Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Wericto Cljvonidc« ssssss ™:i consolidated march it, iott. | STATE LEGISLATURE. ■ THE WORK IN BOTH BRANCHES | YESTERDAY. » Bill* SAID CobUk In—A Reaoiution To Admit No New Matter After Wednea day—A Pretty Oood Day's Work. (Special to Chronicle.] THE SENATE. Atlanta, August 13.—Senate met. Rev. M. B. Warton prayed. Roll call. Journal read. Governer Boynton in" the Chair. Quite a sprinkling of ladies in the gal lery. Hod. Phil Cook and W. L. Mathews in vited to seats on the floor. Senator McDonald moved to reconsider the lost bill as to a branch college at Way cross. Carried. Senator Tatum moved for Senator Greer to reconsider Ray’s guano bill. Laid on the table. E. D. Graham was invited to a seat on the floor. A resolution by Mr. Tatum W» offered* that no new matter bdintrodafcedafter Wednesday. Passed and transmitted to the House. New Bill*. Mr. Rouse —To amend section 3694 of the Code as to fees of ordinaries for record ing. etc. Judiciary. Mr. Tutt—To allow land owners whose lands are intersected by turnpike er to 1 oads to pass free. Mr. Polhill—To change time of elections for county officers from first Wednesday in January 1886 and every four years after. Judiciary. Bills or Third Reading. Senate bill of Mr. Smith to provide for procuring chain gang witnesses. Laid on table. Bill of Mr. Peeples—To provide for paying for advertising by ordinaries of no fence elections. Mr. Peeples explained the bill. Bill passed. T. W. Milner invited to a* seat on the floor. Message from the House announcing passage of bills. Mr. Parks* bill to make valid waivers of homestead in spite of usurious interest. Laid on table. To amend section 1235 of Code as to re ceiving pupils into the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. Pupils must have been citizens two years, and can stay at the institution seven years. Passed. To amend section 1215 of Code as to re ceiving pupils in the Blind Asylum. Re quires two years* citizenship. Passed. Mr. Parks* bill to amend Constitution to create the office of Lieutenant-Governor. Laid on table. Bill making effective waivers of garnish ment. Laid on the table. Bill to authorize the Trustees of the State University to accept the college at Waycross. Laid on the table. Resolution os to mineral collections made by Dr. Little, State Geologist, to loan them to the Georgia Land and Min eral Company. Laid on the table. Bill as to bonds of county officers, re quiring the liability of each surety to be specified. Mr. Tutt had the objection to the bill that if some of the sureties failed then the general security was dismissed to that ex t ent. Sr - Mr. Hoyt moved to make the bill the -special order for Wednesday. Carried. BiM to change the law as to jurors in Laurens county. Laid on the table. Mr. Pike offered a resolution for the " committee of investigation of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad to employ a stenographic reporter. Passed and sent to the Home. On motion of Mr. Dußignon House bills were read the first time. On motion of Mr. Pike the bill in regard to Laurens county, laid on the table, was taken up and passed. Mr. Gustin offered a new bill for the ap pointment of guardians ad litem in divorce suits. The business being up, the Senate took a recess, subject to the call of the Presi dent. At 33 minutes after 11 o’clock the Presi dent announced that there was no pros pect of further business to-day, and an ad journment was made nntil 10 o’clock to morrow morning. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,' The House met at ten o’clock. Prayer by Chaplain McClelland. Roll call dis pensed with. The Journal was read and approved. By Mr. Hulst y—A resolution that after noon sessions be held from 3 to 6 o’clock daily for tbe reading of local bills, favora blv reported the third time. Agreed to. fey Mr Maddox - A resolution that a com mittee of five from the House and three from the Senate be appointed to look into the business of the Legislature, with a view to an early adjournment. No quorum voted to suspend the rule, and the resolu tion was withdrawn. By Mr. Reese - A resolution that no new matter be introduced in the House after the 17th of August without the unanimous consent of the House. No quorum voted, and, on motion of Mr. Little, the resolution went to the Committee on Rules. The roll of counties was called for new matter Mr. Key, of Jasper—A bill to empower grand juries in this State to give sheriffs additional compensation. Finance Com mittee Also, a bill to submit the question of abolition of County Courts in this State to the voters of any county on the recom mendation of the grand jury. Special Ju diciary. Mr. Sinquefield, of Jefferson—A bill to amend the charter of Louisville. Corpor ations. - Mr. Mason, of Johnson—A bill to incor porate the town of Wrightsville, in John son county. Corporations. Mr. Redwine, of Hall —A bill to prohibit the sale of liquor in 837th G. M. district. Temperance. Mr. Dupree, of Macon—A bill to amend 2611 of the Code. General Judiciary. Mr. Head, of Monroe—A bill to amend an act to protect the farming interests of Monroe county. Agriculture. Mr. Little—A bill to pay the contingent expenses of the Legislature at this session. Finance. The Senate resolution to employ a steno graphic reporter for the Committee on M. J N. Ga. Railroad was concurred in. By Mr. Crittenden, of Randolph—To en large Solicitors-General’s fees. By Mr. Robbe, of Richmond—A bill to pay W.’A. Kellog the reward offered for the arrest of Henry Williams. Finance. Also, a bill to amend the various acts of the State relative to public schools so far as & they relate to the special tax on liquor. Judiciary. Also, a bill to enable the own- L ere of real estate to pledge the land as a security for debt Judiciary. Also, a bill to enable towns and cities containing ten thousand people and upwards to establish insurance. Corporations. Wilson, of Sumter —To pay printing bill of Railroad commission; also,to amend act to establish pharmaceutical board. Eason, of Telfair—To appoint guardians ad litem in divorce cases. Burch, of Towns—To stop driving cat tie from North Carolina into this State. Eason, of Telfair—To establish a branch g college at McVille. By Mr. Crenshaw—A bill to amend sec tion 3533 of the Code. Judiciary. By Mr. Lott-A bill to amend an act to consolidate and amend and supercede the several acts incorporating the town of Waycross. Corporations. By Mr Pringle A bill to amend the charters of Sandersville, Oconee and Ten nille. Local and Special. By Mr. Wright, of Washington—A bill to regulate the sale of liquor in the 155th Militia District. Local and Special. By Mr Pringle—A bill to prevent illegal voting in this State. Judiciary. By Mr. Broyles—A bill to prescribe the mode of putting to death live stock made valueless by injury bv railroad trains. SENATE. Atlanta, August 14.—Senate met at 10 o’clock. President Boynton in the Chair. Bev. Dr. Jones made one of his beautiful prayers. 801 l called. Journal read and approved. Hon. D. B. Frederick, R. W. Anderson, J. F. Stapleton, Dr. P. Stolesbury, Mr. J. Williams, Hon. D. E. Butler, Prof. E. w. Butler, J. P. Fitzpatrick, W. H. Felton, Dupont Guerry, C. B. Keene, Capt. B. Milikin and D. N. Baldwin were invited to take seats on the floor. Bepqyts from-eerporatiOn oommiUee f£' eeived. ' Message from the House reporting cer tain bills passed. In report es bills laid" on the table yes terday were two introduced by Senator Parke, one to create the office of Lieuten ant-Governor, and the other to make homestead waivers effectual. These were laid on the table on his own motion, as he thought both bills would provoke discus sion and some opposition, and he prefer red to have them considered by a full Senate. The attendance on Monday morn nieg is generally light. Senator Parks will move to take them from the table some day this week. Bills were read the second time. On motion of Senator Lamar, House bills were read the first time. The House amended the Senate resolu tion to allow no new matter after the 15th. by inserting the 20th. The Senate agreed to the House amendment. So the 20th of the month is the limit now for the intro duction of new business. J. S. Johnson was invited to a seat on the floor. Mr. Pike offered a new bill to amend section 3560 of the Cod e, as to verdicts. Senate having brought up all the busi ness, adjourned at 11 o’clock, until to morrow morning at 10 o’clock. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at ten o’clock. Prayer by Chaplain McClellan. ■ Roll was called. The Journal was read and approved. On motion of Mr. Jalaway. of Dade, the bill for tbe relief of Enoch E. Ketcher side, of Dade, was rebonsidered. • On potion of Mr. Harris, of Bibb, the rules were suspended and he introduced two bills. Mr. Harris —A bill to prevent live stock from running at large in Howard and Viutville districts, in Bibb county. Spe cial Judiciary. Aino, a bill to extend the jurisdiction of Justices of Peace in towns and cities hav ing more than one militia district, over the entire town or city. General Judici ary. By Mr. Dart, of Glynn-A joint resolu tion that tbe Committee on the Peniten tiary be allowed to employ a stenographer, M>d that the expenses of the\et>mmittee ,be paid out of the contingent fund.— Agreed to. Tbe rules were suspended, and Mr. Parks, of Greene, introduced two bills Mr. Parks—A bill by Mr. Wilson, of Greene, to amend an act in relation to the mode of granting license to sell liquor !in the counties of Schley, Talbot and Greene. Temperance Committee. Also, a bill by Mr. Wilson to prohibit tbe sale of liquor within three miles of Baird's Baptist Church on the line of Oglethorpe and Greene. Temperance Committee. The special order—the Capitol bill— wm announced. A motion by Mr. Jordan to postpone was voted down. Mr. Humber, of Putnam, submitted a minority report. The House went into committee of the whole to consider the bill, Mr. Rankin, of Gordon, presiding. The minority report opposes tbe bill because the bill contains no provision requiring Atlanta to pay $55,000 due the State on account of the location of the capitol in said city, because the bill con tains no provision for the sale or dispo sition of the building now used as a capitol, because there are not sufficient afeguards thrown about the expendi tures provided for in the bill. The yearly appropriations should be left to subse quent Legislatures after the first year. The first year’s appropriation should not be greater than SIOO,OOO, including the $55,000 to be paid by Atlanta. The re port concludes that unless the amendment suggested can be made, the undersigned will oppose the passage of the bill: R C. Hinlan, V. E. Harris, J. Y. Wood, W. W. London, 0. T. Zichery, T. F. Brewster, H. L. Wright, John Mcßte, W. J. Ford. J. W. Barksdale, Lewie W. Mobley, Tom Eason, W. A. Little, J. D. Sutton, W. A. Wilson, R. F. Orittendon. Mr. Rice, of Fulton, the introducer of tbe bill addressed the House. He re viewed at length, in very interesting style, the historv of the whole capitol question, commanding tbe undivided attention of tbe House. He then discussed the bill elaborately, bringing out in a telling man ner all the strong points favorable to the passage. Mr. Rices’ entire speech showed a thorough mastery of this subject down to the smallest details, and its delivery was practical, direct and convincing. * His heart was in this work, and better work in behalf of the people could not have been done. On motion of Mr. Little, the bill was considered by sections. Mr. Harris, of Bibb, explained the minority report. Ou motion of Mr. Humber, the first sec tion was so amended as to give the Presi dent of the Senate and Speaker of the House per diem while engaged in the busi ness of the commission. Mr Harris moved to amend the second section so as to pay the five commission ers one