About Columbus daily enquirer. (Columbus, Ga.) 1874-1877 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 12, 1877)
DAILY ENQUIRER-SUN: COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 12, 1877. ANNUAL MESSAGE Attendance in 1875 v GOV, JAMES M. SMITH, TO TllE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA, January to, 1877. Executive Department, \ Atlanta, Ga , January 10, 1877.) To the General Assembly : 1 have the honor to oommunioate to the General Assembly such information as is deemed proper, in reference to the condition of the Commonwealth, and to auggest, for their consideration, the meas ures thought necessary and expedient. The oash balance in the treasury, Janu ary 1, 1870, as shown by the Treasurer’s report of that date, was $511,785.21. The amount received into the treasury during the last fiscal year, as will appear by reference to the reports of th3 Comp troller Geueral aud of the Treasurer, herewith submitted, was $2,332,033 38. The disbursements during the last fiscal year amounted to $2,280,435.20. The objeots for whiob these disbursements were made are particularly stated in the accompanying reports. The balance re maining in the treasury, Jauuary 1, 1877, was $504,283 33. The public debt, as shown by said re ports, including the bonda maturing the present year, amounts to $8,447,500. This statement does not include the bonds of the Macon and Brunswick Railroad Com pany, And of the North and South Rail road Company, indorsed by the State, and for the payment of which the liability of the State is recognized. The sums necessary to meet the annual interest upon these bonds, should be included in the appropriation made for the payment of the accruing interest ou the public debt. In accordance with the provisions of the act approved February 24, 187G, five hundred and forty-two 7 per cent, bonds of the Slate, of $1,000 each, wexe execu ted, for the purpose of funding the ac crued interest upon bonds of the Macon and Brunswick Railroad Company, and the North & South Railroad Company, for which the State was liuble. The disposi tion made of these bonds, and of the pro ceeds arising from the sale thereof, is fully shown in tho accompanying annual and special reports of the Treasurer. The attention of the General Assembly ii respeotfuily called to the estimates of the probable receipts and disbursements at the treasury during the present fiscal year. I also commend to your considera tion, the several amendments of the law suggested by the Comptroller General. feTATE UNIVERSITY. For particular information in regard to the condition of the State University, of the College of Agriculture and tho Me ohanio Arts, and of the branch of the lat ter established at Dahlonega, the General Assembly is respectfully referred to the accompanying reports. The reooiptH for the last collegiate year, from all sources, including $5,000 of the special appropriation by the Legislature for the purchase of apparatus, amounted to $41,820.99, aud the expenditures for the same period were $39,449.63. would invite special attention to the re port of the Board of Trustees of the North Georgia Agricultural College, located at Dahlonega. This institution was attend ed by over three hundred students during the past year. Fifty of these, in the lat ter part of the year, became teachers and instructors of over four thousand children in the common schools of the State. From all the information I havo received, this college is performing its whole duty to the public, as tm institution of learning, and I respeotfuily recommend that the sums asked for its benefit by the Board of Trustees be appropriated. COMMON SCHOOLS. The attention of the General Assembly is specially invited to the accompanying report of the State School Commissioner, and to the suggestions and recommenda tion therein set forth. The report pre sents a most gratifying exhibit of the op erations of the Department of Education during the past year, and Bhows that, from suittli beginnings, our system of popular instruction, notwithstand ing all obstacles, has already attained a degree of usefulness most creditable to the State. Financial embarrassments arising from a misappropriation of its lawful resources, the impoverished condi lion of our people, aud, I regret to add. some difference of opinion as to the wis> dom of any system of education at the public expense, have been the chief diffi cullies with which we have had to con tend. I am pleased to be able to state, however, that these obstacles are fast dis appearing, and that our school system bids fair to be planted, at an early day, on a foundation so firm uud enduring that no form of opposition can disturb it. A brief resume of the history of popu lar education since my entry on the du ties of the Executive office, may not be out of place in this, my last annual com munication to the-.Gonoral Assembly. Our system of Common Schools, although or** ganized at tm earlier day, did not really go into effect until the year 1873. We had a Common School Commissioner, and ji tax for the support of schools had been levied aud collected. Schools had been put into operation in some of the coun ties and teacheri employed; but at the close of the year 1871 there existed a school debt in various counties of the State amounting to more than $300,000. This debt was duo to school officers and teaohers, for services rendered by them to thatdate. The acbool fund, which amount ed Ootobcr 1, 1871, to $327,083.09, had been, in violation of the Constitution of the State, diverted from its lawful object, and appropriated to the payment of legis lative and other expenses of the govern ment. While teachers and schosl officers clamored for their pay, there was nothing to the credit of the school fond in the Treasury. Almost universal distrust of the system itself prevailed, and it was feared that it had received a fatal blow in the very first yeara of its existence From the lack of means to pay the teachers, no schools were taught in the year 1872, and the Commissioner devoted his attention to systematizing the work under the law passed in August of that year. Not only the accumulated debts had to be paid, but it was also necessary to raise funds to revive and re-establish ■ohools. The Legislature of 1872 provid ed that a tax should be levied to raise money to pay the claims of teachers aud school officials. Under the operation of this law, $174,000 was raised and paid to claimants, and by other legislation, since adopted, these local debts have been al most entirely extinguished. In the year 1873, schools were again got in operation, and have increased in number uutil every county of the State has its school organi zation. Means for the support of schools •re regularly and punctually supplied, and no well founded claim upon the school fund, in any county of the Stato, remains unsatisfied. While these facts are most gratifying, the increased interest and confidence in the system are forcibly exhibited by the following figures, taken from the Com*- sioner’s report: School attendance in 1671 was, whites.. 