davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

A REAIARKABLE South CAROLINA Boy
MECHANIC. We find the following in the
Scientific american, of the 25th nit:
We have on our table q complete
model Of q horizontal steam engine, with
tubular boiler of the locomotive type.
separate from the boiler, the workman
ship OF which would do credit to an ex.
perienced mechanic. Every part is
stated to have been made by Master @.
T. Mason, lat the age of fourteen years,
Sumter, 8. O. Nothing is omitted,
even a miniature steam gauge being sup
piled. Master Mason will, il he CON
tinues to progress. be master mechanic
at an age when boys in general have
scarcely an idea beyond tops and mar
bles. He will please accept our thanks
for sending his engine for our inspection,
and our predictions that, if he lives, he
will occupy distinguished place amonp
the engineers OF this country. Few men
could heat the execution displayed in
his working miniature engine, which, in
its details, indicates a knowledge of
steam and the laws of action most re-
markable in such youth. Let Master
Mason apply himself diligently to the
study of mathematics, mechanics and
drawing, and there can be no doubt OF
his future. We may add that this young
mechanic received silver medal as q
first premium on this model from the
Agricultural and Mechanical Society OF
South Caroline, at it's fair OF 1869.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27
Tho City Hall Contract.

We learn that it ip proposed by Nesgle
and others concerned, to pass the con-
tract over to Mr.. Clark Waring. for
SS5, 900, and thus to give up the $50. 600,
out of which it was first proposed to
swindle the city. We learn. further,
that it is proposed to maze Mr.. Berg
architect. We have evY!y confidence in
Mr.. Berg's skill, resolution and integri-
ty. lie is, as We conceive it, man OF
unswerving fidelity to duty and to truth.
If this hall is to be built, he is the
architect for it. But we oppose this
compromise, whereby it is proposed to
have this work done for &S5. 900, by Mr..
@. Waring. Messrs. Troy ard Fry have
said that it can be done for S78, 900.
Perhaps some may undertake to do it
for even less amount. When the pre-
sent contract is nnnulled, rs it will and
must be, if it then be deemed proper to
carry the work OH to cmpletion, then let
the contract be open to honest competi-
ton. What is the sense or the honesty
of giving the contract to Mr.. Waring.
when Messrs. Troy and Fry say they
will execute the work, aud give bond for
its faithful execution, for STE, 900. which
is 81, 900 less.
These people want to compromise. No
compromise, say we. aOith thieves and
s,oindiers. Beat them first in the courts,
send them to justice. aud then decide
what is best for the city. Let them have
no voice in the matter. We don't be-
lieve i'll treating a cancer with rose water.
CORRUPTION tries to win more than
HONESTY. Let us see to it that it does
not.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

If the new Congressional apportion-
ment bill passes the House of Represen.
tatives, fixing the number of members OF
that body between 1879 and 1882 at 281.
the old fifteen slave States will have 1Oi
members, and the old free States 18I.
The North and West. therefore. will not
have double the number of members of
the South. The latter have gained in
representation both in the House and in
the Presidential Electoral College, from
the fact TINT formerly the negro slaves
were counted as Eve for three. whereas
now, since emancipation. no difference is
made. This change gives the South q
dozen additional members.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27
Comptroller General Neagie and H
Part I'm tho Programme. :.

Comptroller General Neagie and His
Part I'm tho Programme.
The Comptroller General remains 81
lent. ALI the accused in the City Hall
business havespoken save him. Silence
is sometimes the contempt with which
Dirsue receives assault. Sometimes it is
the confession OF guilt. Sometimes it
is the dictate of policy. How is it in
this casep We take it that We can ex-
plain the Oomptroller's silence. he
publishes no card. Is it because he
knows that card-playing is poor busi-
nessP Or is it because if oard-playing is
not poor business. it is at least poor
business to show ones hand? The
Comptroller General is reticent. Well,
great men are often reticent. But go,
too, are great ewindlers. It will not
take the public long to decide, after read
ing the affidavits and the Comptroller's
own note-the damning evidence of
guilt and conspiracy-whether the Comp
troller's silence is the silence of virtue,
or the silence of vice. We have this to
say, that We had hoped that the Comp
troiler was on the road to penitence for
his State sins. We knew that he h I'd
sinned much; but as we make no war
upon the genuinely penitent, but are
disposed to cover them with the mantle
OF charity and mercy, SO we have had
little to say thus far of the Comptroller
But now We have this to say to him, in
view of the interests of this city:
"1nsatiate aroheri would not one suffice?"
Was it not enough for you to embrace
the State in your schemes of sudden
wealth? Why turn upon this poor city,
burnt by Sherman, and now plundered
by its own Council and their allies?
The contract was awarded to Allen for
$l38.0OO. You offer to sell the contract
for $4,000. and thus you proposed to
mike for yourself and your allies the
SUM OF $4,000, at the expense of the
good people of this State, of all colors
and os q! parties. $50 600 ,one he mark
Of the prize Of your lou calling. We
leave yon to your bitter reflections.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

