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THE ATLANTA WEEKLY SUN, EOE THE WEEK ENDING JULY 31, 1872.
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THE A TLA NT A «TTN
KOFrS w. BOlitOCK.
Report or till' fommltt** appointed to
Investigate l»Ii* Offirliil Conduct.
The Joint Committee of the Assembly,
appointed to iu vest: cat e the cffieiul con
duct ofJRufus B. Bnlloek, lute Governor
of Georgia, made their report to both
branches of the Legislature yesterday.
The report is a most amazing one. It
shows an mi scrupulous and disgusting
disregard for ail the decencies of official
character and dignity, and proves the
absconding Bullock to have been a great
er villain than the public had already be
lieved him to be.
The Committee has had a broad field
to explore. In its work it lias necessari
ly trenched upon the fields properly be
longing to other committees, but it lias
succeded in making a fail, impartial and
blighting history of one of the most
corrupt administrations that ever dis
graced any people on the face of the
earth. Even Scott’s miserable mal-ad-
ministration in South Carolina, is no
more corrupt than Bullock’s was in Geor
gia.
THE CASTOR AND POLLUX.
Bollock and Kimball appear to have
been in “cahoot” in all the rascality that
was perpetrated. They were heart and
hand in all specnlations and pecu
lations. What Bullock did financially
was in the interest ot the joint "fraud
brokerage” in which they were encaged.
The committee denominate the firm “a
dual Executive.” So it seems to have
been as far as moneyed transactions were
concerned. In politics Bullock usually
went it alone, bnt as Kimball always
“meant business” he was ever at hand
when the State had any money to he
spent, or wnen any bonds were at hand
that could be used as collateral. Such
egislation as Kimball needed w s pro
cured. If he needed bonds they were
issued; if he wanted to borrow money
ho was permitted to do so.on the credit
of the State. He was made an agent for
the State in the negotiation of bonds,
and was not required to observe the or
dinary formality of keeping a record of
his transactions. It was ascertained by
the committee that he had borrowed at
different times, as such agent, amounts
aggregating $309,500, of which he paid
over to the State $160,000—leav
ing a “profit” of $149,500, to be dis
bursed as “dividends” between the two
members of the firm.
That an agreement or understanding
existed between this brace of plunder
ers, is proven by the testimony of such
men as E. L. .Jones, Geo. P. Burnett,
A. L. Harris, and others, with like
chances of information. Bullock said,
“whatever Kimball wanted was rigjht,”
so Kimball got whatever he wanted.
Kimball was President of the Bruns
wick and Albany, Cartersville and Yan
Wert and Bainbridge, Cuthbert and Co-
lumbus Railroads, and, it is worthy of
note that, of all the roads to which State
aid was granted, the trust was abused
only by those three. ' In their cases, the
Governor ignored the requirements of
law; and issued the bonds whenever
Kimball wanted them, and in whatever
amounts he desired.
The transactions of the firm through
the Georgia National Bank—of which
the publio have long ago been apprised
through The Sux—go still farther to
show their oneness in frauds, peculations
and downright thieving.
The Committee follows this remarka
ble “firm” through the purchase of the
Opera House, showing that Bullock was
active in compounding the fraud, which
was practiced in making the purchaso,
that he permitted the fraud in perfecting
the transaction, and that he was aware
that, in the trade the State was being
swindled out of $125,000. His action in
this instance, authorizes the Committee
to say he is “ as much a thief and criminal
against onr laws as if he .had by force or
stealth taken from the vaults of the State
Treasury the amount of money lost to
the State as shown above.”
CASTOR AND POLLUX AS “ORPHANS.”
It is a notable fact that the virtuous
Radical Legislature maintained no dis
position to “swap” or “compromise” the
Mitchell Heir case until this superb
duality was admitted to the rank of
“Orphanage.” They had no right there
by hereditary alliance, yet thsy were ad
mitted by grace, favor, or some more
questional proceedure, and very soon
thereafter the whole affair is settled up—
tho State relaxes her title to the most
magnificent property in the city, and the
“Orphans”—one of whom Bullock and
Kimball weje—coolly walk away with a
liberal share of proceeds. The heirs
proper obtained not exceeding $50,000
while the other “Orphans” pocketed the
moderate heritage of one hundred, and
sixty-Jit e thousand dollars.
bullock the patron of the press.
