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H jji nriu6S ' ! ivirlnnliuni -S H i
VOL. 2-NOL 252.
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SAVANNAH, GEORGIA., SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1966.
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,f>B PRINTING,
' , , ie p.tly and promptly done.
to enforce, by appropriate legislation. the provisions of I (235,000, It was estimated, weald be required to re-
the Amendment. It will be contended that they are the fond past doe bonds, leaving to be applied to interest
proper judges of what constitutes appropriate legialtl doe the stun of 1500,5*0. The precise amonnt of past
tion. If, therefore, the Amendment be adopted, satt due coupons, then reported to the General Assembly
innal f!nneresa. from Which the Southern StataSL was tiRM Om WfitrtK Ya Orn omminf ;.r rwat
(jOV£B»NOR’3 MESSAGE.
Executive D&pabtmxxt, »
i UU£i» EVILLE * <**•» November let, 1808.)
and Representatives?
r:^. during the year now drawing to ft close,
^ ^3 have been unpropitioiift to the fcuftband-
^'wdedisappointing to the merchant, and tho
* "5, timed discouraging to the patriot* blea-
*P U 1t wholly “in disguise,’* have come to all. The
f#^L ter rcvOguizes the hand of an over-rulinjr
Sndenctf aa well in aeeming evil aa in positives
f^wsunes all men, of every age and every clime,
.Cnisdveraity as merited chastisement, and to
filiate offended Deity by repentance and reform.
* FEDERAL RELATIONS. X
- QC ( vour last adjournment, little progress hac
n male either in the reconstruction of a dismem-
Sfflo^rur.ent, or in the restoration of material
Sotr’ty 'o that portion of the country desolated by
civil \ ’Hr. However produced, the fact lain-
■'i-jble that the Government of the United States
■Jjrt aiundri before the civilized world in the la-
: r:iD ; ; 0 condition of dismemberment. Four of the
."•iccu States that originally took part in the forma
X cl ih« Union, and six that have been added in
X progress of a marvelous development, are now
v excluded from participation in its legislative
‘••1’iminiBirative functions. It is true that the now
^:dc«l States did voluntarily abandon sufch partici-
.. Bt by what was designed as a peaceful and per-
-tnt withdrawal; but the right to do so was denied
jJJes, anil upon that question of right the war en-
£ The party denying the existence of the right
--allied that the Union was indissoluble by such
that it still existed in lull force, and nothing
■jtviH necessary than the suppression of irregular
^joace to its authority. That resistance having
J suppressed, utter a struggle of five years’ con-
. jXC e—the resistants having grounded their
T-j-^ubmitted in word and act to the authorities
fc, :el’uited States—rescinded all constitutions, or-
"ItccS laws and resulutions asserting independence
; a antagonism to, that Government—declared its
•’muiuuou their supreme law, and elected Senators
Rcyreseutativea to the Federal Congress—the
conclusion from the premises of the victors is.
!*» Ee practical result should be, that the attempt
failed, iud that the Union stands unshaken. AU
that ’it- resistants may have done towards dismem
berment they have undone The temporary breach
•jity made they have repaired. Why, then, are they
. ., n :i,e Union as formerly? The answer is,-that
rtiedominant States, througu their representatives in
C ccriS« positively refuse their admission to the na-
j,J|l -ouucils, and the conclusion is inevitable, that
Cii. taw refusal the present dismemberment results.
Basoning upon their own theory, if the Southern
be not now within the pale of the Union,
few been ejected by this Congress. If they be,
4tir constitutional right of representation is denied
* sB by tne same authority.
"ibe President of the United States, second to none
a devotion to the Union, though placed during the
ic uv the intensity of that feeling, in opposition to
fr'uixw section, consistently illustrates it in restored
r.nv. He distinctly affirms the right of the Southern
W't° representation In Congress; and, for this ad-
iercu* tu principle, has been abandoned and de-
toonerd bv those who placed him in power. The
Legislative* a id Executive Departments of the Go-
t train cut are thus brought into conflict, seemiugly
irreconcilable and daily increasing in bitterness.
Iiie people, too, of the dominant States now wield
ing the wh.'.le power of the Government, are them-
k.ves divided; and we, the excluded, against whom
;ttj recently presented the unbroken front of relent-
i«s wat, though now passive and unresisting, have
iilieuiv become to them an apple of discord. In this
contest,’oar position, our motives and our purposes
ur severely scrutinized. These are all llagrantly
unrepresented by unscrupulous demagogues, and
aaiit, very many, well-meaning persons are un
doubted y deceived by them.
Tue paling issue may not find a very early soili
ng. Meantime, we pass through an ordeal thoroughly
idipred -:o tru men’s souls." But we must be true
10 empires, to those who, though uot of us, are flght-
ag our battles, and to the country; we must steadily
udcahuly pursue the course upon which we have
•Ked. neither betrayed ilito error by false represen
ts.:.* of the malignant and consequently injurious
cjccions of the credulous, nor, yielding to humilia-
hgiiemandfl, against which justice exclaims and
iciood revolts. Pursuing this course, we shall, in
tse, live down both detraction and delusion, and
nkve a murai victory far more enduring and en
siting than any triumph of mere physical force.
fEOPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION,
isgarmain to the subject already discussed, I call
j uraittutiou to another proposed amendment of the
. -ltitution of the United SUtes, transmitted to me
by the secretary of State, and accompanying this com-
isiiicatiuu. The fact that your action upou it is thus
—voted, Imposes ou you an obligation to consider
Mpwtiully. . , ^
Tci-umendraent, designed, like all of recent origin
• operate especially on Southern SUtes, contains
*v c ; al actions, to some of which I invite special at-
&uon.
L The prominent feature of the first is, that it set-
indifiuitely the right of citizenship in the several
sue->, as political communities, thereby depriving
in the future of all discretionary power over the
iibjtct within their respective limits, and with ref-
wucfc to their SUte Governments proper. It makes
C peroons of color, born in the United StsteB, oiti-
ifUI.
2. The second changes the basis of representation
a tie popular branch of the Congress and in Presi-
jenaai electoral colleges. It provides that, in appor
tioning representation among the States, all persona
ciapt iDUiaus not toxed) shall be taken into the enu-
c-atmtlon, unless the electjve franchise be denied in
42-T State to any male inhabitants, be;ng citizens of
tts United States, and twenty-one years of age, or be
hi toy manner abridged (otherwise than as a punish-
c«ntfor crime.) in which event the representation
shl b-7 proportionately reduced.
Whether the object in proposing this change be the
tr.tngion ul the elective franchise to persons of Afn-
descent, (nearly all of whom are notoriously uu-
qnalifled for it,) or a further diminution of the already
relatively small weight of the Southern States in the
•dahistrailou of the Government, the adoption of
ttu amendment will certainly force upon them a
ch iict, between those evils. If the former be the real
object, the latter alternative must be regaded simply
u a penalty for refusing it In this view, it is not dif-
Hult to expose the flagrant injustice of theproposi-
bon. Let ua consider briefly how the amendment
vJiafiect States wherein slavery did not exist prior
»c the war, an a hew those wherein it existed. Ip the
’-rmer class, the selection of the one or the other al-
* native will be only a matter of taste, no great public
intCTrgt being involved. If the franchise be extended,
Te number thus newly admitted to the ballot will be
•°«mallthat no appreciable effect upon popular eleo
result. If refused, the number excluded
, om the enumeration in fixing the ratio of represen-
jUon win still be so small, that the consequent reduc-
^on would be seriously felt, and in some instances
*^<1 not probably be merely fractional, producing
wrtallment at all. Now, look to the other class of
There the number of voters proposed to be
r&inebised. and who ly unprepared for the trust,
"fold be immense, and the disturbance in the motive
PJfotr of republican machinery incalculable. There,
p the other band, if the franchise be withheld,
^reduction of representation would be vast. Is there
there Justice in a proposed change so dif*
L, • different portions of a country, uin-
i under a common government for the common
, ‘ Would the enforcement of such a change by a
0011 *d not barm, upon a minority It must
h bea l H:a ^ magnanimity ?
« may be said iu reply, that the Constitution does
8e ^ional differences—that it was designed
y , Protection and advenceinent of personal rights.
lr P^ extent this is an egregious error. The Union
. °Rginally designed mainly for the conduct of t r-
*“ a irs aud common defense, leaving to the States
x of their domestic concerns. The Con-
^suited from a compromise of sectional in*
yitbout which it could not have been formed,
m that compromise, the rights and interests
jj? ii^sian as affected by the presence of a very
2m 1 ? 111 Population in some of the States, were
sSl? and adjusted. The African element,
^•ther bond or free, was c
fractional Congress, from which the Southern State*,
chiefly interested in it, are excluded, be empowered
“to enforce it by appropriate legislation,“ what ves
tige of hope remains to the people of thoee States?
Nay. more, what semblance of Republican Govern*
ment can the true patriot of the North discern In such
state of affaire ? Yet. that is the point to which we
seem to be drifting ; far there is no sssuranoe what
ever that even this concession will ensure our restor
ation. Amendments have already been proposed to
and accepted by us. which it was believed would effect
that result; but hope is still deferred, right still de
nied.
