About The Savannah weekly news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1868-187? | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 1876)
Savannah WeeMy llftttf -ATI 'HDaV J \M AK\ *. 1 H7i ■——■*—■■—— ■—. . -Li mu. l , ii A(ihM> OF THE MOBHIKW MEW>. üßimiiu. The following •gent* are authorized to receive *utMcii|illoii( forth*' Moumpiu New* In their reepective loceltti<*: Banbeio>viu.— K. A. Sullivan. Mokven - K. U. HMch. Hartow -George C. Brown. Lot ivji.i.K lUiberti A Hoy J. I’Kf nv'a Mill, Tatthau. 00.-4. " • JhmP' (iriTBAH—II. H. Kayton, 8. M. Griffin. Anirruva-L. H. Peacock. Bi.irKTHEAK—M. C. Wade. Bknoai.—Wit lam Holloway. HivaiU) —*m. P. (Iray. CtTATTViu-S —J. M. Clyatt. Rbiiwviixß— W. N. McDonald. Tayi/ih a Creek—l)r. M. D. Moody. Htatekviixe -G. M. Englieh, Jr. St. Mary’a—- lohn Bcaacnt. Miooi.Banoi *— P. A. Bryan. OcKLOCKar.E—John H. Stephens. Hobokbx— D. B. McKinnon. (•i.KsaouE —J. M. Johns. Monhos— W. 11. Goodwin. SPKijforirui—A moo F. Kahn. Watcros*—-J. W. Hlghsmlth. Brijjiwh k— W. H. Berne. Tiiomasvili.*—W. C. Carson, Miss A. E. Mc- Clellan. Kaknil*—A. Crosby. Giant—Robert J, Smith. Riitusdor—“Rough" Rice. Scßr.vK*—C. C. Grace. Camiixa—F. P. Burt/.. Ostcciira—J. R. Cooper. Baikbkiiihb—W. J. Bruton. Bostoh—J. Nevlns ( arson. Dahikn—K. W. Grubb. Vai.oosta.—A. S. Pendleton. Madison—ii. C. Billin/s. Greenmiiorot-W. M. Weaver. (•rw lln.l.—Jas. M. Minor. Fort Gaines —J. 1). Dudley. FI,OKI IIA . Manatee—J. C. Vanderipe. Wei.born— A. W. McLeran. Houston—J. P. Morgan. Hhooksvii.i.e—T. S. Coogler. Eixavii.i.e -S. T. Leek. I.aKK KL'HTAca—.James Hull. Fort Marion—:B. M. Dwens. Hart’s Road—B. J. Farmer. . Siiadv Gnore— I T. B. Hendry. pEitnv— James A. Hodge. W Moei.iiy Hall—A. K. Patterson. Gakwooo— Chan. Hutcbir.son. Lawtt—T. J. Barrln. Vbrwon—J. B. .'skipper. Waldo - Samuel J. Keunard. Wacasskb—A. J. Weeks. Whits Hmmwm—R. W. Adams. Hattawviixb—R. J.. Sparkman. Monticei.lo—Tho*. Simmons. Madison— John liart. Jacksonville— I Thos. A. Britt, Phillip Walter, Ketclmm 4 Cos. Gainksvim.b —M. E. Papy. Lake Benton—ll. F, York. IliucK Yabd—.J. C. Brain. MicANorr. —J. Mathers. Benton—D. N. Cone. Newna.nsviixe—J. Love. Flbbinoton.—H. A. Stanford. SOl,’Til CAROLINA. Lawtonvillr—W. B. Lawton, Jr. Rarly Branch—John D. Sanders. Allendale—Harley & Cos. BWAny agent whose name is omitted will please notify us, Defeat of the Steam* King. Our telegrams from Tallahassee give the gratifying information that Stearns and his organized gang of plunderers have been defeated in their cunning and persistent attempts to take possession of the Jacksonville, Pensacola and Mobile Railroad. It was the intention of the ring, provided they had carried out thoir purposes, to place the road once more un der the corruptcontrol of that well known bond thief and fugitive from justice, Milton S. Littlefield. Under his manipu lation tho road would become a mere instrument in the hands of the Radicals to defeat the plans and purposes of those who desire to seo tho Stato administra tiou once more in the possession of hon est and capable bauds. For several years it has been under the control of a set of corrupt and unblushing aliens whoso interest in the welfare ot the State is bounded by the amount they can steel from the taxpayers. The decision alluded to in our special telegrams is a very severe blow to the Stearns crew. It takes out of their hands a large and important amount of official patronage, and loaves them, so far as the road is concerned, to depend upon other resources of their knavery. Tho decision is also important in relieving the tax pay ers of Florida from paying the uicoiisti tutioual bonds issued by the State tp thj road, i’ and iTppropri&twd to hio ownJ| • T'.i-Bf - ilT.uiefield, who v iiivu wold tiicm Ili Otn ViWun tries and pocketed the proceeds. Altog >ther the victory is uotable one, aud as a triumph of right and justice over fraud and oorruptton, seems to be a forerunner of the complete redemption of the people of Florida from Radical and carpet-bag rule, f The Investigation Crusade. The work of investigation has but just commenced in Washington, and the re sult thus tar gives promise of the devel opment of an amount of corruption and fraud in the government departments that will astound the country. The first blood was drawn on Saturday by the Commit tee on Expenditures in the printing de partment, by the discovery ot an item of $250,000 “shortage” in the printing and engraving division. In explanation of this excess over the estimates, Superin tendent McCartee stated to the com mittee that the discrepancy was occasioned by the Appropriation Committee of the last Congress, which compelled him to change the manner of printing the red seal on the ourrenoy from imichine to makiug an additional expense of more than $250,000. The alteration in the plun is not at all calculated to assiat iu preventing counterfeiting, and is regarded by the committee as a willful job. The next leak discovered is in the cot ton bureau. This is a very flagrant case, over sixty thousand dollars hav been fraudulently paid to Park tnan, Brooks A Cos. The papers in this case will shortly be turned over to the grand jury, aud it is said will result iu the indictment of ex-Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Sawyer, and ex-Comwis nioner of Customs Haines, aud iu the dismissal of one of the principal account ing officers of the Treasury. The Washington liiug real estate pool is also being investigated iu earnest. It is said the contumacious witness, Hallett Kilbouru, will, this time, be required to tell the names of the members, which he refused to do before the committee of the last tigress. The investigation will show President bought property, and Babcock was one of the pool. This and the Freedm investigation will make it lively a number of gentlemen who little kuow what ise mirg. Reaping the Whirlwind. The aclored voters of Pittsburg re cently held A meetiuj to lament their grievances. They say that they cast three thousand votes in the county, and they think that they are entitled to some tsligbt recognition iu the distribution of the subordinate offices. This has exoittd the ire of the Repub licans of Pittsburg. The Telegr.iph says “those newly-made citizens profess te bave no gratitude for the party that gave them the right of suffrage, and foolishly declare that they will use that suffrage iu behalf of the party which gives them a share of the offices. It is about time these new voters were let in their iguorauce and selfishness.” Now, remarks the Baltimore Gazette, if the Republicans of Pitts burg are no indignant at the colored voters for simply asking for a share of the subordinate offices, what must be their views of the communities where they have nearly all of the most important offices. And yet we have very little doubt that the Telegraph , which is •o angry with the negroes of Pennsyl vania for wanting office in that State would be equally angry with the negroes of South Carolina if they did not claim them there. The Republican ideas are bounded by geographical lines, and do not bear transplanting very well; and the Republican idea of the right to vote means the right to vote the straight Re publican ticket, or else to be “left alone in their ignoranoe and selfishness.” Kloiida Railroad Suits in the Supreme Court of the United States and (lie Supreme Court or Florida. In our issue of Saturday we alluded briefly to an important decision by the Supreme Court of Florida in the well known Jacksonville, Pensacola and Mobile Railroad case. As the people of Florida, as well as of Savannah, are greatly interested in the matter of the control of the lines of railway extending from Chattahoochee to Jacksonville, from Jacksonville to Live 0 ak, thence to Savannah, we propose to give them a short synopsis of the decisions lately rendered in the courts affecting these roads. The matter of these suits, if shorn of the various technicalities and ! voluminous pleadings by which it has ! been surrounded, can be stated in a few words. These decisions in the two oourts cover the claims of three parties— : the holders of internal improvement j bonds, the holders of State bonds, and a | purchaser of the road under an execution against the company. An internal im provement bond is a bond issued by the company which constructed the road before the war, and the money realized from the sales of these bonds was the principal means by which the road was constructed. The bond was a statu tary mortgage upon the road. The com pany failing to pay the interest due, the road was seized and sold since the war. A portion of the purchase money in the shape of these bonds was paid and there was a balance due of about $432,000, or about this amount of