fifteen or twenty dol
lars is the cost of the trip. They de
cide to repair the bridge. A fifty dol
lar contract is given out. The entire
board again goes on a junketing trip
to receive the aforesaid bridge, at a
cost of fifteen or twenty dollars more.
Probably the entire board is compos
ed of persons who do not know
whether the bridge is properly con
structed or not. Any way from thirty I
to forty dollars has been paid to the
Commissioners to have a fifty or hun- ~
dred dollar bridge built. An honest
mechanic, disinterested and compe- u
tent, for eight or ten dollars would i
have done the same inspection, and t
sent in a written opinion on the sub -
ject. This would be a large .saving r.
to the people.
The law allows seventy days for 1
service. In our opinion twenty-five
days are quite enough for the Coin- i
missioners of Clarendon County to 1
serve, and .we recommend that the 1
representatives of this county endeav
or to have the law amended accord- 1
ingly. *1.
The chief idea with the Commission- 1
era seems to have been, just a little un- 1
der seventy days, as much mileage and
as little work as possible. Suppose ii
the poor house needs inspection. The t
board meets at twelve o'clock, is in fa
session an hour or two, and adjourns, c
charging for a day's work. At that r
meeting it is decided that the poor
house must be inspec' ed. This house tV
of charity is distant three miles from v
Manning, and it would take only a c
couple of hours to tide out and in- i
spect it. The meeting of the board a
and the inspection of the poor house t<
eould all be done, and be easily done, e
in a"'small day's work, and at an ad- p
ditional cost to the county of only s:
issioner would ever dream of such.
Ele prefers waiting till a day when
the board is not in session that he
may reduce his seventy days, and, al
so, an important item, may make
xome additional mileage by the in
spection. Men view the same thing
through different eyes. But we are
lrmly convinced in our own minds
hat a Commissioner, who, when there
s additiioal work to be done, that
sould be dose the same day, yet will
top at a two or three hours' work,
and then the next or some subse
luent day do this work that could
lave easily been done in a former
lay's work, is unfit to hold so impor
;ant a position.
TREASUBER .ND AUDITOR.
We found the Auditor's office
ithout copies of Abstracts and
Settlement Sheets prior to fiscal year
885-6, and we had to obtain certi
led copies of same from the Comp
roller-General's office. The certified
opies we hate filed in the Auditor's
>ffice where we hope they will be pre
served as records of that office. The
abstract and Settlement Sheet for
882--3 do not agree, differing by
126,675 in property, and $1520.10 in
axes. After long and patient research
we believe this to have been the Rail
oad tax for that year. No record of
his Railroad tax was made on the
Lbstract, or Additional Abstract, or
he Duplicates.
The books of the Treasurer are
ieatly and carefully kept, and in a
>usiness-like way. We examined and
ompared, very carefully, for the five
rears Dr. H. H. Huggins has been
'reasurer, all the settlement sheets,
;bstracts, Treasurer's books and
vouchers, and found but two errors,
ne of which was in favor of the
treasurer, a voucher for $3.08, for
vhich he had taken no credit; and
ne, a charge against the school fund
or $85.34, for which the Treasurer
Lad no voucher. The error of $85.34
was found in the settlement sheet
ade May 11, 1885, for the fiscal
rear 1879-80. The Treasurer readily
kncwledged the error when his at
ention was called to the fact, and
ipon our order paid it in the recent
ettlement made with Auditor D. J.
3radham. Had ex-Auditor Scott
iven proper attention to counting the
ouchers, this error could not have
ccurred.
We found, as stated in the Grand
ury presentment of October, 1887,
hat the Treasurer had collected $9.88
s additional taxes in Dec., 1886, for
seal year 1885 -6, from 0. F. Good
rin, and had not accounted for same.
Ipon our order he accounted for
ame in his last settlement. Mr. F.
. Cooper also paid an additional the
ame year (Dec. 1886) for one Nelson I
rince, which was not duly and prop
rly accounted for. It was subsequent
accounted for. Had Auditor Scott
iven proper attention to his duty,
y immediately entering these addi
ionals on his duplicate, these errors
ould not have crept in.
These were the only monetary er
ars we found against Treasurer Hug
ins. The Gr-and 3tm-y of 1887 wa
listaken in reference to the A. C.
itler matter. That tax was all en
bred properly on the duplicates.
