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THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION: ATLANTA,»GA., TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1879.
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munlcrs at loeville give terrible emphasis | right of every roan in tho state to be a
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ATI.ANTA, TUESDAY, AUGUST S, 1S7#
PCBUMBEKlt’ NOTICE.
Xotle* the dele efter your neme oa tie peper; lc
b the time your nUatpOon ezplrm. Et
btfore your sulecrlptlon expirm. u we hm to
w* do not wUh lo credit oat utoeribei., bat be
au*, oar profile. tbe peper b n mull It win
not pey ue lo mnd the peper ud eolleet tbe bill.
tune! wfcytf
Vt'z regret to learn of tbe death of Hon.
J. M. Brechan, of Brjan county. Mr.
Brennan war a member of the present
honae of repreaentatiires, bnt baa been ill
with consumption several months.
Ranntr, colored, of South Carolina,
like Turner, colored, formerly of Georgia,
is in favor of the emigration of bis race
to some land of the free in the far, far
west. It is a little snrprising that these
colored men who are always preaching in
favor of emigration do not satiafy the
poblie of the sincerity of their profes
sions and retire from the places and the
people that have known them so long
and ao unfavorably.
The CeatlllailM and Its C'lrrulafloi
On last .Sunday morning the circulation
of Tm Constitution was 7,250 copies,
and even this issue fell short of the de
mand lolly 300 copies. The circulation
of our Weekly is considerably over
6,000, and is increasing heavily. Allow
ing live readers to each paper (a low esti
mate), we had, for The Constitution of
last Sunday, fqlly 40,000 readers—«a
audience that is respectable to say the
least of It This liberal patronage does
not tend to make us careless or negligent
It only determines us the more to deserve
it, and to force its increase. We intend
within the coming year to push the daily
circulation of Tnc Constitution to 10,0(X)
copies, and the Weekly to 12,000. We
never published so complete and
thorough a newspaper as wo furnish to
day, but we shall continue to improve it,
as its patronage increases, until itbecomes,
in equipment and execution, the equal of
any paper in the country.
Broom-Corn and Chickens.
On yesterday Mr. Stewart, of Stewart
A Fain, came into Tiie Constitution of
fice and inserted an advertisement for
broom-corn. When asked what they
wanted with it, he replied that they
purchased $400 worth of broom-corn
every month for their broom-factory, and
have to buy nine-tenths of that amount
from Chicago.
This is a sad commentary on our abifU
lessness and improvidence. There is no
better country for the raising of broom-
corn than our own section. It can be
raised here as well as anywhere, and as
cheaply. With hundreds of young men
idle in every town and city of Georgia, it
is a wonder that some of them will not
go into the raising of this crop. They
could easily buy on time or rent a hun
dred acres of land, and by planting
broom-corn and raising chickens make
good living. The broom-corn would
prove as good a crop as cotton—it is in-
. comparably easier to attend to, and surer
in yield. The seed can be fed to tho
poultry and the stalks fed to stock. It
a shame that an enterprising firm that
has established a broom-factory here is
forced to send to Chicago for stock with
which to operate. It is the curse of our
country that our farmers pay too much
attention to big crops and not enough to
email and diversified industries. A pla
toon of young men that would de
vote the next year to the raising of
broom-corn and chickens within twenty
miles of Atlanta will show the right sort
of public spirit. We need a thousand
such platoons,
Tbe Captor* of Am Morgan.
We cannot express too fully the debt
that the public owes to ihe gallant riders
who captured tho murderer of the De-
foors. These men, Messrs. Kries, Starnes,
Good son and Wright, were constant, per
sistent and sagacious in their search.
They were in the saddle day and night,
and through rain and storm, and dark
ness, they struggled on, tracking through
the swamps and woods, until at last they
run the murderer down. The reward
that they get in money is pitiful, com
pared to the public service they have
done and-the labor they have undergone.
We should not forget tho old negro,
Aaron Burks, who voluntarily came in
and gave the information on which the
murderer was caught. Had this old ne
gro but remained qniet, the murderer,
hid on his little out-of-the-way farm,
would never have been caught. Aaron
displayed considerable sagacity and
shrewdness in first suspecting this strange
negro that came to him on Sunday morn
ing. He quietly worked along duo by
due until he was satisfied of his guilt,
and then slipped off to town and reported
him. In doing this, Aaron violated
precedent of his race, which is to harbor
all persons of color, no matter of what
* they are suspected, He has set an ex
ample to his race that they should follow.
Honest negroes should understand that
they are just as much interested in tho
preservation of order and peace as any
white man can be. Old Anpn Burks de
serves well of the public. Many of his
own people, we learn, are against him,
but he may rest satisfied that all white
people and all negroes whose opinion
worth having indorse his action and honor
him for jit
Mr. fitepliems's Speech.
We present in this issue the dear, elo
quent and statesmanlike address of Hon.
Alexander H. Stephens, before the gen
eral assembly and a crowded house yes
terday. Mr. Stephens is one of the
dearest figures to the people of Georgia in
all the line of their exalted and famous
sons. The words of wisdom and counsel
which drop from the lips of the Sage
liberty Hall fall upon an audience that
embraces not alone hH own people but
the nation. Sincere, honest, patriotic,
always he grows grander with his years
and wins a tenderer regard from his
people.
His address yesterday will be read with
pleasure; it may be studied with profit.
It develops the issues which weigh
heaviest upon the minds of intelligent
patriots of to-day ao plainly that no man
can mistake them, or the right aide
them. They are vital and demand firm
ness and vigilance upon the part of this
free people in older that the principles
which underlie their liberties may not
be crushed and their freedom lost for
ever.
On national finances Mr. Stephens
speaks with the knowledge of history, the
examples of the past, the full apprecia
tion of present poverty and distress and
rare foresight of the methods by which
the people may be saved from greater
disasters following fast and following
faster as the years go by. On the subject
of taxation none will dissent from his
views in this section of the country.
We commend to the people a careful
study of the woids which Mr. Stephens
here speaks. They are sound, practical
and embody the most patriotic statesman
ship that brightens an era dismal with
sectionalism and partisan rancor.
TbeDaarer *r Tramps.
The Constitution has frequently insisted
upon the necessity of a strict enforcement
pf the law against vagrants. Ihe recent
our writing upon the subject. Let us
look at the facts of the case, as given by
the negro captured on Monday.
There were two tramps strolling through
this quiet neighborhood. They are
about to commit an awful crime, and need
an accomplice. They turn about and
discover at their elbows another tramp.
Without a word—with no knowledge of
his antecedents or bis nature—only recog
nizing the fact that be belongs to their
class of roving vagabonds—they confide
their secret to him, and ask his co-opera
tion. They are not mistaken in their
man. The infamous bonds of the craft
bind him to them. Beady for anything,
from the theft of a watermelon to the
murder of a family, he consents to go
with them. They go together, are in
company a few hours, kill these old peo
ple, rifle tbe house, divide the loot, dis
solve their wretched partnership and go
their separate ways. And each goes with
murder in his heart and blood on liis
hands, waiting until some fellow-tramp
shall beckon him to a new crime,or until
some chance shall awaken his own in
stincts into action.
There is nothing more dangerous than
this horde of ruffians, white or black, that
infest the by-ways of our land. Outcasts
and aliens in habit and sentiment, sub
dued by no fear of local police,
and softened by no local attach
ment-predatory, hungry and des
titute-cut off from society, tramping,
eating, sleeping alone in open air like
brutes—with no tie of wife, or children,
or friends, and no sentiment of God in
their hearts—they skulk through the
country like wolves, only harmless when
glutted—gathering in gangs whenever
there is crime to be committed, or when
ever there is taint of blood on the air. It
is almost impossible to catch them. They
flash out of the woods upon their victims,
drop silently into the forest again and are
lost. They leave no trace of their pres
ence—they are seldom seen either before
or after the murder—they are the un
known and mysterious elements in crim
inal problems—they enter into no scheme
of local suspicion—they eliminate the
leading thread of motive from the crime,
and it is almost as easy to track the eagle
hat sweeps from his distant perch upon
his prey and is off again through the
trackless air.
It is useless for demagogues or sonti-
mentalists to try to involve these fellows
in pathos. They are ruffians and thieves
os a rule—hornless vagabonds in excep
tion. In this broad land of ours there
are precious few men that cannot find
work to do. There are forests to fell—
there are forges to mind—there are broad
acres to plow—there is enough work for
idle hands—enough work in almost any
neighborhood to catch these drifting
lives and make them steadfast. The con
firmed tramp is, therefore, a creature to
be shunned and dreaded, and arrested.
