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GEORGIA WEEKLY OPINION THE weekly OPINION. BY YY. I. ICBUOOf AND J. B. DOUBLE. OFFICIAL FAFBB FOB THE COUNTIES OF B«k.r, Baldwin, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Carroll, Chattooga, Clayton, Cobb, Dado, Do Kalb, Fayotto, Forsyth, Fulton, Gordon, Groeno, Gwinnett, Harralson, Hoard, Henry, Jasper, Lee, Xouroe, Hurray, Newton, Paulding, Polk, Spalding, Sumter, Upson. Ta* CosoitKgsiosAL Districts or Gkou- m.t.—A convenient tnble for reference, headed Georgia Congressional Districts, trill be found in another column. It "Ives the names of the counties composing each of the seven Districts, and the reprcsentU' Live population of each district, as deter mined under the constitutional rule that controlled in I860. CuhiuxtIon.—Our report of the resolu tion by Mr. BCBXRTT, yesterday, should have stated that after some discussion, It was withdrawn by that gentleman. And In another point the reporter erred in naming Mr. McCoy as replying to Air. Caldwell. It should have rend Air. Akeii- MAN. The Gudeiuutomal (Joeetios.—By re ference to our reports of to-day's proceed ings of the Convention It will be seen that the question of petitioning Gen. Pope to appoint a Provisional Governor who will assist In the work of reconstruction has been carried by a decided nm|ority. The debate was an able and lengthy one—com, paring favorably with any wo have ever beard in the legislative balls of the State, Almost tlie whole session was consumed in the debate. At the close both sides came to a fair and final struggle upon the main issue, with the result announced elsewhere. The Convention and Ain. <,'iiake—Cai ecs Meeting Last Xiuiit.—At a caucus of the Republican members of the Consti tutional Convention, held last night at the City Hall, the following resolution was adopted with but one dissenting voice, there being about eighty delegates present: •' Unsolved, That we, the llcpuhllcau members of the Georgia Constitutional Convention, anil citizens of the State of Georgia, do hereby express our high adrift, ration ior the eminent statesmanship of Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, and ex press our most Implicit confidence in bis fidelity to all the principles of equal jus tice embodied in the platform and adorn ing tho triumphant history of the Repub lican party j'anfi wo furthermore take this method of declaring to the world our hope that the American people will, at the own ing Presidential election, transfer Air. Chase from the bead of tho Judicial to the head of tho Kxccutlro Department of our Government, with assurances, however, that we will cheerfully support the nomi nee of the party whomsoever ho may lie.” OIIOBGM STATE CONVENTION. EIGHTH DAT. •Wednesday, Dec. 18,1867. Convention met at regular hour; prayer by Rev. Wesley Prettymsn; Journal of yesterday read and approved. The unfinished business of yesterday— tho gubernatorial resolution of Mr. Caltl- woll—tvns resumed, Mr. BRADLEY hav ing the floor. lie resumed Ills argument In substance to tho effect that Gov. Jenkins had not been asked to continue In office— he was, under the reconstruction laws, dis qualified, lnasmui^ as ho could not take the test oath. All officers who could not take this oath held their positions Illegally, In violation of the constitution and laws of tho United States. Xot only this—many of tho provisional officials had labored dil igently to defeat tho work of rccons ruc tion, the purpose for which this Conven tion was called. Air. SAFFOL1) roso to a point of order. The resolutions of Air. Caldwell were, he claimed, not proper matter for considera tion, under the resolution reported from the committee of ten, and adopted yesterday. The CHAIRMAN ruled the resolutions proper matter for consideration; when Air. BRADLEY resumed and continued Ills remarks at some length. Air. BLODGETT referred to the past political course of Gov. J., which he con demned so far as connected with the histo ry of Georgia during and slnco the war. Tho Provisional Governor had opposed, in the courts, ns the last resort, the laws ot Reconstruction, and had remained passive after defeat. Tho friends of Reconstruc tion wanted a Governor who would aid and assist them. Such a man was named by the resolution under consideration, and inasmuch its it was only recommendatory, and could not control the action of Gen eral Pope, he hoped tho resolution would pa*i Tin: State Road.