I will not further analyze this Amendment, equally
novel and unjnst.
I ash you to consider, however, why it is that you
are oelled upon to vote upon its adoption, whilst
your State had no voice In its preparation I The Con
stitution secures to the States the one right as dis
tinctly and as positively is the other. Had your Rep
resentatives, and those of other States similarly situ
ated, been present, siding in giving substance and
form to tt, possibly it might have before you a lees
odious thing The policy seems to have come been, first
to push it. without their participation, beyond the
Btage of amendment, and then to say to them, accept
our bantling or tabs the consequeuoe. The omisston
of any material part ol the process of amend
ment, maKea the amendment itself unconstitu
tional, nuu ana void
should-the States especially to be affected by tbis
amendment refuse their assent to it, it cannot be
adopted withotit excluding them from the coant and
placing its ratification upon the votes of three-fourths
of the now dominant States.
It is said, however, that unless this concession be
made, the now excluded States will be kept out of the
halls of Congress indefinitely. Were the Amendment
>reaented with such a menace distinctly expresed, a
ligher motive (if possible) than any hitherto suggested
would prompt its rejection. -
At the termtnsrion of hostilities, it wss right and
proper that the previously resisting States should, in
he most unequivocal and formal manner, abandon
such resistance—should rescind all they had done in
antagonism to, and do whatever was necessary and
proper to place themselves in constitutional relations
with that Government. AU this, we beUeve. Georgia
has done. Beyond this, in acting upon any proposed
change in the fundamental law, even in this crttital
juncture, my advice is that her legislators act with
the same intelligent judgment and the same unflinch
ing firmness that they would have exercised In tho
past, or wonld exercise in the future, when In full
connection and unambiguous position. Any other
rule of action may involve sacrifices of interest and of
principle which magnanimity would not exact and
self-respect could not make. _ ,
To submit to injurious chaeges in thsApqsntution,
when forced upon a State, according tsflfifirsu pre
scribed for its amendment, wonld be ad* thing ; to
participate in making them, under duress, against
her seDse of right and justice, would be a very dif
ferent thing. The difference, in principle, is as broad
as that which distinguishes martyrdom from suicide.
Far better calmly await* returning sense of jcslice,
and a consequent reflux of the tide] now running
strongly sgainst us.
The military rule to which, aa a people, we hive
been subjected during the past eighteen months,
so differantfrom all previous experience, must nec
essarily be more or less prejudicial to onr interests
and wounding to our feelings. \ou are well aware,
however, that it has been greatly mitigated daring
your recess. The Administration, I think, have be
come thoroughly convinced that the sword and bay
onet are not necessary to the enforcement of law and
order in Georgia.
We probably have not now a larger military, force
within our borders than have often been stationed here
in times of perfect peace. Our people, with rare ex
ceptions, such as occur everywhere, have been quiet,
orderly, and devoted to industrial pursuits. The of
ficers ol the army and agents of the Freedmen’s Bu
reau. stationed among us, have, with few exceptions,
manifested a growing confidence and a disposition to
relax their authority and leave the administration of
the law to the civil conrtB. Vexations interferences
sometimes occur, usually traceable to imprudent con
duct on the part of misguided citizens, or to the offi
cious intermeddling of- injudicious or evil-disposed
subordinate*. Due allowance being made for honest
differences of opinion upon questions arising in a
novel state of affaire, the President and heads of de
partments have manifested a gratifying determination
to deal justly ami kindly with onr government and
people. With a view to the adjustment of some point
of difference, the more rapid restoration of mail facili
ties. and the procuring of action upon the application
of our citizens for amnesty, in which they naturally
felt great anxiety, I made a short visit to Washington,
and had abundant reason to be gratified by the kind
ness shown towards onr people in word and in act.
i (898.000. which added to the ainoun 5 of past due
be*da made an aggregate of (830,000—showing deafly
in my opinion that tho General Assembly intended to
provide for no interest other than was evidenced by
past due coupons. ' In this View no provision was
made for the payment of in teryat accruing, on past due
bonds, after their maturity. Iknaw-fiot whether this
omission was or was net intentional. It is very true
that, under ordinary circumstances, if the holder ot
such a security fail to present-it afcmataoity.fer pay
ment, he is held not entitled to interest. This rule
has been applied by sundry corporations, private and
public, to bonda maturing during the war. I submit
to tho consideration of the General Assembly, whether
snob application, under the circumstahces. is just and
equitable. It is very certain that after Coinedemie
and State Treasury notes had filled up the channels of
circulation, the presentation of sack bonds for pay
ment in the medium contracted for would nave been
an idle ceremony. Ho less certain is ii that the hold
ers of many of these bonds were cut off from access to
the place of payment by the existing war,' and there
fore could not make demand. I recommend as more
consistent with the honor and dignity of the State
that provision be made fbr the payment of this ln-
Evidence having been presented to this department,
that since the last payment by the State on its sub
scription to the stock of the Atlantic and Golf Rail
road, additional instalments have been paid in by the
private stockholders, which by the terms of the act
incorporating the company, approved 27ih February,
1888, subjected the SUte to the payment of $134,500
on her subscription, I have, in obedience to that act.
caused to be executed and delivered to the company-
bonds of the State for that sum.
When all of the bonds authorized by the act of the
General Assembly, approved 12th March, 1803, (ex
cept those Intended tor the assumption of the Fedor.. (
tax,) shall have been disposed of as contemplated, the
funded debt ot the State will stand thns:
Bond* issued anterior to 1861 and not yet
w-aatA.- - ■ .(iWMOa
Mortgage Bonda issued in 1866, above men
tioned V. 3,630,000
Bonda issued to the AtMxfic and fjtalf Bail
Road in I860 ISitoOO
USANCES, STATE DEBT AND TAXATION.
You are fully aware of the difficulties that have be
set the fiscal operations of the Government daring
the past year. There has been no relaxation of the
pressure upon the Treasury since I came Into office.
Empty when the process of reorganizing the State
Government commenced, aud the ordinary sources of
supply suspended, it has been called upon to meet
largo arrearages for the year 1865, demands origina
ting anterior to that year, the expenses of the Provi
sional Government (except the salary of the incum
bent of this office!, expenses of the Convention of
1865, those of the reorganized Government, repairs
and refitting of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, the
snpply of corn for the destitute, and other appropria
tions made at the late session of the General Assem
bly. As was anticipated and provided for, these
heavy demands could only be discharged by recourse
to the credit of the SUte.
The authority given me at yonr last session to raise
money by sale ot the bonds of the SUte baa been par
tially executed. After careful consideration and ad
visement with those more versed in financial affaire
than myself, I determined, in the exercise of the dis
cretion reposed in me, to issue bonds with the ample
security afforded by a mortgage of the Western and
Atlantic Railroad. The delay Incident to the prepara
tion of these bonds, and the annexation of the mort
gage security, rendered a resort to temporary loans
neoe8aary.
A very liberal spirit was manifested by moneyed
corporations and by individual-* of our own SUte; but
in this time of prostration, barely enough could be
realized from these sources to defray ordinary ex
penses and pressing arrearages. To obtain the means
of purchasing com for the destitute, and making re
pairs upon the Western and Atlantic Railroad, it was
found necessary to resort to localities where money
was more abundant and SUtes and Individual! less
needy. In Hew York, the great commercial emporium
of the country, the required relief was found. Loans
for four and three months were negotiated at the rate
of seven per cent, per annum. Only in two or three
insUnces (within the SUte), for small amounts com
paratively, when there remained no other raaouroe to
meet the expenses of yonr last session, rapidly draw
ing to aclo?e, was more than seven per cent, paid tor
these temporary loans. Ail of the short loans thus
far negotiated by myself, and aU negotiated by the
Provisional Governor, that have been matured, have
been paid in full. The immature loans contracted by
him amount, in the aggregate, to fifty-three thousand
three hundred and thirty-three and one-third dollars,
payable in gold or its equivalent in currency. 1 found
the indications clear and cheering that, notwlUistand-
ing the great diminution of the material wealth sub
ject to her Uxation, her bitter experiences, aud bet
present prostration, onr good old SUte enjoys an hon
orable and enviable credit. I entertain not a shadow
■ot doubt that, if permitted to enter the money market
upon her own merits—the ban of the Federal Govern
ment, which beclouds her future, removed—her se
curities would command more ’ban par in the present
circulating medium, notwithstanding the palpable
depression resulting from this eauso (purely political),
I look with confidence to their appreciation, and
therefore avoided, as far as possible, precipitancy in
the sale of them. It seemed to be s foregone oonola-
sion st the money centre, that Georgia bonds wonld
be well sold at eightv-flve in the hundreds and eo it
was announced to me. The prompt and decided re
jection of all offers below ninety in the hundred speed
ilv brought them to that poiot, at which, however, no
larger amount than present necessity required, was
e °The bonds authorized by the Convention of 18C5—
amounting to $500,000 and limited in time to five
years—were not well received by capitalists. The
time wss too short to invite permanent investment,
and for that reason unsuited to speculation. The
Provisional Governor effected sales of them only to
the amount of (30,000 00. But this difficulty was
overcome in a great measure by incorporating tattem
a provision making them convertible, at the option of
the bolder, into each bonds, on longer time, as the
General Assembly might authorize. The eth seettem
of the act on thia subject, approved 12th 1March, 1866,
placing the bonds authorized by the Convention, In
all respects, on the same footing with those provided
for in too preceding sections, fully sustained this ex
pedient. Very cheaply prepared, in a stylo and with
material corresponding to the short existence intended
tor them, they tided the Treasury materially whilst
more available bonds were in preparation. Looking
to toe substitution of toe latter for the former »t an
early day. I caused bonds to be prepared conforming
to the provisions of the act above referred to, aa fol-
Under the ordinance of the Convention a*
qualified by the act of the Legislature •••* **■?“?
