Newspaper Page Text
SATURDAY.DEC.n.
The President’s Message.
From a telegraphic dispatch from Washington,
published in the Baltimore Sun, we learn that the
President has determined to keep his message open
until the last moment, and it is extremely doubtful
whether it will be sent in any direction in advance
of its delivery to Congress. The President has
also adopted the utmost caution with reference to
the contents of the message, and all reports that
may be published with regard to the topics upon
which it treats, are purely guess work, and nothing
more.
The New Vork Bunks.
Telegraphic dispatches from New York state
that notwithstanding the large shipments of gold
to Europe by the Arabia and other steamers, the
specie line of the hanks, at the ensuing settlement
day will show no curtailment, but on the contrary
a further increase and probably a total amount not
below twenty-four million dollars.
As to the prospect of a resumption of specie pay
ments, itis reported in well informed quarters that
nucli a proceeding will certainly not take place be
fore the opening of the new year, while others
predict that there will be no resumption before
•pnng. t
Bank of Hamburg. t
We received yesterday the following communi
cation from I)r. J. W. Stokes, the President of the 1
Bank of Hamburg: '
Mr. Editor: My attention has been called to an 1
article in your paper of the 2nd iD»t., in which you 41
state that the banks of Augusta have refused to *
receive the bills of the Bank of Hamburg, South r
Carolina.
You will please do me the justice to insert an *
extinct of a letter addressed through their Secre- 1
arylo the Presidents of ths Augusta banks ou the
27th ultimo: a
“ I propose to redeem the circulation of tbis I
bank, held by the Augusta bunks, weekly, by a
night exchange on Charleston at par ; and when I t
bare no exchange, to pay interest at the rate of
seven per cent, nor annum, reciprocally with the 4
city banks, until 1 am in funds to check’’’
This reasonable proposition, in my judgment, fi
they unanimously rejected, demanding of me un- £
Conditionally, seven per cent, interest on balances, v
and in consequence of my refusal to come to their c
terms, they uow uttempt to discredit the bills of n
the B ulk of Huniburg.
A discerning public will do us justice. *
J. W. Stokes, President. I
Hamburg, December 2nd, 1857.
Merchants of Greensroko’ and Foreign and t
Suspended Bank Bills. —The Montgomery Ad tier • c
#iw f of Ist inst., says: “At a meeting of the mer- (
chants of Greensboro, (Ala.,) the other day, a res- (
olutiun was adopted, declaring that after the first (
of December the bills of banks of other States, and 1
of the suspended banks of Alabama, will be taken a
by them in payment of debts only at the rute« of <
disco unt current in MobiU." 1 1
If the people of Greensboro, Ala., and those who
trade in that locality, were to meet and declare
that they would not pay any more for goods, wares
or merchandize, in Greensboro’, than such com
modities are worth in Mobile, there might be a ne
cessity for another meeting of the merchants. “A
frequent interchange of opinions,” it is said, “leads
to harmony of action.”
Si-Ave Vessels.-— I Three of the sluvo vessels re
cently captured and taken into Havana urc said
to have been built with Boston and Portland cap
ital, and, when captured, eastern people were on
board as officers and part of tbo crews. Another
of the vessels had been owaed by parties in
Massachusetts, Maine and New York, and was sold
with the knowledge that she was intended for the
slave trade. One had four hundred and sixty
Africacs on board, and another one hundred aud
sixteen.
Nbwsi'APßr Correspondents. —Tho Boston Cou
rier contains the following very plain und wry
explicit and wry proper notice to correspoudcn ts :
‘ ‘ Writers who send to us anonymous communica
tions only waste their time, their paper and their
ink. We cannot undertake to read them, still less
to print them.”
Columbia Racks—Oonuakek OotinsK.—The fol
lowing is ttie summary of results for the first day’s
raring, Tuesday, Ist instant, as given in the Caro
lina Toms:
Sweepstakes, mile heats for three year olds, S2OO
onlranee, SIOO forfeit:
Thomas Taylor’s ch. c. Basrecchi 2 8
Maj. Thomas Doswell's h. c. Slasher 11
—— Wicklitlo 3 2
Time, 1.54>£, I.SS’-f
Secorut Race. —Milo heats:
Sue Washington 11
Harry llill •_> *j
Time, 1,85,1.54^-
Among tho notable turfmen upon the track, says
tho Timm, we noticed Messrs. O'Hiiik and Wat
son, of Virginia, and Mr. John Uuxtkb, of New
York. The two former intend making a number
of entries for the Charleston races.
Mustn’t Roll.— At tho Virginia Annual Confer
ence, lately in session at Elizabeth City, X. C.,
Rer. J. E. Edwaros and Rev. Lbonidas Rosser
were n rraigned upon the charge of rolling a game
of ten pins at the Virginia Springs hist summer.
The defendants plead guilty and promised to ab
stain from such amusements hereafter, and the
committee dropped the accusation. So says the
Elizabeth City Sentinel.
" I’ustty Much Quit Ocbni.no.”— Tho Indianap
olis Journal tells of a stranger who visited the
"• Hank of the Capitol,” in that city, the other day,
before the doors of which he waited some time for
the institution to open. At last lie became impa
tient and walked off, remarking that he “believed
the bank had pretty much ipiit opening.”
iW Ivobkrt Taylor was receutly convicted, in
Darien, of manslaughter, and sentenced to four
years service in the penitentiary.
