About Weekly Georgia telegraph. (Macon [Ga.]) 1858-1869 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 1869)
THE TELEGRAPH. MACON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, I860. Tbe Mitchell Retrocession Bill. We- have from Atlanta a copy of a slip ad- • dressed by Saperintendent-Hulbert to the Leg islature, on the matter of the bill retroceding to the heirs of Mitchell a portion of the land in the city of Atlanta‘donated to the State by that gentleman during his Hfe-time. The Superin tendent apologizes for the slip, on the ground that ho has , just returned from the North, and finds the bill too far advanced to admit of the delay of thensual channels. Mr. Hulbert shows in few words that this donation was a sagacious, as well as a-liberal act upon the part of Mitchell, resulting in the rapid advancement in value of contiguous lands belonging to him—that the do nation will endanger the title of the State to the whole grant, and that the whole of the land is needed for the business of the Westem'& Atlan tic Railway, add the retrocession asked for would compel the State to purchase land else where at heavy cost. This statement of the caso seems to have very little ground for the bill to stand on, and we hppe it will be dismissed. Admiral Semmes 1 New Boob. The story of tthe Sumter and the Alabama forms the most romantic (if we maybe pardoned the expression) -chapter in the history of the great war. 'The public is indebted to their Chief Commander, Admiral Semmes, for one of the best and most readable books of the times, graphically detailing the exploits of those re nowned Confederate men of war upon the ocean. Thebook'doesnot'flagin interest from begin ning to end. ' In many paragraphs it is thrilling- ly beautiful. Now we find his pen painting a life-like picture of tho chase, the capture, and the illumination of the ocean by the burning merchantman, and presently solving some grand philosophical problem of the sea. The Sumter now- gliding overaicoral bank off the South American coast, with the hero and author leaning upon the quarter-rail, and closely study ing it, then again he is on the Alabama engaged in a terrible combat with the Hatteras, off the coast of Texas. Whether we find the Alabama is in a cydono or its battle with the Kearsage, or passing through sea-weed, drifting on the Gulf stream for the purpose of feeding the fish of the Arctic Cirele, the author is equal to the occasion. '‘Memoirs of Service Afloat” is a book enti tled to a place in every library. And Raphael Semmes, in its production, has shown himself to be a gentleman of a powerful mind and a fin ished scholar. The style is of the most captiva ting character. It often rises to the purest elo quence, whilst the most scrupulous regard is al ways shown. for truth. The book contains a complete .vindication of the part he took in the memorable struggle, and, as a contribution to the truth of history, is invaluable. As a lit erary production, it is above criticism. An Infamous Practice. The Monrce Advertiser hears numerous com plaints that farmers, “so-called,” sneak round their neighbors’ plantations, trying to cajole negroes into breaking their labor contracts. There's a heavy statute on this subject, to which such people Should take heed. They are un worthy the name of men. Their ears should be cropped and a good coat of tar and feathers ap plied to them. .We consider them the meanest thieves loose. The Advertiser says a farmers’ -dub will afford A remedy, but will any club more respectable than a banditti harbor such -miserable creatures ? From the Atlanta New Era. The New Era of Tuesday learns that Alexan der H. Stephens is improving fast The some paper wants to know how legisla tors who believe that-Georgia is note. State, can take pay as State legislators; and yet the New Era has seen them take it, without sugar in their’n, at the rate of -nine dollars a day for three hours’ work. The New Era thinks that Wade and Colfax have “ impaled,” their memory in the minds of a grateful people.” We think they stand with a stick.through them, if they stand at alh Colfax “ impaled” with that chronic smile on his face is a sublime spectacle. Sensible. Spain, it is said, is going to seat Ferdinand, ex-Regent-of Portugal, on the throne—a moder ate, ancient and able ruler. Some are sighing that Spain did not attempt a republic! It is a pity to add to the number of humbugs in that shape already existent. Spain has shown her good sense in refusing -to attempt what she could not accomplish. The Dabtkn Canal.—The Albany Argus be lieves that Caleb Cushing’s ship eanal treaty “will be buried in the grave of other abortions,” since twenty-one similar commissions nave been issued by Colombia to individuals, to corpora tions, and to Governments, and have all failed to reach even a beginning. This canal is in tended to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Ooeans across the Isthmus of Darien, allowing ships of any tonnage to pass through it. We hope the prediction of the Argus will not be ful filled. A similar enterprise is abont to be con summated by the French Government across the Isthmus of Suez—justly regarded as the grand est and the most costly undertaking of the 19th century. The Darien canal is no less in magni tude, as it is of equal importance to the com merce of the world. Darning.—We are advertising a tooth soap, to be bad at Mr. Ellis’ Drug Store, concerning which a prominent dentist in the city writes us. as follows: “Being made at the suggestion of several emi nent members of the dental profession and of the strictest purity, it can be recommended with confidence. I would be glad to have you notice it editorially, pro bono publico, and not for myself, as I have no pecuniary interest in the saJo of it. Please suggest the propriety of our druggists keeping a fuff supply of it on hand. Dr. White is the largest dealer in dental goods in the world, his Philadelphia Depot alone costing him over §400,000.” Postmaster Qgggjuuu.—A correspondent tele graphs to the Philadelphia Evening Star: “I have it from what may be termed an official source, that General Grant, having extended to Vice President-elect Colfax of naming one per son for a Cabinet appointment, be has selected John D. Defrees, of Indiana. He at present ■flllg the position of Pablio Printer here. The place to be given him is that of Postmaster Gen eral. The House of Representatives the other day passed a brave resolution that the public debt should not be increased. This is a capital joke. That deb.t is steadily gaining on them to the tune of fifty million every three hundred and sixty-five days. The Richmond Tbagedx.