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@ri't3tekli| Chronicle & Sentinel
BY WILLIAM S. JONES
gLljronicle (inst Sentinel.
AUGUSTA, a A :
THURSDAY MORNING, NOV. 6
Gov. Cobb’s Inaugural,
Wk have the pleasure of laying before our
readers this morning the Inaugural Address,
delivered by Gov. Cobb yesterday on enter
ing upon the duties of his office. It is brief,
pointed and forcible, and wi. I commend itself
to the favorable consideration of the thousands
who have aided in elevating him to thtf Exe*
• cutive chair of Georgia.
Tile Governor’s Message.
Our columns to-day are yielded almost en
tirely to this document. We have no room
for comment, even if we “deemed the game
worthy of the candle," which we shall deter
mine when we shall have given it a careful pe
rusal. if we can afford the time to wade
through it.
Savannah and Philadelphia Steamers.
Mr. Sweeney having left for the interior of
the State, and Southwest/ has requested us,
in presenting his regards to the acquaintances
and friends made during his short sojourn
among us, ufcMorm the public that the sub
scription booksVf the Savannah and Philadel
phia Steamship Company, have been left with
VV. VI. D’Antignao, E r q. t who has kindly of
sered to receive any subscriptions that may
offer.
The frien Js of the enterprise thinjc that Phil
adelphia, seeking an acquaintance with the
business men of our State, manufacturing, as
she does, sixty thousand bales of cotton anno
aily, besides being a distributing market tor a
large additional amount, should clsim the : r
respectful consideration and co-operation in
the enterprise.
Parties at MlUedgevllle.
The correspondent, one of the editors of the
Journal Sf Messsnger, writing from Milledge
ville under date of the 3rd inst says:
“The utmost harmony reigns in the ranks ofth°
Constitutional Union party. Our friends ore deter
mined that their great victory shall not boa barren
orn; and I feel cenfiJent, that at an early day
measures will be taken looking to a permanent na
tional organiaation upon the basis of the Georgia
Platfcrmand the adjustment measures of the last
Congress. We bare now the power to coerce the
Northern wings of the old parties into a policy which
will result in giving full jns'tceto the South, and
peiraanence and perpetuity to the Government."
This intelligence will afford little comfort to
those of the disunion phalanx, so recently dis
banded, who have been looking forward with
so much anxiety to a disruption of the Union
Partj.
THINGS IN MILLEDGEVILLE.
Correspondence of the Chronicle and Sentinel.
Milledgeville, Nov. 3, 1651.
Mr, Editor’. —The Senate was organised by
calling the lion. Peter Conk to the Chair.—
The Senators having been dnly qualified by
Judge Baxter, proceeded to the election of
officers. For President of the body, the Hon.
AJ. Miller had no opposition. On the first
bal ot he received 36 votes of 44, the entire
number cast. Messrs. Foster, Day and Moore
were appointed a committee to conduct him to
the chair. On assuming its duties, he return
ed his thanks, in appropriate terms, for the hon
or conferred.
For the office of Secretary, there were two
candidates, Mr. L.J. Glenn and Mr. John
son. On the first ballot, the former received
38 votes, and the latter 4. Mr. L. S. Stewart
was chosen Messenger.and Mr. A. B. Mitchell
Doorkeeper. Having gone through with these
elections, the Senate adjourned to 10 o'clock
to-morrow.
In the House, Mr. Scarlett, from Glynn,
was called to the chair, for the purpose of or
ganising the body. For the post of Speaker
there were five candidates—Messrs. Meriweth
er, Floyd, McDougal, Wofford and Henry.—
After the first ballot, the names of the last three
gentlemen were withdrawn. On the second
ballot Mr. Meriwether was elected, and a
commit tee consisting of Messrs. McDougal,
Floyd art 1 were appointed to con
duct him to the chair. Having taken which,
he rose, and in an address of some ten or fif
teen minutes' length, he tendered his acknowl
edgement to the body, for so distinguished a
mark of their confidence—touched, incidental
ly, upon the political revolution through which
the State h*s just passed; glanced at its pres
ent and prospective power and prosperity, and
finally hoped that the acts and policy of the
present Legislature, would make it deserve
and enjoy a higher des'iny than that of the
Empire State of the South—he wished it to be
called the Empire State of the Republic.
On the first ballot, Mr. Thaddeus Sturgis, of
Columbus, was elected Clerk, Mr. Jesse Oslin
was chosen Messonger, and Mr. Wm. McCom
mon, Door Keeper.
Some resolutions were introduced, and per
haps acted on, but as the Senate was not in
session to concur in or receive them, it is use
less to notice them until they shall have been
fully disposed of. L.
