Newspaper Page Text
Weekly Constitution.
TUESDAY, JUKE 30,1874
The Custom House.
Bcnator Gordon is entitled to great
credit for pushing the Custom House hill
through the Senate. It passed the House
on Friday. At the morning session of
Saturday it was reported favorably in the
Senate by 3Ir. Morrill, of Vermont, chair-
?** man of the Committee on Public Build
ings and Grounds, and placed on the cal
endar. It could not be reached in its
regular order, but the report was neces
sary. When the Sundry Civil Appropri
ation bill was taken up, Gen. Gordon
offered the custom house item as an
amendment, and it was agreed to. Oth
er Senators offered amendments for simi
lar purposes, but they were ruled out on
points of order because they involved
new legislation, or were not recommended
by the committee. The Sundry Civil
Appropriation bill was sent to a Confer
ence Committee on Monday, and when
the committee’s report was adopted yes
terday, the appropriation of $230,000 for
a custom house in Atlanta was out of all
danger. We know of no one that will
weep dver the result, unless it be the edi
tor of the Savannah Advertiser. And
even he should not, for the “enormous
jutlay” against which he vigorously pro
tested, has been cut down, in accordance
with his eminently patriotic observations,
one hundred thousand dollars. He
knocked vs right out of that amount, but
we shall not despair. Another Congress
nay be more generous.
Mr. Mullett proposes to commence
work on the new building next month,
uid push it to an early completion.
This enterprise, together with the con
struction of the water works, will give
employment to a small army of men, who
Jwill in turn help every branch of trade in
the city. And right here is a good place
to suggest to the men who will find
wofitablc employment on the new public
milding, be they white or black, that as
hey go home after pay-day to tlieir little
mes, they need not waste any thanks on
ifr. Freeman, who represents this dis-
rict in Congress. For he not only did
lot engineer the passage of the custom
louse bill, but he was not not in Wash-
ngton to even vote for it when it came
ip through the skill and energy of other
nen. He was at home attending to per-
i onal business. Would it not be well to
, [ivehim a leave of absence from all con-
i regional duties, and let him devote liis
< ntire time to private affairs ?
The New Bankrupt Act.
The amendments of the last session in-
i Litute many important aud wholesome
• changes. Under their provisions an in-
i oluntary bankrupt gets a complete dis
tal < harge, if innocent of fraud, no matter
i rhat per cent, he pays; but the voluntary
lankrupt must pay at least -thirty per
t mt; and one-fourth of the entire num-
1 er of his creditors, representing one-
third, of the amount of his debts, must
join, in the petition. The new law ap-
paiesto all cases commenced since Decem
ber 1, in which the debts secured by the
spit shall be paid, or in which a majority
of the creditors shall ask for a discon
tinuance. It provides for a reduc
tion of the fees and expenses
of bankruptcy proceedings until the
Supreme Court shall establish s
permanent reduction and simplification.
Tjhe amended measure will have a ten
djency to abolish the evils of the prior
law. That indiscriminate rush of dishon
est debtors into voluntary bankruptcy
for the purpose of defrauding their cred
itors will be pretty effectually checked by
the discrimination against all voluntary
bankrupts; and the clause that extends
the days of default in the payment of
commercial paper to forty instead of
fourteen, will lessen the liability of busi
ness men being thrown into bankruptcy
against their will and best interests. The
whole law as it now stands is certainly a
reasonable and equitable means of set
tling up the affairs of insolvent debtors—
perhaps the best that our statute books
have ever known. The amendments
sweep away the abuses that Tendered the
otherwise useful act unpopular, and that
led to a general demand for its repeal.
Let us give the present Congress credit
for all the good it actuajly accomplished.
The Georgia Press Reunion.
The good results of the social gathering
of the Georgia Press in Atlanta are not
easily estimated. There were first and
last in the party forty-odd editors and
proprietors of newspapers, including be
sides those of our Atlanta dailies, the
Griffin and Rome dailies. Our brethren
of the Augusta Chronicle, Macon Tele
graph, and Columbus Enquirer, wrote us
ltinil letters explaining their inability to
attend, by reason of absent editors. But
the great weekly press of Georgia, than
which no Southern State can boast a
superior, were here in their strength, a
large majority being present.
