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Xll. MANNING, S. C., WEI)NESDAY, JUNE 16, 1897. NO. 4 A TAX ON RAW COTTO. SOUTH'S STAPLE PRODUCT PLACFC ON THE DUTIABLE LIST. Bacon of Georgia, Eepouibie for the N v Departure, Assisted by Clay, T1h1msU. McLaurin, McEnerv and Rawiirs-31ocb Feeling Manifested io the Debate. By the decisive vote of 12 to 19 the Senate Wednesday adopted an amend I ment to the tariff bill placing raw co. ton, the great product of the South, on the dutiable list at 20 per cent. ad. valorem. It is the first time in the history of taritF legislation that a duty on cotton has been incorporated in a bill The amendment was proposed by Mr. Bacon (Dem.. Ga.,) on his in dividual responsibility, and without the approval of the finance committee, which thus far has been requisite to the success of every amendment, ex cept a minor one which went through by default. The amencdment led to a spirited de bate, Demccratic Senators disclosing a wide difference of views and at times exchanging sharp personal criticisms. On the tinal vote six Democrats-Ba con and Clay of Georgia, McEaery of Louisiana, McLaurin and Tillman of South Carolina and Rawlins of Utah -voted with the Republicans for the Bacon amendment, while the negative vote was solidly D-'mocratic with one exception-Kyle (Pop) The debate on cotton took up the most of the day,and but little progress was made on the bill. Early in the day the sugar schedule was passed over and the agricultural schedule taken up. Less than two pages were disposed of during the day. The pir agraph on cattle went over, but the balance of the agricultural schedule, up to and including paragraph 22$. was agreed to as reported, all amend ments except that of Mr. Bacon being rejected. When the tariff bill was taken up at 12:20 p. m., Mr. Allison of Iowa requested that the sugar schedule be passed, stating that it would be con sidered tomorrow. The agricultural schedule being next in order, a num ber of amendments were offered by Democratic Senators, but all were re jected until Mr. Bacon offered his amendment,to be known as paragraph 225k, placing a duty of 20 per cent. ad valorem on raw cotton. Mr. Bacon said the omission of this article from the dutiable list was a violation of the principles of the Democratic platform that tariff taxation should be so im posed as to discriminate against no section. The tariff as a whole fell like a dead weight on the producer c f cotton, raising the price of all articl s essential to his use, yet on his article of production, raw cotton, he was left in the lurch. Last '-ear the statistics showed that 55,000,000 pounds of cot ton were imported into the United States, valued at $5,000,000. The ar rivals of foreign cotton were increas ing constantly. Mr. Bacon said he addressed himself particularly to his Democratic associates. Why should cotton be excluded from the benefits of a revenue duty if all other agricul tural products were to have the benefit of such duties? Under the rule of consistency, there should be a unani mous vote in favor of a duty on cot ton. Mr. Platt, of Connecticut, who was in charge of the bill pending Mr. Alii son's absence, indicated a readiness for a vote favorable to the amend - ment, and Mr. Chandler (Rep. N. H ) added: "We are just dying to support the Senator's amendment." Mr. Chilton (Dem. Tex ) said the amendment would not raise t be price of cotton. According to the Georgia Senator (Bacon), there would be no diminution of the importation of Egyptian cotton, so that the only ef fect would be giving additional reve nue on cotton, without taking away the competition from foreign cotton. Mr. Chilton said it was impossible to increase the price of cotton by a tariff so long as it was necessary to find a market for the surplus of Ame rican cotton, as was now the case, in Liverpool or in any cother foreigu market. It was with cotton as with wheat-the foreign price would fix the domestic price. Hence the only result would be to increase the price 01 cot ton goods. Mr. Vest said the amendment would be adopted, as it was in the line of in creased rates of duty, and would re ceive Republican support for that rea son, and because it was calculated to cause dissension in the Democratic party. He claimed that the a ddition of the 20 per cent. provided would supply that amount to the finished rreduct. He took issue with Mr, Ba con on the contention that the amend inent was in line with the plttform 1dopted at Chicago. "If," he said, "I -'ad thought the platform meant w nat he Senator from Georgia says it does t would not have touched it any taore than I would have touched a attlesnake knowing there was no1 .hiskey within a hundred miles. Go-d elp us if the ne w evangelism is to revaii !" He expressed surprise at [fr. Bacon's staten ent that the cotton ~anufacturer needed assistance. H' - id it had generally been understood mat the cotton manufacturers were sceptionally prosperous. In conclusion Mr. Vest said that he ad, as a Southern Drmccrat. alway s -inted with pride to the fact that cot n was admitted free of duty, as Lowing the Democratic cons istency 'supporting free raw materiAl. !ence his disappointment that tis Qendment should be proposed by a >uthern Senator, as it -wojld justify - .d open the way :or a duty on wool, . mber and all other articles clase raw material. *Itndeed," ne ex iimed, "it leaves us naked, without aument." .'r. Jones of Arkansas also opposedP e amendment, in an iucisive spee-ch. -e agreed with Mr. Yest that the Re blicans would support the amead :nt in the hope of creating dissen .a in the Democratic party, and ad I that they would all support it for a purpose of securing an excuse for :reased compensaitory duties on cot imanufactures. He argued :a small importatiorss could not atie I :price of the ent;re domiestic crop, .1 said that the duty would only aod the price of cotton gods. . -ies said that the cotton growers aid not be misled and deceived by ropositioni so palpably ton as inis Ir. Bacon answered oritly that if ,itiveness of asseruion ara vceem :C were to control in this su->@ct, a the Senator from Missouri (\ est) ai have his views prevail. But - Senate was a forum of