Newspaper Page Text
Simes anti Sntfitwl.
~ COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.
TUESDAY MORNING, DEC. 13, 1853.
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
[editorial correspondence.]
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Milledgeville, Dec, 2. P. M.
The bill to make Hulmsville the permanent county
site of Appling county, was passed.
New Bills.
Mr. Lamar—A bill to incorporate the Savannah
and Florida Steam boat company ; also a bill to protect
cotton planteis against the frauds of cotton buyers.
Mr. McDougald—A bill to authorise parties to civil
causes, to use as witness, their adversaries and copart
ners 5 also a bill to lay out anew county out of Monroe,
Crawford and Upson.
Mr. Fannin—A bill for the removal of free persons
of color ; also a bill to change the militia system.
Mr. McDougald—A bill exempting soldiers in the
Mexican war, from doing militia duty.
Mr. Pottle—A bill for the protection of religious so
cieties, during divine worship.
Mr. Irwin—A bill defining the lien of certain judg
ments obtained on appeal.
SENATE.
Milledgeville, Dec. 3.
The Senate this morning, reconsidered its vote yes
terday, rejecting the bill to raise the jurisdiction of the
Justices of the Peace to fifty dollars.
Mr. Miller, offered a resolution, which was passed,
requiring the Govornor to furnish the General Assem
bly, with a list of the stockholders of the Atlanta Bank,
its semi-annual return, and an account of its present
condition.
Mr. Lamberth, offered a resolution providing that no
new matter shall be presented to the Senate after the
19th December.
New Bills.
Mr. Clark—A bill to organise anew county out of
portions of Early and Baker counties; also a bill to pro
vide for the election of Judges of the Supreme court,
when vacancy exists, at the next general election, after
such vacancy occurs.
Mr. Lawrence —A bill to fix the fees of county offi
cers, and provide for the examination of teachers of
poor children in Cobb county.
Mr. Hull—A bill to incorporate the Athens building
and loan association.
Mr. Pope—A bill to regulate the sale of slaves by
Sheriffs, Executors and Administrators. The object of
the bill is to prevent the seperation of families.
Mr. Peebles—A bill amendatory of the acts iu rela
tion to ordinaries in this State.
Mr. Guyton—A bill in relation to private ways.
Mr. Pope—A bill to authorise Clerks of the Superi
or Court, to adjourn courts in certain cases.
SENATE.
Milledgeville, Dec. 3d.
Resolutions passed by the Senate on the announce
ment of the death of Charles Dougherty, by Mr. Hull.
Having heard with profound regret, the sudden
death of the Hon. Charles Dougherty, an eminent citi
zen, and late President of the Senate, of the State of
Georgia ;
Resolved , That the following record be made, ap
preciative of his character and service*.
That in the life of Charles Dougherty, we recognise
the honest man, the able jurist, the upright judge, and
impartial presiding officer of this body.
That by his death, a chasm has been produced in the
social, civil and political circles, calamitous to his friends
and to the State.
Resolved , That the foregoing, be entered on the
journal of the Senate, and a copy be forwarded by the
Secretary, to the family of the deceased.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Milledgeville, Dee. 3.
The Senate’s bill, amendatory of the laws in relation
to the Court of Common Pleas, of Savannah, was
passed.
On motion of Mr. Hardeman, the House resolved
that it should require a vote of 2-3dH to suspend the
rules.
The bill to alter the constitution, so as to allow an
nual sessions of the Legislature, was lost by ayes 34,
nays 55.
The bill to incorporate Marshall College, was passed.
Mr. Phillips, introduced a bill to wind up the Central
Bank.
The bill to incorporate Trenton Tjodge, 179, F. A.
Masons, was passed. Otter bills of importance, occu
pied the attention of the House, which was referred to
appropriate committies.
Several local bills were introduced.
SENATE.
Milledgeville, Dee. 5.
Dr. Singleton—A bill to incorporate the Dahlonega
Testing and Mining company.
Mr. Hull, a resolution to appoint a committee of
thirteen to report to the Senate, such alterations of the
constitution, as are necessary to divide the State into
Senatorial districts, with Senators in each district. This
resolution was adopted.
On motion of Mr. McConnell, the order of business
was suspended, and the House bill, to incorporate Mc-
Donough Collegiate Seminary, was read the second
time.
New Bills.
Mr. Lambeth’s, resolution to prohibit the introduc
tion of new matter after the 19th inst., was taken up
and passed.
Mr. Jones—A bill to amend the usury laws of this
State. It is a bill to allow usury in certain case 9.
Mr. Patterson—A bill to reduce the bonds of the
Sheriff's of Camden county, to 500 dollars.
Mr. Lamberth—A bill to divorce Jane Sanford and
her husband. Ruled out by the President.
Bills on 3d Reading.
The bill to make valid the official acts of Charles M.
Pratt, as Clerk of Superior Court of Camden County,
was passed.
The bill to bring on the election of Judges on the
Ist Monday in December, instead of October, was lost.
The bill to compensate Solicitors General and Attor
ney General, by giving them fifty dollars fee in all
criminal causes in the Supreme Court, was lost.
The bill to allow the testimony of practicing Physi
cians, to be taken by interrogatories, was passed.
The bill .to incorporate the town of Roswell, was
passed.
The bill to change the constitution, so as to allow the
Supreme Court to be helc at the capitol alone, was re
ferred to the special committee, heretofore appointed
on the subject.
The bill to incorperate the Madison Railroad compa
ny, was passed.
The bill to incorporate the Irwinton free church, was
passed.
The bill to incorporate the Interior Bank of the State
of Georgia, to be located at Griffin, was referred to the
committee on banks.
The bill to regulate the practice iu Equity in certain
esses, was passed. The object of the bill, is to provide
against abatement of suits, on the death of parties
litigant.
The bill to incorporate the town of Monroe, was
passed.
The bill to allow the city of Macon to lease Napier’s
old field, was prssed.
The bill to make Cedar Town the county site ol
Polk county, was passed.
The bill to incorporate the Fighting Town Mining
company, was lost.
The bill to amend the aots, incorporating the Milledge
ville Turnpike and Railroad company, was passed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Milledgeville, Dec. 5.
Mr. McDougald, moved to reconsider the bill in re
lation to annual sessions, sustained.
The bill to authorise W. Freeman, to practice Ho
meopathy in Bibb county, was passed.
Mr. Shewmake, introduced a bill to incorporate
Franklin Academy, and also a bill to amend the Road
laws iu Burke county.
On motion of Mr. Thornton, 150 copies of the report
of the Finance committee, were ordered to be printed.
Mr. Andrews, introduced a bill to incorparate Mon
icelloand Griffin Railroad company.
Mr. Hardeman—A bill to endow the Macon Mechan
ic’s Society.
Mr. Brown—A bill to amend the law, in relatiou to
Executors and Administrators.
Mr. Redding—A bill to allow all regular graduates
of any Medical College iu the United Stats, to practice
medicine.
Mr. Thornton—A bill to amend the consent rule, in
actions of ejectment.
Mr. McDougald—A bill to reduce the taxes; and
also to simplify pleadings and practice in courts of law
and equity.
Mr. Trice —A bill to punish Bigamy and Polygamy
with imprisonment in the Penitentiary not less than 8
nor more than 15 years.
