Georgia weekly telegraph and Georgia journal & messenger. (Macon, Ga.) 1869-1880, March 09, 1875, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Text& EEESE, PBQPBixToas. j ESTABLISHED 18?g» Tbi Family Journal.—News—Politics—Literature—Agriculture—Domestic Affairs. GEORGIA TELEGRAPH BUILDING MACON, TOES DAT, MARCH 9, 1875. Volume LXVIII—N0.29" ■55ss5.nr5fs.cb— -ESSsS^”" ^£S?£SfcE**» 4iKSSttSS“* I." Surely ®r oenses lal-V-n in m fox!" 'drown itlrommrnoe*. wlien it fliers to a frog. „~v lioart hwran to thump, wonder I felt funky; r : |rox, with on« big jnmp, T UisseU into a monkey. Tiien I opened wido my eyes, ni« feature* for to scan, . *Va1w rr. d. with great surpnse. A That the monkey was a man. ,, ,,^ n i,lie.l from my sight, “^Umnknponth-floor. . •,- . mi«u*. with a light, J cm’ toUeV kitchen door. •rhtm brtnni»i f >'t oa ' 5U<0 . n l e * _ . , . ltf 1 <ho s*v«. “ Sarah. yon v been dnnfcm! - ® f. * N° own. you'll eiruwinc, * jjut i’vc merely been ••tbinbin*. r-it a* wirdy as I’m a cinder, Tlwt pirtj wh»t >ou seo •.rt-uin out o* window jlave developed from a flea. A x»JiKILOUS ADVENTURE. fine of the Most Remarkable Escapes jr,un Death on Record. A ship souto time ago arrived at Bris- , 0 j a fter » successful Pacific whaling iova-re. Time was when thousands of v ea*U tracked tho great monsters in search of oil, but the discovery of the ninoral article has made tho trade no ’eager remunerative, or, at least, much teg an object of pursuit. The ship re ferred to was the West Wind, command ed bv Capt Parker, who met with a most perilous adventure during his cruise, and which came very near costing him his life.' TJmler the most favorable circum stances, the occupation of a whaler is ono of great danger and physical trial, and very few ships ever return to port with out losing one or more hands by tho ordi nary exigencies of the service. It seems that Captain Parker was out from hi< ship, with a boat’s crew, chas- •ag a whale, and, having fastened his harpoon to tho creature, it dived, as usual, and the lino, coiled in the bows of the boat, began to run out with light ning speed as the monster sunk to tho eitrcme depth of the ocean. At this critical juncture Captain Parker went to the forward part of the boat to be sure that thero was no twist in the rope to prevent its working clear. Tho lino was running out with 6nch rapidity as to cause smoke to arise from the woodwork of tho boat, and the captain threw wa ter, as is the custom, upon the spot. By some unlucky lurch of the boat ho was canted from his position, and he natural ly threw out his left hand to prevent himself from falling; but, in doing so, he unfortunately placed it so that the rope coiled a*>out his wrist, and he was overboard and out of sight In an instant. He was perfectly conscious while he was rushing down, head foremost, and with an incredible swiftness, nnd it ap peared to him thathis arm would be tom from the socket, so great was tho resis tance of the water. During these awful moments he was well aware of his peril- cur situation, and that his only chance for life was to ent the line. But how could bo do this? He could not move his right arm from his side, to which it was closely pressed by the force of tho clement through which he wa3 being drawn. The pressure on his brain grew lucre and more terrible, and a roaring as of thunder sounded in his ears. He opened his eyes for a single instant, and It seemed as though a stream of fire was passing before them. And now camo that inevitablo activity of tho brain which characterizes all snch perilous situations, where one’s whole life seems pass in review in an instant of time. But the captain was a very practical man, cool and courageous always, and conse quently still self-possessed. He began to struggle with all his mus cular power to reach the knife which he wore in his belt. He felt that he was growing weaker every instant, and it was cow or never with him, though we should say, parenthetically, that what requires so long to describe occurred in time which was reckoned by seconds rather than minutes. Oh, if he could bnt com mand his right hand for one stroke upon that fatal line 1 Now his heart began to fail him. He did not absolutely despair, lut his brain reeled, his nerves seemed to relax their tension, light and darkness appeared to alternate before his eye balls, and his head felt as though compressed ’u an iron vice. Were these his last mo ments ? He thought, in spite of the agonizing pain he endured, ho would make ono more brave effort. Tho line providentially slackened for a second; he reached his knife, and, as quick as thought itself, as the rope be came taut again, the keen edge off the blade was upon it, and by a desperate effort of bis arm it became severed. He was freed, and then commenced bis up ward passage, caused by tho natural l.ouyancy of the human body. After this, he only remembered a feeling of suffocation, a gurgling spasm, and all was over until he awoke to an agonizing pain of reviving consciousness, in tho arms of his boat’s crow. Truly, one of the most remarkable escapes from death on record. Tiie .Baltimore Giant. . The Baltimore Sun has the following in regard to Jno. Mnrphey, Jr., the giant whose death in that city last week has •"..ready been noted in our telograms: Mr. Murphy was born in IVaterford, Ireland, and was therefore a fuH-blooded Irish giant, ond a large one, standing nearly eight feet in his stockings. He was thirty-three years ot age and unmar ried. Some months ago, when he was in comparatively good health, he weighed , “ pounds. He had weighed more when i* health was better. He had been in W^try twenty-four years, having brought hero by his father and r ,,°~ cr ' who still livo at tho honso on ester street. The giant traveled with iiarnum three years, as one of the great myingr cariosities of the world. In his wfessienal career he visited every part countiy, from Maine to California 5 ‘he extreme South. After termina- ung his engagement with Barnum the ;,’*ant traveled with a circus, whero he contracted the bronchial disease which ended his life. When in good •i.ealth he had a fresh, pleasant face, and large men, and particularly all except in story hooks and nursery mies, was as amiable as ho wa3 great in . ture. Ho had a very youthful expres sion of countenance, coal black hair, and ins hands were so large that one of them ould cover the largest head of an ordi nary man, just os on ordinary hand would tOTer an orange. His feet were not — large proportionately as tho hands, reside an ordinary shoe ono of his shoes would seem to be a sufficient habitation t " l r 9 ol< * woman” of the story book who " had so many children she did not know what to do.” When the undertaker came to measure tuc dead giant for his coffin it was found that the deceased was fall eight feet long. urely the measure