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g O L I J MJB IT S :
FICIDAV .tIOKiM ACi, DKI. 13.
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country, prompts us to offer the following
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One copy, one year $1.50
Three copies, one year, to same post
office at $1.40 each 4.20
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Fifteen copies, one year, to same
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Twenty copies, one year, to same
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All remittances must be by registered
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wise at the risk of the sender.
Address, Tnos. Gilbert & Cos.,
Columbus, Ga.
Mobe About the Killing of Col. W.
P. Ramsey. —The remains arrived, on the
North and South Kailroad, yesterday, and
were at once conveyed to the cemetery
and bnried. His mother was too sick to
come.
The preliminary examination of Robert
Swinsford, who killed him, had not been
closed, at Hamilton, Wednesday night.
Gentlemen report the evidence something
like this : Ramsey and Swinsford had had
a difficulty before tea. Ramsey had
drawn a pistol on him, and ordered him
from Gluzes’ store. As Swinsford went
out, Ramsey kicked him from behind.
Ramsey then went to the hotel and took
suppdr, and afterwards repaired to the
store of the Messrs. Murphy. Swinsford
inquired in several stores where Ramsey
was; he found him in the rear room of
the house mentioned. Besides these two,
only Mr. “Cuff” Seats, who is quite deaf,
was present. As soon as pistols were
drawn, he left, and there was no witness
to the shooting. Four pistol reports were
heard. Three shots were fired into Ram
sey’s body. One ball lodged in the ceil
ing. Tho supposition is that Ramsey
must have fired very wildly, or that Swins
ford shot him first, and Ramsey, in falling,
and while endeavoring to shoot, discharg
ed his ball upwards. Swinsford is said to
be a poor man, who cannot give bond, if
required. He is also reported to be a qui
et and orderly citizen.
The Funebal of Col. W. P. Ramsey.—
The remains of this young gentleman were
received by the North and South Road
yesterday morning, and from the train
conveyed directly to the cemetery, where
they were deposited by the side of those
of his father. Rev. J. H. Nall, of the
Presbyterian Church, conducted the re
ligious services. The following junior
members of tho Columbus bar constituted
the pall-bearers: T. W. Grimes, Reese
Crawford, C. R. Russell, L. W. Spencer,
A. A. Dozior and S. J. Benning. The
mother of tho deceased was too unwell—
made so by the unfortunate occurrence—
to accompany the remains to Columbus.
Among those who attended were Mr. Lu
cius Ramsey, brother of the deceased,
Cooper Williams, Ordinary of Harris coun
ty, and a numbor of personal friends. A
warm though impulsive heart is stilled
forever.
Muscogee Superior Court—Judge Jas.
Johnson Presiding—Thirty-First Day,
Friday. —Court met at 9 a. in.
The following case was continued: Elias
McGee, assault with intent to murder.
He was released on his own recognizance.
Tlio case of Henry Taylor, robbery,
was nolle prosequied.
The equity docket was then resumed.
Several rules nisi were granted.
Seven cases were continued and two
dismissed. One of the last was the Pied
mont und Arlington Insurance Company
vs. Park & Iverson ; the other, that of
James K. Redd vs. James T. Thweatt.
Equity docket will be resumed to-day,
the case of Emma Bradley vs. John John
son, administrator, being first on docket.
Court adjourned to Friday at 'J a. m.
A More Correct Account. —One or two
mistakes were made in the report of the
preliminary examination of Mr. Robert
Swinsford, for the killing of Colonel W.
P. Ramsey, in Hamilton. Swinsford did
not ask at the stores for Ramsey, but at
three enquired if any one was in. When
he entered Murphy’s store, he knew Ram
sey was in the rear room. Mr. Seats is of
the impression that Ramsey fired first.
He was reaching for a ledger at the time
the weapon was fired, and at once left.
He is deaf, and could not hear well. He
was keeping books. The ball was not
found in the roof, but in the opposite
wall, some distance higher than either of
the combatants’ heads.
To Labor in Augusta.— Dr. Evans, well
known, in this city, as a bright and shin
ing light in the ministry of the Methodist
Church, has resigned his charge in Savan
nah, and departed for his new field of la
bor at Augusta. The announcement of
the farewell services in Savannah, on Sun
day evening, drew a vast congregation to
Trinity M. E. Church ; hundreds of peo
ple, who could not so much as get stand
ing room, turning regretfully away.
Prizes Drawn. —We hear of quite a
number of prizes drawn by holders of
tickets in this city in the Louisville (Ky.)
Library scheme. The highest amount
reported is SSOO ; a book-keeper takes it.
The official drawing, clipped from the
Courier-Journal and placed on our bulle
tin board yesterday morning, was eagerly
scanned by many anxious ones. Several
were pleased ; the rest disappointed.
Peacock Jr Swift have received anew
installment of fresh and handsome goods,
such as delight ladies to buy. They em
brace quite a variety both for men
and women. They have many articles
which are very suitable for Chrismas pres
ents. We advise all to go and see them.
The house has very polite and attentive
clerks, and it is a pleasure for them to
show goods.
The Jail. —There were eighteen in
mates yesterday—only one white man.
Some ton prisoners have been discharged
at this court. We believe only two of the
prisoners tried at this term were con
victed. Two will be released in the next
two days, their terms having expired.
4 New Paper. —Wo have received the
first number of tho Vindicator, published
in Greenville, Meriwether county, by W.
P. Hutchinson. It is well printed and
filled with reading matter. We wish the
proprietor all success.
Admitted to U. S. Court. —James M.
Mobley, Esq., of Hamilton, Harris coun
ty, on Tuesday, in Savannah, was admit
ted to plead and practice in the United
States Courts. _
The Malone Case —The case of Mr.
Milton Malone was again resumed, in At
lanta, Thursday. The objections of his
counsel in regard to the panel of jurors
were overruled, and a jury had been ob
tained when the court adjourned.
For the Supreme Court. The quo j
warranto case of Janies M. Leunard vs.
John Frazer, tax collector, will be carried
to the Supreme Court.
Not Closed.— The preliminary exami
nation of Robert Swinsford, in Hamilton,
was not closed Thursday night. Dr. Be
dell is conducting it.
REFORM OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
The death of Mr. Greeley between the
day of the popular vote and the meeting
of the Electoral Colleges has given rise to
a unanimous expression of the Press for
reform in the method of electing the
President and Vice-President of the
: United States. The New York World of
J the 7th instant has an excellent and ex
haustive editorial on this important—and,
at this time, interesting—subject. It is
strange that the people have so long tole
rated the cumbrous, absurd and unrepub
lican machinery of Presidential Electors.
South Carolina, we believe, was the only
State in the Union that never adopted,
before the war, the useless and indirect
way of receiving and expressing the
popular will for the highest offices in our
land and government. Her system was
still more absurd and non-republican than
the other States, viz : to cast the vote of
the State through the Legislature.
The World thinks the small and scatter
ing vote given to Mr. Greeley saved the
country from a bloody commotion. It
says: “Suppose Grant to nave been in a
small minority, in which the change of a
dozen votes would have sufficed to elect
him, it cannot be easily doubted by any
person acquainted with the corrupt state
of onr politics, that means would have
been found for changing a dozen electoral
votes in his favor. As Senator Benton
said, in a powerful speech advocating a
change of sysfem in 1824, ‘the Elector
may betray the liberties of the people by
selling his vote; the operation is easy be
oause he votes by ballot; detection is im
possible because he does not sign his vote;
the restraint is nothing but his own con
science, for there is no legal punishment
for his breach of trust. ’ ”
The World concludes as follows :
Now the chief means by which official
influence (which they so carefully tried to
exclude) is brought to bear on Presiden
tial elections, is the re-eligibility of Presi
dents, and the influence of official patron
age in packing National Conventions. In
pursuance of the original sound idea of
the framers of the Constitution, we must
cut up this system by the roots; which
can only be done by limiting the Presi
dent to a single term.