4?,914 “ “ “ “ “ colored.. (1,00* Tot\t Atteudoucu in 1870 v “ •• colored 67,987 . Total... 179405 Increase of attendance over that of 1875.. 23,011 The amount of money raised for the support of the School system, since my induction to office, is as follows: Atnouut raised uuder Act of 1872, for PO niout of School debts of 1871 $ 174,000 Amount apportioned for support of Schools lu 1*73 3S0,O0O Amount npporiioned for support of ’ Schools in 1874 205,000 Aniouut apportioned and paid lor tup- port of Benoo « In 1875 291.819 Amount apportioned and paid for sup port of Schools iu 18iO 291 319 Attorney General, under instructions, re- Eitucai 1011 of the Do f aud Dumb. Ac- ooguato subjects. For this gratifying tained Messrs. Cook, Van Dyke Sc Cook < co.du.ig to the report, iho affairs of the ohauge, and tho prospects which it holds to represent the State in the causes, j institution ure in a satisfactory condition, ; out,wo aro iudobtoihpnmurily,to thesalub- These attorneys have entered the proper ! and there is no immediate necessity for rity of our uutivaled climate, and, sec- defense, and as far as possible have taken I further legislation on its behalf. ! ondarily, to the udm'ruble work of our steps to protect the treasury against these | Uuder a joint resolution of the General j Geological aud Agricultural Departmeuts. fraudulent claims. , Assembly, approved February 25, 1876, a : These Departments were organized iu Before passiug from the report of the ; board of visitors, consisting of three citi- | 1874, and yet their labors are already at- Total $1,271,638 It is but due to certain communities in this State to add, that with a public spirit most praiseworthy, tho above sum has been supplemented by auuual local city and oouuty nppropriaiions, to the amouut of between $140,000 and $150,000. In this connection, I take pleasure iu bearing testimony to tho ability and fidel ity with which the present Commissioner has discharged the various and difficult duties of his office. To him, in a great measure, belongs the credit of having achieved success for the system in the face of grave obstacles. By publio dis cussions, both oral and written, and by faithfulness and untiriDg energy in the discharge of his official duties, he has done much towards removing popular prejudice against the system, and to place its merits in a light to be readily compre hended by the public mind. We have only to go forward as we have commenced, in order to perfect our sys tem of education, and to plaob Georgia iu a position of proud pre-eminence among her sister States. Defects exist ing iu the system should be carefully rem edied by legislation, and by a judicious administration of details. I respectfully commend to the favorable consideration of tho General Assembly, the suggestion—more than once urged by the State School Commissioner—that the donation annually made to the Atlanta University be withdrawn from that object, and be devoted to the establishment of Normal Schools for the education of col ored teaohers. Argument is not needed to demonstrate that, by this change, use ful learning would be more widely diffused among the colored people, and, oonse - quentiy, a greater amount of good accom plished. There are other valuable and timely recommendations in the report, that should claim your attention. I earnestly commend our school system, as a whole, to the fostering care of the representa tives of tho people. COMMISSIONERS OF AGRICULTURE AND STATE GEOLOGIST. I iuvite the caretul attention of the General Assembly to the reports of the Commissioner of Agriculture, and of the titule Geologist, herewith transmitted. In 1874, I had the honor of recom mending to tho Legislature the establish ment of a Department of Agriculture. Iu February of that year, an act was passed in accordance with said recommen dation, and the department was organized and put into practical op eration. The exporienco of only two years bus demonstrated that it is one of the most valuable adjuncts of the State government. The detection and preven tion of fraud in the manufacture or fertil izers, has already saved to the people of this State many times the entire expense of the department; while the discovery, through its agency, of cheaper manurial agents, has greatly reduced the cost of production. The collection and dissemi nation of information respecting the vari ous questions of farm economy, have excited an active interest and a spirit of inquiry and experiment among practical agriculturists throughout the State, and have resulted iu the adoption of improved methods of husbandry, and in the multi plication of our industrial resources. The Legislature of 1874, which organ ized the Department of Agricutlure, also had the honor of providing for the ap pointment of a State Geologist, and for a geological survey of the State. Th? work has been proscuted vigorously and intelligently. There have been already collected at the capitol more than ten thousand specimens of mineral rock fos sils, plants and woods, appropriately ar ranged and labeled according to counties. A general geological map of the State has beon prepared, showing the formations which contain the various minerals useful tho arts and valuable for commerce. The