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THE a TTiAMT A WFIEKT/VSUIn. FOB THE WEEK ENDING JULY 31, 1872
THE ATLANTA SUN
AUDITING COMMITTEE |OF THE
STATE ROAD.
Report oT the Joint InTtitlgatlng Com
mittee.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
Georgia Legislature.
During the session of tho Legislature cal
last December, a joint committee was|^ Mt
appointed io investigato tbo conduct of
the Commissioners appointed under tbo
act of the Legislature to audit all dAima
** *? , . ... i I vra» OMMMTM In sin amt brought form in iniquity,
against tbo Western & AtllUlt 1C ottUOIn. nut Vn Ueorgia, but in New York. Its origin was a
... _ 3 ,,r r, fraud to cheat and swindle the peopled tho State.
The committee consisted OI ouiatore Lt. | looked at the evidence, and that evidence
C. Hoyl and J. A Jervis, and KepreMDt*
atives W. E. Simmons, Win. J, Read and
SENATE.
Fjuday, July 26th, 1872.
Called to order by President Trammell. Prayer
llov. It. C. Ketchum.
Mr. Drock, moved to reconsider the action of yes
terday, declaring null and void the State indorse,
mem of tho bonds of the Brunswick & Albany Rail
road.
In support of the motion, he statod that repudia
tion was an important question. The wholo thing
m conceived in sin and bronght forth in iniquity,
J. H. Woodward.
Tho report of this wvnvnUWn vna* pin*
sented in both brauehe# ©t ttw General
Assembly yesterday, tegettier w itb
cases cited, and testimony taken in some
them, covers flftjMfigkt printed page.*.
It appears to be a cleat and impartial
survey of the field, to which the com-
mittce w*s assigned, and is made with
that candor which was to have been ex
pected of the committee.
The commissioners turned over to
the Committee all claim against the road
on file in their offices, together with evi
dence in support of each claim; also, the
minntes, dockets, &c., kept# by them.
From these it appears that claims against
the road were presented, aggregating
$628,083.10, and had been passed upon
by the Commissioners. Many of these
claims were rejected, a few were with
drawn, [and a number scaled, leaving
the total amount of the audited claims
at $318,000. Of these, amounts aggre
gating $26,527 97 are outstanding and
unpaid. Some of the latter ore evidenc
ed by Executive warrant,while otl ers are
substantiated only by the approval of the
Commissioners. For the latter, (he Gov
ernor has steadily refused to issue war
rant-deciding to pay no such cl dms un
til further action is had by the General
Assembly. These claims are for every
manner of indebtedness likely to accrue
against a railroad, and vary in amounts
from$2.00 to $50,000,and make up a dock
et of 1,100 cases.
While it might appear that the Com
missioners consumed an unnecessary
amount of time in the investigation of the
claims that came betore them, the com
mittee after working awhile in the same
field, and with the advantage of the labors
of those who had been pioneers therein,
are not satisfied that the interests
of the State would have been advanced
by a more summary and rapid disposal
of the business.
Where differences of opinion exist and
opposite conclusions have been reached,
the committee attributes it in some in
stances to newly discovered testimony.
Of the audited claims the Committee
reports a number that should not be
paid, for reasons specially given in each
case. Their investigations, they say,
will result in bringing some money into
the Treasury, which was improperly paid
out on audited claims.
The practice adopted by the Auditing
Board of allowing claims for wood and
cross-ties, when the hooks of H. O. Hoyt
showed the receipt of such timber, the
committee found to be a fruitful source
of fraud and mischief. This they found
it difficult to rectify, for many of the
parties to whom such claims had been
paid were inaccessible, and of others
there is poor chance of recovering over
allowance, because of the protection
thrown around them by the liberal ex
emption laws of the State- The propri
ety of auditing such claims was a matter
of grave doubt with the Board—Mr.
Hillyer persistently declining to co-ope
rate in their indorsement even when the
majority had decided that they might he
allowed. A few of these claims, the
committee adds, are large and the par
ties perfectly responsible.
The Committee finds in the inventory
of property turned over to the lessees,
wood and cross-ties, valued aggregately
t $46,083,87. This, of course, goes to
the lessees, to be returned at the expira
tion of the 20 years the lease has to
ran, without any interest being paid to
the State.
The Committee have other claims upon
their dockets, and there are still other
outstanding claims, which the holders
desire to file. This the Committee men
tions merely that legislation may be had
relative to these matters.
The report is accompanied by a list of
claims, with the history of each, which
will enable the Assembly to proceed in
the matter advisedly and justly. There
is a large number of these cases—too
large to make several mention of them
here, together with a sufficient amount
of their history to make the cases intelli
ble to the general reader.
The Committee appears to have done
its work thoroughly. At any rate, it has
succeeded in compiling a large amount
of information, which, if it should not
prove pecuniarily greatly advantageous
to the State, at least forms an interesting
chapter in the history of the gross mal
administration of Bullock. As such, the
document is worth the labor and expense
of getting it up.
Macon has tackled a supposed swin
dler. Among his assets were ten $1,000
Central Pacific bonds, $800 in gold cer
tificates, $1,472 60 in specie, letter of
credit for £1,000, and drafts for £12 and
£20.
] proved that it was fraud from conception to culmi
nation. Ho m willing to vote for repudiation, but
wanted to vote understanding?. He made tlie mo
tion not to defeat tbe bill, but to carefully examine
tbo evidence. Make it the special order for Monday
or Tuesday.
Mr. Styles thought this was the most important
bond bill, and should take its chances with the
others. While there is fraud in it, there is some
thing In its favor. A railroad 165 miles long was
lelt. Some reasons should be given for the act.
Reconsidered, and the bill made the special order
for Monday next.
Mr. Styles moved to reconsider the action In pass
ing Dill to execute the 16th section, article 1 of the
Constitution. . . ..
Mr. Reese made the point of order that, according
to rule 17, motions to reconsider must be made at
the time of reading the journal.
Mr. Styles said, while he was not in when that
part of the journal relating to the bill was read, he
made the motion before the Secretary had finished
readingc
President Trammell ruled that a motion to re
consider must be made at the time that portion of
the Journal relating to the bill is being read; but as
the Senator was not in at that time; he would not en
force the rule unless the Senate decided otherwise.
Mr. Styles made an elaborate speech in support of
his motion. ,
Mr. Reese approved the metion to reconsider In
his earnest and forcible manner.
The motion to reconsider was lost.
