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££:} CONSOLIDATED MARCH 17, 1077.
GENERAL_ASSEMBLY.
WORK. IN THE TWO HOUSES YES
TERDAY.
Distinguished Visitor*—Reports of Com
mlttees—The Special Older—A Live
ly Session of the Senate—The
State Road
Ethe Matter In the Lower
House.
[Special to the Chronicle 1
THE SENATE.
Atlanta, August B.—Senate met at 10
o* cloak, Senator Polhill in the chair. Bev.
Dr. Jones prayed. Roll call. Journal
read.
The Judiciary Committee reported cer
tain bills back.
Mr. Hugh B. Wilkinson and A. J.
Crittenden were invited to seats on the
floor.
agawsfineHo e d . ay, of o
weta, to allow failures of consideration -to
be plead in suits on guano notes. The
committee recommends that the Governor
do such things as he deems proper in se
curing a Georgia display at the Boston Ex
position."
The Committee of Education report cer
tain measures.
The Penitentiary Committee report on
the killing of the convict Frederick on the
Marietta and North Georgia Railroad by a
guard named Griggs, by a resolution in
structing the Governor to direct the Solici
tor General of the Blue Ridge Circuit to
S refer a bill of indictment before the Grand
ury of Pickens county against all the par
ties concerned in the killing.
Hon. J. 0. 0. Black, of Augusta, and W.
J. Williams, of Telfair, were invited to
seats on the floor.
The special order, a bill to amend 4587
of the Code in regard to contracts between
farmers and their laborers, was taken up.
The committee reporte'd against the bill.
Senator Tutt moved to disagree to the re
port of the committee, yeas 24 and nays 9.
The report of the committee was disa
greed to.
Senator Dußignon addressed himself to
the leg-il aspect of the bill, opposing it be
cause be considered it violative of the
State and Federal Constitution. A man
imprisoned under this bill would be pun
ished for debt and debt alone. He referred
to the decision in the 41st Georgia, in an
alimony case, where a party was imprisoned
for refusing to obey the order of the court
and pay* the alimony. The Supreme
Court punished the party for disobeying
the order of the court. The case of a de
faulting attorney was discussei, the Su
{>reme Court deciding he could be pun
shed. Tbia is not an ordinary debt, but
of br ach of trust. The case of bail in
trover was argued.
Mr. Meldrim suggested that trover cases
involved the principle ex delicto and these
cases under this bill violations purely of
contract.
Mr. Dußignon thanked him. He con
tended that an act should not be declared
a crime that did not have the essence of
crime. Yon could not make it a crime to
refuse to pay a promissory note. This is
just such a case.
Mr. Livingston said the bill was based
on the idea that the man had perpetrated
a swindle.
Mr. Dußignon proceeded further to
illustrate his position. Mr. Tutt and Mr.
Dußignon had some sparring at this point.
Mr. Dußignon further claimed that this
law in the hands of bad men would be an
engine of oppression. It would be a hard
ship on the poorer classes of our people.
He made a very pretty allusion to some re
marks of Hon. Julian Hartridge, who in
Congress defended himself from the idea
that in legislation affecting the colored
people he could do them wrong, bound
as he was to them by so many ties.
Senator McAfee opposed the bill. It is
an innovation upon the rights of a large
class of citizens who have to make a living
by the sweat of their faces. He was op
posed to increasing the list of crimes.
This measure made a discrimination be
tween capital and labor against labor. It
worked a hardship upon the farmer. He
claimed the wrongs sought to be remedied
were already provided for by the law that
made obtaining goods under false pretences
a crime.
Mr. Tutt s»id the Supreme Court had
decided to the contrary, and the purpose
of this bill was to remedy that.
Mr. McAfee proceeded to urre the un
constitutionality of the measure.
Mr. Meldrim opposed the measure. He
said the Senate was the conservative
branch of the General Assembly, the bal
ance wheel of legislation, and not repre
sentative of the popular sentiment. He
read the constitution, which says there
shall be no imprisonment for debt. If
this measure covered what was simply
debt, then it conflicted with the Constitu
tion and should not be passed. He de
fined what was debt failure to pay some
thing in arrears.
Mr. Tutt referred to the statute as to
larceny after a trust, and said the lan
guage there was refusal to pay.
Mr. Meldrim said the cases were wholly
different. In TVeeny after trust there was
fraudulent conversion of another man’s
property.
Quite a lively little episode occurred be
tween Senators Tutt and Meldrim in their
colloquy. Mr. Tutt intimating a disposi
tion not to be “bulldozed,” and Mr. Mel
drim smilingly deprecating any purpose
to “bulldec*>” any one by an argument on
the legal effect of words in statutes.
Mr. Meldrim continued his argument
against the measure as violative of sound
Snblio policy. He contended that it gave
le strong the right to throttle the weak.
Only the poor require advances, and there
fore only the poor are effected by this bill.
He opposed the bill in brief because it,
Ist. was unconstitutional; 21, because it
destroyed the distinction between crimes
and contracts.
Senator Oliver supported the bill. He
did not claim it perfect, but thought it a
good measure. The only objection to the
bill was that it was unconstitutional. The
bill was a conservative measure. Mr.
Oliver gave a sharp stroke at Mr. Meldrim
as coming here with the smell of the hust
ings upon him. He also took Mr. Dußig
non to task for quoting the words of Con
gressman Hartridge in such a cause as this.
He claimed that the whole argument or
constitutionality had been a laudation of
the colored laborer. Mr. Oliver proceeded
to argue the policy and reason of the bill.
Mr. Oliver’s argument was that legisla
tion was necessary to protect the farmer in
this matter—that the law as it stood gave
no protection.
