Newspaper Page Text
THE WEEKLY OPINION,
BY W. L. SCItUQGS AND J. B. DOUBLE.
OFFICIAL FAPBB FDB THE COOBTIE* OF
Biker,
Bildwin,
Bartow,
Bibb,
Butts,
Carroll,
Chattooga,
Clayton,
Cobb,
Bade,
DeKalb,
Fayette,
Forayth,
Fulton,
Gordon,
Greene,
Gwinnett,
HarraUon,
Heard,
Henry,
Ja*p«r,
Lee,
Monroe,
Murray,
Newton,
Paulding,
Folk,
Spalding,
Sumter,
Upson.
Coi.. .1. 1*. I’aiirott.—Tho flection *»!
thU able and patriotic gentleman to tlu>
position of President of their body, reflect*
credit upon the Member* thereof, and gives
promise of an harmonious and highly
creditable session. Col. Pahhotr has never
been an extremist. He Is a man of line
attainments; is a native of an adjoining
Smthcrn State, and Is thoroughly identi
ties with Georgia.
Secretary of tiii* Convention.—It "’ill
be seen from our report of the proceedings
tlds morning, that Mr. P. M. Siikhiley, of
Home, lias been elected to this important
oiliee.
Mr. S.U eminently lil ted to tlm position;
and we congratulate the members upon a
selection by which they have demonstrated
their appreciation of true merit.
Relief!—This is one of the most Impor
tant questions that will be brought before
the Convention. The right of a primary
body to act 111*011 the question. In some
way, is admitted, and the demands of the
people will have to be considered. W e
learn that several measures looking to ite-
licfwili be presented at an early day, but
of their nature little lias transpired. De
velopments will be looked lor anxiously
and speedy action expected. We publish
a communication this evening «>ii the
subject, to which we invite attention.
In considering propositions for Relief
delegates should bear in mind a clause in
the Federal Constitution, made, it would
seem, with special reference to the weak
ness of fallen humrnity. and designed to
forestall revolutionary measures, such as
are ever agitated in times like these.—
Whilst it lias been customary in all coun
tries to provide some measure of llellef af
ter the close of protracted and cxiuisting
civil wars, these measures should not he
such as to destroy public faith, and thereby
break down the barriers to Anarchy. It
is a question of the greatest delicacy, and
should be adjusted with a view not only to
present emergencies, but so as not to de
stroy conlldenec in the future.
‘•What is It.*’—We have been asked.
What is the platform of the Macon Con
vention ? Wo confess, frankly, that we
don't know. We have been unable to sec
anybody who did know; and we have some
doubt as to whether the Convention itself,
or the delegates then ;.., know.
They don't know, I*.? uiso they don’t know
yet 1 rhut the State Constitutional Conven
tion \* going to do. They will oppose
\vl f that body proposes—no matter
w I until something is proposed
.1 !»■• nothing to oppose, lienee
tl 11 Ignorance, yet, of their own
plu They might have proposed
Hornet g; we believe some “respectable
white man” did propose something, but it
was voted down; it was bad |»olicy—bad
policy—because that very something might
be identical with the something to he done
by the < onstitutional Convention, lienee,
they have no policy but opposition; no plat
form except opposition—opposition to eve
rything which does not originate with
themselves; opposition to everybody, who
either cannot or will not pin their political
faith to defunct leaders, and sing peans to
obsolete theories. They seem to l*c a party
of leaders without followers; an organiza
tion without any specific object, and they
have a platform without Principles.
Taxation.—If the wisdom of the Con
vention, now in session, can devise some
plan by which the assessment and collec
tion of taxes can bo cheapened, that body
will deserve the tlmnks of the people of
the State for all time to gome. An old plan
ter remarked in our hearing, the other day,
that it required an expenditure of four dol
lars tQ get pne Into the treasury! Tills is
too, nearly true, ami it is also a fact that
there arc many who think a great deal of
the machinery of our revenue system can
bo dispensed with. We hope soldo ,of the
Delegates will look into the matter, and at
least lay the result of ids investigations
before the Convention.