thousand dollars per annum each. Agreed to. Mr McGregor, of Warren, moved to amend by having ten commissioners, one from each Congressional District, each to receive a salary of S6OO per annum. Mr. McGregor spoke to his Amendment. Mr. Hulsey opposed the amendment. Mr. Ray, of Coweta, moved to amend by having only three commissioners. He gave his reasons therefor. amendments es Messrs. McGregor and Ray were voted down. Mr. Redding, of Pike, moved to amend by substituting “elect” for "select” in the second line. Agreed to. Mr. Spence, of Mitchell, moved to amend by authorizing the Governor to ap point the commission. Mr. Spence spoke to his amendment which was also support ed by Messrs. Rice and Fite. Mr. Mc- Gregor fought the amendment. Mr. Wright, of Floyd, favored the amendment. Mr. James, of Douglas, approved the amend ment. The amendment was lost. Mr. Russsll, of C'arke, moved to amend so that all vacancies occurring among the Commissioners shall be filled by the Leg islature. Agreed to. The second section was then adopted. On motion of Mr. Harris, the third sec tion was so amended that no Commission er shall receive any benefit in any manner from the work of erecting the capitol. The third section was adopted. On motion of Mr. Harris, the fourth sec tion was amended se as to make it a peni tentiary offense for any Commissioner to be connected directly or indirectly with the contract for tbe building. The fourth section was adopted. Section 5 was so amended, by motion of Mr. Little, that the whole cost shall not exceed $1,C00,000. The section was adopted. Mr. Harris off red a substitute tor sec tion 6 that SIOO,OOO be expended the first year, and Dot more than SIBO,OOO for afly year thereafter,and that the building shall be completed by January, 1889. The sub stitute was adopted. Mr. Harris’ amendment to section 7, to allow the State to build the capitol on ground other than that "conveyed to the State for that purpose,” was opposed by Mr. Hulsey, and voted down. Section seven was slightly amended and adopted. On motion of Mr. Harris, section eight was so amended as to secure the State against loss by furnishing money too swift ly to contractors, and by requiring the civil engineer to givQ.« good bond payable to the Governor. The ’ section was thejg • adopted after a few minor amendmftits. Mr. Little moved that the*committee arise, report progress, and ask leave to sit again. Adopted. Mr. that the morniug bony 4 be extended till the completion of the bill. Lost. > On motion of Mr. Jordan, of the House adjourned to meet at 9 o’clock* Wednesday. Richmond. SENATE. Atlanta, August 15.—Senate met at 10 o’clock. President Boynton in the Chair. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Levy. Roll called. Journal read and approved, Mr, James Bohannon, Col. E. C. Greer, Wm. Rutherford, Wm. J. Andersop, R. A. Nisbet, James M. Wilkinson, W. R. Gig nilliatt, D. G. Hughes, W. H. Atwood, O, H. Hopkins, S. D. Bradwell, J. C. Shep pard, A. B. Daniel, J. E Martin, D. A. Fraseur, Jas. M. Williamson, Jas. M. Mob ley, H. W. Lewis, were invited to seats on the floor. On motion of Senator Lanaar, all the members of the Agricultural Society were invited to seats on the floor. Report of Committee on Judiciary on certain bills. Mr. Polhill, of Committee on Finance, reported resolutions favorably to paint portraits of Governors Stephens and H. V. Johnson. Message from House received reporting bills passed. Special order —a House bill was taken up. It is a bill to enable sureties on the official bonds of county officers in certain cases to limit their liability on such bonds when over $30,000, the limitation not to be under $5,000. The Judiciary Committee reported the bill favorably with a slight amendment. Mr. Dußignon, chairman of the commit tee, explained the amendment, which was adopted. Senator Hoyt spoke briefly, in favor of the bill, object. Large bonds were very difficult to give When every surety was liable for the whole amount, and the public business might be impeded By the matter. "TWtofH propos ed in such cases of large bonds to allow a division of the suretyship, wmchhe would show did not weaken the bond or diminish the State’s security, but actually made a stronger bond. He proceeded to demonstrate from a case that had occurred that the law as it now stands was defective in practical workings, the State losing $38,000 in the case. Senator Hoyt discussed the measure in his practical way, making a forcible pre sentation of the reasons for it. Senator Tutt opposed the till as an un wise measure, and suggested that in the large counties to be affected by it special bills could be passed. Mr. Parks opposed the bill, as it might work harm and take away some of the ex isting safeguards. Let the measure be made local and not a State measure County officers who sought the offices took the chances of giving the bonds. There ought to be a joint liability on the securi ties. In the case of limited suretyship, if several sureties failed, the State’s security would be diminished. Senator Gustin thought the arguments against the measure proceeded upon in correct assumptions. He thought the bill a good one for tbe whole State. He thought the sureties under this bill would be jointly bound. Business men were re luctant to bind themselves for large amounts, as it might cripple them. But men would be willing to sign for small amounts. He thought the law proposed would give better security for the State and enable officers to give good bonds easier. Mr. Jones opposed the bill. He liked tbe old fashioned way of binding sureties jointly and severally; which made them all a vigilant committee to watch the nrincipal. If the bill is correct in princi ple it ought to be universal in its applica tion and not to be limited to large bonds. In wealthy counties large bonds are not any more a hardship than smaller bonds in less wealthy counties. Mr. Dußignon supported tbe bill. He had rather been