Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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A PIONEER PRINTER. A VETKRAN ATLANTA i-IMTOK. Unole Zion Bridwell, Famous tt>r His Veracity?Hla Wife, Home und MIm Many Feta. Atlanta Kvoimiik Journal. In a quiet littlo home at tho corner of Pine and Luokle street, surrounded by all sorts of peta, iuoluding pigeons, ehiokens, birds and dogs, lives "Unelo" Zlon Bridwell, the father of tho print ers of tho South and the oldest printor in thin part of the country. " Unule" Zion, as he is known to every newspaper man in Atlanta has seen newspapers spring up with tho prospect* bright and nourishing for success only to be cut down in a short while liko a tender blade of grass. Then again he baa seon newspapers started on very small eapital and after wards prove a groat success from overy stondpoint and make largo profits for those having it in charge. He has himself started suveral papers, made plenty of money, squanderod nearly a fortune during his career and lias today nothing to show for his years of labors but his homo on Pine street whero he has lived for tho past forty olght years. Mr. Bridwell is 80 years of ago. He was born on tho fifteenth day of Juno, 1809, on tho banks of thooEnoroo river at Brldwell's mills, near Groonvillu, South Carolina. In 1828 ho was takon In ehargo by tho commissioners of the poor in that State and bound out for a period of years. The commissioners claiming that he was only ton years old when, in fact, ho was about eigh teen. After serving tho time for which he was bound out, Mr. Bridwell mado his way to Anderson, South Car olina, where he entered tho office of the " Morning Watch," a newspaper then published in the place. His ilrst work was a dovil in the printing otlieo of that paper, but he stuck to his work and in the end learned tho printer's trudo. After leaving tho "Morning Watch," Mr. Bridwell wont to Calhoun, South Carolina, whero accepted a place on tho " Highland Sentinel," whero ho worked for a while. Ho then took a vacation for the period of a year. Then It was that ho established a paper in Pondloton, South Carolina, called tho " Pendloton Messenger." Ho was of fered four hundred und fifty dollars u year to leave tho Messenger and assume control of tho "Abbeville Banner," which was at that time under the per sonal conduct of Henry Allen, who bad bought it from "Uncle" Zlon and his brother who wasat that time engaged In tho printing business. Mr. Bridwell did notaecopt tho offer, which was consider ed a good one in those days, but went to Lawrencovillo, South Carolina aud other portions of the State whore iio followed the business for some time, finally laeating at Columbia, whore be began work in a book otlieo and job printing establishment owned aud op erated by I. C. Morgan. " Uncle" Zion then took another roving expedition. Ho told tho foreman of the shop, a man named Brittan, to get him a plaeo in the country as he was tired of city life. Mr. Brittan hooted at the idea of his leaving, hut " Uncle " Zion was firm and determin ed to go at all cost. Ho was making seven dollars a day at tho business he was then in and tho foroman told him that any position he might socure for him would mako him not more than five dollars per week and his board. "Unelo" Zion eared nothing about What salary he received for his only desire was to get out of town. Brittan, finully seeing that bis help er was determined to leavo, secured him a position at Sumterville, South Carolina, on a small paper called the "Banner." At this plaeo "Unelo" Zion decided to accumulate a littlo wealth. Ho saved his money and soon had $51. He thought ho was rich, threw up his job again, and went to Camden, South Carolina, whore ho continued to work for five dollars a week anil board on a small papor pub lished there. Ho accumulated $350 with which ho bought typo, paying cash for it. He then purchased a printing presson aeredit. He made his way with his small newspaper plant to Chestervillo, whero ho contemplat ed starting a paper, something new to tho people of that section of tho State. Upon arriving at Chesterfield, Mr. Bridwell found that tho people there wero inclined to think that any man be ing presumptions enough to think of starting a paper in that plaeo surely must be crazy. Ho was derided and all kindsof sport made of him for entertain ing such an idea. Finally through trials and tribulations he brought to the sor faco tho " Chestervillo Observor," with the typo be had paid for and tho machine whieh he had purchased on a credit. Tho peoplo at once lloekod over and gave him a perfect ovation. Patronage of overy kind was liberally bestowed and subscriptions poured in from all portions of the State. In ten months' publication of the paper ho had roalized a profit of $10,777.27? a tremendous rise whieh wus cut short by the death of his wife. Tho Obsor ver, with all the plant, was soon at a sacrifice, Uncle Zion realizing but u small amount from tho sale. Then it was that ho turned toward Atlanta, arrived hero and ontorod up on his career as a printer in the State of Georgia. He and his brother went into the newspaper business and began to fight secession. They won a victory temporarily in the election of Howoil Cobb ovor McDonald by fifty thousand majority. It lookod as If that was tho last of secession, but in 1800 ho awoko to find that tho wbolo country had so ceslon coekados on. All he could say was, " Go It, boys, and havo your fun." During tho war he went to Louisville, Ky., whore he worked on the Democrat, Courier and Journal, the last two having sincocom hi mal under tho namo of tho Courier Journal. "Unole" Zon says that at the tlmo ho was on tho Journal that Prontis8, who was considered tho greatest editor of tho country at that timo, owned it. After leaving Ijouis vllle ho returned to Atlanta and hero he has been since that tlmo. After coming back to Atlanta, "Uncle" Zion and his brother aided in tho conduct of tho "Atlanta Intelll Boncer," which was a great success. >r. Bonner, t. O. MoDanlol, Weldon Mitchell and a gentleman namod Rico first started the " Intelligencer." but they failed to mako a success of it anil were soon forced out of business for the iaek of funds. " Uncle " Zlon then worked on a Republican paper pub lished hero under tho direction of Clarke. Colonel Toon owned tho Christian Index at that time and *? Undo " Zlon worked there. All the papers in Atlanta wore served by "Unelo" Zlon up to the timo the Const'tu tloo was established. He was with tho men who first deolded to Issue such a paper and from that day until this bo has boon a printer on the paper. In his own words he is now a pensionor on