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I HE HOUSE IN HAND ^ f I T6 PAS8 ON. NEWS FROM BOTH HOUSES V The Latest News of The General AsI sembly Is Given In These Columns | In Condensed Form For The Benefit of The People. ' I ' __ Columbia ?There was a session of N tbe Joint assembly (or holding elec?' i tftons. *. President (JL A. "SaijtT? declared nominations open- tor tbe position ot directors of the state penitentiary and stated that there were two vacancies ti be filled. W. H, Gtepn and J. D. feat, two retiring directors, were the only nominees. After the ballot president Smith fjhdertd Mr. Glenn and Mr. D<*s reelected? for another t term. [ $ . lite election of two trustees for the state negro collect at Orangeburg was ' taken up. DW W. R. Lowman of Orangeburg aqd E* P. Hodge of Clarendon were tbe? only nominees and were elected to Dtl the vacancies. At a jolat meeting of the railroad committee* of the senate and the house, held in the senate chamber, the railway trainmen, conductors, engi-? neers and the railroads were repre seated. Their representatives spoke and gave reasons for and against the passage into law of the bill providing for a minion m number of person* I on trains operated in this state. There are two bills of this character, one in the boose and the other in the senate, hut tbey differ in their provisions. v The Senate. A favorable report on the anti- rac.ng bill war made by the senate judiciary committee. This bill, if passed, 111 ??!?? nil* nf Qftlllh Pnm win unvc i a I. ill t, vv.1 v. wv..? ~ (Una. I A message was received from the governor quoting a letter that he had sent to the heads of all the colleges ^ of the state requesting that they, if z noaslbie^furnlBh him with the annual ^ student S^oilment for the sessions of 1010-1911. the number of profes sort in instructors, the expenditure for the year and any other information that they cared to divulge. The < % clerk had just started to read it when, on motion by Senator Carlisle, it war received as information to be Inserted In the journal. A house message was received informing the senate that an act to reqshe the distribution of the dispensa-y fund and the method of its distribution had been passed over the _ governor's veto. A message from the governor was attached. On motion of Senator. Weston, consideration was deferred and the bill and message Were ordered spread on the journal. J be other message informed the sento that the vetoed amended act for the establishment of an industrial /school for boys was also passed. On motion of Senator Christensen this and <:be governor's attached message I were also sent to the committee on j education and the whole matter is to ( be inserted in the journal. / The unfavorable report on the house bill to regulate the awarding ' of scholarships in Winthrop college was laid on the table. After being amended by Senator Hardin the bill j was sent to the house. , ' Senator Carlisle's bill defining the ' duties and powers of probate courts in relation to minors was passed and / ordered sent to the house. stumor tarmb secomi rtfauiug um I to amend section 2743, code cf laws / of South Carolina, volume 1. relating / to the appointment of Justices aad ' special judges, caused a prolonged and stormy debate, which was adjourned until after third reading bills. Senator Weston's bill to repeal the act incorporating the town of East/ over in Richland county was killed. / Senator Young's bill requiring that all employers of labor who require their employes to give two weeks' noFor Reduction of Cotton Acreage. Acting under a resolution of the South Carolina state farmers' union. Commissioner Watson is soon to inaugurate a campaign throughout the cot:on belt to interest the farmers in the movement to reduce cotton acreage. He will urge upon the state Tamers' unions of the various states and the departments of agriculture to put the ' Rock Hill Plan" in operation. The plan was promulgated by J. G. Anderson or kock Hill and he is to accompany Commissioner Watson on the trip throughout the South. South Carolina New Enterprises. The secretary of state has issued a charter to the Sunny Broo': Brick company of Miles Mill, with a capital stock of $10,000. The officers are: H. P. Lee, president; R. H. Johnston, secretary and treasurer. A commission has been issued to the T. J. Bentlev company of McCormick, with a capital stock of $8,000. The petitioners are T. J. Bentlev and J. P. Hollowav. The secretary of state has issued a charter to the Arthur Hardware company of St. Mathews, with a capital stock of $35,000. Associattion of Architects Meet. The Association of Architects of South Carolina was organized at a meeting held at Columbia city council chamber, there being a membership of 34. The association adopted a constitution, following a general discussion, and elected officers. The following officers were elected: C. C. Wilson, Columbia, president. A. W. Todd. Charleston, vice president; A. M Hamby. Columbia, secretary and treasurer. An executive committee was also named. This committee will decide on the next meeting place Ihlz. ... fjp' -/ " \ * i THE n. tice before quitting, to alBo give tne employe the same amount of notice before discharging him, after being amended by Senator Carlisle, was approved and sent to the house. There was a concurrent resolution from Senator Earie for the appointment of a committee out of the senate and the house to investigate the recent text-book law. Immediate consideration was objected to, and the matter was carried over New Senate Bills. Mr. Spivey?To amend an act entitled, "An Act to authorize the city of Columbia to execute a mortgage of the property now used by the state agricultural and Mechanical society for the uses of said society," approved February 17. 