—A rumor being cur rent in Chattanooga Monday of a proba ble change in the management of tho AY. and A. Rail Rond, the Union of that city says: AVc sinccrly lnqio that this report will prove Incorrect. No 1 sitter roml than tho State Road exists in tho South. Under the masterly management of Campbell AYnl- laco, Its fame lias been so widely diffused that every traveler hi the land knows of the quick time, the smooth traveling and courteous officials of tho Western and At lantic Railroad, and its stockholders nre semi-annually reminded by their premiums that its management is of tho best. AVc presume there is no rcliahlo founda tion for the rumor to which the Union re fers. If ability, efficiency and integrity arc among the requisites for siiperintcii- ftant of that Road, we do not see how AlsJ, AVai.i.ace'8 place could lie better filled. Tut: Alabama Constitution.—Com menting upon the Constitution prepared by the State Convention of Alabama, the New lork Tribune says: None In any of the Free states Is more nobly dedicated to tho principles of uni versal freedom and equal rights. Already the clause relating to suffrage, however, Ims boon subjected to some unfriendly criticism. Neither Congress nor the Con. vcntlon 1ms seen fit to carry out the recon struction iiolicy of the Tribune, which has I wen and still Is lit favor of Uni versal Amnesty and Impartial Suffrage, Had the generous policy of universal am nesty been adopted, a much larger white vote In favor of reconstruction on the basis or impartial suffrage would have been polled In everv Southern State than can now bo polled for any constitution that may lie framed under the proscriptions In- cldcift to tho Congressional policy. The people of theSouth would now unite with Mr. Gkkklev. or any one else, on the Platform of “Universal Amnesty and Im partial Suffrage." A State Constitution Ibr Georgia, based upon that Principle would meet with but very feeble opposi tion In Georgia, lint the law of Congress, known as the “Military Reconstruction Act" renders that scheme Impracticable. Reconstruction must bo accomplished ac cording to terms Imposed by tho Law, un less Congress shall yet make such a modi fication us will enable tho people to carry out their wishes ill this particular. Air. PARROTT—Judge Harris hi the Chair—said this was an Important ques tion, when considered hi connection with Reconstruction. lie objected to the course of Governor Jenkins In relation to the conscription laws, ami to his course since the war with regard to restoration. But he was not prepared to vote for the resolu tion. lie was willing to trust this and kill- dre,I questions to the General command ing. which officer he defended from charges made upon the floor. Gen. Pope had stood by Georgia, was earnest In aiding the work of Reconstruction, and his past conduct was sufficient guarantee for tlie future and hereafter, os now, tho people of this lommonwcalth would have cause to com mend his official conduct. Air. Parrott concluded by moving to postpone the further consideration to January 8,1868, Air. DUNNING opposed the resolution, e eotdtl see tlie secret springs that prompted the contemplated action, and did not believe honesty Impelled the active outside influences working so vigilantly to carry the proposition Mr. llRYANT favored tho resolution at length, replying to the arguments of gen tlemen In opposition, lie wanted some one at the head of public affairs who would stand by the reconstruction party In the canvass that would Inevitably ensue upon the question of ratification. This was not done by Gov. Jenkins and civil officers generally, during the late canvass; but It would ho done lit tile next canvass. If the gentleman named hi the resolution should he accepted by Gen. Toiic. Air. Bullock, he said, was iio party hack, hut was and had been a Union man, a friend of Georgia and her people, and would devote the best energies of a long and active experience to the advancement of their Interests. Air. SAFFOI.I) thought much was made sometimes by people attending to their own business ami he did not tldnk this Convention was. by any means, engaged In a legitimate work, should It pass this resolution. Ho represented ono of tho ne gro districts of the State—Idmself and col leagues did not receive more than 75 white votes—they were Georgians by birth and Interest, and os such were sent up here by a large negro constituency to'make » Con stitution, and not to make Governors. There was nothing In tho Reconstruction laws that devolved any duty upon this Convention beyond preparing a Constitu tion. General I’opc would uttend to eve rything necessary to advance Reconstruc tion. and he was willing to trust the matter with him. By doing too much the Convention might endanger all, and being a Union man lie should opposo tills und other resolutions. Lot this Convention do Its business as well os General Fops hat dono Ills, Slid all Will lie well. Mr. l’UINCK regretted that gentlemen boasted