disposed to oppose the bill at first, but upon further reflection he had felt it ought to be sustained. It was not a general law, but only applied to a few large counties. The only case where the State could suffer was the improbable one of the deficit being as large as the bond. Senator Neal thought it to tbe public in terest that the Ordinary, in watching pub lic money, should have the support of vig ilant securities. The bill was laid on the table for tbe present. Mr. Meldrim, of the Corporation Com mittee, reported certain bills. The Enrollment Committee reported certain bills enrolled. Resolution of Mr. Pike was passed to recall a bill from the Governor to correct a clerical error. Resolution was passed authorizing tbe Penitentiary Committee to employ a sten ographic reporter. The bill to accept a branch college at Waycross was taken up. Senator McDonald urged the passage of the bill, which asked no appropriation, but simply left the matter in the hands of the Trustees. He believed it a good policy to establish these branch colleges. He left it to the Senate, and asked the poor boon for its people. Senator Frederick said he had voted against thC bill, but would now vote for it. These branch colleges were connecting links between the common schools and the higher universities. He would favor the establishment of one in every Congression al District. Sanator Pike opposed the bill. This is the entering wedge to establish colleges in stead of common schools. We must begin at the bottom. We are not able to have both. We can’t have both free schools and colleges, and we must crawl before we walk. The yeas and nays were called on the passage of the bill and stood 25 yeas and 11 nays, and therefore was passed. Senator McDonald was warmly congratu lated on his victory. Bills were read the second time. /AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST Sc, 1883, ‘ Ex-Senator Bosh was invited to a seaton the floor. y. 3 Senator Greer moved-io take a bill to incorporate Morganton, in Fanjurfeounty. Passed. Senate adjourned toll tO-mor- .V HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Housejaiet at 9 o’ciock.//Frayer by Chaplain MpGlellan. 801 l Journal was read and approved. Thejules were suspended end several bills were introduced. Mr. Shipp, oi bill to fix the fees of Clerk of Superior Court in reference to filing and docketing cases. Special Judiciary. $ ilife Mr. Wright, of Floyd l —A billwwjrohibit the-sale of liquor in the G. M., of Floyd county. TempMHta»-Com mittee. I . Mr. Mitchell, of Gwi«ett-»Hl to re quire certain lawful fences. Agriculture. Jp > r Mr. Zacbrv, of —A hfil to amend section 2409 of the uotiQ. ary. Mr Mitchell, of GwianFW I •1-0 pm vidaoompensation fdriaHs ytF&relffWfn nett. Special Judiciary. Mr. Denney, of bill to prohib it! fisbiDgafc certain lands. Special Judicial ; The CapltorSm- The discussion, of ihlcapitol bill was resumed. - / Section 8 was adopted. / Mr.' Reese, of Wilkes, tooted to amend 9, • in line 4, bfffthsertiug "and New York, ’Baltimore, Chicago, St. Louis and Louisville.” Mr. Reese supported bis amendment. Mr. Humber favored AhC amendment. Architects up that way might do a better job for less money. He was for Georgia, provided Georgia made the.lowest and best bid. Mr. Crenshaw, of Trfiupe, wanted to see the capitol built byutjeorr ans with Georgia material? Mr. R&ddi g said the bidding should net be popfined to Geor gia. Let it be open tqjAtiountry. There were other comgjftyeewß&sides the Stone Mountain concent Wb&edwine, of Hall, was violently opposed to advertising for bids outside of Georgia. He wanted it built of Georgia material or nothing. Mr. James, of Douglas, thought if that as Georgia is about to build 8 million dol lar capitol the world ought to know it. He wanted it advertised, and the cheapest bil accepted. The amendment was then adopted. Section nine was then adopted. Section ten was adopted with minor amendment. Section eleven was ado . .... I Mr. Harris, of Bibb, offered a substitute for section twelve, that witpin sixty days after the passage of this act the Governor shall demand from the cityof Atlanta "that .$55,000,” and they be apn&d to paying the first instalment on t®s* building, as part of the SIOO,OOO to be expended the first year. An amendment by Mr. Little, to the substitute that the rate of taxation should not be increased in Georgia in the erection of this capitol, was Adopted. The substitute was adopted. Section thirteen was thep adopted. Mr. Harris, of Bibb, offered a new sec tion -section fourteen, giving the commis sioners power to take possession of the City Hall Square, close up streets lead ing thereto, and if neeesatify to condemn certain adjoining property iAprder to com plete tbe Symmetry qptUMground, the t city , of. Mjgiig»udempat; money. Mr Trains spofe fSt’Ma sec tion, saying that the city had promised to give five acres, and so far she had given only about three and a half. Mr. Hulsey made a strong speech against the adoption of rhe section. Mr Watson, of McDuffie, spoke against the section. He thought Atlants had come up fairly and squarely in reference to this ground. We can take the city hall square as it is, or we can take ten seres elsewhere It is dangerous to copdemn private prop erty for the sake of mere symmetry, just to make the ground look pretty. ■ I am against this amendment. Mr. Watson made a splendid effort. Mr. Bice opposed the amendment. Mr. Harris withdrew bis new section. Mr. Harris then offered a new section to be called section fourteen, requiring the city of Atlanta to cancel the lien upon the present capitol building before th* pra visiorsot this act shall go into effect It provides, also, for the sale of the present capitol by the Commissioners. Section fourteen was then adopted. Mr. Peck moved that the committee arise and report the bill back to the House with the recommendation that it do pass as amended. Another by Mr. McGregor, to print 300 