1911. Mr. J. B. Black?To grant to graduates of the state hospital for the insane. the same rights and privileges of nurses graduating from other institutions or hospitals. Mr G. H. Bates?To amend the law relating to magistrates and their constables, their powers, duties. Jurisdiction. salaries, etc. Mr. Epps?A joint resolution authorizing the county commissioners of WtUiamtburg county to draw his warrant for $900. and the county treasurer to pay the same. The House of Representatives. Speaker Smith of the house anI nounced that he had appointed F. M. j Cary of Oconee; J. J. Evans of Marlboro, and W. L. Daniel of Saluda, members of the house on the investigating committee to probe the goverivor. the former winding-up commission. the attorney general and any one connected in any way with the old state dispensary. The house heard three special messages from the governor. The first transmitted the annual reports of the board of fisheries and the commission un the state house grounds. The second special message notified the house of the expiration or the terms of August Kohn, W. T. C. Bates and T. Q. Davis as trustees of the Univerjlty of South Carolina. The third message recommended an investigation of the so called "cotton mill merger." The house disposed of five vetoed acts passing four by the necessary two-thirds majority and sustaining the governor'} veto on one. The four acts passed over the governor's veto will be sent to the senate. The only one of the vetoed acts before the House which caused much debate was that relating to exemption from jury duty. The governor's 3pecial message stated that he vetoed it because m.nisters were not exempted from jury duty. After extended de-( bate, the house sustained the governor's veto by a vote of 70 to 36. The act requiring the distribution of the dispensary funds among the common Befools and providing the method for doing so was passed by the house over the governor's veto I by a vote ol 83 to 11. The act, with the veto message, will foe 8ent to the senate. The house defeated by one vote Mr. Moore's bill seeking an election for Abbeville county for the restoration of the dispensary in that county. The vote was 50 to 49 on a bill that had been unfavorably reported. The third reading bill making it a * - - rvi.klinh misdemeanor to onguimr ui yuunsu slanderous and libelous matter was passed and sent back to the senate with amendments by the house. By a vote of 68 to 32 the house refused to recommit the bill. By a vote of 78 to 16. the house passed over the governor's veto the act providing for state maintenance of the Industrial School for boys at Florence. The act will be sent to the senate. The passage of the bill met with little opposition on the floor of the house. New House Bills. K. P. Snlth?To allow the foreman of the grand jury or acting fore- 1 I mail to swear witnesses in the gtand | jury room. Mr. Casque? Relating to over- . charges by common carriers. Mr. Moore? To regulate the liabilities of common carriers by railroad to their employes in certain cases. Mr. Nicholson ?To provide for con solidated and graded schools in county districts, and to appropriate ?15.000 to entourage the same. Mr. Baskins?To limit the time in which bills of sale and chattel mortgages can be enforced and collected. >1 - tljcL-in-Tn nrnvwlo fnr 1'mir commisicuers for Lee county. Announcement By Mr. Reid. The following announcement has been made by Mr. Whltner Reid. sec- j retary of the state farmers' union: "Under the Clinkscales plan, the sec- j retary of the state farmers' union received $20 04 for expenses of cotton holding movement. The commissioner of agriculture, the president of the state farmers' union and the secretary ; of the state farmers' union, who wore authorized to use this fund, haye agreed to turn the same over to J. G. Anderson, state superintendent, for expenses of the Rock Hill plan." j Want Sale of Contraband Stopped. At the roptilnr mppfinz nf thp ritv council it wh8 resolved and unanimously adopted that the intendant and wardens petition Governor Blease to have his state constable be mere diligent in his duties in suppressing the illicit sale of contraband liquor? in various places in the county. It has been brought to the attention of the council that the traffic is being carried on in open disregard of countv and state law. there being evidence of it by brands of liquor being purchased it. different localities. Arrested After Seven Years. Sheriff E. B. Gamble has recently located and had arrested in .Marlboro county a bright mulatto wanted at Manning on a charge of burglary and larceny committed seven years ago. On the night of January 14, 1905, Mrs. Hannah Levi, an elderly woman, upon going to her room upstairs, discover ed a man escaping by means of a lad der. She was so overcome by frigh? that she died hi a abort while. How ever, sb* recognized the intruder a Roten Jackson, a trusted employe c the family. : fo FC DAMAGE BY TICK1 GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR E. M. NIGHBERT TELLS OF THE QAURANTINE. 