C3T The Savannah Republican says : “ Nothing
that has occurred in the history of South Carolina
for twenty years past, has given us such unalloyed
pleasure as the announcement that she had made
choice of her distinguished son, Gen. James Ham
mond, as the representative of her sovereignty in
the Senate of the United States.”
Filluiusters Going Home.— The Nueces (Texas)
Valley, of the 17th Nov., says: “We understand
that those of Walker’s boys who made a rendez
vous at Powderhorn have concluded, in conse
quence of the tightuess,pf the times and the watch
fulness of Uncle Sam's war dogs, to abandon the
expedition and go home.”
Returning the Compliment.—-' “ Censor,” the
English sporting correspondent of Portsr’s Spirit,
writes Eotnc that Mr. Ten Broeck lias offered two
thousand three hundred pounds sterling (eleven
thousand five hundred dollars,) for Skirmisher, the
superb three-year-old, whose exploits during the
past season have frequently been chronicled. If
the purchase is accomplished, says Portrr, we
shall be enabled to have a little domestic contest
upon our soil, of England ts. America, without
English turfmen being obliged to take any of the
risks of the race. If Skirmisher comes, Nicholas,
and our aspiring “ cracks,” must look out
for their laurels.
Withdrawal op Steamers.— The Liverpool aud
Philadelphia and New York Steamship Company,
and the Glasgow and New York Company, will,
in view of the hard times, withdraw one-half of
the number of vessels under their control.
“Holding for a Limit.’’
We heard, yesterday, of a case of a gentleman
who had "confidence in cotton” m September, and
who sent a few bales to market at a limit of “ six
| teen cents.” His factor was offered fifteen and a
( half, but he could not sell under the “ limit.” Sev
eral letters were interchanged between the planter
and factor, aud in occasional letters, after express
ing fall "confidence in cotton,” the plunter reduced
his limit half a cent.
In answer to the factor’s first letter, the planter
said:
“I have concluded to reduce my limit on the ten
bales of cotton in your hands to fifteen and a half
cents. If yon cannot get that price, consider the
cotton stored with you until spring, as I have great
confidence in cotton, and am satisfied prices will
be better.”
Some short time after writing the above, the
planter concluded to sell out, even if he did not
obtain over fifteen cents, and a-rote to his factor
accordingly.
The return mail carried a reply that the demand
for cotton was dull, and buyers found great diffi
culty in making negotiations to pay for cotton.
The planter replied: “I have great confidence
in cotton, but for fear the hanks will suspend, you
may Bell my cotton for thirteen cents. Sell for
that price, collect the money in gold and forward
to me by Adams’ Express ”
But for all that the cotton could not be sold.
The planter bad been offi-rred fifteen and a half
when the limit was sixteen ; offered fifteen when
the limit was fifteen and a half; offered fourteen
and a half when the limit vtas fifteeu ; offered
fourteen when the limit was fourteen und a half;
offered thirteen and a half when the limit was
fourteen; offered thirteen when the limit was
thirteen and a half; and offeed only fen when the
limit was thirteen cents.
A dozen letters were wrilten by the factor, and
about three dozen by the planter, who always ex
pressed “great confidence in cotton.” A few- days
ago the planter requested the opinion of lus factor
upon the probabilities of the future, iu regard to
the price of cotton. The factor briefiy replied:
“ The future we know nothing about, but will take
great pleasure in carrying out any orders you may
give in regard to the ten bales you have lit store
with us. Your letter, reducing your hmitto twelve
cents, came too late for us to avail ourselves of the
order. Wc Itave been offered eleven andaquarter
for four, and eleven and three-eighths for six bales
to-day, and the market has rather a drooping ap
pearance.”
We come to the last letter of the planter:
“Mi/ Dear Sir: I thank you much for the pa
tience you have exhibited in attending to my or
ders, and for your numerous letters and reports of
different markets in this country as well as of the
condition efthc Liverpool market received iu your
city by (lie telegraphs. I had no idea that the
troubles of commerce and trade were so extensive,
aud I am now satisfied that the suspensions of the
Georgia banks were forced upon them by circum
stances that they were unable to counteract. Cot
ton must yield to the general necessities of the
times; and I uow revoke all orders as tolimits, and
request you, immediately on the receipt of this let
ter, to sell my cotton at the current market price,
and for current funds in your city.”
The factor put the ten bales on the market a day
or so ago, and got eleven and a half cent* a pound,
or about twenty dollars per bale leas than he had
been offered, in consequence of the planter’s “ con
fidence in cotton,” and his “ limit” on the price.
We were initiated into a knowledge of the
circumstances of this transaction, under pledges
of not giving the least clue to the identity of the
factor or plauter, and we thiuk we have not tran
scended our agreement.
This, however, is not an isolated case. Some
thing of the kind occurs every week in almost
every department of commission business. Fac
tor* are told to hold for higher prices, when they
know that prices must recede ; and are told to sell
ins tan ter, when they know that prices will advance.
Every person iu the commission business makes
himself thoroughly acquainted with all matters
pertaining to his department of trade, and kno&s
more about the supply and demand, in the sphere
of his operations than planters or consignors can
possibly know. Hence, any orders as to limits or
immediate sales should be left, in nearly all cases,
tnthe more enlightened judgment and experience
of factors or commission merchants.
Kansu* Affairs.