Syracuse, Oct. 31.—The Grand Jury of this
county have found an indictment against James
Lear, of Misslourl, and United States Deputy
Marshal Allen, for an attempt to kidnap the ne
gro Jerry. It Is reported here to day that a fu
gitive slave, the wife of a colored man named
Wandell, whom ihe Marshal had a warrant for,
made her escape from the city by the aid of some
friend who had acquired a knowlegs of the In
tended arrest. This morning placards were
found pasted about the city, warning the people
against the kidnapper.
Boston, Nov. Ist.—Efforts have been made
this morning to postpone the Shadrach rescue
cases on account of the absence of witnesses.
Washington, Nov. 2d. —It is ascertained be
yond doubt that Mr. Crampton, the British
Charge des Affaires ad interim, has presented to
the Government despatches in which it Is stated
that the French and English Governments have
issued orders in case of the sailing of any more
expeditions against Cuba, to search all vessels
of a suspicious character, whether sailing un
der United States or other colors,
CHRONICLE ASP SENTINEL.
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE.
Executive Department. ?
Milleigetille, Nov. 3d, 1851 <
Fellow Citizens of the Senate
and Howe of Representatives :
In closing my official connection with the
representatives of the people, it will be my
object to place fairly before them the measures
I have heretofore felt, and now feel it my duty
to recommend, sednlously avoiding, as far as
possible, the introduction of any topic not af
fecting the interests of the people.
.While abundant canae of profound gratitude
exists, for the continue! kindness of that su
perintending Providence, by which our State
has been spared from the scourge of pestilence
and famine, yet it is not to be disguised, that
we are passing Ihrongh a season of bitter dis
content that may well claim the exercise of the
brighest of the Christian virtues, to enab'e us
to perfrrtn our full duty to the State, the Union,
ourselves, and our ch Idren. The beautiful
system of a representative confederacy of sove
reign States united upon the principles of Jus
tice and Equality, reflecting the enlightened
judgment of a virtuous, intelligent, industrious
and pa'noticpeople, is only to be feared by the
wicked and corrupt, while to the orderly and
right-minded, it is a pillar of strength that will
in the end insure justice to all. Let our object
then be, to enlarge the basis of true civilization
within the borders o' - our State, by plauting
deeply, and nurturing closely, the elements of
a moral and intellectual culture, with every
class and condition of our people: that each
and all may understand and feel the value ot
free institutions, and be capable of devising the
best means of perpetuating them.
THE finances
It affords proper ground of pleasure, that I
should be able to communicate to the Logisla
tore, the bighty prosperous condition of the
Flounces of the State, and tho just apprecia
tion of our public securities at homo and
abroad.
It is believed, that at no former period, have
the bonds of the Stata commanded greater
confidence, or maintained a higher value in the
markets; nor dues this remark apply alone to
that class oi ’he public securities known as
the Domestic Debt, but equa ly to the remnant
of the Foreign debt of £15,000, held in Eng
land. The advance in the market value of the
latter, within the last two years, and the increas
ed confidence of the holders, have rendered all
efforts to redeem it impracticable for the pre
sent.
The public debt, foreign and domestic, at
the opening of the session of the Legislature
in 1847, as communicated in a former message,
was $1,578,875 60.
In conformity with the recommendation con
tained in the last message of my predecessor,
in which 1 fully concurred, the General
bly of 1847 appropriated the sum es $375 000
for the completion of the Western and At'antic
Rail Road, a detailed statement of the expen
diture of which, is contained in a former com
mon cation; and, at the same session, $32,-
222.22 to satisfy the claim of Peter Trexevant,
for which bonds issued, and were paid, as here
tofore communicated.
The last Logisla ure provided that Messrs.
P. O. Reynolds, James F. Cooper, and Rich
ard Peters, shonld investigate the claim of
John D Gray Sc Co., c directors on the West
ern and At’antic Railroad, for extra work, &e ,
and that the Eieontive should issue bonds, re
deemable by the Road, for the amount found
duo by them. Bonds for the sum of $24,-
541.10 were issued and paid to Mr. Gray on
the 29;h day of August, 1850, in pursuance of
the law and the report of the Committee, a
copy of which is transmitted. A further ap
propriation of $20,000 was made, and directed
to be paid over to tho Milledgeviile and Gor
don Railroad Company, npon its completion ;
but no evidence having been famished of the
completion of the Road, this appropriation still
stands where it was left by the Legislature.
It will thus be seen, that the liability of the
State has been increased, since the close of the
political year 1817, to the close of the political
year 1851, $337,2.2 22. The objects of these
several appropriations are so generally known
and approved by the country, that further de
tail, in this respect, would not now be desi able.