1 I PLAN FOR EXTERMINATION ! A Letter Wat Received By Commissioner Watson and President Dabbs of State Farriers' Union?The Damage To Cattle Is Great. ] Columbia.?Declaring that the state of South Carolina is losing over $1,- | 100,000 annually and that the loss to i the South is $40,000,000 by cattle tick, E. M. Nighbert, inspector of the United States department of agrlcula lptfpr to Comrais- i IU1 C, OUUitoovu % .V...-. __ sloner Watson and Presidents Dabbs of the state farmers' union, suggesting certain methods of eradication. The suggestions were indorsed by the i state farmers' union at the recent meeting held here. ? "The state is suffering," says the inspector, "the ban of quarantine on account of the plenetic fever of cattle, which is produced and transmitted by the cattle tick. The presence of this tick makes breeding, feeding and marketing of cattle unprofitable and hazardous. The losses, conservatively estimated, the result of this disease producing and blood-sucking parasite, are $1,100,000 annually to the state of South Carolina and $40,000,000 to the south. "The feasibility of complete extermination of this disease producing parasite from every plantation, farm and cow lot, has been known for 15 years and confirmed by every Southern state. By a thorough knowledge of this condition, individual effort and concerted action, this menace to your * -1? u- -AmAifA/1 fi?nm cattle industry may ue icimocu every plantation, farm and cow lot within the short period of from 4 1-2 to nine months. "South Carolina is strictly a farming section. Your worthy citizens and coworkers are now laboring with a condition that is adverse to their interest. You are interested in the production of the most valuable crop and by product cattle feed in the world. Jurors to servecsl.ia cmfwy s Columbia.?Jurors to serve during the first week of the approaching i term of common pleas court for Richland county were drawn. The term convenes February 5. The jurors are: C. L. Sox, B. K. Hunter, J. H. Hendrix, Lemmell C. Dowdy, W. M. Westberry, D. S. Bunch, F. A. Muller, H. Collobgh, J. J. Myers, H. D. Harmon, J. J. Hinnant, George S. King. J. G. Etheredge, C- A. Linn, A. B. Langley, L. D. Friday, Joseph Walker, W. M. Rabon, C. B. Danforth, W. C. Gladden, t r? Pnhh I. j Walker. J. Sumter Moore, W. A. Wimberly. J. H. Haithcock, J. N. Rawlinson, Clarence Rae, Edw. N. Word, G. L. Berfoot, A. C. Fetner. J. A. Carlisle, C. L. Price, W. R. Buckheister. Many Acta of Incendiarism. Charleston.?Arrested at the burning of the Charleston Fibre Companys plant, at the west end of Spring street Marion Burdell, a young white man, who has been watched for weeks by Pinkerton detectives, confessed some hours later to many acts of incendiarism, among these being the starting of the big meeting street fire of July 8. 1910, in which six large stores in the heart of the wholesale district were practically destroyed with a loss o' over $215,000. To Give Short Course at Batesburg. Batesburg.?Through the efforts of E. C. Ridgell the extension division of Clemson college will give a short course of one week in Batesburg in the near future. This work is a substitute for the one-day institutes as heretofore held over the state. The chauge is made with a view of reaching a larger number of people and of giv ing more detailed instruction along the lines pertaining to better farming. Florence? Capt. Harold M. Brunson, a former Coast Line conductor, waB elected chief of police of this city at a meeting of city council. J. S. Crosby Committed Suicide. St. George.?News has reached here that J. S. Crosby, a highly respectable white man, who lived at Harleyville, killed himself. There was no one in the room at the time save a small boy, who screamed at the report of the gun, which brought assistance immediately. The facts were hard to obtain, but from what could be gathered Mr. Crosby sat on the edge of the bed. placed the nozzle of a shotgun to his heart and with a fire poker pulled the trigger, which killed him instantly. Medical Association Meets Orangeburg.?The Medical associition of this district, composed of Orangeburg, Calhoun, Bamberg, and Lexington counties, convened in this city, several days ago and held an interesting session. There were 20 physicians from the counties in attendance at the convention, but the attendance was not as large as it should [ have been. The entire delegation was tendered a dinner. The first part of the business session was taken up in reading papers and in some interesting discussions. Committee To Take Up Plan. Charleston.?Mayor Grace appointed H. T. Morrison. Henry Williams and A. W. Litschgi members of the committee to take up the cotton acreage for this county. The appointments are made at the request of J. G. Anderson, state superintendent of South Carolina. Mayor Grace will communicate with Mr. Anderson and the latter will advise with the Charleston county committee a3 to the steps to be taken to put the plan of curtailing the " in to execution. I rt*l~ .1 w. RT |RT MILL, S. C., THURS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE \ Column of News That Has Beer Collected and Condensed With Care By The