—James Grant, who killed Pollarfi, has had a preliminary examina tion upon an indictment for murder, and sent to j*il to await his trial, bail having been refused. While riding in the cars soon after his arrival in'this' country. President McCosh was thus ad dressed by an inquisitive stranger: “You will not be offended if I put the same question to you which Pharaoh put to Jacob, ‘How old art thou ” Dr. McCosh’s answer was: “If you divide Jacob’s ago by two, and substract five, you will have my age.” As the stranger did not know Jacob’s age, he got but little informa tion. Sfekile Correspondence. The City—Crops and Free Labor»—Last Meet ing of the Press Convention—Journey Home ward—Nakedness of the Land. Mobile, Ala., February 20,18C9. Hie city, perhaps, shows asfew.of the scars of war as any other Southern town. Her present population, I suppose, is somewhere in the neighborhood of fifty thousand. Mobile shipped before the war abont half a million bales of cotton,bnt must content herself, for the present, with half that number. Up to to-day her re ceipts for the season, as I see by the Register, were 188,987-bales; bnt this year is pre-emi nently short in- cotton. On the whole, I suppose, in all trade interests as compared with ante-emancipation times, Mo bile stands affected in pretty much the same ratio as most -of the Southern cities. She is reaching abont diligently for something to fill up tho vacuum resulting from the heavy loss of productive power in the South, and that, as we have seen, she will probably find in the vast ex tension of her communication with the interior. Figures and results have finally extinguished the hopes and vaticinations of the original emancipationists in America. The psalms and preans to the magic inspiration of “free labor” are bushed forever by the 1 ‘ Cotton Statements. The philosophers and philanthropists in breeches and petticoats are silent over that ‘ ‘ demd total.. The emancipated African working on wages, was going to show us how much more effective was a “freelabor” than a “chattel slavery ’ organi zation. King Cotton was to attain at onco a grander empire under the benignant star of freedom. Well, she may yet do it; bnt not through the labor of the emancipated slaves. One result of emancipation is now too clear for dispute—it has already diminished our agricultural products by more than one-half, and every body sees that it will shortly wind up, in its material conse quences as to the negro race, with a total loss of the crop products from African labor. That re sult we shall reach in the course of a genera tion ; and it depends upon future developments whether it will not, in time, prove the heaviest loss of the war. To the African it will prove like Balmawhapple’s head, “a sair loss to him,” whatever it may be to the country at large. He will go the way of all savage races when remit ted to competition with a superior people. Bnt as demand will create supply—as necessity will stimulate industry and exertion, I look for the time when white labor in the South will take up the toil of the African and carry it on with in creased energy, power, intelligence and success. The Press Convention held a last and in formal session at one o’clock to-day. A pair of silver goblets had been procured and appropri ately inscribed as a testimonial to the extraordi nary hospitality of our reception and entertain ment by the Mobile Board of Trade. The Board met ns to receive our adieus, and were addressed through their President, in a very beautiful and well-conceived speech by the Presi dent of the Press Convention. The President of the Board, CoL Woodruff, responded in a very happy and feeling manner, and with a cor dial grasp all round we separated from our hos pitable entertainers. In 1864 the Colonel was a wounded officer of the Alabama volunteers in one of our Macon hospitals, and will doubtless be recollected by many as a highly cultivated and interesting gentleman. We bade adieu to Mobile at 3 o’clock in the evening with the most pleasant impressions and memories of that enterprising city and its ac. complished and hospitable people. The long lines of street, wharves, river steamboats and smaller sea-craft fades away in the lengthening distance as the steamer takes her tortnous course down the Mobile and up the Tensag, The country is almost drowned out. The soil is so saturated with rain as to lose its absorbent power, and the water fills the old furrows in nearly all the clearings. Not a fortieth part of the land which has once been in cultivation shows any indications that it will be seeded this spring. Rotten fences—tumble-down cabins with their moss-covered roofs and generally smoke less chimneys—old fields yellow with broom- sedge, excepting where scarred and disfigured with red-clay gullies—just enough of newly split pine rails here and there to show that every body had not gone and there was some life in the old land yet—this is the spectacle from the Chattahoochee to the Alabama. East of the Chattahoochee is some better, though the land is generally much poorer. The misfortune of the traveler in the South is, that our railways follow the most barren ridges and show the country at disadvantage. It is a very large place. The most of it is out-of- doors, and out at elbows, too. It needs fencing in—speaking fignratively—for we think, in point of fact, that fencing of cultivated fields must be dispensed with. The best of the land be tween here and Montgomery is left without tim ber for fencing purposes, and the actual cash value of all the cattle to be seen near the roads would pay for building very little fence. If we have settled it that free negroes and swine at large cannot co-exist, then let us dispense with field fencing as an investment which clearly can never pay. C. Affairs in Camilla. Failure to Reconstruct Iteconstruc- ~R~Y~ TELEGRA.PH An agent of the Telesraph in Camilla, at- tlon. traded by the statements of an article abont The Radical row at Atlanta is having itsef- Camilla and Mitchell county, copied from the feet at the North. It is causing people to look Nashville Press and Times, in the Telegraph of closer into the motives of the little noisy faction 21st, writes as follows: trying to tnm the State out of the Union. The fiiim.T.i ^ February 22, 1869. more conservative wing of the party—led by Dr. Messrs. Editors : Noticing the article in the Bard—is receiving the thanks of the great body Telegraph of yesterday, copied from the Press of the party at large. It shows Congress that and Times, I have to say, in defence of the good in addition to the entire Democratic party being people of Camilla and Mitchell county, that a opposed to any farther interference on its part more orderly, quiet and well disposed people are in the affairs of this State, a majority of the not to be fonnd on this continent As to the Radicals are opposed to it. story that tho negro laborers are leaving the • Pvom the New York Times of the 20th we county, I can give it a flat denial. Laborers C0 Py G*® following: here are plentiful—both white and black. I have Georgia and Mississippi.