Tho thirty-fifth Congress will commence its
first session ou next Monday, under circumstances
calculated to uwakcti strong apprehensions for the
future peace and good order of the country. The
ptobleui of the slavery qnestiou in Kansas re
mains yet to be determined; and the present indica
tions are that we will witness, in its final solution,
an excitement fully equal to, if not surpassing that
which swept over the Union at the time of the
passage of the bill organizing the Territory. If
the reports of the Washington correspondents are
to be eutitled to credit, the Senate will never bo
called upon to act on the uppointment of Gover
nor Walker. The radical difference of opinion
which is said to exist between the President and
that otlicer, relative to the action of the Constitu
tional Convention of Kansas, will, uuless some
new aud unexpected change occurs in the present
political affairs of the Territory, reuder unavoida
ble the resignation or the removal of the former.
Governor Walkkr arrived in Washington ou
Wednesday, the ‘2sth ult., and is reported to have
had an interview with the Prosideut on the suc
ceeding day.
The correspondent of the New York Timt* gives
the following account of the meeting:
Governor Walker had a long and very friendly
interview with the President to-day. They discuss
ed Kansas affairs at length, especially relative to
the propriety of sustaining the action of the Con
stitutional Convention in not reforing the entire
instrument to the people. The distinguished gen
tlemen, though differing radically, parted friends,
appointing another interview for the discussion of
the same subject. Some of their mutual friends
hope for the ultimate reconciliation of their views,
but the hope is fallacious. Their differences are
too radical for compromise.
The Governor’s opinion of the Constitution is not
founded ou the slavery clause, which is alone par
tially submitted, but ou the refusal of the Conven
tion to permit the people to vote against, as well as
for tlio Constitution. He regards this as a viola
tion of the Federal Constitution, of the Nebraska-
Kausas bill ? of popular sovereignty, and of the
right of self-government. The President insists
that, as the Constitutional Convention was author
ised by Congress,* he is bound to sustain its ac
tion, whatever it may be, while Governor Walker
holds that the application of his doctrine to sustain
the refusal to submit the entire Constitution to the
popular vote amounts to a simple assertion of the
right of Cougress to force any Constitution on the
Territory, iustead of leaving the people to decide
for themselves: for it is notorious that the people
of Kansas would reject this instrument if they had
i the opportunity.
Again, he says iu a subsequent portion? pf bis
i letter:
“At the Cabinet meeting to-day, the President
stated Governor Walker’s position on Kansas af
fairs. The Cabinet unuuimously united with the
President in favor of sustaining the action of the
constitutional convention, in respect to the refer
ence of the Constitution to the people, and so con
demn Walker. The Administration cousider the
ingeuious plan by which the convention seeks to
render the rejection of the Constitution impossible,
profoundly sagacious and praiseworthy/’
Washington letter writers are generally too much
in the habit of pandering to a fondness for the ex
citable, and no doubt resort frequently to their in
ventive faculties for the creation of the commodity
with which to satisfy this desire. But in the pre
sent instance the position of the Administration,
as stated by the correspondent of the limes, is in
conformity with the course of the Washington
t’nion; and the Union, while cootending that the
jielicy of Governor Waleer has been substantially
carried out, admits that the coarse which the con
> cation saw fit to adopt, was not a literal compli
ance witfcit. On the other hand, leading journals
of the Democratic party at the North, and to their
position we hare referred in a previous issue of
this paper, are maintaining that the action of the
convention was equally violative of the policy of
Governor Walker and of the principles »f the
Kansas bill.
The course of the administration, on this ques
tion, however, will be sustained by a large portion
of the northern Democracy. The Pennsylvanian,
the old organ of the Democratic party of PennayL
rania, after commending an article on this sub
ject in the Washington Union, thus takes its posi
tion:
“There seems to be a settled conviction that the
action of the Constitutional Convention of Kansas
has the full endorsement of the National Adminis
tration. If so, it affords another evidence of a de
termination on the part of the President to carry
out in good faith, and to the very letter, the great
principles of the Kansas-Nebras'ka bill, which re
ceived such an emphatic endorsement in his elec
tion. Tlie whole matter is now in the hands of
the people of Kansas, where every true Democrat
will agree to leave it. The polls are open to all,
and provisions made to secure a fair and impartial
election. If for slavery, he can deposite his ballot
in favor of the institution; if opposed to slavery,
an opportunity is extended for him to testify in a
legal, constitutional manner his opposition to its
continuance in the State. Is this not Democratic,
fair, and just? Does not the Kansas-Nebraska
bill provide for just such an exercise of power by
the people of the Territories, and in precisely the
aaae manner ? ”
It undoubtedly does, and yet we hear those who
were loudest in praise of the Kansas-Nebraska hill
now echoing the arguments and invectives of the
New York Tribune against the Democratic party of
Kansas, and urging the Democracy of old Pennsyl
vnnia—the home of James Kuchanan, who was
elected by a united party—united upon the very
principle which underlies the action of the Kansas
Constitutional Convention—to join forces w ith the
Black Republican party in the North, repudiate
the principle of non-intervention, trample upon all
those pledges which they hare given to the nation,
and join in an unholy war upon their political
brethren in Kansas, who are engaged in a death
struggle for the triumph of Democratic principles
in that. Territory, which is soon to become a .State.
Greeley does not like the doings of the Democratic
party in Kansas, and because of that fact Demo
crats in the old Key-Htoue are to cry dowu the ac
tion of their own party.
