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THE telegrap:
MACON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12,1869.
Alleged Illness or Brigham Young.— A
Salt Lake dispatch to a San Francisco paper says
that Brigham Young has been attacked by apo
plexy. It adds: “The prophet Mas stricken
down in his private office, and it was some time
before assistance could be rendered him, from
the fact the serious mishap was not known to
the clerks in the outer room. He was immedi-
tely conveyed to his residence, and is now Iy-
jg on a couch surrounded by his family. He
nas rallied once since the attack, and itis thought
that he will survive, this being the first of the
ususal series of three attacks, the last one prov
ing fatal.”
Sterling Spool Cotton.—We had a call from
Mr. A. Elton yesterday, who is agent of Messrs.
A T. Stewart & Co. for the introduction of the
“Sterling” spool cotton, which it is proposed to
introduce as a standard article. The Sterling is
claimed to be superior in strength and softness,
which latter quality adapts it the better for ma
chine sewing. Messrs. A T. Stewart & Co. are
sole agents of this cotton for the United States,
and have appointed Mr. S. T. Coleman their
wholesale and retail agent in Macon.
Out op Jail.—The Editor of the Montgomery
Mail has been released from jail, after five days'
confinement for refusing to perform jury serv
ice, when, as a practicing atttomey, he was ex
empt by law. The Sun says in addition to being
incarcerated five days he was fined fifty dollars.
Without his knowledge, the fine was paid by the
ladies of Montgomery, headed by Mrs. B. S.
Bibb and Mrs. Dr. O. Baldwin, through Gen.
James H. Clanton. The Clerk and Sheriff, both
extreme Radicals from the North, were so heart
ily ashamed of the conduct of the scalawag
Judge, that they declined to charge for cost.
The editor has no fault to find with any one in
connection with the matter except the man who
is acting as Judge.
He feels the deepest gratitude for the kind
sympathies of the citizens, expressed to him
while in prison.
Cabpet-Baggees Shrewd at Something.—Don
Piatt says that the carpet-baggers in Congress
have shown more ability in their fight to get
pay for the early part of the session, before they
or their States had any political existence, than
would be necessary to make a respectable mem
ber. The rules of the House prohibited a mem
ber from voting his own pay, or in any case
where he is directly interested. Now the car
pet-bag knights had twent-six votes. To intro
duce a resolution granting pay to all, shut out
the whole vote. But, by introducing a resolu
tion for one State, all the others were enabled
to vote. The lot from one State voted in they
were then free to vote for the others ; and so
State after State was taken up. Every candidate
for Speaker, Clerk, Doorkeeper or other office
was duly notified of the consequences of a neg-
agtive response. And so my friend of the paper
collar and spare dickey triumphed—the pay was
secured—the immense sum of five thousand dol
lars, for supposed work never done, was secured.
The railroad from Rome, Ga., to Selma, Ala.,
is doing a very heavy business. Its length is
one hundred and ninety miles. It is the ulti
mate design of the company to run it to Dolton.
It now finds an outlet over the Kingston and
Ro:u_- branch of the Western and Atlantic rail
way. .
Counting the Electoral Vote—The Con
current Resolution.
The following is the Senate concurrent resolu
tion in respect to counting the vote of Georgia,
which passed the House, after a straggle, on
Tuesday last:
That on the assembling of the two Houses on
the second Wednesday of Februray, 18(10. for
the counting of the electoral votes for President
joint rules, if the counting or omitting to count
the electoral votes, if any, which may be pre
sented as of the State of Georgia, shall not es
sentially chango the result, in that case they
shall be reported by the President of the Senate
in the following manner:—“Were the votes pre
sented as of the State of Georgia to be counted
the result would be for for President of the
United States, votes; if not counted for
for President of the United States,
votes; but in either case is elected Presi
dent of the United States; and in the same
manner for Yice President.”
TI»e Motion to Reconsider.
What is the legitimate use of the motion to
insider? Simply to correct errors—errors
of rhjsconception, misjndgment and misunder
standing in the Legislature, or errors in the bill
or resolution. Jpnce all parliamentary, law
restricts the morJ| .o reconsider to the affirma
tive side. The legislator who cUms ;, tf> have
supported a measure in misconception of its
character and effect is justly entitled to a re
view and reversal of his decision, if he asks for
it. So, too, when a bill has been hastily passed
and subsequently found to contain material t
Fas al» Host© Docexi—“TIi© Attitude
of the Georgia Legislature.”
We copy upon the other side of this edition
of the Telegraph an editorial ‘ from the New
York Times, of a hostile and vindictive tone, for
the benet)rt>f the suggestions it may give rise to
it* shaping our course to meet, in the best pos
sible way, the difficulties of the situation. It is
significant that an article of this kind shonld be
written by the New York Times—a paper which
pride3 itself upon maintaining a very moderate
and conciliatory character; and which we are
nevertheless disposed to believe does, in the
errors in the transcription, etc., it is clearly, main, desire an adjustment of the questions in
proper for its supporters to move a reconsiders- controversy without violence to the State Gov-
CoIIection of Poll-Tax.
The Secretary of the Executive Department
addresses a communication to the Ordinary of
Somtcr county, endorsing an opinion by Attor
ney General Farrow upon the matter of collect
ing poll tax exceeding one dollar. We find the
correspondence in the Sumter Republican. Mr.
Farrow says:
It will be seen by reference to the “Decla
ration of Rights,” article 1, and paragraph 29
of the Constitution, that “No poll tax shall be
levied, except for educational pnrpose, and such
tax shall not exceed one dollar annually on such
poll.” And it will be further seen, by reference
to “An act to levy and collect a tax for the sup
port of the Government for the year 18G8, and
for other purposes,” section 2, paragraph 9, ap
proved October 5th, 18G8, that the entire
amount allowed by the Constitution has been
levied; therefore, no county officer can levy any
additional poll tax, and any attempt to do so
will bd in violation of the Constitution.
Payment from the State Road.—The At
lanta New Era of yesterday contains the follow
ing announcement to the Governor from E. Hnl
hurt, Esq., Superintendent of the Western and
Atlantic railroad:
Sm: I have this day ordered to be paid to N.
