Newspaper Page Text
The Greoro-ia Weekly Telegraph and Joiirnal <$s Messenger
Telegraph and Messenger.
MACON, JANUARY 17, 1871.
The state Road Lease.
We publish the whole of Governor Brown’s
letter upon the State Bo ad Lease, and feel
bound to say, In candor, that the defence ap
pears complete. Assuming the truth of all his
statements, (and as every transaction in the
matter is of record, misrepresentation would be
futile,) then we say it is proven that Brown &
Co., made the only legal and responsible bid in
the case, and Gov. Bullock was bound, under
the law, to accept it. And we agree with Ex-
Gov. Brown upon the more general question of
State Policy in parting with this Road in some
shape. An account current of the Road from
the day it commenced running up to this time,
would show not only no profit, but an immense
money loss to tho State, and the lease on con
sideration therefore, works no pecuniary injury
to Georgia.
But as this question may, in all likehood, be
brought before the next Legislature, we shall
publish seriatim every document relating to the
lease, for public information. A number have
already appeared in the Atlanta Constitution,
and we shall copy them as we can make room,
and commend them to the particular attention
of the people.
We are not in favor of disturbing this lease,
as itjstands, unless good and satisfactory reason
shall be shown why, in the interests of the State
and people, and of - equity and sound public
policy, it ought to be disturbed. A general
feeling of distrust and dislike of ex-Govemor
Brown and Govomor Bullock will naturally dis
pose the people to scan the transaction very
closely, and it ought to be carefully examined;
but, at the same time, these feelings constitute
no reason why a good and valid lease, advan
tageous to the State, ought to be annulled. The
Legislature will not be controlled, in this or any
other matter, by caprice for prejudice, or per
sonal dislike, but by solid considerations of
justice, equity, prudence and sound policy. -
For our own part, assuming that this lease
was made to tfie highest responsible bidder, and
that its terms will be honestly carried out, we
are heartily glad that the State Road is now
wi thdrawn from politics for twenty years at least,
and will be managed on legitimate business
principles, as a mere pecuniary investment, in-
Btcad of a corporation fund to pay partizans and
buy votes, on either side.
Tlie 5tli District—Better Let it Alone.
If Governor Bullock is not above taking coun
sel from humble sources, we would advise him
to “lift that affidavit” concerning the 5th Con
gressional District contained in his late letter,
and withdraw the suggestion offered to Congress
about upsetting the election there. The people
of that district can repeat, at any time, the per
formance to which he so strongly objects, and
do a great deal better if pat on their metaL—
Congress may send down a dozen partisan com
mittees to straighten out matters and order a
now election under the tightest election law
ever devised, with a regiment of bayonets at
every polling place to oarry out what the Com
mittee may advise, but the result will not be
materially changed.
' The Democrats of that District have a grasp
on it that nothing but actual, wholesale white
disfranchisement, and the military power of the
Government unlawfully exerted, can shake.
They have won it from the Radicals, and they
will hold it as long as they wish. The only way
to hand it over to the enemy again i3 to buck
and gag the whites and let the negroes do all
the voting. Just so long as the active, intelli
gent, daring freemen of the District are allowed
locomotion and free speech, they will control it.
Congress may count Fannin tin, this time, but
in 1872 the people will put him or any other
man of his stripe out. Neither Governor B. nor
Congress has measured the height, and depth,
and breadth, and length of the unconquerable
spirit, the unflagging, never-halting energy, the
indomitable resolution, and unquenchable zeal
of the men who “organize victory” in that
section.
We know something about them, and there
fore we give the Governor this warning. It is
the coldest trail he ever struck—the most un
promising of all the jobs he or his party
ever meddled with.
Death of a Veteran Editor.
The Atlanta Intelligencer announces the
death, on Tuesday last, of its editor, Major John
H. Steele, after an illness of three months.
Major S. was bora in Charleston on the Gth of
January, 1807, and was therefore sixty-four
years and four days old. In early life he emi
grated to Putnam county in this Stato, which
county he represented in the Legislature, hav
ing for his colleague, Hon. Mark A. Cooper. He
was afterwards connected with the Georgia
Journal in Milledgeville, and in 1845, was se
lected as one of his Secretaries by Governor
Crawford. He went to Washington City in 1849
with that gentleman, when ho was appointed
Secretary of War by President Taylor, and re
mained thero until Governor Crawford returned
home upon the accession of Mr. Fillmore to
office in 1850. From that date until Governor
Brown’s first election in 1857, ho was connected
with the press at Griffin and Atlanta. Ho was
one of Governor Brown’s Secretaries, but for
how long wo do not now recollect. For the past
ten years ho has been connected with the' Atlan
ta Intelligencer as Us editor, in which capacity
he gave great satisfaction. Ho was a strong writer
and a true man; and by his genial nature, social
gifts, and warm, generous heart made and re
tained many friends by whom his death will be
Sincerely lamented.
The New Schedule.—We learn that the new
New York and New Orleans schedulo, goes into
operation on the 22d—through from point to
point in 87 hours. The evening train from Co
lumbus will then reach Macon at 11:15 at night,
and tho Central train leave at a quarter to 12.
These hours will be comfortable to the travelling
public, and especially conducive to the good
temper and comfort of tho venerable custodian
of the Railroad Depot in Macon.
New York Observes Year Book.—Wo have
from tho New York Observer office their Year
Book and Almanac for 1871, which they supply
to their subscribers, gratis. Price of these,
one dollar. It contaizs a mass of religious and
other statistics and advertisements, and the
first New York Directory, published in 1786.
Agrienltnral Topics.
We have the Southern Cultivator for Janua
ry, a little behind the time. In “Thoughts for
the Month” the Cultivator recommends employ
ing as little labor as possible this year—culti
vating only such lands as will produce heavy
crops with the aid of tho manure to be had;
(about the place, we infer), and sowing down
the balance in grain. Push the branch, creek
and river bottoms for com and manure them.
No lauds pay better. Dr. Parker, of Columbia,
produced on such lands manured, 200- bushels
of shelled com to the acre. Haul out your
bulky manures and have them ready. The
Cultivator declines to talk about fence-making,
because it is a thing of the past. But if if is a
thing of the past, what is to happen when all
the old fences rot, unless some legal provision
is made to dispense with fencing? That is a
question.