that paper beoause his past worth commends him to his em ployers. Both " Uncle" Zion and his wife are printers. Mrs. Bridwell worked on many of the Atlanta papers on whtoh hor bus band waa engaged after coming to At lanta and is now an honorary member of the Atlanta Typographical Union, having the distinction of being the first woman who ever sat at a printer'*) ca8<* in this city or placed an applica tion for admittance to the Union. She holds her card now and prizes it very highly. She has copies of all the pa pers printed In Atlanta since she came here and copies of other publications on which she and her husband worked. Mis. Brldwoll also has a copy of The Journal whlob was printed on the first day it was issued. Mrs. Bridwell and "Uncle" Zlon have gathered around them a number of fowls and animals which they keep as pets. Running around the yard is a half hundred flue eh'okens. at tbe front door is a watch dog, in the house is a pet dog, while a number of pig eons coo in their box In the kitchen, and Tabby, the houso cat, colls herself up on the bed to enjoy a quiet undis tu- bed sloop. Such is, In brief, the life of one of Atlanta's oldest citizens and one who enjoys the admiration of all with whom ho is thrown in contaot. Mi: HllOKEC TIIK CHAIN. BUI Arp Will Not Help Build a Mon ument to General Tooumseh Sher man. Mr. Sllcktnan?Sir: I received your letter asking for 25 cents to help build a monument to General Sherman, the hero of the march to the sea, and wanting mo to sond three otbor names and warning me not to break the chain, eto. I will go as far as an rebel so-called to keep tho peace and bury the past and be friendly ; but you must excuse mo. I havo lived all my lifo in tho path of that march to tho sea, and for thirty yoars I havo been strain ing my mind" to see tho heroism In it, and 1 can't do it. It just shows how blinded we poor mortals aro. All tho heroism I seo is In tho retreat of Joe Johnston, who, with 40,000 men, re sisted that march of Sherman with throe times that number and killed more, man for man, thun ho had tol diers. There is whore tho heroism comes in. But we will make a fair compromlso with you. If you and your boys will contribute 25 cents eaeh for a monument to Joo Johnston, the real hero of tho march to the sea, we will lot you build ono to Sherman and say nothing about It. We thought that the time was about out for brag ging, but if you aro determined to keep it up lot's tote fair. It seems to up that it requires a'good deal of cheek to brag about an urmy of near throe millions of men whipping an army of of three-quarters of a million in fou?* years' time. I wouldn't mention it if I were you. Wo are very tired of all this ridiculous gush about tho Grand Army of tho Republic, especially whon you know or ought to know that you have on tho pension rolls moro men than we had in our urmy during tbe war. You can't knock tho truth out with monuments. We will help you build a monument to all the brave sol diers who fought on oither side and we will bury the tomahawk and say hur? rah for Americans, but wo take no stock iu Teoumseh Shorman, nor any other Sherman that is kin to him. We would if wo could, but somehow or cuso me for breaking tho chain. Some I of those days, whon this everlasting panic is over, wo will build a monu ment to old Joe Johnston that will toll tho truth and commomorato tho hero ism of that march to tho soa. This reminds mo of old John Shor man, the statesman, so-called, and of a little paper-covered book that is called " Coin's Financial School" and is go- j ing tho grand rounds on its silver mis sinn. It did not como from our sldo of the country, but it is capturing the people. I don't know who is behind it, but I do know that It is the brightest, clearest and most attraetivo book ou tho silvor side that has been placed before the American people, and if not answered in an elToctivo, convinc ing way will sweep this Western coun try as tiros sweop tho prarles It will not do tor tho gold standard folks to Hay, " Oh, it is all bosh and Is paid for by tho silvcritos." Tho book must bo | answered. Maybe it can't be. I don't know. I can't answer a position in it 1 and I am an avorage man. The truth ' is, I am afraid to believe all that is in ' it for fear somebody will call me a fool. I asked Joe t'handler Harris about it yesterday and what he knew about W. II. Harvey, who wroto It. Ho smiled and said : " Harvey is a sliver crank, just liko I am. They call me a crunk, hut nobody can answer tho argument I ] on the. silvor side, and honce their only reply Is that the book is a hum bug?a deceitful snaro and all that, but the book Is taking tho Western and Southern country. They cannot print thorn as fast as they are called ' for. You will lind them on all the 1 railroads, hut as yet thoy havo not got ' in tho book stores. It is said that 250, 000 copies havo already boon sold. The and answers and the Illustration? cap- 1 turo tho common people." Now, thoro aro a whole lot of us who havo been reading both sides of tho nowgpapers for a year or so, and we havo got all mixed up and come to tho conclusion that nobody knows much about it. But this little book has told us moro than all tho newspa pers, and If somebody don't publish a reply to It I'm afraid wo w 111 all slide down tho silvor toboggan and stay thoro. Coin says that the value of ail the property In the United Stats is $25,000,000,000 and tho indebtodnoss or the nation Is $17,000,000,000. and he glvos all tho figures In detail. Woll, If that's so, wo are busted and the ap pointment of a national recoivor is In order. Ho says tho railroads alone owo $5,000,000,(KK) to Europo and tho annual Interest is $240.000,000, payable In gold. Ho says that overy kind of property has boen shrinking In valuo since the crime of 1873 that old John Shorman was tbe author of. The crime of demonetizing silver by an aet passod between midnight and day, when everybody was drunk or asleep ' and evon General Grant said ho didn't I know that ho had signed any such an act. It takos twice us much property DOW" tp pay a debt as it did tlvo years j ago, and as wo all owo nearly as muoh j as wo don't owe, tho country is about bankrupt, and a fow thousand million- j ui res Will Own tho whole concern. This is the plcturo he draws, and to road it and boliove It makes a man feel like taking his double barrel shotgun and joining the army of bread winnors. Tho masses of tho pooplo are In dobt and while property shrinks, tho debts swell and taxes increase until they aro a burden. Tho people realize this. Not long ago I sold a pleco of proporty for $800 that I refused $1,500 for three years ago. I was forced to sell to pay