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GEORGIA JOURNAL & MESSENGER
J. W. BIIREK «SL CO., Proprietor*.
A.XV. REIAK, I Editor*.
n. isosi:, f
MACON, TUESDAY. FEB. 23, 1869.
THE OLD RELIABLE.
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THE TEXI RE-OF-OFFICE ACT.
Nothing could be moreself-tvident, says
the New York World , than that the op
position of Republicans to a repeal of this
law, proceeds from a want of confidence in
General Grant If they do not fear that
he would abuse the power of removal, why
are they so stillly unwilling that he should
possess it? It is very clear that the power
of prompt removal ought to exist some
where. The public service lias never been
so corrupt and scandalous as since the
tenure-of-ofiice act has been in force. JI
experience is any test of the value of a
law, no law which ever disgraced a statute
book was so fruitful in scoundrelism as
this forbidding the President to make re
movals. Corrupt officials can be reached
only by cumbrous aud dilatory judicial
proceedings, which can be commenced
only after crimes have been committed,
which break down by flaws in indict
ments, by the perjury of suborned or
bribed witnesses, by the interested slack
ness of prosecuting officers, and some
times by the skill of clever knaves in
covering their tracks, so that while there
is no moral doubt of their guilt there is no
sufficient legal evidence of it. Rut even
if the machinery of justice was so perfect
that prompt and ceriain conviction would
follow every actual crime, this method of
proceeding would be wholly iuadequate.
It is fur more important that crimes should
he prevented than that they should be
punished. There ought to he lodged some
where a power of prompt removal ou mere
suspicion, or if the removing authority
clioo-e, without uny reason at all; so that
no officer could exercise his functions for
a single day, unless the Executive had full
confidence in him. If the President knows
that A is honest, aud doubts, even if he
doubts without reason, that B is, it should
ho in his power to make a sure thing of
honest administration by turning B out
and putting A in. The office does not
exist for the incumbent, but for the public;
and the President should be at all times
free to employ’ the very best men he can
find, even if tolerably good men have to
stand aside for them.
Even if the President eliould’sometimes
displace an efficient, meritorious officer,
no harm would be done, if he put another
equally efficient aud meritorious in his
place. The power of removal cau never
work any considerable mischief; and
there are such multitudesofcases in which
its prompt exercise would be for the pub
lic advantage, that it is preposterous to tie
should in some cases remove ollioov* with
whom the Senate are satisfied. There is
probably no olfice in the country which
there cannot be found twenty competent
men to fill. It is of no consequence to the
public which of the twenty is selected, or
whether the one selected is immediately
replaced by another equally fit. But it is
of the very greatest consequence that if
an appointee should disappoint expecta
tion and turn out to be a rogue, that he
should be promptly replaced by an hon
est man. In the revenue service, the
temptations and opportunities for fraud
are so great, that men who seemed honest
when appointed may very soon forfeit
confidence; and it is better that they
should be removed the moment they be
gin to be suspected, than to wait for the
accumulation of such evidence of guilt as
might he laid before the Senate. If inno
cent men are sometimes removed, that is
of little cousequeuce if men of undoubted
integrity are put in their place. Such
cases would rarely happen, for au honest
President has no motive to make changes
for the mere sake of making them. Mere
removals cau never do harm, but only the
appointment of unfit successors, aud the
Senate lias a complete check upon appoint
ments.
The opposition to the repeal of the ten
ure-of-office act betokens something more
than mere want of confidence in General
Grant. It shows that the purpose of
thwarting and restraining him in so deep
seated, that the Republicans are willing to
perpetuate the present scandalous corrtip
tion in the revenue service, rather than
permit him to exercise ibe same power
which they thought perfectly safe in the
hands of Mr. Lincoln. They tell him, in
effect, that he is a man who deserves
Johnson’s letters, aud is quite unworthy
ot Lincoln’s authority and freedom.
Destruction <fa Venerable Female
Institution.—The following paragraph,
taken from the Columbia (8. C.) Phoenix,
of the 19th inst., will be read with a feel
ing of sadness by hundreds of the women
of the South, whose school days were
speut at the Barhamville Institute, near
Columbia:
About 3 o’clock, yesterday afternoon,
fire was discovered issuing from the roof of
the main building on ttie premises of Dr.
Elias Marks, kuowu as ‘•Barhamville,”
about three miles from Columbia, and in
a short time the venerable structure was
entirely destroyed, together with many of
tbeout-buildings. The wind was blowing
a gale, and at cue time it was feared that
tlie tire would extend to the dwellings in
the neighborhood, but the fences were cut
away, and the further spread of the flames
stopped, l'he property destroyed was very
valuable, aud consisted of a three story
centre huildiug, with extensive wings. It
was built and used many years as a female
academy by Dr. Marks; but for the past
eighteen months was unoccupied. A col
ored man named Jack lived in one of the
out-buildings,and hisopiniou is, that the
Are was caused by a spark from his chim
ney. It is understood that the property
was not insured, and the loss will prove a
heavy one to its aged owner.
The Minority (?) Report.—The Cbn
stilution says, in reference to the reports
of the Finance Committee —majority aud
minority—that it is reliably informed that
when the so-called majority report was
adopted in Committee, there were but
seven members present, some of whom
dissented.
The minority report is, therefore, prop
erly the majority, since it is signed by
seven members of the Committee.
Valuable MrLL Destroyed.—We re
gret to learn that the valuable saw aud
grist mill of Dr. J. F. Usry, located near
itie Central Railroad in Washington
county, was destroyed by tire on Thursday
night last. There was no insurance on the
i roperty, and we learn the loss on the
mill, lumber and fixtures will reach ten
tLousand dollars or upward.
The tire is supposed to be the work of an
incendiary. — Chronicle and Sentinel, 19 Ih.
-MIXORITF REPORT OF THE FINANCE COM
MITTEE.
Mr. Speaker—The undersigned, mem
bers of the Finance Committee, would re
spectfully submit the following report
upon the matter disclosed to the House by
report of the State Treasurer, ou the 24th
uliimo, in response to a resolution adopted
by tliis House.
"A careful analysis of the mass of testi
mony’ which lias been before us, developes
the following state of facts:
.That his Excellency, Governor Bullock,
checked upon the Fourth National Bank,
of the city of New York, for amouuts as
follows:
Ou the 29th October, 1868 $17,000
Ou the 3d December, 1868 8,000
Ou the 12th December, 1868 10,000
Amounting in the aggregate to
the total sum of $35,000 !
These amounts were charged up to State
account, and expended by his Excellency,
without the authority of law. The said
amount did not go into the Treasury, and
was not drawn therefrom, in the usual
way, upon Executive warrant; that until
tiie 9th of January, 1866, the Treasurer
had no notification or intimation of the
fact that said amounts had been so drawn
aud appropriated, though ample time and
frequent opportunities for such notifica- j
tiou had transpired ; that the first intima
tion of the transaction which reached the
Treasurer was in the statement of the I
Bank account of the State, which reached
him on tiie 9th of January, 1869. In this j
connection we would call attention to tiie
fact that the Governor did not, in his an- ■
nual message to tiie Legislature, aud lias
not since, officially and directly com
municated to the Legislature the facts
connected with this transaction. Nor has
he attempted to explain directly to the
Geueral Assembly the manner in which,
aud the purpose for which, such unau
thorized expenditure was made.
