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riCKSON CO. PUB. COM’Y, (
Proprietors. i
VOLUME IV.
ir t
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY,
, |t jUIENE. RANDOLPH, Le^ee,
‘ JEFFERSON, JACKSON CO ., GA.
lfFlCft N- " r - COR ' PUBLIC SQUARE, UP-STAIRS.
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ju’Hnf iUeertisemciits.
Jackson Deputy Sheriff’s Sales.
\\f lid. be sold before the Court House door, in
tin* town of Jefferson. .Jackson Comity, (fa.,
within th‘ legal hours of sale, on the first Tues
,lac in December next, to the highest bidder, the
following property, to-wit :
Two hundred and twenty-two acres of land,
mor e or less, in said county, adjoining lands of G.
S. Duke, estate of-Jas. Rogers, deceased, lands of
W. 11. bridges and the dower of Elizabeth Howies,
o:i the Walnut Fork of the Oconee river, it being
a portion of the home place of Anderson Howies,
deceased, and known and distinguished as lot Xo.
•.’.agreeably to the survey of James 1.. .Johnson.
County Surveyor, (made for the administrators of
A. Howies, deceased.) and purchased (bid oil ) by
\\ M. Whitmire, at the administrator’s sale of the
real estate of A. Bowles, deceased. One hundred
acres of said land is enclosed by a good fence;
thirty acres of bottom land ; fifteen acres of up
land in cultivation fifty acres of pine field, and
remainder in original forest; the whole place well
watered with never failing streams. Levied on as
the property of the estate of F. M. Whitmire, de
ceased, (now in the hands of B. J. Whitmire, his
administratrix,) by virtue of a Superior Court fi fa.
in favor of C. K. Howies, administrator, and Eliza
beth Bowles, administratrix, vs. B. .J. Whitmire,
administratrix of the estate of F. M. Whitmire,
deceased, and W. I’. Wood, for the balance of the
purchase money due for said land at the aforesaid
..ale. Deed to the same tiled and recorded r.a the
Clerk’s office, conveying said land to B. .J. Whit
mire. as adm’x of F. M. Whitmire, dec’d. in terms
oflaw. Property pointed out by plaintiffs. Writ
ten notice given to Win. Oakes, tenant in posses
sion, and IJ. J. Whitmire, adm’x aforesaid, de
fendant.
Also, at the same time and place, will be sold
one hundred and twenty acres of land, more or
less, lying in said county of Jackson, on the wa
ters of Mulberry river, bounded as follows: on the
north by Gideon Edwards, on the east by Dr. A .
I.eLaperriere, on the south by Joseph M. Weath
erly and Robert Moon, and on the west by Wil
liam S. Whitehead. Said land levied on by virtue
of a mortgage li fa. issued from Jackson Superior
Court, in favor of Wesley Xance. Executor of the
last will and testament of John Seay, late of said
county, deceased, against Hugh R. Bernard and
William A. Weatherly, as the property of de
fendants, said Hugh R. Bernard and William A.
Weatherly, and described in a certain indenture
of mortgage, dated sth day of March. 1872. Said
land is well improved, has a good dwelling and all
necessary outbuildings, and is in a high state of
cultivation. Written notice of said levy served
on 1. B. Allen and William Weatherly, Sr., who
arc the tenants in possession of said premises, as
the law directs. Property pointed out in said li fa.
% J. J. WALLIS, Dep’ty Sh’tf.
Jackson Sheriff’s Sale.
"yiflLK be sold, before the Court House door,
in the town of Jefferson, Jackson county,
'ja., within the legal hours of sale, on the first
I'uesday in December next, the remainder in fee
fatter the expiration of the life estate of 8. A Park,
wife of A. M. Park, formerly S. A. Pinson, wid
ow of S. Pinson, dec'd,) in the house and lot in the
town of Jefferson, in said county, known as the
Pinson lot, containing one and one-tenth acres,
more or less. Said house is a good frame build-
JI1 o with nine rooms, including the basement,
which is of brick and is first-class; there is also
•tgood kitchen and good stables, crib, &c., on said
ot. The purchaser to take possession on and af
ter the termination of the life estate of said S, A.
'‘ark, who is tenant in dower. Levied on and ad
vertised to be sold as the property of 8. Pinson,
aw'd, by-virtue of a Superior Court fi fa. in favor
of Hosea C. (iiddens, aum’r, vs. W. P. Miller,
principal, and P. F. Ilinton, adm’r of 8. Pinson,
'(.‘curitv. Fi fa. transferred to and now controlled
by A. C. Pinson. Written notice given to Mrs.