debts and taxes. Some'so-oal led states men say the wheat and other things havo come down from ovorproduotlon or from ohoapor methods of growing and harvesting. But Coin says how about wool that has not inoroased in quantity, but has decreased 60 per cent., in price ? How about horsos that have boen soiling in Colorado for $5 a head V Tho fact Is that Coin's hook is either a dangerous fallacy or an alarming other wo can't. So you will simple colloquial truth. Cleveland is not in it, nor the tariff, and neither will out aoy figures* in the presidential election. The shib boleth will be, "Give us back the dob lar of our daddies, and coin it froo 1" The old alignment of partlos will not be in it, but the ery from the West and the South will be: "Silver and gold I One and inseparable, now and forever:" Bill. Arp A CRISIS FOR THE. SOUTH. WlmtOov. Bvann Baysofthe Atlanta Exposition. South Carolina will have a oredlta ble exhibit at the Cotton States and In ternational Exposition, If the Gover nor and the State Commission can ac complish lt. Mr. E. lt. Koche, the State Commisslonor, had a long con ference with Gov. Evans last week concerning the work he has to do in the State. Mr. Rocho has been all over the Exposition grounds and build ings, and beeamo thoroughly acquaint ed with the space to be tilled. Mr. Roche has been in many of the upper counties in the State and be is greatly encouraged at tho outlook. Yester day he wont up co the t^ato Fair gioundsand oxamlnod tho portion of tho old State exhibit of Uno woods, which was not taken to Clomson Col lege. He finds that there is practi cally nothing in it that ho can make use of. Gov. Evans cousidors the coming exposition a turning poiut in tho his tory of tho State, in the South in fact. Ho regards It as the most Important event of the last twenty yours. In talking about the outlook yesterday ho said : " Mr. Rocho and I havo hud a conference today in reference to the organizatiou tho several counties of the State and tho raising of the necosasary means to soouro tho ex hibits. Mr. Roche is to visit every county in tho State at once, col lect what exhibits ho can, give suggestions to tho peoplo of tl.osoveral counties and thoroughly organize tho work in each county. Ho has boon to Atlanta and ho has seen tho gounds and buildings and knows what class of exhibits are most needed. He has seen too what space wo havo to fill, in a great many counties the commis sions have already mot and organizud the work ; those whieh have not done so are preparing to do so at once. The ecutral eommitteomen, Mr. Rocho re ports aro looking aftor the work of organization in tho upper part of the State very thoroughly. I am receiving many letters from Individuals who aro interesting themselves in the matter. It is vitally important that each county in tho State should be represented in the general exhibit. Wo havo been given the most conspicous plueo in tho nuiidings, and I would hate to see any county left out. Of course wo havo got to depend entirely on our poople of each county for means to properly dis play our resources, and the peoplo of each county should begin to collect any amounts that tboy can and for ward them at onco, however small they may be to the central finance committee. " Wo find thut tho valuable old State exhibit which was was inovod to Clomson Gollego was totally destroyed in tho tire and wo will havo to start from the ground up to replace many of tho valuable things that woro in tho exhibit. This is a serious loss, but we will have to repair It. Mr. Ctocho is now arranging with tho saw mill men throughout the State to furnish sam ples of tho various kinds of woods. Tliis collection will have to he mado up ontlrely now. " I am glad to see that tho people of Columbia havo bogun to move in this moat importune matter, and I hope that their efforts will amount to something. This is going to bo the most important exposition, from a Southern standpoint, that has over been hold. The prosont time I regard as the crisis in the South ; this is tho turning point for *' j South in hor in dustrial inarch, .. <u we should each and all do all that we can to make this exposition a grand display of overy resource that wo have. Now Is our golden opportunity, and we must, in deed, cannot, lot it pass. Wo must show to the world our wonderful resour ces und development. If wo let tho opportunity pass wo will bo irretrievab ly Injured injured in the future. This is why I am so anxious to have the peoplo of this State come to the front." A NOVEL LEGAL POINT. iiodeo Karle Homier** an opinion that Cannes Much Comment. In granting a now trial to T. C. Aughtry, who had been conviotod of murder, Judge Earle has rendered a doeiaion that will provoke a great deal of discussion. Tho full text of his opinion will provo Interesting, and it is coplod herewith from tho Columbia Register: " Well, Mr. Solicitor and gontlemen of the defonse : In tho case of Thomas C. Aughtry I have given to this motion a most earnest consideration. Indeed, 1 have thought of littlo olso oxcopt when I'm actually engaged in court, sinco tho motion was made. I have road and re-read tho testimony. 1 have fully digoatod all that has boon said on both sides. In this State tho jury aro tho judgo of tho fact and tho court Is the judgo of tho law, and when a jury hue tendered a verdict of j guilty, the only course left open to tho defendant, so far as tho facts are con- I corned, is to move for a now trial. If 1 that motion bo refused that is un end . of tho matter. That is his last chance. Tho Supromo Court has only jurlsdie tlon In matters of law. In aomo other States upon a demurrer to tho ovldonco the Supreme Court of tho State can revise tho testimony and detormino whet her or not the verdict is sustained by tho testimony. In this case twolvo good aud true men havo passed upon the quostons of fact. Tho court wus Impressed with their intelligonce and has no doubt that they were entirely conscientious. "This killing occurred at a recent dato and tho wholo community natur ally and properly has been brought up to tho higost pitch. Tho public mind was scarcely in a condition to give to tho ease that careful and deliberate consideration a case of this kind do mands. " How far should a olrcuit judgo In terfere with a jury, when tho presid ing judge is satisfied that the jury was at. intelligent jury, that the jury was conscieoi ions and that tho jury havo verified all the toatlmony and so far as able huvo found a verdict ac cording to tho ovidonee of tho caso as given to them ? How far shall tho opinion of tho olroult judgo, if it should bo contrary, if it be interposed to lnterfero with their finding? It Is