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HI
The Weekly Democrat.
■BN ft. UVK8ELL, Editor and Prop’r
THURSDAY. JUNE 1,1882.
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EDITORIAL ROTES.
—The State Democratic Convention
amcts hi Atlanta the 19th of July.
—Hon. A. H. Stephens will probably
be oar next Governor—for Joe Brown,
Gov. Colquitt and the Atlanta Con
notation says it shall be so.
—-Ben. Hill is reported as improving,
God grant that our greatest statesman,
orator, and the South’s noblest son may
be spared to his country.
—Old Joe Johnston and Tecumseh
Sherman are haboobbing together in
Washington. Tecumseh thinks Old
Joe is the greatest living soldier, and
the latter has an exalted opinion of
Tecumseh. The latter is not far from
right
—It is understood that Lieutenant
Flipper’s sentence is to be mitigated,
so that he will not be dismissed from
the service. Whittaker, whom the
Judge Advocate-General held not to
have been legally convicted of the of
fence charged charged against him,
was gotten rid of by a subterfuge, while
Flipper who was convicted, is to be
spared.
The Charleston New and Observer
puts a searching question, so : Can it
be true that Hon. A. H. Stephens is
the only man in Georgia that possesses
the confidence of the people snd the
only man that the Democrats could
elect ? It may be so; it may be that
Dr. Felton, Marcellus Thornton, and
the balance of the nine would be a fear
ful foe to encounter marching under
the banner of independentism with
A. H. Stephens at their head, but if so
it is rough—very rough on Georgia..
When a State gets so that her destiny
hangs on one man, she must be get
ting pretty near the ragged edge.
—A dispatch to the New York
Times states that the indications are
that the Republicans of New York State
are soon to be aroused by a general
shake-up. The custom house of that
city is to be, thoroughly overhauled, aud
a general sweep of Federal appoint
ments, not in sympathy with the ad
ministration and stalwartism, is to be
made. It is also reported that Folger
is to be the administration candidate
for Governor, and that the approaching
State campaign will be unnsaally hot
and exciting. Kelly and Arthur are
probably still on intimate terms, and
the former may again succeed in defeat
ing the Democracy. However, the lat
ter do not seem to be greatly cast
down.
—Frank fort-on-the-Mam, containing
a population of about 100,000, is said
to be the richest city of its size in the
world. If the wealth were equally di-
raided among the inhabitants, every
V child would have, it
^-aid, swn^^OftQ apiece. There
are, as may be supposed, i£acy poor
people in the town ; but the citizens
are as a whole, iu unusually comfortable
circumstances—more so, probably, than
the citizens of any other capital iu
Germany or Europe. It is stated that
there are 100 Fraukforters worth from
$4,000,000 to $7,000,000 each, and
250 who are worth $3,000,000 and up
ward. The city is one of the great
banking centres of^he globe. Its ag
gregate backing capital is estimated at
$2,000,000,000, more than one-fourth
of which the famous Rothschilds—
whose original and parent house is
there—own and control. The annual
transactions in bills of exchange are in
excess of $100,000,000.
—As will be seen elsewhere in these
columns, Mr. G. F. Wood, one of the
County Commissioners replies to the
letter of “Grand Juror,” printed in our
last weeek’s paper. The letter is
straight-forward, manly and honest.
Mr. Wood acknowledges, without equiv
ocation, his great error, in common
with his associates on the Board, in
failing to have a proper bond from the
late Tax Collector. He makes no ex-
ense for himself, bat stigmatises the
error as “a terrible oversight.” Sel
dom have we ev% seen men in public
plaee so squarely shoulder the blame;
snd we respect Mr. Wood for his manli
ness in so doing. In justice to our
correspondent “Grand Juror,” we
woold say that because he writes nnder
s non de plume, it is no reason that he
is a coward. It is a mistaken idea A
man who writes for a respectable news
paper under an assumed name is just as
clearly responsible as if he had signed
the article with his own autograph.
Upon a proper demand the editor must
give the trne anthor at any time; and
in the ease of “Grand Juror.” we stand
ready to discover him at any moment
When properly demanded.