ot their place of birth. As tn off set, he would ssy that he was born In New England, but had adopted Georgia as Ids homo. Re was here todo all In hli power for Georgia and hit constituents. He un derstood the wishes of tlioto who bad sent litin here, mid one of tholr wishes was tho removal of all obstacles to the advance of Reconstruction. Governor Jenkins was one of these, and lie should be removed, and a man put In Ids place who would compel the civil officer* to protect loyal men, which was not now the case, as was dally being demonstrated. Mr. llfiLCOMU was opposed to the In troduction of parly tactics Into tills Con- ntlon. If this was avoided the work would soon lio done and dono well. Keep out firebrands, and all will be well. The HT A bill will soon lie Introduced, It Is •said, reorganizing the Patent Office, aim- lbldng tho office of Commissioner, and In vesting the power confided 111 him in a board of commissioners to lie appointed by the president, sitidinr tn the method pre vailing In 1 ranee and England. 1 rom this i , 0 f arc in favor of restore- hmtd ‘‘ ! l, ™« •“ 1,0 tlnn-trne they dlfiferas to the best means appeal, except tn the Cnpienn* ( onrt of the j , Kocp llown party spirit. si nltcd Mate*. ^ ^ j and eschew ForauihUng foroffiec, and Geor- E?pThe receipt* from interim! revenue gla " III pooh resume her old place. Gen. to-day were JU0.V.J5S.I& making the total | Pop*' was the Instrument of the United amount for the week editing to-day 82,253.- State* (SoYcrnnient—he was here* to pro- OIM>] *2, and the total since the beglning of; serve peace and order—had ealled this (.’on- • edit the present fiscal year K'.»l.m7.5SI.36. vcntlon. and delegates were here to fulfill their portion of the duties assigned them by the laws of Congress. He wanted the Convention to do nothing more, and would vote against the resolution. Mr. McCOY spoke in opposition to the resolution. lie believed ottice seeking was the great curse of tho country* and could see In tills proposition that a strong effort was being made to continue the evil. Especially, lie said, should a scramble for office, for purtixnn purposes, be condemned. Gov. Jcnkius could not retard tlie work ol reconstruction, as lie could not direct the action of a half dozen officers in tho Mate. He believed tlie key-note of tills move ment was something else—the question of aiding tlie work of reconstruction was a subterfuge to veil eftbrts to get charge of tho offices and emoluments of tlie State road, lie also claimed that Gen. l’ope did not dare remove Gov. J. unless lie was an obstruction to reconstruction, and that point Gen. Pope mustdeelde himself, and this Convention could not be his con science keeper. 3Ir. CALDWELL wanted to make a proposition in connection with ills resolu tion that would rciuovo all tlie objections that had been made. He eared nothing for men, cliques, or tills or that wing of the Convention, but tlie great prize or measure he had in his heart was restoration. He knew personally but little of Mr. Bullock, but learned that ho was u gentleman of ability and integrity, whose name lie pre sented without much consultation. He would drop tlie name, however, ami let the Convention decide upon tlie principle of Ids resolution; if favorable they could then decide upon tlie man—and if it was found that Col. Bullock was not the right man, select another to recommend to Gen. Pope. He hurled back tlie charge that lie was inline need by tho pride and power of odlcc in his action. He only wanted tlie principle sustained—did not desire to command Gen. Pope, simply to request him to change the chief magistra cy. He moved to adjourn until 10 o'clock to-morrow, which motion was lost. Mr.TltAMMELL rose to correct an as sertion that had been made. It hud been asserted that no Union or colored mat could be employed on the. Western and At lantic lhiilrond. It was not true. He knew two-thirds of Hie employees, many of them, in all positions, had served in tlie Union army; nine-tenths of them had voted for Keconstruction. The officer at the head of tlie road was an earnest friend of the great cause In which we are engaged, and it was a fact that upon entering u|k)ii the dis charge of tlie duties of tlie office, the pres sure upon him to remove men for opinion's sake was so strong, that lie found it neces sary to publisii a letter on the subject. He made this correction for the purpose of doln justice to a patriotic and honorable citizen and an efficient officer. Mr. BLODGETT moved the previous question, which was sustained, and a vote on the question of postponing to January 8tli, was ordered; which Mug by a call of the yeas and nays resulted—yeas 77; nays 78. A motion to adjourn was