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THE DAWSON WEEKLY JOURNAL BY WETON & COMBS. falusoit doleehln Journal, FCBLISIIIID EVERY THURSDAY. TERMS— Strictly in •idvanct. Three mouths f 75 Six months 1 25 One year 2 00 ADVERTISING RATES : NO. SQUARES. ONK MONTH. TWO MONTHS. THREE M THS. SIX MONTHS. ONE TEAR. on*. $ 800 $ 500 $ 7 00'|12 60 S2O 00 I TWO 600 750 10 00j 18 00 25 00 turxe 700 10 00 12 00 20 00 30 00 | root 900 12 00 15 00| 25 00 40 00 i 10 00 18 00 25 06! 40 00 60 00 I 15 00 25 00 35 On 60 00t110 00 ] col.. I 25 00 40 00 60 OiVllO 00;200 0 To *4dvtrllHcrs : —The money for ad vertising considered due after first inser tion. Advertisements inserted at intervals to be charged as new each insertion. An additional charge of 10 per cent will bo made on advertisements ordered to be in serted on a particular page. Advertisements undi-mhe head of “Spe cial Notices’ 1 ' will be inserted for 15 cents per line, for the first insertion, and 10 cents per line for each subsequent insertion. Advertisements in the “ I.ocal Column," will be inserted at 25 cents per line for the first, and 20 cent- per line for each subse quent insertion. . All communicationSTir letters on business intended for this office should be addressed to “The Dawson Journal ” jSTotesicnn! (Sards. C B. WOOTEN, Attorney at Law, MACC N, GA. II ’ lI.D practice in the Circuit Courts of v V South-west (ia , and ill the Distiict and Supreme courts of the State and United States. All busmens from whatever section or of whatever character entrusted to him will receive prompt attention. oetlO.’7l. I.jon, I'cGr ffeiiricd and irviu. Attorneys at Law, WACO"?, • - GiEOUGIA. 1\ T ILL giv • H’teniion o bus t ▼ inetwin the Macon, South western k r«t»ula Circuit J ; in the U S Courts, anSa* \ umah, and vt i.tnta, and by speci l con tract iu any p»r? of ;nt Si&'e. L\ M. HARFER ajid at LaVb n.tif'soA, o.t. DR. G. W. FARRAR HAS located in this city, and offers ids Pro'essional services to the public Office next door to the ‘‘Journal 1 ffice,” on Main Street, where he can be found in rlie day, unleas professionally engaged, and at right at his residence opposite the Baptist church . fcb. 2-.tf: K. J. WARREN, ATTORNEY AT LAW, SI.IUKSriLLE, - - • O.t. C. W. WARWICK, Att’y at Law and Solicitor in Equity SMITH VILLE , C-’.l. Will practice in South Wesern and Pataula circuits. Collections promptly remitted. R. a. collier. c. t. chkvks, TOWNS HOUSI3, BKUAIi ST.. ALBANY, HY 15. A. COLLICK and CO. McAFE HOUSE, At SmitbYillf* t>a. r undersigned having fitted up the Me 1. Afee //ouse at Smit.hville, takes pleasure in notifying the travelling public that the above house is now in the “full tide” of sue - cessful administration bv himself. He will spare no expense to make it a First-Class llotkl. J/eals ready on the arrival of the rain. W. M. McAFEE. PLANTATION Sale. 1 OFFER for sale mv place, five miles be low D.iwson, immediately on tlie Railroad, contaiuii.g 1417 J acres. Well watered and limbered. Asa Stock Aaun, unsurpissed- Healthy ,desirable everyway. To any one wanting a home, here is an opnortir i‘y to get one at half its teal valu', as I am deter mined to sell, either for money or cottvn, to a responsible party. -4ppiy to W. F. ORR, at J)jl w»on. If Dot sold, will be for rent, •eptl4 3m W. T. BURGE. 'cotton Campbell &. jones Again offer their services to Planters and Merchants, as Warehouse <fc Commission MERCHANTS. .4nd ask a continuance of the patronage so liberally given them the past season. Close personal attention given to the b'or »ge aud Sale of Cotton, and to the filling of (Orders for Bagging and Ties and I’lauta ton Supplies, liefer to the patrons of the past season, /femember the place Iron \\ areliouse. Poplar si., iBACO.I, GA. P. S.—Agents for the Winsbip Improved Cotton Gin aud John Merrjman k Co.'s snoniated Dissolved Bones, which wc no. of t‘f* at a reduced price, Sept 14 3tu puemdevis MESS age! Washington, December, 1871. Successful Execution of the Laws. To the Senate and House of Representa tives : In addressing my third annual mes sage to the law-making branch of the Government, it is gratifying to be able to state that during the past year suc cess has generally attended the effort to execute all laws found upon the statute books. f lhe policy' has been not to inquire into the wisdom of laws already enacted, but to leave their spir it and intent, and to enforce them ac cordingly. DISASTERS BY FIRE AND FLOOD. The past year has, under a wise Providence, been oue of general pros perity