The reforms which we propose, and
whose merits we desire to see thoroughly
canvassed by the press of both parties, are
these:
First. Abolishing the machinery of
Presidential Electors, and letting the peo
ple vote directly for President and Vice
President.
Second. Limiting the President to a
single term of (say) six years.
Third. Giving all the appointed Federal
officers a term equal to that of the Presi
dent, but commencing and ending at the
middle of the Presidential terms. This
would enable the President to become
acquainted with the merits of each officer,
and to decide intelligently whether the
public service would be prompted by his
re-appointment; and, what is more im
portant, it would preclude appointments
as the mere reward of party service in the
elections, which is one of the most cor
rupting things in our politics.
Fourth. Requiring all the State elec
tions to be held on the same day when the
people vote for President, and thereby
facilitating an honest expression of the
public judgment, uninfluenced by the
estimation of chances which degrade our
Presidential elections to the level of bet
ting on a horse race.
We most earnestly desire that these re
forms may be discussed and pushed; and
we will gladly follow the lead of any
statesman or any public journal that will
take up the subject with intelligent zeal.
Georgia Finances.
The efficient State Treasurer, Dr. An
gier, has just visited New York on the
business of Georgia finances, and returned
Tuesday. He finds Georgia securities
solid and solvent. Not many are offering
for sale, but when put on tne market they
sell readily at 90 cents.
The Fourth National Bank of New York,
of which Mr. Calhoun is President, has
been made the sole financial agent of the
State in that city, and SIOO,OOO has been
sent on to that bank to meet the January
interest accruing on our State debt.
This is exclusive of her State buildings.
The taxable property of the State is
$234,492,468.
The taxes are as follows:
General ax 4-10 of 1 per cent $ 937,989 85
Other tux 30,000 00
One-half State Road rental 150.0 0 00
Income to pay expenses $1,117,969 87
The estimated expenses are:
Expenses outside of interest $ 800,000 00
Balance to pay interest $ 317,969 87
For school purposes we have :
School tax $ 234,492 46
One-half State Koad Rental lao.ooo 00
Poll ax 130,000 00
Professions, eto 30,090 00
For schools * 544,472 46
There have been issued $700,000 of new
bonds to substitute for old ones falling
due. Os these $210,000 have been sold
and exchanged in this States; $48,500
have been exchanged in New York, and
there remains $141,000 to be sold and ex
changed there.
Dr. Angier made a statement of our
financial condition that proved very grat
ifying, and which was desiled to be pub
lished
The old indebtedness of the Stafe is $5,-
685,500. Os the Bullock currency bonds
$1,500,000 are in New York, but owned
to be void.
Os the Bullock gold bonds three million
were issued. Three hundred thousand
were returned. One and two thousand in
Clews’ have been declared void. This
leaves $2,598,000 out, of which only two
million are reported sold, the rest being
hypothecated. This makes a total of
$8,286,500 of actual bond indedtedness of
the State.
In addition there are $2,760,060 of
Brunswick and Albany bonds not recog
nized.
The contingent railroad indebtedness
of the State is $7,033,400, of which
$3,875,000 has been declared void on ac
count of the conditions not being fulfilled.
This leaves $3,875,000 of valid railroad
State liability.
To offset this the State owns as follows:
State Road $7,000,000
Gulf Road Stock 1,000.000
Georgia Railroad Stock 18,800
$8,018,800
As to bonds falling due we shall have
easy time for the next few years. In
1873 $137,000 fall due; in 1874 $251,000;
and then no more until 1878, when only
$1,000,000 fall due, and $200,000 in 1879.
—Atlanta Constitution.
The Alabama Legislatures.—The tele
graph has given a pretty full account of
the attempt of Governor Lewis, through
Radical Sheriff Strobaeh, to obtain pos
session of the two chambers in the capitol
and lock the Conservatives out. He re
lied on the aid of the Federal- soldiers.
The troops did start, but were ordered
back. The resolutions of impeachment
have not yet been introduced. The capitol
Senate has referred to a proper committee
the claim to the seat of John L. Penning
ton by George P. Harrison.
The Court-house body has published a
pronnneiamento that the seats from the
counties of Baldwin, Bibb, Butler, Cal
houn, Chambers, Choctaw, Clarke, Clay,
Cleburne, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Cov
ington, Crenshaw, Dale, DeKalb, Fayette,
Franklin, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Lau
derdalo, Lee, Marion, Marshall, Mobile.
Monroe. Pickens, Pike, Shelby, St. Clair,
Tallapoosa. Tuscaloosa, Walker and Wash
ington have not been filled by the mem
bers elect from those counties, and that if
they do not occupy them in five days they
will be declared vacated.
A Western press dispatch of the 11th
has this:
The Alabama Court-house Legislature
Commission was assured to-day by the
Attorney-General that the Government
could not sustain them in their present
position. The Attorney-General submit
ted to them a paper as a basis of compro
mise to the Capitol Legislature, the effect
of which, if successful, will give the
Legislature to the Republicans, but defeat
Spencer.
Alabama Democrats here do not think
it will be accepted.
Spencer returned to Washington to-day,
but received cold comfort,
A rumor to this effect has reached Mont
gomery.
The Court-house body has a bill pro
viding for the purchase by the State of
lands for the purpose of working the
convicts in the penitentiary.
The “Mansard” Bonnet is the latest
femininity.
SATURDAY 7IOHMXO, DEC. 14.
-'VERITAS.””
We especially commend the communi
cation of “Veritas” to the calm, unpreju
diced consideration of our readers. In
addition to the clear reasoning and able
argument of ‘‘Veritas,’" in his advocacy of
Mr. Stephens to a seat in the United
States Senate, the communication comes
backed by a gentleman of superior learn
ing and possessed of the most exalted
piety. He is no politician or place-seeker,
but writes from the honest convictions of
a splendid intellect and the emotions of a
noble heart. His is a tribute to worth,
genius and purity alike, appropriate to be
valued by both giver and receiver. It
comes not as the empty echo of a flatterer
of greatness, that thrift may follow' fawn
ing, but as a just reward which truth and
patriotism commands, and which it is
criminal not to obey.
DIRECT TRADE*AND*IMMIGRATION.
The preliminary report on these twin
subjects, which is on our first page,
should be read and studied attentively by
all of our readers. Agriculture, commerce
and manufactures are the three great
sinews of a nation’s material strength, and
if from any cause they are clipped, the
blood ceases to flow, the pulse stops and
the body is but lifeless clay. We have
time and again brought the subjects of
capital and lajior to the attention of our
readers as the basis of prosperity on
which every interest of the State must be
founded. How best to multiply these
strong elements and give them vitality
and a proper direction must be left to the
wisdom and patriotism of our legislators,
who are responsible to enlightened public
opinion. There is no effect without a
cause; and why the Northern and Western
cities and wildernesses can spring in a
day from teuautless wastes and smoulder
ing ruins into temples and palaces, while
the South, with its bright sun and rich
soil, remains poor, unknown and depopu
lated, is a social and political question
which should be answered truthfully by
our people and statesmen. To say we are
lacking in industry, intelligence and
moral character is a libel which every
good citizen should earnestly hasten to
remove and disprove.
We cheerfully endorse the following
from the Savannah News:
Every one interested in the growth of
our State, the distribution of its taxation,
and its relative power in the Union, will
find interesting matter in this report, and
in the well-selected exhibits which accom
pany it. If it contains any incorrect
statement, or bad logic, our columns are
open to a candid discussion of either. The
News has constantly sought to direct at
tention to anything likely to promote the
growth of our State, and its views in fa
vor of Immigration have long been known.
It is alweys desirable, however, to have a
thorough consideration of the best means
to carry out any public matter, and while
approving the principles laid down in the
report before us, wefare not wedded to
any details.
In addition to the regular committee of
citizens, Win. Grayson Mann, Esq., Hon.
Wm. Schley, Gen. H. 0. Wayne, Rev.