L. Angier, Esq., Treasurer of Georgia, twenty-
five thousand ($25,000) dollars for the month of
January, 1869 from the earnings of the Western
and Atlantic railroad.
The Mote Trade.—Since January 1st, 18G9,
and np to yesterday evening, three hundred and
sixty-seven car-loads of mules have been brought
to this city, per Western and Atlantic Railroad.
Estimating a car-load at twenty-one head, wo
have seven thousand seven hundred and seven
males. About three hundred have arrived by
dirt road, making eight thousand in ronnd num
bers. Notwithstanding this large influx, the
market continues lively, and the demand active
at full prices.
Assuming that these males were distributed
generally over the State, and that not another
one was brought into it, what sort of debit ac
count does this one item alone make np against
onrplantera? We suppose one hundred and
fifty dollars to be a veiy fair average of the
price, and if so, we havo expended by the plant
ers of Georgia for mules alone, the astounding
sum of one million two hundred thousand dol
lars, nearly all of which is taken out of the State.
But we have above only the arrivals for two
months; inclnde the remaining ten months of
the year, and how do we stand ? Is this true
economy, when the planters can raise their own
mules as well a9 they can their chickens or po
tatoes ? It is by/this sort of policy that our
people will' continue to be impoverished, and
the sooner they set about to reform, the nearer
will be the date of their independence.—Sa
vannah Republican. J
tionin order that the necessary corrections may
be made.
But when a bill or resolution is understood by
the House and has been passed by a decisive
majority, for a member in the opposition to
move a reconsideration, is not only contrary to
all well-settled parliamentary usage, bnt it can
have no other interpretation than that of an
effort to obstruct legislation for the purpose of
wearying out and dragooning the majority into
acquiescence with and submission to the will of
the opposing minority.
Now the Georgia reader will have noticed
that at least one-half of the time of onr Legis
lature is consumed upon motions to reconsider.
Every important bill or resolution before either
House is systematically subjected to this ordeal,
no matter how protracted has been the debate
upon its passage, or by what decisive and un
questionable majority it has been sanctioned.
We have thought it very strange that there
should be so many motions to reconsider; be
cause a legislator who does not know his own
mind when he votes in favor of a measure on
the question of its final passage, is obviously
unfit for the position.
On looking over the Senate proceedings for
Monday, however, we see that the motion to
reconsider is allowed. to come from the oppo
nents of a measure. On that day, Mr. Merrell,
who voted steadily in opposition to the House
resolution referring the Negro Eligibility ques
tion to the Supreme Court, immediately after
the passage of the resolution, by a very decisive
majority, gives notice that he will move a recon
sideration; and nobody objects to the notice.
Hence wo infer that snch is the practice in our
Legislature. If so, it is equally contrary to
usage and to reason. Of what benefit can be
the motion to reconsider, coming from the mi
nority ? Evidently none at all. The resolution
had been argued at length—the judgment of the
members had been formed—the decision taken
and recorded. Why do the majority ask a re
hearing ? Evidently for nothing more or better
than to take the slim chance afforded by the
chapter of accidents, to defeat the judgment of
the Senate. The motion is made simply for
purposes of obstruction and frustration, and it
consumes the time of the Senate and the money
of the people for no better pnrpose than to de
feat the true judgment of the Senate in order to
substitute a false one. If thisbe the established
usage under which the sessions of the Legisla
ture are frittered away by motions to reconsider,
it is time for the people to cry out mightily for
Jefferson's Manual and sound parliamentary
usage. Whoever before heard that any man
was entitled to move a reconsideration except
against his own vote in favor of any bill, reso
lution or motion ? But twice last Monday (by
Mr. Merrell and Mr. Adkins) were members in
the minority allowed to give notice of motions
to reconsider.
Horrible AtlUir in Dunn’s Lake.
three men HILLED — GREAT EXCITEMENT — THE
LATE COLD—ITS EFFECTS, ETC.
Corresjtondtnce of the Macon Telegraph.]
Dunn’s Laze, East Fla.,)
January 30th, 18G9. j>
About three o’clock on yesterday afternoon, a
rapid succession of gun shots was heard about
four miles in the country. Startling intelligence
was soon obtained of a desperate combat be
tween six men. There were three brothers on
either side, by the name of Braddock and Tur
ner, who had cultivated inveterate hatred to-
each other for many years. The result is it cul
minated in the death of one of the former, and
two of the last named parties. The most reck
less bravery was displayed on either side. The
weapons used were shot guns and rifles, which
were used with serious results, within ten feet
distance of each other, wounding or killing the
whole party. Two of the Turner’s were
killed, one on the field, the other flying wound
ed, for his life. John Braddock fell instantly,
the first shot: Dying he exclaimed to his broth
ers, “kill the last one before he escapes.” These
were his last words. The parties were neigh
bors, and considered good citizens. The cause
of the trouble, probably, was a few hogs. As
yet no recognition has been taken by the civil
authorities of this tragic affair.
The cold that killed or injured the orange
trees was the severest since the fatal winter of
1885. Time has elapsed sufficient to develop
the injury sustained, and it is thought many of
the trees are not so seriously damaged as was
first thought. Young buds or sprouts are put
ting forth rapidly, and the apparent rnin, at first
appalling, will soon be repaired. Many of the
vegetables were killed; but others, as English
peas, beans, etc., are doing finely. English
peas planted in December and January are now
blooming. Fanners have commenced planting
corn, and altogether I consider the prospect on
Dunn's Lake rather flattering. Occasional.
Financial Prospects of the South—
Cotton is Certainly King Again.
We find in the Washington Republican, of
Friday, under the caption of “our Washington
Correspondence," the following allusion to the
financial prospects of the Southern States:
The South, by the by, is jnst now growing
rich faster than any other section of the Union.