to ihe nation. It has, however, been attended with more than the us ual chastisements in the loss of life and property by storm and fire. These disasters have served to call forth the host elements of human nature in our country, and to develop a friendship for us on the part of foieign nations, which goes far toward alleviating the distresses occasioned by these calami i ties. The benevolent who have sogen ■ erously shared their means with the victims of these mifortunes will reap their reward iu the consciousness of having performed a noble act, and in receiving the grateful thanks of men, women and children, whose sufferings they have relieved. OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS. The relations of tho United States j ] with* foreign powers continue tu bo \ friendly. The war has been an event- j ful one in witnessing two great nations, 1 speaking one language, and having 1 one lineage, settling, by peaceful arbi tration, disputes of longstanding, and li able at any time to bring those nations into bloody and costly conflicts. An example lias thus been set which, if j successful in its final issues, may bo followed bj - other civilized nations, and finally bo the means of returning to productive industry millions of men who are maintained to settle tho dis putes of nations by the bayonet aud broadsword THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON. I transput herewith a copy of the treaty alluded to, which has been con- j eluded since the adjournment of Con- , gress with her Britanic Majesty, and | it copy of the protocols of the Confer- i euces of the Commissioners by whom \ it was negotiated. The treaty provides j methods lor adjusting tho question pending between the two sections. Various questions are to be adjusted j by arbitration. I recommend Con gress, at an early day, to make tho necessary provision for tho Tribunal at Genova and for the several Commis sions on the part of the United States I called for by tho treaty. His Majesty j the King of Itally, the President ot tho (Swiss Confederation, and His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, have each con sented, on the joint request of tho two powers, to name an arbitrator for tho Xiibunal at Geneva. 1 have caused j my thanks to be suitably expressed for the readiness with the joint request t hasbeen complied with bythe appoiu inent of gentlemen of eminence and learning to these important questions. , His Majesty the Emperor of Ger- ! many, has been pleased to comply, with the joint request of the two Gov- | erninents, and has consented to act as , tho arbitrator of tho disputed water j boundary between tho United States and Great Britain. Tho contracting pat ties in the treaty have undertaken j to regard as between themselves cer- j tain principles of public law, for which the United States have contended from j the commencement of their history, j They have also agreed to bring their principles to the knowledge ol the oth- j er maritime powers, and to invite them , to accede to them. Negotiations are ( going on as to the form of the note by which tho invitation is to be extended to tho other powers. 1 recommend the legislation neces sary on the part of the L nited States to bring into operation articles ot the treaty relating to the fisheries and to the other matters touching the rela-, tions of the United States towards the British North American possessions, j to become operative so soon as the | proper legislation shall be had on the part of Great Britain audits posses sions. It it much to be desired that this legislation may become operative before tho fishermen of the United (States begin to make their ai range- ments for the coming season. _ j 1 have addressed a communication, of which a copy is transmitted here with, to the Governors of New York, l’ennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michi gan, Illinois and Wisconsin, urging upon the government of those btates respectively the necessary action on their part to carry into etfect the ob ject ol the article of too treaty which contemplates the use of the canals on either side connected with the naviga tion of the lakes aud rivers forming the boundary, on terms of equity by the inhabitants of both countues. It is hoped that the importance of tho object and tho benefits to follow there from will secure the speedy approval, , uud legislative sanction of tho btates | concerned. . 