Under the lat section of the act. l,euu,uuu
Under toe 7th section to provide for pay-
ment of the Federal tax eou ' ouu
Under 8th section to fund past due bonds
and coupons »
Under 11th section appropriation act to pur-
Total '»y vv ..... $6,441,OCO
Of thia amonnt $176,500 will mature in 1868; $334,-
500 in 1869; $164,500 in 1870—making a total of $675,-
500. The latter sum, therefore, must be provided lor
within four years from this time. I recommend that
the bonds before mentioned, prepared to meet the
Federal tax, but aa yet unexecuted, be placed at the
disposal ot the Governor, with authority to u6e them
as occasion may be presented, by sale or exohange, if
deemed advisable, in redemption of the bonds to
mature in and before the year 1870. The public debt
will not thus be increased- in amount and may bo
somewhat diminished.
Bonds amounting to $154,000 will mature in 1871,
and others amounting to $721,500 in 1872, the ag
gregate being $875,500 to be provided for iu six
years.
To meet this and subsequently accruing liabilities I
recommend that the sum of one hundred aud twenty
thousand dollars be annually set apart as a sinking
fund accumulative. -i-
If the first class of bonda (to mature within four
years,) be provided for in the manner suggested, and
the linking fund proposed be allowed to accumulate
until 1872, at 6 per oent. interest, it will be adequate
to the payment of the bonds maturing in 1871 and
1872. But, if in the then existing financial condition
of the State, itshoullbe deemed advisable by your
successors to meet the liabilities of 1871 and 1872 by
sale of the State’s stock in the Atlantic and Gulf
RMilrfkMd, or by applying any other resource available
at that time, and permit the sinking fund to go on ac
cumulating, the entire debt of the State may, in ^ue
progress of time, be easily provided for, and her
credit maintained. In urging you to look thus tar
into the future, and to provide means or initiate a
policy for the accomplishment of ends so desirable,
think I but present a case of clear duty. It is true,
that during the immaturity of State securities, if the
annually accruing interest be faithfully paid, the
holders have no legal right to ask more. But I would
j irass upon your adoption the scheme of the sinking
: “and as one of the surest props to 8tate credit, and as
an act of justioe to posterity; and for these reasons,
as a great measure of State policy. Its great ad
vantage is, that it distributes the burthen of payment,
equally over a aeries of years; and, indeed, the sum to
be provided In each year will be so small as scarcely
to merit the appellation of a burthen. Whensoever a
large amount shall mature in any one year, without
such provision, either the tax payer of that year must
be oppressively burthened. or a new debt must be in
curred. Should this occur when money is scarce, it
may be difficult, if not Impracticable, to place a new
loan, thus bringing the General Assembly face to face
with the alternative of oppressive taxation or dishonor
of the 8tate’a obligations. The escape from this
dilemma, now proposed, is so easy, that I think it will
commend itself to the favorable consideration of the
General Assembly. The debt of the United States
Government is so large, and her credit sustained by
resources so ample, that her outstanding securitie-
will always afford facilities for the investment of the
•inking fund and its accumulating interest.
I reiterate the conviction expressed in my first
message to you, that the Western and Atlantic Rail
road, put in a condition of thorough repair, anil
furnished with adequate rolling stock, will in the
future, with proper management, sustain itself and
yield a revenue, which, increased by dividends that
may reasonably be expected from the Atlantic and
Gulf Railroad, will always render unnecessary onerous
taxation.
The reports of the Treasurer and Comptroller
General will furnish yon detailed information relative
to toe finances of toe State, and with statistical in
formation of an interesting character. 1 commend
to your serious consideration the suggestions «,f
the latter in reference to amendments of the revenue
ta The collection of the Federal tax upon lands having
been suspended before much progress hud been
nude, I did not feel authorised to suspend that im
posed for toe support of toe Mate Government- I re
gret exceedingly tost sny portion of our fellow-citizens
should have been required to pay the Federal tax, but
not believing that your legislation contemplate.!
partial suspension of toe Slate tax, I could not
come to their relief. The State tax, acl valorem,
is very light, being only one-sixth of one per cent.
The tax upon toe sale of spirituous liquors seemed
by its terms to embrace toe first quarter of the presen t
year, which had nearly expired before the lax was
imposed. Being retroactive, the seller was deprived
of the opportunity to add the tax to the price, in his
sales Besides, many merchants had during that
quarter sold the article for non-residents, on commis
sion, and made final settlements with the owner..
Esd the **- been exacted of them, it would have ex
ceeded largely their commissions, and subjected them
to serious loss, without fault on their part. For these
reasons I suspended toe tax foe too first quarter, and
now invite your attention to it
The people of Georgia have always been lightly
taxed, and Isee no indications that the State Govern
ment will be constrained to make thia burthen oner
ous in toe future.
EDUCATION.
The re-opening of toe University, after an unavoida
ble suspension, has elicited the most satisfactory evi
dence of public approval. Many of ite indst ardent
friends entertained toe apprehensions that causes
connected with the war recently teiminated, and chief
among them tho otter impoverishment of some, and
the straitened circumstances of others, formerly both
able and willing to educate their sons, would occasion
such diminution of patronage as would render the
effort abortive. The result has been far otherwise.
The number of applicants for admission, very respec
table st first, baa rapidly Increased, and is still In
creasing. There are now matricnUtad conmuerably
more than one hundred. It offers to the peopled
Georgia very great educational advantages, whilst the
tons of moral and religions opinion and feeling is de-
ddedly higb, without toe slightest taint of sectarian.
W m’ e Hve in an age when educated mind mnst take a
leading part In afitire of State. Any people negject-
„ . v, free, was computed alike with refer- — —- -
this identical subject of representation, and chase corn for toe destitute
i; ‘Stored regarding toe elective franchise,
n „Jectlon now urged against the amendment is,
ly- ^ *‘ll fall upon citizens inhabiting one latitude
- to avalanche from ita mountain perch, crushing
settles; whilst upon those of another latitude
•till alight unfelt like a feather floating in still air.
“■ ite iilirti section engrafts npon toe fundamental
4»« w disqualification for office. State and Federal
.^“►qualification not toe result of sny set to be
i. “ter the adoption of tho amendment, but con-
btf °re Us conception. The act entalUng
("qualification lor office consists in having heretofore
', a . u oath to support the Constitution of the
ttS StatC8 . and having thereafter engaged to re-
‘“torrection against the same, or-ffiaving
wdertre comfort to the enemies thereof. Con*
il number of our <
■kosth
_ ' £on-
2 number of our citizens who have taken
Ovr hhder the circumstances set forth, toe tium-
kS" 1 ? engaged in the war. and toe breadth
Aw mo revered by the words “giving aiaan&cornr
the ’"‘.enemies thereof," wo can readily perceive
la character oi toe disqualification. It is
'ttted ii - v Preemptive as if toe persons to be af-
uT “““ been ascertained and their names Inserted.
. noted, also, that toe proscribed are all
Vlfflst ii 011 one 8iJe of * certain geographical lina.
aih.hu .* u,bors °f the proscription have their lo-
]S '5°» on too other side.
rrmar kabl c , moreover, that there is in
»ho .!“ ecll °n no saving clause to favor of those
toe interval between the cessation ofhostili-
c *tv«i ti “''option of the Amendment,may have re-
tw amnesty of the Government. Pardoned
y 0 „* y cave been, but disfranchised they will be.
tt Vlli , ' “sited to give your consent that such a fate
w . 0 upon many of yonr best citizens, who have
vtoir, ° rea 1116 public confidence, and some of
HuT fill important publlo trusts. Can Georgia
j •r^'o' toes* from her eerriodt
““ “fth end last taction empower* the Congress
and Atlantic Railroad, the General Assembly may, *“
perfectly good faith, if deemed advisable, order them
executed and issued for any other purpose and with
out additional expense.
