State press. (Macon, Ga.) 1857-18??, November 12, 1857, Image 1

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State press., November 12, 1857, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextVOL. 1. The State Press IS PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY EDWIN C ROWLAND, Proprietor; E. C. & A. M. ROWLAND, Editors. SI BSCHIPTION: Two Dollars per annum in advance, or Three Dol lars at the end of the year. UH ERTISING : One Dollar per Square for the first insertion, and Fifty cents for each subsequent insertion. Li'.' I arrangements will lx? made with those who advci L-e bv the v< ur. JOB WORK. Ilav ing u new and beautiful supply of job type and one of Gordon’.-, celebrated Power Presses, we : ic prepared to do any kind of work in this line will) neatness, accuracy and dispatch, at moderate prices. GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. EXEC I TIV E DEPAI tTM EN T, i fi.i e, (jHOk<;ia, November sth, 1857. J'c llo<c- ("it item of The Senate and lloaitr of present atiri s: I fuel that it is not a mere matter of form, that 1 am required by the Constitution, to a 1- dres* to you this communication. Charged, as 1 have been, for the hist four year.-. With the administration of the State Government and the execution of its laws, experience has taught me the grave responsibility of the Executive office. Familiar, as 1 have learned to be with the condition, the resources, the wants ami prospects of the State, J trust, I have some ap preciation of the duties of the Legislature ami of the momentous consequences that hang up on your deliberations. You bold in your hand* the interests and weal of a great State; great, in the events which have signalized her ~.. f progress; great, in her elements of w<and ] tower; great, in the growing civ«nzai:o;.. which her intelligence ami enterprise have achieved ; and greater still. in the proud desti ny that awaits her, if we prove true to our selves and the mission committed to us. In spired with Ihe spirit of patriotism, may wis dom guide your deliberations ami the acrom- > piishinui.t oi “the .greatest good to the greatest number’ crown all your actions. You have but little to do with the past, save to scrutinize the conduct of your public ser vants and hold them to a strict account for their stewardship. It is yom* d< iicitte task to look to the future, ami provide for the want* and cin umMam-i." which it may developc. it is my province to aid you, by such reflection* and suggestions, as my favorable position lor observation, may enable me to commend to your consideration. The tv ir naturally r-•:*• if : ?< • ;.m :.1 ... Y< i : I : -;vu .»• • . rmatmn of thu real condition of the v v.-dth ; you ought t > have proper < oim. j ? <•.'?s ttaiit*. do thi Ik toi inv humbh al ty i will a 1 dress my-xh to these two ulj< ; > - ( einctly a* p<.*>’!4u. 1 herewith transmit the Report <•:’ <!.:• Fi num u Committee, appointed by the Em im b r legal authority, from which you wi Jv.-..m t i ;i ia'icml operation.* of the g<»verumei £. : 1 war 1 56. together w ith the • <»nd.ti< n : 1 • time « t their investigate;!). < f the “Tin.. ;; .” the “Pcnib-htia \the “Wu*t. i n mid 2.1 f-.r.t’- l.adnxid, ' the • Lunatic A.*y’mn:. ’ t;:.* Liri h»r ti.e D.. an i Dumo. ,j)! H.t ••Gtor ia Academy lor the blind.” 1 ids* 1 at:- ;*■: the Report of the Treasurer, for fie ' imi'itc.a! years lsst> and l'-57. from which il p« i •• .’hat the available balam c on the 2‘Hli Ultimo, wax £>3,717.' <‘». AU the Labilities of the State have been promptly met. At t in close <»f the h t fiw al y< •. the public debl . 722.22. The Bonds •-.*;: .1 i.’micr the act of December, IS 15, to extend tnu Wc*U).’i :i:id Atlantic* Kail ib»a I. (inamount. £125.5‘»(».-- have all been rede*. med —$]u6.u0u.00. *ia e the last sc"ion of the General Assembly—by funds remitted to the Jr. urv. by the Road, under the sth section of the act of 12th of Jan i ary, 1854. I sugge t the importance ot n t • the sinking fund oi’s7sj>oo, as prov i led for by the act oi' February 11th, issl. to be . apart annuallv for the reduction of the Fubh- Debt. By reference to the Report of the C >nq-tr<»l ler General, herewith transmitted, vou u .< find sevend amendments rccomm ded to : made to the fax Laws to wlnch, a .ihuut aga .. enumerating them, 1 invite your f-pvcial ati. u l .om Many of them arc suggested by expe!. cnee, and are necessary f..r the collection ot .. I • principles of justice applicable to the subjc< to which they relate. Appended to the lb port of this oiiicer in roniormity to Executive instruction, you will find schedule* of all tla Taxable property, as returned by the scvai .1 Receivers of Returns for the present year. These tables are very interesting and iinpor taut; showing the prosperity and increasing wealth of the State ami furnishing a safe guide to the General Assembly in their efforts to equalize the burden of Taxation npon her citi zens. You will disc >ver the great disparity, in value, which is affixed td the several species of property in the several counties, by the fax payers. Some rate their negroes at s|oo 1c > than others, and their lands, lying adjacent, and in the same counties, at a far lower figure than their neighbors. It would be well to en quire into the expediency of fixing by law, at each session of the legislature, the average value of slaves, for the ensuing year, with the view of uniformity in the tribute which slave owners are required to pay to support the gov ernment. It is well known that large bodies of lands arc owned in South-Western and Chero kee Georgia, by individuals who have gram d them, fora nominal sum, under our reverting laws. In making their returns to the crs. in many instances, they value them at on ly, or a little more than, the cost of the Grant Fees; wheras, those same persons would not sell their lands thus held for ten. twenty or li - ty times that sum. It would be proper, i practicable, to pass some law, by which such' lands should be .‘issvssed accordingto their real value, indeed, from an examination of the ta bles under cousideration, it is obvious, that ma ny persons have returned the whole of their lands and negroes at valuations notoriously too low, comjiared with the prices for which such property readily sells at public sales. 1 sub mit. whether it would not be proper and just, in ail such cases, to make provision for assess ors to be appointed, at the instance of the Re ceivers, to appraise property when thus return ed at an estimate known to be less than the av erage market price of such property. That taxes should be e<jual, and every citizen bear his proper and just proportion oi the burden of govermnent, w of vast imporUmce. 