As the patron saint of the Press, the
Committee find a great deal to “admire”
in Bullock. It cannot be said, however,
that they admire with the understand
ing, as they tailed to compass the magic
which influenced the Governor to lavish
so much of the State’s money npon mem
bers of the Fourth Estate who were not
understood to be in the support of liis
Excellency.
This admiration which Bullock mani
fested for the press, was a somewhat ex-
‘usive luxury to the State. He paid
; sums for printing his proe-
For the year 1868 $11,998.04
For the year 1869 25,757.18
For the year 1870 51,508.07
For the year 1871 22,688.25
Making a total of Sill,951.54
This is a considerable sum to have ex
pended in a little over three years, yet it
was not all, for* jnst back of it are sun
dry unpaid accounts, for proclamation
printing, amounting to $28,446.17—
making a final aggregate of $140,397.71.
There is no way to account for all this
unnecessary extravagance, unless it be
that Bnlloek had contracted a morbid
fondness for seeing his name in print.
BULLOCK AN A BOKD BROKER.
During the period between Septem
ber 29th, 1868, and October 20th, 1871,
Bullock sold State bonds to the amount
of $3,334,267.79. Here H. I. Kimball,
H. I. Kimball & Co., and other phases
of the ubiquitous combination, again ap
pear, leaving every reason to believe that
they remained until the division of divi
dends was had.
BULLOCK AS A CLIENT.
In this capacity Bullock also stands
out in bold relief, and leaves a marked
impression behind him. The Committee
find that he paid attorneys’ fees as fol
lows:
For tho year CO
For the year 1870 9,250 00
For the year 1871 28,871 75
Making a total of $53,361 75
Some of the fees which make up this
aggregate were just and should have been
paid, while others were exorbitant and
unnecessary, if not actually unjust.
The Committee mentions, as notewor
thy, the fact that of the $35,000, at
which the State compromised with the
Mitchell heirs, the State got only $20,-
000, the other $15,000 being disbursed
as attorneys’ fees.
BULLOCK AS A PARDONER.
During the period for which he dis
graced the Executive Chair, Bullock is
sued no less thanj/lce hundred and twenty -
three pardons. A full list of these is
given by the Committee, and it covers
crimes of all grades, from “using obscene
language in the presence of a female,”
up to cold-blooded, premeditated mur
der. He turned the worst of criminals
loose npon society, without any regard
for the crimes which they committed,
nor for the amount of the testimony
there was against them.
AS A RAILROADER.
Want of space forbids following the
committee through their scathing review
of Bullock’s railroad transactions. These
will appear separately in due time, and
will do him no more credit than his mul
titude of other frauds and extravagances,
a bare insight into which is given above.
His transactions with the State Road, the
Brunswick & Albany, the Bainbridge,
Cuthbert & Columbus, and the Carters
ville & Yan Wert, are wonderful speci
mens of rude financiering, and were the
means of making away with vast amounts
of the State’s money.
UPON GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
There seems to have been no period
in Bnllook’s administration, at which
charity could have come in and thrown
her mantle over even a few of his many
faults. His administration was procured
by corrupt practices—it was corrupt in
all of its details—it was corrupt as a
whole—and, it enedd in corruption and
disgrace. Charity can say nothing in
extenuation. Malice, even, could not
desire any better foothold against him
than she has. Humanity, pities while
she loathes, and blushes that she should
have been so wronged by one of her
race.
Meeting of the Democratic
Greene County.
Party of
maintain the equal rights of the citi-
The Democratic party of Greene coun
ty met at the Court House, July 16th,
1872, and
On motion of Capt. O. P. Daniel,
Capt. Jas. R. Sanders was called to the
Chair, and Dr. J. M. Howell was reques
ted to act as Secretary.