•‘Reluct.*—In addition to a second com-
t znnnlcation on this subject, wo lay before
our readers this evening, the view* of Ex-
• Governor Brown on the same point. Both
communications respond to a popular sen
timent in Georgia, and one which the Con
vention cannot afford to disregwff. We
therefore, commend both to the csreftil
• consideration of the members, and to *11
concerned.
Gov. Brown treats the subject In Iff*
• usual bold uud practical manner. There It
no mistaking his position.
As intimated yesterday, the question of
•* Rollof” is a delicate one, and should not
be made the occasion for revolutionary
measure*.
Another Bin.—Mr. Johnson’s last bid
for the nomination to the Presidency on
the Democratic ticket, is his nomination of
some three hundred military officers—
mostly of low grade—to civil positions.
•Should the Senate refuse confirmation, Mr.
Johnson will raise the cry of “poor sol
dier;” should the Senate confirm the np-
p»intment, he will then point to these sc-
Dissenting.—Assuming that General
Grant will be the candidate for the ljext
Presidential term, a couple of New York
papers arc quarreling over the relative
merits of Gov. Fenton and Senator Mor
gan lor the second place on the ticket.
Whereupon the Fred. Douglass organs
raise a howl for that eminent son of HAm;
and one paper In Western New York has
gone so far as to hoist tile names of Ulys-
sas S. Grant ahd Frederick Douglass
for President and Vice President In 1808.
Another organ in the Interior of Ohio Iti-
i*M* that the African lawyer, John 31.
Langston, should occupy the second place
011 the ticket with General Grant.
Porkey as a Commentator.—The pres
ent sayings and doings of Jno.TlV’. Forney,
of the Wa-hlngton Chronicle, possess no
significance beyond the fact that lie seems
to lie about the only man north of the Po
tomac, in the confidence of Gen. Grant;
and consequently the only editor, outside
of Georgia, who I* prepared to speak un-
dcrstaiidingly conccrlng Grant's political
status!
Under these circumstances, the advoca
cy by him of a universal negro Franchise
Act, to lie enforced in nil the .States, may
or may not foreshadow the policy of Gen.
Grant. Why not? Forney says Gen.
Grant Is a “good enough Radical” for him;
and then. In the very next breath, he
asserts that “no true Radical can oppose” a
measure looking to tho universal enfran
chisement of tho black race In all the
States.
PitorosED Change in tiik Hkcokhtjiuo-
tion Laws.—The bill introduced in the
United States Senate, bv Mr. Wilson, on
Thursday last, provides that so much of the
-several nets relating to reconstruction as
required a majority of the registered voter
to determine any election or the ratifica
tion of constitutions burned by corv
•.ion* elected under the present provisl
of said acts, is hereby ri jtealetl; and at any
election which has been, or my liereafte
lie, held for conventions or ratifications of
constitut ion* framed thereby, 11 majority of
the votes east at micli elections shall de-
rmlne the result
C35T The address of Col. Parrott speaks
for itself, it is moderate yet firm In the
positions assumed; and cannot fail to
oinmand the support of the Party and the
respect of its opponents. It will be a
source of bitter disappointment to the Op
position. They wero longing for some
thing better, vindictive and Impracticable.
Instead thereof, they find something just
tho reverse. Let us hope that (he entire
proceedings of the Convention may
port in spirit with tills admirable address
of its President.
In a short editoaial in the 3Iobile
Advertiser, intended ns an argument against
the ratification of the new Constitution of
Alabama, the word “villain,” occurs six
times; “scoundrel” four times; and other
epithets of similar elegance and import
are strewn all through it. Such arguments
arc very effective, ami do much credit to
tho learning and taste of the “ decency
party.
Modest.—After announcing to the world,
week after week, that it .should opposoom/
and everything proposed or done by the
State Constitutional Convention, one of the
.Macon papers presumes to adviso that
body what it should and should not do!