A foppish young dandy, who has just
returned from abroad. appeared at New
York ball. last week, elegantly attired in
bnttoned eloves. ps hsir 0e powdered ne with with
blonde powder, French heels to bis
boots. strong suspicion Of rouge on his
cheeks aud piece of court plaster on
his forehead. The girls made so much
fun OF him that he retired before supper.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

AMERICAN LADIES IN EoYpT.-A cor
respondent Of the Now York Herald,
writing from Egypt, snys that the latest
novelty in the land of tho Pharaohs is
the presence OF fourteen young Ameri-
can Indies, who are making tour Of the
world for instruction and pleasure. They
aro accompanied by competent guar
dians. Already have they visited Eng
land. ireland, Scotland, France, Ger
many and Italy, and now they appear in
Egypt, en- routs still further East.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

A hearty laugh, which is ever in order.
stirs up the physical man from the cen.
tre to the circumference, and tends to
improve the whole physical and spiritual
being. 1t promotes animal health and
spirits, and is to the man what tides are
to the ocean; it stirs up the sluggish
depths, prevents stagnation and keeps
the whole system fresh and wholesome.
1t is what the Gulf Stream is to the
ocean, vivifying and warming element
The. convulsion produced by hearty
laughter penetrates to the minutest
blood vessel, and causes the blood to
flow with freshened impulse.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

PERSONAL. We had the pleasure, last
evening, of meeting at tho Columbia
Hotel Gen. Johnson Hagood. the popu-
lar President of the State Agricultural
and Mechanical Society right man
in the right place.
We have also the pleasure of stating
that Columbia is soon to have new re-
sident, in the person of Mr.. John Brind-
son, an Englishman.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

Clement L. Vallandigham's last client
hos been acquitted. A despatch from
Cincinnati states that after o few mo-
ments' deliberation in the case Of McGe.
han, who, twelve months ago, killed
Thomas S. Myers at Hamilton. the jury
returned verdict Of mot guilty." and
the young man, who. only two days ago,
was almost without hope, was at once
turned oyer to his friends, free to 20
where he pleased.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27
COLUMBIA. s. C..
Wednessaa1 nornine, Deosmber 81, n.
Assa.lAsivs corruptzon.