Sampson Dnffey proposes, as the result of ex
perience, fifteen tons of good superphosphate
atacostof $200. Thus: One ton of ground
bones at $60 00, 1,000 pounds sulphuric acid at
$65 00, Salt, nitrate and sulphate of ammo
nia at $70 00. The whole handsomely incorpor
ated, and afterwards mixed with muck, peat or
rich virgin soil. Two heaping spoonfuls of the
mixture to com-hilL Duffey says his oompouned
is about equal to any—bnt the Cultivator asks
where the use of hauling so much dirt about ?
There is a certain mixture called the Farm-
Yard Superphosphate, which knocks everything
else we have seen tried on Georgia lands into a
cocked hat.. It. is prepared in this way: First,
be sure that your barn yard or stable lot, or
whatever else you may call it, slopes well to
the centre from all sides, and is protected on
the north with a good Bhed fronting and open
ing to the south', and closed at the east and
west ends. Now use this as a hog, horse, mule
and cattle lot, with discretion, especially in cold
weather. Here haul abundance of leaves, all
the trash and sweepings, from everywhere, all
ashes, stale brine, house refuse, all manure
from stock, shucks, straw and leaves which have
been used for stable bedding. File on the oak
leaves especially in the Fall, when the hogs will
be greedy for the mast and will keep this com
pound strong in search of it. If you are sus
picious about loss from the ‘'evaporation of
ammonia,” throw on abundance of rich earth
and swamp muck, and plenty more leaves.
Have a good cart and a good hand especially at
this business all the year round, and you will
find that you have accumulated, at the end of
the year, three or four hundred tons of Barn-
Yard Superphosphate, or Compound Essence
of Peruvian Guano, needing no chemical anal
ysis whatever, and worth about a thousand dol
lars. Daring winter haul this stuff out and have
it convenient in the field. Apply it at the rate
of one shovel full to the hill of oora or cotton,
and you will find each shovel full is good for
two ears of com, and there will be no occasion
to bring suit against the manufacturer of this
Superphosphate for fraud.
George Dixon, of Screven county, has a sec
ond article in favor of keeping stock inside, and
crops outside of fences.
On the cost of cultivating cotton a Book Far
mer of Bibb county estimated, by items, the
cost .of producing and marketing ten bales of
cotton on a fourteen acre lot at $447 05. Tho
value of the crop, 4,750 pounds lint, was $673,
and of the seed, 300 bushels, at 10 cents, $30—
making $703, or $255 95 profits. According to
this statement, the cotton cost “Book Farmer”
about 8| cents to produce it. v
A writer is down on the share or partnership
system of contracting for labor as injurious and
demoralizing. We have no doubt regular
wages, fixed by the day, is the better plan. A
farmer should have complete control of the la
bor he employs.
“Observer,” of Bradford,'Ala., says there are
three young men in his neighborhood who, al
most entirely by their own labor, produced last
year twelve bales of cotton each. They hired
but two days’ work, and about a fourth of the
gathering. That is a good deal better than
lounging about the groceries.
T. S. Black, of Oak Hill, Georgia, contrasts
the result of the culture of seven acres in com
and seven in cotton last year. His com and
fodder were worth $156 50, and the cost of pro
duction wa3 $54 00. His cotton and seed were
worth $134 00, and the cost of production was
$98. His seven acres brought him one hun
dred pounds of lint, and the cost of production
less value of cotton seed was $89 50—which
would be, say in round numbers, nine cents per
pound, and agrees almost precisely with Book
Farmer as to the actual cost of producing cot
ton, which, just now, when prices are so low, is
a very interesting question indeed.
A Sly Lick at Amos.
The Washington correspondent of Forney’s
Press sprinkles salt water on Akerman’s wounds,
as follows:
It would appear from the returns of tho re
cent election in Georgia that Attorney General
Akerman, like many other great men, “is not
without honor save in his own country.” In
the county where he resides the vote for Con
gressmen stood as follows: Corker, Democrat,
902; Beard, Republican, 139.
It is apparent from this that either the Ku-
klux have possession of this county, or else the
influence of the Attorney General is not felt so
sensibly as it should be. Mr. Akerman has pur-
chn»od a residence in another county since the
election.
It was about time to move. When the Attor
ney General of the United States, with a law of
his own concoction, and backed by the whole
power of tho administration of which he is a
member, makes such a beggarly show of strength
among those who have known him longest and
best, there’s nothing else left him but to pack
his carpet-bag and travcL
Apropos of Akerman, tho Washington Repub
lican, of Monday, says he emphatically de
nies that he is going to resign, or that his health
is now feeble. He says that * ‘his trip to Georgia
cured him.” We reckon he means his trip up
Salt river, os the saline atmosphere of that clas
sic stream is said to possess wonderfully bracing
properties. Of course he goes in strong for
annexing tho negroes of San Domingo. That
oilers another chance for a seat in the Senate.
Bradley's Patent Superphosphate.—Messrs.
L. J. Guilmartin <fc Co., of Savannah, advertise
Bradley’s Superphosphate of Lime at prices re
duced to suit the times, and make very accom
modating propositions to the planters. The
House guarantee the quality .of this Fertilizer
to be equal to any ever sold by them. See their
advertisement.
The Geoeqijl Senators.—The Senate Judi
ciary Committee had a session to-day for the
purposo of inquiring into the status of tho Geor
gia {Senators. Tho case is very much mixed,
and, os there are thxeo or four different sots of
Senators, the main question is, who is entitled
to a seat ? Ono fact has been settled, namely:
that only one of the whole party will be entitled
to a seat after the 4th of March. The fortunate
individual is Foster Blodgett, who, it is said,
helped to carry Georgia for the Democrats, so
that there might bo no now election for Senator
by the members of hi3 own party.—Herald
Telegram, ML
Tho Pennsylvania Central Road
Reaching for Sonthern Connect
ions.
The late lease of the Stato Road, and the com
bination of capital backing it np seems to be at
tracting a great deal of comment and interest all
over the country and especially in railroad cir
cles. The Washington correspondent of the
Cincinnati Gazette has this to say about it.
The visit of Cameron and Delano to Georgia,
and tho railroad business they have transacted,
may well attract attention. Hitherto tho coun
try has been accustomed to look at the great
corporations of the East, extending consolidated
lines Westward.
