The Charlotte Democrat. [volume], April 05, 1878, Image 2

About The Charlotte Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1870-1881

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The Democrat.
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
APRIL 6, 1878.:
F0VL THE CHABLOTTE DEMOCRAT.
Animadversions on the Supreme Court.
Mb. Editor: Allow me a small space in yum
column to, 4e$end, not ths decisions so much, as
! Ahttodot Wsiprrane Court at the Term Just
closed : and permit me to say that my main purpose
Jataaet Chief Justice Smith right, as it is perfectly
ident ; that theChief Justice is the objective point.
. Surely, Democrats are not prepared to Jump at
the conclusion that all at once a lawyer ot pre-eminent
abilities and extensive learning, of spotless
f: "public and private reputation, and the equal cer
': tainly if not the superior, of any lawyer named in
- connectionwith the 8upreme Bench, has suddenly,
since his elevation, ad taltum, ceased to have bodily
i yjiror, brains, learnine or any other quality he had
theretofore possessed 1 Certainly they ought not
-without giving his admirers a chance to be heard,
t" 1 ' The following I believe are the only decisions
. delivered during the last term which the lay-gents
have taken it upon themselves to pronounce to be
ntrfiiriRt law ;
I. The Driver case. I venture the assertion, that
if the whole Bar of the State should be called upon,
in some solemn way, to declare their opinion, not
one out of one hundred but would agree wun me
decision. The inhibition of our Constitution
ftfjainst "cruel or unusual punishment," was once
: -i i AnH n n A niit K aiilrl acrainat.
tyranny. , The term "cruel" according to all sound
rules regulating the interpretations of statutes, is
not used in its popular sense, oui wuu rcicjcutc
grade of the offence.
No one will nretend that the punishment inflicted
on Driver, by that humane man, Judge Kerr, would
not have been just as "cruel" no more or less before
.1809 as now. Yet in the year 18G8 the crime of
'manslaughter could not be punished with imprison
ment for a loneer neriod than one year. (See Re
vised Code chapter 34, section 24.) For taking life,
not exceeding one year! But it is not "cruel" say
. the critics to imprison for a misdemeanor five years
. In a County Jail, and require tne culprit at tne enu
of that time to give bond for good behavior for five
years more.
What is cruel punishment depends upon the pun
ishment with reference to the grade of the offence,
or with reference to the law of punishment, ana tne
' law of punishment Is dependent upon the shifting
policy of the law-maker.
Thus when Potter castrated two gentlemen there
was no law punishing this heinous offence other
wise than as assault and battery. The populace
said then, as they say now of Driver, "he ought to
have been hanged," but Potter who was a man of
mean3, wa3 only punished by a fine of one thousand
dollars and imprisonment for six months, (Wheeler's
History page 10-1.) It was afterwards made a capi
tal felony. The Judge who presided, looking at
the matter from the judicial stand-point, fairly as
sumed that the punishment by imprisonment ought
not to have been so great as if life had been taken.
These examples suffice to show that five years
imprisonment certain and five more probable, as ap
plied to an assault and battery, was within the true
intent: and meaning of the Constitution "cruel
when pronounced by any other Court than that of
Judge Lynch ; he meets out his punishments pro re
nata (for the occasion.)
If "cruel" there should be some remedy ; for it is
a maxim of universal jurisprudence that there is no
could be but two modes suggested; the one by
?utbeatorpu8t the other by the review of the Su
preme Court by appeal or certiorari as a substitute
for an appeal.
It had beendecided that however grossly errone
ous a sentence may be, its legal propriety cannot
be inquired into by habeas corpus, but only by ap
peal or certiorari in lieu thereof. (In re Schenck 74
JS. C. 007.) So Driver took the only course open to
him to cause Judge Kerr's sentence .to be re-examined.
The only matter legitimately before the Court
or wliicu they could entertain was
1. What is the grade of the offence ?
2. What is the extent of the punishment?
Every lawyer knows that all the rest in legal con
templation was "leather and prunella." Why, it
might be inquired by the fault-finding, did not the
Solicitor indict for a higher offence ?
The writer has understood too that the learned
Attorney General, who saw the point clearly, agreed
to try the question on the facts as disclosed by
Driver's affidavit. He has also understood that
Chief Justice Smith, doubtless with the approbation
of the Court, sent word to Judge Kerr that he
mignt insert the acta enormia (aggravating circum
stances) In a foot-note to the case ; it seems he pre
f erred a card.