. Mr. Peeples opposed the bill. He con
sidered the unconstitutionality of the
measure had been clearly demonstrated.
He devoted himself to showing the bill to
be against public policy. Where was the
reason for placing this class of contracts
above other contracts? The policy of col
lecting debts by criminal process is wrong,
and should not be begun. It should be
voted down. Put all on the same footing.
The merchant’s debts were just as impor
tant and sacred as the farmer’s debts. This
is closes legislation against the laborer and
for the employer.
An animated colloquy occurred between
Senators Peeples and Tutt over some of
the sections of the bilL Pending the dis
cussion, and during Mr. People’s speech,
the Senate adjourned gun til 9 o’clock to
morrow morning.
HOU«E OP REPRESENTATIVES.
The House met at 9 o’clock. Prayer by
the Bev. Mr. K-y, of Jasper. 801 l call
was dispensed with. The Journal was
read and approved.
The consideration of the State Boad
lease resolution was resumed. *Mr. Gary
concluded his speech. He said that he
would vote for the substitute of Mr. Mad
dox, because it was the besfr thing that he
could do under the Circumstances. He
wisbed it distinctly understood, how
ever, that he was opposed to a longer con
tinuance of the lease.
Mr. Falligant spoke for the minority re-'
port. He thought that the suit should be
dismissed. Under the lease act be declar
ed that the lessees are individually bound.
He said the lessees are to be sued and they
are liable. He said that he planted him
self apon the validity of the security. The
act of the securities in signing the
lease was ultra vires because not against
the public policy point expressed in the
body of the act. The’-security cannot,
DUB a* .....
Mr. Park, of Greene, advocated the re
solution to dismiss the suit.
Mr. Watts, of Stewart, opposed the res
olution to dismiss the suit.
Mr. Rankin, of Gordon, made a strong
speech in support of his substitute. He
expressed the opinion that the lessees had
carried out their part of the contract, and
that the Slate should do the same. He did
not believe that tbe lessees, at the expira
tion of the lease, would demand pay for
betterments. He believed that the kssees
are individually bound, and that the se
curities are .legally bound. Mr. Rankin
made an elaborate argument to show why
tbe lease should remain just as it is. He
held the close attention of the House for
more than an hour.
Mr. Redding, of Pike, made a speech
against discontinuing. He gave the mem
bers a very plain sensible talk. He had
never known Governor Brown to fail to
carry his point. The indications are that
he will carry it-this time. But the House
should vote this proposition down. The
suit to discontinue tbe lease should be al
lowed to go on. The Attorney-General
has drawn blood every time the lawyers of
tbe lessees have met him. He is
master of the situation, and there
is not a disinterested lawyer in
Georgia who does believe that the State
will gain the case on the final hearing.
He assailed the bond with great adroit
ness, saying that in it he saw the shrewd
band of strategy, and hoped that the Lord
would have mercy upon the souls of the
men who plotted it, at some future time,
if be could not consistently do it now.
[This argument, however, is deprived
of all force by the fact that the language
relied on is a misprint.—Ed.] Gov. Steph
ens. who knew as much about the State
Road as anybody, who was familiar withits
condition and history, wrote to Gover
nor Brown to bid $50,000 a month for the
road, and when the Governor put in a bid
of twenty-five thousand dollars Mr. Steph
ens withdrew and refuse* to have any
thing more to do with the lease. Pending
the speech of Mr. Redding, the House ad
journed to 9 o'clock Friday.
' HOUSE.
Atlanta, August 9.—The House met at
nine o’clock. Prayer by Mr. Key. The
roll call was dispensed with. The journal
was read and approved.
The discussion of the State Road lease
resolution was contianedr Mr. Redding,
of Pike, having the floor. He said that
for nearly ten years the legislatures of
Georgia have been discussing the State
Road question and now when it has been
placed in the hands of the Attorney-Gen
era! where it properly belongs, it pops up
here again in the form of a resolution to
discontinue the suit. It is said that the
lessees have greatly improved the road.
They have - but they did not do it to
benefit tbe State, but to advance their own
interests. The gentleman from Chatham
(Mr. Falligant) comes before the House,
composed of business men, farmers, law
ers, etc , and discusses for an hour the
question of ultra vires, which you do not
understand. There is a good deal of ultra
vires in the question. Its got a very bad
case of it. The safest plan for the
lessees is to let a mixed assembly decide
upon this question of ultra vires, and not
a legal tribunal. The legal tribunal knows
too much. That’s the trouble. Mr. Red
ding said that the question, reduced to its
last analysis, was to give a bond and take
tbe road -or just keep the road without a
bond. The lessees ought to be made to
give the additional bond of five hundred
thousand dollars. They had the property
and could execute the bond in five minutes.
Make them give it to protect this proper
ty. Tbe able and distinguished lawyers em
ployed by the lessees say stop the case be
cause it will cost the State a fee. Such a
sentiment is worthy of contempt, coming
from such a source. Tbe State may or may
not have to employ additional counsel.
We have an Attorney-General with a head
on his shoulders. He is able to meet them
now. I despise the point coming from paid
attorneys of tbe lessees that it will cost the
State a fee to continue this case. Let it
go on. Gentlemen say the bond is all right.
Theo let tbe Supreme Court say so. And
if as the “Mighty Julius" threatens let Mm
file an appeal to the Supreme Court of the
United States. It is the duty of the State,
having gone that far, to fight this case to
the end—to say to these lessees and their
paid lawyers, “Lay on, McDuff, and damn
ed be he who first cries, “Hold, enough'!’’
