Newspaper Page Text
COLUMBUS:
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE.
Senators and Representatives:
Congratulating you, as the Represent
atives of the People, upon the estab
lishment of Civil Government, and the
fact that Georgia is once more an inte
gral portion of our National Unity, we
welcome the intelligence which comes
from nearly every portion of our State,
of a bountiful harvest to the husband
man, and, as a consequence, general
content and thrift among our people,
an omen of our future prosperity.
THE CONSTITUTION.
Anew Constitution has been framed
by our delegates to the late Convention,
and it is your duty, as it will be your
pleasure, to enact laws in harmony
therewith.
Among its many desirable provisions,
attention is respectfully called to the
following changes in, and amendments
of, the Old Constitution, some of which
require early legislation at your hands.
DECLARATION OF FUNDAMENTAL ntlN-
CIFLES.
Article One is the Declaration of Fun
damental principles.
Section Two of that Article recites
that, “All persons born or naturalized
in the United States, and residents of
this State, arc hereby declared citizens
of this State; and no laws shall be made
or enforced, which shall abridge the
privileges or immunities of citizens of
the United States, or of this State, or
deny to any person within its jurisdic
tion, the equal protection of its laws.
And it shall be the duty of the General
Assembly, by appropriate legislation,
to protect every person in the due en
joyment of the rights, privileges and
immunities guaranteed in this section.”
This provision is in consonance with
the law of Congress, which fortunately
for our domestic tranquility, settles a
question which might have been a
source of serious trouble for us and our
children ; and shows, conclusively, that
there was no proscriptive spirit on the
part of the framers of the New Consti
tution, for, by its provisions, every cit
izen is fully permitted to participate
with us in the governinent of our inter
state affairs.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT PROHIBITED.
Their wisdom is further shown in the
adoption of the Eighteenth Section of
Article One, Prohibiting Imprisonment
for Debt, and obliberating from our
Code of Laws that relic of the usurer’s
power which confined the unfortunate
debtor in a felon’s cell.
Still further, as an evidence of our
enlightenment and advancement in the
scale of humanity and moral progress,
by the Twenty-second Section of the
same Article, “Whipping, as a punish
ment for cimc, is abolished. The whip
ping post will no longer shock the sen
sibilities of our citizens.”
LOTTERIES FROHIHITED.
Another most salutary provision is
found in Section Twenty-three of tlie
same Article, which enacts that no Lot
tery shall be authorized, or sale of Lot
tery tickets allowed in this State, and
adequate penalties for such sale shall be
provided by law.” This section, in
my judgment, will be found to be a
great conservator of public morals, and
it becomes your duty to provide, by ap
propriate legislation, adequate penalties
to prevent the continuance of this de
moralizing traffic.
TOLL TAX.
Section Twenty-Nine of the same Ar
ticle prescribes “That no poll tax shall
be levied except for Educational purpo
ses, and such tax shall not exceed oue
dollar annually on each poll.” The
freedom of the ballot box is in a meas
ure insured by this provision, which
prevonts an excessive tax upon each
poll, and at the same time permits the
voter to aid in promoting the free school
system, by contributions to that fund.
NATIONAL UNITY.
Section Thirty-Third provides that
“The State of Georgia shall ever remain
a member of the American Union ; the
peoplo thereof are a part of the Ameri
can Nation ; every citizen thereof owes
paramount allegiance to the Constitu
tion and Government of the United
States, and no law or ordinance of this
State, in contravention or subversion
thereof, shall ever have any binding
force.” This settles, substantially and
definitively, a subject-matter which has
been tlie fruitful source of our most se
rious difficulties iu peace and in war.
FIIANCIIISES AND ELECTIONS.
Your attention is particularly directed
to that portion of Article Two—Fran
chises and Elections—which prescribes
qualification for Electors and recites
that the “Elector shall have paid all
legal taxes, which may have been re
quired of him, and which he may have
had an opportunity of paying agreeable
to law.”
This requirement has been a part of
our Statutes for many years, but of late
has grown into disgust. It should be
enforced, particularly since the Poll
tax has been made almost nominal, and
within the ability oi all who esteem
the franchise as the especial privilege
of a freeman.
It would also save money to the coun
ty treasuries, as the law allows, and it
is the custom of the Sheriffs, to charge
for a return of nulla bona upon fi. fas.
issued by the Tax Collectors upon in
solvent polls placed in the hands of the
Sheriff for levy.
The provision is a good one, and the
General Assembly should require the
Superintendents and Managers of elec
tions to enforce it strictly or strike it
from the Code.
There has, also, been a judicious
change in the oath to be administered
to a challenged voter, which, if enforc
ed, will materially improve the purity
of the ballot.
DUELING.
Attention is directed to the punish
ment necessary to be prescribed for the
violation of Section Five of this Arti
cle, which says that “No person who,
after the adoption of this Constitution,
being a resident of this State, shall
engage in a duel in this State, or else
where, or shall send or accept a chal
lenge, or be aider or abetter in a duel,
shall vote or hold office in this State ;
and every such person shall, also, be
subject to such punishment as the law
may prescribe.”
PROHIBITING SALE OF LIQUOR.
There is no provision of the Constitu
tion which embodies greater wisdom
and sagacity than that contained in the
Biglith Section of this Article, which
provides, that “The sale of intoxicating
liquors on days of election is prohibit
ed,” and it ij earnestly recommended
to your attention as one requiring leg
islation that will effectually prevent not
only the sale but access to this active
agent, in fomenting contention and
bloodshed.
NEW COUNTIES.
Articlec Three, Section Five, requires
that “No new county shall be establish
ed, except by a vote ot two thirds of
each House, nor shall any county bo
abolished, except by two-thirds of each
House; and after the qualified voters of
the county shall at an election held for
the purpose so decide.” This is an
amended article of the old Constitution,
and may be regarded an cxellent provi
sion, as many new counties have been
organized whose creation was of doubt
ful propriety, the taxation and revenue
derived from them being insufficient to
pay the per diem and mileage of their
members in the General Assembly, and,
therefore, provided offices for a few per
sons without a corresponding advan
tage to the State.
PUBLICATION OF ACCOUNTS.
Article Three, Section Six, Paragraph
One. The amendment to this sedion,
as compared with the old Constitution,
requires that “ The regular statement
and account of the receipt and expend
iture of all public money, shall be
published from time to time, with the
laws passed by each session of the
General Assembly,” and is worthy of
commendation.
The printed laws, heretofore, have
not contained this valuable information,
and the people have not had an oppor
°f knowing how the revenue of
Jr llaa pcen expended, save
.„ r ? oir tlie reports of the Treasurer
and Comptroller General, which have
£i ?CCeSs i blc 10 lhc Public at
large. This mode of publication will
insure a more general diffusion of the
data and information with which the
reports are usually filled and incident
ally lead to a more intimate knowledge
of the laws among our citizens, and a
more discriminating economy in our
disbursements.
LEGISLATURE.
Article Third, Section Six, Para
graph Two, provides that “Novote,
resolution, law or order, shall pass
granting a donation or gratuity in favor
of any person, except by the concur
rence of two-thirds of each branch of
the General Assembly, nor by any vote
to a sectarian corporation or associa
tion.” The prohibition from donating
in favor of sectarian associations is an
amendment to the old Constitution,
and one that will meet the favorable
consideration of our citizens.
Paragraph Three of the same Article
provides that “No law or section of
the Code shall be amended or repealed
by mere reference to its title or to the
number of this section in the Code, but
the amending or repealing act shall
distinctly and fully describe the law to
be amended or repealed, as well as the
alteration to be made ; but this clause
I shall be construed as directory only to
the General Assembly.” This provis
ion subserves a wise purpose, in that it
prevents hasty legislation. Numbers
of instances in previous legislation
have occurred where the identical law
upon the statute book has been re en
acted, and sections of the Code, repeal
ed by reference to the number of the
act, the body of which had no connec
tion with the matter intended to be
legislated upon.
JUDICIARY.
