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VOL. XIV. T*. (ill JEIMSONIE l a PCBL!SHFD KVEtIY TUtTUSh* Y MOUSING BYWTLLIAM CLIKE, At Two BoUaf-s at?d Fifty Cents per cn unm, or Two Dollar* paid in advance. A .tv-irrjKF.'i’ \ rs ;,r.- t axis ! }*Of f A R *p i a( j hit. for dip 6-si i.'< ft rn, an ! FIFTY CFMTS pr *<••! ro. far <?o-b insertion •X T.odiis: l r mvmoo w;!! op *?*;•> to those !■ ,viverli*p t.v the Alt advertisement# no! otherwise ordered, wi' ; >.> (‘ooiinn •> oil •riTSJ/.K.S CF I.AXpS by AdtmrGtraton*. 4 x> rotor# or Guardmiip are required law be •eld on the first u* ‘bo rorndi. >.-tv o bo sr? o’ ten in the forenoon ond thr>:” ii> th< foninon, it (he Court-House, in the county, sr: 1 -e.-h ‘ere! • situated. Notice off?- pc Mite, rv he 3 iven sn a puMic jratette FORTY DAYS >.iQ •,> i i,f 4av >f pate. Sit EN OF XF.GROES most he. rnarle at pah* ‘*• •>•<;(ton on the first Tuesday of* he month, be* ween ttte u>im’ hours of pate, at t tie place of pub* r sstoiJ in the courtly where the letters Tesla* nejvary, of AdtttmiMr lion or Gnartltaoship may i'w been ranted: firs! giving FORTY DAYS ■'otiee (hcreot'in one nflhe public gaieties t.f this < 't .t , and * the. e >nrt house who e such satearse te h, ; Notice fur the sate of Persona’ Pronertv mt’’ ‘.■ r:v,- i in ‘;!<■’ manner FORTY DAYS prcvim.a ?o the rlnv rs! sale. Notice tc, DenTnr* and Credi’ors of an e**'c U'ta’ he published FORTY DAY’S Not ice that <no Vat to-* will made.fo the. Court 0 unary f\r [ i.*v E To Sf.U, LAND must t’O pith oshed for T’.i’C MOXTHS Notice ,if i.r .rr tc sr.it. Nreiiors n ost h pan id.i-'ii FIFO iIO.VTfIS ••••fore anv order ah- Pohi'y shill h • -nude thereon hv the Court. Cl TATII \ r S Fr Celt r* of Adeiioi-dration, in a-’ be oiio!'s!i I thibtt pats; far !>is:ni'#*io front A tor oistr i'ioo. MONTH! T SIT MONTHS; for His,nissj.in Jrn.o Guardianship. Forty OaT Holes far i|je ‘•'oroel.isnre of Morttfaffe must hr pilMished MONTH!.Y FOR FOUR MONTHS, etab. bsfiin® tost papers lor the fed spare of thrfe Months; for convening titles fro it* !-’x'Mitoro'S Ad oiois'ratorp, whee a bond hasheen given ly the ie- ad tio-foil s-iace o’ thrf.f. Movrite GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, \ Millf.doeville, Nov. 8, 1853. ) Felhv-Citizen.*, of the Sent* and House of Representatives: In discharge of my constitutional duty, I proceed to lav before you such matters as should receive your attention during the present session of the General Assem bly. On the 20th day of 0 tober, 1851, the public debt amounted to $1,687,472 22. By the act of December 4th, 1851, ratify ing the contract of my predecessor and the Chief Engineer of the estern and Atlan tic ‘ftilroad, for the purchase of iron for the State Road, it was increased $200,- 000 B an act of January 12th, 1852, providing for the repairs and eqn pment of aid ltoad, it was still further increased j the sum of $525,000; and by the act an-} thorisiug a subscription to the Milledge- j ville and Gordon Railroad; there was add-! ed the suin of $200,( 00. making the to'al j amount of the State debt $2,432,472 22. j : o this amount should be added the bond-1 td debt of the entral Bank, which is | now $369,500; having been diminished by j the payment of $5,500, since the Ist No-j rember, 1851. The total liability of the j State is thus seen to be $2,801,972 22,! from which must be deducted the sum of $166,500, which has been paid during the ! past two years, under the provisions of the i act of February the 11th, 1350, providing! far ma unai S. oki ig Fund for tiie pay ment of tne public debt. The present debt of the •'tate therefore is $2,635,472 22. j Too bon Is authorized by the act of 4th December, 1851, were made payable at the S’ate Treasury, and the interest pay able semi-annually at the Hank of the of Georgia in Savannah. These bonds were negotiated for a premium ave raging about two per cent. I was satis Sod that our bauds should command a. higher premium, and fiadii g upon an in-j vestigution of the subject that a more ad ; vautageous negotiation could be effected, by making them payable in New York, I caused the bonds issued under act of Jan uary 12t i, 1352, to be made, payable at the Ba,.k of the Republic in the city of New York. They were negotiated at a prem um of five per cent It is the first instance in which our State securities had been disposed of at any premium, and it should be gratifying to our State pride to know tiiat the bonds of our fctate now stand among th’ first seen ities of their class. Tae bonds of no State in t e Union com mand more of the confidence of capitalists who seek a safe invest ie;it of their fa ids , This eoniiuem e is not misplaced, for oo State in the Union has more ample means to meet ts lia .viii ; es, H*id no p. op e are more teua-.ioas of tie credit an .i ..o.tor of their •‘date titan oar own. As the interest of. portion of our bo s ha.; to be p-.t.d in New ifotk, ,t becomes necessary for the ‘treasurer to keep on de posit there a sufficient sum oi money to iueet the interest as .t falls due. Tata has been doue uuder my direction If any doubts exist as to the power or propriety of tii.s course, it would be advisable that ali such doubts should be quieted by pass ing a law authorising sucli de o.sito io be made. The necessity o it is so obvious, tfi t I >1 e u it ua tecessary to prase it any *rg.i neat in sip.-ort of tue rec in.nmid *• tIOU. I refer you to tiie accompuy.report of tno t’re .surer m vrn.ch .v;SI be i’ttr.'d •• 1 t.buiar st.'