II. Miller's case. It is complained by the lay
gents that the Court committed an error in this
case In holding that the adultery of a husband in
his own house (his wife being off on a visit) i3 not
ground for a divorce from "bed and board."
Every intelligent lawyer knows that the verv
same doctrine was pronounced by Ruffin, C. J., in
the "good old ante-bellum" days as applied to an
application lor divorce rrom the bonds or matri
mony. (Uansley vs. Hansley 10 Ired. 506.) Now
our, present statute law has incorporated this deci
sion in the law as applied to the husband as among
m xue causes tor divorce from the bonds oi matrimony,
See Battle's Revisal. chapter 37. section 4.
In Miller's case the prayer for that kind of divorce
was to the writer's knowledge surrendered ; it was
,', only urged that such adultery amounted to that
' thus expressed In our statute : "Shall offer such in
dignities to the person of the other as to render his
or her condition intolerable and life burdensome."
; The sole question argued and determined was
whether adnlt.prir
"indignity" as above specified. It was a dry ques
: tion of law; it was a novel case; there were no pre
cedents.
In the Uansley case the husband lived in adultery
with a neeress. In the older case of Scroc-trins vs.
Scroggins, 3 Dev. 535, the wife (both parties being
wnuej was pregnant with a mulatto child when she
' married: yet the Court, flluffin. C. J., delivering
the opinion,) says that the husband could not be
released.
. Were these Courts denounced by the press for
making these decisions, either far more repugnant
to decency ana morality than Miller's case.
III. The Ray case. The Court is criticised for
continuing this case under an advisari (for advise
ment.) Now this criticism is alike unjust and un
charitable. It is well known that the Hoskin' s case
has gone to the Supreme Court of the United States.
iu wmcn in sucn matters ours is interior. A decent
: respect for such higher Court would seem to war
, ..rant our Court in holding over Ray's case until a
decision Bhall have been reached in the Iloskins
case, which will probably control or throw light
upon the Ray case.
, IV. The John T. Schenck case. This is a case
for removal arising not under the "force act" as the
Ray case, but under the "civil rights act." It is
: said that the petition in Schenck's case is a servile
copy of Dunlap's; that case was solemnly decided
. by our Supreme Court as far back as 1871. The
Schenck case is on all-fours with Dunlap's case
and must or should follow its fate.
Dunlap's" case was removed to the Federal Court,
and after it had been there docketed, the Legisla
ture by Resolution instructed the Attorney General
to move the Federal Court to remand the case to
the State Court This motion was made and al
lowed, and Dunlap appealed to the Supreme Court
of the United States, where the case still remains.
""' 'The writer is informed and believes that Schenck's
case was continued to abide the decision in Dun
1 1 lap'a case and Anderson's case should it be carried
up,- ; Why has not the Dunlap case been argued in
the Supreme Court ? . The counsel for Dunlap are
doubtless content to He on their oars so long as the
' )fflcers of the State do not make any move. As to
where the blame should lie for failure to have Dun
i,Jap'a ease-decided, may be solved by the following
.,, Besolntion oj; the Legislature, Acts 1872-'3, p. 333 :
v,"B8olve.i by the House of Representatives, the
Benate concurnriff. That the Attornev Gnpri f
the State be requested and directed to test in the
4 Supreme Court of the United States the legality of
, the decision of the United i 6tates. Circuit Court for
? J1"8 Dktrict,.by virtue of which Lee Dunlap, who
to tinder indictment, for violation of the law of the
State, has his case within the jurisdiction of the
' United States Circuit Court for this District. Rati-
fipH thf 1ft Ml How rf n.rn-nKD. -fQ-nn
" J WM.U1UC1 AUlMf.
- The writer is also informed, reliably, that had a
&Ke
decision been made it would have resulted in the
overruling of Dunlap's case., -
Besides, the caseoi Anaerson, lately ncard be tore
Justice Bradley, it was thought, tinder his sugges
tion, would be taken to the Supreme Court of the
United States, and the decision made in that Court
wonld substantially control the decision in Schenck's
case. And this is also called dodging.
As a member of the legal profession, I think that
the decisions and conduct of our Supreme Court
during the last term will bear and stand the un
biased judgment of those capable of deciding in
such matters. Fiat Jcstitu...
, THE FOREIGN NEWS.
'Affairs "between England and Russia unset
tled and uncertain JSot much prospect of
tie Peace Conference assembling All the
bio Dogs growling.
Londox, March 31. The correspondence
concerning the conference is published to
day. Austria is the only (jrovernment
which expressed an opinion about England's
demand lor tne suDmission ot an tne articles i
of the treaty of San Stefano to the congress.