Since ihe close of the political year 1847, to
the close of the financial year 1851, there has
been paid, of interest on the public debt, fo
reign and domestic $414,770 91, and of prin
cipal, thesnm of $261 559 72, leaving the debt
at this time $1,724,722 22
If from this amount is taken S3OO OCO, which
is the balance of the appropriation for the com
pletiou of the Western a d Atlantic Railroad,
unredeemed, and which under the act appro
priating the same, must ultimately be paid off,
and discharged from the net income of said
Road, the public debt at this time, is $1,424,-
722 22; less by $154,153 38, than it was at the
close of the political year 1817. The available
funds in the Treasury, applicable to the future
reduction of the public debt, at the close of the
present fiscal year, as appears by the Treasu
rer’s Report, is $54,038.09. This amount,
($54 038 09,) being the surplus in the Treasu
ry, should b 8 applied, as early as practicable,
to the further reduction cf the public debt;
after which, the liabilities proper of the State
would be $1 370 684 13.
It will be borne in mind that the sum of
$130,000 was appropriated by the act of 1845,
for the extension of the Western and Atlantio
Railroad, of which sums, $lO7 5000 > was ex
pended under the direction of my predecessor,
and the balance applied by the presen'. Chief
Engineer, by my approbation, to the purchase
of Motive Power and Cars, for the use of said
Road. This sum, however, is no charge upon
the Treasury ; as by express stipulation, the
holders of this class of the public secarities are
to look alone to the profits of the Western and
Atlantic Rail Road, for principal and inter
est.
In this connection it wonld not be deemed,
1 trust, oat of place to remind the General
Assembly, that the great difficulty experienced
by my predecessor, in converting these bonds
into cash, or its equivalent, it is believed, in
duced the Georgia Railroad and Banking
Company and the South Carolina Rail Road
Company, to endorse or guaranty the pay
ment of principal and interest of a large
amount of them; whereby negotiations were
effected in one of our neighboring States.
That this transaction was one of good faith, I
have no denbt. How far it is incumbent upon
the General Astembly, by suitable legislative
provisions, to substitute the credit es the Slate
for that of these Rail Road companies, in this
particular instance, I submit to its sense of jus
tice and liberality.
The remaining probable charge upon the
Treasury to be considered, grows out of the
legislation heretofore had in reference to the
Central Bank, the original capital stock of
which may be estimated, in round numbers, at
$3 560,000. ’
The requisitions on the Bank, in the form
of Treasnry warrants, as appears by an official
report on this sub ect, from ’33 to '4l, inclu
sive, was $2,893,500, and for construction of
AUGUSTA, GA. FRIDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 7, 1851.
(he W. and A. Ra lroad, at different periods
from ’4O to 43, the additional sum of S6BO 000,
making the amount actually paid, ard liabili
ties incurred by the Dank for various objects
of Internal improvement; the support of the
Government and other objects not included
in the above estimates, not far from $3,200.-
000. In the face of these heavy drains npoa
the Central Bank, by tbe act of 1834, for the
education of the poor, 1733 shares of the Bank
of the State of Georgia, and 890 shares of the
Bank of Augusta, which constituted a part of
its capital stock, amoanting to $262,300, wes
transferred to the Treatary, and the income
from this source pledged to the object of
Education.
From that period, the Bank has not been
deprived, merely of this amoant of its capital
stock, but the dividends which have actually
accrued and beep paid into the Treasury,
amoanting o the snm of $139 132 50 in cash,
and the additional rum of $18,600 of the
stock of tbe Georgia Railroad and Banking
Company; making tbe aggregate, estimating
the Bank Stock at par, of principal and inter
est, $410,032 50. What principle of publio
expediency or financial exigency, warranted
this diversion of the asrets of the Central
Bank, at a time when its liabilities were proba
bly not less than $1,500 000, when its bills
were below par, when there was an extensive
and general derangement of the curroncy of
the whole country and when Banka, as wall
as the people at large, were laboring under
a pressure, more desolating and dis
astrous than had been sxperienced for
years, is to me incomprehensible. Asa finan
cial i easnre, its effects npon the credit of tbe
State if not the pockets of bill holders, were
not more instan’aneous than unavoidable.
Public confidence was destroyed, the moment
it was apparent that the Legislature had de
prived the Bank of a large por ion of it* assets
which were pledged forthe redemption ofita lia
bilities and app’ied them to another and differ
ent object If it were within the competency
of the Lsgislature to divest individual rights
which hat accrued to the creditors of tbe
Bank, what guaranty was there that the nn
step might not be taken, and the Bank be
deprived of all its assets, without providing for
the ultimate redemption of its liabilities?
It is no answer to this objection that the
Bank stock referred to, was applied to the
great object of educating the poor, as it will
be seen by reference to the records of this de
partment, that forthe years 1848,’49 and ’SO,
inclusive, the beneficiaries of the fund re
ported, number 96 869. and the sum distribu
ted under the act of 1843, for the same period
is $69 842 50 ; being a fraction less than sixty
three cents to each per annum, and not suffi
cient, under the lowest rates charged, to pay
for twenty days tuition.
