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National U w nblican
AU<- 1 -VBTyyT Ik.
SUNDAY MORN£N£<"-?-W r --Jaly 2*. 1868
I?OI- PRESIDENT
Os tub United States:
ULYSSES S. GRANT.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT 7
Schitler Colfax,
or INDIANA.
GOV. BULLOCK'S MESSAGE.
To the exclusion of several articles pre
pared for this number, we publish the
interesting Message of Governor Bullock.
It speaks for itself.
. CIRCULATE THE PAPERS.
Every family should have a newspaper;
and with the view of supplying every
family, we have put down (he price of
The Republican for (he campaign at
moderate rates. At these rates, political
clubs will Ire able to furnish a paper to
every voter in theft-district who does <sot>
or is not aide to, take one. Tliere is no
better .or cheaper hay of serving the cause
. and the country, and our friends should at
once prepare to put a copy of The Repub
lican’ into every house, from now until
after the election.
One great difficulty iu the way of en
lightening the people is to get them to
read the trutli. This is especially the case
with those who arc blinded by party preju
' dice. They will make no effort to inform
themselves, for they are unconscious of
their own ignorance.
Let our republican friends see tp it that
the Republican, or some other readable
republican paper, is put into the hands of
every poor man who has gone on, year after
year, in his ignorance, voting the demo
cratic ticket. So long as he remains in his
darkness, he will follow his blind leaders
into the ditch. But give him'a chance to
inform himself, let in a ray of light through j
his darkened windows, and you will save ‘
him, aud secure his vote for his country. ,
He is honest ami sincere, and such men at
once embrace the trutli when it is presented 1
to their understanding.
Be sure, then, and give him a copy of j
the Republican to read every week. Hide
not your light under a bushel, but let it
shine for all. Push on the good work. ,
Doing is worth more than talking. The ,
success of our cause depends more on what <
the workers do than on what the speakers -
•and papers say. Circulate the documents. t
*
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. |
The Constitutional Amendment, Article 1
XIV., having been ratified by a sufficient (
number of States, as officially announced ,
by Secretary Seward, has become a part ’
of tile organic law of the Republic, Its I
provisions, which we epitomize, arc of the ]
highest importance, and will stand as in
surmountable latenkwaters against reckless
legislation or inconsiderate judicial deci
sions, on many momentous subjects. They
are as follows:
Section I declares that all persons born or
naturalised in this country .are citizens of the
United States, and of the State wherein they re
side; and that no State shall make any law to
abridge their-privileg.* as Such citizens, nor to
deprive them of itfe, liberty or property, without
due process, nor deny to them the equal protec.
tion of the laws.
Section 2 provides that Representatives in
Congress shpll be apportioned atnong the States
according to the number of the whole people »f
all colors and both sexes, excepting Indians not
taxed. But if any Stale shall deprive any of its
male inhabitants of the right to vote, except on
account of rebrilton or other crimes, then the
number of Representatives in Congress, and of
course the number of Presidential Electors, to
which such State would be otherwise entitled,
shall bo reduced aocortffhgly. Or, in other words,
if, for example, a Slate in which the white males
and the black males are equal, shall deny the
-right of suffrage (o the blacks, then the Slate
shall be entitled to only half as many Represen
tatives in Congress and Presidential Electors as
it would be entitled to if it allowed both whites
anfi bfooks to vote.
Section 3 provides that no person who has
once' taken an oath to support the Constitution
as a member of Congress or other Federal officer,
or as a legislative, judicial, or executive officer
of any State, and has thereafter engaged in re
bellion against the Government, shall be eligible
to the office of Senator or Representative in
Congress, or shall be a Presidential Elector, or
hold any civil or military offioo under the Federal
or State Govern men ts. However, Congress may,
by a two-thirds vote of each House, remove these
disabilities in any individual case.
Section 4 declares that the validity of the pub
lic debt of the United States, including debts
incurred for bounties and pensions, and for sup
pressing the shall never be called in
question. Rut neither the United States nor
any State shall assume or pay any debt incurred
in aid of rebellion against the United States, or
any claims for emancipated slaves, but all such
debts and claims shall bo void.
Section b clothes Congress with power to en
force all the foregoing provisions by appropriate
legislation.
The wide sweep anil legitimate effect ol
these provisions will be seen even on a
' casual reading. The first section pro
hibits all legislation based on class or
caste, and practically incorporates the
main propositions of the Civil Rights bill,
so called, into the Constitution. The
second section is a powerful argument
addressed to the Southern States against
depriving the negroes of the suffrage ; for,
if they withhold from them the ballot,
they materially reduce tlie power ol that
' section of the Union both in Congress and
in the Electoral Colleges. For example,
if South Carolina were hereafter to deny
the elective franchise to her colored popu
lation, it would reduce the number of het
members of Congress and Presidential
Electors more than one half. The tliird
section merely cuts off from holding cer
tain important offices those persons w ho,
after having taken an official oath to
support the Constitution, turned traitors
by plunging into the rebellion. The
number thus disfranchised is small, and
even these can lie relieved by Congress.
• The fourth section provides against any
possible repudiation of the Federal delft,
*> or any assumption of the. Confederate debt.
This will greatly strengthen our public
securities at home and abroad. The fifth
section enables Congress to enact all laws
which shall hereafter become necessary,
under any possible contingency, for giving
full effect to these provisions. In fine,
next to the article which abolished slavery,
this is the most important article which
has been added to’ the Constitution since
its original adoption. *
HIM IffilEL
Senators and liepraentalivea :
Congratulating you, as the Representa
tives of the People, upon the establishment
of Civil Government, and the fact that
Georgia is once more an integral portion of
our National Unity, we welcome the intel
ligence which comes from nearly every
portion of our State, of a bountiful harvest
to the husbandman, anil, as a consequence,
general content and thrift among our people,
an omen of our future prosperity.
