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Tuci'kln CCln'onirlc & (Lonstitu liondUst
ESKiSS r?U:} CONSOLIDATED MARCH 17,1877.
THE STATE ROAD LEASE.
THE MATTER DISCUSSED IN THE
SENATE.
Senator Dnßignon's Speech on the Bill
—Hfrtory of the I#ea»lng of the
Road—The Work of the
Ulature—The ••Evening
Journal.”
[Correspondence of the Chroniek.]
Atlanta, July 10.—The Atlant* Evening
Journal is moving its quarters to a new
and convenient place on Broad street,near
its neighbor, the Constitution, in the rooms
recently occnpied by Mr. Scott, the
printer. The Journal is making
a steely progress forward. Under
Colonel Hoge’s excellent manage*
meat it is gaining a strong hold. It has a
good corps of writers, who do their work
v well. The paper is always crisp and
Mr.* Wallace Bead is the general news ed€
tor. Mr. Smith Clayton and Mr? Elam
Christian report the Legislature and do
the local work. These are all versatile and
experienced newspaper men. lam much
indebted to the Journal for courtesies in
connection with legislative reports.
In the Senate the report of the Judiciary
Committee, recommending the passage of
a resolution dismissing the suit to break
up the lease of the Western and Atlantic
Railroad, was discussed.
The resolution was offered November 3d,
1882, bv Senator Jones, of the 43d Dis
trict. The resolution reids as follows:
Resolved, by the General Assembly of Geor
gia, That the Governor of this State be
and he is hereby directed to have the suit
discontinued now in progress in the Su
perior Court of Fulton county, instituted
to forfeit the lease of the Western and At
lantic Railroad Company.
2nd. That the lease act and the rela
tions of the company to the State are to
stand as before the institution of said suit,
it being the intention of the General As
sembly by the passage of these resolutions
not to indicate anything as to the validity
of the lease, the ownership of the shares or
the liability of the sureties on the bond of
said company.
The resolution was referred totbeJud
ciary Committee, November 21, 1882 On
the 6th day of Jnly it was reported by F.
G. Dußignon, Chairman of the Judiciary
Committee of the Senate, with the recom
mendation that it do pass.
The Judiciary Committee of the Senate
is a strong body of lawyers, and consists of
F. G. Dnßignon, of Milledgeville; P. W.
Meldrim, of Savannah; J. H. Polhill, of
Louisville; T. R. Jones, of Dalton; J. D.
Parks,of Dawson; W. J. Pike, of Jeffer-on;
R. D. Smith, of Knoxville; T. W. Oliver,
of Sylvania; Calvin George, of Madison;
P. 'V. Davis, of Elberton.
The committee has given a full investi
gation of the matter, hearing patiently all
sides and all the arguments and interests
and finally unanimously recommend the
dismissal of the suit and the State’s con
tinued recognition of the lease. This
strong unanimous action of the able and
impartial Judiciary Committee of the Sen
ate is a forecast of the legislative action, a
just settlement of this matter, and the re
flex of a universal popular sentiment.
The matter was made the special order
for to-day. Senator Gustin, of Macon,
made a good speech and offered the follow
ing amendments to the resolution:
• 'Provided, That the said Western and
Atlantic Railroad Company stall pay all
expenses, including fees of counsel incur
red by the State in connection with such
litigation.
‘•Provided, further. That the said West
ern and Atlantic Railroad Company shall,
through its proper officers, legally execute
such instrument as may be necessary to
create a first lien or encumbrance in favor
of the State upon the rolling stock
and other personal property of
said Western and Atlantic Railroad
Company, so that said rolling stock
and other personal property shall be bound
to the State for the performance on the
part of said company of the covenants of
their lease. Such instrument shall be re
ceived on the part of the State by the
Governor, acting under the advice of the
Attorney-General, and the Governor shall
have full authority to release at any time
any part of such property from such lien
or encumbrance, unon the substitution
thereof by said company of other property
of equal value.”
Mr. Dußignon, the chairman of the
committee, spoke in favor of the resolu
tion. He is a graceful and forcible sneak
er, with an exceedingly pure and fluent
flow of language and logical thought.
Senntor Dußignon'* Speech.
The resolution only involved a question
of State policy. The legal question in
volved had been argued before the com
mittee at great length, and the committee’s
report was based not upon the views that
its members entertained upon the law in
volved as upon the convictions of the State’s
best interests in the premises. The joint
committee appointed by the last General
Assembly, upon whose report the pending
litigation was instituted, had reported
certain technical violations of the lease act,
and on these violations the lease is sub
ject to be forfeited. It is claimed that
there is no valid bond to protect the
State’s interest. Are the interests of the
State threatened at present, or will they
likely be in the future? If so then certain
ly there should be a valid bond to protect
the State, an l it is the duty of the Legis
lature to order suitable proceedings to ac
complish this end. But if it be not true
that the interests of the State are threaten
ed, or that they will likely be, then it will be
conceded there is no necessity for a bond.
What are the facts? Twelve and a half
years ago this property was turned over
to the lessees under the act of 1870.
For twelve and a half years has
this company paid into the State
Treasury each month $25,000. Is
the property that produces this hand
some revenue being preserved. Why,
sir, when these lessees took the road in
1870 it was not much better than a mili
tary road, valued at but four million dol
lars ; now it is conceded to be worth eight
millions. Yes, but say the gentleman,
while the past is bright, the future may
not be. Say those who oppose this resolu
tion: A default in payment may be
made at any time. Then the lease act is
ample to guard in this respect. Section
Ist of that act authorizes and empowers
the Governor, whenever a default in
payment is made, that he shall proceed,
within twenty days, to forfeit the lease
and take possession of the road,
and for this purpose it is made
the duty of the Sheriffs of each county in
the State to aid the Governor with a posse
oomitatus should resistance be offered.
