Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Mr. Cleveland's Message Read Before That Body. OUTSPOKEN OS PES3I0K FRAUDS. The TT? Witto a Hatter Is Briefly Touched Upon-"Prompt Action Upon the Line of Tariff Reform-About a> Rood Issue and Incom e Tax. WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The president sent in his message to the two houses . promptly upon notification of their as? sembling. Ja the opening ; pages Mr. Cleveland treated-at length and in detail upon our relations "with foreign powers. He re? fers to the troubles in Brazil, and states that Aiaer?caii interests are amply pro? tected in that quarter. - He sums np the situation thus: "While oar foreign relations liare not at all times during the past year been entirely free from perplexity, no embar? rassing situation remains that will not yield to the spirit of fairness and love of ?sstIce, which, joined with consistent firmness, characterize a truly American * foreign policy/* Bis utterances n^on the Hawaiian question will be. read with interest and are given m full, as follows: ?S RWalian Trouble lt is hardly necessary for me to state that the questions arising from our rela with Hawaii have caused serious JusT priorato ?ie m^llmeuF of the present administration the existent gov? ernment of Hawaii had been suddenly overthrown, and a treaty of annexation had been negotiated, between the pro v visional government of the islands and the United States and submitted to the senate for certification. This toasty 1 withdrew for examina? tion, and dispatched Hon. James H. * Blouat, of Georgia, to Honolulu as a special messenger to'make an impartial investigation of the circumstances at? tending the change of government and of all the conditions bearing upon the subject of the treaty. Af er a thorough and exhaustive ex? amination, Mr. Blount submitted to me his report, showing beyond all question that Aa constitutional government of Hawaii had been subverted with the ac? tive aid of our representative to that goveiment and through the intimidatioa caused by the presence of an armed na? val force of the United States which was landed for that purpose at the instance of our minister. T^pon^^^facts.^^5^? *t8eemei* to the wrong that had been done by those representing us, and to restore, as far as practicable, the status existing at the time ojwrjfofcdf?te intervention. Wim a view or ?ccomplisuig this ren suit within the constitutional limits of obligations ana responsibilities growing out of any changed conditions brought about by our unjustifiable interference, our presea* w?ssaAe? at Honolulu has re? ceived, appropriate instructions to that and. Thus far, no information of ibo accom? plishment of any definite results have been received from- him. Advices are soon expected. When received they will be proptly sent to congress, together with all other information at hand, ac? companied by a special executive mes? sage fully detailing all the facts necessa? ry to a complete understanding of the case, and presenting a history of all the material events leading up to the present situation. Oar European Relations. i\Franoe continue to be intimate and cpnli.il. . I sincerely hope . .that the extraditiontreaty with that coun try^aSamended by tin senate,will soon be in operation. While occasional questions affecting our naturalized citizens returning to the laud of their birth have arisen in our inter cour- with Germany, our relations with that -iii itry.continue satisfactoryv Th restions affecting our relations with *. - it Britain have been treated in a spirit o^ba^dJineps. ' Negotiations are in protrregOufa wnilethe two governments wittK? vicflP sit?r concurrent action as wiB??tttake ^ he award and regulations agreed upon by the Behring sea tribunal of arbitration practically effective; ?ind it is not doubted that Great Britain will co? operate freely with this country'for the ac? complishment of that purpose. Nicaragua has passed through two rev? olutions, the party at first successful hav? ing in turn ljeen displaced by another, and our newly appointed minister, by his time? ly good offices, aided in a peaceful adjust? ment'of the controversy involved in the first conflict. The large American inter? ests established in that country in connec? tion with the Nicaragua canal were not molested. The canal company has, unfortunately, become financially seriously embarrassed, but a generous treatment has been exten? ded by the government of Nicaragua. The United States is especially interested in the successful achievement of the vast un? dertaking this company has in charge. That it should be accom? plished "under distinctively Ameri? can auspices and it* enjoyment assured not only to the vessels of this country as a channel of communication bet ween our Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, but to the ships of the world in the interest of civili? zation, is