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Tlie Greorgia "W"eekly
Telegraph..
THE TELEGRAPH.
MACON, FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1RG9.‘
Northwestern Farms and Southern
Cotton Plantations,
"We notice the sale of several farms near Lex
ington within a few weeks back. They brought
an average of $93 per acre.
"We often hear onr Georgia planters speak of
selling out and going to upper Kentucky. They
dream of model stock farms—plenty of provis
ions and stock, such as blue grass, com, hay
and oats, fat horses, cattle, etc. It is very true
all these are there in the greatest profusion, and
can be bought if you have enough money. Let
us see bow much cash it will take to purchase
and equip a 800 acre farm:
300 acres at §93 per acre ..§27,900
10 brood mares at $150 each 1,600
1 stallion..... 2,000
1 jack............ 1,000
20 head of cattle 1,000
30 head of sheep 300
Fanning Implements 300
Items 1,000
Total - §35,500
If any of our planters can muster this much
cash, they can purchase and very well equip a
Kentucky farm near Lexington, conceded to be
the best division of the State. But an inquiry
naturally arises: Docs that laud pay as well as
our cotton land? The best of it will produce
about forty bushels of com to the acre. Take
two acres, for example. They will yield eighty
bushels, which is worth at the crib 50 cents per
bushel, or forty dollars for both acres. By feed
ing it to hogs and mules the farmer may make
it turn out fifty dollars. Now, two acres of onr
best cotton, land will produce a bale of cotton
worth all of a hundred dollars, or just twice as
much as the Kentuckian gets. It is not at all
impossible, moreover, by a liberal use of fertil
izers, to make our best lands bring a bale to the
acre, which, after deducting this expense, for
the two example acres, is §150. No land in any
portion of Kentucky, not even its tobacco region
—the most profitable of any of it—approaches
any such figure as this.
The truth is Southern cotton lands are the
most valnable portion of the United States. It
is very true the farmers of Kentucky and the
Northwest make plenty to eat, own fine stock,
and live well. But to make money is the main
business of the tiller of the soil. It is nothing
unusual fora Southwest Georgia planter, with a
capital investment of §35,500, to make §10,000
in one year. The best of Kentncky planters do
not make this much in five, and often not in fif
teen years. Let the products of an acre of
gronnd in each StAte meet here in the Macon
market, and Mr. Cottonplanter will take home
twice as many greenback dollars as Mr. Corn-
planter.
And we claim that we can raise as many hor
ses, mules, hogs, etc., as we have any reasona
ble use for. So there is no need of going to
Kentucky. The climate is much colder, the
winters much longer, and the summers just as
hot.
.itniO-Yaliou of Viucvillo.
We understand a petition has gone to the
Legislatnre, asking the annexation of the suburb
of Vineville to the corporate limits of the city
of Macon. This is a movement we have long
been looking for. Vineville contains some
twenty-five or thirty white voters and three or
four hundred negro voters. Some of the former
have a few shillings interest in the city of Ma
con,- bnt the combined interest of the latter in
the city may be estimated at something less
than a quarter of a dollar, badly torn and dis
figured.
When this bill annexing Vineville to Macon
gets through the Legislatnre, the city of Macc'n
will be practically controlled by negro voters,
who have neither residence nor interest in the
city, and who do not pay one dime to the sup
port of the city government. If such an iniquity
as that shall be consummated, it is needless to
say we are gone np—the Philistines are upon us
and we are shorn of our strength. It is said
some busy bodies calling themselves Democrats,
are concerned in this movement; bat a simple
statement of the practical effect of tho scheme
will show that no man—Democrat or Radical—
who believes in fair dealing can sanction such a
proceeding.
Massachusetts aim John Bull.—The Massa
chusetts Legislature has adopted a resolution
which -runs:
“Any treaty which does not, by its terms, con
cede the liability of the English government for
the aeteof its proteges, the Alabama and her
consorts, will be spurned with contempt by the
American .people, and that a ratification thereof
would be dishonorable to onr nation and unjust
to its citizens.”
England-has already offered a fair and honor
able proposition to settle this whole business—
‘‘gone to the verge of humiliation,” says the
London Times—which has been rejected. A
strong effort will be made, we are told to bully
her into paying these claims. We can well
conjecture the result. It is the strongest and
the most powerful government in the world to
day, and whilst its policy is peace it will not
pay one cent through intimidation. Snch a
warns the ship builders would embroil us in
would - be hard upon the South, as it would
greatly depreciate the price of our great staple.
EinrnxG toe 15th Amendment.—There are
thirty-six States, including thos excluded by
Congress. It takes three-fourths of this .sum-,
ber to ratify a constitutional amendment. It
will, therefore, require 26 to adopt the 15th ar
ticle. But are Virginia, Mississippi and Texas 1
counted?
The Republicans claim that they have a ma
jority in 26 of the 36 State Legislatures. It will
require a two-thirds vote of each Legislature to
ratify. The Democrats are confident of defeat
ing it in eight or ten of the States claimed by
the Republicans. If adopted, it will fasten ne
gro suffrage upon every portion of the Union.
We do not believe one-half the Northern States
will vote for it, and very few, if any, of the
Southern. ,,
</. Convention. ,. The report of Monday’s proceedings, from
The Ordinance providing for the reossem- our regular Atlanta correspondent, -which
bling of the Georgia Constitutional Convention, reached us too late for publication, contained
“if necessary,” is in the following words: the Governor’s Message to the Legislature upon
. li Be it ordained, That should it be necessary the matter of pecuniary responaibility for fitting
for this Convention, after its adjournment, to oat fl, e Opera House Capitol. We append the
reassemble to complete the reconstruction of „ below ' ' l -
theState,.it shall do so at the call of the Presi- message Deiow. _
dent of the samp; and in default of the Presi- , Executive DEPASTMKjn* r
dent, then of the President pro tempore, Hon. j >. ; Atlanta, Ga^ March 1, 1869.)
