The weekly loyal Georgian. (Augusta, Ga.) 1867-1868, February 15, 1868, Image 3

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®t)c£oDal(!seorgian SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15, 1868 fFrom the Atlanta New Era. StateConstltutional Convention Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 8, 1868. The Convention met at 9} o’clock. Prayer by the Chaplain. The journal was read and approved. Mr. Conley moved to reconsider the vote on the adoption of the report of the Com mittee on the Executive Department. The yeas and nays were ordered, and resulted—yeas 64, nays 48. The motion to reconsider prevailed. The report was taken up. Mr. Coxlet moved to strike out the word “ten” in the third section and insert “six,” go that a residency of six years would ren der citizens eligible to the office of Governor. The motion prevailed—yeas 71, nays 37. On motion the report as amended was adopted, and referred to the Committee on Revision. Mr. Shropshire, from the Committee on Finance, reported the following ordi nance and resolutions : An ordinance to provide the means of de fraying the expenses of this Convention. and the compensation of officers and members. Sec. 1. Be it ordained, by the people of Georgia, in Convention assembled , That an ordinance of this Convention passed on the 20th day ot December, in the year 1807, entitled an ordinance to levy and collect a tax to pay the delegates ana officers con nected with the Convention, as well as all other incidental expenses, except the sec ond section thereof, is hereby rescinded, and the following is ordained in "lieu thereof, to-wit: That it shall be the duty of the Comp troller General of the State of Georgia to levy and assess a tax of one-tenth of one per cent, on all the taxable property of this State, as returned upon the digest for the yeat 1867, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of this Convention, and the com pensation of officers md members. And it shall be the duty of the Tax Collectors in the several counties of this State to collect the tax so assessed, and to pay the same to the Comptroller General on or before the first day of May, 1868. Aud it shall bPRie duty of the several Tax Collectors to issue executions against all persons subject to taxation under this ordinance whose tax is unpaid after twenty days notice to pay it, for the amount-of tax duo them, and fifty per centum thereon aud all costs ; and of sheriffs and constables to levy and sell un der such executions, and to return the proceeds to the Tax Collectors, as soon as the same can be done under the provisions of existing laws. Sec. 2. Be it further Ordained, That auy So-ip which may be issued by the authority of his Convention (or the purpose aforesaid shall \ e receivable by the Comptroller Gen eral lioji the Tax Collector! in payment of the tax aforesaid. Sec ; 3. it further ordained, That the lax Collectors shall receive the same per cent, for collecting the tax aforesaid as they are now allowed by law for collecting the State tax. Sec. 4. Be it Junker ordained, That the Comptroller General shall issue to the tax collectors all necessary orders for the eol lection and payment of the tax aforesaid, which orders shall be bhiding upon said tax collectors. Sec. 5. Be it further ordained, That the moneys and scrip received by the Comptrol ler General under the ordinance be paid bv lmn into the Treasury of the State to be Convention may direct. Resolved, That the General Commanding the Third Military District be requested to onforce an ordinance of this Convention, passed this day, entitled “an ordinance to provide the means of defraying the expenses of this Convention, and the compensation of officers and members.” Resolved, That copies of said ordinance and resolutions he transmitted by the Presi dent to Major General Meade, to the Provis ional Governor, and Comptroller General of the State. On motion, the rules were suspended, and the report was taken up and adopted, on division, by more than a two thirds vote. Mr. McCat, from the committee ap pointed to investigate the charges against Mr- Bradley, made a majority report, ns follows : REPORT Os MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE OX THE CASE OF A. A. BRADLEY. The undersigned, members of the Com mittee to investigate and report upon the charges which have beeD made against Mr. A. A. Bradley, one of the delegates from the First District, report: That they have examined the evidences they have been able to obtain, with the following result : It appears, by a certified copy of the record in the case, that, on the l-sth day of June, 1861, Aarox Bradley was convicted before the City Court of the City of Brook lyn, N. Y., of the crime of seduction, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in the State’s Prison. It further appears, from what seems to us tolerably satisfactory testimony, to wit: A published copy of what purports to be a certified copy of a record ot th« Superior Court of Suffolk, of the State of Massachu setts, that on the 4th day of October, 1856, A- Bradley, or A. A. Bradley, was dis missed or stricken from the bar, for mal practice iu the duties ot an attorney. Your committee arc satisfied from these papers, to which Mr. Bradley’s attention has been called, and which he has not even at tempted to deny, in any position, nay, that he is the identical person alluded to. We are not prepared to say what should be the action of the Convention in this matter. It can not be denied that these are very grave charges against the person implicated, but we are not sure that any remedy L in the power of the Convention. There is no law fixing any qualifications for membership in this body, except the act of Congress of 