Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20, 1897. The Sumter Watchman was rounded - tn 1850 and the True Southron in 1866. The Watchman and Southron nov? has the .combined circulation and iufluence of both of the old papers, and is mani? festly the best advertising medium in Sumter. The observance of the birthday oi Robert E. Lee should become general throughout the South. The exercises at the Gtaded School to morrow are io the right line and will serve io im? press upon the minds of the children the greatness of Lee The article on the evil influences of lynching from the pen of Robert W. Shand, Esq, of Columbia, which was reproduced in this paper from the State, should be read and con? sidered by all men who are open to conviction on the subject. It is the clearest, most concise and most dis? passionate argument against the crime of mob violence that we have seen, and as such we heartily endorse it g . The censure that the editor of this paper has received and the personal letters of an anonymous and abusive character are not pleasant, but aside, from the conscymsness of being on the side of law and order, the gen :f eral endorsement by the press of the state and the numer?os personal let? ters of commendation received from men, prominent in the affairs *>f State aud church, and other walks of Hfe, more than compensates him for ail that has been said against bim. The weil done of such men give us a satisfaction that popular applause could never give. Mr. Earle, of Oconee, has raised ' the issue ihalt the law permitting the family of a person lynched by a mob to recover not less than $2, OOO *frora H the county in which the lynching oc? curs is unfair, while no provision is & made for the family of those murder? s' ed We* do not understand that the law is a blanket insurance policy for ~r_the benefit of the families of lynched criminals, and we do not believe that those who were instrumental in plac ing it on the statute books viewed it in that light. It seems, however, that Mr. Earle so regards it, and wishes to extend the insurance idea so as to benefit the families of those who may be murdered lt is a novel idea to say the least, but it is so far U fetched as to merit no consideration. Senator Altamont Moses has been - the subject of a personal attack by the Columbia Register, because he objected to the immediate considera? tion of a bill directing that $5,000 be paid the Public Printer, (Mr. C. A Calvo, Jr., proprietor of the Regis? ter). Senator Moses was well with % in his rights in objecting to immedi? ate consideration, for it is the duty of legislators to know for what pur? pose they are voting ?he people's money. Senator Mose? haw not only the support of his colleagues, but the Senator offering the bill in question defended him on the floor of the ??l?? ate aud expressed bis regret that the attack had been made in the public prints For eieven years if not longer, Sumter county has had one of her Representatives on the ~way3 and means Committee of the House. This is a record for a county to regard with pride, for it is evidence that she has had had men to represent her who were qualified to serve on the most important committee of the House Col. J Harvey Wilson is at present a member of the commit tee named. The decision of the United States Supreme Court that the provision of j the dispensary law prohibiting citi? zens of this state from import ing liquor for their personal use is un? constitutional and in contravention of the clause regulating interstate commence, further complicates the dispensary question. Gov. Ellerbe's inaugural address marks the beginning of a new polit? ical era in South Carolina. After seven years of fierce factional strife, we now enter upon an era of political peace, for Gov. Elleibe has pledged himself to know no faction and to labor while he holds office for the upbuilding of thc state and the im partial administration of the laws. He should have, and will assuredly receive the co operation of all South Carolinans save those who desire of fices of profit at any price, who have grown fat upon strife and have attained prominence only through fae tional bitterness. Th? Legislature will have to take some action in reference to the dis? pensary law, and it i* fortunate that the decision was hauded down during the early days of the session, for ample opportunity is given the mern bers for consideration of the situa tion. The Couit was not unanimous in its decision, justice Brown recording a vigorous dissent The anti-trust law of Georgia has not bad sufficient trial to establish beyond doubt that it is beneficial in its effects, but that it is in the right line is conceded, for unless we are willing to submit to the rule of the trust, the law making power of the State must enact laws to regulate and control the trusts and prevent the wholesale robbery and oppression of the people at large We do not wish to see legitimate competition in busi . strangled, hence we favor the enact? ment of an anti trust law in this State. Such a law is not for the pur pose of injuring