.temeucof tae p ib"c deot, siv-w ’ ing at what ti no eacn port .on of i: vvd i; fan due. F out this statement you will | find that a very large p rtion of <> ir deot! wdi become due about, the same time Th;s matter .Siiould receive the attention of yourself as well .is your successors, in uricr that by u course of wise and judi cious ljgis>at:oa, the pa meat ot our bunds may be anticipated, otherwise we should be call ‘d upon to in.ike very large pay ments wit mi a very short period, which would iea J either to burdensome taxation, o an extension- oi tiie time for the eventu al liquidation of our liabilities. Both re s ilis can and ougnt Lo be avoided. In the present prosperous condition of our stale uffa rs, mere will be no difficulty in creating a li king Fund which will en tirely discharge tae public debt before it shall have fallen due. There should be additional legislation-on this subject, giv ing to the Executive full power and dis cretiou to appropriate the surplus means of the Treasury to the purchase of.our Irmifc undfr rrtrh limit*tfens *■? your Judy- OTl t I rfftratfutini* meat may deem advisable, The present law leaves the question in some doubt ; whether or uofc the legislature intended j any premium should be paid by the State in the purchase of bonds not yet due Such, however, is tho present high cbarac ’ ter of our State securities with all classes of capitalists, that it is impossible to ob tain thorn at par. As long as individuals arc willing to pay a premium for these bonds, so long will the State also be com pelled to pay a premium for such as she may wish to redeem iu advance. I have thought it advisable to make the pur chase at a small premium, to the a niouht required by law to be annually re deemed. There ia no other safe invest ment of a Sinking Fund, and as a matter of economy it is better to pay the premium than to allow the money to remain tfndis posed of in tho Treasury, tempting the legislature either to unnecessary and wasteful expenditures orr to an unwise re dnetion of taxes. I call yorir attention particularly to this subject, that such laws may be passed as will carry out tho pub lic will in reference to it. THS CBKTBXti BAKX By the act of December 10th, 1851, I was authorized to transfer the assets of the Central Bank to the Treasury, when in my discretion the interests of thd State should require it. Believing that there was no longer any necessity for continu ing that institution in existence, for any other purpose than to wind up and close its business, I appointed the commission authorized by the foregoing act, to inves tigate the condition of tho Bank, and transfer ts remaining assets to the ‘Frea sury. I herewith transmit their report from which it will be seen what was the condition of the Bank at that time. The accompanying report of the Treasurer will exhibit its present condition, as well as it3 operations since it has been transferred in to his hands. There are yet outstanding many debts, some of which will be collect ed, bat from the larger portion nothing will ever be realized by the State, and it becomes a matter for your consideration, what disposition shall be made of its re maininh and unavailable assets, and also what provision rhall be made for meeting and discharging its liabilities. Upon a careful examination of tho affairs of the Hank, I am satisfied, that afujr exhaust ing all its resources, there will be left the amount of $369,500, which mnst be paid from the Treasury. It is ior this reason that I have placed the bonds of the Bank in the computation of the public debt, which I have already submitted to you. I would recommend that the Executive be authorized to take up ihesc bonds, and issue regular State bonds in their stead, provided satisfactory arrangements can be made with the present holders of them.— In addition to this amount it will be neces sary for you to provide by law for the pay ment of about tho sum of $20,000. This amount has been borrowed by the Trea surer. tinder my direction, to meet the ac cruing interest on the Central Bank bouds, tiie funds of the Hank falling short by that amount. This step was necessary to save the credit oi the State, as these bonds are regarded in public estimation as a part of! the public debt, and if we had failed to have paid this interest promptly, the effect would have been to have depreciated the general credit of the State. It is useless to encumber th© Treasury longer with the remaining assets of the Central Bank, which- wifi continue worth less and unavailable sb long as they re main the property of the State., I know of no better disposition that could bo made of them than by selling them for whatev er they would bring. To keep them and attempt their collection, would involve the State in continued expense and litigation, without any remunerating benefit. THE TRKABCRT. The accompanying report of tire Trea surer will give you a clear and satisfactory account of the operations of that Depart ment during the past two years. You will observe that this report is complicai ted witii a useless statement of unavaila ble assets in the I reasury. These stereo typed items have been repeated from time to time, without the slightest beuefit to the State, throwing no light upon the con dition of the Treasury, and leading to no possible beneficial result. As long how ever as no action is had by your body on tue subject, it will be necessary for the r.;asurer to encumber his report with them. I recommend therefore that you t dte such steps as will relieve the depart ment from tue necessity of further refer ence i o these worthless assets by directing them to be destroyed under the direction of tue executive or a committee of your body. ‘he report of the Treasury sUowb tue av.t lublo balance in the ‘Treasury on t e 20th October, 1853, to be $74,857 35. Cos eurring as 1 do, in the estimates con tained in ills report of the probable ex penditures of the next two years, I deem it unnecessary to add any thing on that suujuct. Tnere has been collected from the Gen eral Government during the past two years, the sum of $144,890 53. These claims have been long standing, and the rate >; ..ow indebted for the collection of .