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elilttljlMiI mb BM&XWL JrtfcSD* Y. MAY 15,1901 in *v the .vf fest This city can entertain the Confed? erate Reunion and entertain them wei] and the invitation to the veterans tc meet in Sumter next May should be extended now. Senator McLaurin is evidently no1 the choice of the State Administrator for election to the United States Sen? ate. Who will be the Administration canidate? If all the counties had sent as many reunion visitors to Columbia as Sum? ter the problem of housing and feed? ing the crowds would have been seri? ous indeed. Columbia would have had her proverbial hospitality taxed to the limit. The insurance companies are among the severest sufferers from the Jack? sonville fire,- but as' they take up col? lections every day in the year no one will suggest that a fund be started for their relief. We are not. informed as to the plans of the special committee in charge of the macadam "work on Main street, but we hope the pian includes the paving of the crossing at Main and Liberty street. This break in the macadam is an eye-sore and mars the entire street. This city's share of the dispensary profits exceeded, last year, by fully two thousand dollars, the greatest amount ever received in one year from license taxes on barrooms. This return from the dispensary system does much toward reconciling opposi? tion to the State monopoly. The ship subsidy bil! will be put through the next congress without fail. The big ship building compa? nies have formed a trust, Morgan is buying up the English steamship lines, and with the Hanna, Morgan, Rockefeller syndicate back of the de? mand for the subsidy it would be lit? tle short of marvelous if the progress? ive and unsentimental statesmen of to? day do not receive sufficient light to convince them that it is their bounden duty, to vote the subsidy. The last session of the legislature was great on mixing things up. The pension appropriation was so bungled that the Supreme Court had to be called on to untangle it, and there were other acts left in no better shape. It has been discovered within the past few days that the act author? izing the creation of a cotton weigh? er's platform in this city pro? vides no -money to pay for it and at present it looks like the pian will have to be abandoned by the ^County Board Jof Commissioners for lack of authority to pay for the plat? form. At the Memorial Day exercises in Mobile, Ala., a few davs ago a young ladv recited "The Phantom Host" a poem, so the newspaper reports relate, written by Father Ryan only a few years before his death and for some unknown reason not included in his published works. This poem was not written by Father Ryan,'but by Rev. P. D. Hay formerly of this city and * first published in the Sumter Watch? man in 1S68. This poem has been re? published lime and again in the pa-i pers of the South and has been attri? buted to Father Ryan and various others, the author seldom receiving the credit that is due him. The Winston and Wadesboro Rail? road will afford Charleston one more opportunity- to extend her wholesale trade. The new road will give Charles? ton a direct route to a section of North Carolina from which the city is now practically excluded and will also form ? link in a shorter line to the West. 'T&e projectors of the road are largely .Charleston men, it is to be built with Charleston capital and it should, therefore, be operated in the interest of that city. The road will really be an extension of the Cheraw and Dar? lington Railroad and the two roads will probably be ope rated in connec? tion as one ro?d by, or, at least, in harmony with the Atlantic Coast Line. Th?? ,vill give that .system a direct East and vWest line to deep water at Charleston- and we see no reason why that city should not become the prin? cipal port of - the Atlantic Coast Line. There is a vast amount of business originating in the West and Charles? ton should have a large share of both the export and import trade of that section. We trust the construction of the Winston and Wadesboro Railroad will be the means of rehabilitation of the Charleston trade and that tho old city will soon regain the commercial supremacy of the South Atlantic Coast. ?mtier Watcnman wag rouodei md the True- Southron in 1866 t.?. fvman and Southron now ha.' ?ne? circulation and influence thc old papers, and is mani rte best advertising medium iu BfThe wild speculation on Wall Stree! has culminated in a wild panic, jus1 as a few of the veteran stock dealen predicted : and at the close of busi : ness yesterday, many of the plungers, who, on Monday thought themselves f rich beyond the dreams of avarice, found themselves penniless. For? tunes on paper that had beer ? j piled up with unexampled rapidtj , ! during the past few weeks vanished in an hour in the frenzy of the panic. When the speculation fever subsides 1 it will be found, as usual that the big fish have swallowed the little and ev " erything will be calm and serene ! again. All this hurly-burly of specu ' lation has been for a purpose-to mud? dy the waters and stir up the suckers and minnows for quick and easy cap } ture. This city's income was 89000 more in 1900 than in 1899 and the expendi? tures 88000 greater. These figures L