Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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TBE SUMTES WATCHMAN. Established April, 1850. "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." T?K TRUE SOCTHKON. Established jane, 1366 Consolidated Aug. 2,1881 SUMTER, S. C., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1897. New Series-Yoi. XVI. So. 28 %\t H?itrljnraii ??? Soii?ljroii Published Erery TSTe?zies?ay, -BY 1ST. G. Osteen, * SUMTER, S. C, . TERMS : $1.50 per anootn-in advance. A.DYERTISEME KT : One Square first insertion.......$1 00 Every subsequent insertion. 50 Contracts for three months, or longer wiii be made at reduced rates. All communications which subserve private interests will be charged foras advertisements. Obituaries and tributes of respect will be charged for. The , General Assembly. COLUMBIA, February9-The House to-day straggled with Mr. Epps's bili, which proposes a short of privilege taz oo cigaretts. Mr. ?tdertoo's bill rela? tive to graduated liceo ses was passed, after bieng amended so as to snit those . opposing it. There was some dicussion oo the bills relative to banking and in? surance inspector, but it was thought best to let those interested in these mat? ters consult over the various bills and make np a bill that would be generally acceptable. The Dorchester County proposition came up this morning on the motion to make it the special order to-oight, but it was decided after debate to let it come up to-morrow night. There was some opposition to the final passage of Mr. Joh ?son's bill looking to the purchase of school books by the counties, but after a lively de? bate the bil! was given its third read? ing. THE SENATE. The petition.for an appropriation for ?the erection of a monument to the Ca? tawba Indians at Fort Mill came up witU an unfavorable report, and was lilied. A report from the Senate committee OD public buildings, recommending the appropriation of $750 for the purpose of repairing the Governor's Mansion and erecting a new barn on the grounds, was put on the Calendar, some Sena? tors being unwilling to consider so im? portant a matter without thorough in? vestigation. At 12 30 the Samuel Lor J iost bond bill was called up as the special order Mr. Archer moved to strike out the enactios words of the bill. Mr. Boist asked for the gentleman's reasons for making the motton. Mr. Archer characterized the Sam? uel Lord memorial as ao ex parte pre? sentation of the case, sayiog that there was no evidence from the memorial that the State asked for any evidence of the possession of these bonds. He was not certain that the bonds were destroy? ed He took the memorial and criti? cised practically every point in it,; say ing that "these, fellows" claim every? thing.- He said that the bank bad es tablisbed its claim, and said that no Court in the United States wooid take the testimony presented and rivera ver? dict for the bank. He said these peo? ple (bought they could pass any kind of a measure through tbs Senate. He intimated that be was not fool enough to believe that the hoads had been de? stroyed by the Yankees. The claim, he said, was an insult to the intelli? gence of the Senate. As a matter of course bis peroration was "economy and hard times.'' At the conclusion of Mr. Archer's address the Senate receded from busi? ness until $ o'clock to-night. When the Senate was called to order to-night Mr. Gaines, of Edgefield, took the floor to oppose the Samuel Lord lost hoods bill, which came over from the morning session, as unfinished business. Mr. Gaines took the ground that the bonds might have been lost. Mr. Buist disclaimed all personal in? terest in the bill, which 'he simply re? garded as a valid and just debt. The only question was whether the bonds had been lost This was provided against, however, by the security of? fered and the Statute of Limitations. The whole matter, be said, was boiled down in the memorial, which any can? did reader would fiod to oontain posi? tive proof that none of the thirty-eight lost hoods had pver been paid, and the question was of depriving a citizen of his rights, when the interest on the bonds was there waitiog to be paid oct Mr. Dean said that investigation had strengthened bis doubts as to the valid? ity of the claim, which be opposed on the ground that the proof was iackiog. Mr. Gaines said that to pay the claim would be simply to make "these peo? ple" a donation of ?60,000. Mr. Ragsdale opposed the bill, say? ing that the Court bad not passed upon the facts, as they were being coosider ed. Mr. Henderson, in answer to an argument by Mr. Dean, said that be could not hold that because a claim bad been "fused by one Legislature it was res adjudicata. He prooeeded to set forth the proof that the bonds were lost tod urged the point that the Stat? ute of Limitations protected the State. ?t bas been decided thar, by an amend? ment the bonds should not be issued to refuod until 1900. leaving a margin which would fully protect the State. Mr Archer said that there was no projf that, the bank had e ver owned the bonds Mr. Buist called for the yeas and nays oo Mr. Archer's motion to indefi oately postpone which was carried by a vote of 22 to 7. CoLUMiA. Feb. 10.