bonds were out standing. The State bond was a bond is sued by the State and given to Littlefield, who got possession of the road after the war in exchange for the bonds of the new company. The bonds of the com pany were a mortgage on the road, and upon default in payment of interest the State was authorized by the act to seize the road, to sell it and to become the 'pur dimer, paying therefor the bonds of the com pany, which doe held to protect herself against her liability to the holder of her bonds. After all of these bonds were is sued Holland sold the interest of the company in the road, claimed that he was the owner of the road, and denied the existence of any lien upon it, assert ing tha( the outstanding internal im provement bondholder lost his lien by his trustee accepting a check from the purchaser for the balance of purchase money ; that the State bond was uncon stitutional, and that the State had no lien or mortgage by virtue of the company bond. Now we come to the decisions. The Supreme Court of the United States, leaving the decision of the ques tion whether the bonds of the State are constitutional to the State Courts, as sumes that they are for the purpose of disposing of the case before it, and at the same time expressly decides that its view or ruling shall not prejudice the right of Holland to contest in any com petent court the validity of the bonds issued by the company, or prejudice any rights he may have to redeem by paying the balance of the unpaid purchase money due on the sale under the internal improvement bonds ; at the same time stating that Holland’s claim is inequitable and unjust. This court further decides that the balance of the purchase money due by the purchaser at the sale, under the in- ternal improvement bond, the property in the han# chaser. It decides furt’Jfl ance (▲purcba^M the constitutionality of the State bond and the validity of the company bond to the State, the State had a right under the law to seize and sell the road, giving the holder of the internal improvement bond the right tc demand and receive from the State of Florida out of the pro ceeds of said property the principal and interest which may ba due on their bonds. The Supreme Court of the State has decided that the bond issued by the State aud given to the company in exchange for its bond is unconstitutional and void. That the State under the law was to occupy two distinct relations: first, that of pri mary debtor, and, second, that of trustee; that the Legislature had no power to make her a primary debtor for the pur pose of constructing the road to Mobile; that tho lien existing by virtue of the mortgage bond of the com pany existed for the benefit of the persons who held tho State bond, and that as against Holland it was the right or duty of the State, upon non-payment of interest by the company, to seize tbe road, to sell it, and apply the proceeds to the payment of those whose money the company received, and that the lien of the State under the company bond inured to their benefit. The act of the Legislature authorizing the Governor to seize aud sell the road, provided that the road should be adver tised for sale “for lawful money of tbe United States, and for nothing else, ex cept that the State, for Us own protection, may become the purchaser at said sale, and may pay on sail purchase any evidences of indebtedness the iState may hold against said road, which purchase money or said evidences of indebtedness shall be paid on the day of sale into the treasury of this State, or within ten days thereafter. And all moneys arising from said sale and paid into the Treasury of this State, as here tofore prescribed, shall be promptly aud exclusively applied to the payment and satisfaction of the bonds issued by tbe State of Florida under this act.” The act further provided that in case the bonds were not presented the proceeds should be invested iu the securities of the United States, to be held by the State as trustee for the bondholders until the bondholders should make demand for them. The act also provided that the purchasers should become possessed of all the corporate rights, franchises aud property of the company. Now, the scheme of .Stearns and those co-operating with him was believed to be to purchase the road at the sale, and to turn over in payment of their bid the bonds of the company, thus making the State the owner of the road aud leaving the parly who advanced the money to the company to look alone to the State for the payment of the principal aud interest of his debt. Thus, without any effort at compromise, they would have saddled the whole four millions of debt upon the people of the State, aud at the same time have the road iu their permanent possession to run it forever, as they would have very prop erty claimed that the holder of the State bond bed no lien upon the road, and even when his bond became due he was remediless. They would have cheated the bondholder and involved the State in hopeless bankruptcy at the same time, and run the railroad as a political ma chine as long as they had power. The Supreme Court of the State has decided that the late constitutional amendment, which prohibits the State from becoming a part oumer or stockholder in any corpo ration, prohibits tbe State from becoming snob purchaser, and thus this nefarious scheme is balked. This is all that the Supreme Court of the State decided. The claim of the internal improvement bondholder was not before the Supreme Court of the State. Again, under the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, the trustee has the option to pay the internal improvement bonds out standing before they are due, or to create a sinking fund to pay them when due. When it is remembered that this is tiie money that built the roads, any honest, fair-minded trustee would cheerfully and willingly pay these bonds at the earliest moment. A trustee fighting his cestui que trust is like a parent striking his child: and yet. arguing from the past of these trustees, and the present course of the adminis tration press upon the subject, they will endeavor to postpone payment to the last moment. In the meantime, small and scant is the probability that the sinking fund arrangement will be other than a dissipate the money be fore the bond is due. These people do not really seem to know the meaning of the words trust and trustee. A trustee should protect the interest of the cestui que trust; there should be confidence and open and fair dealing. Here the trustee is at all times in hostility and seems to think that moneys clothed with a trust are to be used and managed more with an eye to his own interest, than to the interest of those for whose benefit the law has created the trust. Mr. NordholF* Impressions of the South. Mr. Charles NordhofTs letters from the South last summer to the Herald have bean revised and reproduced in book form by the Appletons. Mr. Nordhoff addresses them to the President in a pungent little dedication, assuming that if he bad been able to give as much at tention to affairs at the South in 1874-5 as he did in 1805, there can be no doubt that his Southern policy would have been very different. Mr. Nordhoff is one of our most conscientious and capable ob servers. He wrote only what he honestly believed, and the conclusions with which he enriches the present volume, drawn from the whole scope of his observations in the Cotton States, have a political significance which both parties, but especially the Republicans, would find it profitable to study. Some of these con clusions are, that there is not in any of the States any desire for anew war, or any hostility to the Union; that Southern Republicans are unreasonable in com plaining that the whites do not yet re joice over their defeat, and that they still admire their own leaders; that the ostra cism of Northern men means the ostra cism of corrupt men, and those who make common political cause with them ; that there is intimidation on both sides; that there are no wrongs now in the South, which the interference of the Federal Government ■can correct; that those States which have been under Republican control have been shamelessly mismanaged, while Georgia, which has been ruled by Democrats, has been well managed; that in Georgia the negroes own more real estate, and pay more taxes, on more property, than in any other Southern State; that general manhood suffrage is a danger to any community, where the entire body of ignorance and poverty has been massed by adroit politicians on one side, and that, when Federal interference at the e\ negro vote will fallj'ff en upon Re pur jju^hab Rat assuming by —whose editor seems impressed with the conviction that the future prosperity if not the