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CONSTITUTION PUBLISHING CO. ATLANTA, GA„ TUESDAY, Dtt EMBER M. ief«. anr.tilulifln. Trlcblnoua I»orU In CblniffO. Chicago ho*a health eonuntasioaer, and she has plenty of hogs. The commis sioner suspected that the city had in her | liogs eomething besides pork; and he, It appears now, in addition lo our other, therefore, inaugurated an exploring expo- inherit.. U»t PML ShtriJ^i know. >, Ur employed II. F. Atwood, ATLANTA, 0A.. DECEMIiEK SI. U7K. phrase or two of Latin. This is the worst ] preauient of the state microscopical d»lli« republic liw ever »*. an<l j*. W. T. IielfieM, demon- t'rk w.th .u-ll-pu., why do*Jhon | h |ok , t Uie Roijh me , licaI Zm*? " an.l armed them with Bollock ' • I binocular microscope* that have an Tnk Yickiihurx Commercial rays that Mr. J amplifying power of seventy-five diamt* roll county; and Mr. Bell, a bill to define unlock the vastest secret of this earth, the class of post-offices at which money- t If the expedition has prospered, and OLD NED’S CHRISTMAS G$ Hayes has pit the south l»y the tail. This is a very bad piece of news, if it is true; and the fact that Mr. Hayes would lie re|- rehensihie enough to catch anything by the tail will, doubtless, offend the exceptional morality of the amiable Rodgers, the private secretary of the administration. In Turkey they aay of a man who is dead that he is tired. In America they say more fluently and probably more sincerely that lia has retired. And yet even this is a vie Jation of that tkith which should exist be tween nations. Neither Stewart nor Van derbilt has retired. Their remains still re main. Tub recent call for a little over ten millions of 5-20 bonds wipes up the bal ance of the immense issue of 1865. In all (),18Q/>41 t <f00of six per cent, bonds have been funded in bonds hearing a lower rate of interest. The other bond* of *hc six-per-cent, series now outstand ing are ..*««,we, juo Mr. Hemphill, of Ablieville, who is an editor and a memlier of the South Carolina legislature, is not a strict dis ciple of Calhoun, for he wants the legislature of his state to instruct its representatives in congress “to use all u proper means to secure such legislation u in congress as will prevent any pro- *‘ducerof cotton in the United State* ** from planting more than six acres of ** cotton in the United States to each "mule used by such producer in culti- M vAting the soil." The offering of such a resolution, even as an argument, is a striking Illustration of the odd times Upon which we have fallen. Mr. Stewr-ns has by no means aban doned the goloid dollar. Ho has pro cured a number of sjiecimcns of the pro posed dollar. It contains 75 centigrammes of pure gold, 12 grammes and 75 milli grammes of pure silver, and ouc gramme 425 milogramiiics of pure copper. It weighs I I) grammes, which is a little less than 220 grains. It is slightly larger in diameter, hut not so thick as the half- dollar, and is inca|»ahle of being split. It is the exact equivalent of the present gold or silver dollar. The reverse of the metric dollar is ornamented by the words "United States of America, 100 cents," within the outer circumference, and a chain of .'18 stars to represent the states of the union, within which an? inscribed the words, "iioloid metric 1 G,16.1s, 1.0 conta, grammes 1425," arranged in tabular form. On the obverse are 13 stars, to represent the original states, the words "K piurihus unum," and a finely cut fignre-heud of liberty and the figures 1878. ters. From the flesh of each of the first hundred hogs they came to they cut two pieces—one from the tenderloin and the other from the ham—cutting the pieces Into longitudinal sections so that they could be placed under the instru ment. Eight per cent, of the Ixign were found to be infected with the terrible trichina, some badly, while in others only comparatively few were found. In the lat ter the worms were invariably found. in the tenderloin, the latter being in all cases the most affected part. In one of the hogs 13,000 parasites were found to the cubic inch, the smallest number being thirty-five. These facts are official and startling. The hogs that were examined were not of any particular class; they represented the average slaughtered hog of Chicago —of any other western city for that mat ter. It may be set down as a fact that eight per cent of the pork of the coun try istrichmoiifl. And there is noway to assort the hogs while alive, for trich- inoua hogs arc not generally out of health. The ex|>erts of the Chicago health com missioners report the results of their ex periment with a white rat three weeks old. They fed him on trichinous pork until he was three months old. The rat thrived amazingly on the food, and when killed it was found to be literally alive with trichina from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. Nor can trich ina be infallibly detected in the carcass of meat except through the use of a microscope; and Bullock microscopes are not thrown in with every box of baron. If |H»ople will eat pork they must eat trichnia. That much is established. It will be freely granted tlfat live trichnia are not a desirable diet. \Ve cannot con veniently detect their presence, and our safety therefore lies in killing them be fore eating. This can be done by a thorough cooking of the pork. They can not stand heat, although they can stand ithout any perceptible loss of vitality salting, smoking or other forms of ordi nary pickling. The Chicago microeco- pists, however, say that if a small quantity of sulphurous acid be used in parking hams it will kill the worms without injuring the pork. It permeates the ham, and yet it is readily expelled. The HIM Luml Troubles. The full and exhaustive re]»oit made in our issue of yesterday, concerning the troubles that have arisen in this state on account of the manner in which the wild land tax laws are executed, will serve an admirable purpose. It will give to the people of the State a true, unvar nished mass of data upon a subject with which they have been no little concerned for many months. Complaints are legion all over the State, many of them just, many of them unreasonable Inrause the facts are tnisund£- stood, but in the light of the revelations which Tnx Coxsrrnrnox has deemed it due to the people to moke, the real causes and the true evils may be han dled. That the present law concerning the returning of wild lands for taxes, the jisyment of taxes thereon and the sale of inch lands under tax fi. fas. for default, is radically defective, no one conversant with the law will deny. To its faultsand omissions may be traced the origin of difficulties that have produced the most aggravating confusion between the peo ple and the officers of the law. Its exe cution has worked numerous hardships while its true interpretation is a matter nf conflicting opinions ami a subject yet to Is* determined by a tribunal higher than any that Inis yet given a deliverance upon the matter. The laws need either oleur (Id'miiionnr sensible amendment, and the wrongs, hardships and opportu nities for oppression and double-dealing under it will continue until one or the other mode of relief is obtained The system of land speculation which the facts show has sprung up under cover of this law is one that can only produce the widest dissension and the grossest detriment to the true interests of the state. A law, in this day and generation, which permits enormous amounts ol land to lie ahsorbed by a small combination of speculators anti held at nominal values and at low rates of taxation, to the exclu sion of progress, development and the general improvement of the state, is in itself pernicious and m its effects disas trous. A landed monopoly, as much as a landed aristocracy, is an eye-sure republic, and the State of Georgia is not in a condition, financially or industrially, to permit the consummation of a scheme that would create either. The facts given in our article are start ling, not only aa to the extent of these operations, but as to the ease and safety with which they are conducted by the speculator*. It is not to be wondered at that the people, who. in their poverty and distress, have seen their landed pro perty , useless as it might be, swiftly and surely pawing from them under color of law, have cried out against the system ami denounced the perpetrator* of these acts as members of "a ring." We do no more than produce the facts, and it is ft the wronged to bring their complaints to the proper forum and demand redress. The subject will ba one of the leading topic* in the next session of the general sembly, ami the whole system, as it now stands, will be probed to the very bottom. If there has been wrong, fraud, or conspiracy, against the rights of citizens or property, there still remains a mode for correction. If no evil has been