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About Weekly constitutionalist. (Augusta, Ga.) 185?-1877 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1870)
complete. I would hare It govern, not the tenure, but the manner of making all ap pointments. There Is no duty which so much embarrasses the Executive and heads of departments as that of appointments; nor is there any such arduous or thanklegs labor imposed on Senators or Representa tives as that of finding places for constitu ents. The present system does not secure the best men and often not even fit men for public places. The elevation and purifica tion of the civil service of the Government will be hailed with approval by the people of the United States. INDIAN AFFAIRS. Reform in the management of Indian af fairs has received the special attention of the Administration from its inauguration to the present day. 'lhe experiment of making it a missionary work was tried, with a few agencies given to the denomina tion of Friends, and has been found to work most advantageously. All agencies and superintendencies not so disposed of were given to officers of the armv. The acta of Congress reducing the army renders army ofllcers ineligible for civil po sitions. Indian agencies being civil offices, I determined to give all the agencies to such religious denominations as had here tofore established missionaries among the Indians, and, perhaps, to some other de nominations who would undertake the work on the same terms—that is, as a missionary work. The societies se lected are allowed to name their own agents,_ subject to the approval of the Executive, and are expocted to watch over them and aid them as missionaries, to Christianize and civilize the Indian, and to train him in the arts of peace. The Government watches over the official acts of these agents, and requires of them as strict an accountability as if they were ap pointed in any other manner. I entertain the confident hope that the policy now pursued will, in a few years, bring all the Indians upon reservations where they will live in houses—have school houses and churches, and will be pursuing ■peaceful and self-sustaining avocations, and where they may be visited by the law abiding white man with the same impunity that he now visits the civilized white set tlements. I call your special attention to the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for full information on this subject. PUBLIC LANDS. During the last fiscal year, 8,095,413 acres of public land were disposed of. Os this quantity, 8,698,910.05 acres were taken under the homestead law, and 2,159,515.81 acres sold for cash. The remainder was located with military warrants, college or Indian scrip, or applied in satisfaction of grants to railroads or for other pnblic uses. The entries under the homestead law during the last year covered 961,545 acres more than those during the preced ing year. Surveys have been vigorously prosecuted to the full extent of the means applicable to the purpose. The quantity of land in market will amply supply the present demand. The claim of the settler under the home stead or ihe pre-emption laws is not, how ever, limited to lands subject to sale at pri vate entry. Any unappropriated surveyed public land may, to a limited amount, be acquiredjunderthe former laws, if the party entitled to enter under them will comply with the requirements they prescribe in re gard to residence and cultivation. The actual settler’s preference right of pur chase is even broader, and extends to lands which were unsnrveyed at the time of his settlement. His right was formerly con ferred within much narrower limits, and at one period of our history it was con fined only by special statutes. They were enacted, from time to time, to legalize what was then regarded as an unauthorized in trusion upon the national domain. v LANDS TO SETTLERS. The opinion that the public lands should be regarded chiefly as a source of revenue is no longer maintained. The rapid settle ment and successful cultivation of them is now justly considered of more importance to our well being than is the funds which the sales of them would produce. ThC re markable growth and prosperity ol our new States and Territories attest the wis dom of that legislation which invites the tiller of the soil to secure a permanent home on terms within the reach of all. The pioneer who incurs the dangers and privations of a frontier life and thus aids in laying the foundation of new Common wealths, renders a signal service to his country, and is entitled to its special favor and protection. These laws secure that object and largely promote the general wel fare. They should therefore be cherished as a permanent feature of our land system. FUNDS FOR EDUCATION. Good faith requires us to give full effect to existing grants, and the time honored and beniflcent policy