A. Turner, tenant in possession, and P. F.
Hinton, adm'r, defendant.
JOHN S. HUNTER, Sheriff.
Administrator’s Sale.
\V 1 LL he sold, before the Court House door, in
*' the town of Jefferson, Jackson county, (4a.,
"U the first Tuesday in December, 187S, within
the hours of sale, to the highest bidder, the
following property, to-wit:
All the real estate of the late Elizabeth May-
I:: ‘rd. deceased, situate, lying and being in the
'■‘unity of Jackson, whole tract containing three
ln,,, 'ircd and filty-seven acres, more or less, sold
111 lots m follows:
hut No. i, (agreeably to survey of James A.
Mraynge) containing one hundred and fifty acres,
"ore <->r less, on which is situate the dwelling, a
'""d frame building, and improvements ; a good
j r ';'ord. Said premises lately occupied by Eliza
wt" Maynard, deceased. Forty acres of said land
'"eared and in a high state of cultivation; fifteen
■' ies pine field ; remainder m original forest. Ad
lands of Hilliard Lott, John Wall and
others.
, hot No. 2, (agreeably to survey of James A.
Niaynge) containing one hundred and twenty-five
* crcs - more or less, adjoining the above Lot No.
•anil lands of Packet, Peppers and others; forty
•I ies in high state of cultivation ; ten acres pine
iield ; remainder in original forest.
hot No. J, (agreeably to survey of James A.
containing sixty-five acres, more or less,
"''joining Lot No. 2, lands of Bradley, IV alls. Jno.
. • Maynard and others. All of this tract is orig
nial forest.
>t No. 4. (agreeably to survey of James A.
■ r.nvnge) containing seventeen acres, more or
j s> . adjoining lands of Walls, Williams and Mat
l,lws and Lot No. 2. Six acres in cultivation,
r ' "uimler hi original forest.
I lats exhibited on the day of sale. Sold as the
P'oporty of Elizabeth Maynard, late of Jackson
' unity, deceased, for distribution and to pa}'
' 0 Terms—one-third cash; one-third due
'welve months after date; one-third due two years
'‘ hr date ; purchaser to give notes hearing inter
jst at seven per cent, from date, and receiving
" >n d for title, which will be made when all the
purchase money is paid.
S. 11. CRONIC.
n, ' v - Adm'r of E. Maynard, dec'd.
THE FOREST NEWS.
I lie People their own Rulers ; Advancement in Education, Science, Agriculture and Southern Manufactures.
Administrator’s Sale.
A GREEABLY to an order ofthcCourtofOrdi-
nary of Jackson county, will be sold, before
the Lourt House door, m Jefferson, in said county,
on the first Tuesday in December next, within the
!? ga l ,\ ours of salt 0e ’ t 0 the hi ghest and best bidder,
the following two tracts of lands, both lying in
said county, on the waters of Big Sandy Creek,
being a part of the real property of Alfred Smith,
late of said county, deceased : One tract contain
ing seventy acres, more or less, all original forest,
heavily timbered and lying well. Another tract,
containing two hundred and eleven and a half
acres, more or less, and having thereon a good log
cabbui; about sixty acres cleared, forty of which
is good bottom land, all in a good state of cultiva
tion ; forty or fifty acres original forest, all the
balance of said tract good old pine fields. Both
of said parcels of land being parts of the Alfred
fcnyth home place, and sold as the property of said
Alfred Smith, deceased, for the purpose of paying
the debts and making distribution among the heirs
of said deceased. Plats of said tracts of land can
be seen in the Clerk’s office, in .Jefferson. Terms
ca sh. N. B. CASH, Adm’r.
- Nov 2 M. K. SMITH, Adm’x.
Administrator’s Sale.
AGREEABLI to an order of the Court of Ordi
nary of Jackson county, Ga., will be sold,
on the first Tuesday in December, 1878, before
iii- Court House door, in Jefferson, Jackson coun
ty. to the highest bidder, during the legal hours of
sale, the following two parcels of land, both lying
in said county, and being parts of the F. M. Whit
mire estate: One tract, containing forty-one acres,
more or less, adjoining the dower land of Mrs. lb
J- Whitmire, lands of A. K. Higgins and W. H.
Bridges. On said paicel of land is a good log
house and necessary out-buildings. All of said
tract of land is of the best quality of old pine
Nehls land. Another parcel of land, containing
eighty-t wo acres, adjoining the dower land of Mrs.