Mr. Reese submitted the report of the joint Judi
ciary Committee of the Senate and House, that in
their opinion, this was not the session to elect State
House officers, and there was nothing in the Const!
tution or laws authorizing the appointment of Soli
citor General or Judges ot the Superior Court at this
time.
Mr. Nicholls hoped the report would be disagreed
to.
Report adopted by yeas 20, nays 7.
The special order, being the consideration of the
bill authorizing the Central, Macon & Western Rail
road, and Southwestern Railroad to issue bonds to
the amount of $5,000,000, and execute mortgage^
was taken up, and the bill passed.
Bills were read the first time.
MA Nicholls—To repeal all acts and resolutions of
the General Assembly of 1870, relative to the settle
ment of a lawsuit between the heirs of Samuel
Mitchell and the city of Atlanta, as tenants in pos
session. [It authorizes the seizure of the laud with
the improvements thereon.
Mr. Wellborn—To appropriate one-third of the net
proceeds of the sale of the agricultural land scrip,
to the North Georgia Agricultural College,
Mr. Brown—To authorize the tax collector of
Cherokee county to collect a tax in the 60th District
for school purposes.
Mr. Hoyle—To authorize sheriffs and their depu
ties to administer oaths in certain cases.
Mr. Mathews offered a resolution to appoint a
committee of three to examine tbe vouchers of a
bill paid the Georgia Printing Company of Augusta,
and report on the same, which was adopted. It is
charged that a bill for $10,170 was paid when the
work was only worth $3,170. Committee—Messrs.
Mathews, Hillyer, Estes.
Mr. Wellborn offered a resolution that the joint
Finance Committees of the Senate and House, be
directed lo provide for the payment of the claims of
the common school teachers of 1871, without the
least pbsSible delay. Referred to Finance Commit
tee.
Bills were read the third time.
To incorporate the Georgia Industrial Agency and
Banking Company. Passed.
To incorporate the City Bank of Atlanta.
Mr. Simmons offered an amendment providing
that each stockholder be liable for the debts of the
Bank, in proportion to the amount of Btock sub
scribed or held by him at the time the debt was
created.
The adoption of the rmendment- was favored by
Senators Simmons and Candler, and opposed by
Hillyer, Styles and Lester. The amendment was
Adopted and the bill passed--Senator Candler voting
nay. The corporators are W. L. Hubbard, W. Jen
nings, John Silvey, W. P. Patillo, J. R. Wylie, Geo,
Hillyer, T. G. Healy.
To amend the charters of the Rome, Selma, Rome
& Dalton, and Memphis Branch Railroads. Passed
To incorporate the Capital Bank of Macon. Passed.
To incorporate the Mobile and Atlanta Mining
Company.
To incorporate the Merchants’ and Planters’ Bank
of Washington. Passed.
To amend an actlncorporating Ocmulgeo Railroad,
changing name to tho Macon and Cincinnati Railroad,
and striking out the clause prohibiting the Central
Railroad from controlling it.
Mr. Conlev moved to strike out the section to
strike out tho clause prohibiting the Central Rail
road from controlling it
Mr. Nunnaliy opposed the motion.
Mr. Hinton explained his position.
Mr. Simmons explained that the proviso was
placed in the original through spite.
The motion to strike out was lost.
The bill was passed by the folk*wing vote:
’ Yeas - Anderson, Black,Brock,Brown,BrntoD, Cam
eron,Cone, Conley, Doveaux, Estes, Heard, Hinton,
JerviB, Jones, Kirkland, Kibbee, Lester, Matthew,
Nicholls, Nunnaliy, Peddy, Reese, Simmons, Smith,
Steadman, Wellborn—25-
Nays—Candler, Colman, Conley, Crayton, Griffin,
Hicks, Hillyer, Hoyle, Wallace—9.
To incorporate the Savannah & Charleston Rail
road. Recommitted io the Committee on Internal
Improvements.
Rills were read the first time.
Mr. Hinton—To authorize Ordinaries in this State
to appoint Receivers in certain cases.
Mr. Simmons—To authorize telegraph companies
to construct lines on right of way of the several
railroads in this State.
Mr. Lester—To amend tbe act incorporating the
Wilmington Railroad Company.
Mr. Lester offered a resolution that the revised
edition of tho Code, now being prepared by D. Ir
win, Geo. M. Lesjer and W. B. Hill, be submitted to
the Attorney-General, and if found correct by him,
the Governor is authorized to subscribe for such
number of copies aB bo may deem necessary, at a
price not exceeding $6 per copy. The resolution
was referred lo tbe Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Candler offered a resolution instructing the
joint committee on wild lands to ascertain the facts
concerning the issue of land grants, and whether
tho Secretary of State has been engaged in obtain
ing land grants, and asking tbe Governor to suspend
the issue of land grants until said committee shall
report. Adopted.
The House bill to redistrict the State was read the
seoond time and referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee.
Mr. Hinton and Campbell were granted leaves of
absence.
The Governor’s message relative to claims against
the Penitentiary was taken up and referred to the
Committee on the Penitentiary.
Mr. Hillyer arose to a question of privilfge, and
asked that a protest against the report of the Com
mittee on the Auditing Board, be spread on the
Journals of the Senate. Granted.
Mr. Conley stated that while he indorsed the pro
test, he did not leel it necessary to place anything on
record to vindicate his conduct.
Tne report oi the committee on the official con
duct of Rufus B. Bullock, was made the special or
der of the day for Tuesday.
Adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
House met, Speaker Cumming in the chair. Prayer
the purpose ot giving them an opportunity
lug the investigation immediately. Messrs. W.
Goode, Hogo, Davenport and Hall of Meriwether,
were appointed on the committee.
Sir. Pop, of Muscogee, offered the following reso-
1U Th£t from and after Monday, 29th iDstant, there
shall be a session of the House from 8K a. at. until
10 p M for the purpose or reading bills a second
time- end, Provided, that tor a suspension or the
rules’for sny other purpose, it shall require a vote
of nine-tenths of all present. Agreed to.
The following bills were read the first time:
Sir Bowie—To amend sec. 3496, of the code rela
tive to garnishments; also, to pay Dr. DeLaperriere
of the county of Jackson, the amount of judgment
received by him against the State; also, to incorpo
rate the Walton Railroad Company.
