The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, March 03, 1897, Image 1
EUhtd)man ?ni) ?outt)ron. '
- _ .Jms WATCHMAN, Established April, "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thon Aims't at, be thy .Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established jone, 1366
Consolidated Aug. 2,1881. SUMTER, S. C.. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1897. New Series-Vol. XVI. Jfo. 30
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The (relierai 'Assembly.
February 24.
After tbe holiday io booor of the
birthday of tbe Father of His Country
the house of representatives began
work again yesterday, but did not ac
eomplish very much at "the morning
session. No long stride was made to?
wards the final adjournment on Monday
morning next. After giving 33 bills
-The net product ; of the hard work
at the Saturday eight session-third
readings, the house took np the bill of
Mr. McCouHough making important
changes in the free schooi law of the
State and passed it r then the
legislative appropriation bili was
takoe un This bill was dis?
cussed at .some length, and ef?
forts were made to make a good many
changes therein, but the bill passed in
very much the same shape as it came
from the ways and means committee.
The only other.important feature of the
day's proceedings was the further partial
consideration of the administration dis?
pensary measure. Mr. Garr?s, who in?
troduced it stated that it was 'an ad?
ministration measure which bad been
drawn by the attorney generat and had
been considered by the gov*
crnor and ethers and that it was intend?
ed to get around the recent decision of
the United States supreme court
The senate yesterday passed tbe
Sinkier bill to limit tbe hours of labor
of eertaio employes of street railway
companies ; the bill consolidating the
Atlaotio Coast Line, and Mr. Mayfield
offered an amendment to tbe house Jim
Crow oar bill, which provides fer the
free transportation of State officials and
members of the general assembly dur?
iog the terms of offioe
At tbe oigbt session Senator Bui it
of the finance committee, reported the
administration income tax, license and
insurance bills unfavorably, oo tbe
ground that they should have origi?
nated in the other bouse The supply
bill was reported favorably but amend?
ed by putting the levy back at 5 mills
Colombia, February 24.-The
House to-day bad quite a time over
a resolution off??ed by Mr. Gage,
which seeks to require the Comptrol?
ler General to provide $3 per capita
for each and every child enrolled in
the schools of the State The new
Constitution has such a provision,
but it appears that there is doubt and
conflict as to the interpretation of the
Constitution upon this point. The
understanding is that the Comptroller
General holds that the Constitution
is com j i ped with, in that the sum
raised for school purposes from the
levy and the poll tax is more than the
number of school chidren multiplied
'by $3 for each. The figures given
by Mr Gage confirm this statement.
The conflict, however, comes wheth?
er the Constitution requires $3 per
capita for the enrollment in each
county in the State, or whether the
.calculation is to be made for the
State in the aggregate. The point is
whether Charleston, which raises
more than $3 per capita should be
counted as raising the $3 per capita
for the children in Chesterfield The
intention of the Constitution makers
was to help out poor counties to get
their school fund up to ?3, and if the
dispensary profits were available
there would be no need for a special
levy or even the talk of it, as there
would be ample in the treasury for
the schools of the State. The Uw
may yet have to be constructed by
the Supreme Court, for the Comptrol?
ler Genera! does not want to make
any mistake about the matter, as in
one sense the $3 per capita is being
provided under the present revenues.
At alli events, while the resolution
was passed to-day by a decisive vote,
it was emasculated by the adoption of
an amendment that proposes to count
in the dispensary profits-not that
which is in hand, but that much
talked of profit that is accumulating
and has not been paid into the State
treasury.
Mr. Livingston tried to have the
dispensary proPts hereafter all go the
school fund, but to have done that
would have necessitated heavier
taxes or a deficiency, and so the
resolution was voted down There
is yet under the Act of last year
about $92,000 of dispensary profit
going to tbe general fund The dis
cussion to-day was decidedly interest?
ing, and, while it showed a great in
terest in the public school question,
there was not a sufficient desire to
increase taxes for that purpose
The House passed Mr Gasque's
bill to put a stop to the vending of
patent medicines by peddlers
The income and license bills were
not brought up to-day. The under
standing is that the license bill will
not be pressed at all at this session.