Whatever may have been the policy in
which this measure originated, from the best
consideration I have been able to give the
subject, lam forced to the (conclusion that
the example established, of transferring a
fund, after being pledged to a specific object,
before the purpose of the pledge is fully
redeemed, should not be encouraged ; and
that the policy of withdrawing the assets of
the Central Bank, and applying them to other
objects, and thereby depriving it of the means
of meeting its liabilities, is wholly indefensible
upon princ pie. The Sta e has gained noth
ing, nor have the people. By the transfer of
the Bank stock to the Treasury, a necessity is
created to supply the deficiency in the Central
Bank, by the State. It can only be dona by
taxation ; and the result of this whole measure
is, that every dollar distributed has to be re
turned back to the Bank by the people, with
out any substantial good, as I have shown, in
educating tbe poor children.
From the view presented, let not the im
pression preva'l, that I am opposed to a sya
tern of free schools, or to providing the means,
amply and liberally, to educate all the youth
of the country. But to accomplish ’his ob
ject, let the policy of the State be straight
forward and direct ; let tbe eonntry know that
a claim is made npon the property,the people,
the intelligence and virtae of the Btate, to
furnish adequate means for extending to all
the youth a legacy of incalculable value, a
general d ffusion among all classes and condi
tions, of the rudiments of an English educa
tion ; for instilling into them by early training,
just conceptions of the social relation of mar
to his fellow man, a love of country and of
liberty, and the duty of habitual reverence
and humble obedience to the laws, principles,
and teachings of the great Author of man’s
existence, without which, all government is
but a fiaud, liberty but a name.
The liabilities of the Central Bank, at this
time, consist of Bonds issued to redeem its
circulation, amounting to $371,000. Os this
amount, $9,000 is redeemable in 1854, $39,-
000 in 1855, $31,500 in 1856, $17,000 in 1857,
$21,500 in 1858, $50,000 in 1859, $35,000 in
1860, $5 008 in 1861, $37,000 in 1862, $43,-
500 in 1863, and $74 000 in 1864.
The available assets, as reported to me by
the Cashier, may be estimated at SIOO,OOO.
This probable deficiency, therefore, will have
to be provided for hereafter. Within four
years, ending with the close of the present
fiscal year, the liabilities of tbs Bank have
been reduced $279,069.87. A large amount
of the assets, within tbe period referred to,
regarded as insolvent or donbtful, has been
realized, or secured by the officers of the
Bank: and much the latger amount of these
claims, 1 have no doubt, wonld have proved a
total loss to the Bank, had the assets been
transferred.to tbe Treasury. I have not be
lieved it to be to the interest of the State, to
order this transfer heretofore, nor would I
now recommend it to be done. I believe the
discretion vested in (he Executive, as to the
transfer of its assets, sound and salutary, and
there I would advise, it should remain.
TAXES.
Upon careful consideration, I felt it my
duty to invite the attention of the last General
Assembly to our system of levying and collect
ing taxes. The inequality of our tax laws
appeared to be so obvious, as to encourage the
hope that the Legislature would not adjourn,
without (he substitution of the ad valorem, for
the present specific and objeetionable discrim*
inati >n principle, adopted in 1804, and con
tinued up to this time with slight modifica
tions.
Ooe of the defects of the old ay tern was
remedied at the last sossion, bat the highly
objectionable feature of arbitrary specific taxa
tion of proporty, whether real or personal,
irrespective of its valaa, as ascertained by the
price it would command in tha market, or
otherwise, is still retained, in violation of the
most obvious principles of jnsiioe and sound
policy. Taxes, however raised, whether by
the State or General Government, may be re
garded as a charge upon property and people
for the protection of both. In what mode, and
to what extent property shonld be burdened
to raise the required sum, whether by specific
levy with discrimination, or strictly open the
ad valorem principle, has been, and will doobt*
less c mtiuue to be, the fruitful source of dis
cussion, and diversity of opinion.
The principle of diaerimination that so
largely enter* into every system of specific
taxation, bad its origin in no clear, or well- !