of a man is correctlv Inown when he is dead. Tho coffin bo nearly eight and a half feet long. . hut Bh063 will TOM SCOTT’S RAILWAY IN TIIE GEORGIA LEGISLATURE. Remarks of Hon.A.O. Bacon, of Bibb Mb. Speaker : It is rarely that I havo ever moved a reconsideration of any ques tion in this House. In fact, during the five years that I have been a member I do not recollect having made snch a mo tion but once. It is not my habit to quarrel with tho decision of the majority upon any question in which I may hap pen to be unfortunately one of the minor ity ; bnt on tho contrary, it is my cus tom to acquiesce in that decision wherever the question has been fairly disenssedand determined with due deliberation. Bat in this instance I feel authorized in de parting from my nsual custom for several reasons. In the first place, when this question was before the House on Satur day, the discns3io i was limited almost entirely to the friends of the resolutions, and those opposed to them wore denied a hearing under the operation of the pre vious question. And again, I am so im pressed with the gravity of the error which this Honso woaTdcommit by agree ing to these resolutions, that I cannot for bear once more to ask Representatives to pause before finally committing them selves to their support. It is true that the action of the Honso, which it is now proposed to reconsider, was upon the substitute proposed by the Senate for tbc original House resolutions. I do not wish to bo understood, while opposing the Senate substitute, to be in favor of the Honso resolutions. On tho contrary, I am utterly opposed to both tho original resolutions and the substi tute, and I distinctly announce that in opposing tho substitute I am seeking to defeat the resolutions in any and every shape. Unfortunately the original reso lutions cannot now be actedjupon, but the circumstances under which they were passed through the House, rob them of the dignity and solemnity which usually attach to all measures which have re ceived tho approval of tho House after proper and mature deliberation. The res olutions were called up during the after noon session, when the House, under special resolution, wes engaged in read ing bills the second time, and when, in consequence, the members of all impor tant committees were absent, having. a bare quorum present. Under these cir cumstances the resolutions were hurried ly agreed to without challenge from any ono j and many of the leading members of the House knew nothing of the action taken upon the resolutions until they were returned with the substitute from the Senate. Fortunately, howevor, the substitute covers the entire ground, so that tho en tire merits of tho matter are open for dis cussion. My first objection to these resolutions is the fall and sufficient one that they are based upon what I conceive to bo a grave political heresy. They seek to in fluence Congress to indorse tho bonds of the Sonthern Pacific Railroad Company. The use of the public funds, or property, or credit in aid of private enterprises, however gigantic they may be, i3 not one of the legitimate purposes for which the General Government was organized. The limited time which it is proper for me to occupy will not permit me to dis miss this proposition, and I mast content myself on this branch with saying that it has been recognized as a cardinal prin ciple of tho party to which belong the large majority in this House, and the platforms of tho party as announced, by national conventions, and repeated and reiterated by our State conventions, havo time and again condemned this prostitu tion of the power and resources of the General Government to the assistance of Congressional pets and favorites. To this position wo are pledged, and if wo be lieve it to be correct, we should stand by it and do nothing to place our action in conflict with our professions. But the gentleman from Richmond, in the discussion on Saturday, stated that this idea was all exploded by tho present policy of the government, and asked with much earnestness if, while the North had been, and was still being enriched by millions from the treasury, which were expended among them, we would fold our arms and refuse to accept any portion for ourselves ? Sir, it is a significant fact that in all these unconstitutional measures subsequent investigations have uniformly disclosed tho most disgraceful frauds and the mo3t shameless corrup tions, both on tho part of those who re ceived this aid and tho Congressmen who were most active in securing it3 grant; and I, therefore, unhesitatingly answer the gentleman from Richmond, if to enrich my section from the public treasury, it is necessary to receive that which the government has no right to give, I will have none of it; if the de sired benefits are to be secured only by a violation of law, by no act of mine will I be responsible for their getting; and if in this enterprise, as in those of a former date, thero shall ultimately be proven tho taint of corruption, for no material advantage would I be willing that Geor gia should by her aid or influence havo assisted the workers of the iniquity*. As with individuals, so with nations; there is that of more value than gold, and that more to bo prized than the pride of material wealth. The great treasure we should prizo is that which wo onco enjoyed and wo strive and hope again to possess—a free government ad ministered within constitutional limita tions for tho good of the whole people. Tho mortal struggle with those who seek to destroy it i3 now upon ns. To surren der for base gain one of our strongholds i3 to endanger all tho others in which wo trust. Wo have made up a solemn in dictment against the party in power. The grand trial is set for next year. Then will be entered up the momentous judgment which we beliero will determine the destiny of the country. In that in dictment are many counts omDracing the long catalogue of crimo3 perpetrated against the nation, tho States and tho citizen. Among them prominent stands tho charge that they havo wasted the public treasure and corruptly parted with tho public property. When arraigned' for this shall our action of to-day furnish them with the plea that tho foremost Southern State had by tho action of her Legislature solemnly sanctioned that which wo charge to be a crime ? . Surely, sir, when we think of this we will pause before it i3 too late. As I havo said, in tho former notable enterprises of thi3 character where the aid of the government has been obtained, there has been proven a shameless cor ruption which is the scandal and disgrace of American politics. Tho Pacific Rail road, already built, gave birth to the in famous Credit Mobilier, and the investi gation of the Pacific Mail subsidy has disclosed tho details of the unblushing purchase and sale of high officials in tho government. In tho