Austria thought the reservation of full
liberty of action by the Powers a sufficient
guarantee and that it was not to the inter
est of England or Austria to raise difficul
ties on this point. 1 he preliminary confer
ence of ambassadors at Berlin was sug
gested by Prince Bismarck and immediately
declined by England because it was use
less. In a conversation with Lord Loftus
the British Ambassador at St. Petersburg,
Prince Gortschakoff, the Russian premier,
said that if the congress made any modifi
cations in the treaty they would be subject
to further arrangements between Russia
and Turkey. Russia could only accept the
discussion of those points of the treaty af
fecting European interests.
Sir Henry Elliott, the British Ambassa
dor at Vienua, telegraphed to Lord Derby
on the 23d that he was trustworthily in
formed that Prince Gortschakoff told the
Roumanian agent at St. Petersburg that
Russia would not allow the question of the
cession of Bessarabia to be discussed by
the congress.
A special dispatch to the Daily News
from St. Petersburg says: "Despite the
general excitement, a few men in high posi
tion advocate a final attempt at conciliation
by the simultaneous withdrawal of the
British fleet and the Russian army from the
neighborhood of Constantinople pending
arbitration by a neutral sovereign."
The London Times, in its leading edito
rial article, says: "Neither the objects
Russia proclaimed at the outset nor the
events ot the war justified her advance upon
Constantinople or her approach to the Bos
phorus and Dardanelles. As long as she
remains in that menacing position we shall
feel that it is necessary to retain our ships
in the sea of Marmora, and so long conse
quently will peace be uncertain. It is Rus
sia who has trespassed upon the forbearance
of England, not England who has shown
lack of consideration for her. That for
bearance has now been strained to the ut
most limit, but nothing but necessity would
induce us to recover our rights by force,
and a timely and temperate concession on
the part oi the Russian Cabinet would,
without in the least degree compromising
the interests of Russia, insure the peace oi'
Europe."
Vienna, March 31. Gen. Ignatieff left
for St. Petersburg this morning. The semi
official Montags Revue says : "Gen. Igna
tieff ascertained from Count Andrassy that
Austria considers the treaty of peace signed
at San Stefano as clashing with both her
own and European interests."
London, April 2. The latest advices
from Constantinople, April 1st, (evening,)
says a strong conviction prevails at the
Russian headquarters that an Anglo-Rus
sian war is inevitable.
The terms of the treaty between Russia
and Turkey are said by the Times' St.
Petersburg correspondent to be regarded
there as so exorbitant that the Russian
chancellory, to prevent an offensive alliance
between Austria and England, is about to
make another attempt to come to terms
with England.
At Vienna hopes are still entertained that
the congress may meet Nothing trans
pires aoout tne leeiing at ASerlin.
The Times in its leading editorial says:
"The government's conviction that the
terms extorted from Turkey are inconsistent
alike with the interests ot England and
Europe, will be sustained by the public
opinion of the country."
London, April 3. A Times' St. Peters
burg dispatch says that advices from Ber
lin and Vienna mention some indications
that Russia might desire to renew negotia
tions for the congress, taking the treaty of
I'ans as a basis ot discussion.
The Chief Justiceship. Much has been
said relative to the coming election of the
J udges of the Supreme Court of the State
and the best man for the Chief Justiceship.
So far as we can learn the West is almost a
unit in favor of Jjidge David Schenck for
Chief Justice. He has proven himself a
true and faithful friend to the people and
wre all feel sure that if he is placed in that
exalted position that not only the rights of
the people will be protected but that
State rights will be guarded with unfalter
ing vigilance. He is a practical business
lawyer, an eminent jurist and in every way
qualified for the place. Schenck is our man.
Hickory Press.
Phosphate Beds near Wilmington.
Beds of phosphates and what is known as
Jersey green sand marl have recently been
discovered on the lands of Capt S. W.
Noble, about one mile east of the city limits.
The seam of phosphates is apparently about
four feet thick, and specimens are found by
boring, and on the ditch banks for a dis
tance of five or six hundred yards. It has
every indication from comparison, smell,
fcc, of being fully equal in its fertilizing
properties to the phosphates found in the
neighborhood of Charleston. Wilmington
Star. '
UctT" We favor making drummers from
other States for mercantile honsos ; mv a
big license of $1,000 each. These chaps cut
our merchants' throats and then make
'em pay for it. Out upon them! Milton
sfironicte. -Suicide.
