Newspaper Page Text
BY LOMAX & ELLIS.]
Volume XIII.
GOVERN* >R JOH NSON \S.
IN A l (il HA I. Vnl) H KSS .
Senators and Representatives:
In assuming the duties of the Executive office, I trust,
1 duly appreciate the high and solemn responsibilities
which tiny impose. My profound gratitude, for this dis
tinguished evidence rf the popular contidenee, is equalled
only by unfeigned distrust < ■’ my ability to redeem them.
Both thankfulness and d:ffi ‘ i < e conspire to make mo
humble and cautious. I bring to the task, however, the
aenl of earnest patriotism, and the faith of confident reli
ance upon Divine assistarae, to direct me in the pa;b of
‘ Wisdom, Justice and Modi x tion.’’
Self-preservation is the f.r i great law of our nature.
Government is its out-birth-- the organic form which it
elaborates for itself, ns the instrument of its power, for the
protection of communities. The object ol such protec
tion, both for the individual and the social man, is to live,
that he may be free, and to he, free, that he may pursue
happiness. Happiness is to b< found in the unfolding and
cultivation of our moral and intellectual being, in connec
tion with the rational enjoym*-nmol'all the source* of com
fort refinement and luxury, wish which the bountiful Cre
ator hits endowed the kingdoms of nature. Its perfection
is the attainment of thebe-? and purest state of civiliza
tion. This, then, is the proper ultimate cud of govern*
ment —to elevate man to tin highest civilization of which
he is susceptible. 1 lence it is the imperative duty of those
to whom its administration is confided, to ascertain the
means within their control, and how they are to he em
ployed, in order to promote the desired end.
In a monarchy, where the will of one man is supreme,
the machinery of goverment may be kept in motion, with
out calling into requisition ; opular mind and heart.—
The Sovereign thinks and a.-..* for the nation. If he be
wise and virtuous, the people arc well governed : and for
the mere purposes of governin’ at, they need cot be edu •
cated. But our system rest* upon an entirely different
principle. U assumes, that th* people arc capable of self
goverment; each man is a portion of the sovereignty,
and to the extent of his individual influence, gives direc
tion to all the operations of government. But this as
sumption is not based upon any inherent capacity for gov
ernment, as an attribute of man. It pre-supposes intellr i
geuee, to understand hi** rights, and virtue, to give that j
intelligence proper direction. Hence, public education !
and morality—enlightened intellect and cultivated heart—
are indispensiblc to the sneer- ‘ of our political system.—
Thev arc the main pillars on which the structure is built;
let them be substituted by ignorance and vice, and the fab
ric will tumble into ruins.
If to this consideration we add the reflection, that edu
cation is the most potent means for the rapid development j
of a high civilization—the proper end of government--
how obvious ami impure is th#* obligation, to foster its dif
fusion among the people, with a liberality commensurate
with its importance and th** unnumbered blessings which
it procures! The cause of public education is emphatical*
lv the cause of our Stale, h addresses itself to every no
ble feeling of our hearts. If, as patriots, wo desire the
perpetuity oi our free institutions—if, as philanthropists,
we would gladih n the children of poverty with the sun
beams of sviemv, elevate them, t* useful citizenship, and
press to their lips the cup of intellectual bttppiuero, it pleads
with an urgency ami pathos that short! 1 awaken every geu
erous impulse.
The natural resources of Georgia are almost boundle**.
No spot upon the. (ilobo, embracing an equal area of ter
ritory, affords a richer field or stronger incentives to en- ‘
terprise, in every branch ol lal>or, and in every pursuit.—
Reaching from the southern spur of the Alleghauies, near
ly to the balmy verge of perpetual spring, she possesses
almost every variety of soil and climate, and is thus invited
to the cultivation of every product required by the neces
sities, or craved by the luxury of mankiud. lien* \ Ag
riculture should be fostered. It is the support ••! every .
other art, feeds and clothes the world, and energizes its
commerce with the blood of life. Fertile rallies and bar
ren hills alike demand the highest attainments of its ski!!,
to preserve the < e from exhaustion, and fertilize the oth
er, so that both shall yield the greatest possible reward to
well directed industy.
In endless variety and exhaust less supply, the ores slum
ber in the bosoms of our hills and mountains. All that is
required is enlightened enterprise, to make them available
for the multiform utea of human life. In their dormancy
they are worthless ; but roused by the magic touch of in- j
dustry, they will bring to the State wealth, prosperity and j
power. j
But who docs not perceive, that the successful develop- *
ment of these natural resources requires educated mind
energetic enterprise directed by the skill of science and phi
losophy 1 What, but science, shall analyse our soils, point
out the mode of their fertilization and test their capacity for
production ? What, hut science, shall detect the location of
ores and minerals and explain the best method of appro
priating them to the wants of society ? What, but science,)
shall measure the motive power ol the waterfall, to propel
machinery ? It is the lamp to guide in every department of
labor and art. Without it, industry toils and gropes in
Cimmerian darkness and scarcely gains its daily bread by
the sweat of its brow. Is it not then a mistaken economy,
that Georgia hasso long dispensed with a State Geologist
and Agricultural chemist, charged with the duty to investi
gate her resources, and to diiect the energies and capital et
our people, to their developement 1
Wo have just reason to bo proud oi our advancement in
facilities for rapid transport and travel. Their success has
removed the prejudices which, for a time, impeded their
construction and gives augury of the prosperity and glory
with which they are destined to crown our State. Whi Ist,
therefore, we should not lose sight oi a wise economy, we j
should bo prompted by a liberal forecast to foster our sy stem |
of internal improvements, in every legitimate way. It will :
hasten the development of our resources, augment the value j
of our lands, fix our population and strengthen our social ,
bonds. . 1
The Western and Atlantic Railroad i< a magnificent j
monument of the wisdom of its projectors and the patriotic j
liberality of the people who have cheerfully borne the ex- i
penso of its construction. It is an honor to the State ; and
under proper management, it is destined to empty into her j
lap the riches of the great western vallies. It has cost five
millions of Dollars. It is the common property of the peo
ple—the resultoftheir common adventure and enterprise —
and therefore, neither political party should assume its ex
clusive control. All nave the right to demand, that it shall
be so managed, as to yield the largest revenue and afford
the cheapest and most equitable facilities for the transport
of their earnings to market. It is as unjust as it is impolitic,
that its fortunes shall be compelled to abide the fluctuations’
of par.y. It is the duty of the Legislature, in its wisdom, to
adopt some plan which will place its administration beyond !
th© leach of this fickle influence.
