VOL& ix. MANNING, S. C., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 18
WEBEWS WRONG-DOING.
WHILE SCHOOL COMMISSIONER OF
CHARLESTON COUNTY
He Forced and Deraul-d-A Life of Much
Promise B'be'ed-Tbe Supetritt Ddent
gf Educai.Laj Darning Rporc-The
Amonut o She rage.
CoLrUmBA, S. C., Feb. 15.-Last sum
mer Mr. John L. Weber of Charleston.
who had been living in that city for
many years, engaged in editorial worK
on the Newb and CoLrier. was elected
to a chair in Trinity College, North
Carolina. Ee resigned his position as
school commissioner of Charleston
County ana his position on the News
and Couner and left Charleston stand
ing high in the estimation of a!l the
neople of ttat city. He was known to
ihe world as a high toned, honorable
and high cultivated man. He was well
known throughout South 3arolna and
every one was sorry to see him leave,
though all were glad to know of his
risein life.
It did not take long, however, for the
terrible blow, which like the sword of
Damocles, hung over the young man's
head, to fall. About two months ago
it came with crushing force, when it
became known to the State authorities
that something was wrong in the of
fice which Mr. Weber had vacated. An
investigation was started and soon the
worst was ascertained. The facts have
been known to the press for weeks, but
they have been waiting official action,
before giving them to the public.
About a week ago Mr. Weber returned
to the State and went to Charleston
upon the advice of his triends. Yes
terday Superintendent of Education
Mayfield, who has been investigating
the matter, returned to the city and
submitted to Governor Tillman the fol
lowing report,which the Governor gave
the press for publication. It tells the
story of Mr. Weber's downfall in de
tails:
State of South Carolina, Executive De
partment, Office of State Superinten
dent of Education, Columbia, S. C.,
February 13,1894.
Gov. B. . Tillman Columbia, S. U.
Dear Sir: Under the law county
school commissioner are required to
report to the State Superintendent of
Education by the 1st day of October
of each year, among other things, the
amount of money collected and expen
ded for schools during the year.
On the 3rd day of October, 1893. John
L. Weber, as school commissioner for
Charleston county, fled his annual re
port with me, wtftch showed the ex
penditures for the year to be in excess
of the receipts. Being dissaitsfed with
the report, I sought an explanation.
Mr. Weber has resigned and lett the
State to accept a position in Trinity
,College, lonated at Durham, N. C., and
F. Horton Colcock has been appointed
by you as his succeesor. Mr. Colcock
was unable; from the records in his
office, to explam the discrepency. I,
therefore, prepared blanks and sent
them to the school trustees of that
county for the purpose of obtaining the
desired Information. In making up
these reports, a discrepency was discov
ered In one of the school warrants. .
I have made a pereonai examination
of ths schcol commissioner's office, and
find that this particular warrant has
been raised from $7.65 to $97.65, by in
serting the figure 9 In the margin in
front of the figure 7, and writing the
word ninety in front of the word seven
in the body of the warrant. I als. find
other warrants that have been raised,
and others that were issued for labor
not performed, and for school supplies
and forniture that were not furnished.
The warrant for $7.65, rais3ed to $97.
65, above referred to, is made payable
to "isaac Hammond or order." The
correctness of the claim is sworn to by
him before the chairman of the bgard
of school trustees issuing it, and both
of them say the warrant was Issued
for $7.65, and that that amount was
actually due. Isaac Hammond is a
merchant of good financial standing
and reputation, and engaged in busi
ness on Broad street, in the city of
Charleston. He sass that he turned
the claim over to Mr. Weber to~ be
countersigned by him as school comn
missioner,andl that Mr. Weber brought
his $7.65 in cash, the amount due him.
The warrant was certainly raised be
fore it was presented to the county
treasurer, Gee. H. Waiter, for payment
for it was paid -by hin with a chieck
drawn in favor o? "Isaac Hammond or
order" for $97.65. The check was pre
aented to and paid by the Charleston
Bank, Isaac Hammond's name being
endorsed on the back of the check.
The teller of the bank, who paid the
money endorsed on the back of the
check in blue pencil that he had paid it
to John L. Weber. Mr. Hammond
says that the endorsement of his name
on the back of the check is a forgery
and the experts in the bank say it is
not his signature. The changes in the
warrant appear to be In the handwrit
ing of Mr. Weber. There was issued
payable to "Isaac Hammond or order"
anoher school warrant for $8.00 whichi
was raised to $68.50. This warrant
took very much the same course' as the
other above referred to, and the
changes in It appaar to be in Mr..WVeb
---r's hand.
SMr. Weber ran an account with Mes
srs. Walker, Evans & Cogswell on
which he had charged the articles he
purchased for his own private use, and
also) those he purchased for his own
use as school commissioner, and also
those he purchased for the use of the
public senools of his county. On April
9, 1892, he owed on this account for all
purenases $100.50, and on the same day
the acconnt was credited with $66.50.
This credit, of $06.50 was a school war
rant issued to W alker, Evans & Cogs
well originally, for $6.00, but raised to
$0650. The changes appear to be in
Mr. Weber's hand. Walker, Evans &
Cogswell collected the money. Pur.
chases were continued, and on April
20,1l892: had increased $8.01, making
the wnole account $108.51. On the
same day, April 20, 1892, a second
school warrant for $89.25 was issued to
them and the account credited with the
full amount of the warrant, they pay
ing Weber $47.24 cash, the difference
between the amount of the two war
rants and the amount of the account
balancing the account. This was
warrant was not raised, but was
issued for more than the amount of
the purchases by reason of a mistake
in the bill rendered.. Purcna~ea were
continued and on iNovember 15.n, 1892,
Weber owed $25.92, and on that alay
his account was credited with $85 00
the amount of a third school warrant
issued to Walker, Evans & Cogs well,
and they paid him $60.00 in cash,whicen
they chargedi to him on the account.
There is no way by which I can decide
whether this warrant was raised or
not, the tigures and the body of the
warrant being in Mr. Weber's hand.
This left 29 cents due them; the ao
count was left open atnd purchases con
tinued to June 17. 1893, tne additional
purchases amounting to $51 21. Ad
ding the $25.92, the $60.00 and the
$51.21 together we have $137.13. the
amount of the account, In tne mean
time he paid $10.25. On June 17 a
fourth school warrant was issued to
Waler, Rvan & Cogswell for $41.88.