James L. Dunning, and in default of both, then j To the General Assembly y
by tho General commanding tho Third Military i g; g Honor, Mayor Hulsey, in behalf of him-
District And should no such call be made in ■ ee if and the City Council of Artaud, has pre-
tteeice months from this date, then this Conven-. EfE { e j to me the following resolutions adopted
tion shall stand adjourned sine die. j by that body on the 26th of February, ultimo,
“Adopted, March 11,18G8.” J and presented to the House of Representatives
Onr specials from Atlanta Monday night an- : on the 29th:
nounced that a call for the re-assembling of the : To the General Assembly of Georgia-:
Convention would be issued on Tuesday, and it j The City Council of Atlanta beg leave to rep-
be fortes „ ap - os< ,; ortleSt> ,|. "Hadtiers been any
the call must issue before the 11th, or the Con- « thQ stat0 for legislative purposes, and a man- “ ’■ • <
vention will be dead. The call is, therefore, is- gjon f or the Executive, seemed to admit of but
sued probably for the primary purpose of keep- j one construction, but as some controversy has
ing life in that body, in event it shall be neces- arisen in regard thereto in both Houses of the
b “ Tf - , -a . „ _ I General Assembly, and as no solution has been
sary to use it as^an instrument of radical re-re- rea ched, and as it is the impression. of this
' Council that the city of Atlanta stands in. a false
construction of Georgia.
The wording of the ordinance seems to have
been chosen with a view to the most latitndina*
rian construction. It is understood that the
President of the Convention sees no “necessity”
for reassembling; but the ordinance provides
that il in default" of the President, then the
President pro tempore, Dunning, shall call it—
Now, the phraso “in default,” includes every
thing and anything. It includes physical dis
ability from deatl) or disease, or moral disability
resulting from a conviction of the want of ne
cessity" for the reassembling of the Convention;
and It takes, as It were, a raMng fire upon the
whole trio authorized to reassemble the Conven
tion. If Parrott is “in default” and refuses for
any reason to reassemble the Convention, then
the shot hits Dunning, and if it fails to bring
down Dunning, it passes on to test the vulnera
bility of Gen. Meade.
In the present cose it seems to have brought
down the centre man. And he, it is understood,
is to reassemble the Convention.
We surmise the whole is done at a wink from
the Reconstruction Committee of Congress. It is
not improbable they see that the scheme of re-
reconstrncting Georgia is likely to fail for want
of sanction from Gen. Grant What, then,
might be done ? Answer. The Constitutional
Convention might reassemble and amend the
bill of rights or any other part of the Constitu
tion, by inserting a declaration that colored
voters shall be entitled to hold all offices created
by this Constitution. Congress might then af
firm this amendment as part and parcel of the
State Constitution, just as Congress imposed a
whole State Constitution npon Alabama and pro
poses to do the same for Mississippi.
True, as the Constitutional Convention will
re-assemble under the reconstruction ; acts of
Congress, and these acts require the submission
of their handiwork to the people of the State,
an awkward obstacle to the revisory work of the
Convention would spring up just here. The
amendment would stand no chance before the
people, unless the Convention went farther and
purged the poll lists, by prescribing the iron
clad oath as a qualification for voters. This,
they might do; or, as an alternative, ignore that
provision of the reconstruction acts which re
quires the submission of the Constitutional Con
vention to ratification by the people.
Meanwhile, as an alternative to this compound
double-action of Conventions and Legislatures,
which are doing and undoing—considering and
reconsidering, and beggaring the people of
Georgia by their enormous drains upon the
public revenue, and setting at utter defiance the
will of the people—powerless for good and pow
erful for mischief, we beg leave to submit to
the people the following petition:
To the Honor able, the President of the United
States and the Senate and House of Repre
sentatives, in Congress Assembled :
We, your petitioners, inhabitants of the State
or Province or Military District of Georgia, (so-
called) hnmbly set forth that we are in a bad fix
generally, and the wisest man among us finds it
impossible to define our political status; our
Governor himself being of the opinion that he
is not a Governor and the State is not a State.
Nevertheless, may it please your honors, we
are burdened with taxes, costs and expenses suf
ficient for half a dozen rightful and bona fide
governments of such a State as Georgia (so-
called.) Onr Legislators (so-called) vote them
selves nine dollars a day and spend all their
time in an Opera House, grandly furnished,
smoking the best Havana Regalias, employing
fifty clerks to keep their accounts, and seem de
termined never to say “adjourned sine die.” It
is also proposed to add to this legislative force a
so-called Constitutional Convention of about 200
more members at the same per diem, so that
the case is pretty clear that onr year’s labor is to
be consumed in the expenses of governments
whose title to govern is challenged even among
themselves.
Your memorialists further represent, that they
are anxious to live at peace with “all the world
and the rest of mankind,” and to support them,
selves and their families, instead of Legislatures
and Conventions, with their earnings, and they
begleave to assureyour honors that the peace shall
be preserved in Georgia without the interven
tion of these so-called governments, if it shall
be yonr pleasure to quash the same. Bat if it
shall be deemed necessary to substitute some
thing in the place of these so-called govern
ments, then they beg yonr honors to send to
Georgia a good, honest Sargeant of the regular
army or of the marines, with his file, if needful,
and that your honors will thereupon declare that
there shall be no elections and no Legislatures
or Conventions in the said so-called State of
Georgia for the space of ten years, from tho
4th of March, A D., 1870: by which time the
people, with God’s help, will have saved money
enough to meet the expense of further recon
struction. And as in duty bound, will ever
pray,‘&c., &c.
We think the people would sign some snch
petition .somewhere abont unanimously. .
Wooden Gas Wheels.—An Eastern railroad
engineer claims to have invented a wooden" car
wheel, which he warrants will run four hundred
thousand miles before wearing oat It is said
in the . same connection, that “it isa well known
fact that iron wheels will not run over fifty
thousand miles”—“a well known fact” with
which we have no acquaintance. The cost of
the new invention is three times more the
old, . ■> . . . ~ u
Sjlu-.o.v lIorsE, B.UNiuaDc.E, Gr.or.oiA.—This
well known Hotel is under the charge of Mr.
John Sharon. The House has recently been put
in' thorough repair and‘ refitted throughout;
everything is neat and tidy: the best of beds
and the best of meals furnished on short notice.
Unde John Maury says the nearest way to reach
a man's soul is down his throat. Travelers going
to Southwestern Georgia, would do well to call
andsee Unde John Sharon, at the Sharon House,
The War in Cuba.—Captain-General Dolce
has given orders to take no more prisoners, but
to' shoot down all rebels with arms In their
hands. This will only make the rebels fight the
more desperately. It is further announced that
the home government will send 50,000 troops to
Cuba if necessary.