copies of the amended bill was voted down. The original bill was then read. The bill as amended was then read. Mr. Rankin moved to amend section sec ond so that the Governor shall appoint the Commissioners. The amendment was lost. On motion of Mr. Jordan, the caption was amended to conform to the bill. The bill was then put its pas sage. Mr. Spence, of Mitchell, fought the bill. It is unwise now to expend a million dollars to build a capitol. Georgia owes $9,000,000. I am opposed to increasing her debt at this time. The masses of the people of Georgia are poor, and I an opposed to imposing an addition al tax upon them. lam opposed to the great power given the commissioners. I hope the bill will not pass. Mr. Jordan called the previous question. Sustained. The vote was then taken and stood yeas 93, nays 58. And so tbe bill to build a capitol passed. The House adjourned to nine o’clock Thursday. Richmond, THE SENATE. Atlanta, August 16.—Senate met at JO o’clock. Prayer by Rev. Dr. Joaos. Pres ident Boynton in the chair. Roll called. Journal read and confirmed. Some leaves of absence were granted. Ex-Senator A. C. Westbrook was invited to a seat on the floor. Senator Livingston presented a petition from the State Agricultural Society in re gard to the investigation of the Agricul tural Department. Referred to Investigat ing Committee, Senator Dußiguon, Chairman of Judici ciary Committee, reported several bills. Senator McDonald, of Temperance Com mittee, reported a bill. Message from the House transmitting the capitol bill. The special order, the House bill to tax, railroads in counties, was taken up with an unfavorable report of the committee. Senator McDonald said there weri two bills on this subject, one the House bill, reported against, and the other a Senate bill. He moved to disagree to the report of the committee. A message was received from the Gov ernor announcing approval of the resolu tion for the Investigating Committee on the Marietta and North Georgia Bailroad to have a reporter and send for persons and papers. Senator McDonald urged his motion for disagreeing to the report of the commit tee against taxing railroads in counties. He said in Waycross the railroad company owned 250 acres of land on which it re fused to pay taxes. Yet the county was put to large expense in trying railroad cases. This was not just. The railroads ■ should pay taxes. There were 60 miles of railroad in his county and little towns were springing up owned by the railroads. The farmers had to pay taxes on every spot, but these wealthy corporations were exempt. /The fact of former exemption of railroads was no reason for continuing it now. There was active injustice done that should not be tolerated longer. Senator Dußignon disclaimed all inter est in railroads. He was neither an attorney for them nor owned stock in them, fie regarded this the most im portant bill, in, its futufe effects, before the Assembly, in affecting tbe future development' of the country. He should oppose the bill as one really un just while seemingly fair. The properfjt of railroads holds different relations to the public than any other property. Bailroads are ndt allowed to control their own property. Bailroads are con sidered as public highways, regulated by the State, and this fact should be 1 considered in determining this issue. Is there anything in the charter of tbe railroads that renders the tax in this bill Mhnmoral, using the Werd immoral in the sense of bad faith ? The law of the State at the time of the Contract was a partfof the contract. That law only imposed thten a State tax on railroads. It is claimed that the State reserved the right to modify this. But the Constitution of 1877 repealed the power to make such modifications as do in justice. Suppose there is no legal inhibition, there is a 2aoral obligation for the State to do no such injustice. In 1877 W aen the new Constitution was passed four of these roads were in a failing condition, and the constitution was framed with a knowledge of their condition. The speaker considered the case of the railroads. The Savannah, Florida and Western Railroad was alluded to. Quite a spicy colloquy occurred between Senator Dußignon and Senator McDonald here. Mr. Dußignon said that the tax in this bill could not be levied on the rolling stock. Is it a county or a State tax ? If a State tax it cannot be collected by the State for the benefit of the county. Some of the rolling stock never leaves the terminal counties, and yet this stock would pay taxes in counties it never went into. A sealed message from the Governor was received. Mr. Dußignon resumed, saying that un der the bill counties would get tax on property not in the county. He showed practical inequalities of the operation of the law. He read a Kentucky decision that railroads in taxation were entities, not legally subject to coercive severance. He made the further point that the law would give a monopoly to the Central Road over the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad. He thought no more trunk roads would be built in Georgia for some time, We have enough of them. Only branch roads would be built, and these would be discouraged by this bill. They are not profitable at best and this would render them less so. Advancement is the watchword, and we must do nothing to re tard our growth. Senator Harris favored the bill as en tirely in conformity with the Constitution of the State. He read from tbe Constitu tion the clause as to the sovereign right of the State to tax. There is a deficiency in the tax laws and it should be remedied. In Wayne county the Savannah and West ern Railroad runs, crossing the East Ten nessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad. Tbe Savannah, and Western owdb large i-tiaiber lands, and has much litigation for encroachment on the timber. Mr. Gustin asked if these suits did not grow out of citizens doing wrong to the company. Mr. Harris replied half