Adding the $85.00, the $10.25 and the
$41.88 together we have $137.13, exact
ly balancing the account. There is no
way by which I can decide whether
this warrant (64168) was rained or not,
the figures and body of the warrant
all being in Mr. Weber's hand. Pur
chases continued, and on August 1st,
1893, the account amounted to $8.60,
This credited with $86 50, the price of a
school c mmissioner's book bought of
Walker,Evans & Cogswell and charged
to Wener before the $4188 warrant was
issued, but subsequent to that time
paid for by the county commissioner.
Walker, Evans & Cogswell getting the
money and crediting Weber's account
with tWe amount. The $6.50 taken
from the $8.60 leaves Weber due $2 10
on the account, no other payment hav
ing been made.
Tbe four warrants collected by Wal
ker, Evans & Cogswell and the price of
the school commissioner's book, paid
for by the county commissioners, (866 -
50, $89 25, '$85.00, $41.88, 86,50) make a
total of 8589.13 of public fanas paid to
them. The total amount of all articles
charged on this account, including the
school commissioner's book, that were
purchased for the public schools, and
for which they received the benefit is
$84.75. From the $289,13 take the $84.75
and there is left $204.38 paid out of the
public funds to Mr. Weber's private ac -
count.
It is, perhaps, but proper for me to
say, in this connection, that Walker
Evans t Cogswell do a very large busi
ness, and that these transactions oc
curred in the~ordinary run of their bus
iness, and that they are wholly innocent
of any wrong intention or corrupt
dealing, having had confidence in Mr.
Weber's honesty.
The county board of examiners uf
Charleston and Berkeley counties
agreed to hold a joint teachers' insti
tute for white teachers in the city of
Charleston in the month of July, 1892,
each county to bear one-half of the ex
penses; and the county boards of exam
iners of the counties of Charleston and
Berkeley and Colleton agreed to hold a
joint teachers' institute for colored
teachers, to be held duringithe month
of July at Summerville, each county to
bear one-third of the expenses. Mr.
Weber drew $200 trom the School fund
df Charleston as allowed by the law for
this purpose. 1, D. C. Porcher, school
commissioner of Berkeley county, paid
over to him $65 from tbe public funds
of that county drawn as provided for
by law. I sent L. E. Parler, school com
missioner of Colleton a check for $30
on the Peabody education fund in my
hands for institute purposes, which he
turned over to Mr. Weber. I sent Mr.
Weber a check for S60 for Charleston
asa Berklev, on the same fund. These
amounts, ($200, $65, 830. $60,) make
$355 In Mr. Weber's hands for institute
purposes. The cost of the white insti
tute was $155, and that of the colored
$60, aggregating $215. which taken
from the 355 leaves $140 in Mr. Weber
hands unaccounted for.
In 1893 the county boards of examin
ers of Charleston and Berkeley coon
ties agreed to hold, during the month
of June, in the city of Charleston, a
joint institute for white teachers, and
also one for the colored teachers. From
the public school funds of Charleston
county was drawn $200, and A. H. De
Hay, school commissioner of Berklev
sountv. paid over to Mr. Weber $115
from the public school funds of his
county, makidg $315 tn Mr. Weber's
ands for institute purposes. The
white institute cost $135, and the col
red $95, making $230. which taken
from the $315 leaves $85 in Mr. Webers
hands unaccounted for.
In October, 1891, Mr. Waeber drew
from tile public school funds, on gen
ral account,$186. I can find no vouch
ers showing for what purposes this
money was expended.
In August, 1891, a warrant on the
school funds was issued by the trustees
f school district No. 1 to Minus Black
for $6 for labor. This warrant was
raised to $16, and the changes seem to
e in Mr. Weber's hand.
In February, 1892, a-school warrants
was issued by the trustees of school
istrict No. 3 to one D. A. Bell fcr $9
for school supplies. T ae supplies were
ever furnished and the warrant was
rised to $98.75.
In February, 1892, a school warrant
was issued by thie trustees of schooldis
trict No. 2 to one D. A. Bell for $6 for
school supplies. The supplies were
ever furnmshed, and the warrant was
raised to $69.45.
In February, 1892, a school warrant
was issued by the trustees of school
district No. 1 to one D. A. Bell for 8
for school supplies. The supplies were
never furnished, and the warrant was
raised to $80.
In February, 1892, a school warrant
was Issued by the school trustees of dis
trict No. 4 to one S. A. Cunningham
for $6 fcr school supplies. The supplies
were never furnishied, and the warrant
was raised to $68.50.
I cannot find either ID. A. Bell or S.
A. Cunningham, nor can I find any one
who knows er ever heard of either of
them.
The changes In these last four war
rants appear to he in Mr. Weber's hand
and it also appears that he collected
the warrants after they had been
raised, the three Bell warrants being
paid by the treasurer in one check, No.
310, March 9, 1892. 'Che trustees say
Mr. Weber told triem he had purchased
these supplies and that they would be
sent out to the schools.
In November, 1892, a warrant was
issued to Prince Brown for $9, for
making desks and benches, by the trus
tees of school district No. 4. The war
rant was raised to $97.50, and the chan
ges appear to be in Mr. Weber's hand.
In April, 1692, a warrant was Issued
to Henry Wilson for $6 for repairs on
a school house, by the trustees of scbool
disrict No. 4. and in September, 1892,
the trustees of the same district issued
to him a warrant for $49 75 for repairs
on school houses and furniture. The
amounts in the body cof these warrants
appear to have been written by Mr.
Weoer. There are only two schools in
this district. Inspection of one of the
schools, and information as to what
work hats been done, and furniture fur
nished to both, indicate that thtee
claims are without merit, the work not
having Deen performed.
A warrant has been sworn out
against Weber, charging him with vio
atng the laws of thle State, and he was
arrested in the city of Charleston on
the 6th day of January, instant, and
gave bond for his appearance to answer
any charge-s that may be preferred
agaist him in the court of General
ssions for the county of Charleston.
Not being a collecting officer, and
having no power to recover the money
that has bt-en thus wrongfully taken
from the publhc schools, I, therefore re
spectiuliy ask that you direct tbe prop
er steps to be taken to recover the mnon
y. inquiry elicits the fact that Mr.
