The Watchman and Southron from Sumter, South Carolina • Page 6

SCHOOL CHART CERTIFICATES Not Worth the Paper They are Written Qa. SO SAYS ASSISTANT ATTOR NEY GENERAL GUNTER. Colombia, April school chart matter has gone beyond the school authorities in the matter of dollars and cents Frequent and persistent applications have been received to know the legal status of the claims It appears that a great many of the claims are now held by banks throughout the State, io fact it is said that most of the claims are held bj banks, which discounted the certificates, which on the face were perfectly regalar and proper It is understood that the holders of the certificates have employed coun sel to look after the collection of the claims, and it is likely that the issue will be taken to the United States court to get grown op men ont of debts which they contracted and for which they signed certificates. The following is an opinion render ed today which is of general import ance, aod wiil probably cover ali the ceses referred to either the education. al or the legal departments of the State government Colombia.

April 8, 1899. HOD. J. J. Mc ah an, Superintend ent of Education, Colombia, S.

C. Dear Sir The communication of Mr W. T. referred to this office. Bobmiis this question "If school trastees sign school warrants payable 10, 1899, for school suppli sud the claim has been sold to a third party before ii became doe, and on July 10, 1899, the school districj still has money to its credit, can the third party collect same, when pro test has been pot in for the claim so sold?" Having already expressed the opinion that the action of school trustees ic issuing warrants to be paid out of next year's fonds is ultra vires, and that the warrants so -issued are void, it follows that the warrants are void it matters not in whose hands they are.

The paper purporting to be a warrant is worth less, as it represents nothing. Its invalidity is expressed on the face of the paper, and persons baying it are tho8 advised the trastees having no aothority to the warrants, the mere fact that it bas passed into the hands of a third party can no more validate the warrant than if it had been drawn on the road fond of the county. Il is stated that the warrant is drawn on a district that will have a balance to carry over to the next year sufficient to pay the warrant Under the (Section 52, school law of 1896,) which provides that the county treasurers shall carry forward all sums unexpended to the next fiscal year and credit the same to tba district for which it was ap propriated, it "loses all connection with this year's funds, is credited and merged ia the next, and can be expended for next year's debts only. Your correspondent desires to know if a board of trustees can empty an attorney to fight the pay aient of claims for school oharts, and pay bim out of the school fonds apportioned for their district I am inclined to think that they have that authority If an action were brought against the board of trustteee involv ing the educational interests of the district, they would be compelled to employ an attorney to protect the interests of the schools, or probably allow the district to be ruined. It cannot be reasonably contended that they should pay an attorney out of their own pockets, for this would mean usually that, in spite of ordinary patriotism, the district would be unrepresented.

If then they have power to employ counsel to defend, I see no reason why they should not have power to employ an attorney to bring an action, or for other purposes to protect the school interests The question is asked, what kind of notice should be served on the treasurer to prevent him from paying the warrants in question If the warrants are illegal no formal notice is necessary, as the treasurer is not likely to pay an illegal warrant. As a matter of policy, however, it wonld be well to notify him of the condition of affairs. Yoors truly, X. Ganter. Jr Assistant Attorney General.

Columbas, Ohio, April trees which are to mark the grave of the Confederate dead at Camp Chase, which was used as a prisoa as well as a station for Federal troops, were plas ted today. A party of ex-Confederates, members of their focal organisation, planted the trees which were marked to show ibe State from which they came. Greenville, April 8 -Mrs. Corrie Bishop committed suicide about ll o'clock la3t night, drowniog herself in the reservoir of the Poe Cotton Mills Sha left her home in her night clothes, bat was not missed for some time. An alarm was given and scarohiog parties started out, but her body was cot iou QC until early this morning, tier husband was employed at Poe Mill and both were excellent people.

Her mind was r- bot reoeotiy be wxs bli S- 29 years oid and leaves two children "SAILOR HAS NO POLITICS DEWEY ON THE MATTER OF THE PRESIDENCY. Nsw York, April 9 -Admiral Dewey bas given to the Manila corres pondeos of Leslies Weekly ao interview regardiog the suggestion that the admiral be made a candidate for the presidency next year. The admiral said, aa to bis politics "I am a sailor A sailor has no politics. The administration is his party and, Republican or Democrat, it makes no difference. Then, again, I come from Vermont and yon know what that means.