Owing to a failure to find any re
rd of additionals, our work was, of
ourse, unsatisfactory, as we could on
r take it for granted that the Treas
rers have accounted in full for the
additionals" collected. For this rea
an it is impossible for us to arrive at
ny conclusion with reference to the
aiirty-eight names ($62.08) brought to
se attention of the public by the
resentment of the Grand Jury of
887. The Treasurer and ex-Auditor
. . Scott both swear that they be
eve this list was included in the list
f additionals regularly accounted for
i the settlement made September,
886. There are no records prior to
scal year 1885-6 of any additionals,
ther than the aggregate as given in
ie abstracts and settlement sheets.
Vith no record of course there can
e no satisfactory report.
The following table will show the
mount of additional taxes for the,
even fiscal years beginning Nov. 1,
876:
FISCAL PROPEBTT POLL TOTAL AD.
TEAB. TAX. TAX. CO. TAX.
1876 $ 16.18 8 14.00 $ 30.18
1877 266.83 689.00 955.83
*878 314.48 201.00 515.48
1879 322.96 264.00 586.96
t1880 22.96 351.00 373.96
1881 80.82 216.00 296.82
1882 134.21 99.00 .233.27
1883 52 01 317.00 369.01
1884 58.80 238.50 297.30
1885 721.13 369.00 1090.13
1886 218.02 247.00 465.02
NOE.-* indicates years in whiCh Dr. 3.
Ingrm was Treasurer; t R. B. Harvin
as 'Treasurer; :Dr. H. H. Huggins w'as
reasurer.
The following table shows the reg
lar and additional assessment of the
roperty of Clarendon County for
ae twelve fiscal years, beginning No
ember 1, 1876:
sCAL REGULAB ADDIrION~AL TOTAL VALUE
CB. ADBACT. ABSmerA. ALL PROPErTY.
176 $1,815,104 $ 3,236 $1,818,340
177 1,742,066 38,119 ),780,185
$78 1,618.313 52,414 1,670,727
379 1,252,687 40,373 1,293,060
180 1,392,657 2,551 1.395.209
181 1,414,620 19,103 1,433,723
182 1,536,479 18,521 1,555,000
183 1,627,984 5,944 1.633,928
184 1,596,218 7,840 1,604,058
185 1,491,265 96,151 1,587,416
186 1,690,844 27,252 1,718,096
$87 1.749,422 unfinished.
The Treasurer was careless in pay
ig checks, frequently paying claims
1at were not properly approved; and
~equently not having the checks or
aims receipted or endorsed by the
ayees.
In this connection we would state
iat the Treasurer should invariably
ite or stamp in red ink paid on fl
aims as paid, and the Auditor should
kewise write or stamp cancelled on
[ vouchers the Treasurer turns over
him. The date of payment and of
meellation should appear upon the
rper. Much carelessness has been
iown along here. Accounts have
aen approved by approving offcers
without- being properly made out and
sworn to; Treasurers have paid them
when not properly approved; Audit
ors have received and cancelled them
with all these imperfections, and pos
sibly not even receipted.
The Treasurer is required to sign
the following oath to every abstract
and additional abstract:
"I do hereby certify * * that I
"have compared the Treasurer's Du
"plicate with the County Auditor's
"Duplicate page by page, that the
"two books are properly added and
"proved, and that the tax and assess
"ment is entered upon both Books."
The Treasurer swore to the above
oath in every instance, but in very
few cases if any was the comparison
made. It is owing to this "loose way
of business" between the Auditor and
Treasurer that called for the appoin'
ment of this investigating commis
sion. Auditor Scott would be behind
in making up his abstract: the Treas
urer would swear that there had
been done what had no existence, to
help him out of his troubik. The
Treasurer would tell the Auditor that
he had a certain amount of money on
hand: the Auditor would then swear
he had counted it, and the money
was all there. These officers claim
that the signing of such affidavits
was more a matter of form.
On Auditor Scott, however, must the
burden of blame rest. Had he per
formed his duty promptly and prop
erly, and had he held the Treasurer
to a strict accountability, no discord
could have arisen; but the Auditor
was negligent, and as far as "addi
tional taxes"-were concerned, left it
apparently eutirely to the honor of
the Treasurer to account for them.
Not one of Auditor Scott's books
was ever completed. He says he
kept a separate book for additionals,
and when he turned over the office to
his successor, D. J. Bradham, be left
them in the office. Capt. D. J. Brad
ham says that he never found any
such book, and swears that he "never
"mutilated or destroyed any books
"since taking charge of the office."
