davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

are many who think the senate is
wrong about this matter, We do not
hesitate to say that it Is entirely right,
and we hope that the proposed change
will never be effected.
There is no doubt, as we see and
understand 1t, that the contract sys-
tenn would be much cheaper than the
present system, and it is quite possible
that the services in so far as it relates
to the mere matter Of collecting and
delivering the mails, would be practi-
caly as good, but there r other
things that should be considered, in
addition to cost.
For one thing, we have a rather
~nauseating precedent in the star route
system Of the old days. There grew
up a class Of professional contractors
who would bid off all the routes Of an
entire section Of the United States in
a lump, and usually at pretty long
figures, and then make their money
s%ub-letting at retail, sometimes
through several sub-contractors down
to the poor actual carrier, often an
ignorant negro, who would do the
work sometimes as low as a dollar a
day for himself and horse.
The present salary system, with the
civil service attachment, calls for a
pretty high average of intelligence as
compared with the old contract system
Of the sta route days, and while 1t
may be argued that the public does
not care anything about n intelli-
gence or character Of the carrier, so
it gets its mail, that Is not all. 1t is
charged and it may be a fact, that I'M
der present conditions, many individ-
ual carriers and sometimes practically
all the carriers in a congressional dis
trict, give more attention to the polit-
ical fortunes of their respective con-
gressmen than they should; but even
If this be true, where would the con-
tract system help matters? Under
present conditions, the patrons Of a
rural route have a right to complain
and to complain effectively against Of
fensive craftsmanship; but under a con-
tract system, the contractors would be
in a position to employ partisans all
along the line and they would see to
1t that these p~artisans were we'll quail
flied to do such political work as
may be required Of them.
1t Is all right for Mr. Burleson, who
seems to be the father Of the idea of
applying the contract system, to do
what he can to secure increased serv-
ice at reduced cost; but we hope he
will eventually get this lowest bidder
notion out Of his head.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

The death of Captain Charles Petty
marks the end Of a long and useful
life. He was at one time a frequent
contributor to the columns Of The En-
quirer: vi the earliest recollection of
him by the present writer, was as edi-
tor of the Carolina Spartan, for many
years one of the most useful weekly
newspapers Of the state. He belong
ed to the old school of journalism,
was serious and earnest in all he wrote
or clipped, and never drifted into the
light and frivolous attempts to be fun
ny, so common in later years. He was
a gentleman by instinct and culture,
and n most agreeable companion.
Spartanburg city and county, as we'll
as the whole state, have been the
gamer by his life and activities.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

- Washington, February Is: The
United States has suggested INFORMAL
ly to Great Britain and Germany that
in the interests Of humanity and the
safeguarding Of legitimate commerce,
all mines be removed from the high
seas except those directly necessary
for the protection Of coast defenses and
harbors. This suggestion, along with
proposals designed to obtain Great
Britain's acquiescence in q plan to per-
NIT distribution Of ~foodstuffs to the
civilian population Of Germany and
bring about cessation Of the German
submarine warfare on merchant ships,
has been submitted by England to her
allies for consideration. limitations
have come to the Washington govern
ment that until the British cabinet
acts and the attitude Of France and
Russia Is learned, no reply can be CIV
en- to the American proposals. This
may require several days. In the
meantime, Germany already. has mani
tested q willingness to make conces-
sions, which gives officials here ground
for hope that Great Britain will show
a conciliatory spirit. It can be stated
authoritatively that the United States
made no mention Of what course II
would pursue in the event Of rejection
Of its proposals. High officials Of the
Washington government have shown
much solicitude over what might be
the extent Of retaliatory measures
adopted by the belligerents II they
continue to disregard previously &C
cepted principles Of international law.
ments used by the United States Is
that II the policy Of starvation Is put
into effect by Great Britain, the first
to feel the pinch Of hunger might be
British, French and Russian prison.
ers. Another suggestion, said to have
been conveyed, Is that suffering forced
on the German civilian population
might produce an unwholesome effect
on the attitude Of the American peo-
pie toward Great Britain. There Is
every evidence that neutral govern
ments have manifested more than q
willingness to cooperate in efforts
made here to assist in a settlement Of
questions arising out Of submarine and
mine warfare. Secretary Bryan de-
MED today that the United States con-
templated an embargo on exports Of
fo~odstuffs. Following a talk with
President Wilson, Representative Por-
ter Of Pennsylvania, Republican, in
troduced a bill to authorize the presi-
dent to lay, regulate and revoke en-
bargoes On ali ships and vessels in
United States ports, either United
States or foreign vessels, until fifteen
days after the commencement Of the
next session of congress. mo man."
said Mr.. Porter, can anticipate the
emergencies likely to arise in our for
eign relations during the next nine
months and congress should not ad-
journ without placing in the presi-
dents hands every possible assistance
to meet the complications as they
arise"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