That is, so far as the profits of its people from
agriculture are concerned. “Cotton is certain
ly king again.” Now, legitimately, all rejoice
to know that this season it puts heavy profits in
ready cash into the pockets of its growers. The
£ lanters of Alabama, for instance, are said to
ave mneb more money at command than
ever before, according to the number of
acres they have cultivated. Up to 1869,
their purchase of slaves, in advance of
the receipts of the proceeds of their crops, kept
them deeply in debt. That is, with their lavish
personal extravagance. As, now, they neither
buy slaves nor throw away money in ostenta
tious display, they are actually accumulating
real wealth faster than any other agriculuralists
on this continent. As a class they are yet poor,
because a year ago few of them had more than
sufficient to keep body and son! together. In
ten short years they will lie nabobs again, in the
extent of their available means, which will go
into railroads, mining, manufactories, banks,
etc., etc. In the course of the next decade, the
country will witness such material improvement
all over the South as even onr great West neter
dreamed of.
Hacon and Brunswick Railroad Men
Drowned.
We copy the following from the Monroe Ad-
vertizer:
Drowned.—Anderson R. Blount and Sidney
J. Bankston went from this county in December
last to work on the Macon and Brunswick Rail
road. On Christmas eve they crossed the Oc-
mulgee river to ivisit a store, and attempted to
’ The skill
The* Mineral Phosphates.—It Saturday's
Courier we published an extract from the New
York Evening Post, which purported to giro an
estimate of the cost of the material used in the
manufacturing of fertilizers. Since that time
we have been informed by gentlemen who have
a thorough knowledge of the business, that the
estimates given in the extract alluded to, are . , - , . ,
veiy far beneath the actual cost of the material, ‘ about nine o clock at night
and for fear that injustice may lie done those I "hich tooy attempted to cross De nver,
who are engaged in this important enterprise, : was found fifteen days thereof ter out the nnfor-
wemake this statement-Charleston' Crtinct. ' tuuatc nien harenot been heard from smee.-
of, | The father of the former, Major Blount, informs
_ , ' « ,xi f T tls tkat. he lias reliable information that they
The hew York \\ orld has.discovered thatoys- ■ were lioth drowned, together with a negro who
tors are adulterated by soaking th£m in a epjn-,| was with them in the skiff. .p\
tion of soda, which swells them to ( a.tempting i Spice writing the abovo, Mr. Blount informs
uizp. • ■> asJirrrxt try. {*,/,- t-e.i ir. ,oj . l us that his son, Andersop was found after lying
. ~ „ in the .• ti-ir*if day-', and has been in- j . ,
v\e are indebted to Hon. s. F. Gove for po- ferred near the line of the Macon and Brunswick I Senator Speer sends us a number of docu
litio.il d Aliments. „ '5,' . (Railroad. Y^ments, for whic3h we atetnuch obliged/ •
eminent of Georgia.
But the Times hastily and eroneously assum
ing that the attitude of the Georgia Legislature
is defiant and uncompromising, puts it to the
self-respect of snch Senators as Mr. Trumbull,
whether they can longer persist in the policy
of patience and forbearance, and whether Con
gress ought not to act at once, and make short
work of a Legislature which “seems resolved to
set the Courts as well as Congress at defiance.”
The dispatches from Washington yesterday,
we think, clearly indicate an amelioration in the
minds of the Senatorial majority towards the
Sonth. - A motion looking the restoration of the
suffrage to all the Southern whites received the
support of twelve Republican Senators—a very
significant demonstration, which we should not
lose sight of in onr efforts to r©-harmonize the
Sonth with the Federal Government upon a ba
sis which wall secure domestic order and pros
perity.
This proposition comprehends the sum and
substance of all that the wise and practical peo
ple of the Sonth will seek or hope to accomplish.
We repeat it: Jtarmony with the Federal Gov
ernment upon terms which will admit of order,
security and prosperity in the South. This com
prehends everything we seek, and leaves ns in
Georgia foot-loose, to redeem our fortunes, po
litical, financial and social, b^ a diligent use of.
the means which a bounteous Providence has
placed in our hands.
All the counsels and admonitions of the Tele
graph are directed solely to the accomplishment
of this pnrpose. We have desired the Legisla
ture to show in its action every possible desire
to conciliate the majority in Congress, within
the scope of the condition referred to. We do
not think (although the contrary is foolishly as
serted) the admission of the negro members
within that condition, for many reasons; bnt,
under the circumstances, we should certainly
assent to a judicial arbitrament of their claim
to seats under the Constitution and laws of
Georgia. Right or wrong, that is the Constitu
tion claimed to have been adopted by the peo
ple and sanctioned by Congress; and the meas
ure of right and privileges guaranteed by it to
the negroes, is the measure claimed by Congress,
and the least that will be admitted in the prem-
BS.
Now that, like all propositions to conciliate
and get the best possible terms, rather than defy
the worst consequences, may be denounced as
“dirt-eating”—a dirty phrase of demagogues
and politicians, with more beard than brains, to
delude the people into taking counsel of their
resentments instead of their common sense.
But why should the Legislature or the people of
Georgia run the muck of another reconstruction
to reach, at the bottom of it, all the results they
deprecate, and lose millions in expenses and de
lay into the bargain, before exhausting every
art of diplomacy to forestall and prevent such a
catastrophe? Is there any sense in such a
course ? Is there any reasonable and proper
pride of character to be saved by it ? Does any
rational man pursue such a course when the
amount of a hundred dollar claim against him is
involved ? Shall we, then, take the studs and
sulks upon points involving such momentous
political and pecuniary results to ourselves as
the people of Georgia ? We maintain, to the
contrary—it is the highest and most solemn
duty of the Legislature of Georgia to omit no
reasonable expedient to settle this controversy.
Tlie Result Declared, and What Then?
Yesterday, at one o’clock, Congress, both
houses assembled in the Hall of the House of
Representatives, proceeded to canvass the re
turns of the Electoral Colleges for President and
Vice President and announced the result in con
stitutional form. This ceremony, it is supposed
by his party supporters, will unseal the lips of
General Grant, and he will immediately after
wards announce his Cabinet—the character of
which will afford some clew to the general ideas
and policy upon which the new Administration
is to be based.
