davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23
CLOSE TO A CRISIS.

The all important question raised by
the destruction of the warship Maine is
whether or not that circumstance was the
result of carelessness, accident or design,
and upon the determination of this ques-
ton depends the immediate probability
of war between the United States and
Spain.
Though the daily papers are publishing
lots of stuff and nonsense just now, and
magnifying the most trivial circumstan-
ces into matters of the greatest import
ance, all experienced readers are impress
ed with the fact that the situation is ex-
tremely grave. AS rule excited people
do not control affairs. Excited people
are not in control now. They are not
even exercising any influence f; but the
very best talent and brains of America
are now giving their attention to existing
conditions with grim earnestness that
betokens something serious.
The whole outcome of the present
crisis-and crisis, whether it comes or
not, is certainly close at hand-depends
upon the result Of Investigations now
being made in Havana harbor. These
Investigations are to determine whether
the Maine was destroyed by accident or
design. Very properly. the government
is conducting its investigations with the
greatest possible secrecy. If it becomes
satisfied of treachery it may not imme-
diately make the fact known. But the
delay will not be unnecessary. The in
evitable consequence will be war, and
few days, or maybe weeks, of delay to
enable this country to better prepare it
self, will not come in amiss.
1t is already being suspected in many
quarters that the administration is now
aware that the blowing up Of the Maine
was due to design. But, of course, as yet
the public has but little that is reliable
and nothing that is definite. 1t may he
that, after all, there was nothing hostile
or criminal about the matter, and that
the extremely delicate situation will be
smoothed over without further compli-
cations.
That the country is close to a crisis is
certain. Further than that, but little can
he said at this time. Everything depends
upon developments in Havana harbor
and the action of the administration ut
Washington.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

The new county government law,
which provides for government by su-
pervisor elected by the people, and two
commissioners appointed by the governor
has been passed by the general assembly ;
but according to the Columbia corres-
pondent of The News and Courier, the
governor will probably "hold it up," so
that it will not 60 into effect until next
February. To "hold it up," the governor
has only to decline to veto or approve it ;
but keep it until the next meeting of the
general assembly. Whether it is held
up or not, it will not 60 into effect in this
county until next year. We like the bill
except in one particular. The commits
sioners should be elected by the people
the same as the supervisor. There are
those who will say this is impracticable
for the reason that receiving only s. day
for limited number Of days, good
men" will not take the trouble to run for
the office. That is buncombe. Appoint
ment by the governor, really means ap-
pointments by the respective county del
egations. There is no law for this but
that is the way it goes. The delegations
get together, majority names the man,
and as the senator, through his senatorial
courtesy pull, can always turn down an
Objectionable local appointment, the thing
is virtually in the hands of the delegation.
Then if the people are competent to
choose their representatives, they ought
to he Just as competent to choose their
commissioners. The argument that good
men would not run for the Office of
commissioner, applies with equal force
to the offices of representative and sena-
tor. The pay Of these officers is also linn
tied, and to deprive them of the power to
fill other oilices-"where the people arc
not competent to choose''-with their po-
litical and personal friends, would re-
move a vicious principle from politics.
True government by the people calls for
the popular election of these commis-
sioners.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23
- The Spanish cruiser Vizcaya arrived

