The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, February 04, 1859, Image 2
Xlduoating Africans.
THE DEBATE IS CONOKK88.
\V? publish below tho Debate in Congress, on
tlic Consular and Diplomatio Appropriation
bill, which contained a clause by which provi.
ion was made for the support and education of
the negroes captured in the Echo, and returned
to Africa by this Government. This clauso was
opposed by the Southern democrats, on the
ground tliatrt was an impertinent interpolation,
having no relation to the body of the bill, and
as objectionable upon its own intrinsic merits.
The appropriation would sanction an unwarrantable
exercise of power by the Executive,
la proridiug for the education of tho Africans?This
is an usurpation not sanctioned by the
Act of Congress, which directs merely that
Ihey be returned to the spot, whence they were
kidnapped:
Til* llotlflP Wfflt ?nfv> HAWfwJllaa " 1
Ul VIIQ WIIUIO
and took up the consular and diplomatic ap
propriation bill.
The question was taken upon the proviso
aubmilted by Mr. Curry yesterday in regard to
the appropriation for the payment of expenses
incurred iu pursuance o f the act of 1819, and it
was lost.
Mr. Crawford, of Georgia, said he could not
aupporl the appropriation of $7.N,U0O for carrying
into effect the provisions of the act of 1819,
because $30,000 would go to the Colonization
Society f?r supporting and educating the no
groes taken from the brig Echo, and move-1 to
strike It out. The law of 1819 only authorized
tho President to provide for the support of the
negroes while here, and effect their removal
beyond the limits of the United States.
Mr. Stewart, of Md.. sustained the action of
the President as eminently wise and proper.
The law of 1819 required hitn to take charge of
these negroes ana deliver them to a proper
gent. If, io effecting that result, it became
necessary to make a contract with that agent
for their support for a year, he could see no
good ground for objection. In carrying out
the law lie thought the President should be
guided by principles of common sense. lie
was opposed to lhc6e superfine distinctions
uiauc uy geiiuemon.
Mr. Milson, of Virginia, was surprised at the
sensitiveness of Southern gentlemen upon this
ubjcct, who seemed disposed to treat it ne a
matter affecting the slave trade, lie did not
to regard it, for in his opinion if the Sout h condemned
the slave trade, she repudiated the
basis on which her institutions rest, lie thought
the President had pursued the proper course in
the premises, and quoted from Mr. Monroe to
show that in a previous case he took the same
ground as Mr. Buchanan.
Mr. Case, of Indiana, moved to strike out
tho whole section, lie thought it should be
stricken out as an act of consistency in a
country where rights of every sort were denied
to negroes. Under the very shadow of the
oapitol they were subjected to outrage and
wrong, and consistency required that the same
policy sh< *!d be carried out.
Mr. Keitt, of S. C., said gentlemen from bis
aide of tbe House had not contended that this
appropriation bad anything to do with slavery
or the slave trade. They had opposed it on
the eronni) that, if roo? in 1
...... \JI lU vr* INC
gentleman from Ohio yesterday found the point
of law against him, and made out his argument
by an appeal to the sympathies of the House.
A great deal had been said of the horrors of
the middle passage of an unregulated slave
trade, but they were fully equalled, if notsurSassed,
by the horrors of the emigrant passage
etvreen Europe and the Northern States. The
shores of New Jersey were whitened with the
bones of the victims of the cupidity of eastern
ship-owners and the carelessness of those having
tbem in charge. lie would not now discuss
the question of re-opening the slave trade.
He regarded that as a great ecouomic problem
which would resolve itself by its own inherent
vitality.
Mr. Crawford's amendment to reduco tho appropriation
to $45,000 was carried by ayes 76,
nays 38.
Mr. Seward, of Oa., offered as an amendment a
proviso for abolishing all the Inws for the suppression
of the slave trade, leaving that matter
under the control of the severs) States.
Mr. Ronlmm. of Smith Ptmlln. ? J ?
, ? viiua, lllUVCU ID
strike out the words "act now in force." So
far as he was aware, there wns no other act
that contained the words "for the suppression
of the slave trade" than the act of 1819, and
he would be glad to know from the Chairman
of the Committee of Ways and Means why
these words had been inserted. If it was intended
to put into the hands of the President
money for the better executing of the act of
1820, it was not the place for it; if to enable
bim or hip agents more effectually to suppress
tbo elare trade, it was not the place for it.
Mr. Seward, of Georgia, ?aid he looked upon
11 laws for the suppression of the slave'tradu
as mischievous and unconstitutional. IIe would
not take ground in favor of the revival of lhai
trade, but the laws on the subject contained
provisions which were, his judgment, clearly
unconstitutional.
Mr. Burnett protested against this revival of
the slavery agitation. The question of the
revival of the slave trade wait not involved in
vuo opp<upi ibiiuii uuuer conaiaeraliou, and he
appealed to gentlemen not to engage in exciting
debate upon a euhject not before them.
Mr. Singleton said it was not his desire to
precipitate a discussion, but the only hope of
the South was in a strict adherence to law.?
She was the wenker party ; the abolitionists
were constantly gaining upon her, and she must
interpose the la-" between herself and her as
sailanta. The appropriation asked for was in
violation of law, and he had opposed it on that
gr- ft id.
Mr. Cochrane, of N. Y., said the House waa
discussing propositions not legitimately before
it. If it was proposed to repeal the law suppressing
the slave trade, he was ready to meet
the issue when it waa presented.
Mr. Oroesbeck said he heped if that issue
was to be made, it would be made at once. He
waa ready to meet it. In his opinion it was more
likely that laws would be pawed to more faithfully
execute thoae in force than to repeal
them.
Mr. Hughes, of lnd., said that the democratic
party was baaed upon the conatitution, and
therefore he belonged to it; but whenever it
honld propose to reDeal th? !?? ? fn? ---
presaion of the slave trade, it would ceaseto
exist.
Mr. Barksdale, of Miss., regretted thia debate,
became it was not the proper time to discuss
the subject. He waa ready to take his position
when the issue came up. He believed the
President bad violated the lav in making the
eontract, but he believed he was actuated by
* pare and honest motives.
Mr. Clay, of Kv-. rose to a personal explanation.