characteristic soils have been col lected from all the counties visited and the vegetation peculiar to each noted. One effect of the survey already ob served, is the attraction of foreign capi** tal to the State, aud its employment in remunerative work in the long abandoned mines of the gold region. The discovery of immense beds of marl in the Southern and Western portions of the State, is an other interesting and highly important rrsult of the survey. The value of the information already obtained, and yet to be acquired, from the labors in this de partment, can hardly be over-estimated. We have never fully appreciated, because wo have not understood the great value of our inheritance. The comparative analyses of the virgin soils of tho State, show a variety and fertility unsurpassed by any region of the earth. Georgia has water power sufficient to drive the looms and spindles of tho world, and a mineral wealth whose extent is almost beyond computation. But these, as well as other inviting fields of enterprise, will probably remain neglected, if not upturned by scientific investigation. When the “Miueralogical, Geological aud Physical Survey” of the State shall have been completed, and the grand results officially promulgated, a powerful impetus will be given to the de velopment of our material resources, and a new era of prosperity and progress will dawn upon Georgia. ATTORNEY GENERAL’H REPORT. The accompanying report of the At torney General shows the condition of the official business in his charge, and tho disposition made of the public money collected by him during the past year. ThiB report—containing as it does a par ticular statement of the action taken in all the cases in the hands of tho Attorney General, during the period mentioned— is an exceedingly important one, and I specially invito the attention of the Gen eral Assembly to its contents. Some of the cases determined during Ihe year were of great interest, both ou accouut of the questions decided and tho amounts of money involved. By the decision of tho Supreme Court of the United States in the railroad tax cases, the power of tho Legislature to impose an ad valorem tax upon the property of certain railroad companies, has been settled adversely to the State. During tho year certain criminal prose cutions, commenced in the Stote courts against Federal soldiers for alleged viola tions of law, were, by virtue of a statute of tho United States, transferred to tho Federal Circuit Court for trial. There is no provision of law for tho prosecution of such casts in thut court, and the Attorney General calls attention to Iho propriety of remedying Iho defoct by legislation. lie also suggests that the law bo amonded so as to enable the Comptroller General to traverse the correctness of tax returns Attorney General, it is not out of place to certify to the faithfulness and efficiency with which he has has performed his pub- lie duties. PENITENTIARY. I herewith transmit the report of the Principal Keeper of the Penitontimry for the year just closed. It contains a full and satisfactory account of the operations of that institution duriug the period indi cated. The number of conviots at the close of the year 1875 was 926, of whom 91 were white, and 835 were colored. In these figures are included one white and thirty colored female codviets. The aggregate number of convicts at the close of last year was 1,108, of whom 114 were white and 994 were colored. The number of convicts rooeived daring the year was 404; the number of dis charges 77; the number pardoned 18; the number of escapes 44 ; aud the number of deaths 58. The convicts wore distributed amoug seven leasees, and were employed during the year in mining, agriculture and on public works. The number of escapes aud of deaths is worthy of attention. It is believed that the sanitary measures and the general care of the lessees were equal to those of former years, when the mortality was much less, and that the un usual number of deaths is to be aaoribed to the exceptional heat of the summer months (quite Ja number having died of sun-stroke) and to the diseased condition of mauy of the convicts when received iuto the Penitentiary. It is hoped that the changes soon to be inaugurated under the act passed at tho last session will pro duce a practical aud permanent reform of all the evils existing iu the present sys tem. Iu April last I published an advertise ment inviting bids for the Penitentiary convicts under the provisions of the Act approved February 25, 1876. Ia response to the advertisement, bids were received and considered, and the conviots were let, under the provision of the Act, to three companies, designated us Peuitentiary Companies No. 1, No. 2 aud 3. By the terms of their several contracts, these companies agreed to take the whole of the convicts for a period of twenty years, to commence after the expiration of the then existing leases, for the sum of $500,000 to be paid in twenty equal an nual installments of $25,000. The com pany designated r.s Penitentiary Company No. 1 contracts to take three hundred able-bodied long term men, to be kept up to that number so long as there shall be so many in the Penitentiary. These convicts aro to be employed in miuing, as is provided by the stutute referred to. Tho Companies Nos. 2 and 3 severally contract to take, each, one half of the uurnber of tho conviots remaining, and to keep aud ornploy thorn as the law au thorizing tho lease requires. Each company has given bond and se curity for the faithful performance of its contract, and for tho management, con trol and safe keeping of the convicts committed to its caie. It is further stip- lated in tho contract, that in all casus where convicts under existing leases shall be thrown upon the hands of the State, the lessees under tho new contracts shall take possession of the same, aud hold, manage and control them according to the provisions of their several contrsots and bonds until the first day of April, 1879, when the term of the twenty-year leases will commence to run. These companies aro composed of eiti zens of Georgia of high character, and in the oontracts entered into with