show both a healthy growth and care? ful management of the finances of the , city. What the majority of taxpayers most desire is more healthy growth in the income, without increased taxes and a great deal more careful , management. The city is growing and I many improvements are needed, but we should not improve too fast to pay off the floating debt. It is wise tc . make haste slowly and progress at the expense of a big, interest bearing floating debt is not to be desired, i The discount on the city's notes in ? bank consumes too great a percentage of the income, and, if this debt cannot be paid off soon it will be good busi? ness policy to issue bonds for that purpose which can be placed at a lower rate than is now being paid. At this season of the year the per? suasive fruit tree agent is abroad in the land and thousands of dollars worth of trees are sold for future de? livery. We would do nothing to dis? courage the planting of fruit trees : on the contrary we would do everything possible to encourage and promote fruit growing, but we wish to caution the public against buying trees that are infected with San Jose scale and other pests of similar character. Be sure that you are buying from a repu? table concern, for it is stated on good authority that unscrupulous nurserymen have been for several years dumping scale infected trees into South Carolina, it being an easy mat? ter to do so, there being no state ent? omologist in this state to inspect and reject such trees. In the absence of official protection, the public must protect itself against San Jose scale and the only protection the individual has i? to exercise caution in placing or? ders for trees. A CLOAK WANTED. No one can believe that Senator McLaurin and his coterie were all such depraved fools as to imagine that they could purchase Gen. Hampton's political support with the appointment of postmaster at Columbia, but we do believe that they hoped to succeed in inducing him to accept the appoint? ment on the specious, covert, sneak? ing plea that those who tendered it, acting for McKinley, "loved, honored, revered, respected, ?tc. V him and that it would not mean or imply anything political. They knew full well that if they could induce Gen. Hampton to accept an appointment from McKin? ley, through the agency of Senator McLaurin, no matter what representa? tions they should make to him to ob? tain his acceptance, the task of secur? ing converts to republicanism and office holding would be comparatively easy. The acceptance of a local appointive office from a Republican president at this time, when it is of common report that such are being used to purchase political support to the end that a Re? publican party may be built up in the South, would have served as a cloak and an excuse for many weak vessels who look longingly toward the flesh pots and would gladly, with half an excuse, sever old ties and go over to the powers that be for a consideration. No better excuse could have been de? sired than to be able to say that Gen. Wade Hampton had accepted an office on the recommendation of Senator McLaurin, and this Senator McLau? rin and his political advisors were quick to realize, hence the careful plan and the cautious carrying out of the scheme to entangle Gen. Hampton. But sturdy honesty and high-minded devotion to principle were superior to ?the best laid plans of political schemers and Gen. Hampton with a word brush? ed aside the sophistry and hypocrisy in which the tender was enwrapped and laid bare the repulsive plot in all its hideousness. He was not to l>e de? ceived, nor hoodwinked, and he could not be deceived ?n?o serving as a false leader of the people who trust him, re? spect him and sincerely honor him as much for what he is as a man and gentleman as for what he has done in the past as a leader in war and in peace. As an older soldier and a red-shirt Democrat remarked on the street to-day. "Thank G(xl for such a man as Wade Hanvpton !" (?en. Gordon spoke only the simple truth in paying Iiis tribute to Gen. Wade Hamptou, hut the plain tin va rn ished truth is, in some eases mon eloquent than the most ornate figures of speech or the most, finished work ol the rhetorician and orator. The reunion issue of the Columbia State is one of the most interesting and valuable special editions of a newspaper ever issued in South Caro? lina. It is an issue that the editor, and the whole force can well be proud of, for it is a credit to the paper, Columbia and the occasion. We do not believe in blowing and booming a town in season and out of season, with cause and without cause, as has been the custom of not a few of our South Carolina contemporaries, and have never been given to the prac? tice, thereby falling under the con? demnation of those who know howT to run a newspaper without being able to distinguish a shooting stick from an em dash ; but from time to time, as improvements and developments are made and warrant it, we have record? ad the growth and progress of the tow*n, in the future of which no one has greater interest and faith than the writer. We have endeavored to record facts, not expectations, and those who read" The Item and form . their opinions of Sumter from what they find in itt columns are never disappointed when they come to see for themselves. The announcement, that Prof. Clar? ence J. Owens, of the Orangeburg Col? lege, had decided to sever his connec? tion with that institution at the close of the present session and would come to this city and establish a military college, which would open this fall with a strong faculty, means a great deal for this city. Prof. Owens is a man of unusual energy and executive ability and. an educator who has the experience that goes with seven years of successful work in that line. We have full confidence in the success of the Sumter Military College and we regard its establishment as of more real benefit to Sumter than we would the building of a large cotton mill. THE END OF THE Officers Elected, Resolutions Adopt? ed and the Meeting Adjourns. Columbia, May 10.