Article Five. In this, as in other
Articles of our admirable constitution,
we notice the remarkable fact that the
Convention, distinctly representing
“Universal Suffrage,” acted independ
cntly and with wisdom and discern
ment for the benefit of the people, and
conscrvatized the government which
they were about to establish, by reduc
ing to a minimum the number of elect
ive officers, and increasing to a maxi
mum the length of the term of the offices
which were to be elective or appointed.
The extension of the term of Executive
and Judiciary will be beneficial in many
respects, and, to .a great extent, it will
have the effect of placing these two de
partments of the Government beyond
tlie influence of partisan politicians.
The Executive is controlled in his
selection by the dignified and thought
ful mind of the Senate; and in this con
nection, the mature deliberation of the
General Assembly is invited to the sub
ject of Salaries, to the end that adequate
compensation may be provided for the
several offices of Judges of the Supreme,
Superior and District Courts, and for
the Attorneys and Solicitors General
and District Attorneys; that persons of
character and capacity may be secured
to fill these important positions. In de
ciding the compensation which should
attach, due regard will be had to the
incomes which this class of profession
al gentlemen would acquire by their
practice. It is also proper that their
emoluments should be in proportion to
the character, responsibility and dignity
j of the office.
The provision “that the Court shall
render judgment without the verdict of
a jury in all civil cases founded on con
tract, where an issuable defense is not
filed on oath,” it is bolieved will mate
rially expedite the business of the Courts
and save costs to defendants.
DISTRICT JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS.
Section Four, Article Five, requires
that “there shall be a District Judge and
a District Attorney for each Senatorial
District in this State.” This change
from county to District Courts, Judges
and Attorneys may be regarded as
greatly subserving the public interest.
It reduces the number of officials, se
cures a speedy administration of justice,
reduces the expense attendant upon
payment of jail fees; and the provision
for the payment of the official salaries
from the county treasury, instead of
the receipts from fines and forfeitures,
relieves those officials from the charge
of undue influence, in anxiety to secure
convictions and thereby increase the
emoluments of their office. The favor
able attention of the General Assembly
is asked for that paragraph of the Con
stitution which authorizes you to con
fer civil jurisdiction upon these Courts.
COURTS OF ORDINARY.
Section Five, Paragraph Eleven, Ar
ticle Five, Section Five, Paragraph
Two, provides that “The Courts of Or
dinary shall have such powers in rela
tion to roads, bridges, ferries, public
buildings, paupers, county officers,
county funds, and other matters, as
shall be conferred on them by law.”
By Section Nino “The Courts hereto
fore styled the ‘lnferior Courts’ aro
hereby abolished, and their unfinished
business and the duties of the Justices
thereof arc transferred to such tribunals
as the General Assembly may desig
nate.” And Article Eleven, under the
head of “Laws in General Operation,”
Section Seven, recites that “The books,
papers and proceedings of the Inferior
Courts shall be transferred to and re
main in the control of the Ordinaries,
who shall perform the duties of said
Oourts until otherwise provided by
law.” It is respectfully suggested that
early attention be directed to this Par
agraph, to the end that Ordinaries may
be relieved from a large portion of the
duties thereby imposed upon them. —
The Court should, it is believed, be di
vested of matters not gormain to it; it
is a Court created for a particular pur
pose, and its duties should be confined
to the objects of its creation. Should
the business heretofore transacted by
the Justices of the Inferior Court be
entrusted to the Ordinary, he would
not be able to perform it in addition to
the duties heretofore pertaining to that
office. It may, also, be objected that
with these additional services pre
scribed, too much power is conferred
upon one officer. The supervision of
roads, bridges, ferries, public buildings,
paupers, county officers, county funds
and taxes, and other matters, all given
to one man, is a subject that invites
criticism.
Under Section Fifteen, “The Gene
ral Assembly shall have power to pro
vide for the creation of County Coin
missioners in such counties as may
require them, and defind their duties.”
By this provision Commissioners may
be created, to whom can be entrusted a
! portion at least of these duties, securing
efficiency and promptitude; and in
this connection your serious considera
tion upon 4 thc subject of Road Laws is
necessary to secure a practicable sys
; tern.
PUBLIC HIGHWAY.
The efficiency of the public highway
is a necessity; our Road laws now in
| existence are entirely disregarded. We
have the material for working out a
system of improvement in roads with
economy, and the safety, comfort and
pecuniary interest of the people as well
as the demands of commerce require
that this branch of internal improve
ments shall be inaugurated by practical
measures with sufficient and prompt
penalties to insure their execution.
JURORS.
Section Thirteen, Paragraph Two,
requires that ‘The General Assembly
shall provide by law for the selection of
upright and intelligent persons to serve
as jtrors. There shall be no distinc
tion between the classes of persons who
compose grand and petit juries. Jurors
shall receive adequate compensation for
their services, to be prescribed by law.”
There should be uniformity in the com
pensation of jurors, as well as the mode
of raising it. Where the juries have
been paid as heretofore by the counsel,
and the jury fee charged in the bill of j
costs, in many instances each juror has ;
been known to receive the unreasonable
sum of ten dollars for one day’s service.
This has had the effect of inducing many
persons to be regularly in attendance
upon the sessions of Court to be caught
upon juries, merely to receive the pay
for such service, and the result has been
that the familiar faces of these profes
sional jurors are continuously presented
in the jury box, and a uniform charac
ter of verdicts arc returned regardless
of the law and facts.
Under the present system, it often I
happens that a juror and a witness from
the same district return from the Court,
the one having realized five or ten dol- j
lars, the other seventy-five cents, by
one day’s attention to the public service.
Let the compensation be commensur
ate with the service rendered, and this
evil will be remedied.
RELIEF.
The Provision of our Constitution
under which the Courts were denied
jurisdiction in cases of action for debts
contracted prior to the first day of June,
1865, having been necessarily abrogated
under the requirements of the laws of
Congress, your attention is respectfully
called to the pressing necessity for
granting all the relief to the people that
may be in your power, under the Con
stitution. The just expectation of the
people on this subject is sufficiently
well known to yourselves to make it
unnecessary for me to present argu
ments in their favor.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
A general law should be framed at
the earliest practicable moment provid
ing for the setting apart of Homcstads
as, authorized in Article seven of the
Constitution, and thereby place, beyond
the control of the grasping creditor a
shelter and a support for the families of
those who, by reason of mistaken kind
ness to friends, misfortune, or the dis
asters of the war, would be left home
less. The Second Paragraph of this
just and humane Article secures the in
dependent right of property to women.
EDUCATION.
Article Four requires that the Gen
eral Assembly, at its first session, “shall
provide thorough system of General Ed
ucation, to be forever free to all children
of the State-”
A thorough and complete system can
not reasonably bo expected from the
legislation of any one session of the
General Assembly. With a territory so
extensive and a population so widely
seperated as ours, a school system must
be devised to meet as near as possible
the peculiar circumstances which sur
round us, and can only be finaly attain
ed and perfected by the light of careful
investigation and after some years of
experimental effort. This, too, with a
due regard to the ability of the people to
meet the taxation necccssary for its sup
port.
Great good has been accomplished in
our midst, since the close of the war,
by the earnest efforts of self-sacraficing
ladies and gentlemen who have been
sustained by the liberal contributions
of our friends in the Northern States.
Under well regulated associations,
schools have been established in large
numbers and with wonderful results,
and it is recommended that formal ex
pression of our gratitude be given by a
resolution of the General Assemblv.
It is also recommended as advisable
for the State to make an annual appro
priation to these associations equal to
the amount contributed from abroad, to
promote and enlarge the system now
so successfully inaugurated, while we
are preparing for and perfecting a gen
eral free school plan as indicated in the
Constitution. Attention is invited to
the statement of Mr. E. D. Ware, on
this subject, herewith transmitted.
The State University has received
the amount appropriated for the current
year, and is in a very flourishing and
satisfactory condition, under the control
of its able Faculty.
The benefits of the munificent gift of
Mr. Peabody are now being enjoyed by
our' children under the wise direction
given to it by the Board of Trustees,
who have the fund in charge.
MILITIA.