The lease of the Georgia Road by Cameron,
Delano and Thomas Scott, marks a new step in
a consolidation with Southern lines. The Penn
sylvania Road is now completing a direct line to
this city from Philadelphia. At its last session
Congress gave this company perpetual rights of
way over the Long Bridge here, and virtually
gave it the bridge. It already controls the line
to Richmond by way of Fredericksburg.
Westward, it already reaohes to Cincinnati,
and iis Newport bridge points on to its connec
tion with the lines just leased from the State of
Georgia. Steps are in progress to secure the
Virginia and East Tennessee Road in the same
interest. Tho magnitude of (he scheme will at
once appear from these outlines.
An old lady, being asked what she ihought of
the doctrine of “total depravity,” very gravely
replied that she “Ihought it a werry good doc
trine, if people would only live np to it.”
BY TELEGRAPH.
Washington, January 12.—We collate the
following summary of foreign and domeetio
news by our latest telegrams:
FOREIGN NEWS.
The Germans represent that the firing from
the Paris forts is flagging. Versailles advioes
report Chausey retreating at all points. The
bombardment of Paris continues vigorously.
There is anxiety at Liverpool for the safety of
the steamer Brooklyn. A Herald special re
ports the French works at Billanoourt destroyed.
Fort Nogent has recommenced firing. Four
teen guns of Fort Issy are dismounted. Shells
have been thrown into the Faria and Lyons
Railway station. It is rumored that the Hos
pital of the Invalides has been hit. None of
the French f ortB have yet been reached. Their
capture involves an advance in the open field.
Paris will fall from hunger and weariness, but
never from artillery.
Madame Cespedes left her husband, the Pres
ident, in the interior, several days before her
capture, awaiting a vessel on which to embark
and leave the Island. The some dispatch makes
Madame Cespedes speak in the highest terms
of kind and gentleman-like treatment, from
Spaniards. Valmesada has abolished courts-
martial except for treason, rebellion and sedi
tion.
The King telegraphs the Queen, on the lltb,
that the bombardment is slow, in consequence
of a snow storm and heavy fog. Peronne has
capitulated, with three thousand prisoners.
Gen. Werder defeated Bonrbaki on the 9th,
south of Vessoul, and took 800 prisoners.
London, January 11, (5-30 r. m.)—Important
news has just been received from Versailles.
The German column operating against General
Chausey have driven him within one mile of La.
mans, after a series of engagements, in which
one cannon, three metrallieurs and two .thou
sand prisoners were captured. The loss of Gen.
Werder’s army at the storming of. Villerenx was
only two hundred killed and wounded. A large
German army is being formed in th« Eastern
Department of France, which will be under the
special command of a distinguished officer, and
include the corps of Generals VoiWcrder,
Zanstsow, and others. _
DOMESTIC NEWS.
The effort for the union of the' Republicans
in Missouri is bo far ineffectual, and there are
little prospects of better success in the future.
Blair’s chance for the Senate are still best.
Blair is foremost in a pore Democratic canons..
The liberal Republican German paper published
in Jefferson City, favors Blair. The ice in the
lower harbor of St. Louis is brokeB, ani navi
gation South will be resumed to-day. Immense
quantities of produce and provisions are wait
ing transportation. A Missouri editorial ex
cursion of ladies and gentlemen left St Louis,
yesterday, for New Orleans and Mobile.
Many persons in Tennessee, including Judges
of the'Supreme Court, the Attorney of the
United States Court, and several magistrates
have been indicted for holding office in viola
tion of the 14th Amendment. A bill is pend
ing in the Tennessee Legislature providing
counsel to defend them.
The Indiana Legislature elected the proprie
tor of the Indianapolis Daily Sentinel, State
printer.
Three persons perished in the burning of the
hotel at Walton, Boone county, Kentucky.
The Ohio Legislature defeated a bill, forbid
ding Bibles in schools by a vote of 14 to 75.
The Select Committee, on the decay of Ameri
can commerce, has ordered their chairman to
report favorably on a bill establishing a steam,
ship line between New Orleans and Mexican
ports. The House passed a bill regulating the
transportation of cattle. It provides how long
they may be kept in cars, and the hours for
feeding and watering. The Senate' is discus
sing the ocean cables.
Washington, January 12—House.—The Com
mittee on Appropriations were ordered to in
vestigate Chorpenny claims for pistol service.
A bill was introdnoed incorporating the Shreve
port and Upper Red River Navigation Company.
The Committee on Military wa3 ordered to in
vestigate West Point affairs. The House then
went into a committee on appropriations, and
repealed the order for publishing laws in news
papers.
Senate.—A memorial of over one thonsand
women, headed by Mrs. General Sherman,
against female suffrage was presented.
The House joint resolution appropriating two
hundred and fifty thonsand dollars for the im
provement of the Louisville and Portland canal,
and three hundred and forty-one thousand dol
lars for the completion of the Des Monies Rap
ids, were considered. Chandlermoved to refer
it to the Committee on Commerce. Haslan
said it is important that the appropriation for
the Des Monies Rapids be made at once. If the
embankment is not re-topped at once, tho
spring freshets would wash it away.
Sherman appealed to Chandler to let the bills
pass. It was important that the appropriation
for Portland and Louisville canal should be
made.
The bill was advocated by Morton, How
ell, Kellogg and others. Chandler said the river
and harbor bill with estimates for all these im
provements, would be reported within four
weeks, and this should take its chanco with the
rest.
After extended discussion the motion to refer
was rejected and the bill passed, and - goes to
the President.
A commission to investigate claims for Indian
depredations in Kansas and Nebraska was au
thorized
The bill relieving members of Congress from
tho importunity of office-holders was discussed
to adjournment.
Nominations: Silas A. Strickland, of Nebras
ka, Governor of Utah Territory. Bishop Simp
son declines the Dominican Commissionship.
Alex. H. Connor has been confirmed Governor
of Idaho.
Washington, January 12.—The Secretary of
the Treasury decides that all rnm, gin and
whisky, imported into the United States since
January 1st, 1871, is snbjeotto a duty of 25
per cent, proof gallon, under tho laws of Con
gress. This is a disappointment to importers,
who expected tho decision would place a duty
on these liquors the same as that on imported
brandy, viz: 20 per cent, proof gallon.
New York, January 12.—A writ of attachment
has been issued for General Neill, commandant
of Governor’s Island, for refusing to surrender
a minor, enlisted against the parents’ consent.
The investigation of the charge against Rev.