This information comes from mem?
bers of the special committee which
prepared the bill. The income tax
bill many be pressed, but even on
that point there seems to be a diver?
sity of opinion.
After discussing the time of final
adjournment without arriving at any
definite understanding, the senate
undertook the consideration of the
supply bill. As has been stated, the
senate finance committee, by amend?
ment, bad restored the salaries of the
clerks in the different departments io
what they were before cut by the
bouse, and had also increased the ap?
propriation of the South Carolina
college and the Citadel. These res?
torations were expected to provoke a
fight, and they did. Every restored
salary was faught over at length.
The senate was evenly divided on
this question-seventeen favored the
restorations and seventeen opposed
them On two occasions the aye and
nay vote resulted 17 to 17, and in
both cases the lieutenant governor
cast th? deciding vote in favor of
restoring the salaries of the clerks
Columbia, February 25 -The House
to-night did jost what was expec ed
lt passed to a third reading the so called
graduated income tax bill.and thesecond
of the "Administration" bills to levy a
direct tax for the State on insurance
business. There was decided opposition
to the measures, and an apparent un
willingness to pass the bills. As was
announced to be tbs understanding of
the conference these two measures were
pressed. Mr. Winkler, Mr. Pollock and
Mr. Yeldell taking care of the income
tax bill, and-Mr. Garr?s managing tb?
insuranoea bill. The eifert was made
to start the taxation of incomes at
$500, but it failed, and the best that
could be done was to reduoed the tax?
able incomes to $1,200. and at this
figure incomes are liable for the income
tax at 1 per cent While the bill had
considerable backing, and was passed as
a necessity in the belief that it was the
only thing to avoid an increased levy,
it ba3 met with decided opposition, and
there is a growing sentiment of dissat?
isfaction over the measure, especially
among those who have political ears.
One member said the bill in its present
shape was liable to raise more bell than
revenue.
This is the first time aa income tax
billi has passed the General Assembly
in either branoh since in the sixties, so
far as it is remembered. The ideas
and verbiage of tbe bill were left abso?
lutely unchanged from the original pre?
sentation, with the amendment reduc?
ing the starting point of the application
of the law to ?1,200 iocomes, aod
where the money should be paid. The
insurance bill was carried through with?
out trouble Statements were made
that the only result of the bill would
be that rates would be increased, and
that it was simply swapping dollars to
pass the bill.
The House had quite a long fight on
the matter of free tuition at Clemson
College. The statement thar tho trus?
tees of Clemson wished the passage of
the pending bill had much to do with
the result. The bill passed provided
(or the charging of $40 and gives the
trustees entire power to make exemp?
tions The old fight of trying to have
all colleges charge tuition fees was
made, but failed, perhaps worse than
ever
The House and Senate seem to have
gotten together on the matter of ad?
journment, both sides having agreed
to adjourn next Wednesday. The
clincher was put on the resolution in
the House and that ought to about fix
the matter.
The Senate opened this morning with
an attack on the Jim Crow car bill
the yeas and oays being called on Mr.
Sloan's motion to adopt the unfavorable
report, which was agreed to.
On motion of Mr. Buist the vote was
then clinched, and the Jim Crow car
bill killed for this sessiou.
A bill to require any fire or life in?
surance company whose charter was
first granted by some foreign State or
other State of the Union than this
State, to deposit with the Treasurer of
this State valid securities aggregating
ten thousand dollars, Raid securities to
bc subject to any judgment against said
compatii-rs, and such judgments shall
operate as a Hen on such securities,
and providing a penaly for the viola
tiou of the provisions of this Act, had
been continued from yesterday, ?nd
casie up with amendments. The
amendment cf Mr. Ileoderson applying
to mutual insurance companies and
lodges was amended by him to strike
out the words "unless they pur. solicitors
in the field to solicit insurance,tr. in
order that it might not interfere with
these associations soliciting members,
aod the amendment was adopted. The
bill then passed a third reading.