2. That ills Excellency explains to the
Finance Committee, aud through said
Committee to the Legislature, that said
sura of $35,000 was expended as follows:
To C. H. Kimball & Cos., 29 Broad
Street, New York $15,060
To 11. I. Kimball 6,000
To draft to do 10,000
Total $31,000
The balance of four thousand dollars is
in cash, and in cash Items, authorized by
law, to be canceled by warrant whenever
the Treasurer is placed in proper relation
to this (the Executive) Department
3. That the Messrs. Kimball have run
up an account against the State of Georgia,
for items, as follows:
For heating the btaic Department $15,000
For lighting the two legislative Balls 1,800
For freight aud putting up lighting ap
paratus 250
For gas lixtures 6,000
For desks, tables, chairs, ink stands, spit
toons, & e 10,000
For carpeting and matting 6,500
For painting, upholstering, setting up furni
ture, vault, counters, shelves, pigeon
holes, book cases, &c 6,500
For packing, carting aud freight, not hereto
fore included 4,200
Total $50,250
Aud that the $31,000 above named has
been applied in part payment of tire above
account, leaving the sum of $19,000 yet
due and unpaid.
4. Tiiat no itemized accounts, or bill of
particulars, have been presented to the
Committee, showing how the above stated
aggregate round amouuts have been made
up. Hence neither the Committee nor
the House can form any reliable opinion
as to the reasonableness of the charges
made ; that the whole of the heating ap
paratus is a fixture belonging to the build
ing. and the same is true of the gas pipes;
ami that while either the city of Atlanta
or the State might be charged reasonable
rent or hire for these things, they certain
ly cannot be expected to purchase them ;
ttiat much of tlis painting was necessary
for tlie preservation of the building, and
was not necessitated by the adaptation of
the building to State House purposes ;
that it has not been made evident to us
that the furniture of the old Capitol, now
lying idle aud likely to become wholly
worthless, could not have been made
available for the present temporary Capi
tol ; that we are of opinion that by far the
larger portion of said furniture could have
been made serviceable for many years to
come, and was of a character suitable for
State House purposes. It is evident to us
that this Legislature, at its last session,
frtfnrtoYKintejj‘ 1 . au H ,orizo the (}ov ~
apparatus for the ferflf)oHfry uafiftol, and
that his Excellency acted in direct viola
tion of tiie known will of the Legislature.
5. That there are three parties interested
in this matter —the proprietors of the
Opera building, lessors; the city of Atlan
ta, as lessee, and the State, as occupant
under said lessee. What the lessors were
to furnish depends upon the contract of
leasing. What the lessee was to furnish
depends upon the contract between tlie
State and the city of Atlanta. We submit
that for our present purpose it does not
now become uecessao’ hr construe either
of said contracts. Suffice it to say that
ueithertlieStatenorthecity contemplated
the heating aud lighting of the temporary
capitol in the extravagant mode adopted,
and the Governor was fully apprised of
this fact. It is equally evident to us that
neither the State nor the city contem
plated the purchase of au entire new out
fit of costly furniture for the temporary
capitol. This the Governor must also
have known ; and it is a fact too plain to
lie disputed that an outlay of $50,000 in
fitting up a building which is to be used
for State House purposes for ten years
only, under all the circumstances, was
simply reckless extravagance.
6. The course pursued by His Excel
lency is, in our opinion, not only without
authority, but is also without precedent,
so fur as we are advised.
The direction of ex-Governor Brown to
his Commissary General to apply SIOO,OOO
to the purchase of salt—said amouut to be
replaced by the proceeds of the sale of the
salt during a time of w’ur, when the people
was suffering for that commodity, is cer
tainly no precedent. The same is true
of an advance of $25,000 to the city of Sa
vannah by ex-Governor Johnson, when
tHut city was invaded by pestilence, and
its peopie weresufieiing for food and med
ical aid.
The fact that ex-Governor Johnson ex
pended less than $3,000 in excess of an
appropriation which had been made for
a specific purpose, and commuuicated
the fact to the Legislature upon its as
sembling, accompanied by the proper
vouchers, and asking an appropriation to
cover the excess so expended, cannot be
insisted upon as a precedent No emer
gency existed which demanded of Gov.
Bullock thisextraordinary departure from
law and the usual custom of the Executive
of State.
7. We are wholly unable to state what
articles purchased were necessary, aud
what was the cost of such necessary ar
ticles. We cannot now state what either
the State or city ought to rent or hire from
tiie proprietors of the Opera building ; and
what tiie State or city ought to purchase
from said proprietors; what either State or
city ought, in good faith, to pay for ; and,
in the present state of thecase, it is utterly
impossible to arrive at any reliable con
clusion iu regard to these matters.
Under this state of facts, we remark first,
That Treasurer Angier did nothing more
than his duty, wdien the aforesaid irregu
larities were brought to his knowledge, in
investigating fully the manner iu which
the money had been drawn, and iu ascer
taining, if possible, what disposition had
been made of it—and in ascertaining pre
cisely, to what extent the unauthorized
proceeding had gone, with a view to his
own protection as a bonded officer, and
the protection of his sureties, and the
preservation of tiie funds of the State. His
course was commendable, and for it he is
entitled to our thanks.
Becond. That the Treasurer, when called
upon by the House for information, touch
ing this unauthorized course of bis Excel
lency, did but his duty, in communicating
to the House immediately, aud without
consultation with bis Excellency such
facts as were iu his possession, aud'in bis
report to the House there is displayed no
ill feeling, or captious opposition to his
Excellency. The report is simple, suc
cinct, intelligible aud responsive to the
resolution.
Third. That no misunderstanding be
tween his Excellency and the Treasurer,
nor the absence of the Treasurer from the
city, nor any other reason which has been
assigned by his Excellency or his apolo
gists, satisfactorily explains the failure of
his Excellency to notify the General As
sembly, at tlieearliest practicable moment,
that he had drawn money upon the ac
count of the State, and appropriated it
without authority of law, aud to explain
upon what emergency said unauthorized
expenditure was made, submitting at the
same time vouchers in detail, iu full ex
planation of such expenditure. Such
prompt and full explanation was due to
the Legislature and the people of the
State.
Fourth. Until the Legislature shall
have been officially and directly advised
of the amounts expended, and for what
said amounts were expended, aud what
necessity lor such expenditures existed,
accompanied by original bills aud other
vouchers, we cannot say what portiou of
such ex{»enditures ougiit to be paid —or
whether city or ."date ought to pay it
When it is made evident that the State
ougiit, in good faith, to pay auy portiou
of such amount as his Excellency has
seen tit to check out of the Fourth Na
tional Bank, aud pay over to the Messrs.
Kimball—aud an appropriation is asked
to cover said amount, it will he ample
time to consider the propriety of making
such appropriation.
Fifth. In our opinion, the facts herein
set forth, develop the necessity for fur
ther legislation, for the security of the
Treasury. We therefore recommend:
Ist. That no appropriation he now made
to cover the $50,000, expended as aforesaid,
or auy part thereof.
2d. Teat the accompanying bill, which
we beg leave now to introduce, be passed.
A. 8 Fowler.
G. 8. Carpenter,
Wm. B. Gray,
John Higdon,
C. C. Cleghokn,
John Long,
O. G Bparks,
H. C- Kellogg.
Report adopted—yeas 86, nays 36.
A BILL IN REGARD TO STOCK, FENCE*, ETC
We are indebted to the courtesy of H.
R. Felder, Esq., of the House, for a copy
of the following Mil drawn up by Colonel
8. D Killen.of Houston. It will be of
interest to the people of Houston aud the
other counties named, and we publish it
with great pleasure. The bill will not
become operative until ratified by
voters of the counties interested :
A BILL
To he entitled an act to repeal sections
1,456, 1,457, 1.458, 1,459, 1,460, 1,461, of
Irwin’s Revised Code, so far as the same
relates to the counties of Houstou,
Macon, Morgan and Monroe, aud for
other purposes.
Section 1. The Legislature of the State
of Georgia do enact as follows: That
chapter 8, part 1, title 15 of the Code of
Georgia, revised by David Irwin, Esq.,
embracing sections 1,456, 1,457, 1,458,
1,459, 1,460
hereby, repealed.