Weber's bond is good.
The amount to be recovered and
turned into the treasury tor the use of
he publ'c schools is $1, 237.83, and the
amount recovered should be distributed
among the districts in proportion to
tneir losses reepectively.
SWhile it is foreign to the issues here
in involved, I beg to here call your at
tention to the fact that the amonunt of
poll tax collected in Charleston county,
while very much in excess of the
amount formeriy collected, is still very
urge that the law be enforced, if pIss.
ble, against those persons liable to
this tax.
Respectfully submite-d,
W. D. MAYFIELD,
State Superintendent of Eduation.
COLU rBIA, S. C., Feb. 15.-At the re
cent meetng of the National. Farmers
Alliance at Topeka. as reported by
Delegate Bowden, who has returned to
this city, it was decided that the Alli
ance should discuss three topics before
States shall regulate the liquor tariff by
some such plan as the dispensary. Mr
Bowden is emphatiC in saying that the
Alliance has made no official vromulga
tien ou the question. The Dispensary
has been no part of the platform, and
it has been announced. as a topic for
consideration and debate merely to get
the matter discussed and to get Allian
cemen thinking about the advisablity
of State control of the liquor trati,
and whether the South Carolina Di<
pensary idea is suitable to the needs of
the various States.
All of this goes to s'iow that the
Dispensary idea is spreading and it
may be taken up as an Alliance de
mand.
Mr. Bowden talkei interestingly
about his Western trip. Tne female
suffragists, he says, had a great time in
Topeka. Their convention was aslarge
as inything he has seen, and the women
were much in earnest about the mat
ter.
The National Alliance, he said, did
not do anything oa the question of fe
male suffrage, and was inclined to en
tirly dismiss the matter and leave each
State to act independently on tae ques
tion, if it saw fit. The order adopted
without alteration or amendment the
original Ozala demands.
There are two candidates for the next
meeting place of the National Alliance
-Loss Angelos, Cal., and Paleigh, N.
C. The selection is to be made by the
executive committee. The offer from
California is coupled with a proposition
to pay the expenses of the delegates
and If that effort is successful the Al
liancemen will no doubt "G) West"
next year. The Alliancemen of North
Carolina wish to have the convention
held there and for the members to at
tend the ceremoles at the dedication of
a monument to the late president
Polk.
On the subject of, State poaitics Mr.
Bowden said that there will be an early
convention.-Register.
The Work of Fiends.
HOUSTON, Tex., Feb. 9.-Last night
at the high bridge over White oak B 3. on.
train wreckers removed rails and fish
plates on the Missouri, Kansas and
Texas railroad. When the passenger
train came along the engine passed safe
ly over, but the baggage and mail cara
jumped the track and rolled down the
embankmsnt, followed by the smoker
which landed on top of them. The wreck
presented a frightful appearance. Joe
Elliott, brakeman, was sent back to fi se
the freight train, soon due. He had not
proceeded a hundred yards when a vol
iey from ambush was fired upau him
Four bullets took effecf, in iis body.
The crew in the meatime, aided by pas
sengers, were at work extricating mIn
buried in the cars and feared to -;o to the
fliagman's assistance. He, however,
crawled, bleeding and wournded back to
the train and now lies dying. In the
mail car was Low Morris, a-eat, badlY
bruised with several bones broken. His
first thought was of his mail and he re
queseted a reporter to go to the postot
fee and notify them that be had a big
run of recistered wail. H. Hatton, ex
prers messenger, was found in his car
with his ribs broken and in a critical
ondition. J. W'. Carter, baggage ma
ter, mnjured about the head and internally.
A reheft tramn was made uo here and
sent to the scene. The wounded were
brought in and taken to the hospital.
Posses are now on the scene and great
excitement prevails.
The E-,msuca of an Orpnar~at.
SP'ARTANBURG, edb. 10.-The sud
en death of Mrs. Joseph Jennings, the
founder of the Jennings Orphanage.
ased sorrow and regreet throughout
ur county and town. Her history is an
unusual one. She was the daughter ot
Mr. Monsel Jennings, who Adied at his
home near Cedar Spring a short time
ago While very young she married,
her husban being killed in the war.
She was eighteen years of age when
left a widow. A few days later she
married Mr. Joseph Jennings. Her
health was wretched, but a little child
was sent to brighten the household.
God soon claimed it again however, and
despondency seized the mother. One
day she heard of an orphan babe in a
forlorn condition being at Glenn :Spring
She persuaded her husband to take het
to see It. They found the little outcast
sick, dirty and scantily clothed. Alfter
a short consultatioDn Mr. and Mrs. Jen
nings decided to take the baby home
with them. It soon filled the place in
their hearts of their dead baby. From
this time Mrs. Jennings gathered the
little waits into her heart and home,
antil there were fifteen at the time of
her death, and from this time, the in
valid of years standing, was a well wo
man. Her little cottage had only five
roows but they were kept in spotless
condition, and a neater set of children
is not to be found in our county. Who
will fill her place? She was big-heart
ed, strona'minded and affectionate in
manner-she was a humanifarian.
State. ________
A Bishop en Trial.
LINCOLN, Neb., Feb. 9.--Fur the
first time in the history of the Catholic
church a bishop i-as arraigned before a
civil jusdece ol the peace to answer to
the chairge of criminal libel preferred by
a priest. Tuomas Banacum is the
bishop, and the charge aamst himt was
founded on a letter seat to the parish of
Palm'7ra, nottfy ing the~ congregation that
Father Michael J. Corbstt had been
suspended and waronig all Catholies
not to hold communion with him.
Bishop Bonacum was represented by a
large array oi attorneys, while with the
state attorney sat Father Datvid S. Puie
ian, of St, Louis, editor of the Watch
man, and famous as an ecclesiastical
lawyer. Ona a motion to quash, Father
Phelan, alter exnounding the canonic-il
law, turned to B~shop Bonamum and,
pontiag his finger at him, said: "But
what we want to show is that this bishop
has lied. It was a lie in that be had
never suspended Fatter Corhbett." in
this strain Father Pnelan continued for
half an hour, hurling invective alter in
vective at the bishop, who colored at
each thrust.
Income itax 0pposed.