A bill to protect the fishing interests
of tbe Stare coming up, Mr. Walker
opposed it; first, on the ground that it
was unconstitutional, being unconstitu?
tional taxation ; and second, that it
discriminated against the coast counties.
He wanted tbe matter tested first upon
questio ) of the constitutionality of the
Act.
Fart her.consideration of the bill was
interrupted by the appropriation bill
coming np as the special order for 12
o'clock.
On notion of Mr. Henderson an un?
favorable report was reconsidered, and
an amendment was adopted to allow the
Treasurer $500 for handling dispensary
funds
An amendment to restore the phos?
phate commissioner's salary to $1,500
was adopted.
An amendment was proposed to allow
Geo. F.rley $500 additional for com?
pleting and printing the Confederate
rolls.
Mr. Brown called attention to the
fact tbat according to the contract Mr.
Farley bad agreed to "complete" the
work for $1,000
Mr. Moses said that be understood
that thc appropriation was to provide
for printing and expenses, and not for
salaries He said thac the work was
very difficult.
Mr Pettigrew took the same ground.
The matter was debated further, the
question narrowing down to one of
whether or not the work was worth
completing, and the amendment was
'.: finally adopted
Mr. Brown offered an amendment to
provide for free tuition at the South
Carolina College for two young men
from each county, striking out a pro?
viso to allow one for each Representa?
tive
Mr. Mayfield amended the amend?
ment so that it would apply to "two
young nen or woman "
Mr. Mower did not see the use of
limiting the free tuition as proposed,
and wat ted to extend it on an equitable
basis according to representation in tbe
General Assembly.
Mr Norris saw no objection to the
House proviso and apposed Mr. Brown's
amendment.
Mr. Scarborough regretted that tbe
proviso did not go further and put these
appointments in the hands of Represent?
atives and Senators as was the custom
in regaid to West Point and Annapolis.
Mr. Moses was absolutely in favor of
free education to everybody in the
State.
Mr. Archer did not wish any further
responsibility. He said that he had
too many appointments now for his
comfort
Mr. Mauldin said that the lower
house was the best judge of this matter
aod thought it should be left as the
House put it.
Mr. Jrown withdrew his amendment
and moved to strike out the House pro?
viso. This was agreed to.
Deschamps Not Guilty.
Manning, Feb. 25.-The trial of
Ralph S. DesChamps for the killing of
Tom Rbame was concluded yesterday.
Solicitor Wilson represented the State
and Messrs Rbame & Davis the de?
fense. The evidence developed tbat
DesChamps bad been invited to the
Reames' and had spent the evening
pleasantly, chatting with members of
the family. Young Rbame was some?
what in whiskey. When DesChamps
went to leave one of the young ladies
was holding his overcoat for him to put
it on while on the piazza, whereupon
Tom Rhame ran ont and saying : "Is
that you, Ralph, look out?1' and fired.
DesChamps returned the shot three
times and left. Several witnesses testi?
fied substantially to this
The jury were out only ten. or fifteen
minutes wrehen tbeyturned a verdiot
of not guiity.
Told in Atlanta.
"A story is told of a little girl who
was crying as if ber heart would break.
A little calf, bellowing most mournful?
ly, came around the house and walked
dose to the child. She stopped cry?
ing long enough to ask, 'What's the
matter, little calf-has your mamma
gone off to a card party and left you,
too?'
A New State Librarian,
Oo next Monday Miss Montgomery
of Marion will take charge of the State
library, Miss Montgomery has been
appointed by Governor Elierbe to suc?
ceed ??Irs. LsConte, who haw Siled the
position since her appointment by Gov?
ernor Tillman oa Dec !), 1S90.
- -B?- ? -Oil
The works of the Caroliua Sulphuric
Acid Manufacturing co-npiny, located
at Hlacksburg in this State, were sold
under a decree of Judge Simont<?n of
the United States circuit court. By
the terms of the sale all bidders had to
deposit with the auctioneer a certified
check for ?5,000. Only one party
complied witb the terme, so the prop?
erty was knocked down to him. The
purchaser is Lewis H. Comstock, who
bid $20,000. He represents the first
mortgage bondholders.