—The conflicting re- tabled «U „„ Middle and Sonth.aafcm Georgia and Eastern Alabama, and I find the interference m the affairs of Georgia. The Re formers of this county as far advanced and do- I publicans of the State are divided. The ex in ct ns well as in any other county in this and tremists invoke fresh action with the view of ihaadioiningSt.ee. a.c.t.fiMnanaces. .SPSS’S is that the planters treat their hands well and the State, and as calculated to bringthe policy pay them fairly. I find more money among of the Government into disrepute. The former planters here tb«n anywhere else in Georgia, have Gov. Bullock on their side; the latter are Camilla is aerUinl, doadnad ,o be on, of .bo , cTn^s. nicest villages of Southern Georgia when the sionol intermeddling, and there ought to be none, railroad connection is established. ! A State whose votes were counted in the Electo- W. LI S. ; ral College, is no more subject to interference _ _ of the kind sought than is any other of the rep- Eetter from Gen. Morgan of Dougherty ; resen ted States; The Senate may stultify itself Atlanta, Feb. 22d, 1869. •. by refusing admission to its Senators, but the Editors of Macon Telegraph /—From my ■ constitutional standing of the State no longer knowledge of your candor and fairness, I do not &“™ng 1°^the cdoreVpIo^lo by believe you would knowingly make an unfair , the Georgia Legislature will be of brief dura- or unjust statement in your columns. | tion. The next election will give them the op- I notice in your issue of the 22d, in your edi- ; portumty of punishing their betrayers and torial on the majority report of the Finance j ggj?* effectually against a repetition of in- Committee in the Bullock-Angier affair, yon j “We are glad, too, that Mr. Boutwell con- say “this report, as will be seen, tries to exon- • fesses the hopelessness of attempting further erate the Governor, and is at least willing to say i legislation in regard to Mississippi this session. .... » His proposal to alter the reconstruction acts that he intended no wrong. , | would produce only mischief. Those acts have This, as you must perceive, by carefully read- : | 5een proved adequate to reconstruct seven ing the majority report is a mistake and ealeu- ; States, and they may surely be relied upon to lated to do the majority of that Committee in- i perfect tho work. The time is past for experi- justice. Most of them are democrats of the ^sacrificing substantial progress *. . . . , , , at the bidding of exacting men. strictest school. ™ ... , ° , . . . ;■ _ , . ... _ ... we think we may safely tell the people of ■The intention, I believe, of that Committee • .. . ™ . . , . ’ , ’ . . | Georgia to dismiss their fears. We are not to was to do the Governor strict justice and give , ° , , . ,, . _ ,,, ° be remanded to the custody of the military, FROM ATLANTA. Public Schools up in Botb Houses. Immigration Bill Laid on the Table. Acknowledging the Deity. The extraordinary self-conceit of “our North ern brethren” is strongly evinced in the last at tempt to amend the Constitution. Tho Judi ciary Committees of both Houses are over whelmed with memorials praying for an amend ment to the preamble and Constitution to this effect, namely: We, the people of the United States, humbly acknowledge Almighty God as the source of all authority and power in civil government; the Lord Jesus Christ as the ruler among the na tions, and His revealed will as of supreme au thority in order to constitute a Christian Gov ernment, and in order to form a more perfect Union and establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. They believe that it is a very important thing that the Divine Government should be formally “recognized and acknowledged” by the grand republic; and so it is to the crowd who set this movement afoot. For every friendly power ac knowledged is entitled to a representation at court, and these men are striking to bo vice gerents and plenipotentiaries. ; , A New Idea.—A Professor Huxley has been lecturing in New York upon the “the vital prin ciple” of the human body. “ This structural unit,” he says is “a nucleated mass of proto plasm.” And as a matter of fact, therefore, “the body in its earliest state is a mere multiple of such units variously modified.” This high falutin Professor goes on to say: “Beast and fowl, reptile and fish, mollosk, worm and polype are all composed of the same character—namely, masses of protoplasm with a nucleus.” And he caps the climax by declaring that “what is true of the animal world is no less so of plants.” He then establishes the identity of man and the nettle: “Tracedback to its earliest state, the nettle arises as the man does, in a particle of nucleated protoplasm.” Protoplasm, simple or nucleated, he affirms to be the formal basis of all life! The Demand fob Fertilizers.—To show the demand for fertilizers, a correspondent writes us-that Messrs. Anderson & Co., of Fort Valley, have sold two hundred thousand dollars’ worth of fertilizers this season. Very large soles have been made in Macon by several houses. him the benefit of every argument in his favor. This was done because the Committee in deal ing with a political opponent intended, if they leaned at all, to do so in favor of him against whom they naturally and politically might be suppose to have prejudice. I think, however, if the two reports are read together it will be impossible to see any differ ence in the main conclusions. The majority re port contains all the facts pro and con which the minority report does not; and, as we think, un justly and unfairly conceals facts which should be stated. Yours Very Respectfully, H. Morgan. In reference to the foregoing we have simply to say, that we hold no accountability for the article in question, which no responsible editor of the Telegraph saw until printed. We have been absent from the State—have read neither of the reports, and we have no idea of making charges or insinuations affecting the personal integrity of any gentleman, except on evidence that would convict in a court of justice. That, to our mind, is a plain principle of reason, jus tice, common sense and duty, which we shall never knowingly cepart from. John Barley-corn’s Headquarters.