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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.