Ho bonds have been sold st a lower price then ninety
cents in the dollar, and very few above it. The Trea
surer’s report will advise yon of the amount told and
the prooeed*. It will be necessary to dispose of toe
entire amount authorized aud prepared for sale, when
ever a fair price can be obtained; bat arrangements
have been made which, without increased cost to toe
State will obviate the necessity of lorced sales below
their*real market value. The sales uot having been
completed and toe bill* for materiM and work to pre-
4«ration of toe bonds uot having been rendered, the
expense attending this particular service cannot now
‘"Evince having transpired that there are ertant
kAndRAr tha Slate not registered In tne Treasurer 11
Aflra ffiTifl trfciieofflin^T doubtful genuineness alii
office, ang wi3gwps«»»» j for refunding which me-
^^TVt toe TTO^^Vn-' any coupon* past due
sasL’grJgES
thia specific purpose is $880*550.
uluality, Ua^ir destitution of mental culture mpet ap
peal *strongly to the sympathies of their more fortu
nate fellow-citizens. But flgtfqlprest in the subject
rises immeasurably wlieu they are looked npon as fu-
tmw members xrf the bodjTSlittfl^^nder 4 iCdhWtn-
ttod extending general suffihg^to male citizens.
A conscientious man.- wholly uneducated, always
feels much embarrassment in choosing between nxal
candidates for popular suffrage, and whatever be his
natural endowments, and however prominent,his vir
tues, ia*conscious of his own want of qualification for
public service. No plainer proposition can be stated
than that a people who govern ought to be aa. intelli-
gent people.
Experience has shown that it is difficult todiguutae
and keep in successful operation, a system, of: com
mon school education where die population ia sparse.
But the difficulty should not discourage effort. Ter-
sieteot trial will expose errors and suggest remedies.
Even our imperfect system has, like eU otter, useful
enterprises, suffered suspension. I remarked with
pleasure that, at your last session, you had raised
from your own bodies a joint committee to oons8der r
during your recess, and on jour rca—amhiing to re
port upon this great subject. Belying upon their
fidelity and ability, m your own chosen depositaries
of ao grave a trust, I venture npon no auggealtens aft
to details. .-'cbn.
It will, of course, occur to you, and will douh&aa
have commanded the attention of your committee,
that the source* whence tha fund for thia purpose
derived have almost entirely failed. The bank eh
owned by the State, and applied to this object, have
Been lost. The Western aud Atlantic Railroad has
yielded no revenue within the past two and a half
years—aud in all probability, until It shall have
thrown off the war-imposed burdens, can do litUe or
nothing for this cause. Its revenues are now pledged
to the payment of interest on, and a sinking fund for
the public debt, necessarily considerably increased
irithin the past financial year. Notwithstanding all
these difficulties, I respectfully suggest that attenffmr
to, aud provision for this public interest, does not ad
mit of delay. 1 doubt uot that your conaUluent^ will
cheerftlTly near, even now, such contributions a• may
be deinamled of them to h>«r it •
THE'WESTERN AND ATLAN#fc RAILROAD.
I transmit herewith a copy of the report of tha *
perintendent of the Western and Atlantic Railroad,
accompanied by reports to him of subordinate officers,
and sundry tabular statement*.
From a careful perusal of these documents, not only
general results, but detailed information relative to
the different branches of service, and a clear Insight
into the general management of thia important in
terest, may be readily obtained. The very greet im
provement made since the road passed under the
management of the present superintendent, in the
track itself, in tho motive power and other rolling
stock, and in the general service, whether stationary
at the termini and at intermediate depots, or moving
with the trains, reflects the highest credit upon him
aud hi» subordinates. These documents disclose the
facts that reconstruction, renovation and increased
capacity to meet the demands of travel and com
merce, were required at all points and in all depart
ments, and that large arrearages occurring between
the 25th September, 1865, and the 1st of April, 1866,
have been met since the latter day. Accidents and
looses arc now of very rare occurrence, and failures or
delays of trains almost unknown.
During the first six months of the year the business
of the road was very large, owing to the foot that many
roods iu the Eastern line of comlbctian with the
Northern cities wero uot in operation. They, having
been put in working order daring the spring, have
again drawn to themselves much of travel and trans
portation formerly enjoyed and properly appertaining
to them.
This circumstance and a general, though, it is be
lieved, temporary falling off during tbe summer
mouths of thia business, have greatly curtailed the
gross receipts. Should there come a revival in the
activity aud prosperity of the conntry, now slowly re
covering from the exhaustion of long war, railroad
business will revive with them. The location and
It
connections of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, as
well remarked by the Superintendent, insure It a
large participation, under any circumstances, In the
general travel and transportation, be they great or
small. Should the good time hoped for come, there
is every indication that this road will be in a condi
tion to do its part in the general service promptly and
efficiently. It was estimated, when you were last in
session, that, to put the road in all respects in thorough
working condition, it would be necessary Tor the State
to contribute from half a million to seven hundred
thousaud fiollari. The aid, so tar extended, really
exceeds very little tho sum of three hundred thou
sand dollars. It will probably be necessary to add to
this sum two hundred aud fifty thousand dollars,
being an aggregate of five hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, moderately exceeding the smallest estimate.
To make this furtSjer advance, you have already pro
vided the means.
There hangs, however, over the road a heavy debt
to the United States Government, contracted in the
purchase of supplies and railroad property by the
provisional superintendent, for the payment of which
a year iienee tbe faith of the State is pledged. The
State of Georgia has a claim upon that Government
for the u*e and occupation of the road and its rolling
stock, aud other items, which may or may not be so
far liquidated and acknowledged, by that time, as to
be set off against that indebtedness. Every effort
will be made to effect a full and amicable settlement,
which will east; the State of this burden; but, in any
event, the faith of the S.ate must be kept.
Looking to the contingency of tbis payment having
to be mvde, if ft be thrown upon the road no reliance
can be placed upon it for revenue to meet tbe current
expenses of the Government during the year upon
w hich we have just entered. The precise amount of
this debt has uot been ascertained, in consequence of
a failure to deliver some of the cars purchased. But,
deducting from tie whole amount of the invoice pay
ments made, the remainder will exceed somewhat
four hundred thousand dollars.
It authority be given the Executive to make pay
ments upon this debt from time to time, out of any
money in tho Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
(failing all efforta at settlement,) it may be arranged
in the course of the year, and the amount of Interest
meantime gradually reduced. My belief is that if the
net profits from the road be even fidr. the sum esti
mated by the Comptroller General to arise from that
source may be deducted and this debt discharged,
without creating a new loan.
I ooucur in the suggestions of the Superintendent,
relative to tho inadequacy of the salaries of the Trea
surer and Auditor. If the ability and skill required
to fill those offices properly, and the amount of labor
and responsibility attending them be considered, it
would seem very clear that the present salaries, in
times like these, are not compensatory. I request
the General Assembly to give just consideration to
this subject.
During tbe existence of the war authority was given
to the Superintendent to issue change bills for a stated
amount. Of these there are now outstanding from
seventy-five to eighty thousand dollars. That the
holders of these change bills are entitled to payment
by some rule, can scarcely be questioned. They were
not issued with any view to aid in the war, but to re
lieve the road and the people from one tot the incoa-
venieuces of the war—the difficulty of making change.
FoPtbis purpose they were interchanged with Con
federate treasury notes in settlements, and the ques
tion is, whether they should be redeemed at ti*eir
nominal vi'lue or at the then value of confederate
notes, (on the level of which they stood,) at the time
of their issue, or on what other scale ? It ia a small
matter, but the Superintendint, wishing to do what
is right, las lelt some embarrassment. There is little
doubt that they have been to a considerable extent
counterfeited, and. therefore, their payment in cur
rency at some eet value would be much safer than
their absorption for fare or freight on the road. The
matter ia submitted for your determination.
THE LUNATIC A9YLUH.
'‘One of the most grievous evils to which onr rice Is
subjected ia the deprivation of human reason. The
greatest alleviation of thia terrible malady ia found in
the establishment of asylums for the stricken, wham
their wants are cared lor, their evil propensities and
their power for mischief controlled and their disease
skilfully treated. Georgia has established one of these
institutions, devised by advanced civilization. It
is m successful operation; is. I believe, wef! managed,
and is dispensing a noble charity to the indigent, and
a more than compensatory blessing to the wealthy,
whose misfortunes bring them fto iti doors. The re
port of the Superintendent and Resident Physician
will be before you, advising you in detail of its condi
tion and management, its wants aud susceptibility of
improvement Your com mi tree# of scientific profes
sional men and financier* will look into these subjects
with more capacity to enlighten you than I can bring
ACADEMY TOR TBE
Ia the exercise of toe
General Areemblr. I ha.
to be re-opened. Had i« been in
; tett it a dirty so to continue tt.
state of auapMuien, it would dowMeoa'hCTain
quired prompt pecuniary aid to enable it to reonoto it*
function*. HetantiLouaT late period cooMsuch sid
have been«— J - u - J jq —mi unit ultimo te-
nrOMilftito flees! embarrassments rmeelnfi enisi tin
Mate. I treat, however, toaiaz tbooomjaaaesweret of
another year, this may ba done, and tint It will bo tin
pleasure at the General Assembly to prortde fcr it.