Lanhan, assistant agent of the Methodist book
ooncera, has commenced.
Charleston, S. O.,. January 12.—The House
of Representatives passed the following resolu
tions, which were introduced by colored mem
bers :
Whereas; Certain bills are now being con
sidered in Congress, providing equally for
amnesty to all persons now laboring under
politick! disabilities' by reason of their partici
pation in the rebellion; and
Whereas, In our judgment, ample relief is
afforded such persons by third section of the
fourteenth amendment of tho Constitution;
therefore,
Resolved, By tho House of Representatives,
the Senate concurring, that our Senators in
Congress be instructed, and our Representa
tives be requested, to vote against all snch laws
granting general amnesty and relief to persons
now under political disability.
Resolved, That a oopy of this preamble and
resolutions be transmitted to each of our Sena
tors and Representatives in Congress.
Much excitement prevails among the mem
bers of the Legislature at Colombia, owing to
the disturbed condition of the upper oounties of
the State. The ultra Radicals under Col. Elliott,
negro, member elect of tho 42d Congress, charge
the whole responsibility of the troubles upon
the insnffioienoy of Gov. Scott’s administration
in not organizing colored militia and declaring
martial jaw. There is even talk of impeaching
the Governor. The more moderate Radioal
Conservatives and the Lieutenant Governor
support the policy of Gov. Scott, which is un
derstood to be to send only United States troops
to disturbed comities, if military force is re
quired at all. The people of those counties
have held large public meetings in the inter
ests of law and order. .
The Senate has tabled the anti-amnesty reso
lutions adopted by the House.
Boston, January 12.—In the Massachusetts
Senate a resolution was offered thanking Sum
ner for Mg action on the Dominican question,
and referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affaire.
New York, January 12.—Arrived, City of
Washington.
New York, January 12.—The World’s special
of'London 11th.—A Brussels dispatch of the
11th says: The result of ten days bompard-
ment of nine forts and seven French batteries
between forts’is, that no serious damage has
been done, not a single gun dismounted; bnt
320 Germans have been killed and wounded.
Mount Avren was swept by the French fire, and
the Germans evacuated.
The position of the guns at Clamont reach
the Invalides and Champs do Mars.'
Paris advioes of the 8th say shells are falling
in Mont Martne, and persons have been killed
in the Church of St. Snlphin. Bands of Reds
posted red placards, which were tom down by
the people. Trochu issued a proclamation to
day declaring he would fight to the last.
London, January 11.—Balloon advioes from
Paris evening have been received. Many slight
engagements are reported near Malmaison and
Revil, also on the line of the Paris and Stras
bourg Railway, in all of which the Germans
were repulsed with considerable loss. Thous
ands of balls from German guns fall daring the
night on the outskirts of Paris, creating havoc
in all directions, killing some women and
children, striking ambulances, museums, school
houses, eto. The population of Paris is more
than ever resolute in the intention to resist to
the utmost. No fear is entertained of sur
render, as Gen. Trochn has issned a prodamaS
tion to the citizens to the effect that the Army
of Paris will not capitulate.
A letter from Berlin, dated the 10th inst.,
says orders have been issned that French offi
cers who have escaped from places of confine,
ment in Germany shall, upon recapture, be
treated as convicts.
A Times’ special from Berlin says Count Bis
marck repudiates aa article of tho Versailles
Moniteur on the subject of the defences of
England.
London, January H—Midnight.—A dispatch
from Lille states that Faidherbe surprised the
rear guard of the German army and many were
killedand fifty-nine taken prisoners.’ The French
army has again entered Bataume.
London, January 12—In the colliery explosion
near Sheffield 26 persons were killed.
London, January 12—C a. m.—A dispatch
from Versailles says there is a large fire raging
within the outer walls of Paris, and on the north
side of tho city.
Bordeaux, January 11.—Official announce
ment is made that the Germans, on the 10th,
redoubled their efforts against the army of
Chausey, who, pressed on all sides, retired to
his original position. The action was a hotly
disputed one of the French brigades resisting
incessant attacks of the enemy six hours. Loss
considerable on both sides. General Bonrbaki,
commanding the army of the East, telegraphs
that his troops succeeded Tuesday night in driv
ing the enemy from the houses in Viliere-ExnL
Advices from Lille represent the army of the
North as advanced beyond Bordeaux.
Havana, January 12.—Siena, a rebel bearer
of dispatches, was captured with Madam Ces
pedes, and executed.
The wife of Juarez, the Mexican President-
is dead.
The wife of Cespedes sailed this afternoon for
New York.
Jobn Chinaman’s Ritualism—A Tem
ple of Josh in Oregon.
From the Portland (Oregon) Herald.")
The Chinese have erected a new tamp in the
Josh-House, on Second street, between Stark
and Oak, to commemorate the arrival of age
of a young Josh. We called there yestorday
to learn the signification of tho circumstances,
bnt could find no one who would bo kind
enough to explain the formality. The entrance
Ho tho temple is np an old rickety stairs; turn
to the right, and wo ascend another pair, the
banister being kept in its place by a clothes
line attached to an outhonse. Passing in
through a rear entrance we find ourselves in n
diminutive room, in which are two dilapidated
chairs, and a bed formed of a few old boards
covered with matting. This is tho room in
which the candles are prepared for lighting,
and the papers for the dead burned. Passing
into the main room, we find ourselves facing
tho altar, which is profusely covered with tin
sel-work, behind which Josh, with his long,
dark beard, and qneen are seated, surrounded
by all tho gods and goddesses in Chinese the
ology.
In a case in front was an illustration of the
Celestial’s “Pilgrim Progress,” in which the
troubles of the pilgrim were expressed by his
opposition to a mule, which he finally over
comes, and reaohes the Chinese paradise, the
arms of his lovo. In* the first scene, demons
tempt the male to act, as usual with mules,
stubbornly; the hero, however, by persever
ance, forces him, by bard pulling, to move fur
ther on his journey. Here he is met by good
spirits, who encourage him to persevere. In
the third scene bad spirits again excite the ani
mal to the elevation of hi3 heels, and in tho
fourth and final scene the mnlo driver is seen
with his love on his knee, while good spirits
flatter him, and ladies wave their handkerchiefs
in his honor. The scene would bring tears to
the eyes of a stoic. The young fellow in whose
honor the lamp was erected stood in on obsenre
corner, dressed in a piece of leather, with a tiny
cup of tep to wet his whistle, and a basin filled
with juvenile candles to light him on tho way
to tho abode of Confucius.^
This youngster has been made a god by
Josh, because when his- mother died he cried
until he shed tears of blood. The red globnles
were coursing down the cheeks of this paragon
of filial love. Above him was a grim-looking
fellow seated on a pedestal, with Ms rations in
front. All the deities were covered by a red
piece of cloth, while inscriptions extolling their
virtues were suspended around the room. The
lamp was dedicated by the burning of a fow
candles and pieces of paper with prayerful in
scriptions and petitions for the protecting arm
of the tearful god. To all questions concern
ing the ritual the Mgh-priest returned the very
(leasing answer of ‘‘No sabo;” so our know-
edge of Celestial ritualism was not increased.