If it is deemed wise to establish a
militia organization, it is hoped that the
acts which are to regulate it will be of
such a character as to compel a perfect
and harmonious organization, with suf
ficient discipline to make the force use
ful and effective.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
I u view of the great poverty of our
people, and of the present effect of set
ting apart Homesteads, the Executive
might, with the assistance of the Treas
urer and Comptroller, be authorized to
exercise a discretion as to the kind and
character of bond to be given by per
sons elected to county offices to the
end that, if for the above reasons, the
officers elect may not be able to secure
the character of the bond, heretofore
required, the choice of the people shall
not be denied the exercise of the duties
of his office.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The removal of the Seat of Govern
ment to the city of Atlanta, will, for a
time, accasion some inconvenience to
the members of the General Assembly
and to the Executive, but this tempora
ry disadvantage is vastly more than
balanced by the convenience of the
public at large.
Under the arrangement volunteered
by the liberal spirit of the citizens of
Atlanta, the corporation took upon
itself to provide suitable and satisfacto
ry buildings and accommodations for
the Seat of Government.
As there is no finished building in
this city of sufficient size to afford prop
er facilities for the General Assembly,
the Committees and the Departments,
it is recommended that the General As
sembly take into consideration the pro
priety of aiding the corporate authority,
and thereby secure the completion of a
building now in the city, which can be
admirably adapted to our wants.
We arc informed that the capitalists
arc prepared to enlarge and complete
the building known as the “Opera
House” upon any plan acceptable to
the General Assembly, and have the
same ready for the Winter session, and
to lease the property to the city or State
for a term of years at a fair rate of rent,
based upon the value of the property
and the cost of improvements.
IRWIN’S REVISED CODE.
Irwin’s revised Code having been
adopted by the Convention, it will be
necessary, by an addenda to the Code to
explain the changes made in the laws
by the new Constitution, and with such
addenda, cause a copy of the Code to
be placed in the nands of the several
officers of the civil government.
COUNTY POOR.
Legislation is necessary to the end
that the indigent poor may be charita
bly cared for in each county in the State,
under some general plan, .that will se
cure uniform treatment, and prevent
the poor of one county being made bur
thens for another. The erection of a
comfortable building, with sufficient
ground adjoining for agricultural em
ployment of the inmates, at a central
point in each county, where all the
helpless paupers could by cared for, is
recommended.
WESTERN & ATLANTIC RAILROAD.
Attention is respectfully invited to
tlie concise and satisfactory report of
the able and efficient officer who has
been in charge of this valuable and
productive property of the State since
the close of the war, and more especial
ly to his wise suggestion as to the
necessity for adequate legislation to
protect the tax payers from loss, which
will ensue from the prosecution of
claims against the Road for unavoida
ble losses of property and damage done
to persons during tho war ; and it is
respectfully added that the laws of the
State are of such a character as to inflict
serious and unjust burthens upon com
merce, and to deter capital from em
barking in the carrying trade.
The decisions of our Courts, regula
ted by the Code, have been in conflict
with the decisions of the Supreme
Court of the United States and of many
of the States more extensively interest
ed in the laws controlling carriers than
our own, and it is earnestly recommend
ed that our laws on the subject may be
clear and definite, and so revised as to
give equal and just protection to the
carrier and to the patron, and thus
leave the Courts untrammelled by spe
cial and hostile legislation on this
subject; one which is of such vital
importance to the interests of the State
in her own Road, and to her citizens
who are interested in tlio operation and
construction of other Roads.
Refcring to the financial condition of
the Road, as presented in the accom
pany reports, we find that $241,895 54
has been realized to the Treasrry of the
State during the nine months ending
June 30th ultimo. From an examina
tion of the reports for 1866 and 1867, it
is found that the amount credited as
an asset, in this report of $7,431 86 due
from other Agents, has been carried
forward, with but trifling variation,
during the past three years. If this
amount is not collectable, the Treasu
rer should be authorized to relieve his
accounts of a valueless credit.
PROVISIONAL GOVERNOR RUGER.
The thanks of the State arc due to
the gallant officers who have so ably
administered tho Provisional Govern
ment in the Executive office, and in
the offices of Comptroller General, Sec
retary of State, and State Treasurer.
The attention of the General Assembly
is called to the following extracts from
Gen. Ruger’s reports:
Miledgeville, Ga., July 4, 1868.
Governor R. B. Bullock :
“Dear Sir—l have the honor to
furnish you with the following state
ment, in hopes that, although not in
detail, it will be of assistance to you in
ascertaining the condition of affairs
relative to the Executive Department
of the State of Georgia.
“Upon my entry upon duty as Fro
visional Governor, vice Governor Jen
kins, removed from office, I found that
the Seal of the Executive office was
gone; also the record of Warrants
drawn upon the State Treasurer by my
predecessor. These, 1 am informed,
were carried away by Gov. Jenkins,
i “It was found when the present Sec
* retary of the State entered upon his
office that the Great Seal of the State
was missing. She same was remoyed
by the former Secretary, Mr. Barnett,
or with his consent, aB I have no doubt.
“No funds were turned over by the
former Treasurer, Mr. Jones, to Capt.
Rockwell, nor any records from which
could be ascertained the transactions of
the Treasury during the time for which
he was Treasurer.
“The Comptroller General', Mr.
i Burns, on being relieved, failed to turn
over to his successor, Capt. Wheaton,
U. S. Army, the records of his office,
| (Ledger, Journal, Warrant Book, War
| rant Blotter and Receipt Book,) from
! which accurate knowledge of the trans
! actions of the State Treasury and
| Comptroller General could be ascertain
| ed. Neither the Seals, money nor rcc
| ords have been returned or recovered.
! “It will be impossible for the present
Comptroller General, Treasurer and
Secretary of State to make a complete
report, including transactions of their
departments since last published reports,
for want of necessary data. They will
furnish statements covering the time
for which they have held their offices.
These, together with the statements
that I understand their predecessors
will make to those elected to the offices
by the present Legislature, will give
yourself and the officers elected full
knowledge of affairs connected with
those departments.
TREASURY.
“On the entry upon office of the
present Treasurer, Capt. C. F. Rock
well, U. S. Army, no funds were turned
over to him by his predecessor, nor the
records from which could be ascertained
the actual condition of tho finances of
the State.
“There is still in the hands of Mr.
Jones, late State Treasurer, sufficient
funds to pay, within a few thousand
dollars, all dues for interest on the pub
lic debt up to the first day of January,
18G9. At this date there is in the hands
of the present State Treasurer, consid
ering all warrants drawn as paid, about
$105,000.
“It can be considered, that at this
dale, there is SIOO,OOO in the Treasury
for general purposes, regarding pay
ments of interest on the public debt, as
provided for up to January 1, 1809.
“The ordinary sources of income will
be: First, the Western and Atlantic
Railroad, which can be relied upou, I
think, for from twenty to twenty-five
thousand dollars per month, including
the present month, up to the first of
January next. Second, receipts from
past due taxes of the year 1867, on
which account, probably, not more
than $15,000 will accrue during that
time. Third, the receipts from general
tax of 1868.
“As no steps have been taken to
wards the collection of this tax, other
than the preparation of the blank di
gests, it cannot be expected that much
will be received from that tax before
November Ist, 1868.
“I should think, in view of the fact,
that nearly all the money in the hands
of Mr. Jones, will be required to pay
the interest on the public debt, coming
due the present and next two months,
for reliable calculation, it can be as
sumed, that with what is now in the
hands of the present Treasurer, and that
to accrue from ordinary sources, the
available means of the Treasury from
such sources will be for the four months,
including the present, and ending No
vember Ist, 1868, at which time, or soon
thereafter, receipts can be depended on
from the general tax for 18G8, $200,000.
The usual expenditures probably neces
sary, until November Ist, for the State
Institutions, Printing, contingent ex
penses, &c., are given below approxi
mately:
“It is assumed that tho expenditures
will be for special appropriations at the
rate of appropriations made by the last
Legislature. Such has been the basis
of payments during the time I have
been performing the duties of Gover
nor. Where specific appropriations
have been made, the amount is stated
in left-hand column and payments on
right-hand column. As the financial
years of all the public institutions end,
either on the first or last of October, it
can be considered that all appropria
tions unpaid will be required by No
vember 1. In this statement no ac
count whatever is taken of expenses of
the Legislature, or of appropriations by
it for the present fiscal year, which, of
course, cannot be now known.
