Newspaper Page Text
Tile Cxeorgia “Weekly Telega-apli arid Join-mil Mlessenger.
Telegraph ..1 tag.-. »S««
MACON, DECEMBER 14, 1869.
Tho “Georgia Imbroglio.’?
The Atlanta New Era printed in pamphlet
form the secret proceedings of the caucus of the
Radical Committee, held on the 24th day of
November last, in which Congress is appealed
to, in behalf of the united and unanimous Re
publican party of Georgia, to take immediate
retributive measures without awaiting the action
•of the Legislature of the State.
Tho New Era, therefore, knew all about that
dark conooction long ago; but, like the caucus,
he kept secret knowledge. He did not impart
it to his readers. He kept it as safely ns the
oommittco, until after he, like them, had dis-
oovered that an article in the Tzleqbakh an®
Messenger made further secreoy unavailing.
But for that article the secret would doubtless
have been preserved by both the Era and the
• Committee, to this day, in order to give time
for the active agents in the conspiracy to ope
rate on Congress, while tho people at home
should rest under the impression that Congress
would wait a reasonable time upon the Legisla
ture of Georgia. ^
It was to steal a march on the State. It was
lighting her upon the bushwhacking principle.
It was an attempt to destroy her from under
cover—a sort of political assassination by sur
prise and stealth.
When thi3 attempt is discovered by the Tele-
graph and laid bare to tho public, Foster Blodg
ett sends us a copy of the resolutions and simul
taneously tho New Era for the first time last
Sunday betrays any knowledge of their exist
ence by reprinting them without note or com
ment!
But what imparts to the proceeding a more
deadly treachery to the interests of Georgia is
tho fact that the New Era has been, so far, to
all human appearance, persistent and consistent
nits effort to heal the breach between tho Leg
islature and Congress. It ha3 steadily assured
the Legislature of its power to reconcile this
difference, and even in the number of Sunday
publishes an article from the New York Times
headed tho “Georgia Imbroglio” and calls upon
the Georgia Democratic press and the Legisla
ture to be on their guard, and look out for
squalls, and washes its hands of all responsibility.
But all this long time it has been privy to the
conspiracy for tho taking off, no matter what
the press says or what tho Legislature does'
Could anything bo more crafty or Jesuitical?
He flies in his paper the flag of conciliation
and accommodation^ and carries, buttoned up
in his pocket, the death warrant and all the de
tails of execution and burial.
Let the Legislature be careful what they do,
says tho New Era in his paper, and don’t give
them a chance to do anything, secretly agrees the
New Era in the caucus. Be careful what you
do, or you will be cut off, says tho New Era in
his paper; cut them off before they have a
chance to do anything, says the New Era in the
caucus memorial to Congress.
These aro the politics that remind one of the
old times of Guy Faulkes, tho Inquisition, the
St. Barthlomew massacre, the plot of the meal*
tub—Cardinal Mazarin—the Medecis—or any
other black period in history when honest man
kind walked over cunningly-contrived traps and
pitfalls.
The Last Spike Driven.
The last spike on the Macon & Brunswick
Railroad was driven a few hours ago, and that
•grand highway to tho sea is now a fact accom
plished. Surely, after fifteen or twenty years
of earnest endeavor in behalf of such a work as
this, it would have been proper that its final
oompletion should have been signaled by some
extraordinary demonstration of pnblic joy. It
should have been inaugurated by pnblic pro
cessions, speaking, illuminations and bonfires.
The authorities of Macon and Brunswick should
have shaken hands over the last rail and cross
tie which bound the seaboard and the interior
together in indissoluble ties of a community of
Interest and constant daily intercourse.
Bnt, unluckily, the cars and the motive power
have not arrived by means of which the popu
lations of the two cities could have been brought
to the central point These means of locomo
tion are in transit, and it will bo some days yet
before passenger trains can be run upon the
road. They will probably be started about the
15th instant To-morrow, we understand, the
first through freight train will leave Macon for
the seaboard by this route, and we hope it will
be the beginning of a heavy trade. It has been
the good fortune of all the Georgia railroads
that their actual traffic has exceeded the most
sanguine expectations, and we doubt not this
will bo tho case with tho Brunswick railroad.
Exactly.
The Tribnne, referring to “ revenue frauds’
and “whisky smuggling” in Alaska, naively
adds: “ It seems that wherever the Star-Span
gled Banner waves we are bound to hear of rev
enue frauds. ’
Of course you aro. It is not the flag, though,
that's at fault. It is the fault of those who wave
it, and who claim exclusive proprietorship of it
—that’s all. Time was when tho flag did not
wave for such purposes as now disgrace it.
Then it was the symbol and guarantee of official
integrity at home and abroad. Now its folds
are used as a cloak for tho most appalling and
unblushing raids upon the people’s pockets that
ever delighted knave3 or disgusted and impov
erished honest men. -
Geobob Joses, publisher of the New York
Times, and owner of one-third of the stock, is
trying to buy oat the stock held by politicians,
and run the journal independent of politics.
We hope Mr. George Jones, publisher, may
•succeed in his efforts. If ho runs his paper on
•the lino it now occupies he will find himself in
an “elbow” of poplar disapprobation much
'harder to get out of than that of the famous
“Mincio." As matters now go, the Times is
-winning a reputation among the more thought-
•fnl and liberal Republicans far from onviable—
one which would cause the dead Raymond to
turn in his coffin if ho knew of it. When we
see one of the foremost journals of tho country
prostituting its powers to farther such base and
wicked schemes against the peace and safety
and rights of Georgia as those lately unmasked
by the Telegraph as® Messenger, there is no
sort of question of the propriety of its being
run “independent of politics.”
As the family of Mr. Theodore Parnell, who
was moving from Darlington, S. 0., to Missouri,
were assembled around a camp-fire, about six
miles from Augusta, on Thursday night last, a
man mounted on an iron-grey horse, rode np to
•the oamp, and without the least provocation
drew his pistol and commenced firing into the
enoampment. He discharged two shots, one of
which took effect in the hip of a little girl, about
six years of age, standing by the oamp fire.
The base wretch then rode off, without the least
explanation as to who he was, or what prompted
his infamous act.
The Tennessee hog market is quite activo.
The Cleveland Banner says number one hogs
sell readily in that market at 10 cents per
pound, net, and are in good request. A good
lot was bought a few days ago, for which the
purchasers paid 8jj to 9 cents, gross.
ViHKns Ream, the smart, good looking girl,
who “sculps” for a living, is at present engaged
in the herculean effort of idealizing Brownlow's
classic features in marble.
To the Senate and House of Representatives :
In coming before you for the first time as Chief
Magistrate of a great nation, it is with gratitude to
the Giver of all good for the many benefits we en
joy. TTe are blessed with peace at homo, without
entangling alliances abroad to forebode trouble;
•nith territory unsurpassed in fertility—of area
equal to the abundant support of five hundred mil
lions of people, abounding in every variety of use
ful mineral, in quantify sufficient to supply the
world for generations, exuberant crops, variety of
climate, adapted to the production of every species
of earth’s riches, suited to the habits, tasteB and
requirements of every living thiDg. A population
of 40,000,000 of free people, speaking on o language,
facilities for every mortal to acquire education, in
stitutions closing to none the avenuo to fame, or
any fortune that may bo coveted: freedom of pul
pit, press and school; revenue flowing into tho na
tional treasury beyond requirements of tho govern
ment.