Mr. Young—A bill to establish a general system of
education in the State.
Mr. Pottle—A bill to provide anew oath for Grand
Jurors, and also to require them to be served four
months with notice.
Bills Passed.
The bill to authorise Mayor and Council of Macon,
to lease Napiers old field.
Bills Lost,
The bill to prevent driving cattle from regions in
flicted with destemper, into Gilmer county, between
15th May,and Ist October.
Bills Refered,
The bill to authorise owners of slaves and guardians
of free persons of color, to give bond for their appear
ance in court, was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Howell Cobb.
In one of my letters, I stated that it had been rumor
ed here, that Cobb had winked at the defection of Sen
ators in the Senatorial election. Such indeed was the
rumor, but I am now satisfied that the rumor was false.
It is certain that he used his influence with his friends,
to induce them to suppoit McDonald, after he was
nominated by the caucus, and that the five Democrat
ic Senators who voted with the Whigs to postpone the
election, acted contrary to his advice and earnest re
monstrances. My authority for these declarations, is a
Southern Rights Democrat, who had personal knowl
edge of the facts, and a gentleman incapable of decep
tion. No man in the party is more gratified at these
assurances than 1 am ; and I take great pleasure in re
pairing the injury I have done this distinguished
gentleman. L.
SENATE,
Milledgeville, Dec. 0.
On motion of Mr. Bailey, the action of the Senate
regulating the bill, incorporating Fighting Town Min
ing company, wa* passed.
New Bills.
Mosely—A bill to authorise the Inferior Courts, to
bind out free persons of color, in certain eases.
Mr. Dean—A bill to add lots 85 and 80, of Jones,
to Bibb county.
Mr. Mosely—A bill to add a part of Henry, to the
county of Spaulding.
Mr. Mosely—A bill to amend the acts incorporating
the city of Griffin.
Mr. Brown, of Thomas—A bill to authorise Mr. Mo-
Elveren, of Decatur county, to practice medicine.
Mr. Brown, of Thomas—A local bill in relation to
road laws.
On motion of Mr. Pope, a committee was appointed
to apportion Representation to the new counties made
this session, and to the old counties, out of which the
new counties were formed.
Mr. Morris—A bill to change the time of holding
Franklin Superior Court.
Mr. Morrel —A hill to reduce the Sheriffs bond, in
the county of Effingham, to SSOOO.
Mr. Bryan—A hill to relit-vt* John Files.
Mr. McLeod —A bill to make Swninsboro, the per
manent county site of Emanuel county.
Bills on 3d Rkading.
The bill to incorporate McDonough Collegiate Semi
nary. was amended, so as to give the town commission
ers the power to grant licences to sell spirituous liquors,
and fix the fees, was passed. It has also passed the
House.
The bill to increase the jurisdiction of Justices of the
1 Peace to fifty dollars, was taken up. Mr. Dawson
moved to strike out fifty, and insert twenty dollars,
which was lost, Mr. Echols, moved to amend, by giv
ing a stay of 90 days to defendants in execution, which
was adopted. Mr, Miller, moved to amend, by adding
“provided but one suit shall he entertained at the same
court, between the same parties,” which was adopted.
Various other amendments were offered, which were
lost. And the bill as amended, was lost, ayes, 24,
nays, 45.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Milledgeville, Dec. 6.
On motion of Mr. Pickett, the House reconsidered
the vote, rejecting the bill to prohibit the driving cattle
into Gilmer county, during certain seasons of the
year.
Mr. Cleaveland, introduced a bill lo add a portion of
Habersham, to Lumpkin county.
The bill for the pardon of Elijah Bird, was passed,
ayes, 48, nays, 4 2.
The bill to amend tax laws, was made the special
order for Friday next.
The bill to provide for the pay of Grand and Petit
jurors, of Habersham county, was passed.
The Western ami Atlantic Railroad.
Tho sale or lease of the Shite Road, is strongly urged
upon the present general assembly. A bill to lease
the road is now on its passage in both Houses. This
bill we propose to examine. It will be necessary to
know the condition of the Road and its future prospects
to appreciate the bill. All requisite information on this
subject, is contained in the report of the Superin
tendent.
When Mr. Wadley took charge of the Road, Ist
February, 1852, the Road was in debt over $551,565 27.
Os this sum, $283,156 15, were incurred for maintain
ing and working expenses of the Road from 1848 to
1851. This was a losing business.
The working of the road for the last 12 months,
makes an entirely different exhibit. The gross earn
ings of the road from Ist October 1852, to 30th Sep
tember 1853, was $478,876 06
Expenses for maintaing and working
the Road for the same time, were only $251,167 05
Showing a nett profit for 12 months, of $227,709 01
If therefore, there were no debts hanging over the
Road, it is clear that the State would derive a hand
some profit from the Road. The Report of the Super
intendent makes it evident, that all the liabilities of the
Road can be met, all necessary improvements made,
and the Road kept in perfect order, and pay into the
State Treasury, for the year 1856, the sum of SISS,-
000 00; for the year 1857, the sum of $196,000 00;
for the year 185S, the sum of $470,000 00 ; for the year
1559, the sum of $500,000 00 ; and that “the only
draw back which can be anticipated after this period,
will be deterioration of iron, which would come under
$50,000 00 per annum/’
The completion of the Railroad system of the west,
will unquestionably lergely increase the nett profits of
the State Road after that period ; but for tho purposes
of this argument, we will assume that the profits of the
road from 1859 to 1873, shall be set down at $500,-
000 00 per annum. The nett profits of this Road up to
that time, will be $6,501,354 00, if it is kept by the
State, and managed as at present. Stick a pin there.
Now what will be the amount of money which will
come into the State Treasury, if the Road is leased un
der the bill now before the Assembly ? The
answer of this question, will be fatal to the bill. It is
proposed to lease the road to an incorporate company
for 20 years at $250,000 00 per annum. The gross
amount which will be paid into the Treasury under this
lease, up to 1873, will be only $5,000,000 00. Here
is a loss at once, of $1,501,354 00. But this is not
all by a great deal. By the bill, the Lessees of the
Road are to be paid for auy additional quantity of iron
they may put on the Road, over and above the quanti
ty now on the Road. Besides the loss in this respect,
there, will be no inconsiderable loss from the deteriora
tion of the iron which will be turned over to the State,
at the expiration of the lease. The iron now on ttie
Ruad, is nearly all new. Is it reasonable to suppose,
that the Lessees will put new iron on the Road during
the last years o! their lease ? Again ; the lessees of the
Road are authorised to make additions to the motive
power, ears and other fixtures and appurtenancies of
the Road and the State is bound to pay for the same.—
Again ; all buildings or other structures in process of
construction at the date of the lease are to be finished
at the cost of the State. Again ; the State will have
to pay oft’ all claims against the Road. And again ;
the company have the power to make new embankments
for additional turn outs, or double tracks, and the State
will have to pay for them. We cannot estimate exactly
the loss which the State will sustain under each of these
heads, but we think we may safely set it down at $50,-
000 00 per annum, or $100,000,000 00 in 20 years.