With these subjects are intimately connected the Me
chanic arts. With us, they have lagged behind all other j
branches of industry. Comparatively, how little of inven- •
tive genius have we exhibited! How few* oi our native
sons engage in their pursuit! How* little do we appreciate j
skill and taste in their execution ! Why is it thus? It
because, wi th us lho - v are 80 iiC ‘ dom connected with edu- ]
cated mind ; and this again, is the result of a false sentiment j
which assigns the mechanic a rank, in the social scale, in*
ferior to those who engage in other industrial pursuits.—
This subject is scarcely second in importance to any otlier.
Can nothing be done to rescue the Mechanic arts from ob
scurity, and elevate them to their merited dignity ? Noth
ing to render them attractive to genius and education ? Ii
this can be accomplished, it will reveal inventive genius
and open new channels for labor and capital, it will fill
our towns and village s with the sound of the hammer and
the music of machinery, and substitute, for dilapidation and
decay, comfortable dwellings, thrift and prosperity. i
It seems therefore, that the establishment oi a well and * ■
gested system of public education, the development of our j
boundless agricultural and mineral resources, the comple
tion of our schemes of Internal Improvement-*, the proper
administration of the Western and Atlantic Rail Road.!
and the encouragement of the Mechanic Arts, demand the j
immediate and earnest, but judicious consideration oi the j
guardians of the Commonwealth. They are subjects which I
require wisdom in council, and prudence in notion. But J
they should not bo neglected, if we expect Georgia to ad- \
vance to the stature of lull grown maturity, in the exalted j
attributes of a high civilization.
It must not be expected, however, that these great oh* ]
jectscan be accomplished without the use of money. To j
raise the requisite amount, we must rely mainly upon taxa- •
lion.- This involves the most delicate and important pow
er with which you arc invested. W bile, therefore, it should
bo exercised with great caution, we must remember, that
contracted parsimony is not synonymous with wise econo
my. Nor are wo to limit our policy by the boundaries o
the present hour. Results are with the future; and we
must look, with patient expectation, for time to prove ttie
value of all our enterprises, and to remunerate expenditures
ior their prosecution. We act for those who are to follow
us. In every succeeding moment of the present, our con
duct involves tho welfare of future generations. \\ e are
amenable to posterity, under the highest sanctions that can
influence an organized community. The patriotism oi our
common constituency is cquai to auy contribution which
may be levied upon their labor and property, if they see that
it comports with sound economy, is demanded by the pub
lic good, suggested by a wise forecast, and that it exacts,
from each, in proportion to his ability to pay. Bo these
our landmarks in raising and disbursing money.
The relation between the General and State Govern
ments points out the rule of strict construction of the Con
stitution of the United States, as the polar star for the one,
whilst the nature of the Federal compact indicates, with
equal clearness, the duty of obedience, on the patt of the
other, to constitutional laws. It is the perfection of Ameri
can patriotism to demand that both shall move in their re
spective orbits. For it is the only mode of perpetuating
the Union and preserving, at the same time, the reserved
rights of the States. Its effects will ever be fraternity, har
mony and prosperity, throughout the entire limits of the
Republic.
To the Southern States the observance of this rule is es
pecially important. The institution of domestic slavery is
peculiar to them. It is a part ol their social, as well as
their political structure, it is recognized and protected by
the Constitution. It must not be touched by Federal eu
cioacbment. The agitation and heart-burning of the past
must suffice—certainly so far as Georgia is concerned
For, in acquiescing in the u Compromise Measure#’ tt 18J0,
she has distinctly put the Federal Government and its au
thorities upon terms. She has said ft must be a final set
tlement; that agitation must cease ; that the “Fugitive
Slave Lair” must be faithfully executed. Shi: has said
IT, AND SHF. INTENDS TO STAND BY IIF.R OATH.
Senators and Representatives, the interests of Georgia,
and her future welfare, so far as it depends upon our action,
are entrusted to us for the ensuing two years, by a confiding
constituency. In the execution of our solemn trust, let us
lie animat'd by a spirit of conciliation and harmony ; and
m *very measure adopted, let ail other feelings be merged
into patriotic devotion to the public good.
In performing the part assigned me, under the Constitu
tion and Jaws, I cannot expect to avoid error; but I hope
not to deserve censure I shall intend to do right, even, u
trorn imperfection of judgement, I should do wrong.
May God bless Georgia, and may His wisdom direct the
deliberations of her guardian*.
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE.
Executive Department, (
MilledgeviJle, Bth Nov., 1853. t
Fellow Citizenx, of the Senate
and House of Representatives :
In discharge of my constitutional duty, 1 pro
ceed to lay before you such matters as should
receive your attention during the present session
of the General Assembly.
On the twentieth day of October, 1851, the
public debt amounted to 81,687,472,22. By
the act of December lilt, 1851, ratifying the
contract of my predecessor and the Chief En- ;
gineer of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, !
for the purchase of iron for the State Road, it j
was increased 8200,000. By act o! January j
12th, 1852, providing for the repairs and equip- j
ment of said Road, it was still further increased j
the sum of 8525,000—and bv the act authoris- j
iug a subscription to the Milledgeviile and Gor- |
| don Railroad, there was added the sum of $20,-
j 000, making the total amount of the State debt i
j $2,432,472,22. To this amount should be ad- j
ded the bonded debt of the Central Bank, which j
is now $309,500 ; having been diminished bv
the payment 0f55,500, since the Ist of Novem- t
ber, 1851. The total liability of the State is j
thus seen to be $2,801,072,22, from which |
| must be deducted the sum of 8100 500, which j
has been paid during the past two years, under j
the provisions of the act of February 11th, 1850, !
providing for an annual Sinking Fund for the j
payment of the public debt. The present debt j
of the State therefore is $2,635,472,22.