willfully perpetrated, and the system alone is in fault, that will find speedy attention. The results of our investigation, so fairly and fully made, are impartially given ami they warrant the people in demanding a reform in the wild land "laws. Tliat reform cannot be too sweep ing in its nature or too prompt in its ap- Tlic Next House. We are down to bed-rock at last. We can now "figure up" the next house without putting in any conjectural work to bridge over gaps in the mass of facts. In the second North Carolina district Mr. Kitchen, democrat, finally carried off the certificate of election, and our dis patches of this morning show that Mr. Hull, democrat, was awarded the certifi cate for the second Florida district. The hitter squeezed in by thirteen majority. These determinations make the ]>olitical complexion of the next house stand as follows: Democrat* Republicans...... National* The unfilled scats are those A Cali fornia, now represented by two demo- rats and two republieans, and that of the twelvth New York district in which Mr. Smith, representative-elect, died on the night of election day. Mr. Smith was a republican, but the district as between the two old parties is overwhelmingly democratic. Governor Robinson, who ill name the time of the new election, is also a democrat. It is, however, use less to speculate upon the manner in which the five seats will be filled. In the table we have assigned to the republicans such men as Mr. Barlow, and to the democrats Mr. Stevenson of Illi nois, Mr. Ladd of Maine, Mr. Wright of Pennsylvania, and all others whose in tentions have !>eon declared or are well understood. The ten nationals are Mr. Ix>we of Alabama, who with radical aid defeated a democrat, and is likely to act with the republicans; Mr. Forsythe of Illinois, who l>eat a democrat with re publican assistant; Mr. I>e Iai Matyrof Indiana, who was elected with demo- ratio aid, hat will go into neither caucus; Messrs. Weaver and Gillette of Iowa, looted with democratic aid, and, it is understood, pledged to act with the demo crats in organizing the house; Mr. Murch of Maine, elected over the candidates of both parties; Mr. Ford of Missouri, •looted by republican help; Mr. Bussell of North Carolina, elected by republican aid, but vehemently anti-Blaine; Mr. Yocum of Pennsylvania, who beat Cur tin with republican assistance, and Mr. Jones of Texas, elected over a regular democrat. On the general run of party questions it is therefore likely that the nationals will divide themselves equally between the two parties. If the five vacancies are captured by the radicals, if the ten nationals go over in a body to the repcbl caucus, the democrats will still liave five majority. There is no way of depriving the democrats of a working majority. This insure* justice as to the contested seats, which are legion. All of the Iowa seats but two are in doubt because it is not settled whether the October ot* the November election was the leg** one. Governor Curtin will contest Mr. Yocum’s scat, Mr. McCabe Venezuela Orth’s, Mr. Donnelly, of Minnesota Mr. Wash- burne’s, and Mr. King of Wisconsin will try to oust Mr. Hazleton. If the three last named contestants are successful, the Indiana delegation will be democratic regardless of Mr. De La Matyr, the Wis consin delegation would be tied, and the Minnesota delegation democratic. These rliacgcs would give the democrats twenty states, the republicans having sixteen. order offices shall be established, a bill for tike relief of Elias Murphy and James M. Cooper, of Georgia, a bill for the relief of Thomas A. Emmett and James M. Coop er, and a bill for the relief of Fran cis C. Bell and James M. Coop er. Mr. Bell presented the petition of 46 citizens of Georgia, for the estab lishment of a post-route from Amicalola to Jasper; Mr. Stephens presented the petition of John W. Gass, forthe jtassage of the house bill No. 5308 with an amend ment that will give soldiers totally disa bled in their hands or feet a pension $72 a month. In the senate Mr. Matthews tried to have the Texas Pacific bill taken up. The vote on the proposition to lay aside all prior orders for that purpose was yeas 26, nays 33. Neither General Gordon nor Mr. Hill voted. On Tuesday Mr. Blount called up the deficiency bill to appropriate $450,000 for the postal-car system. He opened the discussion With a speech of considerable length, in the course of which he cen sured the post-office department for hav ing run the government so deeply in debt, in fare of the fact that congress refused during the last ses sion to make the appropriation asked for this purpose. This led to a warm dis cussion, the republican leaders endeavor- Messrs. Blount, Atkins and % Durham stood their ground well, and the bill was passed, with a reconi of the extravagance and looseness of the post-office dejinrt- inent thrown in. In the senate General Gordon presented a joint resolution of the legislature of Georgia in favor of the passage of a law by congress authorizing the sale of public lands, the proceeds to be used in aid of popular education. He also obtained unanimous consent to in troduce a bill for the relief of Hubert Halkershatn, George Patten and John L. Villalonga. When the Blaine resolution was taken up, Mr. Hill explained his ab sence on the previous day. He left his seat because he was suffering under in disposition, having, he said, "the severest cold that I believe I ever felt" He fur ther said: lost by a tie vote. While „ think committee* of Investigation nu-ht to !*• allowed to determine for thcnwelve* whether they will have oven or secret session*, while as « gen- eml role I think it la better to leave it to them, iu this particular chim* I should have voted for the amendment to require »|<en doors. The resolution^was finally adopted by a vote of 56 to 6. General Gordon voted "aye,” Mr. Hill’voted "no." Last Thursday the committee on war claims in the house reported back the bill for the relief of Samuel I. Gustin, of Georgia. It was place* 1 on the private calendar. On the amendment to the In dian hill to prohibit the removal of any more wild Indians to the Indian territory, Messrs. Bell, Candler, Felton, Harris and Hartridge voted "aye;" Messrs. Blount, Cook, Smith and Stephens did not vote. It is proper to state in this connection that Mr. Cook is still suffering from his late rheumatic attack, that Mr. Stephens did not recover from the effects of the fall on the stejx* of the capitol so as to hike his seat before the recess, and that Mr. .Smith did not go to Washington at all on account of sickness in his family. Mr. Blount’s frequent absence isgenerally attributable to the large amount of work he has to shoulder in the room of the committee on appropriations. Absentee ism is not a besetting sin of the Georgia delegation. On Friday, or the day before the holi- ilay recess, Mr. Knott, chairman of the judiciary committee, reported back the bill for the removal of the political disa bilities of John McIntosh Kell. The hill was immediately passed. Mr. Kell was Raphael •Semmes’s first officer on the famous cruiser, the Alabama. Since the war he has resided on a farm at Sunny- side in Spalding county. Mr. Hartridge obtained leave to withdraw from the files of the house the papers in the case of Mrs. Gillis. The two houses soon after adjourn* d to Tuesday, the 7th day of January, 1876. there is great room to believe that it has, it may be looked for at Behring’s strait any day. The sight of this strange Swedish ship, bearing down U]*on San Francisco from beyond the Arctic seas, will be the miracle of the century. It may be fairly stated that never in the history of earth has this great problem been apparently so nearly solved as now. An expedition is being fitted out at San Francisco, by the way, for Arctic exploration, through Behring’s strait,and it may be that the ships of this expedition may meet the Swedish ships in the frozen wastes. If so, it may not be im possible that the two expeditions, joining hands, may turn their all-compelling keels towards the North pole itself, and thus conquer the List and most stubborn se cret of the globe. We feel sure that the prayers of all civilization will remember the brave Swedes during this festered sea son, and ask for them a successful Issue of their exploits. IV. SMALL. (OLD «.) jb % \ A LITTLE 'SPICE.” I'ul. 11 All cx On yesterday, the blessed day of peace and gift-buying, Mr. Jonathan Norcross came into Tux Constitution office, holding in his hand a card. He approached the editor, and cam to him in a tone that sharp ened up the sweetness of his wonls, " you t complain that the negroes didn’t have a fair chance to vote in the lost elections? They were encouraged to vote.” "Oh, yes, but that was iu a fight between democrats. It is the democrats that have gone to seed, that are doing the opposition now. We have no interest iu that. But I’ll tell you if the democratsaint put down, they will ruin this government as sure as you are born." “Well, yon all have had them ‘put down’ pretty securely for the past sixteen years, and yet the government is about ruiiud anyhow." Forgetting to laugh at this be joke went on to say. “I am for U. 8. Grunt for president. He is the man to do the work." "I suppose you think he is the biggest man in tne country?" “I am for him liccause he is no baby, but a full-grown man." "Il«*w about those whisky frauds 9 " "Well. I think the fellows about Wash ington nulled the wool over his eyes in that matter. "What about the Black Friday affair?" “I must confess they did come pretty near besmirching him on that." “And uhout the Sanborn contracts?" '*0, well. Fra for him, because he is the man to whip out the democrats; and that must he done.” At which Mr.Norcrossdeparted, evidently very much disgusted with democrats of afi sorts, whether they were in the bud, in the flower, or had run to seed. It will l*e re membered that Mr. Norcross was beaten over eighty thousand votes for governor in the lu-t race, and he thus has a very good ex cuse for believing that there was probably a suppressed vote somewhere. We present his curd, however, and let it go for what it is worth. 