Veriiv, if impudence hath a limit, this
Macon editor lias readied Its remotest
bounds. There is no accounting for the
modest assurance” of some people.
£37* The Washington Star states that
Major General S. A. 1111 r Unit, Commander
in-Chlef of the Grand Army of the Re
public, ha* issued an order for the assem
bling of a National Convention of the Or
der at Philadelphia on the 15th of January.
State Conventions will be held to elect
delegates to the National Convention.
Personal.—Wo had the pleasure of a
call this morning from I). G. Cutting,
Esq., editor of the Augusta Republican.
3lr. C. is in attendance upon the Conven
tion, and will remain in our city Rome
days.
Sir. C. C. Carpenter, the efficient Super
intendent of the Lookout Mountain Edu
cational Institute, honored our sanctum
with ids presence yesterday evening, lie
ref timed to Chattanooga to-day.
E5F*W 0 observe that a largo degree of
,tho “worth, virtue, and intelligence,"
represented at the Macon Convention, is
stopping In this city. Object: to see what
tho State Constitutional Convention
going to do; and, if a success, to make
early applications for office.
Tub Tennessee Leglislatcre.—Two
bills of more than ordinary significance
have passed tht &lfd reading In the lower
House of the Tennessee legislature. One
enabling all cltlsens to sit on Juries and
hold office without regard to race or color;
the other esUMfshlftg a commission to ex
amine claims undff the “Loyal Indemnity
Act,” preparatory id presenting them to
the Federal Government hr payment.
OTA self-constituted member Of the
Lnnatic Convention, recent?? hi settfoi? at
Macon, has returned to his port iit Augus
ta, as wc sec Rom tho unusual quantity of
fish market reports and bad grammar in
one of the “decency” organs of thfttf city.
CIT* Went. General Sherman arrived in
Washington on tho 7th. and accompanied
by General Grant called upon tho Presi
dent, and the* three were closeted together !
a considerable length of time, it is under
The Convention.—The barmontus man
ner In which the ConstltutlonaLConven-
tion has completed Its organization, and
the high character and efficiency of it*
officers, augers well for its future. The
members of that body seem very little in
clined to respond to the dcslro Rom cer
tain quarter* for ra*li and Impracticable
measures. They can well afford to disre
gard the canting of those who essay to
provoke them to vindictive measure*; ami
If they will persevere In tfils course, the
Opposition will soon be at 11 fearful dis
count. Let them now prepare and adopt
a Constitution under which the people of
all classes can live in peace and harmony,
and there will lie no trouble about its rati
fication by tho people.
More Raids.—The bond holders and
Shoddy ites of Gotham, have captured G
oral Grant. They have held a meeting,
read a set of Resolutions previously pr
pared and adopted ina counting room 011
Wall street, and palmed off their bantUn,
as tho “expressed will of fifty thousand
voters.” This done, the manipulators huv
fallen out among themselves, and each is
now.enguged in exposing the trickery anil
duplicity of the others. This latter part
of the play is unfortunate.
We have been waiting with some degree
of impatience for some “authoritative”
outgiving in 3Ir. Forney'* Chronicle, to
see whether General Grant considers him
self a prisoner at the hands of tho fStoek
Exchange.
A similar raid was made upon the Gene
ral in Philadelphia, a few evenings since.
Certain gentlemen there, who hud “axes
to grind.” under the. Inspiration of an aspi
rant to the Vice Presidency, made a flank
movement upon the Union League, har
nessed it up and rode it Into iIio'Uiiaxt
encampment.
Both these movement* are pretty
rally understood, if we may judge from
the tone of the press in both loculi tic
Alar for Poor Humanity.—Among the
most disgusting exhibition* of the weak
ness and depravity of poor human nature,
I* the obsequious court paid certain mem
bers of the Convention during the past
three day*, by oiliee seekers who have been
mivparing in tlioir abuse of the Recon
struction movement, it i* bud enough, ill
all conscience, to see parties who are identi-
1 lied with the movement, sacrificing their
manhood, and u hatever of self-resp-et they
may lay claim to, for a little subordinate
(Misitioti at the hands of their own party.