CHATTAHOOCHEE 4 EAST PASS
Last Monday, Capt. John C. Rey
nolds, Chief Engineer of the Savannah,
Florida & Western Railway, and his
efficient corps of assistants, left Chat
tahoochee to make a survey of the eon-
templated railroad from that point to
East Pass on the Gulf of Mexico. Our
readers will remember that this railroad
company was organized in March last
at Jacksonville, Fla., with Mr. H. S.
Haines as President.
We have reason to believe that this
line will be built as soon as the line cf
the S. F. & W. is extended to Chatta
hoochee. The advantages accruing to
that road by having a branch leading
direct to a splendid harbor so far west<
ward on the Florida coast is appareot
to all who will take the trouble to think
for one moment- This was the great
aim of Mr. Haines when he organized
his company.
Capt. Reynolds starls upon the sur
vey of this line with no little enthusi
asm. Having been identified with the
S. F. & W. as engineer and chief en
gineer for a period of twenty-five years,
and being as it were, wrapped up in
its success; and now looking forward
to the time at no distant day. when his
road will have an unbroken line of 346
miles from Savannah to the Gulf al
most in sight of Apalachicola, Fla., it
is enough to make him enthusiastic.
Mr. Plant, Mr. Haines and their asso
ciates, are doing an immense work
toward the development of this country,
and this East Pass enterprise is by no
means one of the least.
To Florida the nad will prove a
blessing, as it will give to the needs of
civilization a country that has hitherto
been little more than a howling wilder
ness. It will also develop one of the
best ports along the Gulf and build np
an important maritime city for a por
tion of the State, that has scarcely been
known since the British fleet anchored
in Carabelle harbor seventy years ago,
prior to th« attack on New Orleans.
We have hundreds of the benefits our
sister State is to derive from this road
on the end of our pencil, but space for
bids their narration.
As to the good results to follow its
completion to our own immediate town,
county and section, and to the State of
Georgia, we have alreadyspoken in form
er articles, not yet lost to the memory
of our readers we hope.
Succcess to the Chattahoochee &
East Pass Railroad!
- -A New York letter to the Cincin
nati Commercial contains the following
item : “General Grant’s superbly fur
nished residence in Sixty-sixth street,
of which he is so proud, is in jeopardy
from the attack of an aged negro woman,
who claims the gronnd on which it is
built. Theie is a flaw in the title to the
deed, and it is said to worry the Gen
eral very much, as he believed he was
settled for life. Grant begins to loom
up as an owner of fast horses.’ He only
cares for trotting stock, and wouldn't
give a fig for a tanning hoise. It is a
common sight to see him late in the
afternoon skimming up the road in a
little feather weight wagon, putting a
new horse through his paces or extend-
iag the legs of an old favorite. He
looks very little like an ex-President
then. He wears a rusty old ulster, and
a hat drawn down over his eyes, and
he sits like a round-shouldered horse
man. He has no longer the military
bearing by which he was once distin
guished, and is rather shabby in the
matter of dress. His time is spent
with financial men altogether now.
He goes down to Wall street early in
the morning, and remains till the tick
of the bell. He is so much engrossed
in money making that he has refused
an invitation for Newport, and will
spend the summer at his son's Ulynsses
8. Grant’s, place, in Westchester
county, so that he can reach the ele
vated railroad every day, and get down
to bis beloved Wall street at an early
hoar. Colonel Fred. Grant is also com
ing out as a heavy financier, and U. S.
G., Jr., is doing some very considera
ble money making in a quiet way. It
is not at all improbable that the Grant
family will rank amoDg the wealthy
ones of New York in twenty years or
less.”
—We have no candidate for Gov
ernor. Whenever the people speak in
convention we shall be fonnd ready to
do battle for their choice.
The governor of Tennessee has*sign-
ed a bill to fund the State debt at 60
cents, with interest at three, four, five
and six per cent.
The intelligence from’ Hon. B. II. Hilj
is very encouraging, and the peopfc of
Georgia and of. the entire south hope that
he may yet be spared many years to add
to his uselullife. . No political event could
be more gratifying to the country than for
him to be his own successor in the United
States congress.