—Yester day the last of the distilleries operating in New York and its immediate vicinity ceased working and closed its doors. Most of the others ceased operations some days since. And yet our mar ket is flooded with whisky, which is sold below the amount of the excise and the cost of pro duction. Reports to the Internal Revenue De partment indicate that a large proportion of this contraband whisky come? from Philadelphia. Thirty-five distilleries, we learn, are in active operation in that city, and produce hundreds of barrels of whisky daily. [New York World, 20th. The reader will peruse this paragraph with no little surprise. The truth is the “ Whisky Ring ” is too strong for the Government. From the very beginning of taxation upon their ardent spirits they have successfully baffled the revenue officers, and instead of its lessening their profits, it has made them rich. For this reason they not only vigorously oppose a reduction of tho duty but are incessant advocates of its in crease. By evading the law and paying no tax at all, a large number of distillers put their whisky in the market at less than the tax, to say nothing of the cost of production. The Gov ernment fails to collect exceeding one-twentith of its excise upon this article alone. with all its concomitants and annoyances. Con gress has hopelessly abandoned the task of making this a radical State. Jefferson Davis.—In the Supreme Court yes terday the last legal technicality in the discharge of the case of Sir. Jefferson*Davis was com plied with, and the ex-President of the Con federacy is now freed from even a semblance of prosecution or trial We do not expect to hear the clamor now that much simpler and more evidently just steps in the same case evoked some time ago; and yet we fail to perceive why, if this thing were to be done, it might not bet ter have been done without the prolonged incar ceration and the other chapters of the discredit able history.—N. Y. Tribune. But throughout “the prolonged incarceration and tho other discreditable chapters of history,” Mr. Davis never exhibited truer elements of greatness. He never asked for a parole, be never sned for pardon, he never asked to be re leased, he never expressed commiseration for what be had done, be never failed to be ready to go before a Court of Justice. It was the Government, not Mr. Davis, who feared a ju dicial tribunal The indignities heaped u^ion him in the casemates of Fortress Monroe were received without a murmur from him. At %ne time during his imprisonment President John son offered to pardon him if he would ask for it. But to sfsk for pardon is to acknowledge the crime, and hence the offer was instantly re fused. History furnishes bnt few instances of fallen chiefs who did not quail under similar circumstances. Whether posterity ad j udges his deeds right or wrong, he will elicit admiration for firmness and stability of the highest order. Old Ben Wade. This old gentleman will soon be turned out to grass, unless he gets a position in Grant’s cabi net, of which there is not the slightest prospect. Tho Cincinnati Enquirer indulges in the follow ing “tribute of respect” to the politically de ceased Benjamin: “After aU, ho has done an immense business upon a small capital He has been eighteen years a United States Senator from Ohio. He has filled a vacancy in the office of Vice-Presi dent of the United States. Yet his talents are of the most inferior kind. His attainments are nothing. He is naturally and grossly ignorant —destitute of ordinary educational acquire ments. The fact that such a man, without one single bright natural qualification, should have been the representative of Ohio for nearly twen ty years in the Senate of the United States, is not calculated, by any means, to increase our respect for republican institutions.” The explanation is plain: fanatical abiolition. ism, and after that radicalism, brought him out and kept him prominently before the coun try. The causes which galvanised him into a political existence dying out, he, having noth ing else upon which to rally*—being “destitute of ordinary educational acquirements,” and “talents of the most inferior kind”—of course dies out with them. May we not hope that a long list of other Senators and Representatives will soon disappear for the same reason ? Mrs. Grant. the new mistress of the white house. From the Chicago Tribune.] Mrs. Stover, Andrew Johnson’s daughter, qui etly and respectably took her departure for Ten. nessee last week. Good opinion follows all the ladies of the White House under the passing administration. We feel the most perfect and serene confidence in the spirited, handsome and graceful lady who is to be the mistress of this mansion under General Grant. Her education, parentage, and social opportunities have abun dantly qualified her to grace the White House. Her father, Mr. Dent, was the proprietor of an estate and a homo comparable with any between ^New Orleans and St. Louis, in those days when that part of the world contained the gentleman planter, par excellence. He spared no gener ous pains to make his boys influential and his girls accomplished. Mrs. Grant was the flower of the family, and in her sagacity of head and heart, she twas probably the first person in the land to express sympathy and appreciation of the quiet young cadet, her brother’s classmate at West Point. She was the tried companion of his poverty and early struggles, and when the war bereaved her of him she manifested a constancy of confi dence in his virtue and ability which never for one moment faltered. At the darkest periods of fortune she believed in his star, and fought his praises in civil life as bravely as he followed the Southern Cros3 in his campaigns. Josephine will have no larger homage when both Grant and Bonaparte have mellowed into history, than Mrs. Grant. Unlike Josephine, she has sub mitted to the decree of good fortune with blameless modesty, and republican womanhood has no more exquisite example at this day than Mrs. Grant. Her care of her children, whom she teaches to be self-reliant as well as obedient, and the domestic and religious influence she ex erts over her husband, ore not unobserved here. The taste of her toilet, adapted to a naturally graceful and stately figure, has passed the guant- let of the most invidious criticism. It is with more reason than the high estimate of his high sagacity that people predict of General Grant a fortunate and happy administration, for behind his magistry there will always be a home. I make these remarks because a wretched and scurrilons newspaper in. New York has lately undertaken to speak of Mrs. Grant as unequal to her eminence. Upon this point the strictest criterion in the land may be satisfied. The White Houso will be honored in her accession. Martial Lair in Tennessee. Brownlow has proclaimed martial law in Over- ton, Jackson, Maury, Giles, Marshall, Lawrence, Gibson, Madison and Hayward conniies, West Tennessee. He says he has sixteen hundred State guards armed aud equipped, and these counties will probably afford them plunder enough. They are to subsist on