If this is to be the course pursued, the national
Administration will soon fall under the ban of
these new-fashioned Democrats, for it is not proba
ble the sound Democratic ideus of our distinguished
I’resident w.ll please the editor of the Trwune or
his new found disciples more than does the action
of the Constitutional Convention of Kansas. Hut
the Democracy of IVnnsylvania have not sunk so
low as to desert either their principles or those
who arc contending for them in other sections of
the Union, at the bidding of the New York Tri
bune, or its so-called Democratic co-laborers in the
Black Republican cause. Pennsylvania is true to
Ibe principles of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and
her firm and gallant Democracy will never desert
those who are contending for them, whether in
Kansas or elsewhere, to fraternize with traitors
alike to the Constitution and the Union.
The duty of the southern Democracy is clear.
They have always recognized the validity of those
Territorial laws under which this Convention as
sembled and adopted this Constitution. With but
few exceptions, regarding the reference of the
Constitution to the people for their ratification or
rejection, as a matter entirely within the control
of the Convention, they must accord to that Con
vention equal authority as to the mode and extent
of its submission. It will be tbeir duty to inquire
whether the action of this Convention was unin
fluenced by either Foderal or Executive influence;
whether the Constitution which they have adopted
lias resulted from a free, fair and legal expression
of the wishes of the people of Kansas : aud if so,
then to give an earnest support to the administra
tion in its efforts to secure under it, its admission as
u State. But upon this point we are yet without
sufficient information for a proper decision.
Notwithstanding, however, the differences of
opinion which prevail at present iq the party, and
the excitement which this warm discussion in ihe
papers forebodes, we have an abiding confidence
that in that event the administration will rally
around it a sufficient support to secure a fair aud
peaceful adjustment of Ihe question.
Railway Accidents and a Univoiim Speed. —At
a meeting of the National Association for promo
ting social science, held in London, Lord Bkouo
han read a lengthy paper on the prevention of
railway accidents, 111 which he took the ground
that the speed should be fixed by law, and should
be moderate, not exceeding twenty or twenty-five
miles per hour. He asserted that a very small
number of travellers were willing to risk life amt
gt eater danger in order to save time by a high
speed in traveling, while the great majority would
prefer a moderate speed and greater safety. He
alluded to the immunity from accidents on the
radroads in continental Europe where the speed is
regulated by law, and suggested the application of
the same laws to British railroads.
Captain Generalship of Cora. —The Madrid
F.poca, ‘.rid ult., speaking as if by authority, says
the rumor that Gen. Concha was to be superceded
by Geu. Aiimeko, brother of the new Prime Minis
•sr, as Captain General of Cuba, is entirely with
out foundation in truth. The rumor grew out of
the “probable" appointmeut of Gen. A. to the Cap
tain Generalship of Valladolid.
A conductor named Blood, a natire of South
Carolina, was killed on the Memphis and Charles
ton railroad, Tuesday of last week.
Inauguration. —The inauguration of the Wash
ington statue, on the capitol of Virginia, at Rich
mond, is to take place on the 22d of February.
Senator Hunter delivers the inaugural address.
Hon. VY\ C. Rivrs his alternate. Messrs. J. Barron
Hope aud J. R. Thompson are to deliver poetical
cdes.
On Tuesday the box containing the statue, weigh
ing nineteen tons was removed from the ship on
which it arrived, and by aid of horsepower and a
wagon, carried a couple of squares towards the Cap
itol. In the meantime about a thousand citizens
had assembled, and became so enthusiastic that
they unhitched the horses, took bodily possession
of the immense case, and amidst joyous shoutings
carried it by main force up Mam to Oth, along 9th
to Broad, along Broad to 10th, uud thence through
an opening in the iiou railing into its proper place
in front of the monument The Enquirer says:
It was a grand and delightful spectacle as-the
mountain box, drawn by hundreds of the citizens,
with agent McCloy and Capt. Sara Freeman and
Corporal Krischman, of the Blues, with their
da" on the wagon in front, overcame all obstacles
auawas safely landed amidst enthusiastic cheer
ings. Only a few moments sufficed for the crowd
to tear up the iron railing aud curb-stones and
contiguous trees to make passage into the square.
The mayor of the city was raised to the top of the
box, and after a neat speech urged the people to
call the Governor out.
Gov. Wise could not resist the heartv entreaties
•f the besieging crowd who guarded all the exits
of the capitol, and, escorted" by the mayor, was
welcomed by the crowd, who* by the aid of a
rope and their own shoulders, elevated him on
the box. Just then salutes were tired by detach
ments of the Blues aud Young Guard, and patri
otic airs performed by the Ar > ory Band. The
Governor stood beneath the “stars* and stripes,”
held up by a number of citizens, and addressed
the immense audience with eloquence and power
ful effect. After a few pertmeut remarks from
Captain Dimmock, Captain of the public guard,
ana Mr. Mavo, the crowd dispersed, leaving the
box safely in its place. We have never seen a
more picturesque aud animating spectacle—the
more so, as k it was entirely unexpected by every
body.
St. Louis, Nov. 28.—The ice is disaopearing
rapidly. Navigation South will doubtlessly soon
e resumed.
Hines 9 Forms.
We observe that a memorial has been presented
to the legislature, by R. K. HixE3,Esq., of Albany,
asking that a committee may be appointed from
each branch of the General Assembly, to examine
a second edition of a work which he has prepared
entitled “Legal Forms for common use in this
State,” and to report upon its merits with a view
to a subscription by the State to aid him in its
publication.