The entente cordiale of the press will
_ r be greatly enhanced; and journalism is
ever ennobled by a social commingling of
views.
Perhaps there was never a similar gath
ering so marked in several particulars.
There was not the slightest manifestation
~T<jf intemperance nor an oath heard, nor a
solitary speech at the banquet or on the
excursion that would have offended a-
lady’s ear. ; | - - 1
The ^Comptroller General is sendin
out" to "each Tax Receiver a land map,
with each lot of land, district and sec
tion plainly marked as a guide in taking
land returns for taxation. Receivers by
the aid of this map can tell when all the
lands in their counties are returned.
A Moderate Measure.
The currency bill is in the hands of the
President, and the quidnuncs unani
mously think it will receive his signature.
It provides for no positive increase of
circulation, and makes no changes in di
rect opposition to the President's recently
declared views. There are also strong
political reasons to induce a presidential
approval of this last product of the per
plexed congressional mind; and we be
lieve it may, therefore, be accepted as a
fact. Its provisions are at least interest
ing
The bill fixes the circulation of green
backs at $382,000,000, thus legalizing the
previous illegal issue of $2G,G00,OOO. And
this maximum amount Is always to be in
circulation, and no part of it is to be kept
in reserve to be shut in or thrown out at
the will of the Secretary of the Treasury.
It releases the reserve required to be
held on account of circulation. The
average amount of such reserve at pres
ent required is estimated at $30,000,000;
but as the National banks held, on the
first of May last, an excess of cash re
serve on deposits and circulation of $48,-
000,000, they will be likely to still retain
an excess, so that the total amount of
reserve released by the bill will probably
not exceed $15,000,000. These two
items embrace all the general relief that
the bill affords.
Some local relief may be expected
from the provisions that provide for a
redistribution of $55,000,000 of bank cir
culation. New England holds $80,000,-
000 of circulation more than her wealth
and population justify. Of the amount
to be withdrawn, $2,000,000 will come
from banks in New York, $6,000,000
from banks in Baltimore, and the balance
from New England. As an offset for
these losses the banks of the East must
accept the repeal of the reserves on what
they retain. The bill provides for the
assorting and return to the Treasury for
redemption of the notes of all banks
in liquidation, aud which have
closed business. These amount to about
$5,000,000, and it is estimated that an ad-
diton of not exceeding $12,000,000 from
the New England States will supply all
applications from the South and West
during the present year.
The bill abolishes the present system of
redemption agencies in the redemption
cities, and requires every bank to keep
on deposit in the Treasury five per cent,
of its circulation to be used for the re
demption of its notes when presented in
sums of $1,000 or multiples thereof.
Hereafter the redemption of bank notes
in sums less than $1,000 can only take
place at the counter of the bank.
Mr. Thurman and other hard money
men voted for the bill on the ground that
it would give some relief without actu
ally inflating the currency. It will at
least put an end to the period 1 of uncer
tainty that has injuriously affected busL
ness for the last six months. The coin
try now knows, or soon will know, what
to rely on. And this, perhaps, is the
greatest gain contained in the measure
that awaits the President’s signature.
Military Matters.
Executive Orders were yesterday issued
for the election of officers of the follow
ing named companies: Bainbridge Troup;
Valdosta Artillery; Troup artillery, at
Athens; Oglethorpe Cavalry, at Winter-
ville, Clarke county; and a cavalry com
pany at "Ward’s Station, Randolph
county.
The following were commissioned:
Atlanta Artillery—Captain, Wilbur F.
Johnson; 1st Lieutenants, Wm. A Hemp
hill, W. W. Compton; 2d Lieutenants,
T. B. Camp, Louis de Saulles.
Mountain City Guards (Rome)—Cap
tain, N. J. Bayard; 1st LieutenantH. M.
Smith; 2d Lieutenants, R. B. Wright,
J. Dinklo.
Oconee Rifles (Watkinsville)—Captain,
John W. Johnson; 1st Lieutenants, Robt.
B. Harris; 2d Lieutenants, Henry C.
Durham, Alexander W. Ashford.