the people. The Nashville Republican Banner of Sunday says: Gov. Brownlow’s declaration of martial law, which was published officially in the Knoxville Whig of yesterday, and transmitted to us per telegraph by our correspondent at that place, may be truly said to constitute the crowning in famy of his gubernatorial administration. The hatred, malice and all-uncharitableness which induced him to such a step at a time when pro found peace reigns throughout the State, can be attributed only to the worst motives and pas sions of the human breast. Mere party courtesy would have suggested that so weighty a question should have been left to the decision of his im mediate successor, since the latter will have to bear the responsibility of the fatal step. The proclamation means, if it means anything, civil war. It is a last desperate move to shield the Brownlow regime from the just indignation of the loyal tax-payers, whom they have so out rageously deceived by the promise that the ex pense of supporting the militia would be im posed upon the counties where martial law might be declared. All that is Necessary.—“The most argent public need of to-day is the careful preparation and cheap publication, of a series of larger Tracts, embodying all that is known beyond dis pute, in the domain of Natural, Intellectual, and Moral Science. These Tracts should be concise but comprehensive treatises on distinct topics of practical consequence, each covering from 32 to 64 pages, printed in large, fair type, on good, white paper, and sold at five to ten cents each.” .[Horace Qreetey. These tracts should be interlarded with a lit tle Bible, a good deal of Radicalism and print ed at the Tribune office. Boston might furnish manuscript for them indefinitely. In sending for one inclose stamp to pay return postage. We have further reports from Atlanta, Ga., of what seems to be a disreputable squabble among professed friends of the incoming ad ministration. At this distance it would seem that the real friends of the administration of Gen. Grant in Georgia are not sufficiently nu merous to form two successful parties in that State, nor, as it would seem, to infuse a con trolling wisdom into the councils of either. [New York Tribune. Respectfully refen sd for inquiry and investi gation as to who are the “real” friends of the incoming administration. Retributive Justice.—The Knoxville Press and Herald says that the days of miracles have not ; passed away. Some month ago the Rev. Mr. Neal,- a minister of the Methodist Church South,was tied to a’tree and flogged,while on his way home from church. The perpetrators of the outrage were not arrested, but says the Press “a stronger power than that which admin isters human law has brought retribution upon them. Out of the entire number of ruffians three have since died, one was recently thrown from his horse and received injuries which are believed to be mortal, while another is now lying in jail for crime. Even the tree to which Mr. Neal was tied by his persecutors has been How Gen. Grant Tales.—Forney’s dispatch tothePressof the 19thsays: Since Congress has declared Grant President, he talks without reserve to ali bis friends on all questions; and although he gives no sign as to smitten by the same'unseen, bnt ever-watchful individuals he will place in his Cabinet, he does power and is dead.” not hesitate to declare himself a fervent Repnb- ’ — lican, and that he will select no men who were ' In the neighborhood of Clarendon Springs, not true during and since the war, and who did Vt, live seven farmers, who possess between not heartily co-operate with the great Republi- them one hundred and two children. Jonathan can party in the recent campaign. Eddy has the most—nineteen. General Tax Bill, Governor's Veto,.ete Special to the Telegraph.] Atlanta, February 23d. Senate -The Senate spent the ' entire session to-day, in considering the bill to put in operation system of Public Schools. This bill is similar to the House bill on tho same subject. Tho Senate will, no doabt, concur in the action of the House in referring the whole, subject, to joint special committee. After a long discussion and the perfecting of few sections of the bill, the Senate adjourned. House. The House resumed the consideration of the School bill, which was the unfinished business of yesterday. Mr. Scott moved to lay the bill on the table— Lost Mr. Shumate moved to refer the bill and substi tutes to a Joint Special Committee. Carried. Under the special order the Immigration bill was taken up, when Mr. Shumate,from the Special Com mittee, offered a substitute. After some discussion both the original hill and tho substitute were laid on the table—yaes 62, nayB 44. The General Tax bill was passed. It varies bnt little from the last tax bill The Governor’s veto of the Columbus and Mil- ledge ville municipal bill was read. Pending action on which the House adjourned. Notwithstanding the stormy, rainy and inclement night, the Messrs. Kimball’s reception at the Opera House was largely attended by members of the General Assembly, citizens and visitors. W. The Educational Bill Passed. Governor’s Veto Sustained. Foreign Capital Exempt from Taxa tion. - Removal of the Capitol Referred. Special to the Telegraph.] Atlanta, February 24. Senate.—The Senate consumed most of the morning in a continuation of the discussion on, and perfection of, tho educational bill An amendment was adopted that each district in which a school may be located shall provide a school- house, fuel, lights, etc. Tho section providing that by vote white and col ored children be sent to tho same school, was stricken out. Mr. Adkins gave notice that he would offer a mo tion to reconsider the same. Mr. Higbee contended strongly that he had no right to deprive any person from whatever school ho chose. Ho had the right to invite the colored persons of his house to social equality. The thing will govern itself, and cannot be debarred by law. The section, as amended, reads: But children of the white and colored races shall not be allowed to be taught together in any district of the State. The bill then passed. Yeas, 20; nays, 15. Fears are entertained that the House will reject the bill, and hence tho motion of Mr. Candler to transmit the bill was lost, he being in opposition to it House—Tho House, after considering tho bill vetoed, in reference to the municipal elections of Columbus and Milledgeville, sustained the veto— yeas 65, nays 37. Endeavors were frequently made to suspend tho rules for various purposes, which were lost Tho bill to exempt foreign capital, engaged in manufactures, from taxation was passed—yeas 97; nays 28. Blodgett being here, a resolution was offered by Mr. Darnell, inviting him to a seat on the floor. It elicited a debate that lasted until the hour of ad journment .. ... The bill in reference to the removal of the capi- tol was referred to a special committee. The report of tho Committe on the Western and, Atlantic Railroad, appointed to examine into the general management of the same, is said to be very voluminous. It will be read to-morrow. W. From Washington. Washington, February 23.