Sec. 2 That no horse, mule, cow or hog,
or any other animal or animals, used or
fit, either for food or labor, shall be per
mitted to run at large.
Sec. 3. In case any of the above men
tioned animals shall commit any trespass
or damage on tiie premises of any other
than the owner of such animals or stock,
whether enclosed or unenclosed, it shall
be lawful for the owner of such premises
to impound such animalsand retain them
till the owner thereof shall make full
satisfaction or reparation for the damages
committed by su> h animals, including all
costs unless otherwise disposed of accord
ing to the provision of this act, as herein
after provided.
Bee. 4. In case auy of the above men
tioned animals shall be impounded under
tiie provisions of the foregoing section, it
shall be the duty of the party so im
pounding them to give them all necessary
care, feed aud attention, for which he
shall have reasonable compensation, as
hereinafter provided ; and it shall also be
his duty to give the owner, if known, no
tice of the fact of such impounding within
twenty-four hours, and if not known or
ascertained within three days from the
taking up and impounding such animals,
they shall be disposed of as provided by
law in cases of estrays, except that in
case any such auimal or animals shall be
sold under the provisions of the estray
laws or this act; the proceeds of sucli sales,
after tiie payment of legal costs, including
advertising, etc., shall be applied, first, to
tiie payment of the damages sustained by
tiie party taking up and impounding
them, including reasonable compensation
for the care, feed aud attention, to he as
certained as hereinafter provided.
Bee. 5. If any person shall, under the
pretext of the provisions of this law, un
necessarily, or out of mere vexation, take
up aud impound such animal or an
imals, or after having taken up aud
impounded any such animal or ani
imals, shall fail to give tiie notice required
by this act, or to tstray them in
case the owner is not known or ascertaweu
srfttlr*faiTto give the'pi’b'fieV'tare and at
tention as hereinafter provided, or in auy
manner shall iujure or maltreat any such
animal or animals, such person so offend
ing shall be Ueeined and held guilty of a
misdemeanor and liable to indictment aud
prosecution before any court haviog juris
diction of such offences, and on conviction
thereof, shall be punished by flue or im
prisonment, in the discretion of the pre
siding Judge, who shall try said cause —
tiie fine not to exceed one hundred dollars,
and the imprisonment, not to exceed one
month in tiiecomtnon jail; and in addition
shall pay to the owner of such animal or
animals double the amount of damages
actually sustained by a violation of the
provisions of this act
Bec. 6. In case of disagreement between
the taker up or party claimed to be dam
aged and the owner of such animal or ani
mals, as to the amount of damages sus
tained on account of the trespass of any
such animal or animals, or for expenses
for care, trouble and attention as required
by this act, the same shall be submitted to
arbitratiou, as follows: The aggrieved par
ty or taker-up shall choose oue disinter
ested freeholder in the immediate neigh
borhood, aud the owner of such animal or
animals another, and these two to select a
third of like qualification, whose duty it
shall be to make necessary investigation,
and if need tie, examine tiie premises al
leged to have been damaged, and return,
under oath, a written award or report of
their actiou, which shall be conclusive ex
cept either party shall take an appeal as
provided by the laws pertaining to arbitra
ment aud award as contained in the Code
of Georgia.
Bec. 7. Bhould either party fail or refuse
to make choice of an arbitrator, as pro
vided in tiie foregoing section, it shall
be lawful for the other party to apply
to the nearest magistrate, either in the
same or adjoining district, who shall
be authorized to appoint an arbitrator
for the party so failing or refusing to
make a choice under the foregoing
provisions, aud such arbitrator shall
have all the authority aud be charged
with all the duties required, as if choseu
by an interested party. Provided, never
theless, that if either party shall for auy
cause object to the arbitrator chosen, it
shall be the duty of the party making
choice of him to select another less objec
tionable but equally qualified.
Sec. 8. Iu the event of any dispute be
tween the taker-up, aud the owner of such
animal or animals, it shall he the privil
ege of the owner or claimaut of the same,
to recover possession of such animal or
animals by executing and delivering to
such taker-np or aggrieved party, his or
her bond with good security, to be ap
proved by auy Magistrate or other judi
cial officer in the couuty double the value
of the stock takeu up aud impounded,
conditioned tc pay such assessments of
damages, expenses tor keeping, as herein
provided, including all other costs at'the
termination of any issue made on ac
count ofdamagesas hereinbefore provided.
Sec. 9. The provisions of this act to
go into operation aud effect so soon as the
same shall have been ratified by the legal
voters of said counties.
Raid Upon the M. and C. Railroad.
We learn from our confrere, W. J. Ram
age, Esq., of the Knoxville Press and
Herald, 9ome particulars of au exciting
affair which occurred Monday night iu
Tishomingo county. A party of five or
six men, understood to be from Moscow,
Tenu., came over the line with the pur
pose of throwing off the track and rob
bing the pay train of the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad, at a point between
Burnsville and luka. The Sheriff of the
county by ,otne means obtained intelli
gence of the proposed depredation, and
gathering a posse, came upon the desper
adoes in their lurking place. His order to
halt was responded to by one of the gang
firing at the Sheriff’s party, several of
whom returned the fire, and two charges
of buckshot took effect iu the face of one
of the robbers," named Jack Davenport,
killing him instantly. A charge was
then made, and three of the gang were
captured ; oue or two others escaping.
When Mr. R. pas-ed through Burns
ville, Tuesday morning, the prisoners
were under efficient guard at the depot,
the body of the dead man lying on the
platform. —Mobile Register, 18<A.
Congress Will Do Nothing.—We
are fully advised that the present Con
gress will do nothing more in Georgia
matters. We speak from the highest and
most reliable authority. This is as it
should be. Grant and the new Congress
will do all things well. We are willing
to trust them, at least. Let us have peace.
[Atlanta JSexv Era,
GEORGIA JOURNAL AND MESSENGER.
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
(From the Constitution, j
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Thursday, February 18, 1869.
House met pursuant to adjournment.
BILLS ON FIRST READING.
Mr. Phillips, of Echols —A Gill to pro- '
hibit the Governor from drawing money, !
selling bonds or using the public money i
in any manner.
Mr Russell—A bill to authorize John
T. Hall to erect to dam on his premises iu
Meriwether county.
Mr Harris, of Murray—A bill to au
thorize the retailing of spirituous liquors
in Spring Place, Georgia.
Mr. Scott, of Floyd—A bill to chance
section 1,819 of the Code of Georgia.
Mr. Ford—A bill to lend State aid to
the Uartersville and Van Wert Railroad.
Mr. Turnipseed—A bill to give the State
of Georgia a lien on Kimball’s Opera
House.
Mr. Hall, of Glynn—A billtoleud State
aid to the Albany and Brunswick Rail
road.
Mr. Sisson —A resolution that the use
! <Jf the Hail be tendered Madam Stewart
on to-morrow (Friday) eveuing, to deliver
a lecture before the Legislature aud citi
zens of Atlanta. Adopted.
Mr. Fitzpatrick—A bill to authorize the
election of ten commissioners, for the
county of Bibb, and to empower the Or
! diuary to is?ue county bonds to drain
Macon Reserve.
Mr. Darnell—A bill to change the line
between the counties of Cherokee and
Pickens.
The House adjourned until 10 a. m , to
morrow.
AFTERNOON SESSION—FEBRUARY 17.
House met pursuant to
BILLS ON FIRST READING.
Mr. Grimes —To incorporate Muscogee
‘ Mauufacturiug Company.
Mr. Gullatt—To protect mechanics and
artisans, giving them their right to sell
property when unpaid.
Mr. Smith, of Ware—To legalize the
election of Justice of tiie Peace io the 814th
district of Ware couuty.
Mr. Scott, of Columbus —To incorporate
a Fire Company in Thomsou, to be called
the Thomson Fire Company.