Hon. M. W. Lewis stated the object
of the meeting to be, the appointment
of delegates to the Convention to be held
in Atlanta on the 24th instant, and for
the better organization of the party,
preparatory to the approaching elections.
On motion of M. W, Lewis, a Com
mittee of five was appointed to report
business for the meeting.
The Chair appointed the following
gentlemen: M. W. Lewis, L. D. Carl
ton, W. H. Branch and Dr. A. A. Jer
nigam y
After a short recess, the committee,
through its Chairman, Hon. M. W. Lew
is, made the following report, which,
after a few explanatory remarks by its
Chairman, was unanimously adopted:
The Democratic party of Greene coun
ty, on the 4th day of last month, in Con
vention assembled, unanimously
their political sentiments in the follow
ing words:
We hold that the last hope for the res
toration of Constitutional liberty in this
Republic rests npon maintaining the
principles and preserving^he organiza
tion of the present Democratic party.
We hold to the right bequeathed us
by our fathers, of local State govern
ment, and are opposed tojthe centrahza®
tion of power in the Federal Govern*
ment.
We hold that the military should be
subject to the civil authority, and that
the privileges of the writ of habeas corpus
“should be jealously upheld as the safe
guard of personal freedom.”
“That the individual citizen should
enjoy the largest liberty, consistent with
pnblic order.”
“That there should be no Federal dic
tation of the internal policy of the sev
eral States.”
‘ ‘That each should be left free to en
force the rights and promote the well
being of its inhabitants by such* means
as the judgment of its own people may
prescribe.” J
We hold that eacii State is constitu
tionally entitled ^to the rights growing
out of tho foregoing fundamental prin
ciples, and that, too, not “subject to any
solemn constitutional obligation” npon
the part of the Federal Government “to
zens- - .
On the contrary, we hold, that tlie
Federal Government is under a “solemn
constitutional obligation” not to interfere
in these mailers; and when it does so, it is a
usurper of power, an enemy to the liberties
of the country, and a treacherous tyrant.
On the 26th of the same month, the
Democratic Convention of the State
■unanimously adopted the follQwing as the
Platform, of the Georgia Democracy.
Besotted, That the Democratic party
of Georgia stands upon the principles of
the Democratic party of the Union,
bringing into special prominence, as ap
plicable to the present eAraordinary con
dition of the country, the unchangeable
doctrine that this is a union of States,
and that the indestructibility of the
States, of their rights, and of their equal
ity with each each other is an indispen
sable part of our political system.
Resolved, That in the “approaching
election the Democratic party invites
everybody to co-operate with them in a
zealous determination to change the
present usurping and corrupt administra
tion, by placing in power men who are
true to the principles of Constitutional
Government, and to a faithful and eco
nomical administration of public affairs.
The Democratic party of Greene coun
ty adhere tenaciously to the principles
thus enunciated in their county and State
Conventions.
Therefore, we are compelled to disap
prove of the action of the Baltimore
Convention in adopting the Cincinnati
Platform, and nominating Horace Gree
ley for the Peesidency of the United
States.
But as the present position of politi
cal parties forces upon us the disagree
able necessity of not voting, or of votiug
for Grant or Greeley, —•>
Resolved, that we have no quarrel to
make with any Democrat who adopts
either of these unpleasant alternatives
as a choice of evils.
Resolved, That, in the approaching
elections for State and county officers,
we will give our united support to the
candidates who have proved true to the
Constitutional principles hereinbefore
announced;have been unawed by power,
and unseduced by tbe plunder of Bul
lock and bis robber-band to betray the
interests of our glorious old Common
wealth, during the dark and gloomy tri
als to which she has been exposed.
Resolved, That we approve of the ad
ministration of our honest and patriotic
Covemor, James M. Smith, and are in
favor of his re-election.
Resolved, That a committee of seven be
now appointed by the Chairman, to re
port the names of four delegates to the
Convention, to be held in Atlanta on the
24th inst., for the purpose of nominating
a candidate for Governor and an electo
ral ticket.