of the time of Wayne Superior Court is taken in these railroad cases, the railroads owning bodies of land and track and other prop ertj, and yet not paying one cent of tax. It is unjust and unequal, and this bill seeks to remedy it. Mr. Harris further read the Constitution, as to what could be exempt from taxation. It was never intended to exempt bodies of laud, and towns and store-houses owned bv railroads from taxation. He also read the provision, that taxation must be uni form. He had no prejudice against the ra-lroads. The country kept up the rail roads. Let all be taxed together and alike. senator Hoyt opposed the bill. He was not interested in railroads. He concurred in Mr. Dußignon’s argument against the constitutionality of the bill. He argued that the new Constitution did not intend to go back upon the railroads already char tered, and deprive them of any immuni ties under their charter. The division of the taxes under this bill would be unjust. Some counties would get a greater propor tion of the taxes than other counties What difficulty tbe assessors would have in appraising the property! The railroads are already sufficiently taxed. They pay the government a tax of per cent, on every rail of track, making $i,500 on every mile of track. Most of the roads.carry bonds for construction, which are taxed and this is a practical tax on tbe railroads. You have put on the railroads a Commis sion which I favor, but this Commission puts railroads upon a very different footing from other property. Put additional tax on the railroads and you cripple them. The Air Line Railroad cost thirteen mil lion dollars. It brought at sale less than two million dollars, and is run on a basis of one million six hundred thousand dol lars* value and does not pay on that. Senator McDonald asked if the failure of tbe road was the reason it should not be taxed. If so, nine-tenths of the farmers deserved exemption from taxation, as they bad not made money. Senator Hoyt insisted that it was a rea son. Only one of the branches of the Air Line road pays expenses. He wanted more railroads. This bill was contrary to public policy and was calculated to check the building of railroads. Mr. Hoyt,' made a fine argument on the relations of rail roads to the other interests of the country, and upon it based a strong plea for the policy of fostering railroads. Senator McDonald interrupted that we had fostered railroads. The State put a million in one and lost it. Let us now foster them by taxation, and let them take care of themselves. Senator Hoyt continued, making an earnest and powerful plea lor the rail roads. Senator Lamar made one of his graceful and characteiist o speeches, delivered in bis eloquent manner. He opposed the bill. He said that the railroad property of the State occupied a peculiar position. It was the large ! factor in our wonderful progress .It was next to agriculture in wealth and power. Yet U alone was reg ulated by the State and crenied free com petition. He touched upon the unconsti tutional features of the bill. He conclud ed with an eloquent appeal for justice to this superb and filial part of the State’s property. Senator Meldrim opposed the bill on practical common sense principles. He ‘ proceeded to demot strate the monstrous wrong of the bill in its bearing upon leas ed roads. It made the lessee and not the owner pay the taxes on property. During Senator Meldrim’s speech. Chief Justice Jackson and Col. D. S. Printup appeared on the floor. The galleries were full Os ladies. Mr. Meldrim discussed the provision as to taxing rolling stock. During his argu ment the hour of adjournment arrived and the Senate adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 9 o’clock. Prayer by Chaplain McClellan. Roll was called. The Journal.was read and approved, Mt. Hoge, of Fulton; asked to be re lieved from further service on the Com mittee to Investigate the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad. Granted. The rules were suspended to allow Mr. of Clarke, to introduce two gen eral bills: ■ . A bill to imposq. a tax on tobacco ped dlers. Special Judiciary.. A bill to amemLsection 719 of the Code s Ou motion of Mt. Middlebrooks, of Newton, the wild land bill was taken from the table an(t : hjade the special ordef for next Tuesday /iftet the Journal. Mr. Rice, of Faltdn- A bill to amend the charter of the Georgia Pacific Railroad. Bead the first time. General Judiciary. Also, abill tq amend the charter of the Atlanta and West End Bailroad. Commit tee onjßailroads. The special order—After the Journal the was taken up and con sidered. ? ■niaJSenate bill on this subject was read, as majority report of tbe House Com mittee. The minority apportionment plan was also read. Mr. Harris, of Bibb, advocated the ma jority report. He thought that it was the hept thing to be done under the circum stances. Mr. Fite, of Bartow, opposed the ma jority report. He said tbe minority bill was a better bill. He thought it was the best bill for tbe Democratic party. Mr. Watts, of Stewart—What is the Re publican majority in the Third District under the minority bill? Mr. Fite-28,000. Mr. Watts—What is it under the majority bill? Mr. Fite-24,000. Mr. Watts-Isn’t the minority bill less just from a party standpoint than the majority ? Mr. Fite Yes, it is. Mr. Fite then stated that he was not speaking for the benefit of any particular district, but was contending for what he considered best for the whole State. The adoption of the majority report, he thought, would turn the Eighth District over to the Republicans. As to the Tenth District, according to the majority report, if a Republican had set out to make a Re publican district he could not have made a better one. Mr. Gary, of Richmond—" What coun ties named in the Tenth District have ever gone Republican ?” Mr. Fite—"Burke for one.” Mr. Gary - "What others?” Mr. Fite —"I know of none." Mr. Gary-"I thought the gentleman didn’t know.” Pending