Butler Light Infantry (colored) (Quit-
man)—Captain, Frank Fluker; 1st Lieu
tenant, Primus Davis; 2d Lieutenants,
Monroe Spradley, Anthony Lewis.
A. D. Stevens was recently promoted
from 1st Lieutenant of the Ft Gaines
Guards to the adjutancy of the Pataula
Battalion.
An infantry company is ready for or
ganization at Fairbum, Campbell county.
Still Another Tax Defaulter.
The Comptroller General yesterday
notified the Governor that Evan Parker,
Tax Collector of Johnson county, ap
peared in default upon the books of his
office in the sum of $1,570 95, as follows:
Amount of tax for 1871 $1,934 16
Credited by payments, etc 1,771 02
Amount unpaid 163 14
Amount of tax for 1872 1,971 37
Credited by payments, etc... 1,427 42
Amount unpaid 543 95
Amount of tax for 1873 $2,414 18
Credits by payments, etc 1,550 32
Amount unpaid 863 86
The Governor at once vacated his com
mission, and the Ordinary will appoint
some qualified person to act as Tax Col
lector until an election can be had, after
twenty days’ notice. Legal proceedings
will be promptly instituted to recover the
defalcations. The Comptroller has id-
ready issued executions.
An aggravated feature of the case is,
that the sureties of Parker are those two
worthy citizens, Lott and Henry Walker,
aged respectively seventy-two and seven
ty-four years. Much sympathy is ex
pressed for them in the neighborhobd. It
i« a hard case of “misplaced confidence.”
WITCHES AT THE STAKE.
Official Acconnt of the Recent Mur-
derous Outbreak of Supersti
tion in Sinalao, Mexico.
(City of Mexico Letter, May 22, to X. Y.
Tribune.)
Wierus, the celebrated demonographer j
of the sixteenth century, in his “Pscu-
domonarchia Daemonum,” gave no place
in his 1 organization of the Court of Hell
to ambassadors from North America or
Mexico. England had liers, called Mam-
mon^JKussia hers, Bimmon; Italy hers,
Rutgin; France hers, Belphigor, &cV;
hut for the new republics of the North
American continent none were assigned.
Whether because they were new in the
category of peoples, or because he was
disposed to consider us generously and
kindly, does not appear. Had he lived
during the last or the present century he
might have been less lenient. Did Para
celsus really mean it, when he said : “the
air is not so full of flies in the summer as
it is at all times of invisible devils.” Was
it so when, during the reign of Francis I,
more than 100,000 witches were put to
death; or during the last century, when,
in the Commonwealth of New England,
in a single year twenty were executed
through the instigation of Cotton Mather
and lus reverend associates ? Is Mexico
to-day any better or any worse off ? The
reader can judge. The example set by
the distinguished lights at Salem, Moss.,
has its followers in Mexico, although the
difference in the results may become
marked. Cotton Mather was not exe
cuted for his persecution of the old
women and children witches, while his
imitators in Mexico are likely to suffer
the penalties of the laws of this country
imposed upon murder.
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE PUNISHMENT.
The following translations of the offi
cial communications to their superiors
from the officials of the Mexican village
of Concordia, State of Sinalao, will cer
tainly astonish the reading public of this
day and age, as they are the government
narrations of the arrest and burning of
two unfortunate creatures accused of be
ing witches. It is but just to say that the
educated people of this country are hor
rified at the occurrence, and that the
State and Federal authorities have ar
rested the guilty parties, and are now
trying them for the crime of murder.
How fortunate for Cotton Mather and liis
fanatical companions that they did not
live to-day, and in Mexico:
ORDER FOR ARREST.
Superior Court of Jacobo:
I inform your prefecture that this after
noon I ordered to he arrested as witches
Joseph N. Bonilla and Diego Lugo, who
for six months past have bewitched Sil
vester Zacarias.
Yesterday the citizen Martin Porris,
in order to drive the devil outjof his body,
g ave to the bewitched three drinks of
oly water. The undersigned, in union
with the people of this place, feeling in
dignant against the witches, lias been or
dered that they should be arrested and
burned alive, which execution will take
place at ten o’clock to night.
Independence and liberty!
Ignacif Castillo.
Jacobo, April 4, 1874.