THE CONSTITUTION.
A new Constitution hns been framed hy
our delegates to the late Convention, and it
is your duty, ns it will be your pleasure, to
enact laws in harmony therewith.
Among its many admirable provisions,
attention is respectfully called to the follow
ing changes in, and amendments oi, the
old Constitution, some of which require
early legislation at your hands.
DECLARATION OF FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIpLEH.
Article One is the Declaration of Funda
mental Principles,
Section Two of that Article recites that,
‘'All persons born or naturalized in the
United States, and residents of this State,
are hereby declared citizens of this State ;
and no laws shall be made or. enforced,
which shall abridge the privileges or im
munities of citizens of the United States, or
of this State, or deny to any person within
its jurisdiction, the equal protection of its
laws. And it shall be the duty of the Gen
eral Assembly, by appropriate legislation,
to protect every person in the due enjoy
ment of the rights, privileges and immuni
ties guaranteed in this section.”
This provision is in consonance with the
law of Congress, which, fortunately for our
domestic tranquility, settlcsaquestionwhich
might have been a source of serious trouble
for us ami our children, and shows conclu
sively that there was no prospective spirit
of on the part of the framers of the new
Constitution, for, by its provisions, every
citizen is fully permitted to participate with
us in the government of our inter-Statc
affairs.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT PROHIBITED.
Their wisdom is further shown in the
adoption of the Eighteenth Section of Article
One, prohibiting imprisonment for debt, and
obliterating from oar Code ol Laws licit relic
of the usurer’s power wliich confined the '
unfortunate debtor in it felon's cell.
Still furihef, ns an evidence of ourculight- ‘
eumeiit aud advancement in the scale of I
humanity and moral progress, by the twenty- 1
second section of the same article, whipping, '
as a punishment for crime, is abolished. The
whipping post will no longer shock the 1
sensibilities of our citizens, 1
LOTTERIES PROHIBITED.
Another most salutary provision iS found 1
in Section Twenty Three of the same Article, 1
which enats that “No lottery shall be author- 1
ized, or sale of lottery tickets allowed in this 1
State, and adequate penalties for such sale 1
shall be provided by law.” This section, in !
my judgment, will be found to lx; a great 1
conservator of public morals, and it becomes ’
your duty to provide, by appropriate legisla- 1
tion, adequate penalties to prevent the con 1
tinuance of this demoralizing traffic.
POLL TAX. 1
Section Twenty Nine of the same Article 1
prescribes “That no poll tax shall be levied '
except for edtfcntional purposes, and such '
tax shall not exceed one dollar annually to
each poll.” The freedom of the ballot box .
is in a measure insured by this proceeding,
which prevents an excessive tax upon each
poll, and, at the same time, permits the voter
to aid in promoting the free school system
by contributions to that fund.
NATIONAL UNITY.
Section tbiily lhird provides that “ The
State of Georgia shall ever remain a mem
ber of the American Union; the people
thereof are a part of the American Nation ,
Cvcry citizen thereof owes paramount alle
giance to the Constitution and Government
of the United States, and no law or ordinance
of this State, in contravention or snbversioti
thereof, shall ever have any binding force."
This settles, substantially and definitely, a
subject matter wliich has been the fruitful
source of our tnosl serious difficulties in
peace and in war.
FRANCHISES AND ELECTION'S.
Your attention is particularly directed to
that portion of Article Two—Franchises
and Elections—which prescribes qualifica
tion for Electors, and recites that the Elector
“ shall have paid all legal taxes, which may
have been-required of him, and which he
may have had an opportunity of paying,
agreeable to law,”
This requirement has beeu a part of our
Statutes for many years, but of late has
grown into disgust. It should bo enforced,
particularly since the Poll tax has boon
made almost nominal, and within the ability
of all who esteem the franchise as the
especial privilege of a freeman.
It would also save money to the county
treasuries, as the law allows, and it is the
Custom of the Sheriffs to charge for n return
of nulla bona upon ji.Jd. issued -by the Tax
Collectors open insolvent polls placed in the
bands of the Sheriff for levy.
The provision is a goqd one, and the
General Assembly should require the
superintendents and managers ot elections
to eufcrce it strictly or strike it from the
Code.
There has beeu, also, a judicious change
in the oath to bo administered to a chal
lenged voter, which, if enforced, will
materially improve the purity ol the ballot.
DUELLING;
Attention is directed to the puuishtnent
necessary to be prescribed for the violation
of Section Five of this Article, which says
that “No person who, after the adoption oi
this Constitution, being a resident of this
State, shall engage in a duel in this State or
elsewhere, or aha.il send or accept a challenge,
or be aider or abettor in such a duel, shall
vote or hold office In this State; aud every
such person shall, also, be subject to such
punishment as the law may prescribe.”
PROHIBITING SALE OF LltfUOR.
There is no provision of the Constitution
which embodies greater wisdom and sagacity
than that contained in the Eighth Section of
this Article, which provides, that “The sale
of intoxicating liquors on days of election is
prohibited,” aud it is earnestly re&ommcnded
to your attention as one requiring legislation
that will effectually prevent not only the sale
of but access to this active agent, in fomenting
contention and bloodshed.
n’ew counties.
Article Three, Section Five, requires that
“No new county shall be established, except
by a vote of two-thirds of each House, nor
shall any county be abolished, except by
two-thirds of each House; and after the
qualified voters of the county shall at an
election held for the purpose sb decide.”