a question of tho groatest responsi bility, because as I havo said in this State there la no othor tribunal that oan be appealed to and so upon a motion for a new trial it devolves on tho olroult judge to say whether the man should sutTor doath or not. That being tho case his conscience compels him, if ho does not concur fjfrlth the jury, to say so. Now, the woll established rule in olreurostantial evidence is that the circuinstances must oot only point to the guilt o- the accused, that the circumstances must not only be consistent with the guilt o>' the accused, but absolutely incon sistent with any other reasonable bypotbesls of his Innocence. It is not inconsistent with any reasonable hypothesis of his innocence if it does not establish his guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt, including any other hypothesis than his gulLt, which may be reason able th?n circumstantial evidence, fails. *' I cannot say in this case that my mind,Is satisfied and it devolves upon me, under the law,?If I do not grant this now trial,?to sign the sentence of death ; and if I should sign dt, not concurring with tho jury, then I would feel that I have taken part in a judi cial murder. It has been said that it is better for ninety*nine guilty per sons to escape punishment thau for ono innocent man to perish, and I might add that it is better for tho country that a murderer go un whipped of justice than that ho be found guilty and sentenced to death where the proof fails to come up to that full measure, which tho law requires. Unquestionably tho ovldence In this case warrants the conclusion that It is highly probablo that he is guilty, but stroug suspicions will not do. Tho man who takes the life of his fellow man forfeits his own life, but when the people in the sovereign capacity undertake to say your lite shall be taken because you have taken the life of your brother, tho people must bo careful that his guilt be fully proven. The State must establish his guilt no matter what expense Is atteoding a second trial. No consideration of trouble on the part of the State cau be conslderored beeauso tho majesty of tho law must bo vindicated. " As long as I have tho honor to preside over the courts of South Caro lina, what ever the opinion of others may bo, I shall never sign a sentence of doath exoopt when my mind not only concurs with tho jury in the guilt of the prisoner, but whore it concurs that tho guilt has been es tablished beyond a reasonable doubt. Let tho new trial bo granted." Aughtry heard tho decision in his favor without a sign of joy or any othor expression on his countenance Ho sat immovable and nultbor looked to the right or left. It Is understood that some more ovidenco has been found against Aughtry which, if true, will be more damaging than anything yet brought out against him. The Solicitor has these facts in hand and will bring them out in due time. It would not subserve the ends of justice to give thoso facts at present. The decision of Judge Barle was tho subject of much comment. The latter clause of it came in for more criticism than anything else. It was generally conceded amoug lawyers that a judge bad a right to set asde a verdict, but to say that it would be set aside simply because tho judge did not agree with tho twelve jurors, was. as an attorney expressed It, " tho most remarkable decision in somo rospoot over rendered in im English speaking court." Tho judge's language is given in Tho Register, however, and every man can form his own conclusion. THK WlsATHBH AND CROPS Keporf s Show a Feeling; ol* Hopeful ness Among Farmers. A brief rovlow of tho weather condi tions up to April show that during Jan* uary thoro were some very sovoro days, and that tho rainfall was in excess of tbo avorage for that month, but tho month has but little bearing on tho crop season. February was a eold month and slightly deficient in preci pitation but by no means dry. Tho eold of this month was damaging to small grains, especially oats ; and very favorable for fruits by operating against tho tendaney of trees to blossom beforo danger from frost is past. March had about a normal temperature, being cooler than usual and with an excess of rain, up to about the 20th, after which it was warm and dry. The crop season for 1895 datos from about tho 20th of March, which is nearly two weeks later than is ordi narily tho beginning of general farming operations in this State. Hven then, and up to the present time, low-lying or bottom lands wore too wet to plow advantageously, re-.trtoting cultivation and planting to uplands and well drain ed lields. Tho first week of April is reported to have been a ext remely favorable ono in all sections of the Stute. The temper ature ranged between 81 and 21), the latter occurred in Greenville County, with frost on the morning of tbo Ith which, however, did but little appar ent injury except possibly to fruit in the Northern counties. There was less than an average amount of sunshine during the week, with showery conditions on the 1st; quite general bhowers over tho State on tho 2, with slight hail in places nome rain on tho 3rd con Ii neu to the Eastern portions of tho State. On the 7th thoro was a steady, general rain, heavy in tho Western portion, which ended on the 8th. This rain, it is thought, will firovo benelieial in stimulating growth, nit will furthor retard tho cultivation of bottom lands. Ovor the K?stern half of tho State corn planting was begun in the latter part of March and lias continued with but little interruption. In some locali ties it is up and growing nicely. In tho Western half planting is somewhat later but has become quite general. Cotton planting fairly begun in the lower counties, au? ground being rap idly prepared elsewhere. Sea Island cotton nearly all pointed. Wheat, where cultivated, has start ed growing llnoly, but It was greatly damaged by tho Bovore winter. Fall sown oats wore almost winter-killed and are making but bIow recovery but that sown since February is doing well. Tho Hovoro winter Interfered material ly with tho work of truck farmers and 1 market gardeners, but later their crops have improved rapidly and early vege tables will soon bo mai ketable, al though their season is fully three weeks later than usual. Gardens elsewhere than along the coast have made hut little growth. A iarge acreage of Irish potatoes has been Elanted, and sweet potatoes have been edded for slips, but swoet potatoes for i seed are quite scarce in tho upper I counties, having been destroyed by the ( cold. From all portions of tho State come j tho same favorable report ' regarding I the fruit prospects, except whore In jurod by the frost of the 4th