RETORT OF THE EXECUTION.
St. John of Jacobo, April 10,1874
On the morning of the 7th of this
month the witches, Diego Lugo and liis
son G. Porras, were executed in the pub
lic square of this place, having failed to
cure the bewitched Silvester Zacarias, as
they had compromised themselves to do.
They were to have been executed ion
the night of the Gtb. The execution was
ordered at ten o’clock at night, the
witches being placed in the center of the,
bonfire and a square being formed of sixty
men, armed with Mexican knives. The
place itself was then encircled, when it
was ordered that the persons who had at
different times assisted the witches should
light the fire, which was done immedi
ately.
Soon after the fire had commenced to
blaze the witches cried out, “3Ir. Judge,
put out the fire and we will give up our
idols.” An order was given and imme
diately carried out to extinguish the fire
and loosen the witches; whereupon the
multitude present commissioned Mr.
Damian Lerma to proceed with the
witches to their house and receive the
idols which they offered to give up,
which was done, the latter handing over
a little pouch-shaped loadstone and the
stones from the sea, enveloped in cotton
and paper, which were deposited in the
court. At the same time the witches de
nounced as accomplices Joseph 3L Men
doza, Francisco Mendoza and their
father, Rafael Mendoza. The people,
indignant at such acts, asked that the
execution of the witches and the burn
ing of the idols they had presented
should he earned out, which was done
as I have already announced.
CONDUCT OF THE CONDEMNED.
In the moment of his burning the witch
Geronimo Porras told liis mother to give
up the other three idols, shaped like mon
keys, which she had. Diego would not
give them up, but looked frowningly up
on her son for having done this. He then
denounced the daughter, Dionista, calling
upon her to give up the idols, hut she re
fused.
The witch, Joseph N. Bonilla, was
held in order that he might cure the be
witched Sylvester Zacarias, he having of
fered to bring medicines to cure such
evils.
I send the burned idols to your gefa-
tura (office) for your examination. In
regard to the cure of the bewitched I
will advise you in due time. The case
was a very sad one, 31. Prefect, but nec
essary in order to restrain the evils which
arc being committed from time to time;
for notwithstanding the execution, I
learned yesterday that the accused,
Joseph M. 3Iendoza, said that “sooner or
later we would pay for all this.” So you
see, M. Prefect, the scoffing of such per
sons; but in the meantime I have taken
my precautions.
The accused Meudozas fled from fear.
Why have they fled, if not on account of
tlieir evil doings? Because the rope
which is clean does not need any soap.
This is the manner in which I have
passed the morning mentioned, and of
which I have placed you in knowledge.
Independence and liberty, April 10, *74.
J. 3Ioreno.
To the Citizen Prefect of the District of
Concordia.
As already stated, the superior author
ities have arrested, and are now trying,
these murderous fanatics.
A COLLISION.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Two Men Killed.
"Albany, June 22.—An accident oc
curred on the New York Central Rail
road, near St Johnsville, New York,
about three o’clock yesterday morning,
caused by the collision of two freight
trains. Two men were killed outright
and several injured.
The 43d Congress-Cheap Transpor
tation—Muzzling the
Press, etc.
Washington, June 18, 1874.
The first session of the 43d Congress
has been distinguished chiefly for failing
to do that which it promised. It opened
with loud professions, and is about to
close without putting them into practice.
Assembling soon after the financial panic
of last autumn, when business was pros
trate throughout the country, and the
finances unsettled, the people naturally
looked to it for some measure of relief.
This we were assured was to be bad
at once. Leading Senators opposed
the usual holiday recess because of
the immediate necessity for financial
legislation. But the recess was taken,
nevertheless, and the speeches of
these Senators furnish curious reading
now, in view of the fact, that me prom
ised legislation is not yet accomplished,
and with strong indications that nothing
will he done on this question. It is a
time worn saying that “doctors differ.”
But differ the doctors ever so widely, they
they can not differ more widely than do
our Senators and Representatives with
each other, and with themselves, for some
of them arc recorded on all sides of the
financial problem. “Sunset” Cox says that
poor 3Iellisli made financial speeches
until he lost liis reason, while Senator
Logan was without reason at the outset
and continues to make financial speeches.