So that the only possible loss that the
State can sustain is a loss of one month’s
rental, a mere bagatelle, sir, when compared
with the revenue received in the past and
its promise for the future. Say those
further who oppose this resolution. Wbat
guarantee have we that the lessees will
not allow the road to run down and deterio
rate before the expiration of the lease
My answer is first, that their own interests
in the premises will protect the State from
all acts of omission and the Governor
under the lease can and doubtless will
protect the State from acts of commission.
But, sir, aside from these general views
which controlled the committee in their re
port, speaking for myself, I am satisfied that
the lessees themselves are bound by the
terms of the bond.
Mr, Dußignon made the further pointe
that Gov. Brown and the lessees were
amnly good to secure the State and also
that if there bad been any technical break
fna of the lease it was a wrong without
damage and. therefore, without ground for
• -mplaint
Senator Jones arose to speak, but Sena
tor Tutt interrupted, sayine that the ac
tion of th« Judiciary Commi .tee carried so
much weight, made as it was after a full
and searching inquiry, that be and others
like him felt it mish save time to stop
the discussion and allow them to look in
to the matter He had not had time to ex
amine it himself. Mr Parke, of the com
mi‘tee. heartily concurred in the idea of
giving time, as he was convinced that the
more the matter was investigated, the
stronger would grow the already strong
opinion that the lease should not be inter
fered with.
Tbe matter was made the special order
for Friday, the 13‘.h, when it will be
finally considered.
|A brief resume of tbe legislative action
od this lease may not only be not uninter
eMMMG but it certainly is absolutely oonclu-
Tbe lease act made $25,000 a month
tbe minimum rate of rental, required bond
and security of $8,000,000; that tbe Jes
sees be seven in number and a majority
of bona fide citizens of Georgia; that they
be worth $500,000 above their indebted
ness, and forbade the Governor to lease
the road to any company tendering doubt
ful security.
Two bids were made. A company com
posed wholly of Atlanta citizens, composed
of nineteen firms and individuals, a local
conr Q rn purely, offered $36,500 a month
for the road. They showed they were worth
$950,000 above their indebtedness. They
tendered as security the Central Railroad,
Southwestern Railroad and Macon and
Western Railroad. But unfortunately for
them, notices were filed with the Govern
or by W . 8. Holt, president 8. W. R R ;
A. J. White, President C. R. R, and W. B.
Johnson, Agent C. R. R., denying the au
thority of this lease company to tender
these corporations as security and refusing
to become security of this proposition to
lease.
The other company that made the sno
cessiul bid was not a local but a general
company, worth $4,000 000 above their
indebtedness, offering $25,000 a month
rental. They offered as security the fol
lowing railroads: Central, Southwestern.
Macon and Western, Georgia, Atlanta and
West Point, Macon and Brunswick, Bruns
wick and Albany, all of Georgia; Nash
ville and Chattanooga, St. Louis and Iron
Mountain, out of the State.
The first bid could not be accepted be
cause it offered no security. The Gov
ernor was compelled to take the last bid
as the only one complving with the law.
The Western and Atlantic Railroad was
leased to the present lease company, on
the 27th day of December, 1870, for the
period of twenty years, under an act of
the Legislature offered by the Hon. Dunlap
Scott, a Democrat. Mr. Scott conferred
with tbe leading Democrats of the State in
framing this measure.
In December. 1871, a legislative com
mittee composed of Judge William M.
Reese and A. D. Nunnally, Senators, and
George F. Pierce, Jr., George M. Nether
land and Charles B. Hudson, was appoint
ed under resolution to investigate whether
there had been any fraud in the awarding
of the lease by Governor Bullock. Some
very worthy gentlemen had made a rival
application to lease the road, and upon
being disappointed they indulged in sub
picior of fraud, settle the matter
the General Assembly undertook an inves
tigation.
It may be proper to state briefly that the
lease of the road was the direct result of a
satisfactory experience by the people of
its being a source of public exnense, a po
litical agency in the hands of dominant
parties, a cause of irritation and strife, a
source of fraud and public corruption. It
was made a wrack during the reconstruc
tion administration and a draw upon tbe
public treasury. It was a refuge for parti
san bangers-on. Since the road was
completed over four million dollars
of the public money has been ap
propriated out of the Treasury for it
from time to time, a sum far exceeding tbe
amounts paid into tbe Treasury from it.
The public accepted and desired a policy
which has stopped the leakage from the
Treasury and increase of taxation to meet
it, prevented the loss of the property,
given a steady income of 6 per cent, upon
five millions of property, brought the
road up to the best railway condition, in
creased its value with a million and a half
of betterments, and taken it out of polities.
The Legislature of 1871 that investigat
ed the fairness of the award of the lease
took the matter in charge under circum
stances peculiarly calculated to ensure a
rigid investigation. Gov. Bullock, who
awarded the lease had just resigned and
left the State with overwhelming suspicion
attaching to all of his official acts. The
competing disappointed company had
men of power and influence in it,
eager to break the lease. The Leg
islature of 1871 was a Democratic
body keen to rip np Republican frauds,
and resolved upon unsparing inquiry into
every wrong. Tbe committee was an un
usually strong one.
Ihe committee reported in Jnly, 1872.
and after a full and exhaustive discussion
the integrity of the lease was sustained
and vindicated by a large majority of the
Genera] Assembly and the deei‘ion re
ceived from the people as indicated by the
press and in other ways, the almost unan
imous endorsement of the people.