Resolved, That said Committee also
report to this meeting the name of one
Democrat from each Militia District, to
constitute an Executive Committee for
the county, Whose duty it shall be to
elect one of their number as their chair
man, and through him to call the party
together whenever they deem it expedi
ent; and who are hereby empowered and
requested to attend to any and all mat
ters connected with the interests of the
party, the triumph of Democratic prin
ciples, and the success of Democratic
candidates.
After the adoption of the report, Col.
J. H. Seals congratulated the'Committee
upon the report, and concluded with the
desire that there be not a single Grant
vote polled in the county.
Whereupon M. W. Lewis arose and
expressed the hope that there be not a
single Greeley vote polled.
Under one of said resolutions, the fol
lowing coremittee was appointed to nomi
nate delegates to the coming Democratic
State Convention, and also the names for
an Executive Committee for the county,
to-wit: Dr. I. D. Moore, Jas. L. Brown,
Dr. T. P. Janes, M. W. Lewis, James
Davison, O. P. Daniel, S. D. Durham.
Committee reported the following dele
gates: J. R. Sanders, C. Heard, A. A.
Jernigan, M. W. Lewis, and the follow
ing Executive Committee:
137th District—Dr. J. M. Griffin.
138th—James Davison.
140th—O. S. Thornton.
141st—L. D. Carlton.
142d—M. W. Lewis.
143d—Wm. H. Branch.
144th—Dr. L D. Moore.
145th—Y. D. Gresham.
146th—O. P. Daniel
147th—T. U. Miller.
148th—James R. Sanders.
149th—Walter. Ray.
160th—Dr. A. A. Jernigan.
161st—James B. Park.
162d—Chas. R. Hutcheson.
163d—David Leslie.
The repprt of the Committee was
adopted.
M. W. Lewis offered the following res
olution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Executive Commit
tee be requested to meet in Greensboro
on Monday next (22d instant.) for the
purpose of organizing.
Wm. H. Branch moved that a Com
mittee of five be appointed to report upon
.he death of Hon. Linton Stephens, and
he following Committee was appointed:
Wm. H. Branch, M. W. Lewis, H. M.
Bums; Dr. W. L. M. Harris, Col. J. N.
Armor, who made the following report,
to-wit.
For the Atlanta Weekly Sun.
Tlie Martin Institute.
_ Since the assembling of this Conven
tion, wo have learned with the deepest
regret and fiorzbw, that the Hon. Linton
Stephens departed this life, at his home,
in Sparta, Ga., on the 14th instant. As
Georgians, we are proud of the legacy
he has left his native State, of a reputa
tion for unsurpassed ability and integri
ty; and we feel that we would be doing
violence to the feelings of the great pub
lic heart of Georgia, were we to suffer
the -occasion to pass without expressing
onr appreciation of his public and pri
vate worth, and our unfeigned grief at
his loss to his family, friends and coun
try; therefore..
Resolved, That death, in selecting this
shining mark for his victim, has de
prived the legal profession of one of its
brightest ornaments, Georgia of one of
her ablest and purest statesmen, and so
ciety oLone of its most honest, candid
and warm hearted members.
The report of the Committee was
unanimously adopted.
A resolution was offered by M. W.
Lewis, and adopted by the Convention,'
that the proceedings of this meeting be
published in the Greensboro Herald,
with the request that the Democratic
papers throughout the State re-publish
the same.
On motion, the Convention adjourned
J. R. Sanders,
J. M. Howell, Chairman.
Secretary.
The annnal commencement exercises
of this popular institution, located at
Jefferson, Jackson county, Ga., for the
year 1872, came off on the 1st, 2d, 3d and
4th days of July; and as the high grade
of the school, the great attainments of
its excellent corpse of teachers, and the
superior facilities it offers for a thorough
education, entitle it to the favorable con
sideration of the publio at large, the
committee appointed to witness the ex
ercises, beg leave to make the following
report:
On Monday morning the exerciseB
ware opened by the examination of the
Primary Classes; and here the commit
tee wish to correct an error that seems to
have attained, to some extent in the pub
lic mind, that in this institution small
children are neglected, and that greater
attention is given to advanced classes.