—Revenue receipts to-day $171,000. Gen. Buckner i3 here. There was a full cabinet to-day. The recusant witnesses, Bill and Reave, were re manded to the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms, to await the pleasure of the Committee. Grant declared publicly to-day that no military or naval officer will be in his cabinet. Notwithstanding tho increased colored registra tion, tho citizen’s ticket was elected in Georgetown. Gen. Breckenridge goes to Petersburg to-night Washington, February 24.—The Reconstruction Committee is considering the Senate amendments to tho disability bill. There is slow progress. Shack elford, of Virginia, has been stricken from the list of Judges. Packer, of Virginia, whom Sumner calls atrocious, has been retained by a vote of four to three, Bingham voting aye. Nothing important in either House. It is believed.that Grant will notify'his cabinet officers between now and Monday. Cushing’s treaty for a ship canal over the Isth mus of Darien, is favorably considered in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Col Parker, of Indian descent, and heretofore on Gen. Grant’s staff, is prominent as a Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Sherman is expected here on Friday next. Sheridan will succeed Sherman as Lieutenant- General. Grant's cabinet, it is conceded, will consist of moderate Republicans. The Globe continues to publish the Congression al debates. Schenck’s hill to strengthen the public credit by pledging tho faith of the Government to pay its bonds in gold or its equivalent, passed the House by a vote of 119 to 61. The body of the unfortunate Capt Wire, who was executed for alleged outrages as the keeper of a Confederate prison, has been delivered to his friends. Senator Wilson has introduced a hill regarding Mississippi, and providing for the abrogation of the Provisional Government, and the installation of the officers elected at the recent election, with the pro vision, that where the person elected could not take the required oath of office, it should devolve upon the person receiving the next highest vote. The Senate Judiciary Committee have resolved to take no further action this session on the removal of political disabilities. The Reconstruction Committee made little pro gress to-day in considering tho Senate amendments to the House bill relieving political disabilities. The impression is strong that nothing more will bo done this session, tho Houso being certain to erase some names which will involve the bills returned to the Senate for concurrence. Both Houses caucus on Tuesday next regarding the officers for the ensuing session. Further business by cither House is regarded as improbable. Managers of caucuses earnestly urge new members to be present. Congressional. Washington, February 22.—Senate.—The Senate refused to concur in the House amendments to tho currency bill and asked for a Committee of Confer ence. It then took np the hill to allow imported goods to bo taken to certain interior places in bond, with out the collection of duties at the port of entry. It i3 now under discussion. Washington, February 23 Senate.—Wilson, from the Military Committee, reported favorably on the hill continuing the Education and Collection Department of the Freedmen’s Bureau, and several Freedmen’s Hospitals, including those at Richmond aud New Orleans. The Finance Committee reported a bill remitting duties on college and library apparatus. The Secretary of the Treasury wan requested to communicate any information he had relative to Mexico’s free postal system and-frauds connected therewith. The Senate non-concurred in and asked for a conference on the suffrage amendment. The bill authorizing tho Western Union Telegraph Company to import cables duty free, was passed. A bill re-organizing the Judioiary,-passed. It pro vides for a chief and eight associate justices—six to be si quorum—and for nine circuit judges. The bill amending the civil rights bill, passed The. penalties for holding office contrary to the fourteenth amendment was discussed at great length. House.—The House is considering the copper tariff. The copper tariff bill was passed over the veto by a vote of 115 to 56. A bill was passed forbidding the State Court, Cir cuit Courts, Courts of Oyer and Terminer, in the dty and f county of New York, and the Superior Court of the city, from naturalizing foreigners. Several conference committees were appointed. Recess.- WA8H1NGTON, February 24. Senate—The Judiciary Committee asked to be discharged from the consideration of several hills, memorials and papers, regarding Congressional in terference with Georgia. The Committee on Commerce were discharged from the consideration of various hills. Several amendments to the army appropriations were adopted, Involving ite return to the House for convenience. >' The McGannahan case was discussed to recess. House—Beyond what is reported elsewhere, en tirely unimportant. Tennessee River Convention. Chattanooga, Februaiy 24—The Tennessee River Convention, comprising- delegates from Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania, met at 10 o'clock this morning. Gov. Patton, of Ala., the temporary Chairman, spoke for a short time, calling the attention of the Convention to the vast importance of the great object for which it had met, and gave some information about tho work already done on the river and the repeated ef forts that had been made, from time to time, to im prove its navigation. Temporary Secretaries were appointed from the several States represented, among whom was Kirby, from Tennessee. A committee of two from each State, for the pur pose of a permanent organization, was appointed; among them were Wilder and Lathbnm, from Ten nessee. On the call of States, 176 delegates reported pres ent. While the Committee on organization were ont, Goer, engineer of tho Tennessee Improvement Company, was called upon. For a half hour ho poured forth facts and figures connected with the improvement of tho river, to which the Convention listened with great attention. The Committee on organization reported for permanent officers, Gov ernor Bullock, of Georgia, President-; Vice-Presi dents and Secretaries were selected from the other States. The Vice-Presidents from Tennessee are Chamberlain, Byrd and Divine. The Secretaries are Kirby and Kendrick. On taking tho chair, Bullock read his acknowledg ments for tho honor conferred by the Committee. Tho three from each State appointed on resolutions, were Col F. Young, Gen. Wheeler and Bainago James, of Tennessee. A letter was read from Gov. Brownlow, approving of the Convention and express ing his interest and sympathy in the objects of the meeting, and promising to use his best efforts to secure sufficient appropriations for the completion of the proposed improvements. Afternoon Session.