argument, i. no Senator was to be put down the mere vehemence of the Senator . n Missouri howeve long and em iort his service rnieh be. Mr. Bacn ecatue impatient at one point over frequent interruptions, the isst rne coming fromi Mr. Catfery. "I Pik :he Senator has enouah to do to nswer the questious addressed to nim vesterd1 by the Senator from Massa causetts as to sugar," answered Mr. Bacon, sharply. The Senator went on to say that the objectionable feature of the tariff in tlhe past had been its sectionalis'i and its discrimination of one part of the country against the other. But the Democratic platform, recognizing a revenue tariff. insisted that it be free from sectional benefits and that there be perfect equality in burden or in benit. Thi was the only "new evangel' to which the Senator from Missouri had referred. Mr. Gray asked if Mr. Bacon be lieved in a tariff for revenue only. Mr. Bacon answered that he believ ed in a tariff "for revenue," but not for a tariff "for revenue only." He insisted that the tariff platform of the Chicago convention did not contem plate revenue duties which utterly ig nored the question as to the justice or injustice of the duties toward sections or classes. He insisted that the fun damental principle of the Democratic party was to restrict the tariff to reve nue purposes and imposing it for that purpose to give equal benefits and equal burdens to all sections. In closing Mr. Bacon referred to the statement that his tariff views were shaped by the interests of his own State. He was not, he said, indiffer ent to the fact that his people might be benefitted or injured by the chiracter of the rates imposed. As it was re cognized that the country was to have a revenue tariff bill, he intended to see to it that his State received an equal share of its benefits, for, in the words of the Bible, the man who does not care for his own household is worse than an infidel. Mr. Stewart of Nevada created amusement by dec'aring that the hair splitting and distinctions between a revenue tariff and a protective tariff was all "tweedledee and tweedledum." de had followed this subject for thir ty years, and he did not understand, this new language relating to the tar iff. The Georgia Senator (Bacon) was right, Mr. Stewart said, in seeing that his State should receive the same ben efits as other sections. "What are we here for?" asked for Mr. Stewart, ve bemertly. "To get the office," suggested some Senator, jocularly, in a stage whisper. "No, not all of us," continued Mr. Stewart. 'We are here to represent our constituents and see that oar States have eqal rights under the tariff and ail other laws." Mr. Stewart insisted that it was time the raw materials of the South and West received equal benefits with the manufactured pro ducs of New England. The discussion had evidently arous d much feeling among Senators, and this was given expression too soon af ter Mr Caffery began to speak. He said the position of Mr. B Icon had been clearly exposed as one of the voidable to protection for interests of his own State, with revenue as a mere tacidint. -'How about sugar?" inquired Mr. Bacon, mockingly. Very deliberately, Mr. Caffery an swered: "The Senator declined to an swer my question, and now I decline, peremptorily, to yield." "I accept that status between us," answered Mr. Bacon. "You made the status yourself," said Mr. Caffery. "It is a very great deprivation," continued Mr. Bacon, in mocking tones, "but I will endeavor to bear it with equinimity." Mr. Caffery was soon interrupted with another inquiiry as to the sagar this time fromn Mri. McLaurin (Demn., S. C.) The galleries were much amused, and Mr. Caffery said: "I. see that the bad precedents set by the Senator from Massachusetts (soar) to put me in a hole is being followed by my associates on this side of the enmber." Tne vote was taken on Mr. Bacon's amendment placing raw cotton in the bill at 20 per cent. ad valorem. There was great interest ini the vote, as it be came evident that Republican Sena tors were voting in the affirmative. It resulted: Yeas 42, nays 19. Paragraphs 226 and 228, inclusive (macaroni, oats and oatmeal,) were agreed to as reported. When the rice paragraph (229) was reached, Mr. Allen (Pop. Neb.) took occasion to speak sarcastically of the differences among Democratic S na tors as to what constituted Democratic doctrine. These Senators, he said, should go into caucus and endeavor to arrange some line of action on which they could proceed together. Through out this discussion the tendency on the Democratic side, he said, was to aban don the tents of Democracy and adopt the plan of "Every man for himself and the devil take the bindmost." Mr. Allison stated that the House rates on rice would be retained, out that pa.agraph went over without fi nal actioQ. At 5:20 the Senate went into execu tive session and soon after adjourned. A Farmer's Da~y. The Washington correspondent of The Columbia State speaiting of put ing 20 per c-mt duty on cotton says it was a farmer's day. The tax ameud ment wakened a spirited and acrinio alous da-cussion on the Democratic side. T iere were crimination and re *.rimnaion, bold assertion, and promn Pt atd vig'orous denials. For in s:ance, Jones of Arkansas said cotton is portatioris to this country were coa. dued to E.:ypt. Senator McLurin promnptly denied this, a&serting tijat i.0000 pounds of short staple cotton ;as imported last year from Mexico. He also pointed out the danger of in ce'ased importaticus fromn tnat cottn tr;. Later on in tae debate n~e calied Gailton of Texas, aad Vest of Missou ri down in their stateut as to the cLracter of Ezy ptian cotton, showiug snt i s free importation was dists tr-ous to the upland or Allen long sta cie i. Scuth .Carolina. W hen first iported, he said, the Ezyptian cot a - w-s used as a sulstit.ute for long -api- iU making finie thread. Of late er thas been extended to the man aare of the c arser yarns, wnich e*rm used in mnakinig cotton w arp and A oelen goods, to the exclusion of tne AlP a luna stcaple. Itis almost imapos sibe, he said 1o distinguish the two stpls. but the use of the paupe made Ezyptiau cotton is driving the uptarna conoo farmer