light of undoubted testimony wo look with di3gust and hor ror upon the putrid mas3 of political cor ruption. Now, if to either of those en terprises tho Stato has lent her influence, however clean her hands n»y have been, would not tho recollection of tho fact bring the hlnsh of shame to tho face of every true Georgian ? And if we agree to these resolutions, and fntnro investi gations shall develop similar corruptions in obtaining tho aid of the government for the Sonthern Pacific, will not our ac tion of to-day cause our cheeks to mantlo with sli .mo and indignation that wo should have so needlessly degraded the fair name of our Stste ? And what assu rance have we that such will not bo the case ? Have we not every reason to be lieve that tho history of this enterprise will be a repetition of that or its prede cessors ? That there are many good and honest men engaged in the enterprise no ono will for a moment doubt—men who for a moment would not harbor tho thought of dishonesty—hut tho princi pals. those who direct and pull the wires, are doubtless men who know how to put money " where it will do the most good.” Again, I ask Representatives to consid er the question, what is the difference between aid to private enterprises by the General Government and similar aid by the State ? This House is distinctly pledged against State aid. Thero is no scheme for internal improvement by pri vate enterprise whioh could be presented : in a manner sufficiently attractive to in duce the members of this Honse to vote to it the aid of tho State. We distinct ly announce that is against punlio feel ing, false in theory and ruinous in prac tice. It is an undesirable inconsistency i in ns, if while we say this, we urge the General Government to the very course 1 we thus denounce. I cannot conceive 1 why it should be proper for this General Asscmoly to seek to influence our Con gressmen in their c action in thi3 matter. T"oy doubtless havo information not in our possession. If we havo that confi- ’ dence in thorn to which they are entitled it is proper to leave them to the exercise ’ of their untrammeled judgment. I am informed that my immediate representa- I tivc is opposed to the measure. I doubt j not he has good reasons for hi3 opposi- 1 tion, and I do not propose to interfere with him. Aside from these views the measure does not commend itself to me as. being intended for tho benefit of tho South. If it were not for the rigor of J tho climate through which the Northern Pacific Road passes we would hear noth ing of the building of any Southern Pa- ' cific Road. It is intended for the bene- , fit of tho North and Northern men, and , as an evidence its eastern end i3 diverted northward, undoubtedly with the view of benefiting the Pennsylvania Central Railroad. That it should seek it3 nat ural and shortest outlet to the sea on the Georgia coast is not entertained for a moment. Northern men are pushing this matter, A disinterested tLsire to benefit the South would never stimulate them to sneh efforts as they are making. There is one feature in this matter which commands my opposition to these resolutions with unusual earnestness. It i3 not denied that one Tom Scott is at tho head of this enterprise, and that he is now actively engaged in the effort to lobby tho measure through Congress. He is notorious as a man who has controlled Legislatures and dictated in many in stances the action of Congress in aiding his schemes. He is no common lobbyist. Other men use individuals to aid them in their lobbying schemes, but he conde scends to nothing so small. He uses State Legislatures to lobby Congress, and many of them respond as promptly to his demands as the jntnping-jack throws up his arms and legs when the boy pulls the string. Hitherto he has used only Nor thern Legislatures as his instruments, but now ho has invaded onr section, and Sonthern Legislatures are to he enlisted in his behalf. Now, the gentleman from Richmond and all others on this floor will understand me as meaning no reflection upon him or any other member when I denounce this effort to manipulate this Legislature in the interest of the lobby ists. I do not believe that any member of this House would support the resolu tions who regarded them in this light. With this disclaimer, then, I repeat that it is practically an effort to manipulate this Legislature in the interest of Tom Scott. Sir, too very thought is sufficient to stir our indignation, and the apprehen sion that it may be successful cuts me to the very heart. I earnestly trust that the day will never come when toe Legisla ture of this State can be manipulated in any man’s interest; bnt if that day must come, for toe sake of too semblance of honor, if nothing else shall he left, let that man he some one not so notorious 03 a manipulator of Legislatures. And sir, as a final reason why we should not agree to these resolutions, to do so is inconsistent with toe self-respect and dignity of this General Assembly. Of whom is it proposed that we shall ask thi3 benefit ? Have we any reason to be lieve that toe present Congress of toe United States desire to aid us in onr struggles and to advance onr prosperity ? On the contrary, they have been eager and swift to enact every measure which would wound our honor, humiliate onr pride and beggar ns in property. Even while we sit here they are. urging two notable measures specially intended for the humiliation and oppression of this devoted people—the civil rights hill and the force bill—and at too same time wo are asked to crave a favor at their hands. Sir, it may do for the subjects of a des potic power who have been spit upon, who3o every appeal for aid has been met by insult, whose every cry for justice has been answered by the lash, it may do for snch slaves still to grovel in the dust and beg a boon of the tyrant, bnt snch abase ment is unworthy of a free people deal ing with those who insolently affect to be their masters. Murder on Edisto Island. The Charleston News and Courier, of Saturday, gives toe following particulars of the brutal murder of James Geraty, proprietor of a grocery store on Mr. Me- Hill’s plantation, Edisto Island, at eight o’clock on Wednesday night: It appears that on the evening men tioned a party of boat hands went into toe store of Mr. Geraty and purchased a number of articles, amounting to four dollars. Tho men wanted to take the goods on credit, hut were refused. They attempted to take them by force, and when the proprietor endeavored to pre vent them, ono of the party raised a club with an iron spike in too end and struck him in tho head, the spike penetrating the temple and killing him instantly. Tho name of the negro who struck the blow could not bo learned. Tho "body was expected to arrive in toe city by a small boat last night. . Tho deceased, who was thirty-two yean of age, was a