8uch tilings as this carry their own answer: Editors Constitution—Having noticed an article in your paper of the 2iat, head***I "Peace Reigns in Georgia,” and csjiecially that part of it. referring to "Republican Opinions," I wish to say as one repub lican, that I in nowise have an unfa vorable "opinion,” nor any words of “con demnation'* for what you call “the silly and senseless performance of Blaine." Nor do I believe that there arc three white republi cans or three colored men of sense in Geor gia who have an unfavorable opinion of the Blaine resolutions recently |»assed in congress. But on the other hand, I do be lieve that every white republican and every colored man of int«Uigence in the state do regard them as the wedge and tin* ini tial step to open tin* way through which we are eventually to regain our civil and polit ical rights in the south; but which qow, under the present democrat foreign of terror and fraud, we can but regard as a mockery. I do not expect nor propose to enter upon a discussion of the questions involved, in your columns, but I ask the privilege of the fuser*Ion of this communication in your paj»er. Respect fully, yours, December 23, 1878. J. Norcross. A Darina Explorer. There has l>een no problem presented to human inquiry that has been investi gated with so much persistence and hero ism as the possibility of the northeastern passage. Skirting the edges of the con tinents that surround the Arctic sea is a huge sheet of water open for three or four months in the year. The influence of the immense fresh water rivers that pour into this sea clears the waters and makes the way navigable. For hun dreds of years patient and heroic ex plorers have sought to go from Ham- mersfest to Cheluysink cape. These are the highest points respectively of the continent* of Europe and Asia. The ships that have made this trial have always been beaten back in disaster. The sea of Kara, lying midway between these points, and somewhat south of Nova Zembla, has always proved ini penetrable. It was frozen so solid that it came to be known among the explorers a* "the ice-cellar of the North pole." Of late years, however, this terrible sea his yielded it* secret to the address and , pluck of a Swedish sailor. His name, we regret to say, is Nordenskjaldj. In spite of this, however, be has achieved a suc cess in Arctic exploration that seems to have been directed by inspiration. He not only passed through the dreaded Kara sea, but he passed the Obi river, went l*e- yond the hitherto unapproachable Asian cape, and going still further went to the Yenisei river which flows through Si beria and pushed up to Sakutsk, where he discharged hi* cargo. He then re turned to Europe, and reloaded his ship, and made the same trip* over and re turned in less than seven weeks. Hi* was the first steamer tliat ever entered the Kara sea. The importance of these explorations cannot be overestimated. They demon strate the practicability of the Arctic passage from Europe to Asia, and they have opened more than two-thirds of the passage from Lapland in Europe —The total canal toils in New York state for flic entire season will show an increase of about $111,0(k) over 1 —All tlic Southern States are beginning to raise less cotton and more grain. North Carolina raised 2,000,000 bushels more of grain this year than last. —The Italian government is about to ask .r a subsidy of $600,000 from its parlia ment. in order to connect the Mont Cenis railroad with that of the 8t. Gothard. —Jefferson Davis’s book of memoirs is to be published next spring simultaneously New York and London, with a French edi tion iu Paris. —The wl ole indebtednes of individuals, companies and corporations of all kinds iu the United States is estimated by careful person* to Ik? now not less than twenty bil- f .L.IU IN GENERAL. lions of dollars. —A statue of Admiral Coligny is to be erected by subscription in the Louvre Quadrangle, in Part*, near the spot where he was assassinated in the.St. Bartholomew massacre. —A curious petition has just been laid _.*fore the municipal council ut Marseille*, begging that the clergy may be forbidden mud the death knell every Friday commemoration of the publication of M Ernest Renan’s "Life of J< —Bromley of the Tribune and of Yalc’j n<<nc-l>ui-it.«clf*caii-be-its-parallel class o *33, read the p»**m at Yale’s jubilee last evening. It is understood that Mr. Brom ley’s subject was "What Shakespearian by not being u member of the class of ’33."— Albany Journal. —The German papers announce that the Berlin police service is about to be very much increased. The number of adult male* in that city j<?r police officer will after the addition, be seventy. The object of the increase is the better supervision of railway stations, hotels. sn*i-ecicd places «i:d persons, and secret meeting*, and to prevent the spreading of revolutionary pub lication: —This is the season of the year when the Methodist minister packs up liis ketotcr. sunders old tie*, packs hi* kitchen utensils in barrels, and move* to new field where the fatal donation party awaits him, liable at any moment to strike his ianiilv and bring" destruction, calico aprons and sour •icklcs, and carry off all be has accumulated for the winter. There ought to be a light ning iod invented that would ward off a do nation party.—New Orleans Times. •In Russia much attention has been given of late to insuring a supply of carrier pigeons in all the principal fortresses. The pigeons are frequently exercised in flying r fortress ’o fortress, and not long ago twenty-five birds taken from Novoge* gievsk were set free at Warsaw, seventy Old Ned in his cabin was sitting In the Christmas evening’s gloam,* T*, All wcaiy at heart and sore iu bone Y But over with work and “at home.’?>*fo * ’• . OuuiJe he could hear the hurry offeeg 1 f Ia - And lkughter merry and free— “ "Di m Jokes is getthi’ dere Chrismua tfl>] But dar aint uo Chrism us for •• Bar’s a moughty change fum olden davs When I libbed w id ole Man* Jim An’ better fokes it wu* hard ter raise ^ • Dan de good ole Miss an’ him! W} .i But freedum cum aa* dem an’ me ^ Somehow* moved far apart. * . But di* Chrismua night I seems ter see *... Dere images iu my bean." "IK* rears dey come an’ de years do 507 '' M id all dere trouble an’ strife; * De day* fly past wid der Joy an* woo Makin patch-work oaten dis life;*- But here an* dere I kin alius *oe r. Sum glimpse ob dat ohleu time, Jess like de clouds broke ap fer mo Ktff: ’Kase I wanted de sun ter shine!" '* But de sun don’t seem to shine so war n. An* de days don't come so fair,* - ~ And life hez sorter los* hit’s charm. An’ are duller of worry an’ care; • 5 Dis libiu’ free an* flndin’ yoursef ) . * Is monghty deludin’ sho! Hit’* cr life-long wah to keep ycrbrrtT An’ kick de wolf from yo’ do*, t In de ChrinpM'days ob de long ago Dis’darkey nebber wuz sad. An’ he did’t hub ter ask ter kno’ * Dat he’d share what *6e Man* hod— DarwuzChrismas gitsfnrall us foke*. v An 1 Cgg-u.<»g£"plertfy an’ frii— % An ' I’.il •') ;•! 1! T'* I .:.:iy j.-U* For dere ole? «l»ddk*V ’ like me. But now—j cm look—di* is Chrism uxebe, An* de house Is barr'u an’ bar’— J Dar’ aint^enutT on de table ter leaf* For de rats *s midnight far’! "x*. De fiah is low an’ my clo’s is thin r An’ l’se faint an’ hougry too, '*2- • While de Chrbmus day is creepin' in.' But Ned—hit aint fer you! *.«’ But de Lord wu* bom dat holy day— Hit’s Marse Jim’s birf-day, too— An’ while I kneels ter de one ter phty, ' ax fer his blesshigs new, I II put iu a word for ole Marse Jim, An’ a pra’r fer ole Miss May; n’ inebbe dey’ll come, like bread on de s« Back ter ole Ned some day!’’ THE WILD LMDS. A RICH THEME OF SPECULATION. The funner was sitting at eventide I11 the yule-log’s golden glow. But the vacant chairs on either side Woke thoughts of the long ago; Of the days of plenty and days of Joy in the rambling old homestead— Of a loving wife ftn.l a petted boy. With his mqily curly head. He thought of his home—of hi* old-time home. When the Christmas eve came on. How the merry eyes in the growing gloam Spoke hopes of the morrow's dawn; <>W son and slave in their happy glee. Told tales of Old Kris Kringle, And danced at thoughts of the Christmas tree. And the stockings by the ingle. He thought again—and the merry prattle Of glcesome son and slave Was lost in tbc din of deadly battle And hushed in a hidden grave, was Christmas eve in sixty-four— Oh, eve of hope aud dread!— And Old Ned stood w eeping at the door With the news that he was dead! Dead—in the battle’s foremost rank! Dead—with his sword in hand! Dead—and the blood the cold ground drank the bravest blood of the land! Folded close in the strong embrace Of his slave-companion’s arms He was borne away to his resting place Safe front earth’s rode alarms. And the farmer thought as he heard the wind Go sharp and chill on its way. Of the poor, brave soul, so true, so kind Who had stood with his boy that day. He said, " This Christmas eve is drear And there are none to share with me. Except Old Ned, and this night of the year As happy as uny old king he’ll be!" Old Ned had finished and said ‘hitmen,’-’ When n knock was heard at th6 door. "Who’s dat? You boy’s jis wait tell you’re men Fore you come here ’sturbin* me more!" Rap! Bap! at the door! “Coma iu!” uid Old Ned, As he opened the portal wide Aa Interview With OomptreHerOeneral Goldsmith MLtae Wild Lea 1 Tax Fi. Fa. Business—How 'Beat Things an Worked—Who the Land Kings are—Food for Reflection. The people of Georgia are aware in vague sort of way tliat they are interested in thfe manipulation* which the wild lands of the state undergo, from time to time, and date thap once a disposition has been shown to draw aside the curtains and look in upon these transactions. OCR WILD LARM from a peculiar species of property in this state. All unimproved land. 1 *, mountain and swamp lands, and lands not retumd to the tax receivers of the various counties ai lands included in active cultivation, are in cluded under the head of wild lands and art so treated in the tax digest* ami in ;he col lection of the state’s revenue. These lands lie in nearly every county ol the state and are oftentimes quite as valua ble for agricultural, mineral and oth sources as the more favored lands returned for taxes as improved and <>f highc true that in north Georgia much of tiie>e lands are rugged, mountainous tracts. *ii!e in south Georgia they are dismal and atiipy, and in both instances barren of production. CSKSOWX QUANTITY. The correct amount of these lands been accurately ascertained. If, at / time, a full and true return of the im proved lands had been made to the state, the number of acres of alleged wild lands could bsve been approximated. Accrtn... proportion of them ar'o known through the efforts of tax receivers, who report to the comptroller-general so many acres of wild land in a given county as un returned for taxes, but these returns are not reliable for data upon which to base a cal culation intended to cover the aggregate wild land area in the state. Errors andj omissions innumerable occur in these■■ turns, and it would be only by the tedious I and almost endless process of abstracting] the tax digest* and mapping from the records of the surveyor-general in the sec retary of the state’s office every lot of land in every county of the state that is not os-| certained and returned as improved landl Even that record, so laboriously made,! would be imperfect, from the fact that much] improved land often fails to find its wav to] the tax digests and much that is really iflH I proved mysteriously gets itself included iu] [the wild land returns. ■ Something over a year ago the comntroller- I general startled the state with an ndvertise- | nient embracing the numbers only of wild land lots that were in default, the advertise ment covering rnar.y columns the length of | those of The Constitution. Still these were I not all, but such only as had been refuted \ to him, 1 B THE ACREAGE RETURNED. ■ The report of the comptroller-general for| Il876 showed that for that year 7,033,447 acres j of wild lands were returned at au average] value of 26 cents per acre. ^In 1877 there were returned 6,533,710acres t an average value of 2G rents per acre. The | decrease in acres for 1877 was 400,737. ■ In 1878 the number of acres returned was| j 7,582,323; the average value per ncr^flH | cents; increase of acres for 1878 was 1,048,-1 [613. ■ The value of the wild lands returned was] I as follows I 1*76-7,033.447 acres *1, *35,8281 | 1*77—6,533.710 " 1,700,51* [ 1878-7,5*i2.323 “ 1,656,7731 ■ These figures speak for themselves, show-l [ ing increased return* ami decreased value of] [ lands. We do not attempt any explanation I | upon this point, as that is not a part of the] [purposesof this article. now THE RETURNS ARK MADE. The wild lands of the state have at various] I periods been returned in various modes;! I sometimes to the tax receiver of the county I I in which they lie, at other times the owner I hod the option to return them in that ntan- | ner, or to the comptroller-general, while they may be returned either in the I county where they^ta^H^ARHMB I county where the owner resides.! I The details of tho matter are rather] plicated and the operations of the InwM Relating to the returns, collection of taxes and sales of wild lands have been oflate years anything but satisfactory to the peo- | P le * MOST SAVAGE COMPLAINTS Ihave been made all over the state. Owners | of wild lands have been divided into two large classes, those who hold smaller bodies | of these lands as investments or for spccu- proY»*d lands have been\ from your office?" "Tliat is true.,bu. ... > were reported to me as bcQ^'j^ default by the tax recei\v Vj mistakes, either of the owxieto' ceivers." ^ - "Is there no record fo wt*n^ ers may refer to verify then . * "Certainly. 1 spent o\t*j % for the tax-receivers of the coiv they might get the li-t of x » ! <* tu . reel. They ought to oe able to do * •** . very little trouble.’ "Have any of the <>'•• .^laivta « >-T* transfers been made to yon persoca {• “Not directly, but, as 1 u»re aa. rt * rei>ort. 1 have been blamed-ior ilf« tion of the law, but in that I hr 4 cretion. The law and the opinion attorney-general controlled my acti "After a transfer of a fi. fa. doe? J feree have any further relation*^ .t «'V» acres of wild land, or ■%-is are now returned for x Inch about $30,000 are an- he ow tiers. by which these lands are investigation, as tho late .ittee report. It i? claimed •of 0,'lvertisIiigand lecunl for the sal.'-* there i* a'.- It to r v»»ry questionable practice. But iere wrre none of the.ie things, the 1 < :ir. hM his fii fa. for its value " i*«*r oen» more than any one else, :« .-tw of 3874 *avs: V" ; fo/., I K >wuen the nr m with: . __ 'K to the purchaser the amount of money and costs together with in ter- uo of twenty per com. per annum VOL. XI., NO. 28 didate. notwithstAmlitui contrary. TUden to « whose opinions arc worth reporting as quite These Gentlemen of w H«nah.” Knoxville Chronicle. have about •'honor.’’ In Tennessee. Here Is one who is fo sensitive about his honor that he carries a pistol in his r from day ol itb yoqr office? 1 ^ "None’at alL They l«ay_tl»c flBy like the fi. r ^IKisequeut the follow ing extract* t latest rej>ort to the governor: INVITING THE ATTENTION OP TH* SOL 'N6. I respectfully rail you attention to my report submitted to your excellency on the first of Jan uary last, am.’ to the recommendations therein * “cln relation 'Vill be seen the Investment is a even should the true owner re- 'and. If he doee not. it is im- rv-«° 0 <L V • / *“ TH * T Rstimatb. ith the JuVrifGi and *ax L»r. ri i' *’ $ s not denied anywhere that the great of the counties." I s . A »h*» wild lands of th$ state are in the Tho comptroller-general then. onr t the speculating tranferee*, and to *..i»— : *- ' ♦-'*'\hqw i!.