To be anything bot a Repub lican io Vermont is to be a vam without a party. My flag lieutenant comes from Georgia. He tells me that to be anything but a Democrat io the sooth is to be nobody. If I lived south I would probably be a Demo crat "Have you ever voted the corre spondent asked. "Yes, years ago bat my vote was suaily influenced by personal prefer ence or local conditions.

I am not a politician, have never held political office and am totally ignorant of party intricacies and affiliations." Admiral Dewey said that neither by vocation, disposition, edocation or training was be capacitated to fill tbe presidency. He said that he was too well aloog tn life to consider such a possibility. His health would not ad mit it. All his life's work was in different lines of effect and that, while the kindness aod enthusiasm of bis friends were grateful to him and tte generous tributes of the American people were dear to him, he coo Id not and wculd not be a candidate for the presidency of the Uoited States under any conditions. Winding up the War.

Washington, April ex change of ratifications of the treaty of peace between Spain and the United States, signed at Paris, will probably take place in this city next week, and that ceremony will bs followed by a proclamation by Prosident McKinley officially announcing the close cf the war with Spain and the resumption of friendly relations, commercial and otherwise, between the two countries The copy of the treaty, which was signed by the Qaeeo Regent March 17, is expected to reach here on Monday, and the arrangement cf formalities attending the exohaage of ratifications will be promptly perfected. Secretary Hay has been officially advised of the forwarding of the Spanish treaty to the French ambassador at Washington, The exchange of ratifications will be follow ed promptly by the payment of $20,000,000 to the Spaoish Govern ment cn account of the cession of the Philippine Islands to the United States EX-J STICE STEPHEN J. FIELD DEAD. Washington, April 9-Justice Stephen J. Field, of the United States supreme court, retired, died at his home on Capital Hill, this city, at 6 30 o'clock this evening of kidney complications.

Abonl bis bedside were his wife and her sister, Mrs J. Condit Smith, Mr Justice David Brewer, his nephew Mrs. Edgerton of California Mr Linton, bis private secretary the Rev. Ward M. Mott, rector of the Church of the Advent, and the family servants.

He had been unconscious since Saturday morning, and death came painlessly. About two weeks ago he took a longer ride than usual in an open carriage and contracted a severe cold, which rapidly developed kidney troubles which, with old age, brought his end. AN AMERICAN EXPEDI TION AGAINST SANTA CRUZ. Manila, April 9, 9 35 a. nightfall last Gens Lawton and King launched an expedition of three gun boats with 1,500 picked men in canoes in tow of the gunboats.

The object of the expedition is to cross the lake, capture Santa Cruz and sweep the country to the south. The expedition which embarked at San Pedro ac a ti, consists of eight campanies of the Fourteenth infantry, three companies of the Fourth caval ry, four of the North Dakota volun teers, four of the Idaho volunteers, two mounted guns and 2,000 sharp shooters, of the Fourteenth infantry At the mouth of the Pasig river the men will be transferred from the canoes to the three gunboats Lagunda de Bay, Cesto and apind Santa Cruz the objective point of the expedition, is at tho extreme of the lake CASTOR A Por Infants and Children. The Kind You Have Always Bought Bears Signature of Pitched Battle Fought on the Streets of Bronson. Branson, S. April eight, at about 9 o'clock, a faeilade of pistol shots io rapid succession was heard, and it was soon developed that a pitched hattie was beiog fought in the street betweeo James Preacher, Charlie Preacher and Arreo Preacher, brothers, oo the ooo side, aod George Hied, Mack Ried, James Ried, brothers, aod Joseph Connelly, oo the other As a result Geo.

Ried is dead, Mack Ried is probably fatally woaoded, Joseph Connelly is sarioosly wounded aad James Preacher slightly wounded io the baud. It appears that a negro farm hand employed by George Reid was subse quently employed by tbs Preachers and bad fee! ic was engendered thereby Yesterday evening tho Rieds went to the Preacher sidence oo this matter aod some bot words were passed Later io the night the two parties met at the busiest corner io the towo and an alteroatioo eosoed between George Ried aod James Preacher, and io an instant weapons were drawn and a general fusilado of about 30 or 40 shots followed The streets being crowded it is miraculous that no bystanders were injured. The fire of tbe Preachers seems to have been principally directed on George Ried. He received DIDO wounds Notwithstanding his many wounds, be lived until this morning. All the parties are men with families except Charlie aod Arreo Preacher.