-The Jim Crow car bill was passed by the boase of rep resentatives to day after a pretty inter? esting debate, in which the negro prob? lem played an important part. It was passed, too, over aD unfavorable report of the committee. # The bill goes further than was expeoted, providing for separate second as well as first class coaches. Exceptions were, however, made io favor of through vestibuled trains and nurses. Mr- Robinson's bill relating tr? the restoration of stolen goods or the pay? ment of the value thereof J>y the party convicted of larceny was considered fully. It was shown to be a radical and dangerous bill aod it was accord? ingly killed without much ado. The most interesting feature of the day was the acrobatic exhibition of the houie io regard to taking ^4 a day oo the occasion of the trip to Charleston. Mr Cushman moved that the members forego their $4 per diem oo this ocoa 8?oo. The roll was demaoded oo a rao tioo to table and the house refused to table it by a large majority In a few momeots the opportunity wa? given for the members to vote directly OD the motion viva vooe. It was knocked out almost unanimously, only two noes be? log heard. The house theo accepeed the iovita tioo to visit Charlestoo on the 18- h and also accepted the invitation to visit Ciemsoo college oo the 22d. The followiog is the text of the separate ooach bill as it was ordered to the third readiog. Seotioo I. That all railroads or rail? road companies eogaged io this State as com moo carriers of passengers for hire shaft furnish separate apartmeots io first and second class coaches for vbe accommodation of white aod colored passengers ; provided, equal accom? modations shall be supplied to all . per? sons without distinction of race, color or previous condition, io such coaches. Sot? 2 i ff tri* ?Dy first or second class coach of such carrier of passen? gers may be divided ioto apartments by a substantial partition, io lieu of sepa? rate coaches. Sec. 3. That should any railroad or railroad company, its agents or em? ployes violate the provisions of this act, such railroad company shall be liable to a penalty of not more than ?500 nor less than $300 for each viola? tion, to be collected by suit of any cit? izen of this State, and the penalty shall be equally divided between the party bringing suit and the State of South Carolina. Sec 4. That the provisions of this act shall not apply to nurses oo trains, or to relief trains io cases of accidents nor to through vestibuled trains. Sec. 5. That the provisioos of this act shall oot go into effect uotil July 1, 1897. The appropriation bill was submitted, aod made a special order. The foliow iog are the most important items of the appropriatioo bill : Militia, $ 10,000 00 Attoroey Geoeral, litigation fu?d. 2,500.00 S. C. College, 25,000.00 Wiotbrop, 30,000 00 Citadel, 20,000.00 Colored State.College, 15,000.00 Current expeoses Hospital for Iosaoe, 100,000.00 Deaf, Dumb and Blind, 18,450.00 Catawba Indians, 800.00 Claims. 4,00000 Supervisors' Registratioo, 15,000 00 Public printing, 20,000 00 Public lights, 2.000 00 Pensions, 100,000.UO Phosphate Commissioo, 5,000.00 State Agricultural aod Mechan? ical Society, 2,500.00 It will be ooted that DO provision has beeo made for Wiotbrop dormitory. THE SENATE. The senate passed a .number of seoood aod third readiog bills, killed several others, the compul? sory educatioo bill being ooe of them, aod after finishing the calendar still found time to aocept the invitations to visit Charlestoo on the 18th and Ciem? soo college oo the 22o.d inst. Mr. Moses' bill to provide that all suits arising between citizens of this State and foregn corporations snail b<i tried in State courts and not transferred to the United States courts, elicited some discussion when it came up for a second reading. Mr. Mower moved to strike out the enacting words. He did so, he said, nob because he was opposed to the bill, but because be thought it would bc in contravention of the United States Coostitutioo aod laws and hence nuga? tory. It would lead to costly litigation, aod besides would become a dead let? ter. Mr. Moees, io reply, said if there was doubt of the bill being unconstitu? tional, theo the benefit of the doubt shouid be given the S'fue ir ibis : S'afe was good cocoon for foreign cor poratioo9 to do business in theo our courte were good enough td have their causes trifd in He oited instances of the cost of trial in United S*ates courts, and as a means of profecnoo against these great costs he hoped the bill would pass. Mr Mower's motion to strike ont the enacting words was defeated and the bill ordered to a third reading. Mr. Gaioes' bill to amend the dispen? sary ? law as it relates to distil? leries passed a second readiog. Under the present law distileries can be established anywhere io' the State by a permit gr?nted by tbe State board of control Mr. Gaioes' amend? ment provides that such permits shall not be granted QDless accompanied by a petition signed by two-thirds of the free holders of the locality in which it ?9 proposed to establish the distillery. Columbia, S. C , Feb ll-The House ?9 paving the way for adjourn? ment and if the calendar is cleared as rapidly as