Mr. Bartlett, of Bibb, followed on the
same line. During bis speech a little par
liamentary tilt took place between Mr.
Bartlett and Mr. Falligant, which wound
up by Mr. Falligant taking bis seat, say
ing, “Ephraim is joined to his ido’s.”
Mr. Dart, of Glynn, made a short speech,
in which he argued that the lessees hav
ing never failed to pay the rent had car
ried out their contract.
Mr. Hoge, of Fulton, said the lease act
required that the State should be secured
in two things to-wit, in the payment of
the monthly rent, and in the return of the
road to tbe State in ss good condition as it
was received. He attacked the substitute
of Mr. Maddox. He saw nothing in it-to
secure the State. If that substitute shall
pass the result will be that rae lessees will
allow the road to “run down.’’
They will be obliged to save themselves
to make no more improvements, but to let
the road lapse into the same condition as
when they received it The lessees claim
no right to betterments - but if they con
tinue to improve the road to the expira
tion of the lease they would then have the
right to petition the Legislature in refer
ence to improvements. The lessees and
the State should stand on the contract as
contained in the lease act passed in 1870
The informalities of that aet were caused
by the action of the Legislature in 1872
which adopted the minority report of the
committee which said that the lease was
fairly obtained. When the Legislature of
1872 with all the Busts before them sol
emnly ratified this lease they ratified it once
and forever—and no other Legislature can
undo it.
He argued that the lessees of the road,
who are worth twenty millions of dollars,
are bound to the State for this road.
Mr Maddox spoke again for his substi
tute. He said that the time that the bond
would be needed was at the expiration of
the lease. If this thing goes on, this road
will be like the watch which the fellow
took to the tinker. He had to give him
the watch for the repairs.
Mr. Maddox concluded by saying: “For
God’s sake let’s get it back while we can.”
Mr. Little, of Muscogee, spoke next.
He did not. claim te be as well informed on
the subject as other gentlemen, hut he
wished to present % view or two. I have
heard this talk about the State road ever
since I was a boy and I’m *ired of it. It
was an issue in the first campaign I ever
took an interest in.
What is the proposition ? Why, simply
to dismiss the suit against the State road.
I think we are.all agreed that this suit
should be dismissed. But is it wise
to pass either of the measures? I
do not think so. I am in favor of
dismissing the . suit unconditionally.
The road pays more now than it
ever paidJbefore, except for a brief period.
The.roaa has been too much used as a pol
itical engine. L°t us put it beyond the
political circle. For twelve years the rental
has been promptly paid. The people have
recognized the validity of the lease. This
property of tbe State has alsp been greatly
*po£e the. majority report is adopted' and'
vnfi lessees aC'cllne to give the additional
bond. The snit goes on—the road comes’
back to the State. What will she do with
it? Lease it again? The same influences
which were brought to bear upon the
Legislature of 1870 to lease this road
would be brought to bear upon Some other
Legislature, and tbe chances are that the
road could not be leased again to any better
advantage than in 1870.
As to the bond. It certainly binds
somebody. It bin Is the company. You’ve
got your bond. You’ve got your improved
road. You’ve got your rent. Let the road
lone.
Mr. Pendleton, of Lowndes, called the
previous question. Sustained.
The substitute of Mr. Maddox, that the
suit now pending in the Superior Court of
the State against the 1 ssees of the State
Road be dismissed, provided the lessees
shall make no claim for betterments at the
expiration of the lease, was read.
Mr. Reese, of Wilkes, chairman of the
General Judiciary Committee, concluded
under the rule. He advocated the adop
tion of the majority report, which requires
that an additional bond of five hundred
thousand dollars shall be given as a con
dition precedent to the dismissal of the
suit.
His argument was an assault upon the
validity of the present bond. He con
tended that the State bad not ample se
curity as to the expenses of the suit. If it
is right the expense should not be con
sidered. The gentlemen who represent
the State will get their fees whether the
suit is dismissed or not. They have a
contract with the State. Remember that
you are the representatives of the people,
and are expected to stand up for their
rights.
Mr. Bedding, of Pike, called for the
yeas and nays on the Maddox substitute.
Sustained.
The vote stood yeas 51, nays 96. The
substitute was lost.
The majority report of the committee, in
the form of a substitute, was next voted
on. It provides that the suit be dismissed
upon the lessees giving an additional bond
of $500,000. A call for the yeas and nays
was sustained. The vote stood—Yeas, 47;
nays, 90. The report was lost.
Mr. Hawkes, of Sumter, offered a substi
tute for the minority report, that the les
sees be compelled to deposit $500,000 in
bonds in the State Treasury as securities
for.tbe road. Mr. Hawkes spoke for bis
substitute. The substitute was voted
rfoWll—- - - 4
Mr. Mcßride. |>f Haralson, moved to
amend the substitute of Mr. Rankin, of
Gordon, by adding the words “or to con
cede in any manner the right of the lessees
for compensation for betterment at the
expiration of the tease.” The amendment
was adopted.
M”. Rankin’s substitute, as amended,
was then adopted. It provides for uncon
ditional dismissal of the suit.
Mr. Rankin then moved that the action
of the House be at once transmitted to the
Senate.
Mr. Reese called for the yeas and nays.
Not sustained. The motion was carried.
The House adjourned to meet at 3
o’clock this afternoon.
SENATE.
Senate met. Prayer by Rev. Dr. Jones.
Roll call. Journal read. Senator Pol
hill in the chair.
Judiciary Committee, through Chair
man Dußignon, reported certain bills.
Rules suspended, Mr. Bell offered a new
bill to amend section 3725 of the Code.