Ihu o see men who have aspired to excel
lence in the ranks of the oppositloi, seek
ing menial position* in that* 4 Menagerie”
wherein, according to their ethics, no
“decent white men” can sit, excites our
profoundcst pity.
Cutting it Fat.— 1 The published pro
ceedings of tho Macon Convention report
the names of seventeen gentlemen a* being
present and having registered there as
delegates from Jasper county. Gentlemen
from that county inform us Unit hut tiro
were present—BIcssr*. Broddus and Prit
chett. Were the other delegations made
up the same way ?
iir Among tho other eminent qualifica
tions of Geo. II. Pendleton for the office of
President of the United States, is, that his
grandfather once assisted in arranging the
preliminaries for a duel! The Democrats
prove from tills premise, that lie is of “hon
orable” parentage, ami a lit representative
of the “Chivalry.”
£37" Secretary 3IcCu!!och has transmit
ted to Cougress a statement of tho utnoiiiit
of revenue collected on distilled spirits, for
the fiscal year ending June, 1807, from dis
tricts. Tho total amount reported as re
ceived was $28,200,204 31.
Rather Broad.—The latest burlesque of
tiie season is. tho Macon Telegraph quoting
the Savannah “Republican” ns a Republi
can's opinion of tho 3Iocon Lunatic Con
vention.
Senator Sumner’s Views of Wine and
Sunday Laws.—In a correspondence of
the Westllche Post, of St. Louis, from
Bloomington, Illinois, the following anec
dote is told of Senator Sunnier:
On the evening of October 21, Charles
Sumner lectured in Bloomington, and the
hall in Scliroeder's Opera IIoiimc was filled
to overflowing. On tlii* occasion 31 r.
Sumner gained many friends, e»|ieciaiiy
among the Germans, on account of his im
partial criticism of the temperance move
ment. Over a bottle of Catawba wine,
shortly before the lecture, he gave his
American friends the following account of
Ills change of views:
1 was educated a strict Puritan, ns you
were. Twenty-six vears ago 1 visited
Germany, «nu s, ny first Sunday In
Alx-la-Chapclle. tnt of German. 1
hardly knew how 1 the day, when a
crowd, moving In dti direction, at
tracted ray attentle. .ollowed the mul
titude ana found m> w . in an open space.
On a little hill some happy old men were
playing on some musical instruments, and
on the grass children were merlly playing.
Everybody was happy. I was completely
charmed, and asked myself the question.
“Why cannot Americans enjoy the Sabbath
In a similar way?** From that hour my
Puritanical coat was too small for mo: ft
Bplit* and since that day 1 have had bright
er and broader views of things.
Then Mr, Sumner praised the wine that
g rows oil the banks of the Moseland. the
blue, as wcllasths remarkable sobriety
of the Inhabitants#
After I hod that fatal encounter with
Brooks, and here the Senator showed the
old scars on his head, it was German air
and kJerroan wine that cured me. If my
countrymen could visit Germany, and be
come act, ulantetl with the inhabitant* and
tlicii custo.
tlons it guru
lug temperance and Sunday
lot
Cotton.—Cotta
n i* dull um! but little
loing. Lust event.
and tlii* niorulnji
Ez*Osr« Brawn an « Belief
Atlanta, Ga, Dec. 10,1807.
lion. J. It. Parrott.—Sib: Incompliance
with your request, I reduce to writing the
substance of my remarks during our con
versation upon the subject of relief to the
people of Georgia.
The war has resulted lu the destruction
of hundreds of millions of dollars worth
of property In the State, to say nothing of
the destruction in other States, 3Iueh of
tlii* was destroyed by the action of the
Confederate Government, but much the
larger part of the loss grew out of the abo
lition of slavery by the Government of
the United States, and by the action of the
State under the dereliction of the Presi
dent of the United States.