existence of the “Gate City” is involved in the question—in an able article, which we print elsewhere, resents with proper spirit the implied threat of a disruption of the Democratic party in the event that a convention to frame anew constitution is insisted on. We would be very sorry .to see any check to the wonderful prosperity of At lanta. Nor do we believe that that city owes its rapid progress in wealth and commercial importance to the clauSe in the carpet-bag constitution quoted by the Chronicle. But even if that were the case, we are not willing, nor do we be lieve the people of the State at large are willing to forego the right and duty to frame for themselves a constitution adapted to their needs, simply that Atlanta may continue to be the seat of the State government. The permanent location of the State Capital is a legiti mate question for J,he people of the State to determine, not for Atlanta to dictate. Our Atlauta friends must not forget that there are other cities in the State, and that there are other interests be sides theirs to be considered. They should also bear in mind that the integrity of the Democratic party is not exactly in their keeping— that they bear about the same relation to the party that the dog’s tail bears to the dog, and that if there is to be any shak ing it will not be the dog shaken by the tail. Threatening to disrupt the party is not the surest way for them to secure the advantage which they seem so much to covet. More Radical Villainy. The history of the cotton case now under investigation in Yv’ashington, in which F. P. Sawyer, ex-Assistant Secre tary of the Treasury, and W. T. tines, former Commissioner of Customs, are implicated, with a certain prospect of conviction, if the facts as alleged are proved, will develop the most astounding corruption in high official quarters. It appears that during the war private parties were entrusted with the sale of government bonds. One of these, an old friend of Sawyer, sold $50,000 of bonds aud took worthless commercial paper to pay for them. To reimburse himself for this deficiency a worthless cotton claim, which is the basis of the pending inves tigation, was revived and paid. The loss on the bonds was $50,000; the amount of alleged fraudulent claims was $65,000. The claim was in its nature, it is said, fraudulent, aud if it had been valid it was barred by the statute of limitations. The claim was duly filed in the Treasury Department under Secretary Richardson. It was referred by Secretary Richardson to the then Solicitor, Baniield, with in structions to examine it. Solicitor Ban field, it is commonly known, did examine it, and was ready to report against it. The papers were then suddenly and mys teriously taken by somebody from Solici tor Banfield’s room to the office of Assist ant Secretary Sawyer. The papers were then evidently altered or forged by some body in some way so that the order of Secretary Richardson to examine, was made to read like an approval. The pa pers were thus taken to Mr, 7?aines, Commissioner of Customs, and approved. The State of Nevada still remains unre presented in the Senate of the United States, neither Mr. Jones or Mr. Sharon being present Well, if Nevada can stand it, Uncle Sam can. LETfER FROM THE “GATE (TTY.” Thlnx* in General—Three Curd Monte s windlcr. Consolidation ot Count} Office* —An Important Bill—The Crime ot Fauicide—Observance of Birthday of Gen. I.ee—Eloquent and Chaste Addrrsa of Gen. A. R. I.awton—Senate and Ilouue Adlonrn ax a Tribute of Respect. [Special Correspondence of the Morning News.] Atlanta, January 20, 1876. Governor Smith yesterday offered a reward of four hundred dollars for the capture of the murderers of Mrs. Coch ran and daughters. Olive Logan lectured at the Opera House last night and night before, for the Young Men’s Library Association, but the at tendance was very small. The Associa tion will lose considerable money by the operation. Ex-Treasurer Jones still has in his pos session about $50,000 worth of coupons that belong to the State, and Governor Smith is after “old honesty” to turn them over to his successor. Judge Lochrane, the legal adviser of Jones, says his client will do so very shortly. The subject of vaccination is just now being agitated in this city. Dr. Thomas is perfecting a bill on this subject, which will be introduced in the House in a few days. Atlanta is to have a sewing machine factory. The Legislature is about to in corporate the “Harper Sewing Machine Company,” with a capital stock of SSO, 000, in shares of SIOO each. Ex-Senator H. V. M. Miller, John H. Flynn, and other substantial citizens are among the incorporators. The inventor of the ma chine is an Atlanta man, find hopes to succeed with his enterprise. Judge John L. Hopkins has opened his law office, and many here regret his re tirement from the bench. An effort would have been made to secure the withdrawal of his resignation, but it became known that he would not reconsider. He has proved an able and fearless judicial officer, and in leaving the bench he carries with him the grateful thanks of the better portion of this community. His recently published “Annotated Penal Code of Georgia” is being highly commended by the ablest‘lawyers of the State. It is doubtful if a Legislature, whose chief object is to secure economy in pub lic expenditures, and who are now agita ting the reduction of State institutions and departments, can be made to see the propriety of establishing during the pres ent year the proposed “Inebriate Asy lum,” or the “State House of Reform,” in the old penitentiary building at HiU edgeville. Both projects will probably lie over until another session, when, if the country is more prosperous, they will no doubt be favorably considered by the members of both branches of the Legis lature. Governor Smith has commissioned An drew McMayo Notary Public for the 91st district of Washington county; Neil Henry for the 660th district of Brooks county; aud David Quinn for the 970th district of Clinch county. A. W. Corker has been commissioned Justice of the Peace for the 271st district of Mcln tosh county. Col. S. C. Williams, the Commissfbn Clerk in the Executive De partment, is kept quite busy just at this time in filling out commissions for vari ous kinds of newly appointed officials. THREE-CARD MONTE SWINRLERS. The trio of three-card monte swindlers who have been operating on the railroad trains about Live Oak, Fla., are not the only members of that numerous family who are at present engaged in fleecing unsuspecting travelers. Three of these rascals have been plying their vile arts^-a, this section, and after a brisf season in the Fulton county jail,- they are again loose. It will be travelers on all railroad trains To watch out for these scamps, as they are not only vile swind lers'tt their “little game,” but adept and 'dangerous thieves. Captain Lindon, conductor on the Central Railroad from this jity to Macon, deserves great credit foreseeuring their arrest and breaking up their operations in this vicinity; and if conductors on other lines will be as vigi lant, determined, and fearless in detect ing their operations, these scamps will speedily “come to grief” in some other part of the^iate. HOMESTEAD LAWS. No question has created, during the present session, in both branches of the Legislature, such lively and bitter discus sion as the homestead laws. Sharp and incisive points have been made on both sides ot the question, and a great deal of feeling has been shown by the debaters. Senator McDaniel’s bill to provide for the adjustment of the rights of parties in cases where property which had been set apart under the homestead and exemption laws of this State has heretofore been sold, has called forth many able speeches and created considerable interest in the subject. The matter is still unset tled, being temporarily laid on the table. In the House Col. McKinley’s measure in regard to the protection of homesteads is being warmly discussed; and Mr. Peeples, of Gwinnett, also has a bill in regard to the recovery of the homestead sold under section 2,500 of the code. Of one thing your readers may be assured, the home stead and exemption laws will be most fully and thoroughly discussed during the present session, in view of the bearing which it will have upon the next general State election. THE CONVENTION QUESTION. It is impossible at this writing to out line the course that will be finally adopted in regard to the calling of a Constitutional Convention. The special committee, at its first meeting, adopted Candler’s bill as the basis of their report, but they will have another meeting before bringing their views to the action of the House. There are new influences now at work