—The Convention met at two o’clock. The Committee on Resolutions reported through Col Gaskill, of Georgia. Tho resolutions recite the feasibility of tho proposed improvement of tho Tennessee river at moderate cost, as demonstrated by reports of Generals Humphreys, Weitzel and Gaw. The United States census shows, that its opening to navigation is demanded by large mer cantile and popular meetings in various portions of the United States, and call the attention of Congress to the importance of the work to be done, and re solve that a committee of three he appointed to me morialize Congress on tho subject. After offering the resolution, Col. Gaskill dwelt at some length on the importance to the State of Geor gia of tho opening of tho river. Tho report wxs adopted. Gaw, Farrow and Patton were appointed as the committee to memorialize Congress. Mr. Bokum, Emigration Commissioner for Ten nessee, addressed tho Convention on the subject at emigration as connected with cheap transporta tion routes. Gen. Wilder adaessed the Convention, relating his successful experience in manufacturing iron from the ore and raw coal in Roan county, Tennessee. By a unanimous vote Wilder was added to the com mittee to memorialize Congress. An Executive Committee was appointed to con duct the business of tho Convention during recess. Hulbert and Gaskill, of Georgia, and Patton and O’Neal of Alabama, with the Governors of all the States represented, were added to the .Executive Committee. The Convention then adjourned to meet at the call of tho Executive Committee. From North Carolina. Baudoh, February 22—1116 House passed the revenue bill to-day, and it will paes the Senate in a few days. It is said to be ample for the of the current year. The Senate is engaged on the school bill The Supreme Court adjourns on Monday. From Louisiana—Fire in New Orleans. New Orleans, February 24.—Chief Justice Lude- ling. of the SnpreUe Court, to-day, delivered an opinion reversing the decision of the Seventh Dis trict Court that the one per cent, tax was unconsti tutional, and dissolving the injunction against the collection of the tax. A large fire occurred at 2 o'clock this morning on Camp street, opposite tho Times newspaper office, destroying Heath’s house and furniture, and badly damaging John Madden’s stationery and Berry’s grocery house, the upper stories of which were oc cupied by photographers, book-binders and as of fices. Loss $100,000 on stocks, two-thirds of which is insured. The buildings are owned in New York and fully insured. New Orleans, February 23—The steamboat Peo ria from tho city of New Orleans for Louisville, was snagged at Cole’s Creek, several miles below Natchez, on Monday night. She was run on a bar and sunk. The passengers and their baggage and a lot of cattle were saved. The greater part of tho corgo was lost. The House to-day held a seven hours’ session on the financial measures, passing the bills authorizing the sale of $990,000 levee bonds now pledged for the loan of $500,000, and appropriating $125,000 for uniforming the militia, and appropriating $100,000 to supply the deficit in last year’s levee appropria tions, caused by the appropriation of the levee funds to other purposes. Front Cuba. Havana, February 24—Three thousand troops de part to the inland to-morrow. The city is quiet. The Rebels are burning plantations in the Villa Clara and Jaguay Districts. Tho expedition against Guanija consists of twen ty-five hundred men, including cavalry. A decree just issued imposes an export duty from March 1st, of fifty cents per box, and one dollar and quarter on hogsheads of sugar; one dollar per bale on tobacco; fifteen cents por thousand on ci gars; five per cent increase on import duties; twen ty per cent on internal taxes. Tho proceeds are to secure eight million dollars. Dulco assures the volunteers of vigorous opera tions against the rebels in the army. Tho salutes in honor of Washington’s birthday frightened the people.. The insurgents live off the inhabitants, preferring, however, to live off the Spaniards. The Birthday of G. Washington. The Savannah News local is responsible for the following. Take him to the guardhouse: This is the birthday of G. Washington. He is generally known as the father of hi, country. Mrs. Britannia is named in history as its mother; but when the marriage between her and G. Washington took place is not recorded At any rate, they had a child, which G. Waahl ington named U. S. America. It was no relation to U. S. Grant n He was also the father of the Fourth of July which was bom in 1776, prior to Abe Lincoln's proclamation of blockade. Likewise the father of the Sunday-school sto ry, related for the benefit of bad boys, to make them mend their evil ways. It’s all about G. Washington chopping his father’s persimmon tree, and then telling his dad about it, at which the old man patted him on the head and said. “Good boy.” ^ This story has driven many a boy of good moral character into lying. Numbers of young Americans have striven to emulate the example of G. Washington, got into mischief, confessed it and been licked for their pains. They were never known to tell the truth afterwards. Many of them lived to beoome great lawyers, or went into the newspaper business, or to Con- grass; while little boys who stuck to the truth lived poor, but honest, all their lives. About the year 1775, a row occurred in the Washington family. It was all about the bov U. S.A. 3 The old woman, called Britannia for short, wanted to clothe Hie boy in stamps. G. Wash ington, who had never been an Internal Reve nue Collector, did not believe in that sort of a garment. The fuss terminated in a big fight, in which all the neighbors participated. Mrs. Brittannia’s friends called in their big brother, King George, to whip G. Washington King George hired a lot of red-coated Dutch men, fond of beer, to be his bottle holders. G. Washington dressed his backers in blue, and called them Continentals. Their equals have never been seen; which gave rise to the phrase “not worth a continental.” _ Our national flag was modelled npon the above circumstances ; the red signifies the color that got whipped, and the blue the color that whipped; the white was put in by way of a truce or two, and the stars to shed light upon the whole sub ject. The cause of the fight was about the boy U. S. G. Washington