1 renew the recommendation lor an appropriation for determining the true position of tho forty ninth parallel of latitude where it forms tho boundary ; between the United States and the British North American Possessions, b tween tho lake of the woods and the summit of the Rocky Mountains. The early action of Congress on tins rec ommendation would put it in the pow er of the War Department to place a forco iu the field during the next sum mer. DAWSON, GA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1871. THE SPANISH-AMERICAN COMMISSION. Tho Forty - First Congress at its third session made an appropriation | for the organization of a mixed Com mission for adjudicating upon the | claims of citizens of the United States against Spain, growing out of ;ho in surrection in Cuba. The Commission has since been organized. I transmit ; herewith the correspondence relating to its formation its jurisdiction. It is to bo hoped that this Commission will afford the claimants a complete reme dy for their injuries. It has been made t/ie agreeable du ty of tho Uuited States to preside over a Conference at Washington between the plenipotentiaries of Spain aud the allied South American Republics, which has resulted in an armistice ‘ with the reasonable assurance of a permanent power. 1 RUSSIA THE GRAND DUKE —AND CATACA ZY. ! The intimate friendly relations which have so long existed between tho Unit- , l ed States and Russia continue undis . turbed. Tho visit of the third son of the Emperor is a proof that thore is no desire on the part of his govern- ] meut to diminish the cordially ot those j relations. Tho hospital reception ' which has been given to tho Grand Duke is a proof that on our side wo . have the wishes of that government. | The inexcusable course of the Rus- ■ sian Minister at Washington rendered jit necessary to ask his recall and to decline longer to receive that function | ary as a diplomatic representative. It j was impossible, with self-respect or ] .with a just regard to the dignity of i the eouutry, to permit M. Cataeazy to j 1 continue to hold intercourse with this government after his personal abuse j lof Government official-, aud during! ; his persistent interference, through various means, with the relations be tween the Uuited States and other j powers. In accordance with my wish ] es, this Government has been relieved of further intercourse with M. Cataca zy, and tho management of the affairs of the Imperial legislation has pasted into tho hands of.a gentleman entirely unobjectionable. OUR MEXICAN RELATIONS. The Republic of Mexico has not re pealed tho very objectionable laws es tablishing what is known as the “Free Zone*” on the frontier of the Uuited j States. It is hoped this may yet be done, and also that the more stringent measures may bo taken by that Re- j public for restiaiaing lawless persons ; on its frontiers. I bopo that Mexico, j by its own action, will soon relievo this j Government of tho difficulties experi- j enced from these causes. CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. Our relations with the various Re publics of Central and South America continue, with one exception, to bo cor dial and friendly. I recommend some action by Congress regarding the over- ! duo installments under the award of j the Venezuela Claims Commission of i 180(5. The internal dissensions of that Government present no justifica tion for tho absence of effort to meet their solemn treaty obligations. ULYSSES QUOTES SUMNER. The true prosperity and greatness of a nation is to be found in the eleva- | tion aud education of its laborers. It is a subject of regret that t.ie reforms | in this direction which were voluutar- i ily promised by the statesmen of Spain have not been carried in its Wet In dia Colonies. The laws and regula tions for tho apparent abolition of slavery in Cuba aud Porto Rico leave most of the laborers in bondage, with no hope of release until their lives be come a burden to their employers. I desire to direct your attention to the fact that citizens of the United States, ] or persons claiming to bo citizeus of tho United States,are large holders in for eign lauds of this species of property forbidden by tho fundamental law of their alleged" country. 