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liicckli) JatrUigenrer. ATLANTA, GEORGIA, Wednesday, February 21, 1806. Southern Preu Convention. This Convention was called to meet at Mont gomery. on Wednesday last. Its object was two fold—first to protect the Southern press from ex orbitant exactions mafle upon it for telegraphic intelligence; and second, to devise a plan, and raise the means, by and through which the latest and most reliable news from all sections of the Union, political and commercial, may be laid l>e fore ilie South^p people; the former divested entirely of insulting references and false state ments in regard to them, which, since the war closed, have appeared in almost every press tele graphic dispatch transmitted by the agents North, over the w ires throughout the land. At the Con vention held in Montgomery it was resolved to continue the organization established during the war, and to act in concert with the “South Wes tern Press Association” in efforts to accomplish the two ends in view. The President and Direct ors of the two associations will proceed at once to make all arrangements, by which we trust soon to announce, that the Southern Press will have its own a go it* at work, North and South, transmitting intelligence to them, thus freeing it from all that 'mdiealsentiment, and foul aspersion directed at our people, to which it has been sub jected since the work of reconstruction began. To our readers, in this connection, wc would remark, that the matter of expense has never in terfered with us to the extent of depriving them of telegraphic news. Wc have made more than one effort since the publication of the Intei.li- oenckr was resumed in Atlanta, to receive and publish the same as in the past. Each trial was attended by signal failure; failure to receive that which was contracted for, and failure in regard to time when we received anytliiug at all. Tlte only resort left, us was the promotion of the ob ject had in view by our brethren of the Southern Press who convened at Montgomery last week. All that could be done there, has been done. Wc now await the action of those to whom has been entrusted the working out that “measure of de liverance and liberty” for which we, in common with our brethren of the Southern and South western Press, have so many months pined; we mean deliverance from foul slanders continually heaped upon our people and its press, by agents of the Associated Press, North, to whom has been entrusted the work of telegraphing the news of the day. Ve exhort our readers to Lave patience until the good work begins. Tun following additional post offices have been re-opened in Georgia, which is in full keep ing with the promises of the P. O. Department to supply the South with mail facilities at the earliest practicable day. The Savannah Herald says that during the reCeut session of the Geor gia State Convention at Milledgevillc, Col. A. L. Harris, Special Agent of the P. O. Department, was m attendance for nearly a week, acting on authority from Washington, consulting with the delegates in regard to the re-establishment of mail facilities in Georgia. With large dis cretionary powers, lie not only performed his duties with great faithfulness and thoroughness, hut in a manner which we have reason to believe secured for him the confidence and esteem of every delegate. The members were consulted, not as to the politics of candidates suggested for post masters, but with a view to securing such officers as would best promote the public inter ests ; and, so far as wc know, every candidate named by the delegations was recommended lor appointment. In this way a most efficient class of post masters were nominated, and wc have al ready published several lists of appointments based on those nominations. Wc give the names of another hofeli to-day, gratifying in its length, mul belonging to the class of intelligence which wo are most happy to publish, as illustrating the progress ol successful reconstruction, and the -establishment of the South on its old footing: J\Kit Office. County. Pine Log, 1'iiHs, Cavt* Sprinir, Klnvtl, Richmond Factory, Richmond, Hartwell, Hart, Tooiiisborouidi, Wilkinson, Taliaferro, I.umpkln, < 'ohb, i 'raw font, Cherokee, Postmaster. Win. Allen. S. C. Trout. D. B. Hack. F. V. Stephenson. C. M. Lindsay. Orawfordville, Taliaferro, George F. Bristow. Dalilonega, I.umpkln, John T. Paxon. Big Shanty, Cobh, George T. Carrie. Knoxville. Crawford, Mias K. W. Torrence. Canton, Cherokee, Win. Dowdy, Cuseeta, CliattahooehceMrs. S. It. C'ohb. Monroe, Walton, Jas. W. Baker. Woodsloek, Cherokee, Laura J. Hardin. Danleleville. Madison, K. S. Cobh. Luwreueeville, Gwinnett, .Tosse Murphy. Danhuri;, Wilkes, Mrs. P. Dtmforth. Doctortown, Wayne, D. J. Dillon. Nashville, Berrien, Mrs. S. K. Sheppard. Irwinville. Irwin, David J. Ferns. Camilla. Mitchell. Lewis Stanley. Abbeville, Wilcox, H, L. Davis. House Creek, Irwin, Simon