About Georgia weekly opinion. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1867-1868 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 1868)
GEORGIA WEEKLY OPINION. mns^m ATLANTA, GA., TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 28, 1868. ) TERMS—$3 00 'ft?. - . ^ J ? t, KTATK ( O VV ;i ::i •V/GTvrK!4'rr-Hffr'T>H DAY. . (XfcPOfcTZTM^l ..tf'-VvTJk (ltd T> * IL Y OPIKIOIf. I y, .'-*v4 ''.'’tyMii*. .1 n. 21, 1868. Convention'Vidrii :1ns regular hour. Prayer by theChnpialp. Journal read and approved. . - | ♦vJEh Tin* Convention re«innH the regular or der—the roii-iilerat|dn «»l the Rc>olutfon of Mr. AaIiburn, H&Uig that Congie^ eonfer upon the Convention the authority lUilfgateU'to iliH District ttonBnaiweipli* the 2<l motion of the ^qppiementnl !!• •- "ii- srrdctiun Act. pa^wd .Ally 16th. 18t>7. and for other pur;io*».** therein named. with the sulMtRotet offeredby UeMrH.Triir v ”noll and H'hitely. and the amendment of .Mr. Aker- man was rcaumed. The matters under consideration was a> follows: RESOLUTION OF MU. AKKIt.MAN. Resolved. That we, the Representatives of the People of Georgia, In Convention assembled, respectfully represent to the Congress of the United States, that It Is essential to the successful execution of the Reconstruction laws that the Provisional Government of this State should Ite execu ted by such persons only as are made eli gible by the following clause of the (Jth Section of the -Act to provide lor tin* more eflhbnt government of the rebel Slater.'* viz: -And no person shall In* eligible to any office underany >in*h J*ruvi*b>i»»l Gov ernment who Mould la* disqualified iroiu holding office umler the pnnUbm* of the f»Mi Article of said Constitutional Amend- meiit.*’ Said Section 3*1 of -aid Amend ment being. "No p« r-on shall la* eligible who. having previously taken an oath *- a member of t oiigres-. or as all ollleer of the United States or as a member of any state Legislature, or as an Executive or .hi ti dal ollleer oi any State, lo sup|Mirt the Constitution of tIn* United Stales, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort t<> the enemies thercoi.*’ And we there fore respectfully r* commend that, thl* Convention lie clothed with an operative authority the same as delegated to the District Commander, in .Section 2d of the Supplemental Reconstruction Act. passed July IP. ls«7. Resolved. That the Secretary be and be is hereby instructed to irausudt. at once, a copy of this resolution to the Speaker ol the "House of Representative* and to the President of the Senate. tu: OLUTIO.N OF Mil. TKA.MMKf.1. PK<’1*08FD AH A AI'IIHTITUTK FOR TtlF. HKSOl.UTION OF Mil. ArtllHl'UN. Resolved. That ourconfidence in the firm ness. idiilltv and Ihleliiv ot M ij. Gen. Geo. (i. Meade U*full.Hid complete. That weh. r - by express our opinion ihai he come, among Us to execute the laws of the United States, and that Ids power.- are complete and sidliciciit. and that he lias the wll: to effect the restoration of tht^State to Us full relation* a* a State ol the Union. I'KOltlHhD AMKNDMKNT OF MU. AKHKMaN. TO illl. KHHOl.U tlON OF MU. ASItUl'KN. - In such an net of Congrees. we desire that it shall be provided that no member of this Convention shall hold office in the Provisional State Government.” SUHSTITUTK OP If It. WH1TKI.Y. Preamble and Resolutions In reference to the re-organization of the State Govern ment, the removal of disutilities, and the modittcatlon of the Test Oath. Whereas, The Reconstruction Act* re cognizes the existence of a Government within the limits of Georgia, subject to the Military Commander of the District and the paramount authority of Congress, un der which certain officials hold office; and whereas, the time for which said officials were elected, as »et forth in the law* allowed to operate within aald limits. ha* expired, and said official* hold only bv reason of a (allure to provide their succes sors: and whereas, a great many of sal officials are hostile to. and are Insldlou-ly using their Influence againthe restora tion of Georgia to the Union, and by so doing an* not only seriously retarding the Work ofReeon*tructioii. but also material ly uflueting the prospects of the State; therefore. Resolved. That the Convention do hereby request the Legislative Department of tin Government of the United State* to au thorize this body to declare vacant tin* Chief Executive office of the State, and to fill the -aim*, a- well a* to provide for the removal, through the Chief Executive of ficer of the State thu* s. leet.il. of all per son* who an* hostile to Ueenn-truetf<>n.aud • idling of such vacancies by said K: Joln«. J6n«fc Jrofden. Kn.V. Olirtvr. 