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st* 1
iiorniua News has the largest city
d timil rirruiation of any paper pub.
lished in S'
avannah*
Affairs in Georgia.
There is never any real peace in At-
The latest outbreak is between
f Dt editor of the Daily J^eics and an
eUto f t he Herald. The very atmos-
T er „ se ems full of suppressed emotion.
F It doesn't require any exertion at all,
ven iu this kind of weather, to make
the new Clerk of the House of Kepre-
seutatives Sweat. ...
The Thomasville Enterprise has been
materially enlarged and improved. It is
now one of the largest, as well as one of
the best our weekly exchanges.
‘ Ca ii c0 parties are still going on at
Montezuma.
There is said to be considerable differ
ence of opinion among members of tho
Legislature in regard to usury and a con
stitutional convention. We think, how
ever, that the most of this difference will
disappear when these questions come to
a vote.
The Columbus Enquirer says that a
plauter iu Southwestern Georgia has on
luiud 1,."#00 bales of cotton, the product of
last year’s crop. Every advance of a
cent makes him .*$7,500.
Tlie Fort Valley Mirror says that far
mers in Houston county, who paid from
1100 to $155 forhauds last year, can hire
just as many as they want now for from
i,;0 to $s;, ami their board.
A severe case of small-pox in Griffin
turned out to be measles.
William Riley, who was shot by Capt.
Kelly, of Augusta, the other day, is dead.
Kelly is iu jail.
Au Augusta reporter has subjected
Amos Titmouse Tinkerman to the incon
venience of au interview. Tink didn’t
know what to say.
The Augusta Chronicle thus remarks a
little discrepancy between two virtuous
men—Kimball and Clews : “There seems
to be a little conflict of opinion between
Clews and one of the great Southern de
velopers concerning the status of their
accounts. Mr. H. I. Kimball stated in
his schedule, we believe, that he owed
Clews in the neighborhood of a million
of dollars. Per contra, Mr. Clews says
that Mr. Kimball only owes him fifteen
thousand dollars. Here again is matter
for wonder to outsiders. Ususually the
issue is not that too large, but too small
an indebtedness is returned. Wiser men
than we must unravel the mystery. Mr.
Clews figures up his assets in Georgia
as follows: Oue-fourfch interest in 7,000
acres of land, value unknown; H. I.
Kimball it Co., $15,000; Brunswick and
Albany Railroad stock, $002,442; Car-
tersville and Van Wert Railroad stock,
$217,320; State of Georgia, $124,453;
Brunswick and Albany Railroad bonds,
Slli,ono. As the State of Georgia does
not owe Mr. Clews anything—but on
the contrary claims a considerable bal
ance due from him—and as the railroads
in which he is interested are not in a
very flourishing condition at present—he
will hardly realize much from his Geor
gia speculations. If Bullock could have
retaiued control of the State as Kellogg
has retained control of Louisiana, he and
Clews might have taken as much as they
pleased and grown rich, but the bottom
fell out of Radicalism in this State and
; poor Henry* finds bis assets worthless
now.’’
Atlanta Herald: Arrangements are
being perfected for transportation from
and to Atlanta for delegates
to the convention of ex-Confederates.
The terms are that delegates will pay
full fare going, and, on the certi
ficate of the president will be returned
home free. The Central, Georgia and
Western and Atlantic Railroads will ac
cede to this. It is expected that General
Joseph E. Johnson, who we are proud to
recognize as a citizen de facto of Georgia,
will be present. Invitations have been
extended to Generals Hancock, Blair,
Bank, Sherman, McClellan, of the
Federal army, who, if they come, will
Shake hands over the chasm of recon
struction. The object of this convention
is peace. It is to express the opinions of
the sons of those who won the victory of
American Independence in 1782, freely
and frankly upon the condition of their
heritage. It is to look after the poor
orphaus of brave men who fought for
the right of self-government. It is to
organize an association to be known as
the “Survivors Association of Confederate
Soldiers for the State of Georgia.” Del
egates from every regiment in this State,
and of all organized Confederate soldiers
who served from other States, are ex
pected to be present in this convention.
The call has been published by us once
and will be republished to-morrow. In
the meantime all information wanted can
be obtained by application to II. D.
Caper.-,, the appointed secretary. We
trust that every regiment of infantry,
cavalry and artillery from Georgia, and
others not members, but who have moved
into Georgia since the war and are good
Confederates, will be represented by del-
e gates in the convention. The conven
tion meets in the city of Atlanta on the
-Oth of January. Atlanta, through her
corporate authorities, is ever ready to
extend a cordial welcome to the true and
the bra v e. “Let us Have Peace.”
Augusta Chronicle: Yesterday a report-
er of the Cfpron&tlt and Sentinel meeting
Col. C. C. Jon^«> Jr., the Indian Archa)-
oiogist and Histo.^an, he was for an hour
most intensely interested in his conver
sation. He at once impresses one with
being a gentleman of .high culture, and,
B Pon his favorite theme—the aborigines
of America—one would never weary. He
said he had in his cabinet at New York
fully si x thousand relica of different tribes
of ludians, who once and now were in
habitants of North America. Of these
be had little to say, as indeed no intel
ligent remarks could bo made about
them outside the cabinet containing them,
i o the direct question: “Do you believe
in the so-called uuity of the human race? ’
be replied at length: I do not. I believe
that the Indian of this country is indi
genous. From tho bones, and particu
larly the skulls, now iu my collection, it
18 ev en doubtful if they descended from
oce common parentage. I have two
g kulls, taken from a mound near Macon,
Ver y different. One was found near the
surface, the other at the bottom. The
Indian, the Mongolian and the African
**£*8 are all older than the race of
Adam. I think the negro, or the
African, is the oldest on the earth. The
Mongolian next. As to their unity
R is just as impossible to believe that
they all descended from one parentage
10 believe that tho horse and cow, or
all the balance of the animal creation,
c ame from one. As to their having souls,
or their immortality, that was quite an
other tiling. They could descend from
n different parent and still be immortal,
*4dl have souls, still have a place pf
J. H. ESTILL, PROPRIETOR.
SAVANNAH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1875.
ESTABLISHED 1850.
eternal rest proyided by the Creator. He
thought the Bible upon the point of
uuity was very plain. Take Cain: At the
time he slew his brother the Bible dis
tinctly says that Adam, Eve, Cain and
Abel constituted the whole human family
then in the Garden of Eden. After Cain
murdered Abel and was condemned by
God, he went into the land of Nod and
there found and married his wife, show
ing that the land of Nod was inhabited
before the creation of Adam and Eve.
His convictions were based upon com
mon sense. “Until,” he said, “it is
demonstrated that a black child can come
from white parents, having the same
bones, it will be impossible for me to be
lieve that the negro, Indian or Mongolian
came from Adam and Eve. I have not
the slightest doubt that the white, or
Caucasian race as it is called, are the di
rect offsprings of them. But I can no
more believe in unity than that a horse
can have a cow for its mother, or any
other given animal can spring from a dif
ferent animal.”
ANNUAL. MESSAGE
GOVERNOR JAMES M. SMITH
—TO THE—
GENERAL. ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA.
—TO—
HIE MORNING NEWS.
Noon Telegrams.
OHIO DENOUNCES GRANT'S LOU
ISIANA INFAMY.
SPAIN PROMISES INDEMNITY TO
GERMANY.
INDIGNATION MEETING IN TI1E CAP
ITAL, OF NEW YORK.
DON CARLOS STILL HOLDS OUT.
CONGRESSIONAL.
Washington, January‘14.—In the House,
the disabilities of W. W. Kearney, of Texas,
wore removed. The House then wen: into
committee of tho whole on Indian appro
priations.
In the Senate, Mr. Mon ill reported the
appropriation bill, for which ho asked con
sideration next Monday, a*» ho hoped the
Louisian acase (would be disposed of this
week.