-,0 large a portion of them to tho energy and ability with which they have been urged uj the agent appointed by my pre 'itcessor, and continued by myself, Joseph dturgis, idaq. There is yet unsettled c aims dnto us f om the General Govern ment, but I am uaablc to say, at what time you may expect their payment. It wo ili do unwise to calculate upon the re ception of any portion of it, in your lcgis lutioa upon the Finances of the State.—, For additional information you are re ferred to the accompanying report of Mr. Sturgis. i herewith ‘ransmit to the General As sembly, the report of the Financial Com mittee for the year 1852, and call your a-.tendon to its statements and recommen dations as worthy of consideration. The deport of the Comptroller General Is also herewith transmitted. THZ TAX LAW. It was provided by the tax act of Jan uary 9 th, 1852, aud the supplementary net of January 21, 1852, that the sum of three Hundred and seveuty-five thousand dollars should bi raised under thus* acta for ths GRIFFIN, (GA.) THURSDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 17, 1853. support of the Government for each of the political years of 1852 and 1853. In the first act the rate of taxation wan limited to One-twelfth of one per cent. The sup plementary act was passed under a well founded apprehension that the required a mount would not be realized at that rate. This last act required the Governor with the assistance of the Comptroller General to consolidate the returns of the various tax receivers, and ‘authorized them to fix the rate of taxation at such per cent, as would raise the sum of three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. Upon the examination of the tax digest as required by this law, it was ascertained that it wOufd require a tax of one-tenth of otic per Cent, to raise the amount which the Legislature had fixed upon; and accord ingly the necessary orders were issued to that effect. This was true of the returns for each of those years, and there was consequently no chauge in the rate of tax ation for the present year. The passage of those acts introduced anew system of taxation into our State. The ad valorem {trinciplc was for the first time incorporated nto our laws, though its justice and pro priety had long been seen and felt by our people For many years the friends of a fair and equitable system of taxation had sought to modify the old law, which was admitted to be unjust in its operation and indefensible in its principle. Every candid and fair minded man recognized the cor rectness of the principle that every citizen should be required to pay for the support of his government, according to the extent and value of his property. Upon that principle an ad valorem tax should be based, and when faithfully carried out, must command the approval and support Os every man who is willing to bear his due portion of the burthen of Govern ment. That the present tai law fully comes up to this standard, I am not pre pared to say. The object of its framcm was, however, to approximate it, and if they have failed to reach it, the duty is im posed upon their successors of applying the lights of experience and practical op erations to its modification and improve ment. It is not strange that an untried experiment, should be found to be defec tive in some of its details; it is rather a matter of surprise that more obvious and glaring mistakes should not have occurred in the first effort, to adopt anew, radical ly differing from the old system. lam a ware of the fact that there exists in the pubilv mind, in some portion of the State, very strong prejudices against this law, but I am well satisfied that these prejudi ces are not so deeply rooted, as to defy the approach of reason and sound sense. In some instances, it will be found that this opposition is limited to some provi sions of the law, whiemay with propriety be modified and improved, and for that reason your attention should be directed to such modifications as will make it con form more exactly to the ad valorem prin ciple. Let the details of the law then be scrutinized, its defects brought to light, and the prapen remedy be .applied hy wise aud judicious amendments. With many persons the merits of the present law has been subjected to the test of comparing the amount of taxes paid by them under the two different systems. They find that their tax has becu increased, and without further inquiry they attribute that increase entirely to tue change of the law. A siiup'e statement will exhibit the incorrect ness of this cohclusicti The amount of taxes collected for the political year 1851, under the old system, was $291,077, 38* 100, whilst the amount collected for the year 1852, was $377,165 60-100. It must be borne in mind that the Legislature saw the necessity of raising an increased sum, and therefore provided in the