The bonds authorized by the act of 4th De- i
comber, 1851. were made payable at the State i
Treasury, and the interest payable semi-annual
ly at tho bank of the State of Georgia in Sa
vannah. These bonds were negotiated for n
premium averaging about two per cent. I was
satisfied that our bonds should command a !
higher premium, and finding upon an investiga- j
j tion of the subject, that a more advantageous
negotiation could be effected, by making j
them payable in New York—l caused the bonds j
issued under act of January 12th, 1852, to be
made payable at the Bank of the Republic in
the city of New York. They were negotiated
at a premium of 5 per cent. It is the first in
stance in which our State securities had been
disposed of at any premium, and it should be
gratifying to our State pride to know, that the
bonds of our State now stand among the first
securities of their class. Tho bonds of no State J
; in the Union command more of the confidence ‘
■ of capitalists who seek a safe investment of their :
i funds. This confidence is not misplaced, for no
| State in the Union has more ample means to
meet its liabilities, and no people are more tena
cious of the credit and honor of their State,
than our own.
As the interest of a portion ofour bonds has
to be paid in New York, it becomes necessary
for the Treasurer to keep on deposit there, a
sufficient sum of money to meet the interest as
it falls due. This has been done under my di
rection. If any doubts exist as to the power or
propriety of this course—it would be advisable
that ail such doubts should be quieted by pass
ing a law authorising such deposits to be made.
The necessity of it is so obvious, that 1 deem it
unnecessary to present any argument in sup- j
port of the recommendation.
I refer von to the accompanying report of the j
Treasurer, in which will be found a tabular |
| statement of the public debt, showing at what
time each portion of it will fall due. From this
’ statement you will find that a very larg portion
j of our debt will become due about the same
time. This matter should receive the attention
of yourselves as well as your successors, in or- j
der that by a course of wise and judicious legis- j
lation, the payment ofour bonds may bo antici
pated, otherwise we should be called upon to
make very large payments, within a very short
period, which would lead either to burdensome
taxation, or an extension of the time for the ‘
eventual liquidation of our liabilities. Both re
sults can and ought to be avoided. In the pres
j ent prosperous condition of our State affairs,
! there will be no difficulty in creating a Sinking
! Fund, which will entirely discharge the public
■ debt, before it shall have fallen due. There
| should be additional legislation of this subject,
giving to the Executive full power and discretion
i to appropriate the surplus means of the ‘Treasu
ry to the purchase ofour bonds under such lim
itations as your judgment may deem advisable.
The present law leaves the question in some
doubt, whether or not the legislature intended
any premium should be paid by the State in the
purchase of bonds not yet due. Such, however,
j is the present high character of our State secu
; rities with all classes of capitalists, that it is im
j possible to obtain them at par. As long as in
| dividuals are willing to pay a premium for these
j bonds, so long will the State also be compelled
1 to pay a premium for such as she may wish to
! redeem in advance. 1 have thought it advisa
i ble to make the purchase at a small premium, to
j the amount required by law lo be annually re
| deemed. There is no other safe investment of a
I Sinking Fund, and as a matter of economy it is
• better to pay the premium, than to allow the
money to remain undisposed of in the’Treasury,
tempting the Legislature either to unnecessary
and wasteful expenditures or to an unwise reduc
tion of taxes. I call your attention particularly
to this subject, that such laws may be passed as
will carry out the public will in reference U> it.
THU I'EM'KXI. BANK.
By the act of December 10, 1851, 1 was au
thorised to transfer the assets of the Central
Bank to the ‘Treasury, when in my discretion
the interests of the State should require it. Be
lieving that there was no longer any necessity
tor continuing that institution in existence, for
any other purpose than to wind up and close
its business, 1 appointed the commission au
ritorized by the foregoing act, to investigate tho
condition of the Bank, and transfer its remain
in<>- assets to the ‘Treasury. I herewith transmit
their report from which it will he seen what was
the condition of the Bank at that time. ‘The
accompanying report of the ‘Treasurer will ex
hibit its present condition, as well as its opera
tions since it has been trausfered into his hands.
There are yet outstanding many debts, some ot
which will be collected, but from the larger
poition nothing will ever be realized by the
.State, and it becomes a matter for your conside
ration, what disposition shall be made of its re
“THE T INI O N OF THE STATE S aN I) THE SOVEItE I(■N T V O F TII K ST A TSS.”
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, TUESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 15, 1853
maining and unavailable assets, and also what
provision shall be made for meeting and dis
charging its liabilities. Upon a careful exami
nation of the affairs of the Bank, I am satisfied,
that after exhausting all its resources, there
will be left the amount of $369,500, which must
be paid from the Treasury, it is for this rea
son that 1 have placed the bonds of the Bank
in computation of the public debt, which l Lave
already submitted to you. I would recommend
that the Executive be authorised to take up
these bonds, and issue regular .State bonds, in
their stead, provided satisfactory arrangements
can be made w ith the present holders of them.
In addition to this amount it will be necessary
for you to provide by law for the payment of
about the sum of $20,000. This amount has
been borrowed by the Treasurer, under my di
rection. to meet the accruing interests on the
Central Bank bonds, the funds of the Bank fall
ing short, by that amount. This step was nec
essary to save the credit of the State, as these
bonus are regarded in public estimation as a
part of the public debt, and if we had failed to
heve paid this interest promptly, the effect
would have been to have depreciated the gene
ral credit of the State.
It is useless to encumber the Treasury longer
| with the remaining assets of the Central Bank, !
j which w ill continue worthless and unavailable
| as long as they remain the property of the State.
1 know of no better disposition that could be
I made of them than by selling them Tor what
| ever they would bring. To keep them arid
| attempt their collection, would involve the State
fin continued expense and litigation, without
any remunerating benefit.
THU TREASURY.