others but to pro? tect the mass of the people and . pre? serve free competition and justice to all who may be engaged in trade (JOT. Ellerbeks Inaugural. The following is a synopsis of Gov Ellerbeks inaugural address : Fellow Citizeo : You have called me to the highest office within your gift Io assam ID g the duties of this ruo-*; important trust, I cannot express in fitting words my high appreciation of the confidence placed in i Due Thin great honor, I already realize, carries with a great responsibilities. Without your warm ?apport, upoo which I con? fidently rely, I shall be unable to meet and overcome the many difficulties al? ready apparent. It has long been the custom of the incoming governor to outline, in his inaugurai address, the policy of his administration In Obedience to this time-honored custom, I shall attempt briefly to set before you the course which I shall endeavor to purdue dur inp my term of office Untrammeled by obligations or pledges inconsistent with the welfare of the- people, it shall be my highest am hirioo to discharge my durie? faithfully and impartially The solemn oath of office which I have just taken binds me ?o oo political party or faction, but it does- bind roe to preserve, to proteot and to defend both the Costitution ol this State and of the Uiited Sfa'es. Under our form of government, faithfulness to our fundamental law-} and zeal for the public welfare are ali that is demanded of citizens assuming public trusts. To support the Consti? tution, the foundation of our frei governments, is the duty of ev?ry cit? izen. Upon this consideration. I have a right *o expect the support ot ailgood citizens and you have a right to demand tba* I, io the admioistratioo of the laws, give "eqaal rights to all and spe- j oial privileges to none.'* To administer faithfully the laws ; ro lighten, by all worthy means, the bur? den ^of taxation; to develop /the re? sources of the State, to protect the in? dustries of her citizens ; to encourage immigration of the right sort ; to fos? ter our institutions of learning, both church and State; to enhance the effi? ciency of our public schools ; to sustain our penal and charitable and other io^ti tarions-??hall be my earnest desire and unalterable purpose. In matters of detail, however, I deem it best to make to the general as? sembly by special message, such recom meodatiocs as may from time to time occur to me, and tho exigencies of the case may demand. To the iurelligeooe and patriotism of this body we must look for the enactment of laws which may best proteot the people's interests. I have neither the power nor inclina? tion to force your representatives to accept my views. At all times I stand ready to co operate with them, to coun? cil and advise. To secure the '"?est government, at the least expense to the people, should be the constant aim of every legislator. It is the part of a 8tatesm tu to seek to lighten the burden of taxa'ion wheo this can be done without detriment to the public interest ; but to cripple or destroy institutions, established for the benefit co the people, merely to reduce the tax rate, is oeitber wise nor states? manlike. To pursue the ODO course is to advance; to pursue the other is to retrograde It shall be my policy theo, to endeavor to increase, in every legiti? mate way, cur taxable property. DISPENSARY. The most difficult and perplexing problem with which the people io all civilized countries should contend, is that of the liquor traffic. All tho ef? forts of the legislators to cope with the hydra headed monster of alcoholism have be; unsatisfactory and ineffect? ual. Prohibitioc has been tried re mm^m^mmmmmMMmmmsBmBiasBsamiminimitMii'wiw.-* peatedly io different States, and, wi it has failed to cheek drunkenness has encouraged bipicracy, evasion open violation of tho law. Us advocates are unquestionably spi'cd hy tho loftiest of motives, human n?.ture remains forever same : and, while :egi>!?.rr>r.s may er: laws for the pini-hmenr of crime, ri can nevi-r force men to become vi rt ui or rober. So vast a problem as that of liquor traffic demands for irs sola: the oo-opcra'ion ar.d combined wisd of &11 tho people Lojai opsion c not, therefore, Kettle it, except, lemp ari ly and t> a very limited exte The open saloon is a constant mens and a diegrace to civilization As is well known. ? was at first not advocate of the dispensary law and was sceptical as to ifs ever beiog a si ors* in any form. I cannot therefore be considered unduly biased in its favor and [ ha arrived at my present conclusion io i gard to it somewhat agaiost my wi The opinion reached by me. after thorough icvestigatioa of irs workit throughout the State, aod after havit the views of a good many intellige and good men, is that thc law h gr?a'- improvement over the old licet) system and that it deserves to be ful tried in its present form before there any radical change made The proof overwhelming tba* there is less dru'*i enc esa oovv than formerly and thar, tl consumption of liquor has been large decreased. This is acknowledged \ every fair-minded