This is an amended article dt the old Con
. stitution, and may lie regarded as an excel
lent provision, as many new counties have
been organized whose creation was ot
doubtful propriety, the taxation nml revenue
derived from them being insufficient to pay
the per diem and mileage of their members
in the General Assembly, and, therefore,
provided offices for a few persons without a
corresponding advantage to the State.
PUBLICATION OF ACCOUNTS.
Article Three, Section Six, Paragraph
One. The amendment to this section, us
compared with the old Constitution, requires
that “The regular statement and account of
the receipt and expenditure of all public
tnfiney, shall be published from lime to time,
with the laws passed by each session of the
General Assembly,” and is worthy of special
commendation.
The printed laws, heretofore, have not
contained this valuable Information, aud the
people have not had the opportunity of
knowing bow the revenue of the State has’
beet .expended, save through the reports of
the Treasurer and Comptroller General,
which have not been- accessible to the public
at large. 'This mode of publication will
insure a more general diffusion of the data
and information with whieh the reports are
usually filled, and incidentally lead to a
more intiritate knowledge of the laws among
our citizens, and a more discrinrfmrtfnjy
economy in our disbursements.
LEGISLAtCRE.
Article Third, Section Six, Paragraph-
Two, provides that “No'vote, resolution, law
or order, shall pass granting a donation or
gratuity in favor of any person, except by the
concurrence of two-third? of each branch of
the General Assembly, nor by any vote to a
sectarian, corporation or association.” The
prohibition from donating -in favor of secta
rian Associations is an amendment to the
old Copstitation, and one that will meat the
favorable consideration of our citizens.
Paragraph Three of the same Article
provides that "No law or section of the
Code shall be amended or repealed by
mere reference to its title or to the number
of tliis section in the Code, but the amend-,
ing or repealing act shn.ll distinctly and’
fully describe the law to be amended or
repealed, as well-as the alteration to be
made ; but this clause shall be construed
ns directory qn]y to the General Assembly.”
This provision subserves a wise purpose, in
that it prevents hasty legislation. Num
bers of instances in previous legislatures
have occurred where the identical law
upon the statute book has been retSnaclcd,
and sections of the Cole repealed by
reference to the number of the act, the
body of which had no connection with the
matter intended to bo legislated upon.
JUDICIARY.
Article Five. In this as in other Articles
of our admirable constitution, we notice the
remarkable fact that the Convention, dis
tinctly representing “universal suffrage,”
aftted Independently and with wisdom and
discernment for the benefit of the people,
and conservatizcd the government which
they were about to establish, by reducing
to a minimum the number of elective
officers, and increasing to a maximum the <
length of the term of the offices which were
■to be elective or appointed. Tire extension
of the term of Executive and Judiciary,
will be beneficial in many rcspeets l and, to
a great extent* it will have the effect of
placing these two departments of the
government beyond tire influence of parti
san politicians.
The Executive is controlled in his selec
tion by the dignified mid thoughtful miuil of
the Senate; and in this connection, the
mature deliberation of the General Assembly
is invited to the subject of salaries, to the
end that adequate compensation may be
provided for the several offices of Judges of
the Supreme, Superior and District Courts,
and for the Attorneys and Solicitors GencraF
and District Attorneys; that persons of
character and capacity may be secured to
fill these important positions. In deciding
the compensation which should attach, due
regard will be hail to the incomes which this
class of professional gentlemen would acquire
by their practice. It is also proper that their
emoluments should be in proportion to the
character, responsibility and dignity of the
office. -
The provision “that the Court'shall render
judgment without the verdict of'a jury, in all
civil cases founded on contract, where no
issuable defence is not filed on oath,” it h
beljevcd will materially expedite the business*
of the Courts, and save costs to defendants.
DISTRICT JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS.
Section Four, Article Five requites that
“there shall be a District Judge and u Dis
trict Attorney for each- Serrajnrint Uiatvioi ;•»
this State.” This change from County to
District Courts, Judges and Attorneys may
bo regarded as greatly subserving the public
interest. If reduces the number of oflfoiiils,
secures a speedy administration of justice,
reduces the expense, attendant upon payment,
•ol jail fees; and the provision for the pay
ment of official salaries from the county
treasury, instead of the receipts from fitfts
and forfeitures, relieves these officials from
the charge of undue influence, in an anxiety
to secure convictions mid thereby increase
the emoluments of their office. Tae favorable
attention of the,General Assembly is miked
for that paragraph of the Constitution which
authorizes you to confer civil jurisdic
tion upon these Courts.
COURTS OF ORDINARY.
Section Five, I’anreraph Eleven, Article
Five*Section Five, Paragraph Two, pro
vides that “the Courts of Ordinary'.-hall
have, such powers in relation to reals,
bridges, ferries, public buildings, paupers,
county officers, county funds, and other
matters as shall be conferred on' them by
law.”
By Section Nine, “the Court heretofore
styled the ‘lnferior Courts’ are hereby
abolished, mid their unfinished business
aud the duties of the Justices thereof are
transferred to such tribunals as the General
Assembly may designate.” Aud Article
Eleven, under the head of "Laws iu Gen
eral Operation,” Section Seven, recites that
“the books, papers, and proceedings, of the
Inferior Courts shall bo transferred to and
remain in the control of the ordinaries,
who shall perform the duties of said courts
until otherwise provided by law.” It is
respectfully suggested that early attention
be directed to this paragraph, to the end.
that Ordinaries may be relieved froTn a
large portion of the duties thereby imposed
upon them. The court should, it is be
lieved, be divested of matters not germain
to it; it is a court created for a particular
purpose, and its duties ‘should bc-confined
to the objects of its creation. Should the
business heretofore transacted by the Jus
tices of the Inferior Courts be entrusted To
the Ordinary, he would not be awe to
perform it iu addition to the duties hereto
fore pertaining to that office. It may, also,
be objected that with these additional
services prescribed, too much power is.
conferred upon one. officer. The supervi
sion of roads, bridges, ferries, puhHobnild
ipgs, paupers, county officers, county funds,
and taxes, and other mutters, all given to
one man, is a subject that invites critifism.