*»y estimate their land*, as com- •Tur -il with the small holders who return J* elr ! aI, ds» in i heir c .n“counties, while the speculators return’hciip in their own, being the richer couiuie*. we present the following table. Tt embraces the average yalueofwild land* returned in the five counties giving the lowest number of acres and the five counties giving the largest num- lation and who do not believe the law per- ’Good I.iwd, Marse Jim. is you rix fum de ded? [ mits the transfer of fi. fa*, for taxes upon ’ * * 1 wild lands, and another class of larger hold ers and speculators who have become the transferrees of large numbers of fi. fu*. and who have given the people great trouble in seeking to enforce the executions; and hence a howl of complaint. COMPTROLLER-GENERAL GOLDSMITH | was found by a reporter in his snug office, I tuck up a noshun you’d died!" •Why. look heah, Marse Jim, to you movin’? Er what to de marter, fer shore?" Said Old Ned, as a darkey moored in And sat n great box on the floor. No! Clirismas gif? All dis to fer me? Ills bacon, an’ flour au’ stuff? Well, I deelar’, Marse Jim, jis ter see Yo’ good face to Clirismas gif ’nuff! All dem clo’s to fer me an’ dto hat— An’ dose gloves an* dese boots? Now, won’t dto ole nigger feel fat When he gits on bofeob dem suits? But Marse Jim, liow cum you to kno’ Put I wuz no needy as dto? Hit puts me in mind o’ long ’go When I libb’d ’o long o’ you an* Ole Mias! "But, Marse Jim, ’fore I tuchcs em dar, l«e got sum mo’ bizness ter do llit’s ter add er pos’skrip ter dat pra’r I jess got throo prayin’ fer you!’’ Then Marse Jim and Old Ned knelt them— Together they knelt on the floor. And together they joined in a prayer More precious than gold in the ore. Together they sat and talked over The memories of "what had been;’’ They spoke of the spirits that hover And watch over us all unseen; And Christmas eve grew into morning. And the stars seemed singing again The sweet song that they saug at the dawning When a Savior was born to all men. and readily yielded to the process of inter viewing. In reply to our first questions he gave us the following outline of the wild land leg islation of the state: In 1866 the first wild land law of this state was passed. It was almost identical with the present law. The then comptrol ler-general, Madison Bell, seeing its defects, tried to have it corrected by the legislature, but without any results. The first year that I came into office I also discovered the defects in this law, and tried to have it changed. The legislature passed a law in 1873 requiring these land* to oe given In to the tax receivers where they were located or to the ordinaries of the counties where the owners lived. This law was tried only one year. So great was the confusion under it that in 1874 the legislature returned to the law of 1866, which is now known as the act of 1874, and under which these difficul ties have arisen. I tried from 1874 until 1877 to have the law so amended as to avoid these troubles, but without success. I then ISSUED EXECUTIONS | according to law and proceeded to collect | the taxes. Knowing of the many mistakes | and the great difficulties in the way, I did I all I could to obviate any further trouble. Many of these fi fas were transfer- T>n lay *n Letter. , ,. , .... - Christmas d.v, jnsl after dinner, eighteen hundred «■» “ P rovided *“ « CUu “ Bal «» seventy-nine. | the code. , Dear old Santa: Papa says that maybe if I drop a I What is that sectionT ^ fine , _ J "It b found in the cod# and read* as fol- To you down In Pant* Clans Land you will get it I i OW8 . cafe and sound, ‘ I * . perhaps you’d bring an answer when you | "Whenever any person, other than the person fete* * ’ ‘ * * “ "** proper to remark that. r wr r— I nave been censured for the manner in which the wild land law baa been executed. Errors and mistake* have oc curred and Inconvenienced many citizens, .‘tome good people blame me for theee disagreeable troubles. The transfer of wild land fl faa under section 891 of the code of 18“3 has been regarded hr some aa unwarranted by law. in view of the above, I earnestly request the legislature to ap point a committee to look into this matter and ascertain if the wild land law has been correctly and faithfully executed by me. and whether! hUblame for^the errors and mistakes wbloh These statements went before the general assembly but they proposed and perfected NO CORRECTIVE LEGISLATION. The result is that the law remains os here tofore, and it will be the duty of the comp troller-general to proceed again as he has heretofore. If errors and difficulties have occurred in the past, they ate well nigh sure to re-api>ear whenever the new fi. fas. issue from this office. It is the business of the legislature to make the needed changes in the law, and without action upon their part, or an order from the governor sns- l*ending the collection of the tax, affairs in this line will go on getting worse, and the complaints of the people will be doubled at every new emission of wild land execu tions. AN EXONERATING REPORT. The legislature did appoint a committee i wild lands, of which Representative McWhorter, of Greene, was chairman. The committee-of twenty-three appointed a sub committee of twelve, composed of its best material, to investigate the doings of the comptroller general’s office in connection with these fi. fas. They did so and report ed, the essence of the report being in these words: Your committee, not being satisfied with the information to be obtained in the comptroller- general's and the wild land office, have had be fore them several of the transferees of these fl. fas., besides other wltneaHC*. The information gathered from these witncrWK entirely exonerates the comptroller-general and wild land clerk from even the suspicion of fraud upon their part They have, to the execution of this uw, had to contend with the difficulties which were (insurmountable, and with which none of their predecessors have had to contend, and the fidelity with which they have watched the state's luterest deserves commendation at our hands. Immediately upon the making of the re port the comptroller-general demanded by circular of all sheriffs that they observe his order forbidding farther sales and that they make at once a full return of all sales made by them. DISABLED TAX-RECEIVERS. From gentlemen who are conversant with the tax-business of the several counties of the state it is ascertained that probably in a majority of the connties the office of tax- receiver is considered a charity, to be be stowed upon aged, infirm, or crippled men; men who have lost an arm or a leg and to whom their fellow-citizens feel disposed to give an easy money-making berth. When ever this is done there are large chances that the interests of the county and state will not be rigorously looked after. It requires good work to secure a proper return of tax able property and some of the evils under which we labor are traceable to the fact that men of "git up and git" are not set about the business. COLLUSION AND FRAUD. The complaints made all over the state, and which have become painfully plenti ful, are of various hues. The people, whether rightly or not, are con vinced that a huge fraud is being !>erpetrated upon them and the state in many ways. They are growing very restive, and it may be possible that an organized effort will finally be made to uj>- set and nullify proceedings w hich have about them the semblance, if not the prominent badge of fraud. The report of the legislative committee says: "Officers, whose duty it was to execute them, have either ignorantly or intentionally allowed the transferees to pervert the law, and by this means to rob the state of thousands of money, and her citizens of hundreds of thousands of acres of land.” If fi. fas. have been so manipulated, outside of the law, as to result- in the deception and spoli ation of the people, and these practices have been general, we may yet find in Georgia a way and a means to establish the fraud and vitiate the proceedings. THE NATURE OF COMPLAINTS made are as various as the hues of the cha meleon. and change their color with the coming of each new complaint. For in stance, in Ills circular to sheriffs of De- ’cernber 14th, the comptroler-general says: The wild land committee of the house of rep resentatives complained that excessive cost had been charged and collected by sheriffs In soma counties, and that a different and great lected from defendant* in fl. fa. from tti by newspapers for advertising: also, t of sale has been turned over to transferrees prior to order of 28th February, 1878. from this office, simply on their giving bond for forthcoming of said money if a better owner claimed said fund. " me but the true owner was entitled to sa' * it*, and if you have paid such excess to ai other than the true owner, or collected e_ cessive cost, or a different amount of cost Horn de fendant in fi. fa. to that charged by the advertis ing paper, then, in either of all these cases, you and your securities would be liable for the abuse of your authority; and I notify you that I shall exhaust every legal right of the state to correct ly or all of these abuses. The committee in it* report use* th* fol lowing language: her of acres: VALUES rEB ACER RETURNRD. tip*"—- }£■ *®oK.. ...3fic. Chatham 16c. Clinch 9c. y>hite 22c. Ware 4c. From this table