of setting apart cer tain sections of public land for educational purposes in the new States should be con tinued. When ample provisions shall have been made for these objects I submit, as a question worthy of serious consideration, whether the residue of our national domain shouK not be wholly disposed of nnder the provisions of the homestead and pre-emp tion laws. LAND GRANTS FOR INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT. In addition to the swamp and overflowed lands granted to tae States in which they are situated, the lands taken under the agricultural college acts and for internal improvement purposes, under the act of September, 1841, and the acts supplemental thereto, there had been conveyed up to the close of the last fiscal year, by patent or other equivalent evidence of title, to States and corporations, 27,886,257.68 acres for railways, canals and wagon roads. It Is estimated that an additional quantity of 174,735,523 acres is still due under grants for like uses. The policy of thus aiding the States in building works, of internal im provement was inaugurated more than forty years since in the grants to Indiana and Illinois to aid those States in operftng canals to connect the waters of the Wabash with those of Lake Erie, and the waters of the Illinois with those of Lake Michigan. It was followed, with some modifications, in the grant to Illinois of alternate sections of public land, within certain limits, to the Illinois Central Railway. Fourteen States and sundry corporations have received similar subsides In connection with rail ways completed or in process of construc tion. As the reserved sections are rated at the double minimum, the sale of them at the enhanced price has thus, In many Instances, indemnified the treasury for the granted lands. The Construction of some of these thoroughfares has undoubtedly given a vigorous Impulse to the development of our resource*, and the settlement of the more distant portion* of tho country. It may, however, well Insisted that much or our legislation In this regard has I, eg characterised by Indiscriminate and profuse liberality. The United State* should not lonii their credit In aid of any i nternrlsu undertaken by (Hate* or corpora. I'.ons, nor grant lands In any Instance, iihiea* ih" projected work l» of aaknowb . igsd national lii.portaiier lam strongly In"lim'4 to Ui" opinion that Ula liielpMh •nt ami nnn*v<ssary to Haitow subsidies of either description, bat should Congress de terminc otherwise, I earnestly recommend that the rights of settlers aud of the public be more effectually secured and protected by appropriate legislation. PATENT OFFICE. Daring the year ending September 30, 1870, there were filed in the Patent Office 19,411 applications for patents, 3,374 cave ats and 160 applications for the extension of patents; 13,632 patents, including reissues and designs, were issued—llo extended and 1,089 allowed, but not issued, by reason of the non-payment of the final fees. The receipts of the office daring the fiscal year were-$13,630,429 in excess of expendi tures. THE CENSUS. The work of the*Census Bureau has been energetically prosecuted. The preliminary report containing much information of spe cial value and interest will be ready for delivery during the present session. The remaining volumes will be completed with all the dispatch consistent with perfect ac curacy in arranging and classifying the re turns. We shall thus, at no distant day, be furnished with an authentic record of our condition and resources. It will, I doubt not, attest the growing prosperity of the country, although during the decade just closed it was so severely tried by the great war wag and to maintain its integrity, and to secure and perpetuate our free insti tutions. PENSIONS. During the last fiscal year, the sum paid to pensioners, including the cost of dis bursement, was $27,780,811 11, and 1,758 bounty lands were issued. At its close, 198,686 names were on the pension rolls. The labors of the Pension Office have been directed to the severe scrutiny of the evi dence submitted in favor of new claims, and to the discovery of fictitious claims, which have been heretofore allowed. The appropriation for the employment of spe cial agents for the investigation of frauds has been judiciously used, and the results obtained have been of unquestionable bene fit to the service. EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE. The subjects of education and agricul ture are of great interest to the success of our Republican institutions and happiness and grandeur as a nation. In the interest of one a bureau has been established in the Interior Department—the Bureau of Edu cation ; and in the interest of the other an associate department—that of Agriculture. Believing great general good is to flow from the operations of both these Bureaus, if properly fostered, I cannot commend to your careful consideration too highly the reports of the Commissioners of Education and oi Agriculture; nor urge too strongly such liberal legislation as to secure their efficiency. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, I would snm np the policy of the Administration to be a thorough en forcement of every law; a faithful collec tion of every tax provided for; economy in the disbursement of the same; a prompt payment of every debt of the nation ; a re duction of taxes as rapidly as the require ments of the country will admit; reduc tions of taxation and tariff to be so ar ranged as to afford the greatest relief to the greatest number; honest and fair dealings with all other people, to the end that war, with all its blighting consequences may be avoided, but without surrendering any right or obligation due to us ; a reform in the treatment of Indians and in the whole civil service of the country, and, finally, in securing a pure, untrammelled ballot, where every man entitled to cast a vote may do so, just once, at each election, without fear of molestation, or proscription, on account of his political faith,-nativity or color. U. S, Grant. Executive Mansion, December stn, 1870. [ From the New York Kxfreux Revenuj Reform. The revenue reform movement Is strong as it Is, but would be much stronger if men who reallv believed in it would unite vuplth their fellow-citizens who feel called upon to take an active part in a subject of so much national importance. It is, as Mr. Bryant said last night, a question which addresses itself to every cousumer, every producer, and every man and every family. Os the 2,000 articles taxed said Mr. Miu turn, the necessary revenue of the Govern ment could be raised from less than 20. With an internal tobacco tax of over $31,350,000 —a tax on spirits of about $26,- 000,000, in spite of the violations of law, taxes are not allowed on articles on which a revenue can be raised, which would meet all the wants of Government. The Int- rnal tax estimated f.-r the next fiscal year is $185,000,000, two-thirdsof the whole amount necessary to support the Government and pay the in erest on the public debt. '.ll experience at home and abroad shows the injustice of protecting special interests or monopolies at the expense of the people.— Nor is It, as demonstrated by Mr. Welles last night, a subject of higher wages which causes higher prices, and contributed to the support of mechanics. Skilled work and skill-ui machinery are an offset for low wages, incompetency and inefficiency. This is proved 5n our own success as well as in what we see abroad. When materials which enter into manufactures are cheap, both home manufactures and home labor will increase to the advantage of labor and of all the material interests of the country.— Why is it that, In spite of all these gifts of God, there is to-day hardly a single article which we can produce in competition with other nations? Simply, says Mr. Wells, from the bedevilment of legislation wh'ch is forced upon us. What was interesting in the meeting of last evening’s Revenue Reformers was the fact that such old disciples of High Pro tection as Messrs. Wells and Atkinson are now among the converts of just the oppo site principle. They have studied the sub ject thoroughly Id the light of trade, fact, experience, history, and the result is that the protection of A, B and C means the rob bery of the rest of mankind. We are glad to see this good seed sown among us, and believe it will bear good fruit. One of the gentlemen forcibly asked at the close, and perhaps the Protectionists, who are Repub licans, will answer: “ What is the difference of principle be tween that slavery which took the whole of the eaniiilg3 of labor for the benefit of another, and that slavery which takes any part or its earnings for the benefit of another?”, Tue Working Pkotijc.—A strike I* re ported tu New York city among the ma sons employed in the new Harlem Railroad do|lot, In consequence of the reduction o r the period of labor to seven hours and n half, and a reduction of wages from $1 to f;i a day. The miners employed by the Maware, Lackawanna and Western < onl Companv, It I* announced, are preparing to strike,in consequence of nn untie paint 1 reduction of wages. .. ■■■ * <» I Governor 4cott lias made the following ' appointment*l J«*«o H IMK Wilson L. I oh ntan and Jams* Talbert, Notaries Pn >• He, Kdg*fi"l<fi and Thomta I), ruul, Trial ,|u»tlee, Orangeburg. i THE WEEILT OONSTITimONAIiIBT ; WEDNESDAY MORNING, DEC 14, IS7O ADDRESS OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Chairman of the Executive Commit tee has issued the following address : " TO TIIE DEMOCRACY OF GEORGIA. The State Democratic Executive Com mittee urges you to perfect at once your county organizations The election is near at hand. No time is to be lost. The im