I'am afraid most of the 31. C’s are in one
of these categories or the other. those
who have struck “hard hard pan” on this
question, the Pacific coast furnishes
the most notable examples, and the
speeches of Senators Jones and Sargent
have won wide commendation. Another
great question Congress had to grapple
with was that of
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
We were told, early in the session, of
the tremendous pressure tlic granges had
brought to bear with a view to breaking
down the railroad monopolies and se
curing cheap freight for their crops. It
would be impossible for Congress to with
stand this pressure, we were further as
sured, particularly as so many members
would be seeking re-election this fall, and
the granges have become a power in the
land. There was a show of doing some
thing at first—of doing a good deal," in fact,
A special Senate Committee on Cheap
Transportation had been for many
months personally inspecting the great
water lines, and its long-looked for report
was assumed to be big with promise.
The advocates of each particular canal
scheme were sure it would prove friendly
to tlieir interests, and it was finally be
lieved that all the routes would be re
ported on favorably, and work begin at
once. When the report did appear it
was something of a disappointment, but
a greater disappointment was in store.
The committee decided to simply ask this
session for surveys of the various routes,
and offered resolutions for that purpose,
which, after various ups and downs
in the Senate, were finally adopted.
Truly the cheap transportation moun
tain, after much labor, has only suc
ceeded in bringing forth a poor little
mouse. 3Iost of these routes have al
ready been surveyed, and little more can
be learned concerning them. It was
necessary to make a' pretence of doing
something, .however, and so these sur
veys haVe been ordered by the Senate.
The House has yet to act in the matter,
and it is by no means certain it will do
so this session. So far as opening the
great water routes is concerned the
grangers have been offered the shadow
and not the substance.
THE RAILROAD MONOPOLIES
seemed doomed at one time to swift de
struction. The House attacked them
fiercely. In speech after speech, printed
in the Record, they were held up to pub
lic execration. When all tbe members
who are seeking re-election, and who de
sire to court the favor of the grangers,
had had their say—had “placed them
selves right on the record”—the House
passed 31cCrary’s bill vesting the control
of all the railroads of the country in the
hands of a commission, of whom it was
epigrammatically said that if the bill be
came a law the commissioners would
soon own tlic railroads, or the railroads
own the commissioners. The hill went
to the Senate, and was there set upon and
squelched. It is hinted that those who
were, apparently, its warmest friends in
the House, turned traitor and helped to
crush it in a Senate committee room.
DEMAGOGUERY.
But then the “records” of these pa
triots are alT right. When they go upon
the stump in the coining months they can
hold up and read to the assembled
grangers the thundering speeches they
had made in opposition to railroad mon
opolies. They can show where they
voted for Mcdraiy’s bill. Of their subse
quent proceedings there is no record.
The average constituent is lamentably
ignorant of the trials of legislation, and
the average Congressmen is well aware
of and takes full advantage of the fact.
On some Saturday, when there is a
session “ for debate only,” with
perhaps a dozen members present,
Smith Brownjones gets “permission
to print a speech in advocacy of a, pro
tective tariff on goobers, the chief product
of his district. This speech he has
printed in pamphlet form, and circulated
broadcast among his constituents. It is
his passport to re-election. His constitu
ents do not know that the speech was
never delivered, that not one in Washing
ton read it save its author, and that he
had intimated to the Ways and 3Ieans
Committee that he was not at all in ear
nest about the matter. They swallow the
speech and its author at one gulp, and
keep on sending Brownjones to Congress
until he, in a continuous fit of absent-
mindedness, forgets to return liis back
pay or neglects the goober interest, and
then his doom is sealed.
THE SALARY GRAB.
Congress has done one tiling this ses
sion of which the country approves, and
that is the repeal of the salary grab.
True, this was unwillingly and reluctant
ly done, and would never have been done
at all, but for the daily admonitions of
the press. Still the act must be placed to
the credit of the first session of the 43d
Congress. This lias been a bad season
for jobs, too, although it Is by no means
certain that the body will not have its
triumphs in the closing hours of the ses
sion when all is confusion and it is
difficult to scan measures closely.