Mr. Fite’s remarks, the hour of eleven came, and the special order for that hour, the memorial in honor of the late Governor Herschel V. Johnson. The report of the committee was rea**. It is a well written and very elaborate re view of his political life, and a beautiful tribute to the memory of this pure patriot, sagacious statesman and upright judge. The paper reflected the highest credit upon the committee and is altogether worthy of tbe great man by whose honor able life, lofty character and grand intel lect it was inspired. Mr. Lofton, of Bibb, delivered an inter esting eulogy on Governor Johnson, re counting how, step by step, he climbed from lowliness to the height of honor and fame. Mr. Lofton said among other good things, "Governor Johnson paid but little attention to light literature. He was not v man of books. Indeed, he once said that he had never read a work of fiction. And yet there were times when his diction was as splendid as an autumnal sunset.” His picture of Governor Johnson as an orator was striking. He said that Govern or Johnson had his own way of doing everything. He was truly one of the great original?. Mr. Dupree spoke a feeling and flowery panegyric. He said: "One by one the jewelled stars which flashed in the coronet of the people, go out! Hill, Stephens, Jenkins, Crawford, Johnson—what a galaxy of great names are here! "Os whom it may be said he wore the civic wreath. His coming was not herald ed by the march of soldiery, his voice mingled not in the din of battle, an.l round his noble brow were entwined no blood stained laurels. How gloriously he illustrated the beautiful truth —'Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war.’ "Like Hill, Jenkins, Crawford, Ste phens. whose noble spirits have gone over to the shades of the silent shore, he laid down his life in the service of the State." •’Posterity will write upon his tomb: •Here lies a man who loved his country.’ ’’ Mr. Dupree’s speech was a perfect gem. Its pathos was as exquisite as the word painter was fine, and, best of all, it was spoken from the heart. Mr. Jordan spoke next. Among other things, he said: "He was by nature an honest man. He cared little for the the ory, but planted his judgment upon the eternal principles of right. "His private and public life were as pure as the snow-drifts which rest on Alpipe heights, and I regard this man and his great life the richest contribution, by Providence, to Georgia in this nineteenth century.” Mr. Jordan spoke with great earnestness—moving the hearts of his bearers. The report was then adopted by a rising ▼oe. The House adjourned to nine o’elockAo morrow. Rkjmmond: REtOLLECTIOKS OF THE OLD CAPI> TOb-NO. 3. Ait Interesting Sketch of the Olden Time, From the Pen of One Who Remembers—George Walker Crawford, Governor [For the Chipnicle.] As my memories of Milledgeville cluster around and are directed to that old gray building, with its square central turret standing solitary in the midst of a few stunted trees, with their carpet of Bermuda grass, called the State House, I chose to dub these random sketches as above, al though I have not heretofore mentioned the building itself. How well I remember my first sight of it! On a raw January morning, after a cold wet night ride ot 45 -miles from Warrenton, in a lumbering old four horse stage, which broke down ten miles out, we came at last to the east bank of the Oconee, and cutting against the western horizon rose grim and gray the old Capitol of Georgia. I speak of it as gray, although tbe majority of readers remember only as brown. The building is of brick, though granite abounds near at hand, and the outside stucco was color ed gray, and so remained till the latter part of Governor Johnson’s second term, when everything was done up brown, perhaps in honor of Joseph E., tbe in coming Chief Magistrate. But as the building required repairs, Governor John son set the penitentiary convicts to work and everything was done in good style. So that when Joseph E. (the mqst remark able character in Georgia history in my days) came down to take possession, he found everything brown. Georgia has long been a Democratic State, though the Whigs or State Bights men, carried it occasionally. In 1839 Gov. McDonald had a handsome majority over Charles Dougherty, and when, during the succeeding winter, the Whigs named General Harrison for the Presidency, it was generally regarded as a forlorn hope, albeit the old man was the hero of Tippe canoe. In consequence of this nomina tion several State Rights Georgians, nota- TEKMS-$2.00 A TEAR. bly Colquitt, Cooper and Black, aban doped what they doubtless considered a - ship and went over to JaSkson’e Candidate, “the sly old fox of Kinder* hoop,” who was then Qie President. Bwk of these three none from the effects of their desertion, except Col* quitt, and he only partially'. I have never known such political bitterness as the Whigs felt and expressed for the three traitors. as they called them, except that so towards Joe Brown and his Recon straction allies. Buc these party hostilities gradually die away as they should, and after fifteen years the man who was more violently denounced than even Walter Colquitt, finds himself abso lute master of the politics of the State. Among those who were steadfast ip the dark days of 1839-’4O were Berrien and Law, Jenkins, Crawford, Miller, Butler, King, Foster, Gamble, Kenan, Chappell, Toombs, '■tephens, Alford, and the great body of Nullifiers. With log cabins, hard, cider, coon skins and a general hurrah, “Tippecanoe and Tyler too,” swept the State like a prairfe firs, and triumphed in the Electoral College. The power of Jack son was broken, and many Whigs fondly hoped this state of things was to last. Bow speedily and sadly all this changed. The veiy next year after Harrison's over whelming success the Whig candidate for Governor, Wm. Crosby Dawson/ one of the most popular and delightful men in the State, was