Happily, harmony is being rapidly restored within
our own borders; manufactures hitherto unknown
in our country are springing up in all sections, pro
ducing a degree of national independence unequal
ed by any other power. These blessings and count-,
less others are entrusted to your care and mine for
safe keeping, for the brief period of our tenure of
office. In a short time we must each of us return
to tlio ranks of tho peoplo, who havo conferred our
honors, and account to them for our stewardship.
I earnestly desire that neither you nor I may be
condemned by a free and enlightened constituency,
nor by our consciences. Emei ging from a rebellion
of gigantic magnitude, aided as it was by tho sym
pathies and assistance of nations with which wo
were at peace, eleven States of the Union were four
years ago left without legal State governments.
A national debt bad been contracted; American
commerce was almost driven from tho seas; the in
dustry of ono-balf tho country had been taken from
tho control of capitalists and placed where all labor
rightfully belongs, in the keeping of tho laborer.
The work of restoring Stato Governments loyal to
the Union, of protecting and fostering free labor
and providing tho meaus for paying the interest on
the public debt, has received ample attention from
Congress. Although your efforts have not met with
success in all particulars that might havo been
desired, yet, on the whole, they havo been more
successful than could have been reasonably antici
pated. Seven States which passed ordinances of
secession, have been fully restored to their places
in tho Union. The eighth (Georgia) held an elec
tion at which she ratified her Constitution, republi
can in form, elected a Governor, members of Con
gress, a Stato legislative and other officers required.
The Governor was installed, the Legislature met
and performed all acts then required of them by
tho reconstruction acts of Congress. Subsequent
ly, however, in violation of tho constitution which
they had just ratified, as since decided by the Su
preme Court of the State, they unseated colored
members of tho Legislature and admitted to. their
seats somo members who aro disqualified by tho
third clause of the fourteenth amendment—an ar
ticle which they, themselves, had contributed to
ratify. Under these circumstances, I would submit
to you whether it would not be wise, without delay,
to enact a law authorizing the Governor of Georgia
to convene the members originally elected to tho
Legislature, requiring each to take the oath pro
scribed by t%o reconstruction acta, and none to be
admitted who are ineligible under that clause of the
amendment.
Tho freedmen, under the protection which they
havo received, aro making rapid progress in learn
ing. and no complaints aro heard of lack of industry
on their part, where they receive fair remuneration
for their labor.
The means provided for paying the interest on
tho public debt, with all other expenses of tho gov
ernment, are more than ample.
The loss of our commerce is only tho result of
tho late rebellion, which has not received sufficient
attention from you. To this subject I call your
earnest attention. I will not now suggest plans by
which this object may bo effected, but will, u neces
sary, make it tho subject of a special massago dur
ing the session of Congress.
The March term of Congress, by a joint resolu
tion, authorized the Executive to order elections in
the States of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas, to
submit to them Constitutions which each bad pre
viously framed, and to submit tho Constitutions
cither entire or in eeparato parts, to be voted upon.
At the discretion of the Executive, under this au
thority, elections were called in Virginia. The elec
tion took place on the 6th of July. The Governor
and Lieutenant Governor elected havo been instal
led ; tho Legislature met and did all required by
this resolution and by all the reconstruction acts of
Congress, and abstained from all doubtful authori
ty. I recommend that her Senators and Represen
tatives be promptly admitted to then- scats, and that
the State be fully restored to its place in the family
of States.
Elections were called in Mississippi and Texas, to
commence on tho 80th of November—two days in
Mississippi and four days in Texas. The elections
have taken place, but the result is not known.
It is hoped that the acts of the Legislatures of
these States, when they meet, will be such as to re
ceive yonr approval, and thus close tho work of re
construction.
Among the evils growing out of tho rebellion and
not referred to, is that of an irredeemable currency.
It is an evil which I hope will receive your most ear
nest attention. It is a duty—one of the highest du
ties—of the government to seenre to citizens a me
dium of exchange of fixed and unvarying value.
This implies a return to a specie basis, and no sub
stitute for it can bo devised. It should be com
menced now and reached at the earliest practicable
moment consistent with a fair regard to the inter
ests of the debtor class. Immediate resumption, if
practicable, would not bo desirable. It would com
pel the debtor class to pay beyond their contracts,
the premium on gold at the date of tbeir pnrcbaee,
and would bring bankruptcy and ruin to thousands.
Fluctuation, however, in the paper valuo of tho
measure of all values, gold; is detrimental to tho
interests of trade. It makes tho man of busi
ness an involuntary gambler, for in all sales whero
future payment is to be made both parties speculate
a3 to what will bo the value of tho currency to bo
paid and received.
I earnestly recommend to you, then, such legis
lation as will insure a gradual return to specie pay
ments, and put an immediate stop to tho fluctuation
in value of currency. The methods to secure the
former of these results are as numerous as specula
tors on political economy. To secure the latter I see
but one way, and that is to authorize th9 treasury
to redeem its own paper at a fixed price, whenever
presented, and to withhold from circulation all cur
rency so redeemed nntil sold again for gold. The
vast resources of tho nation, both developed and
undeveloped, ought to make our credit the best on
earth, with a lees burden as taxation than citizens
have endured for six years past, tho entire public
debt could he paid in t>-n years, bnt it is not dcsir-
ablo that tho peoplo should bo taxed to pay it in
that time.
Year by year the ability to pay increases in rapid
ratio, but the bnrdcn of interest ought to bo reduced
rapidly as soon as it can without violation of con
tract. Tho public debt is represented in great part
by bonds, having from fivo to twenty and from ten
to forty years to run, bearing interest at the rate of
six and five per cent, respectively. It is optional
with the government to dispense with tbeso bonds
at the earliest period after their expiration in tho
least time mentioned upon their faca. The time
has already expired when a great part may bo taken
up. and rapidly approaching when all may be. It is
believed that all wliich aro now duo may be replaced
by bonds bearing a rate of interest not exceeding
four end a half per cent., and as rapidly as the re
mainder become due that they may be replaced in
tho same way. To accomplish this it may be ncei ssa-
rv to authorize the interest to he paid at either of
three or fonr of the money centres of Europe or by
any assistant treasurer of the United .States at tho
option of holder of bond. I suggest this subject
for the consideration of Congress, and also simul
taneously with this proposition redeeming our cur
rency as before suggested at its market value at
tho timo tho law goes into effect, increasing the
rate at which cnrrency will ho bought and sold from
day to day or week to week at the same rate of in
terest as gold pays upon its bonds.