them the State possesses a guarantee that her crim inals, while receiving humane treatment, will also cease, in a great degree, to be a burden to her honest law-abiding people. Since these several oontracts were made, it has been found necessary to es tablish a permanent State Prison for each of the companies. That of Penitentiary No. 1 has been looated at the mines of tho Dade Coal Company, in the county of Dade ; that of No. 2 at a point five miles west, of tho city of Albany, in the county of Dougherty; and that of No. 3 near Skull Shoals, in the county of Greene. The Penitentiary question has thus been disposed of for a period of twenty years from and after the first day of April, 1879; and while the solution reached has not in all respects been entirely satisfac tory, it is, nevertheless, in my judgment, the very best one which, under the cir cumstances, could have been made. Z0N8 of iho State, was appointed to visit ' trading increasing attention to the this institution, and investigate any mineral aud agricultural wealth of the it regularities or deficiencies existing in 1 {State,both in ibis-country and iu Europe, its government. This beard whs further ' aud especially among immigrants, required to report to the Governor and! In this oouuectiem, I beg leave to re- the General Assembly, at its next session, | specfully invite the attention of tho “what reforms and recommendations aro ; Geneaul Assembly to the accompanying necessary auei proper for the better agement and successful operation of the institution.” A majority aud a minority report have been submitted by the board, which aro herewith transmitted for the information of the Geueral Assembly. The reports differ in relation to the best system of government for the institution, but not in reference to the managomeut of its affairs under the existing system. The high character and intelligence of the members of the bourd entitled their opin ions to the oareful consideration of the General Assembly. GEORGIA ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND. The condition of tho Georgia Academy for tho blind is satisfactoiy, ns appeurs from the report of tho Board of Trustees. The Academy contains fifty-seven pupils, and their progress during tho past year was jhighly encouraging. The sum of $4,654.38 was expended during the year in repairing and re furnishing the main building, and in ereoting aud fitting up a substantial and commodious workshop on the grounds of tho Academy. Provision has boon mnde for a considerable addi tion to the number of pupils and also, for their bettor instruction in tho useful arts. PUBLIC PRINTER. On the 6th of March lost, tho resigna tion of R. A. Alston,ns Publio Stato Prin ter, wns accepted. On tho 8th day of the same month, Henry G. Wiight, of the oouuty of llichmoud, was appointed to fill the vacnucy thus created, until tho next meeting of the General Assembly. Piopor bond and security were given, and Mr. Wright enterod upon the discharge of his official duties. These havo beou creditably performed, but, by reason of the facts referred to, tho execution of the public printing has been somewhat delay ed. Among the subjects which will re quire the attention of tho General As sembly, at the present ResRionJs the elec tion of State Printer, to fill the unexpired term of said office. MACON AND BRUNSWICK RAILROAD. A very full report by the State’s Board of Directors, is transmitted herewith. The operations of the road for the past year, as therein set forth, may be briefly stated as follows : Earnings for year ending November 3U, 1876 $317,829 18 Expense account to samo date...... 307,051 78 Not earnings $ 10,744 40 To the Item of earnings It is legiti mate to mid a balance due from othor roads, as per agreement lor division of business and revenues, amounting to it 47,701 52 Total 49,578 Tbe attendance in 1875 wan, white*... 08,922 “ “ “ “ colored....... 19,755 Total 83,077 Attendance iu 1874 was, white? 93 167 “ •* colored 42,374 145^541 LUNATIC ASYLUM. The reports of tho Trustees of the Lu natic Asylum shows the operations of that institution during tho past year. The number of patieuts at the date of the re port was six hundred and five, and the cost of their maintainance, including sal aries of offioers, for the year, was $88,816.- 65. Tho cost of maintaining each pAtieot was 40^ cents per deira, or $146.3<) per annum. The cost in 1871 was 70 cents per diem, or $255.86 per annum for each pationt, showing a reduction of nearly fifty per cont. in the cost of maintenance. It is believed that there is but little room for improvement in the administration of the affairs of tho Asylum. The expenses have been reduced to the lowest point consistent with efficient management, and with the benevolent aims of the in stitution. The Trustees suggest that, by changes of the interior constructio of the buil dings, an addition of seventy-eight rooms, affording accommodation to nearly or quite one hundred patieuts, can bo secur ed at a cost not exceeding $12,500. The Trustees also suggest that two additional brick buildings on tho premises could be erected for the accommodation of one hundred and twenty-five patients, at a cost of less tbnn $30,000. They also ex press the opinion that it will not bo nec essary for some years to come to make provision for more than one hundred ad ditional patients. In this opinion I fully concur. The General Assembly, at the last ses sion, appropriated $20,000 for the purpose of constructing waterworks at Asylum. I nm gratified to abie to state thut these works have been completed, and that an abund ant supply of pure spring wator is now furnished to the building. Ou the night of tho 15th December, 1876, a fire occurred at the Asylum,which destroyed the workshop and contents and tho laundry bouse, with its valuable ma chinery and much clothing. The loss is a serious one to tho institution,nnd regard to economy aud convenience requires that it should bo repaired with the least possible delay. More than $10,(100 of tho appropriation for the Asylum authorized last year has not been drawn, the saving of which is due to careful economy in tho internal management of the