The Manning times. (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, March 15, 1899, Image 1

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N'O.XIV. ANNING., S. C... WEDNESDAY, -MARChI 15,89.N. ~ A TRIN FIRE1) 0N Because the Negro Soldiers on it Acted Badly. MADE THE ROWDIES BEHAVE. The Warm Reception Accorded the Mustered Out Men of the Tenth Immunes. The Story. The Tenth Immunes, who were mus tered out at Macon, Ga., Wednesday, began to show their ill temper as soon as the train bearing the Negroes home began to move out of Macon. Produc in revolvers and other arms which they in some way managed to smuggle with them they began firing from the windows. Bullets flew in every direc ti,.n as the train sped on aneA passersby were c-ampelled to seek shelter. Lacki ly only one person was shot in Macon Will Goodyear, a 16 year old white boy whose arm was bacly fract!red by a ball. As the train passed the various stations on the road the rioting was re newed, shots being fired from the train at th,: people standing on the platforms to see th train go by. At GriN n. Ga.. where the first sec tion of the train stopped about 2:30 Wednesday afternoon, occurred the most serious trouble of the day. The regi ment came over the central of Georgia railroad in three sections. When the first train stopped at Griffin the Negroes. who by this time had filled up on whis key, began firing their pistols and yell ing like India::s. Over 200 shots were fired and the police were powerless to resist. The city was at the mercy of the Negroes. who kept up a fusilade of shots until the train carried them beyond the city limits. The news of the outrageous conduct spread rapidly over Griffin and it was determined that the next section of the regiment should be held in check. Mayor Davis telephoned Gov. Candler asking him to order out the Griffin rifies. The governor sent word that he would consult the authorities and instruct him in a few minutes. Mayor Davis then ordered out the company on his own responsibili.y, as there was no time to lose. The lAifies were given five rounds of ammunition, and under com mand of Lieut. David marched to the depot. In addition to the militia, the mayor and Sheriff Morris deputized nearly 100 citizens to assist the officers in preserving peace and protecting the city. About 5:15 p.'m. the second section came in sight and above the roar of the train could be heard the rattle of fire arms which were being discharged in discriminately. When this train came to a standstill the Negroes saw 200 heavily armed men who commanded them to keep quiet. The negrces were awed, and with a few exceptions were as docile as lambs. To those who proved fractious cracked heads were ad mi.istered. When the train pulledI out from the depot and the Negroes thought they were out of reach of the citizens they began firing at houses. At the first shot a volley was poured into the train by the citizens and militia. George Agee, a trainman, was eatally shot in the abdomen and one Negro slightly wounded. Gov. Candler said: "I did not give the order oalling out the company of militia at Griffin. Word was sent to the sheriff there to call upon the poliee of the town to do themr duty. Lieut. Col. Withrow, of the Tenith imumunes, wired me during the afte.rnoen to ex extend protection to the Negroes while they were in the limzits of the- State. He'said the people of Griffin were re sponsible for the trouble." A dispatch from Raleigh, N. C., says the tour of the Negro troops through that State was marked by drunken riot ing and shooting at people, houses ana cattle along the railroad. During th few minutes that the train stopped here, there was drinking and disorder among the men. Several shots were fired at the grounid or into the air. All along the route the conduct was the same. A distratch from Hende. son to-night says- "The Tenth im mune. Negro troops, passed Wed nesday over the Seaboard Air Line. They shot at private houses and school children. Several men were woudded. The officers of the regiment seemed to have no control over the men." Further particulars in regard to the conduct of the Tenth immunes .. ere re ceived from the towns along the Sea board Air Line. Between Atlanta and Monroe they shot Flagman Sam Sealy in the heel infieting a painful wound. At Monroe they raided the dispensary, car rying 6ff some 75- packages of whiskey. At Henderson they came near killing an old white man named Crozier. . In Weldon, the last point at which they stopped in this State, their conduet was the worst. At the point of a pistol thu y forced John Battle, a worthy colored man, to drink seven glasses of whiskey. Battle fell down senseless soon after drinking the liquor and died before a physician could be summoned. The riotous troops forced their way into stores and saloons, taking whatever they wanted. They fired upon a switchman who failed to run at their command and spoke insultingly to those whom they met upon the streets. Tug and Crew Lost. The tug Bowen was lost with all on board of Ilog Island Wednesday. Eleven lives were lost o-n the tug, but the crew of the dredse she was towing at the time were picked up by the Ger man steamship Albano, bound from New York to Newport News. They were landed at old Point Comfort. The tug was lost in the midat of the terrible snow storm of last week. Shec was tow ing the steamn barge Admiral to Phila delphia. where she is owned by the( American Dredging company, the as sistant superintendent of which was lost aboard her. ie was Capt. W\illiam (. Cannon and lived in Camden. It Pays to be a Hero. The Congress that recently adjourn ed made liewey an admiral, which in creases his pay from .U,000 per annua to $13,000). There is something sub stantial in such a recognition of Dew DREADFUL SUFFERINGS Of the