There is a plain law against vagrancy,
and it should be enforced. Let every
neighborhood keep watch over its limits.
If one of these gentry puts in an appear
ance, report him to the courts and let
him be arrested and put upon trial. I*t
him make a showing. If they cannot be
convicted, let them know that in every
neighborhood they will find their course
impeded, and find themselves subject to
constant investigation. This will drive
them out, for they hate light. When
this is done we shall have peace and
security along our hill sides and in our
valleys. But until this is done, we shall
not be able to give the fanner and his
family the protection that he has the
right to claim from the government,
unless we put a policeman on guard at
the door of every country house in Geor
gia-
candidate, and to begin the campaign
whenever and however he may choose,
but we are of the opinion that the agita
tion of the question as to who will be the
democratic nominee for the place is alto
gether premature. We do not think the
party will be at a loss to find a man
thoroughly competent to discharge the
dnties of the office at the proper time.
When the party meets in convention,
and the delegates, composed of true and
faithful men, who have the interest not
only of the party bnt the state and peo
ple at heart, nominate a man, we expect
to support him. Until this is done we
have no prefeience. We shall
certainly aid no individual
foist himself on the convention
or the party. It is not a difficult task to
find in tbe state, wherever the demo
cratic organization has become demoral
ized, evidence of the fact that it became
so from a desire on the part of some one
to use the party to foist themselves into
place when they are objectionable to the
people. To permit this to be done in a
s*ate convention wonld lead to demorali
zation all over the state, and we do not
propose to give any aid or comfort to the
movement.
There is no necessity, so far as the par
ty or the people are concerned, for a
premature discussion of who is to be
next governor. No man can tell what
changes may take place before the time
to select the candidate, and the man who
blindly ties himself to any candidate
long befortf the time for his election
merely increases the chances for disap
pointment, and does the democratic party
great harm by complicating a question
that ought to be one of the simplest and
most pleasant pieces of work connected
with the organization.
We want the convention to select a
candidate for the next governor of Geor
gia. We want them to do it unbiased
by private machinations and without any
regard whatever to the ambitions of
office-seekers. There is but one question
for that convention to determine, after
they adopt a proper platform of princi
ples, and that is, who is the best man for
chief magistrate? If the counties send
good and true men to represent them,
and the choice is a man, as it should be,
who will discharge the duties of the office,
according to their judgment, most ac
ceptable to our people, no harm will fol
low their action; but if we are to be har-
rassed for twelve months by the indi
vidual efforts of men who want the nomi
nation because it will give them strength
that they cannot have in any other way,
we will create dissensions that will
weaken our party, and forever make the
work of conventions obnoxious to our
people.
We repeat that we have no candidate
to advocate. We propose to deal justly
with all who are mentioned, and will do
so to the best of our a) ility, with one sin
gle purpose in view, and that is to select
a man whom all good democrats will be
proud to support, and who will only be
objectionable to men who want to in
augurate schemes and plans that will de
stroy the party and pull down the old
commonwealth to their level. The best
governors that Gecffgia ever had were
selected on account of their merit and
not because they had worked themselves
into the place. Let the party meet to
gether and select a standard-bearer with
out any regard to the individual wishes
of any man, on account of his parity,
patriotism, faithfulness and efficiency.
In this way we will simplify the issue
and get a good governor. To disregard it,
we create dissensions, injure the party
and make it possible to have a man for
governor who will be a discredit to our
state.
Country Boys In town.
There is nothing more pitiful than the
deluge of letters that pours into The Con
stitution office whenever an advertise
ment for a young man appears. No mat
ter what the advertisement is—no matter
what the wages that are offered—no mat
ter how hard the work is—there are
es of letters that come in, and scores
of humble solicitations for the place.
These letters are handed in by bright
young fellows, who are fretted with idle
ness—by tired, weary-looking yonng fel
lows who appear to have worn themselves
out in hunting for work—by young coun
try fellows who seem to have handed the
lettei in because they did not have a
stamp to send it with. There is never
any diminution of this crowd. It never
tires of trying, and it never seems to get
what it is atter. Day after day it comes
in, in refsponse to advertisements looking
for work.
There are hundreds of these young men
—capable fellows—who are literally
starving fbr the lack of some honest work
to do. They may be found on every
street and in every part of the city. And
yet in the face of all this there are people
who will advise young fellows who are
fairly fixed on a good farm in the coun
try to leave it and come to the city for
work. No advice could be more fatal.
There is no work to do in the city. Every
department of trade is overstocked, and
there is no more chance to get a place as
a street car driver than there is to get'a
place as manager of the largest dry goods
house in the city. Everything is full and
running over. And prospective appli
cants must not be deluded with the belief
that by offering to work low, they can
be able to secure places. Wages have
nothing to do with it A merchant told
us the other day that a gentleman offered
to put his son in the store and let him
work for nothing from Jane 1st to No
vember 1st if a situation of $40 a month
would be guaranteed him at that time.
He coaid not afford to do it.
It is exceedingly dangerous for a boy
fresh from the country to be thrown into
the seething streets of the city,
idle and with nothing to do
bnt to loaf about and look for work. It
is almost certain that he will fall before
some of the thousands of temptations
that assail him, and become ensnared in
the traps that are set for his weary feet
Even when he is in business, he has to
be keen-eyed, alert and strong within
himself, or he will find himself involved
in irretrievable ruin. Tbe bustle and
glare and noise of the city will upset him
before he suspects it, and have him down
in the gutters, before he thinks he is
in danger. Even if he succeeds in get
ting a clerkship, and after long years of
poor pay, hard work and numberless
privations, he is made a partner in the
house for which he is working, or sets op
in business for himself, he is confronted
with the fact that over ninety out of
every hundred men who go into the mer
cantile business fail in it.
Clearly the thing for the boy who has
a home upon the farm is to stay there.
He will be certain of a reasonable good
living, a self-respecting, bealthfnl life,
and a home for his wife and babies when
he shall get them. This is much more
than he can count on in the city. If one
hundred young country boys were to
reach Atlanta to-morrow with two or three
hundred dollars apiece in their pockets,
in ten years not ten of them wonld be
able to marry and decently support a
wife and family. If yon have a place on
the farm stay there. It wonld be good
sense if a thousand yonng city boys could
go out and join yon there to-morrow.
Tire Beat fismasr srecargla.
The election for governor of Georgia
will not be held until the first Wednes
day in October, 1880. It is certainly the
“Quinine.” remarks the New Haven
Register, “has gone up.” Yes, and it is
he regretted it isn’t the American manu
facturers instead of the quinine.
Sherman’s assault on the Glover report
was about as eflec'ual as if be had endeav
ored to arouse the Cardiff giant with
stuffed club.
The organs complain bitterly of the
democratic congress, and of everything
else democratic. This is sad, bat candor
compels us to advise the republicans
prepare for the worst. If they cannot live
with patience under the wise but firm ad
ministration of the democrats, they should
get up an exodus on their own account,
they have advised the colored people to do.
We have no doubt that tbe patriotism
railroad managers will induce them to of
fer half rates.
Toe only Ohio man of onr acquaintance
who hasn’t got an office in his deadly em
brace is Ampt, and even Ampt is recruiting
in foreign parts.
■-
The agricultural authorities out west are
complaining of dry winds. These gentle
zephyrs ought to come to Georgia and get
wet down.
Thebe is nothing like aggressiveness.
‘Down with state rights!” cry the republi
cans, and the onslaught they propose
make will be an earnest one. Meanwhile,
do the people of the north appreciate the
situation?
We trust the rumor that Grant will visit
the south is true. There are some brands
stowed away here in Atlanta that will open
his eyes to the fact that tbe south is a com
ponent part of this grand and glorious re
public.
Pomeroy and Crandall are quarreling
to which of the twe shall control the green-
backers. Pomeroy may be the mudsill
the concern, but Crandall claims to be the
Lee dear.
VisiTORS to New York have their choice.
They can either have their pockets picked
by thieves, or they can get clubbed by an
accommodating policeman. Both
cheap, but we have forgotten which is the
most enjoyable.
Or Colonel Buford, the Kentucky snipe-
hunter, it is impressively remarked by an
eloquent Kentucky editor that “his proud,
fierce sou^ refused to quail before the
crowd.” In the language of the sweet
singer of M., his fierce fa so la was ou its
muscle—or words to which that meaning
may be ordinarily and effectively attached.
It was a piece of flat irony ou the part of
John Sherman to remark in Maine tbe other
day that the republican party “never robbed
“ a ballot-box.” Rascally taxidermists that
they are, they stole and staffed ’em.