Editor, Greenville,?Capt. "Billy" Smith, the veteran conductor of the Southt srn railway, who for so many years has run on the Columbia & Greenville division of the road, announced that he had retired from service. Chester.?Jim Carter, a paroled negro convict from Chester county, who was arrested during a raid in Chester, was in police court and found guilty of carrying concealed weapons and I paid a fine of $20. Honea Path.?Joe Black, a negro, about 40 years of age, who lived one mile east of town was found dead on the place of M. L. Latimer, some two and one-half miles from town. There were no marks of violence on his perBon and nothing to indicate that he had been a victim of foul play. Edgefield.?People in. this county ' Beem to favor a reduction of the cot- ' ton acreage. The "Rock Hill plan" l has been adopted, and a committee 1 appointed by Mayor John Edwards to ' canvass the county. They will se- i cure pledges from the farmers to re- < duce the cotton acreage 20 per cent, i Washington.?The Senate has con- 1 firmed the nominations of Mrs. E. M. Sloan to be postmaster at Walhal- 1 la and of John W. Dunnovant to be postmaster at,Chester. J. F. Flowers 1 has been appointed postmaster at Syracuse, Darlington county, succeeding 1 J. A. Clark, Jr., resigned, mis is a ' fourth class office and requires no ionflrmatlon. Barnwell.?Messrs. H. I). Still, of Blackville; J. D. Jenny, of Jenny, and Harry D. Calhoun, of Barnwell, who were recently appointed to further the "Rock Hill plan" in Barnwell county, are strictly "on the job." Mr. Calhoun is not sitting still and holding his hands by any means, but is going out among the farmers and get- 1 ting results. Greenville?Samuel J. Taylor, one of the most rrominent and Influential men of Greeiyville died at his home after only a few days' illness. Mr. i Taylor was 72 year6 of age, and had ! spent nearly the whole of his life in this place, always taking a leading part in the affairs of the community. | He volunteered at the beginning of the civil war, served the whole four ; years with honor and distinction, sur- [ rendering at Appomattox. Walterboro. ? Several more blind tiger cases will come up soon, which were continued by Mayor Ackerman. It 1b hoped that these caBes will be completed at this sitting of the court. Great interest has been manifested An?An ??/! w/v little ovoifomon f IUCDC VidOCD, nuu 111/ nine iaiiiviuviu was caused from time to time, owing to the many rumors afloat, one ol which being that an effort would be made to have the detectives at work on these cases arrested on a counter charge of some kind. Greenville.?News was received in the city of a deplorable tragedy which occured near Tigerville, when the 15-months-oId son of Mr. and Mrs. | E. L. Hightower was burned to death and their house and furnishings completely destroyed by the flames. Mr Hightower is a farmer of the Tiger ville section, and at the imp of the Are he and his wife were picking cotton in a field some distance from the house. Chester.?There will he a big rally here Febuary 2, Messrs. W. H. Barton, W. W. Ix>ng and C. B. Haddon, of the co-operative demonstration farm work having informed Mr. R. L. Cunningham, county agent, that they will be here at that time to address the farmers and Chester County Boys' i Corn Slub. The exercises will be held in the court house, and efforts will be made to organize the Boys' Corn Club for the year 1912. Spartanburg.?Thomas Holcombe was awarded $">00 damages in the court of common pleas. The verdict was against the Spartanburg Railway. Gas and Electric Company, the plaintiff alleging that he boarded a street car of the company and was told that it would carry him to Clifton, a distance of twelve miles. He further alleged that he was made to get off in the city and had to engage a private conveyance at a heavy cost. It is further said that his carriage broke down, thereby causing mm great inconvenience. Charleston.?The "small farm idea" was given an impetus at a meeting of the chamber of commerce, when a number of business men and others participated in a discussion looking towards the colonization and development of an area of 0,000 acres near Summerville, Edisto Island.?Miss Jennie McConkey was burned to death at her home here, the tragedy occurring while her brother, with whom she resides at the famous old McConkey plantation, was in Charleston on business, the unfortunate woman being alone on the place at the time. Florence.?As a result of the big [ snow storm and freeze, the birds had a very tough time of it finding something to subsist on. and the average sportsman and small boy was "making hay while the sun shines" killing them out. Orangeburg.?Quite an exciting and unique event tcok place here on the public square when Charles A. Stromon, a large grower of cotton, sold at auction 88 bales of his last year crop. All the buyers were notified that the sale would take place and were present and the bidding was spirited among them. Hock Hill. ? The Sumter County committee, consisting of Messrs. Xeill O.Donnell, Richard I. Manning and S. A. Harvin, is the first among the lowcountry counties to perfect organization under the "Rock Hill plan," and get its canvassers out rfter pledges. Greenville?A. B. Bramlett of SimpaOnvilie, Greenville county, a switchman at the local yards of the Southern railway, fell beneath a shifting engine and sustained very serious Injuries. His right foot was cut completely off and the left foot so badly mangled that amputation will probably prove necessary. MILL ;i)AY, JANUARY 25. 