1 recommend to Congress to provide, by stringent legislation, a suitable remedy against the holding, owuing or dealing in ] slaves, or being interested in slave ] property in foreign lands, either as . owners, rulers or mortages, by citizens j of tlie United States. THE EVER-FAITHFUL ISLF.. It is to be reg’retted that tho dis turbed condition of the Island of Cu ba continues to be a source of annoy ance and of anxiety. The existence of . a protracted struggle in such close | pioximity to our own territory, without apparent prospect of an early tormina- i ' tion, cannot be other than an object of , concern to a people w ho, while ab- 1 staining from interference in the affairs of other powers, naturally desire to see ] every country in tho undisturbed en joyment of peace, liberty and the bles sings of free institutions. Our naval commanders in Cuban waters have been instructed, in case it should be como necessary, to spare no effort to protect the lives and property of bona fide American citizens, and to main tain the dignity of the flag. I It is proved that all ponding ques tions with Spain, growing out of tho affairs iu Cuba, may bo adjusted in tho spirit of peace and conciliation which has hitherto guided the two poweis in their treatment of such ques tions. TUE NATIONAL “BLEsSINO.” The National debt has been reduced to the extent of eighty six millions fif ty-seven thousand one hundred and twenty six dollars aud eighty cents du ring tho year, and by the negotiation of National bonis at a lower rate of interest. Tho interest on .lie public debt has so far diminished that now the sum to be raisod for the interest account is nearly seventeen millions of dollars less than it was on the Ist of i March, 1809. It was highly desirable j that this rapid dimunition should take , place, both to strengthen tho credit of j the country and to convince its citizens i of their entire ability to meet every dollar of their liabilities without bunk- I ruptiug them. In view of ihe accomplishments of j those desirable ends, of the rapid do- j velopinent of the resources of the country, its increasing ability to meet lurgo demands, and tho amount al ready paid, it is not desirable that tho present resources of tho country ' should continue to bo taxed in order to continue this rapid payment. MODIFICATION OF THE TARIFF AND INTER NAL REVENUE TAX. I therefore reccommond a modifica tion of both the tariff and internal tax laws. 1 recommend that all taxes j from internal sources bo abolished, ox ec>pt those from spirituous, vinous and i malt liq-iors, tobacco iu its various ' forms and from stamps. In readjust ing the tariff, I s’uggcst that a careful ; estimate be made of the amount of j surplus revenue collected under tho present laws, after providing for the ! current expenses of the Government, j the interest accohat asApinking fund, ] ! uud that surplus be minted in such a I manner as to afford the greatest relief to the greatest number. There are many articles not pro duced at home, but which enter large ly into general consumption through articles which are manufactured at | homo, such as mediciues, compounds, etc., etc., from which very little revo ] nv.e is derived, but which enter into ' general uso. All such articles I rec ommend to be placed upon tho “Free | List.’* Should further reduction prove I advisable I would then recommend | that it bo made upon those articles which can best bear it without distur bing homo production or reducing tho wagos of American labor. I have rut enterred into figures because to do so would be to repeat what will bo laid before you in the report of the Secre tary of tho Treasury. COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS. The present laws for collecting rev nues pay Collectors of Customs small salaries, but provide moieties of oue fourth shares in all seizures, which, at principal ports of entry particularly, raise the compensation of those offi cials to a largo sum. It has always seemed to me as if this system must at times work perniciously. It holds out an inducement to dishonest men, should such get possession of those offices, to be lax in t eir scrutiny of goods entered to enable them finally to make large si Azures. Your utten tun is respectfully invited to this sub ject A rUOBLEM IN POLITICAL ECONOMY. The contiuuod fluctuations in the value of gold, as compared with the National currency, bus a most dama ging effect upon the increase and de velopment of tlie country iu keeping up tlie prices of all articles necessary in every day life It fosters a spirit of gambling prejudicial aliko to Na tional morals and National finances. If tlie question can be met as to hew to give a fixed value to our currency, that value constantly and uniformly up ploaehing par with specie, a very de sirable object will be gained. ARMY OPERATIONS. For the operations of tho army ;n tho past year, tho expense of main