University of South Carolina Libraries
%\t W?mmxxx m?r <?au%mi WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16, 1896. The Sumte?' Watchmari was founded in 1850 aad the True SozUhron in 1366. The Watchman and Southron now has the combined circulation and influence of both of the old papers, and is mani festly the best advertising medium in Samper Rev. Irl Hicks' predicted blizzard for the 9th and lllh instants assuredly came a week ahead of time. The Legislature will have three troublesome questions before it, to-wit: The remodeling of the dispensary law, tbe formation of new counties and the fight against the State Colleges. The Repuhcans, having counted noses aad discovered that it will be im possible to pass a high tariff law at this session of Congress, bave decided to postpone tbe payment of their debt to monopolists who bought the Presidency for McKinley. Tbe country has been given to understand, however, that the .power is all that the Republicans need. A young man possessed of good health, yet <mous an income assuring a support for life, but who will not work because he is not provided with a job that suits bis peculiar taste, is not knocking at tbe door of independent competence, but is loiteriog on tbe higway of trampdom. Laziness is often mistaken for unappreciated genius?by tbe genius who does not lack apprecia tion of himself. Rev. Dr. Parkhurst was a decided opponent to the free silver movement and Bryan in tbe recent election and was as characteristically outspoken and vigorous in denunciation of Bryan and the cause be championed. His stand naturally endeared him to the Repub licans aod goldbug Democrats and he was lauded unstintedly by monopolistic press, but since the election tbe rever- ; end gentleman has turned his attention to the grinding exactions of the monop olies and trusts and let them have full benefit of irs incomparable invective. Tbis procedure does not meet with ap- ( provai in the circles that so recently ] lauded him as a veritable Daniel, and 1 he is now denounced as a demagogue ? .and strife-stirring meddler of anarch istic tendencies, with ideas as danger- i ous to tbe sway of soulless corporations ' as Bryan. As Mr. Parkhurst is now ( enlisted in the best cause he has ever j championed the conflict between him j and his erstwhile friends will be inter- - esting if nothing mote. 1 ! The congest befo: e tbe Railroad Com mission over rates on fertilizers seems to be caused not so much by a desire to frame a just and undiscriminative tariff but the wish to devise a scheme that will enable tbe Charleston fertilizer companies to sell their goods in the in terior of ?he State, at tbe doors cf other factories, at tbe same prices as these interior factories. There are two sides to tbe question, however, and as tbe Charleston prices fix prices elsewt ere, it is charged that unless a rate is made tbat will equalize freights between Charleston and interior points, the in terior mills will sell tbeir goods a prices equivalent to tbe Charleston prices aod tbe freight from Charleston added, thus securing to themselves an additional profit at the expense cf the purchaser of fertilizers. Tbe question is complicated and difficult of adjust ment on a basis tbat will be both just and satisfactory to all interests involved, but there should be a basis of settle ment just to railroads, fertilizer mills, and consumers alike and we believe that with a reasonable amount of effort it could be ascertained The wrang ling aud acrimony between the com missioners lead us to believe tbat there is more political log-rolling mixed up in the matter than intelligent knowledge of the question, aod we fear that a set tlemeut wili not be reached. Tbe statement made by Comptroller General Norton tbat there will be no extension of time for the payment of! taxes should prove an incentive to those who have not paid taxes to do so at onoe, for the rush at tbe last may be so great tbat many will not. be able to make payments and receive reoeipts. Owing to the well known complications io the affairs of the Treasurer's office j under former administrations, Treas- j urer Scarborough cannot grant indul gence to those who may ask it an ac count of the crowd at the last, and we do not think that his friends should ask it. He will be a hard worked man ' between this day and January 1st, for j he will have five thousand receipts to Write within that period, if as many , are written as last year. ? Mr. Patton and Salem County. Editor Tht Watchman and South ron: Some friend has sent me a copy of your paper of the 9th ins'r, and direct ed my attention to aw editorial on the proposed new county of Salem. In this you