B. .J. \\ hitmire. lerrel Murphy. A. I.amnions and
others; all well timbered, original forestland, and
is situated near to saw mill, church, school house,
and is of the best quality of land. Sold to pay the
debts and make distribution among the heirs of
I'. M. hitmire, late of said county, deceasod.
Terms, cash. B. J. WHITMIRE,
nov 2 Ailm'x F. M. Whitmire, dcc’tl.
, idnein istra tor 1 s Sale.
WILL be sold, before the Court House door,
in the town of Jefferson, Jackson county,
Ga., on the first Tuesday in December next, with
in the legal hours of sale, agreeably to an order of
the Court of Ordinary of said county, the follow
ing property, to-wit: One hundred and ten acres
of land, more or less, on the waters of the Walnut
Fork of the Oconee river, adjoining lands of T. J.
Randolph. S. T. Bailey, Robert Davis and others.
On said land is thirty acres in a high state of cul
tivation ; thirty acres in original forest, the bal
ance in old pine fields. There is two log cabbins
on said land ; there is also two shoals on said land
suitable for machinery, ifcc. Sold as the property
of John B. Lowery, late of said county, deceased,
for the purpose of distribution among the heirs of
said deceased. Terms, cash.
E. A. IRVIN.
MARY IRVIN,
nov2 Adm’rs of Jno. B. Lowery, dec’d.
Jackson County.
Whereas, James E. Randolph, Administrator
of Minor Lipscomb, late of said county, deceased,
represents to the Court, in his petition duly tiled,
that he has fully and completely administered the
estate of said deceased, and asks the Court to
grant him Letters of Dismission from the same—
This is to cite all persons concerned, kindred
and creditors, to show cause, if any they can, on
the first Monday in January, 1879, in the Court of
Ordinary for said county, why Letters of Dismis
sion from said estate should not be granted the
applicant.
Given under my official signature, this October
Ist, 187S. 11. W. BELL, Ord’y.
Jackson County.
Whereas, W. J. Oakes makes application to me
in proper form for permanent I,otters of Admin
istration upon the estate of M. J. Pike, late of said
county, dec’d—
This is, therefore, to cite all persons concerned,
and the next of kin, to show cause, if any they
have, at the next regular term of the Court of Or
dinary of said count}’ of Jackson, to he held on
the first Monday in December next, why said Let
ters should not be granted the applicant.
Given under my official signature, Oct. 30th,
187S. IL W. BELL, Ord’y.
TO CONTRACTORS.
WILL be let to the lowest bidder, before the
Court House door in Jefferson, on Saturday,
the 23d oPNoveinber, 1878, the contract for build
ing the bridge across the Oconee river known as
the Academy bridge, under the following specifi
cations : Said bridge to be built on level with
west bank, with 12 feet road-way, by spanning
the river with fifty feet swinging span, built on
two arches to be placed as near the edge of the wa
ter as the extension of said fifty feet will allow ;
said arches to be built on mud sills 30 feet long,
well weighted down with rock, the uprights to the
same to be 12x12 inches, well braced with timbers
Bxlo inches, extending from well out on mud sill
to within 12 inches of cap sill; in center of uprights
to be put in piece of timber Bxß inches. Cap sills
to be 12x14 inches, morticed half through so as to
fit on top of tenants on uprights ; king post to
swinging span lOxlOinches; raftersSxlO, and five
sleepers 10x12 inches. Said span to be well bolted
with iron holts and sweed iron £ inch thick and
3 inches wide, to hold the same. One other span
to he built on the east, or Jefferson side of the
river, extending from arch under swinging span
to a mud sill, well fastened down, as far out on
the bank as the planks there now extends; this
span to have five sleepers oxl2 inches. Flooring
to he 14 feet long and 2 inches thick, well spiked
down with five inch stringers. Banisters fasten
ed to uprights, made of three inch scantling, three
feet high and eight feet apart, morticed through
and keyed on under side of flooring plank, said
planl to extend two feet farther out than balance
of flooring, for braces to uprights to rest on ;
planked on inside with inch plank ; four inch strip
over top ; all sleepers to lap well on cap sills, and
all timbers to he all heart and sawed, with the ex
ception of mud sills and sleepers to swinging span,
the latter, if hewn, to he well and smoothly done.
All work must be done in a workmanlike manner,
as the work, as well as every piece of timber, will
he inspected, before being placed in the water, by
competent persons appointed for the purpose, so
that the bridge may he received when completed.
Full and complete specifications can be seen at
my office. oct26 11. W. BELL, Ord'y.
Notice.