lost on divis ion—yeas 48; nays 71. A division of the question was ealled for, and a vote was taken on that portion of tlie original proimsUion. which reads as follows; We tlie representatives of that majority are now striving to overcome tlie obstacles In tho patli of restoration to civil law, and therefore rcspcctfullv petition tho General commanding tills Disr strict that a Provis ional Governor he anjHMitcd who will assist in tills great work. Upon this question the yeas and nays were demanded and taken, ns follows: Yens — Adkins, Alexander, Anderson, Angler, Aslibiirn, Bentley, Bealrd, Bald win, J. Bell, J. C. Bowden, Blodgett, Bryant, Brown, Bracewell, Bryson, Brad ley, Campbell, Carson. Catching, Cussey, Caldwell, Clift, I. W. Christian, Clint- ters, Claiborne, Chambers, S. A. Cobb, Cos- tin. Conley. Crane, Crayton, Crumley. Cot- ting, Davis, Daley. Dinkins. Dunning, Dunnegan, Edwards, Ellington, Gibson. Gilbert, Good win, Gould ing, Guilford, Hall, X. H. Harrison, Higbec, Hlgdcn, Hopkins, Jackson, Joiner, Jones, Knox. Lee, Linder, Lumpkin, Madden. Maddox, Maul, Minor, 31.3Ioore, It. Moore, Murphy. Nea, Noble, Pal men Pope, Potts, Powell, Prince, Rey nolds, Rice. Richardson, Roz&r, Robertson, Sikes. Shields, sccley, Sherman, Stewart, Supple, Stone, Strickland, Turner, Walton, Wallace, Welch, Whitaker, Itobt. White- head. W. H. Whitehead, Whitley, Williams. Woodey, Yeates. Nays—Akcrman, Bedford, Madison Bell, A. Bowden, Bowers, Bigbce, Blount, Buchan, Burnet, Cameron, II. H. Christian, Cooper. E. S. Cobh, Cole, Crawford. Cutter, Dews, Fields, Flynn, Fort, A, O. Foster, T. J. Foster, Goves, Griffin, Harland, A. L. Harris, A. U. Harrison, Hotchkiss, Houston, Holcomb, Hooks. Howe. Hudson, Hutche son, Jordan, ‘Kees, King, Lott, Harier,- Mathcws, E. B. Martin, C. C. Martin, Philip P. Martin, McCoy, Miller, McWhorter, Saf- fold, Saulter, F. M. Smith, W. C. Smith, X. C. Smith, Speer, Shropshire, Shumate, Stanford, Stanley, Trammell, Traywlck, Waddell. So tlie motion prevailed. Mr. BLODGETT moved that the Conven tion adjourn. Carried, and the Convention adjourned until 10 o’clock to-morrow. Sufbkmk Court or Gkobou.—The Re corder, of the 17th, aaya: It is understood that tho Court, for the accommodation of the members of the Bar engaged In coses from many of the Circuits which have not yet been reached on tlie Calendar, will take a recess from Friday night next until Thursday after tiio first .Monday In January, 1808. Tlie Court meets daily at !) o'clock, a. m„ hoars argument until half-past 1, resumes at 3 and hoars argument until candle-light. Every Mon day and six nights of tlie week are devoted to tlie examination and decision of cases. As yet very few annunciations of points ivc lieen made. One of these is in accord with the United States Supreme Court, that greenbacks are a legal tender. £#**A paper is to lie started In New Lon don, Connecticut, next month, on tho co- o|M-ratlve system. ..11 who work on It— lltor.s, reporters printers, and imok-keep- •>—have invented money In it. TELFUItAl’lIlt' intelligence. Virginia Convention. Richmond, Dee. 17.—In tlie Convention, tlie Committee on Finance, to which was referred the icsolution Instructing the Au ditor to suspend tlie payment of any In terest on tlie State debt till the (invention is satislied there is enough In tlie Treasury to pay tlie whole, re|M>rted adversely to any action on tlie subject, having received the a—urancu that the Treasurer of the State would bo able to pay nil demands as presented. The report was adopted. A resolution not to interfere with tlie lease of a ferry, was laid on tlie table by a decided majority, ufter several speeches, in which tlie ground was taken that the Convention lmd no right to determine questions of law, or grunt injunctions, Afterwards a resolution appointing a committee to report whether tlie Conven tion has tlie power of legislation and to ask General Schofield's opinion, was laid on tlie table. Tho following resolutions were referred: For incorporating a provision into the Constitution that immigrants to this State are not to be sued In courts here for debts incurred before Immigration, and exempt ing a certain amount of real and personal property of such immigrants from seizure for debt. For changing tlie system of State laws from remedial to preventive. The pream ble to tills resolution refers to the prosti tution ot the liberty of speech and the press. For punishment for attempts to intimi date voters at tlie ratification election. For protecting loyal citizens from being distressed by disloyal tax collectors, for taxes levied years ago. A colored delegate offered a resolution prohibiting distinction on railroads and other public conveyances, on account of color, was referred. A resolution to adjourn for tlie holidays, and waive any claim to pay during tlie ad journment, was laid over. Adjourned. Isouiaiana Convention. New Orleans, Dec. 17.