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<V «£*3 *****&* * f The Georgia "Weekly Telegraph and Journal «&i Messenger. Telegraph and Messenger MACON, JANUARY 25. 1670. The Georgia Press. The Rome Daily reports a terrible tornado in that section on Monday* It blew down houses, 'trees and fences. All the houses on Green Ware’s plantation were blown down, and his wife’s arm broken. The tornado passed a mile north of Rome. Dr. Nowlin had a horse killed. Gen. Terry’s soldiers arrested Devi Abridge in ' Chattooga, on Thursday night, and put him in jail, without being allowed to talk to any one. Abridge was released by Judge Kirby, who in terfered at the request of some forty citizens. The Constitution has this suggestive item of local news: Robbery.—Robbery and burglary are the or der of the day just about now. Thieves like buzzards, gather speedily to take the last pick at the dead carcass. A Warrenton correspondent writes to the Constitution conceniag the situation in that county, that the reinstatement of Norris, the Radical Sheriff, by Terry’s bayonets, caused great alarm, and many persons whom he was known to dislike personally, left the county at once. “ On Friday Norris arrived in town, and with a squad of United States soldiers proceed ed at once to the Court-house and forcibly ejected CoL Pottle from his (law) office, rented in the Court-house, and took possession of it a3 office for Sheriff, when there were other vacant rooms in the Conrt-house he might occupy, as other sheriffs had done before him. The order to CoL Pottle was to vacate instauter. Nothing further of much interest occurred until last night, when two of tho citizens of the county, Mr. B. Henry Ivey and Churchwell Hill were arrested at their homes; for what cause, I know not, and were taken to Major Kline’s headquar ters, at Barnett Station.” The Chronicle and Sentinel, referring to Blodgett’s power over Bullock, says there are other parties quite as powerful as Blodgett. It says “some of these walk our streets at midday, holding their heads high in the air, and pre tending to be bitterly opposed to Bullock, worm out of too confiding Democrats all that is said and done to check Bullock’s power, and then report what is said to their friend, the Govern or. Some of these live in Augusta. Wo know them.” Well, let us have their names. The Eatonton Press and Messenger says nearly all the negroes of that section have made their contracts and settled down for tho year, yet many farmers complain that they cannot get the requisite nnmber of bands to carry on their planting operations as they had intended. The cause of this is not, as some are inclined to think, the decrease in supply, but it is the increase in demand, caused by tho effort being made to till a larger area than heretofore. The Chronicle and Sentinel is informed “that at a small but select scalawag tea party held in this city the other night, the souls of tho seal- lies were made to rejoice by the reading of a letter from Ben. Conley, in which the latter stated that the scallies would have the city gov ernment in ten days.” The case of Cole against the State of Geor gia has just been settled by arbitration at At lanta. When Gov. Johnson was in office, Cole built somo culverts and did other work on tho State Road at Altoona Creek. It did not come cp to the contract, and the State refused to pay. The claim was for $35,000, and has been pend ing a long time. Cole now gets $3,500 with in terest, which makes the total $6,000. The Columbus Sun, of Wednesday, says: The Result.—The result of the interview between President Wadley and Superintendent Clark, of the M. & G. R. R., with the contrac tors last Saturday, at Union Springs, was that tho latter promised to push the extension to Trov at once. If not, the road will do the work itseif. The late Aaron Wilbur, the Savannah News states, had policies of insurance on his life amounting in the aggregate to $64,000. The Savannah river stood at five feet nine inches on Saturday, and on Tuesday evening at twenty-three feet. Under the head “Georgia and Mississippi,” the Columbus Enquirer shows that what is sauce for tho goose is not sauce for the gander. It says: The Legislatures of these two States met the same week—one on the 10th and the other on the 12th inst. The Georgia Legislature is sup posed to have a Democratic and Conservative majority; tho Mississippi Legislature wasknown to be overwhelmingly Radical—-no believe al most unanimously so. The members of the Georgia Legislature (all except the Radicals who have had their “disabilities” removed by Congress) were not only required to take a searching and stringent test oatk,bntthe military commander has been instructed to find out by something like a “drum-head court-martial” whether any of the Conservatives who have taken it had a right to take it. What farther measures may be resoited to to radicalize the Georgia Legislature, time only can disclose; but we are not permitted to doubt that if the labors of the military commission should be found insufficient, additional “tests” and inves tigation will be promptly ordered. Now compare the treatment of Georgia with the course pursued towards the undoubted Rad ical legislators of Mississippi, and mark the con trast. Not only was the oath of conformity to tho Fourteenth Amendment not required in Mississippi, but it has been ascertained that forty-one members of tho Legislature of that State—now in session and working away on the “reconstruction” job—are disqualified by that amendment. That is tho number of members who have forwarded to Congress applications for tho removal of their disabilities, and tho Speaker of the House of Representatives is one of the nnmber. Congress will, of course, promptly relieve them all, and then, if there shonld happen to be in the Legislature of Mis sissippi two or threo Democrats or Conserva tives disqualified by the Fourteenth Amend ment, the administration of the test oath may yet bo ordered and tho Legislatnre “purged” of them as a vindication of that amendment. We state simple facts, which no man, of any party, will have the effrontery to dispute. A Type Setting Match.—George A. Barber, a compositor on the Cincinnati Commercial, hav ing published a challenge to the craft, wherein he holds himself ready to set type against any Other man for ten consecutive hours, for a purso of $1000, the New York Tribune says the challenge has been accepted by Geo. Arensberg, of the New York Times, who has pnt down the forfeit money. Since tho art of type-setting has been known, tho question of how many types, according to printers’ measurement, could be set up and corrected in ten hours’ time, has been an open one, and now that an opportunity is to be given of settling it, the printers of the country will not ceaso to specu late upon it until the event has passed. . It is claimed by those acquainted with these men that each has set as much as 17,000 ems of typo in ton consecutive hours. "When the reader is informed that 17,000 ems aro equal to about 40,000 separate pieces of metal, he will have a basis upon which to calculate. To do this, one piece must he lifted in each moment, the time of justifying each line, and transferring each stickful to a galley, included. Should the match take place, and should either perform what it is claimed ho can do, it will surpass anything before known of mechanical motion. Tho test copy is to be a message of tho Presi dent, run