He had said yesterdsy that he was opposed
to all the laws for the suppression of the
- lave trade, because they were too severe. He
bad also opposed the 8th article of the treaty
.of Washington, because out of that ha<!
grown the entangling alliance with Great Bri tain
which bad led to the nemetrstion
outrages in the Golf of Uexioo by her cruiserr.
He aleo objected to the expense wa were suljetted
to in keeping a squadron oa the coast of
Africa; bat notwithstanding thrse views, no
man was more opposed to s revival of the African
slave trade than he wsi, and he believe^
the people of his distaiet were with hinTm
that sentiment.
Mr. Miiea, of South (Carolina, bad listened
with some regret to the diicuasion. Ho was
(hat hideous thing?a sectional man. He was
?1m represented ve of a sovereign State of the
weaMreection, and they could not hnt be eectioaa),
because they moat be united fa order to
* maiataia their right*. He lid not olasa himself
in the.great national democrat rank*. He
go with (hat party honestly where he
<6eri4wBWUatiotiely and consistently with the
|M|lMHHUon; bat when they eallad upon
jimtm depart one iota from that conn*. h?
Aaroed bit M*k upon them. and l?ft them forAod
vbile he wu not prepared to ad-vomUTthe
re-opening of the (lave trade, he4
pr?|^wd to advocate the aweepiDg away
' 4r*a <wr etataU-booka of the lawa whieh
stamped Dm people of hia Stat* aa pi"
'ift
X ...
I ;
ir iiitf^mi
tlie laws on the subject were unconstitutional,
and whilo ho would not. say that it was politio
now to re open the trade, it might he necessary
if England and France carried it on covertly.
He denounced the coolie system as infinitely
less mild and humane than that of African slavery
ns it existed in this country.
Mr. Goneh. of Massachusetts, expressed his
satisfaction that so much light ha>1 been shed
on the subject, and made some remarks in opposition
to the slave system.
Mr. Case's motion to strikeout the whol* section
was carried by yeas 104. nays 26. when
the cruiinittee rose nnd the Llouse adjourned.
THE INDEPENDENT PRESS
IS Pl'DLIMlED EVERT FRIDAY M0RN1NQ BY
LEE & WILSON.
W. A. LEE, Editor.
Individuals, like nation*, fail in not/ling which
they boldly atleihpt, ichen sustained by virtuous
purpose, an>*determined resolution.?Henry Clay
" Willing to praise, yet not a/raid to blame"
Terms?Two Dollars a Year, in Advance.
ABBEVILLE O. H.
^ ? ^ i
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1850.
Court Calendar.
WESTERN CIRCUIT?SPRING TERM, 1859.
return days.
Abbeville, Saturday, Feb'y 19.
Anderson, Saturday, Feb'y 20.
Pickens, Saturday, March 6.
Greenville m
??"-J1 1*. I
Spartanburg, Saturday, March 19.
Laurens Saturday, March 26.
1TTIN09 or oounT.
Abbeville Monday, March 7.
Anderson Monday, March, 14
Pickens, Monday, March 21.
Greenville, Mondny, March 28Spurtanburg,
Monday, April 4Lnnrens,
Monday, April 11
Clubbing with Magazines.
The example ot several of our contemporaries
of the press, 6UggesU the propriety of reminding
our readers, that we are prepared to
furnish our paper in conncction with tlie popular
monthlies of the Season at reduced rates
We will furnish the PRESS and cither "tIAR
PER," " GODEY"GRAHAM." or the
"KNICKERBOCKER," for FOUR DOLLARS ;
and " PETliRSON" or "Arthur" with the
PRESS for $3.60?which is only $1 in advance
upon the current rates of those Magazines.
Such magazines as HARPER. GODEY and
others, with their attractions literary and pictorial
are iuvaluuble to the family circle, and
with the local incidents and general miscellanj*
of the country paper, constitute a fund of
entertainmcDt, which wed repays the pecuniary
outlay.
Senator Hammond and General Bonham will
please accept our thanks for Congressional
Documents.
Advertisements.
We direct attention to the advertisement* of
Messrs. R."H. Wardlaw <fc Son, R. H. Wurdlaw,
Ag't., II. S. Kerr, John W. Hearst Adm'r.,
Matilda L Major, Adm'r., W. L. Reilly of Co
lumbia, M. Frazier, Ordinary's <kc., <tc.
We are requested to remind those interested,
that a family of negroes of the Estate of An
drew Lognn, dec'J., will be offered for sale by
the Commissioner in Equity on Saleday next.
The sale having been heretofore postponed on
account of sickness.
We have received a pamphlet copy of the
controversy between Messrs. E. B. Bryan and
Jno. F. Townsend of St. John's Colleton. The
controversy grew out of the late Senatorial
election in that Parish, and was originally published
in part, in the Charleston Mercury.
A Plan of Abbeville.
Dr. J. Togno informs us that Mr. August
Bernelle, an Architect and a Landscape Gardener,
just from Paris, having fixed his residence
among us contemplates making n plan of
our village and euvirons. So people need not
be surprised.to tee him take dimensions. Ac,
of their respective properties and buildings.
Cotton Statement.
The receipts of cottun in Charleston for the
past week were, by railroads 13,081 bales ; by
wftfpr anrl wnnon 1 Q*71 Italia?(AnaikAH l c
-O--- - ? "S"-""-.
bales?corresponding week last year 0,302
bales.
The exports from Charleston for the same
time were, to foreign porta 8,645 bales ; coast
wise 6,268 bales?Making the lotal exports of
the week 12,722bales, and leaving on hand a
stock of 64,251 balep, inclusive of 14,934 bales
on ship board not cleared, against a stock of
20,666 bales, and 4,695 bales on ship board
same time last year .
The sales in Charleston during the past week
amounted to 15,400 bales, at prices ranging from
lli to 12*.
The Rail Road to Washington.
Our citizens are becoming alive to the importance
of establishiug a railroad connection
with Washington, Ga., and it is suggested that
a jMiblic meeting be held in tho Village on
Dext Saleday, to adopt measures for setting
the ball in motion.?Charters have already
been obtained from the Legislotures.of South
(jaroiinn and Ueorgia, and we have no doubt
tliat the necessary capital could be very easily
raised. The distance is oDly 40 milts. Georgia
has engaged to build her portion of the
Road, and the zeal and enterprise of our own
citizens would promptly^furnish the means to
complete the remainder.?The buildiig of tliia
Road ; the connection between Newberry and
Chester, and the Danville extension would
place us on the highway of travel between the
Northern oitiesand the Great Southwest, and
eventually with the Pacific coast. Let ua inaugurate
the movement.