defined notions of just'ce, and should only be
resorted to in behalf of property in which all
classes and conditions of society have, or are
supposed to have, an equal interest. Leave
man free to engage in whatever lawful pursuit
may be congenial to his teste, habits and inte
rest, bnt let the State beware how the proper
ty of one of its citizens is exompted from
taxes, while, by as unequal and unjust discrim
ination, heavy hardens are imposed npon that
es another. The obvious duty of the Legisla- ‘
ture, as it seems to me, is to ascertain with
precision, or approximating it, tbe snm re
quired to meet tbe demands upon the Treas
ury, and then, from the property of the coun
try, raise the requisite snm ; not by saying
that 100 acres oi land, thoogh worth one
thousand dollars, should pay no more tax to
the State,' than the same of acres
adjoining it, not worth one hundred dollars ;
not by exempting the property of one man,
and taxing that of another ; not by saying that,
as between two individuals possessed of equal
amounts, but different species of property, the
one ahonld be assessed, at the rate of fifty dol
lars, whereas, of the other, only five dollars
ts demanded ; but by levying the same rate of
iax upon all of the property of the State, accor
ding to its value If discriminations are to te
tolerated at all, I am clearly of the opinion, it
should be in favor of real estate as against
person <l, bnt certainly there is no equal tv,'
or justice, in a system of finance, exacting dif
ferent rates of taxes on lands of the same
value.
One of tbs objections offered to a system
of taxation based upon the value of tbe pro
perty itself, is the want of reliable data by
which the principle could be tested. All must
foresee the imminert danger to the credit of
the State, its eharacter and prosperity, result
ing frem an inability in the Treasury to meet
promptly all demands upon it, by whatsoever
means produced. But it is believed, the pre
sent period is exceedingly favorable, either
for a total, or partial change of the present
eystetn. The da'a famished, of the value of
real and personal property of this State, uflder
the au’hority of an act of Congress, dittoing
the last year, would be highly usefal. Mtony
interesting statistics, that would serve to direct
the research and investigation of the Legisla
ture, in fixing the proper rate of levy to raise
a given amoant, might be obtained from the
Census books deposited in the office of the
Secretary cf State. It may not be unworthy
of notice that, upon lh'.a authority, thu real
estate of Georgia was estimated at $120,663 -
283, i he personal at $210,081 254, ancj ihat one
eighth of one per cent, on the gross smount,
would bring into the Treasury about $347,-
282.82, af.er allowing sixteen per cent, fol*
assessing, collecting and paying over the same;
an amount exceeding the presen income, and
nao’e than adequate for the present and accru
ing liabilities.
Having discussed the subject, somewhat at
length, in a communication submitted to the
last Legislature, I feel that it would he an un
necessary tax upon your indulgence, again to
repeat tbe arguments then sobmitted. I
most respectfully refer you to what was then
communicated, as containing not merely my
opinions at the time, but smee greatly
atrengtbened by further obse. vaion, reflec
tion aqd experience, I cannot, therefore, too
earnestly, urge upon you a strong and abiding
conviction, that justice and good fai:h, as
well as expediency, imperiously claim at the
hands of the Legislature, aa entire chinge of
the prino : ple of your tax laws by the substitu
tion of a tax bated npon the value of proper*,
ty Whatever may be the fate of this meas
are beforo the present Legislature, I shall over
cheriih the hope that a sense of right, a love
of equa'ity and justice, will ultimate'y prevail;
and that the sound principle of taxation, that
the burthens of Government should rest upon
the objects of its protection, so earnestly
pressed upon you, will become firmly riveted
upon the public mind.
THE TREASURY.
Tbe Reports of the Treasurer and Comp
troller General, for the financial years 1850 and
1851 are herewith transmitted. The duty im
posed by law upcn the Treasurer, has been
complied with, and his estimates of tbe prob
able receipts and expenditures, for ths next
two years, are submitted.
The total available balance in the Treasury,
at the close of the financial year, is sllß,-
069 45, from this sum deduct $37 180.7 J,
of undrawn appropriations; $30,219 40 of
the tax of 1851, collected before tbe close
of the financial year, and $10,582, dividends
on * Education Fund,” leaving a surplus at
the close of the fiscal year of S4O 087 34.
" he amount of undrawn appropriations, that
will revert to the Treasury, will probably not
vary far from $13,950.75, making the actual
surplus in the Treasury, subject to any future
appropriations made by the Legislature, or
applicable to tbe public debt, $51,038 09.
At the last session, an Act was paAsad,•pro
viding $70,000 as an annual sinking # fund. It
was early foreseen, after tbe adjournment of
the Legislature.from the extraordinary expense
of that session exceeding, as it did, the esti
mates of the Treasurer, by $39,301 03, inde
pendent of an extraordinary appropriation of
S3O 000, the expenditure of which was depend
ent upon contingencies that did not arise until
near the close of the fiscal year, that the Trea
sury might be somewhat straightened, if snap
p’ication of the sinking fund to t o redemption
of the Bonds was made before any portion of
the taxes of 1850 was received. Efforts, how
ever, were made abroad, by the agents of the
State, to ascertain at what rates the £15,000
sterling could be obtained; and from causes
already meßt oned, it was deemed injudicious
to redeem these securit es at the time. Nor was
there any application made, or opportunity
afforded the Treasurer, to redeem any portion
of the domestic debt before March last, when
$72,000 of the 6 per cent, bonds were offered
and redeemed. Ddligent inquiries have since
been made to obtain the bonds of the St te, that
the surplus now in the Treasury might be ap
plied in redeeming the same, bat with little suc
cess.