Mr. Renfroe—To appropriate $2? 0 to build a suit
able enclosure around the monument erected in
SandersvUle, to the memory of Governor Jared lr-
" Mr. King—To authorize the Tax Collector of
Wayne county, to receive eounty scrip in payment
by Rev. Mr. Jones.
Mr. Hall, of Meriwether, moved the reconsidera
tion of the bill lost on yesterday, making legal ail
contracts for interest on money, and supported the
motion in an argument. The motion prevailed.
Mr. Clark, ot Richmond, moved to reconsider a
a hill lost yesterday, amending an act incorporating
The Charleston Courier thinks it is to
modest to speak of that state as being
“under the hammer.” It holds that
“under the pile-driver" would be more
itable. The rads have driven nnme-
id large “piles” into their poek-
the State is under them.
the Augusta & Louisville Railroad Company. The
motion was supported by Messrs. Pou and Hoge,
and the motion prevailed. Tho hill was then taken
up, acted upon, and passed.
Mr. Craig offered a resolution providing for the
appointment of a committee to investigate the cir
cumstances of the arrest of Mr. Morris, of Talbot,
by the police of the c*ty on yesterday.
Mr. Goode seconded the resolution in a speech, in
which he sought to press upon the House, the great
indignity that had been offered the House.
Mr. Hoge, who during the reading of the resolu
tion stated that the difficulty had been amicably
settled, and that it was the request of Mr. Morris
himself, that no action would be taken on the mat
ter, said since the matter was now actually before the
House, he would support the resolution cordially.
Mr. Pou offered a substitute censuring the conduct
of the policeman.
Mr. Snead trusted that the House would take no
gaction in respect to the feelings and request of the
entleman from Talbot, and moved to lay the reso
lution and substitute on the table. The motion was
lost.
Mr. W. D. Anderson, of Cobb, also supported the
resolution, claiming that It was due the dignity of
House" 156 40 inTesti 8 4te the matter and report to the
Mr. Simmons also supported the resolution,main-
taining that the act was an insult to the House, and
tliAt consideration for tie feelings of a priYatemcm-
ber, should not deter tho House from actn g upon
the resolution. &
Mr. Glenn said he had hoped the requestor the
gentleman would be observed; but now, since the
matter had come before the House, he would vote
for the resolution.
Mr. Bacon said the act was a high-handed outrage,
and he hoped, upon an investigotion and convic
tion, the policeman would be visited with condign
punishment. °
Mr. Pou withdrew hia substitute, and the original
resolution was put and agreed to unanimously.
Mr. Hoge moved that the committee be excused
from attendance on the House during the day tor
ot county taxes.
Mr. a. C. Bell—To repeal an act to add certain
counties to the Southwestern Circuit.
Mr. Seatou—To provide for the payment of cer
tain insolvent criminal costs in tho Northeastern
Judicial Circuit; also, to change the line between
Wilkes and Taliaferro counties.
Mr. Atkinson—To allow the legal voters of Thom-
asvil’e to elect certain officers.
Mr. Jones, of Terrell—To change the line between
Terrell and Webster counties.
Mr. Woodall—To authorize the Mayor and Aider-
men of Talbottou to subscribe to the capital stock ot
the Talbotton Branch Railroad, etc.
Mr. Glover—To authorize the Mayor and Council
of Americus to issue bonds; also, to exempt from
jury duty the Mayor and Aldermen, Clerk and Treas
urer and police force of Americus; also, to legalize
the subscription of the City Council of Americus
to the Hawkinsville & Eufaula Railroad; also, to de
fine the qualifications of votes in Americus.
Mr. Johnson, of Spalding—To require the Tax
Collector of Spalding to receive jury certificates for
county tax; also, to change the tine between Pike
and Spalding counties; also, to provide for the pay
ment of insolvent costs to the county officers of
Spalding.
Mr. Lang offered a resolution that no new matter
be introduced after Friday next, unless called for by
a vote of two-thirds of the members present.
Mr. Dell moved to lay’the resolution on the ta
bl Mr. Bush called for the yeas and nays. The call
was not sustained. The motion to lay on the table
prevailed by yeas 55; nays 40.
Leaves of absence were granted to Messrs. Wilson,
Lumpkin, Stovall, Etheridge, Moreland, Putney,
Ross, Nutting, Summers, Slaton, Howall^ Fields,
Jenkins, Johnson of Clay, Lipsey, Carlton, Simmons
of Gwinnett, and W. J. Born,the Door-keepermostly
until Monday morning.
Leaves of absence for the entire House was asked
by some member, but was ruled out of order.
Reading of bills resumed.
Mr. Hudson of Scnley—To repeal certain acts re
garding the State Lottery; also, to incorporate the
Eatontonand Madison Railroad Company; also, to
regulate the rates of freight charged by railway
companies in this State for the transportation of
freights. . . *
Mr. Clark, of Richmond—To re-enact an act
granting certain privileges to the Chatham Artillery
and other volunteer companies; also, to change the
line between Richmond and McDuffie counties.
Mr. Snead—To exempt from taxation the property
of all agricultural or mechanical fair associations; al
so,to relieve Bones, Brown[& Co., and Platt Brothers;
also, to revise and incorporate the Georgia Military
Institute.
Mr. West—To regulate the manner of paying jury
tickets in White county.
Mr. McNeal—To prescribe a fee bill for the
Clerk of the Superior Court in this State; also, to re
quire the Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs of the State
to pay all fines and forfeitures collected by them,
directly to the County Treasurer.
Mr. Crittenden—A resolution requesting the Judi
ciary Committee to report a bill making all debts of
equal dignity in this State.
Mr. Anderson, of Pulaski—To authorize the Tax
Receiver of Pulaski county, to receive the same pay
upon returns of County Taxes as the Tax Collector.
Mr. Guyton—To repeal an act to prevent the
hounding and killing of deer in Laurens county.
Mr. Parker—To make it penal for any emigrant
who comes to the State, to leave the service of his
employer, who has paid the traveling expenses in
passage money of said emigrant, unless he shall re
fund the amount in full of the expenses so advanced
by his employer.
Mr. Smith, of Oglethorpe -To create a board of
commissioners of roads and revenues for Oglethorpe
county. , , „ .
Mr. Simmons—To create a county court for Rock
dale county,
Mr. Cleghorn—To amend an act incorporating the
North and South Railroad Company; also, to incor
porate the Columbus Water Works and Paper Mill
Company.
Mr. Dell—To regulate the manner of Sheriff’s ad
vertisements in certain cases, and to amend the
laws in relation thereto.