This is another of too** great haWaalterlaa atiter-
prisee which, haring been Undertaken by the State,
abqwld not bo.aficred either tefhUorin taogUtah
. IMDVtWAL t—Ht - '
The failure to agricultural jnwnita dazing Dm yonr
1888.~resalting to part from toe in disposition to steady
labor of tan free dm en. but «MHy Bom —
seasons, bat doubtless ex
cnee upon toe energii
to bn hoped tost they .
rise shove despondency. It should be . aasirnfd
ttart delta* of tosee cause, will prove eontinoios. It
tha sail come ocuseouttvaly, in tke tmmUekUty.
The next may reward the husbandman wtth abundant
Nor should the people of the South yield readily to
discouragement in regard to tbe labor ot the negro in
his new sterna. All reflecting tetnda cannot Ml to
perceive that the first effect of sudden m» unrated on.
must be unfavorable to his wMl-doing and to hia well-
befog. Unaccustomed to caring ler btmselfi ha la
prone to believe that the freedom with, which he has
been invested involve* freedom froriX ‘labor, which
was, in his eyes, the distinctive trait in the condition
of slavery. It is not to be expected that he would, at
once, reason correctly aa to his surroundings and
prelect*,!* adopt BTMRPtiy M» tnseotalngof toe late
proprietory race. Experience aloqn.can teach him
tiidoa, and what he?teaching will be la not a sot£ set
of speculation; we all know what that win bn. In
addition to all this, there Is abundant eridaoce that he
has indulged most extravagant and unfounded
expectations of benefits to be conferred upon him by
toe Federal Government. He ha* expected from that
sauce n fren grant dr land In Us own right, miff ha*
been indisposed to cultivate tho land at atoms. If
driven fern by present necessity, ha hoe regarded It
as ntomporery expedient, and went to work predis
posed to shirk it. Tima will dissipate these delusions.
It would bn both just and kind to watt for and to as
sist his awakening from them. Many who hue har
ried into courses of vice and crime, will probably
prove irreclaimable. These mttet he committed ton
jbst and impartial administration of the taw, as is
practiced with the virions of onr own race. But the
great mass of these people, under good influences,
may be made useful to themselves sad to toe coon-
try.
The planting interest to Georgia can never again be
what it has been. Few, If any, will be able to prehe-
cate it on as Urge a scale as some hare dene ia toe
oast. But agriculture mast contiua* to be the
Industrial pursuit of the State. The return of
pority wilTonly be retarded by inconsiderate aba
meat of it under a feeling of despondency. So fhr| as
toe great step]* for export is concerned, many
probably be surprised at the pecuniary results, efeu
iu this disastrous year. The price of the article wifi
be more than three fold that of the average ot former
years, whilst the product, to weight, will be fully i
third of that realised in those yrere. W* cannot
rive the same consolation, to the full extent, rag
tog the provision nop. That will tall short of the
quantity required to subsist to. people of
the State; and whilst those who combined with it toe
cultivation of cotton will be abundantly ahlato sup
ply the deficiency, toe poorer classes, who were never
accustomed to prodnoe more than a livelihood, will be
greatly straitened. But each ban bmn always their
experience under like circumstances, srd they must
be helped, at heretofore, by those toon fcvored.
Surely it will be so. Especially should ton creditor
class tavor the debtor thus unfortunately situated. He
who, under such circumstances, wool* ooecoe pay
ment, by legal compulsion, beyond his positive
necessities, would be a monster, even tar ton family of
Mammon. . , ,.,
Good policy and wise forecast undoubtedly require
diversity of pursuits. Resources, other than agri
cultural, woicb are abundant in Georgia, should bs
developed. And these are ttttoe who have pecuniary
ability, without adaptation to husbandry; and others
who have brain, or Done and muscle, or all combined,
who have neither land nor the mesne of purchasing
it, to whom these other fields of enterprise are
especially inviting. But agriculture is at - last the
leading and the most desirable purauit, and those hav
ing experience in it, or adaptability to it, combined
with the possession of tbe land or tha means to
purchase it, should struggle^with all possible energy
mrui persistence to overcome ’all obstacles to success.
In view of material prosperity, the most gloomy
picture of these gloomy times ia productive land lying
fallow.- Let all holders ol arable land cultivate the
freedman. in ordt-r that he may cultivate the soil, to
the great advantage of both parlies. And it, at last,
he prove u ii tractable and unavailable, let the pauper
papulation of other countries be sought after. But,
come what may. let our broad acres be tilled. There
lig*, for ua, foe broadest, aud deepest and most re
liable source of subsistence and of wealth. Whatever
the General Assembly can do to enoourage and foster
this branch of industry, I earnestly urge upon them.
They are thenoaelves chiefly of thia riasa. and may be
supposed to comprehend its wants. At the same time,
doubtless, they will be disposed to do all they can le
gitimately to promote the introduction and develop
ment of other industrial pursuits.
rilleatveiy moderate tore, la making brick in the
Puritantiar/ brick yard, la quarrying granite, w' ■ -
may bnwntftaltoton Stan, or nieab1e._ Butts
nwmh.. toe nnsns in) it flogs ao rapidly—ton diffi
culty of employing thran sod the incidental expense
Itaiw disproportion striy. If the peHey of throw-
lug them upon toe bands, ot toq Executive ba bob-
timied. tt is indtepenaibly neoresary tint some re*u-
u|ar continuing public worth. .odaptad to towe “JJf-
^tongrel^^^taem^dUBte^
employmeBtupoa ThTpubUo need# of toe reverel
asking brick for the erection of court
and to kfiltang *«*«#;'*• n*d«
tot their employment, to every county, which, with
good management, could be made highly advauta-
geoae toil. Nothing mere is wanting than a ipfrit
of enterprise and improvement. Tbe roads and
bollgm of the State, with rare etteptions.aro proverbi
ally bad. In many otagtltaiiouta hsonre are wanted:
and, in a vast majority, sate and commodious jails.
R«s is aa opportunity to command ‘free labor for
such useful purposes. > Many shrink from it, bacons*
in too beginning, tbe laborers are too few to be profi
tably employed. Bat. to* todladtioas ‘ are; that thia
would b. o«riy temporary. An efficient gang .onon, made
up wonld undoubtedly be maintained aa regards
numbers. Wnsra ti beenmn naamaift provision
might bn mode for consolidating toe gangs of two or
three adjoining . arnica, end working them alter
nately to the oue •'7‘ tae other.
After much reflection and a little experience, lam
satisfied of toereo things, lag That Owing to the-short
terms of punishment, no general system of btete em
ploy mem t ot these oonvtcta can be devised which wilt
at all compensate fox the axpsnea of transporting, sub
sisting and guarding them. 23. That the employment
of ttw” in the countries where convicted can be made
to relieve toe planting interest generally of an oner
ous public sarvtae, (the wortrtng of roads) and to everv
• ray largely bepefleial to tha eonntiea. Id. That noti
ng short oflegal compulsion will induce the dourteof
the counties to wnherfc to tbs enterprise.
HTfata subject, to myjodgmeot, demands the serious
consideration at the General Assembly.
tog to provide either etementdnr. education for too
mam, or to afford facilities for obtaining such higher
aud more extended knowledge s* will enable tbeir
youth, passing Into manhood, to master in due time
difficult problems to political economy and in state
policy trill assuredly tall behind to toe competition of
States and nations for superior development.
Prvtndices which to former times found voice in otrr
legislative assemblies against liberal education, we
jjgSIB3!iSsa54^.S5«®'
$3,680,000
The assumption of the Federal tax not
permitted, and ita suspension having disp«n«»fi
tha necessity for such assumption, the bonds designed
for this purpose, though engraved, have not oson
executed, and are deposited in the Stodto foatGovermnent." This resource can be ap-
covercd, however, by the mortgage on toe Western ^ no oorpose whatever, and toe question
educated eons, in til departments of public employ
ment, not to see clearly how largely her future proa-
nerttv and sreatoess depend upon toe enlightenment
Smb£ JSteg^reti^mieUird clause of the fifth
motion second article Of the Constitution, clearly iit-
diralea’that, to tb* opinion of the Convention of 18t>5,
the nreeant endowment of the University of Georgia
i, inadequate to ita neceaaitie*. Mtodtolrf to-se
rious losses our people have recently eu.tamed, and
to^temporerv deprmsi on of their material interests,
vfoibeararging you at tbi* time to tocreaae toe en
dowment, iy object to adverting to toe subject now
ia to congregate you and jamJ=o“»ti*ii«®da ^upon tha
rood uae which to being made of ta* limited aid here
tofore aud a till extended to thia venerable institution,
and to ask that her past and present usefulness bc^m-
Mfited aa in eameetof toe fruit that may be anhet-
pated from a larger endowment to more prosperous
There 1b, however, s measure by which too nssf'ri-
ness of toe University may be greatly increased, and
S great public trust, now devolved upon toe Getmral
Assembly, Judiciouslj executed, without imposing any
burden upon our Impoverished people. A. '“ge «■*-
tent of public lend* belonging to tho United States
torn been, by an act of Congress, devoted to thve«tal>-
lishmont of agricultural colleges to toe several States.