say : "We would iike to know in what capacity Mr H Cowner Patton will act in the Legislature when the Salem question is under considera tion ; whether as a pdge of the merits of the case in his representative capaci ty or as an advocate of the new county interests in the capacity as the attorney of the Salem County Committee.'' As I have no connection whatever with the Salem County Committee, I ppresumethat I shall "act as judge of the merits of the case iu my representa tive capacity". While am writing, however, ? may state that before accepting the retainer of the Sileni County Committee to make the argument for them before the Kersbaw Board of Canvassers, I con suited several friends?prominent mem bers of our Bar?as to the propriety of such action They promptly responded that in their opinion there was nothing in it inconsistent with the nicest sense of honor. I made the argument and was promptly paid for my service. When the decision of the Board was rendered, the Committee wished to em ploy me to tako further steps for them. I informed them that if they wished to apply to the courts, 1 would accept the retainer ; but if to the General Assem bly, tbem of course I could not repre sent them Upon consultation, they abandoned the idea of proceedings io court, and my connection with the mat ter ceased ; except that ? did, at their request, recommend to them a compe tent attorney, who, I presume, has the matter'in hand It is extremely distasteful to me to bore your readers with my private af fairs in this way ; but your editorial has left me no a! ernative. The charge that your words imply is one whose gravity a moment's reflection will ex hibit. I have represented my county for a number of years in the General Assembly, and I should be grieved if I thought that you could Sad anything in my conduct there that would justify the opinion of me that your words seem to imply. As it is, I am not a little mortified that a reputable newspaper should entertain such an opinion ; and not a little indignant that oue such should express or insinuate it so lightly, without an offort to obtain the facts so easy of access. Again, may I ask why you eviuce such burning curiosity to kuow the ca pacity in which I shaii act in this met ter ; and at the same time exhibit such sall?os indifference aj? to the respect ive "capacities" of Mr. Wickler, Rep resentative, and of Mr. Hay, Sen a tur from Kerahaw, both of whom appeared before the Board and conducted the &ase on the other side? Of course this does not affect the merits of the ques tion ; but does it not'at least justify me in thinking that in my case there must exist, souio personal feeling, which I am conscious of having dooe nothing to justify *?nd am at a lo^-s to under stand ? Yerj respectfully, Cowper Patt . Columbia, S. C, Dec. 10, 1896. In another column a communica tien from Mr. H. Cowper Patton of Columbia will be found. Mr. Patton, it will be remembered, tepresented the Salem County Committee in the contest against the new county elec tion in Kershaw county and appeared for the committee before the Board of Election Commissioners ofthat conn ty and made an argument against declaring the election on the face of the returns of the mangers of elee tion on the ground of irregularities in the conduct of the election. Mr Patitili is a member of the Legisla ture, and, as the formation of all new counties moet come before the Legis lature for final settlement, we did not consider it exactly proper that one who will be called upon to sit iu judgment on the merits of a case in an official capacity ehould, at a prior date, serve as an advocate and attorney for one side of the case En tertaining these views we criticised Mr. Patton in a brief editorial para graph and his communication is in reply to that criticism. We had no personal feeling iu the matter whatever, and did not single Mr Patton out and slight his as sociates, Messrs Hay and Winkler, intentionally In some manner it escaped our attention that these gentleman were associated with Mr. Patton in the case, otherwise we I should most certainly have extended the criticism so as to include them, for it was the principle, not the persons, to which we objected. That we were not alone in ques tioning the propriety of a member of the Legislature serviug as an at torney is a case that will eventually j come before him in the Legislature, j it is but necessary to refer to Mr. j Patton's admission that before accept ing the retainer of the Salem County i Committee he consulted friends? members of the bar?who advised j him, etc. This shows that there was a doubt in Mr Patton's own mind, i j and that he b?sitaied before consent