it will he noted* by reference to the report of the comptroller- general, that the returns of value from the large holders in wild land speculating eoun- lq«vel>’ b*>Nfw the return* given in wners m tue counties named, tch the presents round. | against whom the same has been issued, shall fi Alaska in America. Being — an*l two being divided. W ithout these [ Goldened by his success in these clumpM the demoenu. and republicans (wo tripSi the Swedish M il or ,with the un- *B1 each have eighteen states, California and Mr. De La Matyr holding the balance o( power. Grergia In Conjrress. Our summary of the doings of Geor gia’s representatives leaves for record the work of only the week that preceded the adjournment for the holiday recess. This cliapu*r brings us down to the day of ad journment. The states were called on’Monday of last week lor bills and resolution*. Un der the call Mr. Hartridge introduced a plication. The best interests of individ- bill to repeal the test-oath, or SJUt-tKCtion ual citizens and the commonwealth at of the revised stotntea; Mr. Harris, a bill large will be subserved by it- for the relief of Moees R. Russell, of Car- five miles away. Two hours afterward pigeon arrived’at Warsaw from Novogeor- pievsk. bearing a dispatch stating that seven of the birds liberated at the former had reached the latter place. —When Mr. Henry Drummond, an eecen trie but able English member of Parlia ment. and a light of the Irvingite faith, was in Rome, some thirty year? ago, he had oc casion to refer to the highest authority among the Jesuits on the subject of the Real Presence. The Jesuit told him he must believe that there was no bread present after consecration. Mr. Drummond asked wheth er if the bread were chemically analyzed tlie a-hes would contain animal and not vegetable products. The father replied that "if such an act of profanation were commit ted. the holy presence would be withdrawn and the element- would bo as they were be fore.” The Re-election of Senator Gordon. Portland lOregotri Standard. The re-flection by the state of Georgia, of General John B. Gordon, to serve another six yean in the United States senate, is a matter for congratulation, not only to the state be *o ably rerr»enu. but to the country “ ’ ”—*— without any execution issued for state, county dr naJS. perfectly discouraged—Little Taul and 1 pal taxes, or any other execution issued without prink and me. ( the judgment of a court, under any tow, the offl- r just as poor! What we shall do tor new-1 cer whose duty it to to enforce said execution, vrar’s I u- -n't sec. I shall, upon the request of the party so paying the Where we use to have whole dollars we havehmrd I some, transfer sold execution to said party; and work t r-axing dimes. | said transferree shall have the same rights as ' It's hard times, papa tclto us. Now, Santa, what’s I enforcingsaid hard times? | as might have | said transfer.' One d„5- rtran were ukint wh»t be hoped old 1 "Harm* a»ked end received the opinion HeklSdu. three tUnes round end then he sighed he “" der like any thing: | this section with regard to wild !and fi. fas., (Little Prink was on his shoulder, where he always 1 1 went on to issue the execution*. climbs-) ... | I opposed to the policy of transferring ‘Chrbmui* wonit bring much to pepe. I’m afraid. I lheM fl . an d had refused to transfer except hard tunes. I them until the attorney-general decided Xow we want a lot of money, bocause—why, just I that it was iny duty to do so, and I then because! I transferred them to any party who would The shop* ere beautiful—you're no idea, Santa I come and pav tlie taxes." aad spotted about It, Justs.sweet “ H "*»*“ °P inion ° r ,he Mtomey peppermint, I general at hand? ..... lhey fon't know how to I Here is the essential portion of it:" | THE ATTORNET-GE5ERAL’8 OPINION. So, Santa, when we re sleeping, and you’re creep-1 "2nd. Whether section 891 of the code will cover fi. fas. issued by the comptroller- general for taxes on unreturned wild land*? ‘That section is very broad, applying to » and which are representative counties. THE SPECULATOR'S DREAM of wealth to flow in a constant stream from these investments is based upon the fact that Georgia is upon the high road of pro gress and that her people are increasing in wealth and her boundaries are filling with population. Since the last returns 859,382 acres increase in improved lands was report er taxation, and the growing necessities the state in a few years will force large bodies of these wild lands to the mar ket to _ supply a demand for land fit cultivation. Tliat day is not far distant and when it comes the wild land specula tors will bathe their limbs in the golden tide that will roll in upon them. WHO ARK THE LUCKY MEN. We cannot just now give a complete list t the fortunate individuals who are revel ing in the prospects of this auriferous flood, but Atlanta will not be lacking in examples of her enterprise. We find the following records upon the tax collector’s book for Fulton county Name. Acre* Owned. Tax Paid. Hennr Banka .287.801 go 50 Banks & Scott 30,650 18 97 ... 60,067 30 17 - 30,782 14 52 Henry Irby 19,080 9 90 These are the principal owners of wild lands who reside in this county, and return their lands here. They own 434,3.90 acres of wild land, and upon it they pay only $138.46. These arc startling figures, and will certainly cause many a struggling tax payer to look further into this manner of transactions. OTHER BONANZA KING*. Among the other names of persons who appear to have taken a decided interest in seeing that the state got its taxes from these wild lands and who exhibited a greater fondness for wild land fi fas than for their cash, we find O. W. Garmany, of Savannah, who _ said to be at the head of a combination con trolling a very large lot of land in southern Georgia, amounting to several hundred thousand acres. Daniel Lott, of Ware county, who also has absorbed the fi. fas. that cover exten sive tracts of land. T. R. Bennett, of Mitchell county, who has been enterprising enough to take in a goodly number of broad acres for future disposition. WHAT SHALL WE DO be saved? That is the cry of the people the state. There must be some reform this matter. The state is annually losing thousand of dollars in revenue, for the comptroller-general himself says, Speaking of this tax: When I came Into office in 1873, on account of the ncwceaa and KUBpcnrions of the law, it waa 899.000, and “550,000or «7S._ _ i get the owner* the atatc and her citizen* from the fraada prac ticed upon them. In his report, made on the 1st day of Jan' usry of this year, tlie comptroller-general al*o says with regard to these transfers of wild land fi. fas: I do not think It rtoht. I believe the state should keep control of all such fl. faa The transferee can hold the transferred fl. faa nntll the dull summer month*, and seriously impair Christmas Day. ing romes. they When Chri The whole The very rattle in the sulto rid knows it’s Christmas d&y; e in the stall* the blessed midnight tolls. e nit:bi the heavens shine. pronounceable name and the unconquer able resolution, determined in his next trip to go beyond tlie Yenisei river, and head his ship straight for Behring’s strait. The Russian government joined with the Swedish in fitting oat this expedition, and on the 4th of last July it started amid great celebration from Europe. The expedition of three ships jassed safely through the Kara sea. Cape Che- luysink and the Yenisei river, and then started direct for Behring’sstr&it. As we write this the brave Swedes are battling with the ice-bugs >» tlut hitherto nnex- fcSST’StoaSlSuiSSStoSSSStt.wS! : plorvd waste of water, or h»ve yielded Poor Bisine: To r . ... ■ „r_. . the tremblers wlso IssT. tired (or fesre on the «oc- rensre nude chsira_ up their lives m their daring attempt to motions hors taken to ordinary kao. unkindest cut of alL tons; conservative, but still olive to tne universal march of the wheels of progress; be stands today foremost among the conspicuous rebels, who. having staked their all upon The hopes of a confederacy and lost, ha* had the good sense to accept its trying penalties gracefully bending ollhto abilities towards building up the energies of the south, lavishly expended in the toot gigantic struggle. wifi comes tile hours of joy and cheer. Of loving friends and kindred dear; Of cifL« and Bounties iu the air. Sped by the “Merry Christmas!" prayer. While through it all, so sweet ana strong, I* heard the holy angels' song; •Glory be to God above! On earth be peace and helpful love!” And on the street, or hearts within. The Christmas caroling* begin : "Woken Chri-lian children,' Up and let ns sing. With glad voice the praises Of our new-bora Ling. ’“Come, nor fear to seek Him, Children though ve be; Once He said of children, •Let them come to me.' Haste we then a