it was to-day sit bills will soon be disposed of. At the morning session twenty one bills were passed to a third reading, twelve were killed, one was recommitted and several were con? tinued to the next session. Two railroad aod one whiskey bill went over till the next session Buring the day they settled the question as to who should pay the expenses of the recent new county elections; it suffices to say the State will not pay them. The house has also rescinded its action acceptiog the invitation to visit Clemson college Mr. Price having returned to the house, his dispensary investigation re? solution was taken ap and agreed to The resolution is a sweeping one, giv? ing authority to report at the next ses? sion. The Reynolds public printing bill was called up, being the special order. Mr. Kinard moved to strike out the enacting words of the bill Mr. Reynolds said that for a great many years South Carolina bad been letting out the public printing nuder contract. Until 1893 the work had been given to the lowest bidder. In 1877 the matter was considered so im? portant that the act, practically the sime as this bill be presented, was pass* ed. In 1893 the new act allowing the general assembly to elect a public printer was passed. This bill was sim? ply to let this work to the lowest bidder just as they would any other class of work. The bond protected the State, and, further, the responsibility of the bidder had to be passed upon. There was no reason in the plan now in ope ration ; it had no precedent in this State. The practice in regard to all other work was totally different. He made clear the poiot that no higher prices could be paid under his bill than those now paid for the work. If they could offer a chance to get a reduction of 10 to 20 per cent., why uot do it. The State had h?en paying a fancy price for public printing, flippantly ap? propriating $20,000 for upwards of 20. years, without trying to get at the bot? tom prices, while doing the State an iojury. The printing should not cost over ?15,000. He bad merely re? tained the present prices at the maxi* mum figures, and opened the doors to competition. This was founded upon right and reason and custom. In Geor? gia, a State having greater population and twice as much taxable property, ooly $15,000 was paid. For 20 years a great deal of useless printing had been going on. He quoted a good maoy figures to show what could be done by competition. He believed that the cost of the work could be done for $l5,000 instead of $20,000, without reduoing the volume. The State was not able to pay this sum if she could get it cheaper. The cost of materials had gone dowo very considerably. He did uot argue that the cost of labor was or should be cheaper. They were legis? lating for the future aod there was no telling what considerations might come to apply in the seleotion of a public printer. Mr. Ilderton, as one of the minority if the committee, said nothing had been presented to the committee to show that the printing could be done cheaper. The prices paid were almost admitted to be as reasonable as couid be obtain? ed. This being so, he could not see any reason whatever why they should take the power out of 134 men's bands and put in the hands of a few men. There were investigating boards now. If any trouble came under this why all of them would bc responsible. They could have a voice in the selection of a public printer. He thought it was un? wise to deviate from the principle laid down in 1893 Foresight wa9 why a I man prospered through life. It had | happened in the public printing io j some States there bad been combina? tions for getting larger figures for public printing. They could send in bids and get high prices Mr. Stevenson- Under this bill the prices can't be higher thau they are now. Mr. Cushman asked if when the public printer was elected it was not koown that some parties were willing to do the work for lees. Mr. Ilder?orj said thai the commit- j tee had heard some talk of thar, but no j proof had ever been offered that lower ? prices could bo obtained. Mr. Cushman said the ma'ter of se- i ?ec'ing a Stare printer was a piaio business proposition. He could see no reason why they should require argu? ment to convince them oo this matter He said it bad been stated a?d many of the papers had stated that lower prioes could have been obtained It was a fair and fquare deal. We take no risk in passing this bill. Mr Ilderton said that at present the printer's bills could be scaled by the general assembly, if it saw fit. Mr E. D Smith said the principle involved was just this : What right bad the State to go back upon the geo eral custom and virtually subsidize a public printer and pay a price*tnanifestly larger. If any company could reduce it ?10. was it not due them that they Ghould have the work. He haild with delight any measure that carried out the principle of equal rights to ali and special privileges to none. Let this principle He eLgrafted in all our law3. The q .?ion should be left open. Touchiog Mr. llderton's fear of a com? bine, be said why should not this same company now subsidized do something on the same order By a vote of 46 to 44 the House re? fused to strike out the