Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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. Keep in mind that the Weekly Jour nal and Messenger is the most careful ly gotup. most thoroughly edited week ly news paper published in the State, i It is not a mere heterogeneous mass thrown together as it comes, without regard to order, but its matter coropri -8 *8 a clear intelligible account of cur rent events, which after perusal leaves the pleasant impression on the mind of the reader that he knows what is going on in the world around him. This is the advantage of a compact, thorough ly digested, in fact live newspaper, such as the Weekly Journal and Messenger is emphatically. Now is the time to subscribe! 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.