Mas. Potts has turned her prow north
ward. and will pass through Atlanta. We
bid her welcome now, because at the proper
time we might forget it.
The atmosphere seems to hare a tendency
to wring itself oat. The rains we failed to get
in June have been holding a July conven
tion in Georgia.
. Ir public sentiment in Texas is opposed
theatrical representations, tbe authorities
have only to turn Currie loose.
“Thebe b one way,” remarks the New
York Tribune, “for the south to stop the
“ fresh exodus of negroes which is threat-
*‘ened this fall.” One moment, esteeemed
contempt. Does the south want to stop it?
This Is a free country, and the negro ought
to be allowed to go where he pleases. Would
anybody want to stop an exodus of white
men? And would anything be gained by
it? You are far too sudden with your ad
vice.
LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY.
MONDAY, JULY 28.
The senate session was entirely devoted to
the discussion of the Colquitt-Murphy re
port, Senators Bryan, DuBose and Preston
favoring tbe adoption of the report and
Senators Grimes, Stephens and Cumming in
favor of non-action. The debate kept the
galleries filled with an interested audience.
In tbe bouse the bill to authorize the city
of West Point to establish an independent
system of public schools was passed. A
number of bills were read the first time,
among them a bill to authorize the collec
tion of a tax for the erection of a court
house in Fulton county, a bill to reduce the
treasurer’s bond from $200,000 to $100,000,
to authorize the university of Georgia to
accept the Lucy Cobb institute as a female
department and appropriate money for its
support, and a bill to create a state board of
health. Another batch of local and special
bills were hustled alongon their way to the
omnibus committee on that species of leg
islation. A number of senate bills were
read tbe first time and referred to their ap
propriate committees. Mr. Yancey,
Cobo, offered a resolution designating
Crawford W. Long, jr., discoverer of an
esthesia, and James Oglethorpe, founder of
Georgia, as the illustrious sons of the com
monwealth to be marbleized for the his
torical art gallery in Washington City.
TUESDAY,-JULY 29.
In the senate Mr. Bower conclnded the
Colquitt-Murphy debate and the report was
taken up and adopted by the jug-handle
vote of 30 yeas to 4 nays, viz: Hamilton
of the 15th, Head, Holcombe and Stiten;
while Senators Bower, Cumming, Grimes,
Perry and Stephens were excused from vot
ing. The bill to define and punish lobby
ing was debated awhile and finally recom
mitted. Several bills were read a first time
the only prominent one being a bill to es
tablish a board of railroad commissioners.
In the house the bill to continue the geo
logical survey was warmly discussed on a
motion to refer it to the finance committee,
in order that it might have a look from
that keen-eyed and close-fisted body. The
motion to let them handle it awhile pre
vailed. Among the bills that squeezed
through on a third reading were a bill to
regulate the advertising fees of sheriffs, or
dinaries and marshals; a bill that no sheriff,
jailer, or other person making an arrest
shall be competent to give evidence as to
confession; a bill to prohibit railroads from
purchasing or leasing other railroads; a bill
to prevent the giving or promise to give
the treasurer of the state, or officer of the
state, or of any county, any interest, fee,
or reward for the deposit of state or county
funds. Mr. Yancey’s magnetic variation
bill failed to pass and the needle is now
presumably sloshing around loosely and
lawlessly somewhere between the 32d par
allel and the frigid zone.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30.
In ihe senate a bill to prevent the care
less handling of firearms was passed; also,
a bill to require physicians to record their
licenses; also, a bill regulating the holding
of justices’ courts. House bills were read
the first time and the secretary’s desk
cleared.
In the house a motion to reconsider the
bill regulating legal advertising gave rise to
a lively debate. It was claimed that the
bill dealt a blow at the country press and
tiie rural quill could have heard the en
comiums lavished upon the tribe by the
eloquent members he would have taken
back all the cuss-words recently uttered
against the solons and cried aloud .“great
the scribe of the provinces and the legisla
ture is his prophet” But the bill was not
reconsidered. The Middle Georgia agricul
tural college project # was again debated.
After an animated, if not acrid, debate, tiie
bill was rejected. And just here we re
mark that no handsomer, dashing and
worthier strqgele to be successful was ever
made for a ineasure than that;waged by
Colonel Hulsey. The people of Mill*dge-
rille, if they had chosen, could have select
ed no more zealous and earnest a champion.
The vote upon the bill will show the people
of that city where to put the responsibilty
for the defeat of the measure.
THURSDAY, JULY 31.
In the senate after the formal reading first
and second time of bills in order, the pen
itentiary question was taken up and the de
bate continued throughout the session. The
force and favor of the arguments were pret
ty unanimous against the present inhumane
lease system, but the practical question as
thecon vict—“What’we will do with him f 1
has not yet received the shadow of a solu
tion.
In the house the Milledgeville military
and agricultural college bill was after
• a lively struggle, reconsidered *and
laid on the table until the tired
combatants oyer it can take, a breathing
spelL A bill to exempt ministers, phy
sicians, apothecaries, teachers, millers, fer
rymen, railroad employes, telegraph opera
tors and all male persons over sixty years
of age from jury duty was passed. The bills
to incorporate the Hartwell railroad com
pany and to authorize tbe city of Macon
fund her floating debt were passed. A re
port from tbe “Atlanta capitol” committee
was read and its accompanying resolutions
adopted.
ruDAY, AUGUST L
In the senate Mr. Howell introduced an
important measure in the nature of a bill
prevent the introduction, use and sale
obscene literature in this state,* and to pre
scribe the punishment therefor. The peni
tentiary question was resumed and debated
to the end of the day’s session.
In the house a large batch of bills were
read"the first time and referred and a num
ber of local .and special bills sent to tbe
mill to be ground over by the.committeeson
such matters.
The Moffett register bill was taken up and
ably defended by Mr. Aw try, of Troup, but
the “nip-now-and-tben” members got
astraddle of it and mashed it flatter than
President Hayes’s inaugural platitudes on
civil service reform. The bill fell before
solid array of 108 against 27 valiant defend
ers. And the bell will not ring out
Georgia!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2.
No session of the senate. They work
hard and need a holiday now and then—say
once a week.
The house got into a jolly snarl over
Colonel Peterson Thweatt’s perennial reso
lution. It cometh up every session like
the Canada thistle—more thorny than ever
and harder to get over. The
resolution failed to pass and
Colonel Thweatt is. impaled on a short
vote of 77 where he must hang until next
session, singing
“I got as high as seventy-seven
Bnt that wam’t enough by just eleven!
Oh, Hang ’em!
A number of bills were read the first and
second time and several resolutions of no
considerable purport passed, when the bouse
adjourned in time to catch the out-bound
trains.
BILL ARP’S INTERNAL TROUBLES.
Tka Advantage* Gro flag Oat of a Healthy Parent
age—The Coneeqaenoea of Boasting Ha’s In-
jndiciottly Eaton—Mrs, Are’* Reme-
dioo —Bill’s Ruminations.
AROUND BUFORD.
Colonel Dose Piatt has discovered that
there is a good deal of variety in politics.
First be was mauled by McGarrahan. and
now he is making fiat speeches in Ohio
the interest of tbe republicans. Perhaps
Colonel Piatt has never beard of Sir Thom
as Browne, a sturdy old democrat who lived
in England many years ago, bnt Sir Thom
as is the man who remarked that “variety
“ often precedes calamity.’*
The Excessive Rains—A School Breaks
rp lost Blot.
Buford, Ga., August 2.—We have had
fine rains for the past ten days, and tbe
prospect for cr >ps is greatly changed. Be
fore the rain farmers bad come to tbe con
clusion that forward upland com wonld
hardly make a half crop, and that cotton
was being cat short, but now they say
the drought aid very little damage to com
and scarcely any to cotton. I think now the
prospect is for better crops in this section
than for years. Mr. Gamer’s hotel is fall of
boarders from Atlanta and Savannah. Onr
'merchants have had a very good trade this
spring and summer, and look for a lively
time next fall. At a school-house near Su
wannee there arose some trouble among the
children last week, and on Monday the
parents were called in to settle it. which
they did by fighting it ont among them
selves. We understand that some of the
parties were badly hart.
Cssym News.
Costers, Ga^ August 2.—The rains
tinue. Protracted meetings are going on
at the Methodist and Secood Baptist
tlmirfw The union 8anday-school cele
bration appointed for to-day was postponed
on account of the rain. The Rockdale agri
cultural fair will open on the 14th of Octo
ber. and promises to be a grand success.
Tbe grand lodge L O. G. T. will hold its
regular annual state convention here on the
second Tuesday in September. Too many
tram;.- have been passing through here of
lata. They are an unmitigated nuisance.