CHIARLEsTON, Feb. 13.-The Cha ries
ton Chamber of commerce cdieorated
its 110th aniversary today with a nand
some banquet. At the meeting in the
morning resolution was unauinmusly
passed requesting the Senators of South
Carlinat to oppose the income tacx cla
use of the tariff bill, unless vy ding so
the passage of the whole bill should be
jeopardized. The chamber also appoint
ed a special committee to take suitable
action in opposition to the Patterson
bill, amending the interstate commerce
act, and to attempt to secure some
charge in discriminations in freight
aotesagaminst the Seuthern porit
NFFER STORED LIQUORS.
BIG RADS ARE TO BEGIN AFTER FRI
DAY WEEK,
The S-ate B )ard of Control Wall Etforce
the Law S;rctly-Parties Who Have Li
q'ior St ned Mast Gat Cer'ficates or
H'.ve it Seiged,
COLUMBIA S. C.. Feb. 13.-After
Friday wek those who have liquors
stored away in quantities greater
than five gallons, and who do not apply
to the liquor commissioner for certid
cates to oe placed upon them, will
m ike I heir places liable to search and
all such property found thereon will be
sized and sold. Such is the action of
the State board of control at a meet
ing held yesterday, acting under cer
tain sections of the act.
At this meeting yesterday there was
a full attendance of the members of the
oard, and Commissioner Traxler was
present by invita'ion. It was decided
that Section 35 of cne act shall be rigid
ly enfoscad on an after the 23d. This
section reads as follows:
Section 35. That violations of any of
the sections of this act, wuere punish
ment upon conviction is not especially
provided for, the person or persons or
corporation so convicted shall be pun
ished in the discretion of the conet try
ing the same. All. alcoholic liquors,
other than domeetic wine, and in quan
tity more than five gallons, whicn do
not have on the packages In which they
are contained the labels and certificates
going to show that they have been par
chased from a State officer authorlz ed
to sell them are hereby declared con
traband, and on seiznre will be forfeited
to the State as provided'in Section 31.
Provided. That this section shall not
apply to liquor held by the owners of
registered stills. Persons having more
than live gallons of liquor elsewhere
than at his or her home, which they
wish to keep for their own use, may
throw the protection of the law around
the same by furnishing an inventory
of the quantity and kinds to the State
commissioner, and applying for certid
cates to affix thereto. After sixty days
from the approval of this act any liquor
found in the State not having such
certificates may be seized and confis
cated. Persons having more than they
wish to use may obtain certificates to
ship beyond the limits of the State.
Any persons affixing or causing to be
affixed, to any package containing al
coholic liquor any imitation stamp or
device than those furnished by the
State commissioner shall for each of
fence be. liable to a penality of ten
days' ~imprisonment or twenty-five
dollars tine.
Tne State board fixes a specific day
in order to allow all those who have
such liquors stored away and who may
not be acquainted with this provision
of the law, time to secure the required
certificates from the State liquor com:
missionar. The board holds that the
certificates cost nothing and can be had
by simply applying to the commission
er as specified in the act. The members
of the board say, whether as a bluff
cannot be told, that they have infor
mation of where a great deal of such
lquor is stored away In Columbia and
elsewhere, and if the application is not
immediately made, and the certificates
not secured by the date named, men
will be put to work seizing the stuff at
once.
The board decided not to allow the
commissioner to issue any such creti
ficates to former liquor dealers who
aave taken out revenue licenses since
the dispensary law went into effect,
alaming that they have the right to
make such ref usal, under the following
scton of the act:
Section 17. The payment of the Uni
ed state special tax as a itquor seller,
>i notice .of say kind in any place of
resort, or in any store or shop, indicat
ng that alcoholic liquors are there sold
kept or given away, shall be held to be
prima facie evidence that the person or
persons paying said tax and~the parties
:isplaying such notices are acting in
violation of this act, and unless said
person or parties are selling under per
mit as prescribed by this act they shall
be published by a fine not exceeding
one hundred dollars or imprisment not
more than tuirty days.
It remains to be seen how the scheme
will work out. It shows that some one
is studying .out the varions phases of
the law with the view to breaking np
the blind tiger business, if possible.
No action has yet been taken by the
Attorney General's office to carry the
local lioquor cases futher. Assistant
Attorney General Barber is to have
control of the matter and nothing is
going to be done until his return to the
Jadge Brawley Qat's Cangress.
WASHINGTTON, Feb. 9.-Juige
Brawley nas served his last day in the
531 Congress. He is going home to.
night, and he will send his resignation
as member of the 1st district to 'Gover
nor Tillman from Charleston. Y ester
day and to-day Judge B awley has been
engaged in taking leave of-tiis many
wrm friends in the House. The veteran
Judg4e Hlolman took an affectionate fire
well of the Charleston mem'ber, throw
ig his arms around his neck and saying:
"Brawiey, 1 sincerely regret that you
are going to leave us. I have not al
ways been able to go with you in a1! the
masures you have advocated, but I
hve taken a strong fancy to you, and I
wi-h you God sneed always." Rep
resntatives Mc~reary, Bourke Cock
ran. Chairman Wilson and, in fact.
nealy all of the leading members on
both sides of the Hcuse are personal
friends of JadLe Brawley, and they
prted with him with profound regret.
He has been regarded as one cf the
stauchest Administration men and was
a member of the select committee of
lifteeu kno .vn as the "steering commit
tee" in the House. Judge Brawley wil
gaily and enter upn his judicial du
ues at once. ________
lviii be- Repeaied.
WAsinNGToN, Feb. 13.-The re
peal ci the 10 pe: cent. tax on Slate
bak issues is soon to come before the
iouse and in a most unexpected man
ner. I have it irom areliable source
.at Cha:rmnan Springer is going to re
pot iavorable the bill ot ongressman
B3awley, exempting the scrip issue by
the banks of South Carolina. and other
States during the late finar cial panic.
As soon as the measure is on the cal
endar, the iight on the unconditional
repa l of the tax will be precipitited by
cllrng an amendment repealing the
1'x in line wIth the provisions of the
Dweraic platform, without any whys
ad wtereiuies. The measure, it is re
lieved, has enough strength to pass the
Housem with flying cAors. It is also re
ported trom a reliable source that Sena
to V:a ot Wisco-isin, the loresident's
clostst iend in the Senate, is preparing
a bill ;or thc repeai of the Sahte bank
ix. He has given the subject a great
deal of attention and an able argument
in faivor of 'Ae repeal of the tax can be
expected cf him. Tnere is qmite an eveu
chance that at this session or Congress,
the proh:bitory tax upon State banks
HERE IS A MESS!