Wm. McKay, of Manchester, and Col.
John Screven were invited in the delibera
tions of the committee and gave valuable
suggestions.
It must be apparent to all that the in
terests of the railroads of Georgia, will be
materially affected by the success
or failure of this new effort to secure
an increased production along their lines.
Gen. Geo. P. Harrison Not Dead.
Auburn, Ala., Dec. 13, ’72.
Eds. Columbus Sun: I am pleased to
inform you that your item of Alabama
news in yesterday’s paper, in which I was
announced as dead, is a mistake. lam
quite well, and for the benefit of my fami
ly and friends in Georgia, bej that you
correct the report. I cannot conceive
how it originated.
Yours, respectfully,
Geo. P. Harrison, Jr.
We are glad to learn that he still sur
viveth, as we always regret to learn of the
departure of “S. A. E.’s”. We clipped
the announcement from some Alabama
paper and added to it. —News Ed. Sun.
Muscogee Superior Court Judge
James Johnson Presiding—Thirty-Sec
ond Day—Friday.— Court met at 9 a.
m.
The following cases were disposed of :
Several rules and orders were granted.
Georgeanua Moses vs. Brooklyn Life
Insurance Company. Verdict to effect
that plaintiff be given a paid-up policy
for $3,000, and company to hold plain
tiff’s note for $432 50, less $268 15 divi
dends due by the company.
James M. Lennard was excused from
further jury duty. A panel of 120 jurors
was ordered for Monday. The judge
stated that if on that day, from any un
forseen cause, the Colzey case was not
taken up, he would continue calling the
equity docket, and then would take up
the motion docket.
Court adjourned to Monday at 9 a. m.
Attention, Harris County Delegates.
—At your recent Convention for the pur
pose of nominating candidates, for the va
rious county offices, after proper deliber
ation, you deemed it unwise to make those
nominations, at that time, but decided to
h' fid another Convention for that purpose,
at some future time; instructing me, as
Chairman of the Convention, to make the
oall for the reassembling of said Conven
tion, at whatever time I might think prop
er, for the good of the Democratic party.
Therefore, after mature deliberation and
consultation with friends from different
parts of the county, I make the call for
the reassembling of the delegates at Ham
ilton, on the first day of January, next, at
tea o’clock, a. m. James Cox,
Chairman of Convention.
December 11th, 1872.
South Alabama Conference.- —On the
second day, as we learn from the Eufaula
Times, characters of the ministers were
passed upon.
Rev. George Bancroft was transferred
from the North Mississippi to this Confer
ence.
A. V. Lee, who was elected statistical
Secretary, not being able to attend, was
excused, and Rev. R. J. Garrett, of Green
wood, was elected to fill his place.
Addresses and reports from S. V. Mc-
Voy, President, on tho Centenary Female
College at Summerfield; from the Good
Templars, on temperance; and Dr. A. S.
Andrews, President of the Southern Uni
versity at Greensboro, were read and ap
propriately referred.
Revs. W. H. McDaniel and G. R. Tal
ley, ware superannuated.
Dr. A. S. Andrews, Dr. J. Hamilton, M.
C. Turrentine, S. P. Richardson, and Dr.
W. H. Ellison, were appointed Committee
on the State of the Church.
All preachers called were passed, except
Rev. E. Tucker who, being absent, was
referred to Presiding Elder.
Rev. J. A. Pace was excused from going
to his appointment, and his charter was
passed.
Rev. W. H. Wild was appointed to look
after the interests of the Quarterly Re
view, and Rev. M. E. Butt to attend to
those of the St. Louis Christian Advocate.
Rev. E. T. Birch, of the South Georgia
Conference, was introduced to the Con
ference. He has recently been transfer
red to the Conference.
Attorney-General Williams has tele
graphed Pinchbeck that Grant recognizes
him as Governor and the Mechanics In
stitute Assembly the lawful Legislature.
Pinchbeck has issued his proclamation ac
cordingly.
Low Down. —The thermometer at day
light yesterday stood at 22 degrees.
Miss Bhoda Broughton, who perpetra
ted "Good Bye, Sweetheart,” is young,
beautiful and charming.
A young Louisville priest speaks fluent
ly twenty languages and reads twenty-five.
PRELIMINARY REPORT.
On Direct Trade and Immigration.
The following report was made on the
6th instant, by a Committee of Citizens to
the Legislative Committee by request of
the latter, who received it as information,
and request its publication.
Any further information can be addres
sed to Hon. John C. Nicholls, Blackshear,
Ga., and will be submitted to the next
session of the Committee, which is called
for December 26th. instant.
Col. John C. Nicholls, Chairman Joint
Committee:
Sir: The auxiliary committee of citi
zens appointed by yon to discuss and re
port on the subjects of Direct Trade and
Immigration, have the honor to submit
the following :
After a careful consideration of the
above subjects, we find them mutually as
sociated, and that they eminently involve
the future increase of wealth and popula
tion in Georgia.
In order to properly estimate what we
might gain by Direct Trade and Immigra
tion, we shall first state urgent wants now
existing amongst us, which could be re
lieved by them, and finally suggest what
might be done by the State. Although
blessed with a territory which could sup
port vastly more than our population, onr
people are oppressed by a painful lack of
means to render its resources available.
This is so well known that they have been
in a great measure indifferent about even
ascertaining the extent of these resources,
of which no exact description exists.
Our soil, minerals, climate, water, for
ests, geographical position, and topograph
ical features, constitute at present treas
ures, of which but little is within our reach.
If we continue to retain these without
development, while onr neighbors are pro
gressing in power, wealth and scientific
appliances, we will fasten upon our State
a feature of comparative poverty and rela
tive insignificance. We may, however,
grow rich by sharing these treasures with
the world, and this cannot be accomplish
ed without the agencies of Direct Trade
and Immigration.
Your committee desires to avoid any
sentimental view of questions which they
regard as thoroughly practical. We feel
justified in asserting that our State has
been so sparsely improved as to leave all
but a small fraction either in a natural
condition, or given up to unprofitable
rest. Consequently the amount of our
production is but insignificant compared
with what could be drawn from our terri
tory by a reasonable amount of capital
and labor well applied. This can be
demonstrated by a comparison with the
recently peopled State of Illinois.
Our deficiency in ready money is a mat
ter of every day comment, extending
from the finances of the State to petty
agricultural operations, and this deficien
cy appears to be as great to-day as it was
in 1866. Our relative national impor
tance as a State is far less than it was in
1860, because other sections have out
stripped us by using the very means which
you are now considering.
We would not undervalue the noble
work done by the men and women of
Georgia, nor the great social blessings
which we enjoy. But we confidently be
lieve that our policy, in many particulars,
has been inadequate to meet the funda
mental changes in our circumstances;
hence we must adapt it to them. We re
peat briefly that our people have been un
able to produce a tithe of what nature in
vites them to gather ; that they are crip
pled by a lack of capital, and that in our
relative national importance we have retro
graded in the last decade.
Your committee, therefore, proceed to
consider the main remedies for these
troubles without attempting the solution
of any collateral issues. We find most of
our prominent statesmen and commercial
men admitting that Labor and Capital
are our great wants, and we endorse their
decision. These, if supplied, would give
us new life; but, to bo effective, they
must come together.
We unhesitatingly believe that immi
gration and direct trade, organized by
legislative action on such a basis as to be
mutually supporting, and seconded by an
intelligent public opinion, would, in a
reasonable time, bring them to us. Im
migration is the representative of Labor ,
and Direct Trade with foreign nations is
the sure medium for attracting an influx
of Capital to a country presenting so
many advantages for its profitable use.
More increase of facilities for internal
transportation will not, in itself, give us
what we need, although it paves the way
for it. Men and Money are the agents of
production, and without them it is vain
to look for important results, however
lavishly Nature’s gifts are scattered.