It is complained, particularly by the aggressive
Radicals, that no President elect ever yet kept
his political friends in such total ignorance of
the personal inflnences with which he proposes
to surround himself as Gen. Grant has done. It
is declared that up to this day nobody knows
who is to be in the Cabinet, with the solitary ex
ception of Gen. Schofield, who, as conceded on
all hands, is to continue in the position of Secre
tary of War. The' New York Commercial Ad
vertiser illustrates the degree of this reticence
by telling a personal anecdote upon Gen. Grant.
The fact is said to have occurred at a social
gathering in New York. A certain fashionable
lady, chatting with the President elect, exclaims,
“ O, General! I am dying to know who will be
in your Cabinet!” “ Ah, madam,” replies the
General, “Mrs. Grant often makes the same re
mark!”
Bnt when we know “who are to compose the
Cabinet ?”—can we then certainly forecast the
character of the administration ? We think not,
for many reasons which might be assigned, but
three only we will briefly mention;
First, Gen. Grant’s personal party relations
are not of that fixed, settled and determinate
character under which the selection of Cabinet
advisers would evince an intimate harmony of
ideas and an identical channel of thought and
purpose. Under the circumstances, we think
the composition of the Cabinet will show little
more than a general coincidence of opinion upon
leading topics, and a confidence in the judg
ment, integrity and ability of the parties select
ed, modified in a degree by the general necessi
ties of party unity.
Second, We are persuaded that Gen. Grant’s
ideas of administering the government are strict
ly military. He means to direct the Executive
Department as Commander-in-Chief upon his
own responsibility and judgment, and his Cab
inet will be bis staff.
Third. His great leading idea is the restora
tion of national unity, and the consolidation of
national power; and he will favor the shortest
and most direct road to those objects. General
Grant is a thoroughly practical man and cares
little for theories. We believe he supports con
gressional reconstruction, simply because, as
matters stand, he thinks that the shortest road
to national harmony. We have no idea that he
cares a button for all the New England philoso
phy about “manhood suffrage" in the abstract.
Tinder these circumstances, whatever, in the
chapter of events and accidents, shall turn .np
as likely to conduce most to his grand pnrpose
will probably receive hi3 support; and- this we
understand to be the meaning of his refusal to
commit himself in advance to any* particular
line of policy, in Ms letter accepting^ the Presi
dential nomination. '
Tor these reasons we' sihaii Saw no veiy set-',
tied conclusions from the composition of Gen.
Grant’s cabinet r . <(v . : » t «
FROM SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA.
Cotton on the Brain—Dougherty Lands—Rela
tions of Laborers to Employers—Stock-killing
and'Shot Guns—Stock-raising under difficul
ties—Impossibility of Self-protection—Host
Productive County in Georgia-t-The English
Plantation—Lockett and Jordan■—How La
borers are paid—Memorial Concert.
Oorrespondcnce'df the Telegraph.]
Albany, Ga., February 9, 1869.
To give yon an idea how the people down
here have “cotton on the brain,” I will relate'a
conversation which took place between your cor
respondent and a planter this morning, as near
as I can recollect.
Grafton—“Good morning, Capt Scott”—
Capt. Scott—“ It’s gone np to 27 cents, I see,
and still rising.” G.—“Pleasant day.” Capt.
S.—“Haven’t got enough hands tMs year, but
M plant for two hundred bales. ” G.—“How’s
your family?” Capt. S.—“I think it’ll bring
25 cents a pound next year.” G.—“ Any news
with you ?” Capt. S.—“ If the worms don’t in
terfere IR raise at least two hundred and fifty.”
G.—“We have had bad weather lately.” Capt.
S.—“I’m goingtouse plenty of fertilizers and im
proved seed.” G.—“ All well at home?” Capt.
S.—“Bacon is rising, the niggers have killed all
my hogs, bnt I think I’ll have enough to get
through.” G.—“ You are looking a little older
than when I saw you last.” Capt. S.—‘^We
ought to raise a bale to the acre in tMs county,
bnt the niggers don’t work like they used to.”
G-.—“What d’ye think of reconstruction?” Capt.
S.—“ I won’t plant much com this year. I can
buy two acres of com with one of cotton, and it
'don’t pay, yon see." G.—“Think Congress will
turn us out again ?” Capt. S.—“We never will
raise as much as we used to. The demand is
greater, the supply less, and, therefore, we are
bound to get a good price.”
From this you see cotton is the only topic of
conversation possessing the least interest to a
Southwestern Georgia planter. Yon may talk to
him all day and all night upon that subject All
else is a perfect bore.
Since the date of my last letter I have trav
eled over a scope of twenty-five miles in this
(Dougherty) county. It is certainly a rich and
beautiful country. The lands are inexhaustible
in richness, and susceptible of the Mghest state
of cultivation. I have seen and walked through
several extdhsive plantation;, which might, by
the proper application of fertilizers, be easily
raised to the capacity of one bale per acre.
The planters seem to universally agree in this
opinion, but they say they have not the capital
to buy the guano, and shrink back from becom
ing involved in debt. Negro labor is too preca
rious and uncertain to take the risk, yet it is ful
ly admitted that such investments will pay one
hundred per cent. v
The greatest drawback is a want of confidence
on the part of the negro toward Ms employer.
He seems to think the white man will not deal
fairly with Mm, and that he is disposed to take
every advantage he can. The planter, in turn,
accuses, and very justly, Ms hands of having
thieving propensities, especially in regard to
Mllinghis stock.
Nearly every negro has Ms shot gun or his
pistol, which he regularly takes to the field with
him. At night he prowls around the vicinage,
shooting down hogs and cattle, to the choice
portions of wMch ho helps himself and leaves
the balance.
So universal have these depredations become
that the planters have well nigh abandoned all
efforts to raise meat. A few have managed to
keep their’s by building pens near the house.
A friend who has a fine lot of the Chester
breed of ,hogs, wMch he recently purchased in-
Pennsylvania, regularly locks them up in a
house every night, and does not permit them to
get out of sight during the day. He is confi
dent the rascals around Mm are constantly
watching for an opportunity to kill them.