Mr. CuDningham—To authorize the
Ordinary of Oglethorpe county to levy a
tax for the year 1868 for county purposes.
Mr. Sparks—To authorize improvement
to he made on Reserve at Indian Springs
in couuty of Butts, and to protect the
same. +
Mr. Scroggins—To encourage the arrest
of criminals, by compensation.
To change lines between the counties of
Coweta and Meriwether.
On motion of Mr. Ellis, the rules were
suspended, and the bill providing for the
erection of a State House in Atlanta, was
taken up, read, aud referred to a standing
committee.
House adjourned.
Atlanta, Februrary 18,1869.
Senate. —Senate called to order by the
President.
Prayer by Mr. Smith, (7th.)
Journal of proceedings of yeiterday
read and approved.
RECONSIDERATION.
Mr. Smith, of the 7th, moved to recon
sider the actiou of the Senate yesterday,
in refusing to pass hill to allow J. J.
Everett, of thomas county, to settle with
his ward, C. E. Platt. After discussion, <
motion to reconsider prevailed.
Mr. Speer ottered au amendment pro
viding that tiie provisions of this act shall
apply to all guardians aud ware’s in the
State desirous of receiving its provisions,
when the wards are minors and married.
Mr. Wooten moved to indefinitely post*
pone the bill.
The yeas and nays were dematded, and
resulted in yeas 17, nays 16. So the mo
tiou to indefinitely postpone prevailed.
SUSPENSION OF RULES.
Rules suspended, aud the House bill
providing for qualification and registra
tion of voters in Columbus, takeu up,
amendment of the Judiciary Committee
agreed to, bill passed, and transmitted to
the House.
SENATE BILLS FIRST READING.
Mr. Speer—To preveut railroads in this
State from beiDg held liable for killing
auy species of stock running at large.
Mr. Lester—To authorize the remnant
of a fund raised by the Justices of the In
h,°j<r pu.'u f
dermen of Savannah, for repairing and
enlarging the present jail.
Mr. Stringer—To amend the act incor
porating tiie town of Gainesville.
Mr. Burns—To loan the credit of the
State to the Cartersville and Van Wert
Railroad Compauy.
HOUSE BILLS ON FIRST BEADING.
To repeal sections 1,456 to 1,461, inclu
sive. a
To incorporate tiie Central Georgia
Banking Company.
To provide for foreclosures of mortgages
on personal property in counties where
said property may be found.
To incorporate the Gum Creek Naviga
tion Compauy.
To incorporate the Georgia Life Insu
rance Company.
To incorporate the Savaußah Manufac
turing Company.
To change the lines between the coun
ties of Taylor and Macon.
To repeal the act providing for the pay
ment ofdnsolvent costs iu criminal cases
due county officers in tiie counties of
Richmond and Muscogee.
HOUSE BILL ON THIRD READING.
To amend the act incorporating the
Florida and Brunswick Railroad. Passed.
SENATE BILLS ON THIRD READING.
To retrocede five acres of land in the
city of Atlanta to the heirs of Samuel
Mitchell.
Mr. Holcombe moved to lay the bill on
the table, and make it the special order
for the second Monday in August. Lost.
Mr. Merreil moved to make it the special
order for Monday. Lost.
Mr. Lester moved to make it the special
order for to morrow. Motion prevailed.
To incorporate the Planters’ Accommo
dation Line Steamboat Company. Passed
aud transmitted to House.
To incorporate Tryou Factory. Passed
aud transmitted to House.
To incorporate the Atlanta Water Com
pany. Taken from the table and referred
to Committee on Internal Improvements.
t o incorporate the Augusta and Louis
ville Railroad Company. Passed.
To preveut monopolies and tax certain
railroad stock. Made special order for
Monday, and fifty copies ordered to be
printed.
To change the regular time of the meet
ing of the General Assembly. The amend
ment of Mr. Holcombe, substituting first
Wednesday in July for the second
Wednesday, adopted, and the bill passed.
Mr. Burns gave notice of a motion to
reconsider.
To provide a system of general instruc
tion throughout the State. Made the
special order for Tuesday.
To incorporate the Atlanta Acid and
Fertilizer Company. The Committee on
Agriculture and Manufactures reported an
amendment, limiting exemption from
taxation to ten years.
Mr. Anderson offered an amendment,
granting the like privileges to a similar
company iu Macon.
Mr. Holcombe moved to strike out the
clause exempting from taxation.
The amendment of the committee was
lost.
The amendment of Mr. Anderson was
adopted.
Mr. Anderson made a speech iu behalf
of the bill, and was sustained by Messrs.
Nuunaliy, Burns and Hungerford.
Messrs. Merrell and Holcombe opposed
it.
The hill was passed by the following
vote :
Yeas—Messrs. Adams, Anderson, Burns,
Bowers, Candler, Collier, Dickey, Gig
nilliatt, Griffin, of the 21st, Hinton, Hun
gerford, Joues, Jordan, Lester, McArthur,
McWhorter, Nuunaliy, Smith, of the
3tith, Speer, Wellborn, Welch and Wooten
—23. '
Nays—Messrs. Brock, Fain, Harris,
Holcombe, Merrell, Richardson, Smith, of
he 7ih, Stringer aud Wtun —9.
The Report of the Finance Committee
on the Pioneer Cotton Card Company
was referred back to them.
resolutions.
By Mr. Merreli:
That the Governor be authorized to
publish the jury bill approved by him in
one or more of the newspapers in Atlanta,
Augusta, Savannah, Macon and Colum
bus.
Substitute by Mr. Wellborn—adopted:
That the Governor be authorized to have
three hundred copies of the jury hill
printed, and sent to the Ordinaries of each
county.
By Mr. Wooten—adopted :
That a joint committee of four from the
Senate and five from the House be ap
pointed, with power to send for persona
and papers, to investigate the condition of
the Macon and Brunswick Railroad.
Senate adjourned;
House.— House met pursuant to ad
journment.
Prayer bv Rev. Mr. Crumley.
Journal read and approved.
Mr. Scott, of Floyd, moved to reconsider
the bill giving aid to the Memphis
Branch Railroad Company, lost yesterday.
Motion to reeonsider prevailed—
Mr. Saussey moved to reconsider the
action of the House of yesterday relating
to the bill to change section 3199 Irwin’s
Code, so as to include auother ground of
attachment. Motiou to reconsider pre
vailed.
Mr. Ellis, of Spaulding, no xved to recon
sider tire reference rs a bill introduced by
him yesterday, relating to building a Capi
tol iu Atlauta, for the purpose of referring
it to a special committee. Motiou pre
vailed.
Mr. Crawford moveu to take up the res
olution looking to an early adjournmen',
not permitting auy uew matter introduced
after the 24th inst.
Mr. McCullough said that the gentle
man’s intention may be very laudable,
but the time would be consumed in mak
ing motions to suspeud rules, aud noth
ing would be done if this resolution was
I adopted.
Mr. Parks, of Gwinnett, offered asub
i stitute to preveut new’ matter being in
■ trodueed after the first Monday iu March.
The previous question was calied and
sustained.
The main question was put and lost.
Mr. Fowler, from Finance Committee,
presented the miuority report ou the Bul
lock-Augier embroglio, which was read.
The miuority of tlie Committee also re
commend the following bids:
A bill to prescribe the manner of sale
aud hypothecation of State bonds.
Also, a bill to prescribe the way to meet
contingent expeuses by the Governor.
Mr. Scott, of Floyd, moved to adopt
minority report iu lieu of the majority
report.
On motion the majority report was read.
Mr. Morgan rostftoa privilege question;
he said the minority report had made a
mistake in regard to facts about expendi
tures of Gov. H. V. Johnson.