George Ried leaves a wife and child Charlie aod Arreo Preacher are mere boys the latter not yet 20 years of age. The coroner's jury returned a verdict that the deceased eame to his death by gunshot wounds at the hands of James and Arreo Preacher As a sequel to the fight (Jimer Newtoo, a respected and orderly colored ci tizan, was accidentally killed. Hear -iog the firing and tbiinkog the policeman was being killed, be seized his pistol and started to the scene, aod on arriving be met his son, Wm. Nswtoo, who, thinking his father would get io trouble, attempted to disarm him. Io the attempt the weapon was discharged, killing tbe father instantly.

James Preacher is the son-in-law of Col. Lawrence W. Youmans, the largest planter io this section, and prominent io State politics. The Preachers have surrendered to the sheriff. i- II i McKinley Working For a Second Term.

BAD BEEF DENOUNCED BY 147 OFFICERS. 1 Washington, D. April 10-j It is daily becoming plainer to close observers that Mr. McKinley and his advisers do not regard next year's oam paigQ as a republican walk over. They are diligently studying ways and means for corailitg electoral votes that they consider doubtful.

The trip that Mr. McKinley is DOW arranging to make this summer to the Pacific coast io one of the ways that has been decided upon, They do not expect to be abie to carry Delaware, Maryland, or Kentucky again, but they hope for Kansas and Nebraska, both of which states are likely to be visited OD Mr. McKinley's western trip. They are also beginning to realize that some sort of a bluff against trusts must be made. Repre sentative Landis of has come to Washington especially to urge upon the administration the necessity of doing something to oooviooe the voters of the middle west that the admioistratioo is antagonistic to the trusts.

Mr. Landis has done some very plain talking about the danger of the republican party, and it is evident that he has frightened some of tbe administrado meo Attorney General Griggs, doubtless acting under orders from McKinley, has made a play to shift the responsi bility for hts recent queer letter about trusts Crom the shoulders of the admin istration, by proceeding against tbe Chesapeake and Ohio Association, generally koowa as the soft coal trust, under the Sherman anti-trust law. The suit was instituted in Cincinnati, aod will be directed by the Solicitor General of the U. S. The public will watch the prosecution of this oase close ly, owing to the Attorney General having so recently stated, io writing, that trusts could oct be reached by Federal laws.

Evidently Admiral Dewey isn't one of those who believes the eod of the Philippine troubles to be in sight. Of coarse he is too diplomatic to discuss euch a question where bis opinion would be likely to get out, but when he cabled the navy department to send him six months engineering supplies for his fleet, every employe of that department knew that it wasjust as though be had cabled that it wouid not, in nis opinion be safe to materially reduce the strength of the fleet at Maoiia for sometime to come The latest Philippine news seems to justify the opinion of those who believe that the fighting over there likely to go on for au indefinite time. Geo. Lawton has started on a campaign with a picked force, with the intention of trying io run down the Filipinos. Democrats are not the only ooe3 who regard the Poihprines, as an undesira ble possession.

Representative Steele of iodiaoapolis a staunch supporter of thp administration, who passed through ashington day or two ago, said of I them "So far as am concerned, I would like to trade the Pnilippine islands for a yellow dog, and then kill the dog, if there were nothing else io volved but possession of the islands." Io Daming one of the new battleships Georgia, although no petition had been sent from that State, while they bad been sent from a dozen other States, Mr. McKinley is said to have been actuated solely by a desire to show his appreciation of the courtesy with which he was treated daring his recent visit to that State. This ie creditable alike to the president aod to the people cf Georgia. The other Dames chosen were, for battleships-Penosylvaoia and Now Jersey for armored cruisers -West Virginia, Nebraska, and Catiforoia for ordinary cruisers Denver, Des Moines, Chattanooga, Galveston, Tacoma, aod Cleveland. After taking several days to consider the matter, the Military Court of Inquiry wisely decided to admit as evidence the reports submitted to Gen eral Miies oo the beef issued, by 147 officers who were io Cuba or Porto Rico.