Several Georgia railroads have been built
without regard to This, and their unprofit
able results prove that there must be a
certain ratio between the productions and
the “common carriers” of a country; the
latter being only needed as an outlet for
the former.
It is useless to suggest Manufactures
and Mining until both skilled labor and a
plentiful supply of money are provided as
a basis for them. Our domestic Com
merce is simply a channel for transferring
our ready money to the North and West
in settlement for manufactured goods and
food. Our Agriculture, though steadily
improving, h.s since the new order of
things, yielded more blossoms than fruit,
and our State Agricultural Society has,
in the strongest terms, urged as a neces
sity for the agricultural class, active meas
ures on the part of the State to secure
more capital and an increase of population;
Direct Trade has already been so fully
discussed and endorsed by the Legislature
and Executive of Georgia, in the past,
that we may simply refer to the messages,
journals and acts of 1860, for a confirma
tion of our great need for it. To save
time, however, we enclose the following
extracts :
Exhibit A.—Part of a special message
of Gov. Brown.
Exhibit B.—Extract from a House re
port upon it.
Exhibit C.—A Senate report, December
18th, 1860.
The result of these was an act guaran
teeing SIOO,OOO per annum for five years
to the Belgian-American Company, or any'
company running a steam line as specified
between our State and Europe. See Pub
lic Acts of 1860, No. 1.
The necessity for this enlargement of
our trade has increased since the passage
of this act, which was rendered inopera
tive by the occurrence of war and of con
sequent civil disorganization. As circum
stances now call for changes in the act, we
suggest its repeal and the preparation of a
substitute for it by your committee, look
ing to the same general objects.
We are fully satisfied that neither for
eign trade, immigration, railroads, or even
the proposed great canal can prosper with
out a regular and well established foreign
steam line. This does not do away with
the sailing vessels, for each have their
mission, and among all there can be a
profitable co-operation. This steam line
is the ferry which alone can bring us im
migrants and through freights, until a
more ample tide of direct travel and trade
shall have set towards our immediate sec
tion. Indirect, uncertain or tedious com
munication has so far proved an iusuper
able obstacle, and should continue to do
so until intercourse can be established on
a large scale. We must at the start com
pete with powerful, intelligent and expe
rienced neighbors, and must use similar
appliances to them in becoming their
competitors for securing the favor of the
emigrant and the foreign merchant. If
we do not we will be distanced by such
skillful and active opposition.
That private capital, unaided by State
credit, is unable to establish the steam
line required has been proved by experi
ence, and for further information on this
point we refer to our enclosed Exhibit D.
The establishment of this steam line on a
solid and practical basis is our first and
most earnest recommendation, as the
pivot point on which the other movements
must be based.
We now proceed to consider as the twin
measure of Direct Trade its indispensable
supporter— Foreign Immigration. Its ne
cessity to the general interest cf the State
as the means of furnishing labor —men
who can and will create production—has
been set forth It is indispensable to for
eign trade, because it furnishes the most
desirable class of freights and supplies a
return cargo for the steamships which
would go out with cotton, grain, provi
sion, ores, etc. American imports from
Europe are naturally much less bulky
than the exports ; and the South has here
tofore been getting nearly all her Europ
an goods via New York. This state
of things has forced the ship owner to
make ail his profit from the outicard voy
age from Georgia, mostly using ballast, at
a great expense, for the return trip. These
facts show the double necessity of immi
gration, and immigrant passengers as
feeders to the steamship line—their value
as live freight, as well as the addition they
would make to the political strength of
the State, to the production of every lo
cality settled by them, and the income of
every railroad settled near or traveled
over.
With a reasonable exertion on our part,
Immigrants for Texas, Tennessee, Mis
souri and Kansas could be carried through j
Georgia, instead of the present longer
routes; and, in time, through freights
from Europe, for those States, could be
made to take the same course. W henever
our steam line could carry goods for St.
Louis, its business could be calculated
with certainty.
Were any proofs of this value of Immi
gration to Commerce needed, it could be
given by the experience of the steam lines
running from Europe to New York.
We have stated our need for Immigra
tion, and dwelt on its leading advantages
—we now proceed to the means for secur
ing it. At the first step we are met by
the suggestion that our previous effort in
this direction resulted in a total failure.
This your Committee simply regard as a
proof that this effort was faulty, doubtless
both in its plan and execution; and that
its short comings can be marked and
avoided.
If all important undertakings were
abandoned on account of the failure of
the first effort, society would have been
deprived of some of its greatest blessings;
and v.e believe that Georgians have not
unusually been discouraged by such draw
backs.
We renew our proposition that Direct
Trade and Immigration are mutually sup
porting, and respectfully submit that the
failure to treat them as such was alone a
sufficient cause of the failure of the im
perfect and very limited arrangement once
tried under Governor Builock’s adminis
tration to attract immigrants.
We beg to refer to the application of
the State Agricultural Society for the crea
tion of a permanent Bureau of Immigra
tion, which was made in 1869, and to say
that it offers, in our judgment, a proper
basis for your action on that head.
A committee of the Society drafted a
bill which, when condensed and revised
by you, would probably present a practi
cal and acceptable plan for such a Bureau.
An appropriation of $50,000 the first year
would be judicious, and we would urge
the allowance of ample salaries to the
commissioners, who should be men of
superior ability and qualifications. The
employment of ordinary or inexperienced
persons would most likely result in a total
waste of the salary paid them, and injury
to the Direct Trade which you would de
sire to foster. To make this more*eertain,
we deem it wise to let all fees go to the
State, and have the officers rely on a salary
adequate to an ample support. After the
first year—which would require a set of
pamphlets, translations, advertising, extra
traveling expense and preliminary cor
respondence—the expense of the Bureau
could be gradually and greatly reduced.—
But the simultaneous erection of a Bu
reau, and the offer of a guarantee suffi
cient to secure a foreign steam line, are
the primary steps which your committee
consider necessary on the part of the State.
Without them, we may look for a renewal
of the failure made in 1872.
Under the bill which was framed by the
State Agricultural Society, it is contem
plated that the Bureau compile a proper
description of our State for circulation
abroad. Whether this be left to the Bu
reau or not, it is indispensable for suc
cess, and to illustrate its necessity, we
submit an Exhibit marked E, giving a
statement from Commodore M. E. Mau
ry’s recent address at Griffin, and a letter
from Mr. Farrenc, of Paris. Both gen
tlemen are well qualified to know and des
cribe the ignorance or false impressions
of Europeans as to Georgia. We have
also to meet the aspersions of the agents
of Northern railroads, a paper published
in their interest at Frankfort, Germany,
having suggested in October last, that
Georgians would revoke the titles to lands
purchased by foreigners. In addition to
the above, the testimony of Maury and
others, a majority of your committee can
injil that their ideas are based on person
al experience in Europe. The usefulness
of a well organized Bureau is not confined
to bringing immigrants here, but looks
to their settlement and protection after
arrival, which is equally important.
The State of Georgia long since gave
away public lands, leaving the Immigrant
to look solely to private parties for the
homestead which he usually seeks.
There being no concert of action or
definite purpose as to sales of land among
these private parties as matters now stand,
the Immigrant does not know plainly
what he can rely on. He must have offi
cials to promise him land at fixed prices,
in Georgia, or he will go to other States
where prices are published to the word.
A well organized Bureau would register
all lands for sale, and should be authorized
to contract with all parties offering their
lands that their offers would be open to
Immigrants for a year or other fixed term.
Such a Bureau need not repress private
operations in land, but rather promote
them. It would doubtless lead to incor
porated companies who would buy up
large tracts for cash, and retail them on
long credits to Immigrants, most of whom
would expect the same credits which are
offered by the Western Railroad for their
land grants.
Georgia has land in the greatest abun
dance to spare, only less than seven mil
lion acres being cultivated out of an area
of over thirty-seven million, and it is be
lieved that there are very few counties in
deed where it is not freely offered at low
prices.