1ml LuntpktB, JftWJtWn. lftMot. H.ullf Mi thews, Martin, of Habersham, McIIan. lie- 0»r, Minor, .Moore,, of 'Mill". Moore, of Columbia, Noble, Palmer. Pope. PoWeU, Reynolds.Rice, Richardson. Hnj-al, Roberta, Sikes, Shields, Seeley, Sherman. Smith, of Charlton, Smith, of Coweta. Stewsrt, Supple, Stone, StrickDm’, To * i e.\ Walton, Wallace, Whitaker, Wbiteliea.!. of Bttrke, Whtteheal, of Butts, Whiteiv. *V'd- Uains. W’oodey, Wooten. Yeates—l>6 Nays— Men-r*. AdkinV Aslibtirn,Bell of If.nk.-; Bradley, Burnett.Campbell.Caroe- r* n. Christian, of Newton; Christine* Of I ai ly; Chatter-. Claiborne, Cobb, of Hou*- ion : i - ! I., nn. I "i t. Poster, of Pauld ing; Gibsons- Goodw in. Griffin. HarJand, Harrison, of Carroll; Houston, Hooks, liut-beioiu King, Knox*, Lae. Martin, of C'arr-dl; Marlin, of Calhottnl S.ifilter, Slidib. of Tbmna-; Speer. Shumate, Stan ford. Stanley, T rammell, Tray wick, Wad del 1-33. The question «»f the adoption ol the reso lution a* untended then came up, and on a call of the yea* and nay* resulted yeas 02, nays -14. as follows: Yens—Adkins. Alexander. Ander Atfhhiirn. BentleV. Bealrd, Baldwin. Bell of Oglethorpe. Bel) of Banks, Bowden of Cumniteil. Bowers, Blodgett. Blount. Bry ant, Brown. Brace well. Bryson. Campbell, Carson. , ateldug. Casey, Caldwell, (’lilt. Chatters, Claiborne. Clmtubers. Cobb of I Ion-ton. t obb ol Mail Ison, Costin. Conley, Crane. Craw lord, ('ray ton. Davis, Daley, Dews, Dinkins. Dunning, Dunnegan. Ed wards. Ellington. Gilbert. Golden, Griffin. Guilford. Harris of Newton. Harrison of flum-ork. IligU-c. lllgdeii. Ilotelikiss. Hop- kin-. Jaek-«»n. J due*. Jones. Jonlan, Kiiox, Linde.i. Lumpkin. Madden. Maul. Mathews. Martin <*t I la <i>li.tni. Mr I Ian. Minor. Moore of White. Mooie of Colmubbi. No* hie. Pidmer. Pop.*. Rolfs. Powell, Reynolds, Rice. Richard sou. Ifozar. Ronert*. Sikes, j-h'eld?. -c* lev. Slieriii ii. Smith ofChari- rI.'n. Siewali.* Nipple. Stone. Siriekl.itld. Turner. Walnui. Wallace. Whitaker. Wliib- l.cad of Burke. Whitehead of B Us. White- lev. Williams. Wo*.dev. Y« e—02. *Na\>—Me**r-. Bell of Banks. Bowden of Campbell. B. .ollcy. Burnett. Camiils*ll, Christian ol Newton. Christian of Earl}', Cooper. Cole. Dew-. Klyiili. Port. Poster of Paulding. Gib-on. Goodwin. Kurland, Harrison of Carroll. Harrison of Hancock, Hook., llowe. Hudson. 11 llteliesoll. Key. King. Lee. Lot. Maodox. Martin Ot Carroll. McCnv. Miller. Saulter. Smith of Coweta. Smith* or Thoina*. S|ieer. Shumate. Stan ford. Stanley, Trammell, Tray w.ck. Wad dell. Wooten—42. .*>«» the resolution as amended w: adopted. Mr. CONLEY moved to -u<pcnd tl rub- to e-.u-i'ler the loll*.wing rc-<»!i>- i*l alt i date es-ion Of til half pa-t tbr tive, Rt-olved. That tin* Convention. In Jus- flee to tin* friends of Reconstruction umh r, the Reconstruction Acts, do hen'hy request: the Department aforesaid to relieve all -uch of existing di-sa hill lies, that they may be i eligible to till the v icaneies thu* .