SPANISH NOTES.
Madrid, January 14.—A decree has been
issued for the restoration to the church of
all ecclesiastical property not included in the
redemption fund.
Preparations for the entry of tho King
into tue capital are being made on a grand
scale. The decorations will be profuse and
superb, and triumphant arches are being
built along tho route of the royal proces
sion.
PARISIAN NOTES.
Paris, January 14.—The Duke of Parma
denies that ho or the Counts Caserta or Bari
are about to abandon Don Carlos.
The Assembly Committee on Liquidation
of the late Emperor’s civil list will report in
favor of allowing his heirs 800,000f.,ibe State
retaining tho museums at Pierrepont and
Fontainebleau.
INDIGNATION.
Albany, January 14.—The largest indoor
meeting ever held here took place last night
to express indignation about Louisiana.
The indignaut utterauces of the orators
were wildly applauded. Tho resolutions
were emphatically denunciatory, and adopt
ed by acclamation.
GERMANY AND SPAIN.
Madrid, January 14.—The government in
forms the German Empire that complete
indemnity will be given for the Carlist out
rage upon Gustave as soon as official facts
are received.
OHIO SPEAKS.
Columbus, January 14.—Both Houses,
after considerable filibustering, adopted res
olutions condemning the Federal interfer
ence in Louisiana.
FROM SPAIN.
IIexdaye, January 14.—Don Carlos is
holding a council of war at Durango.
Alfonso's reception at Valenda was less en
thusiastic than at Barcelona.
declines.
Paris, Januarv 14,—Sagosta declines the
Spanish Ministry.
FAILED.
Philadelphia, January 14.—Dawson, Judd
& Co., dry goods dealers', have suspended.
The Indignation Meeting in New York.
New York, January 11.—The indigna
tion meeting held in Cooper Institute to
night, to denounce the outrages against
the political rights of the people of Louis
iana, was one of the most remarkable
events of the kind ever witnessed in this
city in point of numbers and enthusiasm.
The doors were opened at 7 o’clock. The
rush was terrific, and at a quarter past 7
o’clock room could not be had iu the great
hall. The confusion became uproarious
shortly before 8 o'clock, the reporters at
the sides of the stage having to retreat
before the overwhelming numbers on
either flank.
The entrance of Mayor Wickham and a
crowd of friends was the signal for ap
plause, which soon became lost in yells
and laughter at the men clambering into
the organ gallery.
Those on the platform appeared to be
mostly Democrats. Mr. Bryant and Peter
Cooper were among the last to arrive, and
were heartily cheered.
August Belmont called the meeting to
order, and proposed Mayor Wickham as
chairman.
Mr. Wickham took the chair, and said
he had just been banded a dispatch
from our suffering brethren in the South,
and he asked their attention to it, as
follows:
“Louisiana sends greeting to-night.
Her people will not be goaded into p
conflict with the United States troops.
The committee is preparing evidence to
refute the slanders of SheridaD. We rely
on the moral support of our sister States
to restore to us, as American freemen,
our right of self-government.” (Ap
plause. )
The dispatch was signed by John Mc-
Enery, Governor, and other officials.
Wm. Cullen Bryant then addressed the
meeting. He said the President had no
right to intermeddle in the affairs of a
State save in two cases: First, to protect
the State from invasion: and secondly, on
application of the Legislature, or the
Executive when the Legislature cannot
be convened, to protect the State against
domestic violence. “The wrong done,
he said, “has no possible extenuation. I
regard this question solely as a solemn
question of Constitutional law. No mat
ter who desired the interference of the
military it should not have been given
but in way of the Constitution, otherwise
it is an act from which no citizen has a
right to withhold his condemnation. It
must be rebuked the instant it is perpe
trated.
These practices, which contemplate the
subjection of local politics to the Federal 1
authorities, by the exercise of military
power, must be denounced.
A list of Vice-Presidents was then read,
among whom were William E. Dodge,
Whitelaw Reid, Peter Cooper, Wm. Cul
len Bryant, Charles O’Conor and about
seven others.
A long series of resolutions were read
denouncing interference by tho military
in State affairs and condemning the dis
patches of Gen. Sheridan. Loud and con
tinued applause followed each clause
which denounced the conduct of the mili
tary authorities in the State of Louisiana.
Mayor Wickham put the question on
the adoption of the resolutions, and they
were carried amidst the loudest uproar
and a perfect storm of ayes.
Speeches were also made by Hon. Wm.
Evarts, Hon. Jas. S. Thayer, Hon. Wm.
E Dodge, George Tickuor Curtis, and
ex-Govemor Solomon, after which the
meeting adjourned.
Executive Department of Georgia, )
Atlanta, Ga., January 13, 1875. J
To the General Assembly;
In the discharge of the duty imposed up
on me by the Constitution, I have the honor
to lay before the General Assembly the in
formation deemed proper in reference to
the condition of tho commonwealth, and to
recommend to their consideration such
measures as are deemed necessary and ex
pedient.
Most prominent among the subjects
claiming the attention of the General As
sembly, is the nnanciil condition of the
8tate.'
The balance in the Treasury on the 1st
day of January, 1874, was $922,550 25, and the
amount received during the last fiscal year
was $1,895,116 80; making the aggregate
amount charged against the Treasurer last
year, $2,817,723 11. The disbursements for
the same period amounted to $1,814,594 23,
which, deducted from the amount received,
leaves a balance of $1,003,128 88 on hand
January 1, 1875. The particular sources
from which the receipts were derived, and
the various purposes tor which the disburse
ments were maae are stated in the Comp
troller General’s report, and need not be
specially set forth in this communication.
The Legislature, at the session of 1373,
made an appropriation to pay t^ claim of
Russell Sage. Tnis claim amounted to
$423,125, and no means having been spe
cially provided for its payment, it was satis
fied out of the ordinary revenues which came
into the Treasury during that year. This
created a deficiency last year which could
not be supplied otherwise than by resorting
to the very doubtful expedient of short
temporary loaus. As an evidence of the
improved'condition of the public credit, its
may heie be stated, however, that no diffi
culty was found in raising the required
amount, at a reasonable rate of interest.
The steady growth in the wealth of the
State, as shown by the Comptroller General’s
report, cannot fail to be very gratifying to
tho people. The reported increase in the
value of taxable property for the year 1874,
is more than $30,000,000 over and above the
value reported for tho previous year. This
increase was produced, iu part, by the re
peal of the law exempting a certain amount
of property from taxation. But after mak
ing full allowance for the repeal of this ex
emption, it appears that the net increase in
tho value of taxable property returned was
$13,709,376. I may here be allowed to note
for commendation, the thoroughness and
accuracy exhibited by the Comptroller Gen
eral in preparing the different tables con
tained in this report.
I unite with the Comptroller General in
recommending that his office bo relieved of
the duty of consolidating and taking care of
the agricultural returns. The reports of
Tax Receivers to his office, iu my judgment,
furnish the most economical and reliable
chancels for the collection of agricultural
statistics. The law should bo so amended,
however, as to secure with reasonable cer
tainty all the information desired, and to
this end, Tax Receivers should be obliged,
as a part of their official duty, to collect and
return the required statistics.
Oilier amendments of the tax laws are
r< eommeuded by the Comptroller General,
which are respectfully referred to the Gen
eral Assembly for consideration.
According to the statement presented by
the Treasurer, the funded dent ol the State,
not vet matured, amounted, on the first day
ol J&uuary, 1875, to $8,105,500. The princi
pal and interest due thereon the present
year amouuts to $070,385. Included in this
is the first instalment of $100,000 of the 8
per cent, bonds issued und*r the authority
of the act approved February 19, 1873. The
Treasurer states that, iu addition to the
foregoing, there is also outstanding $209,500
past due bonds, which, together with the
unpaid interest thereon, amounts to $323,400.