Appropriations Amount paid
of last liegisla- by Executive
turo continued, warrants for
fiscal year,up
to date, in
cluding that
paid by late
Treasurer,
Mr. Jones.
LiUnatic Asylum $G2,000 00 $42,800 00
Penitentiary 30.000 00 17,914 00
Deaf and Dumb Asy
lum . 8,000 00 0,000 00
Academy for tnoDlind 11,000 00 4,600 00
$lll,OOO 00 $71,214 00
71,214 00
$39,786 00
The needs of the State institutions, as
appears above, requires about $40,000.
The civil list, at the rate of $20,000 per
quarter, $30,000 to $35,000. Os outstand
ing claims duo there is, on account of
furnishing artificial arms and legs, (and
which will be about all that will be re
quired for that purpose, as very few
orders have been received of late,) $4,-
000. Printing Fund (estimated) $2,200.
Contingent Fund (estimated) $4,000.
For payment on account of education of
maimed soldiers, on which account all
payments have been made up to May 1,
1868, if payments on the same account
should be made on tho system of quar
terly payments, the year beginning
January 1, about $25,000. There is
still unpaid on repairs to the State Capi
tol, at Milledgcville, about SI,OOO, of
which, however, about S7OO is due the
Penitentiary. Without, therefore tak
ing into account any payment on ac
count of the Legislature, or of appropri
ations other than the usual ones herein
above considered, and excluding inter
est on Public Debt, it may be staled
that the expenditures up to November
1, 1868, will require about from sllO,-
000 to $120,000.
It is apparent that as there is at this
date only about SIOO,OOO in the Treasu
ry, and the money in the hands of Mr.
Jones will mostly be required for pay
ment of interest on the Public Debt
within this and the «oming month,
that, unless the Legislature should con
tinue in session but a short time, there
will boa necessity for making a tempo
rary loan until the taxes for 1868 can be
collected. Tho gross receipts for the
year 1867 fell far short of the estimates
of the former Treasurer. The Conven
tion tax will eventually pay the Scrip
—a little over SIOO,OOO was issued, and
about $67,000 has been paid.
COMPTROLLER GENERAL’S OFFICE.
The Digest Blanks are ready to be
sent to the Tax Receivers. The blanks
were hot sent out to the old Tax Re
ceivers, for reason in part, because it
was supposed that the new State Gov
ernment, under the Reconstruction
Acts, would have been in operation be
fore now, and any changes necessary
in rule or otherwise, consequent upon
its legislation could be made; and, in
part, that the Tax Receivers elected
under the new Constitution might per
form the duties. When it became
apparent that it would not be expedient
to delay the preparation of the Blank
Digests, they were completed and arc
now ready. I would suggest the pro
priety of having the newly elected Tax
Receivers commissioned and qualified
as soon as possible, and that the Digests
be sent them.
An Act of the Legislature should, per
haps, be passed, requiring, as the usual j
time has passed by law stated therefor,
that all persons give in the value of
taxable property by a certain time.
There is really no necessity for the three
visits now required to be made at ap
pointed places by Tax Receivers. I
think that everything can be complete
and taxes required to be paid by No- j
vember 10 or 15. The time should bo
fixed, at which payment is requirad, as
early as practicable, as the January in- j
terest on the Public Debt is about $155,-
000.
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Nothing occurs to me, relative to this
office, requiring remark, except the ab
sence from the office, of the Great Seal
of the State, which Mr. Barnett, the
former Secretary, failed to turn over to
his successor.
PENITENTIARY.
The report of the Principal Keeper,
covering time from last report, up to
May first, has been received. Said re
port does not take account of $4,500,
paid on account of Penitentiary since
May Ist; said amount is, however, in
cluded in statement hereinbefore given
under head of “Treasury.” The Pen
itentiary, after estimating all property
on hand, and credits at a fair value, is
about SIO,OOO in debt. The services of
two hundred convicts have been leased
to private parties. The contract in case
of one hundred, first entered into, is
on file, and provides substantially, that
the State shall be at no expense on ac
count of such convicts, and shall re
ceive $2,500 for services of convicts for
one year, payable quarterly. The con
tract bears date 11th day of May, 1868.
The contract in relation to the one
hundred recently turned over to the
contractors, has not been yet signed by
the Executive. It was made by the
principal keeper, under my orders, in
my absence, recently, in Atlanta. The
terms were to bo the same as in first
contract, with like security. The con
tract was taken to Atlanta the day I
left for this place. It will require your
signature.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Some time eince I called for reports
from the clerks of the Superior Courts,
of all cases of “Homicide” in their
respective #ounties, since January Ist,
1866, with the intention of having such
reports consolidated and classified in
such manner as to present nearly
as possible, a view of tho state
of the public morals, and the practical
operation of the laws in that regard.
Reports from eighty counties have been
received.
I ■would invite your attention to the
fact, that by the law relative to burgla
ry, as at present existing, the breaking
into a store-house, out house, &c., (Sec.
4320. Irwin’s Code) in the night time,
is a capital offense, and there are now
two convicts in the Penitentiary sen
tenced to imprisonment for life. One
for breaking into and stealing from a
mill some corn-meal, and another for
breaking into an out-house and stealing
some molasses or syrup.
The report of the Grantees of the
Lottery, authorized by the Legislature
in 1866, for the purpose of establishing
a “Masonic Orphans’ Home,” has been
made, to which and a letter of com
plaint made by a citizen of the State,
and filed therewith, I invite your at
tention.
MEMORANDUM.
Following is a statement of the in
terest on tho Public Debt, by month,
for the year 1668, also a general state
ment, which, without knowing it to be
accurate, I think is so, of the amount
in the hands of Mr. Jones on first day
of January last, and his collections up
to the time he was relieved, and state
ment of disbursements :
INTEREST ON FUBLIC DEBT.
January $155,155 00
February 22,035 00
Maroli 1,800 00
May 8,427 60
.Tune 11,045 00
July 144,110 00
August 22,035 00
Septembor 1,800 00
November 8,427 50
Total 374,835 00
MR. JONES’ ACCOUNT.
Cash balance in Troasury January
1, 1868 $371,201 01
Receipts from January Ist to 13th.. 57,244 51
$428,600 21
DISBURSEMENTS.
Payments—Executive Warrants,
slnco January $ 22,035 29
Coupons State bonds taken 160,429 50
Advances to officers, contractors,&c. 25,956 45
Advances to Lunatic Asylum 10,000 00
Advances to Penitentiary 8,085 57
Total $227,700 81
“Leaving in the hands of Mr. Jones
at date of the last disbursement $200,-
799 31. [Exact date of last disburse
ment not known to me. ]
“It will be seen that after disburse
ments, other than on account of interest
on the Public Debt, are taken from the
gross amount of $428,506 12, it does not
leave sufficient to pay the interest on
the Public Debt up to January 1, 1869,
by $13,606 19.
“Funds in the hands of Mr. Jones,
late Treasurer, have been used to pay
the interest on the Public Debt. With
respect to bonds authorized by law to
be issued to replace State bonds due in
1868 and 1869, I can give no definite in
formation. The matter will require
your early attention.
Tnos. 11. Ruger,
“Brevet Brig-Gen. U. 8. A.
It would seem proper and right that
the compensation attaching to the civil
service, performed by those officers,
should bo tendered to them, with a res
olution expressing your appreciation of
the valuable benefits which have accrued
to the people of the State through tlieir
wise and economical administration.
ASYLUMS.
Reports from the Lunatic, Blind, and
the Deaf and Dumb Asylums have not
been received.
RESTORATION OF FEDERAL RELATIONS.