Little effort is made to bring these insufferable
rogues to justice. In consequence of the
great difficulty in obtaining and retaining a
sufficient amount of labor, great latitude is
given the negro. He well knows that if he is
discharged from one plantation to-day he can
easily obtain a situation upon another to-mor
row. Hence these depredations are passed
lightly over.
But these planters will never become as pros
perous as their unsurpassed country warrants,
until they raise their own provisions, by enforc
ing the most rigorous and stringent laws upon
the dishonest negroes in their employ. The
drain upon their pockets for meat is enormous.
Before the war they raised almost enough to do
them, and could do so now, were it not for the
causes enumerated.
Dougherty is the most productive cotton
county in the State of Georgia. It produced
an average of fifty thousand bales before the
war, and last year sent abont thirty thousand to
market The crop of 18G8 sold for more mon
ey than that of I860, although twenty thousand
bales short It cost, on an average, ten cents
per pound to raise it, and sold for abont twen
ty-four.
The English company have the finest planta
tion I have yet seen in the county. It is al
most perfectly level, black loam land, and cov
ers an area of five miles. I learn they have not
been very successful as yet, but they are push
ing forward with that confidence and tenacity so
characteristic of the Albion in all Ms under
takings. There is quite a village of quarters,
the houses being comfortably and even nicely
bnilt and arranged. A neat little church stands
in the center, and every Sunday the black peo
ple all collect in it and have religions service.
Bnt the most extensive and the most success
ful planters in this section are Locket and
Jordan. They run seven plantations, and
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE
OF THE MACON DAILY TELEGRAPH.
"Washington, February 5, 1869: t‘
In the Senate," yesterday, Morton, of Indiana,
made' an able argument against the proposed
fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of ‘the
United States, as it came from the House. In
political circles here, it is considered that—in
its present form—Morton killed the amendment
dead so far as the Seriate is concerned, and that
a new article will have to be drawn np in order
to me6t the views of a majority of the Seriate.
It was rumored last night that the Democratic
Senators had resolved to talk against time, in
order to delay final action on any suffrage amend
ment which may come np in the Senate, until
several of the State Legislatures shall have ad
journed. This is very doubtful, as it is a well-
known fact that the Radical majority in Con
gress are fully determined upon passing' an
amendment in both Houses favorable to negro
suffrage, and that the only reason that it is de
layed, is on account of a disagreement between
themselves as to the exact form of expression to
be used, and the filibustering of the Democrats
would only result in a waste of valuable time;
besides, I have heard quite a number of promi
nent Democrats declare that they were indiffer
ent to the passage of an amendment of this kind,
as tJey were perfectly willing to trust to the State
Legislatures the task of defeating anything of
the kind wMch Congress might seek to fasten
upon the Constitution of the United States.—
Mr. Howard’s proposition, “ that citizens of the
United States of African descent, shall have the
same right to vote and hold office as other citi
zens,” seems to meet with more favor among
Radical Senators than any of the eight pro
posed by as many Senators.
There was quite a lively time in the House
yesterday, pending the consideration of the
amendment to the Indian bill. Daring the
discussion that ensued, Mr. Hilbrook, the plucky
delegate from Idaho, charged that the gentle
man who had charge of the bill, (Ben Butler,)
had silenced the delegates from the Territories
in the committee of the whole, and that he,
(Butler,) had made statements wMch he, at the
time, knew to be unguaifiedly false. Mr. Hol
brook was called to order, and the language
decided unparliamentary. Mr. Holbrook then
essayed to speak, but members insisted that he
shonld not be heard, unless he would retract the
offensive language. TMs Mr. Holbrook very
emphatic Jly declined to do, remarking that he
would not withdraw one word of what he had
said. A resolution of censure was adopted by
a strict party vote, and the delegate from Idaho
having been brought to the bar of the House,
was censured.
Some twenty gentlemen of means—such men
as the Radical press love to style as “secesh”
'Southern sympathiser^” etc., have guaranteed
the payment of the expenses of the proposed
inauguration ball; a very necessary step, in
view of the fact that np to this time some par
ties furnishing more or less for it have been
heavy losers through the failure of the sale of
the tickets to realize sufficient to cover the cost
of the ball. On this occasion none of the male
gender are to be invited guests, except the
President and the Vice President—Grant and
Colfax. As “dead heading” caused most of the
deficiency of receipts heretofore, this proposed
reform will probably hold the guarantors of the
approacMng ball harmless. It is understood
that in order to secure the attendance of Gen.
Grant and lady, the committee of arrangements
were compelled to exclude the colored commu
nity from the privileges of the ball room, ex
cept as waiters. This fact has caused a great
deal of indignant comment among the “cullud
folks” who are determined that Grant ought to
be impeached immediately upon the assemb
ling of the Forty-first Congress, and no doubt
he will be if he don’t quit snubbing the colored
sovereigns of this district. *
It is a noticeable fact that years ago, almost
from the very commencement of the Govern
ment, up to the breaking out of the late war,
the Senators and members of Congress from the
Southern States were the most inflexible oppo
nents of lavish expenditures of the people’s
money. They were, in fact, the most persistent
and emphatic economist. A wMte crow was
hardly rarer than a Southern member’s vote in
favor of appropriations for other than the actual
expenses of the Government. There is a most
disagreeable contrast presented between the re
presentatives of the Sonth, during the time re
ferred to, and those who at present occupy seats
assigned to Senators and members from the
South.
The present carpet-bag Senators and members
from the South are among the loudest and most
^earnest friends of appropriations for railroads,
etc.; they are in for any kind of a job, where
“ the promise to pay” is secured by a little cash
payment to stand on, just enough to keep them
floating until the great day of reckoning arrives,
when the plundering scheme for wMch their
votes were bought has passed the House, or the
Senate, and their little balance is settled np. I
would not be at all surprised to hear of some, if
not all of the carpet-bag Congressmen, return
ing to the South, (after their labors are over
here,) and setting themselves np in princely
style.