to defeat the call of a convention, and should the friends of the movement become con vinced of the soundness of the reasons offered for the postponement of the call until another year, they will cheerfully accept the result. There is no undue feeling on the subject, nor does any one seem to desire to force the measure upon the people of the State at this time. No step has yet been taken in the House by which the views of the members could be ascertained oh the subject, and it is probable that nothing will be clearly known until action is taken upon the re port of the special committee having the matter in hand. CONSOLIDATION OF COUNTY OFFICES. The consolidation of county offices is creating considerable of a stir among the members of both hianches of the Legis lature. Some counties don’t want any consolidation, while others cannot agree to consolidate the same offices. This prevents a speedy agreement upon any general bill yet proposed. It has been suggested that all the local and general bills be put in the hands of a committee, who shall so consolidate them in one geueral bili that all counties may be satis fied with the result. Unless some plan of this kind succeeds, it that there will be a perfect flood of local bills look ing to consolidation or the reduction of salaries. While some counties are satis fied, and ask no change, the smaller and poorer counties appeal to the Legislature to reduce their expenses by a wise con solidation of county offices or a reduction of the present salaries of their officials. It is impossible at this time to prophesy what will be the final result of the whole matter. Next week the question will be more clearly defined. AN IMPORTANT BILL. Dr. Thomas has introduced a most ex cellent and comprehensive bill to regulate the sale of all kinds of poisons, but a more important measure is his bill to sup press the growing crime of foeticide. From all parts of the State, physicians of high character aud honorable practice, have appealed to the State Board of Health to secure the passage of a law to suppress this crime, which they report is repidly increasing. Family physicians are even appealed to by worthy mar ried ladies to commit this crime, they beingignorantof the fearful consequences of such a step. But there is a class of unprincipled practitioners who carry on this business regardless of all restraints and in defiance of all laws bearing upon tfie subject. Dr. Thomas reaches this class in his bill, which makes them guilty of “voluntary manslaughter’ for the killing of any unborn child, so far de veloped as to be ordinarily called “quick.” The same bill proposes to punish any person producing a “miscar riage or abortion” by imprisonment in tbe county jail not more than one year, or by a fine of five hundred dollars, or by both fine and imprisonment. A law of this kind is urgently demanded, and I think the bill introduced by Dr. Thomas will pass, piscord. 1 success- tion advanced BEBTHDAY OF GEN. LEI. Yesterday being the birthday of tbe immortal Lee, the ladies of Atlanta ap pealed to the Senators and Representa tives to give a half day’s pay to the Lee Monumental Association. The appeal was first made in the Senate, where Senator Harris presented the memorial in a fer vent and forcible speech, which was heartily indorsed by Senator Blance. a one-armed Confederate veteran, who made a most eloquent plea for the ladies. Senator Amow then read a written ad dress, eulogistic of Gen. Lee, commend ing the appeal. At a later hour Senator Black moved an adjournment in honor of the memory of Gen. Lee, which was adopted, and the Senators proceeded to the State Treasurer’s office and made their donations. Rev. J. J. Duncan, the blind chaplain, who had two sons in Lee’s army, cheerfully gave his entire day’s pay. The memorial was presented in the House by Gen. A. R. Lawton, of Savannah, the gallant soldier, accomplished gentleman and eloquent pleader. His was the ad dress of the day—polished, forcible and tenderly pathetic in some portions. He indulged in no mere flights of fancy, but in chaste end beautiful lan guage portrayed the character of the great captain whose memory the noble women of the South are now seeking to perpetuate in a monumental shaft. Hon. A. M. Spear, of Griffin, seconded the me morial in a brief and eloquent manner, after which Colonel J. C. C., of Augusta, moved that the House adjourn in respect to the memory of General Lee. This motion prevailed and the members pro ceeded to the State Treasurer’s office and made their donation*. During the ad dresses in the Sena.-e and House the gal leries were filled with ladies and gentle men, and the speakers were frequently applauded for their eloquent and patriotic utterance. During the delivery of Gen eral Lawton's grand appeal there was per fect qhiet in the House and he retained to the close the profound attention of that entire body. Truly, it was a fitting observance of the birthday of one of the noblest characters the world has yet pro duced. The Fulton Blues paraded in the afternoon, and at night the ladies gave a fine Supper at Lochrane’s Hall in aid of the Lee Monumental Fund. This ended the practical observance, of the day. I say practical observance as everything that has been done tended to one pur pose—the raising of funds to aid iu the erection of the proposed “Lee Monu ment,” to which the noble ladies of At lanta, by their efforts, will contribute at least five hundred dollars. Chatham. LETTER FROM JACKSONVILLE. Blitting n Legislature—New Way of Avoid ing Impeachment—. Harder Host Foal — Contracting a Bill for Demurrage against Bt. John’s Bar—Settling n Hash Bill by Mnrrying the Landlady’s Daughter— The Floi idn Jackal— Canterbury Tails— Cauldron Ingredients. [Special Correspondence #f the Morning News ] Jacksonville, January 20, 1876. SCUDDING BEFOBE A STORM. No mau relishes being baffled—this is so patent a truism that it needs no orator to explain its force. In the course of my researches I have digested in the neighborhood of sixteen cubic feet of dry and uninteresting almanacs; have thoroajghly perused about sixty seven yards of erudite notices concerning the eccentricities of the planets, and have terminated my labors by arriving at the deliberate conclusion that a man may be a very brilliant gsai^a-tfaßSßSn^ dent _-prodigy, and still be utterly --rTrCapublo of measuring a barrel of sugar in such a precise man ner as to make it hold out eighteen ounces to a pound. Now all this harrowing perplexity arises from the bungling of the egregious simpletons who pretend to furnish us with data concern ing the movements of the earth, and the omission of one remarkable event which occurred in 1876. In the accounts of eclipses to take place during the present, year I find mention of but four, and it appears, therefore, that astronomers have persisted in ignoring tuo occasion, when “Gubner” Htroura and his imps eclipsed the prince of dark ness iu a deed of shame that might be expected to diffuse a crimson blush over a coal black nigger’s greasy physiognomy. The malcontents among the negro mem bers of tbe Florida Legislature had quietly and surreptitously, without the knowledge of their masters, effected a sort of com bination with the opposition for the praiseworthy object of impeaching the two usurpers—Archibald and Randall. Archibald, owing to his tremendous de velopment of sneaking characteristics, received an intimation of the plot which was sufficient to make this slave of the arch-imposter Stearns tremble like a reed shaken by the wind. Tbe images of grim distress and ces sation of his opportunities to steal which arose before his mind were literally a3 thick as pea -nuts along the line of a railroad. He forthwith prostrated him self before the champion villain of the tribe, and with a whining lamentation at what then appeared to be his inevitable doom, divulged the astounding conspi racy. Stearns very wisely argued that the impeaching business might extend to himself when once inaugurated, and sought, with amazing celerity, the oblivious Randall, who was doubtless congratulating himseif upon the many narrow excapes from a merited penitentiary which he had ac complished. The doughty Executive, without sharing the secret with his dupe, immediately said : “Edwin, I want you to decide in favor of the abrogation of the next session of the Legislature.” Now Randall, as usual, had been contem plating with considerable serenity the prospects of a little job and therefore demurred slightly to the proposition at first, Stearns came bluff at him then, with “Randall, you’re a fool,” which everybody knows. “The first business on hand, if they meet, will be your de position from the Supreme bench.” Livid with terror the self-convicted