Under Section FiuoQb, “The General
Assembly shall have power to provide for
the creation of County Commissioners iu
such counties as may require them, and
define their duties.” By this provision
Commissioners may be created, to whom call
be entrusted a portion at least of these
duties, securing efficiency and- promptitude;
and in this connection your serious consid
eration upon the subject-.of Road Laws is
necessary to procure a practicable system.
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.
The efficiency of the public highways is a
necessity ; our Road Laws now in existence
are entirely disregarded. We hayc the
material for working out a system of im
provement in roads with economy ; and the
safety, comfort and pecuniary interest of the
people, as well as the demands of commerce,
require that this branch ot internal improve
ments should lie inaugurated hr practical
measures with sufficient and prompt penalties
to insure their execution.
JURORS.
Section Thirtsen, Paragraph Two, re
quires that “ The General Assembly shall
provide- by law for the selection of upright
and intelligent persons to serve as jurors.
There shall be no distinction between the
classes of persons who compose grand and.
petit juries. Jurors shall receive adeqilate
compensation for their services to be pre
, scribed by law.” There should be uni*
formity in co'mpensatidn of jurors, as well as
in the mode of raising it. Where the juries
have been paid, as heretofore, by counsel,
and the jtfryjjfee charged in the bill of costs,
in many iiMances each juror has been
known to receive the unreasonable sum of
ten dollars fdr one day’s service. This has
hud the effe* of inducing, many persons to
be regularly in attendance upon the sessions
of Courts to be caught upon juries, merely
to receive the pay for such service, and the
result has been that the faces of these pro
fessional jurors nre eontinuousTy presented
,in ilia jury box, and a uniform character of
vetdiefsTire returned regardless of the law
aud facte*' - - ... . *
Under the present system, it often happens
lliat a juror and witness from the same
district return from the Court, the one having
realized five or ten dollars, the other seventy
five cents, by one day’s attention to the
public service. Lst the compensation be
commensurate with the service rendered, and
this eril will be remedied.
, RELIEF.
Th. provisions of our Constitution under
which the Courts were denied jurisdiction in
Cases of action for debts contracted prior to
The first day of June, 1865, having been
Jleccsearily abrogated-under the requirements
of the laws of Congress, your attention is
‘ respcc.fully called to the pressing necessity
for granting all the relief to the people that
may be in your power, under ttei
tiou. The just expectation of Ins people on
this 'subject is sufficiently well kuomi to
yourselves to make it unnecessary for me to
present arguments in their favor.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. .
A general law should be framed at the’
earliest practicable moment providing for the
setting apart of homesteads, as aulhurized
in Article Seven of the Constitution, and
thereby place beyond the control of the
grasping creditor a shelter and a support for
the families of those who, by reason of
mistaken kindness to friends, misfortune, or
the disasters of the war, would be left home
h-s:. The second paragraph of this just and
humane Article secures the independent
right of property to women.
EDUCATION.
Article Four requires that the General
Assembly, at its first session, "shall provide
a thorough system of General Education, to
•bo forever free to all children of the State.”
A thorough and complete system can noj
reasonably be expected from the legislation
of tiny one session of the General Assembly.
With a territory so extensive and a popula
tion so widely separated as ours, a school
system must be devised to meet as near as
possible the peculiar circumstances which
surround us, and. can only be finally attain
ed and perfected by the light of careful
investigation and after some years of ex
perimental effort. This, too, with a due
regard to the ability of the people to meet
the taxation necessary for its support.
Great good has been accomplished in our
midst since the close of the war,- by the
earnest efforts of self-sacrificing ladies and
gentlemen wins have been sustained by the
liberal contributions of \>ur friends in the
Northern States.
Under well regulated associations schools
have been established in largo numbers,
and with wonderful results, and it is recom
mended that a formal expression of our
gratitude bo given by a resolution, of the
General Assembly.
Ij is also recommended as advisable for
tlte State to make an annual appropriation
to these equal to the amount
contributor from abroad, to promote and
enlarge the system now so successfully
’inaugurated, while wc are preparing for
and perfecting a general free school plan
as indicated in the Constitution. Attention
is invited to the statement of Mr. E. D.
Ware on this subject, herewith transmitted.
The State University has received the
lAuvovxnt ivr tha ourront year, .
and is in a very flourishing and satisfactory
condition, under the control of its able
Faculty.
l ire benefits of the munificient gift of Mr.
•Pcabosly arc now being enjoyed by our
children under the wise direction given to
it by* the Board of Trttstceo, who have the
fund in charge.
MILITIA.
If it is deemed wise to establish, a militia
organization, it is hoped that the acts which
are to regulate it will be of such a character
ns to compel a perfect and harmonious
organization, with sufficient discipline to
make the force useful aud effective.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
In view ot the great poverty ol our people,
and of the present effect of setting apart
homesteads, the Executive might, with the
assistance of the Treasurer and Comptroller,
he authorized to exercise a discretion as to
the kind and character of bond to he given
by persons elected to county offices, to the
end that, if tor the abeve reasons, the oflieer
elect may not be able to secure the character
of bond, heretofore required, the choice of
tire people shall not be denied the exercise
of.the duties of his office.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The removal of the scat of Government to
toe silty ol Atlanta will, for a time, occasion
some i-nconvenience to the members of lhe
General Assembly,.and to the Executive, but
this, temporary disadvantage is vastly more
than balaueeil by the convenience to the
public at large.