Turks and Cretans
Fighting About the Walls o
Canea.
Cacea. Feb. 23.-Great excitement
was caused here last Dight by smart
rifle firing to the westward of the town.
lt was soon learned that the firing was
taking place between the Turkish oat
posts aod Christian insurgents, acd the
report spread that (he outposts bad
been driven back aod the iosurgeote
were approaching the town. Crowds
of residents went to the ramparts of
the city aod anxiously watched the out?
come of the fightiog. The firing
ceased in a short time without either
side having gained any material ad?
vantage or, so far as known, causiog
any casualties.
? Turkish warship in Sada bay and
the soldiers io the arsenal there to-day
fired repeatedly at the village which
was shelled Sunday -by the foreign
fleets. There was absolutely no reason
for this attack, except that the Turks
were desirous of provoking an occasion
for further intervention on the part of
the European powers. A white flag
was flying over the position occupied
by the insurgents, but this did not pre?
vent the firing. The insurgents, un?
derstanding probably the motives of
the Turks, did not reply to the fire.
The leaders of the insurgents who
were shelled on Sunday, have made,
through the Greek commodore, a form?
al protest against the aotion of the for?
eign admirals. They declare in their
protest, that acting in obedience to the
powers they refrained from actual hos?
tilities against the Moslems as long as
it was possible, but the Turks having
shelled their position for two days they
were finally compelled to reply to the
fire. The protestors ask whether the
powers are determined to allow the
Turks to destroy the Christians in Crete
like they did the Armeoiaos io Ana?
tolia.
INTENSE UNREST IN GREECE.
Athens, Feb. 23.-The entire coun?
try is in a state of intense anxiety and
unrest over the situation aod there is
the widest speculation as to what the
final outcome will be. The people are
deeply incensed against the powers for
'heir intervention in Crete and their
titude ia causing some apprehension
in court and government circles. King
George to-day issued a proclamation
that is intended to cool the popular
passioos and thus avert what might
prove a national crisis. He enjoins the
country to be calm and dignified and to
confide in the government, which he
says, is doing everything possible to
uphold the honor of Greece and main?
tain the rights of the Hellenic people.
HOW TURKS TREAT
CHRISTAINS
London, Feb. 23.-The Standard
will to-morrow publish a dispatch from
Constantinople saying that anarchy pre?
vails in the disturbed districts of Asia
Minor. The Turks aod Kurds have
seized everything belonging to the Ar?
meoiaos. They compel the latter to
plough their fields for the benefit of
their despoilers. All who retain a
remnant of property are squeezed by the
tax collectors to the uttermost farthing.
It is reported that the Reverists are
harrying the country and that not the
slightest check is put upon their out?
rages. They receotly sacked the
bazaars at Payas in the villages of
Adana.
Defiance of Europe.
King George and His Cabinet
Grimly Determined.
London, Feb. 26. 1 a. m -A dis
patch irom Athens to the Central
News says that King George and his
cabinet proclaim their resolve to
maintain their present policy They
declare that it is impossible for them
to recall the Greek troops from Crete.
The Athens correspondent of the
Standard telegraphs that it is report?
ed that Col. Smolentz, minister of
war, has renewed his offer to resign.
There are signs that the remainder of
the cabinet are inclined to take a
similar step, but any indication of re?
treat from the king's policy would
involve the greatest danger to the
throne It is, therefore, unlikely
that there will be any faltering in the
highest quarters. There is doubtless
a grim popular determination to fol?
low the sacrifices already made to the
bitter end. An expression ol' the
exasperation felt at the attitude of
tho powers was gi ven to day when
3UU volunteers who liad been pre?
vented by the warships from landing
in Crete marched through the streets
accompanied by military bands.