We believe it will be much larger. Here then, is
another loss of another 1. 00,000 of dollars. We have
thus shown, that by keeping the Road, the State can
realise $6,501,354 00; and that by leasing it under this
bill, she will realise only $4000,000 00, or in other words,
that the Legislature is asked to incorporate a company,
in order to lease the State Road to them, and give
them a bonus of $2000,000 00,
But this is not the only objection to the bill. There
is no sufficient guarantee, that the Lessees will execute
their contract in good faith. In case they refuse to pay
semi-annual rent, the Governor is authoiised to take
possession of the Road, but how will he collect the
rent? If the company should attempt to perpetuate a
fraud, we imagine the lieu upon the funds &c., of an in
corporation would be worthless. But we presume the
company will pay the rent, but what guarantee has the
State, that the Road will be kept in good repair to the
end of the 20 years ? A corporation lias no soul.—
This is a legal maxim - experience lias taught the peo
*H- of Georgia, that they have no conscience ; they will
aim to make money, and as the lease begins to expire, their
attention to the road will decline, and we venture nothitc
in the assertion, that it will be turned over to the Stae
in the condition it was found when the laßt Legislatur
met, and that it will be necessary to appropriate a mil
lion of dollars to put it in repair, for the use of another
lessee. We do not oppose a lease of the Road—but we
oppose the bill now before the House. We warn
members to look well into its provisions and see that
the State will sutler no loss. L.
Milledgeville, Dec. 7.
The Governor’s Levee, came oft* last night. It was
an immense assemblage of the people. No distinctions
were made in society ; all classes were invited, and all
classes attended in their best attire. The press was too
great for eujoyment; but under the circumstances, the
Levee was a brilliant affair. The utmost decoruin was
preserved during my stay, which, however, was short,
and no pains or expense was spared to make the guests
happy by His excellency, and his accomplished Lady.
Exclusives may turn up their noses at such a gathering
of the people but the Democrat will rejoice that under
our institutions, all classes of the people are deemed
worthy to exchange with each other the civilities of
life, and, what is more, are actually prepared to mingle
freely together without injury to any one, and with
scarce a perceptible difference in their manners and at
tire. Some of the loveliest girls in the room, were, 1
am informed, operatives in the c*tton manufactory in
this city.
SENATE.
The hill to amend the laws of the Stale in ivlatien to
the city court of Savannah, was read the 4th time and
passed. The bill gives the election of the .Judge, lo
the Mayor and Aldermen.
The bill to lay out anew county, out of that portion
of DeKalb lying around Atlanta, was taken up, amend
ed, read the third time, and after much discussion, in
which Messrs. Collier, Cochran, Mosely, Miller, Ste
phens, McGehee and Clarke, participated in advocacy
of the bill, and Messrs. Pope, Dunnagan and Cone, in
opposition to it, the bill was passed. The new county
is called “Fulton,” in honor of Robert Fulton, the in
ventor of the Steam boat.
Mr. Robinson introduced a bill to take the vote of the
people of Macon county, as to the location of their Court
House.
A message was received from the House, announcing
that that body had disagreed to the amendment of the
Senate to the bill incorporating McDonough Collegiate
Seminary.
The Woman s bill was postponed, and made the
special order for Friday next.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Milledgeville, Dec. 7.
The bill to incorporate the city of Dalton, was passed.
Mr. Scarborough’s memorial, impeaching Judge
Powers, for malpractice in the administration of justice,
was temporarily laid on the table.
New Bills.
Mr. Hardeman —A bill to allow Painters to hold a
lien upon houses, painted by them, in certain eases.
Mr. Shewmake —A bill to alter the constitution so
as to allow Shemffs to hold their office for successive
terms.
Mr. Green —A bill to incorporate the Macon Manu
facturing Company.
Mr. West—A bill to incorporate the South Western
Bank of Georgia, to be located at Fort Gaines.
Mr. Cleveland —A bill to require all grants for frac
tions of land, to be taken out by Ist July, 1854.
Mr. McDougald—A bill to require Judges of the
Superior Courts, to have all parol testimony taken down
in writing.
Mr. Stapleton—A bill granting the Inferior Courts
exclusive power to grant or withhold licences to retail
spirituous liquors.
Mr. McMillan —A bill appropi iating money for the
political years 1854 and 1855.
Mr. Stewart—A resolution that the General Assem
bly take a recess from 17th inst., until the Ist Monday
in January.
Mr. Walton—A bill to authorise the distribution of
estates in certain cases.
Mr. Griffin—A bill providing for the election of as
sistant clerks of the House of Representative.
Mr. Sweat—A bill to appropriate money to improve
Big Sat ilia and Altamaha rivers.
Mr. McCurdy—A bill to amend the constitution, so
as to reduce the Justices of the Inferior Courts to one.
Mr. Irwin—A bill to amend the acts, incorporating
the town of Washington. A bill to amend the rent
laws—also a bill to allow the equitable remedy of spe
cific performance in certain cases.
SENATE.
Milledgeville, Dec. 8.
New Bills.
Mr. Echols introduced a bill to compensate the Grand
and Petit Jurors of the county of Heard.
Mr. Cochran—A bill to incorporate the Talmago
Normal Institute.
Mr. Jameson —A bill to organise anew county out
of a portion of Union county.
Mr- Walker—A bill to change the line between Mon
roe and Crawford county.
Mr. Beall—A bill to compell discoveries at common
law.
Mr. McConnell—A bill to compell non-residents de
fendants iu actions of forcible entry and detainer &0.,
to give security for costs.
Mr. May—A bill to facilitate the administration of
justice, and to diminish the costs of suits.
Mr. White A bill to compel officers to turn over to
their successors, all books and documents received from
this State.
Bills on 3d Reading.
Mr. Singletons bill to change the county line between
Habersham and Lumpkin, was taken up ; ou motion of
Mr. Dunnegan, it was amended, so as to change the
line between Hall and Gwinnett, and was passed.
Mr. Cochrat/s bill, to repeal all laws prohibiting the
importation of slaves into the State, was taken up and
read the 3d time. It was advocated by Messrs Dun
nagan and Cochran, and opposed by Mr. Milieu, and
was lost by ayes 34, nays 42.
Mr Stovall’s bill to amend the statue oflimitations,lwas
taken up. The committee on the Judiciary, reported
against the bill. Mr, Stovall offered a substitute for
the original bill. Mr. Stepheus moved that the subject
be indefinitely poeponed, which was oarried.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Milledokvillf., Dec. 8.
Mr. Gartrell offered a resolution to rescind the rule
requiring a vote of 2 3ds to suspend the regular order ;
lost.
The bill to incorporate South West Female College,
was taken up, and after some discussion, passed.
Tho select committee on the proposition of Mark A.
Cooper, to furnish Iron to the State at a r< duced price,
reported favorably.
The bill to amend the laws in relation to land courts,
so far as relates to Montgomery county, was passed ;
and also the bill to allow lunatics and idiots going to or
returning from the asylum, to pass over the State Road
free of charge.
Millf.dgeville, Dec. 9.
SENATE.
Mr. Thomas moved to reconsider the bill to change
the county line between Hall, Lumpkin and Haber
sham ; lost.
Mr. Mosely moved to reconsider the bill repealing
the law, prohibiting the importation of slaves into the
State, which was lost on yesterday.
Avery animated debate sprung up, in which Messrs.
Mosely, Stoval, Clark, Dunnagan and Collier, advocated
a reconsideration, and Messrs. Hull, Miller, Stephens,
Dun woody, Singleton and Jones, opposed it.