portance of the result cannot be over esti mated. Representatives In the National Congress are to be chosen. They should be men of prudence and patriotism ; men who will reflect honor on the State and give encouragement and support to that gallant band of Northern Democrats who, amid all the perils of the past, have been true to the country and the Con-tltutlon. Members of the State Legislatures also, are to be elected. They should be men of in tegrity and sound judgment; men whose interests are identified with the interests of the State; who feel a pride in her past glory; who sympathize with her present nrsfortunes, and whose hopes depend on her future prosperity. You can elect such men. Success is within your grasp. You have but to will it and the victory is yours. A’l classes of our citizens deplore the rule of the present regime. Their pride aud their pocket afike rebel against its continuance. The colored people are ready to be delivered from their new bondage—a bondage which makes them slaves to the ambition aud the avarice of the office seekers who aspire to be their leaders. They begin to realize that the men of the South, with whom they have lived so long, are their true friends; and that those who now govern the State are fast cngulphing them and ns in a common destruction. They will not be longer mis led by the false accusation that we wish to put them back into slavery or to take away their political rights. They well know that we would not do either if we could, and that we could not if we would. Their best Interests and ours alike depend on a wise and just administration of the Gov ernment. And thousands of them are willing to co-operate with us in displacing from power those whose incapacity and reckless extravagance have well nigh plunged the State into bankruptcy and ruin. But if you will have success, you must be united among yourselves. You must rally around the chosen standard hearers of the party. Independent candidates must have the magnanimity and patriotism to withdraw. If they will not withdraw from their support—though they be your warm est personal friends—and leave them to suffer the defeat they deserve. This is no time for division in our ranks. There is too much at stake, and the peril is too great. Let us surrender petty jealousies and personal ambitions and dislikes, and give u cordial support to the selected can didates of the party. Suspend your busi ness while the election is progressing and attend the polls. Do not vote <ti any precinct —vote only at the county site. Conform strict ly to the Una in all respects. If none of the appointed managers appear by 10 o'clock on the day of the election, gel three freeholder* to open the polls , as provided by section 1314 of the Code. Above all things, preserve the peace. And may God defend the right and save the State! In behalf of the State Democratic Exe cutive Committee. Clifford Anderson, Chairman. STICK TO THE REGULAR CANDIDATES. One of the most ridiculous as well as disastrous features of a political campaign in the South is the rabid ness of so many men for office. No sooner is a canvass In progress than a mult'tude of individuals spring up, each one of whom rashly and conceitedly imagines that he is the salt of the earth and that his “claims” on the party are superior to those of everybody else. The true patriot is willing that the nomination should seek him, and is at least willing to exhibit common modesty in'pre ferring his so-called “claim.” If this was true in the past, how much more applicable is it to the present time ? In old days it mattered comparatively little who was elected, Whig or Democrat. Bnt at this period it matters i nmensely between Dem ocrats and Radicals. When the issue is of such moment, it seems to us that even the most selfish man who declares himself to be in antagonism to Radicalism should sacrifice every personal consideration for the good of the party. And when such a person la merely asked to make no factious oppositloi to a regular nominee, bis refusal should stamp him at once as a political enemy, for whoso is not with us is against us, and he who divides the party is equally guilty, and perhaps more so, than he who j openly contends against it on another and ’ antagonistic platform. The Democracy of Georgia, in the State election, have terrible difficulties to over borne as well as the greatest of stakes to i win or lose. They have to struggle against I force and fraud on the part of the usurping ! State authorities aud the conspirators ] against liberty at Was Xugton. S' I 'a with | a solid aud united front the contest is snffi cicntly doubtful. But when to these oh stacles wo also have a td.d defection [ and discord within our own conks, the prospect become* alarming indeed. It is i of the utmost Importance that the Democ racy should have at least a inijocty Inj both brunches of the General