a proposition which, in my judg? ment, does not admit of question. Guatemala has aJ*>o been visited by t>e EoUtical vicissitudes which have afflicted er Cintrai American neighbors, but the dissolution of its legislature ;uid the proc? lamation of a dictatorship have been un? attended with civil war. An extradition treaty with Norway has recen?y been." exchanged and proclaimed. The ^extradition treaty with Russia, signed in March, 18S7, and amended ana confirmed by the senate in February last, was duly proclaimed last June. The dispute growing out of the dis crimiiating tolls- imposed in the Wel? land canal, upon cargoes of cereals bound to and from the lake ports of the United States was adjusted by the sub? stitution of ? more) equitable schedule of charges, and my predecessor thereupon suspended his proclamation imposing discriminating tolls upon British transit through oar canals. A request for additions to the list of extraditable offenses covered by the ex? isting treaty between the two countries is oncer consideration. Th? Surrender of Weeks. Costa Rica has lately testified itt ?J friendliness by surrendering to the United Stages, in tile absence of a convention of extradition, but upon duly submitted evidence of criminality, a noted fugitive from justice. It is trusted that the ne? gotiations of a treaty with the country to meet recurring cases of this kind will soon be accomplished. In my opinion, treaties for reciprocal extradition should be concluded with all those countries with which the United States has not already conventional arrangements o? that character. vi hate deemed it fitting to express tc the governments of Costa Rica and Co? lombia the kindly desire of the United States to see their pending boundary dis? pute finally closed by arbitration in con? formity with the spirit of the treaty concluded between them some years ago. About Department Reports. The president reviews, fully, the re? ports of the various departments and calls attention to the important features in each. ? He commends the report of the secre? tary of agriculture and endorses the spirit of reform manifested by that official. Regarding the fee system in the judi? cial department, 3ir. Cleveland strongly urges its abolition. He says: The system is thorou gh vicious which makes the compensation of court officials depend upon the volume of such business and thus creates a conflict between a prop? er execution of the law and private gain, which cannot fail to be dangerous to the rights and freedom of the citizens and an irresistible temptation to the unjustifiable expenditure of public funds. Regarding the report of Secretary of the Interior Smith and his efforts to cor? rect and prevent "wholesale and gigan? tic" frauds such as had formerly been perpetrated upon the pension depart? ment, Mr. Cleveland says: I am unable to understand why frauds in the pension rolls shoul d not be exposed and corrected with thoroughness and vigor. Every name fradulently put upon these rolls is a wicked imposition upon the kindly sentiment in which pensions have their origin. Every fradulent pensioner has become a bad citizen; every false oath In support of a pension has made perjury moffe common, and false and undeserving pensioners rob the people not only ot their money, but of patriotic sentiment, which the survivors of a war fought for the preservation of the union ought to in? spire. Those wfco attempt, in the line of duty, to rectify these wrongs should not be ac? cused of enmity or indifferent to the claims of the honest veterans. The number ot persons remaining on tb tolls June 30, 1893. who were pensioner under act of ?auo 27, . 1890, which allow pensions on account of death ead disabi: ity.no>chargeable to array ?ervice, wau 459,155. The number added to the rolla darin? the year waa 123,634 and tho nnaibei dropped wat 33,690. The ?rst pay mont? oti "pensiona allowed during thu year ^mount? ed to $37,676,547.75. This includes the ac? cumulation between the time from whick the allowance of pension* dates sod ?be time of actually granting the certificate. Although the law of 1890 ?permit? pension.? tor disabilitiss not related to militar}' servies, yet as a requisite to its benefits > disability must exist incapacitating appli? cants, "from the performance of manu?! labor to such a degree as to render them unable to earn a ?apport." Th? execution of this law in its earl: stages does not seem to have been in cord with its tra? intentions, bat to wal? tho close- of the last administration, an authoritative construction was given la the statute, and since that time this con? struction hak been followed. This has had tho effect of limiting the operation of th? law to its intended purpose. The discov? ery having been; made .that Dany namt * had been put jupoa the pension roll by means of wholesale and gigantic frauds, the commissioner su-pet: dod pay rae