At vour last session yon accepted, for toe purpose in
dicated. such tend as might be allotted to Georgia un-
S?to*t act, and your acceptance has born oommuui.
oer tils, SOS j ... rm,!a nuuninv ran be Itv
nlied to no other purpose whatever, ana im
arises how it can be moot advfintogeously employe !
SXi ir a separate independent institution be e*
taWJahed, much expense must be incurred, which
gsSa.’gssatflgafSfflg
SSktatetB* j£SE*“l2to wta toe' object^contend
nbiijid tafthe establishment of tbe University oT Geor-
I 2i t ?ky£ahthemeana tor ita full development have
gia, though the There are now connected vrith
ment of agricultural chemistry,
a BUM institution, and a* fta*
mnst also b* undar State **»“
recommend that the Utter be — o- __ mono
of that de-.
As toe University is
COMMON SCHOOLS.
There is no subject demanding your attention of
gust* Importation to the Stela Ann that of common
jldieei xdnnatiTNi
Ia no targe a population than must always be* con-
•Uscable number to whom, without Government aid,
area elementary edotatitta moat over remain forbid-
dsn fruit. If then* ba regmdwt tiiaply ta thairiadta ai deration
your serious deliberation. .. Xtae Code requires tost
persons of color shall be admitted into tas institution;
but another section of the same Code enjoins it at an
imperative duty on the Superintendent to keep pa
tients of the white and African races separate, a pro
vision founded ta the wisest military pahfly. Iain to-
formed by the Superintendent and Resident Fhysi-
sian that with the present accommodation* and plan
of the 'bonding, and toe number of white patients
there and likely to be there. It ia impossible to comply
with both requirements of the Code. Something must
be done for the enlargement of toe building, or colored
neonl* mnet be excluded continuously from it The
tatter alternative, allow me to my, should not be con
templated for a moment The information brought
tome induces theheUef that this fearfulmgady is on
toe increase among that people. HwWWW accus
tomed to be cared for; themselves uncaring, they have
been free from very many anxieties and reapensibili-
Ses, wbich'Oftefl harass and craze thorn in‘higher
social position. How. suddenly, after many year* of
irresponsible, uneollciton. lifo. toey find toemmlvea
invested with the boon of freedom oinpled wito the
burthens of aelf-pressrvation ana family npovMon,
whilst their evil propensities, previously kept in check
bv wholesome borne government, are left unbridled.
Among them insanity most assuredly will increase.
Heretofore when it has occurred, borne provision has
been made for it, but boa.e. such **_toey onre.en-
iotvd rcmztas to them no longer. Will the State
Abandon them to all the miseries, suffering* aud perils
atieutiou .istosreeeUr requested to U. ■> - 2.
Tbe AC ADMIT. FOR THE BLIND.
THE PENITENTIARY.
The Penitentiary ot the State has been this year
passing through a trying ordeal Subjected during
toe war to the torch of an invading army; at tbe com
mencement of the present political year it was to i
state of great dilapidation—scarosly an available tone
ment on toe premises, its workshops destroyed, the
large cell-building roofless, and otherwise Injured—
everything wearing the aspect of ruin, with no fends
and few convicts to aid in the work of reconstruction.
The appropriation made for repairs and for support of
the institution was, iu my estimation, very inadequate
to its necessities. Yet, I think those who will charge
themselves with personal inspection will find that, by-
economy, energy, and a wise nsa of limited means,
very much has been accomplished to the way of reno
vation. The cell-building, essential to lha safekeep
ing of toe inmates, has beau put to excellent condi
tion; some workshops have been constructed; the
tannery and shoe manufactory have beau put to good
working order; a targe eating-room, with kitchen and
smoke-house appurtenant, has bean built de nooo;
the barracks for the guard here bean made
not only habitable, but comfortable; the steam engine
ha* been repaired and made subsidiary to many use
ful purposes, and the defrrta of the fire has disap
peared. There remain ruin* net removed, because
susceptible, at moderate expense, of useAU renova
tion. Ana Georgian, I regret to wMwa*£*ovi
deuce of it* prosperity aa an institution, viz: the targi
increase in the numb* of it* inmates. I willingly
bear testimony to tha fidelity red shinty” with which
the principal keeper and hie eaeietanta hare dis
charged their duty. The report of the former win be
before you. Your committees will scrutinize it, in
spect the premises, and look Into the general man
agement of the institution. I deem it Decenary to re
iterate the views presented to you in my first mas
sage relative to its continuance as a State Institution,
and tbe extension to it of such fostering ear* aa its
necessities may require.
In conformity with* resolution of tha General As
sembly. Messrs. Howell Cobb, Mark A Cooper and
John H. Fittan, were appointed commimionere to
•■examine'and report npon the propriety at removing
tbe present Feniianttery end locating Mabewbare, or
of establishing an additional on*." Their report baa
not yet been received, but I am informed, win be
toen presented. When received, it will be trenemit-
ted; and until then I reserve any other views I may
desire to present on this subject.
THE CHAIR GANG.
Bv an act of the GrtteMT Assembly entitled -An act
to alter aud amend the Penal-Code of Georgia," ap-
craved 20th of March, 1866, a large number of offences
previously treated he iemales were rednoed below
that grade, and were m*de puniaheble, to toe discre
tion of the Judge, by sentence “to work to a chain
gang." And by another act entitled "An Act to regu-
1-n the sene of convicts taherlhg spaa public
works, end to define the power* and dntlesof the Infe
rior Court and Governor of the State touching tha mme
aud for other purposes thereto mentioned," (approved
on tba aamedeyj It was leftdiacretkmary with the In
terior Courts of tbe several counties to employ snob
convict* on the public works of tha county, or to re
port them to the Governor, to b* otherwise employed.
When so reported. U was made tha duty of the Gov-
eruor to tend a guard for them, and to employ them
diligently on the Western aud Atlantic Railroad, or
npon such other public work* or toiprtreemente aehe
might judge to the bast interest of thejMam, and as
shall bmt subserve the ends of justice, gantaneae of
as. character have been very numerous and In near
ly an cases, the Inferior frmiti, destining ta employ
them to the counties whereto they ware convicted and
sentenced, have reported thorn to tbe Executive.
The performance of this duty has been attended
with greet difficulty, embarrassment and expanse. I
early examination into the practicability at am*
ploying these convicts safely and advantageously on
the Western and Attatitifl Railroad, and hecamd thor
oughly satisfied although such tabor might be
very profitably used to tile construction of a railroad
where there were excavation* and embankments ta lie
meder it wa* entirely unadopted to any work to ba
done on a railroad ffntahed and in operation, too**
dinary employment, as depot ortf-tol hands, or track
men, or In any other work of which they are capable,
thev require more freedom st action and more disper-
ai*n then would »• ‘compatible with aeoum ooattoe-
meut. without eeweojtog tamort:m “2£“£,“
(ttfftffiSgWMSSKSSfe
h,.«ta£e long shutout from light of day-rom. of
Whom never enjoyed Ita ^pton-reedtogflaentiy
mid accurately from the Word of Life, or from unto-
extendedtonuffi sufferers, and tbe naaahex ef. bosks
Sapted to their, nae mnltllJM, hnwwlde afield of
sfasKHsaastss!;
KsaasSg
my. There are efinptabreiM
which they ere entirely
manTtbuxiM^R <* m * kin « * livehhood.who moat
mini-ini’-• -~>a charity. Such instruction ta
to tide institution, greatly ta
credit af the msaegmepeud Ine
otherwise depend
now being Hu]
doending to'
SESn&jKgSff 4 ***
Bdetmtion I commend the institution.
laborer*. That, therefore, was not available; There
areno established public work*, except within tha
wataeof tha Btnltenttary. Where mechanical arte are
chiefly proaeaatad. Wot thare, tha teat ot ponleh
ment uMtalypreacribed folr ehato-gate convict* ta
too short, and in foots convicts •entcncaa for felonies
qmi he more profitably craplayeifof thaM^aaodfg
tfaemielm The expense ot transporting them to
me eertof
from the **at of goyenemenl to p opanty.iR
from l f . fee a single Aato-^ffiff eeiivirai an
month has to be ssnt to the same or aa . . .
another, and, parhagta neither may have
mood for more then sixty days.
brought here there are
these difficulties. I nHH
pubhc aarvieTmore or lees cloeely wlthj
lions of the Penitentiary. TUs mad* the ft
tion cheaper, blew* often the mme ftinHffi
bring cauvicu ef felonies end eonylstn of mtadtaMan-
a^VnStntbeweMeaf tbePtatteMMylherettao
found taStegm end -der to coatee them at night;
-ffidv to the renttentiirT I have mured tt to^H
mnd. and hare charted that Institution with At
I thsaamt Hbm I have been compelled tol^mmm
it «t aHng.-gaariMnrf and a » ■ •
thi‘
ao-cnlled ultimatum ol tha radical*, so etrgn*
uouely urged upon the kUo aeoadad Bute#
as the terme of raooustruction, will bo re
garded a* a final adjustumt. The amend-
meat in not offered bf Cougreee In that view.