Secms va if Thei State Tex Macl.i le-7 L4
Paralf zed.
COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. 14.-S rne
buging bas been done by the last LN
islature, i'; seems, which is liable tb cause
the State sericus trouble. T bocks now
to a good many who have made a most
carefil examination ot the county gv
erni- t act, passed at the last session
of thc Agislature, as if it has crus-d a
paraly s of the tax machinery of the
State goverr-ment, as far as the makin:g
ot asessments for taxation are con
cernedf. The man who dre x up the bill,
Mr. J. hn Gary Evans, it is supp->sed,
as far As now appears, has made it read
so that; after January 1. 1895, all the
presen'. laws on the subject o making
assessimenta, etc., conflicting with the
new set shall be considered repealed,
and the duties ci the offiaers made away
with be devolved upon a county supervi
sor and a county board of road c xnxis
sioners.. Of course existing laws bold
good until the date mentioned. So far
so good.'
The man who prepare- the law. how
ever, goles on down to Section 6 and
says that all the duties, p-) er3, etc.,
of the r-esent township boards of asses
sors are "now and hereby abolished."
There have evidently been some serious
omissions, and the interesting situation
is presented of all this ground work tax
machinery beimg abolished "now,"
while no other p rovision is made for any
other scheme until January !, 1895.
And in Section 7 the county blards cf
equalization share the same fate. Then
again It conflicts with it self when it
provides for the election -f a cuetv
supervisor and fixes this election at the
next general election; 'requiring ia th'e
meantime that the new county boards,
which the Governor appoints, taking the
powers- o the abolished boards, cannot
do anything unless he is preseat.
There is only a short time remainina
before the township boards will have to
act and it Is now a serious question areat
ly puzzling the State officials to kno '
what to do. There's n) way of eunra
the Supreme Court to decide upon the ,
matter, and unless that body should I
consider the repealing clau e, in the I
matter of time, as applying to the Thole i
act, every taxpayer could rush into court I
and play havoc with the government.
A prominent man, wh> is very
much concerned in the matter,
said yesterday, that it appeared
to him that the only remedy was for the
Governor to appoint the new boards,
but then wculd come the trouble referred
to anout the supervisor.
It is tbought that Goveracr Tillman I
is for once in his life badly puzzled and
does not yet know what steps to take.
Every one seems to be completely at sea
as to what construction to place upon I
the gartled act, and all the officials seem
afrad to act, for they cannot tell wIat
will happen if the matter is carried by
any taxpayer to the courts. It means
everything to the State government and
is a vitally important ma:.ter.
' ?bady cholarsbipe. t
South Carolina will bs entitled this
year to twelve scholarshios in the lea
tody Normal College at Nashville Tenu.
Superintendent of Education May- t
field nas received a circular of informa- :
tion about these scholarships, and is
notified that examinations for them
t
will be held in this State as well as in
otter Southern States or July 20,1894.
The examination will be in charge of
Mr. May field, and he will give due no
tice to atpplicants.
As the scholarships are highly prized 1
and eagerly sought af ter, the following1
paragraphs from the circular wilL be of
general intert s.
A PIeabody scholarship is worth $100 a
a year and the student's railroad fare s
from his home to Nashville and return
by the most direct route, and is gocd .
for two years. The college year con-:
sists of eight months, beginning on the I
frst Wednesday in October and closipng
on the last Wednesday in May, and
scholarship students receive from the c
president of the college S25 on the last ~
days of October, December, February, r
and April. No payment will be made
except for time of actual attendance. 0 ,
Scholarships will be withdrawn from
students who allow bills for board to
go unpaid.
The qualifications for becoming a.
competitor for a scholaishiip are as fol
lows: The applicant must not be le'ss
than 17 years of age,-nor more than 30
of irreproackpble moral character; in
good health; with no physical defects,C
habits or eccentricities, which weald
interfere with success in teaching, and
must take a pledge of intent to teach
for at least two years after graduation.
Hereafter the freshman class as at
present constituted will be discontin
ned, and the minimum literary qualiti
cations required of all students mnatric
ulating for a degree will be as follows:
English Grammar.
English composition. Thbe examina
tion for 1894 will be based on quentin
durward of Lamb's tsles from shaaes
peare.
United States History.
Geography, complete.
Mathematics: Arithmei ic complete;
algebra, to quadratics; geometry, two
books.
Latin: Beginner's L'ntin book and
Collar's Gate to DJeasar, or e quivalents
A scholarship is good for any two
consecutive years, that is, for freshman
and.sophomore, for sophowrove arid jun
ior, for junior and senior, or for semior
and post graduate.
Ciemtoa Colleg'.
CoLUMBIA, S. C, Feb.16i.-The mem-.t
bers of the board of trostees of Clem
son College, who bave been in atteuc.-.c
ance upon the called meet iug at the c
College, yesterday afternoon returned 1
to the city. The meeting was called
for the purpnse of eleeuing a successor
to Prof. Ne wman, as professor o f agri
culture at the college. All the appli- t
cants for the position were in at teud
ance upon the meeting. There were s
some sti-ong men applyi og, among them i'
being Profs. Masses or North Carolina;
Quick of Mississippi; Gienn of Georgia c
and Da~venport of Michigan. T:ne
board wished to elect the latter hut he
declined to take the positica up'n thle
conditions imposed. fhese conditions I
were that he should be elected for a1
year only on trial. When the board I
found that Prof. Davenparc ald not ma
wish the position on such conditicos. it'
decided to elect an asstant proibssort
and place him in charge of the depart
medt. for the next year. Prof. M.iSt~hee e
of'Mississippi was elected to the posi
tion. The new professor gradwA'ed a
from the college of the State fom S
which he comes about twelve years a~go
and has been contected with tfle sa I
experi mental station of that S tate. lie S
comes here very highly recommended. e
ie is about thirty years of age. Ther
cllege was reopened yesterday. Toh
members of the boardsay that tnere are I
now about 350 or 400 students on the e
ground: They expect some 500 or tkY0
on the ground before the end of tiei
week. Most of the other busmne:ss ori~
the meeting was si:npiy routine. Tii t
addition to the mechanical hail wtilb
soon be completed. The work has been It
raidly nnshed forward.