Jos. £. Brown Gives His Version ot
the Rotter—He Writes to Hon. Alex
ander Stephens.
Atlanta, Jan. 10,1871.
Hon. Alexander H. Stephens.—Dear Sib :
-I-have read attentively yonr letter to me, of the
7th inst, in wMch you enolose a written assign
ment, to tiie State, of your interest in the lease
of the State Road to the company over which I
preside. I have also read yonr two published
communications, which appeared in the Con
stitutionalist upon the same subject And I
most confess yonr letter to me, and yonr last
publication, have been a source of surprise and
mortification.
As yon have oorrectly stated in your first pub
lication, your connection with the company to
whom the lease was made, was at your own so
licitation, not mine. Suoh,[however, was and is,
my confidence in yonr integrity, good judge
ment and ability; and such my personal regard
for yon, that it was a source of sincere pleasure
to me to gratify your wish, by procuring, as I
did, the unanimous consent of the company,
that yon be permitted.to beoome associated with
them in the lease.
It is true yon expressed a willingness in yonr
letter to me, to go in with the company to take
the lease at a higher figure than $25,000 per
month. Bnt I gave yon the reasons which
governed me, in my determination, to become
a member of no company patting in a bid, and
giving a bond to keep the road in good order,
and pay a higher rental. I think I have had as
good an opportnnity as any one in Georgia to
know something of the value of the road and
its annual incomes: and I stated to you my
settled conviction that I would associate with
no company that wonld offer more. If the road
is well managed all the time, and there are no
great disasters of fire, flood, acoident, or war,
the company can make a handsome profit and
pay $25,000 per month.
We ail recolleot, within the past year, that
the morning telegrams informed us, that a sin
gle Road in the State of Virginia, in a single
day, was damaged half a million of dollars by
the great freshet. No road in the Union, of
the same length, that I know, has so many
bridges and is so subject to damage by fire and
flood as the State Road.
Under these circnmstances, no solvent, reli
able company, that expeots to keep faith with
the State, and oarry out their contract justly,
and fairly, will bind themselves in a bond of
eight millions of dollars, and take a lease of the
road, in case of good lack and good manage
ment. The risk is so great no honest, reliable
company can afford it, without a corresponding
chance for profit. It is a principle well under
stood, that sagacious business men well never
take great risks, without a prospect of corres
ponding benefits.
Besides the competing lines already built and
those that have been projected, and will most
probably be built, before the lease has ran half
its period, destroy the monopoly of the carrying
business between the West and the States on the
Atiantio and the Gulf, which this road has al
ways enjoyed, which will, in fnture, reduce its
incomes probably more than they will be in
creased by the development of the country.
In a letter, of which I kept a oopy, I called
yonr attention in advance to the obstacles and
risks which, to me, formed insuperable objec
tions to a bid of more than $25,000 per month.
Yon then authorized me to represent yon in the
matter, and I did so, and signed yonr name to
the proposition as one of the company.
Since that time an effort is being made by
certain parties to attack the lease ana make po
litical capital out of it, on the ground, that the
Governor did not lease the road to the Mghest
bidder. And at ttosvery point, whenpublio
opinion is not yet formed, and the facts are not
all before the people; and as I see by yonr let
ter, were not before yon, the assignment of
yonr interest to the Stato is made by yon, and
published.
And yon say in yonr letter to me, that yon
was yesterday pnt in possession of a statement
in writing made by Mr. Seago, of Atlanta, in
wMch be avers that he and others united in a
company, made a bid for the lease of the road
at $36,500 per month; that he says the com
pany was worth a million of dollars, and that
they tendered security to the amonnt of over
eight millions of dollars. This statement, yon
say, was a surprise to you, and it determined
your course immediately. You then state tho
use to which you had intended to apply your in
terest in the lease, and yon add:
“Bnt I cannot think of continning to bo in
terested, in any way, with a lease of this prop
erty of tho State, madennder the circumstances
stated by Mr. Seago. In this matter I have
acted only for myself. It is immaterial with
me whether all the facts as detailed by Mr.
Seago bo correct or not. It is cnongh for me
that a man of his character and position in so
ciety has made the statement. When I wrote
the letter, an extract of which was published in
the Constitutionalist, of Augusta, a few days
ago, I supposed that all tho complaints then
being made against the lease of the road arose
from the smallness of the sum for wMch it was
let. I was not aware that anybody complained
of any wrong in the acceptance or rejection of
any bids, or any unjust favoritism in the matter
whatever, much less that such total disregard
of tho best interest of the State was evinced, as
Mr. Seago broadly asserts ”
Then, you retire from tho company, not on
acconut of tho smaUness of the bid, for yon
have already defended that before the public.
But on account of the alleged wrong, unjust
favoritism, and total disregard of the public in
terest which has characterized the transaction.
In yonr published note of tho Gth instant, af
ter referring to tho statement of Mr. Seago, you
000 over and above all liabilities, bat'it makes I can speak, however for the Jl—~-
it the duty of the Governor to see to it, that tho which I preside. It is
surety is not even doubtful for the large amount *’
mentioned in the act.