The amendment of the Constitution of
the United States, known as the “Four
teenth Article,”; is an amendment ap
plicable to all the States; therefore, no
one State can reasonably object to it on
the ground of inequality. As citizen
ship is conferred by Congress, and con
ditions have been heretofore prescribed,
what reasonable ground is there to ob
ject to the General Government pre
scribing conditions in the future or the
present ? We are a nation and and not
a confederation of independent sove
reignties, and it is certainly right and
proper that the power of declaring who
shall be citizens, should belong to the
National Legislature, and as the Con
stitution prescribes that the citizen of
one State, shall be a citizen of every
other, there is a power more than im
plied, that the National Legislature may
make citizenship uniform.
But the chief objection urged to the
amendment is, that it makes citizens of
all persons of color born in the United
States. It is hardly necessary to argue
this objection.
It has been practically ignored from
the commencement of the government,
and if it had not been, it is too late now
to argue, that a native American has no
rights, because his complexion is not
that of the majority.
Will those who contend that the men
of African descent, cannot rightfully be
made citizens, pretend to say, that a
free colored man, born in tho United
States, traveling in foreign countries,
could not always have rightfully claim
ed the protection of the Flag, and if in
jured in his person or property, would
not have been entitled to redress and
have obtained it ? If the objectors an
swer no, we reply, that such was not
tlje doctrine or practice of the fathers of
the Republic. All civilized men are
citizens of some country ; shall it be
said, that the civilized men of dark
complexion alone, are citizens ©f no
country ?
Another objection urged to the
Amendment is that it changes the basis
of representation in the popular branch
of Congress, and in the Presidential
Electoral College. The justice of this
change is self-evident. Suppose a case:
A State prescribes that none but men
worth ten thousand dollars shall vote or
be elected, (and we have had similar
proscriptions in almost every State.)
Can that be called a Republican Gov
ernment which says that none, other
than men so qualified, shall be repre
sented or represent the great mass of
their fellow-citizens in the National
Legislature ? Is that a Republic where
ten or a thousand men are allowed to
represent not only themselves, but, it
may be, the millions of those who have,
and had, no voico in their election, and
whoso opinions and interests may be
diametrically opposed to the ruling mi
nority ? The Constitutional Amend
ment merely says if these men cannot
vote, they should not be counted in the
basis of representation. It is for the
good of tho nation, that all men, all
classes, all interests, shall be represent
ed, but if you yield to the States’ Right
Doctrine and confine the right to vote
to a particular class, then Congress
claims the right to say -that that class
shall only be entitled to representation
in proportion to tlieir numbers.
In the National Legislature it would
be preposterous to maintain that Slates
equal in total population were equally
represented, when in one, only one-half
the people were entitled to vote and
choose representation; and, in another,
the whole participated in the choice.—
If the States are to be equally represent
ed in Congress, the basis of representa
tion must bo equal and uniform, and the
measure which makes it so, or attempts
to make it so, as does this Amendment,
commends itself to all true Republicans,
all true Democrats—indeed to all who
are willing to concede to others the
equal and just right they themselves
claiim.
In our State many persons who have
heretofore been honored and trusted by
their fellow citizens in official positions,
and who afterwards engaged in or gave
aid and comfort to the enemies of their
State and of the Union, are, by the
conditions of tho Amendment, and by
tho law under which we are permitted
to re-unite with the General Govern
ment, deprived of the privilege of again
holding office until relieved of that dis
ability by Congress, although they still
participate in the selection of officials at
tho ballot box.
While this prohibition may be con
sidered harsh, the propriety cannot be
doubted of placing the reconstructed
government in the hands of persons who
have not misapprehended nor wilfully
violated their official duty and alle
giance;or who, having thus forfeited con
fidence, now evince by their words and
deeds a spirit of submission to the laws
of the land. It is confidently believed
that even this restriction will be remov
ed as rapidly as our relations with the
General Government will justify.
INTERNAL RESOURCES.
The foundation of all prosperity is in
the successful development of our inter
nal resources. Let us sell more than
we buy; produce more than we con
sumo, and the balance will be with'and
among ourselves, for improvement and
refinement as a people.
With natural advantages unsurpassed,
we have but to practice the economy,
the energy and the arts of our neigh
bors in other States less favored by na
ture, to insure for ourselves case, con
tentment and material advancement.
Relieved from t he old system of labor,
which was a continual oppression to the
owner as well as tho owned, we now
liave at command the most efficient and
reliable class of laborers to be found in
any country, and with the introduction
of appliances so aptly fitted to our wants
in reducing hand work, our crops will
he made more'valuable to the producer.
A wise use of the Slate credit, under
careful restrictions, to open our avenues
through that section of our State, so
rich in the precious metals, will draw to
to us increased population, and with a
ready demand for our lands and our
products.
Then, indeed, if wc follow the sug
gestions of tho distinguished citizen who
last addressed the General Assembly
from the Guberntorial chair, and “cul
tivate among ourselves unity of feeling,
of opinion, and of action; unity among
the people, unity among the Depart
ments of Government—eschewing po
litical excitement, * * * * and employ
ing our active energies in rebuiding our
waste places, and developing our neg
lected resources; whilst others rage and
wrangle over ephemeral issues, let us
be busy with the real, abiding concerns
of life, * shall we emerge from this
period of ostracisms, wiser, more thriv
ing, and more respected than ever.”
With thankful hearts to the Giver of
all Good for that with which we are
now blessed, let us by charity, forbear
ance and fortitude, merit an increase of
His bounty. Rufus B. Bullock.
Atlanta, Ga., July 24, 1868.
Hon. John Young Brown, of Ken
tucky, who was not permitted to take
his seat in the present Congress,though
elected by a heavy majority, declines a
candidacy for the seat at present. He
says:
I have been importuned by my friends
everywhere, to run again for the place.
I am proud of their partiality, and i
thankful for their assurances of support.
I have not however, been able to get
my consent to enter the field, as has
been long known to my associates at
home.
I have feared that my re-election
might result in the admission to the
seat of any Radical competitor I might
have in the contest —and this shall not
happen through any instrumentality of
mine. I therefore yield any desires of
ambition I may have in tho matter, and
surrender the track to a candidate less
obnoxious to usurpers than myself, who
may be admitted to tho position.
Every day of my life makes me, if
possible, more devoted to the principles
of our party—upou which depend the
liberties and life of tlie nation. Let us
then have harmony in our ranks, and
energy in our action, that victory may
be achieved in the grand battlo that
opens before us. If won, its reward
will be no taxation without representa
tion —in short, liberty regulated by
constitutional law.
I shall ever gratefully remember tlie
great kindness you have shown, and
the honor you have conferred on me.
Whoever may be your candidate for
Congross will receive my earnest sup
port and, to the extent of my humble
ability, I will contribute my efforts to
secure the triumph of Democracy in the
land.
The Angnsta Factory.
The following flattering report of the
operations of the Augusta Factory for
the;last six months, we copy from the
Augusta Republican. It says :
Tlie twentieth semi-annual report of
Wm. E. Jackson, President, submitted
at the dose of the financial year, shows
that the condition of tho Augusta Fac
tory company is very favorable.
The gross earnings for the six months
ending July 1, 1868, were $139,632.30;
the expenses and taxes aggregated'fSl,-
898.16—leaving as net profit, $107,534.-
14; from which two dividends of 5 per
cent, each, amounting to $60,000, have
been paid, enabling the company to
carry to the credit of profit and loss ac
count $47,534, 14—making the amount
now to the credit of that amount $224,-
798.22.
During this period the following sta
tistics :
Cotton Consumed 1,302,571 its
Average Cost of Cotton 19-98 100
Average yards, per loom, per day 49(4
Average number of looms running 505
Average numbor hands employed 507
Aggregate wages paid $87,540.93
Aggregate sales $519,955.01
It will be remembered by those who
were among the original purchasers,
that this property was purchased of the
City;for $140,000 on tea years’ credit,
with interest at seven percent., payable
semi-annually, and one tenth of the
principal annually, the purchasers pay
ing in as commercial capital $60,000.
Since the purchase, the Company lias
paid for the entire property without
calling on the stockholders for another
dollar; added largely to tho property
by purchase and building, bought
SIOO,OOO worth of new machinery, in
creased the capital to $600,000, by the
addition of a portion of the surplus ;
paid dividends regularly,and lias now a
property worth tlie par value ($600,000)
in gold.