Passengers and Crew of a Disa bled Steamer. The Portuguese steamer ega which arrived at New York Wednesday from St. M1ihael's. Azores, brought the pas seneers of the Cunard steamer Pavonia which wastowed into St. Michael'safter a terrible experience at sea. The total number of the Pavonia's passengers was 54, of whom 9 were saloon, 17 sec ond cabin and 2S steerage. The Vega also brought four men who were on the German steamer Bulgaria, which put into St. Michael's disabled. Dr. J. W. Inches of St. Clair, Mich., one of the Pavonia's cabin passengers, said: .The experience of the voyage of the Pavonia was frightful. Gale followed gale and hurricanes prevailed through out the whole time from Liverpo-l un til we landed at the Azores. During the gales terrific seas came over the side and swept everything before them. The steamer rolled so violently that the six boilers broke adrift and the steamer was helpless on the ocean. Five steai ers were sighted, but the weather was so stormy that they were unable to help us. The crew of the Pavonia worked nobly and did everything t> make the passengers as comfortable as possible under the circumstanc s. When we finally got into St. Michael's we were obliged to land in lifeboats during a gale and it is a great wonder that none of us were lost. However, we landed without casualties and embarked on the Vega for New York. We have had everv care and comfort possible on the wavhome from the Azores." - The Pa vonia sailed from London on January 24 for Boston. The general opinions of the Pavonia's passengers is that the members of the crew of that steamer deserve every praise for their heroic ef forts, but Capt. Atkin did not merit the same consideration. TO BE MUSTERED OUT. Our Boys Will Come Home by the First of May. Orders were issued at the war depart ment Wednesday for the Twelfth New York volunteer infantry, now at Ma tanzas, Cuba, to take passage on the transport Berlin for New York city, where it will be mustered out. This is the beginning of a general movement for the muster out of all volunteer troops stationed in Cuba, and indicates that the administration believes that the time has come when it can safely reduce its miiitary forces in Cuba. The fact that the rainy season is not far off is a potent reason foi the early recall of the volunteer troops there. The home movement will have to be gradual be cause of the limited transportation fa cilities now at the disposal of the war department. There are now about 25. 000 volunteers in Cuba, and their with drawal will leave about 15.000 regular troops there for the enforcement of th policy of the administration for the es tablishment of a stable government on the island. Undcr the present plans of the department, it is expected that all of the volunteer troops will be with drawn from Cuba before the first of 3ay, and so escape the dangers of the fevers which make the country such an undesirable place of residence during the summer months. The dficials of the administiation express satisfaction at the present political status of affairs in Cuba, and :re confident of a continu ance of the prevailing peace and good order. The troops arc to be with drawn on the theory that there is no longer need of their services in that country, and that the questions of gov enent will work out themselves with out the presence of a large military force. A Major Convicted A dispatch from Santiago says MIajor Howard Wilson, of the Third immune regiment. who was recently tried by courtmnartial on charges of forgery, fal sifying records and conduct unbecom ing an officer and a gentleman, has been convicted and sentenced to dis issal from the service, forfeiture of pay and allowances, and confinement for one year at hard labor in the peni tetiary. Gen. L. Wood military gov ernor, taking into consideration Wil son's previous good character and the reduction from an honorable position to the status of a military convict, con iders that elemnency may be shown him without detracting froin the force of the example to to others, and directs that the sentence be remitted so far as the confinement at hard labor is con cerned. One Bill Vetoed Gov. Ellerbe has decided to veto a bill which has reference to the opera ton of the sinking fund. A bill was passed at the last session relative to the collection of back taxes. It provided that for back taxes the state might col lect by a suit or summary process with in ten years from ;he date when they should have been paid. For back taxes due prior to M1arch :31. 1899, the sink ing fund would have ten years in which to collect them. There has been no law on the subject heretofore, hence the passage of the bill. Th'e governor's eto mneets with the approval and en dorsement o.f officers of the commission. Th a Constables Bailed. 3Iessrs. John P. Thomas, .Jr, and Cole L. Blease, attorneys for State Con stables W. RI. Crawford, Coleman, Dorn and Cooley, charged with the murder of MIrs. Stuart. made application for bail for the defendants before Judge Ernest Gary at Lancaster Wednesday morning. Solicitor Ihenry represented the State. Crawford was granted bail in the sum of $3,000, Dorn and Cole man each in the sum of $1,000t and Coolcy in the sum of $.500. Ice Inside and Out.. The three masted schooner Alfred Brabrook. Capt. Garland. from Booth bay, M1aine. for Charleston, S. C.. ice laden, stranded during a heavy gale and thiek snow storm at Gi all Shoal Life Saving Station. N. C.. t wenty-tive miles north of Ilatteras. The crew of eight men were saved by the life saving crew from Gull Shoal station by mieans of the breeches buoy and arc now being cared for at that station. The vessel a cargo nae probably a total loss. A ROYAL WELCOME. Columbia Entertains the Guests of the State Handsomely. FEASTED AND TOASTED. No Sections