Previous question called ou Mr. Scott’s
motion and sustained, and yeas and nays
required, and resulted as follows:
Yeas. —Messrs. Anderson, Ballanger,
Baruurn, Barrett, Benuett, Brassell, Brin
son, Byue, Carpenter, of Hancock, Clark,
Cleghorn, Clower, Cloud, Crawford, Don
aldson, Drake, Duncan, Ellis, of Spauld
ing, Erwin, Evans, Fain, Felder, Fiu
cauuon, Flournoy, Ford, Fowler, George,
Gray, Gnrnes, Gullatt, Hall, of Bullock,
Hamilton. Harrison, Harris, Higdon,
Hill, Hitchcock, Hook, Hudson, Hugites,
Humber, Hundley, Johnson, of Wilcox,
Kellogg, Kytle, Long, McComb, McCul
lough, Mathews, Meadows, Nash, Nesbit,
Parks, of Gwinnett, Parks, of Greene,
Paulk, Pearson, Penland, Pepper, Phil
lips, Price, Rainey, Reddish, Rosser,
Rumph, Saussey, Scroggins, Scott, of Co
lumbia, Scott, of Floyd, Sewell, Shackle
ford, Shumate, Sisson, Smith, of Ware,
Smith, of Telfair, Sorrell, Sparks, Staple
ton, Taliaferro, Tate, Tumliu, Turnipseed,
Walthal, Warreu, Ware, Williams, of
Dooly, Wilson aud Zeluer —86.
Nays—Messrs. Allen, Adkins, Ayer,
Belcher, Bethune, Bryant, Caldwell, Car
sou, Chambers, Cunningham, Darnell,
Davis, Ellis, of Gilmer, Fitzpatrick,
Fianke, Hall, of Meriwether, Harden,
Harper, of Sumter, Hillyer, Hooks, John
son, of Towns, Kelley, Lane, Lee, Mad
den, Maxwell, Maull, Morgan, Osgood,
Perkins, of Dawson, Prudeu, Read,
Rice, Salter, Tweedy, Williams, of Haral
son, Williams, of Morgan, and Zellers
—37.
Minority report adopted.
Mr. McComb—A resolution to adjourn
to meet at Milledgeville when this body
adjourns sine die.
Mr. Duncan—A resolution to appoint a
special committee to devise proper means
to recover the $35,000 expended by the
Governor, which was illegally drawn
from the Treasury. Motion made to sus
pend the rules to take up the resolution.
Mr. Lee objected to the resolution. He
said that the proper spirit was not actuat
ing the members here. The committee
had given the items for which the money
was expended. The State has the benefit
of the expenditure I think the expendi
ture was extravagant, but I shall not con
demn him, when we have iu possession
the property he paid this money for. He
was opposed to suspending the rules
Mr. Flournoy saiil that the resolution did
not intend to reflect on Governor Bullock.
no uiijcvt —u -1,.. ioc menus, lx mere
was any necessity for it, to recover this
nroney. Rules suspended and resolution
adopted.
Mr. Sparks moved to take up Mr. Me-
Comb’s resolution looking to an adjourn
ment to Milledgeville. House refused to
suspeud the rules.
Air. Hudson moved to take up Senate
resolution looking to early adjournment.
Rules suspended aud resolution adopted.
A Committee of three appointed by the
House.
Mr. Hall, of Ulynn—A resolution for
the appointment of a joint committee to
examine the claims of the Albany and
Bruuswick Railroad against the State of
Georgia, with power to send for persons
and papers.
Mr. Saussey moved to amend, that if the
services of the committee extend beyond
adjournment, no per diem be allowed.
Mr. Williams, of Dooly, moved to take
up the reconsidered bill relating to organ
ization of anew county in the county of
Decatur. Motiou to suspend rules lost.
BILLS ON THIRD READING.
A bill to permit Elisba Carter, of
Greene, to peddle without license.
Mr. Hudson offered a substitute to
amend the 569th section of Irwin’s Code,
so as to permit all maimed soldiers to ped
dle without license, giving power to tiie
Ordinary conferred in that section on the
Inferior Court. The previous question
was called, and the substitute p issed.
A bill to incorporate the Atlanta Cation
Factory. Passed.
A bill to prevent thedrawingoflotteries
in this Stale. Lost.
An act to authorize John Taylor to ped
dle without license, he being a cripple,
but not a maimed soldier.
Several members proposed amendments
to include cripples living in their coun
ties.
Mr. Hudson moved to amend by add
ing that all indigent cripples living in
the State be permitted to peddle without
license.
A motion was made to lay the whole
matter on the table. Alotion lost.
Air. Hudson withdrew his amend
ment.
The bill, with several amendments, was
passed.
A bill to legalize the electiou of James
Buchauan as Sherifl'of Randolph county.
Passed.
Mr. Turnipseed—A resolution to require
the publication iu principal newspapers
of the general jury bill that has becom# a.
law, and that a copy be sent to each Clerk
of the Superior Court in this State.
Adopted.
A resolution to authorize the surrender
of the charter of the Planter’s Bank of
Savannah. Adopted.
House adjourned.
Friday, February 19, 1860.
Senate. —Senate called to order by the
President.
Prayer by Mr. Adams.
Journal of yesterday read and approved.
RECONSIDERATION.
Mr. Burns moved to recousider the bill
adopted yesterday, changing the time of
meeting of the General Assembly to the
first Wednesday in July.
Motion prevailed and bill referred to the
Judiciary Committee.
THE MITCHELL CLAIM.
Mr. Winn moved to discharge the spe
cial order set down for to-day, being the
consideration of the bill to retrocede five
acres of land in Atlanta to the heirs of
Samuel Mitchell.
Messrs. Nunnally, Hungerford, Well
born and Hinton opposed, and Messrs.
Harris, Holcombe, Candler, Wooten,
Smith, (7th,) and Burns favored the mo
tion.
Mr. Winn changed the motion to re
consider.
Mr. Harris demanded the yeas and
nays.
The following is the vote:
Yeas—Messrs. Adams, Adkins, Ander
son, Bowers, Bruton, Burns, Candler,
Corbitt, Dickey, Harris, Holcombe, Les
ter. Merrell, Sherman, Smith, (7th) Smith,
(26th) Stringer, Welch, Winn and Woo
ten—2o. *
Nays—Messrs. Collier, FaiD, Gignilliat,
Griffin, (21st) Hinton, Hungerford, Jones,
McArthur, McCutchen, Moore, McWhor
ter, Nunnally, Richardson, Speer and
Wellborn—ls.
So the motion prevailed.
Mr. Harris offered a resolution that the
Superintendent of the Western and At
lantic Railroad be requested to furnish the
Senate with any facts relative to the land
memorialized to be retroceded to the heirs
of Mitchell, at the earliest practicable mo
ment.
Mr. Hinton moved to refer the resolu
tion of Mr. Harris and amendments to the
Judiciary Committee. Motion was lost.
Mr. Wellborn offered a resolution that
the bill be recommitted to the same special
committee, and the Chairman be instruct
ed to request the House committee to
meet with them at au early hour this af
teru ion. and request the Superintendent
of the Western and Atlantic Railroad to
e#>tuit any facts in his possession relative
to this matter, at said meeting, and that
said committee report to-morrow. —
Adopted.
The President left his seat and called
Mr. Wooten, President pro (cm, to the
chair.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Mr. Bowers called attention to a re -olu
tiou offered by bim on We Inesday, pend
ing action on which the Seuate adjourned.
Mr. Holcombe offered as a substitute,
which was accepted by Mr. Bowers, that
the messenger be authorized to employ
Charles Patterson (-oloiedl to assist him,
at $3 per day. and he is hereby forbid from
employing any one else at the public ex
pense. Adopted.
SENATE BILES ON THIRD READING.
| JTo declare buying and selling cotton in
the seed a misdemeanor. Tabled.