u> upon a number of pension* which seemed to be fraudulent or unauthorized, prndiLg a complete examination, giving notice ta the pensioners, in order th?v they migfa: have an opportunity to establish, if possi? ble, the justice ot their claims, nothwith* standing apparent invalidity. *' *Y?s?s> I understand, is ih? practice whicV has for a Ion? time prevailed iu the per> sion burean, bot after entering upon thesu recent investigations, the commissioner modified thU rule so as not to allow until after a complete examination iuterferrnc? with the payment Of a pension apparently now altogether void, but whi> lt merely had been fixed at a rate higher than that authorized by law. The condition of the Indians and tbei * ultimate ia*e ar? subjects whicii strongly appeal to the sense of justice and thu sympathy of our people. Our Indians number about248,000. Mo*: of them are located on 161 reservations, containing 86.116,531 acre? uf land. Ab??ut 110,000 of i l?ese Indians have, to a larg., degree, adopted civilized customs, .bandit in severalty lt ?ve been allotted to many ol them. . Such allotments have been lundet? 110,000 indi iduals - during the last fisc?. year, embracing one million a errs. Tb?, number of Indian govert m> ut achoo?* open during the ) jar was 195, au iecn-a?? ?? 12 over tb? preceding year. Of thT total 170 are on reservations, of whic'i 73 were boarding-schools and 97 were day. Schools. ! Twenty boarding schools ami five day schools, supported by the govt-ruinent, ! were not located on reservnvious. I:?j | total number of Indian children enrolled ! during the year as attendants of all schoo'' 1 ! was 21.138, an increase of l,i>31 over tbe ct. I rollment for the previous year. I am sar? that secutar education a; . H moral and religious teaching must he in portant factors in any t-ffort to ?ave th. ! Indian and lead him ty civil z ition. j believe, tor, that the relinquishment < j tribal relations and the holding of land it. j severalty may, in favorable coud irions, ? . this consummation. It seems to me, how- j ever, that allotments of land in severalty ! ought to be made with great care and c it ? cuinspection. It hastiSy done, before the Indian know its meaning, while yet he bas little or m ' idea of tilltag a farm, and no conception o thrift, there is great danger that a reserva? tion life in tribal relations may be ex ehanged for the pauperism of civilization ! instead of i's independence and elevation ! The solution of the Indian problem de- j pends very 'argely upon good administra ! tion. Th? personal fitness cf agents ant! ? their ad apa bili ty to the -peculiar duty ci earing for tb ?it wards is of the utmost im? portance. Tho law providing that, except in espe? cial cases, army officers shall be detailed a. Indian agents, it is hoped, will prov? 1 successful experiment. There is danger c. great abuses creeping into the claims foi Indian depredations and I recommend th a that ?very possible saf ?guard bs provided against the enforcement ot fraudulent claims of th:;s description? Secretary of Agriculture. The secretary of the interior has super? vision of so many important subjects tba' his report is of especial vain? and interest. On th? 30th day ot Jun?. 1893, ther? wert on the peusion rolls 966,012 names; an ir creasa ot 89,944 over tb? number on tbt roHs Jane 20 ;h. 18P2. O? these, lhere were 17 widows i daughters of revolutionary soldier*, 86 s vivors o? the war of 1812; 5.425 . widow? soldiers of that war; 21,5115 xii vivors n widows of the Mexican war; 3,882 s vivors and widows of Indian wars; : anny nurses, and 475,045 survivors a 'widows and children of deceased toidi and sailors of the war ot the rehellit The latter number represents those pi .ioned on account of disabilities or dei resulting from army and navy service* Tho reportai the secretary, of agriiultt will "be found exceedingly interesting, pecially to that large part of our citizi intimately concerned in agricultural oe pattons. On the seventh day of March, 1893, -th? were upon its pay roll 2430 employe*. Tl ; Beinber has been reduced to 1850 p sons. In view ol a depleted treasu and the imperative demand of t people for economy in the administr?t! of their go ver mue nt, the secretary has e UT ed upon the task of rationally reduci expenditures bj the elimination from t payrolls of all persons not needed for -efficient conduct of the affairs of the d 'partaient . During the first quarter of the prese 'year, the expenses of th? department t 'gregales $435,876.76, as against $402,012 .for the corresponding period of the fl?< .year ending June 30,1893. The secreta ; makes apparent his intention to contin ; ?his rate of reduotion by submitting e? 