into ona solid paragraph, and the type is to be nonpareil. "We learned yesterday that Mr. James Rice, tho enginer who was killed Wednesday morning last on the Brunswick Railroad, had been married but about one month before the fata! accident occurred. Two others—a man and a boy—were on the engino and tender with Mr. Bice, but strange to say they es- aped unhurt. j LETTER FROM WASHINGTON. Radical Rule In tbe Capital-Movement for a Territorial Government Radical Break-Up predicted—Conservatives RIS' imj—Snppressed Speech of Senotor Sanls* bnry—News Items. Washington, January 19, 1870. Editors Tdcgraphund Messenger : The pres ent status of Washington City is not unlike that of Georgia. Washington has a carpet-bag May or who obtained tho position by fraud, and who uses the office for his own pecuniary and politi cal ends, regardless of tha interests of tho tax payers, who have no voice in civic affairs, and who are groaning under excessive and rapidly increasing taxation. In more respects than one does the carpet-bag Mayor, Bowen, resemble the carpet-bag Governor, Bullock. The other city officials are, with scarcely an exception, carpet-baggers, irresponsible adventurers and negroes. Under such a rtgine it may well bo believed that the city finances are squandered, and that taxation has so increased as to amount in many instances almost to confiscation. The citizens of Washington have endured this for some time, not uncomplainingly, but without a determined effort to remedy the eviL Now they aro moving. At a recent meeting a committee •was appointed to draft a bill for presentation to Congress, providing for a territorial form of government for the District of Columbia. The committee has faithfully performed its duty. Section 4 of their bill provides: “That the legislative power and authority of said District shall bo vested in the Governor and Legislative Assembly. The Legislatnre shall consist of a Council and House of Assem bly. The Council shall consist of eleven mem bers, to be appointed by the President of the United States, by and wiih the advice and con sent of the Senate, and whoso term of office shall continue four years, and each of whom shall be a resident of the said District, and a qualified voter therein. The House of Assem bly shall consist of twenty-five members, whose term of office shall continue two years, and who shall bo elected by the qualified voters in said District, in accordance with the laws now in force regulating elections in said District so far as applicable. Eaoh member of tho House of Assembly shall be a resident and qualified voter in tho district from which he is elected; the first election to be held at such times and places, and to be conducted in such manner as the Governor may direct; all subsequent elec tions to be held at such time and in such man ner as may be prescribed bylaw. Tho person or persons having the greatest number of votes for the House of Assembly shall bo declared by tho Governor to be elected members of the House of Assembly.” The bill further provides for tho election of one delegate to the House of Representatives of the United States. The right is reserved for Congress to repeal or annul any and all acts which may bo passed by tho Legislative Assem bly of tbe District. In other respects, tho pro- visisions of tho bill preparo for a form of gov ernment similar to that of existing territories Tho City Councils of Washington and George town are “wiped out.” By this means it is hoped to get rid of the present thievish City Hall ring, and to secure protection to property- holders and tax-payers. Tha prediction is confidently made by close observers of events at the Capitol, that the present Congress will witness the disruption of the Radical party. They profess to see plainly the handwriting on the walk In this delay over the admission of Virginia they detect indica tions of weakness and dissensions. It is to be hoped these views may prove correct. That they aro not unfounded, I can confidently af firm. It is a matter of daily occurrence, both in the Senato and House, for Radicals to taunt one another with having “ gone over to the Democracy.” Sumner has already been shorn of much of the control he had over his associ ates. Bntler’s supremacy in the Honso is now hotly contested by both Schenck and Bingham. Farnsworth and Bingham in the Honso, and half a dozen Radicals in the Senate, have been fore most in urging the admission of Virginia with out conditions. They stood by Georgia until the last. Yesterday, Mr. Dawes, of Massachu setts, tho oldest member of the House, and an undoubted Radical, attacked the Government for its lavish expenditure and extravagances. The Democratic members in both housos seem to have taken back seats. They make a set speech now and then, but so far as active legis lation is concerned, they aro nowhere. Tho moderate Republicans, (if I may so term them,) have taken np the line of policy which the Democrats were restricted to follow, and are pursuing it with ability and vigor. Everyday the conservative element in Congress strength ens, despite the efforts of the ultra faction. That it will continue to strengthen, many hope and believe. At present, tho indications are favorable for such a result. There appears to havo been an attempt to suppress the remarks of Senator Saulsbnry during tho debate on tho Virginia bill, last Mon day. The Associated Press reports sent North do not oven mention his name. As the speech was one of the most effective and eloquent that have been delivered daring the present session of Congress, I think it deserves to go before tho country, and copy as follows from tho Con gressional Globe: Mr. Morril, of Vermont, said—I have nearly as mneb confidence in tho whites of tho Sontb, in relation to our financial policy, as I have in the Democratic party. I believe that they will support the honor of the country about as faith fully, perhaps, as will tho Democratic party; and when it comes to the question of the emancipa tion of the colored race at the South, I believe that the Southern rebels will be as true, if not truer, to the cause of freedom than tho North ern Democracy. Mr. Saulsbnry—Mr. President, tho silence of tho Democratic members of this body during this debate has on several occasions met with animadversions on the other side. I, for my self, Sir, am tired of it, or, rather, I should say, I am tired of some things which constantly, notwithstanding our silence, have been said in reference to the party to which I belong. There has not been a single day since this debate commenced that some persons very wise in their own conceit have not seen proper to speak in very disparaging terms of the Democratic party. We have heard to day from one Senator, that he has more confidence in the people of Vir ginia than he has in the Democratic party. I do not know what his confidence in the people of Virginia is, but his remark evidently was in tended to mean that there was not much confi- gence to be reposed either in the people of Vir ginia or in the Democratic party. I am exceed ingly sorry that that Senator made that remark —showing his want of confidence in the two million Democrats in tho United Stntes. Sir, when those two millions Democrats shall hear it —when the telegraph shall Hash that news to them—I am afraid they will be terribly pained; I am afraid they will weep at tho idea that con fidence from so distinguished a source cannot be accorded them 1 