institution. I recommend that the appropriation asked for by the Trustees ($9,000) be made for the purpose of replacing the buildings destroyed, and refitting them with the requisite machines. The Trustees submit estimates for the maintenance of the Asylum for the pre sent year, to which I respectfully invite your attention. I also recommend that an investigation of the claim of Messrs. Eakes & McKelfresh against the Asylum, referred to in the report, be made, and that a sum sufficient to pay the amount By a joint resolution of tho General thon we are powerless, and they, as well Assembly, approved February 25, 1876, i ns ourselves, will have lost the inestim- the Governor was authorized to appoint a j able right of freemen—the right of self- board of Officers, nine iu number, from government. When they shall have de- tho volunteer military organizations of ! ciitiod wliat is proper to bo doue for the the State, to revise that portion of tho preservation of this right, it is assuming Code which rolutes to “The Volunteers.” , but little to say that the people of Geor- Tlio members of said Board were ap- ! gi u will bo found ready to co-operate with pointed during tho past summer, and, I thorn, and to do their whole duty, under presume, tho result of their deliberations ; any and all circumstances, will bo placed before tho General Assem made bv railroad companies. During last year suits were brought in a w the courts of Teuuessee against the West- . f 0UU( j j ue them bo appropriated ern & Atlantio Railroad for the recovery j DEAF AND uuu „ asylom. of certain claims B«JW' n g * h4 ‘ " | AcC ompa n yin s this communication will usually » the Jeunessee C„ «* ud p lh / an « aal rep „rt of tho Trustee. amount*of ttoTdii-. U Urge'T/tt I snd Officers of the Institution for the Making total net oarniugs $53,446 Of the $47,701 32 due from other roads, as above, there has been paid, per supplemental report, tho bum of $18,097.62, leaving still a balance against thorn of $29,703.70, which ©very effort ' being made to collect. The policy of the Stato being to dis pose of tho road at tho earliest day pruo* tioable, the efforts of tho Directors have been rather to tho improvement of its Condition than the production of revenue. Much has been accomplished in this way, and the Board have advertised for sealed proposals of purchase or lease to be received up to the 23d day of January, instant, Should au acceptable bid be made, the road will be bold or leased ; it not, there will be ample time for the General Assembly to take such notion with regard to it as iu its wisdom may seem most expedient. Tho various re commendations of tho Directors are sub mitted for alike consideration. NORTH AND SOUTH RAILROAD. The report of the Receiver of this work shows that it is being operated at an expense to the State, its receipts being less than its expenditures, and with little prospect of improvement iu this regard. The yearly accouut is thus stated : Expenie account $9,013 *5 Tamings 6,681 03 Exces3of exponeos over earnings.... $ 333 32 The shortness of tho road, and the unfavorable character of tho country which it traverses, preclude all idea of conducting it with profit to tho State. The Receiver presents an alternative— either to extend the road at tho State's expense to a point beyond the mountains, twelve miles distant from the present terminus, (much of the grading being already done), or else to sell tho property for what it will bring. The whole matter is submitted for your decision without recommendation. I may remark, how ever, that I have Roeu no reason to change my opinion that tho Stato will consult its best iuterest by ridding itself of all ownership in, and responsibility for, such property, even at a tolerablo loss. MEMPHIS BRANCH RAILROAD. As stated iu my mes ago of January, 1875, tho Memphis Bruucli Railroad, having complied with all tho conditions of au Act entitled “Au Aot to extend the aid and loan the credit of tho State of Georgia to the Memphis Branch Railroad Company,” Ac,, approved October 22, 1870, and having made formal applica tion for such aid, au Executivo order was issuod May 12, 1874, providing for the State’s indorsement of tho bonds of said company to tho amount of thirty- four thousand dollars ($34,000), tho same being one-half the estimated value of a section of said road thou completed aud equipped. In the month of May, 1876, being first satisfied by competent testimony that tho interest which accrued and became due ou the bonds of tho company thus in dorsed by the Stato, on tho first days of January and July of tho year 1875, was not paid by the company when the same matured and booame payable, by virtue of authority conferred by said act. of Oct. 22, 1874, I seized ami took possession of said road, with all its property, and placed tho sprue in tho hands of Robert T. Fouche, as agent, to hold aud manage it for the benefit of the Stato. A copy of this order will be found among the accom panying documents, and this action is re ported iu order that the Legislature may take such further steps for tho protection of the interest of tlio Slate, as affected by said indorsement, as to it may seem best. DIRECT TRADE AND IMMIGRATION. From tho foundation of tho govern ment down to u very recant period, the tide of emigration from tho Old World, upon reaching our shores was, by skillful management, di rected almost exclusively to tho Northern and Northwestern States of the Union. Not one in the hundred of tho millions who have sought homos ou tho great North American continent, has found his way to the State of Georgia. I am glad to soy that wo now havo it in our power to bring about, a change in this respect, and to divert to our ports at loast a portion of the largo numbers of immigrants still continue to seel; work and hoim the New World. As the great advantages which we possess become known abroad, much interest is create! among immi grants, and their agouts and shippers letter of Mr. J. S. Gartner, of Now York City. It will bo seen that be proposes to establish a line of ocean steamers between Savannah, iu this Slate, and Liverpool, England, in the iuterest of Immigiaiion aud