Mr. Commissioner Wood Replies to
‘Grand Ju-or-”
Mr. Editor : It is with reluctance
that I appear in public print, but I feel
that the challenges thrown out to the
Commissioners by “Grand Juror” in
reply to Mr. Crawford makes it neces
sary. It strikes me as cowardly in any
one to attack any man or body of men
as he does, behind a mask. I first
notice what he says in reference to the
Commissioners employing Mr. Craw
ford as their legal adviser and purchas
ing agent. He seems to think that the
Board did not need a legal adviser;
that their duties were plainly set forth
by the law creating the Board, and as
intelligent men they should have known
their business ; I admit this to he a
fact. Nevertheless, is it not reasonable
to suppose that in transacting the va
ried business affairs of the county,
there would frequently come up mat
ters thateto act upon intelligently would
requir^legal information which men
not at all versed in law did not possess.
How many men are there in the county
doing even a small business who have
not found it necessary at times to
consult a lawyer? “Grand Juror”
would not have to serve long as County
Commissioner to realize the fact that
legal advice was needed, and that pretty
often. It Was contemplated that such
would be the case in the first appoint
ment of the Board under the act cre
ating it and provision was made for it
by the appointing power by placing
the lamented Col. Fleming on the
Board. When he could no longer
serve it was necessary when such
emergencies arose to go out and hunt
up a lawyer and obtain the desired in
formation or advice; or else make a
permanent contract with Mr. Crawford
who was always present with us. I ask
which was preferable ? And I ask
“Grand Juror” if it is expected of any
lawyer to render such service gratis.
He would also realize that a great
many little matters would come np
during the vacation that required im
mediate attention ; this was the ease
especially when the free ferries were
iu existence. Mr. Dickinson bad it
expressly understood in accepting the
position that he should not be troubled
with these things. Mr. Jackson was
out of town a great deal of tho time,
and even when there it could not be
expected for him to be troubled with
them without some compensation, and
how could this he determined for such
service when the law fixes the Com
missioners pay at so so much per dieui?
I know that he has rendered a great
deal of such service without any com
pensation whatever. As to making
him a purchasing agent, at almost every
meeting bills would be rendered by
various parties for goods, jail, poor-
house, stationery, court, &c. To ascer
tain anything in reference to them it
would be necessary to go out and hunt
the sheriff or some other party and in
quire. To obviate this confusion and
trouble the Board instructed all pur
chases to be made through Mr. Craw
ford, who was always present and
could give any information in regard
to these matters the Board desired. It
seems to me to be a systematic way of
doing business that should commend
i'self to every intelligent mpn ; and the
compensation for such services seems to
be reasonable enough. What he says
as to the great power conferred upon
Mr. Crawford by the Board is 6imply
magnifying a mole-hill into a mountain.
Whatever the wording of the resolu^
tion may be the above is the true
spirit and intention of it.
He must suppose the Commissioners
a stupid set of men not to know that a
bond was required of the Tax Collector;
or that they needed any legal advice to
that effect. It was clerly an uninten
tional oversight on the part of the
Commissioners, and I believe thateverv
man of sense in the county is entirely
satisfied on that point. It was a ter-
rib'e oversight and no one felt more
deeply mortified at it than myself and
the only thiug that made it endurable
was the fact that it was unintentional
I have not tried to shield myself from
any of the blame or censure chargeable
to snch an oversight, but the insinna
tions of this cowardly Grand Juror
that there was villainy connected with
it on the part of Mr. Crawford, or auy
member of the Board, I de repel with
all the vehemence of tuy nature.
The office of Commissioner is by no
means a desirable one. and the compen
sation amounts to nothing iu comparison
to the sacrifice that some of ns from
the country who have any business of
our own are required to make in order
to attend to its duties. If the Com
missioners are to be held responsible
for every “slip np” and the advantage
that the unprincipled officials with
whopi they have to deal are always
reaffy to take of it, who can be found
that will fill the position ?
In eoneiusion, Mr. Editor, I will say
that I never sought the office ; was not
consulted in reference to it, nor had
any intimation of it until notified that
I was appointed; was at home
at the time attending to my own affairs.