'mates for the next fiscal year less by $99 280 than those for the present year. . Among the heads of divisions in this <! part ment, the changes have been excac ingly few. Three vacancies occurring fr? deaths and ressignation have been fill by promotion. These promotions of exj rien ced and faithful assistants have n only been io the interest of efficient w?r but have suggested to those in the depai ment who look for retention and px motion that merit and devotion to du are their best reliance. The amount appropriated for the hure> of anibal industry f ir the current fi?? year is $850,000; the estimate for the ea log year ia ?700.000. Tho re^Uiatious of 1892 concerning Tex fever have been enforced during the 1* year, and the large stockyards of the cor try have been kept free froui infect io Occasional local outbreaks have be? largely such as could h/tve been effective! guarded against by the owners of the affec ed cattle. While contagious pleuro-pneuracnia i cattle has been eradicated, animal tube culosi?, a disease widespread and moi dangerous to human life than pleuro?pnei monia, is still prevalent, investigalid has been made during the past year as 1 the means of its communication and tl method of ita correct diagnosis. Much progress has been made in thia * lection by the ?tudies of the division < animal pathology, but work ought to t extended in cc-operation with local ai thoritiea unti the danger to human lil arising from this cause is reduced to minimum. The nnraber of animals arriving froi Canada during tba year and inspected b bureau officers waa 462,092, and the HUTT ber from trans-Atlantic countries wa 1.297. Ko contagious diseases were foun among the imported animals. The tot? number of inspections of cattle for expo, during the pa* i fiscrl year was GI 1.542, th exports show a falling off of about 25 pr cent from the preceding year, the decrees occurring entirely in the Issi half of tb year. This suggests that the falling ol may bava been largely due to an iucreae in the price <>i American export cattle. During the year ending June 30, 1893 exports of inspected po k . aggregated 26. 677,410 pounds aa against 33.ir,2,874 pound for the preceding year. The falling off in thia export was no confined, however, to inspected pork, th* total quantity exported for 1892 being 6C5. 490.616 pounds, while in 1893 it waa on Ij 527,3 8,695 pounds. I join the secretary in recommending that hereafter each applicant for JO po?; tlon of inspector or assistant inspector ii the Lureuu ol animal industry be required as a condition precedent to his appoint? ment, to exhibit to the United States civi service commission his diploma .from av established veterinary college, and thai this be supplemented by such an examina? tion in veterinary science as the commis alon may prescribe. The work of the statistical division of the department of agriculture deals with all that relates to the economics of farming. The main purpose of Its monthly report* i to keep the farmers informed, as fully as possible, of all matters having any influ? ence upon the world's markets in which their products find sale. Its publica? tions relate especially to the commercial side of farming. Ir. is, therefore, of profound important* and vital concern to the farmer* of the United Staten, who represent nearly one half of our population, and also of direct interest to the whole country, that the work of this division be efficiently per? formed, and that the information it has gathered be promptly diffused. It is a matter of congratulation to know that the secretary will not spare any effort to make this part of hi? work thoroughly useful. In the year 1839 the congress appropri? ?t* d $1,000 to be taken from tbe patent office funds, for the purpose of collecting and distributing rare and improved varie? ties of seeds, and for prosecuting agricultural investigation and procuring Agricultural statistics. From this smaU beginning the seed division of the depart? ment of acriculture bas grown to its pres? ?nt*unwield'ng and unjustifiable extrava* I especially commend to the attention o the congress the statements contained,ii1 tbe secretary's reports concerning forestry The time han come when efficient measure should be taken for the preservation of oui forest? from indiscriminate and reiuedile?> destruction. The recent opening to settlement of th? lands in the Cherokee out? let, embracing an area o 6,500.OOO acres, notwithstanding the utmost care in framing the regulations governing j the selection of locations, and notwith- j standing the presence of the United Starlet j troops, furnished an exhibition, though j perhaps in a modified degree, of the mad j scramble, the violence and the fraudulent ! occupation which have accompanied pre? viona openings of public land. I eoncur with the secretary in the belle, that these outrageous Incidents cannot b? entirely prevented without a change in thc j laws on the subject, and I hope his reeom- j meadations in that direction will be favor? j ably considered. The sum expended on account of pen- : Eons for the year ending June 30, 1S93, j waa $156,740,467,670. The commissioner estimates that $365,000.000 will be required to pay pen- j tiona during the vear ending June 30, ! 