act of 1852, that there . should be raised the sum of $375,C00. If, therefore, there had been no change iu the system, it would have been necessary to have increased the taxes about twenty-five per cent. To compare then the operation of the two systems fairly, in individual cases, such persons should first add twenty-five per cent, to their tax as paid in 1851, and compare the amount thus ascertained with the a mount which they actually paid under the present law. When this is done, it will be found that their increased tax is owing, not to a change of the law, but to the in creased necessities of the State. Another objection has been urged to the present law, which is founded in good reason and is worthy of your consideration. It results from the difficulty of ascertain ing the true value of the tax payer’s pro perty. Such is the peculiar organization of men’s minds, that with the most honest intentions, they differ widely in their esti mate of the value of property; whilst oth ers unwilling to contribute their due por tion of the support of the government, place so low an estimate upon the value of their property, as to cause just ground of complaint with their more conscientious and generous neighbors. As every matt is at liberty under the present law, to value his own property, he can put what esti mate he pleases upon it. The law appeals to his conscience alone on this subject, and there is no mode provided for reaching those, who are indifferent to the obligations of truth and honor. It is gratifying to know that the number of this class is very small. An examination of our tax digests will show the fact, that with the great body of our people, there has bceu exhib ited a disposition to make a fair aud just return of their property. The cases of the few, however, should be reached, and I would recommend that some provision be made by law for assessing the property of those who seek to avoid the payment of their just due to the State, by falsely esti mating their property below its true value. This and similar defects in the details of the law, should be remedied by proper le gislation. Time and experience will there by, ultimately perfect the system, and ren der it acceptable to all classes and inter ests. The ad valorem principle being re cognized by all, as being right aud just, it only requires prudence, firmness aud wis dom m enforcing its application, to secure for a law based upon it, the cordial ap proval of the people. For the purpose of instituting a com parison of the taxes paid by our own peo ple, with that paid by the people of the other States, I addressed a circular letter to the ExtvnMvft of the *f©vprßl State*. asking for a statement of their tax laws To this communication, I received many replies, bnt not enough to carry out the original object I had in view The infor mation, however, obtained was sufficient to satisfy my own mind that we pay as little as the people of any other State, whilst as compared with some of the other States, our tax is almost nominal* As low as our present taxes are, wo may look for ward to the time when ftrWKiaay bearcat - Iy reduced. As soon as the public debt shall have been extinguished, we can with propriety reduce our taxes one-half, and that too, without looking to any other sources of revenue for the ordinary ex penses of the government. This is certain ly a gratifying state of things, and will go far to conciliate the feelings of opposition that has been engendered in the public mind against the present system. Firm ness in the maintenance of the ad valorem principle—wisdom in the adoption of a mendnients suggested by experience, and economy in the administration of the go vernment will soon dispel all prejudice and opposition with a wise and patriotic people. WESTERN k ATLANTIC RAIL P.IAD. By the act es January 15, 1852, I was required to appoint a Superintendent of I the Western & Atlantic Railroad, who should have the general management and control of that work. I appointed Wm. M. Wadley, Esq., who entered upon the duties of his office on the Ist day of February, 1852. The means of the road had fallen far short of its necessities, and the result was that the Road was in a wretched condition. My predecessor and the former Chief Engineer of the road, realizing this fact, had very properly pur chased a large re pair. The contract ifiau*) approved by the last Legislature by the act of Dec. 4th; 1851. When Mr. Wadley entered upon the duties •of his office, he encountered all the difficulties which this state of things had brought about. Ihe last legislature, intending to provide am ply for the thorough repair and equipment of the road, by the act of January loth, 1852, appropriated the sum of $525,000 for that purpose. This sum would have been sufficient, if it could have been ap plied to the objects contemplated by the Legislature, but unfortunately it required much the larger portion of it to pay off the former debts of the road, which had been accumulating from its first organiza tion. We were, therefore, compelled to look to its revenues to do that wh ch it was the intention of the Legislature should have been done with this appropriation: and this fact will account for the disap pointment of those who had calculated upon an accruing revenue to the State Treocnry from the proceeds of the road. I refer you to the accompanying reports of Mr. Wadley and his successor Mr Yoagc, for a more full and satisfactory statement of the facts to which I have thus briefly alluded. It is hardly