He set a day when bidding was to cease. This
carried with it the assurance that the highest
bidder complying with the requirements of the
notice, other things being equal, should have the
lease. The honor of the State pledged to this
by the Executive, as the effect of the notioe.—
Then the Governor was bound to look to the
bids and to the surety tendered by the night of
the 25th of December, and to them only; and
the party complying with the requirements of
the notice, and putting in the highest bona fide
bid, with sufficient- surety, by midnight of that
day, had a right to the lease, and it wonld have
been a shameless .breach of good faith, and an
utter disregard of a sacred obligation, to have
awarded it to another. _
The State, at that hour, was as much bound
as the bidder. Neither could refuse to comply
without a breach of good faith. But the bid As I informed you in advance I
most be a compliance with the act, and the ad- -mined to be a party to no bid t’wr
Vice President Colfax thinks the Democratic
victories down South augur well for the Repub
lican party in 1872, because they have produced
Ku-klux outrages and negro massacres, and so
warned the true men of the country what a dis
aster a Democratio Presidential victory in 1872
would be. This may serve very well for 1872;
but surely the Republican party doesn’t expect
to live on such “negative virtues’’ as massacred
darkies forever. Vice President Colfax may
like it very well, but it ean’t be very satisfactory
to the darkies.—New York Herald, 8th.
Perhaps “the live men .of the country” may
begin to comprehend- something about these
“Ku-kluxes and negro massaores” by 1872.
Grammatical:
Isabella ?
Is Arabella the plural of
say:
“This statement, coming from the quarter it
does, is quite sufficient to sever my connection
with tho lease. In doing this, it is not my wish
to be understood as passtog judgment npon the
conduct of others. I act only for myself in de
claring that I cannot tMnk for a moment of
holding an interest in-tho lease under tMs state
ment of facts.”
Now, as an old and faithful friend of yonrs, I
complain that yonr conrso in this matter, and
the above extraots from yonr letters, dome, and
the company with which I am associated, great
injnslice. Whatever may havo bee* your pur
pose, you c.annot fail to see that you havo pro
duced the impression on the public mind, so far
as the weight of your name can have that effect,
that thero has been unfairness, favoritism, and
disregard of the interest of tho State, on the
part of tho Governor, in letting the lease to us,
and that wo have accepted it under circum
stances that render it dishonorable or improper
in you: to remain a member of the Company.
These aro grave charges. If you.say you have
not made the charge, you cannot shut your eyes
to the fact that such will be the const ruction put
upon your language, when taken in connection
with yonr action. As you camo into the com-'
pany at your own solicitation, and was, from
time to time, informed by me of my action in
your behalf, you should, I think, havo had suf
ficient evidence that Mr. Seago’s statements
were true before you acted upon them, through
the channel you have cho3en, to tho injury of
soma of your best friends, whose pride it was
to try to servo you. I represented you
in tho transaction; did not justice to mo
require that you should oall my attention
to tho statement of unfairness, and ask
an explanation, before you acted upon these
charges ? Bat are the charges true ? I say un
equivocally, they are not. I took it npon my
self to look into this matter before I committed
cither you or myself to the transactions, by giv
ing bond or accepting the lease. And 1 was
informed, at the Executive office, that our Com
pany was the only one that had put in a bid in
accordance with the law, and the public notice
given by the Governor inviting bids.
And just here let us see what were the rights
and duties of the Govempr and the bidders.
The act of the Legislature authorized tho Gov
ernor to lease the road for the term of twenty
years for a sum not less than $25,000 per month.
It did not require him to advertise for bids, or
give any public notico whatever. Ho was au
thorized in an hoar after the aot was signed, to
have leased the road to any company he pleased
which complied with the requirements of the
act, for any sum not less than $25,000 per
month. The Legislature fixed this as the price
at which he was authorized to lease the road;
and as you sho wed in yonr first publication there
was no oiy raised by the press or people
against it.
The Governor determined, however—and I
tMnk, prudently—to invite bids by publio no
tice. This he did abont the 25th of October,
giving till the 25th of December, including that
day, to all parties who wished to bid for the
lease. All companies desiring to bid had a fair
chance, and all had two months to arrange their
sureties and comply with the requirements of
the act, and the notice given by the Governor.
That notice required bidders to state how
much they were worth over all liabilities, so as
to comply with the requirements of the act, that
the lessees must be worth at least half a million
of dollars, and to give a “full description of the
character of the security” they offered. There
were good reasons for this, because the aot re
quired not only that tho lessees be worth $500 1
vertisement inviting bids; and the security
tendered most have been snch as the party had
a right to tender, and such as wonld go upon
the bond, or the Governor, as against! another
bidder, had no right to consider the bid. The
moment the hour for bidding had passed, the
rights of the Mghest bidder, complying with all
the terms, attached, and the honor and faith of
the State were pledged to let the road to such
company at that bid.
It was not a question whether the State
might get more by keeping it open another day
to give certain favored bidders farther time
without public notice to all of Bach extension
of the time, bat it was a question of good faith.
The rights of the parties having attached, the
State as well as the bidder, wai bonnd. I think
I need not elaborate this proposition farther to
a lawyer of yonr great ability and experience.
You will no doubt agree with me.
Now, how stands the case ? The bid made by
onr company, complied strictly with the terms
of the statute, and the publio notice of the
Governor. We gave the names of the bidders,
and the amounts they were worth, showing a
sum greatly in excess of the half million re
quired by the statute. And we tendered as
sureties by name nine railroad companies, em
bracing the strongest, the most solvent, and
prompt, of any in this State or the South.
Their agents were present with authority in
writing to represent them and to sign the bond
for them. The action of their Boards of Di
rectors had been taken some time in advance,
and no Btookholder had complained or taken
any step to prevent the use of the name of their
company as sureties on the bond. The act au
thorizing the lease expressly declared that they
might become sufeh sureties. They were worth
more than twioe the amonnt of the bond;
making the surety as the aot required the Gov
ernor to see to it, “not even doubtful.”
Not so, however, with the company composed
of Mr. A. K. Seago, Mr. Miles G. Dobbins, Mr.
Foster Blodgett and others. They put in a bid
it is true. Butnotsuoh a bid as the law and
the notioe required. They stated that they were
worth more than the two hundred thousand
dollars required of bidders; but they tendered
security wMch they had no right to tender, and
wMch they could not give, as was clearly shown
to. the Governor, before he opened the bids.
They tendered the Central Railroad and Bank
ing Company, the Macon and Western Railroad
Company, and the ' Southwestern Railroad
Company. It happened that the Presidents of
two of these companies, and the authorized
agent of the other, were in Atlanta, and when
it was rumored on the streets, that those com
panies had been tendered as sureties on the
bond of the Seago, Blodgett Company, they
promptly notified the Governor in writing, tbat
that company had no authority to tender their
companies as sureties, and that they wonld not
go npon their bond. TMs was done before the
bids were opened, wMch was not done till the
27th, as the 26th was kept as Christmas.