Nothing of this ."prevails in our school,
as the efficiency and training of. the
bright-eyed little boys and girls fully tes
tified.
Classes in common Arithmetic fully
testified that they were thoroughly
trained in first principles, and as they
advanced, showed by their ready combi
nation of numbers, that they had been
tanght to think for themselves.
So in Geography. A long list of un
important names, that could not be re
membered by any one after the hour of
recitation, was not called for; but the
cause and effect of things were asked
and given in such a way as to show that
both teachers and pupils had done their
duty.
English Grammar, “the hobby-horse
of the youthful mind, can be learned and
explained by little boys and girls. This
was fully demonstrated by a large class of
small juveniles.
The[large classes in Rhetoric and Alge
bra, showed a higher degree of attainment,
and more thorough discipline, for the
time devoted to study, than the commit
tee ever had the pleasure of witnessing
on any former occasion. Step by step
they unfolded the beauties of the one,
and step by step they gradually sur
mounted the difficulties of the other.
A class In Book-Keeping proved that
the teachers were as well skilled in the
practical transactions of business life as
they were in teaching “ the young idea
how to shoot” a gun loaded with its own
thoughts.
Aftd thus in the higher Mathematics,
the Natural Sciences and the Ancient and
Modern Languages, did the youngladies
and gentlemen of the Martin Institute
show a proud record for themselves ana
their worthy instructors, and evince, be
yond a doubt, that here in Jackson
county we have an Institution in which
as complete and thorough course of edu
cation maybe acquired as elsewhere, and
much cheaper.
On Tuesday evening the examination
closed. Wednesday was devoted to ex
ercises in Deolamation by the Junior
Glass. Here, as in all otner cases, we
mention no names; for, where all do well,
but little preference can be given. May
the young gentlemen sustain through
life the honorable course marked out by
them on that day.
Early on Wednesday night, the honse
was thronged by an appreciative audi
ence, who, notwithstanding the heavy
raip, assembled to hear the young ladies
read original Compositions. The sub
jects were all new, and tastefully select
ed. The thoughts advanoed were strik
ing and original, the style chaste and
wholly unenoumbered with that sickly
sentimentality which has wearied so many
audiences; while the reading was singu
larly beautiful and impressive. Ladies,
let the world see that all your future life
will be in keeping with your amiable
bearing on that night.
After the reading wm over, a Concert
was given by the pupils of the accom
plished Miss Lizzie Burch, under whose
care the Musioal Department has long
successfully continued. The part per
formed by little girls not ten years of
age, elicited rounds of applause, while
the performances of the young ladies
were chaste, pure, and, according to the
testimony of a young gentleman near the
stage, “a little heart fluttering,”
On Thursday the Exhibition was clos
ed by the speakers of the Senior Class.
Their speeches were all original, and the
subjects well chosen. Their delivery
was in fine taste, and showed a jnst con
ception of the beautiful^ and a laudable
ambition to improve it.
The exercises of this class were fol
lowed by a Literary Address by the Hon.
G. J. Orr, of Atlanta. His theme was
The Relation which Woman bears to So
ciety.” It was a masterly production,
and well worthy the great mind that con
ceived it, but as we hope soon to see it
published, a synopsis will not be at
tempted here.
The exercises of the Martin Institute
will be resumed on the 14th of August
next. Though well and extensively pat
ronized, we maintain that this school
does not receive that attention from the
publio that its merits justly demand.
The teachers are as able as any in the
country; thorough, practical, live teach
ers, who have the real welfare of their
pupils at heart, and work, and labor,and
toil accordingly. Professor Glenn has
been repeatedly offered the Presidency
of a flourishing college, but has decided
to remain at his post. Let the public
sustain him in his noble efforts to bnild
up a school upon the endowment of the
generous Martin that will at once be the
pride and boast of onr country, and a
safe retreat for onr children.