I felt that it was a responsible position
and mv unfitness for it, tried to get
out of serving and only consented to
serve frem a sense of duty, feeling that
as a citizen 6f the -State and county,
enjoying the rights and protection
offorded by the laws thereof I could
not totally disregard all the demands
made upon me. I have done the best
I could under the circumstances and I
know no one has felt more anxions
than myself in reference to the welfare
of our county. 1 am ready and always
have been to give way for some one
else, I know there are many more
competent than myself. No donbt this
ubiqitnons Grand Joror who can attend
to his own business , if he has any) and
be always on band to attend to every
little county matter also, who is versed
in all law and has so far overcome the
frailties cf the flesh as to never forget
or overlook any important matter, could
fill it much better. G. P. Wood.
Attapulgus Ga., May 30, 1882.
Mr- Alex* H* Stephens’ Letter.
Special Dispatch to The Constitution.
Washington - , May 22.—In reply to ques
tions touching his relations to the coining
canvass forgovernor of Georgia, Mr. Steph
ens has consented Yo the publication of
the following letter, mailed to-night: Nat
ional hotel, Washington, D. C., 22d May,
1882.—Mr. CharlesE. Smith, Washington,
Ga.—Dear Mr. Smith : Your letter of the
10th inst. is before me. 1 reply to your
inquiry about my position in relation to
the governorship of Georgia. I can only
say reported interviews with me on this
subject as published in The Atlanta Con
stitution are substantially correct. In re
ply to letters from all parts of the state,
and from men attached to all political
parties, urging me to forego my intention
to retire from public life at the close of
my present congressional term, and con
sent to accept the office ol governor, I
have stated that if my health continues as
good as it has been during the pas*, winter,
and if unmistakable evidences should be
furnished me that it is the will of the peo
ple of Georgia that I should serve them I
know of no reason that wonld justify me
in refusing so tp <Jb. Thus the matter
rests at present, so far as I am concerned.
When asked the question whether I would
allow my name to be used in connection
with this office, at the next election, against
the nomination of another person by
the democratic state conversion, to assem
ble or the 19th of July next, my uniform
answer has been : “I would not.” This
action of the democratic party would with
me, be the controlling evidence that it is
not the will of a majority of the people of
Georgia that I should serve them as gover
nor. To this conclus’on I should come,
notwithstanding thS nnmerons letters I
have received from men of the greatest
eminence in the state, and the many peti
tions embracing hundreds of peop'e in
different counties to which I have referred,
and the recommendation of my name to
be voted for as governor by the people
of Georgia, by the highly respectable body
of men who recently assembled at Atlanta
and whose good opinions and confidence
I appreciate in no small dpgree. I deem
it prooer in this connection to • add that
while my political affiliation is entirely
with the derf.ocracy on principles and
measures ; and if in either it has erred,
such errors should be corrected within
rather than without its ranks, yet if I
were nominated by the democracy and
elected governor of Georgia byth^. people
I shou'd not he a partisan governor bnt
should lock to the best interests aud well-
fare of the state by protecting the rights
of all colasses of society which should be
the chief object of all govenraent. The
principles perpetuated in the motto of
the grand old state, “Wisdom jnstice and
moderation,” would be the guide of my
administration. Since writing the above
I have seen a telegram dated the 15th
inst. from Atlanta. Ga., tp the Chicago
Tribune, published in the Augusta Chroni
cle and Constitutionalist of the 20th mst.,
stating that I had telegraphed to the
Atlanta convention of independents that I
would accept their nomination for gover
nor. It is utterly untrue that I ever
sent any such a telegram or authorized it
being sent by anybody. Yours.
. Alexander H. Stephens.
P. S.—This letter you can nse as yon
please. . A. H. S.
F L BABBIT.
Tallahassee and Bainbridge Railroad-
A correspondent of the Tallahassee
Floridian writing from Concord under date
of May 18, concludes his letter as follows :
A raihoad from Tallahassee, Florida, to
Baiubridge, Georgia, via Concord and At-
tapulgus would be a profitable road, and
would prove to be a source of great profit
to both Tallahassee and Bainbrid.e. It
would pass through a fine fanning section
of country, and and would not be more
expensitte to build - than roads through
other sections. Tile route would be
through a fine farming portion of Leon
county, passing between Lakes Jackson
aud Iamonia and crossing Ochlockonee
river at a point called “Grissett’s bend”
between the Whidden and Cotton ferriets,
then through Gadsden county via Concord
to the Georgia line. We would respect
fully call the attention of the Disston
Company'8 surveyors to theadvantages of
this ronte.
