Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-07-29

-" SS~ Nv SS~
Steamships, 159; steamboats,, 25O; schooners,
1856 barks, 107; ships, II; brigs, 4S; and
sloops, 1856; making total of 1896 vessels.
Mr.. Edward Zimmerman, of Greenville,
while taking the bride from his horse some
days since, was rendered insensible by a
stroke of lightning, which set fire to his stable
and killed his horse Stable and contents
were entirely consumed, and, but for the time
ly assistance given by his wife, Mr.. Zimmer-
man would have been burned to death.
EDITORIAL INKLINGS.
The Mormon Massacre of 1857.
- In 1857 party of emigrants on their
way to California, while passing through
Southern Utah, were massacred by Mormons,
the orders for the slaughter issuing from lead
ers of the church. Several efforts have been
made by the United States authorities to
bring the perpetrators of the deed to punish
ment but until recently they have all failed.
Now, however, there is prospect that some
of the murderers will be brought to trial.
Warrants have been issued for several per-
sons, among them John D. Lee, WHO has
made confession, which in substance is, that
thirty Mormons, with the assistance of large
number of Indians, decoyed the emigrants
from their entertainments by flag of truce ;
that all we're murdered except seventeen chill
dren. That the deed was done under orders
from leaders ofthe Mormon church that he
took the news of the massacre to Brigham
Young, who deplored the transaction, and said
it would bring disaster on the Mormon peo-
pie. The statement of Lee, so far US known,
only confirms previous reports in regard to
the massacre, but he has been accepted as a
witness for the prosecution,
The ''Third Class" Mail Matter.
-In the mandamus case brought by a
party in New York to compel the postmaster
of that city to receive a book and forward it
at the rates of postage prevailing previous to
the amended rates adopted by the last Con-
gress, the Postmaster General has requested
the Attorney-G General to designate counsel to
attend to the application. The Postmaster
General says he knows but little of the merits
of the case, further than the postmaster was
acting in the line of his duty in accordance
with the law. Judge Spence, Assistant At
torney General for the Post Office Depart
ment states that there may be some plausible
ground for the position taken by the plaintiff
in this case, but that decision in favor of
the mandamus would greatly confuse the SER
vice, as there were several important amend
ments in the law which originated in the
Senate, among them the new law concerning
the postage on newspapers, &C., sent from the
office of publication, all of which would be
thrown back upon the old law if the manda-
mus should be granted.
The present law in regard to third-class
matter is very unsatisfactory to the people,
being apparently in the interest of the express
companies, and from the numerous COM
plants that have been made, we think the
next Congress will repeal the Objectionable
clause without delay.
The Corn and Wheat Crops.
-- The July returns to the Department of
Agriculture, compiled to the 10th instant,
show that the acreage in corn is about eight
per cent. greater than last year. New Eng
land has reduced her acreage about one and
half per cent, and the Pacific States about
one per cent. All the great corn.growing re.
gions have increased their acreage-the Middle
States two per cent; the South Atlantic
States three per cent. the Gulf States ten
per cent. !; the inland Southern States twelve
per cent; the States north of the Ohio seven
per cent. the States west of the Mississippi
fourteen per cent. The condition of the crop
is below the average in New England, Middle
and South Atlantic States; the minimum
condition, 80 being in Rhode Island. Flor
ida and Alabama are below the average; but
the other Gulf States and the inland South
ern States are above the maximum, 112 being
in Mississippi. All the other States except
Missouri, 103, are below the average, the
minimum condition, 80, being in Wisconsin,
Respecting the wheat crop, the returns show
the condition of spring and winter wheat to-
gether to be about 80 per cent. of all average.
Winter wheat, including California, averages
IA, and spring wheat 96. The spring wheat
States in the Northeast and Northwest are
generally in high condition. The winter
wheat areas in the South Atlantic and Gulf
States are generally above the average, but in
the Middle States the condition is very low,
New York ranging down to 10. West of the
Alleghanies the prospect is better, the State
averages being between II in Ohio and 80 in
Iowa. California reports winter wheat at 76,
and spring wheat at 30.
Reform in Louisiana.
- And now comes the note of reforma-
ton from Louisiana, which we trust may not
be sounded in vain. That the spirit of reform
should seize the Louisiana officials will awaken
as much surprise as pleasure throug hout the
land But such report does really come
from New Orleans. Governor Kellogg has
addressed letter to the Acknowledgement, in
closing the report of the experts appointed by
him to examine into the collectors office, in
which he says: Investigations that have
taken place before both civil and criminal
courts, and the investigation and report Of
the State examiners, disclose gross culpability
on the part of other persons whose acts have
injured the State and for years have cast dis
credit on the government. especially call
your attention to the record in this respect,
and REQUEST that YOU will Immediately take