-reated. | R* s.dved,That the ('(invention do further 1 reqrre-t the modification of the “Test Oath.” so a* to admit of all persons who have I aided or abetted the late war agaitiftt the j United States holding office therein, pro vided such persons heartily regret the past, and earnestly attached to, and determined to labor Ibr. the rc-unlon of the States on the Uvsis of the lteconstrucsion Acts. Resolved, That a copy of thu foregoing preamble and resolutions bo forwarded by the President of the Convention ;o me President of the United States, the Presi dent of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr. BLOUNT was called to the Chair, when Mr. PARROTT resumed Uls remarks In opposition to the resolution. At the close oi his remarks. Mr. BRADLEY offered a substitute for the original aud amendments, which wp ruled out order. Mr. PRINCE moved the previous ques tion, which motion, on division, was sus tained, and the resolution and amendment! were read. The question recurred upon the substi tute by Mr, Whitcly, and the yeas and nays were called, and resulted—yeas M, nays 38 at follows: Yeas—Messrs. Alexander. Bedford. Bent ley. Bealrd. Baldwin. Bell, of Oglethorpe. Bowden, of futnpMl. Bower*. Blodgett, Blount. Bryant. Brown. Bmcowell. Bry son. Carson. Catching, Casey. Caldwell. Cilt, Chii11»her* Cooper. Costin. (Job*. Con- lev, Crane. Crawford. Crayton. Davis Da le v, Dinkins. Dunning. Dunncgui. Ed wards. Ellington. Gilbert. Golden. Gull- ford, Harris, of Newton, Harrison, of Han cock.* iligbee. Higdon, ffotehklso. Hol combe, Hopkins, Ifowe, Iludsou, Jackson. ib’-olved. That fn t!i«*i •* -Irnll Is* uu alt Convention, comuei o'clock. The motion to -u<pen<l was lost. On motion oi Mr. KaRRIS, »»f Newton tie* rules were suspended, a ml the report of the ( ominitteuon Relief taken lip. On motion of Mr. BEDFORD the re port was made the i|»cciul order for the first day of February. On motion leave of absence was granted to Messrs. Angler and Safluid. Mr. TURNER moved to suspend the rules to allow the introduction of the fol lowing resolution: Resolved. That no member herealtcr be allowed to *|H*ak oxer 15 minutes, without permission ol a majority of the member* of this Convention. Motion lost. On motion of Mr. MAUL, the Messenger wa* instructed to have the Hall vctitillated dally, by removing the ufiper Bglits of the window*. The Convention adjourned till 10 o'clock to-momm*. TWENTY-FIFTH DAY. [KEFORTAD LXFRKHftLY FOR TUB DAII.Y ONXIOX-I WkdnfhdaY. Jan. 22. lsfijj. Convention met ut regular hour. Pray er by the chaplain. Journal read and ap proved. (piorum present. During the reading Mr. A8HBL’RX gave notice of a protest agnln-t certain portions of the re-oluthni adopted, which he would prepare iiiul a-k t.» h.i\o spread upon the Jou icd fo-niorrow. .Mr. ('ALDIVELL, r»)*e to a privileged question. eritK l-ing tlie act* of aumv ol the Reporter- on the floor. Mr. ArtllBl KN moved to reron-Id* r -■ much of the action of the Convention yes terday a- relates to the question of relief, and briefly *up]>orted the motion. Mr. BRYANT called for the previous question, and the call was sustained. The question of monslderatlon was car ried. on dlvDion. yea* 71, nay* 60. Mr. COSTIN rose to a question oLprivi- iege. in connection with the reports of the Intelligencer, and letter* of the New York Herald. Mr. BRYANT referred to the letter of the Herald, and moved the appointment of a committee of investigation, to ascertain who the correspondent was. Mr. RIC1IUKDSON called attention to the erroneous character of the reports of the Intelligencer ot this morning. Mr. BRADLEY moved to expel "Troupe,” an anonymous correspondent, and that be fore he be expelled be be brought beforo the bar of the Convention and repri manded. The whole subject was laid over. Mr. CAMPBELL moved to reconsider the vote on the final passage of Mr. White- ley’s resolution. On motion of Mr. CONLEY the motion of the question of reconsideration was laid on the table. Mr. BRYANT moved to suspend the rules to allow the introduction of a resolu tion in relation to objectionable Reporters. Carried, and the resolution was passed, as follows: Res'dvcd, That n committee of five I o npiadtitcd to investigate the charges luade again.: Reporters of the press, »vW hl'tc seat* on ilie tWr of the Convention, and that the Committee be Instructed to report immediately. Messrs. J. K. Bryant. 8et*!ey. Edward-. Whitehead of Butt.