It would give me much pleasure to report the argu
ments on this important subject in full, but the debate
was protracted, and would occupy too much space for
our columns. The following points were made with
much force by the advocates of reconsideration.
Ist. That negroes were property and no discrimina
tion should be made between this and any other
property.
2d. That by prohibiting the importation, the price of
negroes was raised to the great injury of poor men,
who could not aftbrd to go out of the State to slave
marts.
3d. That by confining the excess of slave population
to the border States, this species of property would be
rendered valueless, and that these Suites would be com
pelled to abolish slavery.
4th. That we give up the out-posts of our defense,
by admitting that the slave trade was immoral by such
legislation.
The chief speakers on this side of the question, were
Messrs. Mostly, Clarke and Collier; but the great
speech on this side, was made yesterday, by Mr. Coch
ran, of Wilkerson. Ilis matter is however, better than
his manner. lie lias the defects of Demosthenes, but
by the use of the same means, lie cannot fail to reach
an enviable position as an orator and politician. He is
a very young man for bis honors.
The arguments against reconsideration, were as
follows.
Ist. That by our policy, the border States were pre
vented front draining off their slave population, and
thereby preparing for abolition.
2d. That We had as many negroes now in the State
as we needed.
3d. That the importation of slaves would decrease
the value of the slaves now here.
4th. That the horrors of the slave trade was one of
the chief arguments of the abolitionists.
sth. That the negroes brought in by traders, were of
ten diseased and vicious. The reconsideration was car
ried. The following is the vote.
Ayes —Bailey, Beck, Boggos, Bullard,Camden,Camron,
Chastain, Clark, Cochran, Collier, Dean, Delamar, Dick
son, of Walker, Dunnagan, Echols, Green, Guerry, Hale,
Holmes, Hubbard, Jackson, Jamison, Knight, Lawrence,
May, Moon, Moseley, McConnell, Morris, Mounger,
Patterson, Paulk, Pratt, Reynolds, Reddish, Sirmons,
Strickland, Stovall, Trammell, Watts, Walker, of Jones,
Wilcox,Whitworth. 43.
Nays —Anderson, Beall, Boyd, Brown, of Baldwin,
j Bryan, Cone,Crawford, Crowder, Dawson, Drain, Drake,
j Dunwoody, Griggs, Hull, Jones, King, Laughridge, Lam
i beth, Love, Miller, Moore, McGhee, McLeod, Morrell,
Newsom, Peebles, Piles, Pope, Saffbld, Singleton, Stephens,
Surrency, Thomas, Turner, Walker, of Crawford, Wil
liamson, White. Nays 37.
The bill to incorporate McDonough Collegiate Semi
nary, was taken up. The Senate receded from its
amendment. The bill lias passed both Houses.
New Bills.
Saif old—A bill to establish a Ferry across the Chat
tahoochee, in the 20th district of Early county.
Paulk—A bill to prevent frauds in elections.
Several other bills of a local character were introduc
ed. They have no interest for your readers.
Mr. Guyton, from the Committee on Judiciary, re
ported favorable to the bill, to furnish iron to all new
Railroads on certain conditions.
The House bill for the pardon of Elijah Bird, was
j read a second time.
• On account of the weather, which is rainy, no ladies
| were in attendance, and the Woman’s bill was postpon
ed, and made the special order for Wednesday next.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Milledgeville, Dec. 9.
The memorial of Mr. Scarborough, impeaching Judge
Powers for trial-administration, was, on motion of Mr.
Green, referred to a committee of one from each Judi
cial district, and power conferred upon them to send
for persons and papers.
On motion of Mr. Lamar, the consideration of the
tax bill, was postponed, and made the special order for
Tuesday next.
New Bills.
Mr. Dyal—A bill to compell Justices of the Inferior
Court of Liberty county, to grant licences to retail spir
ituous liquors.
Mr. May nor—A bill to divorce Martha Ann Smith
wick from her husband.
Mr. Shewmake— A bill to authorise the Tax Col
lector of Burke county, to pay over to Justices Inferior
Court for said county, S3OOO of the State tax for 1854.
Mr. Parris — A bill to prevent the driving of cattle
from Alabama, through Dade county, during certain
seasons of the year.
Mr. Pickett —A bill to authorise Justices of Inferior
Court of Gilmer county, to divide it into school districts,
and appoint school commissioners—also ’a resolution
to bring on the election of U. S. Senator on the 9th
January.
Mr. Philips— A bill more effectually to prevent trad
ing with slaves.
Mr. Clark —A bill for the relief of Clerks of Superior
and Inferior Courts in this State.
Mr. Williams —A bill to give Justices es the Peace
jurisdiction of liquidation demands of $1 1 0.
Mr. Walton —A bill to prevent the circulation of
Bank bills of other States, and to prohibit Tax Collec
tors and Receivers from taking foreign Bank bills in
their official capacity.
Mr. Irwin— A bill to authorise the sale of estates in
remainder and reversion, in cases of insolvency.
The Senate’s bill to divide the offices of Tax Collector
and Receiver in Gwinnett and Baker, was amended, so
as to include Pulaski county, and passed—also a bill
to reduce the fees of these offices in Liberty county, was
passed.
The Chinese Jugglers are coming —The world re
nound Chinese Artists will commence their performan
ces in this place on Monday night next. We are in
formed by those who have seen them, that they are
deeply versed in Magic and Legerdemain, and perform
wonderful feats. If you do not believe us, just go to
satisfy yourselves,
0/7“ Wads. Keys, Esq., was elected on the 7th inst.,
by the Alabama Legislature, to the office of Chancellor,
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Chancel
lor Saffold.
0/7“ The Athens (Ga.) Herald , says, that at the
weekly meeting of the Southern Mutual Insurance Com
pany, on Friday last, notice was received of the death
of Maj. R. G. Guerard, of Savannah, whose life was
insured, in favor of his wife, for the sum of SSOOO. —
The Treasurer was authorized to pay this loss immedi
ately, and before the Bank was closed, a check for this
amount was obtained, and the same day forwarded to
Savannah to be paid to the widow of the deceased.
Only three annual payments had been made, amount
ing in all to $493,43 ; and for this the surviving fami
ly received SSOOO.
The Irish Exiles. —Of the Irish Exiles, four—
Messrs. Meagher, McMannus, O’Donahoe and Mitehel
—have made their escape and are now on American
soil; three remain in Van Dieman’s Land, viz: Wm*
Smith O’Brien, John Martiu and Kevin Izad O’Doher
ty. Os O’Brien, Mr. Mitehel said that he would not
try to escape, but if he wished to do so, there was not
I English force enough on the island to prevent it.
O” We invite attention to the extensive advertise
ment of Mr. J. W. Platt, of Rhinebeck, New York, *f
splendid fowls, embracing every variety of Shanghai,
Chittagongs, and overy other useful domestic fowl ot
the chicken genus. Orders addressed to Mr. J. O.
Bronson, of this place, will meet with prompt attention.
Municipal Elections. —John E. Ward, has beu
elected Mayor of Savannah, Ga., and G. R. Hansford,
Mayor of Montgomery, Ala.