Stanley. Grittln's Mills, laovndes, Miss Harriet llird. McDonough, Henry, Samuel K. Dailey., Tliittldciin Stevens and Col. Forney. The Lancaster (Pa.) Intelligencer in noticing the recent election in that city, says: “It is, in all respects, the greatest victory ever achieved by the Democracy of Lancaster, and will have a most salutary and beneficial effect upon the rest of the (State. The arch demagogue, disunionist and traitor, Thaddetis Stevens, has been signally and terribly rebuked at his own home, and white men everywhere have good reason to rejoice over the result The editor gives the following significant, no tice : “We have been requested by the treasurer of the fund to announce to John W. Forney that lie is ready with a detailed statement to account for the expenditure of the $4,000, left by him on his recent visit, to lie used in securing an en dorsement of Thaddeus Stevens and negro suf frage at the municipal election of yesterday.” We clip the foregoing from a National Intelli gencer of recent dale. How the “arch dema gogue," who is so denounced; how his compeer outside of Congress, who is so publicly exposed for the “dirty work" he performed in endeavoring to procure an endorsement of Thad. Stevens and negro suffrage at the municipal electionweferred to—will stand such a fire directed at them both in their own State, will doubtless excite the curi osity of many of our readers. To some extent, it does our own ; but we have known the “ old stager" so long, and the Chronicle man ever since he entered public life, that we arc inclined to the belief that it will produce ^either a political nor moral reform in either. The loss of the money expended will cause them more grief than the severe exposure following that expenditure. No two men wc know’ of possess the audacity they do. Success with them is reputation, though the foulest corruption may have promoted that suc cess. Stevens and Fomev! Fornev and Stevens! A F ‘ "God save the State” from the influences of such men! The President and Fred. Douglass. The rc|Kirt of the interview between the Pres ident and Fred Douglass—the latter attended by a delegation of liis own race, save one—and what was said on that occasion, has “gone the rounds of the press,” North and South, and will, doubt less, soon be read in “Exeter Hall ” where it will be produced, as it is in the radical press. North, as evidence of the intellect and high cultivation of the negro race, especially in New r England.— When, however, it is known, as the Washington city correspondent of the Augusta Constitution alist says, “that the speeches that were delivered on the occasion” by Douglass and his compeer Downing, “were ‘cocked and primed’ by Sena tors and others high in official position, before the sable orators ever thought of a meeting,” there will be “a fall in the market,” and other evidence required to sustain what is claimed for the ne gro’s intellect and his cultivation even in New England. The manner in which the President bore himself on the occasion of that interview is beyond all praise. He was not deceived nor im posed upon by the trick ot the radical Senators and Representatives, who got it up and sent the negro delegation iuto his presence. How he dis missed them is sufficient. Tliat the “ biters got bit" in getting tip their trick, is evident to all who read their organ, Forney’s Chronicle. Du. Wxr. H. Turpin, a wall known druggist of Augusta, and an excellent citizen, died at his residence near that city on Thursday last; aged •bout seventy-six years. Correspondence. Hon. Joseph E. Bbown: Dear Sir—The undersigned members of the Legislature of Georgia, respectfully ask your, opinion in writing, as to the legislation which jH proper, under existing circumstances, relatives} the frcednica. of this State. An early replv, wfli privilege ol publication, is respectfully sohcitqjfi ’ v e arc very truly, «fcc.. It. A. T. Ridley, F. A. Frost, D. E. Bctlkb, John D. Stewap.t, Jesse A. Glenn. Milledueville, Feb. 14,1866. Gentlemen—Your note asking my opinion as to the “legislation which is proper under ex isting circumstances relative to the freedmen of this Shite,” is now before me, and as I entertain no opinions which I wish to withhold from my fellow citizens, who may feel an interest in know ing my'views on this or any other subject of pub lic interest, I reply without hesitation. The actions of wise men are always more or less influenced by the circumstances by which they are surrounded. The late war has caused a complete revolution in our labor system in the Southern States; and an entire change in the re lations which the white and black races occupy towards eacli other. Action which would have lieen w ise under our late system would be very unwise now, and much which would have been unwise then would be wise now. The fact is undeniable that those who were our slaves prior to the war, are now free and, so far as legal rights are concerned, are