*, and Waddell were ap pointed said committee. Mr. BRADLEY read a paper bearing on the subject, which he asked to be referred to tho Investigation Committee. Mr. AS1IBURN moved that tho 'question of relief be inode the special order for Monday next. Carried. Mr. BURNETT moved a suspension of the rolcnj for’ the piirpoxi of* ^Bering the following resolution: Whereas, In one of the Journal* of this city t K ere recently appeared on m tide do- during that one Aaron A. Brullov wjk tried and convicted of a fdunvii* tin* State of New York, was -entcrn e'l'to tw.iynu* impri-omnent in Bing Mug lVnitentiary of lbat State, and Whereas, There I-in ilil* Convention a delegate answering to tin; name of Aaron A. Bradley, and Whereas. It 1* due alike to till* Conven tion. as well as the delegate Aaron A. Bradley, that tho fact of identity relm-ed to Is* Investigated. Therefore. Be it Icesolvcd. That the President of till* Convention do appoint a special com mittee of seven to investigate the truth or falsity oi the charge* made in said publi cation, and report the result thereof tit the earliest hour possible to this Convention. Tho rules were suspended and the reso lution was unanimously adopted. Messrs. Burnett. Bryant. Bealrd, Costin. Whitcly. Cole and McCoy were appointed the committee required under the resolu tion. Mr. BELL, of Banks, moved a *u*pen- *ion of the rules »o allow tho introduction of a resolution, which was read. The rules were sn.-iHuided and the resolution was read and adopted, as follows: Whereas. The |x*ople of the North East- • hi portion of tlieS* ate are almost entirely deprived ol in.til faeilities, and especially of any means of direct communication with Atlanta, one ol the principal coin mercial cities of the Mate: Resolved. That this Convention do re eoiiituetid the rc-c*tiihli*liment of the tri weekly mail route and Bnc of hacks from Gainesville to Andersitn C. II- South Caro- liniL by wav of Homer, Carnesvlllo and I bird well. Resolved. That the Secretary immediately foiward to the proper authority a copy of the above resolution with a request that tin* route be immediately established. Mr. CONLEY moved a suspension of the rules to take up tin* resolution providiu; for two se-shms p**r day. Motion lost. The Convention then went into Committee ot the Whole on the Bill of Rights, Mr. Conley in the ( 'hair. The section os reported wa* a* follow*: Skc. 12. Every tierson charged with of- f'eii-e against the law* of the State, shall nave the privilege aud benefit of counsel; •hall la* furnl-hed. on demand, with a copy of the accusation and list of the witnesses on whose testimony the charge against him I* founded; shall have compulsory process to obtain the attendance of ids own wit nesses; shall be confronted with the wit nesses testifying against him, and shall have a public and speedy trial by an im partial Jury of the county wherelu the offense shall have been committed. Mr. IVflfTELY moved to insert the word “an” before the word '‘offense” in the flrst line. Agreed to. Mr.lIIGBEE moved to amend by strik ing out the w’ords "privilege nnu benefit of counsel,” and insert the words “right to be heard by himself and counsel,” and at the close of the section the words “of the county wherein the offense shall have been committed.” Mr. BEDFORD moved to strike out the words “on demand.” The motion was lost on division. The amendment of Mr. lltGBKE wo* also lost, so the section was adopted a* fol lows: Sfc. 12. Every person charged with of- fcn*«Hgnin»t tho laws of the State, shall have the privilege and beneflt of counsel: shall be furnished, *»n demand, with a copy of tin* accusation and li-r of the witne-.