VTOT ICE is hereby given that application has
l\ been made to February Term. 1870, of Jack
son Superior Court, by John Phillips, to be re
lieved from the disabilities imposed by reason of
a divorce —ft vinculo matrimonii —having been
granted to his wife. Emma Phillips, at February
! Term, 1577. of Jackson Superior Court, and that
said application stands for trial and hearing at said
February Term, 1879. of Jackson Superior Court.
JOHN PHILLIPS. Petitioner.
PIKE & McCARTY, Att’ys for Pct'r.
N. B. STARK,
VT his old stand, on the Venable corner, is now
prepared, with good workmen and an excel
lent stock of material, to furnish Boots and Shoes
at a considerable reduction from last year’s prices.
Repairing done at short notice, and good fits war
ranted in all work made to order. oct26
JEFFERSON, JACKSON COUNTY, GA., SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 23, 1878.
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE.
Executive Department, \
Atlanta, Ga., November 5, 1878.
To the General Assembly:
The circumstances attending the present
assembling of your body are so impressive
and marked in their character as, in my judg
ment, to demand precedence over all other
questions, which I shall present in this mes
sage, referring merely to our material condi
tion and necessities.
The present year has been one of such af
flictive experience in many sections of our
land as to appall the heart and attract the
sympathy of the civilized world. The resist
less pestilence, baffling the utmost that man
could do, and leaving behind it the habili
ments of woe in thousands of households, has
not touched one spot in all our borders.
While our part has been that of the sympa
thizing friend and brother, we have been so
blessed in our exemption from the awful visi
tation which we deplored for others, that we
should be filled with grateful and humble ac
knowledgments. We have been spared from
the desolating storms and inundations which
have swept over of her sections. Not one case
of popular commotion has excited or alarmed
us. The State has been blessed generally
with such crops as leave no cause for com
plaint. Our merchants and manufacturers
have passed through the year with such re
wards as should satisfy the moderate.
In review of all interests, and the fortune
of every section of our State, wo have very
much lo cheer and encourage us.
File depression which for years preceding
‘his has so weighed ns down is gradually giv
ing wav fo the hopeful promise which rises
up before ns of a better day coming. Does
it not become us to make formal, as well a*-
heartfelt ackowledgments for such acatalogm
of signal benefits ?
tiie state finances.
The cash balance in the Treasury, Januar}'
1, 1877, was $7)64,283 33. The amount re
ceived from all sources into the Treasury
during the year 1877 was $1,998,346 84, the
details of which will appear by reference to
the reports of the Treasurer and Comptroller
General herewith submitted.
The disbursements during the 3’ear 1877
were $1,728,910 80, leaving a cash balance
in the Treasury of $833,719 37. The objects
of these disbursements are stated in the ac
companying reports.
TJie public debt of the State on the Ist of
January, 1878. was $10,644,500, the annual
interest on the same being $719,135. Of the
public debt $200,000 principal became pay
able, and was paid in 1878, and SIOO,OOO was
paid in 1877. In the year 1879 there will
mature $300,000 of the public debt, for which
provision must be made, as well as for the
annual interest accruing of $708,135; the
whole amount to be paid on the public debt,
principal and interest, next year being sl,-
008,135.
In consequence of the receipt of a consid
erable sum of money from unexpected sources,
viz: $152,678 94 from the United States Go
vernment on claim of the Western and At
lantic Railroad, and $25,000 income from the
Macon and Brunswick Railroad, the tempo
rary loan of the year 1876 of $350,000 was
reduced to $200,000 in the year 1877.
As the fiscal year begins the Ist of Janu
ary and ends the 31st of December, the full
financial reports of the year 1878 are not
ready, the present fiscal year not having ex
pired. The Comptroller General recommends
that the fiscal year be changed from the pres
ent time and made to run from October first
to October first, each 3’ear. I favor this re
commendation, as under the new Constitu
tion the General Assembly’ meets biennially
on the first Wcdnesda3 7 in November, and the
change is necessary in order for the General
Assembly to have before it the reports of the
3'ear before its session.
The Treasurer, however, has made a sup
plemental report to the report of’ 1877, giving
the financial operations of the nine months of
the year 1878, to the Ist of October, which is
herewith submitted. From this report it ap
pears that the—
Cash balance in the Treasury Janu
ary, 1878 $ 833,719 37
Receipts during the nine months
were 612,0S )35
And the disbursements 1,150,010 03
Leaving a balance in the Treasury
on the Ist of October of $ 205,789 68
It is well to state the gratifying fact as
evincing the improved financial condition of
the State, that for the first time in a number
of years it has been unnecessary to make a
temporary loan to meet the heavy summer
payments upon the public debt that fall due
before taxes begin to come in. In 1877,
though the General Assembly provided for a
loan of $500,000, it was only necessary to
borrow $200,000, while in 1878 no loan was
made. As, however, the expense of the Le
gislature is to be paid out of the incoming
taxes, and as $300,000 will have to be paid
on the principal of the public debt in 1879, a
temporary loan will probabty bo necessary.