We know some parties who would do
nate a portion of their land to actual set
tlers if there were a practical plan to se
cure them. We append as Exhibit E, an
extract from an essay on Cotton planting,
by a prominent Agricultural writer, illus
trating the growing feeling in favor of
cutting up our unprofttably large tracts
of lands.
We propose to submit at a later day,
some statistics on Emigration and Com
merce, in further illustration of our sub
jects.
In concluding this hasty response to
your inquiries, we beg to remark that the
lands of our Stafe have been too little ap
preciated, even at home, from pure ignor
ance of their advantages. The greater
portion of them would afford as good a
location to Immigrants seeking a comfort
able, happy home, as any part of the
world.
Their intrinsic value will, however,
matter little, until our law-makers will
use the power and credit of the State to
make it a practical benefit to our people.
EXHIBIT A.
Executive Department, I
State of Georgia. Dec. 8, I860.)
To the General Assembly:
*****
I recommend the passage of a joint
resolution of the General Assembly, au
thorizing the Governor of the State to
send a commissioner to Europe to examine
the steamers, and, if found suitable, to
enter into such negotiations as will secure
the establishment of a line, with power to
give a guaranty on the part of the State
that the steamers shall pay to the company
five per cent, upon the amount of capital
invested. I cannot suppose that there
■would be any difficulty about the incomes
of the line paying live per cent, on the
capital. Should there be a deficiency, it
could not be large; and, in my opinion,
the State should not hesitate to guarantee
the deficiency, if any, for five years, for
the purpose of securing the establishment
1 of the line.
In addition to our cotton and other
freights and mail service of this and other
Southern States, a large portion of the
emigrant travel of continental Europe
could, it is believed, be secured to this
line. I trust the General Assembly will
not fail to see the importance of improv
ing the opportunity now offered for taking
an important step in securing the inaugu
ration of a system of direct trade and in
tercourse with Europe by steam commu
nication. Joseph E. Brown.
EXHIBIT B.
[Extract from House report on above
■ Message.]
The committee to whom the special
message of His Excellency the Governor,
in relation to the establishment of a
weekly line of ocean steamers from the
port of Savannah to some commercial
port in Europe has been referred, have
been profoundly impressed with the im
portance of the measure suggested by him
and make the following report:
Commercial independence is political
freedom. The policy indicated in the
message of His Excellency is, in the judg
ment of your committee, eminently wise
and statesmanlike. Upon it must depend
the future relation of the State of Georgia
and of the South, whether the Union con
tinues or ends, to the nations of the
earth.
It is indeed time that a people who in
habit a land abounding in those great
productions that form the basis of the
commerce of the world, should be aroused
to their dependent condition upon the
cities of the North; and, when thus
aroused, to employ all the great elements
of wealth and strength with which God
has blessed them. * * *
J. S. Harris, Chairman;
S. S. Fannin,
S. J. Smith.
EXHIBIT C.
senate report, decembee 18, 1860.
The Committee to whom was referred
the message of his Excellency, the Gov
ernor, and the House resolutions upon the
subject of direct trade, and the immediate
necessity of direct steam communication
with Europe, beg leave to report that a
bill lias passed both branches of the Gen
eral Assembly, embracing the provisions
of the resolutions referred to this Com
mittee for their consideration.
It will be observed from the bill refer
red to that the Belgian-American Compa
ny,for the development of directtrade with
the Southern States of America, is char
tered, and provisions made for placing a
line of steamers on the service between
Savannah and Antwerp. To that end the
shares of the company are guaranteed to
the extent of five per cent, upon two mil
lion dollars of the same.
*******
Your committee deem it important to
direct attention also to the Gulf trade,
which is being reached by the Georgia
railway system. The Gulf trade not only
includes the trade of Texas and Mexico,
but embraces naturally the gold of Cali
fornia. By the Central road Savannah
reaches the Mississippi at Memphis, and
in a few days, by an almost air-line route,
we shall be in relation with Vicksburg.
These channels of communication, travel
and freight must of necessity pour their
patronage and their wealth into that ;
natural European steam terminus which
Georgia enterprise will establish for the
South.
* * * * *■
The mineral resources of the State will
also feel the animating influence of the
proposed steam service. The copper and
other ores of Northern Georgia will have
attention then, and European capital will
not be slow in seeking investments. These
ores will furnifch ballast freights for steam
ers, and as the value of copper ores be
come known, another source of State
wealth will be developed. It is needless
to point out the immense interest the cot
ton planting community has in this ser
vice. To the cotton planter, it is the
great measure for working out hi3 deliv
erance from the ruinous system which has
so long held him in subjection, a mere
“hewer of wood and drawer of water” to
those who live and move and have their
being through the product of his time, la
bor, intelligence and capital.
*******
Your committee, therefore, in submit
ting the measure they did, are supported
by the intelligent conviction, that it tends j
directly to the advancement of the wealth, j
population and general prosperity of the j
State, and will realize to Georgia the full
benefit of those advantages which nature
has so lavishly bestowed upon her.
* * * * * * *
For the Committee,
Daniel. S. Printup, Chairman.
EXHIBIT D.
PRIVATE ENTERPRISE UNABLE TO SECURE A
STEAM LINE, OB EMIGRATION WITHOUT THE
CO-OPERATION OF THE STATE.
Extracts from recent private corres
pondence on the subject:
Brunswick, February 29, 1872.
The only feasible plan is by regular
contract for a certain period with a re
sponsible company, who can give guaran
tees for the proper performances of their
part of the contract, and the chances are
that at the ei*t of two years all subscri
bers or guarantees could be safely with
drawn, and the line continued with profit
on the business it would have developed
by opening a direct trade. There are
plenty of steamers, and capital to run
them, to open this enterprise, provided 1
we are willing to shoulder a portion of the
risk in establishing it; but we are un
willing to take any share in it, or submit j
to any chances of a loss, where we are to j
be the largest participators in the result if j
successful. How can we expect others to ,
come in and help us ? It seems to boa
prevailing idea among many of our peo
ple, who want immigration and labor,
and are anxious to see direct trade opened
with foreign countries, that someone else
should undertake it at their own expense
and risk instead of ours ; and that while
we want all these things, we are unwill
ing, either individually or as a corpora
tion, to contribute or advance anything
towards accomplishing it; while at the
same time the State is allowed to endorse
and guarantee the bonds and securities of
dozens of railroad projects to the extent
of millions (which, if built, will not pay
expenses for years to come), and where
the benefits to be derived and the results
to be anticipated are as nothing in com
parison with the opening ; and maintaining
of direct trade and immigration. It is
proper to remark, however, that but few
of our people are able (even if they were
willing) to take stock in such enterprises.
They are yet too poor, and the enterprise
too large, for their means as individuals ;
but as a State loaning her money and in
fluence, the objects sought can easily bo
obtained. Besides, the chances of success
are more sure and certain under State
control and management, as her agents
and representatives will have more weight
and influence, and command greater con
sideration among foreign agents, than it
is possible for private companies to in
spire ; for it is the local agents and coun
sels that we come in contact and have to
deal with, instead of the immigrants
themselves.
Savannah, July Ist, 1872.
We cannot find men bold enough to en
gage in an immense business for one or
two years, with the certainty of a loss
staring them in the face during this time,
and the probability of earnest competition
when this period of trial is past. It be
comes a duty in such a case to appeal to
the State to sustain such a great move
ment until mercantile confidence can be
secured, new channals of travel and trade
created, and the people of Western Europe
made acquainted with the route. I be
lieve that intwoyearssueha line of steam
ers would become self-sustaining, and
veryjsoon profitable to their owners. It
might pay much sooner, but private par
ties cannot afford to take the risk, while
the State can do it and make money there
by.
Great Britain has learned this doc
trine by experience, and is profited by it.