Miss Jane McCorkle. a maiden
lady, aged about 40 years, who lived some
15 mile8 'we6t of Monroe, committed suicide
by hanging herself. Monroe Express.
X&Ktivlolte lcmocratf SharfoHc;
Better Times at Hand.
i The London Economist has one of those
clear and thorough articles which has made
that journal so valuable upon the "Commer
cial History of 1877." It shows f that a
feriod of' commercial distress of unusual
ength four years has been experienced
in the United States, Germany, Austria,
Hungary, Italy and Great Britain, and for
the last year and a half the same difficulties
have" been felt in France. In all tnece coun
tries there are two great causes for this de
pressionfirst, the lessening of the means
of consumers, and second, over-production
in certain branches. In Germany, France
and this country there was a prodigious des
truction of the means of consumers by war,
a result which did not show itself at once
in Germany on account of the payment of
the indemnity, and in the United btates on
account of the stimulating effects of an ex
panded currency. In both countries Rail
roads and other industries were extended
beyond any legitimate demand; in other
words, floating capital was applied to the
working of coal and iron and the construc
tion of Railroads beyond the necessities of
consumers. Both suffered under the same
evils diminished resources and overproduc
tion. In Austria, Hungary and Italy the de
pression arose from too speculative produc
tion and from the diminution of means pro
duced by excessive taxation and war. The
speculative industries of other countries, of
course, stimulated demand in Great Britain,
while the final collapse fell with tremendous
wreight on that country, where production
has been carried to excess, but where the
efficiency of labor has been diminishing for
the past few years. The losses in all these
countries were especially felt in London, the
financial centre, and thus communicated to
Great Britain the depression which covered
the commercial world.
The Economist analyzes the causes which
will stimulate anew the cash demand for
commodities, or in other words, restore
prosperity, into three classes: 1, Greater
economy and industry; 2, unusual harvests,
and 3, accumulation of savings.
And the New York Times says : "It is
a consolatory thought for this country that
all these causes are working steadily here
toward producing better times. Never be
fore were our people so saving or more in
dustrious. There is not so great a diminu
tion of the efficiency of labor, in reduced
hours and poorer work, as has been expe
pcrienced in England. Unlike the English
experiences, our harvests have been unex
ampled. Much, too, of our previous over
production has been in the line of future
development of growth of population and
cultivation of new land. The savings of
the working classes are speedily increasing.
Our great obstacles to a speedy return to
Erosperity lie in what the English journal
as but little touched upon our vicious
financial and revenue systems. Then we
have weighing us, what the Economist has
so well indicated, the heavy burden derived
from our former extravagance and neglect
of economical principles the fearful load
of taxation, both municipal and national.
An impartial American must be obliged to
confess that our experiment of universal
suffrage, as controlling expenditure of pub
lic moneys, has broken down utterly in
municipal governments. Tables of statis
tics show that in six of our largest cities,
from 1860 to 1875, the local taxation was
quadrupled from $15,000,000 to $65,000,
000 and the debts nearly quadrupled
from $85,000,000 to $305,000,000. In four
teen of our cities the population has in
creased 70 per cent, the taxable value 156
per cent, but the debt 270 per cent, and the
actual taxation for State, city and county
purposes increased 363 per cent. Better
times are certainly not far away from our
rural districts, but in the cities we have yet
to wait for thorough reforms in taxation
and our revenue system."
Democratic State Committee.
The Democratic State Executive Com
mittee met at the Supreme Court room, in
Raleigh on the 27th of March. The fol
lowing gentlemen, composing the commit
tee, were present : S. A. Ashe, Esq., Chair
man ; C. M. Busbee, Esq., Secretary ; Messrs
R. H. Battle and George II. Snow, of Cen
tral Committee ; R. B. Peebles of Northamp
ton; Col. J. S. Amis, Granville; Dr. J. W.
Vick, Johnston ; A. J. Galloway, Wayne ;
J. N. Stallings, Duplin; D. S. Cowan,
Columbus ; Jos. A. Worth, Cumberland ;
Kerr Craige, Rowan ; R. M. Furman, Bun
combe ; Col. E. R. Liles, Anson.
The first business transacted was the
filling of vacancies. The vacancies in the
Central Committee, caused by the resigna
tions of Judge W. R. Cox, and Hon. W. N.
II. Smith, were filled by the election of
Messrs. It. T. Gray and J. J. Litchtord.
The vacancy in the first Congressional Dis
trict, by the death of Moses Gilliam, Esq.,
filled by W. T. Caho, Esq., of Pamlico.