in South Uaro una out of the ousiness. Throughout the discussion Senmator McLturin prov ed himself a ready an~d wemiequipped debater. The adoption of th~e Bacon amendment by a vote of as to 19 showed the utter futility of further SOAP FOR THE TRU:T. The Republicans Taking Care of the Cam paign Fund Raisers. The first test vote.on the sugar sched ule was taken in the senate late Friday, resulting in the adoption of the Re publican caucus amendment, chang ine the house rate to 1.95 per pound, by the close vote of yeas 32, nays 30. The affirmative vote was made up of 29 Republicans and one Democrat, McEaery of Louisiana; Silver Repub lican Jones of Nebraska and one Pop ulist, Stewart of Nevada. The nega tive vote was made up of 25 Demo crats, three Populists and t io silver Republicans. It was the closest vote thus far taken on an issue of import ance and was accepted as showing that any amendment having the sanc tion of the caucus, was assured of adoption. The vote was taken after a day spent in speeches on the effect of the sugar schedule. The main speech of the day came from Mr. Alli son, in charge of the bill, and was in the nature of an answer to the charges ni. de against the sugar schedule as a wiole, and a defense of it. Mr Gor man of Maryland spoke against the schedule and the entire bill, pointing out that its effect was to burden the people without opening up to us new foreign markets. Mr. White reviewed the record of the Republican senators on the sugar schedule during the de nate on the Wilson bill, arraigning them for inconsistency. Mr. Caffery of Louisiana and Mr. Stewart of Neva da also spoke, the former against and the latter for the pending schedule, after which the vote was taken. Tne first paragraph of the sugar schedule was not finally disposed of up to the time of adjournment. In defending the bill Mr. Allison pointed out the change in the condition since 1S45 when sugar earned a duty of 30 peri cent. In those days, in the days of his boyhood, very little pure white sugar was seen. Now, no sugar came on the table of rich or poor that had not gone through some process of re fining. The reilaing industry of this country was entitled to some protec tion. He then explained the house and senate schedules. "Do you believe in protection to la bor or to capital?" interposed Mr. Till man of South Carolina. "That is a generality," replied Mr. Allison, "to which the senator well knows my answer. I believe in pro tection to American labor, but I be lieve in protecting American capital fro a foreign capital." "Mr. Havemeyer in his tes'.imony." said Mr. Tillman, "said that only 25,000 men were engaged in the sugar refinery industry. Yet you propose to give the refiners a differential which amounts to between $10,000,000 and $20,000,000 for the protection of 25,000 men." It was the policy of this bill, said Mr. Allison, to do what Europe had done-establish the production of su gar in this country and keep the $100. 000,000 annually paid for sugar by our people, at home. Were it not for that he would advocate a revenue duty of 40 or 45 per cent. Recalling the criticism of the Republicans for their abandonment of the bounty system, Mr. Allison said that system had been adopted to encourage the sugar indus try,. It had failed, first, perhaps, be-. cause of the rapid and unexpected strides made in both the beet and cane growths, and second, because the Democratic party decided to do noth ing to encourage the system. This was an agricultural industry. The schedule would su:.ceed or fail, as it succeeded or failed to establish the beet sugar industry in this country. The schedule might not be arranged precisely as it should be, but i~t was confessedly within a fraction of other schedules. If senators on the other side could sho w that there was an in justice he would, he said, try to deal with it in a spirit of justice. Mr. Hoar of Massachusetts called attention to the fact that the transfer of the sugar industry to foreign coun tries would take from the United States the large agricultural industry in beets and cane. Mr. Berry of Arkansas reverted to the containatinlg iniflaience of the su gar trust, and urged that the senate, by its vote, put an end to the scandels surrounding this subject.' Now was the opportunity, he Qeclared, for the Republican senators to make good their professions of four years ago against the trusts. Mr. Stewart said that he did not ex pect this tariff bili to afford any mate rial relief to tne country, as there was a cancer of financial contraction which was eating at the vitals of the coun try. The senator a-:ed that he was for the bill because he wanted the peo ple to know it could not bring pros prity "any more ttnan a bread an~d nlik poulhice could bring prosperity." Mr. Caffery replied briefly to Mi. Allson. Tne vote was taken amid great expectation, resulting, yea-. 32, an '30, as follows: Fes-Aliison, Burrows, Carter, Cul lomn, Davis. Deboe, Eikins, Fair banks, Foraker, Frye, Gallinger, Hlanna, Hnsborugh, Hawley, Hoar, Joss f Nevada, Mclride, McEnery, Mc Tili-in, Mason, Nelson, Perkias, Vlat of Coun- cuieut, Pritchard, Proc tor, Se sail, Shoup, Spooner, sLewart, Wehngton, Wetmfore and Wilson Nays-Bacon, Bate, Berry, Butler, Cary, Uniiton, Glay, Cockrell, .Jan e, Faulkner, Gorman, U-ray, Heit :eld, Jones of Arkansas, K3 le, Lind sa, Maulory, Mantle, Mills, Mi~enell, Mran, Pasco, Pettigresv, Pettu~s, iamn anid W ilte-30. An Original Packsg-, store Opened. Tne Cnariesrton correspondent of the, Caium bia Regisier says the drt-s "orig al ipaesage" econ~isument was opeai d in t.rat city WYeanesday, at the c-r r of Meeting and Maraet Streai, by. Welbrook Bros. Tne firm wiLl onis~ s -1 a case as a whole, and wil not venture for the present to break a cse. The constaoulary are weli aware fnat tne Welibrock Bros. had received a stoek of liquors, but say tha. t'-e uct not intenU to seize them as tous' as the cases were not broken. The lies? are very car'dai and are feeling th-i Wa'- along. They will Lot seui half pints unui they are assairea in is not: against tne la4s. Weilbrock Bros. are said to represent S. Caugenheiater & Co. of Savannah. It is reported that another 'origmtal