1 The accompanying report of the Treasurer
! will give you a clear and satisfactory account {
j of the operations of that Department during i
; the past two years. You will observe that this j
i report is complicated with a useless statement j
|of unavailable assets in the ‘Treasury. These j
| stereotyped items have been repeated from time j
| to time, without the slightest benefit to the j
i State, throwing no light upon the condition of j
! the Treasury, and leading to no possible bene- j
j tieial result. As long, however, as no action is i
j had by your body on the subject, it will he nee- \
j essarv for the'Treasurer to encumber bis report j
i with them. I recommomi. therefore, that you i
| take such steps as will relieve the department !
from ibe uec-ssitv nl further reference to these ‘
worthies-assets by directing them to be destroy- j
|ed under the direction of the Executive or a >
j committi of your body. The report of the ■
| Treasurer shows the available balance in the:
; Treasury on the 20th October 1853, to be $74,- |
857,35. Concurring as I do, in the estimates
contained in his report of the probable expendi- j
tures of the next two years, I deem it unneces- !
■sary to add anything on that subject.
‘There has been collected from the General j
Government during the past two years, the sum
of $144,890,53. These claims have been long
standing, and the State is now indebted for the |
collection of so large a portion of them, to the !
j energy and ability with which they have been j
| urged by the agent appointed by my predeccs
I sor, and continued by myself, Joseph Sturgis,
Esq. There is yet unsettled claims due to us
from the General Government, bull am unable I
to say, at what time you may expect their pay
ment. It would be unwise to calculate upon
the reception of any portion of it, in your legis- j
lation upon the Finances of the State. For ad- t
ditional information you are referred to the ac- j
companying report of Mr. Sturgis.
1 herewith transmit to the General Assembly, I
the report of the Financial Committee for the |
year 1852, and call your attention to its state- i
ments and recommendations as worthy of con
sideration. The Report of the Comptroller
General is also herewith transmitted.
THE TAX LAW.
It was provided by the tax act of January 9th,
j 1852, and the supplementary act of January 21,
1852, that the sum of three hundred and seven- j
ty-five thousand dollars should be raised under
those acts for tha support of the government
for each of the political years of 1852 and 1853. j
In the first act, the rate of taxation was limited j
to one twelfth of one per cent. The supple- j
meritary act was passed under a well founded ;
| apprehension that the required amount would j
not be realized at that rate. This last act re- j
quired the Governor with the assistance of the j
Comptroller General to consolidate the returns I
of the various tax receivers, and authorized them j
to fix the rate of taxation at such per cent as j
would raise the sum of three hundred and •
seventy five thousand dollars. Upon the ex- |
animation of the tax digest as required, by this j
law, it was ascertained that it would require j
a tax of one tenth of one per cent, to :
raise the amount which tho Legislature had I
fixed upon ; and accordingly the necessary or i
ders were issued to that effect. This was true 1
of the returns for each of those years, and there !
was consequently no change in the rate of taxa
tion for the present year. ‘The passage of those
acts introduced anew system of taxation in our
State. The ad valorem principal was for the
first time incorporated into our laws, though its
justice and propriety had long been seen and
felt by our people. For many years the friends
of a lair and equitable system of taxation had ;
sought to modify the old law, which was ad- j
mitted to be unjust in its operation and indefen- j
sible in principle. Every candid and fair min- j
ded man reconized the correctness of the prill- j
ciple that every citizen should be required to j
pay for the support of bis government, accord- i
ing to the extent and value of his property.—
Upon that principle an ad valorem tax should
he based, and when faithfully carried out, must
command the approval and support of every
man who is willing to bear his due portion of
the burthen of Government. That the present;
tax law fully comes up to this standard, I am !
not prepared to sa v. The object of its framers j
was, however, to approximate it, and if they I
have failed te reach ir, the duty is imposed up- j
on their successors of applying the lights of ex- j
perience and practical operation to its modifica
tion and improvement. It ig not strange trial
an untried experiment, should be found to defec
tive in some of its details; it is rather a matter
of surprise that more obvious and glaring mis
takes should not have occurred in the first effort,
to adopt anew, radically differing from the old
svstem. lam aware of the fact that there ex
ists in the public mind, in some portion of the
State, very strong prejudices against this law,
but lam well satisfied that these prejudices are
not so deeply rooted, at to defy the approach of
reason and sound sense. In most instances it
will be found that this opposition is limited to
some provisions of the law, which may with pro
priety be modified and improved, and for that
reason your attention should lie directed to
-itelt modifications as will make it conform
more exactly to the ad valorem principle. Let
theiletail of the law then be scrutinized, its de
fects brought to light, and the proper remedy
he applied by wise and judicious amendments.
With many persons the merits of the present
law have been subjected to the test of compar
ing the amount of taxes paid by them under the,
two different systems. They find that their tax
has been increased and without further inquiry
they attribute that increase entirely to the
change of the law. A simple statement will ex
hibit the incorrectness of this conclusion. The
amount of taxes collected for the political year
1851, under the old system, was $291,077
38-100, wbiist the amount collected for the year
1852, was 8377,165 60 000. It must be borne
in rnind that the Legislature saw the necessity
of raising an increased sum, and therefore pro
vided in the act of 1852, that there should be
raised the sum of $375,000. If, therefore,
there had been no change in the system—it
would have been-necessary to have increased
the taxes about twenty-five per cent. To com
pare then the operation of the two systems fair
ly, in individual cases, such persons should first
add twenty-five percent to their tax as paid in
1851, and compare the amount thus ascertained
with the amount which they actually paid under
the present law. When this is done, it will be
found that their increased tax, is owing, not to
a change of the law, but to the increased neces
sities of the State.
j Another objection has been urged to tho pres
ent law, which is founded in good reason and is
worthy of your consideration. It results from
the difficulty of ascertaining the true value of
the tax payers property. Such is the peculiar
organization ol men’s mind, that with the most
honest intentions, they differ widely in their es
tiroate of the value of property; whilst others
unwilling to contribute their due portion to the
support of government, place te lo.v an estimate
upon the value of their property, as to cause
j just ground of complaint with their more con
scientioua and geneious neighbors. As every !
| man is at liberty under the present law, to value j
j his own property, he can put what estimate he j
i pleases upon it. The law appeals to his con- j
j science alone on this subject, and there is no !