Congreee hag at no time ghrau any pledge
to the South that the adoption of tba pro-
poeod amendment would bg followed by Urn
admimion of Southern repraaeutativoain that
Tbe question presented to the South-
lent people ia (imply whether they -will rat
ify a hostile mid huiulUkilngpmunriin—I,
and trust to the mercy of n Radical Congrem
afterwards. Tba World give*, Ita. re mom
why tbe South ought not aq to wd- Itagyai
: It win further serve to otaer thta^ieetico of fr.
relevancies. If w* consider the potation In whioh It
Will stand, if the South, with steady aanfstaaafe re
jects the amendment. Supposingth*Baduiela made
here to tbrir present policy, the OMba would, la that
case, remain permanently dissolved—* oousrquauM
which the soundest part of every northern communi
ty earnestly deprecates, lb the | “
MAIMED SOLDIERS.
Considerable delay has. I regret t» say, attended
the completion of arrangements for the supply oi
artificial limbs to maimed, soldiers. Ho general to
convenience, however, has resulted from it, in'eeuee
queuceof tardiness to returns made to toe Comp-
trailer General; less than one hundred applications
having been made by the first of September, of which
one-fourth were informal, sod only about one-half too
counties havirg been yet heard from.
I appointed re a board ot surgeons to examine
—lecimene ot various patents which were put in com
petition tor toe work ordetpd by ttieff General As
sembly, Dm. L. A. Dugas, H. ,H. Steiner aud L. D.
Ford, of Augusta, having personal knowledge or their
professional attain meats sad skill, and believing tbs'
the examinations and consultations could be made
with more deliberation and less delay by selecting
those resident to the same place.
A — 11 was also made through the gazettes, as di
rected to the act, for proposals from manufacturers
exhibiting specimens, which elicited quite a number.
Considering together these proposals, the report of
the attrgeona npon the relative merits of toe limbs
submitted to their examination, aud the directions
given in the first section of the act aa a guide to tbe
Executive, it was very qlestly my duty to accept toe
offer of Dr. Douglass Bly. To him, therefore, the con
tract was awarded, and it has been duly executed; bo
naming Macon as the centisl pqtat where ihe limbs
were to be fltt-d. The price of these limbs will be
seventy dollars for each lag and for each arm where
tbe amputation was above the elbow, and forty dollars
here ft w*» mads below that joint
The report of the Comptroller General will Inform
you of tha whole number of applications that nave
been made and of the probable total. The stun re
quired to supply allappUcanta who bring themselves
within the provision* of the BOt, wffl probably some
what exceed the appropriation made, but U will doubt
less be your pleasure to increase It so as to leave none
destitute. Adequate Information will probably be as
your command to time to set.
From information collected. I am satisfied that tbe
benefit lob* derived tar the wearer of this admirable
Invention, will depend mainly upon himself. Early
experience in the use ot tho moat perfect and beat
adapted artificial limb will be disappointing, but pro-
par caution and perseverance will eo familiarize tbe
wearer with tie action, aa to make if speedily a won
derfully ueefal substitute for the lost member. It is
to be hoped that the brave men who have Buffered
mutilation wilt, by the exercise of patience, car* and
persistence, deriVe all the benefit you have designed
for them.
CORN APPROPRIATION.
After oareful inquiry I became satisfied that corn
could be moat advantageorely supplied to the destitute
under tb* appropriation of the last session by sending
an agent to the Northwest, and that fit. Louis was the
beet point for his operations. Colonel Maddox was
accordingly appointed and dispatched eo soon aa the
necessary funds could be obtained. Through the lib
erality ot companies engaged to transportation l>y
steamboat and railroad between St. Louie and Chatu-
nooga, half freights only were charged for bringing
thia corn to the western terminus oi the SUte road—
which enabled me to expend in the pdrebase at least
(36,000 more than could otherwise have been done,
The different railroad companies of tbis State, with
tKaie accustomed public spirit in the furtherance of
good works, have done their part in the transportation
with promptness and fidelity, free of charge. To
avoid delay, I appointed Cokmta Peterson Thweatt,
agent to receive the corn st Chattanooga and to distri
bute it to toe counties, thus carrying on the purchase
and distribution simultaneously.
The Superintendent and other officers and agents of
the Western and Atlantic wyi——i have also material
ly aided toe operation. The purchasing and distri .u-
ting agents have displayed a high degree of business
capacity, promptneee, and fidelity in the discharge . f
their duties. The result ia. the purchase and distrib
ution to reund numbers of 185,100 bushels of corn,
being four and a half bushels to each beneficiary re
ported, at a coat (all expenses included a Uttle less
than one dollar per basheL There ere some items
uot yet reported, which prevents a more precise state
ment, but when all expenses shall have been pa d,
there will remain to the Treasury, of this appropria
tion, about (15,000. Report* of toe agents accompany
thia communication.
I cannot dose this subject (relief to tbe destitute
and euBering people of Georgia) without making thia
public acknowledgment of cartsin noble benefactions
nom the charitable of other But** (pertly to provi
sions and pertly in money), which hare been and are
being distributed through my teatrumenttUty. Iu
them munificent ohrrities the noble women of our
country hare, as usual, been the chief actors. Ladles*
Southern ReMef Ateneletieue of Baltimore, of St. Jo
seph, Mo., end of Woodford, Ky : the Florissant
Southern Relief Association of St. Tiouta, Mo., and
citizens of St. Louis, Mo., acting through acommiUee,
are the doere of them good works. We can give them
only our poor thank*. May he who is love, and who
loveth s cheerful giver, bestewopon them e better re-
PUBLIC BCILDlHaS AND GROUNDS.
The Sate Mouse hm been re-roofed, and. I trust,
_Mde secures^met lukege; And the legislative hails
have been renovated. Water has been introduced into
the building, and arrangements are in progress to
ligkt the hall* with gas, both of whioh improvements
wul tend to dimtolsh the risk of fire to the building.
The cupola ta represented to be to an Unsafe condi
tion. requiring some repairs which could not be made
with the existing appropriation. For this reason I
have not had the clock repaired which stands wuhtu
it. and could not be expected to run well until those
repairs shall here beeh made. Tbe Executive Man
sion baa been put in secure and eorofbrtabl* order;
but, owing 1o the high prices of furniture, material,
labor aud freights, and the discovery of greater de
cay and dilapidation than was anticipated, the
acDroDriatlon proved insufficient for the objeet, and
tot i iiamltm ttsrr paid out of the oonttngaat fund,
of which, notwithstanding other unexpected drafts
unon it. thare remains a considerable unexpended bJ-
sire. I refer you. for detatlpdrepoctaad suggestions
to tilt accompanying report of foa tnnioaer in
exhcchte derabtmrrt,
My experience in this Department induce* thelbe
lief that two Secretaries will be adequate to Ita busi
ness. I dtapanetd wtofttbe eereiemiff the add! Ham
Secretary employed during raw **“[?“ T “7
soon after yonr adjournment;' If, however, the
dntimhe performed by two,** I,think they ess be
by tbe present efficient incumbents, their tabors will
be atdweae; and thta, legatBer witli tke verrgreal
ploying two repehta ta oretertae. with good mtaitafe
rather than three tarn competent, at lower salaries.
Their duttm are ataoezeettog, and! do not admit of
uniting other avooatioas with thorn.
CONCLUSION-
Whilst our political relations are to unsettled, and
eo taw gimme of hope come ta us from the future,
are slew things eepeetiDy toaaanbsot upon us.
It bteomm ua to cultivate among ourselves
U tty of feeUog, ot oplntea; end of salon; unity
smeag the people, unity among the Departments of
foe Oarer omen t.
3d. Our Interest limln emkewiag political excite.
Btcnt. studiously avoiding all conflict with aothorltiea
on chosen by ns, bet plaeed ever -ns, and employing
aw active energies m rebuilding onr own waste pbueo,
and developing ow neglected resources. Whilst
ethers nieinJwrangleovarephemmel hsua, tat us
ba busy with the real, abiding concerns of life. Thus
total we anwg* from this period of ostracism, wiser,
more thxtrtn* andmowrrepectedthan ever.
3d. It behooves us, above ail. to keep ourselves to
Ifopm retail nn“rr1tlf*"- of dm Uni
verse. To this end. tote rightsud proper that, cm *
day«»I>tMF«»to»ta». i °*ww^i i! i^e tffiouMrinml.
tion of the Un.on the country will Barer omnenli
When, tharafore, R shall be mads to appear that the
Union cannot be restored by extnrung from tha
South ratifications tt Vould not freely glv*. a reaction
will >et to against the 1U<Iirate Tha only doubts w«
feel on this point resnlt from tha debauching effect of
the love of office, and tha Impatient desire of Im
mediate success which distinguishes mere politicians
from forecasting statesmen. But if the bmt minds of
(he South have sufflelent firmness to withstand aU
hlandiakmonta offered to permaal emMtinn, no blag
ta more certain than a Northern reaction agatoat the
Radicals. The favorite el set! rsi soring trick by whioh-
Honhem voters are now milled ta a pretended
probability that the South will eempt the amendment
m the shortest method of restoration. Them deluded
voters desire speedy reavoretlogi So long as they
consider this the most promMeg method, th y will
favor to But when they discover It to ba futile, they
will be none tha lam impatient for, restoration; and
the Union sentiment of Ole oountry, like * stream
dammed up to uae ekennel. will ewell and rlaa, aud
presently overdo# Into tb* other. W* may therefor*
dismiss; m not property belong! eg to the controversy,
the assumed fixity of Honhem aaetiment ou wbiah
the advice proffered to the South Is made to hinge.