Theatre. —Notwithstanding the excitement of the
election a large and fashionable audience were in atten
dance at the Theatre last evening. The performances
of the pieces was admirable and gave the highest de
gree of satisfaction. We have rarely ever seen the
Serious Family better “done.” Mr. Crisp’s Charles
Torrens, Buxtons’ Aminidah Sleek , and Miss Jane
Dickon’s Mrs. Dehnan were specimens of acting such
as we have seldom witnessed on our boards. Mr.
Crisp is a sterling actor and able manager, and is sus
tained by a talented and well organised company. lie
proposes to revive among us the legitimate drama, and
we sincerely hope that he will be liberally sustained by
our citizens. — Sav. Paper.
O” Mr. Gwin, Senator from California, has come
to Washington prepared to advocate the scheme of a
railroad to the Pacific, and has provided himself with
an extraordinary array ot facts and arguments in sup
port of the measure. He is inclined to propose his
original route and original plan. His route is through
Arkansas and the Albuquerque Pass, His plan, at
the late session, was that the Government should make
the road by direct appropriation from the Treasury.
Many believe, indeed, that this is the only practicable
plan, and that any slieme however begun, must come
to this result, or entirely fail. Dr, Unm will brltfg for
ward bis project on the first of the session, or as soon,
thereafter, as possible, so as to pre-occupy public atten
tion and the time of the Senate.
Gen. Guyon. —lt appears that Gen. Guyon, who
made himself known as a soldier and officer in the
Hungarian war for independence, led that portion of
the Turkish army which crossed t lie Danube from
Turtukai and defeated the Russians at Oltenitza. The
Turks call him Imael Pasha, though, it is said, he has
j not renounced Christianity.
1
Tri-weekly Georgia Citizen.—We welcome to
I our table the above named sheet, published in Macon,
; by I)r, L. F. VV. Andrews, The paper is published
on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at $4 per annum,
; in advance. We are much plaased with the appear
ance of the first number, and wish the publisher may
succeed in his enterprise.
O” We learn by a private telegraphic dispatch, that
Mr. R. A. L. Atkinson, of Macon, died at his home in
that city, yesterday morning. Mr. A. was a member
of the last Legislature, and, it was understood, would j
receive from Gov. Johnson the appointment of Treas- j
urer of the State Railroad.— Sav. Rep.
ITT The Washington correspondent of the Philadel
phia North American says: You may rely, positively,
that no fishery treaty has been agreed upon with the
British Ministry, notwithstanding the reiteration of the
story; nor is tin re any more probability of getting one j
’ now than there was months ago. The British demand j
■ ! impossibilities.
i Important from Mexico. — A bearer of despatches
| from Gem ini Gadsden our Minister iu Mexico, has ar
! rived in Washington. They are said to confirm the re
’ port of the invasion of La Pnz, in Lower California, by :
the San Francisco Filllbusters, in brig Caroline. It is
also stated that General Gadsden has ordered the Uni
ted States Troops to suppress the expedition, and that
a perfect understanding existed between President Santa i
Anna and General Gadsden on the subject.
Shocking Tragedy. — A telegraph despatch of the j
j New Orleans Picayune Mate* that ‘the Rev. i leergeCara- j
wan, of the Baptist denomination, lias been convicted at i
Reno fort, in North Carolina, of tho murder of a man j
named Lasseler. After bis conviction, iu the court 1
room, he drew a pistol and firing it at Mr. Warren,
the State’s Attorney, wounded him, and then turning ‘
it on himself shot himself dead.
Fire in Barriesville. —On Tusday morning last, at
5 o’clock, a fire broke out in J. P, May’s Grocery, in
Baniesvi le, and consumed that building and the entile
row of buildings adjacent, viz: John A. Fryer’s, Bul
lard’s Cabinet Shop, Stafford 6c Gardner’s Store, and
A Stafford’s dwelling house, Col. Dozier also sustained
some loss. Most of the goods of Messrs. Stafford 6c
| Gardner, and of Mr. Fryer were saved.— Georgia
Citizen.
0/7” Congress convened on last Monday. The Sen- :
i ate consists of 62 members, and the House of 234. The
| political divisions are as follows : Sentate 36 Democrats,
120 Whigs, one Freesoiler, and five vacancies. In the i
’ House 159 Democrats, 71 Whigs, and 4 Freesoilers.
| Two-thirds of the entire body, have never before served j
| n Congress.
Despatches from Mr. Buchanan. —Tile Department :
|at Washington has received despatches from Mr. j
Buchanan on the fishery question. The treaty has ;
been modified so much so as to make it acceptable I
to both Governments.
Mr. Buchanan gives it as his opinion that England j
will eventually declare war against Rnssia.
Gov. Foote, of Mississippi, speaks of moving
to California.
O” The Cholera, is epidemic in New Orleans.
11. S, Smith Esq. in Mobile.
We are pleased to observe that the Mobile pjess ap
preciates the acquisition of this gentlemen to their city. !
Indeed all to whom he is known cannot fail to recog- j
nise as such a man the elements which go to make up |
our energy io, high toned, and prosperous community, j
The Register thus expresses itself:
It is generally known in business circles in this city that
the gentleman whose name appears above is about to make i
Mobile his future residence. This fact is now publicly i
and most agreeably made known through the press of :
Columbus, Ga., where Mr. Smith has resided many years, j
On Wednesday last a number of the citizens of Colum- :
bus assembled for the purpose of “paying a parting tribute !
worth as one of its oldest and most influential citi- |
zens.”
The citizen who is thus parted with in one community
where he has passed twenty years of his life must needs
be welcome to another community where he now comes
to cast his lot. Knowing Mr. Smith, as we well do, we
cannot deny ourselves the gratifiation of saying that he
deserves all ihe tokens of esteem and honor which the
most partial friends can bestow upon him. An ernineutly
successful merchant, lie hasattained to fortune by the ex
ercise of the qualities of energy and enterprise, which few
men possess in a higher degree, and he has won by a chiv
alrous integrity, that loftier guerdon—the reputation ofa
high toned man and thorough gentleman. He comes to
find a broader field here for tht exercise of his mercan
tile talents and ample capital. That he will be an acqui
sition to this community, as one of its members, all will
testify who come to know him. The loss of Columbus is
Mobile’s gain.
From Washington.
P. Gaital has been appointed Pension Agent for New
Orleans.
Koszta has arrived at Washington.
The Vermont Legislatre have elected Hon. Isaac J. F.
Redfield, Chief Justice of that State.
The Democatic Caucus.
The Democratic Caucus at Washington on Saturday
night, was tolerably well attended. The Hon. Mr. Stan
ton of Tennessee, was Chairman. A resolution was of
fered affirming the principles of the Democratic party as
laid down in the platform of the Baltimore convention,
and in the platform of the Baltimore convention, and in
President Pierce’s inaugural address. A resolution
against the general government interfering in State poli
ties was ruled out of order by the Chair main. The decis
ion having been appealed from, the Chair was sustained
by a vote of the meeting.
Hon. Linn Boyd, was nominated for Speaker of the
House on the second ballot, when the vote stood, for Boyd
64 ; Or, of South Carolina, 23, and Disney of Ohio, 31.
Col. J. M. Forney, of Pennsylvania,received the nom- j
inatioli for Clerk of the House of Representatives on the ]
first ballot.
All other officers ol the last House were renominated, j <
President’s Message.