1 thro out these suggestions, with the view of elicit ing snch action as will secure that object. In the midst of prosperity and remunerating prices for the products of Agriculture, our Banks have generally suspended apecie pay ments, resulting in panic, broken confidence, and general stagnation in commerce. As the session of the General Assembly was so near at hand, and the suspension seemed to Ik- nec essary. as a measure of self defence against the heavy drafts upon their coin, to supply the de- State mnnd for specie at the North, I thought it pru- j ‘ dent to withhold any action against them as required by law. until the Legislature, in its | wisdom, should have an opportunity of dediber- , atiug upon the matter, and directing what 1 course ought to he pursued towards them. I therefore submit this whole subject to your consideration; and to enable you to act advi i sedly, 1 herewith transmit to you copies of the ! late returns of the various Banks of Georgia, exhibiting their condition, made in pursuance of Executive proclamation. It is gratifying that these statements afford evidence of their solvency. Will you legalize their suspension and ti\ a day in the future when they shall re sume -• ie payment* tAs a general rule, it is safest to meddle as little as possible with the currency of the country. The Jaws of trade regul- ;<• it hot. Hence, in view of the crisis that i - upon us, complicated as it is, with the interests of Agriculture and the price of its pro ductions, it would seem to be wise to tolerate I the suspension, in reference to all those insti tutions. which upon examination, shall prove to be sound ami solvent. It i* not only legiti mate. Lut the duty of the Legislature, to inves- i 1 tiga*. !J: •roughly the condition of the Banks; to in* '* :: • a diligent enquiry into their mode of tra: * u ting business, and by the use of all the power:—even to sending for persons and papers—which may be necessary, to ascertain whether they have confined their operations strictly \ ’.thin their appropriate spheres, or whether they have embarked in speculations, by placing their funds in New York, to shave Southern paper, at a heavy discount, or in any other maimer, departed from the objects con templated by their Charters. It is due to the country, that a full exposition he made; it i-> the only manner in which the public can be protected, if such abuses shall be detected, let the I. gi.slatnrc, in granting them tolerance in their present prv<licamcnt, put them upon terms which will prevent their recurrence i'or the future. I suble t the annual Reports of the Superin tendent ot the Western and Atlantic Rail Road for the years 1850 ami 1857. They exhibit this great State work to be in a prosperous condition, and just upon the eve of realizing the expc' iiitions in which it originated. They leave me hut little to add, to enable you to un derstand its operations ami judge of the fidelity of its management. Its gross earnings from the 30th September. 1853. to the 30th of Sep tember, 1857, which covers the four year.* of my administration, have been J?3.052.2<>'»,82. The working expenses of the Road, for the same period, have been $1,320,411,51, and the net earnings $1,722,840,31. I low has this hirg*? amount ot net profit* been disposed of/ Has it been squandered or applied lo ne< cs.*jiry ex penditure* f Th< -c are questions u hich should be answered to the sati"faction of the people, and when thus answered, the senseless clamor which is raised against the management of the !.’• .id. for mere decency s sake, ought to cease. . ~,-n see how the account stands : Net < a ruing* for four years, $1,722,840 31 Net earnings were disposed of follows, to-wit. for 1854; F; i 1 State J reasurcr, 50.00" "0 •• Interest on bonds 11.000,00 “ for Ur a Locomo tives. 21.211. F.i ;1 new cars, G 8.550.57 buildings. 100.727,73 “ “ coustrm tmg :.ew track ami Jr.:n, d rudd of W :;v, SOJjUG,2I Fur 1855. i’.-.d ’ State Treasurer. Hiojwv.im •• Interest on bombs, 15.538.30 “ for new Locomo- tives, 20,053,50 I’aid li>r new Cars, -14.141,81 depot build- ings, 13,200,00 Paid for construction, right of w ay. iron, and new fra k. 23f»."25.53 For 1856. Paid State Trea*ur< r, $43.5""."0 “ Interest on bonds, 0,145,"" “ for new L<w<•mo- tive*. 02,183.48 Paid for irnw cars, 112,052,"5 depot buildings, 42,088,0" Paid for coil t ruction, iron rails and new track. 122,880,"4 Paid tor expenses in curred previous to Jan’v, 1854, Tennes see claim*, 67.081.21 For 1857. Paid Sta’ Treasurer. Phi.imhi.oo “ Intt rest on bonds 7,265.65 •• ibr new engines, 1"7,752.72 U .» u c . irSw 07,852,16 “ “ “ depot bn i hl i n gs, 52,(>62,06 Paid for construction, iron rails, -w track. 1"","47,01-$1,722,840,31 Whether these expenditures were proper, is left for lair minded men to determine. They at least. :tciii suited to the enterprise, and can not ceii--idcred unreasonable, w hen it is re- collected. that the road is nut even yet com pleted and thoroughly clipped for the annu ally ineerasing business, it is compelled to ac commodate. At all events, it w ill scarcely he a">ertcd by any, having a due regard to veraci ty, that the money has been either stolen or vvasted. But these heavy expenditures will not be required, hereafter. Ihe time hascome for the patience of the friends of the Road to have it* reward. I fully com-ur with the Su perintend! nt, that henceforth, under proper management, it will pay into the State Treasu ry $35","00 annually. It may be suggested, however, that the mis management is not in the application of the net earnings, blit in the expenses of maintain ing and working the Road. Let us see how the Statu Road compares, in this re*pect. with <»thur Roads in the State—vv hat proportion the current expenses bear to the gross earnings.