Tho subject of tariff and internal taxation will
necessarily receivo your attention. Tho revenues
of the country are greater than tho requirements,
and may with safety be reduced': bnt as the fund
ing of tho debt in a fonr or four and a half per cent
loan would redneo tho annual current expenses
largely; tlms, after funding, justifying a greater
reduction of taxation than would bo now expedient,
I suggest tho postponement of this question until
the next meeting of Congress. It maybe advisable
to modify taxation and tariff in instances where un-
just or burdensome discriminations are made by
tbe present law, bnt a general revision of the laws
regulating this subject, I recommend postponement
for the present. I also suggest a renewal of the tax
on incomes, bnt at a teduced rate, say three per
cent., and this.tax to expire in three years — with
the fnnding of the national debt, as hero sug
gested.
I feel safe in saying that taxes and revenne from
imports may bo reduced safely from sixty to eighty
millions per annum at once and may be still further
reduced from year to year, as tho resources of the
country develops. The report of the Secretary of
the Tre&snry shows the receipts of tho government
for the flecalyear ending June SO, lobe 6370,943,747
expenditures inclnding interests, bounties ect., to
bo $321,490,597; estimates for the ensning year are
more favorable to the government and will no donbt
show a much larger decrease of tho pnblic debt The
receipts in the Treasury beyond expenditures have
exceeded the amount necessary to place to the credit
of the sinking fund as provided by law; to lock up
the surplus in tlie Treasury and withhold it from
circulation, would lead to such a contraction of cur
rency as to cripple trade and seriously affect the
prosperity of the country.
Under these circumstances, the Secretary of tho
Treasury and myself heartily concurred in tho pro
priety of using all surplus currency ia-the Treasury
m purchasing government bonds, thus reducing tho
interest bearin ingdebtedness or tho country, and
of submitting to Congress the question of the dis
position to be made of bonds so purchased. Bonds
now held by the Treasury amount to $75,000,000.
including those belonging to the sinking fund. I
recommend that the whole be placed to the credit
of the sinking fund.
Yonr attention is respectfully invited to the re
commendations of the Secretary of the Treasury
for the creation of tho office of Commissioner of
Customs and Revenue; for increased salary of cer
tain classes cf officials, and the substitution of in
creased national bank circulation to replace the out
standing three per cent, certificates; and most
especially to his recommendation for the repeal of
the laws allowing Bbares of fines, penalties, for
feitures, etc., to officers of the government or to
informers.
The office of Commissioner of Internal Revenue,
one of the most arduous and responsible under the
government, falls little short of Cabinet position in
its importance and responsibilities. I would ask for
it. therefore, such legislation as in yonr judgment
will place the office upon that footing of dignity
commensurate with its importance, and with a
character and qualifications of that class of men
required to fill it properly.
As tho United States is freest of all nations, so,
too, its people sympathise with all peoples strug
gling for liberty and self-government. Bnt. while
so sympathizing, it is due to our honor that wo
should abstain from enforcing our views upon un
willing nations, and from taking an interested part,
without invitation, in quarrels between different na
tions, or between governments and their subjects.
Our course should always be in conformity with strict
justice and law. In international and local affairs,
such has been the policy of the administration with
these questions. For more than a year a valuable
province of Spain, and a near neighbor of oure, in
whom all our people can not but feel deep interest,
has been struggling for independence and freedom.
The people and government of tho United States
entertain the same warm feelings and sympathiesfor
the peoplo of Cuba, in their pending struggle, that
they manifested throughout the previous struggles
between Spain and her former colonies in behalf of
tho latter; but tho contest has at no time assumed
conditions which amount to war, in the sense of in
ternational law, or which would show the evidences
of a de facto political organization of insurgents
sufficient to justify a recognition of belligerency.
The principle is maintained, however, that this na
tion is its own judge when to accord rights of bel
ligerency either to a peoplo struggling.to free them
selves from a government they believe to ha op
pressive. or to independent nations atwar with each
other. Tlio United States have no disposition to in
terfere with the existing relations of Spain to her
colonial possessions on this continent.
They believe that in duo time Spain and other Eu
ropean powers will find their interest in terminating
those relations and establishing their present de
pendencies as independent powers.' Tliosedepend-
endes aro no longer regarded as subject to transfer
from one European power to another. When the
present relation of colonies ceases, they are to be
come independent powers, exercising the right of
choice and of self-control in the determination of
their future condition aud relations with other
powers. Tho United States, in order to put a atop
to bloodshed in Cnba and for tho interest of the
neighboring people, proposed good offices to bring
the existing condition to a termination; but the
offer not being accepted by Spain, on tho basis on
■which wo believed it could be received by Cuba, it
was withdrawn. It is hoped that the good offices of
the United States may yet prove advantageous for
the settlement of this unhappy strife. Meanwhile,
a number of illegal expeditions against Cuba have
been broken up. It has been the endeavor of the
Administration to execute the neutrality laws, no
matter hownnpleasant the task, made so by the suf
fering wo have endnred from lack of like good faith
towards ns by other nations.
On the 26th of March last, tho United States
schooner Lizzie Major was arrested on high seas by
a Spanish frigate, and two passengers taken and
carried prisoners to Cuba. Representations of these
facts were made to the Spanish Government as soon
as official information reached Washington, and the
two passengers were set at liberty, and the Spanish
Government assured the United States that the
Captain of the frigate in making the capture had
acted without law; that he had been reprimanded,
and tb&t the Spanish authorities in Cuba would not
sanction any act that would violate the rights or treat
with disrespect the sovereignty of this nation. The
question of the seizure of the brig Mary Lowell, at
Bahama, by Spanish authorities, ib now the subject
of correspondence between this Government, Spain
and Great Britain. The Captain General of Cnba
about May last, issued a proclamation authorizing
the search of vessels on tbe high seas. Immediate
remonstrance was made against this, whereupon tho
Captain General issued a new proclamation and
limited the search to vessels of the United States
authorized by the treaty of 1829. This proclama
tion, however, was immediately withdrawn.
I have always felt that the most intimate rela
tions shonld 'be cultivated between tho United
States and independent nations on this continent.
It must be well worth considering whether new
treaties between ub and them may not he profitably
entered into, to seenre more intimate relations,
friendly, commercial, and otherwise. Tho inter-
oceanic canal, to connect the Atlantic and Facific
Oceans, through the Isthmus of Darien, is one in
which commerce is greatly interested.
Instructions have been given onr ministers to the
United States of Columbia, to endeavor to obtain
authority for a survey, to determine tho practica
bility of the undertaking. In order to comply with
the agreement of the United States to the annexed
commission at Lima, for the adjustment of claims,
it becomes necessary to send a commissioner and
secretary to Lima.
The good offices of the United States to bring
about peace between Spain and the South American
Republics having been accepted by Spain, Peru and
Chili, a congress has been invited to be held in
Washington during the present winter.
A grant has been given to Europeans of an ex
clusive right of transit over the territory of Nica
ragua, to which Costa Bica has given its assent,
which it is alleged conflicts with vested rights of cit
izens of the United States. The Department of
State has now this subject under consideration.
Tlio minister of the Peruvian Government hae
made representations that there was war between
Pern and Spain, and that Spain was constructing in
or near New York thirty gunboats, which might be
uied by Spain to release her naval force at Cuba, to
operato against Pern. Orders were given to pre
vent their departure. No further steps have been
taken by tho representative of the Peiuvian Gov
ernment to prevent the departure of these vessels,
and I, not feeling authorized to detain tlio property
of & nation with which we are at peace, on mere
Executive order, the matter was referred to the
Courts.