But so far the lobby has been
thwarted at every step, and the
watch dogs of the Treasuiy have been
unusually vigilant. For this, too, Con
gress deserves credit. Perhaps if it were
not for the coming elections and the
watchfulness of the newspapers, we
might have a different story to tell, hut
that need make us none the less thankful
that the usual raids on the Treasury have
been defeated.
MUZZLING THE TRESS.
There are few members of the present
Congress who have any love to spare for
the press. 1 Few are as bold and out
spoken as Ben Butler, hut there are not
many who would not gladly avail them
selves of any opportunity to get even
with the newspapers that forced them to
relinquish their hack pay and deprived
them of other perquisites. In the Sen
ate 3Ir. Conkling, and liis man
Friday, Mr. Carpenter, have made th«m-
selves conspicuous by tlieir hostility to
newspaper men. This hostility dates
back to the time when the New York
Tribune correspondents were locked up
for securing a copy of the AVasliington
treaty, and the fruitless attempt to send
them to jail; and it was aggravated by the
expose of Carpenter’s doings at Long
Branch last summer. At the commence
ment of the present session the control of
the reporters’ gallery was taken from the
Vice-President and vested in the Commit
tee on Revision of the Rules, of which
Ferry, of 3Iiehigan, is chairman. The
intention was to have each correspondent
file at tlic capitol a copy of his paper,
and then u" lie presinned to criticise
Senators he could be expelled. That
part of tlic programme was not carried
out. however. "Then came the statement
of Carpenter with regard to stationeiy
furnished the reporters’ gallery, but
which was used, not by correspondents,
but by the doorkeepers and bummers.
This failed to destroy the independence
of the press, and so Carpenter aud Conk
ling put tlieir heads together and con
cocted a bill which will enable them to
hold tlic rod over the "Washington cor
respondents. This bill they lobbied
through the Senate in the most shameless
manner, and Butler will endeavor to se
cure, its passage by the House. Without
pretending to" be anything of a prophet
the prediction is ventured that the press
will not come off second best in this con
test. Thomas Havck.
THE CURRENCY.
The Southern and AVestern States to
Get More Money—Applications
for New Banks Invited.
Washington, June 22.—The Comp
troller of the Currency is prepared to re
ceive applications for the organization of
National Banks in all the Westem and
Southern States. Applications may be
made by letter, giving the names ot not
less than five shareholders of the proposed
organization, which should be accompa
nied with the endorsement of the
Senator or the Representative of
the Congressional district where the
hank is to he located, giving
satisfactory information in reference to
the character and means of the applica
tions, when they will be considered im
mediately upon their receipt, and if ap
proved the necessary forms for’the or
ganization of the new banks will he at
once transmitted tinder the new appor
tionment, All the AVestera and Southern
States, with the exception of Colorado,
3fontana and AVyomiug, will be entitled
to additional circulation. The State of
Indiana will be entitled to about $2,800,-
000; Ohio to about $0,000,000; Minnesota
to about $6,000,000; Nebraska to about
$3,000,000. Tlic other AVestem and
Southern States will be entitled to much
larger amounts. The following banks
have been authorized to commence busi
ness: Tbe People’s National Bunk of
Rock Island, Illinois, with a capital of
$100,000; First National Bank of Belle
ville, Illinois, $125,000; Citizens’ Na
tional Bank, Winchester, Ky., $126,500;
National Southern Bank of Bowling
Green, Ky., $50,000; Marion National
Bank of Lebanon, Ky., $600,000. Na
tional bank notes of the denomination of
ten dollars are now being issued to the
National Banks as heretofore.
CRESSAVELL RESIGNS.
Mutual Admiration Between the
President and His Out-going
Functionary.
Washington, June 24—Postmaster-
General Cresswell this morning tendered
liis resignation in the following letter:
Washington, D. C., June 24, 1874
Dear Sir: After more than five years of
continuous service, I am constrained by a
proper regard for my private interests, to
resign the office of Postmaster-General
and to request that I may be relieved
from duty as soon as it may be conven
ient for you to designate my successor.
