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VOL. XI. LAURENS. S. C, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1896. The General Assembly. THE METROPOLITAN POUCE LAW, Charleston Piotests Aaalnst Its Enforcement ?Governor Evans Defended In tho House by a Large Majority. Tho amendment to the metropolitan police law wir. tho special order for Wodnesday night, and a strong dubato took plaoo, in which tho course of Govornor EvanB was defended and tbe meiiBuro was sustained by a largo majority. Mr. Gad8don, of CharloBton, moved to strike out tho onaoting worda and made a speech in favor of it. Ho Bald: Mr. Spoakor' Tho amendmont which I havo just proposed to tho bill has for its purpose the repeal of tho ac passed by tho Legislature at its las. session und commonly known as tho metropolitan police act. I can not hope, Mr. Spoakor and gontlemon, to induco this IIouso to reverse its action four years ago, but I do hopo for such an expression of tho opinion of tho Houbo on this moasuro as will indicate its disapproval of tho mam it in which tho act has boon put in opera tion, but oven if 1 should fuil in this I should still conceivo it my duty to tho citlzon8 of Charleston, to mysolf as ouo of their representatives, and to tho pcoplo of tho Stato at largo, to rocord this solomn protest agulnst tho oporations of a law so alien to our system of govornmont; so violatlvo of our preconceived idoas of justice and bo subversive of our common liberties. Whon this measuro was undor dis cussion in this H0U80 last wintor, I, among others, pointed out what I con coivod to bo its unjustlco; and tho fcariul towor for opprosslon it would vest in tho Govornor of tho Stato, and it was stated, on all sides, that no one supposed it would evor bo callod into operation ; that as long as a bona fido effort was bolng made by municipal authorities to onforco tho disponsary law no danger noed be feared of tho pollco of such municipality boing takon from thoir control. 1 will venture the statement tht?t cot ono rnombor of tbe House supposed that this bill, so harsh in its foatures, would bo put into oporation unless made necessary by some open resistance to tho disponsary law. At tho time of the passuge of this act and up to the last of December, 1895, tho city govornmont of Charles ton was under the management of Mayor Fickcn and a Reform Board of Aldormcn; on tho first of January, 1890, Mayor Smyth was installed and before he had boon givon an opportun ity to show his intontions as to tho enforcement of tho law, before even his police force had boon reorganized to put him in position to carry out his viows, tho Stato Board imposed tho metropolitan police system upon mv No reason has ever boon assignod by tho Governor or alleged by his support ers for this summary action, except that tho board of aldermen had re fused to pass an ordinance to enforce the dispensary law. On December 11, 1894, tho city council of Charleston, at a special meeting, ca.lcd for that purpose passed an ordinance entitled an ordinance to provide for tho en forcement of tho dispensary law and to punish offenses against tho same After consideration, it was deemed advisublo to amend the sttmo so as not to make tho punishment cumulative, and also to cure, certain technical do foots which had boon overlooked in tho hurry of its passage?oa January 22, 1895, this Act was amondod by striking out Section 2, which wus con sidered to bo ultra vires; in other material respects, the ordinance was unchanged, both tho original and amended ordinances provided for the appointmeut of two additional police men for tho very purpose of reporting violations of tho Dispensary law. Of all of theso facts tho Governor was fully advised prior to the reading of his Disponsary message in this House and they appear on tho minutes of City Council. Now, has the law been enforced in Charleston ; havo tho city authorities mudo an honest effort to assist tho State ? I am informed that Chiof Constable Holly seized with tho assistance of tho Jharleston polico 15,000 gallons of liquor in hi? district within the last eleven months?almost all of it in Charleston?worth at a low estimate $20,000. Doos this look liko a rofusul to onforco tho law ? Ilomom bor these solzures were mado by tho Eolico upon reports by Stato Consta lcs. Tho law has boon enforced as woll as it is possiblo to enforce it. As stated by the Senator from Edgefleld, tho other day, thoro are twenty places in South Carolina whoro tho law is no better enforced. Why is Charleston Binglod out as tho oxcoption ? Simply to gratify personal ambition and to vent personal feelings. For tho first time, in tho history of tho Stato the high ollice of Govornor of this State has boon used for personal aggran dizomont, for the purpose of creat ing a personal following. No law which has ever boon placed upon the statute books of any civilized State has brought as its logical results bo many ovils upon a pcoplo as tho Dis pensary law. Its poisonoup breath has pormoatod ovory department of our social lifo, hits degraded our public sentiment, has vitiated public taste, and polluted ovon tho fountain of liberty. It has raised up in our midst a class of paid spies and has allowod thotn to Invado the private residences of our citizens without a warrant. In its name, free born citizens of South Carolina havo boon tried, convicted and sentenced to the State Peniten tiary, without atrial by a ju *y of tholr countrymen, and lastly, it has brought upon tho proudost people on tho face of the earth an indignity, an inSult, which will rankle and bear fruit long aftor theso now in sound of my voice shall havo boon gathorod to their fathers. In addition to tho ovils of tho dis pensary law just pointed out, no thoughtful oitlzon oan fall to appre ciate tho still greater evil of the enor mous concontratlon of power in tho bunds of the Govornor. It has built, up an army of employees, responsible to tho Governor alono for their ap ?.ointment, depondent sololy upon his avor for tho intention of their posi tions ; a nucleus of personal followers and retainers is implanted in every oounty around which tho supporters of tho incumbent of tho office of chiof executlvo will rally to aid. ThlB one man power, tbis concentration of tho prerogatives 0/ the many in tho hands of ono to bo used for purposes of per sonal advanoemont is tho most serious menaoe to a republican form of gov ernment.' A Governor once firmly en trenohed In offioo oan defy the will of the peoplo and rest secure in the sup port of this army of rotalners ; already L thlb evil has been recognized by this I Houso in passing a bill to ofeot a I hi ard