The Spanish cruiser Vizcaya arrived
off New York last Friday and entered
the harbor on Sunday. The Vizcaya is
vessel of about the same size OF the
Maine, and was ordered to the United
States because, and about the same time,
the Maine was sent to Havana. The visit,
however, like that of the Maine to Havana,
is understood to be perfectly friendly
one. Upon the blowing up Of the Maine,
the administration at Washington became
apprehensiye that some similar attempt
might be made against the Vizcaya, and
every precaution is being taken to pre-
vent such an occurrence. A number OF
small boats belonging to the government
went out to meet the vessel on her arrival,
and the New York harbor police were
put on duty patrolling the harbor in the
vicinity. AS soon as his vessel came to
anchor on Sunday, the captain Of the
Vizcaya lowered bis flag to halt-mast out
of respect to the officers and men who
went down on the Maine. After the
usual greeting of the naval officers who
went aboard at the earliest opportunity,
the captain of the Vizcaya indicated his
willingness to receive the newspaper men,
and more than hundred went aboard
and talked with the officers and men.
Captain Eulate was very courteous to
everybody, and he and his officers ex-
pressed profound sympathy as to the fate
of the Maine. The understanding is that
the Vizcaya, after leaving New York,
will proceed down the Atlantic coast and
visit other United States ports, including
Charleston. For the benefit of those who
do not understand the situation perfectly,
it might be we'll to remark that the Viz
caya IS not now in position to do much
injury i'm the event of sudden declara-
ton Of war. She is in very much the
same position as was the Maine. There
are big guns all around her, and maybe
sub mines either underneath or
where she would have to pass over them
in moving about. Atthe slightest hostile
demonstration, she could be blown out OF
the water, and if war should be declared,
she would become an easy prize. These
things 60 to indicate that however ex-
cited may be public opinion in the United
States and Spain, the responsible heads
Of the two governments do not yet con-
slider that the war feeling has passed be-
yond reclaim.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

1t is understood that the governor and
state board of control have agreed to the
removal of the Tirzah dispensary upon a
majority vote Of the people of York
township. That proposition is not worth
the breath that was required to put it in
words. In the first place, since upon the
town of Tirzah rested the original respon-
sibility for the establishment of the dis
pensary, the governor and board Of con-
troll should have proposed that Tirzah
he allowed, if she saw fit, to do away
with it. But even that would not amend
matters. Since the failure of the senate
to pass the deLoach exception amend
ment, the removal Of the dispensary in
either manner proposed, would leave the
Tirzah field open to the original package
shop, and but little, if anything, would
be gained by the abolition of the dispen-
sary.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

- Whether the Maine was destroyed by
accident or design, it has developed be-
yond peradventure that the United States
authorities made serious mistake in
ever allowing the vessel to enter Havana
harbor. The whole harbor has been, and
is, undermined with torpedoes. The
Maine took its position under the direc-
ton of the Spanish authorities and could
not have left without their consent and
direction. There is reason to believe that
at any time since the arrival of the vessel,
it has been in the power of the Spaniards
to blow it up simply by the touching of
button. To place, therefore, such vessel
as the Maine at the mercy of the Span
iards, under the circumstances, was sim
ply criminal. The administration will
never be able to justify its action in the
matter.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

- After four days Of consideration, the
house, on last Saturday, passed the bank
ruptcy bill that was submitted by its jul
dietary committee as a substitute to the
bill passed by the senate last summer.
The vote was 15S to 125. Eighteen Re-
publicans voted against the bill and 10
Democrats voted for it. The Populists,
with one exception, voted against it. The
bill contains both voluntary and invol-
untary features, so that not only can SOL
vent man who is unable 10 realize on his
assets be forced into bankruptcy to his
great loss; but also solvent man, who
wishes to evade his debts can hide behind
the law. Mr.. Bailey's objection to the
bill was that it would "injure the solvent
more than it would benefit the insolvent. 1"
The bill, or rather amendment it is, is
vet to receive the concurrence of the
senate.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23
TALE OF THE CHRIST.

Aside from the use to which the pro-
ceeds are to be donated, the announce
ment by Superintendent Dendy, of the
graded school, in another column, will,
no doubt, prove of more than ordinary
interest to the people of Yorkville.
Almost every body has read Ben Hur.
no doubt, and all who have read it, are
agreed that it is the greatest novel that
has made it's appearance during the pres
sent generation. There is hardly a dull
page in the book. The whole story is OF
thrilling and inspiring interest, and many
are those who, after picking it up, have
read it from cover to cover before laying
it down. And then they have taken it
ND aflerward and read it again.
But the facts just stated do not detract
in the least from Captain J. A. Riders
presentation of Rev. Oscar Haywood's
version of the famous tale. The captain
does not attempt to retell the whole story.
1t is too long. Portions of it he hurried
ly recapitulates, and other portions, espe-
cially those of most thrilling interest, he
gives in full, along with pictures that are
TRUE to history, and the whole entertain
ment is as enjoyable to those who have
read the story, as it is to those who have
not. -
Captain Rider has been all through the
south and has given his entertainment to
crowded houses in New Orleans, Atlanta,
and other large cities, as we'll as in scores
of small towns, and everywhere the peo-
pie have been delighted, for taken alto
gether the entertainment is one OF the
cleanest, purest, most instructive, eleva-
ting and inspiring of which we have any
knowledge.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23
CLOVER MINSTRELS.