and no Factions lObserved In the Hospitality of the Capital City. The Toasts. Columbia has entertained the con gressional party which, on its way to Cuba. has stopped over in South Caro lina at the invitation of our representa tives in congress. Feeling very jubi lant over recent events which point to Columbia's development and growth, the capital city has, in the limited tine allowed, done everything she could to entertain and honor her guests and to show her appreciation of the services of Senator Tillman and Congressman Stanvarne Wilson. who have worked for the appropriation for the opening of the Congaree. Greenville entertained the visitors Tuesday in royal style. Co lnmbia did her best to receive them iu true Southern style Wednesday. and )u Thursday Charleston received them with a round of pleasure and giod cheer. The visiting congressmen were rep resentatives J. Hamilton Lewi: of, Washington, W. S. Cowherd of li souri. J. J. Showater of Pennsylvania. John Shafroth of Colorado, Israel Wa terhouse of 'Massachusetts and J. A. Connally of Illinois. From our own State were Senator Tillman. Congress men Wilson, A. C. Latimerand James Norton. Tie following ladies accomn panied. the party: Mrs. B. R. Tillmau, 3Mrs. Latimer, Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Con nelly, Mrs. Shafroth, Mrs. Cowherd, Mrs. Showater, and Miss Connally, Miss Shafroth, Mrs. Waterhouse, who is a native of Statesville, N. C. The party arrived in Columbia at half-past three o'clock Wednesday. They were met by the committee on reception, who drove the visitors to the Columbia hotel. After resting and re freshing themselves the visitors turn ed themselves over to the keeping of the committae and were driven over the city, visiting all the public build ings, among others the State dispensa ry, where each visitor was supplied with a soul-inspiring souvenir of that institution. At dusk they were taken back to the Hotel Columbia, where they rested awhile and received the at tentions of nuimbers of citizens who came to call. The visitors seemed to have enjoyed the unexpected hospitable attention of the people of South Carolina and speak in warmest praise of the open-hearted ness and generosity of the cities in South Carolina which they have vis ited. This town is designed to be an introduction of Southern people to the representatives of people of the North, and from this- brief acquaintance the happiest results are expected. The average South Carolinian loves to talk and to hear talking. The lobby was filled with representative citizens who were gazig upward trying to catch a limpse of Senator Tillman or some of iis associates. The programme called for a reception from 9 to 10, but the enthusiastic Carolinians could not stand the waiting. They wanted a speech. There were resonant calls for "Tillman" which broke forth with marked spontineity. These were con tinued until the senator made his ap peaiance. After he had addressed them in a few words, pleading fatigue the other gentlemen were presented and the crowd was entertained for quite an hour with the speeches. Each speech was cheered, as a matter of' course, but there were frequent bursts of spontaneous applause which sprung not from courtesy but from appreciation of the hits of the speakers. Senator Tillman said: "I' am glad to meet you again afte.r I may say a four years absence. I wouldn't be surpris ed," he remarked ironically, "if tears shed upon my departure have raised the congaree so that it will float a boat without river improvements." He ex cused himself from further speaking by saying that he was very much fatigued by the gontinuous session of the sen ate est prior to adjournment, and with the fatigue of traveling. He conclud ed by saying: "Remember that I am in the senate yet and will see you again, and then you will hear it all. 3Mr. James Hamilton Lewis of Wash rngton State responded to popular call and made a clever speech. Ile said that our congressmen are very enter prising and whenever they see anything peculiar thsy want to bring it home and exhibit it. This was a palpable hit on his "pink whiskers." '-Latimner told me to come here and let thc boys look at me." lHe had enjoyed the courtesies of the State and wvould hate very much to leave, lie lived as far west as man could and still be in the country. If you go further west y'ou get into the east. But even that great distance could not make him forge' the pleasure of this visit, lie then spoke of the two sous of Bishop Tlowe. Judge Elliot. and M1ajor James L. Urr of Tacoma, who are worthy repr'eseuta tives of South Carolina in that far wes tern state. M1r. Cowherd of Kansas City. Mo., said lie had suggested to Maj. Connally to tell where he stood on the banks of the river so that the people could un derstand why he had come .out of' the war without a wound. lie could now understand how this Anglo-Saxon race could tight and then forget it all. The Den oerats were improving so tnat it was diffieult to tell them from the Re publiaus. lie hoped for South Car', lina as glorious a future as she hadt had a past. There were loud calls f.,r "manyarue Wilson," the congressman from the Fourth district. M1r. Wilson said that Ihe wanted merely to show his deep) and heartfelt appreciation of all this county had done for him. He had endeavored to returo that kindness in pushing the appropriation for the Congaree. lie looked to see the time when Richland county and grand old Columbia will oc cupy that position which past history and future glory would warrant. Cc lumbia but needs to be placed in a po so wher sh may come out of the categorv of towns and she will work hierself well up among the cities. Ile spoke of the p1resence of the con gressmen from the north. "By their presence we recognize that there is no North no South. no East, no West, no anywhere," On the roll of honor be side Dewey, Otis. Roosevelt and other Northern heroes we see Wheeler. Blue, Ilobson and Micah Jenkins. This is now one grand country without distinc tion of section. The South has taken up the song of prosperity and is forging ahead, aided by the reunited govern ment. lie would make way for other speakers. le knew that it would do the old Confederate soldiers good to hear from some who had worn the blue. 1le then introduced Representative Connally of Illinois. 