Direct Trade. His proposition, briefly staled, is as follows: That the Legislature shall secure to him, by an Act, the sum of $60,000, gold, per an num, for three years, iu setni-aumial pay ments; that, iu consideration of this subsidy, he will contract to run between Savannah and Liverpool, stopping at Queenstown as occasion may require, a first-class steamer each month—or oftener if the trade should warrant—adapted to tho servico aud fitted for first- class, as well as for steerage passengers; that he will carry steeruge passengers, or immigrants, for three pounds and ten shillings each, which is about oue-hulf the usuul fare botween European ports and New York; and that, he will commence the service as soon us the subsidy is se cured, and the details for ruuuing tho line are completed. Under our present Federal revenue laws, foreign goods can bo imported “in bond” to interior Southern and Western cities, and the establishment of a direct lino of ocean steamers from Europe would thus enable the railroads of Goorgia to compete with the trunk lines of the more northern States. In addition to this ad vantage, would bo the bonefit conferred oue of our own sea-ports, in the increased business brought to it, and the securing of a direct export by steamship, instead of by the circuitous and more expensive route through Northern ports. Such a lino would also give a great impe tun to immigration, and to tho salo and settlement of tho large tracts of unculti vated land in tho Stato. This, of itself, would secure to our peoplo the speedy return of the oost of establishing direct steam communication with the Old World. Such an enterprise would probably bo attended with loss to tho owners of tho lino in tho beginning, and honco a salmi dy is required until the undertaking cun bo Rtartod and placed beyond contingency. Similar grants of money, I believe, art usual in other States where it has been found desirable to encourage immigra tion. The benefits to accrue to tho Stale from the regular aud systematic introduction of trained laborers urn too tunuifust to require argument. If we estimate the value to the State of each able-bodied man brought into it at $1,000, aud allow that each emigrant brings withhim $100 iu cash, it will bo seen that the annual arri val of one thousand immigrants would add to our working aud actuul capital $1,100,000 per annum. In ten years the addition to our wealth, upon a reasonable estimate, would bo fiom $10,000,000 to $15,000,006, supposing there was no in crease of the number of annual arrivals. These immigrants would require homes and work for themselves and families, and these we can supply upon reasonable terms. The territory of the Slate em braces about 58,000 square miles, ur 37,- 120.000 acres of land, of which it. is estima ted l hat about 7,000,000 of acres only are in cultivation, leaving, say, 30,000,000 acres idle and unproductive. It is to the in terest of every citizen of the State, pro prietors aud others, that these vust tracts of land should be brought into cultiva* t on, and the sooner tins is done the bet tor for all. If to the above estimated value to the State of every immigrant who arrives upon our shores wo add Iho increased value of our lauds and other properly resulting from his settlement in our borders, homo idea may bo formod of tbo vust importance which attaches tho subject. Tho estimated valuo of tho farms in Georgia in 1870, as shown by tho last census, wits, iu round numbers, $94,- 000,000. Tho estimated value of tho farms at thosamo time in Illinois, a com paratively new State, was $920,000,000, or ten times as much as tho vuluo ol thoEe iu this Slate. This great disparity docs not arise from tho fact that the products of tho lands iu Illinois aro ten times as valuable ns are those of tho lauds iu Geor gia, but principally from the largo immi gration and settlement of skilled laborers, and the consequent larger area in cultiva tion in tho former State. It is not as suming anything to say that what immi gration has doue for Illinois aud other States, it will do for Georgia also, if wo will but adopt the necessary measures to avail ourselves of its benefits. Our colored laborers are annually re moving, in considerable numbers, beyond the MiB'issippi, and those who remain Lo- hind will probably, not one in a hundred, ever become land owners; while of the hardy, industrious white immigrants who Heek work among us, nearly all would in vest their first earniugs in the purchase of homes for themselves and families. 1 therefore earnestly commend the sub ject to tho favorable consideration of the General Assembly, and suggost that tho offer submitted by Mr. Gartner be accept ed, tbo necessary appropriation made,aud the Governor authorized to oloso the con tract at tho earliest day practicable. REPORT OF SECRETARY OF STATE. The attention of the General Assembly ia respectfully invited to tbo accompaning report ol tho Secretary of State, and to tho several suggestions therein made. MIRCLLANEOUS. Upon tho petition of tho Municipal Au thorities ami of tho Relief Association of the city of Bruussvick, an Executive order was issued November 6, 1876, suspending the collection of the State tax iu the coun ty of Glynn, uutil tho next meeting of Ihe General Assembly. The petition repre sented that, by reason of tho terrible epi demic through which tho city of Bruns wick was thou passing,arid tho embarrass ed condition of the tax-payors caused thereby, the enforced collection of the Stato tax at that time would work great hardship to the people of the county. Under tho circumstances, I thought the request a proper one, aud tho petition was accordingly granted. Paragraph 16, section 2, of tho Act to levy a tax for the support of tbo Govern ment for tho year 1876, is in the following CONCLUSION. In conclusion, I bog to express my pro found gratitude to the people of Georgia for the honor they have conferred npou me, and for the uniform support they have accorded my efforts to serve them. Deeply interested in all that concerns the welfare of my native State, it is to me a matter of sincere gratnlation that her Chief Executive authority is soon to de volve upon the eminent citizen who has been called to succeed me by a popalnr majority unexampled iu the annals of the State. James M. Smith. ft ow Aclveruseuumih. QG A YEAH. AGENTS wanted UU on our Grand Combination Pro-p- et us, representing 150 lUNTisurr BOOKS, wanted everywhere, ihe Hfffgvnt Thing Ever Tried. Sales made from this when all single Hooks tail Also, Agents wanted on our MAGNIFICENT FAMILY HIKLES. Superior to all others With invaluable HIum- Iruird Aids and Nnperb Itlmlina*. 