of commissioners by the Legis htturo und tho election of the commis sioners by tho people. Not content with to is, the metropolitan oolico Aot delivers into his hands the organized ) police force of every oity and town in i this State; true, it provides that such law shall only be Imposed when the dispensary law is not enforced, but what I wish to impress upon you is the faot that tho temptation to put this power into operation is too great to be resisted by a man of ambition, work ing for politioal advanooment. This wish is father to tho thought and the desire for inoreascd political patron age to be dispensed to his faithful followers creates the conviction that the condition exists which alone justi fies its imposition. I repeat?it is time for thoughtful men all over this State, irrespective of party'afliliations, to con sider tho tendency of these laws re cently onaotod?their full purpose and effect is just becoming apparent; pushed to thoir logical result, they orcate a ono man's power in South Carolina ; thoy uiako it impossible for tho will of tho pcoplo to bo expressed in tho choice of thoir publio men. It is un immonsoarmy independent of the people, rogardloss of thoir wishos, do pendent for thoir positions, not upon tho service they rondor tho people, but upon tho favor of ono man and that man tho Governor of the Stato. Com Eared with this system, tho Stato [ouso ring, which was popularly sup posed to exist heretofore, Is too insig nificant to permit, reference. This IS indeed a ring in its most obnoxious phase, whoso mombors aro bound irrevocably together by pecuniary con sideration, and all under tho absolute control of tho Governor, who should bo dependent upon tho peoplo alono for tho onjoyment of his office There is no spot on this continent which has borno more in the cause of freedom and liberty than Charleston for ovor two hundred years. She has boon tho homo of tho persecuted and oppressed. The Huguenots fiooing from tho fair shores of Franco found a wolcomo there, and tho colonists of Now England, restive under the re strictions of their porsonal liberties, sought tho freedom of our laws. Hor sous have made tho namo of South Carolina illustrious and havo whenevor called upon laid down thoir lives in the cause of liborty and self-govornment. Sho has survived tho calamities of war, fire, eyclone, oarthquake and financial panic and has continued to contribute her quota to the prosperity and happiness of tho Stato, and yet, aftor this illustrious history, through tho personal agency of an accident in political life, for the exigencies of per sonal and partisan strife?this great injustice has boon put upon her. I can not believe, Mr. Speaker and gentle men, that you approve of such uction. I can not boliovo you will imposo upon us an indignity you would not placo upon yourselves. Aftor the grand awakening of public scntimont by tho constitutional convention, when, after many years, South Carolinians mot again as brothers ; whon past differ ences were oblitorated and forgotten and a now purpose rocordod to unito in ono common effort?for the advance ment of our lovod Stato ; after we had auocoedod in preserving this Stato for tho white man forever, it was a rudo awakening from tho security into which the State had boon lulled to lind that there were in our State three men so blind to tho events which were securing, so doaf to tho unproved and ennobled public sentiment, so wanting In appreciation of the influences which wore at 'work as to bo capable of this Injustice. I will not detain you longer, gentlemen, in criticising tho features of this Act. I pointed out last year that in evory other Stato in this Union where, a metropolitan police system was in operation, the mayor appointed the commissioners. Under this Act no representative of tho taxpayers is given a voieo in tho expenditure of their money; the financial officers of tho city aro not allowed to vouch tho accounts and expenditures of tho board. They mayor is given no au thority whatever over tho police of the city?but I do not propose to offer any amend incuts to this bill ; our pcoplo deslro to havo no part in it whatever. Wo aro not rosponsiblo for.its enaction and wo will not share tho responsibility for its oporationw Ono more worn. Wo aro about to part; tho closing hours of this Legis lature aro fast approaching. I havo not intended to criticise tho action of this body in tho exercise of their judg mout. I am satisfied it was honestly dono. Whatever of bitterness we fool arises from tho putting tho Act into operation with which you gentlemen have nothing to do. We oan only hopo that tho groat common peoplo of South Carolina?the source of all power; tho consideration of our consti tutional liberties---will see that a suc ceeding Legislature will right the in justice which has boon dono us. Mr. Watson said he had llntoned quietly to tho gentlomon and ho found a prediction that wo who represent tho farmers are to be relegated to the fields again, and that thoso who havo ruleit and dominated South Carolina and laid thoir withering hand on tho poor farmer, will again come to these halls and we will have to plow on. Ho spoko of his experience in tho Legis lature in 18?4, when the members from Charleston had full sway and they had little regard for our feelings. He re jolcod that the day had como when wo uad free speeches and could como to this hall and express our honest views. Ho voted for the metropolitan police, somewhat under protest, but also be cause of tho infraction of the law in that oity. It was a heroic remedy but it was a heroic disease. Tho Govornor waited patiently for theso cities and towns to faithfully execute the laws and Charleston had no moro right to violato It than any other city. Tho lash was appllod to hor because of her persistence in violation of tho law. Why thon theso reflections upon the intolllgenco and patriotism of tho ma jority of this body? We havo always sympathized with Charleston except when sho violated the law. It ill be comes them to make such insinuations. If gentlomon will not' pursuo a differ ent policy thoy must accept tho inevi table. If Charleston wants to bo in sympathy with tho rest of the State and other municipalities let hor on forco the law. If you would havo us bo kind to you, in heaven's name bo kind to us. Give to u j pleasant words rather than undertake to reprimand and abuse us. Mr. Floyd expressed rogrotthat this debate should 06 lnjeotodat tho oloso of tho session and arouse hard feelings. Uut whon the gentleman charges the Governor of the State With porsonal motives in putting the metropolitan law on Charleston, ho would deny