package" store wdl~i be opened on King strat tomorro w. I Wull Know ihtter. That Jersey farmer who tied a calf to his bicycle and tried to lead the ani mai in that fashion will kno w better by the Lime the hospitai surgeons are; through with him. TILLMAN TALKS TARIFF. FAVORS AN EXPORT BOUNTY ON AG RICULTURAL PRODUCTS. The South Carolina Senator Makes a Esd Hot Speech and Criticises His Democra' ic "Iarlif for Revenue Only' A -cc ait.s In the United States Senate on Tues day while the tariff bill was up for consideration Senator Tillman took the floor on the pending amendment of Mr. Cannon of Utah providing an export bounty on agricultural pro ducts. He said he desired the atten tion of his associates, and as the at tendance was meagre he noted the ab sence of a quorum. The call disclosed fifty-four Senators present. nine' more than a quorum, and Mr. Tillman pro ceeded. He said the tariff debate had disclosed a nebulous condition in the minds of Senators. The Republican Senators sat quietly, apparently con trolled by the caucus, refusing to dis cuss the iniquities of the bill and unanimously voting for action in be half of trusts and monopolies. "On the other hand," proceeded Mr. Tillman, "the Democrats are in a pe riod of transition. They don't know where they are at. The older, more experienced, proclaim their allegiance to the old time-honored doctrines. We had an impasssioned speech yes terday (by Mr. Mills) in behalf of the Walker tariff principles, brought for ward at this late day as Democratic doctrine. Secession, nullification and other issues which have passed out of the minds of men might as well be brought here. The tariff is merely a question of policy as to how the gov ernment will raise its revenue. I say without hesitation it is to the best in terest of the American people that the articles consumed by our people should be produced by our people. If that is Republican doctrine well and good. If that is not Democratic doctrine, it ought to be-" Mr. Tillman went on to show that diversified industries gave diversified means of labor. As to the farmers. the need was not for more farmers, but for a tariff which no longer would rob the farmers we have. The farmers stood, his skinny, bony hand outstretched, asking this export bounty to overcome the roboery of the present system; and yet Senators sat in stony silence, ex pecting this idiotic farmer, with the mortgage gnawing on his home, not to know that they refuse to give him relief. Mr. Tillman vehemently pledged his word to his colleagues that they would not deceive the farm ers, and that :he nine million follow ers of the plow "will settle with you at the ballot box." Referring to any bill not giving adequate relief to far mers, Mr. Tillman exclaimed: "I am prepared to throw some rocks that will stagger some of you men." Tne Senator analyzed the extent of agricultural interests throughout the country, iacluding the South-"the Ishmaelite, the section that has had no rights since the war." While that section had labored under the ban of secession, paying billions as a result of its attempt to secede, it was still face to face with the demand of the borseleach, cryir-g more, more, more. This section and the agricultural in terests always had been at the mercy of tariff bills which found their gene sis in the benefits conferred on New England. As Mr. Tillman spoke the galleries filled in anticipation of a lively time. While speaking with his usual vehe mence of voice and gesture, the Sena tor adopted an argumentative style, to show that the farmers were receiv ing the burdens, without the benefits. of the tariff. When he referred at one point to the Chicago platform declara tion on the tariff, he brought Mr. Vest to his feet in explanation. He voted in the Chicago convention amid great er uproar and confusion, said Mr. Vest, for the long and in part nebu lous platform. He never knew, until it had come out, that the word "only" had been left out of the declaration for a " tariff far revenue." "If I had known it," proceeded Mr. Vest, "I would have risen in my place and moved to insert it, for it is the creed of the Democratic party. And I believe a maj rity of that conven tion did not know of the omission, as all our attention was concentrated on the money issue.' Proceeding, Mr. Tillman turned to his Democratic associates and said they now had a chance, with the votes of a few Republican Senators '-not oast to all sense 0: shame and decency," to give some measure of relief to the far mers. They would receive little or no benefit from the duty on the cotton and cereals. They asked for bread and were given a stone. They asked for some relief and Democratic senators set un a mummy and labelled it a 'tariff for revenue only." 'Great God! such Democraevy!" ex claimed Mr. Tillman, witn dramatic eiipnlasis. "Democratic Senators had spoken of a new evangel," ne said, "and had twitted him and others of leading the Dmocratic p irty ir to the Re a blican esmnp. Taese Senators, instead of of feriug the cardinal Democratic princi pies of quality, gave the sodom apple of "tariff for revenue only" to tneir constituents. " Y1u are holding the telescope with the big end to your eyes," dec-lared air. Tillman,addressiug his -associates, "and at tue little end you s-e the le gend, 'Tariff for revenue only,' in .tead of taiat great doet~rme of Danc racy. 