The American House, Boston, has been
newly fitted and famished throughout. The
reputation of the senior partner has been too
well established by a long test of years, to need
further endorsement from us.
The Legislature—An expensive Lux
ury. „ .
Editor* Telegraph,: The people have watched
with growing interest the action of our long en
during Legislature, and at this stage, of the
game we can but wonder what's next on the po
litical programme ? 'What new stroke of finan
cial policy will be inaugurated so as to give the
Legislature margin to talk and exchange ideas
a few days longer for “the good of the 'coun
try?” What new bill can be fished up for “us
to deliberate upon?” If a bill with any policy
at all, it will probably share the fate of the
“Emigration Bureau bill,” killed by the weight
of one hundred thousand dollars’ worth of talk.
What county lines can now be changed?
None; unless original lines are reverted fo. In
short, what can detain tho congregated wisdom
of Georgia tp long at Atlanta ? The answer can
be given in afew plain words: “The Code'
light in the minds of some members of your
honorable body and the State at large, it is the
earnest desire of the representatives of the city
that an early adjustment of the matter should
be had. We, therefore, request that a joint
committee from your honorable body bo ap
pointed, whose duty it shall become to confer
•with the City Council of Atlanta to the end that
a full, fair and frank investigation of the matter
in dispute may be had. And the City Council
of Atlanta, on the part of the city, hereby bind
themselves to abide the decision which may be
arrived at by tho proposed conference.
W. H. Hulsey, Mayor,
and the City Council.
Attest: Reuben Arnold, City Attorney.
I am also advised by Ms Honor, the Mayor,
that a resolution providing for tho appointment
of a committee as asked for by the Honorable
Mayor and Council, was laid upon the table in
the House of Representatives by a vote of that
body. I embrace tMs occasion to communicate
with your honorable body upon a subject wMch
has received much comment in the House of
Representatives, and wMch has been made the
cause of very considerable and unscrupulous
clamor by many of the newspapers throughout
the State. It is very sincerely regretted that
the State Treasurer should have made the infor
mation which was conveyed to him by my special
order concerning certain amounts, which had
been drawn by me from a bank in New York
city, a pretext for clandestinely absenting him
self from Ms official position and duties, and
lending himself to, or engaging with others in a
malacions attempt to discredit and dishonor my
personal and official character for the purpose,
as is by Mmself admitted, of forwarding a par
tisan political movement in opposition to myself,
and for the defeat of public measures, looking
to the establishment of military government,
wMch were falsely asserted as being favored by
me. The subsequent action of the Treasurer in
refusing to comply with an Executive order, re
quiring that Ms report in response to a resolu
tion of the House of Representatives should be
transmitted to that body through tho Executive
Office, has still farther delayed official commu
nication between myself and the General Assem
bly upon this subject, and I now only embrace
tins opportunity out of deference to the public
expression of a desire on the part of city govern
ment of Atlanta to ascertain with a view of com
plying with the wishes of the State government,
in connection with the fulfillment of the obliga
tions, voluntarily incurred by that city at the
time of the adoption of that section of our Con
stitution wMch locates the Capitol at this point.
The House of Representatives has already
been advised, through my communication in
response to the interrogatories submitted by the
Finance Committee, and reported by that Com
mittee to the House, that thirty-one thousand
dollars have been expended to secure tho beat
ing, lighting and furnishing of the Legislative
Hails and Public Offices. For reasons hereto
fore referred to, the unwarrantable action of
the Treasurer, and the apparent disposition on
the part of the House of Representatives to sus
tain Mm in that action, and in Ms maintaining
a position of hostility to, and defiance of the
Executive, I have been restrained from making
official communication, or recommendation, to
your honorable body upon this subject at an
earlier date.
It is now, and has always been my opinion,
that the city of Atlanta, is bound in good faith,
to furnish suitable and sufficient accommoda
tion for all the purposes of State Government,
at this place, for ten years, free of any expense
to the State.
That such was the understanding by the Con
stitutional Convention at the time of the adop
tion of that section which locates the Capitol; I
think there can be no doubt.
In fact, at the time that the section referred
to was offered by Hon. James L. Dunning, of
Fulton, for the action of the Convention, it was
apparent that a large majority of the Conven
tion would vote in the affirmative ; and those
who were opposing the measure asked, in order
to delay final action, that a Committee of the
Convention be appointed for the purpose of
having specifications and a definite agreement
with the city authorities drawn up in writing.
But so complete was the confidence which the
Convention reposed in the liberality and good
faith of the city and citizens of Atlanta, that
the section was adopted without entertaining
that motion, or the requirement of written obli
gations.
It was not intended nor expected, that any
portion of the furniture or property of the State
then at Milledgeville should be removed or used
here. Nor would such removal have taken
place, had it not been permitted by the order of
His Excellency, Provisional Governor Eager.
It was intended that the governmental establish
ments at Milledgeville should remain intact and
ready for use in case of the failure or inability,
on the part of the city authorities of Atlanta, to
provide suitable and sufficient accommodations,
or to have them prepared in time for the first
session of the General Assembly, or in case
such other emergency should arise as might re
quire an adjournment to Milledgeville.
At the last session of your honorable bo.Iy a
contract with specifications was accepted by
resolutions of the Senate and House wMch were
not presented for Executive approval. By the
adoption of these resolutions it was assumed by
the then city authorities, that the city of Atlan
ta had complied with that part of her agreement
wMch relates to the State House and offices.—
It is believed, however, that in the adoption of
these resolutions many members, perhaps, a ma
jority, were under the impression that the con
tract and specifications covered all that would
be suitable and sufficient for the purposes of
the State.
It was subsequently ascertained that this
agreement did not include a sufficient number
of rooms for the proper accommodation for the
principal State House officers, namely: the
Treasurer, Comptroller General, and Secretary
of State, and for storage and rooms for their ac
commodation were rented on the first floor of
the building and for storage in the basement.
It was also ascertained that a literal construc
tion of tho written agreement wMch had been
accepted by the General Assembly and that the
construction placed upon it by the then city au
thorities did not require the city to provide for
the suitable heating, lighting, and furnishing,
and npon this state of facts I decided to exer
cise the general authority, and perform the duty
vested in, and imposed npon the Executive by
the G4th section of the Code, provided I could
obtain means for tho purpose by negotiating a
loan and thereby avoid drawing a warrant on
the Treasur in the absence of a specific ap
propriation.