Under the arrangement volunteered by the
. liberal spirit .of the citizens of Atlanta, the
corporation took, upon itself to provide
suitable and satisfactory buildings nml
,aceonnuodations for the sent of Government.
As there is no finished, building in this
city of sufficient size to afford proper facilities,
for the General Assembly, the Committees
and the Dcputinents, it is recommended that
the General Assembly take into eonsideralion
lhe propriety of aiding the corporate au
thority, and thereby oectirc the completion
of a buildipg now in the city, which can be
admirably alapted to your wants.
We lire informed tlnyt capitalists are
prepared to enlarge and complete the build
ing, known as the "Opera House,” upon any
plan acceptable Jo the General Assembly,
and huvef the same ready for the Winter
Session, and to lease the property to the city
or Stale for a term of years at A fair rate of
rent, based u|>on thc.value of the property
and the cost of their improvements.
irwin's revised code.
Irwin’? Revised Code having been adopted
by the Couveation, it will be necessary, by an
aidenda to the Code, to explain the changes
made in the laws by the new Constitution,
and with such addenda, cause a copy of the
Code to be placed in the hands of the several
officers of the civil government.
COUNTY POOR.
Logisbitfon is necessary to the end that
the indigent poor ma; be charitably cared
for in < ach county in the State, tinder some
general plan, that will insure uniform treat
ment, ami prevent the poor of one county
being made burthens for another. The
erection of a comfortable building, with
sufficient grounds adjoining tor agricultural
employment of the inmates, nt a central
point in each county, where all the helpless
paupers could be eared for, is recommended.
WESTERN A ATLANTIC RAILROAD.
Attention is respectfully invited to the
concise and satisfactory report of the able
and efficient officer who has been in charge
<>f this valuable and productive property of
the State since the close of the war, and
•more especially t« his wise suggestion as
to the necessity for adequate legislation to
protect the tax payers from loss, which will
ensue from the prosecution' of claims
against the Road for unavoidable losses of
property anti damage dime to persons
during the war ; and it is respectfully
added that the laws of the State are es
such a character as to inflict serious and
unjust burthens upon commerce, and to
deter capital from embarking in the carry
ing trade.
The decision* of our Courts, regulated
to the Code, have been in conflict with the
decisions of the Supreme Court of the
United States, and of many of the Slates
more extensively interested in the laws
controlling carriers than our Own, and it is
earnestly recommended that our laws on
this subject may be and definite, and
so revised as to give equal and just protec
tion to the carrier and to lhe patron, and
thus leave the Courts untrammelled by
special and hostile legislation on this sub
ject ; one which is of such vital importance
to the interests of the State in her own
Road and to her citizens who are interested
in the operation and construction of other
Roads.
Referring to the financial condition of
the Road, as presented in the accompany
ing reports, we find that $241,895.54 has
been realized to the Treasury of the State
during the nine months ending June 30th,
ultimo. From an examination of the re
ports for 1866 and 1867, it is found that
the amount, credited as an asset, in this
report, of $7,431.86 due from other agents,
has been carried forward, with but trifling
variation, during the past three years. If
this amount is not collectable, the Treasu
rer should be authorized to relieve his
accounts of a valueless credit,
PROVISIONAL GOVERNOR HUGER.
The thanks of the State are due to the
gallant officers who have so ably adminis
tered the Provisional Government in the
Executive office, and in the offices of the
Comptroller General, Secretary of State,
and State Treasurer. The attention of the
General Assembly i? called to the following
extracts from General Ruger's reports:
Milledgeville, Ga., July 4, 1868.
Governor 11. B. Bullock,
Dear Siu—l have the honor to furnish
you with the following statement, in hopes
that, although not in. detail, it will be of
assistance to you in ascertaining the condi
tion of affairs relative to the Executive
Department of the State of Georgia.
Upon my entry upon duty as Provisional
Governor, vice Governor Jenkins, removed
from office, I found that the Seal of the
Executive office was gone ; also the record
of warrants drawn upon the State Treasurer
by my predecessor. These, lam informed,
were carried away by Governor Jenkins.
It was found when the present Secretary
of State entered upon his office that the
Great Seal of the State was missing. The
same was removed by the former Secretary,
Mr. Barnett, or with his consent, as I have
no doubt.
No funds were turned over by the form er
Treasurer, Mr. Jones, to Captain Rockwell,
nor any records from which could be ns-,
certained the transactions of the Treasury
during the time fcr which he was Treasurer.
The Comptroller General, Mr. Burns, on
being relieved, failed to turn over to his
successor, Capt. Wheaton, U. S. Army, the
records of his office (Ledger, Journal,
Warrant Book, Warrant Blotter and Receipt
Book), from which accurate knowledge of
•the transactions of the State Treasury and
Comptroller General could bo ascertained.
Neither the seals, money nor records have
been returned or recovered.
It will be impossible for the present
Comptroller General, Treasurer and •Secre
tary of State to make a complete report,
including transactions ot their departments
since last published reports, for want of
necessary data. They will furnish statements
covering the time for which they have held
their offices. These, together with the
statements that I understand their predeces
sors will make to those elected to the offices
by the present Legislature, will.give yourself
and the officers elected full kmiwledgo
affairs connected with those departments.
TREASURY.