Mr. Pou—To construe and declare the true mean
ing of Section 1966, Part n, Title 3, Chapter 3 of the
Code; also, To authorize the Eagle and Phcenix;
Manufacturing Company to establish a Savings De
partment, and provide for securing depositors; also,
to allow A. W. Allen, an aged and infirm citizens, of
Muscogee county to peddle in the State; also, to
organize a County Court of Muscogee.
Mr. Clements—To incorporate the town of Mount
Yernon in, Montgomery county; also, to incorporate
the Flat Creek Canal Company.
Clower—To amend the election lawB of the State so
as to open two ballot boxes during elections for
white black and voters.
Mr. Meadors—To provide for the raising of reve
nues to pay certain school claims in Madison county;
also, to create a board of commissioners of roads
and revenues in Madison county.
Mr. Clark of Richmond—To incorporate the City
Loan and Savings Bank of Augusta.
Mr. Forrester—To change the lines between Lee.
and Terrell counties; alBO, to punish and pievent
slander in certain cases.
Mr. Lipsey—To amend an act creating a county
court in each county except certain ceunties therein
-mentioned.
Mr. Martin—To amend section 357 of the Code.
Mr. Cain—To require certain officers in Jefferson
county to submit their books and records to the
grand jury, etc
Mr. Griffin, of Houston—To authorize the Ordi
nary of Houston county to levy a tax for the purpose
of building a Court House.
Mr. Summerlin—To provide a County Board of
Commissioners of Heard county; also, to authorize
Henry Q. Winkinson to erect a dam across the Chat
tahoochee River, in Coweta county.
Mr. Pierce—To facilitate the sale of real estate in
Georgia, and to encourage emigration.
Mr. Glenn—To amend an act to establish a city
court in Atlanta; also, to establish an insurance de
partment in the State; also, to relieve Messrs. Bongh-
ton, Nisbet, Barnes and Moore on account of print
ing; also, for the relief of M. deGraffenreid.
Mr. Scott—To amend an act incorporating the
Rome Iron Manufacturing Company; also, to incor
porate the Rome and CUerokee Mutual Insurance
Company.
Mr. McMillan—To extend aid to the North Geor
gia Agricultural College, at Dahlonega.
Mr. Whatley—To change the lines between Fay
ette, Coweta, Spalding, Clayton and Campbell coun
ties.
Mr. Paulk—To amend section 590 of the Code, so
as to allow the County Treasurer of Irwin county to
keep his office at bis residence.
Mr. Scott—To repeal an act incorporating the
towns of Hillsboro ana South Rouse, Floyd county.
Mr. Goldsmith—To legalize and make binding tho
bonds issued by the Ordinary of C-iweta county, to
build a new jail.
Mr. Glenn—A resolution providing for the ap
pointment fo three disinterested parties to award a
just compensation to the several investigating com
mittees appointed by the Legislature at its last ses
sion.
Mr. Rawls—To allow the Tax Collector to pay the
poll tax and all other taxes for educational purposes
into the county treasury.
Mr. Anderson of Cobb-To emend the charter of the
Marietta Savings Bank; also, to incorporate Smyrna,
Cobb county.
Mr. Spence—To change the line between Coffee
and Ware counties.
Mr. Johnson, of Clay--To increase the compensa
tion of the Tax Receivers in tbe State; also, to repeal
an act changing the line between Baker and Early
counties; also, to legalize the marriage of Sanders
White and Margaret Sealli, of Decatur county, and
to exempt them lrom the pains and penalties of a
second marriage; also, to incoperate the village of
State; also, to regulate the per diem and mileage of
the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of
Representatives and members of the General As
sembly,
Also, to define the terms of office of the several
civil officers o f this State.
Also, to extend to the manufacturers of brick the
lien given in the Code to mechanics and others.
Also, a resolution authorizing the printing of
3,000 copies of the report of the committee appinted
to investigate tbe bonds of the State.
Also, to amend the road laws of the State, so far
as they relate to Bibb and Houston counties, and to
authorize and reqnire the Ordinaries of said coun
ties to levy and collect a tax for road purposes.
Also, to incorporate the Macon Fire Insurance and
Trust Association.
Also, to incorporate Cammilla, Mitchell county,
and to legalize certain acts of the Mayor and Coun
cil of said town.
Mr. Gray—To amend the charter of the Planters’
and Miners’ Bank of the State.
Leaves of absence were granted Messrs. Bowie,
Crittenden, Smith, Clower, Brown and Morris.
Mr. Guerry was added to the Committee on En
rollment, and Mr. Heidt on the Committee on Man.
ufacturing.
Adjourned. .
Bluffton, in Clay county, and to regulate the retail
of spirituous liquors in a certain distance of the
Academy in said village.
Mr. Richards—To relieve W. P. Taylor, of Chero
kee county.
Ur. Cleghorn, of Chattooga—To create a board of
commissioners for roads and revenue in Chattooga
county.
Mr. Russell—To relieve Mrs. Thomassa Cerco-
pelly in the courts of Chatham county
Mr. Heidt—To incorporate the Ocean Steamship
Company of Savannah, and to authorize certain cor
porations to subscribe to its capital stock: also, to
incorporate the Montgomery Street and Fair Ground
Railroad; Also, to exempt the officers and members
of the corps Of cavalry in Savannah, known as the
Georgia Huzzars from jury duty.
Mr. Cody—To relieve Wm. Bagby, of Chattahochee
county; also, to protect the rights and interest of
minors, femes covert, and other classes, laboring un
der the legal disabilities, so far as regards the sale
ef land for taxe6, and to authorize the redemption of
them on certain conditions.
Mr. Boynton—To change the lines between Cal
houn rnd Randolph comities.
Mr. Berrein—To vest theJauthority granted to the
Commissioners of the Waynesboror Academy of
Burke county in the Commissiohers of the town of
Waynesboro; also, to relieve Mrs. P. E. Neely, of
Jefferson county.
Mr. Baker—To prevent the killing or trapping of
wild game in Bryan county, during April. May,
June, July, and August,.
Mr. Sargeant—To create a Board of Commission
ers of Roads snd Revenues for Coweta county. Re
ferred to Conuniite on Corporations.
Mr. Hunter—To authorize executors, administra
tors, guardians, and persons acting in a fiduciary
capacity to compromise doubtful and uncollectable
claims and debts when OrdiDaries are interested;
also, to amend the charter of Thomasville.