"There is a tide in tbe affairs of men, Which
taken attbe flood, leads on to fortune."
The Athe&wam.
We learn that the officers of the Atbennnm.
are making vigorous effgaU to secure the aer-?
vices of able and eloquent speakers for their
lecture uuon?which will commence about
the flrat of ApriL Among those who hare
consented to lecture are Hon. W. D. Porter, of
Charleston, and Oon. W. C. Moragne, of Edgefield.
Gen. 8. McGowan, of Abbeville, aod HonHenry
W. Hilliard, of Alabama/hare alto acceptedthe
Athensurz invitation, bat have not
designated the time of their appearance. We
'congratulate the Athenian and our citisena upon^he
rich intellectual treat in store for them.?
Columbia Bulletin.
, , ,
Medloal Association.
We see it announced that Member* of the
Medical Association, which U to meet in Charleston
the 2nd pro* ? will be paased j?Ver the
Greenville, CharJotte, and Cheraw fad Darlisgtoa
RaUroaifc for one Care,
X?i? ulilimi* Hi ii to. ..in
The Echo Prisoners.
Argument before the U. S. Circuit Court, by
Isaac \V. Ilnyne, Esq., on the motion to discharge
tlic crcw of the Echo, delivered at Columbia,
December 1858, reported by Doug lacs
A. Levien.
We hove received n pamphlet copy of the
Able argument of tin; Attorney General in this
cause, and have read it with great interest.
The crew of the Echo, charged under tho act of
Congress of May 16th 1820, with piracy on the
high seas, were brought before tho U. S. Cir*
cuit Court at Columbia, and a motion mnde for
their discharge, the Grand Jury of Richland
having refused to find a true bill against them*
Tho Attorney General of tho State was retained,
as special counsel on behalf of tho Govern.
merit, ami mado his arguuieut in support of
the prosecution.
In his argument he dismisses two points?1st
The right of the prisoners to their discharge,
from the mere fact that the Grnnd Jury had ignored
the bill of indictment?and 2d The constitutionality
oflhehiw under which they were
indicted.
Under the Habeat Act of Chnrles II. on the
laBt dav of the grcond term of the Court, they
would be entitled to an absolute discharge, but
up to thut time, they could only make an application
for hail, and Addressed to the discretion
of the Court. Tlie fact that the Grand
Jury had failed to find a bill against
them would he a circumstance in their faror
and if the fact atood alone, would probably induce
the Court to discharge them on their own
recognizances But in this case the prosecution
had made such a showing, as far to outweigh
the finding of the Jury, whose judgment
no moie binds the judgment of the Court, on a
muiiun ui tms kiihi, man it does the verdict of
the Petit Jury, or the discretion of the prosecuting
attorney.
With regard to tho constitutionality of the
Law, the Attorney General, makes nn elaborate
argument. The right to define and punish
crime enters into the very idea of Government,
and the right to punish offences on the
high sens is a necessary function of the Geneeral
Government, and its authority is f.mnd in
tha grant of Lhose implied powers, which flow
from the powers cxpieaslv conferred upon Congress
to make war, conclude peace and to reg"
ulate commerce with foreign nations.
But the authority contended for, does not
rest upon any construction of the implied powers
of Congress, but is conferred by a special
grant, in that clause of the Constitution which
gives to Congress the power to "define and pun
r...v.v? _.<U UIUINIO 1II I I I I lll'd on IDC mutt
seas, and offences against tlie law of nations."
Objection is made that a power to "define"
gives no power to "create" and that piracy is
a term having a fixed meaning by the law of
notion.*, and designating an offence existing independent
of any act of Congress. The Attor
ney General in reply show*, that the d istinotion
between piracy under the law of nation?,
and under the municipal law. is well established
by the elementary* writers ; and that al'
nations ia punishing offences on the high sens'
have applied the term piracy, to crimes punished
by their own municipal laws.
Conceding the foregoing powers to Congress,
the Attorney General, nevertheless would be
inclined to doubt the constitutionality of the
present law making the importation of Africans
piracy, but for that restrictive clause of
the Constitution, forbidding legislation until
18(18?This restriction
1808 Congress should have the right. This
was the contemporaneous interpretation, and
the restrictive clause was defended by General
Pinckney in debating the matter before the
Convention of the State, on the ground that it
was a compromise*.
The above is a concise and meagt-r abstract
of this very able and conclusive argument.
Oodifyers of the Laws of Geargia.
Gov. Brown has appointed Thos. R. R.
Cobb, of Clark, and Richard II. Clark, of
Dougherty, to fill the vacancies in the Commis
sion created hy the declension of Governor
Johnson and Major Harriss.
The Pacific Railroad Bill.
This bill, which has occupied the greater
portion of the time of the S..n?ta ><>; ".....?
passed that body by 3-eas 31 to nay*
'20. As remarked by Mr. Gwin, the bill,
as passed, is certainly 110 Pncifip Railroad bill.
It simply authorizes the Secretary of the lute,
rior to .a tise for separate proposals for construc'hree
railroads to the Pacific, viz: a
I Norther.i Central, and Southern route, leaving
to the next Congress to decide the whole question,
and select the best route as the proposals
may set forth. t
Louisiana Senator.
The Hon. J. P. Benjamin, of Louisiana, was
re-elected by the Legislature of the Stnte, on
the 24th instant, a Senator in Congress for sis
years from the 4th of March next, when his
present term will expire. There had been a
protracted contest in caucus for the nomination,
and when the result of the election reached
New Orleans, the public gratification was
niuniiestea oy the tiring of one hundred guns.
The Woitcro Hog Or op.
According to a ummtry of the Louisville
Commercial Review, based on the aclunt observation
of messengers who have visited nearly
every packing point at the West, the hog
crop of 1868 will show an increase in numbers
over season 1857 and *58 of 28,700; a decrease
in average weight of 13 27-100 lbs. per hog, or
115,749 hogs of 200 pounds each, making a net
decrease of hogs from-iast season of 86,989.