which will > prove comparatively trilling. In those i portions of tho ' t?te where danger from frost has passod, a largo erop of overy varlotyof fruit is assured, i It Is yot too oarly for reports on the large variety < f miscellaneous crops frown in the State, but thore is a feol ng of hopefuluoss among farmors and planters, that this season will be a prosperous ono, In bright contrast with the dosnondoney of a year ago which was caused by the disastrous freeze of March, 1804. J. W. Baukr. Director. Columbia, S. p., April 0th, 1805. A SLANDER RKPUTEI). President Cleveland Bitterly Resnnts an Attack?Tin- Preacher Taken Back Bis Charge** and Apologizes. When the report of a speech made in a Methodist conferenoeo at Salem, Mass, by the Hov. Dr. Lansing and a subsequent published interview with the sumo gentleman, accusing the President of Intemperance, was shown to President Cleveland, ho. said with considerable warmth: "This is simply an outrage. Though it is not the first time a thing of this kind has been attempted, I eannot avoid a feeling of indignation that any man who makes any claim to decency, and especially by one who assumes the role of a Christian ministor, should permit himself to become a dissemina tor of wholesale lies and calumnies not less stupid than they are cruol and wicked. " I easily recall othor occasions whon those more or loss entitled to be eulled ministers of the Gospol havo boon In strumental in putting Into uireulation tho most 'scandalous falsehoods con cerning my conduct and character. Tho elements or fuetors of tho most approved outfit for placing a false and barefaced accusation before tho public appear to bo. first, someone with base ness and motive sufficient to invent it ; second, a minister, with more gullibili ty and love of notoriety than pioty, greedily willing to listen to it, and gabble It, and third, a newspaper anx iously willing to publish it. For the sake of tho Christiau ro ligion I am thankful that these scan dal-mongorlng ministers aro few, and on every uccouut I am glad that tho American people love fair play and just ice, and that io spite of all efforts to mislead them they aro apt to form a corroct estimate of tho charac ter and labors of their public ser vants." Itov. I. J. Lansing, whose referenco to the President in his address before the Now England eonforenco at Salem. Mass, has provoked uxtemlod criticism, makes tho following statement,: " My allusion made in a tomperance address at Salem, on Thursday, April 4, to tho drinking habits of the Presi dent of tho United States, whs based partly on common report and partly on the testimony of oyo witnesses. From various and Independent sources which 1 believe to bo wholly reliable. I had been informed that the Presi dent lias boon seen, on different oc casions, and in tho prosonco of many persons in an intoxicated condition. From tho substantial and detailed character of these statements I sup pose there was no doubt as to tho facts alleged. 1 therefore made this allus ion as a matter of common report, bas ing my confidence on the testimony of personal, and as 1 supposed creditable witnesses. The names of these wit ness obviously 1 cannot with propriety reveal, sinco, such sharing their know ledge in common with many others they might justly shrink from being singled out and called to verify some thing which not only they but others equally with themselves bad occular proof. I must therefore say that if my .statement resting on such testi mony is not in harmony with the facts I regret having made it. I could have neither desire nor motive for saying anything unkind or uncharitable of the President or of any party whatsoever. Tho case boing ono of conflict of testi mony between witnesses, of equal erodi tability, I eannot decide, and sinco I havo n.) personal knowledge apart from tho testimony, I withdraw tho statement aud tender apologies and sincere regrets to tho President of tho United States and public. (Signed.) I. j. Lansing." /.ion's Herald, tho organ of New Fngland Methodism, says editorially in this week's issue upon Dr. Lansing's charge against President Cleveland : "The Rev. 1. J. Lansing, D. 13., pas tor of tho Park street Congregational church, Boston, delivered an address at tho anniversary of tho Now England conference temperunco society at Salem, April 4th, in which bo.distinctly declared that President Cleveland was Intoxicated at tho naval review in New York, and this accusation lias aroused a storm of indignation throughout tho country and tho regret is general and profoundly sincero that this dis tinguished ministor made so grave a charge against the occupant of the highest otlieo in the gift of the people. Even woro the statement truo it would havo been much moro disrecot not to have uttered it. Hut it appears be yond question from tho President's own statement and from those who woro nearest to him on tho day in question that, not only was ho not in- j toxioated but that he had not tastod liquor. Wliilo wo have no doubt that Mr. Lansing fully accredited tho in formation as reliable upon which lie based his assertion, there, seems for him no other manly and Christian course than to humbly confess his in discretion and to ask President Cleve* land and an indignant public to condone his wrong. " Of course, tho ministers of tho New Fngland eonforenco and the mem bership of tho Methodist church as a whole utterly disclaim all responsibili ty for tho rash charge." Death ow a Confedbratb Vete ran.?Among tho traveling inon a few years ago no one was more popular than Maj. Elbert s. Halo, of Ninety Six, and until bo became afllicted lie was a frequent visitor and w-lcomo guest in every part of tho State. After a long siogo Of suffering ho was released from tho ills of life, and a week ago he passed away in quietness and peace. Tho Ninoty-Six correspondent of the Abhbevillo Press and Banner thus speaks of him : " Major Halo was ono of tho most public spirited citizens Ninety-Six ever had. A good neigh bo;-, a trusted frioud and a Ch.istian gentleman. Could wo say inoro f. Major Halo was born in Tennessee in 1837, and had just passed the 58th mile stono. His boyhood days were spont in Tennessoo upon a farm, hut in about 18f>() his father moved to Louisville, Ky.. whore ho was educated. In I8(il he returned to Tonuosso and enlisted in the Confederate army. Ho was wounded several times but finally sur rendered in South Carolina in 18(15, Whore ho has since lived. As a mer chant and commercial travoler he was very popular. In 1888 ho was stricken with paralysis and has not been able to do much business since. Ho was buried on Sunday by tho United Con-I federate Veterans. Major