This document was road in the House on Wednes
day last, but was not received by us until Sunday, too
late for to days issue. A synopsis of it, will be found
on our first page. We will give the entire message in
an extra on Wednesday.
I FOR THE TIMES AND SENTINEL.]
Messrs. Editors—lt is known to you that sometime dur
ing the past summer, a meeting of the citizens was conven
eefunder a call by our worthy Mayor, for the purpose of
taking into consideration the policy ol issuing the Bonds of
the city in aid of the Girard and Mobile Railroad. A pro
position to subscribe on the part ot the city to the amount to
the amount of $ 150,000 was submitted then and carried
with a few dissenting voices.
This meeting was held at a season when many ot our
citizens were absent, and many more did not attend. It
was not supposed for a moment that the Council would re
gard the action of this primary meeting under such circum
stances as a full and fair expression of public opinion—much
less as authorizing them to make the subscription. The
surprise was very great, and the dissatisfaction much great
er, when it was known that the bonds had been voted to the
Road by a majority of thpCouncil, and that without a sin
gle restriction, except that the proceeds of the Bonds should
be expended between Columbus and Union Springs. Not
even are; ny assurances afforded by the Directors of the
Road that the company possess the means, with this sub
scription, of completing the Road to Union Springs at an
early date, or even at all.
Believing such an act, binding the city to so large an
amount, without sufficient guarantees and proper restrictions,
as unauthorized and hazardous in the extreme, a number of
citizens felt it their duty to draw up the subjoined Protest
to the measure—deeply important in view of the already
large indebtedness of the city, and the heavy taxation now
endured.
The Protest was expressed in kind and respectful terms,
and demanded only our rights, and being signed as it repre
sents, by a large proportion of the mercantile houses of the
city—large property owners and prominent citizens, we had
a right to expect that its wishes would have been regarded.
But not so. A majority of the Council have denied to us
our rights as citizens—refused our Protest a record upon
their journal, and reaffirmed their subscription. As our
agents they assume the ownership of our property, and re
fuse us a voice in the disposition of it.—a usurpation of
power anti-republican, unjust and dangerous. We owe it,
therefore, ourselves to resist this measure to the last ex
tremity, and wc will use all lawful means to arrest its con
summation. CITIZENS.
To the Honorable Mayer and Council of Columbus :
Gentlemen—The undersigned citizens and property hold
ers in Columbus, beg leave respectfully to remonstrate to
you, the elected guardians of the welfare of the city, agains
the subscription 0f5150,000 to the Mobile and Girard*Rail
road in addition to that amount heretofore subscribed.
They honestly believe that such a step at this time, will
bring upon the citizens onerous and oppressive taxation, and
seriously embarrass the finances, if not Jnjure the credit of
the city. They furthermore desire to call to mind the fact
that the present indebtedness of the city inclusive of said
subscription is not less than $460,000 —with a prospective
addition of SIOO,OOO more— and that for the current year
they have paid by taxation the sum of $16,500 for interest
upon city bonds alone. The next year will probably find
this amount increased to nearly $25,000 for the same pur
pose. The undersigned do not perceive the advantages and
benefits that are likely to grow out of these large subscrip
tions either to themselves or to the city, for a long time io
come. They, therefore, most respectfully solicit the City
Council to recall its recent liberal subscription to the Mo
bile and Girard Railroad, until it shall be decided to be
made by a majority of the voters of the city at the ballot box.
(signed by)
Hanson S Estes, S A Thornton, Wm Rankin,
J J McKendree, Isaac Mitchell, Charles Wise,
J Ennis, E G Thornton, Sam’l R Andrews,
T S Stewart W G Andrews&Coß II Thomas
Jerry Terry, P L Spencer, TGMoflet,
Thos K Wynne J L lllges, Andrew P Jones,
Jno L Mustian, David Young, Brokaw, Clemons
Paul J Semines, A Anderson, [& C 0
| Joseph Kyle, John McCarty. C C Tompkins,
i Henry Moffett, James Boulter, John Raum,
j Thos M Hogan, Robert T Simons, Jas W Warren,
| J F Bozeman, John Quin, Joseph II Daniel
Thomas Hoxey, Joel T Scott, James Kivlin,
j S E Gager, James Rousseau, J D Williford,
D L Booher, Chas B Lloyd, M Torrance,
Richard M Gray, J B Hicks, AH DeWitt,
J M Estes, J A McNeil, Jno W Brooks,
Daniel Rowe, E A Smith, Benjamin Wells,
Harvey Hall, Janies Rankin, J B Hull,
jl* McLaren, J A Vrooman, John E Dawson,
S B Purple, Henry T Hall, John Ligon
A Hunter, F Bachle, Simeon Guthrey,
Robert A Ware, I) P Ellis &Cos Thomas Reed,
.1 N Barnett, 11W Edwards, William Snow,
B A Richards, J 1) Johnson, James N Bradford,
PA Clayton. W S Ilolstead, R A Warner,
Robert Carter, Wm Chisolm, I G Strupper,
L L Cowdery, W P Baker, Austin Walker,
John W Pease, Philip T Schley, John Kyle,
II Middlebrook, John Banks, Robert A Greene,
RRGoetchius, Thomas King, W B Langdon,
John D Stewart, E T Taylor, M Barringer,
Redd Sc Johnson, H H Epping, John L Barringer,
: Thos Chaffin, Sr., George Hargraves, John D Carter,
| Beni F Coleman, Nath Nuckolls MII Dessau,
| C Mygatt, Nath M Thornton John C Ruse,
! EJ Hardin, John Woolfolk, Ruse,Patton &Cos
i .1 W Thomas, L S Wright, John Allen,
Richard Rowell, H W Nance, J) F Willcox,
H A Thornton, W Cromwell. Ilunaarf>id,
Joseph E Webster, S F Grimes K B Fishbum,
Isaac .1 Moses, R C Shorter, J 11 Hamilton,
.1 P Hendricks, G B Terry, W C Wright,
Geo A Norris, Marcus &. Wiiite, N N Curtis,
FG Wilkins.
We are requested to state that a portion of the names
subscribed to the above protest are not opposed to a sub
scription to the Rail Road with suitable restrictions,
j and under an exhibit that the Road can be completed
with such subscription—but that all, without exception,
demand its being submitted for ratification to a direct
vote of the citizens. —[Eds. Times 6c Sentinel.
[FOR THE TIMES AND SENTINEL.]
To the Citizens of the. City of Columbus :
The effort which has been made to create an excite
ment in reference to the recent subscription by the city to
the Girard Railroad, requires a plain statement to be made,
j so that you may form a correct judgment upon the subject.
In doing this the writer does not deem it neeesary, at
; the present time to answer the complaints of “Citizen” in
the W ednesday morning Times, ns it would be an idle
waste of time to attempt to convince a man against his
will, nor will he criticise the positions assumed in the me
morial signed by many of our citizens to the City Coun
cil, as hut few of them, it is believed, are opposed to the
! subscription with the restrictions and provisions subse
quently adopted by the Council. Indeed a memorial with
j many signatures, and which might have been largely ex
tended asking the affirmation of the subscription with
! such restrictions as theydesired was presented to thu Coun
• c l at the same time both of which were respectfully rc
j eeived by the Council, respectfully read, listened to, and
I laid upon the table, as is usual with such papers.
| It is believed that there are but very few of our citizens
who will deny, that the early completion of the Girard
Railroad will result in great benefit to the City of Colum
bus, iu fact the city having already invested in the stock
of the Road, a considerable amount, would seem to be the
best evidence of the feelings of our citizens upon the sub
ject, The propriety, however, of the recent additional
subscription, by the city has been questioned by some, and
an attempt lias been made to alarm the apprehensions of
the citizens of the City of Columbus by ringing the chan
ges upon the onerous taxes which are to be brought up
on us.
