Newspaper Page Text
on account of the State College were: for salaries,,
$9,706.91; for sundry expenses, not including repairs,
$3,259.18.
The last payment for the Agricultural College Land
Scrip, amounting to $96,192.00, was received in the
month of July last. Of this sum, $96,000.00 have
been invested m the eight per cent, bonds of this State,
which have been turned over to the Trustees of the
•University. The eminent rank which the University
has assumed among the institutions of learning is a
.just cause of pride on the part of the people of Geor
gia. ' .mm•-» ■
DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.
I submit herewith the Sixteenth Annual Report of
the Trustees of the Institution for the Education of the
Deaf and Dumb. The number of pupils admitted to
the institution during the year was sixty-seven. Six
pupils completed within the year the term of six years
allowed by the State.
The sum of $13,500.00 was appropriated at the last
jssion of the General Assembly, to pay t
session of the General Assembly, to pay the officers
and teachers of the institution, and for the support and
education of the indigent pupils therein. This sum
•was found sufficient; and, m the opinion of the Trus
tees, a similar sum will meet all the wants of the in
stitution the present year. The General Assembly, at
the last session, appropriated the sum of $1,500.00 to
construct water works for the institution, and the
further sum of $1,000.00 for repairs. By a judicious
expenditure of these sums, the buildings have been
repaired and furnished, adding greatly to the comfort
of the pupils; and water works have been constructed
-of sufficient capacity to supply the institution. The
Trustees recommend that an additional term of three
years in the institution be allowed to such pupils as
may prove themselves competent, intellectually and
morally, for the same; and, also, that a department
be established for teaching articulation. They also
suggest, that the institution needs additional school
room furniture and proper systems of drainage and
ventilation. I recommend that an appropriation of
$13,500.00 be made to meet the ordinary annual ex
penses of the institution, and that such other sum be
.specially appropriated as its wants may require. -
ACADEMY FOE THE BLlftD.
; m>
Herewith is presented the report of the Board of
Trustees of the Academy for the Blind, for the year
1873, with accompanying documents. The affairs of
•the Academy have been managed with due regard to
‘economy, and its condition reflects credit upon the
officers and Trustees. The receipts during the year
were:
•A"
unexpended balance January 1,1873........
spriation for support of the Academy, 1873..
'■Special appropriation for repairs....... 3,000 00
1,115 37
11,000 00
Total receipts for 1873 $ 15,115 37.
DISBURSEMENTS IN 1873.
For support of Academy, 1873.
For repairs
$11,200 00
........ 3,000 00
Total disbursements..
. .$14,200 00
The nrumber of students in the Academy bhs increas-
«ed to a degree which will require a larger appropriation
for the support of the institution during the present
year. The principal estimates that the snip required
will be $12,000.00, which will give less than $275.00 to
•each student in attendance at the Academy. .... v ■■
"A. special appropriation of $3,000.00 is also asked for
to complete certain improvements already commenced,
.and to repair the buildings. I recommend that these
.additional appropriations be made.
LUNATIC ASYLUM;
I have tliS kbhor to submitherewiththeReport6f
the Trustees of the Lunatic Asylum. The number of
■patients in the Asylum at the date of the report was
five hundred and seventy-six. The capacity of the
institution is not sufficient to accommodate over six
hundred patients, and it is not improbable that it will
Jt>e filled the present year. . . ,
The report shows that the Asylum is in good condi-
rtimi * that its departments are well organized, and its
‘business conducted with reference to economy and
'.efficiencr. No allowances of any kina are made, to
-the officers and employees of the institution (excepting
the Superintendent and Resident Physician,) .other
than quarters and fuel to the officers residing in the
-Asylum building, and forage for one horse totheChief
Steward. Commissary stores to the extent of $1,500.00
■ Tier annum, or so much thereof as may be necessary-
tor the maintenance- of his table, are allowed to the
Superintendent. This allowance is made to thatofficer
in view of the necessity which is imposed upon him.ot
- -entertaining visitors to the Asylum, and for providing
from his own table such special diet as is found proper
for certain female patients. 'X
The salary of the Chaplain of the Asylum was fixed.
m i ift'70 <it no -rwvr an-
bv the Trustees in December, 1872, at $500.00 per an-
*** mi tknf nfflnan tn hold
num. The regulations require that officer to
religions service at the Asylum once every Sabbath
ancf once during the week, and also the usual service
attending the burial of the dead. The General Assem
bly at its last session, appropriated the sum of $250.00
to pay the salary of the Chaplain, and the Trustees
have not felt authorized to exceed the sum appropna-
,ted. They recommend that the additional sum of
tify if such person is a pauper; but he shall not be
certified a pauper unless in whole, or in part, supported
by the countv, or unless the county is bound for his
support. It £3 further provided, that if there be per
sons who by law are bound and able to support the
lunatic, the name of such persons must be given. If
the lunatio has means enough to support himself, in
part, the amount of such means mnst be stated, and
must be paid towards his support. The object of these
provisions of the law is, to protect the public from the
burden of supporting lunatics who have the means of
supporting themselves, or who ought to be supported
by private individuals. I suggest that the law be so
amended as to secure the observance by officials of
these salutary provisions.