I shall be pardoned for a brief allusion to
the general financial condition of our State.
The facts of that condition show that no State
in the Union is more solvent, or should have
a stronger financial reputation than Georgia.
Our public debt is but one twenty-third of our
taxable property. The State Ims nearly
ample assets in its two valuable railroads and
other property, if sold, to pay off the debt.
There is a constitutional prohibition against
any further increase of our State indebted
ness. while the annual income pays the ex
penses. and. in addition, liquidates yearly
from two to three hundred thousand dollars
of the public debt. This is a gratifying ex
hibit to all of her citizens, and especially to
the holders of Georgia securities, who have
the assurance, that as the facts of the abun
dant financial resources of the State, and its
growing prosperity become known, their bonds
will rise above even their present high value
in the commercial world.
WILD LANDS.
In this financial connection, it is proper to
call your attention to the fact that the pres
ent wild land law needs some amendment.
The Comptroller General recommends that
the present law, approved February 28, 1874,
be amended so as to allow the Comptroller to
make up a list of all unreturned wild lands
and improved land, and upon these issue fi.
fa.; and also, that section 891 of the Code,
requiring a transfer of wild land fi. fas., be
amended so as to allow the State control of
such fi. fas. Under the present law, b3’ which
the Comptroller issues fi. fas. on lists of un
returned wild lands sent up b3’ Receivers, and
the State is obliged to transfer the fi. fas. to
parties applying, many errors are committed,
and injustice done. The object to be served
is such a moulding of the law as will force
the owners of wild lands to pay their legiti
mate share of the burdens of taxation, and at
the same time avoid mistakes that work for
feiture of property upon individuals, or else
put them to trouble and expense to correct
suyb mistakes. The matter is an important,
one. and I commend it to the General As
sembly as urgently needing careful attention.
a collected claim.
During the y’ear 1877 a very timely pay
ment into the State Treasury was received
from an unexpected source. At the close of
the war the United States Government was
in possession of the Western and Atlantic
Railroad, and when the road was turned over
to the State, the Federal Government sold the
rolling stock to the State of Georgia for a
certain amount of money, which our State
paid, thus closing the transaction. Colonel
Baugh was Superintendent cf the road at the
time. Four 3'ears after, in 1869, Col. Baugh
proposed to Governor Bullock to enter into
an agreement to induce the United States
Government to reopen the claim and refund
to the State 11101103' alleged to have been in
excess of the real value of the rolling stock
sold and paid for. For eight years this claim
■vas pressed, and success seemed impossible.
Flic Quartermaster General of the United
''Gales made a long and decided report against
lie claim. No less than ten attorneys were
onneete 1 with the claim from first to last,
m I u*e 1 energy and expended time and
nonet’ upon what seemed t.o be a hopeless
M’crji ise. Ivirly in 1877 the claim, how
ever, was pas c 1. and the sum of $199,038 58
was paid by the U died States Government.
The original agreement as to compensation
between Col. Baugh and his partner, Gen. A.
C. Garlington, and Gov. Bnllo -k. was that the
State was to pay a retainer of $3,000 to Baugh
and Garlington, and a conditional fee of 12|
per cent, of the amount recovered. Other at
torneys were afterwards employed, and the
conditional fee was enlarged to a per cent,
not to exceed 25 per cent, of the amount re
covered. The attorney’s interested were Col.
Robert Baugh, Gen. A. C. Garlington and
Col. R. A. Alston, of Atlanta. Ga.. the law
firm of Jackson, Lawton & Basinger, of Sa
vannah, Ga., Col. J. C. Fain, of Gordon coun
ty, Ga., and W. A. Prescott. Esq., and C. I).
Willard, Esq., of Washington. D. C. The 25
per cent, agreed upon was allowed the at
torneys, the retainer of $3,000 being first de
ducted, and the balance, $152,278 94, was
paid into the Treasury of the State. The
only question to be considered in the allow
ance of fee to the attorneys for collecting the
claim was whether the contract for a condi
tional fee to be enlarged from 12. J per cent,
to a sum not to exceed 25 per cent, of the
amount recovered was to be construed as giv
ing them 25 per cent, or less. The evidence
upon this point was, in my ju Igrnent, full and
conclusive that in case of recovery’ the full
amount of 25 per cent, was to be retained as
the contingent fee.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
The condition of the S:ate University, of
the College of Agriculture and the Mechanic
Arts, and of the North Georgia Agricultural
College, is shown in the accompanying re
ports.