The first edition of this work was compiled by
John B. Hines, Esq., of Macon, and published in
that place under the supervision of the editor of
this paper, in 1853. It embraced a great variety
of Legal Forms, which the ordinary business of
many of our people required them, constantly, tr
use, and so arranged that Magistrates, county offi
cers,and others,not skilled in the law, might readily
understand and employ them. This first edition
has been sold, tested and approved by the bar and
by the people; and Mr. R. K. lli.ves, a brother of
the compiler, who is admirably qualified for the
task, to extend its use-ulness and to answer an in
creasing demand for the work, has prepared a
second edition. This second edition, in the publi
cation of which he solicits the aid of the State, in
the shape of a subscription for fifteen hundred
copies, will be a work of four hundred pages, and
will embrace many new forms, as well as many
changes in old ones, which have been rendered
necessary by recent legislation. It will be a con*
venient aud useful compilation for members of the
bar; whilst from the plainness of its forms and
their arrangement, it will be inraiuablc to those
who are not familiar with the law.
Familiar as we are with the first edition of the
work, and knowing that the second will be an im
provement upon it, we trust that the legislature
will authorize the Executive to subscribe for a
number of copies sufficient to insure its publica
tion. It will supply a common want of the j
people.
Increase of the Salaries of Public
Officers.
A bill, we are gratified to observe, has been intro
duced in the Hoijs*- of Representatives, by Mr.
Kenan, of Baldwin, to increase the salary of the
Governor, Judge* of the Supreme Court, and
Judges of the Superior Courts of this State. We
shall watch its fate with a great deal of interest,
trusting that if will be different from that of the
many similar bills heretofore introduced in the
legislature. Bills for this object have failed to pass
heretofore, because, as we are disposed to think,
they were wt urged with sufficient zeal; few of
those who Here in favor of them, and whose in
fluence, if actively exerted, might have secured
their passage, being willing to press them or con
spicuously n> champion them. They seem to have
the impression that any increase of the salaries of
our public officers is an unpopular measure, and
with the strongest convicticns of the propriety and
the necessiy of such au increase, in certain cases,
they regari the opinion of their constituencies,
and are cottent simply to vote for u bill with this
object, without using any exertion to pass it. This
impression, general as it is, is erroneous and does
very gnat injustice to the intelligence of the peo
ple oft Sis State, who, we believe, if their opinion
upon tie subject could be obtained, would cor
dially approve of the provisions of the bill intro
duced by Mr. Kenan.
TIJ* bill proposes to increase the sa’aries of the
Gove nor of the S:ate, Justices of the Supreme
Couft and Judges of the Superior Courts, so that
those who may be elected hereafter to till these of
fice!, may be paid for the services which they ren
der anil may be enabled to maintain the dignity
of the honorable position which they hold.
Tko compensation which the incumbent j of these
ofices receive is notoriously insufficient. The Gov
ernor of the State is not a mere ministerial agent,
elected to perform a certaiu amount of routine du
k\fcut be is besides this, the representative of the
a>vereignty and dignity of the State, and vet this
officer receives a salary which, whilst it may be a
ptoper compensation for the services required of
him, is altogether insufficient to cover the expenses
irfcTdent to his position. The consequence is that he
is compelled, if he desires to maintain the dignity of
his office, and the style of living which the people
expect aud demand, to draw upon hisprivate income
and to maintain this dignity and style of living—at
his own expense. Such is the position in which our
Magistrate is placed. lie must avoid the
expenditures which custom, public opiuion and
his own sense of propriety require of him, or he
must nsebis own means freely. The position of
the law officers of our government—the Judges of
our Supreme aud Superior Courts—are even worse.
Their offices are more exacting —more laborious
—more responsible—more important to all public
and private interests than any in the State, ami
require, for the proper discharge of their duties,
higher qualifications in talent, learning and charac
ter, and a larger amount of energy and endurance,
and yet they are compelled to perform these duties
for a compensation smaller than that which a
shop salesman many kind of merchantilcbusiness
would demand and readily obtain for his services.
These offices are objects of an honorable ambi
tion with many of our citizens, and will always be
sought after eagerly, whatever may be the sacri
fices required of those who hold them. This is
true, but the State ought not to avail itself of the
fact, and speculate u£on the laudable ambition of
its citizens to serve her in places of distinction.
She is able to pay for their services—to pay for
them liberally—aud whenever the legislature adopts
this idea, and acts upon it, it will be sustained by
the people. Every office in the State, executive or
judicial, should bare attached to it a salary suffi
cient to maintain the dignity of the office, to com
pensate the incumbent for the labor and the respon.
nihility which it involves, to command the best
talent in the State for the discharge of its duties,
and to authorize any citizen, whether he maybe
rich or poor, to aspire to it and to hold it, without a
serious sacrifice of his private interests. The in
troduction by Mr. Kenan, of Baldwin, of the bill
which we hare noticed, is oue step taken in this
direction, and we earnestly hope that that bill will
be passed by the legislature.
2r£TThe official vote in New York for Mayor
stands:
Ticmann 43,382
Wood A. 40,852
Majority against Wood 2,430
The popular majority against Wood in 1854,
was nineteen thousand five hundred and seven ; in
1556, it was eight thousand three hundred and
ninety-nine; aud in 1857, reduced to two thousand
four hundred and thirty. In other years two and
three candidates were in opposition, but at the re
cent election all shades of opposition were fused
together, and hence Mayor Wood’s defeat.
53?“ At Madrid, in Spain, at the last accounts,
it was not considered likely that the financial crisis
could affect Spain. The situation of the bank con
tinued highly satisfactory.