native South Carolinian, and had been educated in Europe for the priesthood. His health failing he was compelled to return to torn country before being or dained. Ho then went into [the grocery business on South Bay, and for a short lime has been carrying on that business on Edisto Island, whero he was highly respected as a good law-abiding citizen. Ho leaves a wife andthreo children. A touhg bride who had been fashiona bly edncited was asked by her fond hus band to attend too ordering of the din ner, as ho shouldn’t have time to go to too market. It is a fact that she blandly requested toe butcher to Eend home a “leg of tongue, seventeen pounds of steak and two halibut.” THE TREASURY TROUBLES Supplemental Repart of Joint Com mittee to Examine the Financial Condition of the State Treasury. To the Honorable the General Assembly: In accordance with your joint resolu tion, the undersigned havo again made an examination of the Stato treasury, and they respectfully submit herewith their supplemental report. Examining the cash account of toe Treasurer anew, toe following exhibit is made: To balance as per report on 1st Jan* uary, 1875 .$1,003,178 8S Receipts from January 1.1875. as per report ol Comptroller General. 179,141 00 Debt balinco .$1,132,200 78 Against which tho following credits appear: By payment since January 1st as per Comptroller General’s report tooth February, 1875. Executive warrants..? G0.2J3 03 Coupons of currency ami gold bonds paid in 1874, as <>cr count of commit tee..rinr.;...:. ..rTTT. 831,537 £0 Coupons reported paid in New York at Fourth National Bank, on audsioco January 1,1873... 139/134 00 By gold coupons reported paid at Fourth National Bonk 35,840 00 By premium on said gold coupons 4,411 00 By overdue bonds and interest paid since 1st January 30,405 00 By error in account of Ard, Tax Collec tor of Stewart county 0,000 00 By paid commission to Fourth Nation al Bank for paymg interest on our droits and exchango 5.4S3 00 By cash in band, to amount in vault... 17,14132 By cash in Georgia Railroad Bank, Au • gusts S/K0 00 By cash in Stato National Bank, At lanta .. 6,240 CO By cash in Bank of tho Stato of Geor gia, Atlanta 5,711 24 By cash in Citizens’Bank of Georgia. Atlanta. 20,753 CO By cash in City Bank of Macon 53,124 85 By cash in Central Railroad Bank, Sa vannah 27/35 27 By cash in Fourth National Bank, Ncw York 18,238 00 By cash in Merchants’ and Mechanics’ Bank, Columbus 114 50 $151,497 48 By advances to General Assembly... 18,803 CO By paid account Civil Establishment (count of committee) 25,022 33 By paid committco investigation, Wrenn 6,002 SO By paid redemption W. and A. change bills S,44S 41 By paid Irwin, Hill & Lester, ac count of Code.. 9,000 00 By paid J. "W. Burko A Co., account orcode :. 4,000 oo By paid Conley warrants, etc 10,95109 By paid discount of temporary loan 8,922 70 By paid miscellaneous accounts 1,053 IS By paid express account, \V. C. Mor rill 77 75 By paid premium on gold, during 1S74, as per account ot Fourth Na tional bank, December 28,1874 24,784 07 ’ ' ' $1,178,071 45 From this must ba deducted tha amount of Dr. balance against the Treasury, report in Bank of Uni versity, Athens, Georgia...... 1,951 49 Total credits $1,170,119 90 Thi3 leaves a balance against too Treas urer of $6,140 S2, which may bo reduced $1,000 when tho bonds presented by the Treasurer and under Executive seal shall have been again counted as previously reported by the committee. If the count of the committee is correct, tho Treasur er i3 entitled to this credit of ono thou sand dollars, and tho balance against him will be $5,140.82. The Treasurer asks credit for balance due on a protested or unpaid check of John King, Esq.,banker, for $2,115,and for eonnterfeit United States currency, $337, taken in the due course of husiness, Your committeo feel that they havo no right to allow these accounts, and, as previously reported, they refer the mat ter to the General Assembly, who alone can pass upon them. In order that your committeo may not be misunderstood, and that full and am ple justice may bo done tho Treasurer, they submit herewith too balance sheet presented by toe Treasurer, remarking only that in his credit item of $37,463 (amount paid on overdue bonds and in terest since 1st January), he has included tho ono thousand dollars of bonds which your committee havo heretofore alluded to as being unsettled, and subject to a recount. , John Jones. Treasurer, in account in tit the State qf Georgia •• 1875. DEBTOK. Jan. 1. To balance reported in the Treasury Dec. 31,1874. .$1,003,128 SS Feb. 9. To receipts from January 1 to date - 179,141 90 $1,182,270 78 Feb. 9. To balance .$1,121,975 72 To overdraft In Bank of Uni versity, Athens 1,951 49 $1,123,927 21 1S75. CREDIT. Feb. 9. By payments since 1st Janna- lytbdate $ 80,293 00 By balance 1,121,975 72 $1,112,270 70 Feb. 9. By coupons'®! currency and gold bonds paid in 1874 $ C52.DJ 0 00 By coupons reported as paid at New Yoik since 1st Jan. 179,855 00 By premiums paid on gold for payment of coupons.- 21,784 00 By overdue bonds and inter est paid since January 1_... 37,103 00 By error in account of Ard, T. C., Stewart county. 0,000 00 By interest on overdraft, com mission and exchange, 4th National Bank... 5,483 02 By cash on hand, to-wit: In vault .$17,144 32 By cash in Georgia Rail road Bank, Augusta.... 2,910 00 By cash in StateNational Bank, Atlanta. 6,210 00 Bv cash in Bank cf State of Georgia, Atlanta-... 6,711 24 By cash in Citizens’ Bank Of Georgia, Atlanta..... 20,758 60 By cash in City Bank of Macon 63,124 35 By cash in Central Rail road Bank, Savannah... 27,223 27 By cash in Fourth Nat’l Bank, New York 18.2SS 00 By cash in Mechanics’ Bank, Colnmhus 114 60— 151,497 48 By advance, to-wit: To General Assembly....— 18,3(8 00 To civil establishment— 25.G2107 To committee .investi gating "Wrcnn and oth ers —.. 5,062 80 To redemption of IV. and ■ A. change bills 3.44S 45 To Irwin, Hill A Lester, on account of Code 9,000 00 To J. "W. Burke A Co 4/100 00 To Conley, warrants paid • by order of Governor... 10/151 09 To discount on temporary loan not rcceiptcdfor... 5,922 70 To miscellaneous accoun t 1,058 13 To expenses AV. C. Mor rill, InvcstigatingCom. 