To meet these two positions will be the object of this
communication. It will be recollected that when the city
j of Columbus made its first subscription to the stock of
: the Girard Railroad it was done under the belief that the
amount subscribed would be sufficient to purchase the iron
; for the Road from Girard to Chunnenuggee, and the city
j confined her subscription exclusively to that purpose.—
; That calculation was then a reasonable one, as the com’
| pany had an offer of the iron, to be laid down at Apala
j ehicola at $37 per ton but which offer the company could
* not accept because, owing to the many restrictions which
; were thrown around the subscription, the city bonds could
| not be issued, and unfortunately for the company and the
! enterprise, before the bonds were issued by the city, iron
| had risen to S7O per ton. The subscription by the city
i was therefore only sufficient to provide the iron, which
j cost $65 per ton, from Girard to Colbert some twenty
three miles,_ leaving the balance of the Road to Union
Springs to he provided for. The private or personal sub
scriptions of stockholders are hardly sufficient to complete
the grading and superstructure, and as much of the work
is very heavy and expensive, no hope is entertained that
the means can he had from that source to pay for the iron.
The only alternative therefore, was the application which
was recently made lo city of Columbus, lor another sub
scription, to do that, which the city appeared willing to
do in the first instance, that is to pay for the iron from
Columbus to Chunnenuggee. If this additional subscrip,
lion on the part of the city had not been absolutely nec
essary it would not have been asked by the company, and
that it was absolutely necessary was made to appear to the
satisfaction of a large and respectable meeting of our cit
izens, publicly called to take the subject into counsidera
tion, as well as to the satisfaction of the city Council who
called the President before it who made an exhibit of the
actual condition necessities and prospects of the work.—
That the “übscription was. and is, absolutely necessary,
we need only advert to the fact, first, that in consequence
of the advance in the price of iron, there were, and are no
other means by which the iron for that part of the road
can be furnished, and secondly because the terms of the
subscription of one million of dollars by the city of Mobile
to the road required a showing on the part of tne company
that the Road could be completed in three years from the
first of January next. If, therefore, the subscription of one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars last made by this city
be withheld, the result will be, that the company will be so
embarrassed in her relationsjwith Mobile that her subscrip
tion to the road will be placed in imminent jeopardy, and
all hope of future aid from that city entirely cut oiffi and
again if this city’s subscription be withheld, the company
will have no means within its control to complete the road
from Colberts to Union Springs, and must of necessity stop
the work on that part of the road, and it is true |that con
tracts for grading east of Union Springs have recently been
suspended until the termination of the difficulties which
have recently been got up in reierence to this subscription
and the engineers ordered to the western part of the Road
where there are subscriptions applicable to the work. It is
the determination of the present Boord of Directors not to
involve the company in debt and when the means of pay
ment fail the work’must stop.
These facts we know to be true, and it is for the citizens
of Columbus to determine whether ilia work on the Road
from Girard to Union Springs shall progress or be indefi
nitely delayed.
Much has been said about the amount ot taxation t ,
which the citizens of Columbus would be subjected <.i h. ;
recent suliscription be adhered to. We propose to invi>.
tigate this subbject. The city of Columbus has made a -hi,
scription to the stock of the Muscogee Road of $150,000
and two subscriptions one hundred and fifty thousand and ,i
lars each to the stock of the Girard Railroad making iu a.
$150,000. The interest accruing annually on this sunt
$31,500 to-wit $10,500 on the bonds given to the Mus'uu,..
Railroad, and which has for same three or four years pH*-
been promptly paid and $21,000 on tire bonds given, and
to be given to the Girard Railroad, and on which no hip
est has yet accrued, but will commence running on ti
first subscription, on tbe’first of January next. Th. qt„..
tion arises how is this sum of $31,500 annually to he pn.
vkled for by the city ? In answer to this important
tion the following suggestions are respectfully submitt j
The dividends arising from the city stock in the Museog.v
Road, say $172,000 at B per. cent,, per.annum will am
to $13,760 —at 7 per cent to $12,040 —at 6 per ocm
$10,320, If we take the dividends declared on the B. U;
western Road, as a criterion by which to judge of the < :
ings of the Muscogee Road, we may safely conclude ti
the stock in the latter company will pay eight per'eeut. ~,
it is presumed that no one will douot that the Muse
Road ought to pay, and will pay as much, and probath
more, than the South Western Road, indeed it i- undertn
that the Muscogee company will declare a dividend -
four per cent for six months ending the lir.-t of Fc'-r; ,
next.
But if it be admitted thatjhe Muscogee stock will j, lV *
percent, then there will be no necessity for the city u, j, iV
her people to pay interest, or to sell the stock faster th Z>,
, may be required to pay off the city bonds >
mature. This we think is a fair and reasonable ca’.
tion, predicated upon facts within the comprehension
every body, and it it should so result, of which we haw
doubt, it will leave the sum of twenty one thousand dolla;-
to be provided for. This amount can be raised with
, resorting to special levy of taxation for Railroad purj
as follows : The city ov ns twenty two thousand dolL-,
5 ot surplus, or interest stock in the Muscogee Railroad. L
i one third of this stock be sold annually for three years, a.l
apply the proceeds, say $7,000, in part payment of the $21,-
s 000 interest to accrue on the Girard R. R. bonds, which
i will reduce the amount to $14,000. Then apply the sln.-
r 500 which is now paid on the Muscogee bonds, in part pay
- ment of thi9 sum, and there remains the sum of $3,500 iu j
f provided for. Is this an amount so very large as to involve
, us in onerous taxation 1 It is a mere nothing. But Iw;
* show you that it w ill not be necessary to resort to extra
ordinary taxation oven to raise this small sum. The or
dinary revenue of this city in 1850 was $25,000 in addition
to which, the sum ol $4,400 was raided for Railroad pur
poses, making in all the sum of $29,400, out of which was
paid the interest accruing on the Muscogee bonds. In the
‘ year 1851 no Railroad tax was collected, but the ordinary
> revenue of the city amounting to the sum of $26,000 relied
1 upon to pay all demands ; out of this sum $10,500 interest
1 on the Muscogee bonds was paid: In the year 1852 the
ordinary revenue of the city amounted to $25,800, and u ■>
1 Railroad tax collected ; out of which was paid $10.51,0 ...
* terest on the Muscogee bonds. For the present and sue
-1 ceeding years, the ordinary revenue ol the city will be larg
-1 er, owing to the increased value o 1 property', the increase ot
I trade, and the city wharves, which will soon revert to the
’ city, all of which will amount to at least per annum;
r and this without increasing the present rate of taxation, in
1 fact without making the taxes as high as at present, because
l the tax for the present year was levied with a purpose
’ raising $5,000 to meet the interest on the Girard bonds,
l which interest has not accrued.