A ooint of considerable totenet to toe South, (to
which the World'can speak wito more authority than
any other Northern journal, ta tor poe.tioo of tha
Northern Democracy iu respect to the amendment. If
the Democratic party of toe North should commit
.itself to the smeadmeak thereby making the North’
unanimous in demanding ite ratification, such una
nimity could not be disregarded by tb* South to da-
termininz it- own course. Within the last lew weeks
webs;,. ..inch pains end no small solicitude, at
tempted u> t,-ugo the sentiment of the party on thia
point. The result is a conviction that the Northern
Democracy will never indorse tbe amendment a* s
condition of restoration. Our confident assurance on
this point cannot, oerbapa, be very easily communi
cated to the booth. It rests upou a various and rate-
celluueuu* intercourse, which it ta quite impossible tu
exhibit to detail. Our statement of ite drift must reel
upon our credit as observer*. Bat there ere corrobo
rating circumstances of such broad notoriety that they .
cannot have escaped Soutbera attention. AU to* moat
prominent candidates of the party, to the recant and
the pending elections, urn Democrats whose poaitton
is to no respect ambiguous. There are man who
think, perhaps Justly think, that ow low to Mato*
aud our talluro t* carry Feuuzyivahia were owing ta
tbe uncompromising character of ow candidate* fbr
Governor. The tact that to* party refused to have
anything to do with trtouaera, end preferred to inauff
all the baserda of a straight-out fight, is a conspicuous
proof that it is not demoralised by e truckling regard
for expediency. The nomination of Mr. Hoffman In
this bute.in preference to a oemllilale having ao many
just claims aa General DU, must bs ooustdared as
another proof of to* mural rigor and Inextin-
gnisbabto vitality of toe petty. The Hweld, toe Time*
the Boat and to* Cammerrtel Advertiser would all
have supported General Six. Whether tb* Demo
cratic perry acted wiaeir or unwisely In foregntof toe
advantage of stub support, U must at least be sonos-
dad that its' decided prebrenee for Mr. HoCnas be-
mkens aa indamtoMa eaorey ef eaurietton. wblsb will
not permit tbe tone of tbe party to be lowered on fun
damental questions Evm if President Joirasoa •hould
change which we ooncelv* to be morally lapoeU bis tha
Northern Democracy will eteadftstly refuse to oo-opa-
rase with foeRadloalsls iisklBfl tbs siffiaafloa of tba
South depend on it* ratification of to* amendment
The South, therefore, is not celisd span to decide whal
it would do lf the unanimous North instated on rati,
fleation m the condition of reunion. In Pennsylva
nia, a protectionist State in which oar candidate for
Governor was an extrema Democrat the Radical ma
jority was onlv four par cent of tha .total vote. A
change of one voter in twentj-flvs would have given
us. instead of tha Radicals, tha 11,060 majority. A
change of sides by on* voter in fifty would aqualta*
tbe two parties to that State. W* cannot adria* tha
South to despair, when so slight a change would re
instate it in all its rights.
Looking forward to ita permanent interests, tha
South has for more to gala by preserving the Consti
tution in iu entlreuew, than by a minority represen
tation in Congress. A Congres tonal minority osa
carry no measure; it mu interpose no effecte d pro.
tictioa. The South, even with aa unreduced repre
sentation. wonld he ooweriew to prevent the postage
of any tow hostile to Southern interests. Tha only
protection remaining to minorities ta tha Constitution.
It ia vital to tne preservation of their righto that tha
Constitution shall not banoma to* sport of mere ma
jorities to be moulded Into any shape they please.
Let tbe fetal precedent ha as* that a majority of tha
Stuteg may dictate amendments and compel their
adoption, and the tost barrier ta broken down against
Hie oppression of minorities, WaadviaatooSoataaia
States not to relinquish tbeir only remaining safe
guard. A reduced representation cannot prevent tb*
passage of hostile laws; but while the Constitution r*i
mams unaltered, each taws must be coufined wlthlR
narrow limits, or tb* courts will set them aside. To
exchange this solid advantage for a rednoed and un
availing representation, would be to pet peer ate a great
folly to enable a lew ambitious men to draw salaries
as members of Congress. Better no representation
with tb* pretention ef the Constitution. toM do pro
tection stall. A Congressional minority ta ao obsta
cle to oppressive taws; bat, until tod courts bseomg
corrupt, the ursmsndnd Constitution to.
If we aught take it upon us •» Idris* our (outlier*
fellow-citizens, we would counsel Orta to refeetto*
proposed emnsderent; to yield qelet obedtone* to ett
constitutional laws; to mein tala order; to protect and
encourage tha freedmen by equal law*; end to abstain
as carefully from agitating question* of federal pohtteq
aa if they bad no eooeara In them. Tha r only bop*
of redress Is in Norths** Justin* WMeffiteareuea
evident that they era determined to await tola with
dignified ro*erv*;thst they wffl netthar hniallleta them
selves nor dlsterb to* paaowaf tbe taunt iy; that they
await tha result; an* tost nntftlgj will shahs their
resolution not to be parties to their further humilia
tion, the Radical* wtUb* embarrassed end mmpltueed.
The odious responsibility of keeping the Patou per
manently distorted will core* ham* to that party, end
make It the objeet at geamel detaetatinn tt will be
-een that great loyal communities, which oonaUaUF
practice justice and ebay tha taws, at* deprived*
righto plainly given them by tb* OonsUtmlnti. The
public sentiment of the country wJH remonstrate
against and redress to* wrong Tho Be fool pang
could not stand two yean against to* dignity, deter
mination, and reap set ite pabUs order which we re
commend to tba South. We duntalm the officiate-
nose of Intruded advice: for we hare ao doubt that
under the format a reeommsndatton, wear* ftp rant
lng what tho South will tooattnaously de af ltaow*
accord. But wutrttttltta not impertinent toerprmu
our opinion of ton effect such oonduct will bare an
the public sentiment of the Harth. tt ta only becaas*
many honest ettidteS are dated* to Mires to*
Southern ratification of tt* uuodtetoi isj
and may b* tha epaedtant method of l
tea Radicals hare total Off tuMta
5s hi
haring that, more extremity, it-ta more fitting tost
tba movement be made by the Immediate representa
tives of the people. I will chain fall j do your bidding
Ought the treth to katiiy ta- cwmstt-
Th« Kew York‘W'orlS iir<to “bl* editorial
awpnaaa (fag InjwGwgiti&rw of Ulfe Herald,
Time* and
favored tbe
Ycntloo, and are no
gr«M against tbe
policy, and
Sender b
Ajffgndmflnt.
thfit tbe «Utu»
groan and tbi l
Moot tba ad)oc
that tb* South
which paper* first
Cbnterrative Con-
tides With Con-
reconatractlon
Sooth tb* rfitl-
Conitltatlonal
•hows not only
_ too between Con-
bfi* not been changed
of Coogpeafi, bat tl»o
CITY HAIL WAT*. • -
The Charleston Courier enyi that tba ttree*
railway In that city Ifi progrredog with sur
prising rapidity toWRfda completion. Beane*
Iy two weeks bate elapsed sfnee tbe ground
win broken fct tbe corner of' Calhoun mod
King afreets, and already tint track baa ad
vanced to St. Michael's historic corner. “IC*
ways tbe editor, "the work it to be prosecuted
to the end with like eueigy, tbe stockholders
may well congratulate themselves on the suc
cess or tbeir project. At the rate it which
tbe laying of the track is being pushed, wg
may reasonkbly expect to see the cari glid
ing through our streets before the Idas of
December.”
Ad Auguste letter in the Attonte Intell!*
gencer says:—‘Tbe Auguite street railway
Company baa been organised, and tbe city
has granted them very lioeral terms. Tbe
stock ia being readily taken, and I under
stand operations will soon be commenced."
ThM matter* tie programing in our aiateg
cities, while we beer nothing ef late lo jp-
gaird to our own street mibeeJ. * movement
for tbe contraction of which mu m on foot
tome twelvemonths ego. If there wta some lit
tie opposition to tbe ecbeto# when fiat propoa
ed we believe that mw Ottlm, If any, now ex
ists and we feel cooHd—t that If the work
mu promptly pushed forward to completion
tbe rtni would not oojyb* regardpd by our
dttaena generally as * gyp* pqblic conve
nience, but toMmo be remuaotitltato
tbe stockholders.
—ThfrVenffiedt
Moanotdsstba
bill#
IgUQflgpi^ -8fl$|difl£ V)
,; t?qx3.