Mr. Tutt’s bill about advances to farm
laborers was taken up as unfinished busi
ness.
Mr. Tatum offered an amendment that
when employers shall fail to carry out
their contracts they shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor.
Mr. S. R Harris favored the bill, and
said there was an evil to be remedied. It
was charged that Mr. Tutt’s bill was un
constitutional. If this is true the section
of the Code that he proposes to amend is
unconstitutional. He did not think that
the bill conflicted with the provision of
the Constitution that forbids criminal
punishment for debt. Laborers have a
general and special lien on the products of
their labor. Laborers’ wages are not sub
ject of garnishment. Homestead property
is subject to liability for laborers* wages.
Labor is fully protected and tbe laborer
has the advantage over every class of peo
ple. It is right then to protect employers
against the frauds of laborers. The bill
is for the protection of all people as well
as the farmers who made advances. Mr.
Harris gave an instance of some turpen
tine manufacturers who would be bene
fited by this bill.
Mr. Livingston said there was a great
disposition to impair contracts and not to
enforce them. The spirit was to get rid
of debt. Alluding to tbe -constitutional
objection, he said the constitution re
minded him of a certain horse in Coving
ton years ago, that Col. W. W. Clark, now
to be buried, said “covered too much
territory.”
Ex-Governor James M. Smith was in
the Senate gallery during this discussion.
Col. Livingston argued the constitu
tional question briefly. There were good
lawyers on both sides, and as the lawyers
disagreed on it, let the farmers decide for
themselves. We can only look at the
question as one of policy. He proposed
to show that the measure was for the
benefit of the laborers. All the interests
of Georgia to-day hinged upon her labor.
Laborers could only get help from those
whom the bill seeks to protect, and the
stronger the certainty of payment the
better the chances of advance.
Mr. Davis asked Mr. Livingston bow
many laborers he had to leave him after
he had made advances.
Mr. Livingston said his laborers as a
rule staid with him. He had from one to
two to leave him every year. But his ex
perience had nothing to do with the prin
ciple. He represented others as well as
himself. He discussed at length the risk
taken by the farmer in advancing to la
borers, the risk of adverse seasons, sick
ness and death of laborers, and other
grounds of loss. Surely the farmer should
at least have protection against the single
element of fraud. He went fully into the
annoyances that surrounded the farmers,
originating in a precarious and impecu
nious labor, and he said the labor ques
tion was the largest*one, underlying all cf
our interests, and that there was a poten
tious revolution ahead unless something
could be done. Mr. Livingston made
some strong points and strong impression. .
Senator Tutt defended his bill. He
quoted section 5023 of the Ooda, tbrt I
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1883.
thorizes the General Assembly to punish
fraud. This bill was not to oppose labor
but to punish frauiws the Constitution
requires. He discussed the question of
oppressing labor-ja In North Georgia the
poor whites anffnppreased and in South
Georgia the pod Blacks. There was in
finite cant on thiJubjeot. The mention
of the black nTI started the freedom
sbriekers over t I whole country. The
black man had efraMe protection under tbe
law. He had e&jMtion at the cost ofAhe
white man who h ■been impoverished by
the colored emancipation. All
talk about oppr«pling tbe laborer was
bosh. The farmenfceeded the protection
of this bill, and it should be given.
Senator Jones gave notice of an amend
ment he proposed to off-*, so that Senator
Tutt could speak to it if be wished.
Mr. Tutt continued his remarks advoca
ting the bill in his customary spirited and
aggressive style, jgfirtw interruptions
with q r the
constA - xS* ■«
ring. Mr. Tutt has been so earnest in tbe
advocacy of the 'measugp as to skirmish
sharply with several Senators In his col
loquy with Mr. Gustin he said he did not
mean any discourtesy.
Mr. Divis did not think the opinion of
the Agricultural Society, soon to convene
here, would make 1 the bill constitutional.
He defended the Judiciary Committee in
reporting tbe bifl unconstitutional after
first reporting the bill favorably. Mr. Da
vis is a very clear, forcible speaker, a
young Senator of fine sense.
A sealed message was received from the
Governor.
Mr. Davis continued his argument. He
said it was nothing in tbe world but a
measure to punish criminally a breach of
contract. The crime created arises from
inability to pay a'debt. No hair splitting
can make it anything else, and it was un
constitutional.
Mr. Jones* amendment was read. It
provides that no man shall be punished
under the bill until judgment has been
first obtained for the advances and a return
of no property made. Mr. Jones spoke in
favor of his amendment, which, he
claimed, gave laborers the proper
right of contesting the justice of
the claim in a civil suit without
tbe ignominy of a criminal accusation.
The laborer had a constitutional right to
be heard upon the contract. By this bill
you select one class of debtors and declare
their default criminal, and relieve all other
debtors from thia same. The bill don’t bear
with equal force on both parties to the
contract and therefore is wrong. It bears
unequally upon the weak in favor of the
strong. Repeated questions were put by
Mr. Tutt, Mr. Livingston and others to Mr.
Jones, and vei|y animated skirmishing oc
curred. This bill has been singularly pro
lific of warm discussion and very spi.ited
interchange of sharp strokes with consid
erable feeling.
The morning hour was extended to one
o’clock.
Mr. Parks spoke in favor of the bill. It
was claimed that the friends of the meas
ure was howling for its passage. The
howl came from the burdened farmers of
tbe State, who were suffering at the hands
of a labor that no existing law could reach.
Mr. Jones asked if this bill did not put
the laborer debtors in s different place
from other debtors.