That in the seventh district by the death
of J J. Marler, by J. W. Todd, Esq., of
Ashe.
The committee next proceeded to arrange
the time and place of holding the State
Convention. It was finally decided that
it will be held in Raleigh, on the 13th day
of June.
The Central Executive Committee was
directed to prepare and publish an Address
to the people of the State. On motion of
Mr Craige, it was resolved that the Central
Committee, in their address, request the
several Judicial Districts for which Superior
Court J udges are to be chosen to hold Dis
trict Conventions and recommend to the
State Convention candidates for the office
of Judge from their respective Districts.
The Committee then proceeded to the
selection of committees for the nine Judicial
Districts under the new law, as follows :
1st District Wm F Martin, Pasquotank;
Octavius Coke, Chowan; T R Jeruigan,
Hertford ; J M Woodhouse, Currituck ; W
H Lucas, Hyde.
2d District Spier Whitaker, Halifax;
Fred Phillips, Edgecombe ; George Allen,
Craven ; W A Montgomery, Warren ; W
C Brown, Northampton.
3d District H F Granger, Wayne;
Theo Edwards, Greene; II G Williams,
Wilson; C B West, Lenoir; A M Faison,
Duplin.
4th District J HMyrover, Cumberland;
DrW G Curtis, Brunswick; H B Short,
J r, Columbus ; Sam'l T Ashe, Anson ; Far
quard Smith, Johnston.
5th District J A Gilmer, Guilford; C
B Green, Orange ; D S Reid, Rockingham ;
M S Robbins, Randolph; J A Graham,
Alamance.
6th District P B Means, Cabarrus , J D
Hearne, Stanly ; D A Covington, Union ;
Alex. Hoke, Cleayeland; George E. Wil
son, Mecklenburg.
7th District C B Watson and M H Pin
nix, Davidson ; R C Puryear, Yadkin ;
John W Mauney, Rowan ; J W Williams,
Davie. '
8th District ThosS Tucker, Iredell; M
O Sherrill, Catawba; A M Erwin, Mc
Dowell ; Hervey Bingham, Watauga ; Ed
mond Jones, Caldwell. !
9th District W B Ferguson, Haywood ;
W II McLure, Clay; W NAllman, Macon;
T L Gash, Transylvania ; S F Clemmons,
Madison.
The gentleman first named in each of the
various Committees is the Chairman.
Does the "Election Law" Provide for the
Election of Register of Deeds in An
sust 1878?
We copy the following from the Salis
bury Watchman. The writer, we think, is
J. S. Henderson, Esq., a member of the last
Legislature from Rowan county, and who
introduced or had charge of the Election
Bill which is now the law of the State.
We still think there is doubt about the au
thority to hold an election for Register,
though Mr Henderson's opinion is entitled
to considerable weight and respect :
I have been asked to examine the election
laws and find out whether it is true, as has
been alleged, that the present law makes
no provision for the election of the Register
of Deeds in the several counties of the State
in August next.
Sec. 77, ch. 275, Laws of 1876-'77, as
printed, is as follows : "The next general
election for members of the General assem
bly, for Justices of the Supreme Court, Su
perior Court Judges and Solicitors, and for
Surveyor, Coroner, Sheriff, Clerk of the Su
perior Court for the several counties and in
such counties as have one, a Treasurer,
shall be held on the first Thursday in Au
gust, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight ; but
thereafter, until otherwise provided, all
general elections shall be held on the Tues
day next after the first Monday in Novem
ber of the year in which an election shall
beheld."
I think it very probable that the omis
sion of the words "Register of Deeds," in
the above section, as in the printed edition
of the laws, does not appear in the official
copy of the act on file in the office of the
Secretary of State.
Sec. 18, of the same Act, makes it plain
that the election of Register of Deeds shall
take place at the same time with the other
county officers, and that will be this year
in August next. The part of the section to
which I refer is this :
"The county officers for the respective counties,
viz : Clerk of the Superior Court, Treasurer, Re
gister of Deeds, Surveyor, Coroner and Sheriff,
shall be voted for on one ballot'
Sec. 2, ch. 141, Laws of lS76-'77, makes
this position still plainer. It reads thus :
"In each county there shall be elected biennially,
by the qualified voters thereof, as provided for the
election of members of the General Assembly, a
Treasurer, Register of Deeds and Surveyor," &c.
There is no provision of law authorizing
the Register of Deeds to be elected at any
other time than that fixed for the election
of members of the General Assembly, coun
ty Treasurer, Surveyor and the other county
officers. The election for these officers is
appointed to be held in August, 1878.