claimed that he was twenty- one and ought to be free to vote and buy his own clothes, and go to see the girls. Brittania didn’t want to untie him from her apron strings. The fight waxed warm and furious, and sever al blows were struck. G. Washington was knocked groggy at New York, as many a man has been since. King George whipped him out of the place, and, to celebrate the event, established grog shops at the comers of all the streets. They are still in existence. Washington did not stop falling back until he reached Pennsylvania, where he tumbled into Valley Forge. This was not considered as forgery, or a war rant would have-jjbeen issued against him by some one of our Justices of the Peace. G. Washington hit back again, at Trenton, where the Hessians were all sitting around a barrel of beer, and blacked the old fellow’s eye. The fight then waxed more furious. Savannah played an important part in it. The Hessians captured Bryan Row and all tho unlicensed whisky mills in that section, and nearly killed themselves drinking American chain lightning. They then advanced upon Yamacraw for a change of liquor. The Continentals retreated to Augusta in disgust. Afterwards they came down and made an at tack upon Roberts ville, and tried to capture the Central Railroad depot. • The Hessians, who were in favor of a mo nopoly, held fast to it, and ran the Continentals off. The Continentals then contented themselves with stopping Cracker carts from coming into the city, thus reducing the supply of vegetables and tough beef. The whole fight lasted eight years; at the end of which period G. Washington knocked King George out of time, and his seconds threw np the sponge. Old Mrs. Britannia then sued out a divorce, and the Courts awarded G. Washington the custody of the boy U. 8. A. who made ms daddy President. In which capacity he gave great satisfaction. At the end of eight years he resigned his sit uation, issued a farewell address, and retired to tho bosom of his family. To whom he was known by the familiar .title of “ General” because he belonged to every body. «,! He lived at Mount Vernon nntil he died. Which was prior to the establishment of the Freedmen’s Bureau, and the late civil war be tween the States, in which he did not participate. His boy, U. S. A., erected the Washington Monument to his memory, and made capital by calling a town after his dad. Which is the seat of the National Lunatio Asylum, headquarters of the whisky ring, abode of Andy Johnson, and a resort for office seekers of all kinds. - U. S. A. grew np to be too big for his boots. He couldn't get anybody to whip him, so he whipped himself. At running in debt, buying np worthless land and building Freedmen’s Bureaus, he is a suc cess. He has not grown np just like his dad, and has not done credit to his bringing up. He is now engaged in riding to the deuce on a velocipede. ■ Which is all we know about G. Washington, who was bom on the 22d of February, several years before the late war.. General News. Philadelphia, February 23—The FourthNational Bank has closed. Deposits $500,000. The failure is attributed to the defalcation of the cashier.' ■ ■ Buffalo,' February 23.—There has been a forty- eight hours’ snow. AU trains are three hours be hind. Richmond, February 24.—Andrew Tyler, a colored porter, was arrested to-day charged with poisoning bis wife, who died this morning. It appears that Tyler had ravished his Btep daughter and his wife was cognizant of the fact and was poisoned to be got out of the way. Foreign News. Lisbon, February 23—The press of this city al most unanimously condemn the movement of the union of Spain and Portugal Madrid, February 24.—The Provisional Govern ment has retired the Cortez and entrusts Horano with the formation of a cabinet. Cahellera Pebodu succeeds Dulee at Havana. Constantinople, February 24.—Hostilities be tween the Comaks and Persians are suspended. Cable Telegram Failures. We notice in our financial article, yesterday, the excitement caused in Wall street by the fail ure of the cable telegrams to come through on time, bearing the news of the large advance in United States securities, coupled with the heavy transactions which took place in the interval of the delay beyond the usual hour of delivery. The regular report of the London money mark et was due about eleven o’clock in the forenoon, and it was delayed somewhere until half-past four in the afternoon. It is very singular that similar delays have been notioed in commercial circles on the occasion oi large advances in the price of cotton in Liverpool, and also when marked changes have taken place in prices of other staples; and, strange to say, our mer chants always notice that large transactions in the market always occurr in these intervals of delay. The facts have led to the existence in commercial circles of a suspicion that there is something wrong on these occasions. The onus lies between the Western Union Telegraph Company and the Cable Company. It is such occurrences as this that lead our merchants to look with favor on the postal telegraph system or a French cable whose terminus here shall lie in other hands than those that control the Wes tern Union Telegraph. The subject matter is a good one for the examination of our Chambers of Commerce and our Boards of Trade. When similar bodies in England looked into the. tele graph question the result was a unanimons movement on their part in favor of the govern ment postal telegraph.—N-. Y. Herald. North Carolina. . ; , Inconsequence of the criminal mismanage ment of the affairs of North Carolina by ^the Radical Congress and its agents, tho debt of that State on the 1st of October, 1867, was $12,970,- 000. The amount was considered frightful, but the Radical organs- in North- Carolina assured the people that the heavy expenditure had been for extraordinary purposes and that .it would he at once greatly reduced. Surely it should have been greatly reduced, for there has been all the time as much qniet in North .Carolina as in . any other State of the South, if not more. But Radical domination, with all its reckless extravagances, has continued there, and the debt is reported on tho 1st of February, 1869, as $43,318,200, so that the Con gressional scheme, within a very brief period, has actually added abont $30,000,000 to a State debt that was already of appalling magnitude. How will North Carolina pay the debt that Radicalism has laid upon her shoulders ? In gold and silver ? No. In greenbacks ? No. Li repudiation ? Exactly. That’s to be the es tablished Radical currency. _ , [Louisville Courier-Journal. Phelan's Latest Improved Combination Cushions are applied to the billiard tables in the American House, Boston. The Meeiws. Moe have one of the largest and best bouses in the country.