that most emphatically. Charleston has defied tho law. Blind tigers are in open violation of the law now and Charleston alone is responsible for the law being put upon her. There would have been no necessity for the metro politan pollco law had Charleston obeyed the law and ho warned them that unless thoy did obey it, the law would be even more severely applied. Mr. Bacot held tbat tho peoplo of South Carolina were all brothers of a common blood and while he did not think the Dispensary a wieo one vtlji ho had always advised all with JmWK' > ho eatno in contact that tho law jflHla i be obeyed until it was ropoaledyThis metropolitan bill was taxation without representation for these commissioners aro appointed without the oity having a voice, yet the citizens are compelled to tax themselves to pay any bills they may seo tit to order. Speaking of the Charleston primary eleotion bill be said it was a partisan measure which in connection with the metropolitan pollco measure, compels him to believe that It was only a pretext to cover an intention to change tho political senti ments of Charleston If possible. He said that the people of Charles ton were not unused to adversity and the proud people of his oity had not been broken even when adversity was heaped upon her by the hand of God. And shall wo quail before an adversity placed on us by the hand of man ? He hold that in many respects the forco bill sank into insignificance lacomparl son with some of tho provisions of these bills. The foroe bill did not take away every vestige of homo rule and oconomy as they do. In conclusion he said all that ho wanted was to see his people have only equal rights and pri vileges with other people. The ayes and noes were demanded ou Mr. Gadsdon's amendment whloh was rojocted by a vote of 78 to 17. Those voting for the amendment wore Messrs. Adams, Ashley, Bacot, Bret-land, Devoreaux, Johnson, B. J., Pyatt, Saundors, A. K., Thomas, Wes ton, Wilson, Mohrtens, Mollett, Man ning, Dothage, Lofton. Mr. Crum moved to strike out tho I provision requiring tho commissioners to report to tho Mayor the list of ap pointees, removals, oto. Ho said one member of the city council had al ready been indictod for running a blind tiger 'and when Aldermen aro guilty of such violations thoy should not bo informed who tho special detectives are. Speaking of Charleston's patriot Ism he said her people used to be pa triotic but it is not so now for only a yoar or two ago when sho was called upon to suppress a riot she throw down hor arms. He moved to amend, however, re quiring the Chief to report to tho Mayor. Mr. Shuman moved an amendment that when any city or town is put un der tho provisions of tho bill that such city shall receive the Dispensary pro fits. Mr. Crum thought that question was fully covered by the present Dispen sary law. Mr. Breazeale agreed with Mr. Shu man. Mr. Watson didn't want to offer any inducements for having metropolitan police and ho thought the amendment might do that. Mr. Black well thought tho amend ment a just ono. 1 Mr. Devoreaux said that judging from the legislation now going on he concluded that Charleston is South Carolina, as all of It seems to be dl- i rected at her. The amendment was ! adopted and the bill was passed. AMENDING THE DISPENSARY LAW. Changing tho Stato Board of Control?Tho , Local Option Feature Was Ls-at by On* ' Vote. The morning session of the Senate J was mainly devoted to tho considera- ' tion of Mr. Efird's substitute for tho , Houso bill providing for tho election, ' duties aud compensation of the com- , missioacr of tho disponsary and of a j Stato board of control and to further regulate the sale of liquors. There were a great many committee amond- ] moots adopted, as well as a number , offored by Senators on the tloor. Mr. Jordan opposed tho committee . amendment to the dispensary bill pro viding for a Stato board of control of five inon, not State officers. Ho thought there should be a purchasing ] Eower here in Columbia. It was un usiuosslike to havo a board of control Bcattored over tho State. He favorod , having the Govornor on that, board. Mr. Eflrd said it was proforrod that , tho board should moot here once a , month and receive estimates from the ? liquor'commlsslonors as to the'quantity of liquors noeeed for tho month and make thoir orders accordingly. The . State officials had not the time to look aftor outside business. Tho Governor had countersigned warrants for thous ands and thousands of dollars when he did not know what thoy were for ex cept on tho statement of some individ ual. The bookkeeper of the board could aot as tho confidential agont of the board botween monthly meetings and make small purchases. Mr. Jordan again spoke In favor of a majority of tho board being Stato offi cers. Ho was not rarticular about tho Govornor boing at tho head of the State disponsary, but a State officer should bo thero. Mr M ay field was opposed to tho Gov ernor of tho State being a olork to purchase liquor. He thought the Gov ernor should sit in his office and see that tho laws wore executed. Besides, thoy did not know that future Gover nors would favor the dispensary. It was generally understood that tho Governor would go out of office this fall and they did not know who would succeed him. Mr. Archer thought that the objec tion of Mr. Jordan could be removed by electing one or two members of the board from Columbia. He did not see tho uso of having the board scattered all over tho State and thought thore was enough Demooracy, even Reform, in Columbia for a seleotlon to be made. Ho would bo In favor of putting a Con servative on the board, as he was op posed to the expansion of the business. Mr. Mayliold?I would favor having on tho board- tho strongest prohibi tionists In tho State. Mr. Jordan's motion to amend was lost to a largo majority. Mr. Finley offered an amondmont requiring tho county dlsponsors to make weekly settlements with the oounty treasurer. The bill provided that thoy should make such settle ments direot with the State treasurer. Mr. Flnloy hold that this was requir ing too much of the State treasurer's office. That offioer should only have to deal with the head of the dispon sary syst em. Mr. Eflrd argued in favor of settle ments being made direot to the State treasurer. Mr. Plnley's motion was lost by a vote, of 16 tO 0. Mr. Flnloy offered an amondmont providing for something like local op tion.' If the majority of qualified elec tors In any county voted against the dispensary, then liquor should only bo sold in said oounty for medi cinal,mechanical and sacramental pur poses. It was practically tho samo bill which was killed