— iLe gro- earning* of the Georgia Railroad for the hist tour years, were $4.016.346.14 ; the expense for working and maintaining it. for the sani • period, were $1.848,617,"2. or about 45 per cent. Ihe gross earning* of the Macon A Western Road, fur the four years, from De cember, 1852, to December, 1856, were sl,- 290,445.00. ai.d the working expenses for the same pen •!. $469,340,0", or 5o 1-3 per cent. The gross earnings of the Central Rail Road, including the line from Gordon to Eatonton, from December Ist, 1853. to December Ist, 1856. and the line from Millen to Augusta, to the Ist of January, 1856, were $4,697,269,68 ; and the current expenses for the same period, were $2,219,043,17. or 47 1-4 per cent. These are confessedly the best managed Company Roads in Georgia. But the Western A Atlan tic Rail Road compares favorably with them, in reference to the point under consideration. Its gross earnings, for the last four years, are $3,(>52,26",82. and its working expenses for the same period. $1.329,411.51, or a little less than 43 1-2 j>er cent. It would seem that the count*-* might atibni to be satisfied, if the State Road be managed as cheaply as those of private Companies. Certainly, the fact is wor thy of consideration, w hen its administrat ion is branded with corruption and mismanagement. The Atlantic & Gulf Rail Road Company, chartered by the last Legislature, has been duly MACON, GA., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1857. j organized. The Board of Commissioners, de ' signaled in the Charter, met in Milledgeville on , | the 31st of March, 1856, and made the neces , sary aarangements for opening books of sub- ; 1 scription for stock at Milledgeville, and sundry other points in the State. On the 22d day of October, 1856, six of the said Commixsioners submitted to me, alistof subscribers, showing subscriptions to the amount of six hundred thousand dollars, and the amount subscribed by each, attested by their affidavit, that the subscribers so reported, will Ik* fully able to pay up the sums subscribed by them and that the subscriptions were bona tide. Whereupon on the 26th of October, 1856, by virtue of the 2d. section of the Act of Incorporation, I sub scribed lor stock, to the extent of $500,000, in the inline of the State of Georgia, and < aused the subscription list to be be deposited in the office of the Comptroller General. On the same day the sum of $ 1,10",000.00 being sub scribed, I i<*m d an order a* directed by the 3d section of the Act of Im-orponition, for an election of nine Directors, to he held in Mil ledgeville. on the 4th day of December, 1855, under the superintendance of the Commission ers. They met accordingly, and elected James P. Scriven, William B. Hodgson, J. Stoddard, Hiram Roberts, W. 11. Long. Charles J. Mun nerlyn, J. R. Stapler, A. T. Mclntyre ami E. R. Young as a Board of Directors, w ho elect ed James P. Scriv cii their President. To- enable the Legislature to understand clearly the condition of this important enter- , prise, in w hich the State has liberally embark ed, by subscribing for one million oi its stock, I herewith transmit a communication from James P. Seri ven, its President, with the ac companying doenmentstu which he refers. The sth section of the art of incorporation pro vides that “no payment shall be made by the Statu until the Savannah, Albany and Gulf Rail Road Company, and the Brunswick and Florida Rail Road Company, shall have relin quished any right w hich either of said Compa nies have or claim to interfere with the loca tion of said Road, on account of any privileges granted in the charter of cither of them.”— Such rulinquishments have not been executed, and therefore the enterprise cannot move for ward. The documents referred to, contain the fruitless negotiations, between the parties in interest, touching the relinquishment re quired ; ami by careful examination, you w ill be enabled to determine who, if any one. is to blame for their failure. The intention of Geor gia is declared in the charter to be ‘to provide a main trunk across her territory, connecting the Atlantic with the Gulf of Mexico.” The object is w orthy of a great State, and so im portant to her southern section, that 1 trust it may n<»t eedefcated, and that, in your w isdom, you will hike such further action, in the premi ses, a* will secure its accomplishment. On the subject of Statu aid to works of In ternal improvement, J have nothing to add to what I said in my last bjenniel message. In few words, my view of sound and safe policy,con iirmed by mature reflection, is this : Geor.ia occupies the gap between the southern spur of the Alleghany Mountaiius and the Atlantic. At an immense cost, she has <-on*tru< tid rhe Western <k Atlantic Rail Road, which tap* the grunt west, nt Chathui<*iga ; afford* trai:sj»or Tati.;u f.-r it* products t<» rl:u sv.-loard. .uid f eds the various Roads which council with its southern turminu-, at Atlanta. Di charu new Rail Road*, the Legislature should i ... lose sight of the policy of protecting her Sint.* Roa I from niiiuoi* competition ; she should L« careful, not (ocripplc the eih« iuiicy of C<*im a nv Roads, vvliich have burn buiit by private capital ; *hu should preserve the symmetry of our system ot internal improvements, so that, in it* further <lev elopement and grow th to ma turity, it shall, as a primary object, promote her own wealth and the prosperity of her tow ns and seaports. Augusta. Savannah ami Bruns wick arc the I Live points of commerce, at which the productions of our agriculture must find their market, ami their door of exit to the marts of the world. The perfection oi our in ternal improvement system, as well as the in terests of agriculture, requires that each of th* se commercial points shall Ik; connected. a> directly asjKi*sible, w ith each section of the St.-.te, so that nil our people may unjoy achoice of markets tor the sale of thuir produce. Th< Statu may aid in the construction of lines of Road projected, in reference to such connections upon guaranties of security, that prevent the possibility of ultimate loss. Beyond this, she ought not t« go. A" to the mode in which she should extend her aid, I prfer the loan of her credit, for a given amount, per mile, to a sub scription fur stock. By the former method, she can secure herself by statutory lien upon the Road and its appurtenances ; w hereas, bv thu latter,'he must rely upon the success and profits of the enterprise, la chartering the Atlantic and Gulf Road, the last Legislature seemed to favor the policy of taking stock, in aid of that work. 1 sanctioned the bill, not that I approved of that feature, but because it full sockarly within the principle of the poli cy, in reference to State aid, which I advocate, and the Road itself is of such immediate and paramount necessity to the southern portion of Georgia, that I deemed it better to yield my scruple* on that score, than to defeat the noble enterprise. I refer you to the Principal Keeper, for in formation, a* to the condition of the Peniten tiary. Since the first of January