THE FAiUlERS' ALLLXNCT.
IT WitL BE KEPT OUT OF POLITICS
IN FUTURE.
l-tu1u 'f:S'cretary Duncan From the
Meeljlugofthe NA iira:A111ince atTo
rek-&-Thn Coidi-zn-of ,the Ordar 11
samth Cvro ia.
COLUMIA, S. C., Fcb 14.-Col. D. P.
Duncan, thi secretary of the National
Farmers' Alliance, has just returned
from the annual meeting of that body
at Topeka, Kan., and he gives much in
formation about the meeting and the
general condition of the order,as shown
by the reports presented from the dif
ferent States.
The most interesting feature of the
luformation afforded by this officer
esterday was the announcement of
.he exact strength of the Alliance in
;his State, as shown by the official re
port. The Alliance has all along been
,onsidered an imporant factor in
South Carolina politics, and it will sur
rise a great many to know that the
president of the State Alliance report
d that there were 15,000 members of
he order in this State who had kept
;heir dues paid up to date. He further
eported that the entire membership
)f the order in this State, as shown by
he rolls, was 38,000.
Coi. Duncan says that twenty-four
tates in the Union were represented
It the national gathering by thirty-five
lelegates, and several States sent In
ull reports. North Carolina reported
L membership of 26,000 paid up men.
'01. Duncan says there has been no
eal increase in the membership of the
kllance, viewed as a national order,
luring the past year, but that it has
iel: its own better than they thought
t would. A great many had gone into
t expecting a hasty business revolu
ion. He says the Alliance is now
>retty strong in the following States:
rorth and South Carolina, Virginia,
reorgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ala
>ama, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee,
?ennsylvaaia, 00io, New York, Indi
na, Michigao, Colorado, South Dako
a, California. Iowa, Missouri, Nebras.
:a, Kinsas, O.lahoma, Utah and Illi
Lois. The secretary says it is in a
nuch stronger and more healthy con
lition in the South than anywhere else.
le says this is due to the fact that in a
arge measure that the Alliance did
iot in the South leave and go into the
lopulist party, as it did in the North
,nd West, S .ame States thought that
t was an order for political purposes
nly, but now their ideas have been
hanged, as is shown, he says, by the
ollowing address issued to the Alli
nce people of the country by a com
aittee on the good of the order of
7bich the new president, Marion Bat
r, of North Carolina, was the chair
nan:
o the members of the N. F. A. and 4
I. U., and to all whom it may con
cern:
Since the inception of this grand or
anization there have been those who
ought that when some political par
y championed our political demands,
hat then the mission af the organiza
ion was ended. This belief is based
n the belief that a political party will
ake care of the interests of the farm
rs. Tais is a fatal mistake. Besides
;is proven by the acts of every other
ldss of citizens (except politicians)
2at they do not rely on parties alone
ut organize for influence on any and
11 parties.
Every wealth producer of America
dould ever keep the follo wing truths
efore him:
First-That sooner or later all polit
:al parties are controlled by politcians.
Second-That politicians never serve
ny cause or class of citizens from a
anse of justice, but always through
olicy, fear or gain.
Therefore the elass of citizens repre
anted by the Farmers' Alliance and1
ndustrial Union can never hope for or
~cure reliet or justice from any polit
~al party, not even from one that
laims to champion and endorse its
very principle and demand,unless they.
iaintain an organization that will ever
:td as an effective support- to the
ian and the party that darest to do
ight, and a constant menace to those
liio dare trifle with the rights ana
.berties of the people. Hence the
upreme Council solemny warns those
rho are trae to the principles of the
Lilance that they would make a most
atal mistake if they give up the or
aniz on which is the only power that
an force these reforms through any
oitical party, and if indeed we were
ving under a perfectly just gover
2ent today, the organization would
till be absolutely necessary as a great
aoral force to keep it so.
But our Supreme Council calis upon
ou to ever remember that the organ
ration has a great mission perform
utside of political reform.
If the wealth producers of America
.re to keep place with the march of
ivilization they must do it through
ocial and intellectual contract. We
tave not only gro wn in mind and heart
eysuch association and contact Dut we
'ool our imtellect for the mutual ad
'incement of our best interest. We de
ire political reform to enable us to
arry out the mission. .
Therefore, in couclusion the Supreme
souncil appeals to every one who be
eves in the principles of the Alliance
o stand by and extena the organization
Ot only to secure the beneiits that
>me from organizition but also to
nake certain tnat some political party
hall enact their demands unto law.
C>ol. Duncan says tbat the Alliance is
ouch stronger in South Carolina than
miy where else, owing to the ex
elence of the work of the ex
hanges. H~e says the exchanges have
een doing better work in these two
tates than any other in the United
tates.
lie says the Alliance, as a body, in
ends to keep clear of politics. Alli.
ncemen, Col. Duncan says, intend to
ute for the te:>t men-that is men who:
avor their de-mands and measures
Tich they think for the best intenests
f the country at large-State.
NASHIVILLE, TenD., Feb. .-When
;vangesi no J mes caled for pea
:euts last night at the Gospel Taber
acie in this c:ty, ;here he is holding
revival, the tirMt per~an ini the line ot
rse ~vho went fo'r ward to take his ex
ededl palm was no less a personage
ian ion. .Jon mJ. Ingalls. Mr. Ingalls
as been im Nashvdte several days and
;i!ll ctare here tonight. His presence
t me !aiernIacle last night was con
piuus and it was noticed that he
.iWk a deep interest, several times
nngh4and joining in other demon
ra- i(ths es tue unique Georgia preach-t
aZ tura roasted and cajoled the sin
"1 entiorse every word you say," he
tarked earnestly, as he grasped thet
vuniwiist's hand.
"-God bless you," responded Mr. Jonet
erveutly.
"Possioly," said one who witnessed
ae scene,"'the decalogue may after -a11 I
ave a place in polices and -hope for
ae politiciaus prove morerthan an ir-r
idescent reaom" "
SOLVING THE QUESTION.