1t was a great time that they had at
Cloyer last Friday night. 1t was the oc-
casion of the first performance OF the
local minstrel troupe which had been re-
hearsing for several weeks past, and OF
which mention has already been made
in these columns
AS the public is already aware, the Clo-
yer people are enthusiastic bicyclists'
Well, it is owing to this fact that the min
strel troupe had its origin. There are IN
the town several riders who have given
evidences Of great speed. Glover people
believe in Glover, and they believe in Clo-
ver's wheelmen. Glover is great town
for sport-innocent sport. Exhibitions OF
skill, endurance or special talent, get
close to the people under any circum-
stances; but when any Of these qualities
are manifested by Glover people, then it
awakens lots Of enthusiasm. All this en-
thusiasm is now centred around the bicy-
Gle champions, and the people figure that
if Clover is to take the place to which
they think she is entitled, they must haye
first rate race track. 1t was to help
raise money to complete this track then,
that the minstrel troupe had its origin.
Glover has no operahouse. There was
never but one amateur entertainment
there before, and that was in the school,
house. But the schoolhouse is not well
adapted to the purpose, so for this occa-
sion Captain w. B. Smith purchased and
fitted up vacant storeroom. There ls
good strong stage in it, and the seating
capacity is somewhere between 200 and
300.
If it had been good weather, there
would, no doubt, have been quite num-
ber of Yorkville people to go up. But it
rained Friday, and the prospects were
still threatening Friday night. AS the
result, there were not many who cared to
risk the long drive through the country.
The only ones who did risk it were Pro-
fessor r. j. Herndon, Robert Herndon,
Jr., and the reporter. The Glover people,
of course, were disappointed at the wealth
er, and did not expect anybody much ;
but those who intended to go and failed,
missed treat, Mr.. Herndon and the
reporter will both testify to that. The
good people were prepared to make
things warm for all visitors, and the little
party that did 60 received most hospitable
attention. But all the same the hall was
we'll crowded and the entertainment was
thoroughly enjoyable one.
The curtain rang. up on the overture,
with the company composed as follows !:
John j. Smith, Jr., manager; Captain
w. B. Smith, bones; w. ID. Shirley, tam
BOURNE J. Meek Smith, first violin; W.
d. Rich, second violin; f. b. Gwin, bass
viol w. p. Smith, guitar; Hope Sill
ford, triangle; George Mccall, piano
Sam Mccall, mandolin. Mr.. Smith, the
manager, was dressed in black spike
tail coat with velvet knickerbockers ana
a shirt front conspicuous for size and stiff
ness. The end men-Captain Smith and
Mr.. Shirley-each wore the regulation
figured calico spiketails with buttons as
large as saucers and the other members
of the troupe were taultlessly attired i'll
black cutaways, white pants, large shirt
fronts set off with "diamonds' as large
as hickory nuts. With the exception OF
the manager, of course, all were as black
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23
aBOUT PEOPLE.