The report contains a full aud particular
dt scriptivo list of theso last mentioned
bonds. It is suggested by the Treasurer
that a large amount of the same warf paid
bv a former agent of the State, and not re
turned to tho Treasury for cancellation. It
should here be stated that the failure upon
the part of this agent to make such return
has produced serious inconvenience, and
probably loss to the Treasury.
Having reason to believe that Messrs.
Henry Clews A Co., the agent just referred
to, were converting to their own use paid up
bonds of the State, and desiring to relieve
the Treasury from all complications grow
ing out of their transactions as agent, 1 di
rected the Attorney General to proceed to
Now York and obtain, if possible, a settle
ment of their account with the State. Upon
h b return, this officer reported that he
found it impossible to effect a satisfactory
settlement of the account; that Mr. Clews
positively refused to permit any examina
tion of his books and vouchers, unless the
account which he had theretofore rendered
against the State were first paid. It hardly
need be stated that such an unreasonable
condition could not be complied with. The
chief objection to tho account rendered was,
that many of its items were not supported
hv proper vouchers. The examination of
these vouchers, if produced, would neces
sarily have involved an inspection of the
book's and papers of the agent. A settle
ment having been thus refused, the Attor
ney General requested to be furnished with
information in reference to the bonds which
had gone into the possession of Messrs.
Clews A Co., and which had not been re
turned by them to the Treasury. This re
quest was also refused. It is rumored that
this firm has recently been adjudged bank
rupt, aud it is now hoped that satisfactory
information in reference to the State secu
rities in ils possession may be obtained at
no distant day.
By reference to the report of the Bond
Committee, made to the Legislature at the
summer session of 1872, it will be seen that,
in addition to the bonds declared void by the
act approved August 23, 1872, Henry Clews
A Co. also hold $800,000 of currency bonds,
issued under act of August, 1870. There is
reason to believe that, notwithstanding
tho actibn of the Legislature declar
ing these bonds invalid, this agent has
transferred, or in some other way converted
tli • same to his own use. To prevent the
.t jurVjto the public interest likely to result
from any unauthorized or unlawful nego
tiation of onr securities, I would BUggest
that all the bonds recognized to be legal aud
binding on tho Slate, issued during the late
administration, be withdrawn from circula
tion, and that other bonds of similar amount
and of proper tenor and effect be issued in
lit;u thereof. This action would, in my judg
ment, be beneficial to the public credit, auu
would effectually protec.t the Treasury
against imposition and fraud.
Tbero being no reason to believe that the
railway companies, whose property has been
taken possession of by the State for non
payment of interest, will be able to make
any arrangement to resume possession of
their property, I respectfully suggest the
propriety of authorizing the issue of au
amount of State bonds sufficient to redeem
the bonds of the companies upon wnich the
State is liable. These companies are insol
vent, and the holders of their indorsed
bonds will have to look to the State a lone
fur payment. It is not probable, therefore,
that the bondholders would hesitate to ex
change, upon reasonable terms, tho sec.tri-
ties held bv them for State bonds. In set
tling the details of such an arrangement,
a material benefit might be secured for the
State without doing any injustice whatever
to the holders of the bonds. Behoving that
Lite interest of the Commonwealth would he
subserved thereby, I respectfully recom-
m« nd the adoption of a measure giving effect
to the foregoing suggestions.
The following estimate of the Treasurer,
showing the probable receipts and disburse
ments at the Treasury for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 1874, with such altera
tions as, iu my judgment, the public interest
dem ands, is respectfully submitted:
receipts
Cash balance in Treasury December
yi 1S74 $1,003,123 SS
From general tax of 1375 900,000 00
From general tax of 1874 300,000 00
Rental of W. AA.11R 300,000 00
Insurance tax 1375 20,000 00
Railroad tax 1975 10,000 00
Express Company tax 1S75 500 00
Dividends 2,000 00
Taxes of former years unpaid 10,000 00
Hire of convicts 10,000 00
From all other sources 30,000 00
to
Mrs.
stated
pension
her, be«
Lincoln.
Meade, widow of the General, is
■ j have declined to receive the
(fifty dollars a month) offered
it was less than paid Mrs.
because
\nn Eliza says that thirteen of Bng-
i’s daughters sat in the front seats
made faces at her the first time she
lectured. That was gal-laut.
ham
and
Total $2,585.62S SS
disbursements.
Civil establishment $100,000 00
Legislative pay roll 100,000 00
Lunatic Asylum 115,000 00
Pay of Chaplin and Trus
tees 2,000
Deaf and Dumb Asylum 13,500 00
Academy for the Blind.. 11,000 00
University of Georgia... 8,000 00
Printing fund 20,000 00
Contingent fond 20,000 00
Public buildings 20,000 00
Executive Department.. 10,000 00
Superintendent Public
Works 2,000 00
Clerk Wild Land Office. 1,200 06
Vaccine Agent 300 00
Educfttjou&l fund 150,000 00
School Commissioner
and Clerk 3,700 00
Supreme Court reports. 3,500 00
Solicitor General costs in
Court 2,000 00
Old debts W. & A. R. R 25,000 00
Public debt and interest
due in 1S75 670.3S3 00
Principal Keeper Pen
itentiary 2,000 00
Agricultural Department 10,000 00
Geological Survey 10,000 00
All special app r o p r i a-
tions 200,000 00—$1,499,5S3 00
Balance in Treasury
January 1,1875 $1,086,045 88
In the foregoing table I have made no es
timate for the Atlanta University. For rea
sons briefly given in another part ®f this
communication, no appropriation ought, in
my judgment, to be made for that institu
tion.
MACON AND BRUNSWICK RAILROAD.
Accompanying this communication is a
statement made up from the monthly re-
S orts of the Receiver of the Macon and
Irunswiek Railroad, showing the receipts
and disbursements on account of the pro
perty in his hands, since the same was taken
possession of in behalf of the State. For
reasons set forth iu my last annual message
to the General Assembly, it was found ne
cessary, ou taking possession of the road,
to continue to receive as money the change-
bills theretofore issued by the comp iny for
convenience in its business. All the net
earnings of the road since its seizure
have been applied in thp redemp
tion of these bills. As fast as redeemed, the
bills have been deposited in the State Treas
on', where they remain subject to exam
ination by the General Assembly. Some
time before the road passed into the hands
of the State, the company executed a deed
conveying considerable property to certain
trustees, to be used in redeeming the bids,
and this property is no* in the possession
of the Receiver, and when sold, tho proceeds
thereof should bo used to reimburse the
State for the amount paid out in their re
demption. The amount of theso bills still
in circulation, according to the best infor
mation of the Receiver, is $16,749.50.
Having been led to believe that an ar
rangement might be made whereby the
company would be enabled to pay the ac
crued interest on its bonds indorsed by the
State, and resume possession of the road,
and entertaining doubts whether the prop
erty could be disposed of for its value, I de
ferred any action looking to a sale of the same
until the month of September last. Having
then become satisfied that the company
would not pay this past due interest, and
believing tbat it would probably be for the
interest of the State to divest the company
of its title to the property, an order was is
sued directing the Receiver to a Ivertis* a
sale of the road and its equipments on the
first Tuesday iu December last. Before the
day of sale arrived, however, I felt it to be
my duty, after an examination of the records
of the company, to withdraw tho property
from the market, and to submit the question
of the proper disposition to be made of the
same to the General Assembly. Iu explana
tion of this action on my part the following
statement is respectfully submitted:
The Legislature, at the adjourned session
of 1872, adopted a joint resolution declaring
“that tho State’s guaranty placed on the
hands of the Macon and Brunswick Railroad
Company is binding on tho State.” At the
time of the adoption of this resolution the
Legislature had before it what appeared to
be sufficient evidence of tho validity and
regularity of these indorsements, aud espe
cially of tho indorsements made under the
act approved December 3, 1800. Theso in
dorsements received further recognition by
the Legislature iu the annual appropriation
act of 1874; and no doubt as to the validity
of the last named indorsements arose in my
own miud until the recent examination of
the company’s records referred to above. A
brief review of the history of the company
just here may aid the General Assembly iu
solving the grave questions here presented.