1r. Wilson was frequently interrupted with ap plause. Th-re was then an unusual picture. A Union veteran being entertained by and addressing an audience of southern people, sone of whom were C.nieder ate soldiers. M1. Connally of Iliinois told of his first visit to or toward Co lunbia 35 years ago. Sherman's corps was marching throuah. He was at Lexington and thouzht the city of Co luibia was in Sherman's hands. Ac companied by an orderly he rode to the banks of the river, bat the bridge had been b-irned. He stood on the opposite bank trying to find some way to cross, because he warted to see the capital city of South Carolina. Some public spirited citizen appeared on the opposite bank of the ricer and began shooting at IL d-ldd tha lie would postpune I II ViSit to Columbiat. But now he wa., dlad to zay that the people of Columbia had become more hospitable. genuinely hospitable. lie came from the State which was the home of that good and great man. than whoni the south had no better friend. Abraham Lincoln. Ile spoke feelingly of the pleasur it gave him to meet the "Johnny Rebs," and he came with a message of good cheer from the "Prairie State." Mr. Connally retircd amid the loud cheers of the Confederate soldiers and all the others preseat. There were loud calls for Senator Tillman. and his ardent friends would not have a refusal. He appeared again and in his characteristic way stated that this was not an election year and he could not understand the demonstra tion. as there is now no polities in Co lumbia, unless it be that they had been to the dispensary. (Laughter.) He congratulated Columbia on the occasion of the "jolification." This will give Columbia an equal show in developing trade. and will place her upon an equal plane with Atlanta and other southern citiei. "I don't want any tManks," he said, "I have but done my duty. Columbia is in South Carolina. not South Carolina in Colum bia, and from the bottom of my heart I congratulate her upon her good fortune." Congressman Latimer, Shafroth, Sho walter and Waterhouse entertained the populace with short speeches in which they praised the hospitality and warm heartedness of the southern people'and of South Carolina. At 10 o'colck the guests were escorted to the Grand Central hotel, in whose spacious dining hall an elegant banquet was spread by the Messrs. Gillard. The hall was draped in the tri-colors of the goveonment of Republicans and Demo crats and of all other parties. There were covers lends for 260 guests, and there was a representative American at each plate. Good will and friendship headed the bill of fate, but there were a lot of more substantial dishes elegantly prepared, and the menu wound ut. with entrees of an exchange of confidences and sentiments by the speakers who represented the feelogs of all present. 3Mr. R. WV. Shand who had presided with much dignity, and in a graceful speech introduced MIr. B. L. Abney, who delivered the address of welcome. We are glad, said he to extend to these distinguished visitors of other States, and to our owvn representatives the heartiest welcome. These gentle nen from far off States come among us as friends and neighbors. They are entitled to hospitality, to generosity and to friendship. M1r. Shand introduced Congressman Showalter, swho responded to the toast 43anufactures as a source of wealth." He began by congratulating Columbia upon the acquisition of the appropria tion. He was proud that it was a sena tor from his State, Don Camron, who had killed the force bill, and his action met the approbation of the entire comn menwealth. Congressmian Cowherd, of MIissouri, was received with hearty applause when he was announced to speak upon "The Old and the New South." lHe paid a tribute to the industry of the senators and representatives from South Caro lina, saving that if they kept up their work, they wvould have the entire treas ury ia circulation in the State. He was a "new member" of congress. There are three classes in Washington society. The aristocracy, or depart mient clerks: the~ potentates. or presi dent. senate and old members; and the trash, or new miembers and colored at tacheis. The new members were good for nothiug but to make the applause wiic.h is printed in the journals which Latimer. Wilson and these other fel lows send do~vn here. ie paid a beau tiful tribute to the industry and develop ment of the new south, but said she lost none of the attributes of the old.' When the new south shall have trans formed the face of the earth, and has attained her highest glory. there will stil beceted a monument to the old sot fchivalry, manhood, and beau Thec a pplause which suc'ceededl his very eleganit perorati-on lbsted for sev eral in utes. and was agaim and again re'ewed wh~en he was by som admirers caled theI leury (Grady of Kansas City. liutt tihe niorth had its innuings again. Judge.i' iualy. in his response to tile "American Soldier" was listened t> withimarke d attention as he paid tribute those of any nation. lie paid a glow ing tribute to the volunteer soldier. and said that he was one of the six rebels in the hiou~e w ho voted against tuad rapiing the reguilar army. I Ie repre seted the district where lie tile re mains of the patie' t, meek, lowly child of Nature who loved the