The solemn legislative adjudication of
the fairness of the lease made by the Gen
eral Assembly in 1872, is in these words:
Resolved. That the investigation of the
special committee, raised for the purpose
of investigating and passing upon the
fairness or unfairness of the lease of tbe
Western and Atlantic Railroad, has failed
to disclose evidence sufficient to Support
the charge of fraud in procuring the lease.
Reined, That in tbe opinion of this
General Assembly tbe lease of the Western
and Atlantic Railroad secures to the State
a certain sum for rental much larger than
can be hopped for under political control.
The resolution further provides upon
complaint of the lessees for a completer
inventory of the railroad, and solemnly
resolves
•'That said lease contract be affirmed
with said inventory thus corrected.”
The Legislature of 1874, as well as the
Legislature of 1872, recognized officially
the lease. This recognition was given in
an act to prevent monopolies in freights,
and says the act
"Shall be construed as in harmony with,
and in furtherance of the provisions of
the law and contract under which the W.
and A. R. R. is leased.”
The Legislature gave another recogni
tion of the lease in two other acts, one
granting the Georgia Western Railroad the
right of way over the State Read only with
tbe ‘•written consent of the lessees;” the
other act authorizing the Cincinnati South
ern Railroad to run into Chattanooga on
the State Road track on condition that tney
get the consent of the lessees.
It would seem that these repeated and
unqualified official recognitions of the
State Road lease by the General Assembly
of the State would at least be conclusive
and binding upon the legislative branch of
the State government Nor is this all. It
will be remembered that along in 1874
there was another legislative investigation,
consuming weeks of committee inquiry
into certain allegations made by Colonel
Alston, in the Atlanta Herald. This in
vestigation, like all others, not only failed
to establish fraud, but simply strengthened
the legality of the lease, and fixed it the
stronger in the public esteem.
The conclusion is irresistible that
enough <f ths public money bas been con
sumed in legislative attention to the
lease, and that it is time to let the matter
rest and give the lessees some qniet.
They have spent a million end a half of
money in improving the road, which will
go to the State without cost if the lease
runs its course, but which the State will
have to pay if the lease is broken
These very improvements, consisting of
new steel rails over tbe whole road in
place of old iron rails worn out; of new
iron bridges in place of old decayed wood
en ones; of 800 new csrs; of new large en
gines in place of old ones; of 20 miles of
new side track; of enlarged and reno
vated depots and grounds, all this
added properiy for which there is
no provision for compensation-tbe best
guarantee of the good filth of the lessees,
and gives absolute security for the protec
tion of tbe State’s interest.
The State bas received nearly $4 000,-
000 of rental in monthly payments of $25,-
000, every one of these 150 monthly
payments the State’s practical re
cognition of the lease. Twelve and
a half years es the lease have gone, leaving
but seven and a half years to run. Is it
not time to give the lessees a rest ? The
State in chartering the East Tennessee,
Virginia and Georgia Railroad from Atlan
ta to Rome has diminished the business of
the State Road for the lessees and decreas
ed the value of the lease.
The subject is so voluminous that it can
not be covered in one letter.
The Senate passed Senator McDonald’s
bill to prevent railloads from running ex
cursion or freight trains on Sunday. This
is an important measure and was pretty
well discussed.
The Senate to-day had quite a lengthy
Executive session, discussing the appoint
ment, by Governor McDaniel, of Mr
Bi ay as Solicitor of the City Court of
Atlanta, in the place of Mr Ellis.
Mr. Bray is said to be related or connect
ed with the Governor by marriage. Mr.
Bray has acted with the Independents
and rumor has it that a strong fight was
made upon his confiimation by the Senate
on this ground. The disc-ssion of the ap
pointment is said to have been general
and animated, and gossip is there was
some very decided opposition to Mr. Bray
by several Senators. Tbe confirmation
was held over. Mr. Bray had several com
petitors, H, 0. Glenn, W. R. Brown, Mr.
Thomas and others. Richmond.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
Washington, D. C.. July 12, 1883.
The Treasury reserve, to-day, amount
ed to about $132,000,000, which is about
$6,000,000 less than the amount reserved
for the redemption of legal tenders. Tbe
reserve yesterday was about $145,000,
ODO. The sudden reduction is due to the
payment of nearly $15,000,000, on ac
count of pensions.
Revocation of hi* Appointment Ordered.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue,
not having received the resignation of C.
M. Horton, as Internal Revenue agent,
as requested, to-day directed the revoca
tion of his appointment.
The Northern Pacific Company Ordered.
The Secretary of the Interior bas direct
ed notice to be given to tbe Northern
Pacific Company that all se’ections of
lands in the States of Wisconsin and Min
nesota must be made within tbe ensuing
three months and that at tbe end of that
time all orders of withdrawal will be ye*,
voked and all public lands within the in
demnity limits in those States will be
opened to settlement. He states that the
company will not be permitted to cu‘l the
lands, leaving poor lands for the govern
ment and settlers and then take the good
lands further along upon tbe line, but the
company must select sufficient lands in
each of those States, without regard to
quality, to make up the amount held in
those States.
Mr. Horton Communicating With Mr.
Evans.
Special Revenue Agent Horton, to-day,
sent the following telegram to Commis
sioner Evans: “Boston, July 12. —Recog
nizing your personal kindness to me, I
would very much like to relieve you of
embarrassments, but cannot comply with
your request for my resignation, as it
would be, in effect, a confession of guilt,
and lam not guilty. I would prefer dis
missal, because I cannot afford to lose my
character and employment at the same
time. (Signed] C. M. Hobton.”
Some Effects of the Heat.