1912 FlL WRECK OF ILLINOIS CENTRAL OUR PROMINENT RAILROAD MEN MET THEIR DEATH IN A PRIVATE CAR. 0 rwo HAVE NARROW ESCAPE Illinois Central Express Crashes Into Private Car.?Bodies of the Victims Were Badly Mutilated?State and Railroad Officials to Investigate. Conetralia, III.?The state of Illinois, the coroner of Marion county and the Illinois Central Railroad Company itself began a three-fold Investigation of the fatal collision on that railroad in shjch four men, high in the railrond world, were killed at Kinmundy, 30 miles northeast of here. In a private jar of wood construction attached to train No. 25, the New Orleans express, .'our men were instantly killed, while four other men in the forward end of Ihe same car escaped unhurt. The four victims of the wreck were sleeping in the rear end of the private car which was telescoped by the engine pulling train No. 3, the I*anama limited, running fifty miles an hour. The aeaa: James T. Harahan of Chicago, former president of the Illinois Central. Frank O. Melcher, second vice president of the Rock Island, whose car was crushed. E. B. Peirce, general counsel of the Rock Island. Eldridge Wright of Memphis* vice president of a Rock Island bridge company and a son of Luke E. Wright, former Secretary of War. The trainmen injured are: Robert Stuart, engineer; C. J. Bert, firemen, both of limited; Jessee Gilbert, fireman of express. They were taken to their homes in Champaigne. Gilbert's hip was broken, Berts skull was fractured and Stuart suffered from concussion of the brain. The heavy engine, drawing a solid train of steel sleeping cars, plowed half way through the private car. The Throne Will Not Abdicate. Peking.?Premier Yuan Shi Kai'i efforts to bring about the adbication of the throne have failed, and the situation in China has entered a new and perplexing phase. Prince Ching, the sx-premier, Prince Pu-Lun, ex-presi dent of the National Assembly and Princes Tsai Sun, brother of the exregent, absented themselves from the inference of Princes of the Imperial clan, which left the decision as to the ibdication to the reactionaries, who have been strengthening their hand iteadily since the Premier permitted he probability of abdication to become known. Shot Niece and Killed Himself. Tacoma, Wash.?T. B. Neff, a young ancher. accidentally shot and killed lis 12-year-old niece, Annie Beyy Bond, while hunting rabbits near here. Overcome by remorse he wrote a note to his sister explaining the tragedy ind committed suicide by swallowing strychnine. Neff had been left in charge of the girl while her parents made a trip to Seattle. Must Carry Beer When Offered. Washington.?Beer is a commodit) ind railroads must carry it when offered for transportation, from one state into "dry" counties of another state regardless of the laws of the latter state. The supreme court of the United States made this ruling regarding a proposed shipment from Inliana into 'dry" counties. Fire Destroys a Large Hotel. t i?Kin <nrinc? eta ?Fire destroy.eo the Sweetwater Park Hotel with a loss estimated at $250,000. It was not occupied except by caretakers. The hotel was one of the largest resorts in the South and was built 25 years ago. It was three stories high and contained 350 bedrooms. It probably will be rebuilt. The origin of the fire is not '*nown. Lytle Enters Gubernatorial Race. Nashville, Tenn.?The first entry in to the democratic gubernatorial lists in Tennessee since the recent harmony pact, is Thomas L>. Lyttle, of Murfreesboro. Previously an independent, he joined in the effort to harmonize the party in October, 1910. In his platform, just given out, he says that while in favor of temperance and temperance law's, he is convinced of the utter failure of the present prohibition law and favors its prompt repeal and in its stead high license, seggregation and rigid enforcement. Ovation Given First Over-Sea Train. Key West. Fla.?Cheering by thousands of visitors, the blowing of whistles and the ringing of bells announced the arrival of the first passenger train over the newly completed extension of the Florida East Coast Railway between this city and Knights Key, forty-six miles toward the mainland of Florida and marked the beginning of a three-day celebration over the completion of the line. The first train bore Gov. Gilchrist, other state officials and Henry M. Flagler, president of the Florida East Coast Railroad. Traced to Religious Fanatics. Lake Charles, La.?The series of wholesale murders of negro families in this state, totaling 26 victims within the past twelve months, the last of which being the murder of an entire family of five of this place are believed to have been the work of religious fanatics and the officers are holding Rev. King Harris, a negro preacher at Jennings, La , for further investigation. Harris heads a sect known as the "Sacrifice Church" and has succeeded in establishing a following in several Louisiana towns. I # 1+ I- I ? Tl TlWPROvT JAIL CONOII IONS State Prison Association f'ormedSeveral Speeches Heard.?Address by L. J. Barnhardt. Columbia?While the object oi improving prison conditions in the