If, in spite Of British warships, we
were able to ship food to Germany,
why should we consider it any more
right than it would be to ship food to
England in spite Of German subma-
rines? If the ignoring Of an embargo
be an u%nfriendly act, and each Of these
countries has declared an embargo on
food supplied to the other, then the
best thing this country can do is to
ship food to neither. Otherwise we
are not really neutral.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26
lax IN THE STORM DISTRICT

Because of confusion as to certain
particulars in the act Of the extra ses-
sion Of the general assembly, intended
to exempt from taxation lands on
which crops were destroyed by hail
last summer. the act was revised dur
ing the session Of the general assem-
bly, just closed. The act, which went
into effect Immediately upon its ap-
prevail by the governor early in Feb
ruary, now reads IS follows:
Section 1. That Sec. 2 of an act en-
titled IAN act to exempt certain citi-
zens OF Bethel, Ebenezer, Bethesda,
York and Catawba townships, in York
county, from the tax levies Of 1914
be amended so as to make the inten-
ton Of the said act more definite and
certain, by striking out all Of the pro-
viso contained in the said Sec. 2 or
the said act, and inserting in lieu
therefor the following: THAT any
person or persons owning land In said
townships on which crops were de-
stroyed shall have the taxes RENTED
only on lands wherein crops were de-
stroyed, and the personal property
thereon, but the regular taxes on all
other property OF the said person or
persons shall be paid" so that when
so amended said section shall read
as follows:
Section 2. That any corporation
owning land in said township, on
which crops were destroyed, shall
have it's taxes RENTED only on lands
wherein crops were destroyed, but all
other property of such corporation
shall paw the regular taxes. That any
person or persons owning land in said
townships on which crops were de-
stroyed shall have the taxes RENTED
only on lands whereon crops were de-
stroyed, and the personal property
thereon, but the regular taxes on all
other property Of the said person or
persons shall he paid; Provided that
all such affidavits and proofs shall be
filed and approved by the county
treasurer not later than the 18th day
Of March. 1915.
Section 3. That this act shall go
into effect Immediately upon its ap-
prevail by the governor.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26
For Two Federal Districts

TUT l"O TcOSTdt uhI. u
$. Fowler says he Is convinced that
before congress adjourns March 4th,
provision will be made for a complete
division of the United States district
of South Carolina. Many years ago
the district, which was composed Of
the entire state, was divided into a
western and an eastern district, but
the same judge and court officers have
served both districts. Mr.. Aiken in
troduced q bill providing for the ap-
pOintment Of Il separate set of officers,
including a Judge, but the progress Of
the bill! WAS temporarily halted when
the Republican leader, Mr.. Mann, OBJ
jected. unanimous consent being nee
essary to hurry the bill pass the sew
eral readings. Mr.. Fowler a y Con-
gresham Ragsdale Of Florence, says
there Is another line Of procedure
which can be adopted by which the
bill will be restored 10 its place on the
calendar, and some Of the South Caro-
lima congressman with whom Mr..
Fowler taxed, expressed themselves
as being confident that the bill will be
passed during the last six days of the
present session Of congress. In the
even the bill passes Federal court
houses will be in Greenwood, Green
vile and Rock Hill, and possibly in
other cities in the Piedmont section
Anderson Mail.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