the night before, ex oept that the latter had reference only to oltles and towns. Mr. Eflrd did not deny that the ten dency of the disponsary had been to inorease the sale of liquor and this bill was drawn for the purpose of ohecklng that tondoney. If the Leg islature oleoted five Mfctlement onihe <Mbrd of control wtuflHguld oarrw&ut ,dfre original plansljHHta dispensary, Moo curtailment OjSHA sales would certainly follow. He was In life and I Qgfailon a prohibitionist, but he could iBW obtain Absolute prohibition; they could not check the sale of liquor in 'one day ; they must go'inch by inoh. Let this bill go into effect and from yoar to year the sales could become less objectionable to those opposed to the ealo of liquor. Mr. Finley said his amendment was Elaln and simple. The Senator from icxlngton knew there wore some sec tions of South Carolina where liquor was sold, where people were opposed to the ealo of liquor as a beverage. The sale of liquor for profit was now the object of the dispensary, and if it. was kept up, it would bo a stench in the nostrils of the people. * Mr. Mayfiela was a natural prohibi tionist, but prohibition was not prac ticable. Tno dispensary law had been violated by dispensers ; they had sold liquor to drunkards and minors, but it was proposed to put further safeguards around the sales. Mr. Mayliold made quite a speech In favor of the dispensary. Mr. Archoi thought it idlo to talk of prohibition. Tho public sentiment was not suffloiontly in favor of It to make It successful. What was the use of metropolitan pollco if pro hibition was possible ? It was not Eosslblo as long as the old barkeepers ad sympathisers in the State, sympa thisers among the judges. He did not think there was a town in South Caroli na which should not bo under the met ropolitan police, and he thought it an injustice to singlo out Charleston to put that system in force. Tho polico of Spartanburg wore opposed to tho dispensary. If this amendment pass ed, thero would havo to bo metropoli tan polico in every town to keep down blind tigers, and ho was opposed to Borne peoplo having to pay to try and keep other poople who wantod to drink blind tiger whiskey from going to boll. Mr. Archer spoke of his knowledge of an unholy alliance which existed last year betweon preachers and old bar room men in an effort to defeat tho dispensary law. Mr. Watson had never tasted whis key as a beverage, but he believed the dispensary tho solution. There would be less drinking when tho law was en forced. Ho had soon in a Columbia dispensary negroes standing throe deep in front ofthe countor and being served and no questions asked. Ho wanted tho law strictly enforced. Mr. Pettlgrew was surprised at tho opposition to this amondment by those who acknowledge the abuse's of tho law. On Mr. Archer's motion to lay Mr. Finley's amendment on the table, the vote was as follows : Yeas?Archer, Barton, Brice, i Brown, Douglass, Efird, Jordan, May- i field, McCalla, McDan'el, Norris, O'Dell, Ragin, Sanders, Stribllng, Walker, Watson, Williams?18. iNays?Barnwell, Buist, Dennis, Der- , ham, Du Boss. Finley, Fuller, Harri son, Kirkland, Miller, Moses, Mower, Pettlgrew, Sloan Stackhouse, Turner, j Verdier?17. So the local option feature was lost ? by ono vote. Mr. Barnwoll moved to strike out , the proviso that all liquor bo declared deleterious unless examined and de clared pure by tho chemist of tho South Carolina College. It was ex pected that such proviso would strengthen tho constitutionality of tho bill; in his opiuionion it would have j an exactly opposite effect. He was no friend to tho dispensary, but as a Son- > ator ho would not see the State put ? into tho position of doing something ? which would make her laughed at. . Mr. Efird said tho Attornoy General had asked for tho insertion of those words in tho bill. i Mr. M ay held and Mr. Archer spoke , against Mr. Barnwell's amondment. , The amendment was lost. Mr. Barnwoll offered an amendmont | requiring tho chief constables to give boud in $10,000 oach, and the Consta- \ bloa bond In $500 for tho faithful per- , formanco of duties and in case of seizure without probablo cause, said , bonds to bo liablo for damages to per- ( boos or property. Mr. Barnwoll re sited the early history of tho enforce- , moot of tho dispensary law, and the , harsh treatment accorded thoeo who , to tost the constitutionality of tho law \ ?the right and duty of freemen?dis- , regarded it. Tho worst feature of tho law was permitting constables- un bonded, without proporty. irresponsi ble?to seize proporty without war rant. What remedy has a citizen, except to shoot them down ? If you prosecute him in a criminal court, what Is the result? Ho has his par don in his pocket or gets it Immedi ately after conviction. Mr. Archer moved to lay Mr. Barn well's motion yn tho table. Mr. Barnwell called for the ayes and nays. Tho attendance was very slim, only 22 Sonators being prosont. and Mr. Barnwell's amendmont was lost by a voto of 17 to 5, as follow : Yeas?Arohor. Brice, Douglass, Du Bo8e, Efird, Fullor, Jordan, Mayfiold, McCalla, Norris, Pettlgrew, Ragin, Sandors. Stackhouse, Stribllng, Wat son, Williams?17. Nays?Barnwoll, Dennis, Moses, Turner, Vordior?6. The bill then passed Its third read ing, after being under consideration for three hours. FREE TUITION IN COLLEGES. Shall the State Institutions be Kept Open tor all Students Without Charge? The night session of tho Senate was ono of lively and interesting debate. Tho educational bill was up for con sideration, and this measure never fails to create a lively interest and de bate. Mr. Efird offored an amendmont that all pupils should pay an annual tuition of $30 a year. Mr. McCalla offorod an amondmont making tho tuition $25 a yoar. Mr. Watson said wo are giving too much toward highor education ; that wo are spending money for twenty four per oent. of the pupils while, seventy-six per oont. aro going without aid. He said there were so many offico hunters they were afraid to deal fairly with the question. Evory man who had no office was expecting to run for one. Ho said wo were paying $300 a year each for boys to get an aoadomic oducation. The State said to every boy : "Wo will pay five dollars to your education whore you pay one." Self reliance was the first principle of re publicanism, and wo should teach our young men to rely upon themselves for at least a part of their education. It was an idle dream to expeot a roal col lege in tho South till we could get en dowments. If Clemson was maintained as a Mechanical and Agricultural College, if It was strictly a technological sobool as intended, it would not step on any