2d March, 1867. That act makes but one qualification, conformity to the 3d section of the proposed Constitutional Amendment, Art. XIV. It is true that act prescribes couviction for felony at common law as a disqualification of a voter. Seduc tion is not felony at common law, nor is sim ple seduction felony by the laws of Georgia at all- It appears to us that this Convention would be adopting a dangerous rule to pre scribe Jguilty of any offence, disqualification for a seat. A Convention is, in its nature, a body which meets, above all rules, except those prescribed in its call. Perhaps half of the members of this Convention, as well as of that of 1865, are held by the United States to have been guilty of treason. It is true they have been pardoned, but we greatly doubt if the pardon is at all necessary to make them eligible. This Convention has, without doubt, pow er to expel a member guilty of a serious crime whilst a member, but we are not clear that it can, within the scope of its powers, examine into the past history of one of its members, and finding it grossly immoral or criminal, go behind the vote of the people and expel him. We, therefore, report the facts and ask to be discharged. 11. K. McCay, J. E. Bryaxt, S. W. Beaird, John T. Costix, R. 11. White let, by H. K. McCay. Mr. Burkett, from the same Committee, presented the minority report, and recom mended the immediate adoption of the following resolution: Resolved, That in view of the evidence against A. A. Bradley, a member of this Convention, of criminal conduct, said Brad ley be, and is hereby expelled from the hall of this Convention. Geo. P. Bexnett, Chairman. Hexrt G. Cole. On motion, the rnles were suspended and the reports were taken up. Mr. Hotchkiss moved to refer the reports to the Commanding General of the Third Military District. Mr. Adkins moved to lay the whole matter on the table. Lost. Mr. Bradley asked leave to present a denial. Request was granted, and the fol lowing was read at the clerk’s desk: llall Constitutional Convention. ? February 8. 1868. £ In the matter of A. A. Bradley, charged with imprisonuieut for seduction under the laws of New York. The Delegate charged, occupying a scat in this Convention by order of Major Gen eral John Pope, comes and denies the charges set forth in the report of the Com mittee, and also denies the truth of any supposed legal evidence upon which the same is founded ; and prays that he person ally be heard in his own defense and by the members of this Convention, and that said examination be conducted under the resolntion presented by Mr. George P Burnett, and adopted by the Convention A. A. Bradley. Mr. Bryant moved that Mr. Bradley be' allowed to remain in his peat until the voto is taken, which motion prevailed. Mr. Hotchkiss asked leave to withdraw his motion to refer, which was gianted. Mr. Blount moved that the report of the minority be adopted. Mr. Hotchkiss moved the previous question, which was Inst. Mr. Bryant moved that the report he laid upon the table, and made the special order for Tuesday next, upon which ques tion the yeas and nays were ordered and resulted— yens 61, nays 56. So the motion to postpone prevailed. • order was taken up —the re ommittee on Franchise—the on the adoption of the first Mr. Akerman to the second ng that voters shall have pnid their tStces to be eligible. The amendment was adopted. The question then recurred on the second amendment, offered by the same gentleman, to provide for an educational qualification for the electors after the year 1873. Mr. Turner moved the following amend ment to the section : That the Governor shall issue a proclama tion so soon as the common seho and system shall have become in full operation, declaring that (act; and no person who becomes 21 years of age five years alter the date ot said proclamation shall vote, unless he possesses himself such educational qualifications as the Legislature may prescribe. Mr. McCay moved to amend Mr. Aker man's amendment by adding the words, “Provided that the General Assembly shall not require a greater educational disqualifi cation greater than ability to read intel ligibly.” Mr. Ak ekmax accepted the amendment by incorporating the idea in his own, so that the latter would read as follows: Provided, .That the General Assembly shall have power to require ability to rend the English la’nguage intelligently as a qualification of voters who shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years niter the Ist day of January, 1873. Mr. Bryant moved that debate on the second Hfection now cease. Lost. All the propositions following Mr. Aker man were lost, when the question recurred upon his amendment, and tho yeas and nays were ordered, and resulted, yeas 40 to nays 69. The amendment was lost. Mr. Bryant moved to amend by inserting after the word “inhabitant," the words “citizens of the United States,” and after the word aforesaid, the words “except ns herein provided.” Amendment agreed to. Mr. Foster, of Paulding, offered a sub stitute. Lost. Mr. McCay moved to amend by adding the following: No person who shall, if challenged, refuse to take the following oath, shall vote at any election in this State : “ I do swear that 1 have not given or received, nor promised to give or receive, nor do I expect to give or receive, any money, treat or other thing of value by which my vote is affected or ex pected to to he affected at this election ; nor have I given or promised any reward, or made any threat by which to prevent any person from voting at this election. The amendment was adopted. Mr. Bryant moved that the section as amended be adopted, which motion pre vailed. The second section is as follows : Sec. 2. Every male person born in the United States, and