necessary for me to speak of the manner in which the e diffi cuttles were met niid overwrite by the Su perintendent The energy and ability dis played by him are so familiar to the pub lie, that it would be a work of superero gation to remark upon it. lie did all that could be done, and I venture to add, more than any other man would have effected under the same circumstances. I need not add, that his entire management of the af fairs of the road, met my cordial approval. On the first day of January, 18 >3, Mr. Wadley resigned his office of .superinten dent, aud 1 appointed George Yonge, Esq ,to fill his vacancy. It is due to Mr Wadley to state, that he did. not leave his post until he had satisfied me, that t o in- j terests of the road would not suffer from i his withdrawal. In his successor, I have i found an able, experienced and faithful j officer, whose successful management of | the road, as exhibited by Ms Report, is j the best encomium that can be passed upoii his services. It affords me much pleasure to call your atteution to the present condition of this great State work. Tiie Reports of the Superintendent will show you in detail its j operations during the last two years. The! failure to report any profits paid over tai the State Treasury has a ready been ac counted for. The fact, however, that profits have been realised, ted to the wants of the ro.td, should satis fy your minds—that with wise ad judi cious management, it must for the future be a source of revenue to the State. No additional call is made upon the Treasury lor aid. Its own revenue will soon complete it3 necessary repairs, and equipments, and j discharge its remaining liabilities. I call your attention to the recomtnen-: dations, contained in the .-superintendent’ j report. Founded as they arc upon his j experience in the manage.neat of the road ! —they should receive your careful consid eration The act of tiie last Legislature which authorized the road to be sued in any county through which it passes— ought to be modified. I can see no good reason, why this discrimination shou.d be made against the State road. AH simi lar companies have to be sued in the county iu which their principal oflice is located. This is right, aud proper. It is the place where their books arc kept and their business is transacted, and therefore the proper point for the litigation of < laims against them, It is problematical wheth er the State should submit to beiug sued ; at all—but certainly <he ought not to em barrass her officers with burthens not im posed upon other companies. The road passes through counties belonging to three jndicial districts, and it might happen that the Superintendent lAigTit be sued and required to attend Court in different coun ties at the same time. This consideration alone shows the propriety of a change in the law. In this connection I call your attention to the fact, that suits ha ve been commenced against the road in the State of Tennessee. I have directed pleas to the jurisdiction of the C ourt to be filed in all such cases, and the question, if decided against us, to be carried to the highest Court of the country. We have a right to complain of this proceeding on the part of our neighbors, as it was principally to gratify them, that the courts were thrown open to claimants against the State road. If their Courts should maiutaiu their juris diction in the State of I enuessee, and the ‘road mhfectod to the trouble and annoy- •inc* of this litigation, it will devolve upon the Legislature to determine, what course they will adopt in reference 10 the Wes tern terminus of the road, that will most effectually put a stop to jsneh proceed in s The important question for yOuf con sideration itr connection with this great work is, what shall be the future policy of the tate in reference to it? Realizing tho, deep interest felt by our people tflrfhe de cision of this question I submit to you my views fully on the subject By some, a sab of the road is proposed* I trust however that the advocates of this policy are not ml i erous. and I feel cer tain that their number will be lessened, in proportion as you satisfy the public mind that the road can be successfully carried on, under State management To sell the road would be to disappoint that general expectation which has so long looked to the completion of this enterprize for a source of reliable ‘evenue to the State.— The funds raised by the sale could not be approp iated to the extinguishment of the public debt, as that is not due. There is no profitable investment of it that could be made, aud tiie result would be—that by the time the public debt had to be met, this fund would have been exhausted in wasteful and unnecessary expenditures. Increase i taxation would then be the only means in meeting the liabilities of the State. I feel confident that no argument is required a gainst a policy which will inevitably lead to such a result. Tiie proposition to sell two-thirds of the road is equally, if not more objectionable. Tiie same consequence would follow to a great extent.