welcome. With a joyous toy, Christ, the king of glory. Bom for us to-day.” (Christinas page St. Nicholas for Jan. [ every execution issued for state, county j municipal taxes, or any other execution is sued without the judgment of a court, un der any law, provided that the | officer whose duty it is to | enforce the same, shall upon the request jrA | the party so paying the same, transfer said | execution, ect "No reason occurs why this section should | not embrace tax fi. fas. on wild land* as well s other tax fi. fas." We then asked Colonel Goldsmith whether | there were not a good many of these fi. fas. sent out to the sheriffs directly from liis of fice? ’Certainly. All the fi. fas. that are not transferred are sent to the sheriffs of the counties where the lands arc located.” "What is the difference between those from the office and those held br tranv none, whatever. They o be advertised anil county where they are •r "There is II hare sold in the „ , 0 | located and everybody has a chance to bid on them." "A good many are located in counties where the owners do not reside?" Yes, sir; but the owners have twelve months after the sale in which to redeem their land." THE OWNER'S DUTT. "Then, it is the owner’s duty to return the lands and pav the taxes once every land il. fas. It thus appears that all parties, saving and excepting the transferees, agree that these transfers ought not to be made, and that so long as the law requires them, so long will the jieople be subjected to these wrongs. IS THERE A RING? The question arises: "Who are the trans ferees. The people at large have idea that there is a gigantic ring formed among certain capitalists for the purpose of buying up these tax fi. fas. ana controlling ail the unimproved lands of the state that it is possible for them to command. The singular unanimity with which certain parties have invested their capital in this apparently unprofitable field has caused an investigation into the reasons for such anomalous conduct. The impression prevails that there is a "wild land ring” in Georgia, and that the ultimate design of this ring is to control the whole area of nnoccupied land in this state and to so manipulate the investment an to make it safe and profitable now, and an enormous mine of wealth in the near approaching Juture. HOW IT WILL WORK. The cost to the parties buying these fi. fas. is the amount of taxes due simply. It is true that in some instances the taxes for two or three years are included in a single fi. fa., but in a majority of instances the tax onlv for one year. up every cent, e i il he suspects that his unuk- — — "e con- n place blot c If he hod I. , cage her plantation to Ret it. Ho loiter War-roon», talks politics on tho urveto, smokes other people's cyrars. and fills his stomach with mean whisky bought on credit, but this matter* naught. He regards labor as degrading, and fit onlv to be engaged In by "niggers” ami "poor whit* trash." lie talks long and loud and elo quently about his "sacred honor." But. while he is so honorable in some respects, ho to singularly lax ln othera. Honor demands, in his estimation, that-he should wear good clothes, but does not require that he should pay hto tailor’s bills. Ho to willing that the state of Tennessee should bor- _ ' Ijillllir ~ ** * superb state- tiaefi Id. In tho principle, • the power, and let him keep who can." _ - _ ,;ht not openly approve of highway rob- besr; but. if tho creditors of the state can bo robbed by legal technicalities, ho thinks it is all right. What other people would cull knavery he regards as a sharp trick, indicative of superior _ . principle tliat he refuses to hto tailor and for the whisky he drinks, he of their just 8 credito: i curious idea of honor. The National Outlook. Boston Globe. In th* late congressional elections, in which the contest was made upon the money question, the opponents of the republican party cast a ma jority of the votes. By a union of the parties forming this majority it is therefore evident that ty which at the tote elections polled a vote of more than a million, against a total vote of a few thousand two year* ago. From a comparatively insignificant faction it has risen to the dignity of a party which may, under favorable conditions, assume to arbitrate between tho two older organ izations, as it now evidently holds the balance of wiuuu, ui iu priv-em wrrupv miu demoralized form, the writer suggests a plan similar to that of the fusion tickets ot I860. That U, the notniira- tion of joint electoral tickets for which both par ties shall vote, with the understanding that tho ticket so elected shall be divided in the electoral college in proportion to the number of votes cast ‘ -- —» .... _ understood 1 ittMMhnnds could express itself and make its influence felt in the next presidential election. If this courso should result In throwing the election of prcsl- that the opposition to conti could exproi " ■* “ in the next r should remit. den tin to the house of representatives tho effect would be the same, so far as republicanism to o to tho presidential election, tho ideas of this writer are certainly very pertinent to the condi tion of things at present, showing what might be done with the elements now at hand. iLis at least interesting as a speculation in politics. A StortllngNtory from Indiana. Washington Special to Cincinnati Enquirer. A report has reached here from Indiana to tho state, to to be sent to t stead of Voorhec*. The terms of the bargain are farther said to include the organization of tho state senate by the national*, and the election of 1© an tbc vacancy caused La Matyr. This baraain would give the republicans control of the delega tion and prevent the proi*osed reapportionment of the state. The story or this bargain, however, is discredited at the national head-quarters here. Chairman Dewees, of the national executive com mittee. has not heard of it; and Colonel Lee Cran dall, hto secretary, says: "I am in constant cor respondence with Mr. De La Matyr, and if such a thing is contemplated I have not heard a word of it Nor do I believe it, for I know Mr.Dc La Matyr. and he is not a trading man. I do not think either he would give up hto seat in the house. He was elected as a national, he will come as a national, and he will vote aa a national. No, ldon’t bo- few years; provided, we < time has come when the exigencies of the state urgently call for the tax on this property. These lands are generally owned by large land specula tors, who will not, until compelled,return and pay the tax thereon. He has recommended several remedies to the general assmbly, but without success. If the people do not move in the matter and demand a reform at the hands of their ntatives, they ought not to kick he law is brought to bear upon them. There must be a remedy somewhere. The complaints come from somewhere and the experiences of the people who suffer may suggest the remedy now so greatly needed. w “l would be economy for the state to have full and thorough investigation of this whole subiect and the sooner it is had the sooner will the treasury begin to appreciate the term ‘‘resumption" and the sooner will the people understand that government means protection and justice to all met; THE CAROLINA MOONSHINERS. it Changeof Feeilng Reported. Washington, D. C., December 24.—Com missioner Raum has received a de tailed report from Collector Bray ton, of South Carolina, of the operations carried on in Abbeville county by the special reve nue force under command of Deputy Col lector Hoffman, from the 3d to the 18th in stant. Tlie report shows that seven illicit stills have been seized of a capacity rang ing from thirty to ninety gallons a day. Ten illicit distillers were arrested. The report concludes: in accomplishing the above work, the force has traveled five hundred and fifteen miles since November 28, frequently both night and day, with but little rest we were also put to consider able expense on account of our horses, be ing frequently compelled to leave our broken-down stock and have fresh horses. It affords me great pleasure to add that the sentiments of the inhabitants of this locality has undergone a great change on onr arrival and we were looked on with distrust and dislike. It was claimed that there was no illicit distilling In these coun ties, but our discoveries have the de termination of a discharge in our du ties, and our character and the good conduct of the men employed have wrought a change in their feeling aud most of the better class of citizens have ex pressed regret at our departure. There is nodoubt that our operations in the moun tains have had the effect of cutting off the blockage whisky supply in these lower counties, and unless occasional raids are made to these parts, illicit distilling will again be made. The Outlook for 1880. Samuel Bowles, Jun., in the