Rockdale superior court will convene on
the third Monday in this month.
A MIDNIGHT COLIC.
Written for the Constitution,
heard of a grumblin old farmer
ho made a big crop of very fine corn and
on being congratulated about it, said;
“Well, yes; my corn is all mighty fine,
but I don’t know how I’ll get along without
some nubbins to feed the steers on.”
lining now tfvery day, but it came
little too late, and we’ll all have plenty of
steer food this year. I reckon we will make
tolerable corn on the bottoms, and
the late planting is coming out smartly. If
misery loves company we can take comfort
like the darkey did that Mr. Stephens told
about in his speech, for poor crops are a
pretty “general thing” in this naborhood.
But maybe its all right—for we did make
an abundance of wheat, and it ain’t too late
to make right su art cotton and git 15 cents
pound for it A man ought to be recon
ciled to what he cannot help, that is unless
he owes a little passel of money he
pay and is reminded of it once a month ou a
postal card. Thats bad ain’t it? Or unless
he has got a lot of sickly no account chil
dren. I tell Mrs. Arp we ought to be
mighty thankful for theres nary one of the
ten thats cross-eyed or knock-need or pig-
un-toed or box-ankled or sway-backed or
hump-shoulderd or lame or blind or idiotic
and the grandchildren are an improvement
upon the stock, and I dont believe any of
era will ever git to tiie poorhouse or carry
a pistol or go to the legislature and
have some feller off r em a hundred dollars
for Lis vote. A sound, healthy body is a
great blessing, and a fair set-off to most
every kind of'bad luck that can happen to
a man. Mr. Beech# was right whet
said the first rule l^hsure good health
to select good, healthy parents tube born
from. My ruminations on this subject have
been quite luminous of late, for I’ve been
powerful sick. The fact is, I like to have
died the other night, and all of a sudden.
You see I had over-worked myself a
fixing up a turnip-patch, and got
wet besides, and didn’t stop for dinner, aud
was sorter hungry and bilious to start on and
we had roasten ears for supper and butter
milk and honey, and takin it all together I
took the green corn dance about midnight
and the small of my back caved in and from
then until daybreak I never sot up, nor lay
down, nor stood still a minute. Doubled
up and twisted and jerked around with ex-
cruciatin pains, I cavorted all over one side
of the house, for we had some Atlanta com
pany on the other, and my groanings were
worse than a foundered mule. It was just
awful to behold and awfuller to experience.
Spirits of turpentine, campbire, hot water,
mustard plaster, mush poultice, paregoric,
Jaraiaca ginger were all used externally and
internally, but no relief. I trotted around
and paced and fox-trotted and hugged the
bed-post and laid down and rolled over on
the floor like a hundred dollar horse, and
my wife, Mrs. Arp, she trotted around too
and dosed me with this thing and that thing
and had the stove fired up and hollered for
hot water forty times before she got it.
“t told you not to work so hard in the hot
sun.” said she. “Oh, Lonly,” said L
“I asked you to change your clothes as
soon as yon came to the house and you
didnt do it” “Oh my country,” said I.
“Don’t wake up* the company,” she con
tinued. “And you would eat them roasten
ears for supper—did ever anybody hear of a
man eating roasten ears for supper and then
wash em down with buttermilk and honey.”
“Oh, my poor back,” said I.
“Do you reckon its your back—aint it
further round in front?” “Oh, no,” said I,
“Us everywhere, its lumbago, its siatiker.
its Bright's disease, its Etna and Vesuvious
all mixed up. Oh, I’m so sick—cant no
body do nothin.”
“Poor fellow, poor William, I’m so sorry
for you but you will wake up the company
if you don’t mind—I’m doing everything I
can. You’ve taken enough things now to
kill you. I declare I don’t know what to
do next and all this comes from roovin to
the country five miles from a drug store or
a doctor. I told you how it would be—
plumbags and akyattiker and a bright dis
ease, and the Lord knoAS what, and I
wouldn’t be a bit surprised if you had the
yellow fever to boot—caught it a tram pin
around Memphis and its just broke out on
you. Poor man. if he does die wbat will
become of us? But if he gets well lie’ll go
and do the same thing over again. Don’t
grunt so toud. I declare you make enough
noise to wake up a gravfe-yard. I never
saw such a man. Here, try this mush
poultice. I thought that water never would
E st hot- I .toes it burn you?" Oh, yes; It
urns, but fire is nothin now, let it bunt.
Oh! I’m so sick* “Bring me the paregoric
or the laudanum or something. I cant
stand it ten minutes longer,” said I.
“There aint a drop left. Youve taken
all. Theres nothing but chloroform ? and
I’m so afraid of that, but maybe it will re
lieve you William. My poor William, bow
I do hate to see you suffer so, but you will
never do as I tell you. Do please dont
wake up the company!”
Well, 1 took the chloroform and went to
sleep—to the happy land—all-blessed relief,
and when I waked I was easier, and in due
time was restored to my normal coudition.
In my gyrations my mind was exceedingly
active. I ruminated over my past life, and
coaid find a little comfort in what Lee
Hunt wrote about some Arab who was ad
mitted to heaven because be loved his
fellow-men. Just so I have loved
mine, that is, except some. I thought about
money in comparison with health and free
dom from pain, and I felt such an utter dis
gust for ricues; it made me sick at the stom
ach. I would have given a house full of gold
for two minutes cessation of those internal
hostilities.
Well, I kept this numerous and interest
ing family in a lively state for a few long
hours, end it taught me a useful lesson.
I’m going to take care of myself; I’m going
to do everything Mrs. Arp tells me, for she
has got sense—she has. She takes care -*
herself—not a gray hair in her head, and
as bright as the fall moon; and when she
gives an opinion it is an opinion. From
that horrible night’s experience I am more
than ever satisfied she loves me as well as
ever and wouldn’t swap me off for nobody.
When I stand up before her and say “juror
look upon the prisoner—prisoner look upon
the juror,” she always says “content.” And
then she has such a considerate regard for
her “ company.” Bill Arp.
CRIME AND CASUALTY.
Lindsey \\ est. Railey, a quiet and peace
able farmer, came to town with a load of
watermelons, and while trying to sell one
to a lady, was approached by West, who,
alter examining the melons, remarked,
‘they are not worth a d—n,” and left. A
few minutes later Railey drove
to Plant’s. Lindsey West
again came up and made several
insulting remarks. Railey ordered him
away, at the same time using the persua
sion of a brick, and while attempting to get
back into the wagon, We.-t rushed on him
with an open razor, cutting him in three
places—one of twelve inches long on the
leg, a gash in the shoulder and several
places on the side. West fled and np to this
hour (seven p.tn.) has not been caught.
The wounded man was carried to Dr.
Mettauer’s office and was well
cared for. . His wounds are pronounced
not necessarily dangerous, btit very painful.
West was supposed to have been 'drinking.
SERE AND SALLOW.
THE WEEK’S RECORD IN MEMPHIS.
Forty-four Deaths la tho City Dariag the Weeh-
Tho Authorities Taking Precaution*—Forty-
Two D uths iu Iiou'Bville—Italy
Shuta the United States Out
The police are certain of his capture to-
“ight.
It seems as if we are going to have anoth
er flood. We have had rain here everv day
for two weeks, and all of to-day it has*been
coming down in perfect torrents.
Athens, Ga., August 1.—Some brnglar,
undoubtedly associated with confederates,
attempted to burglarize Mr. Myer Cohen’s
residence Wednesday night Mr. Oersberg
has; since Mr. Cohen’s absence in Europe,
been sleeping in the house as a protector in
ca>e of accident or attempted robbery.
Wednesday night he was attracted to the
front door by heavy knocking, but could
?ee no one after he had opened it About
fifteen minutes afterward the heavy knock
ing was repeated. Mr. Gersbere, becoming
suspicious, secured a pistol, ana again went
to the door. While he visited the door
some one entered an up-stairs back window
overlooking a shed, which rendered the
window of easy access from the ground.
Mrs. Cohen, who had entered the hall, sai 1
that she heard some one up-slairs. Mr. G.
ran to the foot of the stains, and saw a man
wriggling out of a window at the head of
the steps. He then ran up to the window,
and fired at the burglar just as he was low
ering himself over the edge of the shed, but
thinks he missed him. The house was
afterward searched bat nothing was found
missing. The rascals seem to have been
under the impression that no man was on
the premises; their idea was to attract Mrs.
Cohen’s attention to tiie door, while a con
federate entered the window as described
above. Their plan would probably have
succeeded had not so much noise been
made in entering the window.