'Equat rights for all, and spec al privilt ges for none" In conclusion, the Senator said he belevea in securing for the Soutu as many beLnefits as possible. Hle arraix: eu Repubolcan Scuators for the mr~e g adues of their I-islation a.nd for; - eeping Cuoa unner the heel u WNeyier." T!ey ciaimned, he said, to be folowers of Lincola, "but y ou are unworthy to tie tne shoe-utenes of tiat great man." The Democriatic ~Senators claimetd to be followers 0: Jhfrson, while they were abandon .g Jetferson's cardinal principle o: equal rights to the people. After the Canuon amndment b-ad seen further debated by Mr. Ailen ol Neraska, Mr. Pe.rkius and Mr. Una-I ?cn, a vote was taken Ou it. The atlirrmative was given by Mes srs. Allen, Butler. Stewart, Harris anid Heitield, Poputlists; Cannou. Mantle and t::ttigrew, Silver Republicans; Roach and Tillman, Democrats. Mir. illman announced tnlAt his coueas e, Mr. McLaurin, would nave voted for the amendment. This closed the consideration of the cereal paragraphs of the agricultural schedule, and Mr. Allison, in charge of the bill, asked that the further con sideriation of the agricultural schedule be postponed, and that the Rciate go' back to the s'izar scoedule. There was no oppcsitioi. and the Senate th- reupon Entered o pon the consider ation of tie sugsr scha-cule. COMP" ROLLER GENERAL DEFIED. The Si -krg Fund Agent Will Proceed to Act in Past Due Taxes. The attention of County Supervis ors and Sheriffs in the State is respect fully called to the subjoined opinion of the Attorney General on the Act of 1892 and 1896, regarding tax claims past due and unpaid for twelve months As traveling agent for the Sinking Fund Commission, I am personally charged with the execution of the law under these Acts. under their imme diate directon. In this special work I have had, and still have, the most violent opposition of the Comptroller General of the State, which has result ed seriously in the hinderance of the prosecution of my duties under the law. It has transpired that county treasurers and sheriffs, who are under the direction of the Comptroller Gen eral, have continuously since the pas sage of the Act of 1896 in many of the counties in total disregard of the law, proceeded to collect and are still col lecting past due tax claims which, under tnese Acts, are made assets of the State in charge of the Commis sioners of the Sinking Fund, collecta ble only by them. This the Attorney General says they have no authority to de. This flagrant violation of the law is attended with serious results, and as they come in conflict with my duties affecting my individual work and interest of the State, it becomes me to speak in my own defense. If I am to continue to be the agent of the Sinking Fund Commission, to execute these Acts, this state of things shall not continue. The Comptroller General and county officers haveno right to disregard the laws of the State and move in their official capac itr in absolute violation to them. The purpose of this communication is to put county treasurers and sheriffs in nr'ice that any further violation of t:.e let of 1896 will be promptly re rnorted to the Attorney General under ;.ffidavit as official misconduct or etbererise for such action against such officers as the law directs, as suggested in the said opirien that the interests of the State may be protected and the laws of the State respected and executed. I regret the necessity of this communication, but I see no way to avoid it. The Comptroller General has been urged and entreated for a year and a half tostop this unlawful proceeding. He has declined to do it and sustains it, and as I see it, is responsible for the whole of it. This opinion of the Attornev General has been obtained and published for the information and guidance for the the county treasurers and sheriffs. The Comptroller Ga eral has been requested by the Gover nor to conform to it, and issue in structions to the county officers accor dingly. He has not done so, but on the other hard has published in an interview with a newspaper reporter that the opinion does not effect him; thai be is opposed to tue ia,. The ef fect of this interview unor his subordi nates cannot be mistaken. "A word to the wise is sufficient," so that there is nothing left now but to take issue and the consequences. I will not be obstructed longer in my lawful, offi ial duty to the damage of the State's interests. The public taxpayer may as well take notice that when taxes are past due and unpaid for twelve moths their collection by county treasurers and sheriffs is unlawful. Consequently such collection does not discharge the State's lien for taxes and in all such cases which have been paid to the county treasurers and sheriffs since the passage of the Act of 1896, the property is still subject to the State's lien, which cannot be discharged ex cept by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund. I do not intend to be harsh in this announcement, but only to be under stood. The Act of 1896 is doing im mense good, and it is here to stay. The originator of this law-one of the soundest j irists in the State, now judge, has said that "it will never be repealed." No committee of the Legislature has recommended its re peal, and none ever wilL. The law will be enforced. N. W. BROOKER, Travelling Agent Forfeited Lands. A Slick swindler. A special dispatch from Greenville to the Columbia Register says a slick swindler, calling himsel? W. G. Har ris.has been doing the towns in North Carolina and upper South Carolina He is passing along as drummer for a Baltimore drug house and fancy gro cery. He registered at Greenville Saurday and applied to several livery stables for teams, getting one from W\yatts stable and at tne same time getting a draf t cashed for $22.50. He weot to Easley from Greenville. In Easley he got the bank for $30, the Wyatts at thast place for $95 and a drummer for a railway ticket book rith coupons for 800) miles. He then boarded a train for Atlanta. Mr. Doby of Greenville, N C., and Kerr of Rock Hill were here hot on Harris's rack. He played the draft game in otti those cities. Harris is a polished s windlr. Five Hundred Perish. Meogre parti. ulars have reached this counvy by late steamers of a dis sier 'hic-a b-s-11l the tisher aao ''u aaC ciulazo, otT tae coast of to. O~ i' M.ay 6th, when all, or at ou Onl the fishjie baiiis, a terrible des. u-u. O0 the several i'un d d ocats out at th timne, very few eturcea', and it is es::mated that s.,:ne tire nundred men lost their lies.- Th?e sto.rm was one of those udden ones fLr whien. the coast of ?ghi4 is noted, and the ashnermea had uochance to seek shelter. Their tight~ boats were smasted to atoms a--d they' were left to tight a hopeless attle '-ith thie merciless waves. Tue sormi s vept over ti] entire archipela go, w.'