-ec on who*e testimony the charge ug:iln-t him * founded; shall haveeoiupiikory prove-* to obtain tin* attendance of III* own wlt- ne*>c-»; shall Ik* confronted with tho wit nesses testifying against him, and shall have a public aud speedy trial by an Im partial jury. Section 13 wa* rea l find adopted, a* fol- Sf.c. 13. No person shall bo put iu jeop ardy of life more than onco tor tho same ollhii!. save on hi* or her own motion for i new trial, after conviction, or iu ea*eoi mistrial. Section 14 wa* read a* follows: ••No conviction shall work corruption of blood, but conviction ot tre.i*on shall work a general forfeiture of estate during the lile of the person attainted.” Mr. McCAY moved to strike out the ward “but” and Insert “no” alter the word blood, and the word* “longer than” alter the word estate. Carried. Mr. BROOKS withdrew his amendment* ind the section was adopted as follows: “No conviction shall work corruption of blood, and no couvlction of treason shall w ork a general forfeiture of estate longer than during the life of the person attaint ed.” Section 16 waa read as reported, as fol lows: Sxo. 16. Treason against the State of Georgia shall consist only In levying war against the State, or giving aid ami com fort to the enemies thereof. Mr. MILLER moved to amend by strik ing out the worda “passing an ordinance of secession,” and inserting the word “only” In lieu thereof In the tint line, and by striking out tho word* “or the United States.” Mr. BRYANT moved to amend by triklng out the word* “passing an onlin- mce of secession,” and inserting “attempt ing to sever It* connection with the gov ernment of the United States.** Mr. McCAY moved an amendment by aiding to the section as proposal to be iinomlci) by Mr. Miller, the words, “No person shall be convicted of treason ex* ccpt upon the testimony of two witnesses a* to the overt net, or confession In open Court." Before a vote was taken the commltteo rose, reported progress, and nsked leave to On motion of Mr. ASHBURN, three day s leave of absence was granted to Mr. Chamber*. Mr. Ifcf 'AY move,] to suspend tho rule? to allow thepitroductlon.ot tho following resolution: lte*«,1 trial, t.- it a eunimiUyc of lUr»*o bo .inpviq&Md.’'rli.iTm lion. John Ernkinc. Judj/ynyf ilP* i>V i let Cutrft of the United Slit ?', who h !«* v in till* city, that tho » .invention In. t<*nd«*iv.u him a *at upon if- floor. 3nd to inform him that the Con vention. w ill ho pica.-ed with hk presence at The rules were 'suspended, and the reso lution unanimously adopted. Tho Chair announced the following committee:— M"*-r.« MeCay, Crane and Marlcr. Uu motion the Convention adjourned uniil 10o'clock to-morrow. ( uiiunuTioNV—We are requested by Mr. Griffin to state that his name was recorded wrong, by the Opinion and Intelligencer, ye-terday. on the Anal vote adopting Mr. Whitcly'* substitute. lie voted in the ii'gativo. ^ Ukportkk. *r i : *.» :<; it a i*i: i < • i \ t i : gi.k; ks c r.. JIKaUiL.niToiivc niton. Jackson. Mis*.. Jm. 2 ; >.—In the Conven tion n—obit ion- wo:" a iuiicd t«> petition vcnii until rcc* n«trm*Uoii completed. To appoint a committi • t<» wait upon and urgu General Glilcm to k-uo an order proliibiting sheriff* of the State to enforce any sales under execution until further or- A lengthy ordinance on elections and qualilicalion* of officers and other* wa*- offered, and referred to the Committee on Sii 11 rage. The following are it* salient feature*: Of any election held by the people under this Constitution or in pursuance of any law of this State, or under any ordinance or by law of any municipal corporation, no person shall be deemed aquallllcd voter who has ever been in armed hostility to the United State* or the authorities there of. or cv;er given aid, oomlbrt, countenance or support to persons engaged in such hos tility, or even in any manner adhered to the enemies thereof, foreign or domestic, either by contributing to them unlawfully or 'by sending within their lines money, goods or letter* of information, or ever disloyully held communication with such enemies, or ever advised or aided any per son in the service of such enemies, ever by open act or word declared adherence to tho cause of such enemies, or desired them to triumph over the armies of the United States, or ever, except uudor overpow ering compulsion, submitted to the author ity or been Jn the service of the so-called Confederate States of America, or ever left this State and went within the lines of the armies of the so-called Confederate States of America for the purpose of adhering to said States or tho armies thereof, or ever left thU State for the purpose of avoiding enrollment