Union, 8. C.. August l.—One of the most
horrible outrages known, probably, in the
criminal rcconis of this country, took place
near Sandy’s church, four miles south of
this place, to day. It seems that/Mr. A. B
Humphreys and wife, a highly respectable
and well-to-do couple, living in that neigh
borhood. left home this morning to go to
the town of Union to transact some busi
ness, leaving their only child, a little daugh
ter two years of age, in charge of a negro
boy sixteen years old, named Ned Holmes,
employed as a laborer on the farm. On the
return of the father and mother this after
noon the discovery was made that the boy
had outraged the little girl in the most hor
rible matiner.and in order to accomplish his
I iurposes had made use of a knife, in
uring his victim to such an extent that
ler life is despa red of. Holmes fled as soon
as he had committed the crime. Holmes
was arrested this evening in the lower part
of the city. A large number of men gath
ered in the road to intercept the sheriff on
his way to jail with the pri-oner, for‘the
purpose of lynching the negro, but the
officers evaded the crowd, and removed the
accused to the Laurens county jail. This
outrage was perpetrated in the* same neigh
borhood where Moore ravished and mur
dered a young lady a few weeks ago, for
which be was lynched by a mob of his
neighbors.
Cincinnati, August 2.—The streets of
Frankfort, Ky., near the spot where Buford
slew Judge Elliott, were the scene of an
other bloody tragedy last Wednesday. John
Cole and Burnet Gordon,-farmers, neighbors
and brothers-in-law, living on Flat creek,
near Frankfort, came to town in the morn
ing, and meeting laterin the day in front of
Haly’s saloon, b^gan a dispute about a stand
ing difficulty between them in regard to
dealings in stock. Angry words followed,
when both men suddenly drew pocket-
knives and rushed at the other. Gordon,
who was sober and cool, had on advantage
over his antagonist, who was intoxicated.
The duel lasted for some minutes, both men
hacking away at each other with fearful
effect. Suddenly Cole staggered inside of
the saloon, fell upon the floor, and in five
minutes was dead. A blow front Gordon’s
knife had severed the carotid artery, and he
bled to death. There were half a dozen
other frightful gashes in his neck and
breast. Gordon fought with a cheap dou-
ble-bladed jack-knife, and Cole with a com
mon single-bladed barlow knife. The
blade of Gordon’s weapon broke abort off
in tbe wound which severed the artery.
Gordon says thatj knowing Cole’s desperate
character when in liquor, he knew he had
to fight for his lifej and cut away with all
his might. Cole killed a man several years
ago in the mountains of Breathitt county.
Four other encounters took place ill or near
Frankfort during the day.
BENNING’S BRIGADE.
New York, August2.—Mr. F. 8. Davis,.of
Memphis, now here, received the following
from Dr. R. W. Mitchell, of the national
board ot health: “Memphis, August 1.—F.
& Davis: I have just arrived from Nash
ville. Nine cases and four deaths here yes
terday. I do not look for a large increase
in the number of cases in any one day.
we can get the people in the cauips we may
stop it entirely. The colored people are
giving trouble. They do not vraut to go
into camps. We will need help before long
to feed the hungry. It will not be safe to
return before cold weather.” A private
dispatch from Memphis to-day reports
thirteen new cases and four deaths since
yesterday.
Memphis, August 2.—Six new cases were
reported to the board of health this
morning. Two deaths have occurred
since last night. Miss Eudora
A they, daughter of Chief of-Police Athey,
died at Raliegh, ten miles northeast of
Memphis, this morning. Her mother’s
condition is not the most favorable. Ben
jamin Adams, whose death is also re
corded, had a typical case of fever last year,
which explodes the theory of immunity
from a sec -nd attack.
Eight more cases were reported to the
board of health this afternoon. Among the
number is Ed. Moon and John Waters.
Five additional deatlis have occurred—Mary
Mulbrandon, Marie Lanalian, Marshall
Hoskins. Charles Forbes and Julia
Richmond (colored). The total l
ber of deaths according to the
ficial announcement of the board of health
for the week ending at 6 p. m. to-night were
44—deaths from yellow fever 26; from
other causes 18. It was the purpose of the
president to declare the fever epidemic, as
the number of deaths from that disease
exceed those from all other causes
combined, but as the death
rate for the week shows a moderate
decrease from that of the previous week,
he withholds the declaration for the pres
ent. Last week the total number of deaths
was 71; from yellow fever 34; from other
37. Physicians are sanguine that the
maximum death-rate has been reached and
that a decrease in the number of deatlis can
reasonably be expected. A drenching rain
fell this afternoon.
Colonel Cameron has quietly collected all
the arms and ammunition from the gun
stores, and tilaced the sapie in the arsenal at
the station-house.
The last passenger train on the Louisville
and Nashville railroad left last night. No
mails were received by that route this
morning.
The fever will be declared epidemic to
night.
New York, August 2.—Curtis N. Chap
man. second mate of the brig Salisbury, of
St. John, N. B., and Neil C. Darnstedt,
sailor, of the same vessel, which touched at
Havana on her way hither, were admitted
to the quarantine hospital on Swinburu
bland this morning, sick with
yellow fever. There are now five
patients in the hospital. Three Urge bnild-
who before the eyes of the world appear as
whited sepulchres, her walls could not con
tain them.
My mother suffered for comforts, which,
far as I was able, I supplied from ray own
purse. Sister Emma Reynolds and Mrs.
Susan Kerapson have been very kind in
the present distressed condition of mother
and myself, in fumbhing us provisions and
vegetables to supply our immediate wants,
for which they will ever iiossess our sin
cere gratitude.
1,1 conclusion I will say to all who may
feel disposed to make an attack against
anything I have stated, I am pre
pared, my only weapon of defense beimr
* e et * rn *l principles of justice and truth.
Armed with these, I stand, and with a clear
conscience I challenge all. I fear no foe.
The truth b mighty and must prevail.”
Mrs. M. E. Ricks.
LETTER FROM GENERAL TOOMBS.
a Correction or Nome or General
Longs (reel's Ntatements.
Doraland, near Marietta, Ga., July 29,
1879—Editors Constitution: In your
issue of the 27th appears an article
headed, “General Longstreet,” which seems
to have been written for the Philadelphia
Times, by “H. W. G.” A paragraph in that
paper doe* injustice to the memory of the
late General Henry L. Benning, and casts
an unwarranted reflection upon the honor
of his brigade. That paragraph is as fol
lows:
“At another time, in the heat of the battle of
Chickamauga, General Benning, of Georgia, one
of the bravest men I ever saw, came charging up
to me In great agitation. He was riding a cap
tured artillery hone, without any saddle, with
the bridle on, and was using a rope trace as a
whip. His hat was gone, and he was much dis.
ordered. ‘General,’ he said, ‘my brigade is utter-
_ _ great
breaking! I approached him and said quiet
ly: ‘Don’t you think you could find one man
generair ‘One man!* he said, in astonishment
Special dispatch to The Constitution,
Isabella, Worth County, July 31.—lOne
day last week, iq. the county of Worth,
most dastardly outrage was committed by
negro fiend, one Will Clements, upon the
person of Mrs. Eliza Smith, a white woman,
and a widow, of said county. The incar-,
nate devil met her as she was on her way on
a visit to a Mr. Howard’s. He felled her to
the ground with a lightwood knot The
victim b still confined to her bed by reason
of wounds and bruises - inflicted upon her
person. The frequent recurrence of crimes
of thb kind are alarming indeed. No com
munity b secure. It should meet with
stem and summary vengeance. For ordina
ry crimes we have not, and do not, counte
nance violence; but in cases of thb kind,
where the guilt of .the accused b clearly
confessedly admitted,’ let there be no hesita
tion, but with firm, steady hands, consign
him to an Ignominious death at tbe hands
of an outraged community from the first
limb. Thus will thb crime be prevented
and society protected.
Special dispatch to The Constitution.
’ Dalton, July 3L—The coroner issued
warrants for the arrest of the murderers of
the Mormon and placed them in the hands
of the sheriff, who made a fruitless attempt
to arrest, be being unable to find any of the
party, they having crossed the line into
Tennessee. It b rumored here that the
murderers have secured attorneys and will
appear at coart and stand trial, but prefer
laying out to going to jail. Thb rumor
finds bnt little credence, however. The
murder b believed to have been a cold and
premeditated one, no cause having been
given other than that the Mormons had
made some converts and created some dis
turbances in families in tbe neighborhood.
No farther steps have been taken in the
matter.
Special dispatch to The Constitution.