ing to serve as attorney in a case on ? which he would subsequently sit as ; a Judge. We freely admit that it is : possible for a man to act as an at ! loruey of the pai ties to one side of a ! case and subsequently eit as a Judge ! on the same case and render exact justice to ail parties, but we main tain that it is questionable whether the average man can entirely free his mind from the bias incident to the previous ad*ocacy of one side of the case. It is a practice not endorsed, and in courts of law, w:; believe, a Judge who has previously been con nected with a case, as an attorney, is not permitted to sit during its trial. We take this occasion to assure Mr. Patton that nothing in his Legis lative record with which we are famil iar would lead is to believe him capa ble of questionable conduct, and our surprise was all the greater when we learned of his connection with the Salem contest. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. Tbe Fire Department of this city is without a counterpart in tbia State, so far as we bavo been able to ascertain, for it is not only a volunteer organiza tion that renders as faithful and efficient service at all times, by day and by night, as any cf the regular paid de partmcots, but the young men who give tbeir services have paid for tbe horses and apparatus. The people of tbe city have assisted both Delgar nad Monaghao Squads with liberality when occasion offered, and the city has given each squad a small sum each year, but neither the squads as organizations nor the young meo as individuals have re ceived the encouragement and assistance that they deserve aud need. Tbe Fire Department is now the pride of the city, and it is one of. the first things tbat our citizens refer to when eoumerating the advantages and points in which Sumter is superior to other piaces. It is doubtless gratifying to toe firemen to know bow much their organizations are esteemed, but UDle-ss they are aided io a substantial manner it will be im possible to maintain tbe department on tbe present effective footing,for tbe ordi nary expense is heavy and there is a need of oew apparatus to replace that worn out in service The money expended in equipping aud maintaining the Fire Department has proven tbe best investment ever made in this city, consequently there should be no hesitancy ic giving free ly whenever tbe squads ask for assist ance. Thousands of dollars worth of property have been ?aved from destruc tion within the last year, aod it is now almost impossible for a fire to gaio any headway or destroy any gteat amount of property under ordinary conditions. The department is prompt to respood to alarms, as some members are on duty day aod night, ready for immediate service, and when the fire is reached it is fought with a persistence and determination that is ooly equalled, not surpassed, by veteran firemao. Every citizen has a just pride iu the depart uieut, aod no one can be found who would consent to a disbaodment aud a return to the system in vogue a few years ago which was but little better than no department. We must keep the department up to it's present staod ard and improve it whenever and wherever possible. COTTON MARKET. New York, December 15.?Market opened quiet aud steady. Closed steady. Opening. Closing. Jan. 6.91 6.92-93 Feb 7 02 7 00-01 Mar. 7 02 7 09-10 Apr. 7.03 7.16-17 May. 7.17 7.23-24 Jun. 7.20 7 27-28 Liverpool, Dec 15?Market opened o'jiet. Closed steady. Openirg. Cosing. Dec. and Jany. 3.59 3.58 Jan. and Feb. 3 55-59 3.58 Feb. aod Mar. 3.54-58 3 58 Mar. and Apr. 3 56-S9 3 59 Apr. and May. 3.?6-59 3.59 Sumter spot market?6^. Grand Lodge Officers. Charlbston, S. C. Dec. 9 ?The Grsnd i Lodge, A. F. M., which hn? been in session j in this city for two days past, acjourned to- 1 night after the installation of the officer* who wpre elect'-d nt the mor. ing session. The officers of the Grand Ledge are as fol lows: Grand Master?J. T. Barron. Deputy Grand Master? J Witherspoon. Senior Grand Warden?Charles Sheppard. Junior Grand Warden ? Wm. Whitehead. Holiday goods, and Christmas presents now on fin 11 display at The Sumter China ? Hall. Dec 9?lm Read our advertisement in this issue. It may interest you. J. F. W. DeLorme. j 's Cure A Liver Ills. Twenty Years Proof. Tutt s Liver Pills keep the bow els in natural motion and cleanse the system of all impurities An absolute cure for sick headache, dyspepsia, sour stomach, con stipation and.kindred diseases. "Can't do without them" R. P. Smith, Chilesburg, Va. writes I don't know how I could do without them. I have had Liver disease for over twenty years. Am now entirely cured. Tutt's Liver Pills [enough is said In our new price