1 hew Books boat the World. Full particulars tree Address JOHN E. POTTER A CO., Publishers, Philadelphia. P< rtUrid, Maine. frKK D » week to Agents. Samples FREE. P. O. VICKERY, Augusta. Me. ✓ Oft Kxtr lo ce Nassau, N. Y. \A/A WTen Meii to soil to Morobants VV r\lv I LU. WOO n month and traveling expenses paid. Gem Mfg. Co., St. Louts, Mo. $12 J ta, Maine. $20,000 IN GOLD, And other Valuable Premiums, GIVEN TO T If OB 1C WHO WORK FOR THE TIMES. \V I 33 ye t inti'i j . rltnrv f all shades of politic- . Every initrun of (lie limes in pre sented, tree of charge, witii an Illustrated Year-book of valuable information, for 1377, alono worth tho price ol tho paper. A SURE-SHOT, LONG • KANIiti REVOLVER, WITH MEVEN 4TI AMIII.lt*. adapted for the without r w cylinder, which” volvis automatically when tho hammer is rai od. It is mado ot tho host English steel, nickel Hllvur-plata 1, and has a Iona, accurate range. The retail price of tins re volver is $5; but tho publi-hers ol tho Wbkklv Timus, by special arrangement with iho man ufacturers, aro enabled to send it, post-paid by null!, to all who subscribe for tbo Wui:kly Timi:b, at a trillo over tho wholesale price, namol , $4, which will pay for both tho Revol ver and tho Timkh. Or, any one who will make up aclubol 16 subscribers lor the Timk-*, at $1 .< 0 each, shall receive a Revolver i^r his services. A sample cony ol tho Times, with our Illus trated List ol Premiums, and other documents, will be sent iree on application to CTMPIAttfATI TIMES CO., W«‘Nt l liird Nl., Cincinnati, Ohio. I worth $i free. Stimbon a bo., rds : “Upon all doalorH iu patent or intoxi cating bitters, brandy, fruit or other arti cles of like character, the huiu of luenty- fivo dollars for each place of business where hucIi articles aro Bold.” In tho early part of last your, petitions were received from the druggists of At lanta, Macon, Suvunnah utid Columbus, asking a suspension of tho collection of said tax until the next meeting of the General Assemb’y. Tho petitioners r- p- rcHonted that they were already taxed u-> druggists by tho Federal Government in the sum of $25, and that besides a tux on sales, they paid to the State a sp •< ific tax of $25 lor tho privilege of voudiug drugs, !nedieinoH,”»te. They oontomh d that the paragraph referred to was admit ted into tho Tax Act of 1876 through in- advf :rtence, or without duo consideration, •nd, as a consequence, frequent applica- and asked that theopportuni y o revision lions havo been addressed to the Govern- | might be givon to the Legislature, or, and other State officiala, for inform#- The petition was granted by an Execu tion au to our climate, soil, and other tive order issued Juuc 8, 1876. bly, at the present session, as said Reso lution requires. At tho last, session of the General As sembly three several ActH proposing amendments of the Constitution of this State, woe passed, and received Execu tive approval. In order that said amend ments should take effect, it iu necessary that the Acts proposing them should be passed by “t wo successive Legislatures ” If tho present General Assembly should concur with its predecessor in regard to the merit of said amendments, it will therefore bo necessary that tho action above indicated bo taken at tho present session. By an Aot of tho last General Assembly tho Governor was directed to require from the Captain, or other officer,of such com panies ns wore called out by reason of the insurrectionary movements in Wash ington and adjoining couuties, a particu lar and sworn statement of the number of men and horses employed in such ser vice, the time for which they were so em ployed, See , and to report tho same to the next General Assembly for their action. In obedioneo to tho requirement of said Act, I transmit herewith such evidence of the service referred to,as 1ms boon rocoiv- ed;aud I earnestly recommend thnt the amouut duo therefor be ascertained, and that the sum adequate for tho payment thereof be appropriated. CONDITION OF TUB STATE. Iu surrendering the high trust confided to me by tho people, 1 may bo pardoned for referring in brief terniN to some of tho results which have boon accomplish ed since my accession to office. The public credit, as indicated by the daily quotations at tho centres of trade and commerce, is equal to that of any State in the Union. Our public securities, rated at tho time I entered tho Executive office at thirty percent, discount., are now above par. I found a recognized floating debt of more than one and a quarter mil lion of dollurs. The wholo of this, amounting iu exact figures to $1,277,788.- 25,or to an average sum of over $250,000 per annum, has been entirely paid. The Stato has been relieved of a fraudulently contracted debt of $6,500,000,while there has been no addition to tho amount of tho bonded debt of tho State contracted on her own accouut. Any apparent in crease of our public debt is the result of liabilities created by railroad charters granted under former administrations. Those results have bceu accomplished without n material addition to the public burdens. Throughout the State tho stream of justice has moved with a smooth and steady flow. Tho law has been impartial- ly administered, and not a breath of sus picion has soiled tho ermine. Life, liber ty and property havo beon faithfully guarded, and not a siuglo human being, of uny color or condition, can justly com plain of oppression. Tho great and man ifest improvemeutof our condition—social educational and industrial—is due to the home-bred common Reuse, tho desire for progress and love of justice, which char acterize tho peoplo ol Georgia. I allude to it in no spirit of personal