state, the South Carolina Prison association was organized here with a score of members. Two sessions were held in the hall of the house of representatives. At one meeting N. W. Brooker acted as chairman and A. T. Stratton, secretary. Several addresses on prison conditions were delivered. A committee consisting of C. E. Burts. C. E. Wellner and Alan Johnston. Jr., was appointed to franu the constitution of the association The constitution was submitted anc adopted. Several addresses were delivered bearing on prison conditions in South Carolina. The question of corpora punishment and the prison hospitals were informally discussed by those attending. An address was also delivered on "Criminal Porcedure" by J. Bern hardt. field secretary of the Georgia State Prison association. He is devot ing his life to the improvem?nt of the prison conditions. The South Carolina association will be modeled after the Georgia association. He discussed the questions of "Why are prisons necessary? Do they meet the need of the hour? Conditions in Southern prisons; prisons in politics type of officers; why do men commit crime? Society's attitude toward the criminal type of men who commit crime; probation; juvenile courts; inspectior of jails and discharged prisoners." Commissioners Held Meeting. The Charleston board of commissions for the management, cutosdy and care of convicts held an extended session at the City Hall, the result being the election of William E. \\ ingate ac captain of the guard, with the following guards; Guard No. 1. W. H. Churchill Guard No. 2, Thos. C. Laffan; Guard No. 3, Albert Diers; Guard No. 4, Henry Doscher. The elections are for one year. The meeting was called to order by Mr. A. Sidney Taylor, acting chairman. Mr. John F. Riley was duly elected chair man and Mr. Taylor vice chairman. Mr. John M. Semken was elected secretary. The following constitute the committee on accounts: Aldermen John Wohltmann. M. P. Healy am Mr. A. S. Taylor. South Carolina New Enterprises. The secretary of state has issued a charter to the Barr Drug Company j or Ninety-Six with a capital stoca 01 $2,500. The officers are: J. H. Barr, president, secretary and treasurer. A charter has been issued to the Johnson Mercantile Company of Chesnee in Spartanburg county with a capital stock of $10,000. The officers are: A S. Johnson, president and treasurer; J. S. Wingo, vice president, and F. H Weaver, secretary. A general mercantile business will be conducted. A charter has been issued to the R. H. Nesbitt Auto Company of Spartanburg with a capital stock of $10,000. j The officers are: R. H. Nesbitt, president: W. D. Nesbitt, vice-president, and J. I). Garlington. Jr., secretary and treasurer.^ Mystery Is Partly Cleared. The mystery which shrouded the disappearance of Mr. W. Iv Agnew from hiB home has been cleared up to some extent. His body was found by some negroes about two miles behind his house, in a narrow gulley, some ten feet deep. His body was lying downward, nearly covered with snow, with arms crossed, legs crossed and the face and head lying in a pool of water, with no marks of any knd upon his person. Commission Form of Government. ' The commission form of government i has been discussed more or less in Sumter ever since Columbia set such a good example, and a meeting of the : chamber of commerce some few weeks Bince the form was indorsed for Sumter and President Baker was instructed to appoint a special committee to 1 carry the matter further and to coni fer with the legislative delegation. ? it- ?ri.? KJIUllluia.? lue CUJII t-uic vuuii ir appointed Messrs. F. B. drier, of Greenwood, and \V. C. Miller, of Cliar! leston, as members of the hoard of law examiners. Branch of Alumni Association. An Anderson county branch of the ; Alumni association of the University 1 of South Carolina has been perfected with the following election of offi- ] cers: Rer. Sanders R. Guignard, president; A. H. Dagnall, vice presi dent; G. H. Geiger, secretary and treasurer, and T. P. Dickson and F K. Todd, members of the executive committee. The meeting was attend ed by many graduates of the univer sitv, and if is expected that every graduate of that institution now in this county will become a member. An A. C. L. Engine Was Derailed. The engine driven by Engineer Fer ris, pulling Train 8ti, from Charleston to Florence, was derailed at the switch near the Evans street cross lng as it was entering the passenget yards. The cause of the derailment was the snow and ice that had become so packed in the "frog" at the switch, causing the flange of the front truck to mount the rail and the loco motive went down on the ties. The derailment caused a delay of about four hours to No. 86 and No. 82, the Northbound fast mail. Work of State Farmers' Union. At the concluding session of the State Farmers' Union a measure tc provide for the creation of a state j commission on agricultural education j and a state director of agricultural ] education was indorsed. A resolu i tion indorsing the co-operative reia i tions recently entered into by Clem ; son College and the United States ! farm demonstration work was adop ted j by the state union. The union also approved the efforts being mad* . to enir.rge and improve the agrlcultu ' ral department of Clemscn. I * "W ' \ f i ' MES CHINESE PREMIER ' IS REUir 10 FLEE ? 