The conduct of the war between the a Hies and
Republic of Paraguay, has made intercourse with
that country difficult. It has been deemed advisa
ble to withdraw our representative from there.
Towards the close of the last administration a con
vention was held in London for the settlement of
outstanding claims between Great Britain and tbe
United States, which failed to receivo the advice
and consent of the Senate. The time and circum
stances attending the negotiation of that treaty
were unfavorable to its acceptance by tbe people of
the United States, and its provisions were wholly
inadequate for the settlement of grave wrongs sus
tained by this government. Injuries resulting to
tbe United States by reason of tho courso adopted
by Great Britain during tho war, increased tho
rates of insurance; in diminution of transports
and exports and other obstructions to thb do
mestic industry and progress; in its effect on
the foreign commerco of tho countiy; in tlio de
crease and transfer io Great Britain of onr com
mercial marine; in tho progress of the war and the
increase of its cost, both in treasure and the delay-
ingof its suppression, could not be adjusted and sat
isfied, as ordinary commercial claims wliich contin
ually ariae'beteen commercial nations. And yet the
Convention treated them simply as such ordiinary
claims, from which they differ more widely in tho
gravityof tlieir character than tho magnitude of their
amount. Greatevenasis that difference, not award
wsb found in tlie treaty and not an inference conld
be drawn from it, to remove tbe Benso of unfriendli
ness of the courso of Great Britain, In our strug
gle for existence, which had eo deeply and univers
ally impressed itself upon tho people of this coun
try, that a convention thus misconceived in its
scope, and inadequate in its provisions, would not
have produced the hearty, cordial settlement of the
pending questions, which alone is consistent with
tho relations which I deairo to have firmly estab
lished between tbo United States and Great Britain.
I regarded tbe action of the Senate in rejecting the
treaty to have been wisely taken in tbe interest of
peace, and as a necessary step in the direction of a
proper and cordial friendship between tho two coun
tries.
A sensitive people, conscious of their power, aro
more at ease under a great wrong,' wholly unatonod,
than under tho restraint of a settlement which sat
ieties neither their ideas of justico nor their grave
senEo of tho grievance they have sustained.. The
rejection of the treaty was followed by a state of
public feeling on both sides which I thought not fa
vorable to an attempt at renewed negotiations. I
accordingly so instructed the Minieterof the United
StateB to Great Britain, and found that my views in
this regard were shared by Her Majesty’s Minister,
. I hope that the timo may soon arrive when tho
two governments can approach tho solution of this
momentons question with an appreciation of what
is duo to the rights, dignity and honor of each, and
with the determination not only to remove the causes
of complaint in the past, bnt to Ipy the foundation
of a broad principle of pnblic law, which will pre
vent future differences and tend to a firm and con
tinued peace and friendship. This is now the only
grave question which the United States has with
any foreign nation.
The question of renewing a treaty for a recipro
cal trade between the United States and British
provinces on this continent, was favorably consid
ered in conformity with the recommendation of
Congress.' An appropriation to abolish mixed
courts for the suppression of the slave trade is un
der negotiation. '■ , _ _ _
It having como to my knowledge that a corporate
company has organized under British laws; pro
posed to land upon the shores of the United States,
and to operate there, a submarine cable, under a
concession from tbe Emperor of the French, of an
exclusive right, for twenty years, of telegraphic
communication between the shores of France and
tbe UnitedStates, with a very objectionablefe&ture
of subjecting all messages conveyed thereby to
the scrutiny and control of the French Govern
ment, caused the French and British legation at
Washington to be made acquainted with the proba
ble policy of Congress on this eubject, as fore
shadowed by a bill which passed the Senate in
March last.
This drew from tho representatives of tho com
pany an agreement to accept aa a basis of their op*
erations the provisions of the bill, or such other en
actment on the subject as might be passed during
the approaching session of Congress; also, to use
their iufiuence to secure from the French Govern
ment a modification of their concession to permit
the landing of any cable belonging to any company
incorporated by the authority of the United States
or any State in the Union, and on their part not to
oppose the establishment of any snob cable. In
consideration of this agreement, I directed the
withdrawal of all opposition by the United States to
the landing of the cable nntil the meeting of Con
gress. I regret to say that there has been no modi
fication made in the company’s concession, nor, so
far as I can learn, have they attempted to' secure
one. Them concession excludes the capital and citi
zens of the United States from competition upon the
shores of France. I recommend legislation to pro
tect tho rights of citizens of the United States, and
the sovereignty of the nation, against such an im
position.
I shall also endeavor to secure, by negotiation, ml
abandonment of the principle of monopolies in ocMO
telegraphic cables. The unsettled political condi
tion of other countries less fortunato than our own,
sometimes indnceB their citizens to come to the
United States for the solo purpose of becoming nat
uralized. Having secured this, they return to their
native countiy and reside tliero without disclosing
their chaDga of allegianco. They accept official po
sitions of trust or honor which can only bo held by
citizens of their nativo lands; they journey undor
passports describing them as such citizens, and it is
only when discovery, after, perhaps, years of quiet,
threatens their persons or their property, or when
their nativo State drafts them into its military ser
vice, that their change of allegianco is known.
They reside permanently away from the United
States; contribute nothing to its revenues; avoid
duties of citizenship, and only make themselves
known by a claim of protection.
I have directed tho diplomatic and consular of
ficers to scrutinize carefully all such claims of pro
tection. The citizen of the United States, whether
native or adopted, who discharges his duty to his
country, is entitled to its complete protection.
While I havo a voice in the direction of affairs, I
shall not consent to imperil this sacred right by
conferring it upon fictitious or fraudulent claimants.
Invitations have been extended to tho Cabinets
at London, Paris, Florence, Berlin, Brussels, tho
Hague at Copenhagen and Stockholm, to empower
their representatives at Washington to simulta
neously enter into a negotiation and to conclude
with the United States conventions identical in
form, making uniform regulations as to tho con
struction of parts of vessels to be devoted to tho
carrying of emigrant passengers, as to quality and
quantify of food; as to the medical treatment of tho
sick, and to tho rules to bo observed during tho
voyage, in order to secure ventilation to promote
health, to prevent intrusion, and to protect tho fe
males, and providing for the establishment of trib
unals in tbo several countries for enforcing such
regulations by summary process.
Your attention is respectfully called to tlie law
regulating tlie tariff on Russian liemp, and to tho
question whether to fix tho charges on Russian
hemp higher than they aro fixed upon manilla is
not a violation of our treaty with Russia, placing her
products upon tho eamo footing with those of the
most favored nations. Onr manufactures are in
creasing with wonderfal rapidity under tho encour
agement which they now receivo with tho improve
ments in machinery already effected and still in
creasing, causing machinery to take the place of
skilled labor to a large extent. Our imports of many
articles must fall off largely within a few years; for
tunately too, manufactnrcs'are not confined to a few
localities aa formerly, and it is to be hoped, will be
come more and more diffused, making the interest
in them eqtialin all sections. They give employment
and support to hundreds of thousands of peoplo at
home and retain with us tho means which otherwise
would be shipped abroad. Tho extension of the
railroads in Europe and the East is bringing into
competition with onr agricultural products liko pro
ducts of other countries. Self-interest, if not self-
preservation, therefore, dictates caution against dis
turbing any industrial interest of the country.