—Tho session of tlie Convention to-day was short. It adopted the report of tlie I’rlnthig Com* mitte as a whole, and adjourned to 12 o'clock to-morrow. Fire In Vicksburg. Finney’s carriage repository, and Leon ard Brother's livery stable and grocery, in tlie suburbs of Vicksburg, wero destroyed by lire lost night. Insured $40,000. In cendiarism. Congressional. Washington, Dec. 17. — Senate. — A resolution promothe of the promised «et- Moment of claims was Introduced. In the course of debate it was maintained that the accounting officers assumed too much Jurisdiction. 3Ir. Sherman reported t bill funding tlie debt, but its consideration was postponed until after the holidays. A resolution calling on the President for tho instructions to officers under tho act of 1862, to suppress tho rebellion and punish treason, with the amount of money real ized, and the names of tho victims, was adopted. Mr. Davis offered a resolution calling for the aggregate expenditures of tlie Freed- man’s Bureau since 18C5. ? Several Senators objected. Too much of tlie disbursements was for white refu gees. Pending the discussion, the morning hour expired, and tlie repeal of tlie cotton tax was resumed. Mr. Conkling, of Xew York, proceeded to say that a helping hand lmd been ex tended to those destitute communities. The direct tax had been suspended in all tlie insurrectionary States. Tlie tax had been removed from sugar, machinery and other articles which pertained to that communi ty. He would say now tint it would have been much better for those people If ono of the parties of tills country and tho visi ble head of tlie government lmd let them alone. If they had stopped swaggering about and talking about representation In Con gress, and gone to work to build up their Impoverished section, they would to-day have been much happier, and so would we. If tho tax was taken off. it would wipe out twenty millions of revenue, and they knew not where to go to replaee It. Mr. C. indi cated a disposition to vote for a reduction of the tax, but maintained that tlie proper course was to postpone the bill until Feb ruary or March, when the whole subject of revenue would come up, and gave notice of his Intention to make a motion to that effect. , Mr. Morton said cotton should not be en tirely exetnpl from the burdens of the gov ernment. The discussion assumed a political turn, and the subject was postponed for execu tive session, snd the Scnato adjourned. Bouse.—After the general business, Mr. Btevens introduces! a bill regarding recon struction. Objection was made, and the bill was postponed. This bills alters the provision requiring a majority ot tho registered voters for the new Constitution to a majority of the votes cast. The second section provides for tho elec tion of Representatives at the time of the election on tho constitution, who shall take their scats at the session suceedlng the one at which their States aro submitted. Section third provides that until a now apportlonmenttlie States shall be represent- foliows; South Carolina, six—two of whom shall be elected by tlie State ut large. North Carolina, eight—one to be elected by the State at large. Georgia, eight—one to be elected by the State at large. Flori da, one. Alabama, eight—two to be elect- t| by the State at large. 31is«issippi. six— ne to be elected by the State at large. Louisiana, six—ono to be elected by the State at large. Arkansas, three. No num ber of representative Is given lor Vir ginia. Tho Judiciary Committee was directed to continue the examination regarding Mary land's having a republican government. The House went Into Committee of the Whole, and after receiving Executive eom- munitcalons, adjourned. miscellaneous* Tlie nomination of Daniel Dim nett, as Collector of Customs for the Toche District of Louisiana, was withdrawn by the Pres ident. Dunnett can't take the test oath conscientiously. There was u long Cabinet session*—till present. Wak Department, i liure.au U, F. awl A. L • Washington, Dec. 11.18i>7.