Attention is called to the suggestion of the Board,
that no distinct provision of law exists for the discharge
of patients, who, while not in a condition to be certi
fied of sound mind, are, nevertheless, harmless, and
might, with benefit to themselves and relief to the
State, be remitted to the care of their friendB and rela
tives. In consequence of this defect in the law, the
institution is becoming’ crowded with this class of pa
tients. Some of the present inmates, who are healthy
in body and harmless in mind, have been in the Asy
lum for periods varying from ten to twenty-eight years.
I suggest that the law be so amended as to give to the*
Trustees the power to discharge, for reasons by them
deemed sufficient, any patient m the Asylum.
The reports of the Treasurer and Steward show the
receipts and disbursements during the year, ending
November 30, 1873. Duplicate vouchers of disburse
ments have been made out and placed on file in the
Executive office, as the law requires.
According to estimates submitted by the Board of
Trustees, $105,000.00 will be required for the support of
the Asylum during the present year. The expense of
each patient, on the basis of this amount, is fifty cents
per day to the State. This estimate is not excessive,
and I recommend that the amount asked for by the
Board be appropriated.
:v
penitentiary.
The Annual Report of the Principal Keeper shows,
that the total number of convicts nowin the Georgia
Penitentiary is six hundred and Bixty-four. Of these,
ninety-three are white and five hundred and seventy-
one are colored persons. There are one white and
nineteen coloreclfemales among the convicts.^
The present lease of the convicts will expire on the
first day of April next, and it will be necessary that
some action he taken at the present session of the Gen
eral Assembly, directing the future disposition to be
made of them. The State prison has been unoccupied
for several years past, and is not of sufficient capacity;
or in proper condition to accommodate and keep se
curely the present large and constantly increasing
number of convicts. If it should be determined not
to lease the convict force in the future, but to .confine
them within the walls of the State prison, steps should
at once be taken to enlarge the buildings, and make I ea rnings of the road have been derived, almost exclu-
e repairs necessary for the safe keeping of the pris- s ively, from its local business. “ " ‘
At the time the road was seized the company had
outstanding about $70,000.00 of pass bills, which had
been issued from tiipe to time for convenience in its
business transactions. These bills had gone into gen
eral circulation, but were mostly held by the patrons
and employees of the company. Any refusal to receive
these bills, I found, would involve inconvenience and
loss to the State. Many of the patrons of \he road who
held these bills notified me, that they would withdraw
their patronage unless the bills were received for pas
senger fare and for freight. Many of the employees
and laborers, also, who had received bills for tervices,
threatened to abandon the road unless the bins were
redeemed. Inquiry into the business of the road sat
isfied me, that its earnings for some time to come would
not be much in excess of its current expenses, and
therefore that the State could not lose largely by
receiving the hills in the business transactions of the
road. The public interest required that the road
should be operated so as not to involve the necessity
of defraying its expenses out of the public treasury.
Believing that, to make the road self-sustaining, it
would be necessary to take the bills, I directed the
Receiver not to refuse to accept them for freight and
passenger earnings; and that the bills, when, thus
received, should be cancelled, and held by him as
vouchers, to be used in the settlement of his account
with the State.
After taking possession of the road I determined
that it would not be proper for me then to exercise the
authority vested in me, to dispose of it by sale. I had
reason to hope, that the company would be able to inake
an arrangement to relieve the State and resume posses
sion of the property. Acting upon this impression, I
made as little change as possible in the practical .man
agement of the road. There has been little reduction in
the working force on the road,- and the track and other
property have been kept in good condition. On account
of tne recent financial troubles in the country, the com
pany report to me, that they will not be able to make
any arrangement for the relief of the State. In conse
quence of this, it will become necessary for the General
Assembly to make provision, at the present session, for
the payment of interest upon the company’s bonds for
which the State is liable. : ■
It is claimed that the amount of these bonds
$2,550,000.00. Of this amount $600,000.00 were in
dorsed under the act approved October 27,1870. There
is a doubt in the public mind as to the validity of the
last mentioned indorsements. Information in my pos
session induces me to believe that a large amount of the
bonds bearing this indorsement has never been legally
negotiated by the company. The bonds which nave
not been so negotiatea are still the property of the
company, and under the order of seizure ought to be
surrendered to the Receiver. No payment of the prin
cipal br interest of these’bonds should be made, until
the Legislature is folly satisfied that the public faith is
pledged tlierefor.