It teaches us. also, the necessity of looking to
other markets for tho sale of onr surplus. Our
neighbors south of ns, and China and Japan, shonld
receive onr special attention. It is to bo tho endea
vor of tbo administration to cultivate such relations
with all these nations as to entitle us to their confi
dence, and make it their interest as well as ours to
establish better commercial relations through the
agency of a more enlightened policy than that here
tofore pursued towards China. Largely duo to tho
sagacity and efforts of one of our own distinguished
citizens, tho world ib about to commence largely in
creased relations with that populous and with that
exclusive nation. As tho United States have been
the initiators of this new policy, so they should be
most earnest in showing their good faith in making
it a success in this connection.
Iadvise such legislation as will forever preclude
tho enslavement of tho Chinese npon our soil un
der tho name of Coolies, and also prevent American
vessels from engaging in tho transportation of
Coolies to any country tolorating the system. I
also recommend that tho mission to China be raised
to one of the first class.
On my assuming tbo responsible duties of Chief
Magistrate of the United States it was with the con
viction that three things were essential to its peace,
prosperity and fullest development. 1st. Along
with these is strict integrity in fulfilling all our ob
ligations. 2d. To secure protection to tho person
and property of tho citizen of tho United States in
each and every portion of onr common country
wherever ho may choose to move, without reference
to original nationality, religion, coloror politics, de
manding of him only obedience to the laws and
proper respect for the rights of others.
3d. Union of all the States with equal rights un-
destrnctable by any constitutional means. To seenre
the first of these, Congress has taken two essential
steps. 1st. In declaring, by joint resolution, that
tho public debt shall bepaid, principal and interest,
in coin ; and 2d, by providing the means for paying.
Providing the means, however, could not succeed,
the obj ect desired without a proper administration of
tho laws for the collection of the revenue and an
economical disbursement of them. To this subject
the administration has most earnestly addressed it
self, with results, I hope satisfactory to tho country.
There has been no hestitation in changing officials
in order to seenre an efficient execution of tho laws,
sometimes too,where,in mere party view.undesirable
political results were likely to follow; nor any hesi
tation in sustaining efficient officers against remon
strances wholly political. It may bo well to men
tion hero tho embarrassment possible to arieo from
leaving on tho statuto books tho so-called tennre-
of-offlee acts, and to earnestly recommend their to
tal repeal. It could not have been tho intention of
tho framers of tho Constitution, when providing
that appointments made by tho President should
receivo tho consent of the Senate, that tho latter
should havo the power to retain in office persons
placed there by Federal appointments against tho
will of tho President. The law is inconsistent with
a faithful and efficient administration of tho gov
ernment. What faith can an Executive put in offi
cials forced npon him, and those, too. whom ho has
suspended for sufficient reason ? How will sneb
officials bo likely to servo an administration which
they know does not trust them ?
For tho second requisite to our growth and pros-
perify, time and a firm but linmano administration
of existing laws, amended from timo to timo »b
they may bo ineffective or provo barsli and unneces
sary. aro probably all that aro required. Tho third
cannot bo attained by special legislation, but must
bo regarded as fixed by tho Constitution itself, and
gradually acquiesced iu by forco of public opinion.
From the foundation of the government to tho pres
ent time the management of the original inhabitants
of this continent, tho Indians, has lieen a subject of
embarrassment and expense, and has been attended
with continuous vobboiies. murders and wars. From
my own experience upon the frontiers and in Indian
countries, I do not hold cither legislation or . tbe
conduct of tho whites who como most in; contact
with tho Indians, blameless for tho hostilities. Tho
past, however, cannot bo undone, and tho ques
tion must be met as wo. now find it.- I liavo at
tempted a new policy towards tbeso wards of tlio
nation—they cannot bo regarded in any other light
than as wards, with fair results so far aa tried, and
which I liopo will ho attonded ultimately with great
success.
The Society of Friends is well known as' having
succeeded in living in peaco with the Indians in tho
oarly settlement of Pennsylvania, whilodheir white
neighbors of other sects in other sections were con
tinually embroiled. They aro also known for their
opposition to all strife,, vihlipico and war, and are
generally noted for tlieir strict integrity and fair
dealings. These considerations induced mb to give
the management of a few reservations of' Indians
to them, and to throw tho burden of tho. selection
of agents upon tho Society itself. Tho result has
proved most satisfactory. It.-will bo found more
fully set forth in tho report of the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs.
Superintendents and Indian Agents noton the
Reservations and officers of tho army were selected.
Tho reasons for this aro numerous. Whero Indian
Agents are sent there, or near there, troops must
be sent also. The Agent and the commander of tho
troops aro independent of each otbor, aud aro sub
ject to orders from different departments of the
Government Tho army officer holds a position for
life—tho agent, ono at the will of tho President;
tho former is personally interested in living in har
mony with the Indian and in establishing a perma
nent peace, to the end that some portions of his life
may be spent within the limits of civilized society—
tha latter lias not such personal interest.
Another reason is an economic ono, aud still an
other tho hold which the government has upon a
life officor to secure a faithful discharge of duties
in carrying out a given policy. Tho building of rail
roads, and the access thereby given to all tho agri
cultural and mineral regions of tha country, is rap
idly bringing civilization in contact with all the tribes
of Indians. No matter what ongbt to be tho rela
tions between such settlements and the Indians, the
fact is they do not harmonize well and ono or the
other has to give way in the end. A system which
looks to tho extinction of a race, is too horrible for
a nation to adopt, and cannot be pursued without
entailing upon itself the wrath of all Christendom
and engendering in tho citizens a disregard for hu
man life and the rights of others, dangerous to so
ciety. I see no substitute for such a system ex
cept in placing all the Indians on large reservations
as rapidly as it can bo done, and giving them abso
lute protection there. As soon as they aro fitted
for it, they eliould be induced to take tbeir lands
in severalty and to set np territorial governments
for their own protection.
FoFftdl details on this subject, I call yonr special
attention to the reports of the Secretary of the Ul
terior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Tho reoommendation of tbo General of the Army,
that appropriations bo made for the forts at Boston,
Portland, Now York, Philadelphia, New Orleans aqd
San Francisco, if for no other, is concurred in. I
call special attention to the recommendation of tbe
Chief of Ordnance for the sale of arsenals and
lands no longer of use to the government. Also to
the recommendation of the Secretary of War, that
the act prohibiting promotions in the staff corps of
the army be repealed. ’ The extent of country to be
garrisoned and the number of military posts to be
occnpied, is the same with a reduced army as with
a large one. The number of staff officers re
quired is more dependent upon the latter than
the former condition. The report of tho Secretary
of tho Navy accompanying this, shows tho condition
of the Navy when this administration came into
office, and the changes made since. Strenuous ef
forts havo been made to place as many vessels in
commission, or render them fit for service if re
quired, as possible, and to substitute the sail for
steam whilst cruising; thus materially reducingthe
expenses of the navy and adding greatly to its ef
ficiency. Looking to our future, I recommend a
liberal, though not extravagant, policy toward this
branch of tho public service.