The advices from Bohemia arc deplorable. Ex
change was in favor of gold against bank notes,
although secured by the State at the rate of eleven
to twelve per centum, and in favor of silver at the
rate of eight to nine per cent.
A Vienna letter of the 14th ult., says: “The fi
nancial accounts from the manufacturing districts
were exceedingly afflicting. The number of fail
ures was enormous. No greater panic was ever
known at Vienna.’'
A submarine telegraph cable had been laid be
tween Cagliari and Malta—a distance of abo»t
three hundred miles—with perfect success. This
line will accelentc the receipt of the Indian news
by a day or two.
< REPOSTED POB THE CONSTITUTIONALIST.J
Jlilledgeville Correspondence.
Milledgeville, Dec. 3, 1957.
Senate.— Mr. Mounger, of Dooly, moved a re
consideration of so much of yesterday's journal as
relates to the indefinite postponement of the bill
amending the Constitution, as far as the Judiciary
is concerned—vesting it in Supreme, Superior,
Cou*ty. and Justices’ Courts.
Mr. Mounger spoke of the importance of some
of the features of the bill, and the necessity of
carrying them out. It was necessary to fix upon a
permanent place for the holding of the Supreme
Court, where access could be had to a good libra
ry. It gives the Judges of the Supreme Court
nme to write out their opinions, maturely and de
liberately. He believed his people desired the
passage of the bill. The objectionable features he
1 wished struck out.
Mr. Harris, of Meriwether, objected to several
of the provisions of the bill, but several were im
portant, and he wished them adopted.
Mr. Briscoe, of Balwin, said that the bill gave
the power to the legislature, now or hereafter, to
settle the place for the meeting of the Supreme
Court, and ne wished it reconsidered for that pur
pose. When it came up for final consideration, he
would then discuss the practicability of the differ
ent places, at which it would be proposed to locate
it, and could give good reason for its location at a
particular place he had in his mind. AH the rest
of the features could then be struck out. There
was no constitutional difficulty upon the point of
striking out.
Messrs. Dawson of Green, Stubbs of Bibb, and
Bloodwortb of Pike, spoke very briefly in favor of
the advantages that must result from a permanent
fixture of the Supreme Court at one place. The
■otion to reconsider was carried.
The committee reported upon the memorial of
Howell Cobb, of Houston county, and offered a
resolution for the Governor to appoint a commis
sion of three lawyers to examine the manuscript
of the contemplated law book of Mr. Cobb, and
upon a favorable report, to authorize the purchase
of three thousand copies of said book, at not
more than four dollars per volume.
By Mr. Bartlett, of Jasper—A bill to amend an
act to authorize Judges of the Superior Courts of
this State to appoint Receivers during vacation,
aud to require the complainants asking for writs
and all applications asking for the appointment of
a Receiver, or for injunction to give bond and se
curity to the respondent for any loss or damage
which he or they mav sustain by the suing out of
said writs, and for other purposes, approved March
4th, 1856, so as to allow the issuing any of the
aforesaid writs, upon the applicant making oath
that from his property he is unable to give such
bond and security.
By the same—A bill to amend an act to point
out the mode of ascertaining the relief and sup
port to which widows and orphans arc entitled out
of the estate of their deceased husbands uud pa
rents, in cases where letters testamentary or ad
ministrative, slidll hereafter be granted, aud for
other purposes, approved February P.tth, 1858, so
as to allow an appeal from the return of the ap
praisers, and the judgment of the Ordinary there
on. as in other cases.
By Mr. Smith, of Hancock—A bill to encourage
persons making a will to provide a permanent fund
lor ihe collegiate preparation and education of in
digent boys or young men.
By Mr. Stubbs, of Bibb —A bill to amend the
laws of this State as to signing and certifying bills
of exception in certain cases therein named.
By the same—A bill to give plasterers lien for
work, materials, Ac.
By Mr. Tucker, of Stewart--A bill regulating the
fees of witnesses in criminal cases.
MATTER UNDER FINAL CONSIDERATION.
A house bill to authorise the issuing of commis
sions and to legalize commissions that may have
beeu issued to certain Judges of the Superior
Courts, aud to amend an act to provide for the
election of all the Judges of.tlie Superior Courts,
by the free white people of Georgia, approved 1852
--passed.
A bill to alter and amend so much of the Judi
ciary act of 17‘J f J as requires the Representatives of
deceased Plaintiffs to be made parties by scire fa
etas—passed.
The three following bills were made thespecial or
der for next Thursday: A bill to aid the construction
of the Georgia Air Line railroad. .\ bill to amend
the charter of the Macon A Brunswick Company,
and to define more particularly the power aiid
privileges of said company. A bill to lend the aid
of the State to the Macon A Brunswick Railroad
Company, Ac.
The constitutional bill reconsidered this morn
ing, was taken up, and Mr. Stubbs made a motion
to strike out a large portion of the bill. Consider
able discussion ensued, and finally, upon motion
of Mr. Tucker, the bill was postponed indefinitely.
The President stated that the pupils of the lii
stitutivu tor the Blind would be examined this af
ternoon in the Representative Hall. In const
quence the Senate adjourned uutil nine and a half
o’clock to-morrow morning.
House. —Upon Mr. Harrison, of Chat
ham, the rules were suspended and a bill taken up, '
relative to the purchase of the Marietta Military
Institute—passed.
Upon motion of Mr. Kenan, the House took up 1
the report of the special committee appointed to
examine into the rights of the present legisla
ture.