Her wise merchants and statesmen
know that commerce can be accommodat
ed only by rapid steam lines which have
reliable periods for arrivals and departure,
and that, although these lines cost the Gov
ernment and people something more than
these slow and uncertain communications
which depend on sailing vessels, yet they
are enabled by the faciltiqs which they af
ford to monopolize and control the com
merce of the world, and avert it from even
the most natural channels into the lap of
British wealth.
The reason why foreign governments
largely subsidize their mail lines is, that
those lines cannot, in their early exis
tence, depend upon their own receipts for
support, or run without Government aid.
EXHIBIT E.
IGNORANCE OF THE MASS OF EUROPEANS CIN
CERNING OUR STATE.
The distinguished philosopher, M. F.
Maury, in a recent address at Griffin, Ga.,
alluded to the subject as follows :
“Before you can hope to see foreigners
flocking to Southern shores, you have
mountains of prejudice to remove, and
depths of ignorance to enlighten, of
which few. who have not made this sub
ject a speciality, have any idea. They
obtain not as to any one Southern State,
in particular, but to all.
I have had clever men in Europe to dis
pute with me and insist that the parallel
of 36 deg. 31) min. was made a dividing
line, because south of that field labor was
death to the white man, and that the
climate is such that none but the daik
skinned races can withstand it.
I have heard the question asked in
polite society, if the Virginians were not I
all blacks; and heard of it as contended !
among scholastics, that we, the Southern j
people, were South Americans.
* * * * * *
Why don’t the South enlighten the im
migrant, remove his prejudices aud place
before him, by official documents and an- j
thentic statements, full information about !
this goodly land ? Why don’t they tell ;
him how the country is wooded and wa- j
tered; showing him pictures of its fruits i
and sketches of its fields: place within his
reach, maps of its surface, delinearing its
lines of railways and telegraphs; its politi
cal divisions and natural features; its I
mountains and plains, rivers and harbors; I
maps, showing counties, and towns, and
their population; isothermal lines, belts
and zones of vegetable growths and agri
cultural productions; such as your cotton
belt, rice fields and sugar plantations, j
orange groves and winter gardens for the
North? In short, map for him the geo
graphical position of the country to which
you invite him: portray its topographical
features and physical aspects; and let him
see for himself the goodiy land, aud know
by what manner of men it is inhabited.”
The following is from a letter of Mr.
Edward Farrenc, a leading journalist of
France, to one of the Committee :
Paris, November 8, 1871.
Dear Sir :
The executive part of a scheme is al
ways the most delicate and the most diffi
cult portion of it, especially in your case;
for, as you justly say, your people are just j
beginning to wake up to the necessity of
replenishing your State with European
emigration, and to attend to the question
of direct trade ; and so indifferent have
they been in that regard, that they have !
had not even published a report on the
resources of your State.
This being the case, I beg leave to ask
by what sort of magicial power can you
expect our merchants, our bankers, our
capitalists to interest themselves in a
country which they know nothing of, ex
cept what is occasionally told them in a
general way in speaking of the South?
Business men are not like the Christians
of olden time, they are not moved by
faith. They want facts and figures. As
a general thing Europeans have no other
but vague ideas about your country and
its population; and it is not upon such im
perfect notions that they will embark into
business aud risk their capital. In such a
position you understand, they may be
pushed; but they certainly will not take
any initiative. They are like people en
tering for the first time into a dark room
and feeling their way slowly a9 they ad
vance. The initiative has to come from
you, and in such a way as to appeal to
their interests. In this case, there is
nothing you cannot with time and perse
verance and a perfect acquaintance with
our ways of dealing, obtain from our
business men and capitalists.
EXHIBIT F.
NECESSITY FOR SMALLER FARMS, AND FOR
SMALL FARMERS FROM ABROAD.
[From an Essay on the Profits of Cotton
Planting.]
This subject has been introduced to di
rect attention to what the writer believes,
in view of our experience of the past,
should be the future of cotton culture at
the South. It points to the necessity of
the multiplication of small farms and
small farmers. There are hundreds and
thousands of men among us who are
cursed with too much land. They pay
taxes upon it. They are irritated by see
ing their fence-rails burned up. If the
surplus land be thrown out, they are vexed
by seeing it converted into a commons for
the pasturage of the freedmen’s miserable
cattle and hogs. To prevent the large
body of land which is under fence from
being overrun with briers and sedge, they
are compelled to scarify it annually with
the plow, producing unremunerative crops
and loosening sufficient earth to be wash
ed away by our heavy rains. Unless there
be a change—if the fate of some of our
large landholders were chronicled, and, if
our lands had mouths—it would be a re
petition of the end of Acteon or Dio
medes in classic story—eaten up by their
acres, instead of dogs or horses.
Under our present system, these lands
cannot increase in value, that is to say, in
those sections in which large bodies are
held by proprietors. They may receive a
spasmodic advance, in a year in which
cotton bears a good price, but sink the
next year when cotton is low. They can
not advance because, with our present sys
tem of farming, they rate at their full
value. The obvious remedy is, if it were
practicable, to sell a portion of these large
estates to small farmers, allowing a long
credit, the whole sum to be paid at the
end of a term of years in small annual
payments. But where are the small farm
ers ? They must come from abroad. Their
introduction requires legislative action,
and this it is feared, though certain in the
end, is at present remote.
The Proposed Plan of Settlement in Ala
bama.
Washington, December 12. —The fol
i lowing is a plan proposed by the Attorney
j General, with the approval of the Presi
dent, for a settlement of the legislative
\ difficulties in Alabama :
Two organizations at Montgomery, Ala.,
; claiming to be the General Assembly of
I that State, have appealed to the President,
and, with his approval, I submit, as a plan
of compromising the difficulty, the fol
lowing :
1. The officers of each organization
shall tender their resignations, to take ef
fect upon the permanent organization of
a House of Representatives as hereinafter
provided.
2. On the —— instant, the hall of the
House in the Capitol shall be vacant, and
at twelve o’clock of that day all persons
holding certificates of election, as repre
sentatives shall assemble therein ; but the
pei sons holding the certificate of Secretary
Rayland shall be the only representatives
from Barbour, and shall make in the usu
al manner, a temporary organization.
Two tellers, one Republican and one
Democrat, shall be appointed by the
Speaker pro tern., who shall publicly, and
in the presence of the House, count the
votes cast for Representatives in the coun
ty of Marengo; and for the purpose they
shall take the returns, and the precinct
inspectors of said county, or in case they
cannot be procured, the evidence of said
inspectors, so far as the same may be
necessary to ascertain the actual vote cast
as aforesaid. The persons found, upon
such count, to have the highest number
of votes cast for Representatives, shall be
seated as such from said county ; but the
persons now holding certificates of elec
tion as Representatives from Marengo
shall not vote upon or in said organiza
tion; nor shall any business, other than
deciding the contest as to said county, be
transacted during such organization.
4. When such contest is determined the
House shall make a permanent organiza
tion in the usual way.
5. On said inst. the Senate Chamber
shall be vacant, and at twelve o’clock the
persons holding certificates of election as
Senators shall assemble therein and orga
nize, with the Lieutenant Governor pre
siding; with the person holding the cer
tificate of Rayland in his seat as the only
Senator from Barbour county; and the
votes for Senator in Marengo county shall
be counted in the same way, and upon the
same kind of evidence as is hereinbefore
I provided for the House contest as to said
! county, and upon such count the person
found to have the highest number of votes
for Senator from said county, shall be
seated as such; but the person now hold
ing the certificate of election to the Sen
ate from said county, shall not vote upon
any question while the contest about his
seat is pending.
Aud then the contest as to the district
comprising the counties of Butler and
Conecuh, shall be decided in the same way
and upon the same kind of evidence. And
the person now holding the certificate of
election as Senator from said district shall
not vote upon any question before he is
declared elected upon a count of the votes
of said district as aforesaid ; nor shall the
Senate do any other business before these
contests are settled. . No person not hold
ing a certificate of election shall take a
seat in either body until his right thereto
is affirmed as above provided.