Jost to give ao idea of the oature of these reports, the followiog phrases, each from a different officer's report, are quoted "A miserable apology for food." "No more nopal atable food could be isEued." "Ao unsuitable article of food." "A dis tinct was nauseating" "Prefer going without meat to eating it." "Was soft, watery, iosipid and unsatisfactory to the men." "Wa9 stringy, toogh and unpalatable." "Tasteless, and the men would not eat it 17 "Cacaed a great deal of siok oes8, aod as a ration was a failure." "Was unfit for use and many of the mea said it had beeo doped." "Was oot fit to be issued "Was utterly UDfit as ao article of diet." "Huogry meo left it oo tbs grouod." "The sight of it was 'enough to turo the siomaoh." "Was oot fit for cocsump tioo "Was openiy condemned by the men aod geo raily throwo away" "Was just as bad as possible, short of beiog rotteo." "It produced disorder ed stomachs." There was a whole lot more of the same sort, bu this will do for a sample. I I wmm ProcsediDg8 in Capt A. Hutchison of our city was adjudged a bankrupt on his own petition which was filed in the U. S. District Court in Charleston by W.

J. Cherry, Esq, on Monday last. The order was signed that morning by Judge Brawley. Capt Hutchison is president of the Rock Hill Cotton Factory, which is DOW in the hands of a receiver His liabilities, amounting to 90,855, are on account of endorsements for the factory, not a dollar of the amount being his individual indebtedness. His assets are placed at about $58, 000.

lit is expected, however, that i the amount will be materially increas- ed by the sale of the factory propel ty. This misfortune falls hard upon Captain Hutchison, who, with large means, has been one of the most liberal, most unselfish as well as one of the most accommodating mer lhat has ever lived is this community. Since the factory was organized in 1881 he has been its president and has given it his individual attention, but for several years it has not been a paying enterprise. He has kept the wheels turning by contributing of bis private means aod by making such extended personal endorsement of the mill's obligations, which the mill could not meet, that he has been impelied io seek relief in bank ruptcy, a recourse very galling to bim, but there appeared no other alternative This community sympathizes very deeply with Captain Hutchison io hie Hill Herald. A MISTRIAL ORDERED IN THE MEETZE MURDER CASE.

Columbia, Aptil 9 -There was considerable conjecture this morning as to what the verdict in toe Meetze case would be. The jury remained out all last night, and did not come to any conclusion They then came into court, which was conven especially to receive their verdict, and the foreman stated that they had failed to come to any conclusion, and could not possibly agree upon a ver diet Judge Watts ordered a mistrial to be entered, and discharged them. There are several rumors as to how the jury Btood. One of the jurors slated that last night the ballot was aa follows Five for murder, five for manslaughter, and two for acquit tal, while thia morning they all stood for manslaughter, except one, who wae for acquittal. Another rumor is that they were seven for manslaughter and five for acquittal while lastiy the statement comes from a juror that the ballot stood three for manslaughter and nine for acquit tal Meelze has been remanded to jail.

His counsel desires that the new ttial come eff this week, and has decided not to ask for bail at present. People were divided in opinion as to the result of the trial. A great many expected an acquittal and some thought that a verdict of manslaugh ter would bo brought in. But the i mistrial does not seem to create much surprise. Tho argument as to the trial wiii probably be beard tomorrow.

It was pointed out today by Mr. John stone that the court could not con sider the matter of a new trial today. -Columbia cor. News and Courier. THE LAKE CITY TRIAL.

A Jury of White Men Se cured. Charleston, April 10-Eleven of the alleged Lake City lynchers were pieced on trial in the United States circuit ooart to-day. The case against J. P. Newham and Early P.

Lse, the men who tamed state's evedence. was drop ped by the request of the district attorney, and this accounts for the fact that ll instead of 13 men are now on trial. The bearing to day occupied seven boars, mach of which time was taken ap with reading and rereading the indictment and in arguing teohnical questions raided by the defense. At the very cutset W. Si.

Salien Jervey, of counsel for the prisoners, sought to enter a demurrer to the indictment. He claimed there was a multiplicity of crimes charged io the oouots and that the circait court had no jurisdiction under the statute. As sistant District Attorney Cochran and Gen Barber replied for the defense, and the cours overrnled the demurrer. After a teohnical objection to the jury panel had been disposed of the fallowing jurors were drawn and sworn M. Mnroby, Union W.