Mr. Underwood offered a substitute. The whole
matter was finally referred to the committe on the 1
Judiciary. Yeas seventy-seven, nays sixty-one. 1
unfinished business of yesterday, the omnibus
bill was then taken up.
The motion to strike out all the roads except the
Georgia Aia Line railroad, was pending yesterday,
at the adjournment.
Mr. Smith, of Towns, entered into an elaborate
exposition of the benefits accruing from internal
improvements, and coroborated and verified his
positions by a direct reference to experience. These
had made New York and Pennsylvania what they
now are, and they were necessary fur the develop
ment of our southern cities. Our southern belt
had been formed by nature for the production of
cotton; our mountains for raising all kinds of
gram; and our unsurpassed water power for the
establishment of manufactories. Unite all these
bv a system of railroads, and you make Georgia
the glory of the Union. Many other advantages
would result from the construction of these roads.
They would operate for the benefit of the State, as
a military protection from au abolition or foreign
foe. *
The State was bound from imperative duty to
grant the aid to these roads as an act of justice and
equal rights to every section. The State road had
consumed about six million dollars, aud was about
one hundred and thirty-eight miles long. The sum
total of their demand was security to the amount
of three million dollars, to build a road four hun
dred and twenty miles long, and benefiting all
sections, and for which the State had ample secu
rity.
Mr. Ilillyer was in favor of the motion to strike
out, aud as the friends of the bill conteud that the
principle askiug aid for all the roads is the same,
they cau all be considered together; therefore, up
on this motion the merits of the whole question
come up tor determination and discussion He
desired to consider the question under two propo
sitions :
Ist. Is the bill right ? Has the legislature the
power to embark in enterprises of this kind ?
2d. Is the measure expedient?
His ideas of government were very simple, and
he might lay himself liable to the charge of old
fogyism, aud it might justly be said that he was
far behind the ideas fostere J at the present day, in
the wild brain of young America. It was, how
ever, a remark as old as it was true, tkat.the prin
cipal objects of government are to protect rights
and prevent wrongs, and the government could go
beyond these powers only in cases of extreme ne
cessity. This bill proposed to build up certain sec
tions of the State at the expense of the whole peo
ple. He thought the legislature had no power to
do that. The government of the State of Georgia
was not a mere copartnership among its citizeus,
in which the property of the partners is to be in
vested for the benefit of the copartnership. All
the arguments of gentlemen went to the point that
the measure would benefit the State, but that argu
ment was not sufficient. A great many other en
terprises would benefit the people ot the State—as
the publication and distribution of the Bible, the
buildiug of churches and furnishing them with
preachers, would benefit the people of the State—
but was that auy reason why gentlemen should
ask the legislature to appropriate money from the
treasury or draw upon the credit of the State, (and
he saw but little difference between the two,) in
advancement of those measures? It would be, he
fcought, a very dangenous precedent to establish
the doctrine that the common treasure could at
any time be drawn upon for any purpose which
should happen to appear beneficial to the State, in
the judgment of those who for the time being
might have control of public measures. He
thought, therefore, that the measures was wrong
. upon principle.
2d. Is the measure expedent ? The advocates
of the bill had assured the House that the different
1 companies would give the State adequate and
» perfect security. If they coirid give the State this
security they could certainly give the same securi
ty to pi-irate persons. I { they could do so, let
them do it and save the State from any dangerous
connection with schemes like those found in the bill.
Gentlemen, however, might say that without the aid
ot the State the proposed roads could not be built,
if so, that conclusively proved to his mind that
they could not give securitv. All roads which
could be safdy built by State aid, could also be
built by private enterprise, which would give to
the people all the benefits of a successful issue of
these enterprises without any of the evils of gov
ernmental action. It had been sneeringlv said,
that all this opposition to this bill, came from this
line of the two prominent railroads in this State.
His county was upon the line of the Georgia j-oad,
and if it was due to that circumstance alone, he
was glad that he lived where the prejudices of sec
tion did not require him to make war upon the
Constitution.
The gentleman from Towns had appealed to the
members of the House, representing the counties
along the line of the State road, not to refuse
other sections of the State the same liberality which
had been extended to them.
He appealed also to the same members, not to
vote to compel him and his people to pay their
debts of gratitude. He was decidedly in favor of
Lie motion to strike out, because, while all the
roads were in one bill, although members of the
° us< ? m*'ght, in the language of the gentleman
from Fniton, “ consider each one seperately,” vet
they could not vote for or against each one while
they were all in the same bill.
Mr. Smith, of Coweta, alluded to Calhoun’s en
dorsement of the proposition to clean out the Mis
sissippi as a great national project, and argued,
as Georgia had appropriated money for the devel
opment of some sections, she ought to lend her
credit tor the benefit of others.
Mr. Hardeman, of Bibb, proposed to take up the
bill by sections, by which they could vote for the
merits of each bill.
Mr. Davis, of Marion, looked upon it as the es
tablishment of a bad precedent. Railroads, like
meu, were seized with the injurious desire to be
come rich with marvellous rapidity, and would
even consider and encourage wild schemes of in
ternal improvement. He looked upon this as an
evidence of that spirit.
Mr. Pickett, of Gilmer, deemed it a measure
tending to forward the interests of the whole
State, and enhance her prosperity ; and he ener
getically and indignantly disclaimed the idea, and
repelled the insinuation that the measure is a fraud
upon the people. Mr. Lewis, of Hancock, spoke
until the hour of adjournment, when the House
adjourned, he being on tlie floor. He did not speak
very long. He gave notice of an admendment to
make the individual property of the stockholder
responsible to the State; and to add the Macon
and Warrenton railroad to the bill. His remarks
were in advocacy of the bill. When he concludes,
his whole speech shall be reported. The Hall hav
ing been granted for the use of the pupils of the
institution of the blind, after vhich the House ad
journed until nine and a half o’clock to-morrow
morning. A.
