cians at different times to visit the convicts employed on that line, and report professionally as to their treatment and the cause of their mortality. The separate reports of these physicians all pointed out its cause by averring that the convicts leased to that road were most inhumanly treated in all respects, giving details of what they saw among the prisoners at the place of their work as well as among the sick at the stockades and the hospital, so called. The most unfit for duty among these convicts, 26 in number, were by order of the Board of Directors, under the care of two physicians, removed to the penitentiary on September 16th, two of them dying before reaching it, and one soon after his arrival. By a subsequent order the Board of Directors recalled almost all of the convicts leased to the Greenwood and Augusta Railroad; but the company refused to comply with the order, on the ground that the convicts had been granted them by the Legislature, and that only the Legislature could take them away. This matter was brought to the attention of the Legislature early in the session of 1879, and two sets of resolutions, very strongly worded, were introduced in the Lower House, to investigate the subject and bring the guilty parties to condign punishment; the one intrusting the investigation to a special committee appointed for that purpose, the other to the two Committees on the Penitentiary of the Senate and House of Representatives, working jointly, with power to send for persons and papers. The general condition of South Carolina with regard to trade and other material interests appears to have considerably improved of late years. There was in 1879 a large increase in the quantity of bacon made in the State; besides, provisions in general were low, and the colored people employed worked well. The crops in 1879, with some exceptions, were good, and sold at remunerative prices. In consequence, the farmers as a body are in better circumstances and out of debt, or nearly so, for the first time in a long series of years. The advance in the selling price of cotton at the end of the year was equal to $12 a bale; which, on a crop of 300,000 bales raised in the State, makes a difference of over $3,000,000 in favor of planters and farmers. The value of land in South Carolina has increased, especially in the middle and upper districts. An Agricultural Department is now established in the State by a law entitled "An act to create a Department of Agriculture, defining its powers and duties, and charging it with the inspection of phosphates and the regulation and sale of commercial fertilizers." The establishment and working of cottonmills for the production of shirting, sheeting, drilling, and yarn, seem to be growing into great dimensions in South Carolina. The scarcity of competent operatives, which was before the chief difficulty encountered in the development of this industry, has been in a great mea sure supplied by the importation of some skilled hands from the Northern mills, who have taught a number of native young women and men how to feed and direct the machines. Nine such factories were in operation in different parts of the State in June, 1879, some of which were organized in 1855, but most of them since 1870. All were busy, with more orders than they could execute, and carrying on a very lucrative business. They employ in the aggregate above 55,000 spindles, with a proportionate number of looms, attended to by about 1,400 operatives at wages ranging from 25 cents to $3 a day, according to usefulness. A large proportion of these operatives are lodged in convenient cabins erected near the factories for that purpose. Their aggregate annual production is reckoned at above 55,000,000 yards of shirting, sheeting, and drilling, and many million pounds of yarn. One of the three largest among these establishments is the Piedmont Manufacturing Company's mill, incorporated three years ago, and situated on the Saluda River, about eleven miles from Greenville, on the Greenville and Columbia Railroad line. It has 12,300 spindles, employs 275 operatives, and produces daily about 16,000 yards of shirting, sheeting, and drilling, and 2,300 pounds of yarns. From the books of this company it appears that, for the year ended March 31, 1879, its surplus assets over all liabilities amounted to $36,889, and the gross profits on the sale of that year's manufactures to $56,684, classified as follows: Profits on local sales, $24,320.04; on sales to New York, $9,401.98; on sales to Boston (yarns), $10,619.64; on sales to Baltimore, $7,180.12; on sales to all other