! mode provided for reaching those, who are in- !
| different to the obligations of truth and honor, j
| It is gratifying to know that the number of this ;
) class is small. An examination of our tax di- ;
| gests will show the fact, that with the great i
; bod y of our people, there has been exhibited a I
i disposition, to make a fair and just return of
i their property. The cases of the few, however, I
j should be reached, and I would recommend j
* that some provisions be made by law for asses
! sing the property of those who seek to avoid !
i the payment of their just dues to the iStato, by !
I falsely estimating their property below its true
; value. This and similar defects in the details of
i the law, should be remedied by prompt legisla- j
j tion. Time and experience will thereby, ulti
i mately perfect the system, and render it aecep
| table to all classes and interests. ‘The ad va j
lorcm principal being recognised by all, as be
ing right ami just, it only requires prudence,
firmness and wisdom in enforcing its applica
tion, to secure for a law based upon it, the cor
dial approval of the people.
For the purpose of instituting a comparison of
the taxei paid by our own people, wilh that
paid by the people of the other States, I address- j
>-d a circular letter to the Executives of the ;
several States, asking for a statement of their !
i tax laws. To this communication, 1 received!
many replies, but not enough to carry out the \
i original object 1 bad in view. The information, j
i however obtained, was sufficient to satisfy my j
I own mind that we pay as little as the people of i
! any other State, whilst as compared with some
!of the States, our tax is almost nominal. As j
; low as our present taxes are, we may look for- j
I ward to the time when they may be greatly re
! duced. As soon as the Public debt shall have
been extinguished, we can with propriety re- i
duce our taxes one half, and that too, without j
looking to any other source of revenue for the
ordinary expenses of the government. This is
certainly a gratifying state of things, and will
I go far to conciliate the feeling of opposition ;
that has been engendered in the public mind
i against the present system. Firmness in the
maiutainance of the ad valorem principal—wis
; dom in the adoption of amendments suggested j
! by experience, and economy in the administra- ;
I tion of the government, will soon dispel all pre- i
| jndice and opposition with a wise and patriotic ;
i people.
WESTERN ANII ATLANTIC RAIL ROAM.
By the act of January 15th, 1852, 1 was re
j quired to appoint a Superintendent of the VVes
j tern Atlantic Rail Road, wiio should have
j the general management and control of that
j work. I appointed VVm. M. Wadley, Esq , who
; entered upon the duties of his office on the first j
day of February 1852. The means of the road j
! had fallen far short of its necessities, and the j
I result was. that the road was in a wretched con- !
! dition. My predecessor and the former Chief.
; Engineer of the road, realizing this fact had very !
j properly purchased a large quantity of iron fori
| its repair. The contract made by them was ap- j
proved by the last Legislature by the the act of ]
Dec. 4t’n 1851. VVhen Mr. M edley entered up- i
on bis office, he encountered all the difficulties, j
which this state of things had brought about.— j
The last Legislature intending to provide amply j
“or the thorough repair and equipment of the [
road, by the act of January 15th, 1852, appro-j
j priated the sum of $525,000, for that purpose, j
i This sum would have been sufficient, if it could :
j have been applied to the objects contemplated j
i by the Legislature, but unfortunately it required
| much the larger portion of it to pay off the for
j mer debts of the road which had been accuinu
j lating from its first organization. YVe were
tberelore compelled to look to its revenues to
do that, which it was the intention of the Legis
lature should have been done, with this appro
priation ; and this fact will account for the dis-
I appointment of those, who had calculated upon
! an accruing revenue to the Slate Treasury from
| the proceeds of the road. I refer yon to the
! accompany Reports of Mr. Wadley and his
| successor Mr. Yonge for a more full and satis-
I factory statement of the facts te which I have
! thus brieflly alluded. It is hardly necessary for
me to speak of the manner in which these diffi
culties were met and overcome by the superin
tendent. The energy and abiiity displayed by
him are so familiar to the public, that it would
be a work of supererogation to remark upon it.
He did all that could be done, and l venture
to add, more than any other man would have
effected under the same circumstances. I need
not add, that his entire management of the af
fairs of the road, met my cordial approvul.
On the first day of February, 1853, Mr. Wad
ley resigned his office of Superintendent—and
1 appointed George Yonge, Esq., to till his va
cancy. It is due to Mr. Wadley to state, that
he did not leave his post until he had satisfied
me, that the iuterests of the road would not suf
fer from his withdrawal, in his successor i have
found au able, experienced, and faithful officer,
whose successful management of the road as ex
hibited by this report, is the best eucomium that
can be passed upon his services.
It affords me much pleasure tn call your at
t tendon to the present condition of this great
r-tate Work. The reports of the Ruperinten
■ dnits will show you in detail its operations du- j
ring the two past years. The failure to report j
any profits paid over to the State Treasury has j
already been accounted for. The fact, howev- j
er, that profits have been realized and appropri- !
ated to the wants of the ;oaj, should satisfy j
vour minds—that with wise and judicious man- j
agement, it must for the figure be a source of |
revenue to the State. No additional call is made j
upon tha treasury for aid Its own revenue will ]
scon complete the necessaiy repairs, and equip- i
merits and discharge its remaining liabilities. i
1 call your attention to the recommendations, I
contained in the Superintendet's report. Foun- !
ded as they are upon his experience in the man
agement ot the road—they should receive your
careful consideration. The act of the last Le
gislature which authorized the road to be
sued in any. county tlirougii which it passes
ought to he modified. I can see no good rea
son why this discrimination should be made
against the State road. All similar companies
have to be sued in the county in which their prin
cipal office is located. ‘This is right and proper.
It is the place where their books are kept and
their business transacted, and therefore the prop- 1
er point for the litigation of claims agasnst them.!