Atterney General's Orlion on the Trx
Muddle.
COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. 15.-The
trouble referred to yesterday in regard
to the bungling of the new county gov.
ernment act, created cuite ashiramong
the State officials at toe capitol. The
seriousness of the condition of affairs
was not exagzerated, and it is still a
matter which is cauqing the Governor
considerabie worry. He yesterday morn
ing officially requested the Attorney
General to give hWm an opinion in re
gard to the matter and that official did
so. This, however, is simply the opin
ion of the State's attorney in the matter,
and of course that opinion would not
effect the decisian of the Supreme Court
if the matter ever reaches that body in
the proper form. It is the custom of
Lhe court, however, as shown in past
de cisions to look at the general objects
of the legislatures in making a law, and
no doubt it would be construed as the
Attoruey General construes it. How
ever there is plenty of jurisdiction for
the coirt to render a <tecision 4) the
other side, and then there would be a
serious state of aftairs. Here is the opin
ion of the Attorney General, and it
speaks for itself:
His Excellency, Governor B. R. Till
man.
Deas Sir: Your note asking if the a.t
approved January 4, 1894, contemplate
the immediate devolution of the duties
of township and district boards'of asses
sors upon the ofilZers mentioned in suchi
act, received. In reply would say that
if section 6 be taken and coustrued itself,
a mei e cursory examination miaht leave
the impression that a hiatus exists, but
an examination ot the whole act giving
effect to every section, reaarding the Ia
ter-dependence of every provision, will
show beyond all doubt that the act con
templated the change 'from and after
the first day of January, 1893," as men
tioned in section 1 providing for the ap
potatment oi county supervisors.
Section 7 provides for couaty boards
)f commissioners, and section 8 declares
hat "the county supervisor, together
with the chairman of the boards of com.
missioners in the several townships, ap
pointed by the Governor, shall consti
;ute the county b)ard of commissioners,
)f which said board the county supervi
3or shall be chairmain.
It is to be remarked that there can
iot be a county board of commission
ers without the appointment of a coon
;y supervisor. So there coming into
existence as such board is to be maas
ired by and coexistent with the time of
ls appointmt nt-beginning at the same
ame.
N w let us see the time of his elec
ion or appointment, and the beginning
)f his duties. Section 2 declares that he
ihall be elected at the "next general
election thereafter, whose term of of
ice shall be twoyears and until his suc
essor shall have been elected and auali
ied.
Section 1 provides for the abolition of
be ofilees now known as county com
nissioners, devolving their duties upon
;he county supervisors, etc., from and
Lfter January 1, 1895. Now, it is very
>lain to be seen that such county board
breated dependent upon the election of
L supervisor, cannot come into existence
intil afar the next general election, at
which general election he is to be voted
or. The term of the boards of town
ihip comnmissionersaby section 5 ts made
ontermial with that of the Governor by
'hom they are appointed, and such sec
ion is also to be read in c-nnection with
iection 2, showing theirappoiutment for
he same term.
As a result of this construction I have
he honor to report that in my judgment
bhese officers do not come into existence
mntil after the next general election un-1
11l which time the-present machinery of
ounty government contmiues.
Respectfally,
OSMUND W. BUCHANAN,
Attorney General.
F~und a Mtngon.
SAN FRANcIsCo, Feb. 10.-If the
Itory told by John F. Ryan, a subma
ine diver, is true, the steamer Brother
Jonathan has at last been found, after.
elng almost 30 years at the bottom of:
~he sea.]
The Brother Johnathan was lost on
July 3, 1865, about 10 miles northwest
>f Cresent Uity, with 147 passengers4
mnd crew and $1,000,000 in treasure on
board. Numerous unsuccessful r..
tempts have been made to locate her.
Ryan's story is apparently substantiat
ed by the production'of one of the ships
ixtures bearing the name Brother Jon
athan in brass letters, which he picked
ap on the deck of the wreck.
"Several years ago, while captain of a
steamer running on Puget Sound," s sys
Ryan, "an old man named G. W. Hill
told me that he was a passenger on the
Brother Jonathan when she foundered
mnd was one of the 19 survivors of the4
lisaater. He said he could take me to
the scene of the wreck, and was sure he
:onld locate the exact spot where she1
went down. A few weeks ago he came
again and Ilaccepted his offer.
"After arriving in the vicinity of
where the ship went down we located
der in a remarkably short time in sev
eral hu.ndred feet of water. I went
fown to the vessell and walked across
her deck and all around her. There
was not light enough for me to see, and
L had to feel my way everywhere. Ap-4
parently the .Brother Jonathan is in ex
3eiient condition, an't I have hopes of
taising her.
From what I learn, the gold in the
ship is locked up in different parts of
the vessel, and with the aid of light I4
muticipate no difficulty in locating it.
[n the spring I shall make preparations
ro recover the lost treasure."
A Mountanivdndetta.
GREENVILLE, Feb. 14.-Another kill
ng nas occurred in the Dark Corner.
Stnve Howard, a brother of the cele
rated Big Hill, who died with his
joots on, killed LUly Pittmnan on Sunday
afternoon near the honse of John Rec
.or, en Glassy Mountain. On Sunday
norning Pittman, who is a young man,
lad a fight with old Shack Howard, but
he two were seperated betore any
lamage was done to either. Later in
he day Mitchell Howard, a son of
nack, and the two went out to hunt
ip Pittman. About 4 o'clock they
round Pittman and his brother Ander
on. Steve Howard and Uly Pittmnan.
~et into a fight, and as they fougnt the
>ther two stood with drawn pistols to a
e'cure fair play. Howard and P'ittman
eli in a clincn, and while dowen Putt
nan drew his pistol. Hloward t wisetd t
he pistol out of nis hand, and they e
>oth rose from the ground. As tt~ey i
ose floward pulled his own pistol and a
hot Pittman twice, the Idrst bullet en
ering his arm, the second entering b
ubove the eye, and P'ittman fell dead.a
['rial Justice Mitchell commenced ana
aquest on Monday. Howard was pres- a
nt at the inquest. More blood will ti
low, as the Pittmnan family are fighters g
.nd this is the locality where twenty s'
aen nave been killed during the past i t<
en years.- ews and Courier.
MYSTERY OF THE SWAMPS.