Th9 Largest Cotton Crop in Georgia.
The Macon Telegraph say*: "Col Bond, of
this city, has made this year twenty-one hundred
and seventy bales of cotton, which wo'jld
at present prices bring hiia over one hundred
thousand dollars"*
Washington's Birth Day
The ChaiMton Courier states that the anniversary
of the Birth-day of Gen. Waghintrt/wir
D "*
J,the 22d February,) will be observed in that
*eity with more than usual interest. "The
Washington Light Infantry, Washington Artillery,
Washington Fire Engine Company, and
other associations committed to the name, will
observe the day with the nsual demonstrations.
The German Artillery, Capt. Wagner, will
give a Ball in Hibernian Hall, and the.Unim
Light Infantry, Captain Ramsay, willelose the
dj^in a like manner, in St. Anefoew'* Hall.
Lutheran Oollsge.
The Lutheran College, located at Newberry
a H.f 8. C., went into op?c*tio(^lasl wt?k, says
th. n.? iu^?
?r.-? > - /m tH? rMJtUi; (OtlUM
of Dr. Stork, President, Rer. J. A Bpowu, Profeasor
of UngoigM ; RobL Oirlii t
Prof?Mor of UathcMfttiM Rttnal
nd Dr. 0. ,FlrofaN9i!?f CJbWirotrJr.
Thirty-fir* thousand dollar* ^rtbfCSofeoUr hips
kiT? bMB t#kM.
* Him' r inf ' i* niiirrirtitif-'-*" aa
The Oensua Act.
The Census Act, passed at tho recent Session,
in pursuance of the third Section of tlio first
Article of the Constitution of the State, for an
enumeration of its free white inhabitants, to
bo made every tenth year, provides :
That fit and proper persons, shall be appointed
in the several judicial districts, by joint
resolution of both branches of the Legislature,
whose duty it shall be, to take and return on
oath the uuinber of the freo white inhabitants,
residing in such Districts ; that they shall
make their returns to the office of the Secretary
of State, carefully sealed, certified, and
directed to the Governor ; that the Governor
shall examine the reti.rna, and in case of default
in making the returns shall appoint other
persons to perform the duty, in the district*
where tho default shall be made; tliat upon
the performance of their duty, the census-takurs
shall receive a reasonable compensation
to be fixed by the Legislature ; that before entering
upon the performance of their duties,
they shall make oath before a Magistrate to
discharge them properly, and in making their
relurns, shall take his certificate endorsed, that
they have made oath of the correctness of the
enclosed returns ; that it shall be their duty to
call personally upon the head, or sonic member
of each family in their several Districts; and
that each head, or member of family, shall when
summoned, make n correct return on oath of
the free white persons, which composc it, under
the penalty of $20.
Free Schools.
The Commissioners of Free Schools s 113*3 the
Pickens Courier met on Monday last. Twentyeight
schools were located, this being a larger
number than is usual for the January scission
of the Board.
For this year, the number of poor scholars
allowed to each school is only three. The
Hoard has been driven to this course by the
increased number of schools, and the scantiness
of the appropriation for thid purpose.
The pay of teachers will be as follows :
First class, four cents per day ; second class
three cents ; nnd third class two cents.
As heretofore, where the teacher is a sub
scriber to the Courier, he will be furnished
with an extra copy, gratis for his school.
Philadelphia and its Manufactures.
The above is the title of a neatly printed vo
lump, published by the Philadelphia Board of
Trade, and designed to rIiovb tlmf oitf :? I
o - - J "
chiefseat of tlie manu fucturing r.nd industrial
resources of tlie Country, and one of t lie best and
cheapest markets for buyers. It exhibits tho
development and statistics of its manufacturing
industry, and a list of the articles now made
in Philadelphia. The following statistics with
regard to the Book and newspaper business
will show the resources of the city :
Hooks, Magazines, and Newspaper*.?The chapter
on book*, in the volume before us, is particularly
deserving of atten'ion. It. relates the
principals events in the history of the publish
iiitr interest from the establishing of the first,
printing press in Philadelphia?being the second
set up in North America?to the present,
time. Nine-tenths of tlio medical books issued
in the United States are published in Philadelphia
; while in law books, religious books,
school books, and other standard literature, the
publishers of this city tjike a leading rank. The
capital invested in the business is Plated at $"2,6(H),0(10,
and the value of the books published
Annually at $3,690,000. There are 12 newspapers
published daily, over 40 weekly, and
about 50 periodicals, including four litei'nry
magazines. There are 4 typo foundries, liavinir
a capital invested of 000. and producing
annua lly $420,000 ; seven sterotype foundries,
employing 180 hands, and having a capital
invested of 150,000. There are about 60
printing offices, employing from 3 to 100 person*
each ; 60 book-binders and blank-book
manufactories, producing annually a value of
$1,210,000, and furnishing employment to 1700
persons, male and female ; engravers of all
kinds, and lithographers whoso work has attracted
marked attention in Kngland ^manufacturers
of mnrble paper, maps, printing inks,
stationery, <?c. There are'J paper-mills in the
city, producing auaually $1,250,000, and 35
houses for the sale of paper. The annual product
of the book manufacture and its kindred
branches is stated at $5,593,000.
A Timely Correction.
As it is our duty to aid in the suppression of
false statements, whether they may nfTect our
immediate friends or those removed from tis
within the State, we copy with pleasure the
annexed article from the Charleston Etvemng
Neu>?, which we hope will set at rest the reports
of that lying jade, Madam Rumor, which it
seem* she had been circulating to Ihe injury of
our friends upon the seaboard. We will let
the Newt speak for itself.?Bulletin.
The Spring Trade ok Charleston.?Rumors
art* prevailing throughout the adjoining country
and State*, that the Charleston merchants hav?
been so disheartened by the effects upon their
bueineM of the prevalence of yellow fever this
last season, and, possibly so prostrated in
means and confidence by the smallness of their
Fall trade that they will supply but small
stocks, and attempt, but limited efforts for the
Spring season. This is a grave mistake, and
calculated to do much injury to the interest* of
the city and the people. Despite the epidemic,
quite a fair amount of sales were made lam autumn,
and in resource*., our merchants were
never sounder nor stronger. As there is nothing
to interrupt the Spring trade. And as, in
fact, they are desirous to compensate themselves
for the drawbacks of the last six months, the
Charleston merchants are laying in full, varied
and choice stocks of goods, and arc and will be
ready to supply all comers, and accommodate
them on the most liberal rates aim! terms
Southern merchants are freely invited to
this Southern market., and the assurance is
given them that they shall be satisfied in all
respects, and that they shall not repent not going
to a Northern ono.