The receipts for 187 G-7 were $41,529 54,
which, with the balance on hand July 1. 1876,
made the revenue for the year $46,518 80.
The disbursements were $34,886 44, leaving
the balance on hand, July, 1877, $11,995 19,
which with scrip fund and tuition due, would
run the balance to $15,000. r l he amount of
$15,000 voted by the General Assembly to
supplement the experimental and mechanical
departments of the University, has been re
ceived, and judiciously used, as far as ex
pended.
Foe the year 1877-8 the receipts, not in
cluding the balance from the previous year,
were $33,862 61, and the disbursements, in
cluding purchase of apparatus, were $38.-
206 98, leaving a eash balance of $9,686 79,
belonging to the library, apparatus, land scrip
and general funds. The report gives the de
tails of receipts and expenditures. and says
that leaving out the expenditures for appa
ratus, the total disbursements were $67 22 in
excess of the total receipts, and including re
funded tuition. $990 70 less than the appro
priation made in August. 1877.
The decline in the number of students, and
in consequent income from tuition, caused
the Board of Trustees to examine closely into
the cause of such decline. There is no rea
son why this venerable and illustrious insti
tution should fall into decadence, but, on the
contrary, every good ground for its increas
ing in usefulness and prosperity. The Uni
versity has an able and full faculty ; it is pro
vided with $22,500 worth of apparatus for the
instruction of science ; it presents facilities
for the education of our youth surpassed by
no college in the country.* In the increased
number of pupils in attendance, there is an
indication of a more prosperous condition.
The plan of utilizing the public buildings
at Milledgeville. by establishing in them a
branch agricultural college, like the one at
Dahlonega, is one that presents strong merits,
and is respectfully brought to the considera
tion of the General Assembly. To show the
value of the Dahlonega college, it may be
stated that the report of the President, sub.
mitted June the 10th. 1878, and approved by
the Board, for the scholastic year, shows that
three hundred pupils received instruction in
the various departments of the institution, at
a total expense of the small sum of $4,440.
If like favorable results can be reached by
; the establishment of a similar institution in
[the unoccupied public buildings at Milledge
villc, it would be both a wise policy for the
I State, and’- a grateful favor to- Che - citizen's of
the old capital.
THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
1 The report of the trustees of the Lunatic
Asylum for the year 1577 is very satisfactory.
The appropriation was $107,250. The bal
ance on hand at the beginning of the year
was $1,965 36. The expenses of the asylum
for the year were $81,250, leaving $26,000 of
the amount appropriated undrawn from the
Treasury. The cost per capita of maintain
ing the institution was 36 63-100 cents a day,
against 37| cents the 3’ear before. The num
ber of patients was 673 at the close of the
3’ear, against 605 the year before, being an
increase of G 8 in number. Accommodations
were added during the year for about 136 ad
ditional patients, the capacity of the institu
tion being enlarged to about 800 patients.
The death of Dr. James F. Bozeman, for
five )'ears the President of the Board of Trus
tees, during the 3’ear 1871. was a loss to the
institution of a manager distinguished alike
by a thorough conception of the needs of the
asylum, superior executive management, and
a Christian public spirit.
For the ten months beginning December
Ist, 1877, and extending to September 30th,
1878, the trustees report the expenses $73,-
291 41. for an average of 725 patients. On
the Ist of October, 1878, the number of pa
tients was 742. The expense per capita was
34 55-100 cents during the ten months. It
will thus be seen that the management of the
institution lias been economical and efficient.
Of the amount appropriated hy the Gen
eral Assembly for the twenty-two months
from December 1, 1876. to October 1, 1878,
$40,625 lias not been used, and remains in
the Treasury. This large’ saving is due to the
rigid econonn’ used by the board. The trus
tees ask permission to use $25,000 of this
amount to enlarge the buildings for the col
ored patients, and to finish n number of rooms
in the main building that may be made avail
able, and other improvements. The necessit}’
of an enlargement of the negro buildings is
represented to be pressing. The trustees,
liter consultation with the Executive and At
torney General, did not deem it proper to use
the unexpended money appropriated for the
maintenance of the Asylum, for the construc
tion of buildings, but preferred to ask the
General Assembly for authority to so apply
1 portion of the undrawn appropriation.