I accordingly made arrangements whereby
money was obtained from tho Fourth National
Dank of the city of New York. I stated to ’ the
President of the Bank at the time the purpose
for wMch I desired the money. I then entered
into an arrangement with the Messrs. Kimball
by wMch they were to provide all the necessary
apparatus for heating, lighting and furnishing
of a proper kind and quality to accord with the
character of finish, winch had been provided for
the building by the city,and on account of wMch
TC ~ f I was to advance a sum not to exceed seventy-
the performance of my official dutie s. The use,
on my part, of the public money,' and tho puM
lie credit for the general welfare of‘the State
and for public purposes, is fully sustained by a
long'line, of precedents running through the
records of the Executive Office in almost every
administration for nearly a century, and it can
not be successfully argued that the peculiar re
lations existing between the State and the build
ing now occupied as a capital, would make it
improper for me to regard it as public property.
The Legislature had adjourned to meet at At
lanta ; tho seat of Government was constitu
tionally fixed at this point; .the Legislature
could not assemble elsewhere; they had adopted
■this building as the one in which to hold their
session, as well as for the location of the offices
of the State'Government; audit was therefore,
to all intents and purposes of that character,
wMch required the general supervision of the
Executive, and made it Ms duty to see that it
was in a proper state of preparation for the uses
donbt resting upon my mind of the legality and
propriety of the course wMch I had decided to
pursue, under the general provision of law here
tofore referred to, and under wMch my prede
cessors had acted, snch doubt would have
been removed by a proper consideration of the
act passed at your last session, wMch author
ized the Executive “to affect a loan to the State,
by bonds or otherwise, upon such terms as to
Mm shall seem meet, of a sufficient amount of
money to pay off the members and officers and
other expenses of this General Assembly.
This, together with the fact that “tMs General
Assembly" having accepted the building in
wMch it is now sitting, and adjourned to meet
therein, whatever became necessary to place
the building in suitable and appropriate order
for the reception of the Legislature and for the
public offices, would, by a fairly implied con
struction, be due of “the other expenses of tMs
General Assembly,” as, in law, both sessions
formed but one ‘‘General Assembly.”
To have called a special session for the con
sideration of this matter, or to have left the
building unprepared, and thereby caused very
considerable delay in its preparation, nnder tho
order of the General Assembly after it had con
vened, would have involved the State in vastly
more expense than would be incurred, even by
an appropriation of an amount sufficient to cov
er the entire expense. But as the city is, by the
implied condition, voluntarily proposed by her
self to the Constitutional Convention, bound in
good faith to save the State for ten years from
any expense for suitable and sufficient accom
modation for the purposes of the State Govern
ment ; and is, I believe, now willing to fully and
liberally execute her part of the agreement, it
does not become necessary to consider the pecu
niary advantages or disadvantages of the course
wMch I have pursued.
I would, therefore, respectfully and earnest
ly recommend that yonr honorable body accede
to the request made by the city authorities, and
that,a joint committee from the Senate and the
House be appointed to confer with Ms honor
Mayor Hulsey and the City Council of Atlanta,
to the end that a full, fair and frank investiga
tion and adjustment of the matter may be had.
Rufus B. Bullock, Governor.
• • • J m i _ - n • x w UUIUUV.D U a 11 aaa UUL IU CIUCCU CSC VCUly*
vise, amend, - repca., and v '9 per day. This five per cent, of the cost of such additions, pro
makes the Legislature a fixture, and heavy taxa- ; vided the entire arrangement should be ooM-
tion a corresponding necessity. These Ҥ9 ' pleted and in proper order for the meeting of
men” will live long in the memory, if not affec- ! the SSSSS
,. , rr , ■ 3 _ ec ^ ; ary; it being understood that the making of this
tion, of the people of Georgia. Qotdait. advice should in no way pr e-"
YineciOc, MarchZ, 18G9. 1 " -----
j the claim of the State upon the city, for the fl-
'. nal payment for said heating, lighting and fur-
A Fat OmcE.—The Serganf-at-Arms of the nishing. Under this arrangement §31,000 has
House of Representatives makes §20,000 a see- been paid—the balance of the §35,000 drawn,
sion ont of the office. The salary is a small one, in eftsh cash vouchera pomea-
but he supplies the members with their statione- Attention, in tMs connection, is respectfully
ry and cutlery, and by downright cheating and called to my communication on this subject in
stealing from the Government, ho makes any response to the request of the Finance Commit-
amount of monev. It is marvelous such dis- te k v >f the House of Representatives.
, „ r- . ... ... Had I failed to" take such steps as would m-
h ty is allowed for one day right under the sure the completion of suitable accommodations
very eyes of Congressmen. in time for the reimlar session of vour honors.
Lien. Grant and Congress.
The following special to the Louisville Cou
rier-Journal, details the facts connected with
Gen. Grant’s interposition in the case of Geor
gia:
Washington, February 27.—The statement
that Gen. Grant had thrown Ms influence
against the measure to dismantle Georgia, expel
her representatives from Congress and reduce
her to a state of vassalage, was verified to-day.
He went to the capital tMs morning and sent for
Bontwell, who had charge of the resolution and
frankly expressed Ms views on the subject The
result is that when Boutwell appeared in the
Reconstruction Commiittee he announced the
indefinite postponement of the resolution, wMch
will be heard of no more.
The circumstances wMch led to this important
conclusion are as follows: General Young, of
Georgia, a Democratic Representative, aware
that Bontwell was pressing the resolution, and,
if it were reported to the House,' the reckless
majority therein would adopt it under the usual
gag, called on General Grant and laid before
him the facts, together with the action of the
Georgia Legislature. He appealed to the Gen
eral to use his power to protect a helpless peo
ple. He informed the General that the Georgia
Legislature had passed an ordinance authorizing
the Supreme Court of the State to promptly ad
judicate on a case wMch would determine the
status of the negro; but that Governor Bullock
vetoed the bill to prevent any adjustment, so
that Congress would return the State to a terri
torial condition, and give Bullock control of the
offices, institute test oaths, and otherwise con
summate all the miscMef possible. He urged
General Grant to urge a postponement of the
proposed action of Congress, at least until the
courts could decide the case. General Grant
said:
I am opposed to Congress touching the State
of Georgia. I think that the people ought to
refer the matter to the courts and abide their
decision. The Legislatnre acted badly in ex
pelling the colored members, but its subsequent
course in sending the question to the courts
meets my views, and the veto of the Governor
surprises me. I do not think that Congress can
ignore the fact that Georgia is a State in the
Union. I hope that Congressional action will
be postponed.