In the President’s rtqiort, submitted to a
meeting of the stockholders of tho company,
held the first day of February, I860, that
officer used the following language:
“From the necessity of keeping the ac
counts for the last four years m tuo deprt-
ciated currency of the (Confederate States,
the balance sheets of the Treasurer present
an exaggerated statement of the cost of the
road through its various items cf expendi
ture. Assuming that we are able to liqui
date tho bonds and outstanding liabilities
during the coming year with the assets in
hand, which I tniuk can be done, or nearly
so, having thus no debts, tho amount of
stock paid in should give the cost of the
road. This will simplify the matter very
mu h. The stock list gives not quite $800,-
000 in round numbers. We hav»-, then, for
this sum of $800,000 a first-class road fifty
miles long, equipped aud running, together
with seventy miles additional ready for the
iron rails, clear of incumbrance or debt of
any description. Deducting $200,000 as cost
of the seventy miles of grading, we have
$12,000 per milo as the average cost of the
fifty miles of running road—an extremely
low figure for (this) description of road.”
From the foregoing statement of the Pres-
dent of the company it appears that, se
early as February, 1866. as much as fifty
miles of the road was fully completed and
iu runniug order at a cost of $12,000 per
mile, aud that iu addition thereto seventy
miles had been graded at a cost of $200,000,
and was ready for the superstructure, ami
that the property of the company was “clear
of incumbrance or debt of any description.”
So far, it appears that the road had been
constructed by individual enterprise alone.
The act of' 1800, already referred to,
granted the aid of the Sate for the comple
tion of the ro&d ou the following terms: that
is to say, the Governor should place the
indorsements of the iState on tho bonds of
the company to be issued to the amount of
$10,000 per mile for the portion of the road
then already completed,aud the like amount
per milo for every additional ten miles, as
the same was completed and pat in running
order; upon condition, however, that before
auy such indorsements were made the Gov
ernor should “be satisfied that as much of
tho road as the said indorsements shall be
applied for” had been really finished and
equipped, and that the road was free from
every incumbrance that might emlangor the
security of the Stale.
Ou the day after the approval of the act
just referred to, a series of resolutions ex
planatory of its provisions was adopted, by
which, am >ng other things, it was provided
that the bon is of the company to be indors
ed by the State should not exceed $1,000,000,
until an amount of capital equal to the addi
tional indorsement was “oona jvle sub
scribed and paid into said company.’’ In
other words, after the indorsement uf the
bonds to the amount of $1,000,000, there
should not bo any further indorsement un
less an equal amount of capital should be
subscribed in good faith and paid into the
company.
After the grant of the aid of the State it
does not appear that any action was taken
by the company extending tho road until
the 25th day of June, 1808. On that day
an agreement, a copy of which is herewith
transmitted, was ostensibly entered into by
George G. Hall * and Sidney G. Miller,
of New York, with the company, where
by they agreed to furnish material and
construct the unfinished portion of the
road to the city of Brunswick. In conside
ration thereof the company agreed to pay
the said Hull A Miller as follows : $1,500,000
of the first mortgage bonds of the company
endorsed by the State, $1,000,000 of 7 per
cent, second mortgage bonds of the com
pany, aud $1,500,000 of preferred capital
stock of the eoaipauy, which should be en
titled to receive dividends at the rate of 8
per cent, per annum, before any dividend
whatever should be paid to the common
stock. It was further agreed that all of the
said securities should at once be issued by
Hie company, and placed in the hands^ of
Dabney, Morgan A Co., bankers, of New
Y'ork, as trustees,who should, upon comple
tion of each section of ten miles of the road,
obtain the endorsement of the State upon
the first mort-_ago bonds of the company,
aud should deliver the securities placed in
their hands as aforesaid to such persons as
Messrs, lull A Miller should direct, upon
the estimate of the chief engineer of the
company. The company also agreed to ob
tain the*endorsement of the State upon the
first mortgage bonds as aforesaid, upon the
requisition of said trustees, and “to pro
vide that a majority of the board of direc
tors should each be a holder of two hundred
shares of the preferred stock.” It would
thus seem that it was the intention of the
parties to this agreement to transfer, in ef
fect, the entire property of the company and
the control thereof to the contractors, and
practically to deny to tho common stockhold
ers all voice in the management of the af
fairs of the company. It is proper here to
Add that there is reason to believe that
Messrs. Hull A Miller were only nominal
parties, and that the real contractors were
persons known only in the records of the
company as “The New Y'ork Associates.”
These “ Associates,” it seems, employed
Messrs. Hull A Miller to construct the road
according to the conditions of said contract,
and paid them therefor at the rate of $12,250
per mile, this being the actual cost of that
portion of the road which was built after
the grant of the aid of the State.
It nowhere appears, so far as I have been
able to ascertain, that any amount whatever
was subscribed and paid into the capital
stock of the company, after the passage of
the act authorizing the State’s endorsement
of its bonds. The fundamental condition
upon which the additional endorsements
were to be made, after the State’s guaranty
was placed upon the first $1,000,000 of bonds,
was therefore disregarded, and these en
dorsements were giveD, so far as I can
learn, without authority and Id direct viola
tion of the law. It also appears that “The
New Y’ork Associates” virtually acted the dou
ble part of contracting with themselves,and
that in effect they occupied tho positions of
both employes and contractors at tbe same
time. In view of these facts the question
naturally arises whether the agreement be
tween the company and the contractors was
not itself illegal and void.
I transmit herewith copies of a letter and
estimate of the President of the company,
showiug that the actual cost of completing
the road aud putting it is running order
was $12,250 per mile. This estimate em-
biaces the entire cost of the road, including
giaduation, trestling, bridges, pihn .sta
tion houses, side tracks, superstructure,
iron, and all that was nec* sssry to the com-
S letion of the work. The letter of the Presi-
eut shows not only the cost of the road »s
above stated, but also that “the New Y rk
Associates” were the real contractors, and
that Messrs. Hall A Miller were iu fact em
ployed by them.
The Legislature, at its session in 1871,
raised a committee, commonly known as the
“Bond Committee,” whose duty it was made
to investigate and report upon all the bonds
and indorsements of the State, during the
administration of Gov. bullock. The com
mittee, in pursuance of its dnty, made an
examination of the indorsements placed
upon the bonds of the Macon and Brunswick
Railroad Company after the adoption of our
present Constitution. Upon reference to
the report of that committee touching said
last mentioned bonds, it appears that the
only witnesses who were examined as to the
cost of the road were President Hazlehurst,
and Messrs. J. P. Giraud Foster, Morris K.
Jessup, and D. Willis James, understood to
be three of the “Now York Associates.”
These witnesses testified that,
“The Macon and Brunswick Railroad cost,
for building and equipment, twenty thous
and, dollars per mile, fully ten thousand
dollars ner mile of which were paid iu and
invested in good faith by the stockholders,
independent of and outside of (the) State’s
indorsement. The company received one
million nine hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars of bonds under the act of 1866, and six
hundred thousand dollars of bonds under
the act of 1870. The amount of money paid
iu and invested in good faith by the stock
holders will cover the first indorsement fully,
but not the second.”