criminal cried “Paper! Paper! Paper!” and thus dumbfounded rendered his extremely honest opinion that the Legislature had no power to convene in 1876. Westcott concurred, but Westcott invariably coin cides. BOUND OUT BUT BOUND IN. While our glorious statesmen are fritter ing away fifty thousand dollars at a time in useless appropriations for opening up mud creeks, it may not be impertinent to direct their attention to the deplor able condition of a great river’s outlet, as illustrated by the fact that seventeen vessels are now detained at St. John’s bar on account of low water. Look at the list : Brig Charles A. Bovev; schooners Joseph Fish, Nellie Carr, J. K. Lawrence, Fannie W. Johnston, William H. Van Brunt, Bella Russell, Ada Ames, James Wail, Nettie Walker, Anna Leiand, Mary Ann McCann, Annie P. Chase, F. E. Mc- Donald, Lois V. Chappels and Abby K. Bentley. They are all loaded with lum ber for various destinations, and several are on the thirty-eighth day of their de tention, while a considerable number have been ready to make sail for from twenty to thirty-seven days. The whole fleet will probably be able to cross the obstruction by the 23d instant, but at the present rate of travel it would be vastly more economical to tranship their cargoes by rail. The condition of the mouth of the St. John’s is incalculably detrimental to the commerce of the whole country drained by that stream. HEARD FROM AT LAST. It has remained an unsolved mystery whatever became of Mr. Peter Papin, the ingenious fraud, since his fiasco here some months since. He now looms up from Punta Rassa, where the sandflies flour ish so extensively that nine of them have been known to lift a ship’s anchor and let her float out to sea before any of the crew discovered it. The inge nuity of the insinuating Peter recognizes no line of demarcation, for he is now engaged on the gullible Floridian of the Gulf coast, with a prospected communist colony to be located on the placid Caloo sahatchie (you’ll find it on a map). Peter is to be Treasurer also, and each recruit is to deposit one hundred dollars as a sinking (sic) fund. The fertile Peter like wise undertakes to drain Lake Okeechobee and reclaim the waste lands by means of the Indian canals, and*guarantees— he always insures every thing—to convert that drear, miasmatic portion of the globe into a perennial paradise. At last ac counts the cunning engineer was meeting with poor success in either undertaking, and it is to be inferred that he will fail to victimize any appreciable number. THE IMMACULATE BISBEE. Horatio Bisbee, who hates a Southerner with the violence of an unscrupulous demagogue, has been employing his rancor since 1869 in trying to deprive a gentleman of his home. The case— Sedgwick vs. Dawkins—came up before the Supreme Court at this term, and the plaintiff obtrudes himself with an affidavit stating that the prior decisions confirming Dawkins in possession of the property were righteous and just, and that he (Sedgwick) had been used as a tool to further his putative counsel’s ends long enough, and begged to withdraw the suit. Bisbee will now be compelled to resurrect another ostensible client or re tire. RELEASED ON BAIL. In the matter of the killing of Hilliard Jones, at Fort Meade, in December, the defendant, Julius C. Rockener, was re quired to enter into a recognizance in the sum of twenty thousand dollars to answer at the spring term of the Circuit Court for Polk county. INCREDIBLE TARNS. And now comes one Reuben Thomas, a black heathen, doubtless brought to the surface by the story that the big fish caught last week is the identical creature that upset Capt. Kydd ou one occasion. Reuben pronounces this ‘muffin,” and exhibits the concluding half of a huge snake, which he claims to have cut out alive from the heart of a tree, which must certainly have been about one thou sand years of age. REPLICATORY AND FINAL. The inquisitive Radical curmudgeons who are instituting significant inquiries as to what this correspondent wants, are informed that I am not in search of any office, and if they will bear this fact in mind, together with the additional in formation that I am always prepared to act promptly on the defensive, they may alleviate their troubles to that extent. NOT YET REMEDIED. I was reminded by observing a man last evening with his clothing torn in a most shocking fashion that the array of spikes in front of an establishment on Bay street are not yet removed. They are an intolerable nuisance, which the council should take measures to abate. THE WINDSOR HOTEL. This magnificent hostelry appears to be steadily winning its way into the good graces of the discriminating traveler. All the comforts of a first-class hotel are fur nished at the Windsor, and its energetic proprietors deserve the abundant success which they are enjoying. PERSONAL. We were pleased to meet in this city yesterday Captain James McKay, Sr., of Tampa, the veteran mariner of the Gulf coast, and an untiring champion of his section of Florida. We presume that Captain McKay is on his way to Washington for the purpose of impressing the necessity of better mail facilities upon the department. No man has been so patient, pains-taking and self-sacrificing in his efforts to advance the welfare of his portion of Florida, and we hope that, if we are correct in our conjecture as to his present mission, it may be crowned with success. A LABOR SAVING INSTRUMENT. The Clerk of Duval county is the for tunate proprietor of a writing machine. The next improvement in order is a thinking engine, and then I offer a re ward of seventy-five thousand dollars in county scrip, manufactured on the prem-' ises, to any one who willfurmsh the Clerk and his companions with honesty. Adrianus. A Piece of Secret History. Scribner's Magazine for February con tains the following hitherto uujrajjljgnld' -IhhlGr•fumi Gen. lTobfi v t'ErLee to Presi dent Jefferson Davis, written after the battle of Gettysburg, and resigning the command of the Confederate forces : Camp Orange, 8 Aug., 1803 — Mr. Pres ident: Your letters of 28,-July and 2 Aug. have been rec’d, and I have waited for a leisure hour to reply, but I fear that will never come. lam extremely obliged to you for the attention given to the wants of this army, and the efforts made to sup ply them. Our absentees are returning, and I hope the earnest and beautiful ap peal made to the country in your procla mation may stir up the whole people, and that they may see their duty and perform ’t is 'vshfp- a tut thsa, tbjy fortitude should tlieir bravery, to insure the success of our cause. We must expect reverses, even defeats. They are sent to teach us wisdom and pru dence, to call forth greater energies, and to prevent our falling into greater disas ters. Our people have only to be true and nuited, to bear manfully the misfor tunes incident to war, and all will come right in the end. I know how prone we are to censure, and how ready to blame others for the non-fulfillment of our expectations. This is unbecoming in a generous people, and I grieve to see its expression. The gen eral remedy for a want of success in a military commander is his removal. This is natural, and in many instances proper. For, no matter what may be the ability of the officer, if he loses the confidence of his troops, disaster must, sooner or later, ensue. I have been prompted by these reflec tions more than once since my return from Pennsylvania, to propose to your Excellency the propriety of selecting another commander for this army. I have seen and heard of expressions of discon tent in the public journals at the result of the expedition. I do not know how far this feeling extends in the army. My brother officers have been too kind to report it, and so far the troops have been too generous to exhibit it. It is fair, however, to suppose that it does exist, and success is so necessary to us that nothing should be risked to secure it. I, therefore, in ail sincerity, request your Excellency to take measures to supply my place. Ido this with the more ear nestness, because no one is more aware than myself of my inability for the duties of my position. I cannot even ac complish what I myself desire. How- can I fulfill the expectations of others ? In addition, I sensibly feel the growing fail ure of my bodily strength. I have not yet recovered from the attack I experi enced the past spring. I am becoming more and more incapable of exertion, and am thus prevented from making the per sonal examinations and giving the pei soaal supervision to the operations in the field which I feel to be neoessary. lam so dull that in making use of the eyes of others I am frequently misled. Every thing, therefore, points to the advantages to be derived from anew commander, and I the more anxiously urge the matter upon your Excellency from my belief that a younger and abler man than myself can readily be obtained. I know that he will have as gallant and brave an army as ever existed to second his efforts, and it would be the happiest day of my life to see at its head a worthy leader; one that would accomplish more than I could perform, and all that I have wished. I hope your Excellency will attribute my request to the true reason, the desire to serve my country, and to do all in my power to insure the success of her righteous cause. I have no complaints to make of any one but myself. I have received nothing but kindness from those above me, and the most considerate attention from my comrades and companions in arms. To your Excellency I am specially indebted for uniform kindness and consideration, You have done everything in your power to aid me in the work committed to my charge, without omitting anything to promote the general welfare. I pray that your efforts may at length be crowned with success, and that you may long live to enjoy the thanks of a grateful people. With sentiments of great esteem, I am very respectfully and truly yours, R. E. Lee, General. His Exc’y Jeff’n Davis, Pres. Confed. States. Mrs. Moulton and Beecher.