New York July 9.—At noon yesterday
214 deaths were recorded at the board of
health as having occurred during the pre
ceding 24 hours. Os these 125 were of
children under 5 years of age, 97 of whom
fell victims to diarrheal disease.
As a reporter saw three small white
hearses and two large ones driven off one
of the Hunter’s Point ferry boats yesterday
one of the ferrymen said: "That is un
mistakable evidence of the fatal heat that
has prevailed in this city during the past
week. The boats have been carrying them
over at that rate all the afternoon. Not
since tbe Fourth street school disaster has
so many little white hearses crossed tbe
ferries in one day. The boats have been
kept running steadily regardless -of the
time.” There was a similar increase in
the number of funerals over the other
ferries leading to Long Island cemeter
ies.”
William Collins, a longshoreman, 43
years old, who was taken to the Chambers
street Hospital early yesterday morning
Trom No. 26 Greenwhich street, suffering
from sunstroke, died soon after his ad
mission. His death was ciused by delay
in summoning medical aid.
Beating and Robbing Two Fellow-
Men.
Maysville, Col., July 12.—Yesterday
Dennis Hogarty and Henry Dowling, two
desperadoes, met James Lynn and a Swede
three miles from town. They shot Lynn
and beat the Swede with a club, and then
robbed them both of tbe few dollars they
possessed. Hogarty and Dowling were ar
rested in the evening and locked up, but
were afterwards taken from jail and hung
by enraged citizens. Lynn and the Swede
will both die.
The Powers «f a State Veteriaariaa.
Springfield, 111., July 12.—The State
veterinarian reports that glanders is prev
alent among horses in 19 counties in (this
State. He claims to have been prevented
from killing the animals affected, the at
torney of the owners contending that he
could only resort to this measure after the
Govemor had issued a proclamation de
claring glanders an epidemic. The Attor
ney-Genera! is now expected to give an
opinion as the powers of the State veterina
rian under the State laws.
Some Reports A boot Yellow Fever.
New Orleans, Jnly 11.—A Galveston
special says: The fever stricken bark Sa
lome, having been fully supplied
with every requisite, will sail for
Hampton Roads to-morrow morning.
A rumor that three more of her crew
had been taken down with the fever is of
ficially denied by Dr. Blunt, the quaran
tine physician, who was alongside the ves
sel this morning.
Late dispatches show there is no abate
ment in the disease at Vera Cruz. The
weather is reported intensely hot.
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY, JULY 18. 1883
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
THE PROCEEDING* OF YwTKRTHV
IN BOTH
Quite a Busy Day it* RetlWhrawcbes—
Saturday Fixed as tltoSgty for
Memorial Service*
Death of
Stepheniui’Mßp
—1
[Special to the Cbroufrie.)
THE SE
Atlanta, Georgia, Julyl 11, iRSgf,
The Senate was called* tel by the
President. Prayer by the Mwlain. Jour
nal of yesterday’s proceeflMK read and
confirmed. . *
Senator Dußignon, submit*
ted a report from the Judj||i&y Commit
tee, recommending tbe of the fol
lowing bills.
A bill to amend of "the
Code.
A bill to prescribe of lettine
out the printing of Court Re
ports. '
A bill to prescribe the oatjb to be taken
by jury com mission ex s.
The committee recommended that the
bill compelling owners of cotton gins to
enclose the same, be referred to the Com
mittee on Agriculture.
The Committee on Agriculture reported
adversely on £be bill to abolish the De
partment of Agriculture.
Senator Hoyt, Chairman of the Select
Committee on Memorial of the late Gov
ernor Stephens, offered a resolution fix
ing Saturday next as the day for the mem
orial services, which was adopted.
On motion of Senator Tira, the Senate
went into executive session
At 11:45 the executive session was dis
solved and the doors thrown open, when,
on mtflion, the Senate took a recess for 15
minuses. During recesk the reporter
learned that the discussion was lengthy
and earnest on the appointment of Mr.
Bray to be Solicitor of tbe Atlanta City
Court, and the vote stood 17 for and 24
against his confirmation.
At 12 o’clock the Senate was again call
ed to order.
On motion of Senator Dußignon the bill
to provide road commissioners for all the
counties of this State was taken up, and
100 copies ordered printed for the use of
the Senate.
The rules were suspended and the fol
lowing bills read the first time:
By Senator Jones—A bill to be entitled
an act to prescribe the manner of making
transcripts of record and bills of excep
tion and for other purposes. Judiciary.
By Senator Oliver—A bill to prescribe
the manner of making and working the
public road? of this State. Judiciary.
Hon. B W. Bans, formerly a member of
the Senate, was invited to a’ seat on the
floor.
By Senator Harris A bill to carry into
effect the last clause of the 3d section of
tbe seventh article of the Constitution of
this State. Judiciary.
By Senator Morgan—A bill to amend
section 4059 of the Code. Special Ju
diciary.
By Senator Parks - A bill to amend sec
tion 529 of the Code. Judiciary.
Judge Charles F. Crisp was invited to a
seat on the floor.
Senator Parks offered an amendment to
rule six of the standing rnles, which was
referred to the Committee on Rules.
HOUSk *
Tbe
Chaplain McCleland. Roll call dispensed
with. Journal read and approved.
Mr. Harris from the Joint Memorial
Committee on the late Governor Stephens
reported on tbe part of th« House that the
committee had selected next Saturday as a
proper day for the memorial exercises.
On mo ion, the rules were suspended
and a resolution by Mr. Harris setting
apart Saturday as the day for the exercises
was adopted.
The counties were called for new matter
and local bills on first reading.