1894. * j The condition of the Indians and their j ultimate fate are subjects which strong- j ty appeal to the sense of justice and the sympathy of our people. Recommends Army Reorganization. ! Tlie operation of wise laws and t influences of civilization constantly tei ing to relieve the country from the di gers of Indian hostilities, together wi the increasing ability of the stat through the efficiency of the natioi guard organizations, to protect th citizens from domestic violence, lead the suggestion that the time L^ist s proaching when there should be a re< ganization of our anny on the lines the present necessities of the counti This change contemplates neither i crease in number nor added expense, b a redistribution of the force and an e couragement of the measures tending greater efficiency among the men a: improvement of the service. The adoption of battalion formatio for infantry regiments, the strengthe ing of the artillery force, the abando ment of smaller and unnecessary posl and the massing of the troops at impc tant and accessible stations, all proi iee to promote the usefulness of tl army. In the judgment of army officers, wi but few exceptions, the operating of tl law forbidding the re-enlistment of m< after ten years'service, has not prov< its wisdom, and while . the axgumen that led to its adoption were not withoi merit, the experience of the year co: strains me to join in the recommend tion for its repeal It is gratifying to note that wehai begun to gain completed results in tl comprehensive scheme of seacoast d tense ? and fortification . entered upi eight years ago. A large sum has bec already expended, but the cost of mai] tenance will be inconsiderable as con pared with the expense of constructic and ordinance. At the end of the cu rent calendar year, the war departmei will have nine 12-inch guns, 20 10-inc and ?4 eight-inch guns ready to I mounted on gun lifts and carriages, an 75 twelve-inch mortars. In addition 1 the product of the army gun factor} now computed at Watervliet, the go" ernment has contracted with privai parties for the purchase of 100 guns ( these calibers^ the first of which shoul be delivered to the department for tef before July 1, 18W. The manufacture of heavy ordanc keeps pace with current needs; but t render these guns available for the pu: pose they are designed to meet, em plac? ment8 must be prepared for then Progress has been made inthisdirectioi and it is desirable that congress by ad< quate appropriations should provide fo the uninterrupted prosecution of thi necessary work. Tlie Sherman Law RepooL. The recent repeal of the provision c law requiring the purchase of silve bullion by the government as a featur of our monetary scheme has made an ec tire change in the complexion of our cm rene y affairs. I do not doubt that th ultimate result of this action will b most salutary and far-reaching. In the nature of things, however, it i impossible to know at this time preciser what conditions will be brought abou by the change, or what, if any supple mentary legislation may, in the light oi such conditions, appear to be essential o: expedient. Of courbe, after the recent perturba tion, time is necessary for the re-estab lishment of business confidence. When however, through this restored conti dence, the money which has been fright ened into hoarding places is returned t< trade and enterprise, a survey of tnt situation will probably disclose a safe path leading to a permanently sonne currency abundantly sufficient to meei every requirement cf our increasing population and business. In the pursuit of this object we should resolutely turn away from all alluring and temporary expedients, determined to be content with nothing less than a lasting and comprehensive financial plan. In these circumstances i am convinced that a reasonable delay in dealing with this subject, instead of being injurious, will increase the probability of wise ac? tion. The monetary conference which as? sembled al Brussels ipon our invitation, was adjourned to the 30th day of No? vember in the'present year. The consideration just stated, and the fact that a definite proposition from us seemed to be expected upon the reas? sembling of the conference led me to ex? press a willingness to have the meeting still further postponed. It seems to me that it would be wise to give general au? thority to the president to invite other nations to such a conference at any time when there should be a fair prospect of accomplishing an international agree? ment on the subject of coinage. I desire also to earnestly suggest the wisdom of amending the existing stat? utes in regard to the issuance of govern? ment bonds. The authority now vested in the secre? tary of the treasury to issue bends is not