taining tne estimates for tho ensuing year, and for continuing tho sea eoust and other improvements conducted under the supervision of tho War De partment, I refer you to the accompa nying report of tho Secretary of \\ ar. OLD MAN ROBESON ANI) IIIS SUM'S. Tlie report of the Secretary of the Navy shows an improvement in the number and efficiency of the naval force, without material increase in the expense of supporting it. This is due to the policy which has been adopted, ! aud is being extended as fast as our material will admit of fitting smaller vessels as cruisers on several stations J | By this means wo have been enabled | ] to occupy at once a larger extent of cruising grounds, to visit more ire- j 1 quently tlie ports whore the presence j of our flag is desirable, aud generally j to discharge more efficiently the ap- ; propriate duties of the navy in time of peace, without exceeding the number of men or the expenditure authorized by lan r . j During the past year, tho navy has, • iu addition to tho regular service, sup ! plied tlie men and officers for the coast survey, and lias completed the surveys i authorized by Congress of tho Istli- i ! mus of Darien aud Tehuantepec, and, i ! under like authority, has sent out an ! extiidition, completely furnished and equipped, to explore the unknown 1 ocean of the North. The suggestions of tho report as to ! the necessity for increasing and im -1 proving tho material of tlie navy find tho plan recommended for reducing i the personnel of tho service to a peace I standard, by tho gradual abolition of certaiu grades ot utliuors, tlio roduo tion of others aud tho employment of some in the service of the commercial ! line, are well considered and deserve the thoughtful attention of Congress. THE TOSTAL DEPARTMENT. Tlie enlarged receipts of tho Post Office Department, U 9 shown by the accompanying report of the Postmas ter General, exhibits a gratifying in crease in that branch of tlie public sor ! vice. It is the index of the growth of ed -1 ucation and the prosperity of the peo ple, two elements highly conducive to the vigor and stability of Republics. With a vast territory like ours, much of it sparsely populated, but all ro ‘ nuii-mg the services of the mail, it is ’ not at prcucut to be expected that Do- ! partment be made self-sustaining; ! but a gradual approach to this end : from year to year is confidently relied I on, and the day is not far distant when the Post Office Department of the ; Government will prove u much greater | blessing to tho people than it is now. Tho suggestions of the Paymaster General fyr improvements iu the l)e - presided over by him, are I earnestly recommended to your spe cial attention. THE roSTAL TELEGRAPH SYSTEM. Especially do 1 recommend favora ble consideration of tlie plan for uni ting tho telegraphic system of tho United States with the postal system. It is believed that by such a course cost of telegraphing could bo very much reduced, und tho service as well, if not better, rendered. It would se cure the further advantage of extend ing the telegraph through portions of tho country where private enter prises will uot construct it. Commerce, trade, und, above all, the efforts to . bring a people widely separated into a 1 community of interests, are always bonefitted by a safer intor-oommuin cation. Education, tho ground-work of Republican institutions, is encour aged by insreasing the lacilitios to gather speedy news from all parts of the country. The desire to reap the benefits of such improvements will stimulate education. I refer you to tho report of the Postmaster General for lull details of the operations of the last year, aud for comparative statements of tho re sults of former years. THE KU-KLUX LAW. There lias been imposed upon the Executive branch of tlie Government tho execution of tho act ot Congress, apbmved April fiDth, 1871, an 4 com monly known as the Ku-lvlux law, in a portion of the State of South Caro lina. The necessity of the course pursued will be demonstrated by the report of the Committees to investigate Southern outrages. Under the pro visions of the above act 1 issued a proclamation calling tho attention of tho people of tlie United States to tho same, arid declaring my reluctance to exercise uny of the extraordinary powers thereby conferred upon me, except in such cases of imperative ne cessity, but making known my purpose to exercise sueli powers whenever it should become necessary for the pur pose of securing to all citizens of the United States the peaceful