77 73— $82,052 49 $1,119,00-4 99 By balance on John lung’s draft 2,113 53 By counterfeits taken in 1874 - 337 00- 2,453 53 $1,122,117 52 In the re-examination made by too committee, they havo been able to elicit no new fact, and nothing ha3 been sub mitted to them justifying or authorizing any ch'ango of opinion in relation to the claims passed upon. They distinctly stated in their first report that tho evi dences of disbursement presented by toe Treasurer were apparently correct, and that they did not havo time to verify them, by reason of their presentation at so late an hour as to render it impossi ble to do so; and too resolution authoriz ing the committee to continue the ex amination, has but given them the time to do that which would have been done within the ten days required by too origi nal resolution, had tho Treasurer com plied with toe request of too committee, in the presentation of all Iris evidences of disbursement in the time allowed under said resolution. Your committee employed every means in their power to obtain from tho Treas urer a statement of his credits. They commenced their labors on the 9th inst., and on the evening of the 19th (the pe riod fixed by the resolution within which they should make their report to the General Assembly), not one of the evi dences of disbursement mentioned in ypnr committee’s original report, as not verified, had been heard of, much less submitted for inspection. If the books and papers of the Treasurer’s office Had been properly kept, or if" the Treasurer bad known tho actual condition of his office, tho evidences of payments pre sented on the 22d instant could and should have been submitted not later than the 10th inst. ^Your committee call tho attention of tae General Assembly to the difference shown in their supplemental report and their original report m relation to tho claim presented by toe Treasurer for a credit of $6,000, money paid on account of J. W. Burke & Co., as justifying the caution of year enAimittee in not accept ing- Absolutely the evidences of payment presented without examination. The Treasurer himself concedes tho payment of $2,000 on this account, as appears also bv the report of toe Comptroller General, leaving a*balance due thereon of $4,000, and not six thousand, as first reported. Your committeo desire to bo distinctly understood as not charging the Treasurer with dishonesty or misappropriation of the pnblio funds, and in the balance sheet herewith submitted there may be errors cpmmitted in the count of so largo a nnm- pfer of coupons, and "the Treasurer may ’ ho able hereafter to present vouchers for any balance now appearing against him. . Giving the Treasurer, however, full credit for his honesty and integrity, your Ammitteo are compelled to reiterate toeir previous report that the business Of the department is loo rely and inaccu rately conducted, that thero is want of system and arrangement in the office, absence of important and necessary books, and non-compliance with the pro visions of tho Code in important and es sential particulars. It is not necessary that the committco should present again in detail toe reasons already presented for arriving at this conclusion, and they snbrnit herewith only such additional in formation as, though previously known to tho committee, was not incorporated in toeir first report. A re-examination of toe Treasury De portment sustains too committee’s pre viously expressed views as to toe want of system employed in its dealings with banking institutions. No account is kept of its deposits and its checks, toe amount paid for interest on our drafts, premiums on exchange or commissions of any kind; and the department is com pelled to rely upon tho books of tho banks J ith which it does business for this fo rmation. , "Without authority of law toe Treasur ed has used tho bonds of the State, which ejiould have been returned to tho Stato And cancelled, a3 security for advances made. And himself admits tbat at times" ho ha3 overdrawn his account with too Fourth National hank of Now York as Ciuch as two hundred thousand dollars. Yonr committeo submit tbat some time fo 1873, a claim of Russell Sage, Esq., of New York, for $423,125, and for which he held $500,000 of tho quarterly gold bonds if the Stato as collateral, was settled by tho exchange of 8 per cent, "bonds of toe State, and the collaterals were surren dered and placed in tho Fourth National hank of New York, then and now toe financial agents of the Stato, who also held $392,500 of toe bonds of too State, signed by Governor Smith, and Angier, Treasurer. These bonds, instead of being returned to too treasury department and cancelled, or reported to tho General Assembly for disposition, have been used by the Treas urer a3 collateral for temporary loans or over drafts, and pledged as security for theso over drafts, which, he says, at times, exceeded two hundred thousand dollars. In a letter to A. Lane, Esq., cashier Fourth National Bank, dated Ju ly 15,1874, and hut two or three weeks before ho negotiated toe loans from Wm. T. "Walters, Esq., of Baltimore, and Mo-, scs Taylor, Esq., of New York, not yet reported to the General Assembly, he says: “We shall havo to trespass upon your kind permission to overdraw to tho extent of onr collaterals in yonr hands, until onr collections begin to come in.” And again, in tho same letter, he says: “Of coarse our bonds in yonr hands are collaterals for snch overdrafts as our ne cessities require, and yonr kindness per mits.” In relation to toe loan of ono hundred thousand dollars from "W. T. "Walters, July 23,1874, and from Moses Taylor, October 1, 1S74, too revenues of toe "Western and Atlantic railroad were pledged six months in advance for their payment, and although the four notos given in tho sum of $25,000 each for toe first named loan fell duo the last day3 of August, September, October and Novem ber, and the whole $150,000 were received as cash by tho Treasury in July and Oc tober, yet too loan was not reported nor doe3 any entry of cash received from this source appear in hi3 annual report. In thi3 last mentioned loan too neces sity for keeping a hook upon which to enter tho discount paid on loans, etc,, is apparent from toe fact that tho Treas urer at first presented to too committee for credit the amount of $2,624 60 as dis count on this loan, estimated by him to he tho amount ;• and at too second ex amination presented to toe committee for credit the amount of $3,922 70, the true amount, os certified to by W. C.JMorrill, Esq., who effected the loan. In relation to tho warrants amounting to $10,954.00 signed by too Hon Benja min Conley and countersigned by M. Bell, Comptroller, the committee cannot refrain from expressing surprise that these payments have not been hereto fore reported. "With one exception, all of theso warrants were paid by Treasurer Jones in January, 1873. No sufficient reason ba3 been given for toe omission, but the disbursement is allowed because it does not appear that the Treasurer has ever received credits for too payments made. Two reports havo been made to the General Assembly since these war rants were paid, and they hare not been submitted except as cosh on hand to balance his account. Your committee havo in their previous report called attention to section 96 of the Code of 1873 in relation to tho record of all bonds and coupons paid at toe date of their payment, and the Treasurer’s non-compliance with this law ; they also call attention to the