body's toes?it WOUld do thO legitimate work for which it was oreated, and our colleges would get along harmo niously. Mr. MoCalla: "You speak of our colleges? Did 'our colleges ever go into the highways and hedges for poor boys and attempt to educate them V" Mr.. Watson : "I don't exaotly under stand iyou. The truth Is, only ono poor man cut of ovory thousand goes to these collegfcs, It was an Idle dream to <*v pect a real college In the South till we could get endowments." Mr. Norrie said while he agreed with the gentleman from Edgefleld on many points, they had tried to frame a bill to meet the exigencies of all occasions. Tho bill proposed was a compromise. They baa to distinguish between the indigent and those able to pay ; to offer bone?oiarios was unfair to somo, and to admit all froe seemed impossible. Tberoforo they had decided to put the tuition at $40 per annum. Mr. McCalla wanted to know why tho State should aid these colleges, if they oharge $40 tuition ? That was tho samo us denominational colleges. Mr. Norris said he hardly knew how to answer the question, but wo had no right to undermine the denominational institutions. He said if we oharged $40 all the denominational colleges would combine and wipe out our insti tutions. Mr. Watson said of tho 65,000 pupils in tho colleges only 15,000 wore in State colleges. He wanted the Stato Institutions not to supplant but to sub stitute tho work dono by other col leges. Mr. MoCalla said he was not horo roprosonting colleges, but his people. The argument of Mr. Watson, he satd, firoved that tho Stato had boon derelict n its duty. Thoro wore no other col legos doing tho work of Clemson and Rock Hill. Whon ho saw tho poor boys and girls collootol from ovory soction and sent to these colleges, ho thankod God for a B. R. Tillman. Those young pooplo could nover have gono ciso whoro. Tho preparatory dopartmcnt at Clorason moroly showed tho impossi bility of properly preparing thoso boys for college. Mr. Archer said Mr. McCalla's quoor argumont moant that tho Stato could not compcto with tho denominational col logen, and that because rich mon Eaid tho taxes thoy should havo tho ene.fit of thoir taxes. Mr. McCalla : I bog pardon, but I ncvor said anything of the kind. Mr. Archer : Your argument said It. Is It nocessary to pay $300 oach in or der that youug mon may loarn to road and writo ? Wo have begun to build at tho top, ho said. From a political standpoint, wo had come hero as Re formers, we old rascals. We had run into office on tho poor man's coliege, but tho poor man nad footod tho bill to tho tuno of $912,000. Mr. McCalla asked what tho old crowd did for the poor boys of tho Stato ? Mr. Archor said if thoy did not build any schools, thoy didn't, wasto thou sands of dollars playing big Iko in upending money for brick and mortar. In the passage of tho appropriation bill, Senator Watson moved to strike out the provision requiring free tuition in the South Carolina College for two young men from each county in tho Stato. Mr. Moses and Mr. Finloy denied that such was tho policy of the State, and thought that tho amondment should not bo adopted. To deprivo tho poor boys of this Stato of such a privi lege would bo legislating for a class. ! Mr. Watson did not want to go on 1 record as an onemy of highor educa- j tion although somo people Insisted on putting him there. The State did not noed more teachers, and if thoy did, tho colleges would not furnish thorn. ' There is no school without a teachor that could not get fifty applications for tho place in a week. You don't noed these mon for teachers. He said tho South Carolina College wanted $2,000 for repairs, although they say tho buildings are in good re pair ; and $800 to teach men to turn summorenults. Tho pcoplo wero prom ised $3 per capita for thoir children, but they would not got $2. Tho Stato I had spent over a million dollars in a low years for higher education and Dlemson got $100.000. ( Mr. Norris said that ho could not let auch romarks go unanswered. Such statomonts woro wild. Mr. Watson was a friend of Clomson College, ami boasted of it; but the collego would got $100,000 from all sources under this appropriation bill; $300 a yoar for boys, many in acadomic work. Ho said that ho did not intend to raiso a question about tho appro priation, and would not havo dono so, but was opposod to giving 72 boys froo tuition. He protested and ho expected to con tinuo to protost against us poor a Stato aa South Carolina expending $200,000 for higher education, with 15,000 whito votors not ablo to road their ballots. Mr. Mayflold was oppoeod to tho amendmont. Ho had listened to Mr. Watson's arguments tiiuo and time, again. Ho was glad to hoar tho gen tleman say ho favorod oducution, but was surprised at his votos. Ho was surprised to hear him say tho Stato did not noed more teachers. If ho was so earnest for the education of the masses why has ho not attampted to do more In his county ? It was easier to tear down than to build up. Tho money givon to Clomson Collego was not for running exponsos but for equipment? buildings and pormanont work. Thoro wore not young boys at Clomson?tho youngest was 15 and tho oldest 30. Mr. Mayflold wont on to show how Clomson enabled many a poor boy to get an education, and tho grand work that it was doing. Ho was willing to support all these colleges liberally. Mr. Watson wished to seo South Car olina College and tho Citadel Uvo on forever. Clomson is safe. Ho said tho president of Clemson wanted $41,000 appropriation for professor's salaries and it was too much. We should not tolerate such extravagance. Mr. Moses asked if Thomas Jofforaon did not establish the Virginia Univer sity witb a viow of having froo tuition? He was in favor of froo tuition and it had always workod woll as a rulo. Tho motion to lay Mr. Watson's amendment on tho table was adopted by the following vote : Yeas : Barnwoll, Brice, Bulst, Den nis, Fjnley, Fullor. Harrison, Jordan, Mayflold, Mlllor, Moses, Mowor, Mc Calla, Norris, O'Doll, Ragin, Sloan, Stackhouse, Stribllng, Walkor?20. Nays : Archer, Barton, Brown, Pot tigrow, Dorham, Douglass, DuBoso, Eflrd, Klrkland, MoDaniol, Turnor, Williams, Watson?13. THE NEW DISPENSARY LAW. Tho Amondment? Were Rushed Threugh tho House?Tho Bill Finally! Passed. When tho Dispcneary bill was called up Mr. Manning wantod it considered by the House as a committee of tho whole, in order, he said, to accept its good features and rejoct its bad ones. This was tho only way to do this as the bill was a Senate amendmont. Mr. L. J. Williams said thore wero features of the bill, which ho opposod, but it was important that some law be