A bill to provide for a Solicitor of the
County Court of Sumter, was read the
first time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to amend an act amending tbe
charter of Griffin, was read the first time.
Corporations.
A bill tn submit to tbe voters of Sumter
county the question of issuing bonds to
build a new court house was read the first
time. Finance.
A bill to extend the limits of Americus
so as to include certain lots. Introduced
by Mr. Wilson. Local and Special
Bills.
A bill to amend an act to confirm the
action of the Mayor and Council of Ameri
cus in building a bridge across Flint
river. Introduced by Mr. Hawkes. Local
and Special Bills.
A bill to authorize tbe Mayor and Coun
cil of Americus to receive s bond for ap
pearance from a person charged with a
violation of an ordinance. Introduced by
Mr. Hawkes. Local and Special Bills.
A bill to authbriza the Mayor and Coun
cil of Americus to levy and collect a tax
upon all assessments of property in said
city not exceeding one-fourth of one per
cent., for the purpose of constructing wa
ter works and gas works, or either. In
troduced by Mr. Hawkes. Local and Spe
cial Bills.
A bill to provide for the distribution of
fines and forfeitures arising in the Countv
Gou tof Sumter. Introduced by Mr. Wil
son. Local and Special Bills.
A bill to change tbe time of holding the
Superior Courts of Taylor county was in
troduced by Mr. McCants and was read the
first time. General Judiciary.
A bill to amend section 3647 of the new
Code was introduced by Mr. Brinson, of
Screven county, and read the first time.
General Judiciary.
On motion of Mr. Crenshaw the rules
were suspended and the resolution in
relation to the appointment of a com
mittee to investigate the Agricultural
Department and the manner of inspect
ing fertilizers was taken up. Mr. Cren
shaw affixed a substitute which,
being objected to, was at once
withdrawn. The original resolution was
then adopted without amendment.
A bill to incorporate the town of Rey
nolds, in Tayl?r county, was read the first
time. Corporations.
A bill to create the office of county soli
citor, for Thomas county, was introduced
by Mr. Patton, of Thomas, read the first
time and referred to the Special Judiciary.
A bill to prohibit the sale of liquor on
any public or national holiday in this
State. Introduced by Mr. Whatley, of
Troup, read the first time and referred to
the Committee on Temperance.
A bill to amend section 282 of the Code,
introduced by Mr. Crenshaw, of Troup,
read the first time. General Judiciary.
A bill to regulate the sale of liquor in
Twiggs county, was read the first time.
Temperance Committee.
A bill to prohibit the sale or furnishing
of liquor within one mile of Mount Pleas
ants Methodist church in White county,
was introduced by M. Kinsey; read the
first time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to amend the act to incorporate the
town of Thomaston, Upson county, was
read the first time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to amend section 4749 of the Code.
Introduced bv Mr. Wood, of Walker; read
the first time.' General Judiciary.
A bill for the relief of Walker eountv by
authorizing the use of .the State tax collect
ed in said county for the year 1883 t-o
erect a court house in plaee of one destroy,
ed by fire. Introduced by Mr. Wood.
Finance.
A bill to amend section 279 of the
Code. Introduced by Mr. Hudson, of
Webster. Special Judiciary.
A bill to amend sec'ion 2484 of the
Code. Introduced by Mr. Wright, of
Washington ; read the first time. Gen
eral Judiciary.
A bill to repeal section 3974 of the new
Orfde. Introduced by Mr. Hudson and read
the first time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to provide for drawing but one
grand jury for each term of the Superior
ourt of Washington county. Introduced
by Mr. Pringle, of Washington: read the
first time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to define t espass upon land in
Washington was read the first time. Spe
cial Judiciary.
A bill to amend section 4163 of the
Code. Introduced by Mr. Reese, of
Wilkes; read the first time. General Ju
diciary. ■
A bill to repeal an act to create a Board
of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues
for Worth county, was read the first time.
Special Judiciary.
A bill to incorporate the Irwinton Rail
road Company, was read the first time.
Corporations.
A bill to prohibit the sale of liquor in
Bartow county. Introduced by Mr. Fite,
of Bartow; read the first time. Temppr
ance Committee.
A bill to authorize the attena&ee as.
constables at the sittings of masters and
auditors in this State, and to provide for
their compensation. Introduced by Mr.
Fife, of Bartow; read the first time. Gen
eral Judiciary.
A bill to provide compensation for man
agers of general, special and municipal
elections held in Hancock county was read
the first time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to amend the charter of Craw
fordsville was introduced by Mr. Moore,
of Taliaferro countv. Local and Soecial
Bills.
Tbe Chair announced as the committee
on the part of the House to investigate the
Agricultural Department. Mr. Crenshaw,
Chairman, Messrs. Payne, Hoge, Zichry
and Barksdale, of Lincoln.
A bill to change certain boundary lines
of militia districts in the city of Augusta
was read tbe first time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to create a board of commissioners
for Richmond was read the first time.
Special Judiciary.
A bill to change the school system in
the county of Pierce was read the first
time. Committee on Education.
A bill to exempt Dr. C. C. Willis from
the operation of an act to regulate the
practice of medicine in this State. Intro
duced by Mr. OrumbTey, of Quitman;read
first time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to authorize the Governor to in
sure the public buildings. Introduced by
Mr. Humber, of Putnam. Finance.
A bill to repeal an act to create a County
Court in each county of the State, so far as
relates to the county of Jasper. Introduced
by Mr. Key. Committee on Local and
Special Bills.
A bill to abolish the office of County
Treasurer of Monroe. Introduced by Mr.
Head; read the first time. Special Judi
ciary.
A bill to incorporate the Brunswick
Street Railroad Company was read the
first time. Corporations.