Gen. Grant further intimated that he would
act at once, and with what effect is stated above.
PRESIDENT OF THE WHOLE COUNTRY.
Incidental!
referred
well as one of the most upright men in the coun-
tiy, and he also repeated the remark wMch has
Mtherto been attributed to him, that he would
not be the President of a mere political party,
but of the whole country.
FBOM ATLANTA.
Mitchell Claim Dead iu the Senate.
Nome Talk at Adjournment.
Nothing of Much Importance, •
Special to the Telegraph.]
Atlanta, March 2—night.
Senate. At tho close of the discussion to-day on
the Mitchell claim, the previous question being called
and sustained, on the motion to lay the matter on
the table, it was done. Ayes 19, nays 1G.
The Senate refused to take up the resolution to
introduce new matter after the third of March.
A resolution was adopted to refer the question of
adjournment sine die, on the 12th instant, to
special joint committee.
The amendment to an act to prevent tho sale of
lottery tickets, was lost. A motion to reconsider
was made.. .
The bill to give Ordinaries concurrent jurisdiction
with Superior Court judges, in foreclosing mort
gages on personal property, passed.
House There was considerable discussion on the
resolution of the Senate to appoint a joint special
committee to investigate the contract between the
city of Atlanta and tho Constitutional Convention
in regard to the location of tho capital of the State—
the speeches'generally favoring $ re turn to Milledgo-
ville, if the State is to pay the §31,000 advanced to
the Kimballs by the Governor.
The friends of Atlanta insist that she has com
plied with her contract, and that Gov. Bullock does
Atlanta injustice in his message, sent to the Gen
eral Assembly yesterday, and that this is a question
between tho State and Governor.
Mr. Duncan was about speaking when tho previous
question was called. .
Tumlin insisted that Southwestern Georgia should
bo heard, but Duncan was ruled out of order, and
the resolution adopted—Duncan giving notice of
motion to reconsider.
The Educational bill was made the special order
for Thursday.
The bill to aid the Brunswick and Albany Rail
road, passed. W.
intally during the interview the General
1 to Mr. Boutwell as one of the ablest as
A Black Diamond.
Mr. S. L. Young, of New Boston, I1L, writes
us a description cf a remarkable stone, found by
a soldier, during the late war, back of Atlanta,
Ga., during the seige of that city ; and now in
the possession of a gentleman residing in New
Boston. Ho says:
“It is a stone of most curious formation, be
ing seven-eights of an inch long, two and a half
in circumference, weighs two ounces, and has
evidently been broken at one end. The other
end has eight facits; the sides are prismoid or
dodecahedra. It is shining black, partly cover
ed with a crust of a brownish color. There are
places on it that have a very brilliant natural
polish; it resists the action of the hardest file,
reducing it to smoothness in a very short time,
and burnishing the file as completely as the
finest emery stone would, and in much shorter
space of time. Nitromuriatie (aqua regia) has
no action upon it It has been immersed in the
acid for ten days without producing the least ef
fect. It will cut glass with the facility of a gla
zier’s diamond. The end, where broken, pre
sents a laminated appearance; not flaky, but
though it had split.
“A number of lapidaries have examined it,
and pronounced it of value. A sutler who ex
amined it, offered at once over ono thousand
dollars for it; bnt the gentleman who owns it,
thinking, from his ignorance, that it might be
worth much more, refused Ms offer, and still
retains possession of it, though I understand he
has had a number of better offers since, wMch
he also refused. After a careful examination
of it, I have very little hesitation in pronounc
ing it a black diamond, worth many thousand
dollars. I am a practical jeweler, and have
had considerable experience with valuable
stones, and have given this one a critical exam
ination, and subjected it to all tests at hand.
Believing it to be worth the consideration of
more scientific men, I have concluded to fur
nish a description of the stone for the perusal
of the many readers of your excellent journal,
and will take pleasure in giving any further in
formation in my power to any one who may
choose to address me on the subject.—"Scien
tific American.
Special to the Telegraph.l
Atlanta, March 3—night.
Senate.—Mr. Nunnally delivered an able speech
to-day in favor of the reconsideration of the bill
wMch was lost in reference to the Mitchell claim.
The honorable Senator was laboring under a severe
hoarseness; nevertheless he was listened to with
marked attention.
The motion to reconsider was lost—ayes 18, nays
19.
Mr. Smith, of the 7th District, made a motion to
reconsider the lottery hill which was lost yesterday.
The motion was laid on the table. So this virtually
authorizes the buying of lottery tickets in this State.
The bill was taken np to prevent the various Bail-
road Companies in this State from being responsi
ble for killing stock of any species running at largo.
It provides that each Company shall build a fence
along their lines of railway.
Mr. Holcombe took strong grounds against the
hill on account of the fence clause, aud the expense
it would be to tho Companies to construct a lawful
fence.
Mr. Lester took the same position.
Several amendments were offered, exempting the
State Broad from the provisions of the bill, but they
were all voted down. The bill was lost—yeas 13,
nays 18.
The hill to prevent monopolies and -to tax Bail-
road stock, was made the special order for. Tues
day.
House.—The House passed the biU to prevent
frauds by persons in laying off their homesteads.
It provides that they swear how ranch money and
valuables they have, and in case of false swearing,
it makes the homestead liable for other debts than
those specified in the Homestead act.
A sharp sparring occurred between Bryant and
Fitzpatrick, growing out of tho resolution of the
former, thanking Bard for furnishing members of
the House with tho New Era.
Tho resolution was adopted.
Fitzpatrick proposed a vote of thanks to Bryant
for stating that he was'Bard’s friend and partner in
the State printing, and also thank “Brick” Pomeroy.
Ben. Wood, Bard, and Carey Styles for the eminent
services rendered to Democrats. “Fitz’s” resolu
tion was ruled out of order.