south as much as the n~rth, Abraham Lin coln. (Cheers.) T he son of the Federal soldier and of the Confederate soldier are soldiers by inheance. The men who rode with Sheridan, who marched with Sherman, can strike hands with those who marched with Jackson and rode with Stuart. There was no complaints about embalmed beef and short rations. It would appear that no soldiers suffered as those of today. He then told of the short rations of the soldiers in the war between the war between the States. Ile friquently tapped Mayor Lips comb on the shoulder, speaking of him as "My old Johnny Reb friend." and his response was filled with good humor and genuine pathos which spiced the -ommon sense talk of a Yankee in love with Dixie. "The Fifiyfifth Congress," a hard subject to handle in its scope, was treated in a masterly way by 1r. James Hamilton Lewis. He said that probably "congressmen" would be a more fit subject than "congress." He made some happy hits upon the person ality of the visiting congressmen. In regard to Nlaj. Connally, he said that the worst the Yankees had treated the southerners the better the Yankee was treated in return. r The assembly was convulsed with laughter at his characterization of Mr. Cowherd speaking of chivalry beforeba South Carolina audien'ce. There was a laugh at the expense rMr. Shafroth of Colorado. when *he said that that State way like Scuth Carolina-very dry. He then turned his remarks to the South Carolina delegation. He said Senator Tillman was a man who sought no lau dation, and no man wat stronger in his integrity. (Cheers., He spoke in words ol' burning elo qunence of the causes %yhich actuated the cougress to come to the relief of Cuba. when all sectional and factional lines were forgotten. The Fifty-fifth congress is worthy of - the encomiums "well done." But the chasm had not been breached by any act of the administra tion but by the lives of the volunteer soldiers of the South, who true to the pledges of their fathers offered their lives to the country which their fathers had fought. Mr. Lewis a descendant of a South Carolina governor, and the native South er fire and adopted western pluck rang in every sentence. The entire assemb ly was charmed with his wit, versatility and genius. The "United States Congress" was ably discussed by 31r. Shafroth of Colo rado. He said that a senator could speak for three months on one bill if lie wanted, but in the lower house the more important bills received but short discussion. (Laughter.) He then made a very interesting ex position of the operations of both brancheg of congress. le gave the speaker of the house quite a "roast." There are frequently a score of mem bers on the floor endeavoring to obtain recognition. The speaker will glance casually around the house, and. as if by accident, pick out a member. But that was design. The house is each day ander a schedule already mapled out by the speaker. His peroration was a tribute to the greatness of the Ameri can nation, which was beyond compari ,on with any other nation. When Mr. Shand announced Benja min R. Tillman, the senior senator's name was received with deafening ap plause, an'd he was kept standing sev eral minutes before he could reply to the toast "South Carolina." Senator Tillman said that the senate was the only deliberate body in Wash ington, and he related his experiences of the last few' days, showing that he had had much to fatigue him. There fore. he made apology for any short coming. He said: "We have a State of whic'h we are proud. You have a city which we hope to see marching steadily to the front. It is not neces sary to discuss the occasion of this as sembly. I have simply done my duty. I am glad that you are willing to ac knowledge that I am not a nonenity in the United States senate, and I am giad that you are willing to honor me. Let the dead past bury its dead, and let us move forward together. 1 congratulate you that half of these visiting gentle men are Republicans and that there is now less sectional feeling than since the war. (Cheers.) The United States are today united by bonds of blood. Your welcome of these gentlemen is a harbinger of better days in the republic. The great heart of the masses of the people beats for good government. We are not going the way of other repuib lies and sink beneath the burden of a standing army. ' We are far poorer than other States, but they have the accumulated wealth of- 200 years. while we began life anew in 186->. When they consider our pov erty, our lack of thrift, these represen tatives from other States cannot refuse us, straggling under adverse conditions. paying $2, 000.000 pensions; they can not refuse us a request foi' any appro priation whieh is in order, decency and right, and South Carolina will never ask for anything which is not decent and right. (Cheers.) We of South Carolina have no apologies to make. We will always iespond to every call as in 1876i. 1812 and 1847 and every other time when we ~have beeni called upon. "Columbia' was the therne responded to by 3Mr. Stanyarne Wils'on. IIe con gratulated the State of South Carolina for hav'ing as its capital this grand old city of Cola:nibia. ie congrratulated Columbia fr being the capital of the gr'and old State. lHe congratulated himseif f'or havingt sneh an excellent c'onstitue,'cy. lHe had beeni working for thre yea~ urs. but felt that lhe wolla be obtaini'ng goods under false pretea ses if he eno ceredit to Senator Till mIanI for obtaining the Congaree appro pr iation. .ippropr'1iations dion' comec fast. The. unt be soughit fer. Thle on'ly way to iezt an appropriation is to iro for it. For weeks and mouths lhe hl dreame onhf what Cclbu ibia and the upper put 'if the State c' ull i and shounld bvcome. lie spoke proudly of the pr's pceets of the capital