issxislssivs Corruptson.
All that ws have said on the subject OF
cur corrupt, thievinS State officials Is q
story half told. We are called iuhmo.
,dsrate by .some: We are deemed too
ssvete By others. When Lord Olive was
called to account for his conduct in
British India, when he was called upon
to snswer for his administrative career
and his acts OF cruelty. he replied, "Why,
7 gentlemen. you call me to account for
my career; when I review the field,
stand astonished az my nsodsraion.." So
mayswei say. whom We reflect upon the
monstrous corruption and the grievous
wrongs that we are combating, we arc
astonished ct our aoderation-modera
ton Of speech moderation OF conduct.
Within the last day'or two. our COM
munity honest Democrats and honest
Republicans--have alike been shocked
i at the developments connected with le-
gislative pay bills. These bills have
been hawked about. and have been made
to ccver all sorts OF individual expendi-
lures and purchases. These bills have
been given over and over again for
services not rendered, and under cover
of stationery. Co.. silver plate, desks,
&C., have been puroh ased, and the
charges 1.adelagainst the State. Again,
we have been informed that the State
capitol bar involves corrupt source Of
official and. legislative extravaganza,
which, when revealed, as it shall be, will
make the people open wide the eyes Of
amRzement.
And this legislative corruption, as re.
spects the swindling, infamous pay-bill
system. is due mainly to Speaker Moses
and CLERK Jones. Onr readers will re.
member that the effort was made to take
from the Speaker the control OF the
8. House attaches, but this effort failed.
The corruptionists triumphed. and the
door to swindling and fraud remains
vide orsn. This Mr. Moses and this
Mr.. Jones we hold mp before oil the peo-
pie. AS for the Speaker, we know much of
his career. It is full of corruption, and we
see no evidence on hispa of a disposition
to turn from his ways. We spare him q
little longer. But let him know, and his
oonfederates in the House, that we in
tend to call them before the public bar.
To impeach man for ''high crimes and
misdemeanors," may be done in two
ways. The one is to make the accused
appear before the Senate. This may
fail-because it is horrible even for the
Senate to have "thief or two" as guilty
as any they can try. But there is one
tribunal that will not foil. This is the
impeachment before the PEOPLE. There
is where we intend to have the case
tried. it it fails elsewhere. We know
what the verdict will be THERE. Voa
populi, cor dsi.
Pursue tho ring-Scott. Parker, Cham.
berlain. Kimpton. Pursue. also, the legis.
Lative corruptionists.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27
ATLANTA, Ga, December 25, 1871.

Editors PhRnir-GENTLEMRN In your
iasne of the 23d, is copy of my letter
to Mr.. Waiing, in which occurs typo
graphical error. It reads: "Mr. Peck
thinks my figures "too high" &c. It
should read: mot too high" By cor
recting the mistake. you will confer a
favor upon, yours respectfully.
w. II. PARKINS.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27
LIST OF New ADVERTISEMENTS.

LIST OF New ADVERTISEMENTS.
%. W. Seibels & Co.-Estate Sale.
JAS. Is. Steedman-Land for Sale.
John B. Patrick-Sohool Notice.
Meeting Riohlond Lodge
E. W. Seibels & Co.-Auction Sale.
Thos. B. .Jeter-Accommodation Train.
j. II. Hendrix-Notice.
VIM. j. Etter-Liquor Licenses.
p. 81. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Disturbance.
1rwin's Hall-Theatre.
House or Rooms-Tanted to Rent.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

Texas complains that thousands Of
her cattle are dying, in consequence OF
the severely cold weather.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27


Packed .Juries-Tho Foreman jackson.
In spite of the defence attempted by
that corrupt sheet called the Union-that
is, the union of much that is brazen and
rotten-we made shot right in the
bulls eye wherein we spoke of "packed
juries." It is the truth. And what we
have said of Foreman Jackson is less
than the truth. We are fully posted as
to his antecedents, to say nothing of the
charges under which he now rests. A
pretty foreman, he! What does he
think of the air of tho sand-hills? What
of his surveys there2 A word to the
guilty is enough.
The Union has something also to say Of
that memorial, and of its authors as
saults upon the chief editor of this
journal. The less said on this subject,
the better for the memorial and its au-
thor, and those whom it seeks to uphold.
We have it within our power to fire
shots that would sink memorial, author
and Council-if, indeed, this result has
not already been reached. We are SIM
ply above the assaults made upon ue.
The arrows fall harmless at our feet and
there stay, except when we take them up
and hurl them back uppn the source
whence they came-all which we do with
ease and at our good pleasure. We have
stick for all the dogs, big and little
''Tray, Blanche and Sweetheart" for
all the dogs that seek to worry and hunt
down the State and the city.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

WoRKs OF ARr.-We had the pleasure
on yesterday Of examining two water
ooiored miniature paintings Of O lady
and gentleman of our acquaintance,
which show the artistic genius of O
favorite son of South Carolina, now
dead. These excellent paintings we're
executed thirty-seyen years ago by Mr..
Charles Fraser.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