Sir, it is time that such re marks had ceased to be made in the Senate of the United States, especially when nothing is said on onr part to provoke them. Who cares for the lack of confidence thus expressed? whom does it hurt ? Mr. President, when the party to which these Senators belong have done as much to exalt the character of this nation, to bnild it np, to make it respected at home and honored abroad, as the Democratic party have done for it, then it will be time for them to insist upon n compari son between their parly, and the Democratic party. Sir, tho Democratic party took the manage ment of your country in hand when you num bered but fifteen States, and somo five or six millions of people. Every foot of territory that has ever been added to the United Stales, has been added by Democratic administration; every foreign war that has been fought—hero; ically fought; every triumph over a foreign foe that has ever been achieved, has been achieved under a Democratic administration. What has the Repnblican party done that its advocates should taunt Democrats on this floor with a want of fidelity to the country, or that it should set itself up as the great judge of the Democratic party, its policy and its administra tion of the country ? A brief existence of eight or nine years; a land deluged in blood; almost every acre of your soil freshened with graves a debt amounting to billions of dollars; a peo pie crushed to earth by onerous taxation; and every safeguard of civil and constitutional lib erty set at defiance, ignored and trampled upon —these are its achievements. You cannot look at the history of the Demo cratic party and charge it with the violations of the fundamental laws of tbe land, of which yoor party has been guilty. Daring tho period of sixty years that the Democratic party adminis tered the affairs of this government, it never arrested one, no, not even tho hamblest Ameri can citizen, and tried him on a criminal accusa tion, except by due process of law.. No man’s bouse was ever entered except under legal au thority, during the whole sixty years that tbe Democratic party administered the govern ment. Not one public press was ever suppress ed. This party of yesterday, when they came into power, found a Constitution under which the people of this country had lived for seven- ty-five or eighty years, in the enjoyment of all the blessings oftsivil and Constitutional liberty. They found this Constitution, made by tho great and wise men who laid the foundation of your government deep in the principles of Constitu tional liberty, and without any experience in so great a work, they set to work patching it up until now, if the great men who made it could rise from the dead, or descend from heaven, they would scarcely recognize the instrument they framed. But, sir, I will not, unless farther provoked, indulge longer in this line of remark. It is foreign, I admit, to the subject, which ought to be the legitimate subject under discussion. I have only made these remarks because day af ter day we, in the minority in this chamber, hav6 heard denunciations on the party to which it is our pride and onr honor to belong, by gen tlemen on the other side of the chamber. Sir, if blows hereafter are given, blows shall be re turned. Information has been received hero of the formation of a negro party in South Carolina, with a view to sending a negro Senator to Con gress next year, in place of Mr. Robertson, whose term then expires. This “third party’ is said to consist mainly of yellow-colored indi viduals, many of whom possess considerable wealth and influence. In a speech in the Senate, to-day, Mr. Sum ner said Virginia had a constitution dabbled with blood, a Legislatnre reeking with rebellion, and a Governor who had declared his intention of destroying her public school system. He read a nnmber of anonymous letters from scal awags and carpet-baggers in that State to show that Virginia is in a worse condition now than ever; more rebellious than during the war; and that the election was a fraud. There is no immediate prospect of a vote in the Senate on the admission of Virginia. Sum ner & Co. seem disposed to postpone action as long as possible. Georgia is the twentieth on the list of States in tho amount paid for internal revenue during the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1869. Daring that time she paid into the Treasury $1,010, 281,57. It is nnderftood that the Commissioner of In ternal Revenue has decided that the income tax for the present year can be collected in ad- ranee! Whether an attempt will be made to do so remains to be seen. The decision ap pears preposterous. How can the great major ity of people tell in advance what their incomes will bo ? The Democratic members of Congress hold a caucus this evening to discuss various matters, and among others that of the establishment of a newspaper organ in this city. Theo. G. Cone, formerly of Georgia, but now of the New York Bar, is in the city, on profes sional business. Ben. E. Green, agent of the Dalton City Company, arrived hero yesterday. Dalton. Kicking in Harness or Ont of It. Representative Dawes, of Massachusetts, Chairman of the House Committee on Appro priations, got out of the wrong end of his bed last Tuesday morning and pitched into things generally. No bull in a China shop could havo been more destructive of fine crockery than Representative Dawes proved himself upon all the high-sounding economy professions and boastings of the Radical organs in behalf of Gen. Grant’s administration. Dawes came for ward with a.terrible Philipio against their mad and reckless extravagance, and the ridiculous and profligate mal-administration which charac terized every department; and crowned his as saults in detail by showing that the appropria tions of tho first year of Grant’s administration exceed those of the last year of Andy Johnson by the immense sum of jorty-ninc millions of dollars /—the exact amount was $49,628,537. In the course of Mr. Dawes’ scathing analysis of the departmental estimates, he made some points which excited a very lively derision in the House. For example: in speaking of promise of Naval Secretary Robeson to save a million dollars on coal, by requiring the vessols of war to uso their sails, Mr. Dawes showed that the whole expense of coal for naval purposes, during the last year of Secretary Welles, was only ono hundred and fifty thousand dollars! Reconstruction Needed in New York.