If the election for Register of Deeds shall
not be held in August next, there is cer
tainly no authority or law for holding it in
November. And if the election is not held
in August, it cannot be held in November;
in which contingency the offices of all the
Register of Deeds in the State would be
vacant after the expiration of the offices of
the present incumbents, in November next.
These vacancies would be filled by the
County Commissioners of the several coun
ties, and as the latter will be elected by the
Justices of the Peace in each county, our
friends in the East will no doubt be very
sorry to learn that an election for Register
of Deeds in August next cannot be avoided.
My opinion of the law does not coincide
with my own feelings and-preferences.
Rapid Time. We are informed that a
schedule is proposed on the Raleigh & Au
gusta Air Line, in which trains will run
from Charlotte to Portsmouth, Va., in 14
hours, and from Charlotte to this city in 5
hours. Leave Charlotte at 3.30 A. M., and
arrive here at 9 A. M. This will be light
ning time, and no mistake. Raleigh Ifews.
- Mill
Serious Accident. Last Sunday night
Geo. W. Misenheimer, Esq., was taking Mrs
C. W. Alexander to his house to attend
Mrs Misenheimer, who was sick. The mule
he was driving: got frightened at Misen
heimer's gate, and wheeled the buggy
around, threw Mr Misenheimer out, then
run the buggy against the fence palings,
when Mrs Alexander was thrown out of
the buggy over into the garden. Her
apron caught the palings and broke the
force of her fall, perhaps, saving her life.
Both persons are badly injured. Concord
Register.
Union Soldieks Honoring: a Confed
erate. A special meeting of the veteran
corps of the Forty-seventh New York vet
eran volunteers (Private Miles O'Reilly's
regiment) was held in New York to hear
the report of a committee appointed to se
cure the services of Confederate Col. Wad
dell to lecture on "The Confederate Soldier"
on Decoration day for the benefit of the
funds of the corps. Col. Waddell, in reply,
gracefully acknowledges the receipt of the
invitation, saying: "So far as I know or
am. informed it is the first time that a Con
federate soldier has been invited to address
the Grand Army, and therefore the compli
ment is doubly gratifying and I accept it
with unfeigned satisfaction. If anything I
may say shall tend to strengthen the bonds
of union between the people of the North
and South and renew the spirit which ant
mated our forefathers, my highest hopes
will be realized." iVI Y. letter.
The Col. Waddell mentioned above is Hon. A.
M. Waddell of North Carolina.
JT..
Cotton, from Seed to Loom.
The Commercial and Financial Chronicle,
under the above title, has compiled an in
teresting book, one that every mercnant
and ever? nerson who is at all interested in.
til anhipt nf Cnt.ton will find it to their
advantage to study carefully. The book is
what it professes to be, a hand-book of facts
for the daily use of those engaged in hand
ling and mufacturing the great staple, and
from it our planters and merchants may
learn much that will be of advantage to
them. -
The book is the out-growth of the quick
ened system of mercantile movements, ne
cessitated by the substitution of the tele
graph and cable, as ways of communication,
for railroads and steamships. Mr Dana
says the merchant and manufacturer in
all their business ventures must depend, in
some measure at least, upon facts not yet
accomplished. Hence each is unceasingly
seeking to outstrip his neighbor in acquir
ing information, through which he may ob
tain a better forecast ot the future. In the
search every market has its scouts out in
every direction : you meet them in the -ex
tremes of South America, the plains of
India, the tea-fields of China, tapping the
very sources of supply. The unobserving
sometimes think that it is the mere turning
of the kaleidescope that has fixed the events
which have responded with such perfect
nicety to the plan put in execution months
ago. They do not see the method, but the
result only, and therefore call that good for
tune which is simply the legitimate fruit of
vigilance. While, however, in every in
dustry so much is depending upon a right
conception of coming conditions, and efforts
so persistent and painstaking are put forth
to get at even an inkling of their signifi
cance, it is truly surprising that so little
advance has been made in solving or limit
ing the doubts with regard to cotton sup
ply. Every year we pass through just the
same round of confusion, uncertainty and
suspense, and yet the growth and fruitage
of a plant is an assured process, and as
capable, with fixed conditions, of being fore
shadowed, as the motions of the planet.
All that is required are undisputed facts to
base our conclusion upon. With past ex
perience, and conditions accurately given,
future results could not be doubtful. Our
information to meet these requirements
must be aggressive, the result of incessant
research. In this spirit the book has been
compiled to give all the aid possible by
figures and suggestion.