list to give you aorettygood idea of the range of our products-such as Lors, Sash, Blinds, Side Lignts, Tra? Wdings, Stair Work, Lumber, Sningles, &c, ^ " and wc want to send you a copy It this puce ? U s got up in the form of a iclder ancUs very convenient for mailing.! We send it free at request. AUGUSTA LUMBER CO.. AUGUSTA, QA. and , >nuy Sirrli?g Br^m TAX RETURNS FOR 1896-97. OFFICE CF COUNTY AUDITOR SUMTER COUNTY. I Sumter, S. C, Nov. 27, 1896. RETURNS of ?11 Persoci Property and! Poll Th?cs will be received at this office ltom January 1st, 189?. to January 12tb, 1897, and ?t ine following times and I He?: Mayesville. Tuesday. JaDuary 12tb. j Rein's Mill, Wednesday. Januarv 13 Maini ville, Thursday, January 14tb Smithville, Friday, JaDuary 15(h Meebaoicsv?le, Saturday. Jan 16rh Kingman'e Store, Monday, Jan. 18 j Humbert's Store, Tuesday, Jan. 19. Hagond, Wednesday. January 20[b.; Stateburg, Thursday, January 2lst. j VVedge?eld, Friday. January 22nd. j R I. Manning's. Saturday. J*n 23d j J. M. Tindal's, Monday, Jan 25tb Bishop7?lle. Tuesday and Wednes day, January 26th and 27th Magnolia, Thursday. January 28th. Lyochburg, Friday, January 29th. Concord, Saturday, January 30th. : Johnston's Store, Monday, Feb. 1st. j Sbiloh, Tuesday, February 2od. And at Auditor's office in the City of Sumter from February 3rd, to Feb- ! ruary 20tb inclusive. The law rrquires that all ersons owr.iog j property or in anywise having charge of such property, either as agent, husband, guardian, trustee, executor, administrator, etc , return tbe same under oath to the Auditor, who n quesis all persons to be prompt in raakmtr i their returi-3 and save the 50 per cent pen- ! alty which will be added to the property j valuation of all persons who fail to make re- ; turns within the time prescribed by Ihw. Tax payers return <*ii?t they own on ?be j Srit da of January, 1597 Aesessors and Msn?\ers will *n'er ihe fire, j given name of ihe taxpayer in full, also make ? a separate return for each Township where ! t h er property is b-en ed and also in each and j every case the No of tte School District most j be given. Every mule citizen between tbe age of! twenty-one and six's y ears on the first day j of January 1897, except those incapante of earning support from being maimed or ; from oiber causes, shall be deemed taxable j Polls, and except Confederate Soldiers 50 ? years of a^e, on Jan. Is', 1897 All returns must be rande on or beiore the ! 20th day of February next. I cannot take \ r turns after that date and all returns made ; alter the 20th day of February are su?ject to ! a penalty of 50 per cent. A. B.STUCKEY, Auditor Sumter Couuty. i TAX NOTICE. ??????? NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAI j the County Treasurer's book9 for the j months of November and December, 1895, ! and tbe fiscal year 1896 will be open for the' collection of said tnxes from the 15th day of j October, 1896, to the 31st day of December, > 1896, inclusive, at h is office in tbe County' The ? ?&1 tax rate is 10 4 5 mills, appor tioned as follows : For State purposes, 4h mills For ordinary county tux 33-10 mills. For school tax 3 mills. There is also tbe following add it ?oomI i sp?cin 1 ?chool taxes levind in the school dis- : tricis named : Swimming Pens District No. 16, 2 mills. : BisbopTilie " 20, 4 ?? Mayesville " " 18, 2 " j Sumter " " 1, 2 " ! Middleton " " ?, 2 " Mt.CHo " ?? -2 ?? Providence " " ?. U " | All mal.- citizens between the age3 of 21 j and 60 years, except those incapable of earn ing ? support or otherwise exempted, are lia ble to a poll tax of one dollar. The Treasurer would respectfully urge prompt payment, inasmuch a? there id no pos- ; sibility o? un extension. Tbose waiting until j the hst will be liable to ferions delay aud incoveniente, as there is always a rush to ward tbe end. H. L. SCARBOROUGH. Treasurer Sumter County. ggWiiting paper in pound packages, plain and ruled, price and quality not duplicated elsewhere H. G. Us teen & Co. Hinter igry floods I o., Our Entire Stock of . Cloaks Blankets, Comforts, Spreads, And Dress Goods, Will be closed out at a reduced price for -H The Next 7 Days. Remember you have onlv 7 davs to se cure these bargains, THE SUHTER DRY GOODS CO, Q?ESTI0 Where shall I go to find a nice assort ment of goods suit able for Christmas presents? B: Go to D. J. Chan dler's where you will find a beautiful line of: Mufflers, Embroidered Suspend ers, Gloves, Initial and Plain White Silk Handkerchiefs, Fan cy Silk Handkerchiefs, Um brellas, Walking Canes, "Pall Mall" and ''Imperiar' Neck Ties. Fore-in-Hands and other Shapes. Lovely Fancy Silk Handkerchiefs at 25 cents. THE CLOTHIER. Sumter, S. O.