placed upon terms of equality with us. This is a fact which is mortifying to our people, but it is none the less true on that account. The sooner it is real ized to its fullest extent, the better for us. I do not say the negroes are the equals of the white race. God did not make them so, and maa can never change the status which flic Creator assigned to them. They are not our equals intellectually or socially, and unless madness rules the hour, they will never be placed upon.a basis of political equality with us. All intelligent men, who are acquainted with the race, know that they are not competent to the task oflfcelf-government, much less, to aid in governing a great nation of white people. But they are now placed upon terms of legal equality with us. If we desired to do so, we would not be permitted by the government of the United States to enact and enforce one code of penal laws for the white race, and another for the negro race, or to establish one law of con tracts to govern them, and another for our own government. So far as the laws of rights and remedies in our courts are concerned, the two races will have to be placed upon terms of per fect equality. While the negro should not be al lowed to occupy the jury box, or to exercise the elective franchise at the ballot box, lie must have the same right to sue and be sued, and to testify in all the courts of the State, which the white man has. The crMlriijfy of the testimony in cither case, to be determined by the jury, under the rules of evidence which govern courts and juries on that subject. He must "be made sub ject to the same penal enactments, and suffer the same punishment for crime, which is inflicted upon the white man. In a word, his rights of life, liberty, and property, including the full and free enjoyment of the proceeds of liis labor, must be amply secured to him, by law, with all the guarantees necessary to their protection And iu the administration of the law, courts and juries must see to it, that equal and impartial justice is meted out to him. When this is done, I have no doubt we will be relieved from the ju risdiction of the Freedman’s Bureau, and our own courts allowed to take cognizance of all cases in which the negro as well as the white race is concerned. Until it is done no one can reasonably expect any such result. I think it uuwise and injudicious for the Leg islature to pass any Freedman's Coc(e, or any other law that discriminates between the races so far as rights and remedies in our courts are concerned. A short statute extending the pro visions of the penal code of this State so as to embrace all persons of African descent, and ex tending to them all the civil rights in our courts enjoyed by white persons, except the right to sit in the jury box, together with the same rights of marriage as between persons of their own color, and the same rights of inheritance, with the same laws of guardianship, apprenticeship, &c., is all the legislation relative to them which is ex pedient or proper. Hoping that the Legislature may he guided by Divine wisdom in arriving at a wise conclusion, and that such action may he had as will aid in restoring us to our proper position as one of the States of the Union, and in promoting the future peace, prosperity and happiness of both races, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Joseph E. Brown. Messrs, li. A. T. Itidley, F. A. ’vRrost, II. R. Casey, D. E. Butler, John D. Stewart, Jesse A. Glenn. Wk clip the following graphic sketch of one of the ablest members ot the present General Assembly of our State, from the Milledgeyille correspondence of the Augusta Constitutionalist: Hon. R. J. Moses, member from Muscogee, and the generally acknowledged leader of the House, is a short, heavy-built Israelite—proud of his tribe—with raven hair, which the snows of fifty winters Lave had no power to bleach, and dark eves, lt< ugfc id in repose, but which, when aroused, kindle witn Promethean lire, liis face is truly leonine in type, and, in so far, not unfitly mirrors his heart, which is the residence of Will and Courage and Generosity, and till the manly vir- tures. Being chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, he is often called to address tin House, and never fails to command attention. He is the best speaker 1 have heard in either branch of the Assembly. Some of the qualities which make him more of the orator than the debater—a Pitt rather than a Fox—are, an emotional nature, full of eloquent feeling, a copious and nervous dic tion, an ear for the music of words, an impassion ed declamation, appealing more to the heart than the head, and power of amplification, wherein few men excel him. The cogency of liis logic is in some measure eclipsed by the splendor of liis rhetoric ; and he seems to love the flower as much as the fruit. Said Mr. Jefferson: “Patrick Henry, on his feet persuaded us all, but when he had taken liis seat, I could recall none ot liis ar guments.” 