Mrs. Milas Oehler, of Huntersville, N.
c., is in Yorkville, the guest OF Mrs.
Pelham Morrow.
Fort Mill Times, Saturday: Mrs. Sam
uel L. White leaves this morning for
Washington as delegate to the Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution conven-
ton.
Representative H. E. johnson has had
to undergo delicate and dangerous sur
gical operation. 1t was successfully per-
formed last week by DR.. F. D. Kendall,
Of Columbia.
The statement that Mr.. J. Ed. Jetferys
was the oldest native born citizen OF
Yorkville, "with one exception" was
mistake. He was the oldest native born
citizen. That distinction now belongs to
Mr.. VIM. B. Steele.
DR.. D. F. Barnett takes great pleasure
in a solid silver fork which he carried
through the war, and with which he has
eaten every meal he has taken at home
since. And the doctor says there have
not been many meals since the war thai
he has not eaten at home.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

to guard in the past. The most com
mon of these is through fire in the
bunkers. Many of our ships have
been in danger at various times from
this cause, and not long ago a fire in
the Cincinnati's bunkers actually set
fire to fittings, wooden boxes, etc.,
within the magazine, and had it not
been discovered at the time it was, it
would doubtless have resulted in a
catastrophe on board that ship similar
to the one on the Maine. l shall
again emphasize the fact that no tor
'pedo exploded without ship has ever
produced, or according to our knowl.
edge, can it produce, an explosion OF
a magazine within"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

INDEX TO NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.

INDEX TO NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
Grist Cousins-Tell you what you can get
from them for breakfast, dinner and
supper. They also have ScOtt's horse
and cattle powders and can furnish yon
with cake of good laundry soap for
five cents and give You spoon with
every cake.
w. H. McCorkle, Probate Judge-Gives
notice that w. w. Lewis has applied for
letters of administration, de bOnis non
cum testamento annexo on the estate OF
James Jetferys, deceased and that Jo-
seph +. Wallace has applied for letter!
of administration OH the estate Of j. Ed
Jefierys, deceased.
w. +. Dendy, Superintendent-An
ces that he has perfected arrangements
with Captain j. A. Rider to give, at the
graded school building tonight-Tues-
day-Rev. Oscar HaygOod's version of
Ben Hur. a part of the proceeds OF the
entertainment is to he used in the pur..
chase of elucltion books for the use OF
the graded school.
At the Opera House-On Friday night the
Miller -Sisson- Wallace combination will
give all entertainment which it is claim
ed will produce laugh from start to
finish.
w. M. Kennedy-Has received full sup
ply Of seed Irish potatoes.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

There is now pending in the Judiciary
committee of the house, bill preparing
for uniform hours of labor in cotton fac
tories in all sections of the country. The
bill had its origin among northern man
ufacturers, who thus hope to do away
with one of the alleged advantages of
southern mills over those at the north.
North Carolina, Georgia and South Caro-
cerned about the matter. They held a
meeting in the Office of the Piedmont
mills, Greenville, on February 18th, and
chose quite a large committee to go to
Washington for the purpose of fighting
the bill.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23
In THE SHIPYARDS.
American War Vessels Now In Course of
Construction.

n
Construction.
The progress report Of the naval
construction bureau at Washington,
made under date of las. Saturday,
shows that the twin battleships, Kear'
sage and Kentucky, are more than
half completed, the exact figures being
IS per cent. The same company,
which is building them at Newport
News, has the battleship Illinois Al
per cent. advanced toward the end.
Cramp has done 39 per cent. Of the
work OH the batlleship Alabama, and
the Union Iron Works, of San Fran
cisco, has record of 81 per cent. work
accomplished on the last Of the battle
ships, the Winconsn. The gunboat
Princeton, at Dialogue & Sons, has
not advanced greatly during the last
month, although she stands SO per
cent. finished. The submarine boat,
Plunger, also remains in about the
same condition, namely, &C per cent.
near the finish.
Of the small fry, the torpedo boats,
some are very nearly ready for trial.
On the Pacific coast Moran Bros, at
Seattle, place the condition Of the 26.
knot Bowan at 80 per cent. ; Herre-
shof has the 20-knot Talbot 80 per
cent. advanced, the 20.knot Gwin, So
per cent. and the Rogers at the Co.
lumbar Iron Works, at Baltimore, is
set down at S5 per cent. finished. The
others range all the way down 10 moth
ing, which is the official record Of
work accomplished OH two 30.knols
"oats., one in the hands of Wolff 4
Zwicker, and the other with the Gas
and Power company.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