For the generous confidence and support
which you have uniformly extended
in my efforts to discharge my duty, I
shall not attempt to express the full
measure of my gratitude. It is sufficient
to say, that my relations, official and per
sonal, with yourself and with every one
of my colleagues of the Cabinet, have
always been of the most agreeable and
satisfactory character to me. Rest as
sured that I shall continue to give to
your administration my most cordial
support, and that I shall ever deem it an
honor to he permitted to subscribe my
self sincerely and faithfully your friend.
ISignedJ J. A. J. Cresswell.
To the President.
To which the President replied as fol
lows: *
Executive AIansion,
Washington, D. C., June 24, 1874
My Dear Sir: As I expressed to you
verbally this morning when vou tendered
your resignation of the office* of Postmas
ter General, it is with the deepest regret
that you should have felt such a course
necessary. You are the last of the origi
nal members of the Cabinet named by me
as I entered on my present duties, and it
makes me feel as if old associations are
liemg broken up, that I had hoped might
have lieen continued through my official
life. In separating officially, I have but
two hopes to express: First, That I may
get a successor who will be as faithful
and efficient in the performance of the
duties of the office you resign. Second,
That I may get a personal friend that I
have the same attachment for. Your
record has been satisfactory to me, and I
know it will so prove to the country at
large.
A’ours very truly,
t w » * T U. S. Grant.
io Hon. J. A. J. Creswell, Postmaster
General.
The civil rights bill, say all, is dead.
But it is not: it only slcepeth a summer’s
sleep. The bill is high up on tbe calendar,
and will certainly find a majority to put
it through during the short term of the
43d Congress, unless public opinion
speaks in thunder tones at tlie fall elec
tions. The same members of the same
House will decide its fate next winter."
—This is the conclusion of an obituary
of a much respected lady: “In her life
she was a pattern worthy to be followed;
and her death—oh ! bow consoling to her
friends!”
SUMMARY OF STATE NEWS.
Conyers.—Conyers is said to be so dull
that the natives can’t even gu| up a
fight. The com and cotton crops are
looking well. The belle <rf Union
Point is hovering around Conyers, and
the weekly expenses of several vounc
men in the way of lavender pants and
white kid gloves have more than doubled
On AVedncsday last the bam of 3l r .
John Lamkin, in "Columbia county, was
struck by lightning and set on fire. The
building" together with about two hun
dred bushels of wheat and a lot of c om
and fodder, was totally destroyed.
$1,500.—Eumuu.r. ' ,
Savannah.—One thousand one hun
dred and thirty-one citizens hare already
registered in Chatham county for the ap
proaching elections this fall. Judy-.
Johnson, who’is presiding in the Superior
court of Chatham county, is enforein^
the old English common law with a v« m
geance. He had a jury out on Saturday
night on a criminal ease, and denied
them everything except light, water ar.
fire until they shonld agree. The bar 1<m 4
upon this as si success in saving money
for the county, and expediting jury bu4-
iness, but jurors themselves are becoming
beautifully scarce when a criminal can* is
soundes—-—The third annual festival of
he Savannah “Shuetzen Gcaellechaft"
opi ned ou 3Iondny. The prizes offered
in the several rifle contests are varied ami
beautiful. The indications favor a large
attendance, and a plenty of fun.—.Irfrer
User if- Republican.
Augusta.—A man can kill a goat in
Augusta during the summer mouths for
$5. A few Alacou musquitocs and
Gritlin fleas reached Augusta last week,
and have already developed an m^isuai
degree of activity among the citizens.
The second annual rest of tbe Au
gusta Seliuetzcn Club commences to-day.
Elaborate preparations have been made.
The horse questiou is again laing
agitated, and Council lias appointed a
special committee to sit upon them, anil
see if they can't lie kept off the side
walks and streets.
Greenville.—Greenville anise in her
might and built a pump last week. A
Greenville merchant left the front door
of his store open all last Tuesday rualit
and found everything right tlie next
morning. Several colored gentlemen
were overcome with emotion when thev
heard of it, and thought of lost oppor
tunities. A citizen living near the Sul
phur Springs has invented a very original
and ingenious machine for preventing
stock from jumping fences, liis appara
tus consists of a double barreled slim gun
placed just ou the opposite side of tin-
fence with a hair trigger and a tape line.