Mr. Parks-answered that this class of
contracts was different from other con
tacts. The consideration "’of this was
labor, . . *■
-. Mr. WMiC: I Ws
money did not relieve the«onlK*c ; . *
Mr. Jones asked if it was not paid in
specifics did it not run into a money
debt?
Mr Parks claimed that this class of cases
was sin generis and entitled to different
consideration. He continued his argu
ment in favor of the bill. He denied that
the bill imprisoned a man for debt.
Mr. Davis’ asked for what was a man
prosecuted under this bill.
Mr. Parks proceeded to argue that it was
not simple debt.
Mr. Neal called the previous question.
Sustained.
The various amendments were lost, and
on the passage of the bill the yeas and
nays were carried and the bill was passed,
25 yeas to 16 nays.
Adj turned to 9 o’clock to morrow.
House.
Atlanta, 9a., Av,gust 9 -Hous* met at
3 o’clock.
New Bills.
Mr. Johnson, of Bald win-To keep up
stock in Baldwin county; also liquor
license bill for Baldwin county; also, pre
vent obstructions of fish iu all streams in
Baldwin county; also, to authorize the
issue of new Court House bonds in Bald
win county; also to authorize the use of
certain convicts on roads in Baldwin coun
ty-
Mr. Paulk, of Berrien To change time
of holding Superior Courts in Berrien and
Echols
Mr. Harris, of Bibb To amend charter
of State University, to let trustees elect
Governor of State a member of Board;
also to appropriate SBO to Railroad Com
mission to pay Macon Telegraph and Mes
senger for advertising.
Mr. Bonndtree, of Brooks To amend
section 4578 of the Code as to running
freight trains on Sunday, excepting fruit
trains.
Mr. Perkins, of Burke—To make
Waynesboro -a city; also to amend sec
tion 3682 of Code, as to advertising; also
to amend section 4386 of Code, as to bur*
glary, extending section to churches.
Mr. McDonoueh, of Chatham—To
amend section 344 of Code.
Mr. Falligant, of Chatham—To permit
executors, &c., to invest in mortgages on
land; also, to amend section 1577 of the
Code as to burning oils, forbidding sale
under 125 degrees Fahrenheit; also a
resolution for the committee to procure
a painting of ex-Governor John Milledge.
Mr>*Maddox, of Chattooga—To amend
road laws as to Chattooga county; also to
pay one John W. Gafin S3OO for arresting
Gus Johnson. •
Mr. Russell, of Clarke—To amend sec.
4512 of Code; also to divide State into
ten Congressional ’Districts; also dog law
for Clarke countv.
Mr Thompson, of Clay—To re-charter-
Fort Gaines.
Mr Morrow, -of Clayton—To have elec
tion to abolish County Court in Okvton
county; also to amend section 4097 of
Code.
Mr Erwin, of Cobb—A registry law for
the State.
Mr. A vary, of Columbia—To abolish the
County Commissioners office in Columbia
county.
Mr. Ray, of Coweta -As to wife’s prop
erty—giving husband one-third.
Mr. Bussell, of Decatur—To amend in
corporation of Spring Creek Canal and
Improvement Company.
Mr. Jones, of DeKalb—To change the
time of holding Superior Comte of DeKalb
and Fulton counties; also to transfer
Clayton county to Flint Circuit.
Mr. Mclntosh, of Dougherty—To pay SB4
to T. F. Cook.
Mr. James, of Douglas—To make
engines stop at railroad crossings; also
a resolution to get Congress to establish a
postal telegraphic line.
Mr. Chauneey, of Early—To provide for
repairing bridges in counties.
Mr. Johnson, of Echols—Liquor bill for
Echols.
Mr. Foy. of Effingham—To amend act
as to trustees of the Lunatic Asylum.
Mr. Dawson, of Emanuel—As to liquor
law of Swainsboro:
Mr. Brooks, of Floyd—To incorporate
Borne Insurance Company.
Mr. Rice, of Fulton—As to court room of
Justices in towns of 5,000 people; also,
as to the Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta
to elect arbitrators.
Mr Hulsey, of Falton—To amend sec
tion 233nf ihe Code; also, to amend sec
tion 4095 of Code as to nuisances.
Mr. Hoge, of Falton—To amend charter
of West End; also to incorporate the Ful
ton Railroad Company.
Mr. Dart, of Glynn—To compel con
necting railroads to receive freight and
cars.
Mr. Redwine, of Hall—To amend chart
er of Gainesville. Richmond.
LETTERS FROM WARRENTON.
Death of Mr. Walter Scott—The Crops—
Prospects.
(Correspondence of Chronicle.)
Wakbenton, August 9.—Mr. Walter Scott
died at this place this morning. He came
dignity of character. He married Miss
Augusta Wilder, a daughter of the Hon.
Rabun M. Wilder. He held the office of
Treasurer of Warren connty many years.
He was a member of the Methodist church,
an Entered Apprentice Mason, a Sir Knight
of Honor, a member of the Legion of
Honor and depot and express agent. No
more prominent citizen has died in years.
Leigh.
Warbenton, Ga., August 9.—Mr. Wal
ter Scott, of this place, died this morning.
He had been sick for many months, and
his death is not a surprise. Mr. Scott has
been a very prominent man in this county
for many years past, and has controlled a
good deal of property. He was a man of
the noblest impulses, generous to a fault,
and with firmness would he cling to a
friend. It was his delight to see and be
with young people and augment their
pleasures. It is questionable whether he
had an enemy.
After a four weeks’ drouth this county
has been visited by a most refreshing rain.
It will help the late corn and mature what
cotton bolls there now are. It has come
too late to start the cotton again to
growing in time for the squares to make
bolls. We count on a half a crop of cot
ton here. Forward corn is very sorry, and
the rain can do it but little' good, as the
fodder is now being pulled from it.