In the apparent contradiction between
results and conditions lies the point upon
which investigations are most needed. We
call cotton a dry weather plant, and so it is ;
but the drought it passes successfully
through one year will perhaps almost kill it
the next. It is said that rain is its destruc
tion ; and yet a crop is often made of sur
prising proportions which has endured just
such floods of ram as another crop succumbs
to, of apparently equal promise. To test,
therefore, all our conclusions relating to
these matters, we need facts which shall re
flect past experience through a series of
years, from the first ploughing of the field
to the picking of the last boll.
In the chapter on "India Cotton Supply"
we find that cotton mills in India bave in
creased from 17, with 390,510 spindles and
3,952 looms in 1869, to 52 mills, 1,133,046
spindles and 9,459 looms in 1877. This is
certainly a remarkable exhibit. Such a
growth in spinning capacity as this sug
gests the possibility, after a few years more,
of some remarkable change in the cotton
supply of that country. Is it mere fancy to
imagine India recovering under the stimu
lus of modern machinery at least a share of
the trade in which once, and for so long,
she led the world ? Even in the time of
Herodotus (484 to 424 B. C.) the inhabitants
appear to have been so long in the use of
this staple that their garments, when they
wore any, were commonly made of cotton.
The high price, together with the special
encouragements given by Liverpool and
Manchester during our late war, was suffi
cient to induce the cultivators to push pro
duction to its utmost limits,, and it was at
one period carried up as is claimed to the
neighborhood of 2,600,000 bales. So ex
cited were the people that all sorts of ex
cesses and absurdities were committed, even
to having their ploughshares and the tyres
of their cart wheels of solid silver in many
instances ; fancy prices were paid for bul
locks of a favorite color or possessing some
peculiarity of tail; the system of crop liens
was introduced, cultivators who had more
silver than they knew what to do with
mortgaged their crops and lands to mer
chants so as to be in the fashion, the larger
the mortgage the greater the honor.
The chapter on planting, cultivation and
stand is very interesting and contains much
matter for thought. In each period of its
cultivation, the weather is said to be the
prime factor. To collect, however, the facts
forming a weather record of the cotton belt
for a series of years is a work of much diffi
culty. Since the organization of the Signal
Service Bureau, this defect has in a great
measure been remedied. Yet even such a
record requires an acquaintance with the
nature and habits of the cotton plant and
its mode of cultivation before its teachings
can be correctly read. Many interesting
tables and suggestions in regard to esti
mating the crop are given. In one of the
tables we notice there is a wonderful coin
cidence between a stand pained and a yield
secured, the former being apparently a
guarantee of the latter. All the facts pre
sented point to an almost controlling of a
good stand upon the results of a crop; we
are also almost forced to the conclusion that
rain, drought, shedding and even catter
pillars are shorn of much of their power for
evil, if the plant on the first of July is well
started, and hence reports of harm done
from unfavorable conditions in Summer and
Fall can only be correctly measured when
interpreted in the light of the early de
velopment. In the chapter on markets and prices, we
get an insight into the many causes that,
combined, go to fix the price of cotton and
it is deserving of study by both prodacer
and merchant. While depreciating specula
tion in "futures" Mr Dana seems to think
the system, under proper restraint, may be
made useful. The worst feature of it is,
that the South is constantly betting on the
wrong side. A broker informed Mr Dana
"that ninety-nine out of every one hundred
speculative accounts he had opened, showed
a loss to his clients ;w this is probably a fai
eample of the whole business. It is a 10J
tery in which every chance is against the
ticket holder.
t It will be a blessed day for the South
.when it makes cotton its slave instead of it.
king. -Raleigh Observer.
Strange . Suicide. We learn that iir
John Roberts, ot Edenton,N. C, committed
suicide on the 25th ult. He. was a man
about 30 years of age, and one of the
wealthiest men in that section. ,He was the
owner of a large fishery, and on the day the
deed was committed, the seine worked bad
ly, a rope parting. . Thia is no unusual oc
currence, but Mr Roberts remarked that he
was ruined, and would have to go to the
poor house. - He went to bis office, and soon
after a pistol was discharged, but caused no
alarm. When his office was entered, soon
after, he was found sitting in his accustomed
seat, with the pistol in his hand. The bul
let had passed through his head, entering
at the temple. Although a man of large
estate, and while there was no danger, he
was always much concerned for fear of loss.