It ip understood that the note of
the powers arrived to day and that it
will be presented to the government
to morrow. The reply will probably
be dictated by the resolution of the
Grecians to yield only to suped
force
The proposals of the powers is r
garded as a precarious makesh
which which will not end the crisis
The Roman Catholic bishop
Athens bas sent details of the surft
ing8 of the Cretans to the Pope, pra
ing that he use his best offices
procure an equitable solution of tl
trouble.
The blockade of Crete is no
being strictly maintained. The ses
city of provisions is beginning to I
felt. The foreign admirals ha1
stopped all communications betwe<
the Greek warships and Col. Vasse
the commander of the Greek arn
of occupation. A British torpee
boat has undertaken to convey cot
munications from Col. Vassos I
Athens.
HEARD IN THE HOUSE.
London, Feb. 25 -The floor an
galleries of the house of commoi
were crowded wit members at
spectators at the opening of to-day
sitting, in view of the annorjDcemei
in the newspapers this morning th?
the government would define the
policy in regard to Crete.
Shortly after the speaker had take
his seat, right Hon ? J Balfoa
first lord of the treasury and the go"1
ernment leader in the house of con
mons, made a statement similar to tr.
one made by Lord Salisbury in tl:
house of lords, at the conclusion <
which Sir Wm. Harcourt, the lead<
of the opposition, said that tbe stat<
ment concerning the Cretan situatio
and the methods to be employed i
its settlement., which had just bee
laid before the house by Mr. Balfoui
was of the gravest character It a
fected the present and future reli
ti(.ns of Great Britain with the powei
of Europe, besides Turkey an
Greece, and its gravity was especie
ly shown in its last paragraph rt
lating to the employment of force i
j event of the persistent refusal (
Turkey or Greece to comply with th
demands of the powers He reques
ed the government to fix an earl
date for debating the matter.
THE LIBERAL VIEW.
London, Feb 25.- The Dailv New
in its comments to-morrow on th
latest developments in the Creta
trouble while welcoming the broa
fact of autonomy being granted t
the island, will emphasize the necee
si ty of a searching examination int
the details, especially the propost
that the Greek troops shall be with
drawn prior to the Turkish troops
This proposal, the paper declare?
must be reconsidered, unless the ir
ternational forces are ready to re
place the Turkish garrison. Apar
from this, Greece has extorted a set
tlement from the powers, and ca
bow to superior force without dis
loyalty to the Hellenic idea.
It is presumed that the article ii
the Daily New officially embodies th?
Liberal views.
The New York Journal has seoopet
the exclusive right to all the utterance
of Corbett and Fitzsimmoos until tb
fight is over. Now let it prove its pub
lie spirit and love of humanity by no
printing any of it.-Augusta Cbroc
iole.
London, Feb. 24.-Twenty tons o
nitro gycerioe exploded at the Noblei
explosive factory at Stevenson fbi
morning, killing six persons. Th*
shock was tremendous beyond descrip?
tion. All the windows in a railroac
train a dozen miles away were smashed
Mr. N. 0. Pyles, Columbia, S. C.
has our thanks for a oropy of the Soutt
Carolina Legislative Directory, wbict
was compiled by him. The price is
only 10 cents, and it is worth every
cent that is asked for it.
The House of Representatives pass?
ed a bill repealing the antifree pasi
Act. Had the Senate agreed with th?
House, the members of the South Caro?
lina 'Legislature could have accepted
free passes from railroad* in the future
But the Senate very properly refused
to agree with tbe House, and killed tbe
measure. We suppose the Senators
had.noticed the captivating effects o?
the special trains-what is the differ?
ence between free trains and free pass?
es-and wisely concluded that it was
best not to increase temptations by
opening the door to free passes. We
do not suppose any of the members
could be bought with a free pass, but
the railroads would not offor them did
they not expect to bring about a kind?
ly feeling which would work to their
advantage.-Barnwell People.
The world will have nothing more
from the magic pen of the late Robert
Louis Stevenson after the romatic
novel of "St. Ives," which begins pub
licantion in the March number of Mc
I Olure's Magazine. We know from
i Stevenson's letters to Sidney Colvin
j already published, thar he was engaged
on this norel down almost to the mo?
ment, of his sudden death, and that it
interested him deeply. He had the
good fortune to leave it substantially
complete. The last two chapters, per?
haps, were not fully written, but be left
such a summary of them that the
course and cocolusiou of the story are
quite satisfactorily shown.