.:ea extends across the mouth of iLacaowv Bay on the eastern coasi. ofti..a. Seer l-ar-e jaaks were lost, liu which scores perished. Th man' bkspneary i~eointIon. The &2ate judiciamry crunmittee has e->nid-red tiue resalation of Senator Tiel nan conc'erning the $uth Caroli ca Dispensary decision by J->!ge Si m-ntonU. WXnile no deiinite c-)u sion has been reached, the opinion in the ecmmnittee was that Saun Caroli na had recourse, first by app eal to the Cou:t of Apueals, and then by appeal to the Supreme Court. In committee,1 the opinion was expressed individual ly by many members that the decision might be reversd in the higher courts PLEADING FOR HAMPTON. Tillman, McLanrin, Latimer and Stokes Working for the Old Hero: The Washington correspondent of the News and Courier says Gen. Wade Hampton is to retain the office of com missioner of railroads until he recov ers his health, notwithstanding the political pressure of Gen. Longstreet and his friends to secure his removal. Just before the President left the White House Thursday to start for Nashville he received a visit from Sena tors Tillman and McLaurin. and Rep resentatives Latimer and Stokes. of the South Carolina delegation. They called to urge the President to retain Gen. Hampton in office. Owing to the political complications in South Carolina it happens that every member of the delegation was politically and personally hostile to Gen. Hampton. They are not even on speaking terms with the great cav ah'y general of the late Confederacy. It therefore occasoned considerable surprise and comment in the South Carolina colony when it became known that Senator Tillman had headed a delegation to go to the White House in behalf of his old political enemy, Gen. Hampton. Senator Till man and McLaurin informed the Pre sident that they called in the interest of Gen. Hampton, without his knowl edge. without solicitation from any of his friends. They appreciate the fact that Gen. Hampton is old and feeble, and that he is an historical figure in the State of South Carolina. In the circumstances They felt justified in re uesting the President to reappoint him, if possible, or to retain him in service until he recovers from his pres ent indisDosition. Presidei t McKinley received the South Carolina Congressmen with his usual courtesy, and heard all they had to say about Gen. Hampton. In repry, he said he could not promise to reappoint Gen. Hampton at this time, although it might have been possible had the request been made in the same pray at an early period in the present administration. He assurred the dele zation that he had no intention of re moving Gen. Hampton at present, but proposed to c-ntinue his services un til he has ample opoortunity to recover his badly shattered health. The Presi sent said hp understood that Gen. Hampton contemplated taking a long trip to California and other parts of the country. with the hope of benefit ing his health. In the meantime no :bange in the railroad commissioner hip will be made. The President further expressed the hope that this assurance would relieve the General iea his friends from further anxiety )n the subject, and assisr. in restoring aim to health. This is very discouraging informa don to Gen. Longstreet, of Georgia, who is also old and infirm, who is said ;o have a positive promise of the place Is soon as Gen. Homptcn retires. there are several other aspirants for the place, but the friends of Longstreet nsist that he has first claim upon the President's consideration, as soon as a racancy is created. Gen. Longstreet will hare to wait until Gen. Wade 8apanton recovers from his present ndisposition before there will be a :hangs in the office of commissioner of railroads. To South Carolinians and to politi ans generally, who are familiar with ;he relations that existed for years be ;ween Gen. Hamnption and the faction opresented by the callers to day, tne nit is of deep interest. In 1890, when 3enator Tillman was elected Governor >f South Carolina, after one of the ost bitter campaigns ever known in ;he South, an intensely hostile feeling mtween Governor Tiliman and (?en. Esmpton, then Senator, was aroused, -esulting in the defeat of Senator Eampton for re-election, and the elec ;ion, by Tillman's efforts, of Senator I. L. M. Irby. The hositily between jen. Hampton and Governor Till nan was further increased by the bit ;er attacks which Governor Tillman md his faction made upon Ex-Presi ent Cleveland at the Chicago Con nention of 1892, Gen. Hampton be ng a warm supporter of President 1eveland. There has never been a -econciliation of any kind between 'illmana and Gen. Hamption, and the isit to the President today was a ~raceful act upon the part of the South Carolinians. Senator Tillman and President Mc inley are on wonderfully good ;erms for men of such wide divergence f views, Senator McL turin is highly -egarded by the President. The Toad. Its great value to the pomologist md gardener has been fully establish-i id, on account of its destroying in ect~s, especially those inj arioas to regetation. We should, therefore, :altivate its friendship and assistance is well as that of birds. E -ery tidy sousewife detests the cockroach and >ner vermin. T wo or three domnesti ated toads will keep the coast clear of hese. The toad is passessed of a tim d and retiring nature, loving dark< and shady places, but under kindi ~reatment becomes quite tame. Many I .stance are cited 'of pet toads re< naiig several years ini families and i cing valuable service. All that ik 2ecessary to secure their co operation, .ndoor or out, is to provide them cool I mnd safe retreats by day, couveniect I ccess to water, and Lfney go forth to le performance of their noc-turnal uties " withoiut money and vitacu: ~rice." In Europe toads are carr:edJ o the cities to m~trket, and are par baed by the horrcai.tuaits, who hir aid are enabled to ke-to in check .he muilipileationi of the irsset It-s1 which prey upon t wir :ruit~s. etc. in Fall Blast. The Charleston correspondent of ther Dolumbia R .gister says the tiit "oi nal packa~ge store" for selling liquor I .n this State under the prov:sfous .. ;he recent decision of Judge Simn ow tae United SLtte Court was openL:I ;here Tnursd y J. 8. Finku ssoun, as gent of a Nev X ork tirm, mLpor9O se thousand cass of liquor, via the Diy de L'ne stea'n-rs. Tne goods were au~ed inrougu tne streets, srnd, with >? bein~g moh sted by the State con itaoh s, were lodged in a store room >n iut street, thle city's leading noroufare. Tile estabaishment was >ped at once and began seiling li-I oin original packages. It cou' in a busiteess tbrouguout the day with >ut trouble. Witnin the next fev' ys seg'eral other similar estabiisha :ents will be opened here. All the tuf sold today was in gallon pacen ges, but in a siort time packages eon aining pints and half pints of liquor will be placed on sale. Exactly what action is to be taken by the dispensary I uthorities in this conneotion is not; WAS WARNED OF DEATH. A Curione Story that Comes from Jacksor ville, Florida. A curious story has obtained a large circulation in Jacksonville, Fla., re garding the murder of Lieut. William E Gruber of the Jacksonville policA force, who was fcully murdered in Springfield on May 2S. Gruber, who was an unusally intelligent man, was a firm believer in spiritualism. He was converted to his belief under very curious circumstan'es, as follows: There is a man nameu H. A. L~ng shore who has a small upholsteringes tablishment at 715 West Bay street. Longshore is a firm believer in spirit ualism and seeing Gruber ia daily on his rounds finally becam %: quaint ed with the latter and in tiame tae two became good friends. Longshore sub sequently began to talk spiritualism with Gruber, but at first the latter pooh-pooed this belief, but Langshore seemed so earnest and conscientious that finally one day, when Longshore asked G ruber to come to a -seance," as a spirit named Dan Crowley was continually asking for him (Gruber), that the latter finally decided to go to the seance and investigate. At this meeting, which was held at the house of a Mrs. Buchanan, near the corner of Adams and Catherine streets, Gru ber came away very much impressed. What affected him more was the fact that at ->ne of these seanes a spirit mes sage was received from a little daugh ter who lad died nearly 21 years ago. This link of communication between 4ruber and his dead child made a profound impression on Gruber, and it was known among his friends and the police force that the lieutenant sed to go frequently to Mrs. Buchan in's, and from a skeptic became a arm and enthusiastic believer in piritualism. So strong was Lieuten ant Gruber's faith in this belief that be frequently consulted the spirits in regard to certain murders, noidble among which were the George, Gato and Soringdeld baby murders. N)w here cimes a remarkable state-nent which is absolutely vouched for by ertain people. On Friday before Lieut. Gruber was killed, Gruber and ongshore paid a visit to Mrs. Buchan n's to attend a "seance." At that 'seance'' were several other people. During the evening Gruber asked some ylestions of the medium, regarding ne Gato murder, and was told oy the nedium, who was in a trance, that if 3ruber wished to find the pistol taat vas used in the Gato murder, it could e found in the woods in Springteld, 2ear the place where he was killed. Ihe spirits, however, warned Gruber, that they saw danger ahead." and to e very careful, and not to cro on tne usst alone, and besides 'keep cut of ne bushes,'and the spirit mysteriously tinted that somebody was desircus of, mnocking him in the head. This possi )le chance, as Gruber believed to ind the pistol, and thereby obtain t clue to the murderer of Miss Gate nade a deep impressioa on the .ater, and he agreed with L->ngshore or the two to get out togetner on the ight of Thursday, April 28;h, but on Wednesday night, April 27th, Gru ter concluded to go out and investi ;ate on his own hook, and it was on Wednesday night that he came to his ntimely end. These partictuars were not obtained from Langshore, yut from a friend of Gruber's. Long hore refuses to talk about the matter. By Explosion of Fire Works. A match carelessly dropped by one f the vorkamen in the fire works fac ;ory of M. Shure, at the corner cf WTesi: VanBuren and Halsted streets, Jhicago, caused a terrific explosion Wednesday night It was shortly af - ;er the closing time of the factory and many of the workmen had gone home, yther wise the loss of life must nave seen very heavy. As it was a number f the employees were badly hurt and hie flying rockets and candles struck everal people who were passing on ~treet cars and on the sidewalks. The orce of the explosion was s> great hat nearly all the windows in the lock were demolished, and the Sharue uilding, which is a four story struct re was badly damaged. Immediately ollowing the explosion trie building was ablaze from cellar to roof and the ire department had a desperate strug gle bef,>re it succeeded in extinguish. .ng the fiames. The building was al nost entirely destroyed by the fire, lowever, and such portions of the .arge stock of fire works as had not yeen scattered throughout the neigh yorhood by the explosion were des ;royed, causing a h-eavy 3oss. Tne ex >losion caused a wild panic in that >ortion of the city for a tiae. The treets were crowded with people go ng to their homes and the street cars which passed the front of the building :very minute were packed w'itn pas ;engers. The flying missiles struck Snumber of people on the cars and mne man who was gazing into a store vindow fully 400 yarda aistant nad is attention suddeuly attracted to. ther matters by a rocket wnica hit iim squarely in the back. He fell to he siaewalk uncou.acious and was :arried to tae hospital before he was sole to give his namne. The maj rir >f those injared nave receve d but rilng hurts and will be arund~ with n a day or two. The loss to the b:nid og at~a contents is estimated at 90, The Duty on Ice* In the U i"-d 'Rates S aic ri eduod sv w tsi-h ti oi.i wa oer adiss-ion on the rice t pargra' liis.,, in C tar e of the ili, wi'.2 tre.s ta;e cc-al '1te ameniments re C ucirg the r'ous: ra-s, thus i"i' rke out the enjtuet ri0s pare rap wa substitute a new one ptcn ~icrmn auty of4) pe e .c valo -. on ali grades I ric. Lv ' r eted, yeass 19, usy . Fiv d - sa and ..i:man., and ret- poa~ rotd wvih the republicar's in he iN g aavce. TkXe rice parag~rap 'es ei.e: ~greed to as it crue ;r-.the hom as W. S. Nicoson o. R. ,.