enacting words. The House then adjourned without taking fio al action. THE SENATE. The Senate indulged io considerable discussion but accomplished but little real work. When the house bill to require the sidking fund commission to lend funds to the several couoty treasurers of the State, Mr. Mayfield offered an amend? ment to strike out all after the enacting words of the bili and insert io lieu thereof eight sections, practically mak? ing it a new bill. It provides that the commission shall, whenever it is unable to purchase State bonds at par, lend the money in its hands at a rate of interest not less than 6 per cent. Such loan shall be made upon the secu? rities, or upon the note of any county treasurer and supervisor who shall make application for a loan not in ex? cess of one-third of the tax levy of their county ; said note to be paid out of the taxes collected for the fiscal year in which the money ?6 loaned, with the provision that the commission can re? new the note for one year. Applica? tions for these loans shall be received uotil March 1st. with the provision that for this year the time sbail extend to May 1st. The amendment provides a penalty for county treasurers violating the provisions of thc act. At the night session an unsuccessful attempt to defeat ?he bili creating Cherokee county was made on the ground that the constitutional area was not left in Uoion couoty. The anti-cigarette bill was reported favorably last night by the senate committee. It was amended by pro? viding that each packoge should con? tain 10 cigarettes instead of five, and the privilege tax reduced from 25 to 5 ce?ta per package. -i i i mmm Situation in Crete. Turks and Christains Are Killing and Burning. Canea, Crete, Feb* ll.-It is stated on good authority that the governor of Crete, George Pasha Berovitch, is de? sirous of resigning his office, but that the porte wishes that he should remain here. The entire Moslem population about the city of Heraklion have enter? ed that place, where they attacked the Christians and pillaged their shops. The prefect of Sitia'reports that 300 Moslems have been killed io that dis? trict by Christians. It is reported that the Moslems at Retimo have blown up with dynamite a number of houses, owned or occupied by Christains. No mention is made of loss of life being caused by th?* explosions. It is reported that the Christains are maS8acreing Moslems in the villages arou?d Sitia and that 13 villages are burning. The Moslems oontinued to prevent the departure from the island not only of native Christain?, but also of foreigners. It is probable that the foreign worships here will intervene and demand that those who wish to leave the island shall be allowed to do so without hindrance. Confirmation has been received of the reports of atrocities committed on wo? men and children in Kisamo aod Kasteli. SALISBURY WORRIED. London, Feb. IL-The Pall Mall Gazette, commenting upon the Cretan situation, says there is abundant foun? dation for thc belief that the sending of the Greek flotilla to Crete is looked upon by the British government as a matter so serious as to threaten conse? quences of the greatest import. In view of the fact that thc action of Greece was entirely independent and taken without conveying the slightest notion to the powers, the Gazette says, Lerd Salisbury may be relied upon to take prompt and decisive measures to neutralize its effect. Sensation in Union. Attempt to Burn the New Bank Building. UNION, Feb. 10.-The startling in? formation has just leaked out that an unsuccessful attempt was made to burn the handsome new bank building situ? ated on Main street. It seems that the attempt to burn this building was made in the cellar of the drug store on Mon? day night last and the mode of proced? ure was as follows : A pile of straw was saturated with kero? sene and a lighted candle was placed in the middle of the straw, and when the candle burned low it would bave lighted the straw. It was fortunately discovered in time to prevent what would have been one of the most serious fires the town bad ever had. This building is by far the hand? somest io town and has only been com? plete a short time and is occupied by the Merchants aod Planters National bank and the Union Drug company. Io it is also situated the opera boase aod quite a number of handsome offi? ces. What makes the matter ali the worse is that parties of the highest staodiog aod character are implicated. This subject has beeo the all-absorbiog topic cf cooversatioo here to-day and further particulars are awaited with intense interest. The building above refer? red to cost about ?20,000. The Union Sensation. Uoioo, S. C , Feb. ll.