enjoyment of the lights guaranteed to theta by the Constitution aud the laws. VLYsBES GOES INTO THE HISTORY OF THE CASE. After the passage of this law, infor mation was received from time to time that combinations of the charac ter referred to in this law existed aud were powerful m many parts of tho Southern States, particularly in certain counties in the State of South Caroli na Careful investigation was made and it was ascertained that in nine counties of that State such combina tions were active and powerful, embra cing a sufficient number of citizens to control tlie lueal authority, and having, among other things, the object of de priving the emancipated class of the substantial benefits of freedom, and of preventing tho free political action of those citizens who did not sympathize with their own views. Among their operations were frequent seourgings and occasional assassinations, gener ally perpetrated a: night by disguised persons, tho victims, in almost all tlie cases being citizens of different politi cal sentiments from their own, or freed persons who had shown a disposition to claim equal rights with other citi zens. Thousands of inoffensive and well-disposed persons were sufferers by this lawless violence. UK PROCEEDS TO TAKE VENGEANCE. Thereupon, the 12th day of Oct., 1871. a proclamation was issued ia terms ol the law, calling upon tho members of those combinations to disperse within live day's, and to deliver to the Mar shal or Military odiuors of tlie United Btates all arms, ammunitions, uniform disguises, and other means and imple ments used by them for carrying out their unlawful purposes. This warn ing not having been heeded, on ! 17 th of October another proclamation j was issued suspending the privileges ] of tlie writ of habeas corpus in niuo ! counties in that (State. I Direction was given that within the counties so designated, persons sup posed, upon creditable information, to be members of such unlawful com binations should be arrested by’ tlie j military forces of the United States aud delivered to tho Marshal to be desk with according to law. In two ] of said counties, York and Spartan- | , burg, many arrests were made. At ! the last account the number of persons thus arrested was one hundred and bixty-eight Several hundred whose criminality was ascertained t. be of an inferior degree, were released for ttio present. These have gem.rally made confessions of their guilt. * Great caution has been exercised in making these arrests, and, notwith standing the large number, it is be lieved tnat no innocent person is now iu custody. The prisoners will bo j held for regular trial in tlie Judicial tribunals of tlie United (States, j As soon as it appeared that the au thorities of tlie United States Wore about to take vigorous measures to onforco the law, many persons ab sconded, and there is good ground for supposing that all ot such poisons have violated the law. A full report of what has been done under this liw will be submitted to Congress by the Attorney General. FOLYOAMY IN UTAH. In Utah there still leuuins a rem mint of barbarism repugnant to civili zation, to decency, aud to the laws of the United States. Territorial offi cers, however, have boon found who willing to perform their duty ia a spir it of justice, und with a duo sense of the necessity of sustaining the majes ty of tho law. Neither poligamy nor any other violation of existing stat utes will bo permitted within tho ter ritory of the United States. It is not with the religion of the self-styled Suints that we are now dealing, but with their practices. They will be protected in the worship of God according to tho dictates of their consciences, but they will not bo permitted to violate the laws under tho cloak of religion. It may bo advisable for Congress to c insider what in >h>o u utiou o ’ laws against polygamy, is to be the status of plural wiles and their off- Riiring- AN ENABLING ACT. The property of Congress passing an Enabling act, authorizing the Terri torial J legislature of Utah to legiti mize all children burn prior to a time fixed iu the act might be justified by its humanity to these innocent cliil- I drou. This is a suggestion only and nut a recommendation. OUr INDIAN POLICY. Tho policy pursued towards Indians has resulted favorably, so far as can bo judged from tlie limited time dur ing which it has been in operation. : Through tho exertions of the various socitios of Cliirstiuns, to whom bus been entrusted the execution of tho policy, and Board of Commissioners authorized by tho law of April 10, 1809, many tribes of Indians have , boon induced to settle upon reserva tions, to cultivate tho soil, to perform I productive labor of various kinds, and to partially accept civilization. They are cared lor in sueli a way, it is hoped, as to induce those still pur- j suing their old habits of life to embrace the only opportunity which is left them to avoid extermination. I rec- , ommeiid liberal appropriations to car- ] ry out the Indian peace policy, net only because it is humane, Christian- ] like and economical, but because it is right. 