The report of tho Postmaster General furnishes
a clear and comprehensive exhibit of the operations
of the postal service, and of tho financial condition
of the postoffice department. The ordinary postal
revenues, for tho year ending the 30th of June,
1869, amountod to $16,444,510, and tho expendi
tures to $23,693,13L
Yonr attention is respectfully called to the recom
mendation made by tho Postmaster General, for au
thority to change tho rate of compensation to the
main trunk railroad lines, for their services, in carry
ing tho mails; for having post routo maps executed;
tor reorganizing and increasing the efficiency of tho
special agency service; for the increase of the mail
service on tho Pacific; and for establishing mail ser
vice under tho flag of tho Union'on tho Atlantic;
and most especially do I call yonr attention to his
recommendation for tho total abolition of the frank
ing privilege. This is an abuso from which no one
receives a commensurate advantage. It reduces the
receipts for postal service form 25 to 30 per cent,
and largely increases tho servico to beperformed.
Daring tho year ending 30th of September, 1869,
tho Patent Office issued 13.762 patents, and its re
ceipts were $686,889, being $213,926 more than the
expenditures. I would respectfully call yonr atten
tion to the recommendation of tho Secretary of tho
Interior, for uniting tho duties of supervising tho
education of freedmen, with the other duties de
volving upon tho Commissioner of Education.
If it is the desiro of Congress to make tho
census, which must bo taken during the year
1870, more complete and peifect than heietofore,
I would suggest early action npon any plan that
may bo agreed upon. As Coogress, at tho last ses
sion, appo nted a committeo to take into considera
tion such measures as might bo deemed proper in
reference to the census and to report a plan, J do-
siBt from saying more.
I recommend to yonr favorable consideration the
claims of the Agricultural Bureau for liberal appro
priations. In a country so diversified in climate
and soil a3 ours, and with a population so largely
dependent npon agriculture, tho benefits that can bo
conferred by properly fostering this bureau are in
calculable.
I desiro respectfully to call the attention of Con
gress to tlio inadequate salaries of a number of
the most important officers of tho government.
In this message I will not enumerate them, bnt
will specify only tho Justices of the Supremo Court.
No change has been made in their salaries for.fif-
teen yoars. Within that time tho labors of tho court
havo largely increased, and the expenses of living
havo at least doubled. During the samo time Con
gress has twice found it necessary to increase
largely tho compensation of its own members, and
tho duty which it owes to another department of
tho government deservoa and will undoubtedly re
ceive duo consideration.
There are many subjects not alluded to in this
message, which might, with propriety, ho intro
duced ; but I abstain, believing that yonr patriotism
and statesmanship will suggest the topics and the
legislation most conducive to tho interests of tbo
whole people. On my part, I promise a rigid ad
herence to the laws, and tlieir strict enforcement.
’ U. S. Ghast.
Washington, December 6th, 1869.
Hiring Hands.
The time for new contracts and arrangements
for another year of agricultural adventure is
now rapidly approaching, and there are proba
bly few among agricultural readers whose
minds are not occnpied with the general subject
matter of labor engagements for the year 1S70.
A wide discrepancy of opinion still exists
among planters as to the best method of con
tracting for labor—whether npon shares or stip
ulated monthly wages. Personal experience on
this snbject will, of coarse, control the jadg.
ment of almost every man, whose experience
has not been unsatisfactory; bnt, after all, the
best way to determine the relative merits of the
two systems would be a general comparison of
results, if that were practicable.
Bnt results are, of course, vastly modified by
the personal application, energy and judgment
of planters. The man blest with an ardent, act
ive, energetic temperament—a sound, practical
judgment and that indescribable faculty of con
trolling subordinate minds and infusing into
them a portion of his own enthnsiastio, active
and laborious spirit may accomplish more npon
a less judicious system of hiring, than a lax, un
systematic, and easy going neighbor who works
.pretty much on the principle of letting things
tike care of themselves, would npon a better
system.
We have heard the most opposite views and
personal experiences npon the different plans of
hiring. A few days ago one of the largest, most
sagacious, liberal and at the same time money
making, planters we know of, was delivering his
ideas at length npon this snbject in onr hearing.
He said tho war had deprived him of considerably
upwards of 100 valuable hands, audleft him with
a large landed property of nominal value. He
determined to invest lightly the first year and
cultivate but little land. He wished to take the
year for observation and reflection upon a fu
ture planting policy. He therefore hired but a
few hands by tho month, and the results of
thoir labor were so disheartening that he would
have been glad to have sold out every acre had
it been possible to do so short of a ruinous sac
rifice. ;> •;
When Christmas came again, he determined
to abandon the wages system and give all liis
hands a proprietary interest in the crop. He
sat down independently and digested a system
for himself, upon the plan of offering very lib
eral inducements to his laborers. He proposed,
on his part, to furnish house rent, fuel, (that is
to say, the privilege of cutting it fjroin the land,)
and agreed to<illow each able-bodied negro the
privilege of keeping a hog in pen at his own
expense—also of milking'’one cow from the
herd on paying a dollar Weekly. He also stip
ulated to furnish and feed ail necessary stock,
and provide utensils, wagons, etc.
On tbeir part,: they must feed and clothe
themselves, and* work faithfully, Sundays and
Fourth of July excepted, for stipulated hours,
from Christmas to Christmas. They must lose
all time at stipulated rates which is consumed in
other holidays aud in sickness, unless arising
from some bodily injury sustained in the course
of labor on the plantation—an account of
wliicli loss is duly kept with tlie laborer. They
agreed also to keep the plantation in order as to
fences, etc., and also to pay one half the wages
and expense of tlie plantation manager, who is
tlie common agent of both parties, and pledged
to equal and exact justice* to both.
When the crops are gathered the laborers are
entitled to just one-half, excepting only tho
corn shucks and cotton seed, the former of which
was rough forage for the mules, and. the' latter
duly applied to manuring the land.
Upon this basis, our friend had been working
ever since the year 1866, with the most satisfac
tory results both, to himself and .the laborers.
He said ho had no trouble with them at all, and
bnt a few days ago he made the point against an
increase of salary to one of his managers, who
olaimed it on account of increased magnitude
of operations, that although the operations were
increased, the difficulty of management was far
less than it was even in the days of slavery; and
this point his intelligent manager conceded at
once.
The negroes were ’very sharp overseers npon
each other, and made every one of their num
ber stand up to duty without flinching. More
over, they were far less liberal in allowing ex
oases for lost time than the manager or himself,
and they permitted nothing and nobody to inter
fere with the best possible results of the' joint
adventure..