last, the cash system ha* been rigidly enforced, with result* that fully justify it. 1 renew the recommenda tion to enlarge and repair thoroughly the build ing*, or remove the Institution to some other point, at which material can be purchased cheaper and the convicts, worked mure profita bly. Jn iU present condition, it is disreputa ble to the State, unsafe and insecure as a place of imprisonment, and utterly incapable of be ing made to answer the purpose for w hich it was designed. I submit the biennial report of the Trustees, Superintendant and Resident Physician of the Lunatic Asylum. That Institution is among the most important enterprises in w hich the Statu has ever embarked; an honor to her philan thropy ami liberality. The energy, zeal ami adaptedness of the Resident Physician to the duties of his post entitle him to the wonnest commendation and confidence. As an act of mere justice, hi* salary should be increased. The extension of the building is progressing rapidly to completion. 1 transmit the report of the building commissioners, showing their disbursemenL* of the appropriation made by the last Legislature. Vpon examination, you will find that the amount w ill not be sufficient to pay the contractors. The deficit will be SII,OOO. 1 recommend an immediate appro priation of that sum, in order to prevent delay, loss to the contractors and serious detriment to the interest of the State. This amount will complete the edifice; but additional appropriations will Im* necessary to fit it up, for the use intended. It is construct ed upon the most approved plan, with all the fixtures and aparatus which experience has dvmonstated to be l»est adapted to the accom modation of such inmates, and in the end most economical. The heating, ventilating ami cooking aparatus and wash house, will require $23,500 00. 'The engine house, chimney well, air ducts. <fcc., will require $18,000 09. Thebefix tures are absolutely indispensable. The Gas Works, complete, for lighting the building, will require $4,600 00. To alter, improve, cover ami plaster with Mastic the old, to correspond with the new building, will require $7,500 00. The aggregate of t)i» *e appropriations w ill be but $48,600 00. The report of the building commissioners will exhibit more fully these items, and the reasons for their necessity. I cannot doubt hut the means will Ik* promptly supplied. Uhe Legislature has never disbur cd money from the Treasury w hich reflects so much credit upon the State. It awakens the pride of every liberal minded Georgian, and what is better still, it gives a retreat of com fort to the poor victims of affliction who, by a mysterious Providence, have been deprived of reason, and affords a hope of their restoration to all families and to society. In this connection, it is submitted, that a reasonable amount should be appropriated tor the compensation of the building commission ers. They have been engaged three years in this service ; their duties have been responsi ble and they have performed them faithfully ami economically. The claims of the “Academy for the Blind’’ and of the “Georgia Asylum for the deaf and dumb,” will be laid before you by the r respec tive reports herewith submitted. I cordially commend these benevolent institutions to your fostering care. Under the direction of the last General As sembly, providing for the survey of the Okefe nokee Swamp, and for other purposes, I ap pointed Richard L. Hunter, Civil Engineer, to perform the service required by that act. The undertaking was arduous and hazardous, ami has required his continued labor from the 3rd of December, 1856, to the present time. Four months of the time were spent in the work of actual survey. The expenses of the survey, including cost of the scientific analysis of s|k*c imens of soil, were $2,780 51, and paid out of the contingent fund, and he has received from the same fund, in part payment for his services, the sum of $479 49. 1 herewith 1 transmit the report of the Civil Engineer, and. looking to the hazard, the labor, the time con sumed, and the scientific skill required, 1 ex press the opinion that he should receive the ad ditional sum of $3,500, as compensation for his services. The last General Assembly appropriated $7.5"" for repairing the State House, and $5,- ""0 for repairing the Executive Mansion.— Finding these sums wholly inadequate for the purpose designed, and that it would be almost lost to the State, without the use of a larger sum, 1 did not hesitate to draw upon the Con tingent Fuml for the deficit. By so doing, the repairs, as far as they go, are substantial, ami the public building* are in fair condition. 'Die aggregate sum appropriated vva.* $12.5"" ; the , amount expended is s 15.394 81. Thu vouch ers for the various sums paid out, arc filed in the Executive (>lhue, subject to your in*pu< lion. It should be observed. Hint a part of this ex penditure is m»t properly chargeable to repairs, hi November, 1855, the stables, carriage house, bathing room ami poultry house attached to the Mansion yard, were consumed by fire.— . These had t » bu supplied by new buildings, sol that not more than ssjhh,‘ have been expended . in I’vpaii* proper to Hie Executive dwvJling.— ■ N<» appropriation wid Lu required tu pay iur . the excess of cost of re] a'u *«».■, r ami abovuthe i aporopi iation. CmisiduJable r, vv furniture for toe Mansion, the Legislative Hails, ami the se veral L.'.euulivu l k-jMirlincut-. was imlisponra i le. 1 ill* 1 have purchased, and you should make a:i ap| r<»p! ‘a’. :on to pay thu l» is. I have , had f.- j uulu- square ra*iu<: and unclosed w ith ; a substantial new lunuc. But the cost to the Statu is insignificant. Thu Bcnitcnti.-uy being overcrowded with convict*, who ixudd not be profitably employed within its walls, this j»orti.»n of thu work has been performed by them. I trust it vv ill mutt the sanction of the Legislature. The condition of the public building* is now sm h. that an annual appropri ation of $250 00. together w ith such work, as can be conveniently done by the convicts, un der the direction of the Governor, will pre-, serve them, in good keeping, for an indefinite period. 1 recommend such an appropriation. I renew the recommendation to remove thu Arsenal, and. upon proper compensation to thu respective denominations, the removal also of the Churches from the public square. These structures are real eyesores, ami will always be an obstacle to its permanent and tasteful orna meat. You will learn by paint ul experience that the Legislative Halls are too small for the comfort able accommodation of the Legislature. 