P. S. The blind pupils of the Academy for the
blind, gave a concert, the particulars of which I
may report in a subsequent letter. Owing t<» in
disposition, have been unable to sypnopsize the
debate on the bank question, when Mr. Ward
spoke.
Mii.ledukyillk, Doc. 4.
In the Senate, the introduction, consideration
and passage of private bills consumed almost the
entire business hours of the dav.
In the house, Mr. Speaker Underwood read a
certificate of the election of Mr. Cook as the Rep
resentative from Early county in the place of Mr.
Daria deceased. Mr. Cook was sworu in, and took
his seat.
By Mr. Roberts, of Cherokee—A bill to alter and
amend the Hat*49corpus laws, in certuin cases.
By Mr. Underwood, of Floyd —A bill to prevent
usury in this State, and to declare usurious con
tracts void—the penalty, a loss of principal and
interest—the Judge of the Superior Court to give
in charge ; and the Judge and Jury to be vigilant
in preventing an avoidance of the law.
By the same—A bill to define the liabilities of
bank agencies.
By the same—A bill to aid in the construction of
the North Alabama and Georgia railroad.
By Mr. Moore, of Glynn—A bill to incorporate
the Brunswick Canal Company.
By Mr. Daniel, of Gwinnett—A bill to allow par
ties, plaintiffs in Justices’ Courts, to prove their
own accounts by their oath, when they do not ex
ceed fifty dollars.
By the same—A bill to amend the attachment
laws of the State in certain cases.
By Mr. Hardy, of Jackson—A bill to compel per
sons applying for warrants to pay costs in cer lain
cases.
Bv Mr. Mott, of Muscogee—A bill to prevent
banks in other {states from carryiug on business in
this State.
By Mr. Luffman, of Murray—A resolution to re
quest from the Governor any information relative
to the payments of John H. Howard ami Mr.
Echols, for expenses incurred in the case of the
contested line between Alabama and Georgia.
By Mr. Haiper, of Sumter—A bill to incorpo
rate iii Amerieus, the South-western Bank of Geor-
gia.
By Mr. Milledge, of Richmond—A bill to au
thorize the Governor to pay the expenses of the
delegates to the Nashville Convention of 1850.
By Mr. Bigham, of Troup—A bill to repeal aa
act to provide for the more speedy trials in Equity
cases.
By Mr. Hillyer, of Walton—A bill to provide for
the continuance of cases in the Supreme Court in
which any two of the Judges are interested.
By the same—A bill to amend the Ist section of
the 3d article of the Constitution.
Mr. Smith, of Towns—Chairman of Committee
on Finance, made a report upon a bill requiring
examination of the Comptroller General’s office.
Bv Mr. Fain, of Union—A resolution instructing
our Congressmen to nrge the passage of an act al
lowing one hundred and sixty acres to volunteer
companies in the war of 1812.
Mr. Lewis resumed his speech on the “ omnibus
bill,” and spoke very ably and eloquently for the
bill.
In the afternoon, Mr. Kenan, of Baldwin, made
a powerful effort against the principles of State aid
—defending the present railroad monopolies, and
Savannah and Augusta from the charges made
against them,and contending that the citizens should
build their roads themselves as fast as their means
would allow.
Mr. Underwood, of Floyd, replied to Mr. Kenan,
in support of the bill, showing the great benefit
to a portion of the State, and to the railroads now
in operation, from the State road—their duty to
help other sections—the momentous necessity of
these railroads for the development of other sec
tion of Georgia, the necessity of an equality of
rights and privileges among the people generally.
Mr. Underwood on the floor, the House adjourn
ed until nine and a half o’clock to-morrow morn
ing- A.
The Paris Pays explains the difference
that had occurred at Shanghae, between the Con
suls France and the United States, and that the
affair was of trivial importance, and did not result
inanv interruption of the friendly relations between
the two Consuls.
The steamship Persia, from New York for
Liverpool on the 11th of November, was going in
to Liverpool as the America left on the *2lst uit.
23P" Sight drafts on New York are selling in
Charleston at from two to three per cent, premium.
Mr. L. P. Edmondson recently committed
suicide by hanging himself, at his residence near
Tuskegee, Alabama.
Damage to the Sugar Cane. —The Baton Rouge
(La.) Advocate says that the planters of West
Baton Rouge give a gloomy account of their pros
pects. They state that their cane crop has been
injured twenty-five per cent, by the summer-like
weather which had succeeded to cold nights and
heavy frosts. They mentioned one plantation
where a yield of one thousand to one thousand
two hundred pounds only to the acre is anticipa
ted, where double that yield was calculated on a
few days before.
A Modest Request.—ln the Tennessee Senate,
Mr. Goodpasture presented a memorial from citi
zens of Scott county, asking to be released ;from
taxation, on account of the hard times, and that
an appropriation of four or five thousand dollars
be made for their benefit.
The number of students in the University of
Mississippi, at the present time, is upwards of one
hundred and fifty.
Edmond W. Holland, Esq., has been unani
i mouslv elected President of the Bank of Fulton,
■ Tice A. W. Stone, Esq., resigned.