> With a view to the reduction of the nun - her of officers and agents of tlie bureau in places where their services can be best dis pensed with, it Is hereby ordered, that, with the exception of tho superintendents of education, on and after the fifteenth day of February, 1808, all officers and agents in tho following States be discharged, viz; Maryland, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee. The senior officer of tlie regular army in command of troops will be thereaf ter the assistant commissioner in the above named States. He will keep himself thor« oughly informed of the condition of the country within the limits of his command, and will have a small force available to send to any disturbed District where there shall be evident necessity of interference The superintendent of education in each State named will report to the Assistant Commissioner thus constituted who will assist him by every means in his power in fostering and extending tlie work of edu cation. All officers of tlie regular army relieved by tills order will report by letter to tlie Adjutant General for Instructions. 0.0. Howard. 3Iajor Gen. Com. Approved. U. S. Grant. Secretary of War ad interim. Official documents show that the diplo matic negotiations relative to the Alabama claims are closed, both adhering to their views. Tho Susqucliannuli lias arrived. Admi ral Palmer and Captain Burroughs arc dead. The Susquehannah’s machinery and boilers aro crippled, and her hull strained Revenue receipts to-day $270,000. Gen. Grant’s confidential letter regard ing tlie removal of Sheridan and Stanton Is published. It is quite strong, but its length, und tho fact that it bears on past Issues.'precludes the necessity of telegraph ing It. Nmv York, Du<p 18.—Tlie hawser of the steamer Vllle de Purls broke, injuring sev eral—some fatally. A severe earthquake, lasting twenty sec onds, was felt tills morning. It extended to the New England States, Canada, and ns far .South ns White Hall. Foreign, London. Dec. 18.—Nltro-glycorbie ex ploded while being removed by tlie police ofLyne. Several wero killed and nearly thu wlpilc party Injured. It supposed tlie glycerine was concealed there by the Fenians. Spain denies any intention of selling Cuba. A clinngc in tlie Austrian ministry is pending. Tho Abvssinlan expedition have readied Tscnnpc; water plenty and the nations all friendly. Congressional. Washington, Dec. 18.—Finale.—A me morial from tho Norfolk Board of Trade, asking tho repeal of the cotton tax, was tabled. A memorial from tho citizens of Arkan sas, affirming that outbreaks arc imminent on account of destitution in several of tlie counties. Tlie repeal of the cotton tax was resum ed, after whidi tlie President’s message re garding Hancock was read, when, amid considerable confusion as to its disposition, the Senate adjourned. Iloute.—A bill for the relief of soldiers, who deserted, was reported by tlie Milita ry Committee, and provoked discussion. It was contended that it restored officers who abandoned the Union for tho Confed erate army at tho commencement of tho war. The House went into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. The Hancock message was read amid considerable confusion, and ordered printed. The Reconstruction Committee’s bill, tho substaqce of which was telegraphed yes- tenlay, was resumed. Mr. Maynard gave notice of an additional section authorising the Conventions to es tablish Provisional Governments. Mr. Btevens withdrew th j section of the bill increasing the representation from the Southern States. Bnd tlie bill passed by a vote of 104 to 37—a strict party vote. Tlie bill as passed provides that a majori ty of the voters shall ratify the’ Constitu tion; members of Congress shall be elect ed acoordlng to the Congressional Districts existing in 1858. Tho same officers who make returns of the votes on the Consti tutions shall give cortilloatc* to Congress men. The House adjourned. JlHacellaneotift The President’s message is highly lauda tory of General Hancock’s order No. 40, and conclude*: “I respectfully suggest to Congress that some public recognition of General Hancock's patriotic conduct hi Arre»u of Itcfugcc*. due, If not to him to tin* friends of law and I Brownsville papers say that under orders Justice throughout the country. Of such from General Reynolds, refugees from an act as his, at such a time, it is but lit Mexico are being arrested In Brownsville, that the dignity should be vindicated and I and turned over to the Mexican aiithnri- thc virtue proclaimed, so that its value ns tics under charge of being deserters. an example may not be lost to the nation." Internal Revenue receipts to-day $345.- 000. Immense amounts of produce are frozen up in tlie Erie Canal. The House Committee on Piddle Lands lins reported a bill declaring forfeited the hinds granted Southern Railroads In leffUi. There are about 500,000 acres involved. From California* San Francisco, Dee. 18.—Tlie Dmim- eiatic caucus fails to nominate a n tor. Severe storms prevailed throughout • all- fornhi. CienoraU Pope and Ntvayiic. Montgomery, Dee. 18.