as clear as it should be, and the bonds authorized are disadvantageous to the government, both as to the time of their maturity and r ate of interest. A Civil Service Advocate. Regarding the wordings of the civil service, the president announces in's hearty approval of the custom, and gives it unqualified support. He says: The continued intelligent execution of the civil service law and the increasing ap? proval by the people of its operations are most gratifying. The recent extension of its limitations and regulations to the employes at free delivery postoffices, which has been honest? ly and promptly accomplished by the com? mission, with the hearty co-operation of the postmaster general, is an immensely Important advance in the usefulness of the system. 1 am, if possible, more than ever con? vinced of the incalculable lwnefits con? ferred by tbe civil service law. not only in its effect upon the public service, but also what is even more important in its effect in elevating the tone of political life gen? erally. If, in addition to this reform, another was inaugurated, which would give to the United States commissioners the final dis? position of petty offences within the grade of misdemeanors, especially those coming under internal revenue laws, a great ad? vance would be made toward a more re? sent administration of a criminal law. The Tariff iMue. After a hard struggle, tariff reform is ; iirectly before us. Nothing so important claims our attention and .nothi:i : ?s-'?-.- ;r ly presents itself as both an ?p;*'?i t unity and a duty-an opportunity to deserve the ' {gratitude of our fellow citizens and a duty ; mposed upon us by our oft-r?pe.Y *d pro fessions and by the emphatic maudate of j the people. After full discussion, our countrymen I have spoken in favor of this reform, and they have confided the work of its accom plishment to the hands of those who are solemnly pledged to it. If there is any? thing in* the theory of a representation in public places of the people and their de? sires, if public officers are really the ser? vants of the people, and if political prom- ; ises and professions have any binding; our | failure to give the relief so long await- j ed. will be shown reverancy. Nothing should intervene to distract our attention or disturb our effort until this reform is accomplished by wise and care? ful legislation. While we should staunchly adhere to the principle that only the necessity of rev? enue justifies the imposition of tariff du? ties, and that they should be limited by strict economy,we cannot close our eyes t? the fact that conditions have grown up among us which, in justice and fairness, call for discrimiuatingicare in the distribu? tion of such duties and taxation a.. the emergencies of our government actually demandr Manifestly, if we are co aid the people directly through tariff reform, one of its most obvious features should be a reduc? tion in present tariff charges upon the necessaries of life. The benefits of sucha reduction would IK* palpable and substan? tial, seen and felt by thousands, who would be better fed and better clothed and better sheltered. Those gifts should be the willing benefactions of a government whose highest function is the promotion of the welfare of the people. Not less ciosely related to our people's prosperity and well l>eingN is the removal of restrictions upon the importation of the raw materials necessary to our manufact? ures. The world should he open to our na? tional ingenuity and enterprise. This cannot In; while federal legislation, through the imposition of high turiff, for? bids to American manufacturers as cheap materials as their competitors. It is quite obvious that the enhancement of the price of our manufactured product resulting from this policy, not only con fines the market for these products within our own borders to the direct disadv; 1 tage^of .our manufacturers, hut also ~a-( creases their cost to our citizens. The interests of labor are certainly, though indirectly, involved in this feature of our tariff system. The sharp competition anti active strug? gle among our manufactures to supply the limited demand for their goods soon fill the narrow market to which they are confined. Then follows a suspension of work in mills and factories, a discharge of employes and distress in the home of our workingnien. Even if the often disproven assertion could lie made good, that a lower rate of wages would result from free raw mater? ial and low tariff duties, the intelligence of our workingmen leads them quick!