parts, $5,163.46. L. F. Cardozo, ex-Treasurer of South Carolina, and Robert Smalls, a member of her Legislature in both Houses for a number of terms, and lastly a Representative in Congress, both colored, and since November 28, 1878, under sentence for high crimes and misdemeanors in office, with regard especially to money matters, were pardoned by Governor Simpson on April 23, 1879. He had previously pardoned L. Cass Carpenter, a white Republican Senator in the State Legislature, convicted on a like charge. In October, 1879, the Supreme Court of the United States, to whom Mr. Smalls had brought his case on appeal from the State Supreme Court, on a writ of error, dismissed it on motion of the Attorney-General of the State, the appellant's counsel concurring. Mr. Smalls is to pay the costs in the case. This is said to be the last one of the numerous criminal prosecutions, called political cases, instituted before the courts of South Carolina. SPAIN, a kingdom of southern Europe. King, Alfonso XII., born November 28, 1857, proclaimed King December 30, 1874. He was married on January 23, 1878, to Maria de las Mercedes (born June 24, 1860, died June 26, 1878), and again on November 29, 1879, to Maria Christine (born July 21, 1858), daughter of Archduke Charles Ferdinand of Austria. The area and population of the foreign colonies are as follows: COLONIES. The area of Spain is 196,036 square miles; the population, according to the census of 1877, 16,623,384. Of the total population, 8,132,741 were males, and 8,490,643 females. There are also 2,476 inhabitants in the Spanish possessions 1. AMERICA: of northern Africa, making in all 16,625,860. Of this number, 40,741 were foreigners. The revenue was estimated in the budget of 1878-79 at 750,630,202 pesetas (1 peseta= 19.3 cents), and the expenditures at 753,177,865 pesetas. The public debt on June 30, 1878, amounted to 12,875,007,428 pesetas. According to a new plan of the Minister of War, the Spanish army is to consist in time of peace of 100,000 men, of whom 69,492 will belong to the infantry, 16,130 to the cavalry, 10,232 to the artillery, and 4,146 to the corps of engineers. The fleet in 1878 was composed as follows: NAVY. Guns. Horse-power. Vessels of the first class: 5 ironclads 72 4,800 9 screw-frigates 249 5,020 2 paddle-steamers 15 1,000 Vessels of the second class: 7 paddle-steamers. 24 2,080 9 screw-steamers.. Of the total population of Cuba, 764,164 are whites, 344,050 free colored persons, 227,902 slaves, and 58,400 coolies. In Porto Rico there are 363,434 whites and 298,060 free colored. In the beginning of March a new Ministry was formed, under the presidency of Martinez Campos, who had shortly before returned from Cuba. The Chambers were dissolved, and the new Chambers were ordered to assemble on June 1st, the election to take place for deputies on April 20th, and for senators on May 3d. In these new Chambers Cuba was to be represented for the first time by 12 senators and 40 deputies. The elections on April 20th resulted in the return of 275 Ministerialists, 32 Constitutionalists, and 38 members of other parties. The Ministerial majority, however, was increased to over 300 with the deputies from the colonies. The Government candidates were returned in the majority of those districts which elect but one deputy, and were also at the head of the poll in the three-cornered constituencies owing to the systematic abstention of the Intransigente Federals. The coalition of the Progressists, the Constitutional party, and the friends of Castelar obtained for the three groups respectively 8, 34, and 9 seats. In the ranks of the majority more than 250 belonged to old followers of the last Cabinet devoted to Canovas del Castillo. The rest were chiefly Moderados, friends of Marshal Campos. More abstentions took place under the limited franchise bill than in 1876 with universal suffrage; but the Liberals, who contested more than 140 seats, were often beaten by a narrow majority. In Madrid 7,000 out of 21,000 voted, and in Barcelona 2,300 out of 8,200. The senatorial elections also gave to the Ministry a large majority in the Upper Chamber. The Cortes were opened on June 1st by the 87,400,000 88,900,000 King in person. In his speech from the throne he said that the Government would continue in the exercise of liberal principles, abolish abuses in the administration, and be as economical as possible. The relations to the foreign powers were satisfactory. Proposals would be made to relieve the distress caused by the war 85,000,000 81,500,000 397,800,000 431,300,000 in Cuba, and to abolish slavery in the Antilles, and with the assistance of the