On entry upon office of the present
Treasurer, Capt. C. F.Rockwell, U. S. Army,
no funds were turned over to him by his
predecessor, nor the records from wbicfi
could be ascertained the actual condition of
the finances of.the State.
.There is still in the hands of Mr.. Jones,
late State Treasurer, sufficient funds to pay,
within a few thousand dollars, all dues for
interest on the public debt up to the first
day of January, 1869. At this date there is
in the bauds of the present State Treasurer,
considering all warrants drawn as paid,
about $165,000.
It can be considered that, at this (fate,
there is SIOO,OOO in the Treasury for general
purposes, regarding payments of interest on
the public dt't, as provided for up to January
1, 1859.
The ordinary sources of income will be:
First, the Western and Atlantic Railroad,
which, can be relied upon, 1 think, for from
twenty to twenty five thousand dollar.? per
month, including lift present month, up to
the first of January next. Second, receipts
from past due taxes of the year 1867, on
which account, probably, not more than
$15,000 will accrue during that time.
Third, the receipts from general tax of 1868.
As no steps have been taken towards the
collection of this tax, other than the prepara
tion of the blank digests, it cannot be
expected that much will be received from
that tex before November Ist, 1868.
I should think, in view of the fact that
nearly all the money in the hands of Mr.
Jones will he required to pay the interest on
the public debt, coming due the present and
next two months, for reliable calculation, it
can he assumed that, with what is now iu the
hands of the present Treasurer, and that to
accrue from ordinary sources, the available
means ot the Treasury from such sources
will be, fur the four months, including the
present, and ending November Ist, 1868, at
which time, or soon thereafter, receipts can
be depended on from the general tax for
1868, $200,000. The usual expenditures
probably necessary, until November Ist, for
the State Institutions, printing, contingent
expenses, etc., are given below approxi
mately:
It is assumed thal the expenditures will
be for special appropriations at the rate of
appropriations made by the last Legislature.
Such has been the basis of payments during
the time I have been peiformiug the duties
of Governor. Where specific appropriations
havfe been made, the amount is stated in
left-hand column, and payments on right
hand column. As the financial years of all
the public institutions end,, cither on the
first or last of October, it can be considered
that all appropriations unpaid will be re
quired by November Ist. In this statement
no account whatever is taken of expenses of
the Legislature, or of appropriations by it
for the fiscal year, which, of course, can not
be now known.
Appropriations Amount paid
otteat Legisla- by Executive
turo continued, warrants for
fiscal year, up
to date, in
cluding that
paid by late
Treasurer,
Mr. Jones.
Lunatic AsylumsF2,ooo 00 $42,800 00
Penitentiary 30,000 00 17,914 00
Deaf and Dumb Asy-
lum 8,000 00 0,000 09
Academy for the Blind 11,000 00 4,500 00
$lll,OOO 00 $71,214 00
71,214 00
$39,788 -00
The needs of the State institutions, as
appears above, require about $40,600. The
civil list, at the rate of $20,000 per quarter,
$30,000 to $35,000. .Os outstanding claims
due, there is, on account of furnishing arti
ficial artps and legs (and which will be
about all that will bo required for that
purpose, as very tew orders have been
received of late), $4,000. Printing fund
(estimated), $2,200. Contingent fund (esti
mated), $4,000. For payment on account of
education of maimed soldiers, on which
account all payments have been made flp to
May 1, 1868, if payments on the same
account should bo made on the system of
quarterly payments, the year beginning
January 1, about $25,000. There is sO*
unpaid on repairs to the State .Capita’
Milledgeville, about SI,OOO, of which,how
ever, about S7OO is ftlus the I'enito'riary.
Without, therefore, taking into acctant any
payments on account of tlfb Legislate, or
of Appropriations more than thedsual ones
herein above considered, an/ excluding
interest on public debt,, it «?ay be stated
thatt.be expenditures up to November 1;
1868, will require about from SIIO,OOO to
$120,000.
It is apparent that as there is at this date
only about SIOO,OOO in the Treasury, and
tire monty in the hands of Mr. Jones will
mostly be required for paytneat of interest
on he public debt within this and the
comarg raontli, that,' unless the Legislature
shored continue in session but a short time,
there will be a necessity for making n tempo
rary loan until the taxes for 1868 can be
collected. The gross receipts for the year
fell far shirt of the estimates of the former
Treasurer. The Convention tax will eventu
ally pay tie scrip—a little over $100J)00
wa's isßue<i and about $67,000 has been
paid.
COMPTROLLER GENKRAI/S OFFICE.
lhe Digest Blanks are ready to be sent to
the Tax Receivers, The blanks were not
sent out to the »ld Tax Receivers, for reason
in part, because it was Supposed that the
new State Government, under the Recon
struction Acte, would have been iu operation
before now, and any changes necessary in
rules or otherwise, eonsequeut ujion its
legislation, could be. made: and, in part,
that the Tax receivers elected under the new
Constitution might perform the duties. When
it became apparent that it would not be
expedient to delay the preparation of the
Blank Digests, they were completed, and are
now ready. 1 would suggest the propriety of
haring lire newly elected Tux Receivers
commissioned and qualified as soon as
possible, and that the Digests be sent them.
Au Act of the Legislature should, perhaps,
be passed, requiring, as the usual time has
passed by law stated therefor, that all per
sons give in the value of taxable property by
a certain time. There is really no necessity
lor the three visits now required to be made
at appointed places by the Tax Receivers.
1 think that every thing can be complete and
taxes required to be paid by November 10
or 15. The time should be fixed, at which
payment is required, as early as practicable,
as the January interest on lhe public debt is
about $155,0(>0.