At a more recent date, notice was given in
the public gaget es of the readiness of the
Treasury to redeem an additional sum, and
after all proper means used to induce holders
to part w:th the bonds of the St its at par, with
in the last two fimal years, just closed, the
amount presented and redeemed at the Trea
sury is $103,750 00, of the 6 per cents; thus
furnishing the most satisfactory evidence of
the prosperous condition of the financial af
fairs of the Stats.
In this connection, it would be an acceptable
announcement to make, I apprehend, to the
Legislature, that, a r t>r years of delay the sum
of $65,683 44, exclusive of commissions has
been collected from th-» General GovjrTnent
for advances made, and the interest accruing
thereon, in the Indian disturbances of 1836.
Under the of a Joint Resolu ion of
the last Legislature, I appointed Joseph Stur
gis, Esq., the Attarney in fact of the State, tr
nrge upon the Authorities at Washington, this
just claim, of fifteen years standing. To his
untiring zeal, assiduity and skill in the man
agement of this long neglected claim, the State
is in do email decree indebted for the respecta
ble sura received, so very generally regarded
as utterly worthless. A claim of the Central
Bank against the United States, of like charac
ter, was also placed in the hands of Judge
Sturgis, wi'h like happy revolts; the Bank
having received for this claim $'21,044 00.
WESTKRH AND ATLANTIC RAILROAD.
The Reports of the Chief Engineer of the
Western and Atlantic Railroad, for the years
1650 and 1851, and the Reports of the Finance
Committee, appointed under' the Act of 1845,
'are also transmitted. To these Reports I in
vite the calm and patisnt attention of the legis
lature, for many valuable suggestions, and
much useful information.
Questions of deeper interest to the future
prosperity of'he State, will not engage yonr
attention than those connected with this publio
work. They rise above ay party, se'fisb, or
sectional considerations, and, to the enlarged
and cbmprehensive views of the Stilesman,
address themselves with a force too irresistible,
it is believed, not to iusure the adoption of
wise measures.
It was early foreseen by the friends of this
work, that sectional jealousies would spring np,
and that it would have to enconnter opposition
from this quarter, not less virulent in its charac
ter, than from that equally deplorable infirmity,
nnfortunately too prevalent with certain class
es, to busy themselves most in matters of pub
lic conc3rnment, in which they are most igno
rant The Report of the Finance Committee,
and the views there as well as the
policy in which this Railway had its origin,
would seem to demand at my hands, in retir
ing from'.he public trust conlidedto me, to
enter somewhat into the derail of facts connect
ed with the administration of the affairs of this
Road, since ray official connection with it com
menced. This seems to me proper, that the
public, as well as the Legislature, may undar
stand the policy that has governed me, and the
difficulties with o hich the management of the
affairs of the Road hi s been invested, from the
mutuant of iny connection with it.
It will be conceded, I apprehend, that the
successful management of a Railroad very
much depends upon the financial ability wi'h
which its income and disbursements are con
du ted.
When the present Chief Engineer was called
to perform the threefold duties of a Board of
Directors, President and Chief Engineer, the
name affiied to those duties by our statute,
was that of Chief Engineer.
To find blended in one man, the highest at
tainments in these several departments, com
bined with practical experience in each, was
not to be exp- cted, at least, for the inadequate
sa’ary of SI,BOO per annum, a compensation
below what is beliov«d to be paid on most of
the impotent roadt in tho State, to the Chief
Engineer alone. Being quits sat sfied of the
eminent qualification of the present incum
ber t. in everything connected with the fintn
cial dut es of this truly multifarious office, to
which he combined an accurate theoretical
knowledge of Civil Engineering, superadded
to which I may mention his elevated charac
ter for probity, intelligence and strictly busi
ness habi's, with ah intimate acquaintance
with legal principles, and the necessity of such
knowledge in the adjustment of many vexed
questions, left as a legacy by the preceding ad
ministrations, clearly indicated Mr. Mitchell
as a suitable person to Invite to this responsible
st tion.
Being sat&fied at the time, that the public
interest would be promoted by calling the pre
sent incumbent to take charge of this branch
of the public service, I have had no just cause
to change that opinion since. The propriety
of this remark will be seen, when it is known
to the Legislature, that in every ins'ance of a
charge involving the mismanageme tof the
Road, brought to my attention in a form that
would warrant official notice of the same, the
accusers have invariably failed to adduce proof
in support of their charges, The conclusion
would seem irresistible, that allagations have
been prefeired throngh a misapprehension of
toe facts, or from motives less creditable to the
human heart and looking to nlterior objects
connectjd with party, or the creation of a pub
lic opinion that would devolve upon the Legis
lature the necessity of disposing of this valua
ble property, to private individuals, or com
panies.