To alter and amend section 3496, of the
Code. [Bubjects wages of laborers over a
certain amount to garnishment.] Judicia
ry Committee report against its passage.
Report disagreed to.
President resumed his seat.
Mr. Winn moved to indefinitely post
pone the bill. Motion lost.
Mr. Merrell moved to amend by provi
ding that the act shall not apply to debt
ors who have uot over S3OOO of proper'y
in specie. Lost.
Mr. Wellborn offered an amendment
that the excess of wages of a daily laborer
over SSO per mouth shall alone be subject
to garnishment. The amendment was
.adopted.
Messrs. Candler and Merrell opposed
the bill, and Messrs. Speer, Lester and
Wellborn sustained it.
On motion to adopt, the yeas and nays
were demauded, with the following re
sult:
Yeas—Adams, Faiu, Gignilliat, Griffin
of 121st, Hicks, Hinton, Lester, McArthur,
Moore, Nunnally, Smith of 36th, Speer
and Wellborn—l3.
Nays—Bowers, Bruton, Burns, Gau
dier, Dickey, Holcombe, Hungerford,
Jones. Merrell, McCutchen, McWhorter,
Richardson, Sherman, Smith of 7th,
Stringer, Welch, Winn and Wooten—lß.
So the bill was lost.
HOUSE BILLS FIRST READING.
To legalize the electiou of James Buch
anan, Sheriff of Ruudolph county*.
HOUSE BILLS THIKD READING.
To change the lines between the coun
ties ofStewart and O.uitmau. Passed.
HOUSE RESOLUTIONS.
To appoiut a joint committee to devise
proper means to recover the $35,000 ex
pended by the Governor, which was ille
gally drawn from the Treasury. Con
curred in.
To appoint a joint committee of four
from the Senate and seven from the House
to examine into the claims of the Albany
and Brunswick Railroad against the
State, with power to send for persons and
papers. [The Senate adopted a similar
resolution yesterday, and Messrs. Wooten,
Fain, Welch, and Wellborn were appoint
ed the committee from the Senate] The
amendment of the House, that if the ser
vices of the committee extend beyond ad
journment n o per diem be allowed, was
concurred in.
To authorize the surrender of the char
ter of the Planters’ Bank of Savannah.
Referred to Judiciary Committee.
RESOLUTIONS.
By Mr. Speer—Adopted :
That a seat on the floor be tendered to
Hon. J. H. McWhorter, of Oglethorpe
couuty.
Mr. McArthur—
That all business before the Senate he
referred to the Judiciary Committee, with
power to set for six months ; that the Leg
islature adjourn for that term, and reas-*
semble for three days to ratify their ac
tion. Ruled out of order.
Messrs. Collier, Jordan, Brock, and
Wooten granted leave of absence.
Senate adjourned.
House. —House met pursuant to ad
journment.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Crumley.
Journal read and approved.
Mr. Morgan moved to reconsider so
much of the proceedings of yesterday as
relates to the adoption of the minority re
t™*‘.
He said that the luiuut roport whs
untrue—false in several particulars. He
said the minority had tried to whitewash
Angier. He argued that the Governor
was authorized to make the expenditure
by the Railroad Committee.
Mr. Barnum—Did the Railroad Com
mittee have any such authority ?
Mr. Morgan—The majority report does
not say they had the authority, but they
nevertheless were consulted,* and gave
their approval, some of them, to this ex
penditure.
Mr. I'umlin said tiiat he had notified
the gentleman before this report was
made that the Railroad Committee had
never authorized any such expenditure.
Mr. Morgau—Some of them knew of it,
Mr. Tumlin’s statement to the contrary
notwithstanding. He made an attack
upon the Treasu.er for using the interest
of public funds. He was called to order
by several members.
Mr. Scott, of Floyd, asked what thi9liad
tq do with this report.
Mr. Morgan said it had nothing to do
with it; but the minority had 9een fit to
step outside to whitewash Mr. Angier,
and he wanted to show him up. The
majority did not believe there was any
intention on the part of the Governor to
hide this expenditure from the Legisla
ture ; they thought there was nothing id
his failing to mention it in his message ;
and therefore they passed it over without
noticing it. Did Governor Bullock steal
this money? No one after investigating
this will believe it.
Mr. Shumate—Did Governor Bullock
ever ask an appropriation for this expen
diture?
Mr. Morgan—Did Governor Johnson
ever ask au appropriation to buy furni
ture?
Mr. Harper, of Terrell—He did.
Mr. Morgan—lJis message says he did
not. We examined Mr. Kimball’s testi
mony very carefully, because he was in
terested. A Legislative body should never
publish to the world statements that are
not true. “Truth crushed to earth will
rise again.” He said the minority report
was false and untrue. The majority re
port was true in every particular*
Mr. Fowler —He would not notice the
futile arguments of the gentleman from
Dougherty. This minority report was
made after a careful investigation, with
out favor to Governor Bullock or the
Treasurer. The minority report was
made by men who are responsible to this
Legislature aud to the w'orld for it. The
arguments used by the gentleman from
Dougherty was so weak he would not
notice them farther.
Mr. Harper, of Terrell, said he wanted
this question reconsidered that the House
might vote upon it after a full ventilation
of it. The gentleman from Dougherty
seems to think it was pushed through in
a burry. He says you have cast this vote
in a partisan spirit, that you were in
fluenced by questions foreign to the issue.
If his speech goes to the country without
any denial from this body, it will injure
us. He is a man of influence in his sec
tion. Who denies the statements made
by this gentleman? (Several members
answered, “I do.”) He was not williug
to make this a party question. He was a
Democrat, and thougbt that reconstruc
tion was accomplished. He bad just re
turned from home this morning aud had
been appealed to by friends of the majority
report to reconsider this question, because
they had been gagged on yesterday—that
the reports had not been discussed.
Mr. Fowler —This majority report was
printed and laid on the tables of members
two or three days before it was brought up.
Mr. Harper—l don't suppose a third of
the members read it. He said that a re
consideration would not hurt Gov. Bul
lock, nor drive Mr. Angier to the Demo
cratic party.
Mr. Bhumate —I ask wherein this mi
nority report ia false. It says that this ex
penditure was made without authority.
Who denies it? It states that the Messrs.
Kimball have spent $31,000 of the Btate’s
money. Who denies it? Is there any
falsehood in that ?
It says that Governor Bullock must pay
this money, or the city of Atlanta must
pay, or the State will lose it. Who denies
this?
It says that Mr. Angier gave a clear and
succinct report when called upon. Is this
so? No man on this floor in his senses
will say otherwise.
Has the Governor ever told this body
where and how he spent this money ? We
have bad no official notification of this ex
penditure.
If this minority report is vulnerable,
why did not the gentleman show it?
They say that after considering these re
ports, they recommend that no appropria
tion be made to meet these expenditures.
Is this not fair and faithful? Who objects
to this? He appealed to members uot to 1
reconsider this questiou.
The previous question was called and
not sustained.
Mr. Hall, of Meriwether—As ttie Chair
man of the Finance Committee, I feel it
due to uiyseifaud tlie House to say some
thing about these reports. 1 feel that I
have done justice in Ibis matter. If 1
erred, it was from the head, and not from
the heart. I regret to say that I think
party spirit has had much to do with the
adoptiou of this minority report. The
maiu objections I have to this report is,
that it charges the Governor with draw
ing money without authority. It had
beeu published far and near that the Gov
ernor had used the mouey of the State
improperly. This report takes rather a
narrow view of this. I believe that Gov
ernor Bullock has been misrepresented.
It is a fact that Governor Bullock gave
this money reluctantly, and was auttior
ized by statements made by the Railroad
Committee to do so. lam not willing to
pass any censure upon him. I believe the
City Council of Atlauta should pay this
money.
Mr. Sisson called attention to the con
tract made with the city.