All those claiming to be members and
seated in either organization shall be
allowed mileage and per diem compensa
tion prior to the temporary organization,
as hereinbefore provided for, after which
persons holding certificates from Secre
tary Parker for Barbour county shall cease
to draw pay, and those contesting the
i seats for Marengo and the district of
Butler and Conecuh, who are finally ex
cluded, shall be allowed per diem pay
until said contests are respectively ended,
and the officers and employes of each
organization shall be paid the usual com
pensation.
(Signed) Geo. 11. Williams,
Attorney General.
This communication was sent to the
two Legislatures by Governor Lewis
Thursday afternoon.
County Line Bridges.—From Slay
28th, 1809, to May 24th, 1872, Chattahoo
chee county has contracted on Randall’s
bridge $.1,748 80; Muscogee, on the Mor
rison or Bussey, Sehumpert’s and Wool
folk’s bridges, .$0,670 —total contracts for j
three years, $11,418 80. Muscogee’s ave
rage taxable property for the time men
tioned was $7.438,885; Chattahoochee’s, j
$820,735. Muscogee’s pro rata share on i
Chattahoochee contracts, $5,177 55; on j
her own, $5,10(5 59—total for Muscogee, j
$10,284 14. Chattahoochee’s pro rata I
on Muscogee contracts, $563 41; on her j
own, $570 25—total for Chattahoochee,
$1,133 66. So Muscogee has paid in
three years for the bridges named—Ran
dall’s, Woo! folk’s, Schompert’s and Morri- I
son’s, $10,284 14, and Chattahoochee,
$1,133 66; total, $11,418 80.
Narrow-gauge Railroads—The people
here are much interested in this subject.
We have one of three feet which is being
operated successfully. It brought to Co
lumbus last week 114 bales of cotton and
several hundred passengers. In the two
months since regular trains commenced
running it has conveyed 606 bales to our
warehouses.
The narrowest gauge yet attempted for
a railway is doubtless that constructed in
one of the English mining districts, where
the line is only eight inches wide. The
same engineer was afterward engaged by
the Government to construct a line at
Aldershot for military purposes. The
gauge is eighteen inches, and a speed of
between twenty and thirty miles an hour
has been attained on it.
Narrow-gauge roads are now projected
jn various directions in this country. 1
TELEGRAPHIC.
FOREIGN.
Paris, Dec. 12. —The gales here last
week were fearful in the city. . Versailles
was also visited by a hurricane. Damage
to property is very great, and several per
sons were killed in both cities.
Rome, Dec. 12. —It is not true, as has
j been represented, that the Pope will leave
1 Rome, if a bill for the suppression of cer
| tain religious corporations, now before
! Parliament, should pass.
Madrid, Dec. 13. —In an attempted in
surrection in the suburbs of the city,
j twenty persons were killed aud wounded.
| After which, the Ministry announced that
the Cortes government attached no im
portance to the outbreak.
London, Dec. 13 —lt is snowing. The
gale, to-day, damaged the telegraph lines
in various sections of the country.
Berlin, Dec. 14. —Budget estimates re
ceipts will exceed expenditures a million
and half florins in 1873.
London, Dec. 14.—The steamer “Cha
rents,” plying between Hull and Dunkirk,
was wrecked to-day. She is a total loss.
Seven persons were lost from the ship
“fiadnague,”from Quebec for Highbridge.
Paris, Dec. 14.—Part of the city of Lille
is flooded and abandoned. Many facto
ries have closed, bridges washed, and
crops adjacent to the country are destroy
ed.
WASHINGTON.
Washington, December 12. —The At
torney General has, with the approval of
the President, submitted a plan of com
promise for the existing difficulties in the
Alabama Legislature. It suggests the
recognition of the House; also, that the
votes of the members for Barbour county
be counted in the House with a view of
seating whoever is found to be properly
elected, the member to be seated during
the contest who has Ragland’s certificate.
It proposes that the contests for Senators
in the Districts where disputes have arisen
be settled in a similar manner, and makes
further provisions for the compensation
of officers and members during a tempo
rary organization of the House while the
contests are pending.
The House, after an hour’s important
discussion, passed a bill allowing the ex
change 6f registered bonds into coupon
bonds.
The Senate bill to abolish internal reve
nue assessors is under consideration. No
action.
Washington, Dec. 12.—House bill al
lowing the change of registered bonds in
to coupon bonds, holders paying the ex
pense, passed. Bill allowing soldiers and
sailors, in the late war. a pension, was in
troduced and passed. Also bill appropri
ating $30,500,000, for that purpose.
Adjourned.
Senate bill abolishing Assessors, with
some amendments, passed. It goes back
to the House. Bill for the relief of the
Boston sufferers was discussed to adjourn
ment.
Gov. Sam Bard was appointed aud con
firmed to-day Post Master at Chattanooga.
J. L. Orr was confirmed Minister to the
Argentine Republic.
Congress adjourns Dec. 20th to Jan.
3d.
The Louisiana question was argued at
great length before the Supreme Court
to-day. Decision expected Monday.
Washington, Dec. 13. Official and
semi-official dispatches received here in
dicate that both Legislatures accept the
Attorney General’s plan of compromise
in the Alabama affairs.
A Virginia delegation, composed of
members of Congress and citizens of Vir
ginia and West Virginia, called upon the
President, and through their Chairman,
Col. Chas. S. Carrington, thanked him for
favorable mention of canals in his mes
sage.
Col. Carrington’s address was quite
long, and the President replied as follows:
“I appreciate the great importance of this
work to the commercial interests of the
nation, and am glad the subject has been
brought to the attention of Congress. I
hope Congress will give it sufficient en
couragement to insure its completion.
The enormous productions of the Western
and Southwestern States’ interests in this
route demands an outlet to the water on
the Atlantic coast, and these interests are
so important that they must ultimately
compel the completion of this work in
| some manner.”
Washington, Dec. 13.—The Judiciary
j Committee will report favorably on the
| bill making the President’s salary fifty
j thousand dollars.
Washington, Dec. 13.
To Hon. Jno. McEnry , New Orleans ,
Louisiana:
Your visit, with a hundred citizens, will
be unavailing, so far as the President is
concerned. His decision is made and will
not be changed, and the sooner it is ac
quiesced in the sooner good order and
peace will be restored.
George Williams, Att’y Gen’l.
If is understood the proposition from
the Tribune stockholders to Colfax is
$5,000 bonus and $15,000 per year.
Senate.—The credentials of Spencer,
signed by Gov. Lewis, were presented,
read and filed.
Relief of Boston was considered to ad
journment.
House.—Unimportant.
Washington, Dec. 14. —President Grant
received, to-day, by telegraph, a copy of
the memorial of the Citizens’ Committee
of New Orleans, setting forth their griev
j auces. This memorial was soon after
placed in the hands of Attorney General
Williams.
Information that the Committee will
start for Washington, probably to-day,
was also received, but, judging from what
was said, this morning, by Attorney Gen
eral Williams, their mission will be futile,
as the general Government is inflexibly
fixed in its determination to support
Pinchbaek State government.
The Department of Justice has closely
investigated all the facts in the case, and
| is satisfied with the course which has been
j officially taken here by the Administration.
General Emory last night telegraphed
the President that danger of a collision
existed between the police and militia,
and asked for instructions. A reply was
sent at a late hour instructing him in
effect not to take sides with either party,
but to hold his forces in readiness to pre
serve the peace, and to interfere only in
case of necessity for that purpose.
John G. Nicolay, of Illinois, President
Lincoln’s private secretary, was to-day
chosen by the judges of the U. S. Su
preme Court as marshal of that body, in
place of Colonel Parsons, resigned.
House.—Private bills : The appropria
tion of $65,000 for the William and Mary
College was considered. An amendment
was offered that no part of the appropria
tion be paid until the stockholders
adopted a resolution opening the college
to all classes and colors. Adopted—yeas,
79; nays, 71.