The bill to aid the Brainbride, Cuthbert and Co
lumbus railroad was passed.
The Committee on Adjournment unanimously fa
vor adjournment on the 12th inst.
Mr. McLeod endeavored to take up the hill to re
move the capital; bnt as it required a three-fourths
vote, failed by a small majority.
It is generally conceded that the bill will pass by
the requsite two-thirds. W.
How Grant Proposes to Repeal the Ten
ure Law.—In his pow-wow with the Pennsyl
vanians, the other day, Grant said: '
“From what they didih Congress yesterday,
I am disposed to think that the Senate will desire
to be the judges as to what I shall do. "Well, if
they do not repeal the law I certainly cannot
make any changes. I cannot remove a man
without making eharges of a character wMch
would blast his reputation, and that would not
be very agreeable, you know, and the result will
be that the men who hold office now will con
tinue to hold them until the end of the term, no
matter what my desires maybe. Of course this
will save me all tins offieeJmnting boring."
A couple of drummers beseiged an old lady
in Canton, Illinois, to buy a patent chum from
themi. She said it was a humbug, and they of
fered to make the butter come in ten minutes.
So she filled the machine with buttermilk, and
they tugged at the crank for two hours before
they discovered tho unctions practical joke.
From Washington.
Washington, March 2.—Tho Reconstruction Com
mittee have no more meetings this session.
Adjutant General Townsend refuses to surrender
Gen. Beauregard’s papers and letters.
Gen. Joseph T. Reynolds, who will probably suc
ceed Canby, in Texas, says a dismemberment of the
State is folly.
Sheridan will not.go to Louisiana.
Gen. Thomas will remain in his present position,
bnt sweeping changes.aro contemplated in his mili
tary districts.
Tho House is engaged on appropriations.
Lieut. Braine’s pardon has been ordered, and will
probably be signed to-morrow.
Justice Miller of the Supreme Court; Judge Safford,
of the Mississippi Supreme Court, and Gen. Jones,
Provisional Governor of Mississippi, visited Gen.
Grant to-day. ' y
Tho press of visitora at headquarters prevents
pointed conversations.
Col. Wolfley, Assessor and Mr. Creecy, Supervisor
of Revenue in Louisiana arrived to-day.
Revenue to-day 6781,000.
A. T. Stewart, of New York, and Governor Wells
and Colonel Mosby, of Virginia, are here.
The Texas delegation, headed by Jack Hamilton,
and tho Alabama delegation, headed by Senator
Warner, called on Grant. The conversation was
confined to'courtesy.
Sol Smith left §107,Q00.
There is a rumor that General Steadman is impris
oned in Cuba. .. j >
Both parties are caucussing to-night
Colfax will resign the Speakership to-morrow.
The President has pardoned the Lamars who was
convicted by 'a military commission for. cotton
frauds. • ' .
Pardons for Spangler and Arnold are momenta
rily expected from tho Attorney General's office,
when tho President will sign them.
Seward leavoa on Friday for Auburn.
Washington, March 3.—The Congressional cau
cuses nominated Blaine, Republican, and Kerr,
Democrat, for speaker.
Tho Senate appropriated §15,000 for tho investi
gation of the Texas cattle disease.
An attempt to ride tho repeal of tho tenure-of-
office through as an amendment to tho appropria
tion bill failed by a vote of 22 to 26. - L
Nevada has ratified the Fifteenth Amendment
Tho crowd is increasing.
Mr. Johnson publishes a two-column address to
tho people of tho United StateB in defence of Ms
course as President. He invokes the consideration
of the people in behalf of Ms successor. Mr. John
son says he would have acMeTed much more present
popularity had ho consented to co-operate with the
parties who desired to carry on the Government
outsido of the Constitution. He does not regret
any of his actions, all having in view the restraint of
Congress within tho limits of the Constitution, if
is-a very able paper.
The debt statement. Bhows a decrease of nearly.
§11,000,000 in coin in the Treasury, with nearly
§99,000,000 in currency; nearly §17,000,000 in coin
on hand, witwt* •>. ' , >, .. . i.
Grant’s cabinet nominations will go to the Senate
Friday noon.
General Breckenridge passed through her© to-day
going Northward.
The Treasury employees took leave of .McCulloch
this afternoon.
The crowd of visitors compelled Mr. - Johnson to
holi2a regular levee to-day.
The President issued a large number of pardons
to day. ‘ • •***♦
Revenue to-day $813,000. J iff!
A letter signed by many citizens of Lynchburg,
tendering the hospitalities of that city to Mr. John
son,' was presented. The President replied that.
nor when he would leave, he could not answer
definitely, but would in a few days.
,The Government drafts of the Treasury for Feb
ruary are *14,500,000. Tlie heaviest items are for
the Indians and pensions—§5,250,000. . : •
The West Virginia Legislature has ratified the 15th
article. ,
A committee headed by A. T. Stewart, of New
York, visited Grant and Sherman. After handing
Gen., Grants check for §65,000 they handed Gen.
Sherman a deed for Gen. Grant’s honse and furniture
and a check for the balance of the $100,000 sub
scription. .j.;
Congressional.
Washington. March 2.—Senate.—The Senate last
night did nothing.
Nye said he had received a letter from Auditor
Rodgers stating that Gov. Wells was Ms friend. He
thereupon withdrew his speech of yesterday regard
ing Virginia internal improvements.
Appropriations resumed.
An ineffectual effort was made to consider the
pay of Louisiana Senators.
The army appropriation bill was resumed. After
a sharp discussion it was laid over.
After a very free debate the resolution paying fe
male clerks the same as males for similar services
passed.
After a long debate on paying Vinnio Ream for
her model of Lincoln, the Senate adopted the Con
ference Committee report on the bills removing po
litical disabilities.
The Senate then took recess.
House.—Scbenck desired to suspend the rules to
consider the Senate amendments to the bill strength
ening the public credit.
Butler objected, when the following occurred
Sclmeck—“Very well, I want it understood by
the country that it is on the objection of tho gentle
man from Massachusetts, that we cannot get at that
bill.”
Butler—“And I want, it understood by the coun
try that the gentleman from Ohio cannot get at that
swindling broker’s bill, on tho objection of the gen
tleman from Mrssachusetts. [Laughter.]