1 re new the recommendation to enlarge thu State House, according to thu plan submitted, by Messrs. Sholl A: Fav. to the hist General Assem bly. I recommend the repeal of the Act of March 4th. 185<>.’which require* the State Printer to report and to furnish daily, to each Senator and Representative, a report of the proceedings ot the General Assembly. ThatOtiicer bus made no preparation to execute this service. Hui* entitled to a vote of thanks for it. It will cost the State not less than $60,""0 ; an amount far buyond any benefit that may accrue to the pub lic interest. The State Library is gradually increasing in the number and value of its collections, under the annual appropriations wisely set apart for that purpose. 1 herewith transmit a catalogue of the books it contains, and respectfully re commend an increase of the salary us the Li brarian. The last General Assembly, by an Act approv ed March. 3rd, 1856. authorized the Governor "to employ a e/unpetent and hare isur reyed and nold y a vacant tkjaare of bind in the f of ('olumbatf as the property of the Sta te." James H. Hamilton. Esq., was duly appointed to perform this service ; but being enjoined by the Mayor ami Council, claiming it a* the pro perty of the city. I ilirected him to obtain a continuance of the cause, until the meeting of thu Legislature, in order, that the title might be investigated, and, if possible, save the ex pense of further litigation. 1 therefore invite your attention to this subject. It is ascertained that the Great Seal of the State has laen counterfeited, and that forged Grants of land* in Georgia, are extant, authen ticated by such seals. This, together with the fact, that the Seal i« stanqa-d upon w ax and at tached by tape to Grants and other document' requiring such authentu-i.tion, is cumbersome and inconvenient and easily imitated, suggests the propriety of <li*pui.sing with the wax ball and so altering it. that the impression may be imulu on the paper. I call special attention to the condition of the Numeri<;d Umd Bm>ks, in the Executive De partment. Th< y are valuable to the State and indispensable for the investigation of titles. But they are ina ruinous state of mutilation; the bindings broken.and many page* entirely worn i out or lost, *o that they are incapable of being re paired. Several of them have been copied in elegant style, and when the work shall have been fully completed an<l compared, undur the superintcmlancu of the Governor, 1 would re commend that he Lu authorized to allow such compensation for them as he may considurjul cquate. I would H'spuctfully. but earnestly impress upon the Legislature the justice of increasing the salaries of Judicial ami Executive officers. They w ere fixed at a time of low price*. Now the expenses of living arc. at least fifty ]>er I cent, greater than they were then. The labors iuf these functionaries are onerous. They oc- cupy their w hole time, ami for their efficient performance, require experience ami cultivated mind. Is it right, that their compensation should afford but a meagre subsistence for their families ? I hope I shall be pardoned for referring specially to the Governor’s salary. I can speak of it from experience, and being about to retire, without the imputation of self ishness. 1 know that with the utmost econo my compatible with tolerable gentility, he can not spend less than $5,000 annually. Looking to the Judge*' salaries; what a pittance is left, after defraying their travelling expenses? No wonder, our public men, allured by the attnic tions of Federal offices, turn away from those of thu State. Is this just? Is it sound policy f Is it reputable to the character of Georgia, with a taxable wealth us six hundred millions? Reflect upon the expenses of the (,'lerkshipb of the two Houses of thu Legislature. They sw ell to the enormous sum ot $35,060; equal to two-thirds of your appropriations fortlie “Civil Ettablishment.” A suitable and much needed retrenchment, in this single item, would unable you to pay adequate salaries to your Ju dicial and Executive officers. 1 submit these suggestions to your enlightened sense of justice. In my last biennial message, I called the at tention of the General Assembly ton proposi tion from the Governor ot Florida, to suspend the suit in the Supreme Court of thu I nited Status, in relation to the boundary line between that State and this, vv ith the view of endeavor ing to settle thu controversy by negotiation, and asked them “to adopt such measures a* would enable the negotiation to be entered upon.” But the Legislature adjourned w ithout taking any action on the subject. I therefore felt it my duty, knowing the friendly ilisposi tion of Georgia towards Florida, to <»pun a cor r<*spondence w ith the Governor of the latter State, which resulted in a proposition by Gov ernor Broome, “to adopt the terminal point* of thu present recognised line as the true term inal points of the boundary line, to be resur vey eu, corrected ami marked, provided it i* shown by cither party that tfee present line i* incorrect.” 1 accepted the proposition in the following words: “Os course my acceptance of your proposition can have no force, until ratified by the Legislature of Georgia. So far however, as lam authorised, I accept it. But I have no power to appoint a surveyor, nor ap propriation to defray the expense of resurvey. But thu Legislature of Georgia w ill convene on the first of November, and I will submit the whole subject, with our correspondence, and cheerfully recommend them to take snub ac tion, as will enable my successor to bring the matter to a final termination. 1 entertain no doubt but the Legislature will juomptly do so.” It is pro]>er to observe that the Governor of Florida, although content with it* terminal | points, is of the opinion that thu ]>ru*uiit recog nised line is imperfectly surveyed ami marked and crooked. All that his proposition con template.