The net earnings of the road since its seizure, as
renorted by the Receiver, amount to $27,991:69. The
. • _£• i.b ' /> Art J nlm/rcif .
the
oners.
From the year 1817; when the Penitentiary went into
operation, down to 1867, a period of fifty years, the
average number of convicts within its walls was forty-
two. The average annual appropriation, for the sup
port and safe-keeping of the prisoners, during tne
• same period, was $9,210.00, qr $219.00 for each one per
annum. From this statement, it would seem impos
sible, if the convicts are kept and employed within
prison walls by the State, to make the Penitentiary
system self-sustaining. TO appreciate folly the just
ness of this conclusion, it should be remembered, in
this connection, that during the period just mentioned
all the convicts were white persons; and for that rea
son probably more capable of learning the in:
which it has been found practicable to employ convict
labor. Of che convicts now in the Penitentiary, more
tbnn five to one are colored persons; most, if not all,
of whom, by reason of their ignorance and former
habits of life, can never be profitably employed in any
of the mechanical arts. And when it is borne in mind,
that for some years to come the number of convicts
will probably be increased, rather than diminished,
the disposition best to be made of the Penitentiary be
comes a question of the gravest importance.
If the General Assembly, in its wisdom, should
determine, that it would be for the public interest to
again farm out the convicts, I would suggest, that
authority be given to lease for a longer term than two
years. The profitable employment of so large a force
would necessarily involve a heavy outlay on the. part
of contractors, and it might be found difficult, if not
impossible, to lease the convicts for a period less than
five years, upon terms which would save the State from
^Respectfully invite the attention of the General
Assembly to the report of the Principal Keeper here
with submitted. It contains a succinct history of the
This
the fact, that it has not been practicable to. make any
satisfactory arrangement for through freights with
connecting roads. The Receiver estimates that the net
earnings of the road the present year will probably
amount to $60,000.00.
STATE AID TO RAILROADS.
$250.00 be paid to the Chaplain for his last year’s ser
vice, and that his salary be fixed at $500.00 per an
num, or be left to the discretion of the Board of Trus
tees, *as in the case of other subordinate officers. •
I respectfully call the attention of the General As-
- sembly to the fact, that the practice of furnishing in-
toxicating liquors, without proper authority, to pa
tients ana employees at the Asylum, is springing up
and threatening to become detrimental to -the interests
of the institution. For the suppression of this evil, I
id, that the sale of spirituous and malt liquors
within one mile of the Asylum be prohibited by law,
and that it be made penal to famish such liquors to
any patient at the institution, unless prescribed by
the proper medical office!. ■
The report of the Trustees discloses the fact, that m
many instances there has not been a strict compliance
with the law regulating the admission of pauper
-patients into the Asylum. The law does not provide
for the admission of paupers who are not residents of
this State. When a person has been convicted ofji
a malady requiring him to be committed to the Asylum,
it is the duty of the court presiding at the trial, to cer-
The history of this company illustrates the impolicy
of ’granting the aid of the State to works of internal
improvement. The road was commenced under very I
favorable auspices, and it was claimed that it possessed
advantages which would render it self-sustaining. In
less than eight years after the aid was given, however,
the company has become unable to meet the interest
upon its bonds, and a practical addition of several
millions of dollars to the public debt is the result.
There are numerous charters upon our statute book,
containing provisions for the grant of State aid to rail
road companies. In some instances these companies
have not organized, so as to claim their chartered priv
ileges. In other instances organizations have taken
place, but no work has been done. Some, and per
haps all, of these enterprises would, if completed, be
useful to the public; but it may be confidently asserted,
that no one of them possesses merit sufficient to warrant
its construction at the public expense. It will hardly
the comparatively easy conditions prescribed, in these
charters, to add countless millions to our public debt.
I therefore recommend the passage of a measure re
pealing the aid feature in every charter in the State,
where the same has not actually become a vested right
in the company claiming it. ; ;•!
NORTH & SOUTH RAILROAD COMPANY.
the institution.