It works like a charm.— 1 'indicator.
Blakely.—Early county has enjoyed
rain evciy day for tlie past two months.
Col. Herbert Fielder is announced to
deliver the annual address before the
Fletcher Institute, at Tliomasvillc, on the
26th instant. Tlie Blakclyitcs want a
money order attachment to tlieir post-
office, anil a trr-weekly mail to Arlington.
The Fort Gaines amateurs performed
in Blakely last Thursday evening. The
audience was small on account of rain,
and a revival in the Baptist Church.
Early County Heirs.
Louisville.—Two colored gentlemen,
both ministers, and named Prof. Young
and John Taylor, liavo been swindling
the citizens of Louisville with n free
show. Recent heavy rains in tlie vi
cinity of Ellavillc have'done much to de
preciate crop prospects.—Elijah AVriglit.
colored, was lodged in jail last week for
killing a negro named 3Iajor Hodge.—
Hews and Winner.
Rome.—Another book swindler lias
been stirring up the wrath of the Ro
mans. In the line of incurring small
bills and never paying them, lie is a suc
cess. Last Sunday Jlr. Isaac Boran, of
Chattooga, went to church with hi-
daughter and left the front door of liis
house open. Hearing that sermon cost
him exactly one pair of hreechi-s, six
shirts, and §200 in cash. Tlie neighbors
who listened to remarks when he got
home do not consider him a converted
man. Rome was inundated with girl
babies last week. 3Irs. J. P. Mooney.
who has lieen suffering a great deal ever
since the murder of her husband, is re-
ported dangerously ill.—Commercial.
Eatonton.—A Putnam county cow
gave birth to four calves the other day.
and is expected to recover. The
weekly shooting match conic off in Ea
tonton 3Ionday night. Nobody was
hurt.—Messenytr.
Brunswick.—Watermelons retail in
Brunswick at $1 apiece, and ripe penehes
are putting in an appearance. The
nocturnal chicken-lifter has been active,
and several citizens arc making shot-gun
investments. A staunch and conve
nient little steamer, called “The May
flower,” was recently purchased in New
York, by a number of the citizens of
Brunswick, and will be used as an excur
sion boat —Seaport Appeal.
Perry.—Jacob Rutherford and his
wife, two negroes of Houston county,
were instantly killed by lightning hist
week. They had sought refuge under a
tree. Jacob was found lying on his back,
his hands folded across his breast, and
Ids wife leaning against the tree as if
asleep. 3Ir. J. O. A. Houser, the de
faulting tax collector of Houston county,
has fully settled all deficiencies in his
account with the county.—Home Journal.
Hymeneal.—In Polk county, on
Wednesday, the 3rd of June, 31 r. W. J.
Waddy, of Greenville, to 3Iiss 3Iaiy H.
Ledbetter.
At the residence of the bride’s mother,
on tlie 11th instant, Mr. Chas. 31. Todd,
of Cedar Grove, Georgia, to 3Iiss Angie
Paine, of Rhea county, Tennessee.
At the residence of 3Irs. E. J. Harvey,
on the 14th inst.. 3Iiss 3Iaiy A. Roliert-
son to 3Ir. Samuel G. 3Iarsh—all of Put
nam county.
Deaths.—Near Haralson, Georgia, on
the 28th of 3Iay, after a painful illness.
Mr. R. W. Smith.
In Early county, on the 2d instant, 3Iiss
Tallulah Florence Gay, aged 15 years.
An Athens correspondent of the
Augusta Chronicle mentions some name*
that have been suggested in connection
with the vacancy that will occur if Dr.
Lipscomb can not be induced to recall
his resignation of the Chancellorship of
the University. Tlie suggested name>
are: Col. Charles C. Jones, a lawyer
now resident in New York, and tlie au
thor of several historical books; Col. W.
P. Johnston, a son of Gen. Albert Sydney
Johnston, and a Professor of History
in the Washington and Lee University;
CoL Robert Tyler, the editor of the 3Iont-
gomery News, and a son of ex-President
John Tyler; and CoL Isaac Hayne. of
Charleston, an eminent lawyer, and a
member of the family immortalized by
tlie rival of Webster.
INDISTINCT PRINT f