Our town is on quite a boom. Allen &
Farmer have just had their large brick
store repaired and it now shows off to
great advantage. We are all proud of it
and the merchants who run it, There are
many improvements going on —several
houses to be built soon—and, though the
dry weather may injure us, it will not ruin
US. COBRESPONDENT.
S to
GREENVILLE.
Railroad Accident Heavy Load of
Cotton Crop* Fair—A Survivors
Reunion.
(Daily News.}
Gbeenville, August 9. A ‘misplaced
switch leading from the 8. U. and C. Rail
road to the Air Line Road on yes
terday ran a freight train of the
former road on the Air Line track.
Soon afterwards a passenger train on
the Air Line appeared, and it was with
much difficulty that a very serious collision
was avoided The passengers were greatly
excited and it is said attempted to jump
out of the windows of the cars. It is
The Air-Line Railroad brought to this
city yesterday about 300 bales of cotton,
which had been purchased by the Pied
mont Manufacturing Company in Atlanta.
It is pleasing to see that in spite of the
parching drouth there are crops which
have been but slightly affected.
The reunion of the survivors of the Con
federate soldiers from this section was
held at Mcßee’s Spring, two miles and a
half from the city, yesterday. Oapt. Geo.
Gibbs, now of Augusta, Ga., was called on,
and spoke modestly and simply, express
ing his delight at meeting his comrades
again after having been absent from among
them for ten years.
The Rev W. H. Strickland has returned
from Csesar’s Head, which he has been vis
iting duri g the past ten days.
COLUMBVS.
Tlie First Bale—High Priced Stock-
Worms in Cotton—Street Rail
road—The Brennans.
(Enquirer-Sun j
Columbus, August 9.—During the pres
ent season, the brokers of this city have
shipped twenty-five car loads of water
melons to the west a?d northwest.
There is some hope that the street rail
road will yet be built.
Yesterday a telegram was received in the
city stating that little Lizzie, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Hunt, had one of her
legs broken by a fall Tuesday evening, at
Mount Airy, Harris county, where Mrs.
Hunt is visiting relatives.
Yesterday Mr J. W. Woolfolk received
the first bale of new cotton of the crop of
1883-’B4. It was shipped via the steamer
Thronateeska. by Mr. Wm. Wood, of Gor
don, Alabama. It weighed 400 pounds,
and was classed middlings.
Yesterday morning we noticed the sale
of twenty-five shares of Georgia Home In
surance stock at auction, which brought
from 185 to 191. A gentleman informs
vs that some of this stock was sold yester
day at 200.
We were yesterday shown a specimen o
cotton taken from Col. W. A. McDougald’
place, just below the city, which was cov
ered with the caterpillar. They are on his
cotton, and have come in full force. He
thinks that they will eat him out in two
weeks, as this is the second crop that has
come. We learn that they are to be found
in numbers on all the plantations along
the river.
The following gentlemen compose the
Brennan Base Ball Club: James J. Woulft,
captain and c. f.; M. Lambane, Ist base;
Nick Brennan, 2d base: John F. Farrell,
3d ba-e: Wm. J Butler, J. f ; Adam Lorch,
r. f.; John Irwin, s. s.; Wm. A. Landry,
pitcher; George Mundiger. catcher; Tho?.
Brennan, president; R. H. Money, man
ager; R. L. Brow, secretary.
Vtolatton of the Neutralif y Liw«.
Richmond, August 9. —The investiga
tion before United States Commissioner
Pleasants to-day into the case of Captain
Dodd, of the schooner E. G. Irwin, who
was arrested yesterday on the charge of
attempted violation of the neutrality laws
in having on board large quantities of war
material, resulted in that officer being sent
over to the October term of the United
States Court. Captain Dodd was dis
charged upon his own recognizance to ap
pear at that time. The vessel will be
libelled and then bonded. United States
District Judge Hughes has been tele
graphed to in order to try and have a
special session of court to try the case
earlier than the date named.
Fearful Accident.
Pittsburg, Pa., August 9.—While five
of the employes of Hussey, Howe & Co.’s
steal mannufacturing establishment were
taking stock in the warehouse at noon to
day, a rack supporting 500 tons of steel
gave way, burying Charles Ashman and
Robert Sherrity under the ruins, and
slightly injuring the three others. Ash
man was instantly killed and Sherrity will
probably die.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
WHAT THE ENGINEEH IK CHARGE;
HAS TO SAY.
The Tennessee River and the Work oC
Improving It—The Nature of the
Work—t he Muscle Shoals Canal
—Blasting, Dredging, Snag
ging, dtc.—Appropriations
Recommended.
(By Telegraph to the Chronicle.)
Washington, August B.—The report of
Maj. W. R. King, the engineer in charge
of river and harbor improvements in the
Chattanooga district was received at the
War Department to-day. The following is
a synopsis of the reports with respects to
the condition and needs of several works
under his direction. Os the improvement of
the Tennessee river,above Chattanooga, he
says: -The.object -of.the present plan of
improvement of this section of the river
was to remove obstructions and deepen
the channel at shoal places so as to se
cure a depth of at least three feet
at low water. The obstructions to
navigation consisted chiefly of reefs
and rocks, with occasional shoals of sand
and gravel. Nearly all of these have been
lessened, many of them entirely removed,
and others reduced to secondary impor
tance as obstructions. The engineer re
ports that the improvements thus far made
appear to be permanent, but says the an
nual appropriations for several years have
been so small that but little work could be
done, and the cost of what was done has
for some reason been greater than it should
have been. He says he hopes that a suffi
cient appropriation will he made to extend
the improvement to Knoxville, and still
farther lessen some of the obstructions
already partially removed. The estimated
cost of improving this upper section of the
river, as made in 1877, was $225,-
000, The amount appropriated to date
is $215,000, and the unexpended
balance July Ist, 1883, was $287.