It is problematical whether the State should
submit to being sued at all but certainly she ought
not to embarrass her officers with burthens not
imposed upon other companies. The road
passes through counties belonging to three judi
cial districis, and it might happen that the Su
perintendent would he sued and required to at
tend (Jourt in different counties at the same
time. This consideration alone shows the pro j
priety ot a change in the law. In this conuec- !
tion 1 call your attention to the fact, that suits j
! have been commenced against the Road in the j
J State ot Tennesse. I have directed pleas to 1
j the jurisdiction of the Court to he filed in all j
j such cases, and the question if decided against!
I us, to be carried to the highest Court of the 1
] country. We have a right to complain of this j
j proceeding on the part of our neighbors, as it i
i was principally to gratify them, that the doors
j ot our own Courts were thrown open to claim
| ants against the State road. If the Courts should
i maintain their jurisdiction in the State of Ten-
I nessee, and the road subjected to the trouble
i and annoyance of this litigation, it will devolve
upon the Legislature to determine, what course
they will adopt in reference to the Western ter
minus of the Road, that will most effectually
! put a stop to such proceedings.
The important question for your considera
tion with this great work is, what shall be the
j future policy of the State in reference to it?—
Realizing the deep interest felt by our people in
the decision of ibis question. 1 submit to you
i my views fully on the subject.
By some a sale of the road is proposed, 1 |
trust however, that the adyocates of this policy
are not numerous, and feel certain that their
number will he lessened, in proportion as you
satisfy the public mind that the road can be suc
cessfully carried on, under State management.
To sell the road would be to disappoint the gen
i eral expectation which has so long looked to
; the completion of this enterprise for a source of
reliable revenue to the State. The funds raised
by the sale could not be appropriated to the ex
j tinguishment of the public debt, as that is not
! due. There is no profitable investment of it
| that could be made, and the result would be—
j that by the time the public debt had to be met,
i this fund would have been exhausted in waste
| fid and unnecessary expenditures. Increased
| taxation would then he the o'-ly means of ineet
: ing the liabilities of the State. I feel confident
; that no argument is required against policy
j which tviil inevitably lead to such a result.—
The proposition to sell two thirds of the road >s •
equally if not more objectionable. The same j
consequence would follow to a great extent.— I
Besides it is an unvarying lesson taught by our j
| experience, that the .State is the sufferer in eve- ;
: ry copartnership which she forms of this char- j
ter. The road should be under the entire con- i
troi of individual interest, or under the exclusive ]
management of the Slate. A departure from j
this rule, would certainly lead to no good result 1
: and 1 trust that the experiment will not be made.
! Rejecting then the proposition to dispose of the
j road, 1 recur to the inquiry, what is the best pol
icy for its future government In the manage
ment of a rail road, two ideas should be kept
prominently in view, uniformity and permanen
cy in its system, and a responsible head to ma-.
nage and control its affairs. Frequent changes
and divided responsibility are incompatible with
[ the successful operation of any railroad. Look
-1 iug to these considerations I feel conscious of
| the difficulties which must attend any plan which
; has yet been suggested for the government of
; the State road, but the preference should be giv
j en to that system which is freest from these ob
j jections. ‘The two plans which have been most
i generally considered, are, first, the present one
which leaves the road under the control of the
; Executive axd Superintendent appointed by hfin.
j The other proposes to constitute a board of
i Commissioners and invest them with the power,
j now lodged in the hands of the Governor. My
own mind at one time favored the latter propo
! sition.
! Experience and observation, however, have fully
i satisfied me, that it will not do. ’The idea of a
j board of commissioners was derived from the
board of directors, appointed by private corpor
ations, lor similar duties; and the argument
drawn by’ analogy (row this source would be
good, if these directors discharged ihe duties
which the public suppose them to perform ; such,
however, is not the fact. ‘The best board of di
rectors for a railroad company are those who
have sagacity and judgment enough to submit
the entire management of their roads to the
I’resident and superintendent. In adopting a
general system for the management of a road,
i their counsels may sometimes he heeded with
some advantages; but when the detailed opera
i tions of the road are lobe considered and dis
■ posed of—the least said or done by them, the
| better it is for the interest of their company. If
i a hoard of directors should attempt to revise the
• | dealings of a President and superintendent with
I their subordinates, reinstating such as bad in
their judgment been improperly removed, or
s forcing the appointment of others who they
• might suppose peculiarly qualified for some pusi
) tion, it would result in the total disorganization
. of the road, and the effort would soon be felt by
the stockholders in reduced profits, neglected
machinery, and dilapidated road. Upon this
1 point I can safely appeal to the experience and
observation of every man, who has been con
l nected with a successful and well managed rail
) road. If this bo true of private companies, the
difficulties will be greatly enhanced, when the
. same principle is applied to a public work, when
soperaded to other causes of trouble and em
. barrassment, there is thrown in the political and
l party considerations which would inevitably be
connected with such a system.
• , The subordinate officers on a railroad, who feel
j that they owe their places to any other cause,
j than a faithful discharge of duty, would soon
| derange and ruin the best managed road in the
j country. I nder the proposed system of a Board
; ol C ommissionertrthe.se difficulties could scaree
! ly be avoided, and I therefore deem it unneces
| sary t- • .large upon this branch of the subject,
i According to this plan there would also be
j wanting, that uniformity in she management of
! the road, which is essential to its success. With
; the change of Commissioners, the system
\ would be changed and all the consequences at
! tendant upon such changes, would be constantly
| experienced. The present system is, in my
| judgment decidedly preferable ; one great object
! at least is effected, a responsible head is placed
in charge of the road—to whom the country can
look tor its proper and faithful management.—
I he Executive elected by the people is respon
sible to them. The Superintendent should be
appointed by, and be responsible to the Execu
tive, the subordinate officers should be appointed
by,and responsible to the Superintendent, and \
thus the management of the road is placed upon
a system of responsibility, which ensures its suc
cesstul operation. In the appointment of the
j Superintendent, the Executive feels tho respon-
J sibiiity which rests upon- him, and will exercise
j a sound judgment in the selection. The Super.,
intendent knowing that he is responsible for the
good conduct of his subordinates, will exereise
ike prudence and discretion, in their selection,
and the subordinates feeling their dependence
upon, and responsibility to tho superintendent,
will realize the fact, that the tenure by which -
they hold their offices, is the faithful and effi
cient discharge of duty. In this view of the sub
i ject you will perceive that there must be a cor
dial and mutual confidence between the Execu
; tive and the superintendent, and for that reason
the superintendent should be appointed by the
; Executive. 1 therefore recommend that the act
j of the last Legislature taking the appointment
; of this officer from the Governor and giving it
; to the Legislature, be repealed, and that the ap
i pointment be again placed at the disposal of the
Executive. If the road is to be continued under
■Suite management, this in my opinion is the
most practicable system that can be adopted.