Carter.- yille, August 2.—At nine o’clock
thb morning the jury in the case of the
Siate vs. John T. Burrongh. charged with
the murder of Joseph H. Morris at Kings
ton, in May last, returned a verdict of not
guilty. The verdict was read in the open
court, and in the presence of a well-filled
court room. The decision of the jury was
well received and seemed to meet with
general approval. Burr >ugb was warmly
congratulated by hb numerous friends.
There b still an indictment against him for
the killing of Thompson Morris, a brother
of Joseph Morris, which occurred the same
day.
Sp ecitl dispatch to the Constitution.
Opelika, Ala., July 3L—Colonel Samuel
G. Grasty has been held to bail in the sum
of $3,500, and can make the bond here.
Special dispatch to The Constitution.
Macon. Ga.. August L—Thb morning,
about 9 o’clock, a difficulty occurred here
which resulted in the serious catting of Mr.
Jim Railey by a noted negro burner named
mgs on Hoffman’s island, under the control
of quarantine commissioners, are in readi
ness for the reception of patients should
ihe disease increase, and the hospitals on
Swinbum’s island will be found insufficient
to accommodate patients arriving.
Rome, August 2.—A decree has been is
sued imposing a quarantine on vessels from
the United Slates, because of the prevalence
of yellow fjver in that country.
Louisville, August 2.—Forty-four deaths
thb week, one being an imported case of
yellow fever from Memphis.
Special dispatch to The Constitution.
New Orleans, August 2.—No new
of yellow fever reported here to-day. The
statement telegraphed hence yesterday that
Drs. Chopin and White were agreed as
to the cases in the Harvell family was in
correct. They agreed to await further
developments before deciding upon the
character of the disease.
FACING A GUN.
I suppose I could. What do you Want with hlmr
‘Go and get him,’ I said, still quietly laying
hand on his arm. ‘and bring him here. Then .
and I and he will charge together. This Is sacred
soil, general, and we may as well die here as any
where.’ He looked at me curiously a moment
then laughed, and with an oath, lashed his horse
with his rope trace, and waster like a flash. Ina
few moments he swept by me at the head of a
command that he had gathered together somehow
or other, and he was into the fight again.”
It will *be news, indeed, to those who
knew General Benning to hear that he could
suffer “great agitation” or be “much dis
ordered” on the battle field. Of all the
men I ever saw under fire he
was the , coolest and most per
fectly collected. He was of that class—
so few in numbers—who could look danger
as big as a mountain at first, steadily in the
face, and see it dwindle to a mole-hill while
he gazed at it—the longer be looked the
smaller it waned. There was the stuff of
Jackson in Benning. It required no out
side aid to stiffen hb backbone or string hb
nerves or rouse his courage. It was be that
inspired other men; not they that inspired
him.
It will also be news to those who know
anything of the hbtory of Bentiing’s
•brigade to hear that it was ever “utterly de
stroyed and scattered.” It saw the curtain
rise on the bloody drama, and after four
years’ nearly of struggle, the scarred veter
ans of more than fifty pitched-battler .-aw it
fall at Appomattox—“all prescut or ac
counted for/’
Tbe facts of the Chickamauga incident
referred to are these: On Sunday, the 20th
of September, 1863, and the second day of
the battle, in charging a federal battery of
four guns. General Henning’s horse
was killed—the second horse that was
shot from under him that day.
While cutting loose a horse from a captured
cabson. he said to me, on whom the com
mand of the brigade temporarily devolved
“Press the men on;don’t give back an inch.
I’ll see that we get reinforcements.” We
did press forward and cut the federal line
It was speedily reformed, with a change of
front, and immediately poured upon us an
enfilading fire. Without supports on the
right or left, it was utter destruction to the
brigade to remain where we then were. I
therefore fronted two of the regiments (the
2d and 17th Georgia) to the right, and two.
(the 20th and 15th) to the left, thus forming
tbe brigade into a sort of V in shape, with
orders to retire slowly, and firing as they
retreated. They Tell back, as ordered, in
good order, some four or five hundred
yards, when the-brigade was put in line
along with and abreast of our other confed
erate troops. General Benning came to u-
at that time, riding a horse bareback, with
a blind-bridle; he had bb hat on, however,
and an unsheathed sword—not.“a rope-
trace”—was in bb hand. He said no
reinforcements coaid be had, and
at once gave the order—“Forward!”
I saw no sign of “agitation” or “disorder”
about him. On tbe contrary, it seemed
that “hope elevated, joy brightened hb.
crest.”
Hb memory and the honor of hb brigade
are very dear to me: and for those reasons,
as wcl'i as in vindication of the truth of
hbtory, I beg. Captain Howell, that you
publbh thb note. It may to some extent
correct the erroneous impression which the
interesting article cf “H. W. G.” b calcu
lated to produce. General £. M. Law (who
commanded the drvision\ General D. M.
DuBose, Captains Denny, Fontaine, Mitch
ell, Mims. Abbott (the -hree last named of
your own city), and five hundred other liv
ing witnesses will avonch the accuracy of
the statement I make.
James D. Waddell.
Tke Discontented Indians.
Special dispatch to The Constitution.
Winnipeg, Mlsn., August 2.—The Bat-
tleford Herald has news from Wood moun
tain that the Sioux Indians are restless, and
had warned the half-breeds camped there to
move away. On their declining to do so
the Sioux rode through their camp, shout
ing and firing, but hurt no one.
A Talk With Asa—A New Fact ami
New Man Who Mas a New Theory,
. Yesterday morning a Constitution 1
porter repaired to Fu.ton county jail for
the purpose of having a talk with Asa Guun
one of the alleged murderers of the Defoors.
Captain Anderson, at the urgent request of
the reporter, accompanied him to the cell
of the prisoner and remained during the
entire interview.
The talk was so untatisfactory that the re
porter does not feel inclined to give it to
the public. Suffice it to say that Asa first
denied in toto all knowledge of the mur
der. He says that he was bitten by thq dog
and beaten by tbe men, and even threat
ened with hanging if he did not confess—
that the words of said confession were put
into hb mouth, and he dared not utter
anything else.
The reporter, looking down at Asa’s feet,
remarked to him upon their smallness, and
told him that he did no. think they were
too large to get into those boots, and asked
him why he did not try them on. To thb
Asa replied that he did not care anything
about te~ A short time after thb Asa said,
“Boas, I’m goin’ to tell you the truth,
knows nothfu’ about it.”
The reporter next gave Asa a description
of the axe used—incorrect, of course—in
order to draw him out, if possible. But he
said that the men told him to say what he
had told about the axe.
One thing b veiy strange. Asa al
ways sits down when the sub
ject of the murder is intro
duced and acts as if depressed in spirits.
He also contradicts himself repeatedly in
conversing upon the subject and seems Ut
be utterly incapable of telling the whole
truth.
Hb mind b flighty, but whethe. from ac
cident or design the reporter is unable to
say. Many persons have visited him in
iail.but he has never told an y two men exact
ly the same tale about all tho circumstances.
There b a great mystery about thb negro,
and it b impossible to tell from talking
with him whether be is guilty or 110L
Tbe reporter beard for the first time yes
terday that when the old people weie fount
their faces were covered with the old la ly\
dress. Thisbconridereda very iuiportantcir
cumstance by a new man with whom the
reporter had a long talk yesterday. This
new man has a bran new theory which b
the most reasonable one yet developed. He
bconfident of ferreting out the perpetra
tor, bus says it will take time, and begged
the reporter not to give the public bis the
ory just now, because at present he prefers
to work 1 jke a mole.
MRS. RICKS REPLIES.
SCENTING THE BLOOD.
HUNTING DOWN THE FIENDS.
H*w Dsvelopmen’s in tbsDefocr Cass—Finding of
Notes and Money in a Pitcher—Captain
Starnes’s Batts Oonnty Trip—HU
Theory of tho Case.
Tbe 11 ln|ory or Ills Railroad Fees
From the State.
Washington, Ga., July 28.—Editors Con
stitution: My attention was called just
before I left Atlanta to an editorial article
in the Chronicle and Constitutionalbt of
tho 22d irnt asking for information as how
much money I had received from Governor
Smith and Governor Colquitt for my pro
fessional services in the railroad tax cases of
the state against the various railroads in
Georgia. That journal desires that the ac
count should be itemized, and expressed the
opinion that the account would
fumbh “good reading” for the public.