On opening the bids, the Governor fonnd
that the companies just mentioned, were the
only sureties, tendered by the Seago, Blodgett
Company, and as he had the Mghest evidence
that the tender was wholly unauthorized, it fol
lowed that no surety had been tendered by the
Company, as required by the act, and the no
tice ; and the bid coaid not be considered. One
other bid was made by Wm. K. de Graffenreid
& Co., through V. A Gas Id 11; bnt no surety
was even mentioned or tendered, and the bid
has not been insisted npon as a compliance, in
any respect, with the law, so far as I know.
Thos the matter stood when the bids were
opened, and by every principle of law, justioe,
or honor, onr company was entitled to tho lease,
as the only bidder that made a legal bid.
But such was the anxiety of the Governor to
do full justice to, if not to favor Messrs. Seago
& Blodgett’s company, that even after the bids
were opened, he notified them of the fact that
the companies named by them as sureties, bad
informed Mm they wonld not sign their bond,
and that the use of their names was wholly un
authorized. And in violation of the clear rights
of onr company, he proposed to permit them
then to give other surety, if they would do it
at once. To tMs they replied, proposing to
give other good and sufficient surety within a
reasonable time, if he wonld give them tho
lease. But they specified no surety they could
or would give. They were unable to name, or,
at least, did not name, a solitary person or com
pany who would go upon their bond.
They had trifled with the Executive, in the
first instance, by naming sureties they had no
authority to tender, and could not give. And
when in violation of our just rights, tiny were
allowed to name other securities, thi-reby
changing the shape of their bid, after the time
allowed ns and them had expired, they were
unable to name any individual or compa-y ou
earth who would baok them, and become re
sponsible on their bond for their performance
of a proposition so preposterous os their Lid.
One that every practical railroad man in Geor
gia knows it was not at all probable they con’d
comply with, and leave any chance for profits,
taking all the chances for loss by the causes
above alluded to.
Under these circumstances, the Governor’s
partiality for Seago and Blodgett’s company,
gave way to his sense of justice and obligations;
and he awarded the leaso to the only company
that was legally or justly entitled to it, bv com
pliance with the requirements to wMch bidders
were bonnd to conform. Messrs. Seago & Blod
gett’s company had fair notice, therefore, and
a fair chance. They had two full months to
make up their bid; and find sureties who would
•go on their bond. They wholly failed to do so,
and did not then, and so far as I.am informed,
naver have to tMs day, tendered a single per
son or company of any name or description who
was willing to sign their bond, or had author
ized them to make any such use of their name,
or names, on such a risk.
Whatreasonhadthe Governor for confiding
in the promise of that company, to give good
security within a reasonable time, if he wonld
award the lease to them, when they had been
unable to find sccnrity after two months notice,
and bad attempted to deceive the Executive of
the Stato, by tendering names wMch they had
no authority to do so ? What might they con
sider a reasonable time? And when could the
leaso have been consummated? It was tho in
terest of tho Stato that tho read be leased. It
composed
of men of large experience and*’,? 8
ness connections and qnalificahv.- 1 ®^ la
tegrity as a whole yon cannot
ample means to enable it to J
good order, and keep it so, and to aci*
the business and traveling
cautions to promise nothing bnt .*» t
abundantly able to complylqu ***
me say, once for all, that I amaatSJH
mined as you can be to have nothings
any company or association of inti
acts in bad faith to the people
ails to carry out in
letter and spirit, the contract into vbl*
have entered. So long as I have tft 3
ment of the affairs of the West*™ »
Railroad Company, I shah see to IjS
kept, and the contract oarried ontmS^l
whole, but in all its parts, and in eve* 1 **!
ular. nr J ad
A'Grape Story.—A
Springfield Republican writes fW®.
A story of the famous ScuppeniMgfg
too good to be lost. This grape «!
North Carolina, the original vine,
Sir Walter Raleigh, still stands and w? ^
... I Bj . so it is said, on one of the small
was tho duly of the Governor to lease it. Tho coast. It is a rich, sweet grape,
lime had come when he had given notice to tho m>ing well aa wine-making. Bat ‘“'‘.yj
world that he would lease it. We had complied
with all tho requirements of tho law and tho
notice. No other company had. What was his
duty? There can be but one reply. And in
the discharge of that duty, he was guilty of
neither unjust favoritism nor utter disregard
of the interest of the State.
Had these facts been before you, I know you
too well, to believe you would have published
you last letter, which will construed by tho
mblio as an attack npon the fairness of the
'ease, the effect of wMch, is to do serious
injustice to your friends. My complaint is, thit
you acted hastily, without taking time to inform
yourself. WMle I recognize your undoubted
right, with the consent of the proper authority
on behalf of the State, to withdraw from tho
Company, I protest that you should not have
done so, and thrown the weight of yonr name
in the opposite scale under circumstances cal
culated to prejudice its rights unjustly, by not
ing on an erroneous ex parte statement in a
matter involving alike the interest and the
honor of your associates.
When the time comes for investigation before
the proper tribunal, I shall be prepared to show
by undoubted evidence, that the charge of un
fairness and attempted corruption which has
been made in certain papers, lies not at my
door, nor the door of my company, bnt that it
fastens'upon the very party claiming the higher
bid, and charging the unjust favoritism towards
us, which those of them now most clamorous
were ready to have purchased, had it been pos
sible to have done so.
Whether the bid of a sum more than any
company can keep up the road, and pay, with
any hope of income, was resorted to, by Messrs.
Seago, Blodgett and their associates, as a means
mined to De a party to no bid thatr”^
prepared to stand by in sunshine and ‘
nor to promise anything that I did boTvS
could perform. My rule with all is £M
my contracts, public and private ’ it,7*"
them out with promptness and goodf!,,? 4
bitterest enemy can sustain no alWtti L
contrary. Snch is my intention aaT-N
intention of my associates in this ca* “
As the aot of the Legislature makes it i
of tho Governor to lease the road and »'i
purtenances, and makes no provision}^
State to own or hold any share or inter*? s _
and as you refuse to retain yoaip, :s ;f
lessee, and surrender your intereatwf 1 !