Halo was a I member of the Baptist church and at the burial his pastor spoke of him in I the most affectionate terms." ?Tho St. I .oui: Globo-Donioorat says: " Tho tri Hing shortage In March, j and tho assurance which it convoys that tboro will be no shortage at ail in April, constitutes tho treasury's declaration of Indopondenco on tho income tax question. No moro gold or currency scares aro possible. Tho hod. cloud in tho financial sky has boon dlsporsod. Honcoiortli tho panic; of 1 s??:t and tho business dlsastor which it projeoted into the two succeeding years can bo spokon of in tho past tense." OOlS'?l FINANCIAL sniooi/ Making Converts Itapldly and livr.v bcdv Talking; Finance?Tho Wiki and Knut Ii are Conceded for Free Silver. A Chicago Ii rm has recently printed a little took entitled " Coin'a Finanoial School," which 1? creating a sensation in the Northwest. The following Cor res podonco bet woe o Soerotary J. Ster ling Morton and Mr. J. K. Buchanan, a prominent railroad man in Nobraska, will be read with interest: United States Department of Agri culture, Ollloe of the Seorotary. Wash ington, D. C, March 21, 1?95?Hon. John DeWlt Warner, Now York City. My dear Mr. Warner: The enclosed letter from J. R. Buchanan, general passenger asront of tho Fremont, Hl Sc horn and Missouri Valloy Railroad Company, at Omaha, may bo of inter est to you. It is a reply to ono written him by me, in which I thanked him for his earnest efforts in securing tho publication of a creed of mine, 4 A Fow Facts in Finance,' in a great many of the patent inside nowspapors which are circulated out West. My object in sending you this lottor of Mr. Buchanan's is to givo you a thorough-going business man's views of tho situation. Tho letter shows how fallacies nourish among tho fi nanciers of tho West and South. The letter also points out tho necessity of immodiaio, coherent and organized ac tion in behalf of sound money. "Having read the same (you may copy it if you desire to), 1 wish you would return it, and I will thou writo Mr. Buchanan. Possibly our friends of tho Reform Club may bo bonetitod by seeing Mr. Buchanan's communica tion. Very truly yours, j. Sterling Morton. Hon. J. Sterling Morton, Washing ton, D. C. Dear Sir : i am in receipt of, and thank you for your letter. In my limited knowledge of this sub ject, I am ablo only to see and to an ex tent appreciate tho very evil effect be ing extended by the so-called free sil ver Interests in this country, and 1 hardly think this is appreciated in the great centers. As you are reasonably aware, 1 am traveling a good deal and meet and soo people from all classes and places, and the wave of t'ois baneful idea has al most reached an epidemic condition, and unless fully answered in kind, both great political parties will be obliged, iuresponsoto popular demand to either incorporate a substantially free silver plank in their platform, or olso a disgraceful straddle No doubt you have seen a littlo book published in Chicago called ''Coin's School of Finance." The first book has reached an edition of Km,mm, and recently another book of the same kind from tne same mill has been issued. They are attractively written au I to tho novice In finance are a onvlnoing argument. They pretend to quoto em inent financiers of Chicago and else where?as for instance Lymun J. Gage, Joseph Med ill, and others?as inject ing objections embodying their most formidable arguments, ami then pro ceed to answer them effectively and to complete silence. Now, this little book 1 lind from newsdealers, is sold ten to ono of any other. It is sold and read on trains to a disgusting extent. It is a most enter taining little volume and 1 see it is Oe ing read on trains, in depots, discussed in local lyeoums, etc., everywhere. It is sweeping over this country and in my opion should bo answered by some one who fully understands the subject; that answer should be written with an equally facile pen. I understand this littlo book lias been purchased in large numbers by silver people and dis tributed gratuitously. 1 do not know this, but I do know that it was on tho market hero at 10 cents per copy and sold Immensely. It seems to me the bauking interests should Ulko tho re quisite steps to publish a reply in equally attractive form, and put it on the market at the lowest price, as per haps, " An Antidote"reply to "Coin's Scliool of Finance," etc. To show the eil'ect of this little book ?a rather intelligent country hanker called on me recently witii the book and asked me if 1 could answoi it, say ing he was nearly convinced there was hope in the policy suggested and this against his will; said it was read and then talked in his county, and was making votes more rapidly than any thing ho had ever known. I referred him to our bunkers bore. Ho said later he had talked with some who missed it over lightly and did not re p'.v My judgment from the present out look is the eastern conservatives of both parties are likily to unite, ami possibly r-nominate Mr. Cleveland, who will carjVy tho Hast and South, no doubt; (theMSast on bis able, honest conservatism .and the South because they could never vote other than tho Democratic ticket, thus insuring a vote which would olect)*aod the West will undoubtedly support a Populist or free silverite unless there is a groat change. If this is not done 1 feel tho election will bo thrown into the house j as tho result of three tickets being inj tho held, in which case the balance oil power would bo with the free silver! Interest. I believe a}vote today on tho naked question of a 1(1 to 1 silvor plat form, Nobraska would give it a major ity of 50,000 or near it. These suggestions are for what in formation you may be able to glean from them. I believe the situation is critical and of importance. Yours truly, j. r. Buchanan. ?The city of Houston is making groat preparations for the encamp ment <>f Confederate and Federal veterans the week beginning May 20. It Is expeoted to bo not only the most impoi tant week in the history of Houston, beta red letter era the his tory of Texas achievement. It Is expected to be the largest encamp* incut of United States and Texas troops ever hold SOUth of tho Ohio river, and arrangements uro being perfected for handling 00,000 people a day to and from tue encamp'nent grounds. A permanent auditorium is being erected in the city capable of accommodating 10,000 porsons, in which the convention of the Con federate Veterans and all public ex ercises will DO held during the en campment. ^ _ Correct mkasimjkmknt. - -some years ago there iived in the eity of X ? a rather eccentric old man, re markable for his shrewdness, who kept a pork shop. Three