THE GREAT FLOOD.
Hundreds of Families Will be
Homeless in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati, Feb. 24-The Ohio river
is still risiog at the rate of two inches
ao hoar, which bas beeo the rate for
the past 12 hours. At 8 o'clock to?
night 58 4 was the stage. Although
the river is falling at Pittsburg, it will
take until Friday or Saturday for the
crest of the rise to pass and under the
most favorable circumstances the 60
foot stage will be reached early to-mor?
row morning. The gymnasium
grounds, the baseball park, tbe Lud?
low Lagoon and Cooney island are all
more or less under water.
The expensively constructed Gest
street tunnel aod bridge is being rapid?
ly undermined and is in great danger.
Forty families applied at one charitable
institution to-day for relief on account
of high water driving them from home.
The suburbs of Dayton and Bellevue
have been cut off from street car con?
nection at Newport and travel is now
by flatboat.
The Western part of Newport is
suffering greatly. The police reported
at 8 o'clock to-night that over 100 fam?
ilies had been driven from their homes
by the water and that the 6?-foot stage
expected by morning woald reach as
many more. The police force of New?
port is occupied ic patrolling the sub?
merged districts in skiffs and seeing
that all destitutes are provided with
shelter and food.
In Covington about 25 families
moved out. At Riverside the town
hall bas been opened for Hood sufferers,
but only a few have asked for its shel?
ler. There have been some narrow
escapes from drowning, but no fatali?
ties at all.
Disaster Caused by Flood.
Cincinnati, Feb. 25 - At 8 o'clock
to-night the Ohio was 60 feet 8 1-4
ioches aed rising only at tbe rate of
3 4 inch per hour. A standstill will
undoubtedly be reacbed before mid?
night.
A careful estimate made to-night
puts the number of families driven
from bornes at 900 io Newport alone.
The damage io that city will not fall
below $150,000.
All railroads are still using tempo?
rary depots. Very little frsight is
being handled. The Big Four grain
elevator has shut down. Owing to flood?
ed warehouses only one of the eight
tobacco houses held sales to-day.
Editorial Poesy.
An exchange is responsible for the
following : Breathes there a man with
soul so dead, wbo never to himself hath
said, *X"ll pay, before I go to bed, the
debt I owe the printer ?' There are
some, we know fail well, who never
such a tale cac tell ; but they, we fear,
will go to-well, the place where
there's no winter."-Rome Tribune.
A strange and startling incident is
reported from Forsyth county. Last
week a man died and two of bis neigh?
bors volunteered to sit up with the
corpse. Duriog -the night both were
taken sick and died within 24 hours. All
three were buried from the same house.
Electric Bitters.
Electric Bitters is a medicine suited for any
season, but perhaps inore generally needed,
when tbe languid exhausted feeling prevails*
when the liver is torpid and sluggish and the
need of a tonic and alterative is felt. A
prompt use of this medicine has often averted
long and perhaps fatal bilious fever.?. No medi?
cine will act more surely in counteracting and
freeing the system from malarial poison. Head
che. Indigestion. Constipatbn. Dizziness yield
to Electr e Bitters. 50c. and $1.00 per bottle
at J. F.W. Deborme's Drug Store. 1
Beck I en's Arntca Salve.
The Beet Saivs in the werld for Cote, Bruises
Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum. Fovor Soree, Tetter
Chapped Chilblain.6. Corns and all
S-< n Eruptions, and positively euros Piles or
no piy required ft is guaranteed to give per?
fect satisfaction, er money rofunded. .nrice
25 cents per box. "or ?al? by Dr. J. 37. W. De
POWDER
Absolutely. Pure.
Celebrated for it3 great leavening strength
and healthfulness. Ass ires the food against
alum and ail forms of adulteration common
to the cheap braods. Royal Baking Powder
Co., New York.