Two leading objections are urged against this
plan. The first is founded upon the fear that
the subordinate posts on the road will be re- j
garded and filled as political offices. Under my j
administration “this practice has ceased to ex- j
ist.’’ Whatever may bo thought or said about |
making governmental offices, political positions, ;
in other departments, it is a well settled fact, i
that it will not answer in the management of j
railroads, or similar State enterprise*. Sueh a j
policy is condemned both by reason and expe
rience, and can never be resorted to without en- i
dangering the public interest. This truth is so i
clearly illustrated in the history of every State
work, where the policy has been adopted, that j
I do net. believe the experiment will again be
made in our own State. The other objection is
of a more serious character. It grows out of
the changes in the management of the road, in
cident to the frequent change in the Executive
office. I admit the force of this objection, and
the only reply that can be offered, is founded
on the tact, that the objection is applicable to
everp plan which has been or can be suggested
for the government of the road under state man
agement.
in view of these difficulties, 1 submit to your
consideration, another plan, for the disposal of
the road, one, which will secure the three great i
objects to be attained : first, the retention of j
the State’s interest in the road ; second, a uni- j
form and permanent system for its management;
and third, a certain and reliable revenue from it.
It is to lease the road under an act of incorpora
tion. Let a charter he granted with a capita!
of five hundred thousand dollars in shares of a
hundred dollars each. ‘The charter should pro
! vide that the company, should make semi-annual
; payments to the Rtate, and that the first failure
! should ipso facto work its forfeiture. The a- j
: mount required to be paid by the company for
; its lease, should be at least 5 per cent on the
! capital invested by the State, which might be es- 1
i timated at rive millions of dollars. ‘The charter
| should be for a limited time, and perhaps twenty j
five years would he sufficiently long. The com
pany should bo requi.ed to return the Road at
the expiration of their lease in as good condition :
and as well equipped as when they received it. I
The improvements which the increased busi- j
ness of the Road will require them to make, j
would afford a reliable guaranty upon this point j
On the other hand the State should agree to pay I
the company for any increased value given to !
the road by the improvements made by them.— j
Provision should also be made in the charter, to j
protect connecting roads from a partial, and un- j
just administration of its affairs, under such pen- j
alties as would ensure perfect impartiality. 1 j
have fixed the capital of the company at a hall j
million, supposing that to ho sufficient for the i
ordinary improvements, which are still required !
to put the road in complete order. The Legis- j
lal lire could hereafter increase it, if the business j
of the road should require the laying of a double
track.
In submitting this suggestion to your consid
eration, 1 have merely laid down the outline of
a plan which might be perfected, if the policy
recommended meets with your approval. If
adopted care should be exercised in guarding
the interests of the State in any charter which
may be granted, and that is submi ted with
great confidence to your wisdom and discretion.
1 beg leave to repeat, that the adoption of this
policy will ensure a uniform and permanent sys
tem in the conduct and management of this great
work. It will be brought under the operation
of private enterprise and indivieual interest, with
out sacrificing the investment of the Rtate. It
will be relieved from the difficulties which I
have shown must always more or less attend its
management under State control, and finally en
sure the regular receipt into the treasury of at
least two hundred and fifty thousand dollars per
annum.
THR CEXITENTIAKY.
I iransmit herewith the reports of the Principal
Keeper and Book Keeper which wiil exhibit to
you ns operations during the past two years. —
The officers of thai Institution during th.t lime
have been faithful, and energetic in the discharge
of their duties, and I believe that its busmens un
der their charge, will compare favorably with the
business of preceeding years. Its asse sat the
end of the year w ill in ail probability discharge its
liabilities, and leave it free from debt. The busi
ness of the Penitentiary is not and in my judgment
never will be a source of revenue to the State.—
The appropriations which have from time to time
been made to meet its liabilities, show this fact.—
The gross amount of them is set forth in the Keep
er’s report. It now requires large appropriations
! to make the necessary improvements, and to fur
nish materials for its successful management. It
’ is a subject which should secure more of the per
-1 sonal attention of your tnernbersjthan has. bereto
- foro been the case. An inspection of its condition
1 will give you more satislactory information of its
3 true wants than any representation that 1 can
make, and I would urge the propriety of your do
ing so, as It can be done with little trouble to
1
jTBKMS, $2 00 IN ADVANCE.
, j yourselves, and much beneiii to tho S ate. As
ii you will perceive from the Keeper's report the
, business ed building railroad cars has been com-
I tnenced on a pretty extensive scale. Theexperi
ment so far has proved eminently successful, in
deed ;t has been the principal source of revenue
since its commencement. For the want of the
necessary means, an arrangement bad to be made
w ith the Sißte road to furnish the materials
■ building car-, Bn da* ;t’g as that road requires
i the cars that car, oe built at the Penitentiary,
! this arrangement could be continued. If the bo*-’
| i ness how ever, sbe-t.. 1 be extended as recommend
ed .o the Keeper’s report it will be necessary tor
■ yon lo supply the necessary means for the pur
chase in advance oi material, as the object should
then 1?, to manufacture cars for all roads that
may de-ireio purchase. It would also be neces
sary to authorize the employment of a Ruperin
tendent of this branch of the work at a bettot sal
ary than is now allowed lu the subordinate officers.