— Mrs. Moulton has written to Judge Van Cott, her counsel, asking whether she shall make any further effort at present to vin dicate herself from Mr. Beecher’s slan der, or expose his wickedness before a church council, or otherwise. Judge Van Cott replies that he does not think it her duty to go further—certainly not just now. He predicts that her truthfulness and Christian integrity will be recognized by all the world before this painful con troversy ends. It now devolves on the Congregational Church to determine whether its members can be driven from its pale without a hearing and trial, and whether iniquity can be so securely in trenched within its walls that any in quiry cannot drag it forth to the light of day. Congregationalism itself is now on its trial, and it remains to be proved whether it has enongh iron in its blood to continue to live, telegraphic news. Summitry of flip Wt t k’M !>iputrlip* FROM THE STATE CAPITAL. Proceedings of the General Assembly. [Special Telegrams to the Morning News.] Atlanta, January 21, 1876. In the Senate the following hills were passed: To authorize the issue of bonds to ex change for bonds of the North and South and the Macon and Brunswick Railroad Companies. To limit the time for moving to set aside judgments. To authorize the School Commissioners and others to administer oaths. To defend and punish criminal negligence* The following bill was lost: To repeal an act providing for the collec tion of agncultural statistics. Grigsby E.Thomas was confirmed Solicitor of Muscogee County Court. IN the house. The following bills were on the first read ing: By Mr. Furlow —To disqualify lawyers from being security on official bonds. By Mr. Black—To allow the deposit of Georgia bonds to be received in lieu of per sonal security in all legal proceedings. By Mr. Xumlin—To regulate the traffic in seed cotton, and to require a five hundred dollar license to be procured by purchaser; also, to require assignees to give bonds in certain cases. By Mr. Calhoun, of Fulton—To amend section 204 of the code, so as to include one sewing machine among the property ex empted from levy and sale. By Mr. Anthony—To increase fees of justices and constables. By Mr. Long—To make penal the firing of woods. By Mr. Atkinson—To amend an act re gulating the weighing of cotton, rice and other produce. By Mr. McKinly—To amend section 4,600 of the Code; also, to revise section 1968 of the Code in reference to merchant crop liens; also to prevent secret traffic. By Mr. Warner—To declare dogs not to be property. By Mr. Speer—To amend the public school laws. By Mr. McAfee- To regulate the giving of mortgages on crops. on the third beading. A bill to abolish the State Agricultural Bureau. Recommitted to the Committee on Agriculture. To exempt the wages of laborers, &c., from garnishment for debt of every descrip tion. The Judicial y Committee had re ported adversely to this bill. On motion of Mr. Williams, the House dis agreed to the report, and passed the bill. The vote stood 72 to 72. The Speaker then voted aye. The special committee on the Constitu tional Convention reported a bill providing for an election on the second Tuesday in March of delegates to a Constitutional Con vention; if the vote should be for a conven tion, to be held on the second Tuesday in April, the ratio of representation to be one (1) to every six thousand inhabitants. By Mr. Glisson—To extend the corporate limits of Waynesboro, in Burke cffiinty. [From Another Correspondent.] __ Atlanta, Ga., January 21. The special committee on a Constitutional Convention reported favorably on the pass age of offered by them. The first section authorizes the ‘’Governor to or der an election ou the second Tuesday in March for delegates to the convention in Atlanta on the second Tuesday in April to revise the constitution. Section second provides for an election to be held the same as for members of the Legislature. Section third enacts that the representa tion shall be based upon population in tho ratio of ono delegate to every six thou sand inhabitants, and each Senatorial Dis trict, as are now arranged, kumU vio'flHtltUto u,A elgction dlsirioi>, iruru which delegates chosen. This gives the First District eight delegates, the Second has three, and the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth have two oach. Tho Seventh, Eighth and Ninth have three each, and so on, making the whole number of delegates 194. Section fourth provides that all voters may participate in the election. Section fifth provides that in voting for delegates ballots shall bo cast having on them “Convention” or “No Convention,” and requires the Governor to announce tho result and order a convention or proclaim that none will be held. Section sixth provides that $25,000 shall be appropriated to pay the expenses, or as much of that sum as may bo needed. This bill comes up for the special order on Thursday next, but I doubt its passage. The friends of the convention movement will make no effort to press the question to a favorable.issue unless a strong influence is created in regard to having a convention this year. Last week the bill might have passed, but the members have changed their views as to holding it this year. The decided action of the House yesterday in regard to Mc- Kinley’s bill to repeal the amendment to the constitution reducing the homestead, settles that question for this year. No action can be taken in the matter by the present Legislature. Bacon’s speech was long, violent and positive; but Gen. Lawton, in a few well chosen and logical sentences, proved that Bacon’s points were not well taken, and the House so decided. Senator Black’s bill defining the crime of larceny from the field of agricultural pro ducts was reported back, with a substitute, by the Judiciary Committee. A lengthy discussion ensued, some favoring the bill and others the substitute. Senator Harris amended by striking out all but cotton in seed, which was adopted, when, on motion of Black, the bill was sent back to the Com mittee on Agriculture. Senators Black, Cain, Hudson of the 25th Winn, Howell and Harris participated in the debate. The bill to exempt the wages of mechan ics, journeymen and day laborers from pro cess of garnishment, was reported adverse ly upon by the House Judiciary Committee. Messrs. Williams, Turnbull, Walsh, Adams, McKinley, Pittman, Hardeman, Cassidy, Brown, Candler and Craig took part in the discussion, aud the balloting the House disagreed to tue report, and the bill passed- The discussion was lively, and tho interest in the result intense. This defeats any bill to garnishee wages for rent of dwellings. Col. Wadley, and Messrs. Hunter, Cohen and Seers passed through here to-day, from Montgomery, Alabama, wherf they have been on steamship and railroad business. Ex-Treasurer Jones comes out in the OornmonweaUh this afternoon in defense of himself. He reviews his official career, claims that be is unfairly dealt with, doe3 not owe the State a dollar, and appeals to the people of Georgia to defend him Irorn the oppressions sought to be laid on him. Atlanta, January 22. In the Senate, Mr. Gilmore moved to re consider the bill passed yesterday to preserve unimpaired the right of trial by jury, which motion prevailed. The bill being takeD up for reconsideration, was passed by 19 ayes to 18 nays. BILLS ON FIRST READING. By Mr. Harris—To amend section 894 of the code. Mr. Winn —To provide