The Treasurer should have been sup
plied with a duplicate of these addi
tional books, and they too should
have been filed in the Auditor's office.
The Treasurer never had any such
books.
We cannot concur with the
Grand Jury (1887) that the ii.com
plete duplicates should be completed.
As far as they go, and they will an
swer all practical purposes, they are
now books of record, but were any
additional work done on them, or
new books made, their value wopld
then cease, not being originals.
And right here let us place the blame,
the first cause, where it belongs.
The Auditor's and Treasurer's offices
are a part of the department of State,
and under the immediate ani direct
control of the Comptroller General.
It was his business and duty either to
have required the work done proper
ly, or to have recommended and re
quested the derelict officer's immediate
removaL Had the Comptroller General
one his duty matters would have been
ifferent. If Comptroller General
Stoney knew that the work was not
being done properly in the Auditor's
ffice, and permitted things to no on
hus, he was no more fit to fill the of
ice which he held, than some of our
ounty Commissioners were to dis
urse the finances of Clarendon
ounty.
There is no evidence that Auditor
Scott ever collected a cent of taxes
hat was not immediately accounted
or. The Treasurer testified that Mr.
Scott sometimes assisted him in writ
ng receipts, but he invariably got the
noney. All the charges against Mr.
Scott may be summed up in two
words, carelessness and negligence.
On August 29, 1888, near the close
f our regular work, we called upon
reasurer Huggins, and requested to
e allowed to count the money on.
and in the Treasury. We found
$1550.50 on hand. In his settle
mnt with the Auditor, October 19,
888, about two months later,.he ex
ibited $2,812.52 as the amouht of
oney on hand to the credit of the
ounty. The Treasurer has no right
r authority to lend out County funds.
The present Auditor, D. J. Brad
am, is performing the duties of his
office in a systematic and business-like
way.
GR.AND JU1~is.
Was the Grand Jury of 1887 justified
n recommending the appointment of
this investigating committee? We
hink so. Grand Juries ought to have
ore powers given them. The Leg
slature should confer on them, or on
the Foreman of a Grand Jury, full
ower in the investigation of the
ounty offices to examine all books,
records, count mnoneys on hand, and
suh other powers as to allow them to
ake a complete and thorough inves
tigation. Ordinarily the investigation
f a Grand Jury is a farce, and their
expert a greenhorn. Generally the
report rea'ds something like this:
"We have examined all the county
offices, and find the books neatly
kept," with possibly a slur at some
officer not popular with the foreman.
Because a man is a lawyer does not
by any means constitute him an ex
pert in -examining county offices, as
the past history of Clarendon county
will show. An expert should be prac
tically familiar with the workings of
the office he wishes to examine, and
not a person supposed to be theoret
ically familiar with the duties thereof.
The law provides for four days' expert
work. No Grand Jury should en
deavor in this short time to examine
ll the county offices. A better way
ould be to ex.amine as many offices
as could be satisfactorily examined,
nd to leave the others for a succeed
ing year.
The Foreman of the Grand Jury
f 1887 deserves high ecomiums
for his work. By carefully studying
the laws bearing on his dnties and
the offices he had to examine, he was
menale int-elliently to proeute his!
work; and then after he had done his
work aid made his recommendations,
he had the spinality, if we be allowed
to coin a word, to endeavor to gyet his
recommendations carried out. Were
all Grand Jurors as conscientious and
persistent ashe was, Clarendon County
would be better ofi.
IN CONCLUSION.
The work before us was enormous,
and we could not in forty-five days
give a thorough investigation of elev
en years' work in four offices, but WE
endeavored to distribute our work it
such a manner as to obtain a fair ides
of the workings of the School Com
missioner's, County Commissioners'
Auditor's, and Treasurer's offices
those included in the Act of the Leg
islature, for us to investigate. We
have been engaged in this investiga
tion much longer than the allotted
forty-five days, and yet feel that
our work is imperfectly completed.
During our investigation we had
occasion to summon before us a num
ber of persons, and to send for nu
merous books and papers, and we feel
gratified at the prompt and courteous
manner with which our demands
were met.
Respectfully submitted,
S.A. NETTLES,
Chairman.
J. H. MONTGOMERY,
Secretary.
Manning, S. C., December 31, 1888.
THEIR BUSINESS BOJMING.