The Legislature acting upon this testimo
ny as reported by the bond Committee,
adopted the resolution to which reference
has already been made, recognizing the
validity of said indorsements. It cannot
reasonably be sapposed that either the com
mittee or* the Legislature were advised of
the cost or the road, as set forth in the let
ter of otbe President accompanying this
communication. The cost of the equipment
of the road cannot account for the dis
crepancy between the amount of the cost of
tbe roadi as stated in the President’s letter
and estimate, and the cost of the same as
set forth in the testimony of himself and the
three “New York Associates” before tho
Bond Committee. And as to the amount
claimed to have been paid in by tbe stockhold
ers, it is not to be supposed that the commit
tee had examined the stock book and
minutes of tho company. These books, now
in the hands of tne Receiver, have been
searched in vain for evidence that any stock
whatever was actually subscribed and paid in
by individuals, after the grant of aid oy the
State.
It will not be expected that I should pause
to comment upon these and other facts of
equal significance disclosed by the examina
tion made into tbe affairs of the company.
I feel it to be my duty, however, to recom
mend that a thorough investigation be
made, to the end that it may be ascertained
whether the law under which the company
procured the State’s indorsement has been
complied with or not. The public interest
requires that this shall be done. If it should
app- ar that the company has complied with
the law, aud has thus entitled itself to the
State’s indorsement, justice to the holders
of its indorsed bonds demands that tho ob
ligation should be acknowledged at once.
If, on the other hand, it should be shown
that the company has not placed itself in a
position to claim said indorsement, and that
the present holders of the bonds are proper
ly chargeable with notice of the wrong
doing, thou duty to the people, already over
burdened by debt ana taxation, requires
that this should be so declared with equal
promptitude.
At the last session of the General Assem
bly, I suggested that doubt existed as to the
validity of the State’s indorsement upon the
$000,000 of bonds of the company issued
under the act of 1870. I now respectfully
advise that the investigation be exteuded to
all the indorsements grautod said company
by the State, since the adoption of the
present Constitution. Attention is also
called to the appropriation act of the last
Legislature, in regard to the interest npon
bonds of the company, which it may become
necessary to repeal. It may also become
nece-sary for the 8tate to continue to hold
the road for a longer period than two years,
to which time it is now limited by law. In
that event, it is hoped that the act imposing
this limitation will be modified, and that the
Governor will be authorized to keep pos
session of the road until the same can be
disposed of to the best advantage, both of
the State and the company.
NORTH AND SOUTH RAILROAD.
The North and South Railroad Company
having failed to pay the interest on its bonds
indorsed by the State, 1 ordered all the
property of tbe same to be seized and taken
possession of on the 23d day of April, 1874,
and appointed Edward A. Fleweileu, Super
intendent of Fublio Works, as agent of the
State, to manage and control the same.
Tho law under which the seizure was made
requires the Governor to hold the property
at least six months before offering it for
sale, and the seizure having been made the
latter part of April, no sale could therefore
have been made earlier than November.
Tbe road has not been sold for tbe reason
that it was not believed that anything ap
proaching its value could be obtained in the
present condition of the money market. It
is hoped, however, that this state of things
will not continue long, and that some ar
rangement may be made by which the prop
erty can be disposed of without great loss
to the public treasury. The road sustained
serious damage the past year from freshets,
and the repairs rendered necessary in conse
quence thereof made it impracticable for
tlie agent to apply any part of the earnings
to the payment of the interest on the in
dorsed bonds. It is not probable that the
future earnings of the road will be sufficient
to meet this interest. It will be necessary,
therefore, for the Legislature, at the pres
ent session, to make provision for its pay
ment.
MEMPHIS BRANCH RAILROAD.
The Memphis Branch Railroad Company
having completed and equipped the first
section of fire miles of its road, as required
by tue act entitling the company to the aid
of the State, applied for the indorsement of
its bonds in May last. After cansiug a
thorough examination of the affairs of the
company to be made, I placed the State’s
guaranty on its bonds t« the amount of
$34,000, tbis being one-ha f the value aud cost
of tbe section completed and equipped. The
section of the road was finished, and the
application for the State’s indorsement was
made, before the passage of the act ap
proved February 25,1874, repealing the pro-
vicions of the several railroad charters
heretofore granted, which gave State aid to
such enterprises. In my judgment, the ap
plication came within the saving operation
of that clause of said last named act which
provides that any company which had al
ready acquired a vested right to the aid of
the State, should not be affected by the act.
It may be added that the commissioners who
examined the road reported that more than
$100,000 had been iu geod faith invested in
said company by pnvato individual*, and
tbat satisfactory evidence was exhibited,
sh >wing that there was no lien or incum
brance upon the property of the company
which could endanger the prior hen of the
State.
STATE AID.
Reflection has satisfied me that additional
legislation is required to check the evils
likely to flow from the unwise policy of
granting the aid of the State to works of
internal improvement. Experience n&s
shown that it is almost impossible so to
guard the public interest as to prevent in
jury to the same under these grants. Tne
larger portion of our financial troubles of
late years may be traced directly to this
mibchievons policy. The act approved Feb
ruary 25,1874, repealed all existing railway
charters, so far as the same provided for
State aid, except in cases where the right to
the same bad already become vested. What
would amount, uuder the law, to a vested
right, is a mooted question. It has already
been claimed that the mere acceptance of
the charter by the company, without more,
would have the legal effect of vesting tbe
right to the aid therein granted. If this
claim should be allowed by the courts, the
object sought to be accomplished by tbe act
would bo entirely defeated. The Code,
however, as will be seen by reference to sec
tion 1682, authorizes the withdrawal by the
State of the franchises given in certain
cases. Indeed, the franchises granted to
railway companies, since the enactment of
this part of the Code, were granted and ac-
capted, subject to the right of withdrawal,
unless otherwise expressly provided. I
would, therefore, respctfully recommend
that iu all cases where the same can be
done, tbe franchises to those railroad com
panies whose charters make provision for
State aid. be withdrawn by legislative enact
ment, unless they shall, within a prescribed
time, renounce respectively all right to claim
or receive the aid granted in their several
charters.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
The report of the Board of Trustees of
the State University shows that the receipts
from all sources, daring the collegiate year
ending July 28, 1874, amounted to $40,-
0H 80.
The University is reported to be in a pros
perous condition, and the devotion of the
students to their studies, daring the last
coliegiate year, is highly commended. The
number of new students received the pres
ent year has exceeded anything in the expe
rience of the past.
I invite attention to the report of the
Board of Viaitorf, who attended tbe exami-
' nation of the Senior Class prior to the last
; commencement. This report is v»-ry full,
and the thoroughness wi h which tho U> »rd
discharged its duties n fleets great credit
npon its membeis. Attention is called by
{ the board to a defect in the law prescribing
■ its duties. The law requires no more than
, that the board shall “attend tho University
examination preceding the annual cora-
I mencement, and report to the Governor the
character of such examination.” The powers
given to the board are not broad euoug i to
give value to its reports. Authority should
be given to extend its investigations to every
matter affecting the interest of the Univer
sity. It is thus only that the report of the
Visitors can be made a. channel through
which tbe General Assemblv may receive
trustworthy information touching the wants
and condition of the University. I recom
mend that the law be amended as here in
dicated.
I further suggest that inquiry bo made
into the propriety of providing for a thor
ough reorganization or the University. As
at present constituted, the Board of Trus
tees consists of thirty-five member *—a
larger number, as I am advised, thau com
poses a similar orgxuiz itiou in this or any
other country. The b »dy is too largo for
efficiency; besides, its members are ap
pointed f >r life, and thus, in some measure,
are left without tiiat sense ot responsibility
which experience proves is necessary to se
cure diligence and faithfulness in places of
trust. In my judgment, tlie officethe
present Trustees should be vacttel, and
provision should be made for th » appoint
ment of a new Board, f o consist of not more
than nine members. The appointment
should bo made in the manner which would
most certainly secure men of enlarged views
and of general fitness for the position. The
full term of office should not he longer thau
six years, and the tirst nine appointed
should be divided into three classes of
three each, to be appointed respectively for
two, four and six years. Thus, every two
years there would be three vaeane’es in the
Board. This provision would prevent the
making of sudden, radical changes m the
management of the University, and, at the
same time, would secure a sense of respon
sibility upon the part of the Trustees. The
Board ought to bo held directly responsible
to tho General Assembly, and' to that end
they should be required to mako out and
submit full annual reports of their proceed
ings, and of the condition of the University.