1 take Major Moses to t>e an accom plished belle lettres scholar, and was surprised to learn that he devotes his professional life mainly to the practice of commercial law. Such a mas ter of the passions, it would seem, ought to give his attention almost exclusively to criminal advocacy; there he would la: in his element and in liis glory. As illustrative of his magnetic power over the emotional elements of our com mon humanity, I will relate an incident: After making an eloquent appeal to the House for the pardon of an aged convict, sentenced to ninety- nine years imprisonment in the penitentiary, af ter conviction for murder, purely on circumstan tial testimony, an old member met the Major as the House adjourned, and seizing him by the hand said : “Mr. Moses, I don’t know, hut your speech touched me, sir. It made tears run down my cheek. You saved a few days of liberty to that poor old man, and 1 thank you for it; for I am old myself. Mr. Pottle opposed you. I was sorry for it. I was. sorrv for it. I thought he was*a Christian man.” The old gentleman was not posted as to the Major's national lineage; and no one enjoyed the faux pas more exquisitely than did the Jeic. As 1 have said, he is proud of liis race. He perfectly anderstands the insensate prejudice existing against it—and which, to his honor be it said, lie manfully confronts by so conforming his conduct as to challenge criticism upan liis public or private life. His love for that people is intense and very beautiful—allowing j nothing to divide his affections with them, but. his country—Georgia—and those that love Geor- i gia ; tor a truer, more patriotic heart than his j never quickened its pulsations at the mention of i liberty, lie wields a large influence in the House, j and—his supremacy being intellectual—it re-! quires no prophetic ken to predict that the meas- i ure of his fame is not yet full. In social life, his j genial qualities shine in most attractive perfec tion. After making the best speech of the day at the capital, in the abandon ot social hilarity at night in his room, lie can tell the liest stoiy of the session. If liis liero chance to lie a French man, his imitations of the accent are indeed inim itable. In short, he is the man of all circles, and emphatically the pride of his own. A Sergeant in Richmond has had two noses shot Oft—his own and an India-robber one—in his campaigns. It is a source of constant irritation to th e people ot the Sooth to be misrepresented as they are by correspondents to the Northern press, not a d*y passes that we do not see some outrage ous statement concocted for the sole purpose of fanning that radical flame that now seeks to consume us. Our loyalty is questioned, and wrong motives imputed to our every action.— These itinerant letter writers travel among us— see only the surface of things—form their opin ions hastily, or refuse to view us through un prejudiced spectacles—and then forward to the Northern press their erroneous impressions of the South. This is all to be deplored, for it does an incalculable deal of barm to a gallant peo ple. The Richmond Times frilly expresses our views in saying that when Northern men fiud the gates of Southern society closed against them, let them not impute it too hastily to bate or malice, but let them learn to respect the dig nity of sorrow and the seclusion of grief, which admit none but the inmates of the house, while crape is on the door and anguish at the heart.— Let them recollect that our love is to be won by sympathy and kindness, and not by farce and violence. Conciliation and forbearance on their part have, and will remove much hard feeling from a people, whose sensitiveness under suffer ing and insult have rendered the task of concilia tion all the more difficult. Misfortune has bowed our heads, but it has not broken our spirit; and the situation in which we find ourselves discov ers nothing left but our pride and self-respect to sustain us. We should ignobly sacrifice both of these, in our estimation and that of mankind, if, forgetful of the past, and its sad memories, we should pipe, dance, and sing with the victors, over the graves of our sons and brothers. No; it cannot be. We know not what changes all healing time, expansive charity and pure Chris tianity may bring with the flight of years, but for the presenL while we are, and intend to be, as true aud loyal to our government, as the people ot the North can be, yet we have griefs, thoughts and sorrows which they neither kpow nor can participate in. These we can keep and cherish, and still perform every civil and political duty, which the Consti tution and laws of our country shall require at our hands. Nor need we be branded as “disloyal,” “disaffected,” “seditious,” because we do not in vite Federal officers to balls and dinner-parties, oyster-suppers and egg-nog frolics. Some of them we respect very highly; they are persons