young fol lows, thinking to have some fun with him, entered his shop and asked what his pork was a yard. I The old man promptly replied : "One dollar."' Ono of the young men then said ! "I'll tako a yard." "Where is your money?" said tho old man. The dollar was laid down, which tho old man quickly Docketed and then produced three pig's feet, with tho ro mark : "Three feet make one yard." ?The fellow who robs a hen roost Is naturally found of poached eggs. ti A New Pest for Cotton.?The Departmout of Agriculture has jest issued u circular to cotton ulautors relative to a new and very destruc tive insect that has been brought across the Itio Grande from Moxlco into the cotton belt of Texas, and which during 1894, seriously injured tho oot tou crop ovor a territory of about 5,000 square miles. It is a weevil whieh attacks tho cotton bolls. It punctures tho bolls with it beak and lays eggs in tbe holo thus made. The grubs hatch aud ruiu both the seed and liber, thus destroying simultaueously both p'ro ducts of the cotton plant. Tho Texas Legislature, at tho ro eommendation of tho Agricultural Department, is seriously considering the question of quarantining cotton from tho insect infected district aud of protective legislation, as well as tbe enforcement of romediul work by act of law. Tho Department of Agricul ture has appointed a skilled agent who is locuted at Brownsville, Tex., and who will study tbe life, history und habits of tho now pest and experiment extensively at remedies during tho coming season under tho direction of Mr. L. C. Howard, chief entomologist of tho department. Inasmuch as the insect Is now to American cotton planters there is much yet to bo learned about its habits before practical rumodios can bo suggested. This in sect is now in Texas and threatens to sproad to tho other cotton States, and tho entire South is therefore interest ed in tho problem now confronting the Texas Legislature. Cr.Evnr.ANo ,>nd His Cabinet.? It ir now certain that several members of the administration will take a prominent part in tho political enni paignes over tho money question that will bo carried on iu ?illerent States. Tho invitation of tho Chicago business men to President Cleveland asking him to mako an address in that city ion the subject of the currency has been fol lowed by invitations from other places to that effect, that members of tho Cabi net were wanted to make similar ad dresses iu order that the position of tho administration may bo plaecd be fore the country In a moat forcible way. Tho President has Rot yet an swered the Chicago invitation, but if he finds it impossible to go, it is ex pected that he will doolibe in a letter expressing clearly his views on the suoject of money. TAiu campaign in the Democratic p;.fty against too free coinage move ment will no doubt take its keynote from the President's letter and tbe speeches which may be made by members of the Cabinet. The cam paign will be directed against tho free coinage of silver 1(1 to I, and the assertion will bo made that such coin age would moan silver ntono-nietal lism and would be disastrous to the business interest 01" the country, great aud small, and extend to every class and condition, no matter in what pur suit engaged. Cleveland's Income Tax.?Presi dent Cleveland lias tilled out his in come tax blank aud in it he has includ ed his salary of $50,000 as chief execu tive on which the tax will be $020, deciding to leave it to tho proper officers to determine whether the pay ment of tho 2 per cent, assessment will bo iu violation of that provision of the Federal constitution which says the compensation of the President shall not he increased nor diminished during the term for which bo shall have been elected. As to the payment ?>f the tax, Mr. Cleveland has until the first of July to do it, and as the constutlonal question affecting his salary will un doubtedly have been passed on before that time, tho Presidncnt will wait , for the disposition of tho matter. Tue tariif law directs that the income tax shall be paid by individuals " to the collector or deputy collector of the district in which they reside." It is said that Mr. Cleveland is uncertain as to whether he should claim Buzzards Bay or New York city as his place of residence, and that for this reason, it is not unlikely that he will send iu his return to the deputy collector at Washington. Poll Tax Delinquents.?Judging from reports received from different counties, the collection of the poll tax under the new law, making its non payment punishable by line or im prisonment, bus not been a howling success. Reports have been received from only a few counties, but they are of a character to indicate what is going on all over tho State. For Colleton county 100 blanks in reference to such delinquents were sent, hut yesterday a requisition for 000 more was made upon the Comp troller General, with a hint that a good many more might be needed.. In Sumtor county theroaro'?aid to be about 1,200 dollngupai^ Some of the trial Justice*;"' nave written to tho Comptroiier Generali asking per mission to stave olT the collection, or prosecution, until next fail, as many of the delinquents haven't got 8lo money to pay the tax and the pen nies now. frhe Comptroller General was not in io city yesterday, but it is not likely that the request will he granted, be cause everybody would then want an extension. ?Columbia Itogistor. A Wild Prophet.?In an interview upon elections in the South in general and elections in South Carolina in particular, Chimney Dopow says : "With Wade Hampton and M. C. Butler aud the aristocratic element that they represent deposed : with the negro disfranchised and with Till man buuuroly sculoJ inpj.vcr, wua? method will be taken to secure justice? There is only one place and that is the na tional convention. What is more natural than that the better element should appeal to the place that prom ises relief ? What more likely than that Wade Hampton, M.C. Butler and other leaders of this class in South Carolina should come knocking at tin* door of the next Republican National convention ? I predict it. The only way to secure relief is Ith rough the Republican party. The Solid South is being broken up ami Mr. Tillinan will be be disposed of upon this line of re construction." ? . ? ? t*ji -? ?. ?At a recent meeting o' Hampton Camp of Confederate Veterans, in Columbia, the following was unani mously adopted. Whereas a constitu tional convention will bj held in this State during the present year, and whereas at tho convention the ques tion of i he regulation of the rights of Suffrage will be among the mutters to bo COnsiderod, therefore, ho it Re solved, That this camp requests all other camps of Confederate veterans, I and all Conferdorato survivors in this' ' state, to unite with it in memorializ ing lb - said convention and urging I that in the event of the adoption of any p an of qualiflod suffrage, provi sion shall be made that service in the Confederate army or navy, or dlreot ! descent from One who has served in tho Confederate army or navy, shall be considered a sulllcieut qualification. 