< hill,1 .4b asts tha: ttus -as he tir3 aaie e had ev -r been over 25 mnile froan oaie U is :3s years ol and wa h ei: Ult, eight il~es fro.m hisO bith >ixe. Hie never rode on a trau un it1 he was 21 y ears old, and last Octo er s-as the first time he had ever seeni mn elephanrt. He called in The State lihce to tell the things he dida't know mud was as proud of them as a grea. nany are of the things they thins Jay krnow. WEATHER AND CROPS. THE CONDITION OF SOUTH CAROLI NA'S FARMING INTERESTS. The Regular Weekly Bulletin of the Weather Bureau Issued Monday by Di rector Bauer-The General Outlook. The following is the weekly bulletin of the condition of the weather and crops in this State issued last week by State Observer Bauer: TEMPERATURE. The temperature during the past week averaged about normal, and at most places the range was not great, the nights having been seasonably warm and the days comfortably cooL The average temperature for the week, deduced from 52 weekly means, was 76, and the normal for the same period is approximately 75. The highest was was 99 on the 4th at Gilli sonville and the lowest 52 on the 1st. at Liberty. RAINFALL. The week began with showers over the northern counties. On Thursday showery conditions again set in, and continued during the remainder of the week, reaching the coast section by Saturday, The rains were fairly well distributed, except that in the south central counties a few places did not receive enough rain, and in Chester and portions of nearby counties there was in places excessive rainfall. Lands were badly wasned in portions of Chester, Anderson. Fairfield, Lau rens, Lexington, Union, Sumter and Kershaw, with injury to fields of corn and cotton. The smallest amount re ported was 0 12 in. from Blackville, the largest 3 14 from Pinopolis, while the average of 54 measurements was 1.19 in.; the normal for this same time being approximately 1.12. Twen tv-one measurements of less than an inch were reported ; 26 of from I to 2 inches; and seven with more than two inches. There was hail cn May 31 at many pilac-s, and again on the 3d and 4th from Laurens to - Horry, but with a rew local and limited exceptions the damage to crops was slight. There were a few short but violent wind storms but no injury of any materi al importance resulted. The sunsi;ne averaged about 52 per. cent. of the possiole and was consiaer ably below the normal for the season. caops. The past week was the most favora ble one of the season and crops made rapid growth. The ground is now in excellent condition in respect to mois ture except in portions of Oconee, Pickens, Aiken, Eigefield, Lexing ton, Bamberg, Barnwell. Orangeburg, Colieton, Dorchester, Hampton and Cnarieston counties, but even over those counties many places had enough rain, all the entire country some, with probably good rains since reports closed. Tne temperature has been more favorable with generally warmer nights and no excessive heat during the day. Insect pests, too, are not as active in doing damage to crops, and the entire crop situation is repro sented by correspondents as being ex tremely favorable now and likely to continue so for some time. The condition of corn is not satis factory over the entire State although it L as made good progress lately. Star ds are somewhnat broken on bot tom lands where cut worms continue to injure that that is just comning up after replanting. In the eastern counties corn is being "laid by" and here and there fields are 'in "'silk and tassels." Fields are gener ally clean and mostly worked out. Some bottoms yet to plant. Cotton has made rapid advance and is generally in fine growing condition, althcugh small for the season. Stands are reported nearly perfect over the entire State, and chopping out has made rapid progress where not previ ously completed The plant looks healthy and is but little infested by lice or other harmful insects. Fields are generaliy clear of grass, with very few contrary reports. Squares, or forms, are noted over the eastern and central counties. Last year cotton was blooming at this time. Sea Island cotton being damaged by dry weather retarded its gro wth. So'ne peas have been planted this week, but a number of correspondents report seed scarce. Tobacco has improved very muen under the more favorable weather con ditions which have prevailed and is doing well. Worms prevalent in Ker shaw. Rice has generally a good stand al though a few complaints as to poor stand of late so wn were received. Wheat is about ready to harvest and promises a good average yield, the rust seemingly has not injured it to any considerable exte at. Oats har:est is in progress or is com pleted but the showery weather has not favored this work. Fall oats are .urnng out very well. Transplanting s weet potato slips is in ac-iye progress and is favored by trke mnoist condition of the soil. Pea..hes are ripening, but the com enercia.l crop is not of the finest quali ty. 0 .her peacnes are quite plentiful. .irapes fruiting well but in some coun ,ies are rotting. Wild berries plentiful *ardens are greatly improved and vegt~Ales plentiful. 8quis;a bugs it jlring melon vines in l&amberg county. Pastures reviv The enatire crop situation is encour Fr~nte 2aional bulletin of May " ",e w' k has been unfavorable to orn .ru to:'t the cor-n producing sae b i cx ce e r or germination ad gr , waii' rmplaints of poor " ie m's uafaor-able reports on sa~mcaefromQ No.rth Carolina - d -:m eein~ the latter State a onid i res will be planted mn *. Li tuorthe'rn Texas the crop is rm t wo ttiree weeks late. O'ver s anTxas it is fruiting nicely diseerally w5~eri cultvaad. Twenpty five Catholic Monks were :.ectly roas.d bh natives of the Pniilioiaa Ianids, against whom Spi snow condlucting a merciless war In consequence of cruelties practiced by the spanish troops on the rebeh or those suspect ed of being in sy mpathy with jme cause, the rebels in raeege perpeateda ;cts of cruelty on the help ies mentfls who came in their *lutches. The customary mode of re-asurng pigs in the island is stickihg a ba~noo to a pig and tuen fastening it to an iron, roa.sting it over a slow dire. This was done to the monks, the Oamboo being thtust thr-ough them white they were naii