Assembly. To accomplish this grand nsuit it I* an- * smakftbly necessary that, there should be no division* In eur ranks Butuvca at J this writing we hear of tn*u In diflvrvot i pails of tb<‘ State announcing them*! selvea, on one pretext or another, as J I "Independent'* candidate*. We do not' | hesitate to pronounce sack conduct, in the preseiit ciueigeucy, unpatriotic, un wise and disorderly. We appeal to the gentlemen, who are no doubt good and true tnen, though a little selfish, to recon sider this folly. We ask them to permit the party In council to decide upon their respective •‘claims.” We urge them, if not nominated, to curb their Impetuous greed for office, and wait for another oppor unity. We conjure them to reflect upon the possi ble consequences of their act. We implore them to imitate the glorious rank and file who never waver under any circumstances, but submit to the will of the Party, and rally to its standard, right or wrong, as to nominations, aud in spite of some personal overslanghiug. It is very certain that all men who wish it cannot simultaneously be nominated. Would to heaven they conid, if nothing else can satisfy them! Since, however, many may be called, but few chosen, let those who belong to the disap pointed many trust this time to better luck in the future, and gallantly, cheer fully and fathfully support the more fortu nate few who are selected to lead the van In the charge against the common enemy. We .trust our language will be taken in the proper spirit, ns a temperate, earnest and well-meant effort to unite and harmon ize the party organization. If there be any persons who insist upon running outside the lines, he should receive no endorsement or countenance from true Democrats. There should be a general rally to the sup port of regular nominees. If any persons think proper to run an “Independent” schedule, we are compelled to hope they may be defeated utterly, irretrievably and dlsastiousiv. Seriously and positively, we disclaim all personal feeling whatever in this case; but, in the crisis of onr destiny, we have no patience with those who obstruct the onward march of the Democratic party of Georgia, no matter how considerable they Imagine their “ claims ” to be, and no mat ter what masquerade they assume flor the occasion. THE'PILLORY. Radical papers everywhere raise a pro digious clangor every time a culprit gets a sound drubbing in the Delaware fashion— that is, at the whipping post. Even the sniveling among Delaware journals are growing tender-mouthed on the subject, and the Wilmington Commercial, arguing for the abolition of the practice, from a Rad ical standpoint, says: “ Such modes of punishment are barbar ous, and antagonistic to the teachings of the Gospel.” The New York Express, which Is nearly always sensible, and never falsely senti mental or mawkish, gives very pungently the other side of the question. We quote: “ Outside of Delaware the pillory, as a place of exposure, and the whipping post, as a plaee of punishment, we believe, do not exist as State institutions, but in place of the pillory and the whipping post there are burglars without number, l.ttle and great thieves without much check or hindrance to their depredations, while mi nor offenses abound. In Delaware, the same thief uever appears twice In the State. Once caught be is sure of punish ment, which is not merely a whipping and pillory exposure, but a collar to be worn for six months, which the word Thief is branded. If he should be found within six months with his collar off, he Is again ar rested and punished. The consequence is that the thieves give Delaware a big lee way, and it is sa.'e to go to bed without having your doors or windows barricaded, or to lie down without dread of beiug rob bed. There is no State with more good order, showing more respect for good gov ernment, nor a people more raor U, in all the Union. The thieves, burglars, and petty larceny men don’t like the pillory and whipping post—and they do not sound well in print, but as an offset for the bad look and record, they are a much greater terror to evil-doers than all the jails and State prisons In the other States.” Could apy argument be more conclusive for ’-he maintenance of the whipping post in Delaware, and could any presentation of fact be more vigorous for its establishment everywhere else ? It is very plain, however, why all the opposition comes from Radical sources. The institution of whipping posts on the Delaware plan, in every Stale ol the Uuion, would put a stop to Republi can knavery and effectually cut short the supply of certain “ qualified suffragaus." Democratic Meetisg in Columbia County— On Tuesday last, 6th Inst., a Democratic meeting was held at Appling, Coiumbia coun-y, for the purpose of nomi uatiug candidates for the Legislature and county offices. Gen. G. W. Evans was called to the Chair, H. B. Fleming acting as Secretary. Col. James R. Wilson having declined the nomination tendered him at a former meeting, Simmon Lamkln was unanimous ly chosen as the nominee for Representa tive ia the Legislature. The following nominations for county officers were made: Sheriff—Bradford Ivey, i Tax Receiver—Capt. Dorsey. Tax Collector—Oliver Hardy. Clerk Superior Court aud County Treasu rer—H. B. Fleming. i County Surveyor—J. D. Green. | Couni t Nominating Convention—Thu i Democratic Nominating Convention of { i Richmond County convened on Saturday 1 j morning lost, Gen. A. R. Wright belli? 