Charleston is now full of people, full of bu
sines*, and full of animation. The rebonnd
haa been unexpected in it* extent and oonfideneer
?:wl hop r>i>m>U J -*
? ??v. |/vV|f*w Ul V? lOlllg up, U CO pi to
the clamors of n few, to remove every drawback
to her prosperity.
Personal.
Io the House of Representatives, on the 27th
instant, daring the debate on the Diplomatic
Consular Bill.
Mr. Hughes, of Ind., made a disrespectful remark
to the Speaker, who asked him whether
he meant to be rude. '
Hughes uid no, but if he had it was in payment
of ah old debt.
The Speaker remarked that it was no place
to settle personal quarrels. I f Mr. Hughes had
one with him it could be settled elsewhere.
Mr. Hughes?I say the*same to the Chair,
Subsequently, Mr. Hugfofc apologized, regretting
nis language.
The Speaker responded that he was glad Mr.
H. had disavowed any disrespect, sod-Added
be had alwaya treated Mr. H. with the ntmoet
I
f0 . ?
Ltrx or CAisoojf.?No life of Mr. Cajbonn
has yet been written. Mr. ft. K. Crelle prom
! iwd oo?mmd< ^Mn igf bat tl)!i hu not bwit per
1 formed, and is, we suspect, abandoned. Oapt.
Reynold* knew Mr. Cathona well, and was on
i&Hmito relations with nNMt of hi* distingatthed
Booth. Carolina eotemporaries. Of these
brilliant men be baa eoileoted a Urge amount
of interesting matter??acb ae ought to b* preserved
in book fbrm. The t*rb volumes Wnioh
i? * prepMfog will Wbf greet aad fatiag'
value,xasa6wi?rtbetioe't??ie^ so?tbe*i Mom
graphicat.*?erat*ra ^ and <Mfiht |o be liberally
cneonraged by <or pMpivrAM^ Trmtnt.
V.
?<i..rtWltin??ur
(COMMUNICATED.)
TAX COLLECTORS AND TREASURERS OF THE
BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS, AND THEIR
COMMISSIONS.
Mh. Editor?Sir: It is nut my business or
custom to write for the press, but with v?ur
permission I will offer some suggt-siiniis through
the columns of the Banner. I huve recently
seen a list of the Acta passed by our last L?gislnture,
and whetherany weoe passed that should
not have been I shall not attempt to say ; but I
wdl endeavor to show th;it they failed to puss or
amend Acts that should have been, and in consequence
of which, the Tnx Collectors of the
Stilt* ?..?t Il.o T? r ? -- '
?...v (.vuouicioui tuc Duarni* ui v/urnmissioncrs
will this year receive of the lax payer'e
money, the sum of Twenty Five Thousand
Dollars, over and above a full compensation for
their services. This, ( Iihvo no doubt, will be
regarded as rather a bold assertion. I xhAll attempt,
liowover, by fuctsund figures, to prove it
Tlie Comptroller General of the State, us I
think, very properly, recommended to the Legislature
in 1857, the propriety of reducing the
rate of Commissions allowed to the Tax Collectors,
stating the present rato of Commissions
was affixed when the amount of Taxes was one
half less than at present. Since the large
increase of the Taxes of the State, to retain
the old rates of Commissions is unfair and
ungenerous. thus 10 pay one set of officers <loul>lo
the value of iheir service;*, while others are poorly
paid.
The Legislature, however, tailed to carry out
ll.n f J - . ...
, 9 it-cuiiuiienoiuioil. 1 think,
however, it was generally expected lhat t!ie
Legislature in 1858 would act on it, but thpj
failed to do so. And although they raised the
Taxes of the Slate One Hundred and Fifty
Thousand Dollars, the old rale of CommiKsiouB
was continued, which will give the Tax Collectors
this year upwards of nine thousand dollars
additional pay over last yeur, ami, I shall
endeavor to show they elio'ihl have received
that amount less than last year, making
eighteen thousand dollars this year, over and
uliove a full compensation for their services.
There ure forty six Tax Collectors in the
State, one (the Tax Collector of Charleston) receives,
as commissions, four per cent, on seventyJive
thousand dollars, and one per cent, on the
i.?l ~r I.:.. -.11? : -
......>?v.<; ui ii.o binil-ciiuiis ; icii collectors receive
five per cent- ; thirty three receive seven per
cent. ; ond two receive ten per cont.
I fuul the uverage will be about six and a
fourth per cent.
Now, hir, I have no doubt but the General
Taxes of the State will amount to six hundred
thousand dollars*, and the District Tuxes, two
huudred thousand dollars more, making the Bunt
of eight hundred thousand dollars. This at six
and ti fourth per cent, will give the round sum
of fifty thousand dollars as commissions to be divided
between forty-six inen, who, ill discharging
their duties, will occupy time varying from
thioclo ten weeks each, (perhaps the Collector
of Charleston may require twelve weeks, for
which lie will receive upwards of four thousand
dollars) But I will oarry the calculation a
little further: I have no doubt but an uvernge of
seveu weeks will cover the time of each Tax Collector,
making the entire tune occupied by the
I'ax Collectors of the State, about three hurnlrprf I
unci twenty weeks, for wliicli tliey will receive
tliia year fifty thousand dollar?, pitid in advance- I
Now, sir, my position is, that (lie last Legiw- j
lature should have reduced the rale of Commixmoils
to at lenst an average of four per cent,
which would have paid the Tax Collec.lorti ol
the State the sum of thirty-two thousand dollar*,
or one hundred dollars for each week's services,
paid in advance. Is any reasonable man prepared
to say that one hunJred dollars a week is
not ampin pay. And litis would have saved to
the Slate the sum of eighteen thousand dollars
this year.