every male person who has been naturalized, or who has legally declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, twenty one years old or upward, who shall have resided in this State six months next preceding the elec tion, and shall have resided thirty days in the county in which he offers to vote, and shall have paid all taxes which may have been required of him, and which he may have had an opportunity of paying agree ably to law, for the year next preceding the election, except as hereinafter provided, shall be deemed an elector; and every male inhabitant citizen of the United States, of the age aforesaid, except as herein provided, who may be a resident ot the State at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be deemed an elector, and shall have all the rights of electors as aforesaid. Provided : That no soldier or sailor or marine, in the military or naval service of the United States, shall hereafter acquire a residence by reason of being stationed on duty in this State ; no person who shall, if challenged, refuse to take the following oath : “I do swear that I have not given or re ceived, nor promised to give or receive, nor do I expect to give or receive, any money, treat, or other thing of value, by which my vote i3 affected, or expected to be affected, at this election ; nor have I given or prom ised any reward, or made any threat, by which to prevent any person from voting at this election.” The Convention then adjourned. Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 10, 1868. The Convention met pursuant to ad journment, and was called to order by the President. Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Harlanu. The journal was road and approved. Leave of absence was granted Mr. Shropshire, on account of sickness in his family. Mr. Martin, of Habersham, offered the following : Resolved , That from and after the 20th day of February instant, the per diem com pensation of the members of this Conven tion shall be $5 only. On the motion to suspend the iules, the yeas were 84, nays 29. The following communication was read to the Convention. Post Office Department, ) Contract Office, > Washington, February oth, 1868. } Sir : A resolution of the Georgia Con vention recommending the reestablishment of the tri-weekly mail service between Gaiusvillo and Anderson C. 11., South Carolina, by way of Homer, Carnesville, and Hertville, Georgia,; has been received at this office. In reply, I have the honor to inform you that Homer, 'a very small village, is now supplied with mails on route No. 6,032 Harmony to Homer. Carnesville, is on route No. 5,023, Elberton to Carnesville, and also on routes No. 6,030, Danielsville o Carnesville, on 0,031, Carnesville to Harmoney Grove. Hartwell is supplied twice a week on route No. 0,028, from Athens, Ga., to Anderson C. H., S. C. This latter route ends at Anderson C. 11, one of the proposed termini of the route recommended by the Convention, and runs via Hartwell to Athens, where it connects with a railroad instead of turning northeast to Gainesville, away from all railroad con nections—as asked in the petition. Such being the state of the case, the department necessarily declines increasing the already heavy expense of the postal service in Georgia by opening any addi tional routes in the section indicated. Very respectfully, etc, Geo. \V. McLel«n, Second Assistant Postmaster General. J. R. Parrott, Esq., President Georgia Convention, Atlanta, Ga.: A motion was made and carried to lay the resolution of Mr. Martin, of Haber sham. on the table—yeas 67, nays 51. Mr. Supple moved the suspension of the rules to offer a resolution. Carried. Mr. Supple offered the following, which was adopted as amended : Resolved, That it is the duty of this Con vention, under the present circumstances, to inquire how many members are absent, and how long, aud the cause of their ab settee. Mr. Blount offered the following amend ment, which was accepted by Mr. Supple : And that a committee of five be appointed to report all the delegates who are absent without leave, the length of time, and the cause of such absence. The President appointed the following us the Committee under the above resolution : Messrs. Supple, Whiteley, Blount, Maddox, and Holcombe. Mr. Waddell, according to notice, moved the reconsideration of the second section of the Report on Franchise. He expressed his object to be to have the section so altered that the franchise should be con ferred on tho white male citizens of Georgia only. The motion to reconsider was lost—veas, 20 ; nays, 98. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs Harris, of Newton ; Martin, of Calhoun ; Bowden, of Campbell, and Buchanan. On motion of Mr. Bryant the committee took up the Report of the Committee on Franchise. The 3d section was taken up. Mr. Parrott moved to amend by striking out from the 9th and 10th lines the words “ as an elector.” Mr. Miller offered the following substi tute for section 3. The General Assembly may provide from time to time lor the registration of all electors; but the following classes of per sons shall not be permitted to register, or vote, or hold office: First—Those who shall have been convicted of treason, em bezzlement of public funds, malfeasance in office, crimes punishable by law with imprisonment in the penitentiary, or bribery. Second-JThose who arc idiots or insane. Mr. Bryant offered the following amendment : From the first line strike out the words “it shall he the duty of,” and also in said lino after the word Assembly strike out *• to” and insert “may.” Ponding discussion on tbos • several propositions to amend, the Convention, on motion of Mr. Bryant, adjourned, Mr. Whateley having the floor. Ax Ordinance to provide the