*, besides jigreeing to the terminal point*, i* that, that line shall be resnrv eyed and ru-marked. providedit 'hall be shown by either party that it is imperfect, if true, it is the interest of both Status, that the line should bu r«»rrc<il* run, and well defined: and as Gcor . in, is acting entirely on the defensive, n< t w idling to enlarge her territory at the expense of Florida. I promptly accepted thu proposed basis of settlement and l espuctftdly submit the sime tor your favoraldu consideration. It i* I nt justice to say . that throughout the entire correspondence, the Goverm r of Florida, ex hibited the most amicable spirit and the utmost respuet for the feelings and rights of this Statu, all of w hich was must cordially rucij»ro<atuJ on my part. Without entering into the argument, 1 re new the recommendation, fora Geological sur vey of the State, so imperatively demanded by its vast undeveloped agricultural and mineral resources. The expense of such a work is ab solutely insignificant, compared w ith its bene ficial result*. Will the Legislature continue to refuse encouragement for thu improvement of the soil f Shall we newr see thu day, when science shall direct the enterprise of the hus bandman, and explore the treasures of our mountains. 'Die necessity of revising and amending the Militia laws, so as to render them efficient, for the purpose designed, has so often bueii pre sented to thu General Assembly, without elicit ing favorable action, that I fuel ns if 1 am ob truding upon your consideration an unwelcome theme, by renewing the stil jeut. But such, in the judgment of the Executive, is the magni tude and importance of thu object, that 1 ven ture again to invite special attention to it. The military pow er is the right arm of the govern ment, We depend upon it. to enforce the civil laws of the land, if resisted by numbers suffi cient to require its interposition, to crush in surrection and repel invasion. A standing army is repugnant to the character of our gov ernment. and therefore a citizen soldiery is our only reliance, for all the emergencies, which may call for the employment of military force. Are our liberties vv orth preserving / Are our civil rights and institutions, sufficiently valua ble to be imtintained and defended? Ours be ing the only government, on earth, that recog nizes the equality and sovereignty of the peo ple, it is despised by despots, who watch w ith hopeful anxiety, the opportunity for successful assault, and w ith evident gratification, every symptom of fatal civil discord. Gun it be ex pected then, that w e are tu enjoy a perputu: 1 reign of peace and that our career to greatness and renown will be unimpu<led by the shock and < aiamitieK of war ? ()ur territory »tretelies from the Atlantic to thu Pacific, and from Lake Superior to thu Gulf of Mexico. Our popula tion is increasing w ith unexamplud rapidity, our interests are diversified ami conflicting, thu social institutions of the South differ from those of the North ami they are relentlessly assailed by the Abolitionists, w hose policy, if triumphant will drive us from the I nion, or to the more terrible degradat ion of submission to their aggressions. Shall we lie supinely upon our back* and “ hug the delusive phiiii ton” of peace ami fraternity ? Shall we make no preparation, for self-defence and self-pre survaition, when every year brings nearer to our doors the assassin and incendiary ? lam sufficiently hopeful of the future. 1 would not sketch exagerated pictures of our pro*pc< t. I would nut t<»<» readily anticipate the horrors of the storm and the tempest. But if history bu true, thu pa*t lead* us to expect difficulties and thu voice of patriotism ami wisdom admonishes usto prepare forthem. Even now our politi cal horizon is draped in clouds ami the deep mutterings of discontent are heard, from one extreme to the other of the I nion. Sooner than vve suppose*, w e may Ik* forced to defend our right* and honor by the courage of our , |K*oplc ami the strength of our arms. Are vve rea«ly? On the contrary, we have almost no organized military force. Our militia laws are di*regardc<l. Scarcely a district in thu State is 1 pro|»erly officered. Our j>euplu are unarmed and untaught in the art ot war, The effective military strength of the State is not and cannot bu ascertained, under existing laws. I respui L fully submit to the Legislature, whether this state of things ought to be permitted longer to exist ? Is it compatible with the honor am! dignity of the State? Is it not fearfully haz ardous to our safety within ami from w ithout? Isjt not, in truth, an invitation for aggression? W hat is the remedy ? We must have a thorough , militia organization, with such regulation', a- w ill render the system capable of enforcement. We must have a sufficient number of men train ed in military tactics to officer the forces of the State. 'Die Ge<»rgia Military In-titute (w hose report is herewith submitted; is rapidly sup plying this desideratum, and therefore, it should he fostered by the Legi?Litnre with the utmost liberality. We ought to have a well organized and drilled volunteer corps in every county in the State; and therefore the formation of com panies should be encouraged. This may' be effectually done, by exempting from military duty, except in time of war, invasion or insur rection, all between the ages of eighteen ami forty-five year*, who may have served, for <eventeun yuar* continuously, in any company. The mihtftry spirit should be fi sturud. This may bu done by raising ami setting apart a fi’.ml to defray the expenses of an annual mili tary encampment, nt such time and place as the Gommander-in-Cb.itf may order. socli convocation will give uniformity in drill, se cure the enforcement of discipline, cultivate fraternal feeling among the corps ami in some degree, inure them to the usage* and hardships ot the field. Such a fund as may be required for the purpose can be raised, by substituting a small commutation tax, in lieu of actual mili tary duty, in time of pence, at the option of the citizen. Our people, liable to perform milita ry service, ought to he furnished witharms. It is vain to rely upon the pittance dolled out, by the General Government, under the act of Congress, for arming the Militia of the I’nitud Status. Thu supply from this source, is inade quate to furnish even the few volunteer com panies scattered over the Statu. Hum e, the Legislature should cither make an annual ap propriation for this purpose or establish an Armory, for the manufacture of arms. The hitter, it is believed, w ill prove the more effi cient and in the end, the more economicak I earnestly invoke your favorable consideration of this important branch of the public service. It is needless to adduce argument, to con vince intelligent men of the educational wants oi <-It i- demonstrated bj 1 ■ 1 ct that there are many thousand adults, in our midst, who can neither read nor write, and as many poor children who must be forever de barred the blussiii/s