Cortes the Government would endeavor to assimilate the position of the colony to that of a province of Spain. On June 26th the Marquis of Orovio, Minister of Finance, presented the estimates for 1879'80. The expenditure was put at 828,000,000 pesetas, and the probable revenue at 812,000,000. The estimates showed an increase of expenditure, owing to the interest on the debt and the heavy military outlays. The Minister fixed the probable revenue at a higher sum than the returns for the current year, admitting a deficit on the estimates as well as on the floating debt of the Treasury. The address was voted on July 14th by 247 against 44. The Cortes were prorogued on July 26th, without having done any work of importance. The Chambers reassembled on November 3d. The principal question before them in this session was the abolition of slavery in Cuba. On November 4th the Minister of the Colonies read in the Senate the Government bill providing for this measure. The bill commenced by declaring that slavery will cease from the date of the promulgation of the law in the "Official Gazette" of Havana. All slaves will be compelled to remain for a period of eight years in the service of their present masters, who will act as their protectors, tending them when sick, paying them wages, and instructing the most capable. After the lapse of five years one fourth of the freed men will be completely emancipated from the control of the masters, the choice in this case being determined by lot; and on the expiration of the eighth year the power of the masters over the freed men will entirely cease. Corporal punishment will then be no longer permitted, and any offenses committed by the negroes will be dealt with by the public prosecutors, any act of rebellion being, however, punished by court-martial. In explaining the object and intention of the bill, the Minister said that slavery was contrary to the laws of nature, and could no longer be maintained in the civilized world. Owing to the impoverished state of the Spanish Exchequer, it was impossible to pay an indemnity to the owners of slaves, and the Government deemed it indispensable that the freed negroes should remain for a certain period under the patronage of their former masters; for by adopting this course the dangers which might ensue from the immediate and simultaneous emancipation of all the slaves would be avoided. He added that the Government considered that the scheme for the gradual enfranchisement of the slaves was contrary to the laws of 1870. Bills were also introduced by the Government for assimilating Cuba to the provinces of the kingdom, for tariff legislation, and other reforms. As it seemed impossible to obtain a majority in favor of these measures, the Ministry resigned, and a new one was formed on December 8th, under Canovas del Castillo. As soon as this Ministry had assumed office, it substituted in place of the abolition bill of the former Ministry a new one, which provided for the gradual emancipation of the slaves in Cuba after eight years of provisional servitude under their present masters, in 1886, 1887, and 1888. In this shape it passed the Senate on December 26th, although the West Indian deputies declared that it would satisfy neither the owners nor the slaves. Both Houses then adjourned. On November 24th the King was married to the Archduchess Maria Christine of Austria. The new Queen of Spain, who is the second wife of Alfonso XII., was born July 21, 1858. She is a daughter of Archduke Charles Ferdinand of Austria, who died in 1874. Her relationship to the Emperor of Austria is shown by the genealogical table given in the article AusTRO-HUNGARIAN MONARCHY. Juan Oliva y Moncasi, who attempted to assassinate King Alfonso in 1878, was executed on January 4th, in spite of numerous petitions for his pardon. Another attempt on the life of the King was made on December 30th. As he was driving from the palace with the Queen for his usual evening ride, two shots were fired at him by a man named Gonzalez. The wouldbe assassin, who was a waiter by profession and but nineteen years of age, was seized by the attendants. A new rebellion broke out in Cubs in August. On the 27th of that month two insurgent bands appeared in the districts of Holguin and Santiago. General Blanco at once dispatched 2,000 men from Havana, and or dered the most energetic pursuit of the disturbers. The rebels were afterward joined by slaves who had demanded their liberty, and failing to get it had run away. The negroes soon assumed the lead, and began waging an indiscriminate war upon the whites, both Spaniards and Cubans. In imitation of