who would adorn any circle, and we would render them any reasonable kindness or courtesy, but both they and we, (when we think about it,) must know and feel, that the'time has not yet arrived when we can bring them into the sacred presence of our household gods, like tho^ “to the manor born.” * They are, many of them, at bottom, kind, sen sible, charitable men, and they will at once per ceive and appreciate the force and justice of what we have said, and will acknowledge that while they hold the sword and bayonet over us, we cannot, with propriety, meet them in warm and social intercourse; and we are not “disloyal” be cause we do^ot do so. A refreshing case wherein justice is done us now aud then is brought to our notice. As ,a sample we give an extract from a letter to the Boston Post, which says “I feel safe in saying that if the truth in regard to the condition of the Southern States, socially and financially, was fully comprehended by Northern capitalists, the South would be amply supplied with all needed capital to develope her wonderful resources—re sources beyond anything the North, or eveu the South dreamed of before the war.” He says that when about to start on his tour, man}’ friends attempted to dissuade him from his purpose, urging that it was personally dangerous for a Northern man, at the present time, to travel in the South. “Yet,” says lie, “I have traveled quite extensively in the South, conversed freely with all classes of Southern people, with quite as great a sense of personal safety and comfort as you can possible feel in walking from your sanc tum to your house in Boston. Indeed, I feel called upon to bear my testimony to the hearty cordiality and uniform kindness with which 1 w as everywhere received and treated.” Such is no doubt the experience, if not the confession, of all Northern men who come South and behave themselves. The Bagdad affair was investigated by a military commission assembled by General Weitzel on the 25th of last month. The com mission was in session seven days. They find tliat the attack on Bagdad, Mexico, was inaugu rated and carried out by one R. Clay Crawford, representing himself to be a Major General in the Liberal service; and his party, by and with his consent, and under his direction, consisting of one Reed, styling himself Colonel Reed, of the Liberal army of Mexico, and also represent ing himself to be Lieutenant Colonel of the 40tli U. S. C. T.; one Sears, alias Major Sears^ one Lambertson; one Shaw; one McDonald, and other adventurers who were induced, by hope of reward, to follow these men in this enter prise. Tliat several soldiers of United States troi whose names the commission have been una to learn, induced by the parties above named, did, in violation of orders, proceed to Bagdad, and participated in the capture of the place, that these, men were at the time in the pay and under the control of Reed, Sears and parties above mentioned, that these soldiers were absent with out the knowledge or consent of any officer of the United States, and that every means in the power of those in authority was used to prevent the soldiers from engaging in the affair. Every precaution was used to prevent the con veying away or destruction of property at Bag dad by the Government. No United States of ficer lias been implicated in the affair. Upon the urgent request of the proper authorities of the Republic of Mexico, United States troops were sent to Bagdad to restore tranquility, preserve order, and prevent outrage; and that the United States Government was in no other manner con cerned in affairs at that place. By the arrival at New York of the steamship City of Washington we have advices from Eu rope to the 25tk ultimo. There was some ex citement in London among the holders of Mexi can securities, growing out of the demands which it was alleged that the United States had made upon France in regard to the military occupation ot Mexico by French troops. The London Times had expressed the opinion that the American Government would be ready to accept a pacific solution. A dispatch front Madrid says it is offi cially confirmed that Gen. Prim entered Portu gal on the 20th, delivering over his horses and the equipments of his followers to the Alcalde of Cinasola. Disturbances had, however, occurred at Valencia, and, as a consequence, the whole province tiad^ been placed in a state of siege.