For the sole reason that the article
is calculated, if not intended, to bene
fit the railroad corporations to
the detriment of the people of Georgia,
whose interests have beeu in | art corn mined
to me, 1 will respond. These cases arose
under.an act of the legislature (tossed in Feb
ruary, 1874. I was retained by Governor
Smith as coumel for the state.
paid me two thousand
dollars in part pay of my retainer,
and subsequently, 1 think, in 187G, he paid
me for commissions on the money received
from the Central railroad what she refused
to pay, two thousand more, above $20,000
having b.^en brought into thi treasury on
that case by virtue of deebions made by
tbe supreme court of Georgia,
affirmed by the supreme court of
the United States, making $4,000 from Gov
ernor Smith. I have received nothing from
Governor Colquitt, never having presented
him with any account. Thb is the whole
account itemized, and I hope the C. and C.
will find much “good reading” in it.
The number of u. faa contested by the rail
roads is between fifty and sixty, aud every
single one tried they have been found de
faulters. I think up to tbb time more
than one hundred thousand dollars have
been paid into the state treasury under the
principles thus far decided by the courts,
beyond wliat the railroads admitted to be
due, and contested with the aid of a large
number of the best lawyers of the state,
aided by two of the most dbtinguisLed
lawyers out of the state, practicing in the
supreme court of the Uuited States, and
there are uow several judgments in fa
vor of tiie state fbr about five hundred thou
sand dollars for taxes and penalties in cases
made by the railroads and decided by the
courts of the last resort which can be real
ized at the pleasure of the state. Besides
these taxes thus received for the years 1874-
5-6-7, the property thus subjected by these
decisions, ad of which was claimed to be
l>artnlly or wholly exempt, by tin
•cbions is decided to be perpetually liable
to annual taxation by the legislature of
Georgia under her own constitution. By
these decisions, the state can increase her
revenue more than two hundred thousand
dollars per annum by simply taxing rail
road property at the same rate as she does
that of paupers who own a soap-gourd
string of rod pepper. By thb litigat
forty millions of privileged property has
been 1 r «ugbt under the law, and subject to
be taxed the general and equal rates. What
honest man regrets it? I do not wish the
Chronicle and Constitutionalist to under
stand that my account for just compensation
b closed, but he may take consolation from
the facts that the counsel of the state will
not have to call on the treasury for their
fees. They can be abundantly compen
sated by tolling their recoveries extorted by
law from the grasp of public plunderers.
' , very respectfully, your obedient
servant, It. Toombs.
Tbe Way of tbe Transgressor.
Special dispatch to The Constitution.
Denver, Col., August 2.—While ex-Sen- 1
ator Dorsey was sitting in front of the
Grand Central hotel to-day. Colonel Curry
* “ uphis, approached and struck him
rith hb fist, before the bystanders
interfered. It b said the trouble grew out
of a disagreement concerning federal ap
pointments in Arkansas.
HOW THE SOUTH STANDS.
The new facts in Ihe Defoor murder case
are as follows: Friday morning, the
youngest daughter of Mr. Defoor, while as
sisting to clean up the house, found, in a
common pitcher, in the room where tho
deed was done, all the notes described in
The Constitution a few days ago, and one
hundred and ten dollars in greenbseka The
money was in a small roll and tied up with
a string; the notes were in a small, red
pocket-book, which the old man had
received as a premium for taking
the Cincinnati Gazette. It was an
idiosyncrasy of the old man
to put his money in an out-of-the-way
place; but it seems that no one had thought
of looking in the pitcher before yesterday,
when the cleaning up began. Some think
that the old man put the money and notes
there; others hold that they were stolen"
and have been placed in the pitcher since
the killing.
Captain Starnes has just returned from a
visit to Butts county. He learned there
many things about the first negro captured.
His name is not Asa Morgan but* Asa Gunn.
He was convicted sometime ago of bur
glary, having broken into liis brother-in-
law’s house in Butts. In some way his
offense was reduced to a misdemeanor. He
was placed on a plantation to work
out the fine, 'stayed there two
days and made hb escape. He
le*ft Butts county three weeks ago, and
was not heard of again until he turned up
here. The negro Bob Justice whom Asa
Gunn said left Butts county with him
proved to Captain Starnes by inoomestible
evidence that he was at home on last Fri
day and Saturday. Asa Gunn is con
sidered one of the worst negroes who ever
lived in Butts county.
A day or two since, Asa Gunn was taken
to the scenefof the tragedy by Messrs. James
Collins, Tyler Cooper and John Mon. gan.
When they reached the fork of the road
this side of the Defoor place, one of the
gentlemen said: “Isn’t this the way?”
turning to the right. Asa replied: “No;
it’s Ithe- left hand road.” This was
tiue. Before they reached the
house, Mr. Moncgan asked if theic was a
clock in the building. Asa said that there
was a clock in the-big room—meaning the
sitting room. “What kind of a clock7”
asked Monegan. “It’s a big clock beltin'
over the fireplace in tbe big room,” replied
‘ sa.
They took him in the yard. He pointed
out the place where they got the ^-.Nlge
hammer: took them over on the hill and
showed them where lie left the boots; went
up-staira and pointed out the bed on which
he said the white man laid down, aud the
auger hole in the wall through which he
said the white man saw the old (tcoplewhen
they were sleeping; in fact, showed a per
fect knowledge of every (tosition and every
circumstance bearing upon the killing.
Yesterday the reporter heard through Mr.
James Collins that Asa Gunn had denied all
knowledge of the crime, and had. stated
that he was frigliter ed into tlid confession
by his captors.
Captain Starnes, since hb return from the
chase down the Georgia mad, lias finally set
tled upon the theory that Asa Gunn com
mitted the nimder and committed it alone.
He says that lie will soon be ready to show
that Asa was frequently in the neigh
borhood a day or so before the crime, and
had an excellent cliancc to become familiar
with the premises. He also says that when
Asa struck the fatal blows, he was so over
come with horror at tiie sight of tiie dead
bodies, that he rushed from
the room without completing his'search for
the money. “Negroes,” said the captain,
"are very superstitious, and fly from dead
people, especially if they have killed them.
Thb deed,” said he, “was so
horrible that the imagination of the
murderer peopled the mud and house with
men bent on his capture. As he stood there,
axe in hand, the patter of the rain was to
him like the tread of armed men in the
yard—ho could think of nothing hut being
detected, and giving up the search, fled the
ghastly scene.”
Captain Starnes has had much experience
with criminals, and his theory is therefore
entitled to careful consideration. He ut
terly scouts the idea that the crime was
committed for anything except money.
Why ller Husband was Imprisoned'
As to Her Brother.
We publish the following letter from
Mrs. Ricks, and hope It will close the dis
cussion of tbb unfortunate affair. It will
so far as our columns are concerned:
Warnebville. Ga., July 29—Editors
Constitution: My brother, J. N. Barton,
says in hb letter to the public that I have
done him great injustice; but that be
thinks I was mistaken and did it uninten
tionally. I aa-»ert fearlessly and unequivo
cally that the statement of the great injus
tice he practiced is true, every word of it.
and for proof I refer to every member of
our immediate family; also to several of
the more honorable and truthful class of
thb vicinity acquainted with the facts re
lated.
Tbe only injustice I did him was in fail
ing to mete out full justice by not relating
all of bb unprincipled schemes practiced
against hb own nearest kindred.
I have this to say to the public: I up
hold no one in the wrong; no. not even
those bearing tbe nearrat and dearest of
ties—be they mother, husband, sister c
brother. In reference to my husband, as _
bad only formed hb acaoaintace a year be
fore I married him, and as he was a com
parative stranger, I required references a<
to character, which he furnished. 1 have
written to hb mother and brothers for par
ticulars respecting hb imprisonment, also
to the keeper of the state prison at Milledge-
ville. If the rumor I hear be true, that it
was during the war, when he belonged to
the cavalry, that losing hb horse he appro
priated to hb own use one belonging to
another, it was no more, I am informed by
a veteran soldier, than the obeying of an
order i«"uM by officers to their men, that if
by any mean’s they were deprived of a
horse to supply the loss wherever they
could obtain another. If the horse was
taken under such circumstances, and after
the war be was imprisoned for it, it was
truly an act of injustice; bat if the alleged
theft occurred after the war, then his im
prisonment was but just. I am awaiting
replies to the letters I have written, and
hence can say nothing positive in reference
to thb matter. Tbe letter I wrote to my
brother, which appeared in jprint, was a
truthful statement of facts which occurred
under my own personal observation, and
which I stand ready to substantiate.
If tbe state prison should close its
doors on the many thieves and murderers
Senator Ben- Hill Speaks Boldly and
Well.
Washington Post.