what the Cubans did during the last insurrection, they constituted a so-called government in almost impenetrable woods and mountains, having at their head three mulattoes, ex-chiefs of the former insurrection-Maceo, Grombet, and Guillermon. Immediately upon the beginning of the disorders, Captain-General Blanco issued a decree in which he declared the province of Santiago de Cuba in a state of war. Another decree was published which, after describing the miserable condition of the inhabitants of the provinces of Puerto Principe and Santiago de Cuba in consequence of the last insurrection, directed that $50,000 be appropriated for the assistance of the province of Puerto Principe and $100,000 for that of Santiago de Cuba. The insurrection continued during the remainder of the year, although the Government denied that any importance was attached to it. A new treaty with China regarding the inmigration of Chinese to the island of Cuba was published in the "Official Gazette" of Havana in the beginning of July. Its principal points were as follows: The immigration of Chinamen by contract is entirely prohibited; the immigrants will come to Cuba by their own free will, and both countries, China and Spain, bind themselves to prosecute those persons and vessels bringing Chinamen to Cuba against their will. Spain promises to treat the Chinese in Cuba with the same consideration as foreigners of the most favored nation. To this end the Chinese Government will provide with a passport every emigrant, and officials of both nations will visit every emigrant vessel leaving Chinese ports, in order to insure a full observance of this law. The Chinese Government will interpose no obstacle to the free emigration of Chinamen. The Emperor of China may appoint a consul at Havana and all other places on the island where consuls of other nations are stationed, and these consuls will enjoy the same prerogatives as their colleagues of other nations. Any Chinaman may leave Cuba whenever it pleases him, unless he is subject to judicial proceedings. All Chinamen can apply to the courts of justice, like any other foreigners; and if any of them have been treated contrary to law before this treaty was signed, their complaints will be examined and their rights accorded to them. The treaty stipulates that a notification of one year must be given of desire of either party for any alteration of its provisions. SWEDEN AND NORWAY, two kingdoms of northern Europe, united under the same dynasty. The King, Oscar II., born January 21, 1829, succeeded to the throne at the death of his brother, Charles XV., September 18, 1872. He married on June 6, 1857, Sophia, daughter of the Duke of Nassau, born July 9, 1836. Their oldest son is Gustavus, heir ap parent, Duke of Wermland, born June 16, 1858. SWEDEN.-The executive authority is in the hands of the King, who acts under the advice of a Ministry, formerly called the Council of State. The composition of the Ministry at the close of 1879 was as follows: Baron L. de Geer, Minister of State and Justice; O. M. Björn stjerna, Foreign Affairs; J. H. Rosenswärd, War; Baron F. W. von Otter, Navy; H. L. Forsell, Finance; Dr. C. G. Malmstrom, Education and Ecclesiastical Affairs; Dr. L. T. Almqvist, Justice. Besides these there are two Ministers without portfolios: Dr. N. H. Vult von Steyern, and Dr. J. H. Lovén. The area of Sweden, inclusive of inland lakes, is 170,741 square miles. The population of the several provinces or läns on December 31, 1878, was as follows: Population. 290,766 258,901 The budget for 1880 estimates the revenue and expenditure at 72,630,000 crowns each (1 crown = 26.8 cents). Besides the budget, the Riksdag of 1879 voted 7,000,000 crowns for the construction of new railroads, and 1,500,000 crowns to increase the rolling-stock and other material of the existing roads. The expenses of the army, Church, and certain civil offices are in part defrayed out of the revenue of landed estates belonging to the Crown, and the amounts do not appear in the budget estimates. The public debt of Sweden on December 31, 1878, amounted to 212,548,240 crowns. The Swedish army in 1878 numbered 183,603 men. The navy consisted of 43 steamers, of 20,271 horse-power and 155 guns; 10 sailing vessels, of 105 guns; and 87 smaller vessels, of 113 guns. The imports in 1877 amounted to 303,420,000 crowns, the exports to 215,913,000 crowns. The movement of shipping in 1877 was as follows: resented by the King, who exercises his authority through a Council of State, composed of two ministers of state and nine councilors. Two of the councilors, who are changed every year, together with one of the ministers, form a delegation of the Council of State residing at Stockholm near the King. The Council of State was composed as follows in 1878: F. Stang, Minister of State; J. Holmboe, Finances and Customs; Dr. O. A. Bachke, Justice and Police; J. L. Johansen, Navy; N. Vogt, Interior; R. T. Nissen, Education and Worship; C. A. Selmer, Army; C. Jensen, Revision of Public Accounts. The delegation of the Council at Stockholm consisted of O. R. Kierulf, Minister of State, H. L. Helliesen, and Major-General H. A. Munthe. NORWAY.