The suggestion of the trustees iu this mat
er is in the spirit of humanity. The number
>l* this unfortunate class of colored people is
increasing yearly, and the proper and hu
mane care of them demands enlarged accom
modation.
ACADEMY FOII THE WAND.
The twenty-sixth annua! report of the
Trustees of the Georgia Academy for the
Blind, at Macon, for the year 1877, is here
with submitted. It ehows the attendance of
sixty-three pupils. The receipts for mainte
nance were $12,732 07, including balance of
$33 07 from the year 1876. and the expendi
tures were $12,483 14. In addition, $1,174 62
was expended for building a cistern.
THE DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.
The Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at
Cave Spring is in excellent condition. The
report of the trustees covers the operations
from July 1, 1877, to June 30, 1878. The pu
pils numbered 73, the largest number at one
time being 71, and the average Go. or 25 more
than the previous year. Of these 37 were
males and 36 females. The as3’lum appears
to have been managed economically. The
trustees urge that the Legislature make pro
vision for completing the department for col
ored deaf mutes, and for increasing the ac
commodation for white mutes. The quarters
are alleged to be inconvenient for the num
ber of pupils now in the institution. Tiiere
are said to be fully three hundred deaf mutes
in the State needing the benefits of this insti
tution. The trustees ask an increased ap
propriation for the sustenance of pupils.
TIIE COMMON SCHOOLS.
The report of the State School Commis
sioner shows an encouraging condition ot the
public schools of the State. In 1877 the at
tendance was TJO.62G ; in 1876. 179,405; in
1875, 156.394, and in 1873. 83,677. These
figures show the steady growth of the common
school system. In 1877, the attendance of
white children was 126,962, and of colored
61.664. The statistics for 1878 are not yet
obtainable, as some of the schools are still in
operation, and reports are not made until the
close of the term.
The State school fund, including the poll
tax, is about $300,000. The counties and
cities raised by local taxation under local
laws iu 1877 the sum of $100,153 19. making
the entire free school fund for that j ear about
$500,000. The enumeration of the school
population in 1878 shows 236,319 whites and
197,125 colored ; total 433,444. This is a to
tal increase over the enumeration of 1874 of
39.407; whites. 17.586; colored, 21,821.
While there has been an increase in the
school population, there has been a decrease j
in the illiteracy in the State. In 1874. the |
number of persons between ten awl eighteen I
unable to read was 106,444 of which the
whites were 20.552. and the colored 71).602.
The returns of 1878 show a total of these il
literates of 85.6.10 ; whites, 22.323 : colored.
63.304; showing a decrease of 20,614 ; whites.
4,229 ; colored, 16.385. This is an encour
aging result of the free school system.
The report recommends amendments of the
school law, looking to an increased income
r or the support of the public schools.
Your attention is respectfully called to the
suggestions of the Commissioner.
PEPAKTMEXT OF AGRICrtTI'KE.
The fourth annual report of the Commis
sioner of Agriculture for the year 1877, and
the fifth annual report for the year 1878. are
respectfully submitted. They present fully
the work of this important department, and
show a valuable aggregate of result. The do
partinent. lias proven beneficial to the agri
cultural interests of the State, and has un
doubtedly made the State reputation abroad
for farming progress. The collection of farm
statistics and planting experiences lias edu
cated the farmers in improve I methods of
agriculture, in the ue of labor-saving imple
ments and in the general planting (if better
seeds. The inspection of fertilizers lias saved
a large amount of money to the farmers in
the exclusion of inferior commercial manures
from’ oUr‘ rrVurkets. The railroad statistics of
tfhe sums spent for foreign provisions has
shown the dependence upon other States, and
the large amount spent abroad for farm sup
S TERMS, $1.50 PER ANNUM*
/ SI.OO For Six Months.
plies. This information lias stimulated the
production of food crops to the great benefit
of the State. During the last year, the re
ceipts for the State Treasurer from the fees
for the inspection of fertilizers under the new
system, have not only paid the expenses of
the Department of Agriculture, but left a
considerable balance in the Treasury. The'
gross amount from inspection in 1878 was
$44,235 77; expenses of inspection sll,-
150 30. leaving net balance of $31.085 47.— 1
Deducting from this $14,700, the cost of the'
Department of Agriculture, and there remains
$19,385 47 in the Treasury, of income for the
State from this source. The reports contain
a number of valuable matters that are com
mended to the careful consideration of’thef
General Assembly.
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.-
The State Geologist has steadily progress
ed in the work of a survey of liic State, cover
ing the western third of the State, and nearly
all north of the Chattahoochee river, embrac
ing the main portion of the mineral territory.