A bill to incorporate the Turtle and
Altamaha River Coal Company was read
tbe first time. Corporations.
A bill to authorize tbe Commissioners
of Roads and Revenues of Fulton county
to create and appoint assessors of real
estate for each militia district in said
county, whose duty it shall be to assess the
valuations of the real estate in said county
for the purpose of State and county taxa
tion, and to provide for compensation for
said assessors. Introduced by Mr. Hoge,
of Fulton, read the first time and referred
to the Finance Committee.
A bill to prohibit the sale of liquor with
in two miles of tbe Methodist Episcopal
Church South, at East Point, in Fulton
county, was read the first time. Commit
tee on Temperance.
A bill to incorporate the town of East
Rome was read the first time. Corpora
tions.
A bill to prohibit the retail of liquor in
Floyd county, outside the city limits of
Rome, was read the first time. Temper
ance.
Mr. Bishop moved to take up hie reso
lution prohibiting the introduction of
new matter after the 20th of July, and
called for the ayes and nays. Lost.
A bill to levy a tax upon pistols. In
roduced by Mr. Foy, of Effingham, read
the first time, and 'referred to the Special
Judiciary.
A bill to authorize the County Commis
sion of Decatur county to assess the taxa
ble property of said »ounty. Introduced
by Mr. Russell; read the first time. Special
Judiciary.
A bill to amend section 508 of the
Code. Introduced by Mr. Stallins, of
Coweta, read first time. Committee on
County Lines.
A bill to amend an act to fix the amount
of license for selling liquor in the counties
of Wayne, Liberty, Coffee and Appling
was read tbe first time. Temperance.
A bill to amend 3693 of the Code, refer
ring to the making of depositions, intro
duced by Mr. Ray, of Coweta; read the
first time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to amend 1317 of the Code, in
troduced by Mr. Ray, of Coweta; read first
time. Finance.
A bill to amend 4079 of the Code, in
troduced by Mr. Russell, of Clarke; read
the first time. Special Judiciary.
House adjourned to 9 to-morrow.
THE SENATE.
Atlanta, July 12. The Senate was
called to order by the President. Prayer
by the Chaplain. The roll call showed
that all the Senators were present or ac
counted for. The Journal of yesterday’s
proceedings read and confirmed.
Hons. M. L. Mershon and H. C. Roney
were invited to seats on tbe floor of the
Senate.
Senator Dnßignon, chairman, submit
ted a report from the Judiciary Commit
tee, recommending tbe passage of the fol
lowing bills:
A bill to regulate the practice in the
Superior Courts of this State.
A bill to amend section 1419 of the
Code.
A bill to authorize tbe trustees of the
State University to lease/sertam lands for
school purposes.
A bill to amend section 1424 of the
Code. This classes as retailers all persons
selling liquors in less quantities than five
gallons.
A message from the Governor called atten
tion to a letter from the late Postmaster-
General Howe, in regard to defects in our
State law in relation to the transportation
and delivery cf interrogatories. This
committee recommends the passage of a
bill making the needed amendment.
The bill establishing a branch of the
State University at Waycross was with
drawn by its author.
By Senator Foster—A bill to prevent cit
izens of other States from driving stock
upon the lands of citizens of this State for
grazing purposes. Judiciary.
HVBy Senator Hughes—A bill to require
the Commissioner of Agriculture to cause
to be made analyses of the soil of the va
rious sections of this State, and publish
the same.
Under a suspension of rules the follow
ing was read the first time:
A bill to iucorporate tbe Vigilant Live
Stock Mutual Insurance Company. Com
mittee on Corporations.
Also, a bill to amend section 2928 of the
Code. Judiciary.
By Senator Davis—A resolution making
th j report of the joint committee on the
memorial of the late Senator Hill, the
special order for Saturday, the 28th inst.,
at 12 o’clock. Adopted.
A message from tbe House announced
the passage of a resolution providing for a
joint committee of three ■ from the Senate
and fivefiom the House to investigate the
Agricultural Department and the mode of
inspecting fertilizers. The resolution was
taken up and concurred in.
By Senator Meldrim —Resolution pro
viding for tbe appointment of a committee
of five to attend the commencement of the
State University. Adopted.
Bills on Second Reading.
To require persons owning and running
gins in counties where the stock law is en
forced, to inclose tbe same. Committee
on Agriculture.
To regulate the practice in Superior
Courts.
To provide road commissioners for each
county. Recommitted.
To abolish the State Agricultural De
partment. Pending the appointment of a
committee us investigation, this was tem
porarily tabled.
To make second, term, trial term in Jus
tice Ccfurts. Recommitted.
To amend the law in regard to the re
lease certain State propertjrWHl
ville for school purposes.
To amend section 1424 of the Code,
making sellers of less than five gallons re
tailers of liquor.
To amend section 4587 of the Code.
To amend section 4527 of the Code.
To amend section 1419 of the Code.
To amend the act regulating the prac
tice of medicine. Temporarily tabled.
To prescribe the oath of jury commis
sioners.
To exempt practicing physicians from
professional tax. Adverse report and the
bill lost.
To regulate the practice of medicine.
Adverse report. Lost.
To abolish the County Court in the
county of Bryan.
Under suspension of rules, the follow
ing were read third time:
To provide additional modes of fore
closing mortgages on personal property.
After some discussion, on motion of Sena
tor Parks, the bill was recommitted.
To regulate the practice of medicine.
Recommitted.
A message from the House announced
the passage of a resolution adding one
member from each house, to the Hill
Meniprial Committee. Concurred in, and
Senator Jones added on the part of the
Senate.