Mr. Hall read it. He said that it was
generally understood that no expense
should accrue to the State.
Mr. Flournoy said he would say but
little ou the questiou. He thought it
would be exceedingly unwise to recon
sider a questiou that had been properly
settled. It would take up the time of the
House for two or three days to no pur
pose. This majority report has been be
fore us several days, those who have not
read it will not. This minority report is
succint, auy school boy can understand
it, aud all the members did uot under
stand it wheu they voted on it.
Mr. Morgau—Could’ this minority re
port have been understood had it uot been
for the exhibits to the majority report ?
Mr. Flournoy—According to the geu
tlemau’s own statements they could easily
be understood.
He denied the charge that the House
iiad acted in a partisan manner in dispos
ing of this question. We do uot object
to Gov. Bullock nntking a defence of him
self, the newspapers were open to him.
The only question you have to settle is
did he have t lie power to spend the .Mate’s
money in fitting up this building in this
magnificent manner.
The fact that Gov. Johnson has done
this does not justify Governor Bullock. If
a half dozen Governors had done this
would it he a custom that would justify
Gov. Bullock iu this expenditure? Was
he authorized by law or by custom to do
it The minority report says he was not.
Are you prepared to say that this is not
so? They ask that no appropriation he
made. No one can object to this
Mr. Anderson —I apprehend when this
House voted upon this question yesterday
they were prepared to vote. J think that
a majority of this House have too much
manhood to retrace their steps. 1 cull the
previous questiou. (Sustained.
The main question put aud resulted as
follows:
Yeas —Messrs. Alien, Adkius, Ayer,
Belcher, Bethuue, Bradford, Bryant, Car
sou, Chambers, Cunningham, Darnell,
Davis, Ellis, of Gilmer, Franke, George,
Hall, of Meriwether, Hamilton, Hareti,
Harper, of Terrell, Harper, of Sumter,
Hillyer, Holen, Johnson, of Towns, Kel
ley, Lane, Lee, McCormick, Madden,
Maull, Morgan, O'Neal, Osgood, Page,
Perkins, of Dawson, Pruddeu, Read,
Rice, Saulter, Sewell, Tweedy, Williams,
of Haralson, Williams, of Morgan, Zel
lers—43.
Nays—Messrs. Anderson, Ballanger,
Barnum, Barrett, Brewster,Brinson, Byne,
Carpenter of Hancock, Clarke, Cleghorn,
Clower, Cloud, Crawford, Donaldson,
Drake, Duncan, Ellis of Spalding, Erwin,
Farmer, Felder, Fiucanuon, Flournoy,
Ford, Fowler, Gober, Gray, Grimes, Gul
latfc, Hall of Bullock, Hall of Glynn, Har
rison, Harris, Higdon, Hill. Hitchcock,
Hook, Humber, Johnson of Wilcox, Kel
logg, Kytle, Long, McArthur, McComb,
McDougald, Mathews, Meadows, Nash,
Nesbitt, Parks of Gwinnett, Parks of
Greene, Paulk, Penlaud, Pepper, Perkins
of Cherokee, Phillips, Rainey, Rosser,
Rumpli, Scroggins, Scott of Columbia,
Scott of Floyd, Seale, Shackleford, Shu
mate, Sisson, Smith of Charlton, Smith of
Ware, Smith of Telfair, Sparks, Stapleton,
Taliaferro, Tate, Tutniin, Turuipseed,
Viuson,VV arren.Ware, Williams of Dooly,
Wilson aud Zelner—Bl.
Aud motion prevailed.
Mr. Barrett offered the following:
Whereas, It is reported that the old furni
ture of the General Assembly is scattered
about;
Resolved, That a competent man be
appointed take charge of and keep it for
the State.
Mr. O’Neal moved to amend by adding
the name of W. L. Hubbard as the man.
Agreed to and the resolution adopted.
Mr. Osgood— A resolution that the use
of this Hall he tendered Republicans, on
Saturday night next, who are opposed to
remanding the State to rni'itary rule.
Adopted.
BILLS ON THIRD READING.
A bill to provide for election of Mayor
and Council of the city of Columbus.
Senate proposed an amendment which
was agreed to aud hill passed.
Mr. Parks, of Gwinnett, moved to sus
pend the rules and read hills the first time.
Rules suspended.
Bill to amend and extend the charter of
Tallulah Fire Company No. 3, of the city
of Atlanta.
A bill to authorize a levy of tax in
Glynn county, read first time.
A bill to authorize the appointment of
an Attorney in Notary Public Court hav
ing criminal jurisdiction to piosecute.
Judiciary Committee recommeud a sub
stitute, making a criminal court in each
county, with Solicitor.
A motion was made to indefinitely post
pone, and carried.
A bill to regulate aud organize the jury
boxes in this btale. Indefinitely post
poned.
Considerable discussion on a resolution
to discharge special committee to examlue
cle r ks.
Resolution adopted discharging com
mittee.
A bill to legalize the election of Justice
of i he Peace in 45lst district, Ware couuty.
Mr. Hudson moved to amend by mak
ing the bill general.
Pending consideration of this bill the
House adjourned till 10 o’clock to-morrow.
Saturday, February 20, 1869.
Senate met pursuant to adjournment.
Prayer by Sena'or Smith, of the 7th.
Journal read and approved.
Mr. Smith, of the 36th, moved to recon
sider the action of the Senate yesterday in
concurring in the House resolution “to
appoint a committee to report what legis
lation is necessary to secure the State
from the loss of $35,000, alleged to have
been illegally drawn from the Treasury.”
Mr Merrell was in favor of reconsidera
tion
Mr. Candler was opposed to reconsidera
tion. There is no denial of the fact that
$35,000 of the State’s money has been
drawn from the Treasury, as is alleged,
without authority. What objection then
can there be to an investigation ?
Mr. Adkins hoped the question would
bp reconsidered. He called the previous
question.
The main question w*as put, and the
yeas aud nays required, and were—yeas
18 ; nays 11, and motion to reconsider ore
vailed.
A resolution offered by Mr. Wellborn
wa » take n up, inquiring into the number
of Clerks employed by the Secretary of
Senate, etc.
Mr. Candler moved as a substitute the
report of the Auditing Committee, which
requires the discharge of fourteen Clerks.
Mr. Nunnally called the previous ques
tion.
Sustained, and main question put aDd
vote taken on the substitute aud resulted,
yeas 15—nays 19.
Vote taken on resolution of Senator from
40th, and resulted, yeas 27—nays 3.
Mr. Fain, from Special Committee to ex
amine the claim of heirs of Sarnual
Mitchell, report, that they recommend
the passage of the bill retroceding the
lands in the city of Atlanta to the heirs of
Samuel Mitchell.
Mr. Wellborn moved to take up the re
port.
Mr. Candler ;«oved to make it thespecial
order of Wednesday next, which was
adopted—yeas 14, nays 11, and the bill was
made the special order of Wednesday
next.
Mr. Speer offered a resolution that the
Senate, when it adjourns to day, meet
agaiu on iuesday, 23d inst., in lionor of
the memory of Washington. Adopted.
The report of the Speeia Committee to
whom was referred a bill to brinr-* on a
final settlement with tbo former Treasurer
and Comptroller General and tlte present
Treasurer, recommeud that the bill do not
pass. Report taken up.
Motion made to disagree with the report,
which after considerable discussion was
carried, and bill passed.
Several bills were read the second time
and referred to appropriate committees.
The Senate adjourned until Tn«.t,
morning at ten o’clock.
House.— House called to order bv th
Speaker. 3 tDt
Prayer by Kev. Mr. Crumley
Journal of yesterday read and annrnv*s
Mr. Harper, of Terrell, offered an a , nen *|
ment to legalize tlie election 0 f all nuJ
trates held in January, 1869, which w
adopted ; and the bill,as amended,
SPECIAL ORDER.