If this be done, a new impetus will be
given to the great cause of education,
and a history of moral and mental im
provement will he written of which onr
ancestors never dreamed.
G. I. N. Wilson,
J. R. Parkes,
H. J. Long,
F. S. Smith,
Committee.
Jefferson, Jackson Co., Ga., July 20.
To tlie People of Merl-wctUer County.
House of Representatives, )
Atlanta, Ga., July 20, 1872. j
I have been solicited by many of you
to become a candidate again for the
House of Representatives; some have ex
pressed a desire also that I should allow
* J. W. Glenn, Principal; S. P. Orr and Miss Mag.
gie Orr, Assistants, and Miss Lizzie Burch in charge
of Music Department.
Paris, July 25.—Three Communists,
convicted of participation in the massa
cre of hostages in Rue Haxo, were shot
at Satory to-day. One of the condemned,
when brought to the place of execution,
shouted “A bas la Commune'" The
other two'cried “ Vive la Commune /” in
their last moments.
Matamoras, Mexico, July 25. Two
dispatches from Gen. Rocha, report the
death of Juarez, from Aponlexy. L-rdo
Di Tegado succeeds. ‘ J
the use of my name for the Senate,
am not insensible to the compliment
thus implied, but for reasons not neces
sary here to mention, and which areof a
private character, I beg to decline
the use of my name for either of the po
tions named.
In declining to become again a candi
date for your suffrages, I feel it to be
due alike to myself and to you to give
you some account of my stewardship dur
ing the four years that I have beeu your
Representative.
Since 186S, much bitterness of feeling
has existed, because of political differei -
ces, and especially has this bitterness
evinced itself towards those white men
in the State, who advocated the Congres
sional plan of reconstruction, and the
protection of all, in their equal rights and
privileges under the laws. No small
share, us you know, has fallen to my lot.
I made no recriminations, and have none
to make now. I simply resolved to do
my duty, as I regarded it, in spite, alike,
cf the wails of prejudice and the ravings
of avarice. To differ with those cher
ished friends, whose every impulse was
honesty and disinterestedness, was in
deed to me a source of much pain; but
I felt that under the circumstances then
surrounding us, the best that conld be
done for Georgia, was to restore her to
all her relations with the national gov
ernment as soon as possible, according
to the plan proposed by Congress. One
plan had been rejected; the second was
more harsh, and if that also should be
rejected, I was quite sure that the third
would he more harsh still. We were un
der the heel of the conquerer. It was
with him, and not with us, to say what
should be done. There certainly is no
cowardice or wrong in submitting to
that over which we have no control. It
is rather an indication of prudence or
foresight.
Events have proven the correctness of
my views. They are vindicated by the
Democratic party themselves. That par
ty adopted the Cincinnati platform, and
supports Horace Greeley lor the Presi
dency, the man, who above all others,
may be denominated the father of recon
struction. With a power rareiy equalled,
he pressed it on Congress. They vilified
men for doing certain things, from
honest and patriotic motives, and then
virtually endorsed those very things
themselves.
This is not all. They, many of them,
denounced relief laws, and the party that
gave them to the country; and then,
turned around and availed themselves of
the benefits of those very laws.
There are lessons here taught from
which they ought to learn to be more
liberal, if not more wise. Whilst they
think and aet for themselves, they should
concede the same rights to others. Do
not assume that they are always right,
and everybody else is wrong; that they
are honest, and others are dishonest. In
a word, that they constitute alone, the
virtue and intelligence of the country.—
Such men, if allowed to rule, would in
deed rule with an iron rod.
As to the rights and privileges given
by these measures of reconstruction,
they should be, respected. If their ex
ercise, like the exercise of any other
rights and privileges, prove pernicious
to society, then let them be abrogated,
changed or modified in the way pointed
out by the Constitution.
We all have a vivid recollection of the
condition of the people of onr State at
the close of the war. Raised in afflu
ence, and surrounded with every com
fort, they were suddenly stripped of
nearly all their property. Among those
who had a mere pittance left, were many
aged men, widows and orphans, whose
sons, husbands and fathers had fallen
during the war. Comparatively few
were able to pay the full amount of their
indebtedness, based, most of it, on prop
erty in negroes—a property of which
they had been bei eft without any fault
of theirs.