The division and settlement were religiously
exact. Every man not only got every cent he
was entitled to, bnt his mind was satisfied of
the fact. These hands were all prospering and
had accumulated money—a few of them as much
as a thousand dollars apiece. Onr friend said
that several of his neighbors who thought he
was working npon too liberal a basis, had since
adopted his policy with equally satisfactory re
sults, and he was persuaded that this was the
best and the true plan of farming in Georgia.
We give this report for what it is worth, pre
mising that it comes from a very intelligent
source—that it is no donbt strictly true—and
and that it is a patent fact that the anther has
made a great deal of money under the system
in the last three years.
Mrs. Partington and the Tides.
The traditional ambition of onr Yankee
friends has always been to prove to the world
the omnipotence of their ingenuity, canning
and enterprise. They havo embodied that am
bition in the cant expression “that some things
can bo done as well as others!”—that is to say,
that there is literally no impediment in nature
unconquerable by their ingenuity and persist
ence. They have bnt to conceive an idea or a
purpose, and its realization and accomplishment
are matters as certain and assured as the fiat of
omnipotence.
Accordingly, when tlie legions of the Northern
States opened the South to the reforming hand
of New England, it was sternly decreed that the
political, moral and social ideas of New England
shonld be embodied, Vitalized and realized in
the emancipated negro, and the white oocnpants
of Southern soil should thenceforward be a
proscribed race, like tbe Moabites, the Jebnsites
and the children of Ammon—hewers of wood
and drawers of water to tho regenerated African,
crammed with all the wisdom, knowledge and
virtue of tho true pilgrim stock.
And, truth to say, this New England idea has
been followed ont with a vigor and persistence
worthy of its origin. Tbe whole power of Con
gressional legislation and the wealth of the
Treasury have been, as they would say, “conse
crated” to It. It has been followed ont with a
single eye by tho Radical party over every ob
stacle of reason, religion and common sense.
All the operations of the Freedman’s Bureau—
all the amendments of the Constitution—all the
reconstruction acts—all the military orders ot
turn everything topsy turvey—all the habeas
corpus suspensions—and every part and parcel
of that extraordinary course of the Government
sinc6 the war, has this foundation and purpose,
and no other. U 0*5
And that it is hot and cannot bo accomplished
is dae simply to the fact that, after all, New
England is not, as she imagines, omnipotent!
She can do a great deal, bnt she cannot subvert
nature. In the ways of legislation she is fruit
ful ; bnt, after all, the laws of God will prevail
against those of New England. Irving says that
when the pilgrims landed at Plymouth, they
agreed hastily, in a pnblic meeting assembled,
“tube govemedby the laws of God until they had
time to make better ones;” and, although the
idea underlying the resolution has descended to
the posterity of the present day, we believe itia
a false ono.
In attempting to carry it out by inverting the
position of the races*, New England has been
able to reduce many portions of the South to a
condition of great distress, confusion and inse
curity. She has thrown our whole political
fabric intomins; but even the foundation of
her new edifice of a dominant Africanism is not
laid, nor can it be laid, because it is against na
ture. Mrs. Partington, could not sweep back
tlie tides with her broom. Mr. Sumner can’t
control Southern politics with the negro. The
reason is the same. The forces of nature are
too strong for both Mrs.. Partington and Mr.
Stunner.
Let our friends in Georgia who are troubled
about a new departure into the shady regions
of reconstruction console themselves. The Rad
ical Partingtons in Congress cannot subvert na
ture, no matter how desperate are their decrees.
The white people of Georgia cannot be legisla
ted under the negro. There are too many of
us. The evils to be inflicted will only be tem
porary. We shall survive a third repetition of
the New England experiment. *
NO RESURRECTION.
Death of a Free Government—An Eloquent
Extract.. ..."
The following beautiful extract is from a
speech delivered by Hon. D. W. Yoorhees, of
Indiana:
It is a melancholy spectacle to behold a free
government die. The world, it is true, is filled
with evidences of decay. All nature speaks the
voice of dissolution, and the highway of history
and of life is strewn with the wrecks which
Time, the great despoiler, ! has made. But the
hopes of the future, bright visions of reviving
glory, are nowhere denied to the heart of man,
save* as he gazes on the downfall of, legal liberty.
He listens mournfully to the autumn winds, as
they sigh through dismantled forests, hut he
knows that their breath will be soft and vernal
in the spring, and that the dead flowers and
withered foliage will blossom and bloom again.
He sees the sky overcast with the angry frown
of the tempest, but he knows that the the sun wiiL
reappear, and the emblazonry of God cannot
perish. Man, himself, this strange connecting
link between dust and Deity, totters wearily,
wearily onward, under the* weight of years
and pain, toward the tomb, but how brief
ly his life lingers around the dismal , spot.
* It is filled with tears and grief, and tbe willow
and cypress gathor around it with their loving
but mournful embrace. And is this all ? Not
so 1 If a man die, shall he not live again ? Be
yond tho grave in the distant Adienn Hope pro
vides an elysinm of the soul where the mortal
assumes immortality, and lifo becomes an end
less splendor.. Bat whore, sir,,in all the dreary
regions of the past, filled with convulsions, wars
and crimes, can you point yonr finger to the
tomb of a free commonwealth on which the an
gels of resurrection 1 have ever descended, or
from whose sepulchre the atone of* dospotism
has been rolled away ? Where, in what age,
and in what clime have the veins of conslitn-
tional freedom renewed their youth and re
gained their lost estate ? By whose strong grip
has the dead corpse of the Republic, once fall
en, ever been raised? The merciful Maker who
walked npon the .waters and bade the winds be
'still, left no ordained apostle with power to
wrench apart the jaws of national death, and re
lease the viotim of despotism. The wail of the
heart-broken over the dead is not so sad to me
as the realization of this fact. Bnt all history,
with a loud, unbroken voice, proclaims it; and
the evidence of what the past has been is con-
clnsive to my mind of what the futnro will be.
Wherever in the domain of hnman conduct a
people, once possessed of liberty, have surren
dered these great gifts of God at the command
of the usurper, they have never afterward proven
themselves worthy to regain their forfeited
treasure.
A Quakeress, jealous of her husband, watched
his movements, and one morning aotnally dis
covered the truant kissing and hugging the ser
vant girl Broadbrim was not long in discover
ing the face of his wife as she peeped through
the half-open door, and rising with all the cool
ness of a general officer, bs thns addressed her:
“Betsey, thee had better quit peeping, or thee
will cause a disturbance iu the family.”
The celebrated Dr. Gregory, in the oourso of
one of liis medical lectures at Edinburgh, sta
ted.:- “One oannot stand perfectly motionless
for half an hour; that he had once tried to do
so, and had fainted at the end of twenty minates
the blood requiring the aid of motion from the
body in order to retain its fall circulating
power.
Chanoes of Com ate.—It is now said that the
Pacific Railroad is working changes in the cli
mate of the plains, causing an abandonee of
rain to fall where continuous droughts prevail
ed. This extraordinary phenomenon, if trne,
is thought to be produced by a better equilibri
um of eleotrioal currents.
It is remarkable how sore onr radical con
temporaries feel whenever a thief is whipped in
Delaware.—Prentice.