Since studying the "jug-a-month"
law as it has actually passed the gen.
eral assembly, we desire to a that
while we do not consider it prohibit
ton, we think it calculated to consid-
erably improve existing conditions
especially if it is properly enforced
Although at first 1t looked like a joker
to get around absolute prohibition,
strict enforcement will make 1t quite
serious.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

an invitation has been extended to the
Boy Scouts Of Fort Mil. Rock Hill
and Glover to attend the exercises. A
game Of baseball will very likely be
played on the school grounds, and 1t
is quite likely that every school child
will have an opportunity to visit the
local picture show. The Yorkville
Board of Trade which Is working in
conjunction with the superintendent
Of education and the York County
Teachers association, will have charge
Of the children during the Field Day
meet, and will doubtless provide many
ways for their entertainment.
/ AS announced in The Enquirer
Tuesday, the Southern railway will
run a special train from Fort Mill and
Rock Hill on that day. and it is ex-
pected that the c. & NV. will make
arrangements for the conveyance Of
pupils and patrons from Bowling
Green, Clover and other points north
| Of Yorkville. People living in western
York will have no trouble getting In
and out Of Yorkville since a train
from B%lacksburg reaches Yorkville
shortly after 10 o'clock in the morn
ing and leaves this place on the re-
turn trip about s o'clock.
Prof. R. H. Holiday Of Hickory
Grove, and Prof. B. c. Riddle Of York.
willie, have been named as superintend-
ents Of the mental and athletic con-
tests. respectively, and will appoint
their assistants and judges on the
field. The regulations agreed upon by
the programme committee are as fol-
lows:
Mental Contests
The mental contests shall embrace
| the following subjects:
Arithmetic, spelling, composition
and defamation.
Composition shall be limited to ten
minutes, and only High school pupils
may participate.
Defamation contests shall consist
Of one boy or girl from the intermedi-
ate grades, and only n boy or girl
from the High school proper. Boys
shall compete against boys, and girls
against girls; the contests In decla-
nation to be held simultaneously If
possible.
Cntests in arithmetic shall be con-
| fined to the intermediate grades, name
ly, the fifth, sixth and seventh.
Reading and spelling contests shall
be limited to the primary department
that is, through the fourth grade.
Athletic Contests.
The number Of contests in which q
pupil may enter, excepting limitations
| imposed below, shall be left to the dis
| erection Of teacher and pupil.
For Boys
Section 1. twenty-five and so yard
dashes, a running broad jump and q
ball throw.
Section 2. Fifty and 100 yard dash
| es, a running high Jump and a sack
race.
Section 8. One hundred yard dash,
440 yard dash, a running high jump
and a running broad jump.
Open.
Tug-of-war, limited to 900 pounds.
Relay race, limited to four pupils.
For Girls.
Section 1. Twenty-Five and 40 yard
dashes. Relay potato race, using
spoon.
Section 2. Relay flag race, limited
in number to six pupils; a SO yard
| dash, and a ball throw.
Section 8. A ball throw.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26
Torrens System Still Waltz

Torrens System Still Waitins-The
Sumter Item, regretting the apparent
loss Of the Torrens land registration
law in the legislative shuttle, says:
THE Torrens system has been regu-
larly side-tracked each year for 20
years, but 1t cannot be killed and will
eventually be enacted for the relief Of
land owners"
The s~ide-tracking Of such legislation
will continue until the percentage Of
lawyers in the general assembly is
greatly lowered and men Of other walks
Of life divide with them the rea lead
ership Of that body.
The Torrens system is not in the in
terest Of the lawyers, but will be a
great help to other classes. Our an
tiquated system Of title examinations
makes small loans on real estate very
costly. Such loans should be facili-
tated and cheapened.
We trust that Governor Manning,
Who Is not a lawyer, but whose
perience as a banker, has put him in
close touch with this problem, will
make a special effort next year to in
duce the legislature to write this piece
Of progressive legislation upon the
statute books. II he succeeds, that
success will be one Of the monuments
his administration.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26
ABOUT PEOPLE