The present condition of the Augusta
Factory Company is an enviable one;
entirely free from debt—sufficient com
mercial capital to conduct the business
successfully inordinary seasons—a good
reputation for fabrics and responsibility
—an excellent force of operatives, and
the two mills in good condition.
“Keep the Peace, Regardless of
every Provocation.”— The New Or
leans Times, announcing the return of
Gen. Beaurgard from the North, says:
He expresses himself as highly pleased
with the reception of the Southern del
egates in the great metropolitan city of
the North, as w T ell as with the choice
made by the Convention. The bond
interest was the only one which appear
ed to him dissatisfied with tlie result,
and that, though powerful financially,
is insignificant in numbers, compared
with the the great masses of (lie unter
rified people. Os the success of the
Seymour and Blair ticket, in November
he is fully satisfied, provided the South
ern people keep the peace in the meantime,
regardless of every provocation which may
be offered by tlie enemy. If we calmly,
firmly and uncompromisingly wait, our
redemption may be regarded as assured.
Good advice, and we trust the South
ern people will carry out the recommen
dation in defiance of the many attemps
that will probably be made by the ad
venturers and scalawags among them
to outrage their feelings. The victory
will compensate for the forbcrancc.
New York, July 27.—Several cases
of cholera, including three deaths have
occurred in what is known as Shanty
District of the city.
An ugly old bachelor suggests the
births, should bo published under tlie
head of “ new music.”
An Englishman's View of Radical
Reconstruction.
A letter from Anthony Trollapc,
which is published in the English pa
pers, thus discourses on the effect of
Radical Reconstruction, if perpetuated.
It is a true picture of what would be the
result of Radical rule, should it be per
petuated. The article is worth the at
tention and consideration of the colored
race, who, by their plans, the Radicals
are plotting the sure destruction. The
writer says:
“In Georgia the black men, on these
lines of reconstruction, would have the
power of making all laws for the re
straint of the white. They would he
enabled to enact that a man should bo
hung for this or that so-called crime—a
white man, if you will, for not taking
offhishatto a black man. But it has
never been for a moment intended real
ly to intrust this power to the negroes.
The intention is that, through the
negroes, all political power, both State
power and Federal power', shall be in
the hands of members of Congress from
the North—that the North sharll have its
heels on the South, and that the con
quered shall he subject to the conqurors.
Never has there been a more' terrible
condition imposed upon a fallen people.
For an Italian to feci an Austrain over
him, for a Pole to feel a Rucsian over
him, has been bad indeed ; but it has
been left for the political animosity of a
Republican from the North—a man
who himself rejects all contact with the
negro—to subject the late Southern
slave owners to dominion from the Afri
can who was yesterday his slave. Tho
dungeon chains are knocked off the
captive iu order that he may be harness
ed as a beast of burden to the captor’s
chariot. But it will be so. There will
in these Southern States boa war of
racc3 ; hatred from the white man to the
poor, timid, incapable, unconscious nc
gro ; suffering for both, infinite suffer
ing for poor Sambo, who will gradually
begin his appointed task of disappear- j
ing ; there will be rapid death ot negro j
children, negro want, and all the follow- 1
ing of negro vice ; but the white man
wiio lives near him will gradualy teas- i
sume liis power. There will he an in
flux of Northern men into these States, ;
and they will gradually become as the
white men of the South. The scheme
after a while will fail: hut in the mean
time all tlie hatred of a conquering and
a conquered people will be maintained.
Such, sir, are my ideas ot ‘reconstruc
tion.”’
From tUo Atlanta Intelligencer.
A (Aril from lion. A. R. Wrlglit, o£
Rome, t«i»,
Rome, Ga., July 23, 1868.
Some friend, without my knowledge, ,
made an application to Congress lor
a pardon for me. I have heard it as
cribed to different persons. To whom
soever I am indebted, I am grateful,
satisfied it originated in kindness. But
I feel it due to the people of tho State
to say I made no such application. I
While there is an honest secessionist J
unpardoned, I propose to stand in the
same rank. A Union man from the be
ginning, I never failed during the war
to try to reconstruct the Federal govern
ment, but always upon the basis of the
rights of my people and the supremacy
of the white race. Occupying this po
sition, it was with difficulty I lived
through the war. Men now crawling
about the footstool of power, and play
ing boot-lick to patronage, wanted “the
damned Yankee killed.” President
Lincoln —with a full knowledge of
my position and' of my efforts to
reconstruct the Government, but ad
herence to my people, right or
wrong, and determination to share tlieir
fate, “whate’er that fate might be”—
approved my course, and voluntarily,
without being asked, granted me a par
don before tho war closed.
I am glad “the scallawags” “to the
manor born” succeeded in having my
name stricken out of the list. 1 ask
them no favors.
Lay on, Macilull !
And damned bo lio who first cries hold, enough!
I was treated badly by some of the
secessionists during tho war, and great
ly persecuted. My two brothers lost |
their lives because of adhering to my
political faith. But the mass of that
party, I felt then, and now know, were
as honest as I was. 1.. bear them no i
malice. But what shall I say of these
“truly loil” praters and Southern men
who are pursuing me for want of loy
alty ? The contempt of an honest man
can never reach tlieir level. It is well |
for them that I am not clothed with
power. Not that I should use it to
wreak personal vengeance. God forbid !
But I would teach them that govern
ment was made to protect, not to ruin
the citizens, and that they who thus
abused it, outraged the rights of human- j
ity, were outlaws to society, deserved j
to bo denationalized by all civilized !
people, and, like Gain, to have a mark j
set upon them, and to he “driven out
from among men,” and execrated by
“all kindred and tongues.” In the!
history of the past, I read of no bust- j
ness like it. If I were satisfied there
was no relief from the rule of such men
but in revolution, I would sound the
tocsin of war in an hour, and deliber
ately dedicate myself anil children “to
liberty or death.” Os the Clay and
Webster school in early life, and in
maturer years a National Democrat of
the Douglas school, I look to these,
my countrymen North, for deliverance.
Seymour and Blair is our last hope, j
Their election means forgiveness, res- !
toration, peace, prosperity, and brotli
cr.ffiood. Their defeat, anarchy, despair
and despotism.
Augustus R. Wright. !
Free Advertisement of Uronn’s
Chickens.
[Readers must imagine that this arti
cle is headed by a representation of a j
bob-tailed rooster that don’t crow about j
midnight:]
No one present at the examination |
of the lady witnesses in Dr. Kirksccy’s j
case, could have failed to notice the un
manly, ungontlemanly and ungenerous
manner of Joe Brown. All of the ladies j
on the stand for the first time (and one
of them known to be sick at tho time,)
endured the insolence of this fellow as
only ladies could. But our object is to
convey an astonishing piece of intelli
gence to the people of Georgia. They
have all heard of Joe’s collards, but
they were of tlie common sort, and
were only remarkable for leaving Mil
ledgcvillo along with their precious
owner, while arms and ammunition
were left to the tender mercy of Sher
man’s advance. It is Joe’s chickens
that now command the attention of the
State. We came very near writing
Stale forces. Wc suppose our mind
was wandering to tlie time when with
his forces he took Fort Pulaski. [Oue
can here imagine an illustration—can
non firing and under it printed ‘Blodg
ett’s Artillery.’] It was aftenvards
that Georgia seceded and even later
when this hero only wanted liis forces
to keep Georgia soil free from the inva
der and whip all Yankeedom. But to
return to tlie chicken subject. Joe iu
open court announced that his breed of
chickens do not crow at midnight or
thereabouts. Selah. Now that the
trade in cotton curds is dull, wc may
expect an announcement of “non
crowing chickens” for sale, siugly or
by the pair. Apply to Pulaski Joe or
Chicago Brown, U. S. Senate chamber,
Washington. Georgia State money
taken at par.