-The attempt? ed buming of the new bank building is still shrouded io mystery. The accused party, a gentleman of high staodiog aod merit, tells his version of the affair through the columns of to-day's local paper. He denies the charges and says that it is a scheme to defame him. This is a very serious affair as all par? ties connected therewith are of tbs best character, and as there is no doobt about the attempt being made to burn this building, which would have caused untold loss to the town, the matter assumes a very dangerous phase. Fur? ther revelations ara expected and the blame will be placed, DO doubt, where it beloDgs. This affair has been almost the sole topic of conversation here to day, as it beyond doubt one of the most serious that ba9 ever happened here. To American Women. An Address From Leading New York Ladies. ASKED TO TAKE A HAND. NEW YORK, Feb 9 -The following circular which explains itself was made public to day : To the Womeo of the United States : We ask your earnest aod prompt co operatioo io urging upon the senate of the United States that after full consid? eration, it should ratify toe arbitration treaty between this country aod Great Britain aod without amendments which will cr'mple its efficiency. The mothers, the wives and the homes of our land have the deepest io terest io the substitutioo of law for war. In times of conflict they are the keen? est sufferers, and while the nation's honor is dear to them, whatever tends to settle disputes by reason and law rather than by warfare demands their heartiest eodorsemeot. lt is absolutely oecessary that the universal public opinion of the country in favor of this treaty should fiod expression. Therefore we ask you without delay to write personally to your senators, to hold meetings, tosend petitions and to aid by all means io your powe?* the completioo of this great act of Christian civilization. Ellen M. Henrotin, i Alice Freeman Palmer, Louisa Lee Schuyler, Josephioe Shaw Lowell, Manrgaret Sagster, Mary Mapes Dodge, Mary Low Dickiosoo, Jeaooette Gilder, Haooah Einstein, Grace H. Dodge, Mary TrautmaD, Candace Wheeler, Elizabeth B. Custer, Maie Louise Beebe, Maud Ballington Booth. Address : Julia H. Percy, Secretary. -i? ? ? -mmm A Cinco smoke is the best 5 cent smoke. H. G Osteen & Co. Highest cf all in Leavening Po^\ ! The Governor's Staff j The Members of His Military Household Named. Governor Ellerbe has appointed the officers of his military household, andja perusal of their names will create mild surprise in some quarters. The follow? ing order from Adjutant General Watts embraces the appointments refer? red to : COLUMBIA, S C , Feb. 10, 1897. General Order No. 1. The ^following named officers are hereby appointed on the staff of the Governor, succeeding ail officers of cor? responding grade whose term of service expires upon the publication of this order : Quartermaster-General, Colonel R. H. Sweeny, Summerville. Commissary-General, Colonel T. J. Cunningham, Chester. Eogineer-in-Chief, Colonel E. 0. Woods, Darlington. Surgeon-General, Colonel J. R. Hopkins, Columbia. Paymaster General, Colonel J. N Drake, Drake's. Judge Advocate-General, Colonel S. G. Mayfield, Denmark. Cheif of Ordnance, Colonel W. M. Conner, Charleston. Aides to the Commander-in-Chief. Lieutenant-Colonel, Austiu S. Man? ning, Little Rock. Lieutenant^Colonel Thomas H. Bur? ris, Anderson. Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Knight, Sumter. Lieutenant Colonel C. W. Garris, Smoake's. Lieutenant-Colonel Dan. E. Dukes, Orangeburg. Lieutenant Colonel T. Y. Williams, Lancaster. Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Thomas, jr., Columbia. Lteatenant-Colonel David H. Wise, Aiken. By order of the Commander-in-Chief. J. GARY WATTS. Adjutant and Inspector General, THE VOTE DECLARED. Congress Counts the Electoral Ballots. Washington, Feb. 10.-The boose joined to day with the senate in wit? nessing the count of the electoral vote for President and Vice President of the United States for the term begin? ning March 4, 1897, and after the an? nouncement of the resu'c adjourned until to morrow. The votes of the several States were read in turn by the tellers-Senators Lodge (Rep.) of Massachusetts and Blackburn (Dem.) of Kentucky and Representa? tives Grosvenor (Rep ) of Ohio and Richardson (Dem ) of Tennessee and the result stated by Yice Presi? dent Stevenson, who presided over the joint convention. It was that Mr. McKinley had received 271 votes for President, and Mr. Bryan 176 ; that Mr Hobart had received 271 votes for Vice President, Mr Sewall 349, and Mr. Watson 27. It was stated that this was a sufficient de? claration in law for the election of Messrs McKinley and Hobart for the term, stated ae^President and Vice President respectively. The proceedings were witnessed by an immense crowd of spectators that filled all the galleries, but with out the crush in the buildings that has marked previous similar occa? sions The spectators of the count were j largely the members of congress? men's families and their intimate friends, the galleries by resolution having been reserved for their use. f One section of about 200 seats was thrown open to the public. The abandonment by Representative Mure ray of South Carolina of his previously announced intention to object to the counting of the vote of that State had the effect of decreasing general interest in the proceedings. It fell to Mr. Grosvenor's lot to announce the 9 votes of South Carolina for Bryan and Sewall. As he did so an expectant silence fell on the assem? bly, but not a whisper of protest was heard. Mr. Grosvenor declared that the certificate appeared to be in proper form, and it was accepted. 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