In January, 1848, when the former Chief
Engineer, Mr. Garnett, turned over the effects
of the Road to the present incumbent, about
one hundred miles, commencing at Atlanta,
and extending to Dalton, were completed:
and the entire equipment for this extent of
Bailway, consisted of six locomotives, one of
which wa9 purchased after the Ist of Novem
ber, 1847, two Passenger Cars, Bnd two Bag
gage Cars: with an t utnanding debt, amount
ing to $42,167 43, and a cash balance in the
bands of tne Treasurer of $1,878.75.
This equipment would bo admitted by expe
rienced Rail Road men, as wholly inadequate;
admitting the Engines and cars al! new, and fit
for uae. The Passenger cars were at best
rofighly constructed, and not likely to attract
the admiratiop of travellers, either for the
comfort afforded, or elegance of finish. The
Motive Power wsefmiierably deficient.
Since January, 1848, to the present time,
the motive power has been tP crea8 °d by the
purchase of 7 lpcoraotives of the first class at
a cost of s44,ra)o; making the present equip
ment in motive power, to consist of thirteen
engines, seven'of which have been bought
and paid for since April. 1848; and most of
which are in good order, and are believed to
be barely sufficient to do the business for the
present.
But the deficiency in Freight cars still exists,
and until it is supplied, it may ba expected
that the business of the Road will not be con
d acted with dispatch, or satisfaction to the
public. It is believed that, from the earliest
experience to the present moment, few, if
any, examples can be found, where either a
State or Company, with one hundred and
thirty eight miles of Rail Road, has attempted
to do the business of transportation, for any
considerable length of time, withont a fall
equipment of freight cars. If the question is
considered, alone in reference to the net in
come of the road, economy would demand an
immediate equipment. For, let it be borne in
mind, that the present Chief Engineer fonnd,
upon entering upon his duties, a subsisting
contract wi'h the Geo. Railroad, and the Ma
con vnd Western Railroad Companies, made
by the former' Chief Engineer, Mr. Garnett,
that one eighth of the gross Amount received
for freight, transported in the cere of those
Companies over the State Road, should he
paid aa hire or rent, for the uae of the seme,
together with tho expense of repairing all oare
which might be broken or injured, while en
gaged in such transportation.* These items,
lor the last two years, amount to the sum of
$45,845 69, exclusive of an unadjusted claim
of the Georgia Railroad ConJbany, tor repairs
of cars, of $17,111 51.
The con of freight cars, nece-sary to nave
performed the transportation for thesame time,
would not have exceeded $60,000 estimating
the number of cars to be one hundred) while
the entire cost of the comtroctioii oft .a West
ern end Athntio Railroad, up to this time,
amounts to $3,916,862 28. From this data it
VOLUME XV.-KO. 134.
will be seen, the Georgia Railroad, and
Macon and Western Railroad, have pro*
bably received, upon their capital invested in
cars, from this State, in tbe form of rent and
repairs alone about thirty-eight per cent per
annum for the two years just ended, wheroaa
tha State has received, upon the capital ex*
pended in the construction of its Road, about
14 per cent, for 1850, and 2£ for the year just
terminated.
But a complete equipment of freight cars is
demanded, not merely from the consideration
noticed, but it is essential to the faithful dis
charge of a duty to the public, undertaken by
the State. Freights in large quantities, accu
mulate occasionally at different points on the
Road; the owners or shippers are deeply in* ,
terestedin having them-sent forward-to meet
bq advance in the market, actual or anticipated,
but how often is it the case, when the freight
care are most needed on the Western aud At
lantic Railroad, (he Georgia and Macon and
Western Roads are not Bble to meet the de
mand. And if injury result to the owne* or
shipper of produce or merchandise, by a de
cline in the markets, from sach unseasonable
detention, is not tho State, by its mistaken and
ruinous policy in refusing to equip tho Road,
morally, if not legally, answerable for the
damage 7
There is no obligation on the Georgia and
Macon and Western Railroad Comparies, to
furnish cars for ihe use of tho State Road ;
and it may not be expected they will do so,
unless it suits their interest or convenience.
But another insuperable objeoion *0 tha
longer continuation of the existing arrange
ments, grows out of tbe fact, that the business
of transportation of three Roads, becomes so
mixed and blended, as to create much confu*
•ion in filing tbe liability of each, for tbe loss
or damage of merchandise and produce in
transitu. Much more might be said, but it is
deemed unnecessary, as this branch, with all
other questisns connected wi h the subject, is
forcibly presented in tbe Report of the Chief
Engineer, and accompanying documents of
the Finance Committee, here transmitted.