MACON & BRUNSWICK RAILROAD COMPANY.
I was informed on the second day of July last, by
certain holders of the bonds of the Macon & Bruns
wick Railroad Company, which had been indorsed by
the State, under the act approved December 3, 1866,
that they had presented the interest coupons of their
bonds to the company for payment, and that payment
thereof had been refused. Accompanying this informa
tion were notices, showing that the coupons had been
protested for non-payment on the first day 01 July,
1873-
By the second section of the act under wMch the
bonds were indorsed, it is made the duty of the Gov
ernor, in the event that any interest upon the bonds so
indorsed shall not be paid when due, to seize and take
possession of all the property of the company, and
apply the earnings of the road to the extinguishment
of the bond or bonds or coupons, and to sell the road
and other property belonging to the company, misuch
manner and at such time as in his judgment mav best
subserve the interest of all concerned. Under the an-
thority thus given, I issaed an order, Jalv 2.1873,
Calun—Tclatae II. No. 80,
The receipts thi» week are 160,00^ balesA
25.000 more than last year, and 87,000 more
than two years since.
It iB likely the receipts for next week wDl
be about 170,000 bales, compared with 134,-
000 last year, and 190,000 the year bjfore;
an<^ the receipts at tilth interior towns 40,000
bales, compared .with 26,030 last year, and
28.000 the year before. -
The thermometer has averaged 43 degrees
at noon. Clear and eeol two days; cloudy,
cool and misting rain two days, and clear and
cold three daya. A slow,misty rain tell for 8$
hours. Quantity- of rain for the week, one
inch. - v>‘ tofeifaf I
On yesterday, the 16tb, quite cold,; ther
mometer 18 degrees at 7 a.m., and 27 degrees
at noon. Next week, last year, the thermom
eter was 35 degrees at noon; cloudy am l rain
ing four days, and clear and cold three days.
One day, the 19th, was the coldest day
years; thermometerstanding at 8 degrees at
7 A. if., and 16 degrees at noon.
RECEIPTS.
There was an error in the figures
estimate of receipts for this week,
should have been 150,000 bales, an
120,000, as printed. ,Receipts, ship
and stock, at this point, for thisseasoi
last, to date:
;, ' ; /. 1874
Receipts to date 44,750
Shipments. 43.950
Stock on hind 3,500
The daily receipts for next week,
past four years, are as follows:
cf
our
They
1 not
iijnents
and
1873
31.750
80,650
1.100
for the
1870
.1871
1873
187S
Saturday
9 559
19.505
17.477
15,3 It
Monday
35,484
27,781
24.301
Taeaday
...i.U.S0T
8S,2iO
16.344
33,SOS
Wednesday....
27 491
16.711
18.418
Thursday.....
....13,115
i4 713
33,778
39.65S
Friday...... ..
35 "60
28.518
18,173
SL67S
Various
..... 5»
1.304
730
1,301
103,441
. 150,303
119.894
; 133,778
The receipts this week are 10,000 . bales
more than our estimate. Two weeks-since
we estimated the receipts for four w<J
January at 600,000, but now they
640,000 bales, compared with 520,0
time last year. The total receipts
are 340,000 more than last year. I
this to last year’s a op and we have j
crop of 4270,000 bales ; even if there
be no increase from this time on, i
our estimate is that there will bo an i
in the next two weeks over last year of 75,-
000 bales. Some of our reasons for <
cting
these large receipts are the quantity of cotton
id on
In December, 1872, the North & South Railroad
Company reported that the first section of twenty
miles of its road had been completed, as required by
its charter. T caused a thorough examination of the
work, and of the affairs of the company to be made,
by commissioners appointed for that purpose, and by
a civil engineer. I also caused reports to be made fry
the President and Directors of the company, showing
the amount which had been invested in the road by
private persons; and having become satisfied that the
company, under its charter, was entitled thereto, I
placed the indorsement of the State upon its bonds, to
the extent of twelve thousand dollars per mile for the
twenty miles completed as aforesaid!
The length of tne main line of the road between the
termini, is one hundred and thirty miles. The length
of road completed, twenty miles. The length of ad
ditional road graded, is forty miles. The sum reported
as invested in the company is $680,196.73. Of this, the
sum of $420,146.92 has been applied to the section of
twenty miles already completed. In this amount are
included the expenses of survey, location and equip
ment. m
CONCLUSION.
the road, its earnings and the other property of the
company might be held and disposed of in accordance
with the provisions of the aforesaid act. Acting under
this order, George H. Hazlehurst, the Receiver, took
possession of the road and other property of the com-
* ■ n it-jii? aa Qtofn This prompt action w&s
pany, in behalf of the State. This,prompt action was
deemed necessary for the protection of the public inter
est I was apprehensive, that any delay on my part
would be taken advantage of by creditors to place the
company , in , banlmiptcy—in winch eveirt the Public
interest would unquestionably have suffered serious
injury.