— The mission of the foreign Ministers to Gsaca, in Japan, had terminated successfully. The treaties were ratified ami the ports therein specified were to have been opened on the 1st of January. An important circular concerning the sale of empty spirit casks, with inspection marks of the customs officer branded thereon, has recently been issued by Commissioner Rollins. The law requires that before a branded cask can be sold the marks, which are burned in the wood, must be cut out, and neglect to comply with this reg ulation subjects the offender to punishment for attempting fo defraud purchasers ot liquor by selling as imported an article which is of domes tic manufacture. South American news show that the Brazili ans and their allies were pressing the Paraguay ans hard, and hoped to overwhelm them in the montli of January. The Paraguayan army is re duced to 25,000 men, and is suffering from disease, which may render it an easy prey to its enemies. But there is nothing certain in war—except tliat It is verv troublesome and verv costly. lOXlS, aule A shrew’s home is always a hot house. GEORGIA LEGISLATURE. OCR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE. Milledgeytlur, Feb. 14, 1866. HOUSE. # AFTERNOON SESSION. • The House re-assembled at 3 o’clock. BILLS ON THIRD READING. Bill triage the time of holding Superior Courts vi Muscogee county. Passed. Bill to extend and define the corporate limits of the town of Newnan. .Passed. Bill to alter and amend the charter of the city of Atlanta. Passed. BUI to incorporate the Atlanta Canal and Wa ter W orks. Passed. Bill to incorporate the North Western Mining Company. Passed. Bill to incorporate the Georgia Manufacturing ant] Paper Company. Passed. Bill to incorporate the Dawson Manufacturing Company. Passed. ^ Bill to incorporate the Georgia Petroleum and Mining Company, Passed. Bill to incorporate the Vulcan and Coal Man ufacturing Company. Passed. House adjourned till 9 o’clock to-morrow. Milledgeville, Feb. 15,1866. SENATE. The Senate met at 10 o’clock A. M. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Yarborough. The bill to legalize marriages of first cousins was reconsidered. M*Tliomton introduced the following : Whereas, The people of Georgia have quietly and peacefully acquiesced in the results of the late revolution, and have with entire unanimity by their conventional acts, and by their Legisla tive proceedings demonstrated their willingness to adopt any and all measures demanded or in timated by the National authority that were ne cessary' or proper to establish justice, to form a more perfect union, and to insure domestic tran quility; and whereas, notwithstanding all these acts of amity, obedience and fraternity, our towns, cities and villages are now being garrisoned by U. S. colored troops, thus placing our former slaves with arms in their hands, to arrest, fine and imprison and lord it over their former own ers, and as a necessary result ol recent emancipa tion and self-aggrandisement, to maltreat our citizens, and insult their wives and daughters; and whereas, such conduct will inevitably tend to irritate and influence the public mind, and pro duce scenes of disorder, violence and bloodshed; aud whereas, if garrisons are deemed necessary no such results woilld ensue by placing white t roops under competent officers. Therefore, be it Ilesolved by the General Assembly, That his Ex cellency the Governor be instructed to imme diately send a commissioner to V^ashington City to properly represent the above facts, and to urge with all his power upon the President, the Secre tary of War, and Gen. Grant the justice, wis dom and propriety of removing the colored troops. Be it further resolved, That this General As sembly will provide the means to defray the ex penses and pay the services of such commission er. The resolutions were taken up and agreed to, and transmitted to the House. new matter. Mr. J. A. W. Johnson from the joint commit tee appointed to report a bill to provide for the establishment of an Orphan’s Home reported a bill for that purpose. The bill proposes to es tablish at or near Atlanta such a home—the or phans of deceased soldiers to have the prefer ence. Mr. Black. A resolution that the judicial com mittee be instructed to inquire into the expedi ency of establishing the value ot notes, bills, &c., during the late war, and report by bill or other- wuse. Mr. Owens. A bill t£f? the city judges of Savannah. Dir. C. H. Smith. A bill to incorporate the Rome Gas Company. Also a resolution to pro vide for raising a commission to fix a site for the State Penitentiary. Also a bill to provido for the admission of oral testimony. Mr. Wilcox. A bill to repeal section 4435 of the Code. bills on third reading. Bill to reduce thU sheriffs’ bonds of Baldwin Hancock, and other counties. Passed. Bill to extend the corporate limits of the city of Rome. Passed. Bill to incorporate the Oostanaula Steamboat Company. Passed. Bill in relation to the city Council of Augusta. Passed. Bill to require licenses for the distillation of spirituous liquors. Lost. Bill to incorporate the Mining, Manufacturing and Improvement Company. Passed. Mr. Owens submitted report adverse to bill to change the charter of railroads with reference to charges. Senate adjourned. HOUSE. The House met at 9 o’clock, A. M. Prayer by the chaplain. On motion of Mr. Brown of Houston, so much ’of the journal of yesterday as relates to the re quiring solicitors to have lived twelve months in their judicial circuit before being eligible to office was re-considered and passed. BILLS ON THIRD READING. Bill to authorize Inferior Courts to fill vacan cies in boards of trustees and in all private cor porations. Passed. Bill to declare Olivia K. Wallace adopted child of Stephen B. Jones. Passed. Bill making it penal for railroads to charge more for freights than allowed by charter.