Out at Last. —The New York Her
ald says: Old Thud Stevens’ savage
outburst at the “bloated speculators”
who want tlie bonds paid iu gold aston
ished Greeley so much at first as to
completely shut him up. Greeley has
at length found words for Stevens, how
ever, and here they are: “No swindler
that the world lias known ever perpe
trated a fraud so gigantic as that he
meditates.” Asa Republican opinion
of the honesty of a Republican leader
this will do. People might tfiink an
outside opinion not reliable. We hopo
they will find the above instructive,
and rellect whether they want to be
gOVesped by a party whose policy lias
been mainly shaped by sucb a mau.
The Prospect.
Tho Now York Tribune sounds a note
of alarm one day to its political friends,
and the next it assures them that there
is not tho slightest possibility of the
election of tho Democratic ticket. It
was in the latter mood when it gave
utfcrauco to the following :
“Tho only States that we consider
morally certain to vote for Seymour and
Blair are Kentucky, Maryland and
Delaware; and even Delaware might be
carried for Grant if liis friends were as
active and zealous as they should bo."
In former years the Tribune possessed
some reputation lor candor, but it
seems to have become demoralized
since the war. It would be slander,
however, to accuse that paper of hones
ty in making the assertion we have
just quoted. It entertains no such
feeling of safety for its party as is im
plied in the paragraph in which it con
cedes two anil probably three States to
the Democratic ticket. There are rea
sonable grounds for claiming that the
following States will vote for Seymour :
Connecticut 0 California 6
New York 33 Oregon ■
Now Jersey 7 Nevada— •{
Delaware 3 Pennsylvania 20
Maryland 7 Ohio
Kentucky 11 Indiana 13
Missouri 11 Illinois 10
The grounds upon which those States
are claimed for the Democratic ticket
are set forth by the Cincinnati Enquirer
as follows:
Wc carried Connecticut in April by
1 700 majority for Governor, on tlie
largest vote over polled in tbc Slate.
Every opposition ticket had Grant’s
name on it for President.
Wc carried New York last lull by
50,000 majority, and we shall, with Air.
Seymour as a leader, increase it this
year.
Now’ Jersey is always Democratic.
It was so last fall by a majority equal
to 80,000 iu Ohio. None but a i'ool
supposes she will vote for Grant.
Delaware voted against Lincoln, even
during the war, and she will go now
twice as strong against Grant.
In Maryland and Kentucky tho Radi
cals will not poll for Grant one vote to
every three the Democrats poll lor
Seymour.
In California, at the last election, we
had 8,000 Democratic majority, and iu
Oregon we had 2,000 iu June, 1808.—
There is not an earthly prospect that
the Radicals can overcome these ma
jorities.
Pennsylvania is naturally Democratic.
We carried it last year, when the oppo
sition did their best, and we will repeat
the result with interest this fall.
We also carried Nevada at the last
election.
These States, thus named, where it
hardly seems possible we can be beaten,
have 115 electoral votes.
Indiana and Illinois are old Demo
cratic States, which the war caused to
swerve from their moorings. They
had no State officers to elect in 1867,
but if they had had the Democrats
would have carried them triumphantly.
This was evinced by the local county
elections, where the Democrats made
vast gains, iu almost every instance,
throughout the States. Tho pressure of
taxation is severely felt in them, and
the desire for a change in the Adminis
tration pervades all classes, without
distinction of party.
In Ohio wo polled last year 240,000
votes for Judge Tliurman, our candidate
for Governor. He was beaten by less
than 3000, on the largest vote ever given
iu the State. Ho was beaten by illegal
negro votes, because the Democrats
were deficient in organiziation and lack
ed confidence in the result. Had they
had organization, and as much confi
dence as they have now, Ohio would
have been Democratic by 20,000 major
ity. Wo are a Democratic State to-day ;
tlie Radical strength is all confined to
the Western Reserve and to a few coun
ties in the Miami Valley. Grant has no
strength personally in this State. He
is tlie weakest candidate they could
have run, and invokes neither tho en
thusiasm of tlie outsiders nor the ener
gy of tlie inside party men.
Wc have not spoken of Missouri, with
her eleven electoral votes. She is one
of tlie strongest Democratic States in
the Union, and it her peoplo all voted,
would give Seymour and Blair 50,000
majority at least. Wo have been beaten
there for several years, because the
Democrats have allowed themselves to
be disfranchised by illegal test oaths,
administered at tlie polls. These oaths
have been declared to be unconstitution
al, and this year the Democrats will
vote; and the support Grant will receive
in Missouri will be small indeed.
But this is but a partial survey of the
field. There arc 317 electoral votes, if
all the Southern ones are counted. Os
these, 159 arc a majority. Tho States
above given have six votes more than
is requisite to a choice. But Grant is
not certain of all the South. He cannot,
even backed up by the negroes and tlie
military, carry half of it. He will lose
Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Mississip
pi, Texas and Arkansas certain, and
they have fifty electoral votes.
If the people in West Virginia turn
out and vote, as we understand they
will, Grant will be beaten in that State
by a great majority. The Radicals
have been carrying it because not one
third of tlie peoplo have voted. It has
five electoral votes.
Nebraska is about balanced political
ly, and is as likely to go for Seymour as
Grant. Wisconsin and Minnesota are
in the same category. A vigorous
effort by the Democracy will give both
States to Seymour. The Radicals only
carried them last year by the barest ma
jorities. Even New Hampshire is not
absolutely certain for Grant.
Upon a resume, therefore, of tho gene
ral field, the friends of Seymour and
Blair have everything to encourage
them, and with proper organization can
hardly fail to succeed.
From tho Meridian Gazette.
THE CARPET UAUUER.
Air —“ Joe Ilou’crs .”
BY JACK CASS.
I am a carpet bagger—
I’ve a brother, scalawag—
Come South to boast and swagger
With an empty carpet bag;
To rob tlio whites of greenbacks,
And with the blacks to “bunk,”
And change my empty satchel
For a lull solo leather trunk.
I’m ‘some’ on ‘Constitutions’
For a ‘late rebellious State,’
And I’m ‘somo’ on persecutions
Ot disloyal men I hate;
I’m ‘some’ at nigger meetln’s
When whito 'folks ain’t about,
And‘some’among tho nigger gals,
When thoirmams don’t know thoy’rc out
I’m ‘some’ on a Convention,
Where 1 draw an ‘X’ por day,
And opposed to all adjournments,
It I only draw my pay.
I drew it down at .1 ackson,
Where four months I kept my seat,
And 1 laid a heavy tax on
All you wear and drink and oat.
Hut now my day is over,
Thoconstltuiion’s killed;
Again I am a rover,
And my pockets aro not tilled;
All my money has been spent on
An electioneering ‘bum’—
Farowoll to Mississippi—
O, “I wish I was ter hum
On Monday night of last week, Air;
Samuel McSwaiu, living near Granada,
Mississippi, was shot while undressing
add mortally wounded, by a negro
named Tom AlcKean, who was pursued
by the citizens and a party of soldiers.
After being chased several miles into a
swamp, he was wounded twice and
captured by Sergeant Smith and his
party. He was brought back to Gran
ada, when a mob was with great diffi
culty prevented from hanging him. No
cause for the assassination is known.
• -
The Fatal Shooting Affair.—Air.
Isaac Russell, who was wounded iu the
head before tho shooting of Wm. Rob
ert Hopkins was quite unwell Saturday,
a high lover having set in. He com
plained of pain in the head, below where
the other wounds were and an examina
tion was made, when it was found that
I another blow had been given there.—
j Owing to tlie pain from the other
wounds the latter was not felt, but as
| the attention the others received caused
! them to partially heal, the oue unattend
ed festered and became painful. Air.
Russell is in good spirits, and like his
numerous friends is anxiouly awaiting
j the investigation which, it is claimed,
will clearly show that the shooting was
j done in self-defcnso. It is thought that
| the investigation will take place this
week.— Savannah News.