It is generally known, that the iron used on
fifty miles of this Road, is of the most ihfeiior
class, aqd wholly onsuitod to its peculiar cur
vilinear structure, or the nature of its business.
80 radical is this defect of structure, the asser
tion may be safely ventured, that a succession
of &ccjdents, with a heavy loss of properly,
and possibly, human life, may be appreheudad,
unless me early blunder is remedied, as far as
possible, by the substitution of a heavy iron rail
for the use. «•
Upon this subject, a becoming solicitude was
manifested two }ears ago, as also in relation
to providing a new organiza ion for the gov
eminent of the Rjad. It need not be said,
that these subject, of great interest then, but
of vital moment at this time, did not receive
the favorable consideration of tho Legisla
ture.
The Road was left, although in the process
of completion, under the management of the
Executive and Chief Engineer, rcst.icted by
statute in many of their duties, when a sound
discretion would seem indispensable to its best
interest; without means or equipment, forced
from stern necessity, to incur heavy expendi
tures for erecting a bridge over the Cnaitahoo
ehee, and substituting heavy and expensive
embanking for th« rapidly doenying bridges at
Noonday and Proctor’s Creeks; the wonder
should rathes bo, to a calm and impartial ob
server, net that oomplaiuts may have oeen
heard, but that so much has been achieved, and
•o few accidents occurred, under circumstances
so embarrassing.
From the coudition*(of the Road, and its
obvious incapacity to meet the daily increasing
bnsiness of transportation I was forced to as
sume the responsibility of making suitable
Sirovison, for tho purchase of heavy iron rails
or abont fi'ty miles of the Road. Feeling
sensible that no authority was vested in me, or
the Chief Engineer, for this object, by law, the
contracts were made binding, upon tho condi- '
tion they were ratified by the Legislature A
fall and detailed statement of the purchases of
iron from Messrs. Padelford, Fay & Co., of
Savannah, is contained in the report of the
Chief Engineer, to which I respectfully refer
the Legislature. In that Report copies of ail
the correrpondence had on the subject, and of
tbe contracts entered into, will be found ; with
a clear and fa thful statement of the facts and
circumstances that, in my judgment, rendered
the purchase of iron a duty I could neither
postpone or avoid, without the most reckless
disregard of the public interest. It is true, if
I had been capable cf entailing upon my suc
cessor inextricable embarrassment, or could
have derived pleasure from seeing the interest
and character of the State sunk and degraded,
I might have fo'ded my arms, and permitted
the Road to fall a wreck on the hands of oth
ers
The purchase of one thousand ton 3 of iron
was made in April last; which is now being
laid and will extend over about twelve miles.
Ia addition, 3290 tons have been contructed
for, and from the last advices from Messrs.
Padelford, Fay & Co., may be expected in
Savannah, sometime in this mouth and Decem
ber next.
It will be seen, by the terms of the contract,
that it is expected the cost of tho iron will be
provided for at an early day of your session.
The cost of the first 1000 tons, at Savannah,
was $43,74218; and the 3200 tons, will not
Erobably exceed $124,800; making the sum to
0 provided for $128,542.18. This may be
done, if the Legislate re should ratify the con
tract*, by an application of a part of the tur
pins now in the Treasury, and by issuing 6 per
pent, bonds, redeemable by the Road, aud gua
rantied by the State. Should this course be
pursued, there een be no doubt of the entire
capacity of the Road to meet the interest
promptly; and ultimately redeem the principal;
so that, in fact, the public debt of the State
would not be increased.
It is believed, the facts disclosed by the Fi
nance Committee and by tbe Report of the
Chief Engineer, are quite sufficient to demon
strate ihe propriety of providing an indepen
dent equipment of freight car*. •
By reference to the Report of the Chief
Enginrer, it will be seen, that $500,000 would
c*ver the cost of relaying silty miles of (ho .
Road with heavy Trail iron,and equip iv with
Locomotives, freight and passenger cars, suffi
cient to do the increased business that will ne
cessarily result from the completion of tha
Railroads now in progress in Tennereee,
connecting with ours; to say nothing of the in
crease from the developments being made in
oar own State. I oaucot doubtmt the true
policy of the State, is fully to equip this Road,
pledge it with its income afler the discharge of
its liabilities, as sacred to the cause of Educa
tion, perfect its organisation by a Board of
Directors, of whom one should be aiade the
President, vesting in the Board the ordinary
corporate powers ( and thereby, as far as pos
sible, disconnaot it and it* government, from
all improper influence, or the appearance of it.
To do this however, successfully, the example
farn’shed in the organization of ihe Supremo
Court, of sole-ting gentlemen of qualification
from both political parties ia worthy of imitation,
and it would relieve the Governor, of respon
(CQNCIVPXO OF r«MT# fAM.j