Tim*, the property in the hands of debt
ors with which they expected to make
payment lnt* been destroyed by the gov
ernment. Thousands of honest, prudent
men who contracted debt* prior to the war.
which bore u very small proportion to the
projterty owned by them, have been im
poverished by the war, ami if forced to pay
these debts in the condition of the coun
try. they must be turned out of doors with
their families homeless and penniless.
This i» neither equitable nor just. Sueli
debtor* have not involved themselves by
profligacy nor bad management. They
acted prudently and judiciously when the
debt* were contracted, llad not their
property been destroyed by the govern
ment. they would have made payment and
had ample mean* left. The war, for which
they were no more responsible than the
creditors, has caused the government to
destroy their property without compensa
tion. In such a State of tiling*. 1 hold that
it I* right that the loss lie divided between
debtor and creditor, and that stay law?,
.ml homestead laws, and any other law
which may be necessary to divide the lo
by induelrg creditors to compromise
settle on reasonable terms, are rlgiu
principle and sound in policy; and
neglect to pass them is a dereliction
duty on the part of the representatives
tho people.
1 need not refer to tho bankruptcy ai
ruin brought upon us by the fall of cotton
to lc*s than half the price expected by our
planter* when they made the expenditures
necessary to raise tho present crop,
see and know tho result. They cannot
meet present liabilities, much loss pay
debts contracted prior to. Or during the
war. They are obliged to have relief.
It is said that our Supreme Court will
*0011 declare the stay law unconstitutionpl
ami turn loose the sheriffs upon our peo
ple.
If so, property will change hands very
rapidly from tiie people to the few specu
lators who may have money; but very
little money will be realized by the sales
to go in extinguishment of the indebted
ness of the people. Should such be tiie
case, I see but one safe remedy, and that is,
in the formation of the new Constitution
of tiie State, to deny to all courts and min
isterial officers, in this State, for a reasona
ble time, any Jurisdiction to enforce any
contract made prior to the end of tiie war,
by Judgment, execution, or otherwise. IT
tliis should be characterized 11* an extreme
measure, I reply the emergency is an ex
treme one; and the public good a* well a*
the jwace of society demand* the applica
tion of the proposed remedy.
In one class of ease* 1 would make the
denial of jurisdiction perpetual. 1 refer to
note* given for slaves. A sold B a slate
in 1.800 for $1,000. mid took his note. In
1805 the government took tiie slave from
B and made him free. If A hud kept him
the government would have done the same.
A ha* lost nothing but the hi/e of the slave
for the time B held him. Tiie equity of
the case require that A give up B’s note,
and that B pay him hire for the time lie
used the slave.
Insert In the Constitution of Georgia n
provision that no court shall ever enter
tain jurisdiction of or enforce any contract,
the consideration of which was a slave; but
the courts of this State may entertain suits
for the hire of slaves, and the work is accom
plished.
Tiie Courts then (tho Judge* being
sworn to support tlii* Constitution) ean
never give judgment on thb note, or en
force any execution on such judgment;
but they may compel B to pay what the
Jury may find he is Justly due for hire.
In nddition to these measures, I think
wise stntcHinunsliip and sound policy re
quire an enlargement of tiie homestead al
lowed by law to each family. Till* should
lie ineor|>orated into tiie bill of rights as
one of tiie most sacred provisions of the
Constitution.