Now, sir, having, as I think, shown that the
last Legislature should have amended the Act
which provides the rate of Commissions to the
Tax Collectors for receiving the State uud District
Taxes, I now come to scy something of
the amount of commissions received by the
Tr.flfliipuf. ?r n" 1- -r I~> -
</ uuaiua ui v.uiiiiiiiskionera
throughout the State. I tuke it for graiiled tliut
the litw is uniform, and that the CommiesionerB
in the different Districts nud Parishes of the State
receive ihe same rate of commissions. I shall
base my calculations on the Reports of the
Commissioners of Abbeville District.
And I would juta here remark that if the Abbeville
delegation had taken a glancc ut the Reports
made last October Court, by the Treasurers
of the Boards, and especially the Report of
ihe General Board of the Commissioners of
Road.", whose Commissions amounted lo the
.-um of four hundred and thirty dollars, for about
one (lav's labor, thev would have spcii ilm
propriety of anienili:.g the Act which given
t-ucli pny. The Treasurers of the Commissioners
of l'oor and Public Building*, as their published
Reports have shown, receive five per cent, comin
BbioiiH for receiving the Taxes from the Collector
and paying it out.
I havesi-eii no published Reports of the Commissioners
of Roads, (or several years, until lant
October. But I understand for the last five
years the Treasurers of the General Board have
received five per cent, commissions on the whole
amount of the Bridge Taxes, which they received
from the Tax Collector and piiid over to the
Treasurers of the Sub Bonrds. The Treasurers
of the Sub Boards have each received twenty
dollars annually, nnd the Secretary of the General
Board, ten dollars, (I discover in the Report
that the Treasurer of the UppsrSaluda Board last
year only charged ten dollars.)
I have no douht, air, but it has cost an
average of seven per cent for the last five
years to disburse the Bridge Taxes of Abbe
ville District And as the Bridge Taxes are
usually as much as the Poor and Public Buildings
both, I place the average commission of the
Treasurers at six per cent, in our District* on
which is the basis of my calculation for the
whole State, aud supposing that the Taxes, assessed
for District purposes in the State, amount
to two hundred thousand dollars, I find the
stun of twelve thousund dollars for the Treasurer
i of the Poor, Road and Public Building*
throughout the State, and this I regard as at
least seven thousand dollars more thau it should
be. It is to be borne in mind that the commission^
though they are large, sre not their only
income; they frequently have large amounts of
cash on hand which they use three or six months
witHout accounting for interest, aud I will jnst
here take the last Reports of the Treasurers in
our own District for example. They had cash
in hand the first of October over five thousand
dollars, this was in their bands for three months
at that time, (the first of Joly being the time
prescribed by law for the Tax CoHeo'tor making
settlement with ^Treasurers,) and I prnrame
the most of this aujp remained in their hands to
tffcfirst of January, My si? month*. This, at the
Mgiu MMiOTt wouia fire uiem uie turn or one
^qndr?4.?o4 ,ao*enty-fi?? dollar*- la may re?aonabia
man prepared to nj that lh? aso of
|tbi? rnonty for tlx naontha wiihont fateraat ia not
yunp$ ooijip?iii?Won for rMaiviqg th? money
"from tha Tax ColloftUr, **yjtlDg
charging thamMlfwtritti Uh aamaf
*
w-: ..U^v
Now, sir, my position in, iho Treasurers of the
Boards of Commissioners throughout the State
shoulil only receive' two uml u half j>or cent, commission
int.tend of sit.und this would save three
nd a half per cent, this your on two hundred
thousand dollars, or the sum of peven thousand
dollars. This added 10 eighteen thousand of uddi
tionul or extra pay to the Collectors, wilt make
tlio sum of twenty-five thousand dollars. You
und your readers have these facts and calculations
to examine. If my propositions are fair,
and the calculations correct, I think I have made
out my cahe?that for want of Legislation there
will he twentv-fivn llinn?.irwt /lrtllur? nt ill- ?
pie's money" expended this year without any
equivalent. Tins sum, of course, is not very
large for the State of South Carolina to give
away, but, sir, it might have been applied to
pay the interest on eoinc of ?he State debts, or
if the Legislature hud granted aid to the Hlue
Rulu'e Railroad it would huve paid interest on
four hundred thousand dollars, at six and a fourth
per cent., which would huve kept it in motion.
I have only to say, in conclusion, sir, that I
hope this sultjccl will be taken up by some person
more eapablo than myself, nnd discussed,
uud when the next Legislature assembles, they
may see the propriety of ucting in the case.?
The remedy is with that body, and should ihey
fuil to reduce the present, rate of commissions allowed
to the Tax Collectors, and the Treasurers
of the Boards of Commissioners of Poor, llond
....I I>..|.l:.. n..a->: .1 ? * - w *
...? . ........ uunuui(;a 1II1 *?u JMIOU I IIIITMIIU'. I Fllal!
conclude that tlio men holding lhen<? ofiices,
have strong friends in tlic Legislature of our
State.
The Independent Press will please copy, and
oblige
A TAX PAYER.
Washington Society.
In the Washington correspondence of the
New York Times, we find tho following agreeable
sketches :
In a social point of view, the city has not
been so gay or brilliant for many seasons Hospitality
prevails on every side, except in the
>rfne direction which, for the honor of the country,
it may be as well not to name PoatmasU-r
General Brown keeps open bouse, and his
gracious lady gives a warm and true Southern
welcomc to all who enter her superb and stateIv
mansion.
Mr*. Slidell is extremely, almost painfully,
impressive in her demonstrations ofconrt'-sy.?
Willi tlie manners of n Freneh woman, ami the
impulsiveness of her native South, she evidently
regards all men, women and children as licr
husband's present or prospect ivo "constituency
," whom it is her duty to captivate at
whatever cost of exertion, smiles or complimentary
vnllubility.
Mm. Senator Gwin, a queenlike but very jjra
eious lady, whose figure is of the Juno order,
dispenses almost royal hospitalities, which ?re'!
made more agreeable by the renl kindness and
frank condescension of her pleasant manners
and address. The Senator inuoh resembles the
stately gentleman of lite days gone by, and
rather prides hiinself.it is said, on his resom
blrtnce to Andrew Jackson. A'hat he may
lack in quickness is made up in urbanity ; and
if not brilliant in conversation, be has the virtue
of never speaking bitterly of those with
whom he associates.