A GHASTLY AFFAIR WHICH PUZZLES
THE CORONER.
Fioding of the Dad Body of an Uaknowa
White Min N ea'' the City-An Unavalil
ing Search Yesterday:
CoLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. 12.-At noon
yesterday a negro girl named Ellie Mey
era. accompanied by another named Car.
rie Jefferson, came to Police offi.er Jones
upon The streets apparently very much
frightened, and told him they had walked
up the Atlantic Coast Line track trom a
point about five miles from the city.
They told him that just beyond, the
trestle, at Hampton's pond, about twen
ty-five or thirty feet distant from the
right side of the trestle, they had found
the body of a white man lying in the
briar patch near the water. They fur.
the.r stated that his pants were off, but
he still had his shoes and other clothing
on. They said that he looked like
a tramp, but had evidently been dead for
several days, judgina from the swollen
appearance of his face. Officer Jones
notified Chief of Police Radcliffe, and
the chief of police forthwith notified
Coroner Roach. In a short time the
news spread over the city, and consid.
erable excitement was caused. It was
generally supposed that the man was
one of the desperadoes who hadrobbed
the houses on the Hampton place dar
ing the early portion of last week. It
will be remembered that this patty
of desperadoes was fired into and the
general belief was that this man was
wounded and crawled off into the swamp
bo die.
About 2 o'clock Coroner Roach, ac
:ompanied by Deputy Pollock and Dr.
Frank Green and several newspaper
nen, departed in the rain to hold an in
restigation. They drove to the scene
)f the supposed tronble and began to
iearch for the remains of the man. This
iearch was very complete, and contiued
or several hours in the pourmg rain, but
althoagh several miles of the swamp
and was gone over by the searchers,
tever a trace of the alleged dead man
,ould be found. Coroner, Roach, afer
,etting wet through to the skin, stated
hat it was the first time in his experi
.ace as coroner that he had ever had to
earch for a dead boly. Heretotore, he
avs, the exact location has always been
>ointed out to him. After a search of
Lbout three hours, the coron'er and those
sslting him finally gave up the search
Lad returned to the city, reaching here
at about 6 o'clock.
Upon his return to the city Coroner
loach who, when he left, had no fur
her informacion than that given him by
he chief of police, sought Officer Jones
ind obtained from him the whereabouts
Lad names of that officer's informants.
Chis morning the coroner will take
tiarge of these witnesses and crry them
lown with him for the purpose oflocat
ng the body. He is determined to solva
he mystery, let it cost what it may.
le beleves that the body is to be found,
Md if is is not some one will very like
y be made to siffer for the chase which
he officers of the law were compelled to
ead ye'.erday afterajon in the paring
Lown r.n*
The coroner and all others who heard
he story of the two women are inclined
o the belief that this dead man, about
rhom there is so much mystery at pre
ent, is one of the desperadoes referred
o above.
There were some very amasing inci
lents of the search yesterday afternoon,
ad, not the least was the disappoint
nent of the newspaper men, who wasted
Learly all of the day mn such a fruitless
reardh as was shown by the statements
nade at the very damp conference held
mnder a dripping tree at the completion
>t the search for the purpose of deciding
rhether to return to the city or ressm?
he search until darknees~l -I'E ery
nan in the crowA.as p'retty wet, and
mot a single onewvished to remain longer,
>r even accompany the coroner back this
norning.--&ate,.
F ired entheaFlag.
Rio JAN'EIao, Feb. 15.-O2 Tnesday
light last, a launch belonging to the
A.merican cruiser Ne wark, took~ ashore
:om that vessel several sailors, who
tad been attasked by. yellow fever.
rhe men were taken to the yellow fever
iospital. Oa her way back the course
>f the launch took her close to the
mnchorage of the merchant fleet. Lying
mmong the merchantmen was tue mnsur
fent steamer Marte. The latter fired
;hree shots at the launch, but all three
vent wild doing no damage. The cap
;aln.of the Marte afterwards declared
hat he .did not know that the launch
iras American. This statement, how
iver, is not worthy of belief, as the
aunches belonging to the American
varshilps are easily distingaisnable
rom everything else. After landing
ier sick sailors, the Newmark, under or
lers from Rear Admiral Beaham,
;ailed for Montevideo, where she will
e disinfected. It is the opimion of
hose who kne w what sort of a place
he bay is during the yello w fever sea
ion, that the fleet ought to anchor off
J~opacebara, outsde the harbor. There
s no fever at that place, wnich is easy
if communication from the city.
Convictecd.
BROOKLYN, Feb. 15.-The jary be
ore whicn John Y. MiKane or Graves
ind was tried for the violatton or the
dlection lawes, came int court at 11:50
his morning and rendered a verdict of
railty with a recommendation for men
:y. McIane paled a little, but took It
rery coolly. 0 wing to the aosence of
:ounsel for McKane no motion for a
tew trial was made and tne count ad
ourned until Monday. McK ine's coun
el will appeal the case to the general
erm and will move for McKanis re.
ease on oailnext week.
Tnoe punishment provided by law is
iot less than t wo years imprisonment
in more than ten. McKine was chargedi
vith a number of oifenses against tue
election laws, out toe particular one
hat brougat him to grie. was his o3
itructing tne execution of an order is
ued by Justice Gaynor to permit the
nspection of the r'egistry lists of the
owen ot Gravesend, in wnich G aney Is
and is emoraced. MaK ie is chief of
olier- azJ a saerviiiar of the t.)Wn of
travesenad.
A Di pasery Couveation.
CHESTER b. C., Feb. 13.-Charles
agrers aau G~us R:ihrds, wno were
rreeted here Saturday night~by Police
ian Willia-ns for bringing llquor into
late were tried today betore Tcial Jas -
ce L'ckie. Assistant Attormey Gen
cal Barber 'for the S~ase, ani Paul
[emphill for the defendants. Toe case
isted about *ix houirs and tie jury
;ayed in ten or fitteen minutes and
rought a verdict ofgu:lty for Gus Rica.
rds. P'eopie here were not su:prlsed
the verdict as fagger3 clanned the
unk wh:cha contaieJi the 1:qur and
wve the sheriff the key to open it. His
intence was to pay a flee ot $100 or go
'jail for thirty days. He was taken to
ii to erve hi e. ncnn-Tou--naL.