Each family, without regard to race or
color, should be allowed to hold one thou
sand dollars wortli of land, of which they
may have become honestly possessed as
owner, together with the dwelling house
and all neceasary out houses, the value of
which should not be counted In estimating
the value of the land, imleaa in a city, town
or Incorporated village, the Improvements
on which are worth more than the usual
average of dwelling houses. Thlaahould be
held sacred to tho family, and free Rom
levy and sale under any Judgment, execu
tion, or other process Issued by any court
in this State. The calamities of tin ir
Justify till*, when applied to p:i*
dehtedness, In much tho larger el
cases. No injustice could result from
of ftiture Indebtedness, as in
would give credit upon the faith of .t
a matter of public policy, It should . -
mend Itself to every one who realize* u.e
present condition of the country. Slavery
uiitc. ueimnn-; • * , ■ .... .
ttood that General Sherman will write up rt.c Um.leney «« , »«.'«■'**
at reasonable prices, small farms to those
who cultivate the soil, but who are not
now Interested In (t os owners. This would
attach our people more firmly to their
present homes, and Induce others to settle
among us.
Population Is the true wealth of a State.
We have vast resources to develop. We
need more labor and more capital. We
should so frame our Constitution nml laws,
and so regulate our conduct as to invite
both. He who brings capital, or muscle
and nerve, into Georgia to aid In her de
velopment, mid conducts himself a* a
peaceable citizen, I* her friend, no matte
where he was born, or what lie I* called. If
you adopt a liberal homestead law, securing
the home to the family, no matter how 1111
fortunate or profligate tiie husband and
father may be, you Invito men of
means to leave States which have not en
acted such laws, and Invest their money in
land in Georgia, where they would have
an assurance of a home for themselves and
families during life, and for the widow and
the orphan when they are gone, no matter
what misfortune may betide them.
There should also lie a reasonable ex
emption of personal property.
Before closing. I may remark, that sever
al of the State* of the Union have greatly
enlarged tlielr homestead laws within the
last few years. Some exempt as much as
tlirce thousand dollars. It I* matter of just
congratulation that the humanity of tiie
present time repudiates the barbarous laws
of past ages, which not -only incarcerated
the husband for debt, without any charge
of fraud on Id* part, hut turned the wife
and children Into tho street* helpless and
beggars, whenever the husband from any
cause made engagements he could not
meet.
Trusting that the (Convention over which
you preside, may act wisely and promptly
•11 this important question,
1 am. very respectfully.
Your obedient servant.
Joseph E. Brown,
uEOKUIA STATE COKVEXTIOIY.
THIRD DAY.
Wednesday, Dec. 11,18(57.
Convention assembled, and was opened
with prayer by Rev. Wesley Pretty man.
when the .Tournnl of the proceeding* of the
two first days was read, anil after correc
tion. approved.
Upon a call of the roll 142 delegates were
found present.
Mr. MADDOX attempted to mnko a
personal explanation, by referring to a
conversation he heard upon the streets,
which lieconsidcred reflected upon himself
and other members who had served as
Registrars, for one of the votes cast yes
terday.
The Chair, however, called him to order,
saying that the Convention could not take
cognizance of matters occurring outsldo.
Mr. TRAMMEL!#, of Whitfield, moved
that the Secretary be instructed to record
the names of delegate* voting In elections,
and who they voted for. Adopted.
Objection wa *“»dc to the election of a
Sergeant-nt-A» the Convention de
cided on divlsi vote of 78 to 30, to
proceed with th >n. Tho names of
31. J. Hinton. Jannmpbell. 3f. S. Prin
gle, 1*. O’Kceie and Pat. Fitzgibbon were
nnnounccd y as candidate*, and upon calling
the roll 3Ir. Hinton received 80 vote*; Mr.
Campbell 5 votes; 31 r. Prlnglo 10 votes;
Mr. O'Keefe 38 votes. 3Ir. Hinton having
received a majority of all tho votes enst
was declared elected.
3lr. COSTIN’ said that his friends had,
thu* far, been exceedingly liberal in grant
ing all tho offices to tlielr white friend*,
hut that It was shout time to stop, os he
thought it but fair that the colored wing of
thr Convention should have the balance of
the spoils to be disposed of in the selection
of Messenger. He, therefore, announced
the name W. H. PeLyon, of Richmond. A
number of other mures were also announc
ed, when the Secretary proceeded to call
the roll, with the following result:
W. II. Do Lyon received CS votes; W. W.
Boutwell, 7 votes; W. Atkin*. 10 votes; W.