-The seventh an? nual Reunion of S. C. Division U. C. V., adjourned this afternoon. Gen. Walker said when adjourning the last session, that it had been the largest and best reunion ever held in the state. The final day of the reunion was brought to a close with the me- j morial services at the Elmwood Ceme- j tery where the graves of the Confed- j erate dead were decorated. At the business session a report fa? voring the establishment of a 'home for Confederate soldiers was adopted. Gen. C. I. Walker was re-elected Com? mander and Col. Zimmerman Davis and Gen. Thos. W. Carwile were elect? ed brigade Commanders of the 1st and 2d brigades, respectively. Resolutions of thanks to Columbia were adopted. . The selection of the place for the next meeting was left to Commander Walker. Mr. Butler Hagood was elected com? mander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEET. Th? County Board of Commissioners met in regular monthly session on Tuesday. The report of County Treasurer Scarborough showed that $3,284 had been collected since last report. The building of a jail was consider? ed, but it was found that the plans and specifications for the jail are not com? plete and that the Board could not proceed with the jail until the' plans ere procured. It was decided to renew the note for $2,151-92 in the First National Bank until May 1, 1902. The cotton platform- for public weighers was discussed. Mr. C. G. Rowland, of the A. C. L.T and Mr. W. D. Lowry, of the Southern, were present and made statements in refer? ence to the locetion. No action was taken. ANOTHER COFRN FACTORY. Mr. M. B. Witherspoon Will Establish the Sumter Coins and Casket Co. The dissolution of the firm of With? erspoon Bros. <& Co. and the organiza? tion under charter of Witherspoon Bros. ?!fc Co.r with a capital stock of $40,000 has resulted in the establish? ment of another coffin factory. Messrs. E. L. Witherspoon and John E. Whrlden remain with the reorgan? ized Witherspoon Bros. ?fc Co., while Mr. M. B. Witherspoon has disposed of his interest in the old concern and has decided to establish the Sumter Coffin and Casket Co., of which he will be the sole proprietor. He states that he will invest between $9,000 and $10,000 in the business, $7,000 of which being in cash and the remain? der is now invested in buildings and machenery. He will not come into direct competition with Witherspoon Bros. & Co., as he will manufacture a finer grade of collins and caskets than the old company has heretofore made or will make for the present at least. Mr. Witherspoon has engaged two experienced workmen to manage de? partments in the factory, and as thej have had years of practical exp?rience in the manufacture and finishing of fine caskets and furniture he will be able i to put on the market high class work j to compete with the best made else? where. Mr. Witherspoon will not employ s large number of hands at first but ex? pects his business to grow. His pay roll at first will amount to about S50C a month, and will grow larger each month as the business becomes estab? lished and a demand for the goods is created. PISGAH ITEMS. Pisgah, May 14.-This place is in? fested with a gang of robbers, that are as hard to catch as those who have stolen express packages of money. Not long since the writer of this ar? ticle had his smoke house entered and nearly all themeat taken. No clue as yet to be found. Last Saturday night the store of Mr. J. L. Gillis was en? tered and hams, bacon, sugar, tobacco, cloth, and other things and money tak? en. His loss is at least 840. The entry was made by drawing the staple to the door. The blood hounds from the State farm were sent for, but there was so much passing over the robbers' tracks that the dogs could not run well, as it had been several hours from the time the robbery was com? mitted until the dogs got here. Sus? picion points to two slick rascals, whose record is not very good foi straight dealings. The robbers acted very cunningly, they crossed and re? crossed each others' tracks, made cir? cuits, and went through swamps and round about ways. Of course that was done to make it difficult to follow them. A severe hail storm generated be? tween here and Swift Creek last Fri? day. It was narrow as it passed by, and in its track through the woods the ground is full of leaves beaten from the trees by the stones. In Mr. J. E. DuPre's yard the ground was covered with stones, some as large as small hen's eggs. The damage to vegetation