Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-07-31
EDITORIAL INKLINGS.

OF Joseph lnOmdS O W., ou lne SouLHsiue
of Clay street, between Liberty and Park
streets, and ragged with great fury until 4
o'clock in the afternoon, before it was possible
to check or get under control the devouring
flames.
Eight blocks of fine buildings were burned.
The loss is estimated at 100000. Notwith.
standing the intensity of the flames and
the natural excitement incident thereto, no
panic prevailed, and it is not believed single
life was lost. The insurance agents estimate
their loss at from s5OO,OO0 to 100000 which
they claim will not affect the solvency of any
companies having risks in the burnt district.
The Kn.Klux Prosecutions.
"A Washington dispatch ofthe Oath con-
veys the following information as to the ku-
klux prosecutions now pending in this State,
and the chances for pardon of those who have
been convicted and sentenced:
A delegation of prominent officials from
South Carolina, consisting Of Hon. w. D.
Porter, Gen. j. B. Kershaw, R. M. Sims and
S. A. Durham, accompanied by Assistant Sec.
retary Sawyer, of the Treasury, waited upon
Attorney. General Williams, requesting that
all proceedings in that State with reference to
the outragcs of the ku-klux khan besuspended,
and urging the pardons Of those already con.
fined in the Albany penitentiary. They rep
resent that as an organization the khan has
ceased to exist in the State and that len
lent policy on the part of the Government will
tend to restore peace and order.
Attorney General Williams informed them
thatit was the policy of the Government to
prosecute only aggravated cases-orders hav.
ing already been given to that effect; and
that as soon as the President was fully satisfied
that peaceable citizens would be protected in
their property and life, general suspension
of the prosecutions would be desirable He
also informed the delegation that many ku-
klux prisoners had been pardoned, and par.
dons would be issued to the others; the most
aggravated cases being detained until the last.
The delegation was much pleased with the en-
couragement given by the Attorney. General.
The delegation will visit Long Branch, and
have an interview with President Grant.
The delegation, after reaching Long Branch,
had an interview with the President, who
said he was in favor of pursuing very libe-
raj policy towards all convicts, except those
guilty of violent crimes and those charged
and probably guilty of similar crimes. 1t is
understood the President will address letter
of instructions Immediately to Attorney Gen.
eral Williams in pursuance of this under.
standing.
The Statesville Railroad War.
"A decidedly new phase was given the
controversy pending between the old and the
newly-elected board of directors of the States
vile, or Atlantic, Tennessee and Ohio Rail.
road, on Tuesday of last week, by the new
President taking possession of the road in a
somewhat novel manner. The Charlotte Oh.
server of Wednesday gives the following par
ticulars:
A meeting of the Mcdowell Board was
held in this city on Monday. At that meet
ing Col. S. A. Sharpe of Statesville and Capt
S. B. Alexander of Charlotte, two of the Di.
rectors, were authorized to ask for possession
of the road, and if they were refused, to take
possession oft. Col. Johnston was not in the
city, and Capt. Alexander made application
to Mr.. J. j. Gormley, the Superintendent, for
the road. Mr.. Gorlnley stated that he had
no right to turn over the road, as he had re.
ceived express instructions from Col. Johnston
to hold on to it.
The train left for Statesville that afternoon
just as usual. Col. Sharpe was on board, as
were also an extra conductor and an engineer
Yesterday morning when Mr.. j. A. G. Cru,
Der, the regular engineer, went to his engine,
preparatory to running out, he found a strange
man in the cab. When Capt. Hand, the reg.
ular conductor came, he found his occupation
gone, and man there ready 10 take his place.
Col. Sharpe soon arrived, and asked for pos.
session of thetr Capt. Hand surrendered
it very gracefully, under protest, however.
Col. Sharpe then told Mr.. Gruber that lie
had an engineer there to take charge of the
engine, but if he (Gruber) recognized the au.
thority of "the powers that be-" he could con-
tinue in his present position. Mr.. Gruber
recognized" and ran the engine into Char
lotte as usual.
The Observer of later date says:
"Mr. Mcdowell is now in full possession Of
the road and having it run under his direction.
The new administration do not propose ma
king any changes in the general operations of
the road. In conversation with US on yes
terday, Mr.. Mcdowell alluded to rumor
which has gained some currency, that he is
under the influence of the Southern Security
Company, and that through the influence of
that company he was elected to the presidency
of the road. He stigmatized the report as
false in every particular, and authorized US to
say for him that he is not governed in his &C.
tions or feelings by any man or combination
of men, and that any report to that effect is
without foundation in fact. He says he pro-
poses to manage the road in the interest of the
stockholders those who built it, and for the
good of Statesville and Charlotte, Iredell and
Mecklenburg, and not in the interest of any
individual, ring or combination. Mr.. Nc
Dowell's simple word is an ample guarantee
of good faith among gentlemen to whom he is
known"
The Crop Prospect.
On our first page, this week, we present
complete summary of the condition of the
cotton crop throughout the Cotton States,
which purports to have been made up from
reliable and trustworthy sources. The follow.
ing information, collated from different sources
of later date, shows the general condition Of
the grain and cotton crops in this State, Flor
ida, Georgia and Alabama:
--latest reports from Florida state that the
crops are generally two weeks behind last
season. Three weeks ago the heavy rains
throughout the State caused much grass, but
the planters were overcoming it, when the
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