Bill to extend aid and loan the ere,lit ,
the State to the Memphis Branch k»
road. The bill was passed bv -1*
nays 32. - J m 57,
EDUCATION OF MAIM ED SOLDI Elis
The House resolved itself into <* iv
mit tee of the Whole. (Mr. Hud-,,,
Harris, in the Chair,)on the hill toatu’,
priate money to certain schools and or?
leges for the education of indigent J J
soldiers to January, 1869. The CoJJS
tee rose and reported it hack wit him
amendment. out
The report of the Finance Couuniin*
recommending its passage was i.greed i
and the bill passed and transmitted to tt?'
Seuate. 1116
BILLS ON THIRD HEADING
To prohibit tenants aud laborers fro,,
disposing of undivided crops, without iu
consent of landlords or owners ?
Tabled. Wml -
To facilitate the settlement of copartner
ships dissolved by the death of one or in (ir ’
partners. Passed.
To repeal the act changing the lines be.
tween the couuties of Irwin and Berne,?
Passed. *■
To encourage the agricultural interest*
of Georgia, by giving credit to planters
Passed.
To limit the number of convicts to be
hired out from the Penitentiary to am
party or corporation, except the Western
aud Atlantic Railroad. Tabled.
To exempt from taxation all capital for
eign and domestic, invested, iu the next
three years, in cotton, wool, iron, mining
agricultural implements and machine
mauutactories, for five years, except tax
for educational purposes.
The Speaker left his seat, calling Mr
Phillips to the chair.
Mr. Lane, of Brooks, offered an amend
ment, to include capital, foreign ami do.
mestie invested in corn, wheat, rve and
other enterprises.
Discussed by Mr. Hudson, of Harris i u
opposition, and Messrs. Sparks, of Bibb
O’Neal, of Lowudes, McCullough, of
Jones, of Scott, of Floyd, iu favor.
On motiou of Mr. Kelley, of Chatham
it was made the special order for Wednes
day next.
to repeal the act changing the lines b».
tween the counties of Crawford and Up
son. Passed.
To reorganize the Georgia Military In
stitute, and appropriate the canital at Mil
ledgeville for the same. Referred to the
Committee on Education.
To provide for a system of common
schools. Made special order for Monday,
after immigration bill.
To amend the act for relief of debtors.
Amendment of the Judiciary Committee
adopted and bill passed.
To amend section 12 of the act to set
aside homesteads, by inserting “ and the
children of a deceased husband by a fir
mer marriage.” Passed.
To repeal section 1,045 of the Code.
Passed.
To change lines betweeu the counties of
Habersham and White. Lost.
To provide for tiie election of Mayor,
Aldermen and police iu Macon, ludetl
nitely postponed
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
The special committee to examine into
the funds at the Georgia National Hank,
submitted a report, accompanied by a
communication from E. L. Jones, Cash
ier.
Mr. Anderson, of Cobb, from the special
committee ou t lie Land and Immigration
Buieau Bill, reported a substitute, which
was made the special order for Monday,
SENATE AMENDMENTS CONCURRED IN.
The Senate amendments to the House
hill to chango the lines between (juitiim
and Clay, and Miller and Baker counties,
striking out the last two counties, was
concurred in.
Also, the amendment to tise House bill
changing the lime of holding the Mqierior
Court in Cherokee county, substituting
fourth Monday in July for first Monday
iu August, was concurred in.
RESOLUTIONS.
By Mr. ('arpeliter—Adopted:
To request the Governor to furuish the
House with a list of Ordinaries, Clerks,
(Sheriffs and other county officers not com
missioned bv him, and the reasons for not
commissioning them.
Mr. Shumate—Adopted :
That the Finance Committee report a
tax bill which shall be made the special
order for Tuesday, and the general appro
priation bill he the special order for
Thursday.
Mr. Barnum—To adjourn until Tuesday
morning.
Mr. Sparks moved to amend by insert
ing that members receive no per diem
during said adjournment.
At the hour of adjournment, Mr. Shu
mate had the floor in opposition to the
motion.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Special Committee to examine into
the business of the General Assembly,
reported that the business might he got
through with at an early day, aud recom
mended that the General Assembly ad
journ at 12 o’clock M., ou the sth of March.
Adopted.
The Finance Committee reported that
the Fort claim (for furnishing vaccine
matter) was just and paid according to
iaw. Adopted.
History of Macon.
I notice iu the paper of yesterday a suggestion
that I should write a history of the city of Marun
—perhaps for the reason of being oncwhohi*
been in and with it from its beginningto the pres
ent time. It is an unsought and unexpected com
pliment, and exposing one to the acknowledge ,t
of his antiquity,and “descent in the vale of yean.
Hut be cannot deny that lie saw it, and was her*in
its “forest days”—saw the first house erected with
all those that have followed to the present time
When its principal traders were the wild men of
our forests, who brought their cowhides and deer
skins to Fort Hawkins to sell for three or four
“chalks” to invest in gunpowder and shot, to the
time when cotton became king in the market, and
railroads the traveling facility, instead of following
the “blazes” on the trees.
Should this writer undertake the work, as sug
gested, he cannot promise anything that woald be
creditable to himself, either as literary or scientific,
butsimply such items from memory and some exi
ting records in the files of the newspaper with which
he has been so long associated.
He will now only say, that he has tiie sugge*
of his friend “Excelsior” in consideration.
undertaken, it cannot occupy less than three or
four naonths to colleet the various items to mskt
such a hook creditable to the writer, or satisfactory
to this community, in transmitting its past record
to their “hereafter.” S. R
K(--capture of a llornc Thief
From the Chronicle <fc Sentinel of the l#tb, *
extract the following paragraph :
The Mystery Unexplained.—V/hin,' bas**
yet been heard of Mr. Walters and his com pan. (
who left here on last Saturday with the horse
John Allen, for Pulaski county. The thief un
stated in Thursday’s Chronicle <t Sentinel, e ='”;r~;
from them, returned to this city, y;ai re-capt- '•
and is now in confinement. He refuses, kuw
to state anything further than that he escapeei -
the first night after he left here, thirty mile* •
Augusta. A telegram was received yesterday m ■
ing by the Chief of Police from Macon,
that neither Walters nor his conpanion had ■
there ; that a dispatch had been sent to n* • fl
ville, their home, and an answer returned Ui
tidings of them had been received. Ihe impo- -
gains ground here that a party of the desperao' ■
the prisoner’s friends, living at lurpinvuie ‘
the Double Branches, followed the party on >-*
day, and rescued Allen by violence, very pro j.
by the murder of the two gentlemen who h
in custody.
The Florida “Freeze.”— About l* o,
Christmas the cold in Florida was mo.
severe tbau has been known for } ear ’
and it wa9 feared that the orange lrt *
were seriously injured, if not killed-
Kidder, M. D., writes from Leesburg
Lake Griffin, Fla., to the Florida l’** ol ''
respecting the effect of this cold snap ■
The effect of the late freeze, to the ‘
prise of all, instead of damaging, .
now to have by some unaceo . (
means proved beneficial, for tno "‘ were
orange trees in many exposed rB .
quite defoliated, from the point of? P
tion on the limbs or twigs are now K
ing the most luxuriant sprouts,, ,
with a wonderful burden of n> ,,B 6*
flower buds, and hence, instead ot
killed or eveu damaged in this P* at u,
neighborhood, we now have, u 0 io| ,
five times the amount of foliag® e * u s
before the freeze. The tropical he
stems,such as the plantain, ex
paw, etc , were, of course, k,l leu , 0 _
posed situations, yet the shoots are . w jjl
forth in abundant luxuriance, a . oPf
soon supply the place of their a *
with at least a five fold i*? 01 !?*? Ly or*
Barbary date passed through the }
deal ttuscatheu.