passed and tho House had no time to go into conferences on tho bill. In Section 2 a sontonce was found which made no sense. Tho printed bill and tho manuscript bill wore exactly tho samo. Mr. L, J. Williams wanted the ohair to rule whothor either House could correct a clerical error. The ohalr ruled that it could only be done by a conference committee. Mr. Sturkle thought tho best thing do do was to go into a committee of the whole and mako these corrections. Ho mado a motion to that effect, which was agreed to and Mr. McSweenoy was called to the obair and Mr. Manning nominated Speaker Gary as chairman, which was agreed to. On motion of Mr. Sturklo the sen tence in Seotlon 2 was eorreoted and the reading of the bill was proceeded with. On motion of Mr. W. J. Johnston tho salary of tho commissioner was mado $1.800 instead of $2,500. Mr. Watson moved an amondment permitting the board of control to have liquors analyzed either oy tho chemist of tho South Carolina Collogo or Clem son Colloge. Mr. Thomas ralsod tho point that while tho House was sitting tho mace must bo removed from tho Speaker's desk. The point was ruled to bo well taken and tho mace was placod under I tho reporters' table. A number of amendments were about to bo offered when Mr. L. J. Williams said that if this kept up the bill would 1 not bo completed during tho day and as tho Houso had to eleot a board of control and good mon ought to be se lected without any rush and he moved that tho committee riso, which was agreed to. Judgo Townsend In speaking of the olerlcal orrors, said that ho would stake his professional reputation that the court would construe tho sentences in their true intent and meaning and he thought the Houso could adopt tho Senato amondment without foar. Mr. Bacot moved that tho amend ments of tho committee on the whole bo adopted and referred to tho com mittee of conference to bo later ap pointed. This was tabled on motion of Mr. L. J. Williams and tho reading of tho bill was resumed. It was ton minutes to 1 when the reading was completed, and Mr. Brea zeale moved that tho Houso do not concur in order to have a committee of free conference Mr. Bacot said that he simply wished to state ono Mingle objection to the bill in addition to others he had. By its provisions no mother or housekeeper of the Stato can koep a bottlo of black berry wine or plum cordial without be ing subject to this Act. He didn't be llevo any right minded man could vote to bring tho womon of the State into the vortex of this legislation which had so vexed hor sons. He asked that ho be allowed to spread his reasons upon the journal. After somo discussion the chair ap pointed Messrs. Breazealo, Shuman and L. J. Williamsa committoe of con ference on tho bill. The committee on conference on tho Dispensary bill reported that thoy had considered tho same and could not agree. A committee on froo conference was appointed, tho members from the Houso being Messrs. Townsend, Row land was Kain ford. Tho committeo on free conforoncoon the dispensary bill reported that they had agreod. Tho salary of the com missioner remains at $2,500 instead of $1,800 as tho Houbo wantod it. Tho other amontlmonts consisted of the cor rection of clerical errors generally. Tho chief foaturo of tho new law is that tho Legislature shall eleot a board of control of fivo memcors who Bball elect tho commissioner. They have control of all purchases, etc. WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP. Prominent Democrats Will Not Attond tho Chicago Convention?Reed and Criop aro Personal Friends?Preaidontai Attpirants Wear Frock Coats. Special to the News and Courier. , Senator Calvin S. Brice has decided 1 that ho will not attend tho next Demo cratic National Convention. Ho has not made this announcement to his polit'oal friends in Ohio, but if any movement is mado in tho Buokoyo 1 Stato to select dolegatos to tho Con vention Senator Brico will formally ' state his reasons for retiring from the national organization of the party in 1 which ho has long boon an activo and intluontial nioinbor. This bit of politi cal information leaked out at tho Capi tol to-day, ami [occasioned iconsidorable comment among Democratic Congress men. " What does this mean V inquired a woll known Southorn Senator who has been in soveral national conven tions with Senator Brlco. Why," he continued, "it will notsootn likoaroal Democratic Convention without Gor man and Brico there. Somo of us may differ with Gorman and Brico on tho tariff questions, but tho party cannot woll afford to lose tho activo service of such level-headed men and such gifted politicians in a groat national contest." One of Brico'a friend spoko up and said that Senator Brico proposes to givo way to 3omo Other Ohio Democrat who may desire to go to the Conven tion as a dolugato. Ho has sorvod in many conventions and has worked hard in tho last threo national cam paigns, and ho feels that he has earned a rest from tho t rials and vexations of a national contest. It is said that a numbor of Demo crats who have heretofore boon con epioious figures in the councils of the Domooratico party havo determined to remain away from tho Chicago Con vention. Thoir determination in that direction is not duo to thoir disloyalty to tho party, but thoy contend that they havo glvon thoir time and money to promote tho best interests of tho party on all occasions, and thoy are now porfootly willing that somo of tho other aspirants for national honors shall havo a free field for tho coming Convontlon. Thoabsenco of stich lead ers as Gorman, Brice, Wattorso.i and Ku.mi from a Democratic Conven tion will be a novolty, for that quar totto has beon among the principal attractions at such gatherings for tho past ton or fifteen years. Thoro are some pleasant fruits in connection with the rendition of such party sorvlce, but there are many disagrooablo circum stances of a porsonal as woll as a politi cal naturo which cause mon to hesitate about ondurlng thoin (or an indefinite period. Spectators in tho Houso galleries to day saw Speaker Rocd and ox-Speaker Crisp tho rival loaders of tho two politioal parties in that body, laughing and talking together in tho most friendly manlier imaginable. The impression has provailed in the minds of tho casual visitor to the Capitol 'that Speaker Rood and Ex-Spoakor Cnsp aro mortal enemioa. This im pression probably arises from the fact that In the dehnten Kx Speaker Crisp nevor loses an opportunity to punch holes <n somo of too rulings of Speaker Roed, and when tho latter was loader of the minority and Mr. Crisp was Spoaker of tho Houso Mr. Rood took great delight in ridiculing decisions