20 SCREEN their fraud and to give to the
said blddings ar appearance Of compe.
tition, upon the promise to the said r.
W. Johnson and Clark Waring that they
should afterwards share in the contract.
XII. That afterwards, the said James
M. Allen, j. l.. Neagle and William II.
Wigg, further conspiring and confederat-
ing Tor tue purpose aforesaid, fraudu-
lently induced the committee OF the
Mayor and Aldermen OF said oity, having
the matter In chsrge, and of which the
said William b. Wigg was chairman. to
close the biddings BY awarding the said
contract to James NJ. Allen, before time
had been given to any person not privy
TO the1r SAID fraud and conspiracy to put
in bids. And afterwards fraudulently
and corruptly prevailed upon the said
Mayor and Aldermen to rat;fy the action
OF the committee.
XIII. That the said city OF Columbia,
by its Mayor aud Aldermen, has entered
into contract with the said james M.
Allen, as aforesaid, for the construction
OF building which is to contain, in ad.
dition to City Hall and other rooms
and oonveniences proper and necessary
for the public use, an opera house, with
an expensive outfit designed for public
entertainments and exhibitions, and
which has greatly increased the cost OF
said building.
XIV. That the said city has no autho-
rity under its charter, or otherwise, to
build snch opera hall, or provide for the
public amusement, at the expense Of said
city, and that the contract for that pur-
pose was both illegal and unnecessary
and inexpedientin in the present over-taxed
condition of said city.
XIV. That large sums OF money ha ve
already been paid out on account of the
said contract, and that the said city ia
about to pay other and further sums upon
the same. to the great injury OF the tax
payers and inhabitants of said city Of
Columbia.
Wherefore, the said plaintiffs demand
Judgment; that the said contract pur-
porting to exist between the said city Of
Columbia and James NJ. Allen, for the
building of City Hall, be delivered up
and be cancelled; and that in the mean
time, and until the further order Of the
Court. the said city of Columbia, it's
Mayor and Aldermen, officers, agents,
counsellors, attorneys and solicitors, be
enjoined and restrained from approprint-
ing or applying any of the funds Of the
said city OF Columbia in payment of any
sum or sums of money upon the said
contract, and from proceeding with, per.
forming or carrying out the said oon-
tract, in any manner or particular what
soever; and for such other and further
relief as may be just and necessary, and
| for the costs OF this action.
BAOHMAN & WATIES,
Plaintiffs Attorneys.
MoMASTER & LECONTE and JOHN
T. RHErT, Of Counsel.
r. O. Shiver, being duly sworn, makes
oath that the foregoing complaint is true
Of his own knowledge, except as to mat
ters therein stated on information and
belief, and as to such matters he believes
it to be- true. r. @. SILVER.
Sworn to before me this Goth day OF
December. 1871.
| THOMAS J. LAMOTTE,
| NOtarv Pnblic
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

@ALABMIEa SPREAD OF CR1ME IN NEW
YoRK.-The Now York Tribune credits
the Superintendent Of Police With the
-: -: :.::sssussE. that "this will be q hard win
ter for criminsls," explaining that he
meant it would be hard winter for ho.
nest folk-st least q dangerous one. And
the 1rtbuns notes premonitory symp-
toms. "Already crimes ordinarily Of in-
frequent occurrence have been OF weekly
and almost daily and nightly occurrence.
1t is but recently that pocket.book
snatohing from the hands of ladies has
been practiced to any extent. Scarcely
day now passes that one or more cases
| are not recorded. TheFe seems 20 be en-
epidemic OF dishonesty among the Young
men growing up in this city. Never be-.
| fore have crimes against the person been
more frequent. The garoters who made
their appearance here in the winter of
1656-57, and we're summarily crushed
out only by the sentencing OF several
perpetrators to twenty years in the State
prison, have again begun their work
Prostitution has never-not even during
the latter years OF the war-been so rife
as at present. Our streets and avenues,
especially in the neighborhood of the
hotels, are literally over. run with disre
putable women, whose actions and Ian.
guage are suoh as to bring the blush tc
the cheek OF any modest woman whc
may pass along these thoroughfares es
corted by gentleman" And the arti
ole concludes with the remark, which
the premises seem abundantly to justify
"that the matter calls for the immediate
and thorough overhauling of our sys
TENS OF Justice and police"
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