or draft into the military ser vice ot thu United States, or ever, in order to escape performance of duty in the mili tia of this State, enrolled themselves or caused themselves to be enrolled as disloyal sympathisers, or having ever voted at any election held by flie people of till* State in any* of the State*, or held office in this State or any other of the United Mute*, and shall thereafter have sought, rei-elved or clainu-d the nllcglan t or protection of any foreign government through any eou- * d or ottu r officer thereof, in order to se cure exemption IVoiii military duty In the army of the Ulilted State*. Nor shall any -Hell person be capable ot holding iu t d* Staio any office »t trustor prollt uutler Its authority, of being an ollidiir or counsellor or any manager of a public* corporation now existing or hereafter c»t-ibli*lied by It* authority, or acting a* profes sor or teacher in any edin-ntlpnul In stitution. common school or other m-IiooI tallied In whole, or in part by fund* provided by law. Every elec tor ‘drnll take and subseribo the following oath to be known a* the oath of lo\ alty, but the taking of said oath shall not lie deemed conclusive evidence of the right of noli person to vote or be registered ns n ,*oter: “I —> do swear 1 am well acquaint ed with the terms of the third section and article of the constitution of the .State of Mississippi, adopted ir the 18C8; have care fully considered tho same, and have never directly or Indirectly, done any acts in said section specified; have always been truly loyal on the side of the United States against all the enemies thereof; foreign and domestic; will always bear true faith and unqualified allegiance, and will support the Constitution and laws thereof as the supreme law of the land, any ordinance of any State to the contrary notwithstand ing; will always, to the best of my ability, protect and defend tho Union of the Uni ted States, and not allow the same to he broken up or destroyed, or the government thereof destroyed or overthrown under any circumstances if in my power to pre vent it; will always discountenance and j oppose all combinations, plan* or efforts having for tlictr objects the dissolution of the government; will always work by word or deed, and demean myself as a loyal and fulthftil citizen of the United States; will support said Constitution of the State of 3H«*!**Jppi; that I accept tho civil and politi cal equality of all men, and agree not to attempt to deprive any perron or persons on account of race, color or previous con dition of the politico), religious or civil rights and privileges or immunities enjoy ed by any other class of men* I make this oath without any mental reservation or evasion, and hold it to be binding upon me after the Adoption of this Constitution.” All State, county and municipal officers, member* of the General Assembly, and Judges shall subscribe to said oath, and every Court in which any person shall he summoned to servo ns a grand qr petit ju-o:, .ifKWaJiwM '-Ah, Any person refusing, slum not serve as a ju f Any person exercising the functions spoMlled without having taken tho oath of loyalty, on conviction thereof shall be punished by a line of not less than $300 Imprisonment In the county jail not less than six months or both. Whoever takes said oath falsely, on con viction, shall be adjudged guilty of per jury, and punished by imprisonment In tho penitentiary for not less than two year*. Every male citizens of the United States, without regard to race or color, over the ago of twenty-one years, not disqualified by tho provisions of this Constitution, and complied with the laws in other respects, shall boa qualified voter. E.ouIn!uiia Convention. Xkw Oklranh, Jan. 20.—In tlio Conven tion a motion wa* adopted suspending tho payment of sundry warrant* issued for the payment of stationery bills until the pie«tioii < f extravagant extortion is ir.- vestlgated. The Convention adopted article* S3 and 81, under the title of the Judiciary Depart ment. Month Curollnn Convention. Chablkston, Jan. 20.