Probably no one thing has caused such a
general revival of trade at Dinkins & Co.'s
Drng Store as their giving away to their
customers of so many free trial bottles of
Dr. Kings New Discovery for Consumption:
Their trade is simply enormous in this very
valuable article from the fact that it always
cures and never disappoints. Coughs,
Colds. Asthma, Bronchitis, Croup, and all
throat and lung diseases quickly cured.
You can test it before buying by getting a
trial bottle free, large size $1. Every bot
tle warranted.
EPOCH.
- The transition from long, lingering and
painful sickness to robust health marks an
epoch in the life of the individual. Such a
remarkable event is treasured in the memo
ry and the agency whereby the good health
has been attained is gratefully blessed.
Hence it is that so much is heard in praise
of Electric Bitters. So many feel they owe
their restoration to health, to the use of the
Great Alterative and Tonic. If you are
troubled with any disease of Kidneys, Liv
er or Stomach, of long or short standing you
will surely find relief by use of Electric Bit
ters. Sold at 50c. and $1 per bottle at Din
kins & Co.'s Drugstore.
BUCKLEN'S ARNICA SALVE.
The best salve in the world for Cuts,
Bruises, Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum, Fever
Sores, Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains,
Corns, and all Skin Eruptions, and posi
tively cures Piles, or no pay required. It
is guaranteed to give perfect satisfaction or
money refunded. Price 25 cents per box.
For sale by J. G. Dinkins & Co.
C. C. C. Cherry Cough Cure, at Dinkins
& Co.'s. -
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
COUNTY OF CLARENDON.
In the Common Pleas Court,
- against'
Mfartha H. Rhodus as administrator of the
Estate of Gabriel D. Rhodus, deceased,
and in her own right, and Mary A. Mont
gomery, A'ugusta Keels, Ella C. Keels, Ed
ward B. Rhodus, Emma Rhodus, Willie
T. Rhodus, Samuel L. Rhodus, and Mat
tie D. Rhodus, Defendants.
Under and by virtue of an order to me
:irected in above stated case by Judge B.
C. Pressley, -bearing date November 1st,
1888, I will sell in front of Clarendon Court
House at Manning, within legal hours of
-ale, on Monday, the 7th day of January,
1889, the following property, to wif:
First, that certain lot of land situate in
tie town of Manning, in the County of
Carendon in said State, containing two
acres, more or less, and bounded on the
north by the lot of land formerly owned by
A. A. Strauss. but now of Dr. Jno. I. In
ram; on the east by Brooks Street; on the
south by the street dividing the lot herein
described from the lot of Moses Levi; and
on the west by lot formerly of E. M. Brad
ham, and lot formerly of W. R. Carpenter,
Sr. Terms cash.
-AL0
That eertain tract of land situate in Clar
endon county in said State known as the
St. Marks place, containing one hundred
and sixty acres, more or less,.- and bounded
on the north by lands of .Tackson Pender
grass, east by Innds cf Dr.' S. P. Oliver,
outh by the Santee public rcoad, and west
by lands formerly of G. E. Pritchett & CJo.,
and of the estate of Mrs. M. A. E. Cantey
eceased.
Terms: One-half cash, and balance on
a credit of one year trom sale, secur
ed by bond of the purchaser bearing ten
per cent. interest, and mortgage of the
premises. Purchaser to pay for papers.
H. H. LESESNE,
Sheriff Clarendon County.
Dec. 12, 1888.
Mortgagee'8 Sale.
of a certain mortgage executed and deliv
ered by Emily Lee to R. D. Rollins, dated
the 1st day of February, 1887, and duly re
:orded in the office of registrar of mense
:onveyane. for Clarendon county, South
Carolina, in k "M. M." at page 321. said
mortgage and the nete thereby secured hav
ing been duly assigned to me on the 9th
day of March, 188, I will sell at public
outcry before the Court House door in the
town of Manning, South Carolina, on Mon
day, the 7th day of January, 1889, at the
usual hours of sale:
All that pieee, parcel or tract of land sit
ate on Lynch's River in Clarendon county
and State of South Carolina, containing
thirty-three acres, bounded north by
Lynch's River, east by lands of Archie Car
away, south and west by lands of Jesse
arrawvay.
Terms cash, Purchaser to pay for papers.
B. WALLACE JONES,
Assignee.
C. MULLER,
-DEALER IN
FINE FAMILY GROCERIES.
