Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-01-13
Scraps and facts.

relating to the second class mail mat
ter, passed the house last Wednesday,
after two days debate, by a vote of
IA to 1O5. The principal features of
the bill are those denying to the mails
as second class matter, sample copies
of newspapers and serial novel publi-
cations, and Withdrawing from news
agents the privilege of returning to
their principals, at pound rates, un-
sold copies of periodicals. The bill
now goes to the senate. If it should
finally become law it will save to the
government several millions of dollars
annually, and work no real hardship
on the people.
Gibraltar, for years the most i'm
pegnable fortress in the world, no Ion
ger enjoys that distinction, says a
military writer. When Gibraltar was
taken by the English in 1704, the
greatest range for artillery fire was
only about 5000 yards, so that fleet
under the batteries of the fortress was
perfectly secured against attack from
the Spanish coast. But now, with the
development Of the modern rifle guns,
claims the writer, all this has been
changed. At a comparatively small
cost, the Spanish government can for
tify the range of mountains on the
Spanish coast only 5000 yards away,
and completely demolish the whole
length of the British Notifications.
TO accomplish this, only about 40 guns
of from 5 to II inches calibre will be
required. The British government
has been cognizant of these facts for
years, and military authorities are CIV
ing them serious attention.
During the past few months, New
Orleans has suddenly developed into
a great grain centre, and New York
and Chicago are jealous to almost
desperation, for the business of New
Orleans in this line is bound to be al
the expense of those cities. As illus
;rating the nature of the feeling in the
matter and New York and Chicago
methods of meeting competition, last
week, northern and western papers
contained stories to the effect that
grain shipped to New Orleans soon
became hot in the cars and elevators,
and, consequently, worthless. Mem
bers of the Chicago board of trade
were responsible for the story but it
was no sooner published than it was
denied. The grain dealers and rail
road men quickly got up information
to the effect that at that time there
were 100000 bushels of grain in the
city awaiting export, and that it was
all in 6ue condition. New Orleans
has many advantages in the grain
business, and she is in it to stay.
- Secretary Heste's weekly New
Orleans Cotton Exchange statement
shows an increase in the movement
into sight compared with the seven
days ending this date last year, in
round figures, of 10000 bales, de-
crease under the same days year be-
fore last of Al 900 and an increase over
the same days in 1894 of $500. The
amount brought into sight during the
past week has been III, ,032, against
l5S. .699 for the seven days ending this
date last year. The movement since
Sept. l shows receipts at all United
States ports 5,119,13S, against $685.
42S last year. Foreign exports for the
week have been l67, ,905, against l2l,-
526 last year, making the total thus
far for the season 3,617, ,SO7, against
2,3l2,476 last year. Northern mill
takings and Canada during the past
seven days showing all Increase Of
1929, compared with the correspond
ing period last year. The total TAX
ings of American mills, north and
south and Canada, thus far for the
season have been l,5l3,S19, against
1,5l1,316.
- The New York legislature, not
long ago, passed law providing that
convict labor shall not be employed
in that state any more, except on
work of a public nature, and the
operation of the law is giving consid
cradle trouble. There is not work
enough of the kind required to keep
all the convicls employed, and those
who are not at work are kept in close
confinement. At Sing Sing, one day
last week, printer named Hoffman
tried to commit suicide by jumping
off the railing of Il stairway. He
landed on a stone floor, ~ feet below,
and broke his legs and cut his head
badly. The prison surgeon says he
has no chance to. recover. Previous
to the time Hoffman was compelled to
quit work in the prison printing office;
he was a model prisoner; but after
a period of solitary confinement, he
became morose and sullen, and until
he made the attempt referred to, his
mind was constantly on suicide. The
prison officials say that all the prison
ers seem to be developing the same
tendency, and that they require more
watching than ever. 1t is expected
that tragedies will speedily become
more numerous, unless the present
law is speedily repealed.
Charleston harbor is TO he block
AIDED early in February by the most
powerful fleet that ever hemmed upI
an American port. But there is no
occasion for alarm over the matter.
The blockading fleet is to be composed
of friendly vessels, and there will be
no interference with the city's legili-