The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-11
pawnbrokers to charge interest at the rate

pawnbrokers to charge interest at the rate OF
twenty-five per cent. per annum, but many Of these
human leeches charge five hundred per cent, and
some of them at rates that would amount to ten
thousand per cent per annllm. case has been
cited where poor widow has been in the habit Of
pawning a dress every Monday morning, receiv-
ing two dollars and half, and redeenling it on the
following Saturday, paying thirty cents interest;
that is about twelve per cent SOr five days, or
nearly one thousand per cent. rcc annum. 10
make matters still worse g regularly organized
band OF sneak thieves hang around the pawnbro-
kers establishments and rob children Of the petty
amounts received from the leeches, for .oftentimes
are children sent by their mothers to pawn even
their wearing apparel and pieces Of rude furniture
for few pennies with which to purchase bread to
save them from starvation, and these children are
robbed by the sneak thieves.
Park is TO be constructed in Brooklyn which,
it is said, will eclipse (2) the Central Park here in
beauty though not in dimensions. 1t is to be
called prospect Park, and will undoubtedly be
magnificent pleasure ground. doubt, however, II
there are good prospects Of it's successfully OK
ceiling our great American Bois de Bouogne.
Twenty-Five hundred workmen will be employed on
The new park in few days, and will be kept at
work for length Of time. In the centre OF the
grounds there will be magnificent fountain
throwing jet to the height Of sixty feet, and it
will be kept playing constantly, and brilliantly
illuminated at night.
The newspapers are again engaged in the dis
cussion of the meTts and dement's of the over
ground, underground and battle-ground railroad
tracks, what it is proposed to run over under and
on Broadway. It is now urged that, as either the
o7er-ground or underground tracks will take q
very long time to construct, thatwe should first DO
away with the stages entirely, and try the effects
Of an battle-ground track through the great
thoroughfare. 1t is then coolly suggested that II
it be found that the thing will not do, that the
track Gun then be taken up again, and one OF the
other plans be tried. This would certainly put
money in somebody's purse, should no other ad-
vantage accrue. In such job contracts, kissing
always goes by favofs here, officials have TO oe
bribed heavy, and there is vast quan1ty OF
greenback greasng to be done; hence it is that
neither of the three projects may be carried out for
some time yet
Tho ssBarber Of Seville will be presented at the
Academy of Music tomorrow night, with KEEL
1oea, BARAeL1, BE1LiEz and RoNcoN1 In the prln-
cipal roles. WA11AcK brings out s'tnvestment,"
which will, no doubt, prove to be good invest
ment for himself, as people are tired OF the ola
pieces and are anxious for something that has not
worn threadbare. The ether theatres all drawing
we'll.
Spring weather once more. MOuLihAh.
modern Languages i'm Charleston College.
Idkhe Editor Of the Daily Neaos:
A spirit in favor Of chair Of modern languages
having been awakened in the Charleston college,
or rather in those who have it's care and manage
ment in keeping, sufficient to induce on the part
Of CITY Council considerations for an appropr1a-
tion to support it, we have deemed it pertinent TO
that progressive and important end to VenuMte
our views, especially in reference thereto. In tne
first rlace, it is to be sincerely hoped that that
annropraton will be made for the establishment
Of chairs of modern languages instead OF
chair for it must be apparent to every compre-
hensiYe and enlightened mind, unbiased Dy
fayortsm, or personal regard that there ls no m
d;vid1,al. however eminent his attainments, VINO
nossesses within himself all those requisites Tor
nstilline two different tongues as they should be-
in accordance with those nice and philosophical
differences comprehended in their dlstlncnVe OF
biographies
Where can be found, unless in the de6ras OF fogy-
ism. O. man who can instruct In the trencn anu
German tongues, capable Of giving to the ear OF
the student those nice distinctions in pronuncla-
tion accent and intonation, which are the bases
unon which thoroughness rests. Shall we never,
in this community, be guided by the light OF Wis
dom burning beyond our limits, where experience
has earnered facts that are indisputable? Shall
we always lean to defunct and narrow minooo
mental economy which ''takes in at the splgot and
let's out at the bung2" Why not then, gentlemen
of the City Council, in making youd appropriation
for the support of modern languages, have the
Bill providing therefor 30 constructed that each
branch, or language rather, shall have its tessea
and competent head 30 That our sons, when they
return from their educational courses will know
something definite about what they have been
taught.
We battered ourself that in dividing the profes-
sorship Of languages in the High School, prece-
dent had been established, but our serious alarm
has been excited lest Council shall appropriate lor
Chair of Modern Languages in the College, wltn
the ill-founded hope, hope were ever entertained
in the particular, to find universal genius 70 ILL
it. Under new regime Of enlightenment, let Us
he uery guarded in the education OF our common
,yards and see that they have the advantages that
they have right to expect, so distributed so care
fully administered, so as to be beyond any effete
philosophy, sentiment Of gratitude or meek ac-
auiescence of fitness.
Gentlemen Of the City Council, We call upon you
"A the custodians Of an important matter, to do JUS
tioe to the education Of our children, and see that
when our finances are enlisted in any scheme OF
progress, that they properly respond. Recouect
that the universal genius idea and it's accompany
ing fungi are of the past, if they ever were> which
we heartily dispute and deny. FhANCAls.
The Condition OF the Country.
To the Editor Of the Charleston Neacs: II
The following letter was received fromR gsetHe
man who passed some fifteen years oakhis early
life in the Southern States has had for many years
intimate relations wifi he;south, is at this time
large holdeIof Southern securities, and fully iden-
titled with our prosperity.
From the circle in which he moves his means OF
information are of the most reliable character, and
his ability to form proper conclusions and his Sin
cerity in declaring them, beyond question.
I, however, think him in error as to those gen.
tlemen who are disfranchised by the constitutional
amendment opposing settlement of the issue.
Tho nnHnchino intaprtv and devotion of the