of education, in conse quence of the poverty of their parents : by the great deficiency of teachers to supply the de mand in almost every section of thu State; by the character of our political institutions, which are based upon the assumed capacity of the people for sulf-gov ernment; by tlie fact, that too many of our children are sent to distant, States for education, w here they arc liable to imbibe doctrines hostile to our peculiar social 1 organization, and arc surrounded by influences calculated to impart an anti-Southcrn tone to their sentiments ami feelings; by the crime that burdens our criminal dockets, and levies its thousands of tribute upon the earnings of honest industry, to support paupers and prisons; bv the violence and corruption that desecrate the ballot box, at al! our ] »»pular elections; by thu exhaustion of the soil, under a system of Agriculture that glories in excluding the ip plication of scientific principle*. lam aware, that education, to be effective, must command the zeal ami appreciative energies of the par unts of each succeeding generation. I am equal ly aw are, that the establishment • f anv gener al scheme, will require, in the end, a large ex penditure of money. But, us it may nut be accompli Lull in a day or av« ar, so the ui.tire amount need not be appropriated at om e. it must be a w ork of time, ami its fruits gathered through successive years of patience ami toil. But shall this be an argument for po*tp<»niug indefinitely its comm*, m ■ inent ? I* it not rath er an incentive to speedy action, stimulated by the promptings of patriotism and philanthropy? But the obligation of thu Legislature rests upon special grounds. The Constitution is manda tory. Aetk le IV. Section A'UL declares that “ The arts and sciences shall he promoted, in the establishment of one or mure seminaries of learning, and the Legislature shall, as soon a* conveniently may bu, give such further do nation* and privileges to those already estab tabiished, as may bu necessary to secure the object* of their institution ; and it shall be the duty of the General Assembly, at their next session (that is, the next session after the adop tion of the Constitution) to provide etfectuul means for the imnruvument and permanent se curity of the funds and endow incuts of such in stitutions.” What has been done to catry into effect this clause of your Constitution ? How little? It has reference mainly to the State Cuiversity, w hich had been chartered in 1785. Hunce, it i- obvious, that it is thu vtru/a duty of the General A** •mhly. to place our State ruivur*ity upon the footing contemplated by it* wise and patriotic founders, or, in other won Is, “give it such donations and priviludgus as may be necessary to secure the objects of it* institution.” Indued, the whole subject us education is confided to the Genera! Assembly, w ith the positive injunction to such action as may be proper to supply the w ant* of thu State. That contracted poliuv w hich is ever standing at the door of the Treasury, with a flaming two edged sword, is but little better than moral treason to the Constitution, v hich, for m< re than Haifa century, has been pleading for con fiirmity on the part us those who swear to obey. Education is the friend < f the Mate. It will elevate the people. It will diminish crime and the expense of executing thu law *. It w ill prize out the poor from the mire into which iimouunt poverty has sunk them, and place them on an intellectual equality with the fa vored sons of fortune. It w ill dig from the mine many an unpolished gem, to glitter in th crow nos cultivated society. It w ill stimulate enterprise, ami direct its energies to profitable object*. It will dignify labour, ami open nuvv channels for capital, it w ill disinter the min eral wealth of the State, and add millions to the productions of Agriculture. It w ill bring into the field of science an array of mind that will adorn our escutcheon, and dazzle the world by its achievement*. In a word, Geor gia must fail of her great mission, w ithout the adoption of a wise and comprehensive eduuii tionai policy. Away, then, with that narrow stinginc** w hich begrudge* a dollar to such a cause, while it is often wasteful of thousands, upon objects that possess little or no merit, (io forward boldly, firmly, liberally, to meet the wants of thu State. Adjust your scheme to thu character of our population. Apply to the task your wisest deliberations. Impart to it thu element of sulf-vimlieation and sulf-sup port. Make it simple, in its details, and de pendent, for it* success and grow th, upon the voluntary support of the people. Gun such a system of Common School edu cation be devised t What has been accomplish ed in other States, can Ik* done here. (’|m>ii so delicate and difficult a subject, 1 present the outline of a plan w ith diffidence. But I make the venture, for what i( is worth, hoping that il may, at prove suggestive of something i better, 1. Authorize each county, at its option, to : bu divided into Common School Districts, of such dimensions, that children can walk from ' thuir several boundaries to the school-houses j to Ik* located in ihe centres. 2. Let each District be < lothed w ith the ■ power «»f self-taxation, and the appointment us • a Treasurer. 3. Let each District, by public meeting an nually to be held, declare w hat sum they are ‘ willing to raise fur Common .school purposes therein, to be collected by taxation, as the State lax is now collected by law, and to be paid over to thu District Treasurer. 4. I'pon the Report of the District Treasu rer to the Executive, of the amount actually <*<»llectcd. let the Governor be authorised to draw his warrant on the State Treasury, for a like sum. to be paid to the said District Treasu rer, w hich, together with the money thus col lected by voluntary taxation, shall constitute a Common School fund for such District, fur the yuar, for which it may be intended. 