General Grant accompanied by Ms wife and
Generals Dent and Badeau, left WasMngton
yesterday morning for New York, where he will
spend three or four days, as the guest of Hamil
ton Fish, Esq. In the meanwMle, the army of
office seekers and cabinet makers who jnst now
infest the rational capital will have a respite
from their ■ rduous duties, and can perfect their
plans, so that by the time the General returns,
they can be prepared for a vigorous attack; and,
in my opinion, for an ignominous defeat. •
It is a fact that ought to be kept prominent
ly before the people of this country, that the
raised seventeen or eighteen hundred bales last | Radical party, whose representatives in Con-
year. I have been on two of their plantations. I gross are so persistent in their efforts to force
The land is as rich as it well can be. The most j negro suffrage upon the several States of the
perfect system and order prevails. Intelligent j Union, in their National Convention wMch
wMte overseers are employed and books regular- placed Gen. Grant in nomination for the Presi
ly kept, in which an account is kept with every I dency, declared that “the question of suffrage
one in their employ. j in all the loyal States properly belongs to the
As a general rule, laborers are paid off in j people of those States.” , ,
money and rations. The system of dividing the j During the debate in the House, on the pro
crop prevails to a limited extent, but nothing > posed fifteenth amendment, Mr. Eldridge, of
like last and the year before. j Wisconsin, quoted the above and inquired, per-
I had the pleasure the other night of attend- tinently: “Whathas caused the party tochange
ing the memorial concert given here. There front ?” If the question properly belonged to
were many Maconians in town, cMefly ladies, J those States during the elections of last fall,
who of coarse attended, and felt an honest what have the States done since to deprive them-
pride in the triumph of their own Mrs. Ba
con. She never sang more sweetly or received
more praise. We were all mortified at the ab
sence of Mrs. Ogden and the gentlemen belong
ing to the company. The evening was exceed
ingly disagreeable, and the audience, therefore,
small, but all the seats were sold, although
many were unoccupied. In the song, “Rocked
in the Cradle of the Deep,” Mrs. Bacon’s voice
rose in thrilling grandeur. Indeed, all the la
dies acquitted themselves with great credit.
The absence of male voices detracted from the
concert^ bnt that was no fault of (hose present.
I shall leave Albany with a sigh of regret. I
like its people very much. They are truly re
fined, clever and even elegant. In years to
come their place is obliged to be a'.large city.
It is in the finest country I have ever seen in the
Sonth. i \ ,, - Gbaiton. .
■' :—~ , i : ■. ■>
The Public Debt—Total debt, $2,GC2,879,-
70/18; amount in treasury; coin, $38,789,715-
currency, $17,447,332 GG. Total, $1(10,174,-
, 049 10. Amount’ of debt, less "cash,in tie treas-
ary^$2,556,205,65? 08. ^ >' ^
selves of the right ? If the question did not
properly belong to Congress then, how has it be
come invested with the propriety now of. dis
posing of it in those States?” The Radicals
have no idea of keeping faith with the people,
they never did it since their success as a party
enabled them to control Congress. In I860
they declared in favor of President Johnson’s
policy of restoration, and in Opposition’to Thad.
Stevens’ plan of the military occupation
of the South. Bu* no sooner had they
succeeded in carrying the elections than
tlio military bill was passed, and ten South
ern State governments were destroyed and
the vvholo territory placed under the control of
five district commanders. The 'promises made
for an election canvass are only brought forward
to be broken whenever any selfish or party
scheme presents itself. Every State, ercept
Minnesota, has . rejected, within the past two
years, the idea of unqualified negro suffrage.
But tho plan now id to go to the Legislatures,
and secure there what the people would con
demn by an overwhelming vote. The dominant
party professes great regard for the' will of (he
people : let it evince its' sincerity by allowing
the voice of the people to decide upon tMs fun
damental law proposed for their control. The
justice, propriety and consistency of a direct
vote of the people upon tMs question demand a
test, in this form, of their approbation or con
demnation. Those who are honest in their ex
pression of deference toward the popular will,
cannot neglect so favorable ah occasion for its
proclamation. ■ •
The sub-committee, on reconstruction wMoh
has charge of the subject of deciding upon those
who are entitled to have their political disabili
ties removed, have determined to embody them
all in one bill, making in all a list of several hun
dred names, representing all the reconstructed
States. Kxntucx.
From Texas.
_ ■' "■ ■
GENl GRAND—PLANTING OPERATIONS—COTTON RE
CEIPTS AT GALVESTON—TEXAS CENTRAL RAIL
ROAD.
Correspondence of the Macon Daily Telegraph.J
Richmond, Texas, January 26, 1869.
If the opinions attributed to the President
elect by the New York World’s correspondent,
are really entertained by General Grant, con
cerning prominent men, they prove that he pos
sesses the real gift of weigMng character cor
rectly and estimating talent at its worth. These
opinions no doubt received some delicate embel
lishments from, the artistic brush of the corres
pondent, but there is no reason to suppose them
void of foundation.
If there is any truth on the “on dits” from
Washington, the incoming President seems de
termined to enter on the duties of Ms office with
hands untied, claiming the free exercise of all
Ms constitutional prerogatives. If the Radical
Congress shonld ever undertake to handcuff and
manacle him, there is no doubt bnt that he will
snap them and shake them off as certainly and
easily as Sampson disposed of certain impotent
cords with wMch it was attempted to fetter him.
Thoso friends of Grant—and there is no doubt
there were such—who supposed him to be a sec
ond or tMrd-rate man—a convenient piece of
plastic clay, to be moulded into any desired
shape, if they have not already learned their
mistake, will certainly do so in good time.
If Grant at one time was clerk in a leather
store, what of it? WasMngton knew all abont
the practical manipulations of a surveyor’s
chain; Jackson was engaged at one time in sel
ling goods to Ms neighbors in Tennessee, trav
eling on horseback to PhiladelpMa to lay in his
supplies, camping out and taking wagoners’ fare
no small part of the journey. Peter the Great,
worked at the carpenter’s trade,andknewhowto
handle a jack plane, but Mstory is full of the
fact that he knew how to administer gov
ernment, (albeit his administration in the fami
ly circle was a little rough and uncouth, as. Ms
amiable “frow” had good cause to know, espe
cially after a day’s hard drinking to keep out
the cold, or the reverse.)