Speaking of newspaper borrowers,
THE Enquirer has no unkind feeling
for them. There are lots of people who
are unable to take newspaper, and 9TH
ers who have good and sufficient reasons
for not doing so. That's all right, be-
cause this is free country. And still
further, take last week for instance. The
most fearful naval catastrophe of modern
times occurred on Tuesday night. 1t was
the news event Of the week. All good
citizens were interested in knowing the
details, and as there was no other way 1or
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

- Notwithstanding the fact that the
Maine lies on the bottom of Havana
harbor, its deck is still, in law, "Amer-
lean SOIL" and for that reason the United
States claims the right to conduct the in
vestigation as to the cause Of the accident.
No objection, however, has been made to
allowing the Spaniards to conduct SUBJ
sequent investigation. At last accounts
the investigation was progressing as rap
idly as possible; but as yet no definite in
formation is being given to the public
from official sources.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

= 1t is known now beyond a doubt that
Lieutenant Jenkins, one of the officers of
the Maine, who is missing, was not killed
by the explosion. Some of his comrades
state that they saw him after the explo-
sion occurred. He was in command of a
6-inch gun in the forecastle and was run
ming in that direction. The theory is that
he thought that his vessel was attacked
and desired to get to his post without de-
lay. He was probably killed by flying
missile or drowned.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

- The story the other day that an "eight-
inch percussion hole" had been found in
the bottom of the Maine, has been proven
to be untrue. Naval experts say they
know of no such thing as percussion
hole" and besides, up to the time of the
publication of the story, conditions had
not been such as to admit of the.work of
the divers in the harbor. Private divers
in the employ of newspapers have not
been allowed to investigate the wreck at
all
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

- The young people of the country who
may be allowing themselves to think 9TH
erwise, will please take notice that war;
even with Spain, will be no joke. Most
of the fighting, probably, would be on
the water and at the coast cities; but even
there it would be wonderfully interest
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

There is no doubt of the fact that the
commandants of all the regular army
posts throughout the country have been
ordered to hold their commands in readi-
ness to march, and that the forces of
workmen have been increased at all the
navy yards; but the authorities at Wash
ington say these facts have no significance
beyond ordinary routine.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

President Mckinley, on last Friday,
received a message from the queen regent
of Spain expressing the profoundest sor-
row at the horrible catastrophe which
befell the warship Maine in the harbor OF
Havana. The message was delivered into
the hands of the president by Senior du
Bose, who is charge de affares Of the
Spanish legation since the departure of
de LONE.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

a vast majority of the people of the coun..
try to learn the details except through
the columns of The ENQUIRER, what
else could those who are not subscribers
do? Borrow, of course, and who could
blame them?
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

In the event of war between the
United States and Spain, and a call for
volunteers, we venture that about two
thirds of the volunteers will be from the
south. 1t is because there is in this Sec
ton less selfishness and more patriotism
than in any other part of the Union.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

Upon receipt of the news from Ha-
vana the other day, the irrepressible Cen
eral Joseph Wheeler Immediately re-
minded the president that there was
tender of his services on file in the war
department. The president thanked Mr..
Wheeler, and told him that if his services
were needed, he would be informed OF
the fact.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

THE COST OF WAR.-War would
be unprcfitable 10 both, and particular
ly so to the United States, since the
latter has most TO lose. TO lose Cuba
would touch the pride of Spain but
not its pocket, except by way of re-
lief. The island is as good as lost to
Spain already, from a financial point
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

= Sam P. Jones has announced himself
as candidate for governor Of Georgia.
We have not been looking for Samuel to
aspire to politics; but that he will make
things warm, or get warmed, we have no
doubt
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23
Tle 4tnrkrille enquirer.
YORKVILLE, s. c.:
WEDNESDAY, FEB'RY %, 1898.

- 1t is estimated that up to date the
Cuban war has cost the United States
in commerce not far from OO,0OO,OOO.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-23

ON another page will be found a.list
of all the more important general and
local acts passed at the session Of the
general assembly just closed.