5. Let the Common School District Treasu rer be required to give l>ond and security, un dur the approval of the Inferior Court of the county, fur the faithful application of the fund, and to make annual ruturns to the Inferior Court, on the first Monday in January, in ea< h year, accompanied w ith vouchers ft, his dis bursement*. The advantage* of this plan are palpable. First, it is simple; secondly, it addresses itself to the voluntary action of the people of each District, if they wish a school, they can have it; if they do not. it will not be forced upon them. Thirdly, this appeal to the voluntary principle, will beget thought and debate, so that, if rejected at first, truth will finally pre vail, and the s stem be adapted. It will there fore prove to beagr< wing, self-vindicating, self sustaining system. Fourthly, it meets the ob jection which is so formidable, that, in some . ctions, the population is so sparse, that the Common School system is impracticable. It i* intended to operate only where there arc inhabitant*, and even then, alone upon the condition, that they are w illing and ready to do tl.uii-part towards it. Lastly, the absence of school privileges will no longer deter immi gration to destitute regions. This plan will invite immigration, and thus soon fill up the uninhabited Districts. It may bethought that the adoption of such a system will, at once, < rente a ckinaud fur money v h : < h the State Treasury cannot meet. That it will require a considerable sum of moiiej is übviw..-; but not so mach as to deter from thu experiment. It w ill not be adopted in every count , of the State, at fiist—much le** by every School District. Many will not have the ponulation; many w ill reject it, for v u.<rs, until they have discussed it thoroughly, and risen to a proper appreciation of educa tion; inanv more, either from inability or dis crimination, w ill imjiose on themselves a very light tax. Therefore, the amount called fur, from thu State Treasury, will, in the infancy us thu system, be comparatively small. Besides, in this particular lorni. it need not be perpetual. When it shall have diffused pojmlation and the blessings of education over thu State, it can be modified as experience may show to bu necessary. The great desideratum, fur thsr present, i* to arouse our j>eople to the impor tance of thu subject. V. hen this shall Lavu been accomplished, they will not stop to w eigh dollars and cents against education. But this, nor any other system of education, can be < arried into effect, vv ithout a vast in crease ot the corps of teachers. How can thu requisite number be supplied ? Thu mode is simple, if the Legislature will resjwnd to the prompting-- of a liberal spirit. We have suv - t nil denominational College* in Georgia, found- Iby private enterprise. Mby should not thu Ligi-lature endow an Agricultural Professor ship. in one of each denomination, upon the u phtion, that it will educate gratuitously, a specified Lumber of young men, in each Con gressional District, tu be selected as the Lugi - latnre may direct, w ho shall pledge themselves to teach a given number of years, after thuir graduation, in thu District from which they were selected? This will rapidly supply edu cated teat hers, native burn, and sympathising with Southern interests and institutions. As an additional means of obtaining native teachers, h t the State educate, at her own ex pense, in the State I nivursity, one young man, from ua»‘li county «.f thu State, to be chosen by thu Inferior Court thereof, and to be pledged t » teach a given number of years, in the county from w hich he shall have been chosen. This w ill very soon supply the deficiency, and ren der as independent us th use itinerant adv en turers tiom other Status, who arc too often hostile to our peculiar institutions. But our necessities do not stop here. We nuud a Fniversity proper. Such, its founder* designed our State College to be; and thu Con stitution, as I have shown, Las made it obliga tory on the General Assembly to carry that de sign into effect. When young men have been giuduatcd, whither cun they resort, if they de sire to pursue a course of study, in the advanced scienci * ? Finding no suitable Institution, for such purpusv -. at home, they are compelled to g > abroad, or to al andon their high and laudable aspirations. The consequence is, that most of our educated men, greatly to the detriment of the Commonwealth, plunge into politics, a* the only path to distinction, or jier mit their culti\ated powers to rust in inglorious case. Lb.it thi'. or some other scheme, for the üb ji i indicated, should be adopted, is obvious to .-11 w ho reflect upon the educational wants of the State. Indued, past attempts demonstrate tiie bold which ihe subject has upon the public mind. It stems, however, that they have all beuii baffled b. the idea, that the pecuniary mum.- iii'.imt be furnished. But this diffit ulty will vanish from the mind, if the resources and increasing wealth us the btate be duly estima ted. As a Georgian, I am proud to believe, that *he is able to accomplish whatever she dare attempt, if the object be worthy of Ler renown, and w ithin the competency us pat riotic energy and enterprise. Touching our Federal relation*, the Execu tive is in possession of no information, that docs not meet the eye of every close observer of pa- : t vents. We have no indication us any abut t us abolition hostility to the in stitution of Southern Slavery. The signs vi the times for-Lode the same excitement, for thu future, w hich has disturbed the harmony of thu I nion. for the last twenty-five years.— Reckoning Delaware, w hich we may safely do, a* virtually :• nun-slaveholdingState, the equili brium between the North and the South, in thu Semite of the Lnited States, is already £ <4‘- maneiitly destroyed. This inequality w ill be rapidly increased, by the accession of the many new Mates to be formed, in quick suceussion, from the public domain. What then is the fu ture security of the South? It is scarcely to be hojK*d for. in thu Constitutional guaranties, which the South has a right to claim; for the Free Soil sentiment, already in the ascendan cy, and totally regardless of Constitutional ob ligations, will be still more potent and madden ed into more intolerable insolence, by the con sciousness of pow er. It is. therefore, a painful truth, that, in the present appeal of affairs. ou» surest ground of security, is to be found in a ]M>litiual organization, w ho, for the sake of the I nion. w ill respect our rights. Such an or ganization now exists. It is composed of the South and a large portion of the people of thu North, who. whilst a majority of them differ from us on the abstract question of shivery, yet co-operate with us. in maintaining our rights. So lung as it can preserve its ascen dancy, we may expect security. But how tickle and unstable is such a reliance! How humiliating, to feel that the Constitution, in its purity, has ceased to be the bulwark of our safety ! It is hoping almost against hope, to Gwiftnwftf on Second Tayc. NO. 4.