mado by Judgo Crisp. To-day tho Houso was engaged in considering a bill from the judiciary committee relative to tho salaries of iudical officers of the Governmont. Speaker Roed called Representative Payne, of Now York, to theohair while i he wont down upon tho floor to mingle with mombors back of the desks. Strolling along tho Democratic side of the chamber, Speaker Rood oanio upon Judge Crisp as the latter emerg ed from the cloak room. They stopped, greeted eaoh other familiarly, and swapped stories to tho dolight of a group of Democrats who gathered noar. In debate Messrs. Rood and Crisp enjoy a "rough and tumble" discussion, and they give and take some very sharp blows, but personally thoy arc very good frionds. Since Senater Quay formally launch ed his Presidential boom ho appears daily in the Senate chamber attirod in a blac<? Prinoo Albort coat. Prior to* that eventful poriod in his political caroor lie was not so particular in his personal appearance, and it was not unusuul to see him in mixed suits of various colors and toxturo. Now, he looks woll groomed and spruce, as if ho intended to go diroctly from the Son ate chambor to an " afternoon tea." Ho walks with a inoro sprightly stop, and his general naturo appears to havo undorgono a docided chango sinoo ho declared himself to bo "Pennsyl vania's favorite son." It apponrs to bo tho stylo for Senatorial favorito sons to affect black frock coats as Boon as their boom is aunouncod. Senator Allison seldom appears in the Senate chamber now in any othor attlro. Senator Cullom, Davis and ovon Sen ator Tillman rccognizo tho demands of tho occassion, and wear frock coats just tho same as tho othor Prosldontial possibilities. ELLERBE FOR GOVERNOR. The Announcement of His Candidacy Re garded as a Declaration that Governor Evans will Seek Senatorial Honors. Columbia Register. Con. William H. Ellorbo, of Marlon, is a candidate for Govornor. This an nouncement was mado yestorday by a member of tho Colleton delegation in tho General Assombly, who said ho was authorized to spoak for Goneral Ellerbe. Thiu announcement was not unex pected, for the Register Bovcral weeks ago contained an interview with a leg islator, in which he stated that if Gov ernor Evans became a candidate to auiceed Hon. John L. M. Irby in the United States Senate, Genoral Ellorbo would seek to succeod him as tho ten ant of tho Executive Mansion. While there has boon no authorita tive declaration from Govornor Evans , or any of his friends as to his inten- t tiotiH, the announcement of Ellorbe's gubernatorial aspirations, coming t from tho sourco whence it issues, is almost tantamount to a declaration of Evans's Senatorial caudidacy, as it j would bo a waste of time and money , for Ellerbe to run for Governor if | Kvans were seeking re-election. 1 Genoral Ellerbo was ono of tho orig- | inal Reformers and did much to bring , about tho triumph of tho movement in | 181)0, when ho bocamo Comptroller lionoral, which oflicoho hold four yoars, \ tilling it to tho entire, satisfaction of tho taxpaying public, of whoso Inter- j asts ho was always a vigilant guardian. ( In 1894 General Ellorbo was a candi lato for Governor, canvassing tho Stato and making vigorous speeches from tho stump in every county. Whon ] lohn Gary Evans defeated him for tho Reform "suggestion" in the Colle ton primary, ho gracefully submittod 1 and turned in and helped Evans defeat ? Dr. Sf.mps Pope, tho Independent can- , iidate. This conduct mado him many friends, especially among tho support- , 3rs and admirers of Kvans, who vowed , then that if tho chance ever name thoy would make amends by support- | ing him for Govornor. , Tho only othor oponly avowed Demo cratic gubernatorial caudidute at pros- , jnt is Col. R. B. Watson, Senator from Bdgafleld, whoso platform is opposi tion to State support of institutions , for higher education. It may be that other canditatcs will antor the Democratic primary. There has been some talk of tho possibility ;)f General McLaurin's outoring the gubernatorial raeo, but tho general consensus of opinion was that ho would go buck to Congross, in which he has made a particularly good record. Whoever tho Democrats namo as thoir candidate ho will havo to boat tbut chronic otlice-soekor, Samps Popo, who is reported to he determined to play a lone hand once moro. How to Keep Hams.?Mr. John W Mooro contributes tho following to tho Charlotto Democrat: "As our farmers wero so fortunate as to havo somo hogs to kill this win ter, now tho question.is, what is tho best method to kocp tho joints, espe cially tho hams, nico and swoot through the summer? I have tried many and various, but my oxporioncc has led mo to conclude that the cheapest, cleanest and surest method is in tho applica tion of pulverized borax just after the meat has been smoked (or driod.) Wash cloan and whilo tho moat is damp sprinkle tho Mesh side of the hams and shoulders with pulverized borax, hang up in tho smoko house, and it will keep sweot and clean all tho year, insects will not troublo it ; ono pound is sullicient for ono dozou ordinary sized hams or shouldors. Try It, brother farmers, and soo how you like it." mmu ? i ?i - 1 ?Tho Yorkvillo Enquirer notos tho death of Genoral Lewis Merrill, which oceured in tho Presbyterian hospital, Philadelphia, last Thursday morning, as tho result of a kidney affection. Merrill was post commandant at York villo during tho Ku-Klux troubles of the oarly '70'a, and in this position be came notorious. His energy was equal ed only by his unseruoulousnoss.and as tho result, tho Ku-Klux organization was soon broken up, and tho guilty, along with perhaps many of tho In nocent, wero convicted boforo Judgo Bond. Bcforo Merrill's arrival, Gov ornor Scott offered a reward of $200 for oaeh capture and conviction of a Ku-Klux, and under this offor Merrill collected something llko $20,000. By his action in taking tho money he lost caste to a larger extent In tho army. Whon located in Yorkvillo ho was a mnjor but several years ago ho was ro tired as a general. Excopt in connec tion with his promotion, rotlromont and death ho has hardly beon hoard of since ho left Yorkvillo. ?Kingstroot now has two public artesian wells on tho main street. Ono has a flow of 07,000 gallons per day and tho othor 30,000. Tho stream of water comos out of tho oarth with a forco sullicient to carry it 36 foot into tho air. Tho water has not yot been analyzod. ?Chsuncoy M. Do new gives tho ro clpo for success In ttipBO words: "Tho main elements of suqeoss in this world aro good sense, good temper and mind ing your own businossj" ?If you wish bucoobs In life, make peraovoranco your IxJsom friend, ex perience your wise counsellor, caution , your older brother, and hope your 1 gaurdlan genius, V WHAT SHALL BE A LEGAL TENDER? Tho States Havo the Rignt to Designat? Goto and Silver as Debt?Paying Cur* rency?Gold Contracts Ougnt Not to bo Aiiowoo. The following iB tt special inn.