Springfield Repub- Jy that Mr. D La Matyr to working to secure the election«_ James Buchanan to succeed Voorhec*. Buchanan is hto warm friend, and he would like to see him elected." Too Good for Circulating Purposes. Burlington nawkeye. They have a new financial scheme way down in „ „ r per cent. tnteresL will be Issued in denominations of $5.00 each, and will be exactly the size of a greenback bilL Each bond will have six coupons to be clipped annually. It is proposed to sutatitute four per cents for the whole of Georgia's debts, this half million being issued to take up bonds which ma ture In February. As these obligations have coupons attached, they are not in conflict with the provisions of the tow against the issuance ol money by states. Georgians say that the plan will succeed and that the bonds will circulate os currency. It is » «*»•» pretty scheme but it remain* to be seen than to keep in circulation the Georgia notes. Georgia** New Bond. Washington Special to SL Louis Republican. There to some amusement over a financial meas ure which has pawed the Georgia legislature. The legtolature has authorized the issue of half a mil lion dollars of bonds, bearing four percent, inter est The bonds will be issued in denominations of $5 each, and will be exactly the size of a green back bill. Each bond will have six coupons, to clipped annually. They will be largely used currency, and will furntoh a safe interest-bear ing investment to the people, and will be issued in January. It is proposed to substitute four per cents for the whole of Georgia’s debts, this half million being issued to take up bonds which ma ture tu renruarj. x« these, obligations have cou pons attached, they are not tn ooi.metwith tho provisions of the tow against the issuance of money by states. Georgians say that the plan will succeed, and make money plenty. Toombs on the Presidency. Special Telegram to Chicago Inter-Ocean. General Robert Toombs, of Georgia, being «sked to-day by your correspondent about Grant for next president, replied: "Well, If by the de cree of the Almighty we are not to be free for four years more from radical power, then l should say, give us a tall lion, not a sneaking sheep. Grant to a Hon. I have respect forthe man, for he either kills or wins. I have never forgotten bow gracefully he treated Lee and our soldiers at the surrender. Grant to better for the south, lion though be to, than to a sheep who tries to make a lican. Promptly sensing the improved outlook, the leading republican candidates are quick to cuter the llsu and so soon are industriously working up the field, directly or through their friend*. These candidates are Blaine, Grant and Coukling. and their comparative prominence and strength at this time from the Washington stand-point cor respond in the order in which I have named them. But after all It to the dork horse that wins In these presidential contests, the unknown quantity which ultimately comes to the front In contra diction of all the present figns the prize of the nomination to more likely than not to ull to some one In the background, like Washbume, of Illi nois, Joe Hawley or John Sherman. If to good a as Hawley or Washbome, he will be elected, Georgia’s Superior Economy. Boston Herald. The general appropriation Mil lust passed by the Georgia legtolature provides *4,000 annually for the governor, and $1 a day (the session lasting a Uttier over a month) and 10 cents per mile mileage for members of the legtolature. except that tne presiding officer in each branch to allowed $7. Here the most earnest economists are willing to pay our legislator* twice aa mnch as Georgia pays, and ore met by the cry that 83U0 to too little. What Did Atlantis Promise? MilledgeviUe Old Capital. Atlanta promised to build a capitol as costly and as good as the capitol in this city. The build ing here has cost, first and last, nearly 1700.000. As a capitol It to worth today $500,000; but it is not worth that os a pile of bricks and mortar. At lanta, to carry out her con tract, would be required to estimate this building aa what—a government house or a mass of material? Aa material simply it would bring but little; as a capitol it would bankrupt the Georglametropolls to duplicate it. Knlmon for Hr. DIonnt’n District. "A. W. R.,” In Macon Telegraph. A train left for the south yesterday on which were fifteen thousand live salmon from Drnid hill pork, Baltimore, and bound for Macon. Milledge- villc, Conyers. Covington and Reynolds, where they will be placed In the rivers at those places. You see our district gets the lion's share, which shows that Mr. Blount to looking sharply afteronr various interest*. General Toombs in the House. Washington cor. Augusta Evening News. The general produced quite a sensation in the bouse to-day. He went in to aee Mr. Hartridge about acase in the supreme court in which they are both engaged. He was soon the center to which all eye* were directed. Many old friends both engaged. ‘i all eye* were up and gave him a cordial salutation, while jjujnf- * —- u — ——- — *— — 1 —- *•»—- Suctions. great number* of others come up to receive intro- Tbo Kins or the Turf. Washington Port. Rarus Is now admitted fo be the king of tho turf. Hto time of 2:13^. made at Buffalo lost twelve month, and If he did this none of Crest-Fallen Jim. 1 hi* lands could be sold, or if neglected once St. Louis Republican. I *nd tbex were sold, he would have oppor- hart tb* Otaram mata the! ‘a™!? redemption-• chairman of his pet committee is the i * «. air/ "It is reported that a great many im- Yhat is to say: 1,000acres of wild lan<f at the average value of 26 cents per acre, bought for taxes at the rate in Fnlton coun ty, 80 cents on the $100, would coat the transferee just $2.08. The average cost, by tax fi. faa., through out the state, however, is put down at $2.00 per thousand acres. The comptroller-gen eral estimates that hardly one-half of the wild lands of the state are returned for taxes, and, if this be true, as it undoubtedly seems to be, the dullest arithmetician can figure out THE ASTOUNDING BONANZA which these speculators have quietly dropped upon. Any sum between $15,000 and $20,000 would purchase the fi. fas. upon of the d .. ... w . , _ recognize it and courageous enough to use their opportunity. There to one man whom they can certainly tfcet fredden* " * " re turning-board to coat tor Bayard, of Delaware, whose strength is not feiaoly negative, bat positive, whose course ss a public man "ill bear the most searching scrutiny and who has knowledge, culture and convictions which he to not afraid fo assert. He is the only man at all prominent in the party who would draw the balk of the independent vote of the country and under certain likely conditions heav ily encroach upon the straight republican sup port itself. That he coaid be nominated by a con certed and courageous effort on the run of the ero chiefs, Lamar. Hill, Gordon, would be only too thankful to hove him chceen as the pony standard-bearer, and say that the south would Justify the appellation “solid” in hto support. Doubtless the soft-money democrats of the west would shudder at the thought of electing so steadfast and consistent an advocate of round monetary principle. But the irredeemable cur rency issue fa likely to be essentially eliminated from the next presidential campaign, and Ray. aid’s candidacy would have the merit of uniting nummer, to the best on record. Lately at Sacra mento he baa beaten Goldsmith Maid’s time one- fourth of a second. In arder to keep the stick- »w«n rinm»« the democrats will rise to the opportunity that to presented to them. They say we should all be glad fo have Bayard for onr candidate, bat fear he could not be nomina ted. More likely It to that some trimming politi cian, like Hendricks or Thurman, will be the par Why the IndepenUenta-elect Go to Washington. Washington Special to Chicago Tribune. The Independents from the south who have been elected to the next congress are very much courted here. Both parties ore trying to make much of them; and it to (air to say that these in dex »en dents seem to enjoy it, and will try to leave their position equivocal as long as it will be ol ad vantage to them. Besnmption and Radicaliam. Washington Republican. The politician wboae horoscope of 1880 does not embrace a big boost fo the republican party for having brought the country back to specie pay ments after the trials and tribulations with which it bos been d'-luged by the bourbon democracy, must be willfully blind. Successful resumption means another lease of life to republicanism. Canada’s MUfortunes. Chicago Times. The worst misfortune have fallen \ Prince** Louise, governorngenend of We learn from the Canadian papers that her royal highncM has lost her little rosewood cane with the buckhom knob. It to not stated whether dominion will go Into mourning.