means of de fraying the expenses of lliis Convention, and the compensation of officers and members. Section 1- Be it ordained by the people of Georgia, in Convention, assembled., That an ordinance of this Convention, passed on the 20th day of December, 18G7, entitled “An Ordinance to levy and collect a tax to pay the delegates and officers connected with the Convention, us well as ail other incidental expenses,” except the second section thereof, is hereby rescinded, and the following is or dained in lieu thereof, to'wit: That it shall be the duty of the Comp- ] trailer General of the State of Georgia to | levy and assess a tax of one-tenth of one per cent, on all the taxable property of this j State as returned upon the digests for the | year 1867, for the purpose of defraying the i expenses of this Convention, and the com pensation of officers and members. And it shall be the duty of the Tax Col lectors in the several counties of this State to collect the tax so assessed, and to pay the same to the Comptroller General, on or before the firet day of May, 1868. And it shall be the duty of the several Tax Col lectors to issue executions against all per sons subject to taxation under this ordi nance, where tax is unpaid after twenty days notice, to pay it for the amount of lax due by them, and fifty per centum thereon, and all costs, and of sheriffs and constables to levy and sell, under such executions, and to return the proceeds to the Tax Col lectors, as soon as the same can he done under the provisions of existing laws. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained , That any scrip which may bo issued by the au thority of this Convention for the purpose aforesaid, shall be receivable by the Comp troller General from the tax collector iu payment of the tax aforesaid. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That the tax collectors shall receive the same per cent, for collecting the tax aforesaid, as they are now allowed by law for collecting the State tax. Sec. 4. Be it further ordained, That the Comptroller General shall issue to the tax collectors all necessary orders lor the collec tion and payment of the tax aforesaid, which orders shall he binding upon said collectors. Sec. 5. Be it further ordained, \ nat the i moneys and scrip received by the Comp troller General under this ordinance, he paid by him into the Treasury of this State, ! to he disposed of as this Convention shall hereafter direct. Atlanta, Feb. 11. The Convention met. Prayer by the Chaplain. The journal was read. Mr. Martin, of Habersham, moved the reconsideration of the action of the Conven tion on the resolution to reduce the per diem of members after the 20th inst. The motion did not prevail. On motion, the rules were suspended, and Mr. Turner introduced the following: Resolved, That the Secretary of this Con vention be authorized to have the able and eloquent speech of the Hon. Mr. Akerman, delivered in the Hail of the Georgia Consti tutional Convention, on the subject of negro suffrage, published in the official organs of this Convention, and ten copies be furnished each member fur their constituents, On motion of Mr. Trammel, the resolution was amended by including the speech of Hon. Mr. Waddell, on the same subject. On motion of Mr. Conley, the whole sub ject was laid on the table. The Convention took up the special order, the same being the consideration of tho charges against A. A. Bradley, member of the Convention. I'he reports of the majority and minority on the case were read Mr. Whiteley ask; and leave to amend the report of the majority by strikiug out that portion which express id the conviction that Mr. Bradley, on the fleor of the Convention, was the identical Brad Ivy that had been sen tenced to the Penitennnry in New York for the crime of seductio®; as the Committee, on further reflection, wercl not absolutely certain that the two persons deferred to were identi cal. The Chair decid «l that the report could not he amended. Mr. Akerman addieescd the Convention in a few written reminks, which he said he had committed to writing, to prevent mis representation, in he maintained that if the Committee reported that Mr. Bradley was certainly the man referred to in the testimony from New York, furnished the Committee, and 'Mr. Bradley had do nied the fact, it rendered the charge against lum more serious, as he had denied it; but as the Committee desired to alter their report in this respect, he would move that the matter be reentfimitted to them. Mr. Turner read rti address in defense of Mr. Bradley. After considerable discussion, Mr. Aker man amended his motion to recommit by requiring the Committee to report on or before Friday next. Mr. Akerman’s motion was carried by a ;ote of yeas 64, nays 52. On motion of Mr. Trammel, Mr. Aker man was added to the Committee on the charge against A. A. Bradley. The Convention then adjourned. Atlanta, February 12, 1868. The Convention meCjft 9J o’clock, pursu ant to adjournment. President Parrott in tho Chair Prayer by the Chaplain. Journal read and approved. Mr. Bradley moved to reconsider the action of the Convention on yesterday in re cominitting the report of the Committee on the cQe of A. A. BradUv. Mr. Bradley took He floor, and, in the course of his remarks, made offensive allu sions to members of the Convention, grossly insulting, for which lie vas called to order. The exceptional words used by Mr. Brad ley were ordered to be taken down, which was done, and the Convention voted unani mously that the words so taken down were the gpes u- Mr. Bradley. •Mr. Bi.oimß moved that Mr. Bradley be expelled iustanier. Mr. Cutting then offered the following : Resolved, That Aaron A. Bradley, (or gross insults offered to the