for compensa tion of Ordinaries, Clerks of the Superior Courts and Sheriffs where now inadequate compensation is provided by law. Mr. Paine—To amend the law relating to mortgages on personal property. Mr. Howell—To make penal the fraudu lent obtaining of a homestead. Mr. Payne—To amend the garnishment laws of the State. Mr. Slaughter—To amend section 485 of the code. , IN THE HOUSE. Mr. Lumsden moved to reconsider the bill passed yesterday to exempt from garnish ment the wages of journeymen, mechanics and day laborers. The bill was ably sup ported by Mr. Williams, who introduced it, and others of the most prominent members. After a fall discussion a motion was made to lay the motion to reconsider on the table, which motion prevailed. Messrs. Harrison and Furlow submitted a minority report against the calling of a con stitutional convention, The following bill was passed : To regu late the ages of marriages in this State, and to mako it peual to solemnize the marriage ceremony when either party is under eighteen years of age, without the consent of the parent or guardian of such party. A number of local bills was passed, and at an early hour the House adjourned to 10 o’clock Monday morning. Atlanta, January 24. SENATE BILLS ON FIRST READING. By Mr. Harris—To amend the Code in rela tion to fees of Justices aud Constables. By Mr. Cooper—To authorize aud require the obtaining of statistics of exports and im ports of tnis State. By Mr. Howell—To incorporate the Atlanta College of Dental Surgery. By Mr. Kibbee—To define liabilities of the State as owner of tho Macon and Brunswick Railroad; also to empower Judges of the Superior Courts to employ stenographers in their courts; and also to provide for juries in trials of cases of forci ble entry and detainer. By Mr. Reese—To define for whom trust estates may be created. By Mr. Black—To repeal so much of sec tion 1272 of the Code as requires the Gover nor to issue new bonds in lieu of those can celled. By Mr. Harris—To proteot holders of fire insurance policies. By Mr. Deadwi'er —To alter the timos for service of subpamas. By Mr. Simmons—To require guardians to settle with female wards on marriage ; also to define tho liabilities of life and fire insurance companies to per sons insured. BILLS PASSED. The following bills wero passed : To amend section 2279 of the Code, and to prescribe what interest a tenaut for years has in real estate. To provide for making minors parties in judicial proceedings. To fix the time and place, when and where awards are to be returned and re corded. To amend the first paragraph of section 3647 of the Code. Tho following bill was lost: To declare dogs not to be the subject of simple lar ceny. BILLS INTRODUCED. In tho House, the following new bills wero introduced : By Mr. Bacon, of Bibb county— to regulate the mode of trial in certain civil cases, aud providing for a special verdict in cases named. By General Lawton—To amend the law of injunctions so as to require bonds to be given before tho granting of injunction to stop tho salo of property under execution; also, to provide supplement proceedings against judgment debtors after tho return of executions unsatisfied. By Mr. Carter, of Appling—To amond an act for the relief of maimed soldiers. By Mr. Westbrook—To make binding cer. tain judgments against executors, adminis trators, guardians and trustees. By Mr. Black—To requiro municipal cor porations to levy a tax to pay interest on tho bonds aud to prevent the resignation of officers to avoid servioe of legal pro joss; also, to compensate Ordinaries for returns of marriages, births and deaths. By Mr. ltudicil—To establish a depart ment in tho deaf and dumb asylum for tho reception of colored deaf mutes. By Mr. Peeples—To define the duties and liabilities of receivers of railroad corpora tions. By Mr. Baker—To regulate legal advertis ing in this State. By Mr. Shelnutt—To amend tho constitu tion 30 as to allow appeals from the decision of a justice or a jury in all cases. HOUSE BILLS PASSED. The following bills wero passed: To amend an act for the prevention of cruelty to animals. To require Tax Receivers to enter in their digests full Christian names of tax payers. A bill to fix the pay of jurors in the county of Museogoe. It fixes the pay at one dollar per diem. f'" Fit 031 - ITW-KinA. DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE. [Special Telegram to the Morning News.] Tallahassee, January 21. The Supreme Court to-day decided tho Littlefield bonds unconstitutional, on the ground that tho line of the road on which they were issued was not the line on which the State was author ized to issue bonds under the act of 1855. The court further decided that under the recent amendment to the constitution the State CANNOT BECOME A PURCHASER, nor stockholder, nor operator of any com mercial enterprise, including railroads. This is so far A TERRIBLE BLOW to the State administration. [Fiom another Correspondent.] Tallahassee, January 21, 1876. The Supreme Court decided to-day that the four millions of bonds issued by the State to the railroad companies were UNCONSTITUTIONAL. That the State occupied under the act two relations—that of primary debtor aud that of trustee. That as primary debtor she was not bound, and that as trustee she had THE BIGHT TO SEIZE and sell the road for the benefit of those who advanced money to the company. That at the sale the State could not become the purchaser, that portion of the act giying her this right having been re pealed by the late constitutional amend ment. The opinion says nothing as to the priority of liens between holders of internal improvement bonds and the holders of the State bonds. Justice Westcott de jivered the opinion of the court. This DEFEATS THE PLAN of Stearns and Company to own or control the road for political purposes, because they MUST MAKE AN HONEST SALE within ninety days. The decision excites greater interest than any decision ever made in this State, as the possession of the road would have rendered them omnipotent in this State, and would have materially affected tho interests of Georgia. The motion to dismiss the appeal to this court, on behalf of the State, was di'sposed of by the court refusing to grant it, and reflecting on the notorious Archibald for permitting and granting the motion in his court, which had no jurisdiction in the case. This motion was disposed of yester day. Judges Westcott, Bryson and Goss pre sided, the decision being rendered by the former. Tallahassee, Fla., January 21. The opinion of the court was pronounced by Justice Westcott. The other two Justices being disqualified, Judges Bryson and Goss were called in, as telegraphed this morning. The court decided the Littlefield bonds, for reasons previously given, unconstitutional, and that the State cannot become purchaser of tho road. The court, however, makes the State a trustee for the holders of the bonds declared unconstitutional, and per petually enjonis Holland, the appellant in this case, from hindering the State from entering upon and taking possession of and selling the road, in accordance with the terms of the third section of the act of 1870, which gives the Governor, where there has been default by the railroad to pay in terest on the bonds exchanged with the State for one year, the right to seize the road and sell the same in ninety days. This is the sum of the trusteeship in the State for bondholders. The opinion is long and able. It saves the people of the State from lia bility for four millions of fraudulently issued bonds, and is a death blow to the Stearns ring, who did not want the road ior the benefit of the bondholders, but for personal and political use. The report on the streets is that the Governor is furi ous. If they seize this, road they must sell it in ninety days. Last week Bisbee, sus pecting what opinion, would be delivered* moved to strike the case from the docket, so that there could be no decision. i It is reported that Stearns went to Liv|j Oak to feel of Judge Bryson. Bryson used “cuss-words,” and Stearns camo back shorn. The motion, of course, failed, and now we have the matter gettled, or in a fair way of settlement. Bryson delivered a concurring opin ion, in which ho said Holland bought nothing under his judgment. His opinion was very strong on the bond ques tion, making a poiut not touched upn u by Wetscott. It was that the Littlefield bonds wore unconstitutional, if for no other reason than because they were issued on a com pleted road. RAILROIJ>\I’CII>KN I [Special Telegram to the Morning Ne^g.i Tebeauville, Ga., January 24. The westward bound lumber train on tho Brunswick and Albany Railroad ran off the track at hair-past six o’clock this morning twenty-eight miles east