defeated easily by the Democratic incumbent, Charles J. Mc- Donald. When the year 1843 opened there was no prominent Whig in Georgia who anx iously aspired to the nomination for Governor at the coming election in Octo ber. Early in the year (in February I think) ther was an election toi one mem ber of Congress to fill a vacancy. Georgia had then eight members, elected by gen eral ticket, voted for all over the State. For the vacancy the Democrats put up Alexander McDougald, of Muscogee, and the Whigs named George W. Crawford, of Richmond, and the latter was elected - the name of Crawford being then, as long before, and even now, very popular. Crawford had long been a member of the Legislature from his county and a leading member of the bar in Eastern Georgia. In his younger days he had been Attorney- General of the Middle Circuit—all the ether circuits had then a Solicitor, but the prosecuting officer of the Middle Circuit was styled Attorney-General. Although an ardent and zealous party man, and notwithstanding his fine abilities and ac quirements, Crawford was singularly free i rom that craving for popularity and pre ferment which marks the public man of this day. Willing as he might be to serve his friends and the people when called on, he asked nothing from the public, and would not stand in the way of any man. Moreover, an unfortunate occurrence of his earlier life, in which he was as blame less as any one could be, prayed on his mind, and disinclined him perhaps, more than naturally to anything like just and self-assertion, though he never shirked anything. When the Whig Convention met at Mil ledgeville in the summer of 1843 the great question was, not who shall have the nom ination, but who will accept it ? Os course the party desired to win the race, but the leaders had great doubts of their ability to succeed. The almost *Unanimous opinion was that Crawford could beat the race, if any Whig could, but he did not want the nomination nor the office. The position was then considered merely an honor, a position from which the incumbent could expect nothing of profit or preferment, and in which he could hepe to achieve but lit tle of fame, or do but little of good. The Hon. Mark A. Cooper was the Democratic candidate - one of the three dt sorters of 1840, the most esteemed and least hated of the trio, a most excellent gentleman, .till living in a grand old age. (I do not remember whether Crawford or Cooper was first nominated ) It was very difficult to get Crawford's consent to run—in fact, it was not certain that he would accept the nomination when made. But his friends could safely say this much, that he never showed his back to the enemy, and would make almost any sacrifice for his friends and party. So he was nominated at a ven ture amid much enthusiasm, and the old Whig fires of 1840 begun to burn brightly once again. He made the canvass sharp and lively, staunchly supported by the * whole Whig phalanx, and drawing many recruits from the opposition, which no other man of his party could then have done, and was elected by a handsome ma jority. It was a grand, gala day in Milledgeville, the day of the inauguration, and the party was jubilant and hilarious, and the Demo crats accepted the situation with a very good grace. There was a large crowd in attendance, and every inch of standing room id the house and gallery was occu pied. Promptly at eleven o'clock the Governor and Governor-elect walked side by side down the aisle, and iscended the speaking stand occupied by the outgoing Secretary of State and the Secretary recently elected. There were four stalwart, firm looking gentleman. Gov. McDonald, stout and ruddy, with dark hair and small reddish side whiskers. Crawford, square should ered, smooth shaved and a little gray. Gen. John W. A. Sanford, the retiring Secretary, tall, large, swarthy and still handsome, though he had been an old Indian fighter; and Nathan Crawford Bar nett, a blue eyed, pleasant faced, middle aged&tnan just then, first elected to the of fice which he holds to-day, and which he has held most of the time for forty years. Crawford was what may be called a very unequal man; at times before a jury, in the Legislature, on the stump, rising to real eloquence; at other times floundering badly. His inaugural address was short and highly satisfactory, delivered with that peculiar occasional jerk of the bead which distinguished him. At its conclu sion he stooped, raised the open Bible and kissed it after repeating the oath,and Gen. Sanlord delivered to him the great seal of State, which he handed to Secretary Bar nett. The Failures Os Yesterday. Richmond, Ind , August 16.—The Farm* era Bank suspended to-day. It was a weak concern as a bank, but its directors are all substantial men. They are princi pally farmers and the claims will be paid in full The deposits aggregate 540.000 to $50,000. Cincinnati, August 16.—Capt. Vincent Shinkle, an old and prominent steamboat man of Covington, Ky., to-day made an assignment to Judge Wm Finley and R. F. Miller. The cause was the tightening of the money market and the refusal of the banks to renew his paper. The liabil ities are estimated at SBO,OOO. Captain Shinkle says his assets will equal his lia bilities. His chief creditors are banks, and he has embarrassed himself in help ing bis son who would have been forced into bankruptcy by the loss of the steam er Charles Bodman, if he had not advanc ed him $6,000. He had also sunk $20,- 000 with his brother, who failed some time ago. A Sensible Government. Bcvtaxo, N. Y., August 15. —The Cana dian government has addressed an open letter to Capt. Rhodes stating that himself or any other person attempting to swim the whirlpool rapids from the Canadian side will be regarded as insane and treated accordingly. Rhodes to-day visited the rapids and has given up his project of swimming them, either as a result of his inspection or the notice from the Canadian authorities.