•The year just ended has been one of disaster to the
Tpatprin.1 welfare of a large portion of onr people. As
these disasters could not be prevented, so they cannot
be cured by simple legislation. The remedy for many
of the evils of the times lies within ourselves. As far,
however, as appropriate legislation can avail, I desire
to say, it will be my agreeable duty to co-operate v
the General Assembly in all proper efforts to ametioi
the condition of' onr ■ common. constituents. It is onr
highest duty, as it will doubtless be our chiefest pleas-,
ure, to do all we can to promote the general welfare,
advance the public credit, enforce the laws, and protect
and defend the rights and liberties of the people.
/>*-«***.uJakes M. Smith.
. still remaining in tho interior towns
plantations.
The receipts in this city last year
weeks after Christmas were only 3 1
whilst this year they, were 2,500 ball
many of the upper cotton-growing
of this State 70 per cent of the cr
been shipped, and the quantity still
more than the total crop of last year.
Notwithstanding; the destruction >f the
crop in Southwestern : Georgia by storm and
caterpillars, there is sfill more cotton on the
plantations than .this time last year. ' fhe re
ceipts: at the interior towns this week ai -e fully
. 50 pit cent more than last week, or la styear
same time. Thereis probably 56 per cent, of
this crop already marketed.
V.’rar • ' u»W tore.
The market this'week has been irregular.
The very small receipts on Saturday, the rise
in gold and the active market in Liverpool,
causing an advance the firot half of the
week, but the increase of the receipts and
lower gold caused the market to close
dull and weak at same prices as j on last
Friday. Bales of spot cotton 11,350 bales.
Contracts have been generally active and
weak; sales 110,000 bales at a decline of i a
cent for the week. L • •
Bf*T' ' LIVERPOOL.
The market was active, with large sales,
the; first of the week, closing dull, with an
advance in the prloe of spots of l-4 : a oent,
and-a decline ip futures of one-fourth of a
cent The causes were small receipts the
first, of the week, and large ones the lut of
the week.
I . •.•.*; .• SOLD.
Many persons who are buying cotton now
expect a rise in gold to help them out. In
this they will be mistaken. It is not at all
likely the price will go above 112} until
spring, after which time we expect it to rise
above 115. . 3
jpork.
This article has risen, and many persons
are baying with the expectation of a still
further rise. .We think it Is much more
likely to fall than to rise for two months to
come. - '■
| COFFEE.
This article is ve*y high, but will go still
higher, and we would suggest to all small
dealers to buy all they will need for retailing
for si* months to come.
BICE.
This article will rise also, and all retail
dealers will do well to lay in a good supply,
as we expect a rise of at least 25 per cent,
within a few months.
price.
We have often stated in these papers, that
the price of cotton has gone down every year
in February for the' past four years; and we
cannot see any good reason why it should
not follow the same course this year. The
crop will turn out to be a very
luge one; probably over 4J350.000
■bales; and by the end of February it is likely
there will be no one who will estimate it be
low four millions. The excess of American
cotton in sight, according to our tables, la
425 000 bales more than last year same time.
Several weeks since we wrote that cotton
would seil here for 15 cents by the end of
January, and this week several lots have
sold for that price. Now we think the
Is at the top for the pres
ent, and do not expect the price
to be 15 cents again before the first day of
April, and perhaps not then. If the receipts
are aa large, for two months to come, as we
expect them to be, it is likely what is called
g <od cotton will sell here for 12} to 18 cents
within that time. New York may decline to
.1512 for middlings, and Liverpool to 7 2-4
pence for uplands. To onr Thomas ton
friend we say, we have not the time to
answer the numerous letters we receive.
These articles are written for the public gen
erally, and if any persons do well by follow
ing the suggestions thrown oat, from time to
time, we ate gratified at their success.
PROSPECTS.
If we were holding cottop now, either
spots nr futons, we should sell out at once
as we see no hopes of a rise in the^iice, and
jhink a decline, under all the circnmsti
almost a certainty. April or May con
will most likely make a profit of one cent
pound if sold n«>w. *nd bought in the Iasi
February or first of March,
C
' '
I '