Mr. Bacon—To authorize the Telegraph Companies
in this State to construct their lines upon the right
of way of the several Railroad Companies of the
Atlanta, July 27, 1372,
HOUSE.
House met. Speaker dimming in the Chair.—
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Strickland.
The following bills were read the first time :
Mr. Bacon—To amend an act incorporating the
city of Macon, etc.
Mr. Wofford—To incorporate the North Georgia
and Duck Town Railroad Company.
Mr. Pierce asked leave of absence for the com
mittee appointed to investigate the official conduct
of Judge Noel B. Knight. Granted.
Mr. Hoge—To incorporate the Georgia Metropoli
tan Banking Company. Corporators: James F. Boze
man. John T. Grant, David Mayer, W. A. Rawson,
P. W. Alexander, James M. Turner, E. A. Flewellyn,
Samuel D. McConnell. Capital stock, $100,000; also,
to amend the several acts in force organizing a new
municipal government of Atlanta; also, to compen
sate Rev. H. C. Hornady for services in collecting
supplies; also.fto repeal 4C22d section of the Code.
Mr. Durham—To incorporate the Athens & Eaton-
ton Railroad Company.
On motion of Mr. McMillan, the report of the Ju
diciary Committee,who reported yesterday that they
knew no authority by which the Assembly could
elect State House officers, confirm Judges, &c., was
taken up and adopted.
The resolution of Mr. Glenn., providing for the
settlement of a balance of $1,974 74 between the
Western & Atlantic Railroad and the East Tennessee,
Virginia & Georgia Railroad In favor of the latter,
was amended as follows: Provided it shall not be
considered a final settlement between the two roads.
Passed as amended.
Mr. Wood was granted leave of absence.
The following bills were read the third time and
acted upon and lost:
To change section 146G of Irwin’s Code; to es
tablish a new. county from Thomas and Decatur
counties; to change the line between Floyd and Gor
don counties; to create stock laws in the State; to
prohibit and make penal the sale and purchase of
agricultural products in this State after night, &c.; to
change the line between Decatur and Mitchell coun
ties.
Tochangethelineof Quitman and Stewart coun
ties. The Committee reported adverse.
Mr. Guerry, of Quitman, hoped the House would
vote down the report of the Committee, and spoke
in support of the bi'l. ,
Lewis, (col.,) of Stewart, opposed the bill, and
battled for Stewart in a speech ot some length.
Mr. Mansfield, of Stewart, opposed the bill and
read the presentments of the Grand Jury of that
county, protesting against such change. The re
port of the Committee was agreed to by a vote of
56 Yeas to 42 Nays. Mr. Guerry gave notice that he
would move to reconsider the bill on Monday morn
ing.
To prohibit the telling of trees or timber and ob
structions iu the Conasanga {and Coahaula Rivers.
Lost.
To change the line between Whitfield and Catoosa
counties. Lost.
To change the line between Wilcox and Pulaski
counties. Lost.
To incorporate the Atlanta and Tennessee Rail
road Company. Passed.
To give to Moses M. Belisario, Henry Ambros and
John Smith, of Chatham county, the right to plant
agd grow oysters in Warren river. Passed.
To protect the farmers of this State. Lost.
To change the lino between Lowndes and Berrien
counties. Recommitted.
To exempt from penciling laws machines for agri
cultural and domestic use. Laid on the table.
To amend an act Incorporating the Chattahoochee
Manufacturing Company, changing the name to the
Atlanta Manufacturing Company. Passed.
To change the line between Coweta and Campbell
counties. Lost.
To repeal section 11. of an act to change the name
of the Sonthern Central Agricultural Society and to
appropriate money for the benefi of the same.
The act which the bill sought to repeal provided
for the appropriation of $2,600 to the State Agricul
tural Society. The committee on agriculture in
reporting the bill recommend that it do not pass.
Mr. Hudson, of Schley, hoped the report of the
Committee would bo disagreed to, and spoke in sup
port of the bill. Ho maintained that tho Agricul
tural Society should be self-sustaining; that it bene
fited directly, only those who were able to attend
and exhibtsome new-fangled machine of no manner
of utility to the farmers of Georgia. He wap a friend
of the Society so long as it was self-sustaining, but
he condemned the practice of taxing the people of
the State to allow a few Idle and curious sepectators
to see a live gorilla, a pedestrian feat, a wonderfully
educated pig, a giantess, flying-jenny, &c. True an
appropriation ol $2,500 was insignificant, but that
was no reason why the people should be asked to
contribute to exhibitions and frivolous and vicious
entertainments which could never benefit them.
Mr. McMillan said be was behind no one in pro
tecting the laboring classes from encroachments,
but he considered it all important that the agricul
tural resources of the State. He regretted that
the gentleman from Schley had lost sight of the
more commendable and substantial features of the
lair, to witness the trivial and useless side-shows
always to be found on such occasions. The argu
ment that it should be self-sustainiug, he consider
ed inadequate, when the enterprise had no income.
The Society, having no capital, were put to the ne
cessity of accepting grounds from tho cities of At
lanta and Macon, ana of hiring portions of these
grounds to migratory exhibitions, to obtain an in
come to sustain the Society. The Society had done
much and contributed greatly to the prosperity of
agriculture in the State; auxiliary.societies had
been established in about ninety counties of the
State; they held meetings for the purpose of inter
changing views on agricultural theories and topics,
and in this way had contributed much to the pro
mulgation of useful knowledge in scientific agricul
ture.
Mr. Dell called the previous question which call
was not sustained.
Mr. Wofford endorsed the opinion of the gentle
man from Habersham, contending that the donation
was wise and judicious; he only regretted that the
appropriation was not more liberal, and that coun
ties which had given their attention to the sub
ject of scientific farming, induced by the Society,
were twenty-five years in advance of those counties
that had neglected it.
Mr. Bacon statod that the State Fair last year was
conceded to he the best ever held in the State, and
the promotion of agricultural interests thereby was
incalculable.
Mr. Anderson wanted to know how the Society
fostered the agricultural interests of farmers gener
ally.
Mr. Bacon referred him to the necessity of skilled
labor and scientific agriculture under the present
system of labor, and tho diffusion of agricultural
knowledge of all kinds, which he contended was ef
fected by the Society.
Mr. Grifiin, of Houston, contended that Georgia
was poverty-stricken, and however wise such appro
priations, the State could not afford at this time such
outlays.
Mr. Allred called the previous question, and Mr.