non-compliance on the part of the Treasurer with toe act approved February 24, 1873, requiring him to destroy all bonds and coupons and certificates the property of tho State, presenting toe manner in which the same shall be done, and directing him to make a report thereof. In relation to too payment of toe past due "bonds of the State by tho Treasurer, your committee havo had no reason to change their previously expressed opin ion. Every well informed Georgian knew that Henry Clews held bonds on the State; that bonds had been ironed to re tire toe outstanding indebtedness, and the length of time elapsing from the ma turity of the bonds to the date of toeir presentation made it tho duty of toe Treasurer to exercise nnnsnal caution in relation to them, and to have deferred payment until. something definite could be learned of them. Instead of doing this, the Treasurer seems to have paid them in large numbers as fast as pre sented, as also interest duo thereon, up to the time of his notice in the spring of 1873. No record has been kept of the dates of presentation and payment, whom paid to, how many were exchanged for 8 per cent, bonds, and tho Treasurer says he does not remember any of these im portant matters. His recollection of bonds paid since toe 1st of Janury, 1875, waa also inexact. He first reported to the committee a package of twenty-nine thousand dollars of bonds with interest, as paid, since the 1st of January, and entitled to be passed to his cosh credit in making up his cash account. Two days after, he informed the committee that these bonds had not been paid, but held by him in trust; and, again considering toe matter, he stated that they had been paid, and the commit tee allowed him the amount in summing up. In endeavoring to arrive at the ex- exact status of his bank balances with the different banks with which he has been dealing, not being prepared to fur nish toe necessary information from any hooks in his own office, he gave the com- mitte what he thought his balances were. He said his cash balance in the Bank of the University, at Athens, was about $3,- 000—subsequent advice shows a balance against him of $1,951.49. He thought his credit balanco in Columbus was about $200; it was subsequently reported at $114.50; and that in the city of Macon at about $52,000—it was shown to be $53,124.35. Like inaccuracies, or want of positive information obtained in rela tion to other matters in his office, neces sarily extend into the views of tho com mittee in making up their report, that the business of tho department is loosely and inaceurtoly conducted, and that thero i3 want of system and arrange ment. - - i- Your committeo attribute these inac curacies largely, if not wholly to the rea sons assigned by toe Treasurer, to-wit: his recent illness and physical debility; but the business of the office should be so conducted as to leave nothing to memory. Detail and accuracy is de manded for the public interest. Every banking institution, railroad interest and mercantile house in Georgia, of high standing, exacts from the custodians of its money, not only an accurate state ment of their business, but require them to be ready to report at any time, and in les3 than twenty-four hours, toeir real standing. And the Treasurer should be able to supply all the needed information in relation to the financial affairs of the Stato from his own books, accurately and properly kept, and with like dispatch. Yonr committeo submit that toe Treasurer has snch books in his office 03 he has heretofore kept, and some of the deficiencies m his department are chargo- ablo to too system whicn has heretofore prevailed. j ... .. Your committeo. do- not blame toe Treasurer for tho system, but they un qualifiedly disapprove it, and say that under the system, as it exists, the Treas urer has not discharged the duties of his office with thaff diligence, care and skill a3 is necessary for the full protection of tho public interest. As an additional evidence of the incom pleteness in which too records of pay ment by the department are kept, your committee snbmit that about 5 p. h , on the 26th instant, whilst too committee were engaged in making up toe report, Treasurer Jones appeared before the committco and asked to be allowed a credit of $1,925, which sum ho said he had paid to certain attorneys of C. P. MeCalla, whose receipt he had lost, that he had paid it under an order passed by too Governor in May, 1874, for a warrant, hut which warrant had never beonis3ned. Tho Treasurer produced a copy of toe Governor's order, and said if time was given him he cenld secure toe testimony of the attorneys to whom the money was paid. Yonr committee neither allowed or disallowed toe claim for credit, bnt submit toe fact and the mode of its pre sentment to toe General Assembly with out farther comment. In order that tho General Assembly may have a succinct statement of the paid public debt, and other indebtedness of toe State now in tho Treasury . De partment, they snbmit herewith a detail ed memoranda thereof. Yonr committee havo recently had toeir attention called to the fact that the dis crepancy of $299,500 between toe Treas urer’s reports and toe known summary of maturing obligations, may bo explained in toe error said to have been committed in reporting the bonds issued by and signed Jenkins, Governor, and mortgage on the "Western and Atlantic railroad at $3,900,000, whereas the issue i3 now re ported to too committee to he $3,600,000 only. Yonr committee are in hope that this statement is true, and that there is in fact a redaction of tho public debt to this amount. Statement of toe paid debt of toe State now in the treasury: Paid bonds under Executive seal $1,000,500 00 Paid bonds presented from Execu tive oBioo 324,250 CO Bonds of school fund in vault, un- cancelcd 208,000 00 Bonds returned from Fourth Na> tional Bank, gold quarterlies.: 500,000 00 Bonds returned from Fourth Na tional Bank, currency 392,500 00 Six per cent, bonds due July 1,1872, less interest 30,900 00 Coupons paid, sent from Executive office, in treasury vault 388,633 60 One package canceled coupons from Fourth National Bank 337,539 00 One box coupons, January to July and July to December 351,5X3 50 "Western and Atlantic change bills 23,451 15 Currency and gold coupons paid in 1874. 