It is estimated that $9,500 will be
required for the completion of the work,
and that that amount can be profitably ex
pended next year. On the river below
Chattanooga the work done during the
past year was principally at Muscle Shoals,
an obstruction which-forms a great bar
rier to navigation in this river. All other
obstructions are of minor importance and
their improvement can only be fully util
ized when the Muscle Shoals Canal is
navigable. The entire chain of obstruc
tions, from deep water at Florence to deep
water near Brown’s Ferry, is 36 miles ■
long, of which 8 miles require no im
provement and of the remainder 16 miles
are overcome by a canal alongside the
river, and 12 miles have been im
proved by building wing dams and
heavy retaining dams of stone and
by blasting a channel through solid
rock in the river bed. Sixteen miles
of canal are also well advanced
towards completion and were never in bet
ter condition for rapid and economical
work than M the present time if funds
were available.* Below Florence work was
done during a part of the year in snagging
and removing overhanging trees. The
engineer reports that as a result of im
proving this section of river packet boats
now make irregular trips on the lower
Tennessee. A new company has been
chartered under the title of “The Flor
ence. \EvansviHe . apd.. Nashville Stoam-.
Packet Company, to establish a
regular line of steamers on the Ten
nessee and Cumberland rivers be
tween Evansville, Ind., Florence, Ala.,
and Nashville, Tenn. He estimates that
$700,000 can be profitably expended next
year, and recommended that it be applied
to continuing the operations at Muscle
Shoals and improving navigation at places
where there are now minor ob-tructions
between Chattanooga and Paducah. The
estimated cost of the improvement of the
river below Chattanooga was $4,133,000.
There has already been appropria t'd $2,-
315,500, and it is now estimated that sl,-
387,500 will be required to complete the
work. The unexpended balance, July Ist,
1883, was $23,650. Os the improvement
of the Cumberland river,Tenn, and Ky..he
says: “The plan of improvement consists
in blasting out a channel through rock
reefs, removing gravel bare and boulders,
and building rip rap dams where con
traction of the water way is nesessary to
secure additional depth, and in the re
moval of snags and overhanging trees.
The engineer reports that the improve
ment of the river by the construction of
locks and dams, which is the only
method by which low water navigation
can be f ecured from above to below Nash
ville, excepting for very light draft boats,
has been considered too expensive, and
the present project is only designed to
give such additional depth of the channel
as will prolong the season of navigation.
Washington. August B.—On the French
Broad river, Tenn., the present plan of
improvement consists in removing ob
structions for a channel, cutting away
overhanging trees and building wing dams
where necessary so as to permit the pass
age of vessels drawing 2% feet of water as
high as Leadville during low water sea
son. The engineer reports that as a re
sult of the woik already dope, ascending
boats use the new channel, although the
old one is open for use, and that the im
provement gives general satisfaction to
those navigating the river. The original
estimate of the cost of the wo T k was
$150,000 and the amount already ap
propriated is $18,500. It is estimated that
$131,500 will be required for the com
pletion of the work and that $15,000 can
be profitably expended during next year.
Os the improvement of Clinch river the
report says : The plan of improvement is
to remove the most dangerous obstruc
tions down to extreme low water
mark, blasting a chute through ledges and
building wing and training dams'where
necessary, as to secure at ordinary low
water a depth of two feet from Kingston
to Clinton, seventy miles. Daring the
year active operations were carried on
about Haynes at Straight Shoals and
Hunters Shoals, where Etrong dams were
built and the channel widened and deep
ened by excavating solid rock. The work
here was completed and navigation made
with two feet lower stage than be
fore. Below Haynes the most im
portant improvements were made at
Bletchers Shoals,* Cloud Shoals. On
the Ocmulgee river, in Georgia, the
work done consisted in snagging and in
building three log dams and two jetties;
SICO,OOO is asked for to be applied in con
tinuing operations with a snag boat, re
moving surface obstructions and building
booms or crib work at a few points, to as
sist rafts in keeping the main channel.
The original estimate of the cost was $Bl,-
240; appropriated, $54,090; available
July Ist, 1883, $1,159; required for com
pletion of the w0rk,527,240, of which
SIO,OOO can be profitably employed during
next year.
On the Coosa river, in Georgia and Ala
brma, daring the year operations were
confined to removing obstructions below
Greensport, and to opening a channel
from Lonnergan’s and Hart’s reefs below
lock No. 3 4 dam was also constructed
above lock No. 1 to prevent accamulations
of drift wood. The original estimate of
the cost was $552,347; appropriated,
$368,700; available July Ist, 1883, $480,-
007; required for the completion of the
works, $183,647, of which $150,000 can
be profitably expended during next year.
Os the Oconee river in Georgia, the en
gineer reports that the improvement can-
TERMS-$2.00 A YEAR.
not be considered as permanent, as an an
nual appropriation will be necessary to
keep the improved channel dear of ob
structicns, the original estimate of the
cost was $50,000, appropriated $20,000,
available July Ist, 1883, $2,229, required
for completion of the work $29,500, of
which SIO,OOO can be profitably expended
during next year.
a
THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
Banquet to tl*e Ministers—Gladstone**
Response to a Ton st—Reform In
Egypt—The Tamatave Af
fair—Condition of Af
fairs in Ireland.