was considerable. The peaches were beaten from the trees, on some trees one-half was beaten off. As far as I can learn it was heavy. A trip to Oswego section last Satur? day showed that good stands of cotton generally have been secured. Chop? ping out has commenced with the older cotton. Corn has improved some, but still small. Oats in places are good, but generally, the crop was stunted the first of April by the cold and it has not recovered. Dysentery is about, but not serious as yet With this exception we are all 0. K Mr. John McCaa has been quite sick for some time, but at last ac? counts was some better. Mrs. J. D. Evans has suffered from rheumatism this spring. Miss Bertie Sanders closed her school last week. She had quite a large school all the winter, she made many friends during her stay here- who regret that she has left. NEWS FROM HAGOOD. Hagoodr May 13.-Our community is needing rain yet, notwithstanding the showers we- ?ad last week which were somewhat focal and rather slight. Considerable hail fell in some places but no damage was done so far as we have been a?ble to learn. Cotton is coming up rather slowly. Many farmers had to plant over and some found it difficult to get seed. Every farmer ought to hold back seed for two phwitings. There was not much necessity of selling one's entire crop of seed last fall. The stands of com are fair but much had to be planted over and is very young. Quarterly Conference was held at Bethesda Methodist Church, Rev. J. W. Kilgo in? che chair. Mr. Kilgo was among old friends, having served this charge as pastor several years ago. He comes of a family of preachers. His father, one of the best posted men of that con? nection OIL church government, was called th-t- lawyer of the S. C. Con? ference. We arc glad to see Mr. C. L. Emanuel up again, he looks quite welL A number of citizens attended the reunion- of the Confederate Veterans and express themselves as having en? joyed the occasion. Mr. Garner San? ders our good P. M. ia most splendid soldier he made in that fateful war) says, so I am told, that he could have stayed right on. Civis. The northern Republicans who have taken stock in the great McLaurin Southern white Repub? lican scheme will discover very soon that they have been caught by one of the brassist "gold bricks" that ever was put on the market.- Atlanta Journal. The Journal is correct. Even if a white Republican party is built lip in the South McLaurin will never be the leader of the party. He has neither magnetism nor moral courage, and it will take a great deal of both. New? berry Herald and News. --m^mm- ^ DeWitt's Little Early P.isers search tbs re? motest part of the bowels ami remove the imparities speedily with no discomfort. They are famous for their efficacy. Easy to take, never gripe.-J S Hughson & Co. MAYESVILLE NEWS NOTES. ; Fine Rains Benefit Young Crop-Items ? of Local Interests-Personals. Mayesville, May 8.-The farmers of this section have had good rains, both on Monday afternoon and on Tuesday night. Cotton is coming up rapidly, p and, no doubt, the farmers feel better. j Business is at a stand still, almost, in town, and the dull season has set in. The Saturday trade seems to be very good considering the season. Mr. R. A. Chandler has torn down his large ginnery and will move it nearer the street. He will make quite extensive repairs both on his mill and ginnery. " The Knights of Pythias held their ' regular weekly meeting last evening ' and initiated several candidates into the order. The lodge is increasing in ' number quite rapidly. The Mayesville High School held a ' picnic last Friday at Swimming Pens. ' They report a very enjoyable day. This school will close in about three weeks. Quite a number of v?t?rans are attending the re-union in Columbia this week. Dr. J. W. Hudson is sick at his : home. Mr. T. A. Mayes' condition is though to be improved at present. Mrs. J. E. Barnett has gone to Manning to visit relatives. Mr. R. J. Mayes, Sr., visited Columbia on Wednesday. Rev. J. H. Gray preached a very impressive sermon to a large congre? gation, Sunday night, at the Presby? terian Church. Rev. J. E. Stevenson, who has been 1 absent for several weeks, is expected home on Friday. G. Weekly" Crop Bulletin. Columbia, S. C., May 14, 1901. During the week ending Monday, May 13, the temperature was lower than during the previous week, but averaged slightly above the normal. The maximum for the week. wras 92 degrees at Allendale and Blackville on the 6th and 7th, respectively, and the minimum was 50 degrees at Green? ville on the 11th. Beginning on the 6th and continu? ing to the close of the week, there were numerous light showers over the entire State, ranging from a mere trace to over an inch of rainfall, but nowhere was there enough rain for the ; needs of crops that in places are suf- ? fe ring for want of moisture. The ground is hard and cloddy in places, and in sections there rs not enough moi?rure to germinate recently plant? ed seeds. The drought is especially severe in Charleston County, where truck yields have been materially diminished. Hail fell at many points, but only in portions of Bamberg and Barnwell counties to aa injurious extent, and there in places cotton and melons were totally destroyed and will have to be