The DEATH OF AN EsTIMABLE WOMAN.
We regret to record the death, at an ad-
vanced age, after long and lingering
attack, of Mrs. Jacob Bell, long O resi-.
dent of this city. We shall leave it to
other pens than ours to plnco fully upon
record the womanly virtues and the
Christian graces OF this most excellent
and exemplary person. In all of life's
relations. she discharged her duties with
rare discretion; and as an humble fol-
lower OF the Lamb, We are told that she
illustrated the highest qualities of the
devont, accomplishing Christian. For
long years, the victim of cruel disease,
she was sustained by that Divine philo-
sophy which enables the children of
earth to triumph over all the ills Of life.
Yesterday, che bore tho cross. To-day,
she %ears the Groom. The sympathes
Of many members Of the community are
with the bereaved family of her who has
gone h6nce with The year about to close.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

A HANDSOME CHRISTMAS PRESENT. -
Think Of person unexpectedly receiv-
ing Christmas present to the value Of
Sl30l This was the fortune of an old
gentleman of this city, known and re-
spected for his industry as worker and
his zeal as Christian. And this pre-.
sent came from his friends in New York.
Wo record this incident with pleasure.
1t shows how, after all, the good men OF
the North aud South may meet upon the
ground OF mutual recognition and mu-
tnal regard. We unite in tho wish that
this old townsman may long live to give
an example to the young Of great indus.
try and unswerying integrity.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

MAIL hARRANGEAiRETs.- The Northern
mail opens at 800 P. NJ; closes 7.l5
A. NJ. Charleston day mail opens 4.OU
T. NJ; closes 600 A. Nj. Charleston
night mail opens $50 A. NJ; CLOSES 6. 90
p. NJ. Greenville mail opens 6.45 P.
NJ; closes 600 a. Nj. Western mail
opens 900 A. NJ: closes 1.3O P. Al. On
Sunday Office open from 8 to 4P. M.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

r. @. Shiver, being duly sworn, makes
oath that the foregoing complaint is true
OF his own knowledge, except as to mat
ters therein stated on information and
belief, and as to such matters he believes
it to be- true. r. @. SILVER.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27

Sworn to before me this goth day OF
December, 1871.
THOMAS J. LAMOTTE,
Notary Public.
The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-27


been allowed in the biddings.
TX. That the said Mayor and Alder.
men well knew, at the time of awarding
the said contract to James NJ. Allen, that
the sum of $l36, 900 was ON extravagant
that the same could be erected at far
less cost.
K. That it was the duty of the said
Mayor and Aldermen, and of their com.
mittee, to have required from the archi.
tect who planned said City Halla careful
and exact estimate OF the cost of con.
struction, and to have given reasonable
notice, By public advertisement of the
biddings, for the purpose of securing
honest competition among all porscns
desiring to bid; but that, notwithstand.
ing their manifest duty, they, the said
Mayor and Aldermen, negligently, fraud.
ulently, and in direct violation of the
trust reposed in them by the citizens ;,
corporators and taxpayers of the said
city, awarded the contract for sum far
exceeding the proper cost of the said
building, without any previous estimate
having been made by the architect, and
permitted so short time to elapse be.
tween the publication of the notice and
the awarding of the contract that compe.
ti.:cn among the bidders was impossible,
and persons desirous OF competing for
the said contract had not sufficient time
to examine the plans and specifications
and make up their estimates for tho pur-
pose.
XI. That the only persons who bid for
the said contract were James nj. Allen,
who bid Sl38. 900; Il. W. johnson, who
bid $141, 800; and Clark Waring, who
bid $l4O,000. And that the said bds
were all fraudulent and collusive, and
made III pursuance OF conspiracy en-.
tered into by the said james M. Allen,
j. l.. Neagle and William II. Wigg, for
the purpose of defrauding the said city
OF Columbia Of large sum of money,
to wit: The sum of $4,000. They, the
said james M. Allen. J. l.. Neagie aud
William a. Wigg. conspring and con.
federating together, for the purpose
aforesaid. having indnoed the said r. W.
JOHNSON and Clark Waribg to put in
their said prescribed bids in excess of the
amount which they had agreed was to be
bid by the said james NJ. Allen, in order