8'IATK MOWS IN BRIEF. Interesting; Notes from Various Soui? COS. ?Dr. Sampson Popo has boon ad mit led to practice law iu the United States Ciroult Court. ?The Statu Couforortce of the ?p worth Lmguo will moot in -??bluh:-but f on May 10, 11 aud 12. ?Tbo city authorities of Georgetown are making arrangements to have that place lighted by electricity. ?It is ostimatod that twonty-tlvo per uout. less cotton will bo planted in this State this year thun was last. -The United States Supremo Court lias granted a writ of eertiorarl in the Agricultural Hall case. ?Senator Til I man proposes to uso ono thousand pounds of guano to tho acre ou his Trenton plantation, at loast a portion of it. ?A car load of hogs have been aht) ped out of tho State from Sumter county aud several car loads of cattle have boon shipped from Nowborry. ?Professor .lohn G. Cllnkscalos, of Clemsou, will deliver tho address be fore tho literary societies of tho Honen Path High School on May Hist next. ?George IS. Hart, late postmaster of Klloreo, has been arrested by Post olllco Inspector Speer on tho ehargo of misappropriating office funds. H<^._ is now in jail at Orangeburg. ?The subscription list to the sixth cotton factory for Kock Hill was opened last week at the First National Hank. One gentleman started the list with a subsoripttou of (20,000. ?John L. Kolley, who was convicted of highway robbery and sentenced to two years in the penitentiary at the May, 1803, term of court in Marlboro, has D0OU pardoned by tho Governor. ?Tho Camden Pressed Brick Com pany are getting in shape for business'* *-? without delay. in about month a Cam den will be putting on tho market the llnest brick maufactured in tbo South. ?Spartanburg is to have still anoth er cotton factory. Tbo mill is to have a capital stock of $2Ul),(H)(), and nearly all of the stock has been subscribed. Mr. J. U Carson is at tho< bj>e4R)fJhtS* ^torpi^se. - ?Senator B. K. Tollman nits accept ed an invitation to deliver bo address at the laying of the eo? or stone i)f the brick school house hi ling at Micanopy, i Fia., on May 8tU. Five thousand persons are expected to be there. ?The total number of dispensaries in the State bus now increased to about ninety. The dispensary system is now invading the moonshine district. Pick uns at last has a dispensary which was established a fowdays ago. Walhalla will have one open in a tow days. Tho dispensary at Wagner's which was burned out, is to be reopened at once. ?Tho Oconee News says : " Some of the equipments to work the gold mine on Tumncil Hill went up last Monday. The mine will bo opened up and put in operation right away. This mine was worked many years ago profitably, and it is expect that with Improved implements and methods it. will soon become a valuable property." ? In a letter to the Manufacturer's Record Mr. John Inn.an says: " Cot ton mills in all parts of the South are working on full time and are making money. indeed, some of tho large mills in which I personally own stock ire not only working full time, but are working night and day, using a double force of hands for this purpose, and, ilthough they have advanced the price )f their production, tboy still have more demand than they can supply. I predict that within live a oars South Carolina will have mills within her limits that will consume one-half of Lhe cotton production of the State. GENERAL NEWS SUMMARY. Latest Horns and Curious NoteM IVom oui' Exchangees. ? Excluding rents from the income Lax will give a new boom to real estate Investments. ?Forty-two factory companies have been organized in the South in the last three months. ?The Pennsylvania Legislature has passed an act abolishing the custom of kissing the Bible in taking un oath. ?W. Jennings Domorest, I lie well known Prohibitionist, died the other Jay in New York alter a week's illncs.-. ?An effort to establish the dispen sary system in Georgia wi'l bo ?.ol Lhe principal .'Jg^hts before tbo legisla ture at its next session. --The country is on the up grade financially and in business prosperity, if then is any faith to be put in the testimony of business men all ever the country. ? Ex-Governor James L. Kemper of Virginia, died recently at bis home near Gordonsvillo, Ya., aged 72. He was a brigade commander in tho Con federate army during the lute war. ?The Kansas Legislature Rooms to have furnished liberal patronage for liquor sellers. It is stated that eight saloons in Topeka closed their doori the day after the Legislature adjourn ed. ?Rev. Chus. Davis, pastor of the colored Haptist Church at Harrods bui'g, Ky.. broke all baptizing records when in twenty-nine minutes he im mersed .-.eventy-six colored converts. The water was exceedingly co'd. ?The Interstate commerce commis sion has granted the recent request of the Southern Railway Company that, in order to meet t he cut in rates made bv the Seaboard Air Lino, it is authorized to charge less for lo ig than short haul passengers. ((,, ?When tho Federal troof?? Richmond during the late v. for $34,000 made out in tin the sinking fund com m if 4 Virginia, was taken fn>mVJfj|^ Capitol. It bassinco boon returned tw-* the commissioners by Gen. William Mabene, of Virginia, to whom it was ?eilt by the. executor of the will of tho late Gen Benjamin F. Butler. ? United States secret sorviee oper atives in Washington an I Chicago have discovered an OXtonsive stamp counterfeiting conspiracy in Chicago. The discovery appears to have been accidental. It is bolloved that tho gang has circulated several thousand dollars' worth of those counterfeit stamps. Ten thousand of these stamps were seized in the Wells Fargo Office in Chicago. None of the gang has been captured. J. V. Curry and R. W. Randall, representing a Chicago syndioato, are negotiating for one hundred thousand acres of land in Montgomery County, Ya., on which colonists from tho Wost are to lie settled. The sale will prob ably bo consummated, it is proposed to locate many ex-Federal soldiers and their families. Tho syndicate repre sents subscriptions of half million dollars. Nebraska, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan. Minnesota and Iowa are to furnhh tho colonists. Ex-Governor Nort ten of Georgia, is ono of the prlmo movers In the sales.