1 recommend to your favora ble consideration, also, the policy of granting a Territorial Government to the Indians in the Indian Territory west of Arkansas and Missouri, and south ol Kansas. In doing so, ivaiy light guaranteed tu the Indians by the treaty should be secured. Such a | course might in tiino bo tho means of i cullooting all of the Indians now bo- 1 tween tho Pacific and -South of tho British posssosions into one Territory or ono (State. The Secretary of tile Interior has treated upon this subject at length, and I recommend to you his suggestions. THE PUBLIC LINDS. I renow my rccomuieudution that tho public lands bo regarded as a her itage to our children, to be disposed of only us required for occupation, aud to actual settlers. Those already granted have been in great part ds posod of in such a way us to secure access to the balance by tho hardy settler who may wish to avail himself of them. But caution should bo ex- , ereisod, even in attaining so desirable an object. The educational interest may well be served by the grant of the proceeds of the sale of public lands to settlors. Ido not wish to be tin- | derstood as recommending in the least degree a curtailment of what is being dune by tho Geuerul Government fur tho encouragement of education. • TIIE CENSUS OF 1870, ETC. The report of the Secretary of tho Interior, submitted with this, will give you all thy information collected and prapared for publication iu regard to the census takoi; during the year 1870, I tho operations of tlie Bureau of Edu- j cation for the year, the Patent Office, the Pension Office, tho Land offi o and the Indian Bureau. 11IE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. Tite report of the Commissioner of Agriculture gives tho operations of his ! department for the year. As agricul ture is tho ground-work of our pros-! perity, too much importance cannot bo ! attached to the labors of this depart | ment. It is in tho hands of an ablo | head, with able assistance, all zealous- | ly devoted to introducing into tho ag- i ricultural productions of the nation all usoful products adapted to any of tho various climates und soils of our vast territory, and to giving all usoiul in formation as to the method of cultivat ing tho plants, serials and other pro ducts adapted to particular localities. Quietly, but surely, tho Agricultural ! Bureau is working a great uutiouai ! good, und, if liberally supported, tho ] move widely its influence will be ex tended, uud the less dependent we ! shall Do upon the products of foreign countries. HEADS OF BUREAUS. Tho su iject of the compensation to j the heads of bureaus and officials liold ! ing positions of responsibility and re ! quiriug ability and character to fill properly is one to which your attention iis invited. But few of the officials ro i ceive a compensation equal to tho res pectable buppoit of a family, while ! their duties are such as to involvomil- I lions ot interest. In private life, ser , vices demand compensation equal to the sertiee rendered. A wise economy would dictate the same mle in tho Government service. GOVERNSI ENT EXFENDITCRS. , I have not given the estimate for the support of the Government for tho ensuing year, nor tlie compar ative statement between the expendi tures for tlie year just passed and tho j one just preceding, because all these figures are contained iu the accompa- VOL. VI. —NO. 44. nying reports, or in those presented directly to Congress. Those estimates have my approval. HE WOULD VOUCHSAGK To US GENERAL AMNESTY. More than six years having elapsed since the last hostile gun was fired be tween tlio armies thou arrayed agaiust euoh other—ono for tho perpotuation, tho other for tho destruction of the Un ion - it may well bo considered wheth er it is not now time that tlie disabili ties imposed by tho Fourteenth Amendment should bo removed. That amendment does not exclude the bal lot, but only imposes the disability