Maps have been completed of twenty-seven
counties. The marl beds in fifty-two coun
ties have been located, and analyses made of
seventy-five marles, showing a great variety
in character as well as abundance in quanti*
tv. The measurements of water courses have!
been continued over nearly the whole State,
especial attention having been given to the
counties bordering on the Blue Ridge on ac
count of the immense value of these streams
in working the gold mines. There are over
four hundred stamps in operation in the forty
gold mills in the State. A special collection
of minerals, rocks and woods was sent anil
exibited at the Paris Exposition.
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S REPORT.
The Attorney General embraces in his re
port the full operations is his department frbhr
the Ist of January. 1877. to the present time.
Fhe litigation in which the State is interested
has been and is large, important and varied,
and comprehends questions of legal difficulty,
as well as of great pecuniary magnitude. The’
most important, perhaps, arc the railroad tax
cases, which involve over half a million dol
lars of money and cover grave legal issues.
These have been ably represented 1 in the
courts by General Toombs and the Attorney
General. The attention of ths General As
sembly is directed to the suggestions of the
Attorney General in connection with these
tax eases and other subjects.
THE PENITENTIARY.
The report of the principal keeper of the
penitentiary is lull in its details.
There are now in the penitentiary 1,239
convicts. Since October, 1866, the who'tf
number of convicts received in the penitenti
ary has been 3,293, of which 265 were par
doned, 496 died, 555 escaped, and 828 dis
charged. Iu 1878 were received 340, .and irt
1877 to October 209 convicts.
The repi i t stales that the lessees are faith
fully endeavoring to carry out their contracts
with the State. The convicts are well treat
ed in every respect. There lias been a grati
fying decrease in the deaths and escapes for
1878, the records showing one-third less in
the number of deaths and two-thirds less iir
the number of escapes, thin evincing morrf
careful attention to the comfort and health of
the convicts, and greater watchfulness iir
guarding them.
The Principal Keeper recomme ids some
amendments in the law, to which your atten
tion is directed.
The receipts from the hire of convicts from*
January Ist, 1877, to December 31st, were
$1,160 47. The hire for 1878 will not be due 1
until December 31st.
ra nooxs.
In conformity with the new Constitution. I
submit, in an accompanying document, aT'st
of pardons granted by me since the new Con
stitution went into operation, with a state
ment of the grounds in each case for the ex
ercise of Executive clemency.
THE MACON AXI) JiIIIXSWICK UAILUOD.
This important work, now controlled by the
State, demands some decisive action by tire'
Legislature. The direct pecuniary interest
involved in this property is large, and the in’-*
oriental interests resulting from a wise and
energetic management of its business, seem,
to my mind, to promise incalculable heiiefH
to that sectian penetrated by this railroad.—'
It would be difficult to find a section which
embrace a wider range of production, or which
possesses such possibilities of profitable de
velopment. Favorable rates of transports'-*
tion. and such general and permanent eneour-*
age men t as a great line like the Macon 1 and
Brunswick Road could give to industrial Cti
terprise in all the territory within easy reach*
of it, would add largely to the value of suclv
property, and thousands to our population.
It will be for the Legislature to determine
whether these desirable results can be d*c
pccted as reasonably while the State holds'
the road as property, as could bb looked for
if it was under the control of parties who were'*
interested as private individual*.-
Kvcn under the State's fortunate ovrnef-'
ship of ra lroa 1 piopcrty. it is questionable if
such ownership, under all considerations, is*
a wise policy. To my mind, nothing is clear
er than the wisdom of simplify rng and restrict
ing the duties and obligations of government.
'Hie great work to be accomplished by the
State is the protection of life and property.
Whenever the commonwealth attempts to act
the part of a property-holder, entering intiy.
eompetition with private individual enter
prises. we may look for such complications,
and increase of expenditure, and enlarge
ment of State patronage, as will ctnbarrass
the success, if it does not threaten-the purity,
of administration.
It is a question of large import, whiich far
before tis for solution, bow soon, and on what
terms should the State relinquish’to* the citi
zen all proprietorship in such property. It
is a question that, to my mind, has long been'
settled that not a dollar should he drawn
from the pocket of the tax payer that could,
with a wise economy, be left there ; and that
an interest-bearing debt is no benefit to any
State that owes it, and the soom r a public
debt is extinguished, when there arc assets t 6
pay it, the better it is for the public interest.
Feeling and believing this, f am prepared to
advise a long lease or the sale of the Macon
and Brunswick Railroad, under such restric
! tions as will secure the State against loss, an l
NUMBER 24.