Thus we hope it is demonstrated, that by the management
’ and economy of such a Council as this city is entitled m
’ have, these sums of money may be raised w ithout imposing
■ additional burthens upon our citizens. Butsupposearec-ort
5 to a special tax should become necessary to place the
* credit of the city upon a firm basis, and carry on these works
of improvement, will its payment be denied lor the short
term of three years, by which time the Girard road can be
in successful operation, and by her dividends, like the Mus
cogee road, enable the city to pay the interest on the bonds,
or sell her stock at par, as she may prefer, and especially
ought it not to be objected to, as each citizen who pays a
Railroad tax will be reimbursed in the stock of the compa
ny which will be given to the city in payment of the inter
est accruing on her subscription, which is at the rate of 8
per cent per annum.
It is obvious to you all that othercities in this and the ad
joining States, have been and are now, making every effort
to increase their facilities for trade, and thereby enhance
their own wealth. That this is not the day and time, when
we are solely to rely upon the advantages which nature has
given to us, but that with the spirit of the ace, we must im
prove them or see our beautiful city fall behind many of
the interior villages in the country. There is V o much in
volved here to permit this. Let ns follow’ the example ot
our sister cities, and while we call upon Hercules to help
us, let us put our own shoulders to the wheel. Let it he re
membered that tho city of Mobile taxed herself heavily to
build the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and that while the
road was as but yet commenced, it resulted in the
increase ol 25 per cent to the value of her real estate. Let
us remember that she has subscribed $1,000,000 to the en
terprize, and stands ready, if more shall be wanting, to fin
ish her end of the road, to give it. She looks for her re
ward in the increased value of her property and trade. Let
us remember the condition of Savannah when she first start
ed her great Central Railroad enterprise. From weakness,
she lias risen in strength—from poverty she has grown in
riches, and every debt she contracts for a public enterprise,
but increases her trade, wealth and credit, and do not for
get to remember your own Columbus, but two short years
ago, when a mushroon town at the terminus of the South-
Western road,induced the cotton, not only from the plan
ters of Muscogee county, hut from your own ware houses
in the city of Columbus. When your main street was as
bare of cotton carts in November as it ordinarily is in
.Vlurcii ..J April j wl.iu n haa oome over us I Wt*r
a scene now presents itself! Cotton not only rolls in on
every imaginable vehicle, but ihe boats have brought it up
the river to this market. Who can doubt that all this arises
from the completion of the Muscogee Railroad, and who
can doubt the beneficial influence which the Girard road is
, to have upon our city. It will open a market to a section
of country hitheito hidden from commerce, and on that
account but partially settled, hut when settled, will send to
our city its thousands of bales of cotton lor sale, and will
[ increase the trade of the city in a corresponding ratio. And
are we to falter in this great work, when so little on our
part is reauired ? Are we to give it up for the sake of saving
t a tew dollars this year, and next year, when its failure will
so sensibly check the rising value ot property ? Shall we
told our arms and say we have done enough, when every
city and village around us,are using all their energies for
their advancement, and which without a corresponding
effort on our part, must result in our injury. It is for the
citizens of the city of Columbus to decide the question.
COLUMBUS.
To the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Columbus :
The undersigned citizens and tax payers in the city of
’ Columbus, believing that every interest in the city will be
benefited by the completion of the Girard Railroad, request
; th© affirmation of the subscription recently authorized to be
i made by the city to that enterprise ; and that the City
i Council may make provision for the distribution of the eight
i per cent, per annum interest, which said Company pays in
stock on subscriptions paid in among the tax payers in said
city,so that we may be reimbursed in stock for the amount
to be paid out by us.
For the purpose of obviating any difficulty about the ap
plication of the city subscription, we suggest that it be ap
plied to the extent of $130,000 to the. purchase of iron to be
used on said road from Girard to Union Springs.
John Fontaine J L Hill Wm Y Barden
Dan forth &c Nagel S A Billing Wm A Redd
B V Iverson Wm Daniel J K Redd &. Cos
R P Spencer A II Chapman Wm C Gray
J B Hill John Lloyd W II Bedell
Thos P Threewits J EJ & Cos II Hall
Threewitt, Holt FG Thomas, Jr Win II Alston
LCo J II Daniel D F Willcox
A Iverson Chas Rodgers James Vemoy
E G Thornton Chas Wise N Backer
J A Thornton J D Wiliiford&Co B G Stem
W G Andrews A M Allen W W Robison
O S Holland J McGough & Cos E S Dennis
H S Smith John McGough D P Ellis &Cos
O P Tillinghast D L’Booher L M Durr
S R Andrews, Jr A F Brannon II W Edwards
L Gainbril G E Gager O M Stone
F J Abbott E T Taylor Paul J Semmes
D Young Davis Mullord D Hudson
D B Thompson & A II DeWitt John D Stewart
[Co. J Ennis M M Nance
R M Gray, T O Douglass Wm II Harper
Wm II Chisolm Moses Garret Stewart,Gray&Co
J A McNeil Redd & Johnson F G Wilkins
Wm Rankin L D Johnson John Warren
Noah Moody Thos Chaffin, Jr John Munn
JE Evans Thos Chaffin, Sr A Pond
Henry Lockhart R C Shorter Rose Sc Brothers
S Henly John W Brooks C S Pryor
J E Bacon H W Nance Wm E Love
Win Dougherty FII Stanford Richard Patton
Tiios B Slade RII Greene MGMcKinnie
A B Ragan John D Carter R A Rutherford
H M Cleckley Wm B Bacon T W Taliman
John Bethune II C McKee W G Clemons
H C Phelps J M Raum Chas Mygatt
R L Mott J T Ector L P Warner
R. M Gun by E L Nance J S Pruden
S B Purple Thomas Reed F Wilhelm
JSWoodbridge Wm A Douglass Ed ward Croft
R A Ware, (with BR Folsom J II Sikes
conditions. John Banks John W King
J W Barnett J J Brooks E H Musgrove
George A Norris JII Merry Wm Matfiisou
L L Cowdery M II Dessau B Wells & Cos
Geo Hungertord John B Strupper R S Hardaway
R Jones M N Clarke Porter Ingram
F A Fairchild Wm II Grace S W Woodruff
J W Pease. J H liappoldt M Woodruff
J E Clark James kivlin B W Sparks
Wiley Williams D Tracy R Ellis
John Kyle
The Steamship Humboldt Wrecked.
Baltimore, Dec. 6.
The U. S. mail steamship Humboldt, with advices from
Havre and Southampton to the 23d ult., went ashore near
Halifax on Monday night, and has become a total wreck,
the tide ebbing and flow ing in her. Her passenger?, how -
ever, are all safe, and her cargo will be saved, although
part ofit is damaged. Some two hundred packages ot
goods have already been taken from her in good order. -
Her mails have beens taken to Halifax, and will be forward
ed by the Niagara to Boston, when she arrives iioni Ln
erpool.
Mr. Westervelt, her builder,is reported to he the largest
sufferer by her loss—probably to the amount ot $60,000.-
The stock of the company is scattered, and it is Mipposed
that the other owners are individually covered by insurances
The cargo is heavily insured in New York. The insur
ances iu Boston amount to $40,000.
The steamer Marion has been chartered and will pro
ceed on Thursday to the relief of the Humboldt.
We learn from her advices that the report ol the retreat
of the Turke*across the Danube had been officially confirm-