city. W\hen the cheers which greeted his taking his scat had subsided. M1r. Cow herd proposed a toast to Senator Till mant and 3Mr. W'ilson. Thi was drunk with a hearty good will by all present. and the love feast of the Yankee and Reb., of partisan and opponent was de clared adjourned by 'Toastmaster' Shand1. Ante-Election. The Augusta T1ribune says it la again as it was two years ago. when every pa per contained notices of a voluntary ad vance in wages somewhere. Is another wave of prosperity down on the sched COMING TO LIGHT. The .Penitentiar" Investigation Shows up Badly for Col. Neal. WHAT THE STATE IS OUT. Thirty Convicts Worked on the Farms of Col. Neal for Which the State has Not Been Paid. The committee appointed by the Legislature to investigate the charges against Col. W. A. Neal, late superin tendent of the Penitentiary, spent sev eral days last week on the matter. Ac cording to the testimony taken up to Thursday here is the situation: In 1896 J. B. Watson and Col. W. A. Neal made a contract whereby the latter was to redeem or buy back his farm in Anderson county, which he had turned over to the former.. for debt.. The price was to be S14.00. and this was to be paid in installments of $2.000 a year. At the same time and on the same day, according to the testimony of Col. Neal, Mr. Watson made a con tract with him as superintendent of the penitentiary for 311 conviets who were to work this farm and another owned by him (Neal) in Pickeis county. The superintendence of the Anderson coun ty farm work was to be under B. B. Ragsdale and the Pickens farm under C. W. Ragsdale. By this conoract for convict hire J. B. Watson was to be nominally responsible, while Neal in reality was to get the oenefit of the la bor. This was done apparently to get around the statute which prohibits the superintendent of the penitentiary from employing convicts to work for himself individually. This contract with Wat son was not secured by bond as is gen erally required because Col. Neal con sidered him "a responsible man." Under the instructions of the board of directors a note properly endorsed so that it may be discounted at a bank may be accepted in payment for con victs. In the year 189G J. B. Watson got 30 convicts who worked the two farms of Col. Neal in Andersoa and Pickens counties. These convicts worked those farms during 1896, '97 and '98. In payment for their work the first year B. B. Ragsdale gave his note for $2,595.99, endorsed by W. A. Neal as superintendent. For their work in 1897 C. W. Ragsdale gave his note for $2,012.45, endorsed in the same way. The account for 1398 is still open, though under the head of assets. J. B. Watson is charged up with their hire. These two Ragsdale notes were placed in the Carolina Na tional bank and the money drawn on them. The B. B. Ragsdale note for $,595.99 was taken up by the payment of check given by J. B. Watson. The check was made payable in five days, but before that time had expired Mr. Watson held up the payment. The bank now demands from the penitenti ary the payment of these two a'nounts. W. A. Neal as superintendent having endorsed the two notes. This puts the State virtually in the position of endorsing notes in )rder to get money and-then having- to pay the notes herself, the maker of the notes not having paid them. Co-l. Neal tes tified that the two Ragsdales whio gave thiir notes in payment for this convict hire for the years had not derived a cent's benefit from the convicts's work. It had been done on his farms and he had gotten the benefit of their work, The State will have to redeem these two notes and by doin.; so loses the pay for 30. convicts for the years 1896 and 1897. This amount is in round num bers SI 500, to say nothing of the past year, which will run the amount up to about $6,000. All this labor Col. Neal, was using on his farms, though under the contract Mr. J. B. Watson is the nominal lessee of the convicts. M1r. Watson's testimony was impor tant in that it told of the eontracts made between himself aid Col. Neal. He gave his reason, for refusing to pay the check taking up the B. B. Rags dale notes and then went on to say that under their personal ag~eemnent he had sold the cotton crop from the two farms made in 1890. After taking out from the proceeds the first payment on the farm to himself, he turned over to Col. Neal $i, 465.85, for which Col. Neal re ceipted as superintendent, and which he understood was to pay the coriviot hire for that year. It had not been so credited and the records gave no evi dence of it having been paid. In 1895 he had~ also paid a draft of $500 to Col. Neal. but. as was afterwads shown. he was not cr-edited with this in any iv ty. Col. Neal. in reference to the $500 draft. said he had used it for traveling expenses. About the SI.465.85 paid by MIr. Watson, he claimed that it had been paid out to hands and for the ex penses5 of muaking the crop' in 1S9%. MIr. Stevenson asked the pointed question, after C'ol. Neal had stated that he had paid $2.70" in 1S)' ani 1q97 to M1r. Watsonla payment ou the farmi as per private conrract. if the payment of the~ seinai:uents were not virtually usin m-ey due the State to p~ay priv ate dets re. Burriss testitied to sev eral. irre-.larities inv.oving several hn'dred ailars and1 showed where only a pa.rt of a dtraft would be credited to a m an's ant, while the remainder ws plac-'d to the personal credit of W. A Neal. The facts -a far brought out in the penitentiary investigation Friday show that Col. W. A. Neal. the retiring sup erintendent, is due the State the follow ing amounts: Cah collected from Cooley & Fowler D ec. 9. i1895. for con vict hire for which no return was made to the penitentiary $ 5)0. 