Mrs. j. c.. Wilborn of Yorkville, 1!
visiting relatives in Chester.
Mr.. c. F. Sherer Of Yorkville, wa:
q visitor in Columbia this week.
DR.. f. w. Pressly Of Glover, was g
visitor in Hickory Grove, this week.
Mr.. ]. NJ. Drakeford Of Columbia
is visiting relatives in Yorkville.
Mr.. j. w. Grist has returned to York
vile after a visit to relatives In Lau'
Miss Cora Clark left yesterday fol
Gastonia, after a visit to relatives ir
Yorkville.
Miss Pearl Lineberger OF Gastonia
is visiting relatives in the Bethany
community.
Mrs. s. n. Snoddy of Spartanburg
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

Now, boys, begin to get busy with
the pigs and prize acres. There is
lots Of good downright satisfaction In
honest time and labor devoted to these
things. And, remember, that as far as
you are concerned, the thing that is
worth most to you may be the heaviest
yield Of corr on an acre, or the
heaviest hog, so far al the public is
concerned, the greatest benefit will
come from a comprehensive story OF
how 1t was done.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26
Thinks Il 10 a Joker.-There is

Thinks il 10 a Joker.-There Is 4
joker in the compulsory school at
tendance law, according to Mr.. II. E.
Ravenel. a member Of the Spartan
burg bar. One section Of the law pro-
vides that the elections to put the law
into effect shall be held on the second
Tuesday In June, 1915, and on the
second Tuesday in June Of succeeding
years. while another section makes
the law effective July 1st, 1915. AS
Mr.. Ravenel interprets the law no
election to put the provision Of the
law into effect can be held legally I'M
til the second Tuesday Of June, 1915.
His construction of the law may be
correct, but it is a question for the
lawyers and the court to decide. 1t is
possible to hold the view that the
elections may be held on the second
Tuesday in June, 1915, in anticipation
Of the law going into effect July list,
since the law directs that the cleo
ions be held on that particular date.
Item.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

NEW ADVERTISEMENTS

L. M. Crisis Sons-Quote special low
until March 10th. See page four.
| Miss Sallie Acknowledgement En-
uuirer subscribers on her club to
please pay up.
| H. R. Merritt, Yorkville No. 3-Wants
+ to buy four good milk cows at once.
j. T. Robinson-Asks subscribers to
The Enquirer on his club to pay up
at once.
Richard w. Hutson, Clerk-Publishes
notice to the creditors in the mat
ter Of Andrew Moffatt McGill, bank
rupt.
that it will operate Its plant e
Tuesday.
First National Bank, Sharon-Has in
the past, Is now and will in the fu-
ture do its utmost to take care OF Its
patrons, and invites you to join Its
family Of customers.
| James Bros.-Received their first cal
Of Kentucky mules and horses this
morning, and want you to come and
see what they have to offer.
]. J. Keller & Co.-Have shingles OF
several grades; two cars Of flooring,
ceiling and siding received this week
Lyric Theatre-Mary Fuller tonight
in 1.-The Heart of the Hills" "A
Page from Life" tomorrow. 1.-THE
Master Key" Tuesday.
Thomson Co.-Has pajama checks at
10c and 12ac a yard; Androscoggin
bleaching at 10c q yard. New line
of ladies' ready-to-wear hats.
]. M. Stroup-Talks about gardening
tools, seed Irish potatoes, farm
hardware, and shoes for men, wo-
men and children.
| York Furniture Co.-Has a complete
line Of automobile accessories
tires, plugs, greases, etc.
| Mcconnell Dry Goods Co.-Ofers a
lot Of shoes at special prices. Bus
ter Brown white buckskin oxfords
at S1.48 a pair.
York Drug Store-Asks the ladies to
call and see 1t for toilet soaps and
Colgate's toilet preparations. A
word about tooth brushes.
W. f. Ferguson-Is now selling Ttptop
dustight wrapping. Garden seeds.
dustite wrapping. Garden seeds.
E. Lawrence & Co., Chicago-On page
four give you further reasons why
you should use "Gets-It" for corns.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