State, it will be the duty of the Gora?*|
substitute some one in yonr place eriJ’Gj 1 *
est, as a member of the company -i*
willing to take the share which was
you in the written lease, with its rijuT?*
sponsibilities, less the part you havesJ..!: 1
signed to Mr. S. K. Johnson under the?''
ment at the time the lease was made.
It is a little remarkable that prior to tty
elections, as you have well shown by to-,?
publication, the whole State seemed to tolL
that the public interest wonld be servedsl
lease of the road to a solvent company «
000 per month. Scarcely a dissenting voietJ
heard. But as soon as it is seen that the^Jl
prospect that another political party Cl '.J
control and havo the patronage and the til
the funds, nothing that has been done is J
or fair. The people in making up a i 0 a i ‘ a
in this matter may do well to consider
their interest will be served by retain-J
road as heretofore, as the prey of eictJ
administration of the State Government 1
own opinion is, in the present condition dj
affairs it matters' little wMch party contrcjJ
road; there will, in neither case, be ace: j
the Treasury under political management 1
So far then from being public rolbinj
some, for political effect, and with thet®’
gain have said, we are public benefactors,
Take the road for the last twenty-fire q
and calculate the amounts paid into tbe sL
Treasury from it, and the amounts paid oil
the State to keep it in repair, and whit h|
been worth to the people ? There was i p
of a few years when it paid reasonable diriA
to the State, bnt all the rest of the time
been a dead expense. TMs has been tinea
different administrations entertaining dif3
political opinions. And all must admit dij
would not do better in future under psiJ
management, than it has done in the put]
The State cow has. the bond of a comp
undoubted ability, with unquestionablei
that she will get six millions of dollars, ina
paid into her Treasury in monthly installas
for the use of the road for twenty years.^
that it will be returned in as good t
every respect as it now is.
The Stato tax paid by the people off
for the last two years has been $500,00);#!
num. The road now will pay three-£i!ii|
that sum. 'WMch is best forthe people? He
them to judge. The true reason for thed
of certain lawyers and politicians in the:
is, not that tho interest of the people isretjs
tected in tMs contract, bnt that their ora b
vidual interests have not been served. 7
wanted a “finger in the pto.” They did j
get it, and they are jealous for fear Ij p
management we may meet onr obligaticu t
the State, and make something to coupe
us for the risk we run in doing this greatpt
service.
I probably owe yon an apology fort
of this letter, but I have felt that youu
pats me in a situation, where it is mycu!
give to ft the publicity, which you ban pr
to yonr reasons for yonr withdrawal fre a
Company. I regret the necessity, bailie
that you have left me no other alternative.
I ask it as an act of justice to me arid
company I represent, that such papers up
lish yonr statements will publish this reply. I
am informed that all the papers in the Es
tive office pertaining to this affair, will bit
public in a few days. I trust it may bend
hope the press will generally copy tben,«J
wish the people to have all tho facts.
I am, very respectfully,
Your obedient serrant,
Joseph E. Emu 9
Increase in the Raisins Trade-1
From the New York Eullctin.)
The late low prices for raisins, wii;Ss
cheaper than they have been since ISflt*
withstanding a duty of $1 per box,
nlated an active demand; and this fruit ®
used only as a luxury, and indulged in f
by the poorer clrsses, now becomes, on w
of its cheapness, an article of daily cot"
tion. We learn from the most reliable s
—from Malaga—that the crop will reac®"
year abont 3,too,000 boxes, of which, it is®'
about one-half will bo sent to thisco^
Last year, on account af tho partial
the crop, we received less than one r
paokages of all kinds, and prices const;
raled comparatively high. The amoattt
into consumption, as nearly as we can v
taiD, since th« new crop this year, hasbepl
ccrno ir, has been 225,000 boxes, kyf
month of November alone, nearly 1-M
boxes were taken, which is the largest a^H
ever used in one month; and, from P re5t ’-'n
dications. tMs month will equal, if cot f™
6ven that amount. In the year 1840 Lex
tation of all kinds of raisins only reec-ed*
211,000 packages, wMle in 1868 they wm*
1,030,000 packages, or increase in 28 J»- *
about 500 per cent. Last year, on bccoj- (
the deficiency in the Malaga crop,
above, the importation only reached
packages. And this great increase u b° .
in raisins—most of the other foreign -
showing nearly as large an increase,*-
rants a very ’much larger, as if . ,
reached only abont 2,000 barrels, aguc s ‘ ' ;\.|
in 1869, and of figs 40,000 packages »„
189,000 packages last year.
h’orth^l
eating as well as wine-making. "“‘".,[(11
An old chap planted on ■reclaimed***'
miles from Fayettevillo, so rt two n
Southern army and thought tw U
one3 would not be needed. ijff
time the conscripting officer
pearance in the town and these
ers, were summoned to appear for j ( rfj
They went reluctantly enoa fi^„_ jesc^l
the season of Scuppemongs.
to have a good feast of tho lasciou^ ^ M
they should be Bent to far off battle- - ^ Jj}|
shortly before reporting themselv
thorities, they, bought four q naI “ 5 .- $
Each ate his two quarts. Each ww ,, c ^\
tolerably well filled up—gorged, J
tuberant. In that co nditton tbty
into into the presence of the exanu __ n\
They were required to stripto
qrnck eye of the disciplo of Escu-aP.
what he considered an abnormal
Ho applied the test of sound. . late 1
discern by Ms ear the fluctuations
fluids. “Why.” said he, “these b°P * er r> l
the dropsy! They are utterly unn jj-je»I
Letthemgo!” It is not often tho ^ iy I
the grape plays a man so good a , j.* I
If those boys ever found family- ’ I
coats of arms, they surely ought DO jpg5>‘- I
bnt the Scuppernong grape for tn v
West YntaixiA.—The
tion in West Virginia has just been ^ iwl
nounoed. The vote for Governor^ I*I
est ever east, by about seven tn
majority by which the Democratic^
was chosen was two thousand on otos e3 I
Democratic Congressmenjc" 0 ^!^ |
fifty. DemocraticUongressmeu"-. .fccarj
the first and third districts, both ^jt (.«£,
represented by Republicans in the p f3 t H
of getting possession of that great State work, j gtess. In the seoond dis ci g n)9>’ r
with a view to ask relief from a future Legisia- cumbent, McGrow, is re- _ f jjnn'd'-''
ture on their failure to comply, I have no right j reduced from one tho
to say. nine hundred.