of here, burying the engine in the sand, and wrecking tiro carr. Tue cause of the accident was a changed switch, the work of unknown parties. CONGRESSIONAL NOTES. Washington, January 24—The Spencer memorial of tho Alabama Legislature was preseuted to the Senate at 12 o’clock to-dav by Senator Goldthwaite and referred to tho Committee ou Privileges aud Elections In tho House, several tinauce bills'were introduced, ono lunding legal-tenders bv forty-year four per cent, bonds, not over three millions per mouth. By Ward—Protecting life on steamboats Mackey—lmprovement of Charleston har bor. Riddle—The improvement of Cumberland river. • Blount—The improvement of the Alta maha and Ocmulgeo rivers. Morrison, from tho Committee on Ways aud Moans, reported a resolution directing the papers iaid before the House and the testimony taken before tho Committee of Ways aud Means of tho last Congress in re gard to tho Pacific Mail subsidy, be taken from the Speaker’s table and referred to the Judiciary Committee, with instructional,* enquire what action should be taken My House in reference to persons now meiSH of the House who are charged with coal plicity in a corrupt use of money for that* purpose or with giving also testimony in re lation thereto. Adoptod. ' Singleton—lmprovement of the Yazoo and Sunflower rivers. A bill passed for the payment of the in terest on the District bonds by the commis sioners from appropriations heretofore made and taxes collected. The Election Committee wero orderod to inquire into tho nature and history of tho real estato pool in which Jay Cook'o & Cos were interested. Rainey offered a resolution calling ou tho the Secretary of tho Treasury for a full and complete rep rt from the Comniissioucrs of the Freedman’s Rank. Adopted. Holman offered a resolution instructing the Judiciary Committee to inquire whether improper and fraudulent means wero re sorted to to influence legislation ou the Texas Pacific Railroad bill of the 3d of March, 1871, aud whether contracts and combinations were subsequently entered into by the company in violation of that act. Adopted. In the Senate, the petitions of citizous of Ohio for tho Toxas Pacific Road were pre sented. Morton introduced a bill for the relief General Rouseau. Ou motion of MortcH certain papers purporting to bo tho credo® tials ot Mr. Eustis as Senator front Louis™ ana, were referred to tho Committee ol Privileges aud Elections. Adopted. Morton’s health will prevent his speakiH to-day. ® Davis’s Treasury investigating resold tions were resumed, and tho resolutions amended that investigations be made by the Finance Committeo of the Senate instead of a special committee. Adopted by a vote ofj 28 to 22. Booth, of California, voted withi the Democrats in the minority. J The bill removing the disabilities of GeoJ G, Hawkins, of L misiaua, was passod. 'I The bill creating a liquor commission was] discussed. I Cox introduced a bill to abolish the Bu- 1 reau of Education. The Railroad Committeo of tho Senate agreed to recommend the passage of a bill to extend tho time ot the completion of tho North Pacific Railroad eight years. To-morrow night the eommittoo hears Tom Scott ior the Texas Pacific. By West—To recover over-issue of bonds and coupons from tho Union aud Ooutral Pacific Read. Reforred to a sub-committoe, consisting of West, Dawes, Mitchell and Eaton. The Postmaster General was before the eommittoo of the House explaining certain operations of the department. It is intimatod in certain well-informed circles that threo ex-Treasury officials aro indicted for complicity m Parkman, Brooks & Co.’s transactions. Nothing official is ac cessible. „ SPAiy AND AMERICA. London, January 24.—Tho 'limes reviews Secretary Fish’s note on Oaba aud the cir cular to the European powers. It savs the grounds of complaint exclusively refer to the United States and Spain, and third par ties cannot participate m tno negotiations with any prospect of international advan tage. Spain and America must settle their differences for themselves. Tho risk of” loss, it either resorts to force, is too serious to be rashly incurred. It is possi ble, however, that the European powers might holp to promote a compromise which, while saving tlio honor of Spain, would end the Cuban difficulty. Tho article, after quoting the assertion of tho Anti-Slavery Society, in their momorial to Lord Derby, that Spain is willing to grant Cuba the rights of a self-govoruing colony on the con dition that slavery bo retained, points to the contrast drawn by Mr. Fish betvi een the British colonial system and the despotic system of Spain, and concludes : “If tho two governments aro agreed with regard to the end there should bo little difficulty in devising the means. The slavery question need occasion little controversy. Cuba, with a practically independent Legislature would soon find abolition necessary. Tbo island would probably bo badly governed, but the war would be ended, and Cuba al lowed to develop her resourcoa.” * FOREIGN CROP REVIEW. London, January 24. —The Mark Lane Express’ review of the grain markets for tho week says tho mild weather has a more favorable aspect? for farmers but tho same cause led to a deterioration of samples, and prices again suffered, although good and dry samples changed Gd. per quarter, and remain only Is. above last year’s, while deliveries of English are liity-six per cent, below them. At Paris inferior wheat is Cd.@ls. lowor. Flour has maintained its price because better rates are obtained for wheat in some, provincial markets. Marseilles is over stocked. In Belgium and Holland tho mar kets are unchanged. At Hamburg the mar ket is d"U. Inland navigation is closed by ice, and the port is kept open with difficulty. At Dantzic prices are lower in the absence* of Euglish demand. At St. Petersburg quo tations are steady. In Austria and Hungary business has been ou a smaller scale and prices lower everywhere. Thore are hopes that the spring will revive business, but un usually heavy foreign stocks deter the mills from purchasing and act as a dead weight on the trade. Bankrupt Kell. We learn from Mr. James McPherson, Clerk of the United States District Court, that the following proceedings in bank- r ruptey have been filed in his office during the past week : Petitions in voluntary bankruptcy have* beeu filed as follows : Zacheus A. Rawls, of Mill Ray, Bulloch county. A. B. Smitb, Savannah, solicitor. Thomas B. West, Thomson, McDuffy county. General Dudley M. Dußose, of Washington, solicitor. Caleb F. Hill, Oglethorpe, Macon county; W. H. Fish, solicitor. In re Adler Bros, and Newbower, H. B. Claflin and others, petitioning creditors, sgainst Jos. Friend, of Macon, Bibb county, defendant debtor. Order for adjudication by default has beeu entered up, and the matter referred to A. G. Murray— Register. Warrant of seizure to Marsha® issued, with orders to serve notice for meeting of creditors, to be hold before the Register, at Macon, on Tuesday, February 15th, 1876. The bankrupt has also filed application under section 17 th of the amendatory act, for a meeting of his'ered itors to consider a proposition for compo sition. In re W. W. Farmer, bankrupt, of Daw son, Terrell county. At the first meeting of creditors called for the purpose of electing an assignee, a proposition was submitted by the bankrupt for a composition with his creditors, he submitting a statement of his debts aud liabilities under oath. A resolu tion accepting the same was adopted by those present, constituting a majority in number and three-fourths in \alue of all the creditors named in his statement. On a summary of these proceedings being submitted to the Judge by the Register, an order was made directing a second meet ing of the creditors to be had before the said Register, 8. T. Parker, at a time and place to be named by him, to confirm, re ject or modify said resolution, and do aught else that may be legal in the premises, and take such steps as may seein proper to carry out the composition under the law. Petition for final discharge filed by— Orrie Tufts, of Haddock statio i, Jones county. R. W. Jamison, Macon, solicitor. FiDal discharges granted as follows: Ephraim Hightower, Wrigbtsville, John- Bon county. J. A. Robson solicitor. Isham D. Clayton, Statcnsville, Echols county. R. A. Peeples solicitor. Thomas T. Turner, Fort Gaines, Ctaj county. No solicitor. £ I’relly Lips Should have pearly teeth behind them. make the teeth pearly, and to keep them so, is nothing like fragrant Sozodont. It neutralize every element of impurity that affects the ness or whiteness of the shell which I dental bone. Moreover, it prevents I and canker. 1 For the “attraction of cohesion,” see SpaldinM Glue, jan2l-Sa,Tn,Th l wM