- besides it is the unvarying esson taught by our experience, that the State ia the sufferer in very copartnership which she forms of this character. The road should either be under the entire control of individual in terest, or under the exclusive management of the fctate. A departure fiom this rule, I world certainly lead to no good result, and I trust that t e experiment will not be made. Rejecting then the proposition to dispose of the road, I recur to the inquiry what is the best policy for its future gov eminent? I ■ the management of a rail road, two ideas should be prominently kept in view, uniformity and permanency in its system, and a responsible hea i lo manage and control its affairs. Frequent changes and divided responsibility are incompatible with the successful operation of any rail road. Looking to those considerations I feel < ouscious of the difficulties which must attend my plan which has-been suggested fi>r the government of the State road, but the preference should be given to that sys tem which is the freest from these objec tions. The two plans which have been most generally considered, are, first, the present one which ‘caves the road under tiie control of the Executive and a Super inteudent appointed by him The other proposes to constitute a Board of Commis sioners and invest them with tiie oower now lodged in the bauds of the Govern i or. My own mind at one lime favored th*’ latter proposition. Experience and ob servation. however, have fully satisfied me that it will not do. The idea of a board of commissioners was derived from the board of directors, appointed by private corporations, for similar duties; and the ! argument drawn by analogy from this ! source would be good, if these directors j discharged the duties which the public | suppose them to perform; such, however, jis not the fact. Ihebe t board of direc tors for a railroad company are those, I who have sagacity and judgment enough, to submit the entire management of their I roads ‘o the President and Superintendent. ! In adopting a general system for the man agement of * road, their counsels may sometimes be heeded with some advan tage; but wlieiT the detailed operations of( the road are to be considered aid disposed j of, the least said or done by them, the better it is for the interests of their com pany. If a board of directors should at tempt to revise the dealings of a President and Superintendent with their subordi nates, reinstating such as in their judgment had been improperly removed, or forcing the appointment of others who they might suppose peculiarly qualified for some pc- • sitton, it would result in the total disor gmization of the r >ad, and the effort would soon be fel by the stovk loldcts in reduced profits, neglected machinety, and dilapidated road. Upon this point I can safely appeal to the experience and ob servation of every man who has been con nected with a successful and well managed rail road. If tnis be true of private com panies, the difficulties will be greatly en hanced, when the same principle is ap plied to a public w rk, when superadded to other causes of trouble and embarrass meat, there ere thrown in the political and party considerations which would inevita-1 bly be connected with such a system The | subordinate officers on a rail road, who | feel that they owe their places to any oth er cauie, than a faithful discharge of duty, would soon derange and ruin the best mana ged road in tae country Under a proposed system of a board of Commissioners these | difficulties could scarcely be avoided, and] I therefore deem it unnecessary to enlarge upon this branch of the subject Accord ing to this plan tnere would also be want ing that uniformity iu the management of the road, winch is essential to its suc cess Witii the change of commissioner s i the system would be cnanged and all the consequences attendant upon such changes would be constantly experienced Ihe present system is in my judgment decided ly preferable; o.je great object at least is effected a responsible head is placed in charge of tiie road—to wn nn the country can look for its proper and faithful man agement. Tne executive elected by the peo ple is respo isible to them. The Superin tendent should bn appointed by, and be responsible to the Executive; the subordi nate officers should he appointed by, and be responsible to t e superintendent, a>.d thus the management of the road is placed upon a system of respousib lity, which en sures its successful operation. Fn the ap pointment of the Supei intendent, the'Ex eeuiive leeis me rt:spo:i*ihitily which res is upon biin, and will exeicise a soitnii judgment in the selection. Toe Superintendent knowing that he is respon sible for tme good conduct of his suboidi nates, will exercise like prudence ami ! discretion In theii spleedrr©, aud the tmb- I ordinates feeling their dependence upon, | and re-ponsihili'y to the Superintendent, ! will realise the fact, that the tenure by which they hold their office, h the faith ful and efficient discharge of duty. In 1 this view of the subject, you W ill pe r ceive that there must be a Cordial and mutual confidence between the Executive and the Superintendent, and for that reason the Superintendent should be appointed by ‘.Lp Executive. I therefore recommend that the act of the last Legislature taking the appointment of this officer from the Governor, and giving it to the Legisla ture, he repealed, and that the appoint ment he again placed at the disposal of the Executive. If the road is to be con tinued under Slate management, this in my opinion is the most practicable sys tem that can be adopted. Two leading objections are urged a gainr.l this plan. The first is founded upon the fear that the subordinate posts on the road will be regarded and filled as political offices. Under my administra tion this practice has ceased to exist.