1 i called to the chair, and E. 11. Gray acting i as Secretary. During a harmonious ses sion, the following nominations were' mad-: For the Ltgiolal>jre —Claiborne Snead, Jos- ph B. Cumming, Walter A. Cl_at ke. For Sherijf —Chai les 11. Sibley. For Utrk of Superior Court— I),i vld I). Maomurphy. For Tix CofUetor—Jl ibcrt D Glover, i For ntetitor lor Utturnt— Richard J. j Wilson. For County 1 rrutunr—\\o ury K. Clarke, j For Coronor— William F. PuiiruelU. For County Hurrtyor—W 0. Beck. I Our Washington Latter. 1 THE OI'ENINO DAY OF CUXOBEM —UKADIKO OF THK I'KESIDKST’s MESSAGE—A STREAK OF HUMOR WORTHY OF THK “ LATE LA MENTED ”—lll- I'EAL OK THK INCOME TAX GENERAL AMNESTY THE BASHFUL SOUTH CAROLINA COLORED MEMBERS. Washington. Decembers, 1870. Before 11 o’clock 'his morning, people were streaming down dusty Pennsylvania avenue toward the Capitol. Carriages were rolling in the same direction, passing over the modern pavement with a rumbling sound like that heard in crossing a bridge. The avenue was by no means in holiday garb. Piles of wooden blocks obstructed the pavement; smoke, rising from seething cauldrons of tar, obscured the view, and fumes of tar filled the air. Bat the day was bright and warm—more like a Winter’s day in the tropics than one would expect in this latitude. The people swarmed in and around the Capitol like a newly dis turbed hive of bees. The ladies were out in great numbers, displaying lu their toilet ail the colors of the rainbow and lighting up the dim corridors with their bravery. The freedmen and women and children, too, wete folly represented and mingled in the gay throng like dusky shadows. The Senate Chamber was redolent of varnish, sliiney as anew beaver with its furnished fittings, and resplendent with it-s new Wilton carpeting of green and gold. But even the first day of a the crowded galleries and the presence of citi zens on the floo , could uot rob this end of the Capitol of that dullness which, for ap pearance ' sake, we call dignity and de corum. Grave and reverend Senators ex changed salutations in whispers, and the few outsiders formed a fringe around the wails, hats in hand, and wearing a meek and devotional expression. The House was, as usnal, a Babel. Few removed their hats here. The majority rolled and swigged and assumed a rake helly appearance. The “how are.you’s” and “glad to see vou’s” were shouted as though the speakers were furling the royal guard in a gale; and hands came together with a concussion like the report ot a pistol. The concatenation of noises was deafening and bewildering. The gal leries filled early. There was not a seat to spare in the Ladles’Galery.nnd the Diplo matic Gallery had its full quota. Scores of negroes congregated on each side of the clock over the main entrance, a portion of the gallery now designated as “ the darkies corner." Here they go to sleep and nod. snore In rows like gorged crows upon a fence rail. Bohemans, with sharpened wit and pencils, were flitting about the floor renewing former acquaintances, making new ones and laying their wires for fresh items. At the stroke of twelve the Speaker’s gavel silenced the turmoil, and the House having been called to order in due lbrm, a prayer was offered up by the Chap lain. He had scarcely reached “Amen” when the little pages began to run to and fro; and then the roll was called by States, and a quorum being pres ent, business was proceeded with. J. H. Sypher, the notorious carpet-bagger from Louisiana, and Joseph Dickson, member elect from North Carolina, were sworn In. The credentials of R. T. W. Duke, elected to fill the vacancy in the Fifth District of Virginia, caused by the death of Mr. Ridge way, were next presebted ; and then came an exhibition of Radical fairness, in an at tempt to refer his credentials to the Com mittee on Elections, equivalent to burying them In the tomb of the Oapulet*. The House belnsr 1n a good humor, however, decided, by 60 to 57, to admit Mr. Duke, and he was summoned to the Bar to take the oath. Unfortunately.be failed to ap pear, and his case went to the committee. By this negligence on his part, the Demo crats huve lost a vote, while the chances of his getting Ids seat before the adjournment ate rendered very dubious. It was remark ed by many that, for the past two