—A letter to the Cincinnati Commercial (Radical) displays an alarming want of loyalty in New York—worse, indeed, than the refusal of the people of Memphis to weep over the bier of the sainted Stanton. This letter details some horrid demonstrations which lately occurred at the Grand Opera House on occasion of a pan tomimic exhibition of counterfeit presentations of celebrities such as Fisk, Greeley, Grant, Lee and other. Grief at tho disloyal ’conduct of the audience compels us to employ the cor respondent in narrating tho rest of the harrow ing details: Tho figures walked to the foreground from behind a curtain, appearing in succession ono at a.time. Most of them excited but feeble in terest in the audience, and called forth only a little laughter. When the figure of Grant ap peared, however, clad in military costume and smoking a cigar, there were some signs of wak ing up in the house, and I shonld say that about one-fourth of the audience applauded and another quarter hissed, while fully one-half the whole body took no part with either side, but maintained their ordinary stillness. Immediatelyaffertheconnterfeitpresentment of General Grant had disappeared, the figure of General Lee, grave, stately, and white-headed, stood in the foreground, and instantly the house rang with long-continued applause that seemed to come from tho whole body of spectators. There were doubtless persons present who did not join in the acclamations; bnt certainly one would rarely see or hear a more -rigorous dem onstration in any theatre than was made on this occasion npon the appearance of the Southern rebel leader. Manacling a State. The Richmond Enquirer grows sarcastic over the delay in admitting Virginia—from which wo infer that the Enquirer people took no stock in that begging of Federal artillery with which to fire a salute when the old mother did crawl in. It says: “Jonathan Wild never took so many precau tions to manacle Jack Sheppard. We were promised that if we would lie down quietly and not kick, they wonld only pinion our arms and legs and transfix us to the floor with a spear (a pleasant allusion to the Sic Semper Tyrannis on tho Virginia coat-of-arms.) But having achieved this job, the villains are walking aronnd the panting body, and tying fresh knots and investing us with fresh bonds—and planting about us pit-falls and spring-guns, if we shonld attempt to rise.” And the worst feature in the whole sickening business is, that a great many of her sons who would almost faint if called Radicals, at every fresh turn of the rope, and new knot, cry out with Mr. Toots, “its of no consequence”—any thing to get in. Please lend us some cannon to fire a salute.” That’s the thing that will, some day, “bite like a serpent and sting like an ad der.” : Haiti.—By last accounts darkies were going off cheap in Hayti. The victorious rebels were taking ont their colored brethren of the Salnave stripe in squads of fifteen and shooting them Many up annexation. Such a waste of voting material cannot be tolerated. FROM ATLANTA. Evidence Closed Before tbe Military Commission. Several Members of tbe House to be Tried. No Cine as to tbe Final Decision. Tbo Board Admit vrbat Everybody Knew. Special to the Telegraph and Messenger.') Atlanta, January 20.—The military commission was engaged all the forenoon in hearing evidence against members of the House charged with ineligi bility, and closed at noon. About two-thirds of the number wfil be tried. There is no clna to tho final decision. There was no argument to-day by the conns el. Tho military board announce that they had no authority to compel legislators to attend theinvesti- gation of their eligibility. They could compel Wit nesses to appear; but could not compel members of the Legislatnre to answer its call. Georgia. FROM WASHINGTON. Washington, January 20.—Tho American Coloni zation Society visited the President to-day, who ex pressed sympathy with their views and motives. Revenue to-day, $290,000. The Gold Committee to-day examined Charles J. Osborne and Mr. Bocock, in reference to the panic. The Treasury books show receipts light and ex penditures heavy, as compared with tho lost four months. Tho flag ship Nipsie, and steamer John Bell, col lided in tho harbor daring a fog. Tho damages to tho Nipsie wfil detain the Darien expedition a fort night. Coin in the Treasury, $53,000,000; gold certifi cates, $50,000,000; currency, $0,000,000. The friends of "Virginia aro very down in the mouth to-day as to the early action of Congress. A dispatch from Jackson, Mississippi, announces the election of Bevoll—said to be a full-blooded ne gro. Ho was elected for the short term, ending in 1871. Ames was elected for the term ending in 1873, and Alcorn for tho term ending in 1875. CONGRESSIONAL. Washington, January 20.—Senate—Rhode Island has presented Congress with a statue of General Nathaniel Greene, which will be unveiled to-day. Anthony is delivering a eulogy. The "Virginia Admission bill was resumed. Tho following is Wilson’s amendment, which was defeat ed without division: “ That the Constitution of tho State shall never be so amended as to deprive any citizen or class of citizens of tho United States of tho right to vote or hold office, who are now entitled under said Constitution, except in punishment of crime; nor exclude from service as a juror any person on account of race, color, or previous con dition of servitnde.^Tho amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Drake renowed the amendment previously of fered by him, admitting Virginia to representation in Congress, on tho following fundamental condi tions : “ That the State Constitution shall never bo changed to deprivo any citizen, or class of citizens, of the right to vote who are now entitled to vote, except in punishment of such crimes a3 are now felonies at common law, whereof they shall havo been duly convicted, under laws equally applicable to all tho inhabitants of. said State; provided, that any alteration of the State Constitution, proscriptivo in its effect, may be made in regard to the time and place of resident voters.” The argument on Mr. Drako'a amendment was continued at great length. Senators displaying much contradictory historical knowledge regarding tho terms and conditions whereby "Virginia alienated tho northwestern territory. Several opponents of tho amendment were driven into ita support by le gal and historical quibbles. The Senate adjourned at half past five o'clock, with tho understanding that a vote will bo taken at four o’clock to-morrow. Tho voto was about being taken at four o’clock, when Howard receiveda dispatch, probably seven hundred words, regarding the condition of affairs in Georgia. Howard refused to name the author. Mr. Mort on said he had received similar messages containing the assertion that a large fund had been raised to defend persons against the charge of perjury. House.—Two thousand citizens of Utah petition for State Government. Committees report nothing. Butler, in conversation with Zcph Tamer, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, said the Senato bill did not suit him, and he would have the bill re committed when it came to the House. Butler is indignant about the passage of Bingham’s bill by, as ho terms it, a snap judgment, during his absence and a thin House. The following Republicans voted nay on Ed munds’ amendment, yeBtorday: Ferry, Powler. Kellogg, Morton, Ross, Stewart, Trumbull, and Vickers. Mr. Bingham introduced a bill making it an of fense punishable with a fine and imprisonment for any person to propose a repoal of tho ratification of any proposed amendment to the Constitution. A preamble and resolution were introduced, de claring an absence of Constitutional authority to ac quire territory without the consent of tho House. The League Island bill was fesnmed. Dawes and Schofield had a eharp controversy, in volving political mutual veracity and honesty. The House passed the Military Academy bill. Tho balance of the day was consumed by tho committee on printing. The Houso then adjourned. FROM LOUISIANA. New OrLEANS, January 20.