Convention and members thereof, be forthwith expelled from his seat in this body. Mr. Bradley was allowed to be heard in his own defence: Mr. President, and Gtstllcmen of the Con vention : ■ I rose this morning for the purpose of moving n reconsideration of the action of the Convention on yesterday in recommit ting my case to the Committee. In the allusion to the gentleman from Gordon, and the President of tho Convention, and in the remarks which I was making on that, motion, I was entirely misunderstood. The best possible feeling of my heart exists to wards both these gentlemen, hut I had supposed, when I made reference to the letter that I had received, both these gen tlemen would sav to me: Hand me tho letter; and then I intended to tell them where it was It is in the hands of Mr. Farrow. I have as I said, the very highest regatd for tho President aud the member from Gordon; and I intended tho other day showing them this letter in order that they might see if they could get any thing out of it, as being a letter referring to something of which Mie?ft , 'd some knowl edge. That is all, and Laiave been unfor tunate in being misunderstood. I went to Col. Farrow to obtain this letter this morning, telling him that I intended to show it to the gentleman from Gordon and | the President, as they were referred to in it, j as having knowledge of curtain parties who j were involved in a like charge as that brought against myself. J was unfortunate, 1 suppose, in the use of language. The letter referred to had been seen by Mr. Seeley. Mr. Farrow asked me for the letter, and I let him have it, and he is on this floor, and if allowed can explain the whole transaction. 1 swear before A1 mighty God I did not intend the slightest in-tilt to either the President ol the Conven tion or tho member from Gordon; and I must have used unfortunate language to have been so understood. It was a slip—a misuse of language—and, therefore, I ought not to be held accountable for all the lan guage means. I desired, this morning, when I rose, to offer to the gentleman from Gordon the assurance of my warmest friend ship; hut I have made a great mistake in my use of language. I certainly did not intend to use the words that are there j attributed to me. The gentleman, on yes- i terday, spoke very warmly against me, j dwelling upon the enormity of the crime [ which was charged against me, and I referred to the letter which I had received J two weeks ago, to show that even it 1 were guilty, as lias been charged, I was not the only guilty one on the floor, as, according to that letter, the President and the .gentleman from Gordon could testify. This I would say under oath : the charge against me of seduction is false; and fur thermore, seduction in: 1850, both in the State of New York andiin Georgia, was not a feiony, but a misdemeanor. But, if 1 have offended the gentlemen, I would ask haw many times ought we to forgive ? Shall I say seven times? Christ said to his disciples that they ought to forgive seventy times seven; and I ask the gentlemen to do to me as they would have me do to them were they in my place and 1 in theirs. When 1 re ferred to the letter and made use of the lan guage imputed to me, it ought to b; remem- j tiered that I was not spfaking as a delegate on the floor, but by the permission of the i Convention, as a lawyer in my own defense. When I offered my defense to charges brought against me by the Committee, I then prayed that 1 might he tried according to the rules governing evidence, and the laws of the State and of the United States governing impeachments. I hold an office, and the proceeding against me must be in the nature of an impeachment. Now, if you were trying a case of im pcacbment, and the party accused should make a mistake and use offensive language, would that he any reason why you should refuse to hear him further ? Would that be i the case if the President of the United States should he impeached ? And, again, I have been charged with often violating the rules of order ; hut, I ask, if the Presi dent of this body allows me to proceed, am I not innocent of any intention to violate the rules of order? Do not Mr. Brooks, Mr. Wood, and other members of Con gress, sometimes say something in debate which is pronounced’out of order by the Speaker ; and when the gentlemen have ceased to be out of order, they are allowed to proceed, and notlimg more is said about it. Now, gentlemen, remember that to “err is human.” Theie is not a single little child that docs not sometimes do things which are wrong. 1 ask you, then, to do toward me as you would wish me to do to you, were you tu my situation. Now, Mr. President, in conclusion I would say that I have been very unfortunate in my use of language. Il'l violated tho rules of the house, I should have been called to order, and I would hsvo ntado all the repa ration in my power. With these few re marks, I throw myselif on your mercy. The members, white and colored, very generally expressed themselves forcibly in favor of the immediate expulsion of Aaron A. Bradley. Even those who hai before defended him, denounced his conduct on to-day. The vote was then taken on Mr. Cot ting's resolution, and it was carried —yeas, 129 ; nays, 0. Mr. Bullock offered the following, which was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That in the outrageous insinua tions and charges made by the delegate from Chatham, A. A. Bradley, who has been expelled from this Convention, we recognize only the senseless raouthingg of an irresponsible person, and it is the unani mous opinion of this body that nothing in the falsehood which the delegate has uttered, can be regarded as detracting from the high social position and standing of the gentle men and