years, whenever Democrats ought to be here they a-e absent; and the results of their and re- fiction have often been serious No man should be re-elected who has proved him self thus negligent to the interests of his constituents. At five minnTs before 1 o'clock the House took a recess until fifteen minutes of 2 o’clock, p. m. The Message was received immediately after the House had again been called to order, and its reading begun. Many persons had left; the galleries during the recess, and the audience was not very large. Butler seemed to be the most deeply interested of any one on the floor. He took a seat near the Speak er’s desk. When the argument in favor of the annexation ol Ban Domtugo was read, members interchanged smiles and looks full of curious meaning. The re- forence to the Canadian fisheries excited Butler, and he thrust his head far forward in his eagerness to hear what followed. He is credited with having inspired this por tion of the Message. The President’s de finition of “ Revenue Reform ” is thought to resemble the grim humor of the late la mented A. Lincoln, When the Clerk read t “ Revenue reform has hot been defined by any of its advocates; to my knowledge, but seems to be accepted as something which Is jto supply every man's wants without any cost or effort on bis oart,” there was loud laughter and applause, which the Speaker found is necessary to check. The reading of the message 'asted nearly an hoar. I will not attempt to criticise It. but have simply to say that the San Domingo project is looked upon here as its most prominent feature. The Senate received the Message a few minutes earlier than the House, and its reading was listened to on that side by Minister Thornton, Baron Geroit, and other prominent members of the Diplomatic Corps, who manifest great -Interest in the President’s exposition of his foreigu policy. The reference (oSsn Domingo did not seem to be reiished by Senators Sumner, bchurz and others, who opposed the treaty last session. The Senate signalized the first day of the session by the introduction of meas ures looking to the repeal of the iniquitous income tax and for a general amnesty. Tlioe will be vigorously pushed. Senator Kellogg,-of Louisiana, has pat himself for ward ae the ohampton of general amnesty, and wUi use bis best efforts to free.a large! class from politicd proscription. There was great rivalry among the local papers as to wbicii should get the Message out first in an extra. The American Press Association Midribs, Associated Press re ceived their copies flve mioo es in advance !of the local, press. R had been arransrd | to throw the liepubUc<in'» copy from a wtn dow of the White House to one of the staff j In waiting below ; but this individual, tut ; fortunately, stumbled and fill in his eager-1 nee* to grasp the coveted prize, and this gave the Star reporter, who came down ! stairs, a start. Both ran like grey hounds to where their mesxengeis on horseback j : were stationer), and away the nags went, i i neck and neck for a time. About an hour 1 was occupied In pitting tb« message In type, and the Star best th» JttpubUean by i I about tines minutes. Th« l‘otriot was dls- J tnneed. , The Bohemian* nro ail complaining to. i night of the dullness ami scarcity of nv<, The Congressmen don't know anything or J won’t say anything, which amount* to about the same thing, so far as the news gatherers are concerned. The colored member from South Carolina a did not put In an appearance to-day, al though in 'he city. Amt. (From the Atlints GonetiUnion. Governor Bulfock and the Past Due State Bonds. It is known that some of the State’;? bonds past due have not been paid. The last Legislature made provision for paying them. It is known that an attempt was made by the last Legislature, to swap new gold bonds for these old currency bonds, the result of which would have been to have played into the han Is of a lot of speculators, who had bought up these old bonds below par, and who would have made a good thing of it at the State’s ex pense. This failed, however, owing to the exposure of the iniquity of the thing. It was believed that Governor Bollock was interested in the speculation. Any how he recommended the measure, and his fiac faction sought zealously to pass it. There is some light on the transaction just discovered. We give it for what it is worth The interest on bonds is paid and re ceipted for by means of coupons attached to the bonds. These coupons are onlv at tached for the time until the bonds are dne, and constitute the only voucher he Is allowed to receive, and which he must file away, marked “ paid,” subject to the order of the General Assembly. If the bonds are due, the coupons being exhausted, the pro vision for paying the interest afterwards must be made by the General Assembly. This matter was brought before the General Assembly at its last