The miscellaneous appropriations were resumed.
An amendment appropriating seven thousand dol
lars for repairing and preserving Washington’s house
was rejected. Another amendment appropriating
three thousand dollars for Lincoln's portrait was
adopted.
The credentials from Georgia were defective by
the omission of the Congress for which they were
elected. t
The Louisiana certificates are defective in omit
ting the State candidates who were duly elected.—
These blunders will deprive Georgia and Louisiana
from a voice in the organization of the House.
The j oint resolution regarding the printing passed.
It has previously passed the Senate. It gives the
the printing, to the Globe,
The resolution authorizing a bridge between Cin
cinnati and Newport passed, and goes to the Presi
dent.
The bill authorizing a bridge between New York
and Brooklyn passed, and goes to the President.
A Committee of Conference has been appointed
on tho bill for strengthening tho public credit.
John A. Wimpey, John D. Young James H. Christy,
and James H. Birch, are allowed §1500 each, for
expenses as contestants.
A conference is asked on Indian Appropriations.
The conference report on the Consular Appropria-
passed. It leaves diplomatic relations with
South America in statu quo.
A number of bills were taken from the Speaker’
table and disposed of, mostly only read by the title
—among them the Senate bill in relation to the or
ganization of the militia in the Southern States—
passed.
The resolution sympathizing with Spain and Cuba,
and authorizing the President to recognize Cuba
whenever, in bis opinion, a republican form of gov
ernment shall have been established, passed unani
mously.
The Senate bill relating to the time for finding in
dictments in the Federal courts for offences during
the late rebellion, passed.
The Senate resolution continuing Prof. Agassiz as
regent of the Smithsonian Institnte, passed.
Recess.
Havana, March 2.—Diaro reports a victory for
the troops at Cienfuego.
Three hundred rebels surrendered at Villa Clara.
Gen. Lescu is advancing into tho interior without
opposition, by avoiding the routes where the rebels
are posted behind fortifications.
; Diaro also says that revolutionary Gen. Napoleon
has arrived.
The Spanish General, Valmazada, with two thou
sand men, has been reinforced.
Valmazada has sot ont from Puerto Principe to
meet Lescu moving from LaGenga. When com
bined the forces will attack Questano.
Four Spanish gunboats are cruising between La
Guanja.
The Spanish man-of-war, Guadina, is watching
the revolutionists in Nassau waters.
Washington, March 3.—House.—Colfax delivered
his valedictory to-day.
Pomeroy, of New York, was elected speaker for
the balance of the session.
The House is now considering the report of the
Committee on accounts.
After the valedictory and salutatory, the print
ing of certain documents was ordered, when the
Committee on Accounts had a conflict with the
Honse over tho payment of the Louisiana contest
ants. The Committee on Accounts moved to re
scind the resolution allowing them §2500, and to
allow them §1500. The resolution was tabled by a
large majority.
The appropriations were considered up to recess.
Both Houses are in session, and will probably
remain in session till noon to-morrow. .. 4
Senate.—The Senate passed the bill for ibe re
lief of Washington Bunker, and W. W. Corcoran,
with an amendment requiring Corcoran to take the
iron clad oath.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations re
ported in favor of a non-concurrence in the bill ten
dering sympathy to the people of Spain, and direct
ing the President, when a Republican Government
was assu^d in Cuba, to recognize it.
The Senate voted down the amendment paying
Massachusetts interest on advances forth© war of
1812.
The army appropriation bill was passed. It goes
to the Honse for concurrence.
Sumner’s bill erasing “ wMte” from tho District
charter and ordinances, passed the Senate.
The militia bill passed last night and has gone to
tho President. It provides that so much of the act
entitled “ an act making appropriations for tho sup
port of the army for the year, ending June SO, 1868,
and for other purposes,” approved March 2,1867, as
prohibits tho organization, arming, or calling into
service of the militia forces in States lately in re
bellion, be and the same is hereby repealed.
Recess.
Noble Sentiments from the President.
Washington, March 3.—The following is the dos
ing paragraph of President Johnson's address:
■ ‘Calmly reviewing my administration of the Gov
ernment, 1 feel that with a sense of accountability
to God, haying conscientiously 'endeavored to dis
charge my whole duty, I have nothing to regret.
Events have proved the correctness of , the policy
set forth in- my first and subsequent messages.-
Tho woes wMch have followed the rejection of for
bearance, magnanimity and constitutional rule are
known and deplored by the nation. ..It is a matter, of
pride and gratification, in retiring from the most ex
alted position'in the gift of a free people, to feel
andknowiihat, in a long, arduous and eventful pub
lic life, my action has never been influenced by de
sire'for gain, and that lean, in-all sincerity, • in
quire: ‘Whom have I defrauded; whom have I
oppressed, or of whose hand have I received any
bribe to blind my eyes therewith s' No responsi
bility for wars that have been waged, or blood that
has been shed, rests upon me. My thoughts have
been those of peace, and my effort has ever been to
allay contentions among my countrymen. Forget-
ing the past, let us return to the first principles of
the Government, and unfurling the banner of our
country, inscribe upon it, in ineffaceable characters,
the Constitution and the. Union, one and insep
arable.”
Foreign News-
London. March 2.—Gladstone introduced liis bfil
disestablishing the Irish Church. Itt a long speech
Disraeli responded to tho bill passed. Its first and
second reading is fixed for March 18th.
More from General Grant.
Washington, March 2—Replying to the urgent
suggestions of Southern Radicals, who called in a
body on Grant yesterday, that he should make room
in his cabinet for a Southern loyalist, Grant re
plied: ‘ ‘Yon hsvo had a Southern loyalist for Pre 8
ident for three years; that ought to satisfy yon.”
At a dinner on Sunday, Grant, on tolerable an-
thority, is reported to have said: “if we win let re
construction alone, these minor perplexities wil]
soon be swallowed up by greater events growing ont
of the recognition of Cuba and a contest over” th«
Alabama claims.”
An immense crowd is at the Resident's last re
ception to-night. '.
General News.
Portland, Me. , March 2.'—The Democrats carried
this city for the first time since 1SG0.
Chicago, March 2.—Ibis city recommends Hon
Joshua Hill, of Georgia fora seat in the Cabinet
(Vienna, Dooly County, Ga., March 2 Th« citv
recommends Hon. A. H. Stephens, for a seat in the
Cabinet.)