II. Kimbro, 7 votes; Mr. Willingham, 3
votes; 31 r. Love,2 votes; Mr. Tollison, 3
votes.
There being no choice, a second call was
ordered, which was had, and announced to
have resulted as follows: W. II. DcLyon,
of Richmond, received 70 votes; Win. — At
kins, of Morgan county, 07 votes; W. 11.
Kiinbro, of Butts county, 3 votes 31r. De-
Lyon was declared elected.
Tiie election of Messenger being next in
order, a call of tiie roll was ordered, result
ing os follows: 3tr. Campbell received 79
votes; Mr. Brewster 50 votes; 3Ir. Winn
7 votes; 31r. Munday 8 votes; Mr. 3Ioree 5
votes. Mr. Campbell wot declared elected.
Mr. BLUNT offered the following reso
lution :
Resolved, That a committee of three be
appointed bjr the President to draft rulea
or order fbrihlt Convention, and to have
them printed aa early Vs possible, and that
the names of the delegates to this Conven
tion lie printed with t. rules.
A motion was made 1 .intend, by adopt
ing the rulea of the Convention of 1805.
Mr. DUNNING obieeted. He waa un
willing to accept tiie regulations of other
bodies to control this Convention, and sug
gested that this body was competent to
prepare it* own rules. Tho motion was
Inst. ^
Mr." BRADLEY moved to amend tho
iiicndmciit by adopting tiie Rules of the
Massachusetts House of Representative*,
which, he aald, were prepared by Hon.
aleb Cushing, in 1855, adopted by tiie
i- abolished. The large landed aristocracy. popular Legislative branch, and had never
tate Is broken down. The old plan- been altered. He doubted whether they
, t . . , . , mminitndpd locltnt’.im must be abandoned. Wo could be Improved, and urged their adap
tations u evidences of 1.1s purpose to give j the report of tho Indian Commission, and morning the t c 1 !? , Uvhte e country into small t met*.! lion. Roth amendments were lo,t and the
armv officer. U.cir ft.ll .hue of civic hon- j that 1.1.1,h entirely in relation to j from a ,,,1 W..al0.'. *»"' ««■ ‘,"“7™'IIIllmu! I soil out original ro.olut!on mlopta.1.
I this matter.
I house
Tiie Chair appointed 31e*srs. Blunt.
Waddell, and McCoy, tho Committee pro
vided for.
3Ir. BULLOCK, of Blchtnond,, offered
the following resolution:
Resolved. That a committee of seven ho
appointed by the Chair to wait on Major
General Pope, commander of the Third
Military District, mid inform him that in
obedience to General Order No. 8ft, till*
Convention D now assembled and organ
ized. and to Invite hi* attendance upon the
Convention at 111* pleasure.
A delegate moved to amend by striking
out the word “obedience” and Inserting
the word “compliance.” Amendment ac
cepted. and the resolution as amended
adopted.
The Chair appointed the following com
mittee on the last named resolution:
Messrs. Bullock, Miller, Turner, Co-tin,
Ash hunt. Trammell, and IVliitely.
3Ir. DUNNING, after considerable dis
cussion on the question of allowing Re
porters of papers the customary privileges,
offered the following resolution, which
was adopted:
Resolved. That bona fide Reporter of the
Press lie allowed seat* in this Convention,
provided they do not misrepresent the
member* on the action of the Convention.
31r. BLUNT ofibred the following reso
lutions, which (after u statement was made
that the lower branch of Congress bad al
ready acted upon the question Involved.)
were laid upon tho table:
Resolved, That in view ol tho atllicted
condition of the people of Georgia, csjkj-
chilly of tho agricultural and laboring
classes, which is greatly aggravated by tlie
recent depression in the price of our prin
cipal cxjRU t, this Convention does rcs|*ect-
fully, hut most earnestly, request the Con
gress of the United States, a* a measure of
|M*lP-y, conciliation, justice and humanity,
to nqieal the special tax on cotton, the re-
|H-al to operate on the crop of the vear 18*58.
