The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-07-20
FROM. TIE STATE CAPITAL.
The Drought-Escape Of Convicts-Scott
against stolbrand - Price OF Corn
Thermometer ut Columbfa-The Law
School In the University. 10
[FRoM DUB OWN CORRESPONDENCE

[FRoM DUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.
COLUMBIA, July l9.-Two months ago, farm
ers all over the State were in despair about the
crops, because Of the frosts and continued col
weather. Hundreds OF them pronounced the
whole crop ruined and the feeling that
fourth of crop of cotton could not possibly be
made this year was in many sections the set
tied and prevailing conviction of the cotton
growers. These same men are now smiling at
the error Of that feeling. and are rejoicing in
the prospect Of good if not fine crop Of cot
ton this year. This co Institutional tendency to
howl-to distrust the laws OF Nature and cavil
at the details Of Providence-is now in July
manifesting itself at
THE DROUGHT.
There are rains fitting here and there about
the State every day or two; but the prevailing
weather is dry in the extreme. Iu the lower
part Of Fairfield, near RldgeWay, and in two or
three localities between the Broai and saluda
Rivers, there have been rains within the past
week. In the Fork-the lower part Of Rich
land-the drought is extreme. One planter
tells me that his corn is dead. He howe YER,
adds that on the 18th Of last July 1t was also
dead-the leaves crisp to within few inches OF
the stalk, and the tassel white--but on the
10Th there came RAIN; the stalk ,ok new vigor,
the living few inches of fodder became fresh,
and the entire energies Of the plant being di.
rected to development OF the grain-.he result
was fair crop Of corn after all. The fact is
that If the silk and tassel both get out before
the drought sets in, it is MT once in score OF
years that dry weather will greatly modify the
yield Of corn. One perfect tassel will fructify
9 dozen or more silks; and thus eleven tassels
may be absolutely killed without destroying
the prospect Of grain, provided the one other
remain alive. Old corn is suffering most.
Young corn and cotton can stand it some days
longer without necessary injury; still rain
seems to be universally needed.
THAT PENrTENT1ABY.
The week just past chronicles the escape OF
six convicts from Mr. Stolbrand's penitentiary.
Four fell upou their guard, while working at
some distance from the enclosure, disarmed
and beat him, and made of. Two others
worked through The enclosure. These six
added to the two mentioned few weeks ago,
and the sixteen that Governor Scott pardoned in
his last batch, make twenty -four convict felons
recently let loose among US. 1t lis apparent that
Scott is eight ahead Of Stolbrand, as far as
heard from; but the difference between these
doughty opponents Of penal laws is that, while
sootts pardons are lavishly published to all,
Especially to all negro voters) Stolbrands es-
capes are kept as dark as possible. Besides,
to Stolbrands credit, we must remember that
this penitentiary is but single squad of that
Grand Army Of the Republic OF which he is
commander.in-chief at this post; and too many
other duties may have prevented his success
full competition with his more fortunate rival.
ITEMS. ~
Corn is selling fifteen miles below Colum bia,
in the country, at one dollar tbirty-6ve caah.
Professor Joseph Lsconte. OF the University
ofSouth CarolIna-the highest authority on
the subject in this city-states that the ther-
mometer has not at any time this year gone
above ninety-ave degrees. Ia his oWn house,
in well-ventiated shady rooms on the second
story. the thermometer has not been above
eighty-nine degrees; and when be takes the
precaution Of shutting down the sasLes in the
morning, the thermometer does not rise above
eighty-six degrees. DR.. LeConte publishes
these facts because the local press had stated
that thermometers had been up to one hun.
dred, to one hundred and four, and even to
one hundred and six degrees in cool places;
and he does not wish the reputation Of Column
bo 10 m oad nv the i'm Drassion that IL suffer
anything like an equatorial warmth. The
highest temperature observed this season was
OF the tax meeting week before last.
The election Of Major Melton to the chair OF
law in the University has already determined
three students of this city TO take their course
oflaw studies there next session; and the pros
pect is that this department will enter upon
prosperous Session from the first.
CoRsAIR.