} to discover that their steady employment, permitted by free raw material; is the most important factor in their relations to tariff legislation. A measure has been prepared by the ap? propriate congressional committee, < i bodying tariff reform on the lines herein suggested, which will be promptly sub? mitted for legislative action. It is the re? sult of much patriotic and unselfish work, and I believe it deals with its subject con? sistently and as thoroughly as existing conditions permit. .lam satisfied that the reduced tariff duties provided for in the proposed legis? lation, added to existing internal revenue taxation, will, in the future, though per? haps not immediately, produce sufficient revenue to meet the needs of the govern? ment. About An Income Tax. The committee, after full consideration, and to provide against a temporary defi? ciency which may exist before the business of the country adjusts itself .to the new tariff schedules, have wisely embraced in their schedule a few additional internal revenue taxs, including a small tax upon income derived from certain corporate in? vestments. These new assessments are not only ab? solutely just and easily borne, but they have the further merit of being such as can be remitted without unfavorable busines disturbance whenever the necessity for their imposition no longer exists. In my great desire for the success of this measure I cannot restrain the suggestion that its success can only be attained by means of unselfish counsel on the part of tariff reform, and as a result of their will? ingness to subordinate personal desires and ambitions tO"the general good. The local interests affected by the proposed re? form are so numerous and so varied that if all are insisted upon the legislation em? bodying the reform must inevitably fail. In conclusion, my intense feeling of re sponsibilty impels nie to invoke for the manifold interests of a generous and con-. liding people the most scrupulous care, and to pledge my willing support to every legislative effort for the advancement of the greatness anti prosperity of our coun? try. GiiovEK 'CLEVELAND. Exective Mansion, .Washington, D. C.. Dec. 4._~_ Western Union Wants Protection. FRANKFORT, Ky., Dec. 5.-The West? ern Union Telegraph company, through Cincinnati and Louisville attorneys, has brought suit in the United States dis? trict court to enjoin the auditor of the state from collecting taxes upon its fran? chise, the value of which is placed at $992,000 by the board of valuation. The company claims to be exempt from such a franchise tax, and that should it be collected it would require folly 25 per cent of its net income. The suit is the first notification of resistance of the col? lection of the new fr rbise tax provided for in the new tariff . ? *-. inue law. Hartford Threatened w a Water Famine. HARTFORD, Dec. 5.-This city is threatened with another water famine, and unless there be a heavy rainfall within a few days, water for domestic use will have to be pumped from the the Connecticut river. The river water is muddy and impure, and physicians say its use would greatly menace the public health. The new reservoir, which is being constructed for the city, will not be completed for a year. A Dafr Set for a Conference. LOUISVILLE, Dec. 5.-The conference | between the Louisville and Nashville ! officials and employes will not be held i until next Saturday, Dec. 9. This de- j cisi?n was reached at a meeting between Chiefs J. A. Johnson, of the switchmen: j E. W. Eumas, of the trainmen, and W. i O. Pettibone, of the engineers, who are j now in the city. The other committee- I men are expected to arrive soon. A Blinding Snow Storm. HAZLETOX, Pa., Dec. 5.-During a j snow storm here Saturday night, a shift ing engine ran into an express train just below town. The shifting engine was demolished and the express locomotive badly damaged. The tracks were torn ap and all traffic suspended for several lours. Beyond a severe shaking up the >assengers escaped injury. Thousands of lives ?re paved annually by j the use of Ayer's Cherry Pectoral In the treatment of croup and whooping couch, the Pectoral ha* a most marvelous effect. It allays inflammation frees the obstructed air passages, and controls the desire to cough. Don't be talked into having an operation as it may cost your life Japanese Pile Cure is guaranteed to cure you by Dr. A. J. China. .Men are made manly, the old made young and vigorous by Magnetic Nervine. Sold by Dr. A. J.China. For every variety and phase of the many diseases which attack the air passages of the head, throat, and longs, Ayer's Cherry Pec? toral will be found a speei?c. This prepara? tion al lars inflammation, controls the disposition to cough, and prevents consump tion. Smithville News. SMITHVILLE. Dec. 1, 1893. Mr Editor: "Rats" or. the courageous cry of "Hard tiroes." as that is too old a subject. It is DOW time to -soring something new on theJI public. We do not blame the editor for calling for 1'news, news, news" in the form he did. His cry should inspire a ready response from all correspondents. Cotton is about done with here. (That's oo news ) Mr. W. F. Smith of Camden was married to Miss Minnie Brown, on Wednesday last at 4P. M. at the residence of