—In the Legislature to-day, bills were introduced to confirm tho charter of tho Berwick’s Bay and ToxaB Railroad, giving $1,500,000 if the road shall bo completed in 23 months; authorizing the State to subscribe for one thousand shares stock in tho Mississippi Valley Nav igation Company; a resolution inquiring into the disposition made of the $500,000 drawn from the State to purchaso machinery for the penitentiary: a resolution inquiring whether members of tho Houso havo received bribes for votes; a joint reso lution, passed, appointing a committee to consider tho erection of a State House and the prospective investment of some millions; a resolution granting the woman lecturer on fomale suffrage uso of the Houso, passed. * FROM VIRGINIA. Richmond, January 20.—A detachment of United States artillery arrived here to-night from Portress Monroe. They wero sent by tho Government au thorities, in compliance with an application of our citizens for artillery to fire a salute on tho admission of tho State. They were marched to camp to await the event. Their arrival, in view of the action in Congress, is rather premature. .FROM CUBA. Havana, January 20.—The Columbia has arrived. Sterling 11J^@123^; Federal 173£ discount. Seward was serenaded by tho troop3 and several thousand people were assembled. Seward compli mented the’ people on the improvements they had made since his former visit. All nations, ho said, were interested in the permanent peace and pros perity 1 of Cuba. I pray God this progress may con tinue, and peace and harmony be restored to tho Island. Referring to Spain, he expressed tho hope that the political situation of the country that was tha most ancient ally of America would result in a safe, happy and speedy issua. Seward’s remarks, from beginning to end, were strictly noncommittal in regard to the matter of insurrection. Tenot the gunboats that recently arrived from New York have gone to sea. Their destination is unknown. FOREIGN NEWS. - Pabib, January 20.—Belgian journals were seized on the frontier. - Ten thousand workmen have struck at Creuzo. President Schneider, proprietor of the works at Creuzo, has gone there. A new cable, in the interest of the French-Ameri can cablo, has been successfully laid between Franco and England. Deputy Rasp&ul is not dead. Much indignation is expressed at the unknown author of the hoax. Madrid, January 20.—Serious disturbances at Baliansas. The mob attacked the municipal authori ties. The troops interfered, quelling the riot. . IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE. Chief Justice Brown's Opinion Upon the Disabilities of legislators. Atlanta, Ga., January—, 1870. Mon. Joseph E. Brown, Chief Justice of the Su preme Court; Tho undersigned committee, appointed by meeting of Republican and Democratic mem bers of the General Assembly, respectfully call your particular attention to the opinion of the Attorney General of the State, latelypublished, relative to the disqualification of members of the Legislature, and request your opinion as to its correctness. "We desire more particularly to know whether the persons who filled the positions of State Libra rian, Notaries Public, Road Commissioners, Offi cers of the Militia or Officers of Municipal Corpo rations, as they existed prior to the secession of the State,and afterwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, are dis qualified as members of the Legislature, or can they safely take the oath prescribed by the late act of Congress, under which the Legislature is being re-organized.. An early reply is respectfully solicited. "We are, very truly, yours, etc., J. E. Bbyant, L E. Shumate, Dunlap Scott, P. M. Haupeu, Milton A. Candler. W. O. Smith, "W. F. Holden, A. J. "Williams, J. H. Caldwell, C. B. Wooten, C. K. Osgood, J. T. Burns, W. P. Price. Atlanta, Ga., January 1870. Gentlemen : I have received your common! cation, and after some consideration, I have concluded to comply with your request. As the question connected with the disabili ties of members of the Legislatnre, cannot, un der the laws of the land, come before the courts of this State for adjudication, I do not see, in the midst of an emergency of so great interest to the people of the State, why the judges of the State courts, who, as a general rule, should avoid, all political strife, and publio discussions of political questions, may not express their opinions when desired by their fellow-citizens. As you aro well aware my duties upon the Supreme Bench are now very onerous, and I have not the time to appropriate to the prepa ration of a written opinion npon a question out- sido of my duties on the bench, which I could desiro. I, however, submit the following re flections and am satisfied in my own mind of the correctness of tho conclusions at which I have arrived. I consent to the publication of my views on this question, the more cheerfully because T was denied the privilege of giving my rea sons for the opinion expressed under oath in Senator Wellborn’s case, before the military commission now sitting to inquire into the eli gibility of members of the Georgia Legislature, when I stated that I did not consider the posi tion held by him such an office as is contempla ted by the Constitution and the reconstruction acts of Congress. I appeared before the com mission under a military order, as a witness on the part of the prosecution, and as my opinion there expressed goes on the record, I see no reason why I shonld not in this manner do what I was not then permitted to do—put upon record the roosons which have led mo to this conclu sion. Article C, section 3, of the Constitution of the United States, the Fourteenth Constitutional Amendment, and tho different acts of Congress, known as tha reconstruction acts, being in part materia, like all other laws where the subject matter is tha same, must by a well known rule of construction be considered and construed to gether. The 3d section of the Gth article of the Con stitution of the United States declares that the members of the several State Legislatures, and the Executive and Judicial officers of the United States, and of the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support the Constitution. The 3d section of the Fourteenth Constitu tional Amendment is in these words No person shall be a Senator or Representa tive in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or mili tary, under the United States, or under any State, who having previously taken an oath as a member of Congress, or as an officer of tbe United States, or as a member of any State Legislatnre, or as any Executive or Judicial of ficer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in in surrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof; but Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability. The act of 2d March, 1867, known as the Sherman BiU, provides, that “no person exclu ded from the privilege of holding office, by said proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States (the 14th) shall be eligible jo election as a member of the Convention to frame a Constitution for any of said rebel States, nor shall any such person vote for members of such Convention.” Tho first supplemental reconstruction act, passed 23d of March, 1867, prescribed an oath for voters at the elections to be held for the Conventions in the rebel States. This oath re quired tho voter to swear “that he had never been a member of any State Legislatnre, nor hold any Executive or Judicial office in any State and afterwards engaged in rebellion or in surrection against tho "United States, or given aid or comfort to thojanemies thereof; that ho had never taken an oath as a member of the Congress of the United State, or as an officer of the United States,-or as a member of any State Legislatnre, or as