What I want to say, and might have said with
out so much circumlocution, is that those who
assign Grant any mental position, other than
one of a Mgh order, if not the very first, are
reckoning sadly without their host, and the fu
ture will prove the correctness of this view, if
the past has not already done so. No one will
suppose me to be a Grant man from the above.
But what the South wants is a fair and constitu
tional administration of the government, and if
Grant shall show a disposition to mete this to
her it would be mad folly, in her present de
pressed condition, to offer him factious opposi
tion. If he shonld check the madness that has
bo long ruled the national legislation at Wash
ington, he will deserve the meed of “well done.”
Planting operations are in a very backward
condition. There have not been more than
three consecutive days of dry weather in as
many months. Last week it rained four days.
If a man were making a deed to land here, at
this writing—properly described—it would be
‘so much land, covered with water.” The
Brazos is booming, and has been for a long
time, causing a suspension of operations on the
railroad bridge at this place, for the time being.
TMs is the'worst winter stockmen have encoun
tered in several years.
The receipts of cotton at Galveston and Hous
ton are largely in excess of what they were last
year at the same dates. The citizens are justly
proud- of the commercial operations of their
respective cities. The prosperity of these two
cities, and their steady growth, although neigh
bors and rivals, is one of the facts that may be
classed fixed. The rich lands of the State will
command heavy immigration after a while, and
the great bulk of the productions must pass
through one or the other of these cities, supply
ing goods for an immense scope of country in j
return.
The Central Railroad is making gigantic ef
forts to have a large additional amount of track
ready for the cars next fall. The company has
plenty of money, offering such prices for labor
03 will be certain to command it. The road is
in the hands of men whose whole lives have
been marked by energy and success. Every fu
ture mile of the road that is completed, will draw
on productions that have heretofore found a
market by way of Red river. The Central has
numerous tap roads in contemplation, wMch
will made it, when completed, one of the best
paying roads in the Southwest. Par Fois.
Fanaticism Most Ran its Course.
The New York Journal of Commerce thinks
universal negro suffrage a foregone conclusion.
It has no doubt of the passage of a constitu
tional amendment to that effect by both Houses
of Congress, and believes that, constituted as
they are, three-fourths of the State Legislatures
will ratify the measure. Upon this presump
tion, it adds, regarding the result:
Should the principle of negro suffrage, if
adopted, be found to work well, we shall be
agreeably disappointed. Should it prove a^dis-
astrous failure, and add another danger to the
many perils that menace the republic, by giving
greater preponderance in the national councils
to ignorance and dishonesty, then look out for a
convulsive reaction, and that speedily. If Leg
islatures can make amendments to the constitu
tion, Legislatures can unmake them too. Upon
the single issue of such a repeal, a great party
might arise and sweep the country.
. The tendency among thoughtful men who de
sire honesty, economy and a good degree of in
telligence in legislation is towards a restriction
of the right of suffrage considerably inside of
its present limits. They wouldnot object to any
man’s voting because of his color or previous
condition in society, but they would require him
to have educational or other qualifications wMch
would tit. him to vote properly. They would
subject all persons, negroes included, to some
test wMch would to a degree ensure a Mgher
standard of law-makers and law-making than wo
now have. "When the present “ resolution ” has
expended its force, the public may be ready to
turn a more favorable ear to these practical sug
gestions. -
Report on the Condition or the South.—The
Cincinnati’s Commercial correspondent says
Generals Barber and Babcock, of General
Grant’s staff, have returned from their tour of
inspection through the Southern States. They
visited every military post in the country through
wMch they traveled, and will make an extended
written report to General Grant. They repre
sent North Carolina as in the best condition, and
next stands Alabama. The worst state of af
fairs exists in Georgia, and some legislation
from Congress to secure the rights of the loyal
people in thait State will be recommended.—
They say tho negroes were in the right in the
Ogeechee troubles, and they shonld bo protect
ed. Notwithstanding the militia troubles in Ar
kansas, the State is in a flourishing condition.—
Consiit’iilon.
A negro girl, aged eleven ysars, eight months
and eighteen.days, living near Pulaski, Tenne-
esee. a short time since, gave birth to a female
child. The mother and child cro both living
and mi perfect health.
Which is the Mere Bitter ?
(brrcspondencc Daily Telegraph.
“Mv mother! when I learned that thouwastdesS
Say, wast thou conscious of the tears I shed ? aa ’
Hovered thy spirit o’er thy sorrowing son,
Wretch even then, life’s journey just begun?
I heard the bell toll on thy funeral day;
I saw the heaise that bore thee slow away—
And, turning from my nursery window, drew
A long, long sigh, and wept a' last adieu.”
No doubt the child-grief described by Cow.
per was poignant enough; but the wretch most
deserving of pity is the man who has lived to
well nigh middle life, with a good mother, with
out having ever married, or foraed any perma.
nent tie that can interfere with his love and
reverence for that parent, and then sees he>
snatched-from him by the relentless hand of
death. No other sorrow can compare with it
All the wealth of affection usually lavished on
wife and children is reserved to be given to her
who constitutes for him the whole world. His
desolation is hopeless; Ms home is broken ap
his happiness is destroyed; henceforward he
need look for nothing. The world will be a
blank. All that is left for him is to live on, a
homeless outcast, and simply endure whatever
fortune has in store.
It is useless for him to attempt to buildup
another home. He can have no home; he can
only exist Let Mm not expect to find any one
who can fill the place of her who is gone. He
may not hope for the pure, unselfish, beantifnl
love that a widowed mother feels for him who
alone of all her offspring, has never had any
home buther’s. He cannot, in all the wide
world, find anything that approaches, within any
conceivable distance, that exalted and holy sen
timent, a mother’s love. After he has tried ac
quaintances, friends and relatives—after the
tendrils of affection have gone forth, yearning
for some object around wMch to twine them
selves, then comes the bitter chill of disappoint
ment—then arises the heart-broken wail:
“Backward, flow backward, oh! tide of years,
I am ao weary of toils and of tears—
Toil without recompense—tears all in vain,
Take them and give me my childhood again.
I have grown weary of dust and decay,
Weary of flinging, my soul-wealth away.