A road from Bainbridge to Tallahassee,
and the St. Marks road extended by trest
les to the deep water of the bay, would
prove a grand thing for Tallahassee. May
her citizens look well to their interests.
Several of our Florida contemporaries
congratulate themselves that nearly half
the people in Florida immigrated from
Georgia, * Georgians are all right, even
when yon find them in the land of gal-
linippers, alligators and swamp angels.
SPRING
18 8 2
If yon want any Drj 'Joods or Groceries,
call on me. I Have a full stock, to which I
am making daily additions. These goods
must be sold. Cash buyers particularly so
licited. All goods warranted as represented,
and shown with pleasure.
Dress Goods,
Straw Hats, for men
ladies and children,
Shoes for all. A
nice line of Spring.
And Summer clothing.
bought very low and
lor sale at extremely
Low prices.
Groceries,
consistingof
Coffee, Flour,
Sugar Soap, Potash
and indeed every
thing in this line.
I have a stock of samples from DEVLIN
% CO., the Farmer’s Clothiers, New York.
Make, style aud fit guaranteed.
F. L. BABBIT,
Try the “Tropico” cigar—the best and
cheapest cigar in the market.
F. L. BABBIT.
118 2.
A. E. POHLMAN,
THE LIVE CR0CER
Will run a lightning schedule the present
year, and will keep on band for the benefit
of the public the beat and most select as
sortment of
GROCERIES,
Ever seen in Bainbridge. Also,
FRUITS,
CANDIES,
CONFECTIONS.
Country produce bought at highest prices.
All I ask is a trial, after which I know
you will be pleased.
E A Pohlman,
Keep Cool! KeepCool!
ICE ALWAYS ON HAND. Strictly
CAS
Too Cheap To Charge.
GEO. D. GRIFFIN.
SUBSCIBE FOR
The Democrat.
Your County Paper $2 a Year.
SPRING or 1882!
JONAS tOEB'S
Okl Reliable “People’s Store.”
Headquarters for Farmer’s Supplies and the most reliable heavy goods of every dr.
script)un. Dry Goods, Clotning. Shoes, Boots, Hats, Hosiery, Notions.^etc., in end-*
less variety Hardware, Tinware, aud a full supply of
Bacon, Flour, Corn, and other heavy Groceries, by the car load. I’defy competition
in prices and challenge ecomparrison in goods. Large quantities of.goods are’arriv-
ing daily, and they
MUST B
OLD.
If small profits can do the woak. I will givs no prices, because when yon coma with
the cash
THE GOODS MUST GO.
Give me chance before purchasing elsewhere and be convinced that I offer tho bsst
bargains.
Highest market price paid for Country Produce in cash.
JOHJkS LeOEBf
Proprietor of the People's Store.
in inn
H e CURT s CO
ARE READY FOR THE-
Spring and Summer
CAMPAIGN E,
WITH A
FINE STOCK OF GOODS.
Consisting of Everything Usually Kept in a
FIRST-CLASS STORE.
COME AND SEE THEM.
Eolith Broad St.,
Thespian Buildln g*
Millinery and Fancy Goods.
Call and see meeverybody, and examine my well seleeted stock of Millinery and Fanej
Goods; comprising everything kept in a first-ctasa millinery establishment. Having ju* 1
returned from the north, I am prepared to give my customers every advantage of tks
latest styles and fashions. I have a .-plendid assortment of law anil lalsle milts, glove*,
wares and fronts of every description. Fine cologne and Ejgier Down, the best face P°*‘
der in existence. Hats of every description from 25 cents to $1 * Picture frames. *u
sixes, very cheap. I have the agency tor E. Butterick & Go's, patterns and they e»n bs
be purchased of me as cheap as of the firm. I pay postage on all patterns. Mis*
Hogue, an adept in the art of mant-ua.making can be fonnd at my establishment •* **?
time, where she will be pleased to serve her many friends. Ladies coming to the «**?
should call and see me before leaving. All orders will receive my personal attention.
Respectfully,
BBS, M.!J XLBY2VOLD&