—To-day the Con vention wa* occupied in receiving resolu tions, all of which were referred to the committee* for action. The first business probably will be the report of the commit tee providing for the payment of the mem ber* mid officer* of the body. Among the resolution* i* one which propose* that all State Institution*, universities, public school* and colleges shall open their door* to negroes; another, that negroes •hull be admitted at hotel* and places of entertain ment. Proposition* are abundant to relieve the people from indebtedness. Virginia Convention. Richmond, Jan. 20.—In the Convention, among the resolution* this morning, the was one for disfranchising ex-men bor* of Congress and all State and city of ficers, from Governor down to policemen. It was laid over. The eighth section of the BUI of Rights was adopted after the defeat of an amend ment declaring suffrage inherent, by a vote of 47 to 80. The amendment offered to the BUI of Rights Saturday, declaring Virginia a co equal member of the General Government, and entitled to all the benefits and subject to all the burdens as other States, was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Arrival ot Gen. Grant* General Grant and lady arrived here this afternoon, and Is stopping with Post master Sharp, Grant's brother-in-law. Among other trustees of the Peabody fund who have arrived, aru Ex-Governor Fish Samuel Wetmore, of New York, Win. A. Graham, of North Carolina, John H. Gifford, G. W. Riggs ot Washington, Hnd William C. Rives, of Virginia. Oov. Aiken, of South Carolina, arrives to-mor row iu time for the meeting of the trus tees at tho Spottswood Hotel. rongrc«Nionnl. Washington, Jan. 20.—Senate—Among be memorial*, is one from tho City Con ti ll and Chamber of Commerce of New Oi lcan*, relative to lands for building tlio Opelousas and Orleans Great Western Road. The Secretary ot the Treasury wa* called on for vessels purchased during the war and their cost. The Senate refu-ed to recede from it- cotton tax amendment. Unde appointed Me*»r*. Sherman, Cunkling and Merrill for the conference. Tim Senate refused to recede from It* amendment to tho antl-contraetlon bill. A Committee of Conference was up- pointed. The consideration of the case of Senator Thomn*, from Maryland, was resumed, and, without action, the Senate went Into ex ecutive session and adjourned. Zfotitt*—Among the bills Introduced was one to compel steamboats to carry the new ly Invented fire exterminators. One to amend the bankrupt law. One to pay of ficers, musicians and soldiers for hones lost during service. Several regarding Immunities of American citizens abroad. The reconstruction bill was resumed.— Mr. Butler’s amendment, vacating the of fices and allowing tbe Conventions to fill them, failed without reaching a vote. Tbe House adjourned. MiicflUneovi, Gen. Grant has gone to Richmond. Gen. Sewell, who has traveled from Holly Springs to New Orleans, thence to Vicksburg via Baton Rouge, reporta to the Bureau a very unsettled state of affair*, and them Is no telling what the result may be. Great destitution exists, but no ata:- vation. Tho planter* without means com-i paratlvely fe v plant itlcns will be worked this year, with comparatively more atten tion to cereals. Few contracts have yet been made with the Freediii«*h. Noorgan- Ized plau on the part of planters for gov erning freedmen’s wages. A limited amount of rations will bo required In the river country In Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. There is little cause for appro* bension on the inlands. Gen. Sewell re ports that many of the Bureau agents and citizens are worthless, and suggests care In their selection. Alfred Kent, Postmaster at Gonzaler, Texas; Wm. Hebbner, Postmaster at Shreveport, Louisiana; and Albert G. Grlglcy, General Appraiser of Merchan dise for tho South, have been nominated, Tlio Secretary of tho Treasury sen .5LtUbBmuiC4Gaii WjSSng cotton claims. Tt appear* that tho Court of Claim* denied the appeal to the Supremo Court, and that tlio Secretary, after ascer taining a* nearly as possible, the net