Glover called the yeas and nays, which calls were
sustained. The question was upon agreeing to the
report of the Committee, which was adverse to the
bill offered by the gentleman from Schley. The yeas
were 57; the nays 54; and the bill was lost
On motion oi Mr. Scott, the following Dill was
read the first time:
Mr. Scott—To provide for the payment of the debt
due teachers and school officers, who did service
under the public school law in 1871.
The bills submitted by the Bond Investigating
Committee, were read a second time, with a view to
acting upon them on Monday, when the report of
the Bond Committee will be made the special order
of the day.
At his request, Mr. Bacon was excused from duty
on the Committee on Education, and Mr. Clark, of
Richmond, added. Mr. Terrell was also added at
the request of the Committee.
A bill, regulating the manner, mode and price of
publishing the legal advertisements In the several
counties of the State.
Mr. Pon moved to recommit. Mr. Johnson, of
Spalding eounty, moved to postpone indefinitely.
Mr. McMillan thought the hill was calcnlated to
remedy a great 6Til, and was in favor of recommit
ting the bill. He said there vras, he believed, a prac
tice with some minor newspapeis, who had a bogus
circnlation, which, by the Iswb of the State, were en
titled to the county advertising.
Mr. Dell said, though there were some features
which he opposed as a whole, he deemed the bill
meritorious, and oalculated .-to remedy a growing
evil. He was In fiver of recommitting.
Mr. Rawls heped the motion to indefinitely post
pone, if carried, would place the bill beyond the
reach of the Heuse, and suggested that the bill be
committed to the Committee on Public Printing.
The motion te indefinitely postpone was lost by
yeas,44; nays, 46.
Hr. Bacon moved to lay (he motion on the table.
The motion prevailed by yeas. 51; nays, 46.
The resolution ef Mr. Bacon, providing for the
printing of *,000 copies of the Report of the Bond
Committee, for the use of the General Assembly,
was taken np, on motion of Mr. Hnntor.
Hr. Beeon thought it due te the State and th*
parties ooneerned te eiroulate tne report far and
wide.
Mr. Heidt thought the publication would involve
an unnecessary expense, as the bonds had been ad
vertised in newspapers.
Mr. Bryan, et Henry, called the previous ques
tion. which nail was snetsined.
The question was then on the original resolution,
which was agreed to by yea* eg, nays 40.
Adjourned to 19 e’etooa, Monday morning.
8ENATE.
Monday, July 29,1872.
Senate called to order by President Trammell.—
Prayer by Rev. R. C. Ketchum.
Mr. Reese submitted the report of the Judiciary
Committee, on the bill rediBtricting the State, re
commending its passage.
Mr. Reese, chairman, submitted the majority re
port of the committee to investigate the fairness or
unfairness of the lease of Western & Atlantic Rail
road, and
Mr. Nunnaliy submitted the minority report of said
committee.
On motion of Mr. J. Wellborn, the reports were
tabled, and 300 copies of the evidence, and 1000 co
pies each, of the majority ’and minority reports or
dered printed, for the use of the General Assem
bly.
Bills were read the first time.
Mr. Brock—To suppress crime; also, to fix the
per diem, of the General Assembly. [Members re
ceive $5 per day.]
Mr. Clark—To relieve S. B. Fife, a minor of De
catur county, of legal disabilities; also, to authorize
the Ordinary of Thomas county to issue county
scrip; also, to provide for renumbering the militia
districts of this State.
Mr. Nunnaliy—To provide for change of venue in
criminal cases.
Mr. Lester—To increase the salaries of Judges of
Superior courts—(provides a salary of $5,000 where a
city of 10,000 or more inhabitants is in the circuit.)
Mr. Peddy—To authorize the Board of Commis
sioners of Heard county, to purchase the Franklin
bridge, across the Chattahoochee river, and issue
bonds.
Mr. Hillyer—To prevent certain unlawful acts.
Mr. Colman—To provide for the payment of in
solvent criminal costs to the officers of Glynn Supe
rior Court.
Mr. Nicholls—To compel executors and adminis
trators to support widows and orphans in certain
cases.
Mr. Wellborn offered a resolution requesting the
Governor to make a demand upon the city of Atlan
ta for $39,000 in bonds. Referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
The special order, being the consideration of the
resolutions and bills declaring null and void cer
tain Railroad bonds, was suspended for the present.
On motion of My. Styles, the House bill redis
tricting the State, was taken up and read the third
time.
Mr. Nicholls moved to lay the bill on the table for
the session. Lost by the following vote:
Yeas—Anderson, Brock, Campbell, Clark, Colman,
Cone, Conley, Deveaux, Griffin, Kirkland, Lester,
Nicholls, Smith, Wallace—14.
Nays—Brown, Bruton, Candler, Estes. Heard,
Hillyer, Hoyle, Jervis, Jones, Jordan, Kibbee, Ped
dy, Reese, Simmons. Styles, Wellborn, Hicks—17.
Mr.Nicholls moved to amend by adding the counties
of Brooks, Echols, Coffee and Montgomery, to the
First Congressional District, and Burke to the Eighth
District.
Mr. Wellborn moved to take Milton from the 7th,
aud add it to the 9th, and Morgan from the 9th, and
add it to the 6th.
Mr. Bruton moved to take Union from the 9th.
and add it to the 2d, 'and Echols from the 2d, and
add it to the 9th.
Mr. Anderson moved to take Houston from the
5th district, and add it to the 3d district.
The amendment offered by Mr. Nicholls was lost
by yeas 14; nays 18.
The amendment offered by Mr. Nunnaliy was lost
by yeas 14; nays 17.
The amendment offered by Mr. Wellborn was lost
by yeas 14: nays 16.
The amendment offered by Mr. Anderson was lost
and that offered by Mr. Bruton ruled out of order.
Tne bill was then passed, by the following vote:
Yeas—Black, Brown, Bruton, Candler, Clark. De
veaux, Estes, Heard, Hicks, Hillyer, Hoyle, Jervis,
Jones, Jordan, Kibbee, Peddy, Reese, Simmons,
Smith, Styles, Willborn—21.
Nays—Anderson, Brock, Campbell, Colman, Cone,
Early, Crayton, Griffin, Kirkland, Lester, Niohols,
Nunnaliy, Wallace—13.
yjMr. Nunnaliy gave notice of a motion to recon
sider.