Senator Hill, of Georgia, arrived in Wash
ington, yesterday, on hb way home from
the eastern watering places. He went
north immediately after the adjournment
of congress, accompanied by Mrs. Hill, and
has spent the greater portion of the inter
vening time at Saratoga. The Post asked
the senator if he thought the recent extra
session had hurt the democratic party in the
country. “No, sir, it has not,” he said, and
continuing: “I am glad of the extra ses
sion; glad bee use it has so clearly defined
the issue between tbe two political parties of
thbeountry. It is centralization against free
dom and self-government; that b the polit
ical battle we have now to fight. The re
publicans insbt upon a government of
force, the democrats upon a government of
freedom. There’s where we stand, and tiie
extra se-sion has brought thb momentous
question squarely before the people. 1 have
always said that the mission of the repub
lican party was to destroy thb government,
and the / have been forced now to occupy
that position. It b the duty of the demo
cratic party to save the government; it b
the (tarty of tiie constitution, the (tarty of
freedom and we m'ist make tbb fight like
men. It b the fight of 1776 over again.
Are the people capable of self-government?
That b the issue. We hold that they are:
the republican party says they are not, and
that we must have a government of force.”
“How will the contest end?” inquired
the P ut
“I believe we will win,” replied the sena
tor. “I am confident of it, but it will be a
hard struggle. In New York I met Sanford
E. Church, and he is a noble man. He fully
appreciates the situation, and said to me:
‘VVe must re-educate the people, Mr. Hill.
We must meet thb party of centralization,
of despotism, everywhere, and discuss this
question upon the principles of the consti
tution.” I met Thurlow Weed, *00,” con
tiuued Mr. Hill, “and he shakes lib head.
He b puzzled at the bold declaration
of the republican party that it believes in
force rather than freedom.”
Senator Hill spoke of the boldness with
which many of the republican organs and
speakers now talk of abolbhing* all state
hues and of combining in the general gov
ernment every element of power. Said he:
“They approached thb issue timidly ft first.
Their leaders in congress offered to tote for
certain of the measures we proposed if we
would present them in seaprate bilb; but
mc|> by step they have been forced to show
tbeir real purpose and object, until now
they talk ot whipping out the states and
openly advocate centralization of power.
It b well for the country that the issue is so
closely defined.”
Speakingof John Sherman’s Mainesjieecb,
Senator Hill said be got out of patience
when reading it. “He said,”, continued
Mr. Hill, “that tbe war was fought against
states rights. He knows that is not true, or
he ought to know it. The republican lead
ers confound states rights with secession,
and many of them do it knavbhly, to de
ceive the people. The war was fought to
put down secession, and it wai put down
forever. It was not fought to destroy the
rights of tiie states, for that would destroy
the government, too. But lam glad that
Sherman has stated the qnestku. n that way.
Those New England people are as tenacious
as any of us for the rights of their states,
and will not, in ray opinion, consent to yield
those rights to the general government/’
The senator referred to hb very pleasant
intercourse with Tammany while iu New
York, and added, “Those local quarrels of
the party in New York are very unfortu
nate.”
“Will Tammany support Governor Rob
inson, if re-nominated?’
“They say outright that they wont sup
port Robinson or Tilden, but my belief is
ilia- a compromise will be effected that will
unite the party and secure us the state of
New York this year and in the presidential
content next year alsa”
“Senator, the convention of Georgia inde-
i>endents was a fizzle,” remarked the Post.
* Oh. pshaw.” replied the senator, in a
tone of marked contempt for the independ
ents, “of course it was. In tbe face of the
present great contest for liberty, free eJcc
tions ana constitutional methods now upon
us the democracy of Georgia cannot aud
will not allow themselves to-be divided
We are solid and intend to do our duty in
this struggle.”
It wai not necessary to ask Senator Hill
to refute the radical yam that be and Mr.
Stephens bad formed an al fiance to carry
Georgia against the regular democracy. Hia
whole conversation gave the lie to that ru
mor. Hb every utterance spoke devotion to
hb party, and upon it, he insisted, now de
pends tbe future liberty and freedom of the
republic. He has not met with Stephens
since adjournment, and thb fact came out
accidentally. Senator Hill intends to take
tbe stump for hb party in the coming-cam
paign, wherever he may be needed.
W« Believe
That if everyone would use Hop Bitters
freely, there would be much less siokne&s
and misery in the world; and people are fast
finding this out, whole families keeping weil
at a trilling cost by its use. We advise all
ta try it.—U. & A., Rochester, N. Y.
A Worthy Men.
Forsyte, Oa., August 1 —Judge G. M.
Stokes and his estimable lady, ot l*ecsburg,
Ga., are making tbeir annual visit here.
Judge Stokes was reared in Monroe county,
and when a young mail moved to southwest
Georgia. A friend here “lent him a help
ing hand,]’ and with his untiring energy
and good judgment he nma-sed a fortune
and became a prominent ami useful citizen
of his adopted home. A few years ago lie
sent hb kind old friend jx check for (ivo
hundred dollars,«vhich came as timely to
him as was his favor to his friend of by
gone days. He lias educated twenty or
phans since the war. who are useful mem
bers of society and wlio honor aud revero
(heir benefactor.
RUnging Latlu nt Vs.
Murray County Gazette.
The Daily Constitution is in the “ aenlth of
Its glory,” and for the high-toned journalistic
prudence and talent, with a com posted, intelli
gent and ready writers, and withal being an old
established journal at the very fountain head of
state news, Atlanta, it certainly is. as It should
be. a sine qua non to every reader in the south.
CUTIC1IR4.
iiticura
REMEDIES
Have achieved the most noted success or
any Medicines of Modern Times.
Mews. Weeks A Potter have never doubted tho
specific properties of Cuticura, Cuticura Re
solvent and Cuticura Soap, for the speedy, per
manent and economical cure of Humors of the
Blood, Skin and Scalp. They are, however, as
tonished at t' eir universal success: for it was to
be expected that in the hands of some they would
fall solely from spasmodic ot; ignorant use of
1 performed by the Cuticura Remedies.
SALT RHEUM,
Covering the Body for Ten Years, Per
manently Cared.
Law OmcEop Cbas. Houghton,
17 Congress street, Boston,iFeb. 28, 1878.
Messrs. Weeks A Potter: Gentlemen—I feel It
& duty to inform you.and through you all who are
interested to know the fact, that a most disagree
able and obstinate case of Salt Rheum or Eczema,
which has been under my pen-mal observation
from its first appcaranc* to the present time—
about ten (10) year*—covering the greater portion
of the paUeut's t.idy and limbs with its peculiar
irritating and itching scab, and to which all the
known methods oi treating such disease had
been applied without benefit, has completely dis
appeared, leaving a clean and healthy skin, un
der a few days.or profuse implication of Cun-
I can and do heartily advise all similarly af
flicted to try the remedy which has been so ef
fectual in this case. Very truly yours,
CHAS. HOUGHTON.
LIVER COMPLAINT
And Dyspepsia Treated by the Resolvent,
Gains o 1-2 pounds on One Bottle.
Gentlemen: I have had Liver Complaint and
DyrociKla, with running sores ou tbe side of my
neck, for ten yean. Doctors did me no good. I
hav- been spending for eight yean, and it did no
good. Everything I ate distressed me. I got re
duced from 17V to 1S2 pounds. At last I tried tbe
Resolvent and ft helped me right off, and on one
bottle I gained five and one half pounds. It la
doing the business, and I am going for it strong.
Yours truly,
JOHN II. ROY.
414 Wabash ave., Chicago, IU., Nov. 15, 1K7S.
Note.—CcTicr ea is admirable aa*i*‘cd in cases
of extreme physical weakaess, oc when the virus
of Scrofula is known to lurk In the system, by the
internal use of Cuticura Resolvent, without
d.>ubt the most powerful blood purifier and liver
stimulant in the world.
Cuticura 8oat is an elegant toilet and medici
nal assistant to Cuticura in the treatment of all
external allmenu. For chapped hands, rough
skin and tan, sunburn, and the lesser »kin trou
bles, it is indispensable; as a soap tor the toilet,
the nursery and bath, it is the roost elegant, re-
'reshing, aud healing before the public.
1 hese great remedies succeed where all others
heretofore in use fail because they possess new
and original properties never before successfully
combined In medicine.
The Cuticura Remedies are prepared by Weeks
jiRTl — ' " — “
sold by a
g mgm L_
half times the quanUty of the s
_ _ _ ncxT, St per bottle. Cuticura boar, za a
per cake; by mail, 30 cents; 3 cakes, 75 cents.
IftQs In the annihilation of
v v, __ ^ pain and In Asm ms tion.
.oiTAicBaEiicrac <n ca{ hc
piaster jsss
ood through the P01
crand Ague, Liver con
tagious Diseases, they a
genuine.
aug3 d3t sun tues frl A1
is, M.nlArisl and