Resolved, That the Chairman of till*
Convention bo directed to forward a forti
fied copy of these resolutions to the ProM-
dent of the Senate and the Siieaker of the
House of Representatives ol the United
Mates, with a request that they he com
municated to the bodies naiiicd.
Mr. HOPKINS offered a resolution,
which, after being amended, was adopted,
inviting Generals Pope and Sibley, with
their respective Staff officers, Governors
and Ex-Governors of the State of Georgia,
and Col. K. Hulbert and Staff, to seats on
the floor.
A resolution was offered as follows:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Con
vention ho directed to dispatch to Provis
ional Governor Jenkins, requesting him to
forward, lor tiie use of tids Convention,
two hundred copies of the proceedings of
the Convention field In Grorgia in 1805,
and the Constitution adopted by that
lxdy.
Mr. SAFFOLD objected to the resolu
tion In this form, because be did not be
lieve so many copies could to obtained at
the State Capital, and a compliance with
the resolution might involvu a large outlay
for printing. Ho suggested that the reso
lution be so amended ns to request the doc
uments named to he forward, if they could
be cuiivcuieiitly obtained, and the amend
ment being accepted the resolution pre
vailed.
Mr. BRADLEY offered a resolution as
follows:
Resolved. That no person i»o allowed
within tho bar of this Convention, unless
invited by a member.
Messrs. SAFFOLD, COSTIN’ and DUN
NING severally objected. It was claimed
that the result would l>e to crowd the hall
and render it Ini possible to transact busi
ness speedily. Mr. Dunning moved to
amend so that no (ktsoii 1>c admitted “un
less invited by tiie Convention.” Amend
ment adopted. 3!r. Turnor moved ns an
additional ainmvndment that tho Chair*
man of tho Convention he granted the
privilege of inviting visitors to scats. Tlii*
wn* adopted, and tho resolution ns thus
amended was passed.
31 r. DUNNING suggested that perhaps
the Convention had not elected all the of
ficers a majority of tiie delegates thought
necessary. The office of Chaplain was not
tilled, and he proposed that tiie Convention
proceed to elect a Chaplain, and presented
tiie name of Rev. Wesley Pretty man.
A motion that the Convention proceed
to elect a Chaplain was carried.
3ir. SAFFOLD moved to adjourn until
10 o'clock to-morrow. Lost.
Several unimportant motions were made
and voted down, when tiie Convention de
cided to proceed at once to nn election; and
upon motion ltev. Wesley Prettyman was
elected by acclamation, without a di
vision.
Adjourned until 10 o'clock to-inorrow.
Society in Washington.—Tiie Wash
ington Star says:
Tiie wife and the daughter of Gen. But
ler have arrived in Washington for the
season. Miss Butler will he remembered
as having graduated with high honors at
tiie Georgetown Convent a year or two
ago.
Members of Congress seem Inclined to
bring their home circles to Washington,
very sensibly, and more than half the sen
ators and at least one quarter ot the Repre
sentatives have their wives and femfllet
with them In Washington this season. A
large proportion of the Senators keep
house, but the Representatives, from tiie
more transient nature of their residence
here, generally take ftimlshed lodgings.
A Foot Race.—Just before going to
press the arrest of a negro on Broad street,
near the bridge, created no little excite
ment, and gatticrvd a large number of per
sons together. The negro, it was said, had
committed a theft In tiie store of 31 r. Co
hen, Whitehall street, from which place he
was closely pursued. iJtctcctivc Starnes
attempted to halt him In hi* flight, and a*
tiie negro would not heed the warning, Mr.
S. fired upon hint, but missed hi* mark.—
Just before the negro approached tho
bridge, (and as ho did not like to violate
the city ordinance by going over it faster
than in a walk) lie came to a hall, and was
arrested.