If a ready sale bp found for the cars, I have no
hesitation in saying, that it is the most profitable
business that can he carried on in the Penilemia-
r y*
The importance of classifying the prisoners in
the Penitent.ary, has been so repeatedly and forci
bly presented to the Legislature by my predecea
sor-. tha! I deem it unnecessary to enlarge upon the
subject. It is again brought to your attention bv
the Principal Keeper’s Report, and I would im
press upon your minds the propriety of giving it
your early attention. When this recomme teda
lion is based upon the concurrent opinion of every
one who has been thrown into official communis
cation with the Pc litentiary, it should at least re
ceive more consideration than has heretofore been
given to it.
the lunatic asylum.
Tite bisenia! Report of the Trustees, Ruperin*
tendent and Resident Physicians of the Lunatic
Asylum is herewith submitted. This Institution
lias been conducted during the parntwo years with
the characteristic energy and ability of its officers.
I commend to your attention the suggestions and
recommendations contained in tlte-e Reports.
Founded as they are upon the experience and ob
nervation of those who have shown themselves so
worthy of the confidence reposed in toein by the
State, they should command your most favorable
consideration. This Institution was established
by the Rtate under the conviction that it was our
duty to provide for the safety and comfort of that
unfortunate class of our lellow beings, who had
been deprived of toeir reason, and tllereby render
ed incapable of providing for themselves. This
humane object will not have been accomplished,
so long as there remains in the borders of our
! Rtate one unfortunate lunatic unprovided for. It
j is a melancholy and humiliating reflection, that
; applicants for admission, are daily rejected for the
j want of the necessary means to provide for their
accommodation. This ought not to be so. I hold
! it to be the solemn duty ol those who have, been
| spared from this awful calamity to furnish from
| their treasure whatever may be acquired tor the
| support and cntnlort of their less fortunate fellow
; beings. I cannot believe that there lives in our
Rtate a single citizen, who would not give a cor
j dial response to this sentiment. The necessities
of this Institution, is therefore the only just limit
to your appropriations. When you ascertain its
1 wants, let them be supplied, your hearts will ap
prove the act, and your constituents will sanction
the vote.
‘There is oneclasa lunatics for whom no provi
sion is made in the organization of this institution.
I allude to your slave population. This omission,
I have no doubt, is attributable to the fact, that
the number is so limited that it has not attracted
public attenton. There are, however, a few, and
suitable provision should be made for them. The
firnt suggesiion would be to . leave this matter in
the bands ofthe owners, after providing a place at
the Asylum for their reception. This will not do,
however, as it sometimes happens that the unfor
lun: e lunatic is the only property of the owner;
and be is therefor.- unable to support him at the
! Asylum. It would perhaps be wrong to tax those
! who have no interest in slaves, to raise money for
I ibis purpose. ‘t he amount which should be
; raised for this object, would be small, and if levied
upon the taxable slave properly, w .uid not be felt
by the owner. Looking to the number of lunatic
negroes, il would require only a nominal tax upon
this kind of property to raise the necessary means.
1 can see no good reason why every slave owner
should not cheerfully snbuiit to this tax, to carry
out VO desirable and praiseworthy an object. I
therefore recommend that proper steps be taken at
your present session to carry out these views in
i the manner suggested.
DEAE AND DUMB ASYLUM.
! The report of the Commissioners for the Deaf
■ and Dumb Asylum for the years 1853 is herewith
i transmitted. The successor this institution is a
| gratifying result, aud should secure for it the con
tinued patronage of the State. Your predecessors
have by their liberal endowments recognized the
duty ol the Rtate to provide for the education of
: the unfortunate mule, nd it would be difficult for
i the Legislature to appropriate the money of the
| people lo an object that would receive a more un
! qualified approval from the popular mind. I also
i transmit the report of a committee appointed by
: myself lo attend the annual examination of 1852.
l! bears testimony to the faithful and efficient dis
: charge of duty by the officers of the institution.
I Us recommendations are commended to your con
sideration, as worthy of attention in your legisla
| tion on this subject.
THE INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND.
I transmit to you the first annual report of the
Trustees for the“(ieorgi* Academy for the Blind.”
j This institution was organized underanact ofthe
j last Legislature, and is now struggling through
: its infantile existence. It has encountered the
difficulties which have attended ali-i-utlar institu
tions, ami in view of these difficult,e-, its efforts
have been attended wtth as much success as could
have reasonably been anticipate,!. It has shown
itsclt worthy of the fostering care extended to it
by your predecessors, ,nh slioulj continue to re
ceive your patronage and encouragement. Th
appeal in behalf ol tue blind—like dial made lor
the deaf and dumb—addresses itself to our better
I feelings. The heart would be callous and har
\ dened that could treat that apnea! with indifference.
! Those ol us who have been endowed by a kind
| Providence with all ihe attributes of manhood, un
impaired by disease or misfortune, have resting
j upon us an obligation in reference lo our less fa
vored brethren, w-bicii we cannot disregard. In
establishing anti maintaining these different insti
tutions the people of Georgia have exhibited tiieir
appreciation ol this high duty. Tue success which
lias attended these efforts, should only stimulate na
to renewed exertions and more liberal contribu
tions.
GEORGIA MILITARY INSTITUTE.
At the last session of the General Assembly
provision was made by law for the education ol a
certain number of cadets in the Military Instiia
tute, located at Marietta. A report is here*- th
Iran-milled from the Board ol Visitors of that in
stitution, w hich will present to the Legislature all
the information ou that subject in my possea- on.
The system of military education is growing in
popular favor throughout the country. In other
States of the Union these Academies receive lib
eral endowments troin the Government, and are
! becoming more and more the favorites of the pec
j pie. So far as lam enabled to judge, the Mariet
j ta Institute has been as eminently successful as
; any of its sister institutions, and as deserving of
, State patronage.
EDUCATION.
I The cause ot Education numbers, among its
I friends, no supporters, more zealous, or liberal,
’ than the people of Georgia. It is with sincere
! pleasure and honest p-ide that we can point to
the progress of education in our Slate. Our Uni
: ver-ity was never in a m tre flourishing condition,
and uever more deserving of the confidence and
patronage of th • State. Ott er colleges have
sprung up in getter >u* rivalry with this institution
j under the patron go of private enterprize, afford
ing the most extensive faciiiiiea for a iiberel edu
cation to all woo may be possessed of the MC4t>
Number 4i.