maa, and that tl mashes of the people are averse to r turning to the license system io au form is very evident to au mao who bas mingled wi'h ?eben Haviog stated my opinion as to ir policy the State should pursue, I feel my duty to enter at some length <>n ti workiogs and merita of the iasv. an point out the severe tests to which has been subject. It is oot saying tc muon to assert that it has never Lad fair chance. Enacted during a pprio of intense political activity, when pr^j: dice and party spiiit were running his it was opposed by many on poliric; grounds purely without consideratioo c its purpose or merit, and every possibl obstruction throwo io its way. Tn Federal courts by injunctions hav crippled its enforcement seriously After the Darlington trouble had bee quieted the decision of the suprem court declaring the law u<:coustirutiooa came to undo all the work that bai becu done. While it demou-trated th ufier futility of prohibition it at th same time initiated the sale? o liquor without license in ever neighborhood and many who thei began then nefarious traffic neve ceased to follow' it, and arc still seliicj liq ior as much as they dare. whatOf use is it to argue that tbt State should not sell liquor ro its oiri z^ns or reap a profit, from the "blood; money:'' as some term it, wheo the; advocate licensing its sale and thus shar inc in the profire made by the privan dealei? One sys'em is just as ioimora asthe?orher, if there is inmorality ir eirber But the monopoly of the Stat* enables it tn control in a measure ant mitiisiize the evil ; and the profit wbieb are bur of secondary considera tion to the State are shared by all the people I believe the dispensary comes oearei to the solution of rh-* liqu ?r problem than any other scheme yet proposed by man. It may be necessary to modifj the law, but constant changes are to bc deplored The dispensers should be honest men, selected without regard tt parry affiliation, and when convicted ol crime should b? handled like nthet criminals The chief dispeoscr. the board of control and all the higher officials should be men whose honesty oaonot be rea?ooably questioned, and who should hold their places no account of firoess and not for political reasons An insti:ution is known by irs fruits and it is simply a question whether pro? hibition or the dispensary system will do most to diminish drunkenness and it? accocopanyir.g ilis Upon moral grounds and only upon morai grounds, the dispensary mu3t frtaod cr fell The profir*feature ts of secondary considera? tion. EDUCATION-THE PCiLIC SCHOOLS. That it is the duty of the State to provide for the education of her children is now almost, uoiversally con? ceded Ile belongs to the pas; and not to the present who hopes to check thc growing demand for popular education. The enemies of the public school will find the entire drift of modern civiliza? tion against them Our tcbools are not what they ought to be. In the opportunities they offer their youth for education, the northern and western States have left us far be? hind and this for reasons beyond our control The war left us confronted by the most serious educational problem ever thrust upou a free people-the problem, it has been well said, of edu? cating three ti-.nes the number of children with one-third th? money. The war not only robbed us of more than 50 per cent, of our taxable property, but ir added at a siogle stroke to our school population, hundreds of thou? sand* of illiterate ex-slaves. In spite of desperate odds, we have been mov? ing forward, but the battle is not yet won. South Carolina has not yet re? gained her once proud position tn this great republic. She can never regain it until her people, rising above all partisan hatred, unite in one heroic effort to make our system of public in? struction inferior to none. Can thc free school fit for the high? est duties of statesmanship? Assured? ly not. For the solution of great and oft-times perlexing problema involving the peace and prosperity of all the peo? ple the State stands in constant need nf m n of the highest scholarship, of tie profoundest knowledge of law ; men whose men til grs*p is larine enough to sweep the whole horizon ; njen able to rise above local or evt'ij S.aic interests and to act. for the common good of the people cf all the States A tax of $100 OOO for higher edu? cation io Sooth Carolina meses but little more than 50 con's for every thousand dollars of taxable prop Tty. tfuch a tax, even were there no aii quate returns, is no burdeo to any one. li ut it-does bring adequate returns io manhood and womanhood It does, I bolieve, in the loug run, pay for th^ in vesment in dollars and cents. There can be, there mn-*r. ba no conflict be? tween church and Srate colleges. There should be generous rivalry, but open or covert antagonism is disastrous to the io'erests of both Colleges founded by the churches and by private beneficence have per? formed, and are 8tiM performing, a great and patriotic service, but no Srate should surrender to private philanthrophy or denominational zeal its sacred, inalienable