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Nothing occurs to me, relative to this
office, requiring remark, except the absence
from the office of the Great Seal of the State,
which Mr. Barnett, -the former Secretary,
failed to turn over to his successor.
PENITENTIARY.
The report of the Principal Keeper,
covering time from last report up to May
first, has been received. Said report does
not take account of $4,560 paid on account
ot Penitentiary since May Ist; said amount
is, however, included in statement hereinbe
fore given, under head ol “Treasury.” Tile
Penitentiary, after estimating all property on
hand, and credits at a fair value, is about
$10,600 in debt. The services of two hun
dred convicts have been leased to private
parlies. The contract in case of one hun
dred, first entered into, is on file, and
provides, substantially, that the State shall
be at no expense on account of such
convicts, and . shall receive $2,500 for
wn vices wnvkta one /cat, payable
quarterly, lhe contract bears date 11th day
of May, 1868.
The contract in relation to the one hundred
recently turned over to the contractors has
not beeu yet signed by the Executive. It was
made by the Principal Keeper, under my
orders, in my absence, recently, iu Atlanta.
The terms were to be the same ns in first
contract, with like security. The contract
was taken to Atlinitrethe day 1 left far this
place. It will require your signature.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Some time since, I called for reports from
the clerks of the Superior Courts, of all
eases of “Homicide” in their respective
counties since January Ist, 1806, with the
intention of having such reports consolidated’
and classified in such manner as to present
as nearly as possible, a view of the slate of
the public morals, and the practical opera
tions of the laws in that regard. Reports
from eighty counties have been received.
1 would iiivite your attention to the fact,
that by the law relative to burglary, as at
present existing, the breaking into a store
house, out house, etc., (Section 4320, Irwin’s
Code) in the nighttime, isncapital offense,
and there are now two convicts in the Pen
itentiary sentenced to imprisonment for life.
One far breaking into aud stealing from a
mill some corn meal; and another for
breaking into an out house and stealing
some molasses or syrup.
The report of the grantees of the Lottery,
authorized by the Legislature in 1860, for'
the purpose of- establishing a "Masonic
Orphans’ Home,” has beeu made, to which,
and a letter of complaint made by a citizen
of the State and filed therewith, I invite
your attention.
MEMORANDUM.
Following is a statement of the interest
on tire public debt, by month, for lhe year
1868, also, a general statement, which, with
out knowing it to be accurate, I -think is so,
of lhe amount in the hands of Mr. Jones on
tire Ist day of January last, and his collections
up to the time he was relieved, and state
ment of disbursements.
INTEREST-UN PUBLIC DEBT.
January....,5155,155.90
February...... ~.., 22,035 00
March 1,800.09
May 8,427.50
June.. 11,045.00
July... 144.1W.00
August..., 22,035.00
September 1,800.00
November .. v 8,427.50
T0ta1..:5374,835.00
■MR. JOKES’ ACCOUNT.
Cash balance in Treasury Jan. 1,
188815371,201.61
Receipts Iroiu January Ist to 13tb... 57,244.51
$428,506.21
DISBURSEMENTS.
Payments—Executive Warrants since
January $22,635.29
Coupons State Bonds, taken 160,429.50
Advances to officers, contractors, etc. 25,956.15
Advances to Lunatic Asylum 10,000.00
Advances to Penitentiary 8,685.57
T0ta15227,706.81
Leaving in the hands of Mr. Jones nt
date of the last disbursement S2OO 799.31.
[ Exact date of last disbursement not known
to us.]
It will be seen that after disbursements,
other than on account of interest on the
. public debt, are taken from the gross amount
of $428,506.12, it does not leave sufficient to
pay the interest on the public debt up to
January 1, 1869, by $13,606.19.
Funds in the hands of Mr. Jones, late
Treasurer, have been used to pay the iuterest
on thfe public debt. With respect to bonds
authorized by law to be issued to replace
State bonds due in 1868 and iB6O, I can
give no definite information. The matter
will require your early attention.
Tnos. H. Huger,
Brevet Brigadier-General U. S. A.
It would seem proper aud right that the
cußj-nsation attached to the civil service
pei'ormed by those officers, should be ten
dered to them, with a resolution expressi Ilr ,
your jppreciation of the valuable benefit*
whicl ’have accrued to the people of
Stab through their wise aud economical
a( f/ntistratiou.
ASYLUMS.
/ Reports from the Lunatic, Blind, and ifo
l Deaf and Dumb Asylums have been i e '
ceived.
lIESTOHATIOJi. OF FliDlill-VAI. RELATIONS
The amendment to the Constitution of ju
United States, known as the Fourtifta
Article, is an amendment applicable to allfo.
States; therefore, no one State cun Tewon,,
bly object to it on the ground of uteqmji lv
As citizenship is conferral by Congress, a,;]
conditions have been Heretofore prescribe]
what reasonable ground is there to object to
the General Government prescribing condi
tions in the future or the present ? We arc a
nation and not a confederation of independ.
ent sovereignties, and it is certainly right and
proper Ihat.the power- of declaring who shall
be citizens, should belong to the National
Legislature, and as the Constitution preserila.
that the citizen of one State shall be a citizen
of every other, there is a power nioje than
implied, that the National Legislature may
make citizenship uniform. 1
But the chief objection urged to tin.
amendment is. that it makes citizens of all j
Tersons of color' born in the United States
l is hardly necessary to argue this ob
jection,
It has been practically ignored from the
commcnjcemeiit of the government, and if it
had not been, it is too late now to argu.
that a native American has no right, be
cause his complexion is not that of the ma
jority.