replanted. Cotton planting and replanting is finished, arad most of the replanted is coming up to good stands. The first plantings, where not replanted, has I poor stands* but some of ?t< continues ito come up. Cut worms injured ! stands in Marlboro County. Chop '.ping out and cultivation haye begun lover the eastern counties. A general 'improvement rn the condition of cot jton is noted Corn has improved in color, although : stands are still unsatisfactory. The I plants are unseasonably small, but re? cently have begun to grow. Cultiva? tion is now general, and about all has been planted, except on bottoms where the work is underway. Replanting continues in places. Tobacco transplanting is-- practically finished, and the young plants are growing nicely, Rice has.come up to good stands, and lands., where dry esough, are being prepared for June plantings. Melons have poor stands, in sections where the ero? is raised on a. large commercial scade, but late plantings aro- coming up better. Cane . is also in an unsatisfactory condition. Wheat continues to look well and is fully headed,, but oats, have deterio? rated, have short straws and are suffer? ing for rain. Colorado beetles are numerous on white po-tatoes ; in the southeastern counties, potatoes are be? ing dug. with poor yields, sweet potato draws are scarce. Peaches are drop? ping in places, but over the western counties the fruit prospects continue promising. All crops are from two to three wee kslater than usual. SUMTER MILITARY COLLEGE, Will be Opened for the Fall Session with a Strong Faculty. Prof. Clarence J ?>weos, Presideut of UinngeJ'urg College, wd9 here la9t week arrarjgifg to e9iab isb a military college in ?bio city and bas been so successiul mat it Cm be stated uaw '.bat the collegs will be chartered atc te and will open with a strong faculty tbis fall Prof Oweos bas already nude a contract tor the college buildings, which will be admirably adapted to the purpose and bas sheared several of tbe faculty. Prof. Owen9 is a M A graduate of Colom? bian University, Washington, D C , and bi9 bad seven years experience in college I work, six of wbicb be has speot as President of Oraogeburg College P. of O wens i9 not ready to announce the ! per.-onnei of the faculty of the Sumter Mili? tary Collage at this time, but states tbat they will be live, energetic men, graduates of rep? resentative colleges. Among tbe nu m Uer are two Citadel graduates, one of whcm will be c mmaodant of tbe military department Tee course of study will be along regular college lines, and the usual degrees ?ill be cooferred upon students completing the pre sciibed course of study. In addition to tbe regular cjllege classes there will ne two pre? paratory classes for students who enter tbe college unprepared to prosecute tbe college course. Prof. Owens bas met with substantial sup? port and encouragement in tbis city and be feeis confident the college will open wirb a Urge attendance, and cannot fail of success. Within a few days ii will be possible to give fuller details and it will be ciear to all tbat the establishment of the school means a great deal for Sumter, and every one should exteod to the enterprise and to Prof. OweDS the moral support and friendly encourage? ment tbat be will expect. Prof Owens has met with complete suc? cess in bis work as P;t-?ident of Oraogeburg College, tbe attendince a\era?ing more than 150, about ibree fourths of tbat number being noarders, ?ad be severs bis connection with t that iuetitotion at tbe expiration of this year only tecaose be desires a wider field and wishes to establish a purely military school. ! As decided to locate in Scruter an account of 1 tbe advantageous location cf the city, the superior railraed facilities, the fine water and tbe healthfulness of the community. In bis work for Orangebarg College, be traveled in a l sections of Eastern Sooth Caro?oa and oecame impressed with tbe need of a ecbocl of this character in ibis section of the state, for a large percentage of the boarding pupils ia OraogeDurg came from tne eastern portion of Sont? Carolina A CLEAR HEAD; good digestion; sound sleep; a fee appetite and a ripe old age, aresomeofthe results of the use of Tut* s liver Pills. A single dose will convince you of their wonderful effects and virtue. A Known Fact An absolute cure for sick head? ache,. dyspepsia, malaria, sour stomach, dizziness, constipation oilious fever, piles, torpid liver and ali kindred diseases. Tuffs Liver Pills WM B. ALFORD, S PLUMER ALFORD, ALFORD BROS., Dentists. Office over Samter Dry Goods Co's Store, MAIN STREET, SUMTER, S. G Api 24- tf BARRES AND WHITE ROCKS. E^gs $1.50 per 15 My Barre-4 Plymouth Rocks barwon for me and my customers at three large shows this season. lu C. DAB5EY, Box ?2* Sunny Side, Ga. v'e? t?-2m -i. Life and Fire Insurance Call on me, at my residence, Libertj ??reet, fer both Life and Fire Insc F??ce. Only reliable Companies rep? resented. Phone No 130. Audrena Moses. Oct 25-o The question is why should we keep our stock of Horses, Mules, Wagons?, Carriages and Buggies?, Over when the dull season is approach? ing. It may be to your advantage to call and learn our prices. We also have our usual stock of Grain, Hay, Lime, Cement, Terra Cotta, Flue Pipe, etc. H. BAMBY.