-In Norway the executive is rep. The area of Norway is 122,280 square miles, and the population according to the census of 1875 was 1,806,900. (For an account of the area and population of each of the provinces 269,586 of Norway, see "Annual Cyclopædia" for 127,586 1876.) The movement of population in 1878 was as follows: Marriages, 13,825; births, 58,019; deaths, 29,541. 181,473 190,299 87,681 4,531,863 79,764 The receipts for 1878 amounted to 50,441,700 103,151 crowns (1 crown=26.8 cents), the expenditures to 51,771,300 crowns. The public debt on June 30, 1878, amounted to 91,600,000 crowns. The imports in 1878 were valued at 140,348,000 crowns, and the exports at 91,630,000 crowns. The war navy in July, 1879, consisted of 30 steamers with 144 guns, and 92 sailing vessels with 149 guns. The commercial navy in 1877 consisted of 8,064 vessels, of 1,493,041 tons. Of the total population, 2,205,292 were males and 2,326,571 females. In 1877 there were 30,674 marriages, 142,674 births, 87,373 deaths, and 4,198 still-births. Council for 1879 was B. Hammer of Soleure, and the Vice-President Dr. E. Welti of Aargau. The area and population (according to an official estimate of July 1, 1878) of the different cantons are as follows: Zürich. Bern. CANTONS. Uri.. Glarus.... Soleure Appenzell Outer Rhodes. The railroads in operation in 1879 amounted The Swedish Government in January returned to the French Government the 80,000 francs paid by the latter for the island of St. Bartholomew, for the purpose of founding a charitable institution on that island. The Storthing of Norway was opened on February 3d by the King in person. In his speech from the throne he stated that the depressed condition of commerce necessitated an increase of the direct taxes. Propositions to this effect would be submitted by the Government. Bills would also be submitted affecting the army organization and the city schools. The budget, as submitted by the Government, amounted to 46,000,000 crowns, but was reduced by 4,500,000 crowns by the Storthing, the reductions principally affecting the army and navy. In consequence, numerous works on fortifications which had been begun had to be stopped. The general elections for the Storthing, held in October, left its political complexion unchanged. SWITZERLAND, a republic of central Europe, consisting of twenty-two cantons, three of which are divided into two independent half cantons each. The President of the Federal St. Gall.... Vid.. Geneva.. Total.. The movement of population in 1878 was: 20,550 marriages, 91,426 births, 68,904 deaths, and 3,593 still-births. The total revenue of the Confederation for 1878 amounted to 41,536,226 francs, and the expenditures to 41,469,641 francs. The budget for 1879 estimated the receipts at 40,565,000 francs, and the expenditures at 42,028,000 francs. The liabilities of the republic amounted at the close of 1878 to 35,036,976 francs, as a set-off against which there was Federal property amounting to 41,197,439 francs. The Federal army consists of the Bundesauszug, comprising all male persons between the ages of twenty and thirty-two, and the Landwehr, comprising all those between thirtythree and forty-four. In 1879 there were 578 officers and 119,419 men in the Bundesauszug, and 135 officers and 95,338 men in the Landwehr. In 1878 there were 799 post-offices; number of internal letters sent, 47,530,128, and of foreign letters 20,201,012; newspapers, parcels of foreign and domestic printed matter, etc., 72,716,096. The length of the Government telegraph lines in 1878 was 6,523 kilometres, and of Government wire 15,960 kilometres; number of stations, 1,161; of dispatches sent, 2,476,988. The length of railroads in 1877 was 2,590 kilometres. The principal question before the Federal Assembly in 1879 was the restoration of capital punishment. In March a bill was introduced restoring to the several cantons their liberty of action in this question. It was passed by the Cantonal Council on March 19th. In the National Council it was at first rejected, but was finally passed on March 28th. The ques |