to hold offices upon certain classes. When the purity of the ballot is secure majorities are sure to elect officers re flecting the views of the majority. I do not see the advantage or propriety of excluding men from offieo merely because they were before the rebellion of standing and character suffioont to bo elected to positions requiring them to take oiths to support the Csßiiuuiiuß, and admitting to eligibility those en ter tailing precisely the same views, but of less standing in their com in uni ties. j It may bo said that the for.nor vio lated aa oath, while the latter did uot. j The latter did not have it in their power to do so. If they had taken ] this oath, it cannot be doubted they would have broken if as did the for i mer class. It there are any past criminals distinguished above all oth -1 ers for tho part they took iu opposition to tho Government, they might, iu the judgement of Congress, be excluded from all such amnesty. This subject is submitted lor your curoiui consider ation. HE SLANDERS TIIK SOUTH. The condition of tho Southern States is, unhappily, nut such as all true p i | triot citizens would like to see*. Sociul ostracisms for opinion's sake, personal i violence, or threats towards persons 1 entertaining political views opposed to those entertained by the majority of tho old citizens, piuvent immigration and the flow ol much needed capital into tho Stutos lately in rebellion. It will boa happy condition ot the country when the old citizeus of these States will take an interest in public affairs, promulgate ideas honestly en tertained, vote lor men representing their views, and tolerate tho same freedom of exptession an l ballot as thoso entertaining different political convictions. THE TERRITORY OF COLUMBIA. Under the provisions of tlie act of Congress approved February fil, 1871, a Territorial Government was organ ized in the Distiict of Columbia. Its results have, thus far, iully realized the expectations of its advocates.— Under the directio i of the Territorial officers, a system ot improvement lias bee i inaugurated, by means of which Washington is rapidly becoming a city worthy of the Nations Capitol.— The citizens of the Distiict have vol untarily taxed themselves to a large amount for the purpose of contribu ting to the adornment of the Beat of Government 1 recommend liberal appropriations on tho part ot Congress, in order that the Government may bear its just share of the expense of carrying out a judicious system of improvement. U. S. G RANT. Mrs. Sarah J. Ilale, editress ol “Godey’s Lady’s Book, ’ is eighty four years old, uud still labors constantly at ho work which lias employed her fur tlie lust forty-four years. We have noticed, us a remarkable fact, that whenever a white momoer ot tlie South Carolina Legislature dies, his remains are sent North fur iu tor ment. In the Congress, which assembles Monday, December 4, there will be titty-seven Republican Senators to seventeen Democrats. The House w ill stand 189 Republicans, and 104 Democrats. Robert E. Leo, youngest son of the late Gen. R E Leo, was married at “Rockdales,” Grunge county, Ya., on the ltiiii iust., to Miss Charlotte Hax nll, tlie daughter if Mr. R. Barton Ilixall. It is said, we kno.v not upon what authority, that Dr. Hard intends t> go to Chattanooga, and there establish a Grant Itadical newspaper, and that the Grant Eadical Faction at Wash ington, have “peeled” him for this purpose. —Atlanta San. The New York Tribune lias advanc ed its amnesty pegs so far as to in clude the “Arch-traitor” (as it former ly cullud him) Jeff Davis, himsell. This is sensible, and the only sort of amnesty that the South would care a snap of her finger tor. The Negro Legls’aturo of South Caroliuia, apprehensive that their cur pet-bag Governor is about to imitate his brother Bullock’s example, have introduced a bill to “prohibit State oiUcials from leaving the Stuth, except with the consent of the Legislature, ’ Norfolk, Connecticut, had au unqui et Sunday last week. W hiio the bolls were ringing for church a construction train on thu Connecticut "W estern canio thundering along, much to thu grief of church goers , and scarcely had di vine service cuuim-nicod, w hen the pas tor and congregation wore astounded by a man rising and requesting per mission to speak for a muaioul, when, without waiting, he launched out iuto an harangue, advertising a show to be given bv himself on Monday -—“tickets fifty cents, children half prise, aul the money rofuadod ix any one is dwtuUtfi-d.