WII.LIAM 11. HEWAHn
Secretary of State or «i,„ ’
States. * Gilt,,
To all whom these presents may com Cfrte(
Whereas the Congress of n,' p :
States, on or about the sixteene 1(
j June, in the year one thousand
hundred and sixty-six, passed
! lutiou which is in the words nn,u TANARUS(!
j following, to-wit :
! Joint Resolution Proposing ~,
tlie Const 11 ul lon of Hu, I „it('| u!'. "" 111 .
| ke it resolved by the Scale and
tentatives of the United statu of a, V
i grsts assembled, ( two-thirds of hath u "
curring,) That the 1011,,wi,,g
proposed to tlie Legislutuio ,7;
State* as an amendment tu the <
tho United States, which, when r'', 1 " 1!
tliroo-lourths of said Legislature • • 1
valid as part of tlio Constitution tv,',,
ARTUU.I' 11. See 1. All pn’,",,' p
naturalized in the United States, lui ,i "' ,l
to the jurisdiction thereof, are vltiss,*-.
United States and of the Stale when 1 -:” 1
reside. No Stale shall make or i l '
law which shall abridge the privil,
mmiities of citizens of the United su,!
shall any Stale deprive any per-:. '
liberty or property, without due
law, nor deny to any person willin' ,
diction the equal protection of the | u
See. 2. Representatives shall lie '
among the several Stales according i,',
respective numbers, counting I he .
her of persons in each Stale.
dians not taxed. Itul when tin- nrlat!.
at any election for tlie choice u| '
President and Vice President of ||„. p,
States, Representatives in Con j,.-
ecutive and judicial ofUcors of a ShuV
Legislature thereof, is denied t„ ahv ,
male inhabitants of such Stale, In-in, h
one years of age, and citizens of tin- | ,
States, or any way abridged, except
ticipation in rebellion or oilier crime, v
sis of representation therein shall he r,
in the proportion which the number .
male citizens shall hear to the whole )ni ,
of mule citizens Iweiily one years „f ,
such Slate.
See. 3. No person shall he a S.-na
Representative in (hmgress, or i
President and Vice President, or hold ~
lice, civil or military, under the Icm
or under any State, who, having pm,,,
taken an oath, as a member of tv,,..
as an ofliecr of the United Stales, nr a<
her of any State Legislature, or i
five or judicial officer of any Slate, in Wlll|
the Constitution of tlie United Stales, .
have engaged in insurrection or nM
against tlie same, or given aid or comb •
the enemies thereof. But Congress nun,
a vote of two-thirds of each House, -
such disability.
See. 4. Tho validity of the public ,hV,
tlie United States, authorized by law. i L
ding debts incurred for payment of pen,;
and bounties for services iu suppressim: n.
rection or rebellion, shall not In- quosiii.
Hut neither tlie United States nor any >
shall assume or pay any debt or olilici’
incurred in aid of insurrection or rein
against-the United States, or any claim
tho loss or emancipation of anv .slave: In■
such debts, obligations and claims shai
held illegal and void.
See. The Congress shall have power, in
propriatc legislation, to enforce the r
sions of this article.
SCHUYLER COLFAX,
Speaker of the House of Represent ill.
LAFAYETTE S, FOSTEI.
President of tlio Senate pro (era,
Attest: Edward MoPhkuson,
Clerk of tlio House ul KoprcstuU
J. W. Fornky,
Secretary of tlio Sonato,
Atul whereas by the second secti
of the act of Congress, approved ;
twentieth ot April, one thousand cid
hundred and eighteen, entitled “Am
to provide for the publication of ti
laws of the United States, and for oik
purposes,” it is made the duty of li
Secretary of State forthwith to cats
any amendment to the Constitution
the United States, which has been adn;
ted according to the provisions of tk
said Constitution, to be published
the newspapers authorized to promt,
gate the laws, with his certificate spec
lying the States by which the same im;
have been adopted, and that the*
lias become valid, to all intents and pm
poses, as a part of the Constitution'
tho United States ;
And whereas neither the act just 1(1"
ted from, nor any other law, express?!
or by conclusive implication, authwm
the Secretary of State to determinem
decide doubtful questions as to tho r
thentieity of tho organization of Sta
Legislatures, or as to tho power of a:
State Legislature to recall a previa
act or resolution of ratification of a:
amendment proposed tothcConstitutio
And whereas it appears from offlei
documents on file in this Dcpurtuie
that the amendment to the Constitutv
of tlio United States, proposed as afor
said, lias been ratified by the Lego:
tures of the States of Connecticut, Kt
Hampshire, Tennessee, New Jersi
Oregon, Vermont, New York, 01:
Illinois, West Virginia, Kansas, Alai:
Nevada, Alisaouri, Indiana, Alinw”
Rhode Island, Wisconsin, P mut/M
nia, Michigan, Alassnchusctts, Ntbra
lea, and Iowa;
And whereas it further appears fm
documents on file in this Departw
that tho amendment to tho Constitnii
of the United States, proposed aa alar
said, Ims also been ratified by newit
constituted and newly established ho i:
avowing themselves to be, and arm
as, the Legislature, respectively, nil:
States of Arkansas, Florida, Nor
Carolina, Louisiana, South CamiL:
and Alabama ;
And whereas it further appears fi t
official documents on file in this Depar:
ment that the Legislatures of two oil!
Stales first abovo enumerated, to"
Ohio and New Jersey, have since pv
cd resolutions respectively withdraw::
the consent of each of said States to lit
aforesaid amendment; and wlierc;
is deemed a matter of doubt and iui | :
tainty whether such resolutions art:
irregular, invalid, and therefore indie
ual for withdrawing the consent ol:
said two States, or either of them,
the aforesaid amendment;
And whereas the whole number
States in the United States is tin:
seven, to wit: New Hampshire, Ah
chusctts, Rhode Island, Connect::
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvan:
Delaware, Alarylaud. Virginia, A r
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, V
mont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, A:
souri, Florida, Texas, lowa, Wiscon.-.
Aliunesota, California, Oregon, Kanss
West Virginia, Nevada, and Nebram
And whereas the twenty-three Stai
first hereinbefore named, whose Lee.
Inturc have ratified the said propo*
amendment, and the six States ::
hereafter named, as having ratifiedC
said proposed amendment by W
constituted and established lcgislai:
bodies, together constitute threc-fouri.
of the whole number of States in ’
United States: *
Now, therefore bo it known tb
William A. Seward, Secretary ol c
of the United States, by virtue am
pursuanco of tho second section m
act of Congress, approved the twent
of April, eighteen hundred and ci;
ecn, hereinbefore cited, do hereby:
tify that if tho resolutions of the L:
laturcs of Ohio and New Jersey ra'
ing the aforesaid amendment arc t
deemed as remaining ot full force
effect, notwithstanding tlie subseQt
resolutions of the Legislatures ol -
States, which purport to withdraw
consent of said States from such r
cation, then the amendment has ;
ratified in tlie manner hereinbefore
tioned, anfi so has become valid, >
intents and purposges, as a part"
Constitution of the United States.
In testimony whereof, 1 have be
to set my hand, and caused the x -
! tlio Department of State to beam':
I Done at the city of Washington"
twentieth day of July, ; "
year of our Lord oue tic
[SEAL. ) eight hundred and sixty' l
and of the independence '
United States of America
ninety-third. ~
WILLIAM 11. SEWAlf*',
Secretary of
Tiie Alaoon and Brunswu' 1 ' 1
road. —The most energetic tm
are being adopted to put the , ,
of this road under contract at' ■
Tlie Company has no lack o! ”
bidders to do the grading.
Asa general rnlc the road ;
through a level country not re<l
heavy grading. Timber jierlcci)
ted tor cross-tics, abound all
line. Having money sufficient »
to pay at once for all contracts, 1
and rolling stock, it would s “ ",
j road should bo more speedily
' ted than any ever undertaken m
State. In oilier similar eutt l■.
including this one up to arccen I
tho projectors have almost been
bly obliged to stop operations
there, and go to work rais 8 ~
money. Individuals and co
to pay up tlieir subscriptions, su j ~
the Company to a scspcnsion (
tions. But if wc understand r „
terms upou which the \
lias been transferred, mo iv D , ;
Company already have amp
hand to complete the work,- „:
individuals will not be call® c( , i;
pay anythiug. We may 11
deutly look forward to UR y, (
Macon and Brunswick withu » ,
from this time,— Macon -GW 1 1