Leaves of absence was granted to Senators Came'
ron, Park, Matthews and McWhorter, and Assistant
Secretary Little.
Senate bills were read the second time and referred.
On motion of Mr. Kibbee, the House resolution
to print 3,009 copies of the Report of the Bond Com
mittee was taken up and concurred in.
The following bills were read the first time:
Mr. Styles—To repeal all lien laws, except judg
ment liens and mortgage liens.
Mr. Reese—To extend the jurisdiction of the City
Court of Augusta.
Mr. Smith—To provide for tho payment of
amouut due to W. A. Adams, late Solicitor-General
of Tallapoosa Circuit, to his heirs.
Mr. Bruton—To authorize Justices of tho Peace
te foreclose mortgages on personal property where
the principal debt does not exceed SI0U0.
Mr. Hillyer—To incorporate the Citizen’s Gas
Light Company, oi Atlanta. {J. M. Willis, G. W.
Adair, M. G Dobbins, C. P. Casein, T. W. Hooper,
corporators.)
House bills were read the second time and refer
red.
The House resolution authorizing the Governor
to pay out of the rental of the State Road a claim of
the East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad, was taken up
and concurred in.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
House met; Speaker Camming in the Chair.—
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Strickland.
Mr. Pierce, in behalf of the Committee appointed
to report upon the lairness or unfairness of the lease
of the State road, submitted the report of the com
mittee, constituting a majority report, signed by
four, and a minority report signed by one of the
committee, and moved that 1,900 copies of tho re
port and 300 copies of tho evidence be published,
and that next Monday the reportbe made the special
order of the day. The motion prevailed.
Mr. Gnerry moved a reconsideration of the action
of the House in refusing to change the lines between
Quitman and Stewart counties.
Mr. Reed moved to lay the matter on the table,
which motion prevailed.
Mr. Sargent moved to reconsider the action of the
House in refusing to change tho tine between Coweta
and Campbell counties, in order to recommit it.
Mr. Goodman concurred, and the motion to re
consider prevailed, and on motion of Mr- Sargent,
the bill was recommitted to the Committee on
Counties and County Lines.
Mr. Schley moved to reconsider the bill which
was lost on Saturday to repeal a certain section of
tho Code, appropriating $2,500 to tho State Agricul
tural Society. Tho gentleman from Bibb [Mr. Ba
con) had claimed that the Fair was a success last
year. He admitted that it ivas a success so far os
concerned learned pigs, livo gorillas, flying jennies,
etc, and since it fc was so successful, ho thought it
onght to be self-sustaining. Tho only argument, he
said, advanced by the gentlemen of the opposition
was that the Society was instrumental in the dis
semination of knowledge. The Fair, ho said, bene-
fltted only the sports and a few nabob farmers in
the State. The common farmer derived no sort of
advantage, for they are unable to spare a moment
from their farms.
Mr. Glenn hoped tho disenssion would not be pro
longed; that the expense of discussion had already
involved an expense of about $1,500 to tho State—
almost the amount of the appropriation—andmoved
to lay the motion on the table, which motion pre
veiled by yeas 66, and nays 42.
On motion, the following bills were read the first
time:
Mr. Cleghorn, of Chattooga—To change the Con
stitution in 4th paragraph, section 6, article 3.
Mr. Cain—To regulate the distribution of arms to
the volunteer companies of the State.
REPOET OF BOND COMMITTEE.
To-day being the time for the special considera
tion of the report of the Bond Committee, the bills
submitted by that Committee were taken up and
acted upon. Tbe first bill was:
“To declare the indorsement of the State’s guar
anty upon the bonds of the Biunswick, Cuthbert
and Commbus Railroad, null and void, and to pro
hibit the Governor, the Treasurer or any other offi
cer, from paying the interest on the same.’’
Ho then stated that ho would vote in favor of re
pudiating the bonds iu question.
Mr. Bacon deplored the hasty and heedless action
of tho House, upon a question which would affect
the State for one hundred years hence. He begged
to give some reasons for his position upon the ques
tion. “How would it sound," said he, “that only
fifteen minutes were consumed in acting upon the
validity of six or 6even millions of State bonds?”
Ho was willing to adopt the argument of tho com
mittee, as his own, so far as the law was concerned.
That the Legislature that granted tho indorsement
in question, acted in violation of laws, was not suffi
cient for him. He must be satisfied that
that Legislature acted and was elected in vio
lation to law. If eirors were committed by
an illegal Assembly, it must be universally acknowl
edged that their action was null and void. He pur
posed to show that the Legislature in cuestion was
not a Representative Assembly of the people of
Georgia, that the beneficiaries of these acts of en
dorsement proceeded to Washington and secured
military interference, by which they removed from
tho Assembly the Legitimate Representatives of the
people, and supplanted them with men of their own
ohoice; that the individual (Mr. A. L. Harris] who
organized that Legisla ure was appointed in violation
to law. If that Legislature were the legitimate Re
presentatives of the people, the people, whether in
law or not, were bound in morals and honor,
to sustain their action. IThe law required
the last Speaker *o organize the House,
whereas, sustained by bayonets, Mr. Harris, who
organized the House, Clerk pro tern., for sixteen
days, enacted a series of wrongs and oppressions
that has no parallel in the history of the State. He
desired to show that the State was net bound in
, either honor or morals to sustain the aetion of the
Legislature. This man Harris himself, backed by
bayonets at the door, adjourned the Houge at his
pleasure, and at the same time three military offi
cers were sitting passing sentence on the Repre
sentatives, dogmatically and imperatively dismiss
ing them as claimants to Beats in the Assembly- In
support of which Mr. Bacon read from the Journal
of the House.