The cry for relief against such indebt-
ness, and indeed all other which they
could not possibly discharge, was loud
and vehement. The Legislature of 1865
and 1866 turned a deaf ear to the appeals
that were made to it. So far as it was
concerned, the officers of the law might
be turned loose and a few men might
become possessed of all the property in
the State, and the rest be thereby re
duced to a state of servitude as cruel as
slavery itself; that the child whose father
had filled a bloody grave might become
a serf for the very man or men in de
fense of whose property his father had
died.
I felt in my very soul that something
should be done-, for them. I said so; I
urged it with both my voice and my pen.
I was denounced for it. It was said that
I knew better; that no relief could be
given. You know the result. Events
again came to my assistance. Humane
and liberal homestead and relief laws
were enacted, and they have been pro
nounced valid by our highest judicial
tribunals.
The consummation of these measures
for the protection of the poor and help
less against the unfeeling and avaricious,
is due mainly to the Republican party.
The disfranchisement of a portion of our
people, which was always a source of re
gret to me—an evil which I labored hard
to have removed—and which I am glad
to know has been removed, save as to a
few hundred, was more than counter
balanced by reconstruction giving vitali
ty to all that had been done to save our
people from want and destitution.
Now, as to the subject of “prolonga
tion, my action on which has been severe
ly censured, what are the facts ? When
the Legislature met in January, 1870, I
insisted, as did others, that we should
take no recesses; that we should proceed
at once to attend to the business of the
country, which we could do in thirty or
forty days; let the Fall election take
place at the usual time, and adjourn sine
t die.^ Had this been done, much of the
legislation of which there has been just
complaint, would not have taken place.
Other counsels prevailed. It was con
tended that Georgia was not a State in a
constitutional sense, and would not be
until the seating of her Senators and
Representatives, and that we oould do
no general legislation. Gen. Terry, the
commander of the district, was under
stood to bo of this opinion.
I combated this doctrine till I found
further opposition useless. Recess after
rceess was taken, and nothing done in
the way of legislation. Every day it
was expected we would hear from Wasb-
de-
cided n that the< l ue8 ^ had been
At last, a proposition came rm ;
House m tho shape of a ioh.f . the
Which proposed that no
nthni-V.till Congressman'S
determine whether our State CW?‘ a
ratine
“ into , operation in isnq "
whether it would take effect in is-7, or
the seating of our Senators audit',? 1 afc
sentatives. It was neuerallv-,^V pre -
that they would be seatedbeforeUi? 0 ^
I well knew, would be regarded X 6Ss ’
and that it would be enforced. -
positive assurances that Congress
delay action not much longer. U ^
It was under these circumstances tW
I reluctantly voted for the resolution
was not the least influenced by imV>rnn *
or selfish motives. I voted for Om u*
bringing on an election cn the 20th
and 22d days of December, 1S70. ’
does not look as Though’ I^heS
8ing verypto ^£
I know that since my action on th«
measures about which I write, you W
re-elected me by the largest majoS
ever cast for any candidate for the lJ
islature in MerncotRoi- ..-Trol
islature in Meriwether county; still r
fool thof o f.,11 ov.,1 t i. ’ l111 ' 1
feel that a full and frank statement of
the reasons that controlled injection
should be given, as well for my own hen
eht, as out of regard for you.*
There are many other measures of a
general character, on which I, as’yon;
representative, was called on to act W
as my action on them has not been ar'
raigned, it is unnecessary to state mv
reasons therefor. J
In regard to local matters: You have
had a law passed to compensate your
grand and petit juries; you have had a
law passed establishing a Board of Com
missioners; you have had every effort
defeated to interfere with the present
metes and bounds of your countv.--
Through your representative, you con
tributed your share of influence in pro
curing two charters ror railroads, to pass
through your county, with aid from the I
State, to the amount, I believe of
$12,000 a mile.