-ajjo from Govornor McLaurln, of Missis sippi, in which ho contends that public interest requires that gold contracts should not bo allowed : Jackson, Mi**., March 3, 1806. To tho Sunato and llouso of Represen tatives : ? I respectfully recommend for your consideration tho suggestion that you enuet such law as will prohibit tho making contracts payable exclusively in gold. Money is tho blood of trade and commerce, und anything that tends to destroy tho money of tho pcoplo is in dorogation of their in terests and welfare and of tho pros perity of the State. By tho constitu tion of tho United States (section it of articlo 1), tho power is delegated to Congress to coin money and regulato its value Proceeding under this authority and exercising this power Congress has coined a quantity of gold and silver and regulated its valuo, aud tho pooplo ought to havo tho right of tho circulation of this coin as tho money of tho state. I say tho pcoplo ought to have tho right to tho circula tion of tills coin because all tho money thus coined is neodod in tho businoss of tho country aud 1 may add a great deal more could bo profitably utilizod. I do not suppose it will bo soriously assorted by any one that thoro is moro coin in tho United States than Is necos sary to servo tho uso of tnonoy in order to Bccuro tho greatest prosperity to all tho pooplo of this country. Nor do 1 suppose it will bo soriously contond cd that tho volume of ruonoy can bo materially decreased without hurtful rosults. If I am correct in this, thon anything that is calculated to sin ink tho voluino of money in uso, should bo provonted. When debts are mado payablo in coin of one of these two metals instead of coin of both of thorn, it is to tho oxtont of such debts do creasing tho volumo of monoy. It also puts a premium upon tho coin in which tho debts are mado payable and discredits tho other coin. If tho debts mado payablo in one of thoso coins alone become considerable in numbors and amount, a considerable amount of thon discredited coin is driven out of circulation, and if such debts becomo general the greater part of its entire volumo is retired. It is no answer to say that every one make his contract for himself and if ho makes it payablo in gold it is his own concern. It might be replied that evoryono makes his awn contract with tho usurer, and yot tho law prohibits such contracts. But bhoro is a better and moro conclusive reply ; tho reply is that it is not ex clusively tho concern of him who makes the gold contract. Tho public interest is involved in tho consequences of theso contracts, if they should becomo general. Tho public is interested in anything that destroys the volume of money upon which the pooplo rely for exchange. You may use your own property, or your liberty, in any way you choose so long as tho use you make of it does not injuriously affect tho rights of others, but when the rights of tho public are touched, you must puuso. So, when tho right to make contracts as one chooses is used to make contracts which, if thoy become general, would drive out of circulation u medium of exchange that is not only convenient but necossary for tho business of this State, the public Interest requires that such contracts should no longer ho allowed. It is not my purpose or de sire to olaborato this viow of tho sub ject, but to suggest it for your con sideration, aud if you roach tho con clusion that an evil is threatened, I briefly suggest to you that in framing tho constitution of tho United States, tho States before that time having power to make anything legal tender, restricted their power over tho sub ject, in tho following languuge in Section 10 of Articlo 1 : " No State shall make anything but gold and silver coin a legal tender in payment of debts." Tho poworto make tho coin had pre viouly in section 8 boon delogated to congress. But, when congress ex ercised its powor and mado and coined and regulated its valuo, tho power to make that coin a logal tender tho Stales l ave reserved, if tho Legisla ture shall enact a law that tho gold and silver coin of tho United States shall be a legal tender in payment of all debts hereafter contracted and that shall apply to all debts, (hereafter contracted), when tho process of law or of tho courts, Stato or Federal, may bo invoked for their collection in this Stato, all will bo dono that is in the powor of tho Stato to avoid an ovil that, In my judgement, threatens great danger. Respectfully, A. J. MoLAURIN, Govornor. ?Master Miles P. McSwceuoy, tho handsome littlo son of Representa tive McSweonoy, of Hampton, has beon mado happy by rocoiving an otlicial commission signed by tho Gov ornor aud Adjutant Gonerul appoint ing hitn sido-do damp on the staff of tho latter with tho rank of captain. Ho is to bo Gonoral Watts' courier. Ho Is only 8 years of ago, and is prob ably tho youngest commissioned oilicer in tho regular militia of any Stato in tho Union. ?Gaston Manly, onco quito promi nent in business and social circios of Baltimore, shot and killod himself in tho lavatory at Mount Vornon on tho 0th lust. Manly was about 50 years of ago, and loavos a wife, from whom ho has been soparated, and two childron. Ho was formorly a cotton brokor, but bus recontly had no employment. De spondency Is supposed to naVe driven him to suicido. Ho was born in .N^ow Berne, N. C. ?Miss Rose Clevoland, a sister of tho Prosidont of tho Unltod States, Is In Camdun at present for tho benefit of her health, and is, of courso, the recipiont of markod attention fron all. It is said thai, tho Prosidont's wifo aud children will join her in Cam den shortly. ?Rov. John Smith, a colored preach er, who has led many darkeys in Atlanta to beliovo that they would ascond to Hoavon in a whilwind on Friday last, and many of whom ho in duced to soil all their household effects, has loft the city and cannot bo found. ?Congressman J. Wm. stokcM has introduced a bill authorizing tho Socrotary of War to contract for tho erection of a monument in Sumtor, S. C., to tho memory of Gonoral Thomas Sumtor. a distinguished oflicor in tho Colonial army from South Carolina. ?A serious freight wreck occurred about midnight Wednesday on tho Spartanburg, Union and Columbia branch of tho Southorn Railway at tho Broad River Wfcatlo noar Stielten. A negro brakonffra was killed, which was I tho only life lost. \ / A._ .