Grand Jury p rea TTr~~—
Dl,ne ttUor
Uoanty. * --
FaU Term JJW
mental make lowing
crops in diffsrent parts of tvT andl, WJ
been blessed by a kinTprovifc' 10 '^ ’
dant harvest. F aencfl v.tk , c
And, notwithstanding the m
which have been committed 05
of the State, we, comparatively
few to report. y vety apea^.
The colored population have
most sanguine expectationsof tlb^
bo* m labor and.deportment
2d. We, through appropriate
have examined the condition of C >
bmlffings, roads and records
We find the public roads cinch ii^ 6 Ct
the last term of tho Court • “
cat and bridges built and repaid
parts of the county. Yet Sf
room for improvements • and J! U '
asassaasiSsa
aftS&BSi'aS!*
them correct. The books of ^T^
Treasurer deserve special natJt ,, !erl
ness. The balanced the
nrer at the last term of the Conttl^J
Since that time he has received
other sources, $1203 CG- mil-;* ^
$3278 52. There has beenpaiStf *
and other expenses $2977 S'* •
in the hands of the Treasurer ??*<£
The taxes for this year have not yet
4th. We recommend that the L* 1
begtm upon the Court House be
the Jail made secure, the Jailor’sTf
ished and garden lot added and
the use of the Jailor, and b
for comfort of prisoners.
In taking leave of His Honor, Jud,.;,.
we tender him our sincere thanks hr i!
tinguished ability and despatch of burr?
for courtesy extended to our body
We tender eur Solicitor General' Col
Whiteley, our thanks for his V»’ri c >—
and gentlemanly deportment to this bob
We request that these presentin'"-.!
Jighed in the Journal & Messesow
William H. Hoggaed, Fonaa
Raymond Caiy.jr, ci
Win, II. Adams, Jefferson
S. H. Adams, A. F. Loosa
E. C. Brown, J. L. Mdfam
J. H. Bodiford, RRMcCaS
J. P. Broadway, Robt. Kboik
T. H. Caskie, R. H. Solos®
T; D. DuPont, J. a Thoani
-£-£ n s! e ®. A. M. George
J. W. Fleming, H. H. Hall,
R. F. Hoy, If. Jeffries.
Baker Superior Cora?
November Terra, l&b.
At the request of the Grand Juiy, ha
ed that the foregoing General Pns’eatoe
published in the Telegraph & Mss:
and the cost of the same be paid by thel
Treasurer of Baker county.
J. Johnson, J.S.C.S. IS
A true extract from the minutes of Ed
perior Court, December 2d, 1869.
Thomas Aim
Presentments of the Grand Jujl
Houston County,
FOR THE AUGUST ADJOURNED TZEE, 15CS. I
We, the Grand Jurors of I
chosen, selected and sworn for the Anpal
journed Term of I860, make the followisgJ
eral presentments, to which we respectful;!
the attention of the court, and the chias]
the county:
We have, through appropriate C01
examined the county records and finances. 1
find the books of the Ordinary and Clerk of j
Court well and properly kept Of the fim
condition of the connfy, it is to be regrs
that there are yet many claims against thee:
ty unpaid. And we regret to find that A
have been made by officers, and passed and I
dered paid by the authorities, which venJ
entirely unwarranted by law, exhibiting a of
lessness in the expenditures of tho funds dll
connfy, much to be regretted in its preset J
poveiished condition. We would re
recommend in fntnre a thorough en
of all claims and accounts presented, I
they are passed and ordered paid
We have examined the condition of theN
House, and find the inmates comfortiWri
vided for and well satisfied. Tha home and!(
ing ore needing repairs and some neve
are necessary, and that accommodations!
be provided for colored paupers. We 1
the Poor House, under the present mamj
to be the least expensive way of providlngl
the poor of the county, and recommend iaf
tinnance. * I
We have examined the Court-house udl
it in good order. The Jail wo regard isif
graco to the county. It b^ing in a diliphfl
condition, altogether unfit and unsafe foj
detention of prisoners. We would recosiu
to the proper authorities the necessity of b
ing a new one, but as this has been to I
time to time by proceeding grand juries,!
has not been heeded, we see no necessity f
new the recommendation. L
We have examined the tax books for uni
sent year, and report that we find to* |
amount of property given in by lb- v*M
zens to be $3,144,861, and the amount f'j
by our colored citizens to be $ , iJ,t i b :s’4
in the aggregate, the sum of $3,170,Si®.J
amount of county tax levied is eigbt-iaj 1
one per cent., which will make the tax *
amount to $25,367. Wc find the book ^
and properly, kept.
Upon examination of the roads and s
throughout the county, wo find tku*J
order, with a few exceptions. Wc
recommend that such roads and «*P_
need repairs he put in order at once. ' I *|
ther recommend the opening of a
what is known as the Ross lliil. Tk^'f
which this new road will run, is ‘ J
J. Dickson Smith, who has geuerouJy
a right of way for said road to the c0 “ D ?j
further recommend that the road CM***!
in that district take immediate steps
road at ov.ee.
We further reccommend that onr rfp
tins in the State Legislature have »»* ?
for. this county similar to the M* I' 1 ’T
Lowndes and Macon counties entitled ■
to prohibit and make penal the ^ i: T
chase of agricultural products in
Lowndes and Macon, after night, by M j
tenants by the year, or hired jabor^ ' 1
without written permission from th'®.
the land on which the same was WP • ■
authorized agent.”
We farther recommend that as the
insolvent costs has become a serious^
the county, we earnestly solicit th® ?*'
an act in onr next LegUnture,
requiring the party prosecuting tog- 1
and security for the coats in the <***• 1
We recommend the Ordinary to I .1
Giles, Esq.', the snm of ($25,00) |
dollars for • professional services k 'm
body. We further rocommend that» r
the feed or boards of prisoners, .
be reduced to (35) thirty-five eemA p* *
In taking leave of his Honor, Jn ? i
tender to him onr high appro®* ‘ ^1
ability and impartiality with which 1 t
dnoted the business of the coop-_ /J
thanks to CoL E. W. Crocker,
for his promptness and courtesy >
Jury. _.™. 1
We reoommend that these Pyj JM
published in the Maooa Daily- 1 ■
Messenger. .
James P. Belvin,
J. S.
Larkin W 8h-
J. G. H &noc«*
Archibald |
Asa Wood*™,
q W J. Hay 1 *
Geo. H. 1
R. G. B. Daniel,
James Turrentine,
L. M. A rant,
Jos. W. Wimberly,
Thos. J. Cater,
D. J. Walker,
B. J. Harrison,
Derrill H. Culler, • •“ ^ oha re 1
Ordered by the court that the
ments bp published as requested.
By the court
A true extract from the minut^ 8
Superior Court, August adjotu
Thomas M. Ksmoot,
■ — —~
An immigration agent stotw (M
tied eighty families of A
Miss., andi* oonfident that w^
years ho will have introduced jj
Scandinavian families m
bama. AninaaigatiaB"
among tho planters at Okaloda, 9
dzod aoreo haw boon given tow-^
bo sold at a low prioo to aeto* 1 ™