Mrs. Douglas is. beyond all question, the
Senatorial belle. Young, beautiful and win
niDg?never constrained in courtesy, bill filling
her position witli easy grace?her presence
serins to dissipate all political asperities ; and
one might very richly think thul ns many recruits
to the Douglas cause have been enlisted
by her smiles as by her husband's eloquence.
The dashiug Mrs. Clement Hill, whose house
is the rendezvous for all that is distinguished
in Wni|iiii|!toii society, seems to have no political
proclivities, and her drawing rooms are a
kind of neutral ground whereon people of all
opinions way meet iu uncompromising inter
course.
But the bright particular Btar of the metropolis
is Mrs. Conrnd, a young Southern widow,
who has a natural gift of diplomacy, and takes
to politics and plcts just as naturally ns young
schoolgirls do to bright ribbons, rich luces and
Parisian gloves. From the Vice President
down, through all gradations of Senators, Congressmen,
financiers, journalists and artist#,
Iter empire is undisputed. She lias the kind of
voice which St. I'aul, or some other good authority
, pronounce* to be nn excellent thing ill
a woman; and, as might naturally be expected,
this Talleyrand in crinoline is not a little
envi?a by many of the leeg gifted and less brilliaut
of her sisterhood.
Charleston and Oincinnati.
The Cincinnati Gazelle of the 25th, in noticing
the proceedings of the late meeting of the
Blue Ridge stockholders in th is oity, remarks:?
There is a good deal of heavy and expensive
work yet to he done by the Blue Ridge Company
in crossing the mountain?. The remaining
connections ore not difficult, and may be
speedily completed whenever tins part of the
line becomes certain of accomplishment. Cars
aro nlready running, we believe, nearly or
quite to Clayton, in the narrow angle of Georgia,
crossed by this route, and near tho line of
North Caroliuu, a corner of which State, also,
the Blue Ridge Road traverses. On this side
ot the mountains it would be comparatively
easv to construct a direct lin<>. ?* him Iwen r>rn.
posed, from either Paris or Lexington, to meet
the arm thus extended towards us from Charleston.
As to the probability of an early construction
of suoh a road we are not disposed to speculate.
Certain it is that our business men
uoulddo well to consider the expediency of
effecting this connection by a direct line, instead
of allowing the great thoroughfare between
Charleston and t lie West to decline a way
to the Southwest, in the direction of tbo confluence
of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and by
way of Chattanooga and Nash viile. The course
this central enterprise shall take can now he
controlled, it is a question that can hardly
be more interesting to Charleston than to Cincinnati.
The President Wooing.
We copy tfie following from the Washington
correspondent of the New York 71 me* :
"There are abundant rumors afloat to the
effect that the President is likely to laad to the
hymenial altar an accomplished and estimable
widow lady of Georgia. Perhaps this accounts
lor me eapecmi care ana elegance 01 our oscne)or
President's dress. It is matter of frequeDt
reuiurk, that Mr. Buchanan, in his handsome
brown frock coat, white veBt and oravat, and
patent-leather pumps, is one of the most elegantly
dressed young men in the capital."
The Prosperity q( Texas.
A correspondent writing from Gonzales co^
Texas, on the 14th ipst, says ;
I would thutl could describe to you the
prosperous condition of our 8tate at this time.
Let it suffice for me to say that everything in
the way of provisions is so cheap, that there is
no market to be found. Corn prioe merely
nominal; pork from 3^ a 4 cents per pound ;
beef from 2 a 2| cents per pound. Our hogs
fattene<L,on the mast alone, and oar beeves on
thd crasi exclusively.?It haa never been my
good fortune to see a State where land and provisions
were so good and cheap?where health
was so good and money so easily made. Tex
m ia empnauoaiiy, uigsuie ior emigrants, and
1 am pruqd to seu t|iat tl|ey aj-e coming by the
the hundred*. We haye ample room, and a
hearty welcome for them.
o > ?
W. O. Proatoq.
If, D., write* frotq Colombia to the Winoa.'"
\MfrsUh. s
Eton. W. 0. Preston is, at present. In Abington,
Virginia ' 4>Jtaend and oorreapondent of
his inforp* us that ha intends comiog back to
Columbia pre long?thai, his aged heart yearn* '
for the season of yore. " Wo he?r of it gladly,
for of *11 the brilliant Urtfcer* we bar* met
none *ppro?eh >n happineas of diotien, and
>nor? than bapptniMl of thought Mid spirit this,
"old man eloquent. UitbMrt and miod were
fortttd to b)?? a wid# oircl# oC hritntU, sod '
SJT- #9W '* <
r. ' i*
9
The Celebration in Columbia.
The South Carolinian enys:
"The eupper given in celebration of tho
Burnt* Contcntial Aniversnry, passed off most
happily. We have never attended a more
orderly feative jubilee. There were about
ii nurfu mm sixty persons seated at the
tables. The dishes were abundant, varied, and
well prepared. The table ornaments were also
appropriate in their style, and did much credit
to Mr. MelCenzie'a taste. From the top of one
of them waived a most beautiful thistle. The
regular toasts were read, and many of tliem responded
to?some with speeches, othert with
appropriate national songs. Judge Longstreet
responded to the compliment to the South Carolina
College. Dr. Gihhes and our cotetnporary
Mr. I'elhum, sustained the cause of the press.
Mr. McMnstor spoke for the bar. Colonel Wade
Hampton was complimented, and r-sponded in
graceful and grateful terms. Dr. Wallace, who
noted, in the absence of his venerable father,
us President of the meeting, replied in an ofFliuud,
free, easy, humorous and happy manner
to the sentiment to his father, offered by Colollumpton.
Professor Reynolds also contributed
u.uch to the amusements and entertainment of
the evening. Burns, the poet; Burns, the man
of muulv attributes- Ttnrr.? ?i- ?-? - ?
viic jmtrioi; l5urn?,
tho republican ; burns, the advocate of freedom
of the press; Burns, tlie ornament of the
festive hoard ; llurna,in every aspect and relation
of life, waR exhibited to the coropony ; and
nil present, under the genial influences of the
occasion, must have had their admiration of the
poet and man greatly enhanced,and have riiea
from their wonts with sincere regrets that the
brief time allotted to life did not permit them
to participate in the convivialities of more
thnu one centennial.*'
The Indiana Divorce Lawi.