session, and looked into, bnt that body did nothing. The diffi culty seemed to be to avoid the possibility of frauds in the matter. As the Legisla ture refused to give Gov. Bullock any power in the matter, he has, in usnal fash ion, taken the authority. The following correspondence will speak for Itself: Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 80,1870. O. P. Curry, Esq., Augusta, Qa : Dear Sib : I am instructed by his Excel lency the Governor to inform you that bonds of this State which have fallen due, will be paid upon presentation to Messrs. Clews & Cos., No. 32 Wall street. New York city, principal and interest to date of pay ment. The bonds may be sent by Express to that address, charges to be collected in New York, and the proceeds returned ac cording to any instructions which may ac company the bonds. Yours, respectfully, H. C. Corson, Secretary Executive Department. Augusta, Ga., December 5,1870. Mr. If. L. Angler, State Treasurer : Dear Sir : Your letter received In regard to interest on those bonds. I send you a letter from his Excellency the Governor. If other parties get Interest, I see no reason why I should not, as the amount of interest on those bonds is a heavy loss 1 see no good reason why the State should not pay interest. At least It Is my interest to col lect if I can, and tt seems from this letter, by sending them to New York, the bonds with Interest would be paid. You will see why I press my just claims. Yours, respectfully, G. P. Curry. Per B. F. Curry. From these, it will he seen that Gov. Bullock not only orders the principal paid, bnt also the unauthorized interest, and even Express charges for parties owning and send ing the bonds to the State's financial agent. This is a most outrageous and unwar ranted use of authority. The Governor enongh. The Interest should be paid, but not In this way. But the payment of the Express charges for the owners of the bonds is a gift of the people’s money to speculators for nothing. And it revives the suspicion of that old speculation In our bonds, that had so much ground for belief, when the iniquitous gold bond robbery bill was attempted to be passed by the Legtsla tmv. We wait for an explanation of this mat ter by Gov. Bollock. - It is due to the peo ple that it shpuld be given, and we respect fully Invite his attention to it. A Double Tragedy in Liberty County. Mclntosh. Liberty County, > December 8,1870. J Editor Savannah Republican : I write to inform you of a terrible tragedy recently A enacted in this county. On yesterday morning Deputy Sheriff Staflbrd, with a pome of four men, attempted to arrest ts noted desperado, named Sauls, who had been guilty of many act* of villainy. Repeated attempts had been made to secure him, but In vain. On yesterday every precaution was made. The party camped out the night before, ami about daylight surround ed the house. As noon as the Sheriff 1 en tered, Sauls fired fired upon him with a double-barreled killing him almost instantly. A young man, named J. A. Mann, a student at the H nesYtlte Academy, who had volunteered on the potto, was also killed by Saul* with the remaining barrel. Sanls then make his escape, and has not been arrested. Later— Since the above was put in type we have further details of the tragedy from ptrtles just In from Liberty county. The above statement is correct, so far as It goes. Yesterday a party went in pursuit of the desperado, Andrew Sauls, and, after pro ceeding some fonr mites from the house, found him dead in the woods from the wonnda received in the rencontre with the officers. Thus ends a bloody affair, which has created no little excitement In the conn try and brought deep distress to several households. Young Mann, who was killed at the same time with the deputy sheriff, was a resident of Appling county. Alabama United States Senator.— r Very much to the satisfaction of the Demo cratic and Conservative party, of Judge Goldth waite to the bflteepf United Stales Senator was accomplish on the first ballot In the joint convention on yes terday. The Judge whs elected by the glo rious majority of one, a majority Justus effective in law, however, as If ithad been fifty, , r , * \Ve sincerely congratulate our people and the National Democracy on the ejection of a Conservative Representative to the United States Senate from this State, and tender I onr kind compliments and congratulations I to the worthy and talented gentleman whose | extreme good fortune It is to have been chosen to represent snob a constituency. Judge UoMthwnltc's disabilities hare 1 been removed by act of Congress, and.there ! onn bo no reasonable doubt of his being ad mitted to a seat In the Senate. [Montgomery Atteerliter, Bth. Infants —'lire innst Irritable and resiles* of th» <- umiU-t Hu lu household bud* are eigirmad. as Ii wi-rr, Into<pd«lsod*w*elr*pos« by using Hr*. Whitcomb’* fiyrup. dt-cAdaul