Weary of sowing for others to reap.
Rock me to sleep mother, rock me to sleep!
Til ed of the hollow, the bare, the untrue,
Mother! oh mother! my heart calls for you!”
Better, oh! ten thousand times better to loss
one’s mother in cMldhocd, as Cowper did, than
to see her depart after one has learned to give
her all the love of mature life—after he has
ceased for years to look for affection from any
one save the idolized being who gave him eria-
tence. ---
Bnt I spoke hastily when I said the nnforts-
nate individual in question has and can have no
home. He has one like that spoken of by the
gifted, though ill-fated and erring, perhaps bad
man, Henry William. Herbert, in some lines he
wrote shortly before he committed suicide:
“A home! a home! Yes, yes! Though still anl
small;
I have a home, where soft the shadows fall
Prom the dim pine tree; and river’s sigh,
Like voices of tho dead, (vails ever mgh.
Nor hearth is there; nor hall, nor festive place,
Nor welcome smile of that bewitching face;
Nor tho low laughter, nor the sweet, fond tone,
That made pain pleasant—yet it is my own—
My heart's own home, where’er my foot may tread.
Oh! for my narrow home and lowly bed!
Let others torn, when each has ceased to roam
To tho calm pleasures of Ilia childish home;
Let others turn, when day’s hot toil is o'er.
To that pure kiss which greets them at the door—
To that blight ey6 which kindles at the sound
Of their known footsteps shedding gloiv ronnd.
I have nor childish home, nor earthly hold;
The kiss that breathed upon my lips is cold:
The eye that beamed for me is dimmed and dead;
Oh; for my narrow home and lowly bed!”
H.
Gen. Grant and the South.
The Herald of the 6th wames U3 all to beisve.
work hard and stop fillibustering. He says:
When Gen. Grant assumes the reins of gov
ernment the Sonth will soon understand thaths
does not mean to “make confusion worse con
founded” by essaying the task of reconstructing
reconstruction. The work of the past three
years will not be gone over again, with the pros
pect that it'may continue four years longer and
end nowhere. Grant will not seize the helm®
the sMp of State with the constitutional scn-
ples of Andy Johnson. He will grasp it with*
firm hand. He will not have among his crev
troublesome spirits who are disposed to mutiny
at every unfavorable tide or unpropitions gale.
In the course of Ms political voyage Grant w£l
circumnavigate the sea of troubles that have »
long disturbed the South, and smoothed it ly
pouring oil where oil is needed, and so dispos
ing of the rocks and quicksands as to make then
harmless for the true navigator ever after. A3
Southern fire-eating buccaneers must stand
aside.
And again:
And upon a question of negro equality or ■>
negro equality placed distinctly before the whole
people, we are firm in onr conviction that tho
affirmative would be voted down by an over
whelming majority. The sentiment of osr
population is undoubtedly in favor of still re
serving to the several States those rights affect
ing social and domestic relations which hut few
despotic powers on earth have succeeded in
usurping and controlling against the will of tb
people. Therefore let the South stick to iu
proper vocation at this time—work hard, raise
good crops, be economical, save money, man-
tain law and order, and let ths miscMef-mnkinsr
politicians all go to—where they belong.
Pruning and Thinning.
This is now in order everywhere. Notwith
standing the many papers that have been writ;
ten “on the philosophy of pruning,” the naiei
question, “What is the best time to prune a tree:
is one with wMch the gardener is continni!)
bored. The keen edged gardeners give the e*
ting reply, “any time when your knife is shat?;
but the more good-natured say, “It depends a
what you want to cut for.” The street cuK«
“wants to keep the head low,” and “cuts do**
to make them branch lower;” cutting in wins*
does not have tMs effect, so that unless one b*
some other object to combine with it, such as to
clean the tree of bark scales, or the lava of ot-:-
insects, or the giving of employment to sens
half-starved tree carpenter, the work might s*
well be left undone. If you want a branch to
push strongly at the point where you ent a psu
away, prune in winter. If your tree has
branches crossing each other, or has halt deal
branches, or anything tending to spoil the f«®
or symmetry of your tree, prune in winter t e-
as a rule, the less pruning is done the health 1 ' 1
will be your trees, for it may be accepted as *
rule in gardening, that all pruning, whether 8
winter or summer, is a blow struck at the vihu-
ty of the plant—Gardener's Mo/ithly.
The Jury Question,
the superior court—juries discharged.
Prom the Columbus Sun, of the P(A.] _ _.i
The Muscogee Superior Court, -Judge V. rr -1
presiding, assembled at the Court House Ji*" I
dav morning. Immediately after he hud ta*;- J
Ms seat, the Judge stated to the juries that tr-
new Constitution provided that jurors be I
eel from '-upright and intelligent men. ' witk
the distinction of. color that. formerly east";
The Legislature, assembled under that Coa>-'l
tution. had failed to pa^s a jury bill,'
carefully prepared one had been presented. I
had authorized the Court last fall to use the r I
rors drawn the previous spring. Sevci.i. oi - j
Superior Court Judges had decided tins acts-I
constitutional. He had not examined it "y; I
sufficient care to give an opinion upon this pj J
but regarded it as having expired by limitaUo-- ■
Another bill, as yet, has passed only the R® I
of Representatives. Hence, he had not I
power oi compelling (ho attendance of jar- - j
and discharged them. . r I
Then in addressing the members of the • I
very briefly, be stated that some doubts ; I
been, expressed and found their way into p'” 1 ; I
■prints about the legality of his nppotutui -^ i
He had none Mmself and upon consults j
some of the most distinguished lawyers hi A
State had declared the appointment legal- j
was authorized to hold Court until his sure i
was appointed, and would hear such ra se . I
could be decided without a jury. At_tue - ^ I
feestion of Judge Crawford, the Court adjon I
to 2 p. m. , that counsel might have oppor«®£ I
to examine and decide upon the motions 1
mede. . . n-,^1
As there are no juries, the session of the |
will doubtless be brief.
Piter's P.aelob Companion for the Flute
i-Piano. and Peter's Glee Hive lor Februan
m rhree I