Your demands on me have been strictly |
complied with. What more could you
ask, or what more could I do?
In this connection it may not be im- I
proper to say something in regard to the I
absoibing topic of the day: the Presi- j
dential election. There is little or to I
difference in the platforms on which the ■
opposing candidates stand, and they are i
in the main unexceptionable; hut this (
amounts to but little. The brain of man J
is so fertile of expedients, and gives such I
latitude to construction, that we should I
rather rely on a man’s past record than 1
his present professions, for his future [
conduct. Tested by this rule what can I
you hope for from Mr. Greeley? His re- I
cord is before the country, and it is un- I
necessary here to reproduce it. You i
know what it is. You know it is one of f
uncompromising hostility to you and all [
you hold dear. One act I may mention, t
It, of itself, commands you, as you cher- I
ish justice, right and humanity, to touch ?
him not. It proves that he possesses an I
implacable and savage nature: When our I
unfortunate, but not criminal people i
were mourning the loss of kindred and j
friends; when desolation was everywhere I
to be seen, he it was that urged that our 1
woes should be increased by confiscating I
the little property that had been left ns. 1
You cannot, you will not, vote for sucha \
man. If you are in doubt, consult your I
wives and children, whom he wished to ]
reduce to beggary. But do this, and the I
appeal in the interest of passion, preju- I
dice or party will, I know, be in -vain.
As to President Grant, I believe him I
to be honest and generous, and whilst |
his administration has doubtless com- i
mitted errors, it has been a success.— J
Protection is extended to our citizens at J
home and abroad; our relations with 1
foreign powers are friendly; our taxes a
have been faithfully collected and hon- 1
estly applied; they have been reduced j
many millions of dollars, and the public I
debt has been reduced one hundred mil- 9
Jjons of dollars annually since the 4th. j
day of March, 1869. With this record, |
we have nothing to fear from him, and j
my safely re-elect him.
Respectfully,
W. H. F. Hall.
Cotton Claims. —Persons haying
claims against the United States Govern
ment for cotton seized after June 30,
1865, will be gratified to know that the
same can be recovered. Congress has
passed a law authorizing the payment of
the net proceeds, in all such cases, irre
spective of any absolute proof of loyalty
on the part of those from whom such
cotton was taken. Six months are given
in which to file claims, which period will
expire on the 18th November, 1872. The
Treasury Department has issued circular
instructions and regulations upon the
subject, and all parties interested have
now an opportunity to recover a portion,
at least, of the actual value of the prop
erty thus seized.
In this connection, we take pleasure in
referring all snch interested parties to
Colonel J. M. Cutts, attorney and coun
sellor at law, Washington City, who will
see the claims intrusted to him speedily
and satisfactorily adjusted.
A Patriotic Move.
Mr. J. Battle, (colored) of Thorns
oounty, introduced the following bill to ^
the House of Representatives yesterday 1 1
Sec. L Be it indetned by the Ginilar
Sembly of the fixate of Georgia:
Whereas thear avaste number of sitiin 5
inthi8 State who are on Educated a?!
we find much neggdence in our Stats by I
so bein, we deme it necary
Sec. 2. We deem it nececary thatGto-
larsembley shood make sum arrainge
ment for the henifeete - the fiff article A
15 article of the Constitution of the State
of Georgia the Ginilar assemaley shat
have Power to Provide for the Great®®
of County Commissioners in surch conn - *
ties as may Requierthem and to Deiinc-
their Duties. .
Sec. 3. And be it father enactions
that the Sittisan of said county sl^° r
Have the Power to Surlecte Enny * e *’
son or personns that they may see ± ee ‘_
Hoo duty it Shal be to Yisite Each F rei ,
- .1. il.oollOOU
sinte as often as once a month the sho
be note leste then 3 note more jn \
5 this Chool Cormisernares Snn ^
Give Public instruction to tho Peop 10 ,
to the juries the shal Be elected
year Nexte Section Repealed Conn 1 *
laws.