031,637 60 Western and Atlantic change bills raid in1874 3,448 45 Your committee havo devoted to thi3 investigation their best effort, under the time allowed them, and interrupted as they have been by other duties, and they herewith submit, without recommenda tion, too result of their labors. Chas. C. Kibbee, Chairman Senate Committee. William D. Anderson, Chairman Honse Committee. The Japan Gazette. Wo havo received a copy of this curious journal from a for off pagan country, printed in English. The proper names and many of toe words used are enough to dislocate one’s jaws to pronounce them. We give one extract: “On New -Year’s day, the first day of the first month of the eighth year of Meiji, or year 2535 of tho Jinmu-Tenno era, toe usual Shogatru festivities took place. His Majesty the Mikado per formed toe ceremony ot warship in the direction of toe four cardinal points, at 5 o’clock -in the morning, and then holy service was offered to Hashikodokori, Sumemusuki (souls of ancestors) and Kami. At 8 A. H. their Majesties the Emperct and the Empress received the salutations of toe three Daijin, and offi cers ot In, Bho, Bhi, Cho, JPra and Von. At the same time toe Sonim officers re paired to Kunaitho, where they presented their congratulations.” All certainly very august and edifying to American ears. THE GEORGIA LEGISLATURE. FORTY-FIRST DAY. Special to Telegraph and Messenger.] Atlanta, March 1,1875. THE TREASURY MUDDLE. The House met this morning. No mo tion to reconsider the action of Saturday night, in passing resolutions condemning Jones. Messrs. Carlton, of Clarke, Can dler, Rankin, Walsh, Harrison, Leverett, Anthony and Wilson, of Clarke, entered a pretest against the resolutions, stating that they considered it too summary a manner in which to dispose of so grave a question, claiming that the Treasurer ought to be arraigned for impeachment. The resolutions were transmitted to toe Senate, whero they were opposed by Mr. Blance, who contended that it was not proper for the Legislature to censnre any official. Mr. Jone3 was a honied officer and his bondsmen were amenable for any de falcation, or misconduct. Tho first reso lution, censuring the Treasurer for mis management, was adopted by 20 yeas to 12 nays. Several Senators said they voted nay because they thought Jones ought to lie impeached. Among the yeas were Messrs. Cain, Gilmore, McDaniel, Crawford, Kibbee and Felton. Among toe nays were Messrs. Blance, Hester, Perry and Mat tox. The other resolutions instructing toe Governor to institute suit against toe bondsmen, and providing for the appoint ment of an assistant to tho Treasurer were adopted without count. THE NOTTINO BONDS. In toe House the Governor’s message giving information relative to the Nutt ing bonds and bonds probably paid twice, was read, bnt not acted open. T , The Governor stated that a3 soon as ho had an intimation that bonds were being presented for payment toe second" time he gave instructions not to pay snch bonds, and he understood from the Treas urer that no snch bonds had been paid sinco that time, if any had been paid at all. He also said he had made repeated efforts to obtain from Hemy Clews infor mation in' reference to his account with the State, hut without avail. FASITSO AND PRATEE. Tho Honse adopted resolutions request ing the Governor to fir some day in May for fasting and prayer. FAREWELL. Farewell addresses were delivered by President Simmons, Speaker Hardeman, and Speaker pro tem. Bacon, andtoeLeg- ialatnrc adjourned sine die at 12 o’clock. ELECTION ORDERED. The Governor has ordered too election in toe Ninth district to take" place toe fifth of May, in accordanco with toe re quest of the Senators and Representa tives and toe Executive Committee of toe district. ARCHITECT APPOINTED. Calvin Fay, of this city, a Democrat, has been appointed supervising architect of tho custom-house. Kimball’s endorse ment by toe citizens socm.3 to have availed nothing. BIBB COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. a, Proceedings of tbc Monthly Meeting. The regular monthly meeting of toe Bibb Connty Agricultural Society was 'held at the Conrt-honse yesterday, Presi dent Holt in toe chair. The minutes of too last regular meet ing were read and confirmed. On motion it was resolved to discon tinue holding all tho meetings at the Conrt-honse and make toe same itiner ant. His motion also provided for toe division of the connty into districts, and too designation of certain places in each district for holding future meetings. On motian, the President was author ized to appoint a committee of five to prepare a premium list for toe connty fair to be held in June; also, to make such other arrangements as may "bo ne cessary at this time. The following rcsofotion was adopted: Resolved, That the President of the As sociation appoint a committee of mem bers whose duty it shall he to revise the roll, collect $2 from all members retained in the same for toe year’s dues, and so licit new members. The following resolution wa3 also adopted: _ Resolved, That the President of this so ciety be authorized to subscribe to toe leading agricultural stock, bee and poul try journals, provided the amount so ex pended does not exceed $25 annually, and that a committeo of three be appointed to prepare weekly from these journals and have published in snch weekly paper as shall be selected, articles called “Thoughts and Work for the Week,” which article shall contain suggestions and recommendations adapted to this connty. On motion, a committee o! fire was ap pointed to take into consideration the feasibility of organizing by toe members of toe society a joint stock company for the purpose of introducing and breeding imported stock of all kinds, as well as growing imported varieties of seeds, etc. The subject selected at tho last meet ing for discussion at this meeting was then announced. Hr. Peter having been appointed to open the discussion, made the following remarks on the subject: IRISH POTATOES. I will not attempt to give toe history, or describe too value of toe potato, far ther than to state that it is a native of this continent, and that no excuse exists for not being able to supply onr own wants instead of paying this additional tribute to the Northern States. Why not reverse this huge traffic and deter- minto supply tho North at least with early potatoes : Onr potatoes, without question, will compare favorably in qual ity with onr wheat in the estimation of the Northern consumer, and all they re quire of ns is to produce an early crop, ship tho same to them and a profitable price will be cheerfully payed. The importance of this crop as an arti cle of food for man and beast, as well as its commercial Talue, has never been ful- S realized by the Southern farmer, henoe e neglect of its culture. As an article of human food, I do not consider wheat mnch superior, and as a healthy and pal atable diet nothing can bo served on onr tables in greater variety, nor is there any danger of satiety. As a nourishing food for Btock, if properly prepared, nothing that can be grown on an acre of ground will equal an acre of potatoes. The many varieties known differ greatly in shape. size and external appearance, and so far os my experience goes, all are peculiarly adapted to almost any kind of soil, prop erly manured, and not too wet or dry. Our seasons are sufficiently long toen- ahle ns to raise