-Raleigh Wew$.' '
Dr. Wm. Closs. At the General Con
ference of the M. K Church, to be held in
Atlanta, 6a., in May, there are fire Bishops
to be elected, and among the distinguished
divines mentioned in connection with that
exalted position, we notice the name of Dr.
William Closs, the venerable and distin
guished Presiding Eider of this District.
His election as Bishop would be a deserved
compliment to the State of North Carolina
as well as a just recognition of his eminent
services, and exemplary and christian life. -Wilson
Advance.
FAMILY GROCERIES.
Having opened at my old stand on Trade Street,
I have now on hand a general stock of Groceries'
and Family Supplies, which I intend to sell at the
lowest possible prices.
Fresh Butter, Chickens and Eggs always on hand.
. M. HOWELL.
March 29, 1878.
NEW GOODS!
New Goods!!
Just received an elegant assortment of Shetland
Shawls, Lace and Silk Ties, Curtain Nets, Ruchings,
Handkerchiefs, &c., at prices lower than ever.
S. WITTKOW8KY.
March 8, 1878. -
Harris' Empire Compost.
We sell the Chemicals for. making HARRIS'
EMPIRE COMPOST, the best Fertilizer now in
use.
Feb. 1, 1878. WILSON & BURWELL.
TO THE PUBLIC.
Oar Cash sales for February and March have
been more than doubled as compared with our sales
for February and March for 1876 and 1877, and as
we are selling Goods for almost one-half what they
were sold for then, this is an evidence of the large
quantity of goods we are handling.
Our large trade is an evidence to us and the pub
lic, that we are selling Hardware, and other goods
in our line, for Cash lower than any house in the
City or State, . Our motto to -
"Buy for Cash and buy low,
Sell for Cash and sell low."
Call and see us before buying and we will givo
you the worth of your money.
BROWN & CO.,
Surviving partners of Brem, Brown & Co.
March 22, 1878 4w .
Friday, 22d, 1878.
A COMPLETE STOCK.
When this reaches you our Stock of SPRING
Goods will be complete. 1 We propose to deal out
bargains to our customers this Spring, without
reference to race, color or condition.
. We are determined to give aa many Goods for Che
money as any house In this or any other country
ever did give. It is our desire to encourage the
almost universal disposition of . our people to pay
Cash for Goods, and to the cash trade we simply
say, they shall have the very lowest prices. In the
mean time we do not propose to take any advantage
of those who buy their goods from us on account,
but give them every advantage possible.
It gives us great pleasure to say that nearly all
our old customers are still with us this Spring, and
where we have lost one (generally those whom we
have indulged most) we have gained two.
Our friends will remember we are leading on
SHIRTS and many other lines of Goods.
Everybody in North Carolina is most respect
fully invited to call and inspect our stock.
We don't ask you to buy our goods if they are
not cheap enough for you.
ALEXANDER, SEIGLE & CO.
March 22, 1878.
BUYERS OP DHY GOODS,
Heady-made Clothing
AND GENERAL MERCHANDISE,
Will find at the old established bouse of
ELIAS & COHEN
The largest, best assorted and cheapest Stock of
Goods ever brought to this market
We are prepared to prove upon examination of
our Stock that we make no vain boast, and solicit
buyers, both Wholesale and Retail, to look at our
Goods and prices before purchasing.
Our stock of Dress Goods, White Goods, Alpac
cas. Embroideries, Kid Gloves, Sun Umbrellas,
Fans, Ties and Fancy Goods are complete and will
be sold at astonishing low prices.
Carpets, Oil Cloths and Mattings very low.
Fair dealing. Polite and attentive Clerks. Call
and sec us and Judge for yourselves.
ELIAS & COHEN.
March 22, 1878.
Peas! Peas!! "
A nice lot Clay Peas at
j. Mclaughlin & co's.
Feb. 22, 1878.
Soap.-
50 Gross Soap, all sizes, styles and prices.
Feb. 22, 1878. WILSON & BURWELL.
Kerosene OiL
100 Barrels Kerosene Oil, warranted as good as
the best and in good order, at lowest market price.
Feb. 22, 1878. WILSON & BURWELL.
German Millet
100 bushels German Millet Seed just received
and for sale by
WILSON & BURWELL.
March 29, 1878.
To Physicians
Special low prices are offered and quality warranted
in every case by DR. T. C. SMITH, Druggist
Country Merchants
Will always find bottom prices and a full assort'
ment of such goods aa they want at the Drug House1
of .. - DR. T. C. SMITH.
Hods.
j
100 pounds Fresh Hopi Lcroi of 1877.
Feb. 83, 1878. WILSON A BURWELL.