Senator Parks’ resolution amending rule
6, was taken up under a favorable report
from the committee and adopted.
The President announced the following
as the committee to attend tbe commence
ment exercises of the State University:
Messrs. Meldrim, Martin, Frederic, Davis,
Guyton.
Adjourned to nine o’clock to-morrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.'
The House met at 9 o’clock. Prayer by
Rev. W. D. Heath, of Atlanta. Roll call
was dispensed with. Journal read and ap
proved.
The rules were suspended and several
important bills were read the second
time.
The call of counties for new matter and
the reading of bills reported back was
proceeded with.
A bill to change -the time-of ling thc
Superior Court of Calhoun county was
read the third time and passed.
Mr. Russell, of Clarke - A bill to amend
tbe Constitution by submitting to the peo
ple at the next general election the ques
tion of the creation of the office of Lieuten
ant-Governor. Referred to Special Ju
diciary.
A bill to amend 4157 of the Code; in
troduced by Mr. Teasley, of Cherokee,
read the first time. Genera! Judiciary.
A bill to amend an act to enlarge the
jurisdiction of the City Court of Savan
nah; introduced by Mr. Falligant, read
the first time. General Judiciary.
On motion of Mr. Humber, of Putnam,
the rules were suspended and the resolu
tion reported by Mr. Humber from the
committee to prepare a memorial of the
lata Senator Hill, setting apart Satur J ay,
the 28:h of July, as a proper dav to con
sider the memorial, was unanimously
adopted.
A bill to amend an act to empower the
chairman of the County Commissioners of
Mclntosh to fine and imprison street
hands. Introduced by Mr. Fa'ligant, and
read the first time. Corporations.
A bill to incorporate the Savannah Lith
erage and Transfer Company. Introduced
by Mr. Owens, of Chatham, and read the
first time. Ccrporations.
A bill to extend the limits of Savannah.
Introduced by Mr. Owens and read the
first time. Corporations.
Mr. Huhey, of Fulton, offered a privi
leged resolution that two additional names
one from tbe House and one from the
Senate—be added to the joint committee
on the Hill memorial. Carried. The
Speaker appointed Mr. Key, of Jasper,
fiom the House.
A bill to prohibit the sale of liquor
within three miles of any church or acad
emy in the State. Introduced by Mr. Car
roll, of Carroll. Read the first time. Tem
perance Committee.
A bill to provide for the purchase of
certain Supreme Court reports for the use
of Appling county. Introduced by Mr.
Carter; read the first time. Finance Com
mittee.
A bill to require all clerks in elections
in this State to be sworn. Introduced by
Mr. Carter; read the first time. Finance.
A bill to supply a deficiency in the con
tingent fund for 1883. Introduced by
Mr. Little; read the first time. Finance.
A bill to pay C. F Crisp balance of sal
ary as judge of Southwestern Circuit for
years 1879 amd 1880. introduced by Mr.
Little, rond the first time. Finance Com
mittee.
A bill to refund taxes illegally collected
by the State from the Security Life Insur
ance Company of New York; introduced by
Mr. Rice, of Fulton, read first time.
Finance Committee.
A bill to refund taxes illegally collected
by the State from the Southern Mutual
Life Insurance Company of Kentucky
introduced by Mr Rice, read first time.
Finance Committee.
A bill to amend the laws as to recording
papers and the use of such record as evi
dence. Introduced by Mr. Lofton of Bibb,
and read first time. General Judiciary.
A bill to prevent hunting on certain
lands in Appling county was read the first
time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to repeal an act creating a board
of commissioners for Appling county was
read first time. Special Judiciary.
A bill to repeal part of section 297 of
the Code. Introduced by Mr. Shipp, of
Chattahoochee; read first time. Special
Judiciary.
A bill to incorporate the Fulton County
Street Railroad Company. Introduced by
Mr. Rice and read the first time. Corpora
tions.
A bill to require the owners of stock in
Burke county to keep the same on their
own premises, etc. Introduced by Mr.
Cox, of Burke, and read the first time.
Agriculture.
A bill to prohibit the sale of liquor in
Campbell county. Introduced by Mr.
Camp, of Campbell. Local and Special
Bills.
A bill to empower the County Commis
sioners cf Bartow to give to owners of
land od Etowab river and other streams in
TEKMS-42.001 Y2A2
said county, the right to erect gates across
public and private ways. Introduced by
Mr. Jones, of Bartsw. Local and Special
Bills.
A bill to amend an act to incorporat the
city of Cartersville. Introduced bv ntr.
Jones, of Bartow. Local and Special
Bills.
A bill to appoint two persons in each
militia district of the counties of .he State,
who shall be known as district boards of
equalization of taxes. Introduced by Mr.
Foster, of Floyd, and read the first time.
Finance.
Bills Read the Third Time.
A bill to incorporate the Rome and B»-
catur Railroad Company was read the
third time and passed.
A bill to authorize the officers of any
public institution in this State to turn over
to the metrical colleges of the State all dead
bodies of Inmates which shall be unclaim
ed twelve hours after death. The bill was
put upon its passage. Mr. Hawkes, of
Sumter, opposed it in a touching and for
cible speech, after which it was promptly
killed by a vote of ninety-two nays to sev
enteen yeas.
On motion the rules were sue pen led
and a resolution by Mr. Reese, of Wilkes,
inviting Colonel Richard Malcolm John
ston, the biographer of the late Governor
Stephens, to address the General Assem
bly on Monday evening next, at 8 o’clock,
op the life and character of the gyat oom
moner, was unanimously agreed to.