annually two crops or more on the same pieoe of ground, * n| l there need bo no sp^haMiAna nf dis eases or ravages of insects. If the fore going statements are tree, no farther ar gument is necessary in urging the im portance of the crop. Therefore, I will select from the endless variety of pota toes the Early Base, bought of the North ern grower, as my standardof excellence, and for making onr first crop, which va-" riety in point of size, productiveness, quality, keeping properties and extra earliness is folly up to all the wants of the private grower, as well as the market gardener and shipper. For the second crop we will have to originate, a late variety suited to our seasons, by planting the seeds found in the balls of the Peerless or some other good late .variety. The potatoes tons obtained after a few years careful culture for the purpose, will then mature late, keep until planting time toe following year, and flourish through our dry summers. New varieties may also be obtained by hybridizing, that is, tak ing the pollen of ono flower and impreg nating it with the pistils of another. My plan of obtaining seed for the sec ond crop is: After digging my Early Rose, whioh mature in June, I store thorn is a cellar of a low, uniform temperature, rarely exceeding 59 or 60 degrees Faren- heit, for several weeks. They go through a sort of miniature winter, and upon re moval for a short time to & higher tem perature—that is, the onteide atmos phere—a disposition in accordance with nature is manifested to germinate. They are then in rea ifoess for planting, ana before too first frost an abundant crop can be counted on. Those not wanted for planting I continue to keep in the cellar, and have no trouble of sprouting or any other depreciation. Have kept them perfectly sonnd and plump for ten months, or until consumed. Successive crops may also be produced by resetting the plants of toe late varieties, after tak ing off the ripe or large potatoes, which should he done justTbefore or after a rain. This may be done several times daring the season, or until stopped by frost. It is host to top the plants a little before resetting, and it ti also beneficial to add a little more manure. By mulching with straw several inches deep toe plants reset will vegetate and germinate during the winter. Tho seeds for planting should he se lected, all of good size and cat length wise into halves or quarters, saving about four eyes to each piece. The cut surface should be dusted with plaster of paris, which prevents bleeding, shrinking, rot ting and stimulates them to an early growth. So little trouble is experienced in securing a crop of potatoes that no regu lar system of cultivation is in vogue. Some plant in hills, some in drills and others adopt toe best plan that can he practiced by a lazy man. The plan I recommend for making a large crop is this: The earth should ho thoroughly broken up with plow and har row, and if possible subsoiled, or it should bo dug twelve inches deep if the Boil will allow it. Before this is done all toe horse and cow lot manure, litter, ashes, leaves, woodpile manure, and cotton seed that can be spared (the greater toe quan tity the better) should be spread over toe surface. After the earth is broken up and manure turned under, drills should he opened about six inches deep and three feet apart, into which should ba put a compost, prepared as follows: To an acre prepared as just stated, take 600 His. Ober’s AA guano, or the mixture of 250 lbs. dissolved bone, 150 Ids. muriate potash (80 per cent.) and 100 2)3. Peru vian guano. Either mixture should,ho composted with four or five cart loads, of dry mnek, peat or rich monld, which should be thoroughly mixed and scattot- ed early in the drills. The seed should then be dropped ten or twelve inches apart in toe drill, and if possible covered with dang and leaves. The drills should then he filled by the use of toe plow or hoe, leaving the surface perfectly level. If the ground should become compacted hy heavy rains before the potatoes begin to spront a light harrowing should be re sorted to. When the young shoots ap pear toeir tenderness makes them liable to injury hy too late frosts, and fresh earth or light monld should bo drawn around them with a hoe, and if covered no harm will be done. As soon as too shoots make their sec ond appearance, or reach the height of five inches, they should be well earthed again and tho land plowed between tho row3, leaving tho nsual water farrow in toe center. This is about all toe cultivation that is necessary, always bearing in mind that toe tubes cannot expand unless toe beds are kept fight and Ioolo, and that a crop of potatoes and grass do not prosper to gether at the same time. The following subject was selected for discussion at the next meeting and Mr. S. I. Gnstin selected to report thereon: The Vegetable Garden. No other business appearing the meet ing adjourned. TI, X Civil Bights. Some of toe Macon oolored people burnt a good deal of gunpowder yester day over toe passage of the civil rights hill. They will find themselves very mnch disappointed in the practical re sults of that bill. One of their brother Radical Senators, in speaking of it last Saturday, says: “The colored citizen is authorized to bring a suit in which everybody knows he cannot recover. The Supreme Court of the United States, in two well-oonsideied decisions, have settled principles upon which the validity of this bill must be denied; and every Circuit Conrt in which a suit may be commenced under its pro visions will be compelled, in proper ju dicial subordination, to rale against a re covery. Its only effect, therefore, will be to involve the colored man in litiga tion in which he is certain to be defeated, keeping tho promise to his ear and break ing it to his hope.” Skabp Connty. (Ark.) Democrat: A widow woman living on Folk bayou, in Independence county, was XMOKtiy killed by a brute, in the shape of a i»mi. The woman was destitute of to eat. also of any means by which aha oonld obtain a sustenance for herself and chil dren, and went to this man’s honse to get something to eat, telling her condition, and stating that she was unable to get employment, and that her children were starving. He refused her in a very ab rupt manner, when she told him that she was bound to hare something to eat, and that he might look out for his corn-crib that night. Tho unfeeling wretch loaded a shot-gun and watched his crib until toe poor woman came, when he shot her, billing her instantly. We are happy to hear that toe monster is in the Bate*villa jail, where he will remain »«fa‘l ha Is pun ished in that way and manner which he deserves—an rerial suspension. ell a o) cl. :,;;;.*

Georgia Historic Newspapers

Georgia weekly telegraph and Georgia journal & messenger. (Macon, Ga.) 1869-1880, March 09, 1875, Image 1