Hero is a specimen of the operation of di*
vorce laws in Indiana, demonstrated in the per"
son of one not quite a "model wife" and an
outraged husband :
In the dieenssion on amendments to the divorce
law in the Senate, a case was discovered
in which a gentleman in Leavenworth, Kansas,
had furnished wlf" money to visit her
friends in tlie Hast, slid to travel for the benefit
of her health. On arriving at Indianapolis,
she concluded t<> tnke ?ilv?nf?.?
- s>- " me inaiana
divorce law, and procure a nullification of her
marriage. She tliun went to Kokomo, where
she made affidavit that she was a boni fide resident
of the State of Indiana, and filed a complaint
in the Howard circuit court against her
husband for a divorce, a notice of which waa
published for the benefit of her husband, who
wus a non-resident of the Stole. Iu the meantime,
her husband tliought she was in the East,
as ho received letters from her postmarked first
at Cleveland and afterwards at Boston.
While still under the impression that his wif.?
w03 at Boston, the husband recived a copy of
the Howard Tribune, containing a notice of the
tiling ot the complaint, against him. He immediately
left Leavenworth, and arrived at Indianapolis,
reaching this city on Saturday, the
'20ill ol November. The Howard Circuit commenced.
its session on the following Monday?
the '2'2d, and to reach Kokomo in time to anRU'fP
llmniininUint 1
... iijjuuiit, Him. ne naa to hir?
a locomotive on iho Peru and Indianapolis
Railroad to take him to Kokomo, in order to
be in court at the proper hour.
The reason stated for the defence made in
the oAse was that the wife had been induoed to
usk for a divorce under improper influences.?
Sin- hitd been, for some time, half crazed by
spirituulism, and the husband thought if ho
could place her beyoud those influences, she
would abandon the suit. The oase is still pend*
ing.
Anecdote of Monrnr..?The Paris correspondent
of the National Intelligencer sayc:
The following story has beeen related to me,
illustrative of the philosophy of chew, * game
which enjoys the traditional admiration of
every originating faculty of the mind. In the
course of one of the games between Messrs.
Morphy and Ander.seen, a move of the former
exciu-d much surprise among the bystanders.?
He had declined to take a piece, which, al?
iuuugu uppnrentiy an exchange of km'ghl*,
would have resulted, it was thought, coocln
sively in his favor. The game proceeded, nevertheless,
without verbal comment, and was
rapidly won hy Mr Morphy. No sooner did
he deliver the "checkmate'' than one of the
most intense lookers on, breathless with pent-up
en.otion, exclaimed, " For the love of heaven
tell me why you did not take the knightf
" Because," said Mr. Morphy, all alive to the
nature of his friend's concern, "it was a deep
laid plot. In a few moves I should have lost
the gam6 by a stalemate. Mr. A'nderesen saw
the game was desparate, aud he planned the
snare for me." So saying, he replaced the pieces
as they had been at the critical moment,
nnd demonstrated the result by a series of
moves which would have been inevitable had
he taken the knight. " Was I not right, Mr.
Anderssen!" "Precisely." ejaculated the bewildered
gentleman, thinking possibly that the
Prince of Darkness was not without a share in
the composition of the yoong stranger.
Inorease of Praiarht and T???l
The Sumter Watchman says;
We were pleased to learn, while upon recent
passage over the Wilmington and Manchester
and Northeastern Railroads, that both the
freight and travel upon them had greatly increas*
ed. We heard it stated that the travel upon
the Wilmington road had never been betUr
since its origin. The freight brought over the
Northeastern has more than doubled recently.
Mechanic's Mcetino.?Pursuant to call* pre*
liminnry meeting of the contracting mechanics
of Newberry was held in the Court House on
last Wednesday night, for the purpose of considering
the best action to be taken in regard
to the not of the Legislature taxing the income
of mechanics. A committee was appointed ta
draw up n report and resolutions, and to report
at the next meeting, which will beheld on
Wednesday, the 2d FehrtiArv
Nevokrry Kiting Sun.
HYIIMeal.
MARRIED, on Tuesday the 1st inst., by the
Rev. James Moore. Mr. T. P. HAMILTON, and
Miss ELIZABETH EAKIN, all of Abbeville
District.
ir Printers Fee Received.
MARKETS.
Abbevillk, Feb. 2, I860.
Cotton.?Our market to-day is rather doll,
though this article duping tb* past week haabaeq
freely taken at prions ranging ffom 8 to jl
oenta.
Columbia, Fpb. St, 1869,
Cotton.?Vf 9 hare to report a decline in eotton
of on yesterday's quotations. 8ales for
the day 600 Sale*. Extreme# 8} to 114 cents.
Chaklxsto v, Jan. SI, 1869,
Cotton.?'The transactions in cotton to-day,
reached upwards of 2,000 bales, at 10 td 13
cents.
Cuunroii, Feb. I. lUfc
Cotton.?Sales of cotton to-day 8,000 bales.
prices tending downward.
N*w OafK^Ke, Feb. 1, I860.
Cotton.?The s^les of potton to-day amounted
to 4.OO0 bales, a decline of 4? Middling^ 11%
tq 11?. 8alos of (ha three days 8,760 bales,?
Receipts of the three <&ys 49,000 Mica, against
89,800 same time last yJifcr.
CO^SIGlVJBEji. "
-I I, >1 .
., The following percoo* have-freight in thaljepot
at Abbeville !?
M McDonald. J A R J White, M WIle<m, tQ
I.lrtd?y, D L Wardlaw, J T Moon, 3 ?WMl
?8Kerr, PS RaUodso, W I? Bjooo> Dfl
Branch, W C Coiby, D 2 Jordan, Hpgh WUMt.
J T Barn at, L J MiteraoiS, JFliaiCWrit, Cfott
Hunter A Co, Bon LiohtewUio. J fc ]YK?ok
J McBrye, Parsonage, J MPerrio, L Boracra,
1 P Oibart, I?ra?l * BroeB^Koorfatfealfe,
F Conorar. A Clarke 4t, a'% TWft,'! TreeK
m p. %,
'