their families who were thus assailed. Tho Chair (Mr. Conley occupying the position) ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to bring Mr. Bradley before the bar of the Convention. On motion of Mr. BRrANT,thc Convention took up the report of the Committee on Franchise, section 3d being first in order, and the amendment of Mr. Miller to the sec tion being before the Convention. Mr. Blount offered the following substi tute for the section, which was read for the j information of the Convention. The following classes of persons shall not I be permitted to vote or hold office : Ist. I Those who shall have been convicted of i treason, embezzlement of public funds, mal- 1 feasance in office, crimes punishable by j law with imprisonment in the penitentiary, bribery, and those who are idiots or insane. Mr. Blount addressed the Convention, ad vocating the principles set forth in his sub stitute. Mr. Miller’s substitute was discussed at 1 length, and is as follows : Substitute for Section 3. The General Assembly may provide from time to time for the registration of all electors, but the j following classes of persons shall not be | permitted to register, vote, or hold office : ! Ist. Those who shall have been convicted of j treason, embezzlement of public funds, mal- ! feasance in office, crimes punishable by law I with imprisonment in the penitentiary, or bribery. 2d. Those who are idiots or insane. I On the adoption of Mr. Miller’s substi tute the yeas were 114, nays 16. The Sergeant-at-Arms reported that the city had been searched, and Mr. Bradley could not bo found. On motion of Mr. Akerman, the Commit tee on tho Bradley caso were discharged from further consideration of the subject. Mr. Bullock submitted the following letter: Hall op Constitutional Convention, ) Atlanta, Ga.. Feb. 12, 1868. J L. N. Trammell: Dear Sir: I herewith enclose you the letter alluded to this morning by the expel led member, Bradley. It lias no date as to time or place, nor has it any signature. It makes no allusion to you, and only alludes to the President of the Convention as a per son from whom he (Bradley) could perhaps gain information concerning the libel there in contained. The said Bradly was ex hibiting it around, and upon exhibiting it to me, 1 informed him that I once lived in the county with the President, and that it in no way made any insinuation as to him. Believing I recognized the hand-write, and believing I knew who the writer was maliciously endeavoring to injure, I imme diately procured possession of the doou meut, with a view to its suppression- About two weeks after I thus suppressed the mischievous letter, the said Bradley .called on me for it—last Monday-hut I refused t« let him have it. tie I knew !>'■ wished to produce mischief. From the time it came into my possession uutil after tho allusion to it this morning, it remained in my law office, and no one saw it. You are at liberty to make such use of this letter, and the enclosed, as you may thinkjproper. Very respectfully, Henry P. Farrow. The following is the lettei enclosed in Mr. Farrow’s communication : A I'. Bradley, Esy-: Sir—Some men are trying to expel you from the Convention. They have no right to do it. If you are guilty as charged, you are better than others who have not been con victed. There is one delegate in the Con vention who, it is reported, seduced his wife's sister, and got a child by her, and if they try to expel you, bring this up—call upon them to expel all who have seduced negro and white women, too. Ask your President, J. R. Parrott, if he does not know a delegate who has seduced his sister-in-law. I suggest that you introduce a resolution to appoint a committee to inquire into a report of all delegates who have been guilty of seduction of either black or white women. 1 refer you to A. M. Franklin, \V. H. Pritchett, J. A. Howard and J. J. Jones, all of Car lersville, Ga., as witnesses. On motion of Mr. Edwards, the above correspondence was ordered to be placed on the minutes of the Convention. Mr. Cotting offered the following: Wjiereas. some unauthorized person has undertaken to institute proceedings in the Supreme Court, of the United States, in the name of the State of Georgia vs. Getter Is Grant, Meade, and others, there fore. Reso’ved by this Convention, represent ing the people and sovereignty of the State of Georgia, that no person has been cm powered by any statute of this State, or by any ordinance of this Convention, to com mence or prosecute any such suit, and that tho people of Georgia, as plaintiffs, will not litigate said suit, and demand that it be dismissed from said Court. Resolved. That as it may he necessary that an Attorney should be employed to represent the State of Georgia in said suit, the Hou. B. 11. Bigltatn, of Troup county, be authorized and empowered to represent the State in tho above mentioned case be fore the Supreme Court, and proeure the dismissal of the same. Pending the consideration of the ques tion to suspend the rules, tho hour of two o’clock arriving, the Chair (Mr. Conley occupying the position) declared the Con vention adjourned. The Professor of Astronomy in a Chinese college teaches that the stars are living creatures. The first edition of Queen Victoria’s Diary, consisting of one hundred and fifty thousand copies, is nearly sold, and will realize a profit of jfi 10,000 at least. Mosaffer Eddin Mirza, the heir to the throne of Persia, has been getting married. The Prince and his wife arc each sixteen years of age. On Saturday 80,000 cigars and twenty' one cases of tobacco were seized by a United States marshal in New York, on the ground | that the owners had paid neither license fee I nor tax. % Lord Brougham, by the latest foreign intelligence, is represented to have lost the power of speech ; lie can only feebly articu late, and has been deprived of the use of his j limbs. Arrangements are making for a public meeting in New Yotk city on behalf of the Southern Educational Fund. Henry Ward Beecher has subscribed a large amount of the benefit of Washington i College, Virginia, of which General R. E. i Leo is President. STclegrapljic Notts. The Conventions. GEORGIA. Atlanta, Feb. 13. —The Tenth Section in the report of the Franchise Committee which allows all voters to be eligible to office, was under debate. Trammell made a strong speach against it when the Con vention adjourned without taking action, A caucus of thirty-nine members was held this evening, at which it was agreed not to support ratification before the people should the Tenth Section pass. NORTH CAROLINA. Raleigh, February 13.