The changes just suggested would, in my
opinion, greatly advance the canse of Uni
versity education in the State. The institu
tion would draw around it the sympathy
and support of all the best men of the
State, and the representatives of the people
would not hesitate to make all needful ap
propriations for its support aud advance
ment. The people of the State desire to see
their University grow and expand, and they
fully assent to the truth of tho maxim that
the greatness of a Strfte depends upon, aud
is proportionate to, the higher education of
its people.
ATLANTA UNIVERSITY.
By an act approved March 3, 1874, the
sum of $8,000 was annually appropriated to
the Atlanta University, upon condition that
the institution should admit for in (true'ion
as many colored pupils from each county
iu the State, free of charge for tuition, as
there are or may be members of tbe House
of Representatives from each county, to be
nominated by said members respectively, so
long as said appropriation continues. The
Governor is inhibited from drawing his
warrant for said sum until the Trustees of
s id institution shall have submitted a plan
for tbe expenditure of the same to a Board
of Commissioners, consisting of the Chan
cellor of the State University aud two mem
bers of tbe Faculty of the same, and until
such plan shall have been approved by them
each year in writing, and filed in the Ex
ecutive office. The condition upon which a
warrant was to be given for the appropria
tion, having been complied with, tbe amount
for the past year was paid over to the
President of the University. The report of
the committee, whose duty it was to visit
this institution, will be found accompanying
this communication.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
The report of tbe School Commissioner
shows that there is a school organization in
every county of the State, and that public
schools have been in actual operation in one
hundred aud twenty-five counties the past
▼car. A growing interest in the schools is
manifested, and there h&£ been a marked
change in public opinion in favor of the
present system. The Commissioner dire :ts
attention to the fact that there are $350,000
of school bonds now in the hands of tne
Secretary of State, and claims that the in
terest on these bonds from October 13, 1870,
to October 1, 1874, amounting to $84,000, is a
debt due f.'om the State to his department;
and he asks that tbe Legislature take some
action recognizing the validity of the claim.
The net amount of the school fund col
lected from all sources, from the adoption
of the present Constitution down to Decem
ber 1, 1873, was $489,722 42. The sums
collected since the last mentioned date
amount to $180,183.90, and the disburse
ments to $109,071 84.
The whole amount of poll tax assessed for
tho year 1874, and which, by act of Fet>. 28,
1874, is retained in tne counties, was $199,-
550. Of this amount the Comptroller Gen
eral estimates that the sum of $133,000 has
been collected.
I concur in tbe opinion expressed by the
Commissioner, that tbe act or the last Gen
eral Assembly, providing for the payment
of the school aeDt of 1871, ought to be re
pealed. I also suggest that the law pre
scribing the mode iu which the school fund
■hall be paid over to County School Com
missioners be amended as is recommended
iu the report. Such payments are at pres
ent required to be m&de &t the State Treas
ury. Bv the amendment recommended, the
funds due to each county would be paid
over directly by the Tax Collector to the
County School Commissioned By this ar
rangement the collections by the Connty
School Commissioners would be much sim
plified, aud the cost ot transmitting the
money to and from the State Treasury
would be saved.
I concur fully in the opinion expressed by
the Commissioner to the effect that the act
of the last General Assembly, giving an an
nual donation of $8,000 to the Atlauta Uni
versity, should be repealed. The colored as
well as the white people of the State should
be educated, and to this end the tax payers
are willing to contribute to the extent of
their ability. It cannot rea onably be ex
pected, however, that the class upon which
the burden of taxation chiefly falls will con
sent to support an institution wherein the
mischievous doctrine of social equality is
practically inculcated. The wishes and
feelings of those upon whom rests the
burthen of supporting the government
should he consulted iu this as well as all
other matters affecting the public interests.
By reference to the report of the Board of
Visitors, who attended the annual examina
tion at this institution, it will also be seen
that some system of theoiogy is taught
therein. Adopting the very pertinent in
quiry of the Board, “ Whote theology is it
that is taught ?” Without waiting ror a re-
’ ly to this question, it may safely be as
sumed tbat tue teachings upon tbis subject
are sectarian in their character. The Con
stitution of the State inhibits the granting
of a donation or gratuity by the Legislature
to any sectarian corporation or association.
It is hardly necessary to add that the spirit,
if not the letter, of this constitutional pro
vision, would be violated by continuing the
appropriation under consideration to this
institution. But recognizing the duty rest
ing upon the public to provide for the edu
cation of the colored people. I respectfully
submit the views expresseil by the State
School Commissioner on this subject, with
the recommendation that yiey be favorably
considered by tbe General Assembly.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
I transmit herewith the first annual re
port of the Commissioner of Agriculture.
This department was created by the act ap
proved February 20, 1874, bat the Commis
sioner was not appointed until the 26th day
of August last. As soon as appointed,
however, he entered energetically upon the
discharge of his duties, and has already
succeeded in organizing his department and
placing it iu thorough working order. The
materials necessary for the Laud-book re
quired by the act are being collected, aud a
specimen showing the manner in which this
valuable work is being prepared, will soon
be ready for delivery. A laboratory has
been fitted np at the Capitol and furnished
with chemical apparatus suitable for con
ducting analyses of soils and minerals. The
rules prescribed for conducting these analy
ses, it is confidently believed, will be ef
fectual In securing results of great practi
cal benefit to onr agricultural interest. An
accurate knowledge of its condition and
wants mnst necessarily be the basis of all
improvements iu onr agriculture. Recog
nising tliis truth, the Commissioner has ar
ranged a system for the collection of relia
ble statistical information. He has already
gathered a mass of valuable facts, showing
the present condition of onr agricultural
labor system, the amount of home supplies
produced, and the general conduct and man
agement of onr husbandry.
The Legislature in establishing this de
partment, took a sten in the right direction
and, in my judgment, the future materia j
prosperity of lie State will depend, in
large measure, npon the manner in which i*
may be fostered and sustained.
Judging from what has been already
achieved, I think it may be safely predicted
tbat, under the able management of the
Commissioner, this department will soon en
title itself to the confidence and permanent
support of the people.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The office of State Geologist, created by
an act approved February 27, 1874, has been
conferred upon Dr. George Little, who held
at th^Jime of his appointment a professor
ship m the University of the State of Mis
sissippi. This offioer, after organizing his
department, entered at once upon the dis
charge of his duties. Taking the field late
in the fall, atter a hurried preparation, he
has traversed nearly the whole of north
western Georgia beyond the Chattahoochee,
and has already made a large collection of
specimens, showing the geological and min-
eralogical character of a number of counties
embraced in that section. The information
contained in his report, herewith transmit
ted, is very valuable, and the attention ot
the General Assembly is specially directed
thereto. I think it is not too much to say,
in behalf of this officer, that the benefits
expected by tbe people of Georgia from the
operations of this department, will be fully
realized under its present intelligent and
energetic management. Believing that the
work thus undertaken will, when completed,
be of incalcnlablo value to the people of the
State, I earnestly recommend such apnro-
priation be made therefor as may be deemed
necessary for its energetic prosecution.