' House went into a o>m-
inittee dTSe whole to consider a lull to ap
propriate Si 75 to purchase Certain"la#
books for McDuffie county, and recom
mended that the same do pass. The bill
was then passed.
A consolidated bill to prevent stock
from running at large in the counties of
Cobb, Greene. Jasper and Hancock, was
read the first time. Committee on Agri
culture.
A bill to prevent willful trespass upon
the lands of another, was read the third
time ar>d passed.
A bill to amend 4527 of the Code, was
read the third time and passed.
A bill to amend section 4565 of the
Code was read the third time and passed.
A bill to make more effective section
1409 of the Code was read the third time
and passed.
A bill to so amend section 4083 of the
Code so as to empower tenants to file a
pauper affidavit to resista Jistroes war
rant, was put upon its passage.
Mr. Bartlett, of Bibb, opposed the bill,
urging that the present law is whole
some.
Mr. Watson, of McDuffie, defended the
bill. Pending his remarks the House ad
journed to 9 o’clock Friday. Richmond.
Mr. Rolling Withdraws From tl»e Bace.
Concord, N. H., July 12.—The first
ballot, to-day, resulted: Whole number
of votes, 322; necessary to a choice, 162;
Wm. 8. Ladd, 1; Daniel Bernard, 1; John
G. Muggridge, 1; Chas. H. Burns, 1;
Jeremiah Smith, 3; Wm. E. Chandler, 8;
Aaron F. Stevens, 18; Cilman Marston,
20; Mason W. Tappan, 22: James Briggs,
37; Edward H. Rollins, 93; Harry Bing
ham, 117. Patterson dropped out of the
contest, his strength going to Tappan,
Briggs and Marston. At the conclusion of
the ballot Mr. Whitehouse, of Rochester,
arose and presented a letter addressed to
the Republican members of the New
Hampshire Legislature, in which Mr.
Rollins reads a sharp lecture to Stevens,
Marston, Briggs and Patterson for their
rejection of his proposition that the whole
five withdraw from the contest and leave
the matter open for the further considera
tion of the party. He then withdrew his
own name. Another ballot was taken in
the afternoon, the 22nd joint ballot,
as follows: Whole i umber of votes, 322;
necessary to a choice, 162; W. S. Ladd,
H. E. Burnham, Ezra Pray, Oh»s H.
Burns, C. H Bartlett, C. B. Jordan, J. G.
Muggridge, 1 each; 8. C. Eastman, J. L.
Spring and B. F. Prescott, 2 each; Walter
Harriman, 3; Daniel Barnard. 4; J. H.
Gallinger, 4; O. C. Moore, 9; Jere Smith,
16; A. F. Sterens, 16; Gilman Marston,
25; M. W. Tappan, 30; J. F. Briggs, 37:
Wm. E. Chandler, 52; Harry Bingham,
113.
On the Buffalo and Southwestern Road..
Titusville, Pa, July 11.—A special
diepalch to the Herald says that an ex
cursion train from this oily, containing
about 75 members of the Masonic lodges,
while returning from Jamestown, collided
with a freight train on the Buffalo and
Southwestern Road, at two o’clock this
morning, two miles from Jamestown, in
stantly killing George Gates, the conduc
tor. and M. D. Cally, the brakeman of the
freight train, and fatally injuring W. J.
Innis, another brakeman. No one was
hurt of the excursion train. The engi
neers and firemen on both trains saved
themselves by jumping. Both engines
were smashed to pieces, as were also many
freight cars. The cause of the accident
was the failure of the engineer of the
freight train to obey orders.
Illustrative of an Era of Prosperity.
New York, July 12.—General John New
ton, president of the Society of the Army
of the Potomac, has been invited to attend
the reunion of Parson’s Cavalry Brigade
(Confederate), at Dallas, Tex., on August
26th and to respond to the toast of ‘‘the
boys who wore the blue.” The president
of the society (W. G. Veal), says: “Our
reunion is not to quarrel, but to meet as
brothers, bury all unpleasant recollection
of the past and unite heart and hand in
the welfare of our great nation for all time
to come.”
What the Great Free Thinker Will Do.
London, July 12.—The Speaker of the
House of Commons has written to Mr.
Bradlaugb, informing him that he will be
excluded from the House until he engages
not to attempt to take the oath in disre
gard to the resolution of the House. Mr.
Bradlaugh has made reply, declaring that
the action of the House in his ease was il
legal. He says he will endeavor to take
his seat in obedience to the law and if ex
pelled he will appeal to the electors in his
constituency.
Four Harvesters and Four Tramps.
Greenfield. 111., Ju'y 11.—Tuesday
night four harvesters boarded a freight
train at Whitehall, 12 miles north of this
place, to steal a ride. While at this sta
tion four other men boarded the same
train and the same car, apparently for the
same purpose; but. after the train was in
motion, drew revolvers on the first four
men, and, after making them deliver up
what money they had, drove them off the
moving train. One man, named Patrick
Knight, fell headlong from the train and
was killed. The four men responsible for
Knight’s death, it seems, are tramps.
They have been arrested at Brighton.
Practice of tbe American Team.
London, July 11.—The American rifle
team practiced at Hounslow, to-day. They
fired at 500, 600, 900 and 1,000 yard
ranges, seven ehots at each range. The
scores, owing to a gale, which was blow
ing, were small. They were as follows :
Smith, 120; Bull, 108; Cash, 107; Rab
betb, 104; Pollard, 104; Joiner, 101;
Paulding, 101; Brown, 100; Howard, 98;
Hinman, 98;VanHusen, 97; Shakespeare,
94; Dr. Scott, 90; Lieut. Walter Scott, 86;
Dolan, 85; Stewart, 76; Alder, 65.