Headquarters for fine Wines, [Liquors,
Cigars and Tobacco,
AT BOTTOM PRICES.
Kosher Beef, Fat, aud Sausage, fresh by
very steamer. Country orders frilled with
are; no charge for diayage and package.
Corner King and George Streets,
CHIARLESTON. S. C.
CONSUMPTION SURELY CURED.
TO THE Enrron-Please inform your read
ers that I have a positive remedy for the
above named disease. By its timely use
thousands of hopeless cases have been per
manently cured. I shall be glad to send
two bottles of my remedy Fn to any of
your readers who have consumption if they
will send me their express and post office
address. Respectfully,
T. A. SLOCUM, M. C.. 181 Pearl st., N. Y.
"
0. and 0. TEA
ne chWood Tea &W W I.
ABOLUTELV PURL.
A MOAT D1UasOS TAmaGL 'I'
Tn ili amveto S s bh3mUS*wis
It is the Nsemr OGE Lass. from
the best plantations and guasen bsati
pureanfrefoaf dteaeuoedrf
matte The pmalackages area~
and warranted fu weight. It is moss eos'
omical in Use than the lowerpgades
Oriental A O Wiea T"a C.., s't'n;
$e"d~e.8 .aJiwA. Ul,mew Ter
S. A. 1UOBYt
Manning, S. C.
Mortgaee'8 Sale,
TNDER AND BY VIRTUE OF A POWEB
of sale to me given by the provis
ions of a certain moitgag eieeuited and de
livered by J. A. Barfield and A. N. Barfield
to B. W. Moore, dated the 12th day of Jan
uary, 1888, and duly recorded in the ofeu
of register of mense conveyance for Clar
endon county. South Carolina, in vol. "P,
P." at page 36, I will sell at public outcry
before the Court House door in the town of
Manning, South Carolina, on Monday, the
7th day of January, 1889, at the usual hour
of sale:
That certain tract or parcel of land situ
ate, lying and being in Clarendon county,
South Carolina, "bounded as follows: Nosh
by Tarais of Pinckney Mims, east by lands
of H. I. Barfield, south by lands of W, W.
Young, and west by lands of 1. I 1.
Kenzie."
Terms cash. Purchaser to pay forpapers:
B. W. MOORE.
Mortgagee.
Modgagee's Sale.
U NDERANDByVIRTUEOFAPOWER
of sale to me given by the provisions
of a certain mortgage executed and deliv
ered by Edwin W. Scurry to B. Wallace
Jones, dated the 15th day of February,
1887, and duly recorded in the oece of
registrar of mense conveyance for (laren
don eounty, South Caraina, in book "E.
K." at page 744, 1 will sell by public outcry
in front of the Court House door in the
town of Manning, South Carolina, on Mon
day, the 7th day of January, 1889, at the
usual hour of sale:
All that certain piece, parcel or tract of
land lying, being and situate in the county
of Clarendon and State of oath Carolia,
containing fifty acres, more or lesea bound
ed north by lands of Miry Conyers, eastby
land of Margaret Conyers, south by lands
of Amlboy Mc~enzie, and w..e-y 2and of
WV. F. Godwin.
Terms cash. Purcer to py for per..
3lortgagee.
CHRISifMAS IS COBING! I
Goods must be sold, and now is
the time to save money in zmaking
your purehases..
JOHN MORAN,
of Sumter, is selling out his tremen
dous stock of
Winter Goods
at the iery lowest prices ad iltes
the people of Clarendon to call and
see him.
DRY GOODS,
6rocsis,
Shoes,.
Hats,
Hardware,
and in fact everything in the genemal
merchandise line at
JOHN MORAN'S,
MAIN STRET
~~~ ~~Sumter, S. V.
Jos. H. Miller,
-DEALER IN
Boot s hoes and Rubbers,
TRUNKS,YAUSES,TRAVEUNGBAGS, ETC.
No. 308 KnaG Smer,
CHARLESTON, S. C.
W. T. JOHNS,
PDHOTOGRAPHER,
303 KING STREET, CH ARTETON, S. C.
Cabinet Photos a specialty. Supe
rior finish.
Life Size Portraits
in Crayon, Oil, Pastel, or Water Colors.
CABINET PHOTOS $3,00 PER DOZER
during Christmas Holidays.
Satisfaction guaranteed. Instantaneous
process.
A ftall suppy of mixed nats at M. Kalis
lUc's, Mannine,. C.(