00 Ca-h collected from W. Q. I lammornd in the same way on Nov. 27, 1895........5-. B. B. Ragsdale's note for la bor usedi by Ccl. Neal...2.595.99 C. W. Ragsdale's note for ia bor used by Col. Ne-al- .2.012.45 Due for convict labor used by Col Nea in 189.--.-.....2800.00 W. W. Russell's note endorsed by Neal as superintendent.. 600.00 Balance of $1,352.22 collected of Cooley & Fowler and W. Q. Hammond Feb. 24, 1897, deposited to his own per sonal account and not cred ited. ............. 539.95 Received of J. J. Fretwell for oats and'not accounted for. 337.17 Check given by Neal to bal ance Watson's account for 1897 and never paid but carried in penitentiary re port as cash............172.00 Total:........... ..$10,057.56 If the three items for convict hire used on Col. Neal's Anderson farm in the years 1896, 1897 and 1898, and for which J. Belton Watson is nominally responsible is deducted, then .Col. Neal has misappropriated funds to his own use to the amount of $2.649.12. In his testimony Friday, however, Col. Neal viitually admitted that he was the beneficiary of the convict labor, though Watson, under his contract with the State, is responsible for the hire. The testimony Friday cl aified many points that had before thirbeen con fused. It also served to show that the board of directors who were charged with a general supervision of the entire penitentiary had been kept woefully in the dark in regard to matters which they were supposed to know something about. CAUGHT IN THE ACT. A Postmaster Detected Openiag Other People's tetters. Edward F. Bogert, postmaster of Wilkesbarre, Pa., was arrested Thurs day, charged with tampering with the United States mails. About two months ago several complaints were lodged with the postal authorities at Washington that mail was disappearing, or that which they received bore evidence of having been opened by a steaming pro cess. The postal authorities subse quently detailed two secret service men on the case under orders of Inspector Gorman. Wednesday night after the mail from BAltimore and Washington arrived and had been distributed Bog ert entered the office and was seen to take several letters from the boxes and then go into his private office and care fully draw down a curtain. The de tectives went to the offiee and, without the ceremony of knocking, entered and there found the postmaster seated at his desk, on which lay three.letters ad dressed to prominent business men of Wilkesbarre and all of them opened. Bogert was taken before United States Commissioner Hahn, where he gave bail in $4,000 for, appearance later. Mr. Bogert besides being editor of The Evening Leader of Wilkesbarre, is a member of a large number of lodges, and for the past 10 or 12 years has been an active member of the baseball asso ciation. He is a brother of the late Joseph K. Bogert, a gentleman who was prominent in Democratic county and State politics, and at the time.of his death was postmaster. Postmaster Bogert would not be interviewed, but in his paper, the Evening Leader, Thursday night appears the following: "'1 here are always two sides to a ques tion and when there are three or four fellows, and oie dr two in particular clamoring for a political office, and hungry for the emoluments attached thereto, there are sure to be schemes worked and ~lans formed to entrap the incumbent, cause his removal and pun ish him otherwise, even if notning further than the annoyance and chagrin that accomplishment of their devilish underhand work imposes. When the diabolical schemers are fully shown up and their nefarious trickery exposed there is a question as to which side will furnish tihe raciest reading." The inference to be drawn from the above is that Bogert imagined himself the victim of a conspiracy to oust -him from the postmastership, and in order to disaover the consptrators lie opened letters addressed to Repub.liacan politi clans. A Dema~cratic Army. Instead of getting an imperial stand ing army of 100,000 men, Mr. McKin ley has had to accept the Bryan plan embodied in the German army bill 60,000 regulars and 35,000 volunteers for two years, and after that a return to a standing army of only 27,000 men. Chairman Hull, godfather of the deceas ed Alger-Corbin imperiaf bill, says that this "miserable makeshift" will not last longer than the session of congress next winter. It is possible, indeed, it is desirable. that a bill to reorganize the army on a modern military plan shall pass congress next winter. But the Republican majority in the next house is narrower than that in the present one. The sentiment against a big standing army is showing itself fully as srrong ia the Republican ranks as in the Damocratic the country through. Th~ere is, therefore, no great probabili ty that any such scheme for construct ing a huge political and most unmilita ry as Alger. Corbin and Hull devised will beco ne law. Ncxt winter the sec ond term syndicate will have to deal with several sturdy Republican presi dential booms, not one of themi basedI upon any of M1r. MIcKinley's peculiar polics. -New York Worli. Citizens Were Prepared. An unsuecessful attempt was made by an organized gang to hold up and rob Noel, a smnall town in 3MeDonald county. 3Mo. The citizens had been warned and were prepared for the gang. (One robber was shot and killed by Louis Smith, a saloon keeper. and another of the robbers was arrested. The killing nipped the robbery in the bud. the re mnainder of the gantg eg-aping. There is nothing on tlhe dead r.