Mr. Pou begged leave to dissent from the gentle
man in his statement that the House was acting
hastily. The question had been before the House
for an entire week, and presented in an exhaustive,
clear, conclusive and perspicuous report ef au able
committee. He further stated that be thought the
matter involved no question of honor or morals,
snd in {support of that opinion he reminded the
House aud the gentleman that the provisions of that
Legislature bad not dee* observed, and, therefore,
the bonds were unauthorized snd fraudulent. It
was a matter of fact and history that the law ha t
the bonds null and void * n declaring
fluous and a mi*nomir !? udiatl °a was gm*?
did not demand it 6 * 1119 natuta of the*£
Mr. Grifiin, of Houston, agreed that «
were null and void, but slice the R em,hu Ua boDlJ «
had been arraigned for the action of
in question, he, for one, thought the whi^ Utar o
Georgia wore responsible for their o^a? pe ? pl « of
relusing to attend the polls and eleetteefr n?® rs ia
pie as representatives in the General pe °-
might refer to the frauds of
gGorkin response to o*
£KS£' p “ p,< ’- " 1 ““ t .Sbfi
unanimously 1 . 011 W “ S tUeapat - ttobill
passed
?e n /es°t t onthoS^e" 0niPaylllS thepriac ^ «£
Mr. Riley called the previous question, but ».
prevailed upon to withdraw it. Ut ^
Mr. W. D. Anderson, of Cobb, moved that
House resolve itself into a Committee of the tvhnuf
For this purpose, Mr. Glenn, of Fulton, tvaa
to preside. When the House had gone into
mtitee of the Whole, Mr. Pierce moved that the hoi
be reported back to the House without amendment
yitli recommendation that the report be adontivt ’
Mr. Grifiin said he could not vote intriliciMo
without further information. The coveted infomZ
tion "'as granted by the committee; but tho inform
ation, he said, was unsatisfactory.
On motion of Mr. Bacon, the Committee of the
Wnole arose, reported progress, «nd asked leave to
sit again.
On motion of Mr. Scott, tho rules were suspended
to take up a resolution directing tne Public Printer
to attach the report of the Lease Committee to the
testimony taken by them, and embrace both in one
pamph'et.
Mr. Scott stated that the report of the Committee
was founded on two charges: one, that the action
of the Legislature was the result of bribery and cor
ruption. The bill authorizing the lease, he said
was introduced by himself, and was supported by
the Democratic members of the House.
Mr. Pierce arose to a point of order. He hoped
the gentleman would confine himself to the merits
of the resolution.
Mr. Scott proceeded, stating that it was the prac
tice of all tne other committees, to embrace both
testimonies, and report in one pamphlet.
Mr. Pierce regretted that the' gentleman was so
precipitate. The committee made no war upon the
Democratic members of the Legislature. Probably
if the committee bad been members of the Legisla
ture, they would have voted with Mr. Scott and his
gallant comrades, a He arose to respond decidedly
to the charge of the gentleman from Floyd, that 60-
copies of the report had been distributed to outside
persons, and stated that he himself hai never had
but one copy of the report in his hands, and the
only other copy that had left the Public Printer was
in the possession of the gentlemen from Floyd him
self. The time for adjourning having arrived, the
discussion was discontinued.
Leaves of absence were granted to Messrs. Smith,
of Oglethorpe, Wofford of Banks, Woodall, Butts
and Graham.
NIGHT session.
House met at 8}£ o’clock, yesterday evening, for
the purpose of reading bills the second time.
Mr. Russell offered a resolution to discontinue the
night sessions after to-night, assigning as his rea
son, tho prevalence of heat and danger to members
of contracting fevers.
Mr. Pou and Mr. Payne trusted the resolution
would not be agreed to.
Mr. Dell moved to lay the resolution on the table;,
snd, on this motion,
Mr. -Wood called the yeas and nays, which call
was sustained. Tho motion to lay on the table pre
vailed by yeas, 53; nays, 50.
The House then proceeded to reading bills the
second time. After several bills had been read, Mr.
Russell rose to a point [of order. Tho Constitution,
required, he said, three separate and distinct read
ings.
The Chairman said the point was well taken.
Mr. Russell appealed from the decision of the
Chair. [Laughter and applause.] The appeal was
sustained.
Mr. Bruton moved to adjonrn, which motion was
lost.
Mr. Heidt deplored the tendency to humor, and
hoped tho House would give its attention to the busi
ness before them.
The House then resumed the reading of bills:
Leaves of absence were granted to Messrs. HI
wards and Davenport.
Adjourned.
Spann’s Case.
It will be remembered that the Gover
nor respited Spann until to-morrow
(26th), in order to allow an investigation
to be made as to bis sanity. The ver
dict rendered is that he was not insane,.
A motion was made by his counsel for a
new trial, which was overruled by Judge
Clarke, who also refused to grant a su
persedeas. Under this ruling Spann
would have been executed to-morrow.
The case is now before the Supreme
Court, the counsel having applied to
that tribunal for a writ of mandamus,
The question is not without its difficul
ties, and hence the Court requested Gov,.
Smith to respite Spann lor twenty days,
longer, that they might consider the
question with care andJdeliberation. The
request was granted by the Governor,
and a telegram sent down to stay the ex
ecution until the 16th of August.
Private Conversation Between two
Members of tile Greeley Party, who
were Delegates to the late State Conven
tion, Overheard by the Son’s Reporter,.
About 6 o’clock in the Evening, After,
the Convention had Adjourned.
1st Greeley Mam—I declare it is most
sickening to have to swallow Greeley; it
sometimes seems to me that it is more
than I can stomach.
2d Greeley Man—Yes; but if they
will make us take their dirty physic, I
think we ought to be allowed to take it
out of our spoon.
Whirlpools of Fire,
On Saturday night, the water of Eari-
tan bay, was impregnated with phospho
rus. The whole bay was covered with
phosphorescent bubble. These bubbles
were about the size of peas. They could,-
be seen oozing from the bottom of the
bay to the depth of three feet There
was a fair wind, and the water broke
against the boats riding at anchor ib
seemed to cover them with a spray of
white fire. The beach for miles was-
fiinged with a broad ribbon of phospho
rescent light, and the piers, deluged with
the burning water seemed like break
waters of illuminated alabaster.
The splashing of oars stirred up small'
whirlpools of fire. At Bichmond Valley
Mr. LaForge’s Newfoundland dog jump
ed into the illuminated sea, stirring up
great eddies of white light. When tbe-
dog re-appeared upon the beach, his
shaggy hide shone like tho satin dress of
a ballet dancer under a strong calcium
light.
Probably the most beautiful sight was-
an immense school of terrified moss-
bunkers. Millions of these golden fish
dashed over the water in sweeping cir
cles like circus riders. The face of the-
bay for hundreds of feet seemed like an
enormous revolving pin-wheel. Near the
shore the water seemed of a milky color.
The white light seemed to be reflected
in the clouds, and the air appeared to be
surcharged with electricity.” Sheet light
ning danced on tbe clouds in tbe west,
and an unnatural quietness reigned m*
the bay.
The phenomenon lasted from nine
o’clock m the evening until three in the
morning, when it died away. It war
mest brilliant about midnight.—A- I—
Sun.