an Executive or Judi cial officer of any State to support tho Constitu tion of the United States, and afterwards en gaged in insurrection and rebellion against the United States or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.” The second supplemental act, passed 19th July, 1867, puts a legislative construction npon the above oath. It enacts that the true intent and meaning of the oath prescribed in said sup plemental act is (among other things) “that no person who has beena member of the Legislature of any State,or who has held any Executive or Ju dicial office in any State, whether he has taken an oath to support tho Constitution of tho United States or not, and whether he was hold ing such office at tho commencement of the re bellion or heldit before, and "who was afterwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof is entitled to be registered or to voto; and the words Executive or Judicial office in any State in said oath mentioned, shall be construed to include all civil offices created by law for tho administration of any general law of a State, or for the administration of jus tice.” The act to-promoto the reconstruction jgf the State of Georgia, passed the 22d of December, 1869, requires that each Senator or Representa tive, before taking his seat, shall, iit addition to the oath or oaths required by the Constitu tion of Georgia, take an oath that he has been relieved from disability by act of Congress, or an oath that he has never held the office or ex ercised the duties of a Senator or Representa tive in Congress, nor been a member of tho Legislatnre of any State of the United States, nor held any civil office, created bylaw for the administration of any general law of the State, or for tho administration of justice in any State, or under the laws of the United States; nor held any office in the military or naval service of the United States, and thereafter engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or gave aid or comfort to its en emies, or rendered, excopt in consequence of direct physical force, any support or aid to any insurrection or rebellion against tho United States; nor held any office under, or given any support to any government of any kind, organ ized or noting in hostility to the United States, or levying war against the United States.” 1 These are the different Constitutional and statutory provisions on this subject, which it is necessary to construe together to arrive at a just conclusion as to the true scope and meaning of the oath prescribed for the members of the Legislature by the late act of Congress. I apprehend that comment is unnecessary to convince any lawyer or intelligent person that the terms Executive and Judicial officers, men tioned in the 3d section of the Oih article of the Constitution of the United States, as originally ratified; and the same terms in the Fourteenth Amendment of said Constitution, and in the act of 2d March, 1867, were intended by the law-givers to refer toj and to embrace the same class of offioials, and none others. Bnt it had been found in practice by the per sons appointed to register voters in the differ ent States, under the two last mentioned acts, that persons who had held Executive and Judi cial offices, before the secession of their respec tive States, claimed that they had never taken an oath to support the Constitution of the Uni ted States, as required by the 3d section of the 6th Article; and upon search no such oath could befond. Tomeet these cases, Congress declared, in the act of 19th July, 1867, that such person should be ineligible “whether he has taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States or not.” In many eases the oath may have been taken and lost, and as it was the duty of eaoh Executive and Judicial officer to take it, before entering npon the discharge of his official functions, Congress intended to say that such presumption should be conclusive. In oth er words, if he held the office when it was his dnty to take the oath, he should be ineligible, whether be took it or not. Bnt it could not have been tbe intention of Congress to go further than the original Constitution and the Four teenth Amendment went, and prescribe new disabilities by rendering a class of offioials in eligible who were not Executive or Judicial. Congress proceeded to define the terms Execu tive or Judicial offices; not to create new disa bilities by declaring a class of officers not Ex ecutive or Judicial, to be disqualified. The language used by the act of Congress is: “And the words Executive or Judicial in any State, in said oath mentioned, shall be construed to include all civil offices created by law for the administration of any general law of a State, or for the administration of justice. And I may here remark that the act of 22d December, 1869, uses the very same language in the oath prescribed for members of the Leg islature. The case seems, then, to turn in a great measure, upon the true meaning of the word administer or administration. Every person who held any executive or judicial of fice before the war, in which he administered any general law of the State, or in which he ad ministered justice, is ineligible, whether he took an oath to support the Constitution or not, and such persons cannot safely take the oath prescribed for a Senator or Representative if he afterwards engaged in rebellion against the government of the United States. "What is meant by the administration of a general law of State, or the administration of justice? To ascertain the true meaning of the word, it is best to appeal to lexicographers of acknowl edged authority. "Webster, in his unabridged dictionary, which is, I believe, acknowledged in this country to be a work of the highest au thority, defines administer as follows: “To aot as minister or chief agent in managing pub lic affairs, under laws or a constitution of gov ernment, as a King, President, or other su preme officer. It is used also of absolute Mon- archs, who rule not in subordination, bnt is more strictly applicable to limited Monarchies, and other supreme executive officers, and to Governors, Viceroys, Judges and the like, who are under the authority of laws. A King or a President administers the government or laws when he executes them or carries them into effect. A judge administers the laws when he applies them to particular eases or persons. In short, to administer is to direct the execution or application of laws. 2. To dispense, as to ad minister justice or the sacrament 3. To af ford, to give,or furnish, as to administer relief,” etc. The same authority defines the word execute to mean (among other things) to carry into complete effect, to complete, to finish—we exe cute a work undertaken, that is, we pursue ft to the end. To carry into effect the law, or the the judgment, or sentence on a person, etc. It seems very clear, from this authority, that the officer who executes a law, is one who car ries the law into complete effect, not one whose duties and authority are interlocutaxy, or stop short of completion. As, for instance, an offi cer having authority to issue a warrant, or an attachment, but no authority to hear tbe case, or make any decision in it, render any jndment npon it, would not be an executive officer, be. cause his authority stops short of the execution of what he has commenced. Nor wonld such an officer be a judicial officer, because he has no authority to give judgment or