—The Convention to-day adopted a part of the article on the Legislature apportioning Senatorial Districts. It divides the State into fifty Districts, ap portioning Senators exclusively on popula tion, aud does away with the property qualification. It also passed an ordinance allowing every man, without regard to qualification, who cau prove his moral character and pay the tax, free to practice law. The Convention, haviug passed an ordi nance to levy a tax upon the people or property of the State to pay the mileage and per diem of members, and to meet the ex penses of the Convention. General Cauby hns issued an order re quiring the public Treasurer of the State to pay the same, upon the order of the Presi dent of the Convention. It is understood that Mr. Battle, tho public Treasurer, will obey the order. SOUTH CAROLINA. j Charleston, February 13. —The Conven tion has had a heavy day’s work. Twenty sections of the new Constitution have been adopted, making altogether fifty three. The Convention requested General Canby to abolish District Courts. It adopted a provision recognizing com mon, public, and political equality, without distinction of race or color. FLORIDA. Tallahassee, February 13. —The Con vention to-day went into secret session. Committee of the Whole passed a reso lution summoning the colored delegate, charged with delivering an incendiary pub lic speech on the Bth, to appear at the bar of the Convention on the 14tli, and show cause why he should not be expelled. Articles of Constitution were taken up, and but little progress was made. Uni versal. suffrage will probably be allowed ; no proscription for any but ante-war cattscs. The Billings’ party are in tribulation. At a meeting in tlio African church, last night, it is reported that violent speeches were made, recommending death as a suita ble punishment for members of the Con. vention who arc opposed to the minority. MISSISSIPPI. Jackson, February 13 — The Convention adopted the report of the Committee n Leg islaturc—providing lor the Legislature to ooful tit <»f « Tluwftn tti (it>ui«sL*ntaiire3 aud Senate, the members of the former to be elected lor two years, and the latter four years. Advices from the member sent to Vicks, burg announced that General Gillen: has the matter of tax under advisement. A motion was made to telegraph Grant that Gillem relitscd to collect the tax, and request that he be ordered to do so. Ad journed without action. LOUISIANA. New Orleans, February 13.—1n Con vention to-day, Committee on the State made an effort to take up and reconsider a resolution voting thirty per cent, addi tional pay. Judge Cooly spoke forcibly in favor of reconsideration, representing what the civil effect such legislation will have upon the masses when voting for ratifica tion, and demonstrating that there is no necessity for this additional pay. Mr. Regan, who offered the additional pay resolution, spoke in defense of it in a very important speech, in which he used many personalities, and was called a liar by Whif fles. The reconsideration was lost by a vote of 21 to 40. A resolution was adopted providing for a Bo ird of Registry, to consist of seven mem hers ol the Convention, whose duties are to begin immediately after adjournment, Washington Items. Washington, Feb. 13. — Ineffectual ap plications have been made at army head quarters for G rant and Hancock’s corre spondence. Secretary Seward responds to the Ohio Governor’s demand for the return of papovs ratifying the Constitutional Amendment, that there is no law permitting the with drawal of any documents from the de partment at the request of an individual or State ; therefore, the order ratifying and the one rescinding, will both remain on file. In the Reconstruction Committee to-day, j Stevens presented a resolution impeaching the President for high crimes and misde meanors. It was tabled by the following vote: Yens—Bingham, Paine, Bearmau, Huldurd, Republicans ; Brooks, Beck, Dem ocrats. Nays—Stevens, Boutwell, Farns worth. This is considered as a finality to ' impeachment. ■ The Tennesseeans are hopeless of relieving i their reads Iroui the operation of the legi.la- J tion proposed by the Southern Railroad | Committee. The following was received to-day : Montgomery, February 13. Hon. 1). 