amount duo on Judgments of the Court of Claims paid them. Tho Chief Justice was not on the bench to-day on account of sickness, thus caus ing much disappointment and delaying the McCardle decision. Consul Heap reports to tho Stato Depart ment, Dec. 20th, general starvation In and around Tunis. A few days before, one hundred and nine persons died in one day In Tunis. The greatest number one day was one hundred and forty-two. The Christians, numbering ten thousand, are very poor, and are aided by the Jews, who number twenty thousand. Tho trial of Surratt is set for the 24tli day of February. The House Conference Commltteo on the cotton tax is composed of Logan, Maynard and Brooks. From Augusta. Augusta. Jan. 20.—Governor Jenkins has arrived here. There was a heavy rain accompanied by thunder this evening. AVn»hiii|ffoii Itcm«. Washington, Jan.21.—In a conversation respecting the present situation and his future purposes, the President said: "A modification, perhaps. I might say a de cided charge of public sentiment in the North ha* the consequence, one who holds fast to a principle when a majority was arrayed ngain*t him. i* not likely to loosen his hold upon it when so much of the pressure has been removed.” Florida Convention. Tau.aiiahikk. Jan. 21.—Delegates to the Convention met at the Capitol yesterday There wa* barely a quorum. Temporary officer* art* all negroes. A permanent or-, ganizatlon was effected. Daniel Richards (white) of Fernandtna. elected President; Clilmty White, editor of the Florida Times of Jacksonville, Secretary; a negro was elected assistant Secretary. Most of the subordinate officer* arc negroes. So far the Convention appears entirely In the hands of extremists. For the Opinion.] Hall of tiik Geo. Con. Convention,} Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 22,18U8. s Editor Opinion—Sir: In the Convention to-day it was asserted that the correspon dent of the New York Herald and the re porter of the Intelligencer were one and the same person. Although this statement was subsequently partlycorrccted, I desire, through your columns, to publicly deny the charge. The correspondent of the New York Herald has never written one line, or made n single report for any other paper than the one on which he Is employ ed. In fact the employees of tho New York Herald are too liberally remunera ted for their services to require employ ment from any other Journal. Respectfully, your obt. servant. A. St. Clair A whams. Special (Virre-pondent of the Herald. [Before the close of the day** proceed ing*, Mr. Caldwell and other gentlemen stated that they were mistaken in saying that the Fame gentleman was reporting i :• the New York Herald and Iutcllr- Mr. Waddell also informed the Convention that the reporter for the latter ?•. i ln*<*n changed since January 11th.—R: - rouTiut Opinion.] County New*. * iv>: Taking the f • t, R t’ e Bankrupt uot is quite a popuhu :.di:g up about Cuthbert and in Randolph , oun- ty. Some two hundred application* will be made to take this “swear,” from that sec tion, at the next session of the Bankrupt Court. Grant and Raymond.—The New York Times—the great political trimmer of the nineteenth century—defends the action of Gen. GraLt (n surrendering the Fort Folio of War to Mr. Stanton. When Stanton was removed, the Times, If we correctly remember, applauded that action also. Will Not Voix—Tbe leading men of the Democratic party In Alabama are ad* vising their followers not to vote In a Ra tification election, to be held In that State on the 4th and 6th of next month. Turned Up.—Harry Macarthy, “the Ar kansas Tragedian,” ts playing In Mont gomery. ThUU the flrst time we remem ber to have heard from “Hairy” since the days of the Confederacy. Gov. Jenrins at Home.—T1i» fort that Ex-Gov. Jenkins arrival at bis home in Augusta amid a thunder Bt^rm.dop* not seem to posses any ven striking point* of significance. Died Hippy.—au old Human, named F razler, hired a bed in a bulging house in New York, the other night, ami was found dead next morning with a bottle of whisky under her pillow.