LUNATIC ASYLUM
The report of the Trustees of the Lunatic
Asylum exhibits fully and particularly the
condition and management of the institution
during the past year. Its official organiza
tion is reported good, and all its affairs have
boen conducted with a just and reasonable
economy. For reasons stated in the reDort,
the amount appropriated for the support of
the institution the present year should bu
larger than that given for a similar purpose
last year. The suggestion of the Trustees
upon this subject mav, in my judgment, be
safely adopted, and I respectfully recom
mend that tho amount asked for be given.
Duplicate vouchers for the expenditures of
last year have boen regularly forwarded, as
the law requires, and are ready for inspec
tion by the proper committee of tho General
Assembly.
ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND.
The report of the Trustees of the Academy
for the Blind sets forth the administration
of the affairs of that institution during the
past year. For reasons stated by tho Hu-
perinteudent, a laiger sum may be needed
for the support of the Academy the p eseut
than was appropriated for that purpose last
year. The necessity for such additional ap
propriation will, I presume, be inquired
into, according to usage, through a visiting
cjmmittee appointed by the General As
sembly. I rospectfully recommended that
whatever amount may be found necessary
to secure the comfort of the pupiis and to
promote the efficiency of the institutibn to
be supplied.
DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.
Herewith transmitted will be found the
aunual report of the Board of Commission
ers of the institution for the education of
-he deaf and dumb. It is suggested in the
report that the same amount as that an
nually appropriated iu previous years, viz:
$13,000, will not be sufficient to'meet the
wants of the institution the present vear,
and &u appropriation of $15,000 is asked for.
Tbe Board also asks that an additional sum
of $1,000 be appropriated to pay for repairs
of buildimrs, aud $250 bo given to purchase
material needed for fitting up the printing
office of the academy. The re;>ort shows
that the ins.itution is in a prosperous con
dition, and I cheerfully recommend the ap
propriation of such sums as may be nects-
sary for its support.
ATTORNEY GENERAL’S REPORT.
The report of the Attorney General con
tains a statement of the business of the
fitate in his charge the past year. Attention
is especially invited to that part of his re
port which refers to the purchase of prop
erty at public sale, for tho use of the State,
aud the disposition made thereof. The At
torney General suggests that the Governor,
in conveying certain property thus pur
chased, be authorized to warr&ut, on the
? arc of the State, the title to the purchaser.
ho suggestion is respectfully submitted to
the General Assembly for such action as
may be considered proper.
PENITENTIARY.
In pursuance of the act approved March
3, 1874, tho convicts in the Peuiteutiiry
have been farmed out to different parties,
for terms ranging from one to fiveyeais.
The lease of Messrs. Grant, Alexander &
Co. expired on the 1st day of April last, less
than ouu month after the passage of this
act. In consequence of the short time al
lowed within which to dispose of them, tbe
lateness of the season ana tbe general con
dition of the country, it was found imprac
ticable to obtain full prices for the convicts.
Ali of them were disposed of, however, on
terms which relieves the State of every ex
pense on account of the Penitentiary. In dis
posing of the convicts, I sought, as far as
practicable, to diversify their employment,
with a view of ascertaining in what special
industries such labor could be most bene
ficially engaged.
The terms for which the convicts have
been leased will soon begin to expire, and it
will be necessary, therefore, for the Legis
lature to devise in advance a permanent and
more satisfactory system for keeping and
emploving them. The present plan can be
regarded only as a temporary expedient,
rendered necessary by the condition of our
finances and the inconvenience, if not im
practicability, of securing a better system
under the circumstances. In any perma
nent system adopted, c&ro should be taken
to preserve the punitive and reformatory
character of a penitentiary, and, at the same
time make it self-sustaining as far as pos
sible.
It will appear by reference to the report
of tbe Principal Keeper, herewith transmit
ted, that the number of escapes aud deaths
has boen large since the last letting of the
convicts. This results, proLably, from tho
vie* s inherent in the system, rather than
from negligence on the part of the lessees.
The escapes have been at the rate of 10 per
cent, per annum of the whole number of con
vict s, aud the deaths at the rate of 6 per cent.
This, it mnst be confessed, is an unfavorable
showing for the present system, and clearly
demonstrates the necessity of abandoning
it as soon as possible.
The number of convicts, at the present
rate of increase, will soon reach one thou
sand. It has been ascertained that for a
period of fitty years anterior to the late war,
each convict confined in the titate prison
involved an actual expenditure from the
public treasury, over and above the pro
ceeds of his labor, of $219 00 per annum. It
cannot bo expected tbat convicts can be
kept under that system at this time for a
less amonut than 'this. Assuming this to
be true, the number of convicts which may
reasonably be expected at an early day, will
r* quire for their maintenance, if kept in
prison, an annnal appropriation of over
$209,000. Such a burden as this should not
be imposed npon the people of theSUte,
for the support of violators of the law, if it
can be avoided.
It will thus be seen that the disposition to
be made of the convicts under our laws is a
matter of grave public concern. The atten-
tiou of the Legislature is earnestly invited to
the subject. It cau scarcely be hoped that
any system which may bo adopted will be free
from objection. While I have no plan to
offer as entirely satisfactory to my own
mind, I would suggest that in any system
that may be devised the convicts should be
placed under some one responsible head
rather than divided among several, and tbat
the State, in the event that it should part
with the labor of the convicts, ought, never
theless, to retain the right of police, in
cluding the right of supervisor tbeir sani
tary and moral condition, their treatment
and safe keeping.
VOLUNTEER COMPANIES.
The number of volunteer companies or
ganized in the titate is two hundred and
twenty-one. Of these, one artillery com
pany, eleven cavalry and forty-three infan
try companies have been armed. There
have been issued to the infantry two thou
sand t ree hundred and thirty stands of
arms, wi‘h accoutrements in fall. Included
in this amount are one hundred muskets
furnished to the Agricultural College at
Athens. Fonr hundred and sixty pistols,
and an equal number of sabres, have been
issued to the cavalry. Five twelve-pounder
Napoleon gnus h-ve been drawn Dy the
State from the Ordnance Department at
Washington, four of which have been given
to an artillery company at Savannah.
Experience demonstrates that nothing
tends so effectually to preserve the pablic
peace as a consciousness on the part of the
evil-disposed and ltwless that government
possesses the power to enforce the laws.
Hence the militia should to the extent prac
ticable, be thoroughly organized and armed.
The quota received annually from the Fed
eral Government by the State, is wholly in
sufficient for this purpose. The quotas of
fourteen years—from 1861 to 1874, inclusive
—were required to supply the fifty-five com
panies already armed, and to furnish the
Agricultural College, as before stated. The
companies organized, but now unarmed,
mast therefore be disbanded, unless an ap
propriation be made by the Legislature to
supply them with arms. I recommend that
a sufficient amount be voted to arm tbe
companies already organized. The expen
diture of this appropriation should be
guarded by limiting tne cost of the arms
to be purchased tothe regulation prices
prescribed by the Oviancc Department of
the United States.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
The Secretary of State has been directed
to send, properly authenticated, to the Sen
ate, where it originated, the act of the last
Legislature, approved March 2,1874, enti
tled “An act to amend the Constitution of
the State* An examination of this act
shows that it is applicable only to such en
dorsements of railway bonds made by the
late Governor, as the Legislature had “ de
clared illegal, fraudulent or void.” A large
amount of the fraudulent endorsements
and bonds, issued during the late
administration, are not covered by
tbe language of tbe act. It is doubt
ful, therefore, whether the public interest
would be subserved by the final adoption of
the act as an amendment to the Constitu
tion. It is also questionable whether it
would be competent for tbe Legis
lature so amend the act as to in
clude the other bonds and indorse
ments to which attention has just been
made. The question is thus brought before
us, whether, for this and other reasons, it is
advisable at this time, aud under existing
circumstances, to call a convention for the
purpose of revising and amending the Con
stitution of the State.