1\ Patterson, Senator J'rutn Tennessee : Ratification has been defeated by over fifteen ' thousand majority, What is tho prospect of i Sherman’s bill respecting Alabama? I>, L, Dalton, Governor’s Secretary The discontinuance of tho Freedmen's Bureau in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mary j land, occurs on Saturday. The contin uance of the order is improbable. General Meade telegraphs that it is not j sure whether Alabama has accepted ojr. I rejected the Constitution. Ho is investi | gating whether the polls were not opened iin certain counties. It' not he will ovdef ' a special election, The annual Deficiency bill has become a law, by a lapse of ten days. The President has nominated Moses S. Foote, Collectpr of Internal Revenue for the first district of Alabama; also, for distinguished ''courage, skill and ability displayed during the war of the rebellion, General Wm. T. Sherman is recom mended to be General of the armies of the Uunited States, by brevet. The President has called on Howard for a list of Bureau functionaries, with the law under which they are employed. A reliable letter from Beirut, Syria, re ports General Breckinridge there, January Ist, contemplating a journey through Syria Being asked about returning to America, General Breckinridge said he had no wish to become a martyr, and should not return until lie could do so with safety, but that no other country should become his home. The same letter states that Jacob Thomp son, and several other leading parties in the South during the late war, arc wander ing about Turkey. The proposed appropriation bill reduces the Federal representatives to Liberia and Hayti from ministers resident to commer cial agents and consuls general. Fire. Wilmington, Feb. 13.—At 9.45 p. m., a disastrous lire was raging in Market street. It originated in a store occupied by Chas. Guthman. It is feared that the entire block, bounded by Market, Front Dock and Second street, will bo destroyed. [second dispatch.] Wilmington, Feb. 13, 10.30 p. m.—The fire is raging with unabated fury, and the following establishments are burned : Chas. Guthman, clothing; R. S. Waldron, drygoods; Dr. T. B. Carr, dentist; Drs. Arrington & Kvo ett, dentists; H. H. Mun. son, clothing ; A. Wronski, dry goods; C. M. Vanorsdcll, photographer; Wilmington Pod newspaper; Allen Evans, grocer. One section of tho block on fire is entirely beyond control. Thought to be the work of an incendiary. Impossible to form an estimate of tho loss. Telegraph operators are getting ready to vacate their office. Congressional. Washington, February 13.— Senate.— The bill declaring the bridges on the Mo bile and Chattanooga Railroad a post road —passed. she case of Thomas, Maryland Senator, was resumed and discussed to adjourn ment. House. —The ease of John Young Brown was resumed. Brown plead his own case. He was reject'd —l9B to 43. Adjournod. From Mexico. Galveston, February 13.—An arrival to-day from Brownsville brings Mexican news to the Bth. A revolution is forming in Puebla in tlic interest of Ortega. Daylight robberies ancl kidnapping for ransom arc frequent. General Diaz lias resigned. A telegraph line between San Luis and Matamoras is begun. Corona was sent from Guadalajara, on the 22d, to put down a revolution in Sina loa, Domingo. Rubi Bendecard is Governor ol' Mexico instead of Escobedo. From Virginia, Richmond; February 13. -General Scho field litis addressed a circular to tobacco inspectors, inquiring if they have taken the oath prescribed by Congress for office holders. None of them, it is believed, have yet taken that oath. New3 by Cable. Paris, leb. 13.—The La France reasserts that Bismarck asked permission to resign. Abyssinian advices represent Napier pushing hostile forces and approaching with skirmishers. Elections. Binghami'ton, N. Y-, Feb. 13 Demo cratic Mayor and majority of City Council tvere elected for the first time in ten years. Markets—By Telegraph. Financial. HAVANA, Feb. 13.—Storling lOiall. NEW YORK, February 13, Noon. — Sterling 9|a»i. Gold 41§. Nl’.tV YORK, February 13, Evening. — Gold irregular at 140 J, Sterling dull at 9J. Gov ern meuts closed dull. Produce and Other Uarketi. lIA\ ANA, Feb. 13. —Sugar dull and declining, offers low, sellers refuse. LIVERPOOL, February 13, Evening. —Cotton closed easier. Sales, 10,11(10 bales: Uplands, Ssd on spot and Bjd to arrive ; Orleans, Ss. NEW YORK, February 13, Noon. —Cotton quiet, 20Ja21e. Flour a shade firmer. Wheat firm. Corn steady. Rye quiet. Pork firm, 523.50. Lard I laldjc. Naval Stores unchanged. \'F\V YORK, February 13. Evening. —Cotton quiet and irregular. Sales 3,1)00 bales at 204a21, chiefly 3«j. ’ Flour, State, 48.40a10.80. Wheat firm. Corn unchanged. Pork heavy. Rice firm—Carolina Idiaiu. Other groceries quiet. Turpeutinc (ioafifi. Rosin $3,12Jafi.50. Tallow steady.— Freights quiet—Cotton, sail, ga7-13; grain, sail, Mi. BALTIMORE, February 13.—Cotton very quiot at 201. Flour dull and unchanged. Wheat steady good to choice Southern 70aS5. Corn firm, but scarce—prime white and yellow 81.2Ua1.22. Oats active at 82, ttye wanted at Goa7o. Provisions active. Bacon shoulders lljallJ; bulk shoul ders 9ja9j. CINCINNATI, February 13.—Mess Pork $23- i 1»‘; clear s'ides 131. Lard held ST. LOl IS, February 13—Flour quiet. Corn slow at SlaSGc. Provisions quiet. .Mess pork, 322. Shoulders, 9ia9j; clear Sides, 12ea 13c. Lard dull at 13-Vc. _ LOt; IS\ ! L [.11., February 13.—Superfine Flour .SSaS.al). Corn, 76aSOe. Lard, 14. Mc33 Pork 32-0 Shoulders, 10A ; clear sides, 131 packed. SAYAN Neil, February 13.—Cotton opened quiet, but steady, with small inquiry. It closed with better feeling. Middlings 194a20c. Sales 1,70a bales ; receipts 3,288 bales—week, 21,775 bales; exports foreign 15,087 ball# ; coastwise 0,577 bales ; stock 05,512 bates; uplands 2,365 bales ; sea island sales 5.724 bales. CHARLES I.ON, February lil —Cotton quiet but unchanged; sales 20,0 hales Middlings c.t 20; sales of the week, 8,250 bales; receipt; of the week, 8,650 bales ; exports. 5,835, of which 715 I goes to thq Continent; s,tSij coastwise; stock, 24 9(2, AlO.bl *.il, Feb. IS.;—Cotton, market unsettled and dull rtalos 700 bates. .Middling nominal, at 19!a2fie. Receipts 1,776 bales. Exports 1,034 bales. NKW ORLEANS, Feb. 13.—Cotton irregular, Middlings 201. Sugar sad .Molasses receipts vei and unchanged, dttKm