decide upon any matter in dispute. The very mention of a ju dicial officer at onoe conveys to the mind the idea that he has authority to adjudicate causes, or render judgments of some sort, or in some class of cases. "While the mind arrives with equal facility at the conclusion that no person is an executive officer who does not have power to execute some law; that is, not simply to do certain ministerial acts, bnt to cany law into complete effect. And in this ease it must be a general law of the State as distinguished from a local law, confined to a particular county, city, or district, I conclude, then, that no officer is included in the disqualification who did not have authority to administer a general law of the State by ap plying it to particular cases or persons, or who did not have authority to administer justice, as by trying causes between man and man, and rendering judgment in some way binding on persons or property, or who did not have au thority to execute some general law of the State by carrying it into complete effect. Construing the Constitutional provisions and the acts of Congress together, I see no other rational con clusion as to their true intent and meaning. The Fourteenth Amendment intends to dis qualify only such persons as were, in the gen eral acceptation of the term, Executive Legisla tive or Judicial officers of a State, or officers of the United States, such as were contemplated by the framers of the original Constitution, when they directed that they should take an oath to support the Constitution of the United States. If my time would permit, which it will not, I shonld have to extend this opinion to too great a length, were I to undertake to apply these rules to all the different officers mentioned in the published opinion of the Attorney Gen eral, to which you specially invite my attention and ask my opinion as to its correctness. Suf fice it to say, that in my judgment, his opinion embraces certain classes of officers who by no just or known rule of construction, are or can be included in the disqualification intended by Congress. Take the case of the State Librarian as it existed irior to the war. No oath of any kind was required, le simply took care of tha library, and did such services connected with it as are usually performed. What general law of the State did he execute or carry into complete effect ? What general law did he administer or apply to particular cases or par- ticulnr persons? What justice did he administer between man and man ? What causes did he hear and determine, or what judgments did he have au thority to render ? To state the case is to argue it He, in no just 6ense, administered any general law of the State, nor did he administer justice. The same is true of a Road Commissioner. He is limply appointed with others to see that the roads, iridges. and causeways, are kept in order in a dis trict of a few miles in extent; and while he may im pose a fine upon a defaulter for refusing to work the road, he has no general jurisdiction as an oflioer who administers any general law of the State in any legal sense of the term. He was required to take no oath to support the Constitution of the United States, or any other Constitution. A Notary Public, prior to the war, fell in the same class. By the act of 1816, the appointments of Ven due Masters, Notaries Public, and Lumber Measu rers, was vested in the Commissioners of incorpo rated towns, or the persons in said towns in whom the incorporate powers were vested. No Commis sions were directed to he issued, and no oath to be administered to them, by the act to support the Constitution of the United States. At a late period the appointment of Notaries Pub lic was vested in the Inferior Courts of the respec tive counties, which was the case till the date of se cession. They were mere local commercial agents. A few years before the State seceded, they were au thorized to issue attachments and administer oaths, hut they had no Judicial powers; no right to hear or determine any question, or to administer justice be tween man and man. As to militia officers there can bo no pretext that they tre disqualified unless they had civil duties in connection with their offices as such; which author ized them to administer justice, or to administer some general law of the State. Such was not the law of Georgia. It is equally clear that municipal officers of cities, towns or villages, are not disquali fied, unless they had some general jurisdiction in addition to their municipal functions. I am aware it is contended that ovary law connec ted with tho Government of the State is in some sense public. And the Attorney General has arrived at the conclusion that the State Librarian, Notaries Public and Road Commissioners were all public offi cers, because they each discharged some sort of offi cial duty under the laws of the State. So they did, and so did many other dosses of personsnot men tioned by him. If a Road Commissioner is a dril officer adminis tering a general law of the State, why is not a Road Overseer a civil officer? He warns the handB in obedience to law, and takes control of them, and works them under his direction : and reports them to the Commissioners to be fined in case they are de faulters. But like the. Commissioner he takeB no oath to support tbe Constitution and executes no general law, as a public officer. As tho law stood before the war, inspectors of beef and pork, inspectors of flour, inspectors of lumber, pilots, commissioners of pilotage, tobacco inspectors, jailors, escheators, etc., were all officers in the broadest sense of the term, acting under the laws of the State. If Road Commissioners are dis qualified, why are not all these in the same condi tion ? . All jurors act in an important official capacity un der general laws of the State. Why sre they not included in the disqualified class ? Again, a general law of the State provides for the administration of the estates of all deceased persons by executors or administrators. Why are they not also included? All marriages are celebrated under a general law of the State. Then why not include each minister of the gospel who solemnizes a marriage under this general law, and makes bis official return of the fact to the Ordinary? Tbe principal keeper, and other officers of the Penitentiary, act under a general law of the State. Bo does the Superintendent and other officers of tbe Lunatic Asylum, and the officers of the Academy for tho Blind, and-of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb. All persons appointed to ap- raise an estate, and all commiesiocera to aw" lower to tbe widows of the State, act under gem notall theaef oon,a ^ aBjo,1 «** ineligible, why^ the Captain of the8Ute HoiweSuanls? HehL 00 * military commission, and is paid a salarvftn^.? 1 And if he is, wbyia not the good old African servant, so well known people of Georgia ’who for so many year? ££ different administrations, built fires and kept in order tbe offices of the State which he was annually compensated frem'i? treasury? Ot With all doe deference, I must say that the na tion insisted npon for the exclusion of the d officers mentioned above is simply absurd * While I admit there may be some difficult* drawing the Ime with perfect accuracy between cere, or persons acting under the laws of the who are, and those who are not embraced Sfi disqualification, probably the nearest approach ,!