right and solemn v,uty of placing within reach of all ber children the bread of knowledge. CONCLUSION. Fellow citizens, the political cam paign of 1896 is over You have honored me as few men in South Carolina have ever been honored and far more richly than I deserved. You gave me; I say it in no spirit of vain glory or of boastiug, but in profound appreciation of the honor bestowpd -you gave me in the Democratic primary the largest majority ever given a candidate for governor. Both factions of the Democratic party, as the vole cast indicates, gave me warm and enthusiastic support, such as necessarily could not have been given to any factional candidate. My constant anxiety shall be not to prove unworthy of your confidence. I am your governor-the governor of the whole people. Our interests are mutual It will he base and treacherous and ungrateful on, my part and unwise and unpatriotic on your part, longer to fan the fires of partisan hatred. On questions of public policy we cannot all agree ; but when issues are settled at the ballot box, we can and ought to sub mit to the will of the majority hon? estly expressed I beseech you to resolve on this occasion to bury all factional feelings and to join hands and hearts in your efforts to develop the resources of our beloved State, to build up her institutions, to promote her every interest. In assuming my official duties, I pledge you my best ser? vices. With all my strength of head and heart 1 shali labor for the common weal, and in my oflScial capacity I shall treat both friend and foe with equal con? sideration I rid myself of all sec tional and partisan feelings and hail you all as Carolinians. I love my native State I love her people I am proud of her grand and inspiring history ; of the names of her honored dead who 6leep upon every great battlefield of their country. I rejoice in the hope our future inspires, .in the patriotism of our young manhood and in their self sacrificing devotion of our young womanhood 19 *8)6pt?axp iq p?os *3tai) tri "r g?l osa. "poob s^is^x "dtu^s q?noo ?sas HI ES 'S1IW "ITV 3H3HM S3Hfl3 Iff HO J 3 y HO SiOSi? sag An Insurance Failure. As a nun her of persoos in this county weie insured in the company named, the fol? lowing will be unwelcome news to many of our readers : RICHMOND, Va , Jan. 13-The Staunton Life Association weot under to-day and its rfftirs were placed in the haods of a trustee. Arraogewnts will be made to reinsure poli? cies in the Nat'oual Life of Htrtford. The failure WHS due to failure to get new business io proportion to its lusses. The sugar-coating, which makes Ayer's Pills so easy to take, dissolves immediately on reachiug the stomach, and so permits the full s'reugth and benefit of the medicine to be promptly communica'ed. Ask your drug? gist for Ayer's Almanac, just out. Dan'l Murphy Sentenced. ORANGEBCRG. Jan. 12 -Daniel Mur? phy, the murderer of Treasurer Copes, was this morning sentenced by Judge Witherspoon to hang on March 5 next. Murphy had nothing to aay. He ex? pects a commutation. Tutfs Pills Cure All Liver Ills. To those living in malarial districts Tutt's Pills are indispcnsible, they keep the system in perfect order and are an absolute cure for sick headache, indigestion, malaria, torpid liver, constipa? tion and all bilious diseases. of 189T, gr-M-n^ ?? now at hand and we are better prepared to supply the wants of our friends than ever before. We have been handling fertilizers very largely for 14 years, and we believe we know how to buy and where to buy. We will handle nothing but Standard Brands, Unless forced to do so by illegitimate com? petition. Our leading brands for which we are SOLE AGENTS s Wagener's High Grade, nigh Grade Blood and Bone and Navassa. In addition to these we handle. Atlantic and Ch ico ra, Cotton Seed Meal, Genuine German Kainit and Acid Phosphate. As cash is quite an item to us in our business, any person who is fortu? nate enough to be able to pay cash for his fertilizer, will find it to his inter? est to see us before buying. To those who are not so fortunate we will * figure as close as the character of security they have to offer will admit. We would advise our friends in making their calculations for the purchase of fertilizers and ot lier things, not to exceed five cents as a basis for the price of their cotton as all indications point that way. OUR STOCK OF Staple Groceries and Farming Utensils For the Spring trade is very complete. We buy our Meat direct from Western Packers In car load lots. And our Flour direct from the Mills. And all brokerage and commissions that is paid by a great many of our competitors we give the benefit of to our customers. With best wishes for a prosperous new year and hoping we may be fav? ored with a liberal share of your business. Very respectfully, O'DONNELL & CO. FOR THE JANUARY TRADE. I Will be Well Prepared to Meet the Demands of the January Trade. Just Received. One car load of fine Mules. One car load of 1-horse Wagons. ?IN? TO Arrive This Week. Two car loads extra choice work horses. Karby. Sumter, S. 0 , Dec 28, 1896.