(By Cable to the Ohror iole.)
London, August B.—The Lord Mayor’s
banquet to Ministers took place at the
Mansion House this evening. Mr. Glad
stone, on rising to respond to a toast to
her Majesty’s Ministers, was greeted with
prolonged cheers. After expressing his
thanks Mr.' Gladstone proceeded to
give a sketch of the recent public
events. He said the government had
gone to Egypt In an unselfish spirit
and deserved simply toaccelers tea reform
there. It was felt that too much haste might
spoil the work. When the views of the
government in this respect were accom
plished the British would disappear from
the country. He said that noting would be
more grateful to every one of the Ministers
than an early and successful accomplish
ment of the grand movement towards a re
form in Egypt. In regard to the Tamatave
affair Mr Gladstone said the government
had received fuller advices from Madagas
car confirming the hope that no difficulty
exists in Madagascar which could not be
solved by a generous and honorable dis
position, which should always exist, es
pecially between France and England. He
now felt even sanguinely confident
that nothing would arise which
would disturb their long accord.—
Mr. Gladstone said ho was thankful
to be able to record a change in the con
dition of affairs in Ireland. The authori
ty of the law, he said, had been reasserted
there and peace and security prevailed.
The dark dens of assassination had
been effectually suppressed and the
confidence which had united their
deadly purposes had been in a
large degree destroyed. Deep gratitude
was due to the Almighty and secondly to
Earl Spencer, the Lord Lieutenant, and
to Trevelyan, the Chief Secretary. He
said he believed that th« end of the ses
sion would show that a fair amount of
work had been achieved. The govern
ment hoped much in the future from its
new system of grand committees-
COVFEDERATE SURVIVORS.
A Reunion of Boys Who Wore the Gray
—Distinguished Speakers.
(By Telegraph to the Chronicle.)
Galveston, Tex., August B.—A dispatch
from McKinney, Tex., says the managers
of the Confederate reunion were in dis-
Eair yesterday morning on account of a
eavy rain, which continued to fall for
two and a half hours, covering the ground
with the stickiest of mud and rendering
locomotion nearly impossible. After
the weather cleared and the exercises
had commenced, however, there were
fully 40,000 persons present, 15,000
whom were served by the organization
with dinner on the ground. The speakers
were Gan. Cabell, ex-Governor Throckmor
ex-Governor Hubbard, Colonel Bowen and
Congressman Wellborn. The tenor of
Governor Ireland’s speech, which was a
fair sample of most of the others, was that
the Confederates had no excuse to make
for the part taken by them in the late con
test. He said . “We are to forget the po
litical strife which led to the war, but
must teach our children of the deeds
of those who wore the blue and
gray. We are all Americans and ever
ready to battle with our country’s assail
ants from whatever quarter.” Gen. Lewis
said he would never admit that the Moody
chasm had been bridged over. He was
glad that Butler had not been invited.
Butler was not a Democrat. The name of
Jefferson Davis, Gen. Lewis said, was the
grandest in American history. The speak
er would never make peace with Butler.
He might be an unreconstructed rebel,
but if called upon to defend the national
honor or rights he would respond.
GEM. CROOK'S CAPTIVES.
A Plan for the Government of the Re
servation—Who Is Charged With
the Care of the Indians—His
Duties.
(By Telegraph to the Chronicle.)
Washington. August B. Gen. Crook has
issued an order in regard to his Apache
captives, in which he places the entire
control of the San Carlos reservation un
der charge of Capt Emmett Crawford, of
the Third Cavalry, with instructions to
carry out such provisions of the agreement
recently entered into by the Secretaries of
War and the Interior as may devolve upon
the War Department. Captain Crawford
is accordingly charged with the duty of
keeping peace on the reservation, admin
istering justice, punishing refractory In
dians, and preventing them from leaving
the reservation except by proper authority.
He is also charged with the care and con
trol of the Indian prisoners recently cap
tured by General Crook and such as may
hereafter be captured or surrender them
selves; and he is also to protect the Indian
agent in the discharge of bis legitimate
duties on the reservation. Second Lieu
tenant C. B. Gatewood, of the Sixth Cav
alry, has been ordered to report to Oapt.
Crawford for duty in connection with this
service.
The President and the Indians.
Fobt Washakie, Wyoming, August 9.
In accordance with the expressed wish of
the Shoshones of the Arapahoe Chiefs
their people were afforded an opportunity
of calling on the President at three o’clock
this afternoon. Shortly before that hour
they gathered on the plains to the number
of about 500, the warriors mounted upon
their handsome ponies. They dashed for
ward in a line of battle a thousand yards to
a point near which the President stood
awaiting them. The column then halted
and several of the chiefs dismounted
and approached him. Among them
were Washakie, the remarkable chief
of the Shoshones, from whum this
post takes its name, and Black Coal,
the chief of the Arapahoe tribe, which
within a few years have been permitted to
share the occupancy of this reservation.
The President then thanked his visitors
for calling on him and congratulated
them on their fine appearance. He assur
ed them of his interest in their welfare,
and of his satisfaction upon hearing
of their exemplary conduct and their
growing attention to the practice of indus
trial pursuits. His address, which was
admirably suited to the occasion,
was interpreted to the Shoshones
by an English speaking member of
their tribe, who bears the name of Nor
cutt, and to the Arapahoes by one
of their number who was educated at
Carlisle school. The Chiefs replied and
their remarks were similarly interpreted.
Chief Sharp rose and presented the Presi
dent with a handsome pony for his daugh
ter. Gifts of moccasins and leggings were
presented to the members of the party.
Then followed a war dance in which 20
young Shoshone braves took part.