>bber t >ideniti fr him. Remembered at Last. Sonie four thousand dollars have been raised as a starter for a monument to General Beauregard in New Orleans. We are gladl that this movement has taken practieal shape and hope to see it c'ontinue.l to success. When the New Orleanas people do anything they do it well, and this will be an ornament as well as an honor to the Crescent City. Now that MIarch is here, people can not be too careful with fire. It is to be hoped that the country will not suffer the losses, from forest fires, this year that it did last Spring. PHILIPPINE NEWS. We Are Making Slow Progress at Pacification. FIGHTING MOST EVERY DAY. The American Troops are 'Still Fighting the Filipinos, Who Seem to Held Their Own. News from the Philippine Islands is not very encouraging. Wednesday morning at daylight the enemy was dis covered trying to mount' a gun across the river from San Pedro and the Sixth artillery promptly shelled the rebel battery. Temporarily- stopping work, the enemy poured a fusilade of musket ry across the river, but a gunboat moved up and cleared the banks of the stream with rapid fire guns. THE REBELS ROUTED. Detachments of Gen. Hale's and Gen. Wheaton's brigades were engaged for two hours Wednesday morning, clearing the country in front of their lines on both sides of the river, the enemy con centrating with the apparent purpose of cutting off the garrison at the water works. The rebels bolted at the first sign of the advance, but they separated into small bodies and kept up a running fire. By a series of rapid advances, followed by flank movements, the ene my was completely routed as far out as Guadoloupe on the right and almost to Mariquina on the left. The casualties reported are Capt. O'Brien of Co. F, First Wyoming volunteers, and two men slightly wounded. The rebel losses were.heavy. - No rebels were visible at noon. WORK OF SHARPSHOOTERS. Near San Pedro Macati the rebels have been actively attempting to make the position of the Sixth artillery uu tenable, their sharpsh-,oters keeping up a constant fire all day. Private Love joy, Co. C, Washington volunteers, was killed by a stray bullet. Maj. Bell, Seventh United States cavalry, Private Young, Co. M, Tentieth infantry; Pri vate Curran, Co. H, Twentienth infan try, and . Private Sparks, Co. I, First Wyoming volunteers, were wounded. THEY ARE TREACHEROUS, Wednesday morning the enemy in front of Gen. Ovenshine's tent sent out a flag of truce, but retired when Lieut. Koohler, with two men, advanced to meet it. In the afternoon they again showed the white flag, and a general, with two officers and an interpreter, advanced. When the Americans were within about two hundred yards of the rebel party the latter dragged rifles from behinA their back and opened fire upon them, but fortunately without effect. Haw thorne's battery fired two'shells, killing some of the enemy. PROTECTION OF GERMANS. In accordance with instructions to the land and naval forces a general or-, der was issued Wednesday, directing the United States troops to give partic ular attention to the specific duty of furnishing full protection to the lives and property of all German, Austrian, Dutch, Italian and Portuguese resi dents, and, at the cooperation of the resident German consul, to give aid and assistance whenever necessary. At 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon the tem perature was St degrees Fahrenheit. The heat is intense, especially on the lines, where twenty-five men were tem porarily prostrated during the day. Rowdy Negro Bomdiers. The Eighth United States immunes, colored, commanded by Col. Higgins, was mustered out of the service at Chattanooga, Ten., Wednesday. Two citizens were seriously wounded by.. shots from the train as the soldiers were leav.ing the city. About 50t) of the diseharged men, many of whom were under thle infiaense of liquor, went~ home- by the Nashviile, Chattanooga and.$t. Louis road, and as eng were leaving the yards in the city a numbe'r -- of men who had in some way secuired revolvers began to discharge them into the air and into sheds and vacant houses. A soldier standing on the rear platform shot at W. WV. Harkins, car in spector of the Nashville road, the bul let striking him ine the right leg and in flicting a painful, though not serious sound. A general fusillade followed. Andrew Ledford who wa standing near the track, was shot in the face and seriously wound~ed. An effort will be made to stop the train at Bridgeport to secure the arrest of the riotous soldiers. A Large Steamer Beached. The Mallary line~ steamer Leona, which sailed from New York for G'l veston, Texas, Wednesday with a laine cargo and passenger list lies beached on the Jersey Thats. W hen approaching the Narrows smoke was discovered com ing froun the forward hold and the ship was put about and returned to the pier on East river from which she had sailed, two hours e irlier. Thers'the passen gers were debarkAd and efforts made to extinguish the tire. which was among the sugar. Though the ship's crew were assisted by a tire tag, no impres sion couldl be hmade upon the flames and to save the dAoe-S and near by shipping the steamer was sent to the Jersey flats where she was sunk in 2') feet of water, the fire being extinguished by that means. Th u draage to the steamer is estimated at om.000, but no accurate estimrate of the l&'ss of the cargo can be estimate atr present. The Leona has been an unfoiLrtunateraft. On May10. 1897,'i hecaugrht tire at her pier and thirteen persons on board perished by suffocation. Trorizing Spaniade. A Spaini~h newspaper publishes a story to the effect that a party of armed Cubans are terrorizing the Spaniards at Mayari. lt says als'o these Cubans have murdered several Spaniards near I arajagua anid mentions eases of the persecution ot Spaniards at Calabazas, province of Santa Clara. In conclu sion the newspaiper asks the American aathorities to inquire into the matter and to afford protection to the Span iards. __________ A CoNN'ricn-T man wagered $10 that he couid drink fifteen glasses of whiskey without taking a rest. He won the money, but his funeral ex pese mounted to more than that.