* general role would be to say that the pnbtkTritJ officers of the State, commissioned by the Govern T ‘ whoi accepted their commissions and qualified n*' to the passage of Urn Ordinance of secession were 6y lau, required to take an oath to support* 1 ! Constitution of the United States, are tbtoJH sidered officers for the administration of the al laws of the State, or for the administrate'';! justice, and are disqualified. &O0D The act Of 18th December, 181G, requires , officers, civil and military, to take an oath to J. i port the Constitution of the United State* this State. But the act proceeds to show wh., oi 3 meant by the officers to which it applied adds, “and the form of said oath so to be taken ‘II subscribed, shall be forwarded with the dcdimT.frl qualify the said officer, or be taken and sabs^Jil at the time of receiving said commission.” ^ : I The class of officers who were to take tlia then, appears to be such only as received cote?’ sions. Such as it was usual to send out a deSSr from the Executive office to qualify. This j?®* doubt tho broadest sense in which the fr&nJi 1 ? the Constitution intended to use the tarmi T.™ °‘ tive and Judicial officers. Effect. I apprehend the Congress of the United Km would dismiss an application for removalata® bilities made by a Notary Public, a State rite • appointed under the law as it stood m Geotei • a to the war, a Road Commissioner, a ItoidOvM^, 01 an Executor, Administrator, Grand Juror like, with tho prompt reply. “You are under nn k ability, and need no relief.” . “ 3 " In conclusion, I need onlv remark that 1 see legal reason why a person who held the positte^ State Librarian, Notary Public, Road Commissi,, officer of the militia, or officer of a monicipff poration, if in the latter cases they had no eenerl: civil jnriadiction, to administer a general lawofM* State, or to administer justice, mav not safelvuv* the oath prescribed by the late act of Congrea tn members of the Legislature of this State. ' * I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, * Joseph E.Bcow To Messrs. J. E. Bryant, Dunlap, Scott, others. ^ Atlanta Congressional Agency. Wednesday, January 10, 187Q, Senate.—Senate called to order by Presides! Conley, at 10 o’clock, a. h. ■ Prayer by Wesley Pxettyman. Journal read. Senator Harris stated that ha intended L make a motion to adjourn over until Mondial next, bnt in consequence of information: ceived of a communication from be moved to take a recess until 12 m., to-dtr] which motion prevailed. "’ Senate assembled at 12 M. Senator Harris moved that, as the Senate M ascertained that there was no impropriety iid doing, he would move to adjourn until Mondr] next, 12 o'clock. i Senator Higbee did not think the SenJ should adjourn for a longer period than the] days. 1 The inevitable Aaron Alpeoria arose to ghj information to the Senate of a conversation U had held with General Terry, bnt the Presi&3 declared him out of order. j A vote was taken, and the President deckel the Senate adjourned until Monday, 12 o’docq House.—House met at 12, m., and was caifel to order by that same rap of the gavel of iuj Speaker of tbe House that looks so strangely-; the hands of the Hon. (?) A. L. Harris. Harris announced that the Clerk would twj an order from Gov. Bnllock, and endorsed b Gen.. Terry. This order required the adjournment of till body until Monday, 12 sc. After proper fel had been allowed for newly arrived membtntJ qualify.. j Hon. Dunlap Scott asked if any discnssiJ was allowed npon such orders from Bollock Mr. Harris said there was none. Mr. Scott replied that he supposed they we] here merely as pnppets to obey Bullock’s vJ He asked the question in behalf of the tea payers of Georgia, who were inonrring til daily expense of three thousand dollars with:] anything being done. The House had snbri| ted longand patiently. Mr. Harris ruled him out .of order, sajid that nothing was in order except the qnalii> tion of members. J Mr. Scott said as swearing was in order, d he was not a swearing man, he wished he Le Bill Arp’s “cussin man” here to swear for lq| at this outrage npon the rights of the Ho;f and people. Judge Black arrived, and Sheibley being o| of the way, went through the entire process r qualifying. (This is very intricate.) I Effingham—Morgan Rawls. I Harm’ gavel here came down with an ora nous sound, and his mightiness declared a ree| until Monday, 12 o’clock m. Atlanta, Ga., January 19, 1870.] Pending the investigation into the right 1 certain persons to hold seats in the House I Representatives, under the Reconstruction it is ordered, That the Clerk, pro tern., after making ifl nouncement and giving ample time for ecI persons as desire so to do to take the oath pra scribed in the “Act to promote the reconstrnl tion of the State of Georgia,” shall declanf recess cntil Monday next, at 12 o’clock, x. Bums B. Bulloce, Provisional Governor.] Hzadq’bs Military Dibt. of Georgia,) I Atlanta, Ga., January 19, 1870. ) f Pending the investigation into the qualii] tion of certain persons who sre alleged tor ineligible to seats in the House, under the ^ construction acts, I approve the foregoing ori Alfred H. Terri, Brevet Major General Commanding] A Drawing-room Chat.—The following corn] sation took place in the drawing-room of a i on Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, one pleasant noon about ten days Ago. (Two ladies, Mrs. 1 gan and Mrs. Knight, had just dropped in tee morning’s call on Mrs. Rapelje, tho lady of ^ house. Mrs. M.—My dear Mrs. Rapelje, are you You look quite delicate. Mrs. R.—No, not sick exactly; but suffering t debility, and dreadfully nervous. Do you knc»| could cry this minute. Mrs. K-—Too much excitement, Pm afraid. Mrs. B.—Perhaps. But what can one do ? In 'j gay season one must give parties and attend t Mrs. M.—I supposo so. Fashion is law—n the pity. But you must take something to tone J system, or you’ll break down. Mrs. B.—I hate medicine! But you shall press for me. What would you advise ?' Mrs. M—’Well, Til tell you my plan. Whend Tm nervous or hysterical, or have a headache] am at all out of sorts, I take a oonpie of table ful of Plantation BrnERS once or twice a day! a week or so, and it invariably brings me round | Mrs. K. I do the same thing, with the pleasant result I have implicit faith in that i Mrs. It—Well, ladies, on your recommend* mtiy it “Sea Moss Farine can be taken into the sto of the most delicate, and is just the thing for] valids and all those desiring a light and da' food.”—Boat. jan23eod diwll Charleston, November 8,19 To Dr. IVm. Jenson : Dear Seb : We take this method of rcoommei every mother to use your Southern Soothing I in the nursery, for it is certainly one of then valuable medicines produced, and we do not b tate to pronounce it fax superior to tho “Mrs. r slow” or any Northern production. The 1 the fl. S. 8. to children teething, claims this p* age of all mothers, and your liberality in down the price all yon conld during the trying “ of our need and scarcity, deserves the most g" and extended support of the Southern peopk (Signed) Respectfully, Mas. Geo. McD. i Mas. S. F. Bex ra- Latest From the Ladies.—Since the inti of PhAlon’s Yttalia or Salvation for the Hair, 1 who formerly used dye* are universally i them. They find the new article sc bsimk*J clean and pure, so pleasant to the senator with ail so superior as a means of renewfcy original color that they absolutely shudder they think of the filthy stuff tbsy onoe neoA Jan.lS-eod&wlw