the bride's uncle, Capt. A. Moseley, Rev. M. W. Gordoo of Camden officiating. The bride was one of Smithvilie's most charming young ladies, and Mr. Smith, by coming into our midst and taking her away, leaves a number of bleeding hearts that will take years to heal up. The bride and groom left immediately for Camden. Many handsome presents were received. A colored child on Mr.. H. H. Evans' place was burned to death OB last Monday. Many such burnings result from criminal neg? ligence. In this case, there were no grown persons about at the time of the accident. A hot supper is to be given this (Friday) evening at the residence of Dr. C. S Britton ; proceeds for the purpose of finishing paying for work on St John's M. E. Church. Another hot supper is to be given in the Rafting Creek section. As both these entertainments are for benevolent purposes, they should be largely attended. Rev. W. H. Wroton preached at St. John's M. E. Church ou last Sunday. Mr. Wroton bas been with us three years, and as he now expects soon to be transferred to another circuit, this may be considered his farewell sermon. Rev. D. McLeod is to preach what may be hts farewell sermon on next Sunday. Mr. McLeod bas greatly endeared himself to dur people during his stay here. It is earnestly boped by one and all that be will be retained on thia circuit Presiding Elder Power was expected to preach here today, but for some reason the expectant congregation was disappointed. Mr. W. J. Jones, one of Camden s most enterprising yoong business men, passed through here last Tuesday on his way to Sumter. Miss Bertha Allen ts visiting relatives in Bishopville. Rev. J. B. Holley of Etheridge, former principal of 'be Smithville High School, was in the neighborhood on last Wednesday. The agent for the proposed new county of Bishopville has been round. Have not learned the opinion of our people io regard to the plan. School Commissioner Durant was here a few days ago. He speaks of the schools in all sections as being in a very disturbed condition. The Smithville High School is now flourish? ing under the management of Mr. B. M. Robertson. There is now a larger attendance than at any previous session. Prof. Gibbes' new school house at Pisgah is nearing completion. Miss Leila McLeod, one of Swimming Pens prettiest young ladies is nov? teaching at Rafting Creek. Mr. S. M. Holms from North Carohna, has pot an art gallery here and is now prepared to take photograph's for the public. Mr. Oliver Moseley has been quick ill. We are glad to learn that he is improving. TEL Eats. TAX RETURNS FOR 1893-94, RETURNS OF ALL PERSONAL PRO? PERTY, REAL ESTATE AND POLL TAXES will be received at the following times and places : Mayesvilte-Tuesday, Jun nary 2. Reids Mill-Wednesday. January 3. Manville-Thursday, January 4. Smithville-Friday, January 5. Mechanics vii le-Saturday, Janua Kiagmao's Store-Monday, Janu? ary 8. Reuben's Store-Tuesday, Janu? ary, 9. Hagood-Wednesday, January 10. Stateburg-Thursday, January ll. Wedgefield-Friday, January 12. R. I. Manning's-Saturday, Jan? uary 13. J. M. Tindal'*-Monday, Janu? ary 15. Bishopville-Tuesday and Wednes? day, January 16 and 17. Magnolia-Thursday, January 18. Lynchburg-Friday, January 19. Coocord-Saturday, January 20. .Johnston's Store-Monday, Janu? ary 22. Shiloh-Tuesday, January 23. And at Auditor's office in the City of Sumter from January 24th to February 20th inclusive. The law requires that all persons owning property or in unywise having charge of such property either as agent, husband, guardian, trustee, executor, administrator, Ac, return the same under oath lo the Auditor, who re? quests all persons to be prompt in making their returns and save the 50 per cent, pen? alty, which will be added to the property valuation of nil persons who fail to make returns within the time prescribed by law. Taxpayers return what they own on the first day of January, 1894. Assessors ?nd taxpayers will enter the first given name of the taxpaper in full, ?Iso ranke a separate return for each party for the town? ship the property is in, and where the tax? payer owns realty to insert the postoffice as their place of residence, and those who only own personal property to give the party's name who owns the land they live on, and in each and every case to name the No. of School District the property is in. Each tract of Land must be returned on a separate sheet and the Taxpayer must state whose land adjoins them. Every male citizen between the age of twenty-one and fifty years on tbe first day of January, 1894, except those incapable of earning a support from being mained, or from other caucus, shall he deemed taxable polls. AU returns must be made on or before the 2 0th day of February next. I cannot take reiurns after that date and all returns made after the 20th day of February are subject to a penalty of 50 per cent. A. B. STUCKEY, Auditor Sumter County. Nov 29.