—Tlie unofficial letter of Major General Pope to Suayne, dated November 20th, 1807, recently pub lished by the National Intelligencer, and aynopsized in the New York Herald's Washington s|>ecial dispatch of Deceml^r 12th, was genuine copy, which was furnish ed to tho reporter of tlie 3Iontgomery Mail and published In tliut paper by a prominent member of (he late Reconstruc tion Convention, who is one of the Radical nominees for Supreme Court Judge. The published document was a genuine verba tim copy of General Pope’s letter, and was furnished to tlie 31ail’8 reporter as impor tant information on account of personal enmity to Pope, because of his dictation and military surveillance over the Conven tion. General Swnyne will vouch for the genuineness of the letter, and Gen Pop** cannot deny it, hut regrets its publication. The other was copied to show to a num ber of members of tlie Convention to in fluence their action, and many influcncia! men declured that the published letter was a genuine copy. Prominent radical mem bers said these orders or letters of military commanders were dictatorial and insult ing. and they wished them published that tlie people might know wlnit commanders of military districts were doing to embar rass tlie reconstruction policy of the Re publican party. Alabama Affairs* The Advertiser says: *• 3fr. Granger, the slid iff, so-called, of Mobile, was in the city yesterday, ne visited tlie military head quarters, wearing an anxious lace us he went in and came out.” It will be recollected that a prisoner in 3tr. Granger's custody has sued out a writ of habeas corpus in Judge Busteed's Court, alleging that lie is restrained of Ids liberty by a man who Is not n legal officer. This involves the whole question of tlie consti tutionality of the reconstruction act. 3Ir Granger thinks that the act will be de clared unconstitutional, and tlie prisoner ordered to be set at liberty. It is shrewdly suspected that the so-called sheriff is peti tioning the military here to come to his aid In resisting Mr. Busteed. Accounts from the fanning districts re port great destruction of farmer’s stock.— It Is freed men who prowl niioiit tlie coun try and kill beef cattle, mdeh cows and hogs, and live by general pillage. In some sections tlie cotton Helds nre still white.— Labor is sought but cannot lie procured.— Many freedmen were dismissed because tholr term of service had expired, and others because they will not work, and from various causes tlie country is filled with thieving vagulmnds. But few’ freed men have made contracts as laborers for the next year, though ninny are anxious to do so. Preparations for farming next year are very circumscribed in consequence of the objectionable features in the new con stitution. In some sections the farmers require the freedmen to sign agreements to vote against tlie ratification of tho con stitution, on the ground that it ruins tlie planters. A great majority of the farmers aro hiring fewer laiiorers than ever before. Albert Smith, a frecdinan, has been ap pointed by Gen. Pope, a Justice of the Peace in Tuscaloosa county. Texas Election Ordered. New Orleans. Dec. 18.—In Special Or ders 213, dated to-day, Gen. Hancock gives notice of the election in Texas for Conven tion or no Convention, and delegates to tlie same. If carried, the Convention will bo held from February tho 10th to the 14th, inclusive. Ninety delegates to be elected. Tlie total registered vote Is 104,250. The revision of registration will commence fourteen days previous to the election. The order apportions delegates among the counties, and says no election will bo held in counties not organized, or In which there has been no registration. The elections will be held only at county seats. Each ballot presented by a colored voter must be marked colored by the Judge of the election board. Registers are charged with the conduct of the election, but if from any cause tny of the registers foil to perform their duty, their places will be filled by the county Judge, county clerk or clerk of the District Court; provided they can qualify, other wise the vacancies to be tilled by appoint ment of the balance of the registration board. Bales of liquors during the election Is prohibited. Military Interference, unless necessary to keep the peace at the polls, is prohibited. No soldiers will bo allowed to appear at the voting places, unless regis tered voters, and then only to vote; but post commanders are to be prepared to act promptly in case the civil authorities foil to preserve the peace. Sheriffs and officers arc required to be present, and are respon sible that there will Ik? iio interference. The Judges of election* and each regis trar or clerk is empowered to call upon tlie civil authorities, and In enw* of failure to respond to perform their duties during the election.