The only Republicans voting against it
were: Butler, of Tennessee; Cobb, of
North Carolina, and Pearce, of Missis
sippi.
The bill was then, as amended, reject- i
ed—yeas, 36; nays, 126. All the Demo- j
erats voted nay.
NEW YORK.
New York, Dec. 14. —The Greeley will |
case came up in the Westchester Surro
gate’s Court, when the fact was developed
that Ida Greeley had deeded half of her
property left by her father’s last will, to
her sister Gabrielle, merely reserving the
right to superintend her education and
affairs during her minority.
Col. Blood was surrendered by bail and ,
re-arrested.
Some of the ately arrived Italian emi
grants appeared on Broadway and present- !
ed a most miserable spectacle. They were j
almost destitute of clothing, and looked j
starved. The city authorities are some- i
! what alarmed at the arrivals of many
| them, and it is hoped the officials at Wash
| ington will take steps to prevent furth,-.
immigration of sueh a character, q i
Italian Consul in this city states that
of them have passports of their g U \ e
ment, and that there are no brffi alu |
among them.
A friend of the late Edwin Forest
he left all his estate for the purpose of
founding an actors' house in Philadelphi
Thomas Dunham was arrested for •
tempting to sell raised Mississippi L, , j
He had $40,000 worth, ail of which he a J
mitted were altered.
It is very likely that Colfax will f £ ; ;t
the editorship of the Tribune, and resi
the Vice Presidency on the first of j all
ary.
LOUISIANA.
New Orleans, Dec. 12. —The Kelt,,
Legislature has abolished the 7th and '
District Courts aud created a Super:, •
Court, with executive jurisdiction ii ;
junctions, wherein the State, City or\;
nicipal Board concurred.
They placed Longstreet in cowman,]
the militia. The officers of the militia
fuse to obey Longstreet.
Warmoth commands, by proclamation
that the Sheriffs, Tax Collectors, and ~t
er officers, disregard the Kellogg Li-n .
ture; promising to use the full power us
the State for their protection.
New Orleans, Dec. 13. —Judge Elmore
in the Eigth District Court, ordered
Pinchbaek be imprisoned for ten dais
and fined SSO, for contempt.
New Orleans, Dec. 14.—The Hen,,
politans were ordered to take the Armen
and disarm the militia. They a ,.
proached within a half square, when a
parly ensued aud the Metropolitans with,
drew'. The militia will only surrender to
United States authorities.
New' Orleans, Dec. 14.—The militia
surrendered the arsenal and stores to Gen
W. H. Smith, U. S. A. The officers re
tained their arms, which were personal
property.
PENNSYLVANIA.
Philadelphia, Dee. 12. —Edwin Forest,
the tragedian, fell dead this morniim
while dressing, at his residence on North
Broad street.
Pittsburg, Dec. 13.—Trouble is threat
ened by the introduction of Chinese wort
men by the Beaver Falls Cutlery Compa.
uy. The workmen claim they were re
quested to instruct Chinese in the craft
only to be discharged themselves. Chi
namen do for $25 in gold, what hereto
fore was paid white experts SBO per
month.
Philadelphia, Dee. 13. —Mr. Forrests
servants repaired to his room before ten
o’clock this morning, as it was later than
his usual hour for coming down. They
found him lying on bed, apparently suf
fering from appoplexv. He had been ex
ercising w'ith dumb bells, and had evident
ly nearly completed dressing, having
been adjusting his necktie, when over
powered. He died in about half an hour
after being discovered. He leaves no im
mediate relatives, his only sister having
died several years ago.
MISSOURI.
St. Louis, Dec. 12. —The National
Commercial Convention organized with
the following permanent offioors: Presi
dent, Benj. E. Crane, Georgia; Vice Pres
idents. Brinkley, Maryland, Hillman,
Ohio, Weems, Georgia, Smith, Louisiana,
Van Winkle, Texas, Plummer, North Car
olina.
St. Louis, December 13. —The Com
mittee on Rivers and Harbors report in
favor of a free canal at Louisville, except
for repairs; a system of signals and
light-houses along the navigable rivers,
similar to those on the seaboard ; asking
an appropriation for the James River anil
Kanawha canal. The committee reported
adversely ujion consolidating the Com
mercial Convention and the National
Board of Trade.
The next meeting will be held at Pitts
burg the first Monday in September,
1872.
St. Louis, Dec. 14. —The Convention
adopted a resolution favoring a canal be
tween the Tennessee and Coosa rivers.
Benj. E. Crane was made President of
the Executive Committee.
CALIFORNIA.
San Francisco, December 12. —The
Medoc Indians, with their families and a
good supply of provisions, have retreated
to Weight’s cave. The cave is situated
on high table land and extends three acres
under ground. The entrance cun be
easily guarded. So far, fourteen soldiers
and thirty Medocs have been killed.
ALABAMA.
Montgomery, December 14. — Both
Houses meet at noon on Tins day for com
promise, as suggested by the Attorney
General.
MARKETS.
New York, Dec. 14. —Cotton quiet;
sales 1,557 bales; Uplands 19|c; Orleans
20fc. Net receipts 815.
Gold 112|@112|.
Sales of futures to-day 11,200 bales, as
follows: Dec. 19, 19j; Jan. 19 3-16, 19*;
Feb. 19£, 101; March 19 9-16. 19 : ;; April
19 15-16, 20: May 20 5-16; June 20f, 2<•}.
Bank Statement Legal tenders in
creased $875,000; loans decreased $750.-
000; specie decreased $1,375,000 deposit!
decreased $2,125,000, less reserves sl2
000.
Boston, Dec. 14.—Cotton quiet; mid
dling 20^c.; net receipts 139; sales 250;
stock 5,000.
Savannah, December 14.—Cotton quiet;
good ordinary low middlings l-)r
middiings 18-Jc; net receipts 3,456: sales
1,397; stock 78,956.
New Orleans, December 14.—Cotton
in good demand ; good ordinary 18c.; low
middlings 18jc;; middling 19Jc.; not re
ceipts 1,285 bales; exports to Continent.
2,517; sales I,2oo—last evening 5,800;
stock 169,075.
Mobile, Dee. 14. firm; good
ordinary 17|; low middlings Ly/nIL;
middlings 19; net receipt 3,075; sales se'>:
stock 46,100.
Alabama Legislatures.
The Capitol Legislature has passed an
act declaring seats vacant not occupied in
five days.
The Journal says the Radicals are
willing to accept the basis of settlemen'.
proposed by the U. S. Attorney' General.
Governor Lewis sent the following
message to the Capitol Legislature, which,
with accompanying, was referred to a
joint committee, composed of five from
each house.
The State of Alabama, )
Executive Department,
Montgomery, Dec. 12, 1872. 1
Dr. 11. 11. Erwin, President, and l -
Democratic Senators and Members <J
the Legislature, at the Capitol:
I have the honor herewith to submit
you a copy of a telegram received by a
from Hon. George H. Williams,
Department of Justice, Washington t
proposing terms for adjustment of ! '
questions involved in the contracts
speeting the organization of our G
Assembly'.
When it is remembered that there
been a full and able representation of ,L ’
merits of the controversy, bv authorw
commissioners, pro and con, who ha
personally appeared before the Bet'
ment of Justice, we are authorized to -
ceive these suggestions as a gentle into
tion of the convictions of the law ota
of the United States Government of ; 1 "
view's of what is right. And allow me] '
say that we should acquiesce in it"
more cheerfulness, since it comes ratm
as friendly advice than as a command.
While I have heretofore carefully !l
framed from sanctioning or condemning
any plan that was under consideration,
feel it my duty to declare, that these sug
gestions should be unhesitatingly accept
ed, and carried out in good faith am l
sincerity of purpose.
Allow me to add that our General -
sembly will then, both in members, am
animus, be in more hopeful condition
the important legislation that the interest-,
of the State demand, than by any other
s -ilution, that is likely to be attained.
I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
DAVID P. LEWIS,
Governor.