boasting,and claim no greater credit than should bo Accorded to tho humblest citizen who dis charges his duty in his appropriate vocu*- tion. I gratefully acknowledge that tho reforms referred loin this communica tion, could not have been effeoled with out tho aotivo support of patriotic citi zens and tho cordial co-operation of tho representatives of the peoplo. FEDERAL RELATIONS. Before closing this, my last annual communication to tho General Assem bly, I cannot iorbear a brief reference to tho grave circumstances which now sur round us, and seem to threaten the exist ence of tho liberties of the peoplo. Ou a giveu day, over eight millions of freemen, representing nearly forty-five millions of people, came forth from their abiding places aud quietly proceeded to the ballot box, for the purpose of choos ing their rulers for tho next four years. This gravo proceeding was characterized by thoJutmoBt good order,notwithstanding the presence, iu many places, of tho mil itary forces of tho Government, sent thither to overawe the weak uud ignorant, and to secure the election of particular candidates. Tho law pointed out the mode of selecting tho President aud Vico President of the United States. The question us to who should fill these high offices, hud been referred to tho ballot box. The true result of that reference do candid mind can doubt. Tho election was held in pursuance of tho laws of tho United States, and of the several Staten. It was peaceable and orderly, and free from intimidation and violence. Aud yet, immediately after the election, we find a few adventurers, acting under the direction of ambitious loaders at the Fed eral capital, and bucked by tho military forces of tho government, attempting, by fraud and chicane, to set uside tho eminent statesmen chosen by tho people, and to force into their places, porsoas whom ihe people, uftcr a fair trial, had refused to elect. The question arises hero: Shall the candid ites fairly and legally elected by the peoplo bo placod in office, or shall persons rejected at tho ballot box bo ele- vated to power? Shall law and order prevail, or hhull fraud and violence have iho mastery? Shall tho people of the Uni'od States choose then own rulers, or shull political choats and swindlers ho permitted to perform that vital office for thorn? Wo have appealed to the ballot box : shall Ihe result of this appeal aland, or shall it he sot aside by force and fraud? If the latter, thou our free in- Niitutions are already at an end, and con stitutional liberty on tho American con tinent has received its final Blow. Tho right of tho people to choose their own inters is tho corner stone of a free Democratic republic; and when they vol unturily abdicate this invaluable privi lege, or allow it to bo wrenched from them, they havo already obtained th own consent to become slaves. No more sucted cause can engage tho patriotic ef forts of a nation, than the firm mainten ance of the fundamental right iu all fn governments to say who shall rule ov it. This right, the people of Georgi and, I trust, of every other Slate iu our Federal Union, will never willingly aban don. No division of ttic dirty spoils of office, no promise of personal advance ment, no engagement to withhold the iron hand of power, can ever compensate the people for tho surrender of u right ut once so dear to themselves, and so vital to the v ry existence of constitutional lib erty. The people of the United States aro thus brought face to face with a most momentous responsibility. What shull lio done? What shall U)e do? Tho motto of our noble Slate furnishes tho safe guide for our own action in this solemn emergency: “Wisdom, Justice, Moder ation.” It i.i not for us lo lead, or even to suggest, but to follow. It is tho plain duty of Congress, by adhering to law and established precedent, to give effect to the clearly and legally exprebned will of the people. But if Congress should, unhap pily, fail to do this, thon it is bolioved that tho proper deteru.inati.rn | any quantity .WairiTd.Uv.red. Our .taU«- grave questions now confronting us oau, jv os. 16 a ml 17 at the .'Market House—will al- in tho last resort, bo safely loft to the i ways beHuppllod with thooholcest Beef, Mut sober judgment of the right-mined poo-» j tun » Fork, fco., to ho found in theoountry. p!c in the Northern States. If it oauuot, < ilocl-tf A O’UtttttX 0. ti. Co, Lawyers. Mark II. l)LANi>rono. Louis F. Uarbabd. lilANIII'ORO A 6AKKAK1), Allorueyn aud (ouunellor* at Law. ttclico iu tho Stato uud Fedorul Court*. 76 L T. DOWNINU, Attorney ami Nollcllor. uid itHgidtor iu liaukruptcy. 031 ce over ilrooku’ Druy atoro, Columbus, «a. apr80,*76 THON. J. < IIAITliM,, Attorney-at-Lnw and Mnitiulrttle, OUloo over 119 Broad street. mhl3,’70-ly UKBHB CRAWFORD. J. it. M’ZtUILI.. ('itAUT'oiio a McNeill, AUnrauq s and ComiHclIorN at l.uw, 128 Broad {Strkkt, Uolumhus, Ua. jaul6,’76-ly ii. K. TIIONAL Attorney ami t'ouiiNOllor-ut-Law, Offick: Over liookfltraHBor’s store, Uolumhus, Ga, [jan9,’76-lj] LIONEL V7LEVTTJH.7 Attorney mimI i'oiaiimollor Ml Lmw. Ooiniuissioner ol Deoils N. Y. and other States. office over Georgia Homo Insurance Uo. ESTATES.—Special attention to keeping ac curate uceouuts, vouchors, Uc., aud matting Watch Watchmakers. C. H. LEffUIk, Watchmaker, 134 Broad wtroot, Columbia*, Oi -•a aud Clocks repaired in tho varrautod. lyl-’75 Cun and Locksmiths. WILLIAM M IIOltl K, Beater iu I.iium nml Aiuimmitton. GUNS, LOCKS, REPAIRED. 39 Randolph Strkkt, nkau Times office. foci fltnj Tin and Coppersmiths. WJI. PEE, erker in Tin, Sheet Iron, Copfu rdoiH from abroad promptly attended to, yl-*76 No. 174. Broad 8tro»< Piano Tuninu, &e. Repair i ■ l,o be lei s FOR sale and rent. FOR RENT, EVEHAL DESIRABLE AffiL V Rcsidt-ncos and Officus. ■idBul eepld-tf T. DOWNIN’! FOR REIMT. rplIK DESIRABLE KESI I 1. DEN OK No 232 soul! I Broad street, containing eiuht f iceasary < igs, and Rood well of Tho above residence is co lithe business part of the client neighborhood. Apply at city, and in an e mis OFFICE. COOK k O’BRIEN, Butchers and Cattle Dealers. HAVE ASSOCIATED OUK- es as Butchers and General Cattle Dealers. Cattle bought and sold, and meats