— Whatever may be thought or said about making goverrnental offices, political po sitions, in other departments, it is a well settled fact, that it will not answer in the management of railroads or similar State enterprizes. Such a policy is condemn ed both by reason and experience, and Can never be resorted to without endan gering the public interest. This truth is so clearly illustrated it the history of ev ery State work, where the policy has been adopted, that I do not believe that the experiment will again b made in our own State The other objection is of a more serious character, ft grows out of ihe changes in the management of thrj road, incident to the frequent change in the Executive office. I admit the force of this objection, and the only reply that can be offered, is founded on the fact, that the objection is applicable to every plan which has been or can be suggested (or the government of the road under Slate management. In view of these difficulties, I submit to your consideration, another plan for the disposal of the road, one which will secure the three great objects to be at tained: first, the retention of the State’s interest in the road; second, a uniform and permanent system for its menage*, ment; anti, third, a ccru*in and reliable revenue from it. It is to lease the road under an act of incorporation. Lot a charter be granted with a capital of five hundred thousand dollars, in shares of a hundred dollars each. The charter should provide that the company should make semi-annual payments to the State, and the first failure should ipso facto work its forfeiture. The amount required to be paid by the company for its lease, should be at least five per cent, on the capital invested by the Sute, which might be estimated at five millions of dollars. The charer should be fora limited time, ami perhaps twenty-five years would be suffi ciently long. The company should be required to return the Road nt the expi ration of their lease, in as good condition and as well equipped, as When they re ceived it. The improvements which the increased business of the road will re qnne them to make, would afford a relia ble guarantee upon this point. On the other hand the Slate should a-< gree to pay the company for an increased .’ value given to the rosd by the itnprovjj j| merits made by them. Provision shoul also tie made in the charter, to protect connecting roads from a partial, and un just administration of its affairs, under such penalties as would ensure perfect impartiality. 1 have fixed thd capital of the company at a half million, supposing tnat to be sufficient for the ordinary im provements, which are still required to put the road in complete order. The Legislature could hereafter increase it, if the business of the road should require the laying of a double track. In submitting this suggestion to your consideration, I have merely laid down the out-line of a plan which might be per fected, if the policy recommended meets with your approval. If adopted, care should be exercised in guarding the inte rests of the State in any charter which :nav he granted, and that is submitted with great confidence to your wisdom and discretion. I beg leave to repeat, that the adoption of this policy will ensure a uniform, and permanent system in the conduct and management of this great work. It will he brought under the op era ion of private enterprize and individ ual ioterest without sacrificing the in vestment of the State. It will be reliev ed from the difficulties which I have shown must always more or less attend its management under State control, and finally ensure the regular receipt into tne tr- asury of at least two hundred and fifty thousand dollars per Annum THK PINITENTIART. I tranumii herewith the reports Principal Keeper and Book Keeper of the Penitentiary, which will exhibit to you its operations during the past two year.*. The officers of that Institution during that time have been faithful, and euer getic in the discharge of their duties, and I believe (hat its business under their charge, will compare favorably with the business of preceding years, its assets at the end of the year will in all proba bility discharge its liabilities, and leate it fine from debt. The business of the Penitentiary is not, and in my judgement never will be a source of revenue to the Stare. Toe appropriations which have from lime to time been made to meet its liabilities, show this fact. The gross amount of them is set forth in the Keep ers report, ft now requires large appro priations to make the necessary improve ments, and to furnish mateiials for its successful management it is a subject wmch should secure more of the person al attention of your membeis, than has heretofore been the case. An inspection of its condition will givegyou more infor mation ot its true wants than any repre sentation that l ean make, and I would urge the propriety of your doing eo, as it can he done with very little trouble to yourselves, end much benefit to the State. As you will perceive front tin Keeper's report the b‘a Atwtfi of- ••‘hiioj . railroad rafs has been commenced upoD a. pretty extensive scale.’ The experiment so far has proven eminently successful, indeed it has been the principal soured of revenue since its commencement. — For the want of the necessary means, pb arrangement had to be made vfhh the State road to furnish the materials for building cars, end as long as That road required it, all the cars tbsf can be built at the Penitentiary, this- arrangement could be continued If the business, however, should be extended as recum mended in the keeper’s report, it will be necessary for you to supply the necessary means for the purchase in advance of materials, as the object should then bs, to manufacture cars for all roads that desire to purchase, ft would also be necessary to authorize the imploymenv of a Superintendent of this branch of tha work, at a better salaiy than is now a’- iowed to the suhorninate officers. If a ready sale be found for ihe ca", I have no hesitation in saying, that it is the most profitable business that can be carried ou in the Penitentiary. The importance of classifying the pris oners in the Penitentiary, has -been so repeatedly end forcibly presented to the Legislature by mv predecessors, that I deem it unnecessary to enlarge upon the subject. It is again brought to your at tention'by the Principal keeper’s report, and I would impress upon your minds the propriety of giving it your early at tention, When tbisl reconitr.endmion is based upon the current opinion of every one who has been thrown into official communication with the Penitentiary, it should at least receive more consideutioa than has heretofore been given to it. THE LUNATIC ASYLUM. The biennial report of ihe Trustees, Superintendent and Resident Physician O the Lunatic Asylum is herewith su ! • mitted. This institution has been con ducted during the past two years with the characteristic energy and abil ity of its officers-. 1 commend to your attention the suggestions and re commendations contained in these re ports. Founded as tr.ey aie upon the experience and observation of those ‘who have shown themselves so worthy of the confidence reposed in them by the Slate, they should*command your most favora ble cOnsidi ration. This institution was established by the State under the con viction that it was our doty to provide for the safety and comfort of that unfor tunate class of our fellow beings, who had beeu deprived of their reason: and thereby rendered incapable of providing for themselves. This humane object will not have been accomplished, so long a* there remains in the borders of our state one unfortunate lunatic! unprovided for. It is a melancholy and humiliating reflec tion, that applicants for admission,! are daily rejected for the want of the neces - sary means to provide for their accommo dation'. This ought not ip ha hold it to be the solemn’ ‘defy of those ’who have been spared from this awful calami ty to furnish from their treasure what ever tnavfbe required for the support and comfort of their less fortunate fellow be ings. I’ cannot believe that there lives in our State a single citizan, who would not give a cordial response to this senti ment. The necessities o! thisjinstitution ’ Therefore the only just limit to your appropriations. When you ascertain its wants, let them be supplied, your hearts will approve the act, and your constitu ents will sanction the vote. There h one class of lunatics for whom no provision is made in the organization of this institution. I allude to our slave population. This omission, 1 have no doubt, is attributable to the fact, that the number is so limited that it h3s not at tracted public attention. There are, however, a few, and suitable provisions should be made for them. The first suggestion would ba to leave this matter in the hands of the owners, after provi ding a place at the asly iim tor tljeir recep tion. This will not do, however, as it some times happens that the unfortunate luna tic is the only property of the owner; and he is therefore unable to support him at the asylum. It would perhaps be wrong to tax those who havß uo interest in slaves, to raise money for this purpose. The amount which should be raised for this object, would be small, and if levied upon the taxable slave property, would not be felt by the owner. Looking to the number ofMunatic negroes, it would require only a nominal lax upon this kind of property to ‘raise the necessary means. I can see no good reason whv every slave owner should not cheerfully submit to this tax, to carry out so desir able and praiseworthy an object. I therefore recommend that proper steps be taken at your present session to carry out these views in the manner suggested. DEAF AND DUMB ABTLUM. The report of the Commissioners fur the Deaf and Dumb Asylum for the years 1852 and ’53 is herewith transmit ted. The success oflb is institution is* gratifying result, and should secure for it the continued patronage of the State.— Your predecessors have by their liberal endowments n*co itiized the duty of the State to'provide for the education of the unfortunate mute, and it would he diffi cult for the Legislature to appropriate the money of the people lo an object that would receive a mere unqualified appro val from the popular mind. 1 also trans mit the report of a committee appointed by myself to attend|ihu unuual exami nation of 1852. It bears testimony to the faithful and efficient dischargejof duty by the officers of the institution. Its recom mendations are commended to your con sideration, as worthy of attention in your Legislation on this subject. THK INSTITUTION FOlljniE'BUNb. ! transmit to you the first annual report? of the Trustees for the ‘‘Georgia Acade my for the Blind.” ‘I bis institution was organized tinder an act of the last Legis lature, and is dbwjstruggiingjthrough ita infantile existence. It has encountered ibOjOifficulties which have attended 6 \ similar institutions, and in view of these difficulties, its.effort* have been attended : \rith as much fitfeees’s sa could have No. 46.