Will those who contend that the men ol
African descent cannot rightfully be made
citizens, pretend to say that a free colored
man, born in the United States, travelling in
foreign countries, could not always liave
rightfully claimed the protection of the Flaa
anil if injured in his person or properl;
would uot have been entitled to redress and
have obtained it? If the objectors answer
no, wc reply that suefi was not the doctrine
or practice of the fathers of the Republic,
All civilized men are citizens of some coun
try: shall it be said that the civilized men of
dark complexion alone, are citizens of no
Country ?
Another objection urged to the Amend
ment is that it changes the basis of repre
sentation in the popular branch of Congress,
and in the Presidential Electoral College'
The justice of this change is self-evident.
Suppose a case : a* State. prescribes that
none but men worth ten thousand dollars
shall vote or be elected (ami we have had
similar proscriptions in alnjost every State,
can that be cidlecl a Republican Government
wliich says tliat none, other than men so
qualified, shall be represented or fepresent
the great mass of theft fellow-citizens in the
National Legislature? Is that a Republic
where ten or a thousand men are allowed to
represent not only themselves, hut, it may lie.
the millions of those wlio have, and had, no
voice in their election, and whose opinion,
and interests may he diametrically opposed to
the ruling, minority-? The Constitutional
Amendment merely says if these men ran
not vote, they should not be counted in the
basis of representation. It is for the goodof
the nation that all men, all classes, all inter
ests, shall be represented, but if you yield to
States’ Right doctrine and confine the right
to vote to a particular class, then Congress
claims the right to say that that class shall
only be entitled to representation in propor
tion to their numbers.
In the National Legislature it would be
preposterous to maintain that States equal in
total population were equally represented,
when in one, only one-half the people were
entitled to vote and chdbsc representation;
and, in another, the whole participated in a
choice. If the States are to bf equally repre
sented in Congress,' the basis of representa
tion must be equal and unifomt, and the
measure which makesit so, nr attempts to
make it so, as does this Amendment, com
mends itself to all true Republicans, all true
Democrats—indeed; to all who arc willing to
concede to others lhe equal and just right
they themselves claim.
In ohr State, many persons who have
heretofore been honored ami trusted by their
fellow citizens in official positions, and who
afterwards engaged in or gave aid and
comfort to the enemies of their States and oi
the Union, are, by the conditions of the
Amendment, and by the law by which we
arc permitted to re-unite with the General
Government, deprived of the privilege of
again holding office until relieved of that
disability by Congress, although they will
participate in the selection of officials at the.
ballot box. ' .
• While'this prohibition may be considered
harsh, the propriety cannot be doubted of
placing the reconstructed governments in the
. hands of persons who have not inisappre
hended nor wilfully violated their ollicial
duty and allegiance; or who, having thus
forteited confidence, now evince by their
words and deeds a spirit of submission to the
laws of the land. It is confidently believed
that even this restriction will be removed a.-
rapidly as our relations" with lhe General
Government will justify.
INTERNAL ItESOUHCEB.
The foundation of a.ll prosperity is in the
successful development of onr internal re
sources; Let us sell more than we buy;
produce more than wc consume, and th
balance will be within and among our
selves for improvement ami refinement as»
people.
With natural unsurpassed,
have but to pimitlcix the economy, the energy
and the arts of our neighbors in lhe other
States less favored by nature, to insure
for ourselves ease, contentment and material
advancement.
Relieved j'rom the old system of labor,
wliich was a exiotwuai oppression to the
owner as well as tire owned, wenov haw
at hand the most efficicHt and reliable class rs
agricultural laborers fa be found in any
country, ami with tlie introduction of
appliances So aptly fitted to our wants m
reducing hand work, oiir crops will be made
more valuable to the producer.
A wise use of the State credit, under
careful restrictions; to < pen avenues through
that, section of our State, so rich iu the
precious metals, will diaw to us increased
[lopulation, and with it a ready demand for
our lands and our
Then, indeed, if wc follow tire suggestions
of the distinguished citizen who last ad
dressed the General Assembly from the
Gubernatorial chair, and cultivate among
ourselves unity of feeling, of opinion, and of
action; unity among Jhc people, uni*.'
among the Departments of Government-;
eschewing political excitement, “' * *
and employing our active energies in rebuild
ing oUf waste places, and developing our
neglected resources; whilst others rage and
wrangle over ephemeral issues let us be busy
with the real, abiding concerns sis life,
shall we emerge from this ptfjtod of ostra
cism wiser, more thriving, amt more re
spected than ever.
With thankful hearts to the Giver of ail
Good for that with wliich we are no*
blessed,’kt us by charily, forbearance and .•
fortitude, merit an increase of his bouutyS
RUFUS B. BL'LLGCTv.
. Atlanta, Ga., July 24,1868.
To Builders.
General SuvBBrNTENnENT's Office,!
Georgia Railroad Co.,
Augusto, Ga., Jaly 16tb, 1868. 1
SEALED PROPOSALS WILL BE KECEIVU,
at the office of the Georgia Railroad are l
Banking Company,-in Atlanta, until the fir *
day of August proximo, to furbish material at" l
build e FTRST CLASS FREIGHT WARb-
HOUSE AND OFFICRS for this Company i«
Atlanta, Ga.—two hundred and seventy-five f cet
long, fifty feet wide, and front for offices, tbrey
stories. Full information may be obtained an '
plans and specifications seen at the of *' lr '
Corput, Architect and Civil Engineer, Grant'*
Block, Broad street, Atlanta, Ga.
' The Company reserves the right ia accept so?
bid orjefuse all.
E. W. COLE,
jylS—l2t (>cneral_Bupt-
Book and job printing
Executed at this Office
At the Lowest Terms and in the Best btyto