1t ought to be evident to everybody
that there has not not been a year in
the history Of the country that has
held out more promise for the raising
of foodstuffs. OF course, we would
not think of advising u farmers to
raise no cotton; but they will do well
not to risk any big outlay on that crop.
The chances are that there will be a
better market for foodstuffs than for
foodstuffs, they will come in most &C
ceptably for home consumption.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

AS absurd as the thing may seem
from the standpoint Of right and JUS
tice, there is no question Of the fact
that England claims exclusive domina-
ton of the seas. Her claim Is based
solely upon her ability to maintain the
same
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

What the United States has to gain
by getting into that European mixup'
we are unable to see. Even If we had
a grievance against Germany, which
we have not, we could not get to her,
and if we had fighting grievances
against England, which we have not,
the best we could do would be to go
after Canada, and there would be
nothing to gain by that. The best we
can do is to let the other fellows fight
it out while we hold hands off.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

not see our way clear to accede to
your request. Indeed, for some time
we have regarded the whole project
of the distribution Of food in Belgium
with some doubt in view Of the action
Of the German authorities. While re-
speeding the food actually imported by
YOU. they did not until December, ac-
cede to your representations regarding
the cessation Of acquisitions for the
use of the German army Of supplies Of
native food remaining for the civil
population of Belgium. They even
carried away cattle and cereals from
Belgium into Germany. They also
levied large monetary contributions in
Belgium. These exactions have now
eliminated in a levy of the sum OF
40. 0OO, 900 francs (s2, 600, O00) monthly
for the whole country"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26
Great Britain has not yet made foo

Great Britain has not yet made food
contraband of war; but has intimated
that she might do so, and that leaves
her in a position to issue the order
whenever she considers it to her inter-
est, and still claim that she has warn
ed others to be on the lookout. We
figure that she is probably counting
on the time when the allies succeed
in forcing the Dardanelles and open
ing up an avenue for the wheat and
other supplies from southern Russia,
which she calculates on bringing home
in her own vessels.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

1t is known that the Washington
government is discussing with Eng
land and Germany the matter Of their
retaliatory measure against each other
with regard to shipments Of food, and
although the correspondence has not
yet been given out, there are intima-
tons to the effect that the United
States is inclined to the conclusion
that if she cannot ship to one she will
not ship to the other, and there is
reason to believe that both are think
ing Of coming to their senses.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26
Contract vs.. Salary.

The senate on Wednesday struck
out of the postoffice appropriation bill
q committee amendment proposing to
do away with the present salary sys-
TEN of paying rural mail carriers and
let out all routes to contract.
Although for obvious reasons there
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

If the gallon a month law is strictly
enforced, beer drinkers who may not
be willing to give up that beverage,
will find 1t cheaper to go out OF the
state for a fill up rather than under
take to secure the same under the
conditions Of the law.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

The most significant development of
the European war up to this time
probably is the statement hat Sir
Edward Grey made in the British
house Of commons yesterday to the eff
feet that England will no longer OBJ
ject to Russia's having access to the
open sea through the Dardanelles. The
Russian premier NJ. G~oreniykin. had
long ago announced to the Duma that
this is what Russia was expecting.
This incident seems to let the cat out
of the bag. The n great dream of
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

Russia since the days Of Peter the
Great has been to reach the Mediter-
ranean through the Dardanelles, and
England's whole foreign policy has
hinged around the proposition of pre-
venting the realization Of that dream
This was the main question involved
in the Crimean var and the Russo
Turkish war, as well as Russia's wal
with Frederick the Great. AS to
whether England will keep faith In
the matter remains for the future.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26
Che 4lorkrille enquirer.
Entered at the P~ostofice in Yorkville
as Mail Matter Of the Second Class.
~YoRKvILLE. 8. O.,
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY rs, 1915

Congress adjourns next Thursday
and as the situation looks now, the
ship purchase law is dead for this
session and probably for the next.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26
Easter m this year on April 4tt

Spring 10 about here, so look on the
bright side Of things and get busy.
Because Of tho large number Of We
hicles that went over it last Sunday,
the road to Bethany, most Of which
had been dragged within a week or
two previous, was put in very good
condition.