Trenton, N. J., March 3.—The bill abolishhg
the transit dues on canals and railroads passing
through the State, has passed the Legislature. '■ b
London, March 3.—Viscount Gough, nearly 99
years of age, is dead.
From Cuba.
Havana, March.3.—A reportis circulating that th»
political prisoners will be Bent to Fernando Po.
Francisco Hernandez, commanding, cavalry was
arrested on a charge of disloyalty.
The Diaro reports three engagements of troops
under Calvadero. The Insurgents lost sixty tilled.
The Diaro also reports the troops victorious near
Saguu la Grande, in wMch the Insurgents lost twen
ty troops.
TheVose DeCuba denies the Diana’s report that
the revolutionary General Ottrago has surrendered.
Letter from Charleston.
Classic Ground—Affairs in the State—Charles,
ton as she is—Condition of Trade—Necessity
of Raihcay Communications with the Interior
—South Carolina Railroad—The Bone Phos
phates.
Charleston, February 19th, I860.
Editors Macon Telegraph : Charleston is to
be visited, not alone for what it is, bnt for what
it has been. There are thousands whose cmi.
osity bring them to view the grand old city and
its surroundings as presenting monuments of
unsurpassed valor in a struggle wMch, though
bnt yesterday reflected upon the pages of Msto-
ry, eclipses, in the detail of incidents, the ro
mance investing the earlier records of our pro
fane Mstorians. Indeed, this is classic ground,
and unless there is an advance in. the heroic
equal to that we observe in the material progress
of man, the little boys, a century hence, may
have their credulity taxed quite as much over,
the story of Forts Sumpter and "Wagner as their
grand pa's did over the seige of-Troy and the
prowess of Achilles.
Your correspondent, however, is not among
tMs class of visitors. The novelty of these scenes
was destroyed when he became enactor in them,
and he is here to see the home of Ms boyhood
ns it is and to revive the memories of the past
If onr fathers are permitted to contemplate tho
affairs of this life inthe other world, what must
bo the conclusions of Washington, Hamilton,
Henry, Jefferson, and the army of. heroes and
statesmen who exchanged the rule of-a British
sovereign, for the Republican theorjratmonneed
in their declaration of Independence, and in the
organic law of a new government. What would
Rutledge, Pinkney, or Gadsden, think and
exclaim could they see the development of this
theory in the present political condition of South
Carolina, illustrated in a Legislature whose sole
purpose is to degrade everytMng^ elevating or
enobling, and to obliterate every trace of statu
tory enactments wMch would lead - the misd
back to a period when gentility consisted fa
something more than a display of cheap jewel
ry and the passport to preferment was not alone
found in the accident of popularity? What
would the worthy succession who have been an
honor to the mayoralty of this good' old city
think could they look in upon a session of the
Board of Aldermen, and recognize amofig the
law givers the fragrant son of Ham ? One ne$
not tax Ms imagination for an answer. Even
Jefferson would uproot the tree sprung iron
seed of Ms own planting, wMch produces snch
accursed fruit. So much, Messrs. Editors, for
parenthesis: let me reach my^subject proper
and write of Charleston as it is.
Comingfrom .onr active towns in Georgia
and passing over a city of the size of Charleston,
one would think that there was lacking here f
spirit of active enterprise. Upon examination,
however, you will find that an immense amount
of labor has been performed and no small busi
ness done in Charleston since the close of the
war. The burnt district has not been rebnilfo
and still stands a broad seam on the face of the
city to remind yon of a war. . TMs does not
curtail the business facilities of the city, how
ever, since, with but very few exceptions, the
buildings destroyed were not used for business
purposes. Hayne, Meeting and Broad streets
stiH remain intact, and present very nearly the
same appearance as they did before a shell w;
known to explode, npon them, while East Bay is
the same rattling thoroughfare of commercis!
exchange. The wholesale dealers are bright fa
their anticipations, and are prepared for a heaq
business tMs spring. Ii is pleasant to find these
gentlemen still at their old places of business.
They have reputations as first-rate business mea
as wide as the fame of their city, and must pros
per in the future as they have done in the past
The want of ample and speedy eommunics-
tion with the interior, I find a source of gre* !
complaint. The South Carolina Railroad fa
certainly not up to the progress of the figs -
•ven as that progress is marked in Dixie.
passenger trains between Augusta aud Charles
ton afford neither comfort nor expedition fa
the traveler. This only Mghway from a gre st
commercial seaport furnishes an equipage wh: -
would have been considered second class before
the war; charges an exorbitant rate of fare-
and it takes all day to run a mail train a dis
tance of one hundred and thirty miles. There
must be a change in tMs management or the
commercial interests of Charleston will suffer.
The recent discovery of immense deposits c.
bone phosphates on the AsMey river, has ini"-
gurated a new and important feature of com
mercial prosperity! It would, however, length
en my communication beyond yonr rule, were
to attempt a report of tMs enterprise, and wi—
your permission, I will reserve what I mayh flTe
to say upon this subject for a letter to-morrow
morning. ■ , - H. D. C■ r
Western Immigration.
While many of the' Southern States are
Mbiting a most commendable activity in seep-'
ing immigrants, the Western States are lisp'
wise moving in the matter. This is especial,
true of Minnesota and Kansas. The to® .
State has just appropriated $10,000 for the
tablishmont of a new Emigration Board, wp"‘
senting different nationalities. Owing „
forcible extension of Prussian authority ov -
Hanover, Saxony, and some other Op r:1 vp_
States, much discontent prevails among tue in
habitants, wMch, it is believed, will toad
large hegira to America. The effect of tins ui-
content has already been perceptible. .
During last year 141,322 emigrants landed
New York, who came from Bremen,
Havre and Amsterdam, while the total i®*®”
grants arriving here was 211,859. It will tn
be seen that Germany contributed far mc>r ? rt .
the tide of emigration setting Mther, than 1 *
land, England, Scotland, Scandinavia, .
other nationalities combined. We show
be surprised if the number of
grants tbfeyear were to oonaidaraWj
200,000. Whichever $$»to pot* for “Vj~, a :iV
vigorous efforts, will be most successful
curing these vtduable elements of apert*'
industrious and prosperous population m
future.— N. T. Coin. Ado.