1 a 3PECIAL TRAIN IN READINESS TO f li CARRY HIM FROM THE DAN- t t GER ZONE. ( I: CHINA S SITUATION SERIOUS ' His Plan Is To Transfer The Provi j sional Capital To Tien Tsin.?The ' < Country is Divided Against Itself.? j Some Troops Still Loyal. I Peking.?A special train has been neld in readiness to take Yuan Shi ' Kai to Tien Tsin. It was evidently < the Premier's plan to transfer the pro- I visional capital to that city where 1 the danger from Manchus was slight. I Apparently he intended to escape ' from Peking as soon hs the edict of ' abdication was signed, but the resc- 1 tiouary Princes gained the upper 1 hand temporarily and prevented the 1 issuance of the edict. Meantime the Republican ultimatum arrived, result- I iug in a considerable change of program. This ultimatum demanded the < abdication of the throne and the surrender of the soverign powers and set forth the refusal of the Republicans to permit Yuan Shi Kai to participate in the provisional government until the republic had been recogn nized by the* foreign powers ana uie i country restored to peace. Premier Yuan may still have need of the special traiff, because it is expected he will refuse to carry on the government at Peking without abdication, after which he and his troops will be subjected to the gravest Manchu hostility. The ex-War Minister, Yin-Tchang, and the ex-president of the board of war, Tleh-Liang, are < mentioned as possible successors to I Yuan Shi Kai. Both are Manchus j and, therefore, should the throne appoint either of them, it would be a breach of one of the nineteen consti- . tutional pledges, but national exigen- j cies might be considered a substantial j excuse for such action. Many of the Chinese troops are at present loyal to Yuan Shi Kai. Honey Creek Heroine ia Dead. Boone, Iowa.?Kate Shelley, hero- j ine ot the Honey Creek flood disaster In 1881, died at her home a quarter of a mile from the Moingona bridge across the Pes Moines river, the scene of her heroic act. Six months ago she was operated on ror appendicitis and before she recovered Bright's disease set in. During a violent storm thirty years ago Miss Shelley, who was station agent at Moingona, crossed the bridge over the Des Moines river on her liandB and knees at midnight to flag a pasI senger train on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and save it from plunging into Honey Creek over which the bridge was washed away. Nomination of Hook Likely. Washington. ? Among friends of President Taft it is generally understood that the nomination of United States Circuit Judge Hook of Kansas to the Supreme Court succeeding the late Justice Harlan, would be 6ent to the Senate. Objections to Judge Hook referred to Attorney General Wickersham, it was said, have not proved convincing to the president. Roosevelt Gathers Moss. Chicago.?Political leaders here expressed belief that by action taken Theodore Roosevelt was assured of his first two delegates to the Chicago convention. The move was made in the first Illinois congressional district which in 1908 was the initial one in the state to take an open stand for the nomination of President Taft and which formally instructed delegates in his behalf. Plot To Involve Uncle Sam Fails.. 1 Teheran. -A plot to kill one of the American officials has been discovered and this explains the attempt against the American Folbruce, attached to the treasury gendarmerie who was shot at while leaving the barracks January 10. Royal Family To Visit U?. Ottawa, Ont.?Canada's Governor General, the Duke of Connaught, accompanied by the Duchess aud their daughter, the lTincess Patricia, left for New York, to be the guests of Whitelaw Reid, the American ambassador to Great Rritain. and Mrs. Reid. The ducal party left on the car Corn wall and York and were attended by Lieutenant Colonel Lowther, military secretary; Captain Rivers-Bulkeley, aide de camp, comptroller of the household; Miss Pelley, lady in wait ing, and several servants. Was A Bad Year For Crooks Washington.?Promoters of fratidjlent schemes who had obtained J77,000,000 from the public were put out of business during the fiscal year, ended June .10 last, according to the annual report of obert S. Sharp, ' chief inspector of the Postoffice Department. This showing is the most remarkable in the history of the de- ! partment. During the fiscal year, 529 individuals were indicted on the charge of using the mails in furtherance of schemes to defraud. 196 per sons were tried and 184 convicted. Are Opposed To Paper Bill. , Washington.?The Pepper Bill to; "further increase the efficiency ol j I the organized militia of the United States, and for other purposes," ie j meeting with much opposition In the House. The bill was introduced by Representative Pepper, Democrat, ol Iowa. Members of state militia orecnintions are pressing the bill. "Thlr bill seems to be so radical a departuri Tom Democratic standards," said Representative Page "that I am Invlt Ing an expression of opinion on 11 from my constituents." 