Ir is generally conceded that such a con
vention onght to assemble in the course of
a few years. Indeed, there seems to be but
little, if any, difference of opinion as to the
propriety and necessity of revising the Con
stitution; the only doubt in the public mind
being as to the time when this can best be
done. There are certainly many reason*
why a convention should be called without
unnecessary delay; and yet, it mnst be con
fessed that there are othor reasons, equal
ly cogent, a Ur. iu a matter of such
grave conre.n, the S ate should move
with extreme caution. The peculiar
condition of tlie State, its relations
with the Federal Government, and the ne
cessity of act ng, as far as practicable, with
due regard to other Southern State's simi
larly situated with ourselves, impost upon
us a grave responsibility. The people, how
ever, have the right to decide this question
for themselves, and to them the Legislature
cau safely remit ir. When tins has been
done, the entire question can be discussed
aud determined upon its merits. I can see
no reason, therefore, why the Legislature,
if it see proper, may not take action dnring
the present session for the purpose of re
ferring the question of assembling a con
vention to a vote of the people.
FEDERAL RELA TIONS—LOUISIANA.
The exhibit here made of tho affairs of
the State, though not all that could be de
sired, furnishes much ground for hepe and
encouragement in the future. Our financial
condition is steadily improving, aud our
great agricultural interests begin to show
signs of reviving life and vigor. With the
increased production of breadstuff’s the past
year, the planting interests, with a better
price for the great staple, would be on a
more satisfactory footing at this time than
it has been for some years. The interest in
the State which seems to languish most is
our railways.
The chief obstacle in (be way of our ad
vancement has arisen from the course pur
sued by the party iu possession of tbe Fed
eral Government towards the Southern
States. One of the immediate results of
this policy has been the disorganization of
our labor,' and the consequent large increase
ot idleness, vagrancy and crime. It has
boon erroneously assumed that the lately
enfranchised class would not receive just or
proper treatment from the white people, and
to prevent this imaginary evil the mif«
chievous and unconstitutional measures
known as the Enforcement Acts have been
resorted to. We are now further threat
ened by still greater evils, in the pass
age by Congress of wbat is commonly
designated as the civil rights bilL Should
this great and unnecessary wrong be in-
fiictea upon as, I hazard nothing in saying
that it will be followed by the immediate
overthrow of our public school system, by
the complete demoralization of our labor,
by great Injury to our finances and to tho
holders of our securities, by confusion in
every department of business, and by fur
ther alienation between the two classes of
our population. The unwisdom of the
measure, so far at least as the State of
Georgia is concerned, is shown bv tbe
fact that tho laws of this State al
ready guarantee precisely the samo
rights to all tho people, of whatever class,
condition or color. We have one law for all
—for the white man and the colored man—
for the freeman and the freedm&n. It is a 1-
mitted that there are distinctions among u*,
but they are such distinctions as obtain
among all peoples, under all governments
and in all societies, and such as no govern
ment has heretofore ever undertaken to
regulate by legislative enactments. That
such legislation is unnecessary and can bo
productive of mischief only, we very well
know. Self interest, to take no higher
view of the subject, would dictate
to the white people the policy of
forbearance, conciliation and fair dealing
towards the colored race. Even when a
slave, the negro was sure of protection and
kiud treatment, and now that he has be
come a free and independent laborer, aud
poasesses every legal right that the white
man hat, it is still to the interost of the
latter that his rights should be carefully
guarded, that hia efficiency as a laborer
slioul i be increased, and that his general
condition should be improved in all practi
cable ways.
But its injurious effect upon the peace and
material prosperity of the Southern people,
is not the only mischief justly chargeable to
•u h legislation. The disregard of the right
of local self-government, of which it is ibo
expression, betrays the existence of an
alarming disease in the Federal system. Tne
experience of tbis people, during the last
teu years, but confirms the uniform teach
ings of history, that power, in whatever
hands, is ever struggling for its own enlarge
ment. During that short period, the
General Government has violated the liberty
of the citizen, overturned and created State
governments at will, and committed other
flagrant violations of tho Constitution.
The crowning act in this course of usurpa
tion and wrong is the attempt to ftifle, by
the strong arm of military power, the will of
the people of Louisiana, expressed at the ro-
ceut election. In popular governments the
untrammeled exercise of the elective fran
chise, and the parity of the ballot
box, are at once tbe form and essence
of public liberty. The recent attempt
to pervert tbe popular will in Louisiana,
may well excite the gravest apprehensions.
There would, indeed, be little ground of
hope for the perpetuity of our free institu
tions, if such usurpation were met with
public apathy. Happily, however, it has
produced the contrary effect, aud patriotism
findB encouragement in the almost univer
sal sentiment of condemnation this grave
wrong has evoked.
The change in public sentiment indicated
by the recent elections, also leads us to
look for au early reformation of the poiicy
and practice of the Federal Government to-
waras the Southern States. If the policy
of irritation should be abandoned, and the
people be left to themselves, the two races
would soou establish such social aud busi
ness relations with each other, at
their own peace, happiness and true
interests require. In other words, our
people only ask that thev be secured in the
great right of local self-government, as it
once existed in all the States of the Union,
but which is nfcw eDjoyed alone by the peo
ple of the Northern States. If the govern
ment will give ns home rule, a revenue
tariff, an honest and economical administra
tion, and a sound circulating medium, we
shall not have long to wait for the return of
peace and prosperity to ali parts of the
country,and among ail classes of the people.
James M. 8mith.
A Spanish Legend.
Among the numerous legends told in
connection with Spain and its govern
ment is the following, which is not with
out interest, and is at least amusing.
It relates to Ferdinand HI., who was
supposed to have been such a great bene
factor to his country that he went direct
to Paradise, without being detained for
any length of time in purgatory. Upon
his arrival at his destination he was im~
mediately constituted a saint of the first
degree, and among other favors he re
ceived at the hands of the Virgin Mary
was permission to ask any three things
he might desire, like the old couple in
the children’s story with which we are all
familiar in our youth, but in which, if I
recollect aright, the benefits were con
ferred by a very different personage:
Well, cf course, Ferdinand III. having
been made a saint had nothing else to
desire, so far an he was personally con
cerned. Even if it had been otherwise,
being so fond of his country, be would
doubtless have looked after the welfare of
Spain before making any request for his
own personal advantage, and, therefore,
he first asked that his countrymen should
have an unlimited supply of wine, oil and
garlic. His request was immediately
granted, as was also a demand for good
harvests and plenty of mules for carrying
the grain to market. The good saint had
now nearly reached the end of hia tether,
and before the final demand he asked to
be allowed twelve hours for consideration.
As it was, if the story be true, he had
taken rather a mean advantage of the
good nature of the Holy Mother, by em
bodying several benefits for his country
in each of the two demands he had made,
but being a great favorite at the time, it
appears that the discrepancy was over
looked. How Ferdinand occupjed his
time during the twelve hoars which had
been given to him we are not told, but at
the time appointed he was ready with his
request which was that Spain might have
a “good government.”
The Virgin Mary replied that, much to
her regret, she could not in justice to the
denizens of Paradise comply with this
demand; for, were it granted, Spain
would be such a delightful country to live
in that the angels would take up their
residence there in preference to remaining
in Paradise. Ferdinand III, thought the
Holy Mother was rather hard on bun, but
with a diplomatic tact worthy of Bis
marck himself, he substituted for his
final demand a request that the Spanish
women might resemble angels as nearly
as the Virgin might deem consistent with
her sense of justice to the angels in Para
dise. and that the men might not only be
handsome but talented. No objection
was offered to this, and for anything we
know to the contrary, the good saint is
still sharing the accommodation afforded
to that “sweet little cherub” of British
origin, who “sits up aloft and looks after
the life of poor Jack.”