A. Calhoun, Barnwell T. Craig, Anderson McLaod Hutson, Beaufort; C. H. Carlisle, Spartanburg A.

L. Kearne, Florence C. A. Bowman, Bamberg W. A.

Hill, Newberry W. A. Tatem, Hampton W. R. Price, Pickena Marion, and W.

McCullough, Greenvale. The defense exercised its right to cha eoge six times, four of the men excluded being negroes. The jury as it stands is composed of white men of means and standing io the several counties from which they cerne. After a recess of an boor the entire afternoon session of the court was taken ap with ancther reading of the indictment together with a statement made by District Attorney Lathrop. He rehearsed at length the facts con nected with the killing cf Baker and outlined the manner io which he would seek to fix the crime upon the prisoners at the bar.

The talking of testimony will begin tomorrow morn ing. SMALLFOx'siTUATION. Gov Elierbe bas received a letter from Dr. Evans iu which he says that smallpox is very prevalent in counties adjoining the Savannah river, includ ing Aiken and Barnwell There are 175 cases in and around Parksville, and there is much suffering. He recommends compulsory vaccination and that Dr W.

Bacot be appoint ed health officer for the Savannah valley section He says that out of 300 cases about Mayesviile there are oniy two now, and that the epidemic in the State will soon be wiped out REPORT 07 THE CONDITION OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BASK, SUMTER, S. At Sumter, in the Stale of South Carolina, at the doss of bosicess, April 5th, 1899. RESOURCES. Loans aod discounts, $166,631 93 Overdrafs, secured, 2.C41 81 3. Bonds io securecirculation, 18,750 00 Premiums ou U.

S. Bonds 1.500 OD securities, etc, 9,646 35 Banking bouse, furniture and fix tures, 5,000 00 Other real estate and mortgages owned, 10,544 95 Due from State Banks and Bankers, 8,176 57 Due from approved reserve agents, 1,314 69 Fractional pajer currency, nick els cd cents, 173 33 Lawful Money Reserve in Bank, viz: Specie, 14,315 25 Legal-tender notes, 8,912 CO 23.227 25 Redemption fund with U. S. Treas'r (5 per cent cf circula tion) 843 75 Total, $247,903 63 LIABILITIES. Capital stock paid io, 75,000 00 Sarclus fund, 15,000 CO Undivided profi's, le69 expenses and laxes 6,642 56 National back notes outstanding 16,875 00 Due to other National Banks, 1,820 34 Due to State Banks and Bankers, 914 13 Dividends unpaid 4 00 Individual deposits subject to check, 131,647 60 Total, $247,903 63 State of South Carolina, 1 gg County of Sumter, L.

CARSON, Cashier of the above named bank, do solemnly swear that the statement is true to the beat of my knowledge and lelief. L. S. CARSON, Cashier. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 11th dav of April, 1839 J.

E. GAILLARD, Notary Punlic for S. C. Correct-Attest M. WALLACE, JNO.

REID, R. D. LEE, April 12, SEND US ONE DOLLAR new 1S99 RKSKBTOlR COAL AND WOOD coo STOVE, by freight C.O.D., subject to examination. iJs the ti.oo FOR OUR BIG FREE sent STOVE CATALCCUE. and freight entries This stove is size No.

8, oven is top made from best pig iron, extra lanre Hues, heavy covers, heavy linings and grates, large oven shelf, heavy tin-lined oven door, handsome nlckei-plnted ornamentations and trimmings, ertra large deep, gen nine Standish porcelain resenolr, hand some lanre orn imented base. Best coal bnraer made, and we furnish FRKR an extra wood grate, making it a per fect wood WK ISSrK A BINDING GUARANTXK with every stove and guarantee safe delivery to your rail road station. Your local deal would charge you $25.00 for such a stove, the freight is only about IL00 fei each 600 miles, to we tart yon at least 01O.OO. Address. SEARS, BocbseJc Co.

are thoroughly -5dtt THE SUMTER "WATCHMAN, April, 1850. "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established Jone Consolidated Aug. 2,1881. SUMTER. S.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12.1899. New Series-YoL XVIII. So. 37.