4 T' \ ' y ?' . ^ . v" A* ' t*' / y v. TV > : V $1.25 PER YEAR rROM THE PALWETTO REALMS t Jews That Has Been Gotten Together From Many Towns and Counties From Over the State. Timmonsville.? Fire destroyed four tores, odices and the Knights of ^thias and Masonic hail entailing a 088 of nearly $10,000, mostly covered iy insurance. Owing to the snow >eing on the ground and the intense :o!d, there was considerable delay n getting streams of water playing in the flames. Columbia. ? The National Guards Vssoclation of South Carolina, meetng here, discussed a number of mat:ers of importance to the organixaJon and elected Major W. B. Moore, >f Yorkville, president, and Capt. A. E. Legare, of Columbia, secretary. A jmoker was tendered to the seventy risking officers by the Columbia ofSeers. Columbia.?Dr. J. A. Hayne and Dr. LaBruce Ward will begin their course jf lectures on public health and sanitation at the University of South Carolina on February 6 at 11 o'clock In LeConte's college. Lectures like these last year attracted wide attention in tiie university and throughout the state, and proved of utmost bene flt to a basal cause in the well-being , af South Carolina. V Anderson.?According to the bud- \ get of the commissioners of Ander3on county it will require $10,100 less this year to run the county than it did last year. It is estimated that > tbe cost to operate county this year will be $104,190. After making a de- \ iuction for the fines in the courts jf the magistrates, the courts of general sessions and the commutation r.Qa ? )v tho ammini needed will be "educed to $93,690, which must be -aised by taxation. Columbia. ? Commissioner E. J. Watson, the president of the Southern Cotton Congress, was asked by resoutiona adopted by the Farmers' Union lere to go into other states and puBh he campaign for cotton reduction in icreage under the "Rock Hill plan." Jovernor Blease has forbidden Mr. Watson leaving the state again with)ut permission, and it will be necesiary to get this for him to go, with>ut disobeying the governor's manlate. Anderson.?The Greenville, Spar* anburg & Anderson Railway has be?un the erection of its $20,000 freight Ration in this city. The station is aeing erected on the Reed & LIgon lot on the corner of Federal street and Murray avenue, just in rear of the postofflce. The work of constructing the several freight and passenger lines entering the city and appproaching the terminals is progressing, and within a short while the tracks will be in place. Wagener.?The newly sworn city council decided not to charge any town taxes for the past year inasmuch as there is already a sufficient balance in the treasury to run th? town for another year. This speaks well for the former council, and will be remembered by the taxpayers. A modern school building is about completed at a cost of $15,000, and ea..k* * litlzen can point at this structure with pride, for indeed it is an ornament to any city. Marion.?At the request of the state superintendent, J. G. Anderson of Rock Hill, Mayor E. T. Wilcox has recommended a committee, consisting of J. D. Montgomery, chairman; S. W. Norwood and N. A. McMillan, to .ake charge of organizing Marlon county for the reduction of cotton acreage. Thia-committee is composed of enterprising business men. and likely Marion county will soon be worked over in the interest of the movement. Columbia.?"If the governor had evidence or reason to believe that the law of this state was violated by the merging of the cotton mills, he has failed to communicate the same to the attorney general's office. Betides, he has in no way indicated to this office any desire he may havs had to prevent or interfere with the merging ofthe mills in question. If tie or any one else has evidence or ;an indicate where the same may be jbtained, showing a violation of the iuti-trust laws of this state, proper proceedings will be commenced to >iiforce the law and the litigation will oe pressed as far as the means of this office will permit," says tne attorney general. Easley.?Priuce Hill, a negro employed in the freight and express rooms as porter of the Southern Hailway Company, was arreBted and locked up on the charge of stealing packages from both offices and also for stealing and selling a railroad lantern. Washington.?The following South Carolina postmasters were nominated by President Taft: E. M. Sloan at Walhalla and John W. Dunovant at Chester. Their commissions will be issued as soon a sthey are confirmed unless there is opposition, and none is known to exist at this time. Chester.?At a meeting of the Chester Poultry Association it was decided to hold the poultry show on Friday and Saturday, January 26 and 27. Eegorts will be made to secure a vacant store room iui me yuiyvoc. Sumter.?Friday, January 26, will be tag day in Sumter. The tagged will be expected to contribute, the fund derived from which to be expended for doctoring the sick trees of Sumter. The trees of Sumter are always a subject of admiration to visitors to our city, and many of them need serious attention to keep them from going into dangerous decay. Aiken. ? Thos. Dugan, who came trom Charleston to Aiken some week* .go and opened a house for winter tourists, has left Aiken, leaving behind him four little'children, the age of the eldest child being eight years. Charleston.?At a meeting of the board of township commissioners of Sullivan's island, resolutions were adopted taking official recognition of the splwdid work of the officers and men of the array post at Fort Moultrie, in preventing the spread of the tire which burnt the Witte "and the Mazuck houses a couple of weeks thanking them for their services.