— Passed. Bill to reduce the bonds of sheriffa of Clay and other counties. Lost. Bill for the relief of Asa C. Jackson of Mnsco- gee county. Lost Bill to authorize ordinaries of the State to ad minister oaths. Lost. Bill to legalize certain unlawful marriages in this State. Passed. Bill for the relief of Lester Masham, Thomas Hollis and David Dyer, of Morgan county. Re ferred. Bill to authorize the issue of State bonds.— Made the order for Tuesday next Bill to incorporate the Muscogee Insurance and Industrial Association. Passed. Leave ot absence granted Messrs. Pottle of Warren, Holliday of Stewart, Weaver ot Clay House adjourned till 3 o’clock p. m. Milledgeville, Feb. 16,1866. On yesterday the following letter was read to the House of Representatives: Augusta, Ga_, Feb. 5,1866. Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowl edge the receipt of yours of the 1st instant, re questing me, in accordance with a resolution adopted at an informed meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives, to address the General Assembly on the present condition of the country. My engagements render it impossible for me to comply with the request for the present. Per haps it may be practicable before the season cioses. in this connection I must express my grateful acknowledgements to the General Assembly, for the honor of my election to the United States Senate. I did not expect, nor desire, the posi tion ; and I sincerely wish the choice had fallen on some other more worthy and capable. But the fact that it was unsought enhances my ap preciation of the -compliment. For more than twenty'years, I hare been an active participant in the politics of the country; daring that time I have frequently been trusted with distinguished official positions. The people have honored me beyond my desert; but though conscious of hav ing served them feebly, yet I have served them faithfully and honestly. After a career so pro tracted and so full of vicissitude, embracing as it does the years of the war through which we. have passed, it is deeply gratifying to know that I still enjoy the confidence of the people of Geor gia. If this paragraph seem to be egotistical, forgive me. .-..The occasion justifies me in giving expression to the emotion of my heart, not to gloqfy myself, but to make a suitable acknowl- eOgment of the generosity of my fellow citizens. I have the honor to be very respectfully your obedient servant, Hebschel V. Johnson. Hon. Vise. Gibson, President of Senate. Hon. Thomas Hardeman, Jr., Speaker of House of Representatives. SENATE. The Senate met at 10 o’clock, A. M. The resolution instructing the Judiciary’ Com mittee to report by bill or otherwise, some mea sure to establish rules for estimating the value of notes, drafts, bills, &c., made during Confederate times, was passed. * Mr. O. P. Bell introduced a resolution provi ding lor a recess after the 20th instant. Mr. Thornton. A resolution authorizing the Governor to appoint one or more competent per sons to aid the Hon. David Irwin in revising the Code. 1 Bill to amend section 1350 of the Code. Passed. House bill to amend the charter of the Ogle thorpe Insurance Company of Savannah. Passed. House bill to regulate the charges of the sev eral railroads of this State. Made the special order for Monday next. House bill to authorize the payment of certain claims against the Western & Atlantic Railroad. L09L HOUSE BILLS ON THIRD READING. Bill to relieve from jury duty persons aliove sixty years of age. Passed. Bill for the relief of Isaac Hardeman, of Jones county’. Passed. Bill to perfect service against express compa- nis. Passed. Bill to allow the redemption of lands sold within the last six years for taxes. Passed. It allows nou-residents whose lands have been sold during the war for taxes, to redeem such lauds by paying taxes at the rate such lauds were taxed in 1S60, and ten per cent, additional, if redeemed within eighteen months. Senate resolution authorizing the Governor to appoint a commission to select a site for the Pen itentiary. Laid on the table for the present. Mr. Thornton introduced a bill to add an addi tional clause to section 2531 of the Code. The bill for the pardon of Terry L. Cox was unanimously passed. After reading bills the second time, and House bills the first time, the Senate adjourned. HOUSE. The House met at 9 o’clock a. m. Prayer by the chaplain. NEW MATTER. Mr. Womble of Upson. A resolution that on and after the 17th instant, no member shall be allowed to speak oftener than twice on the same subject, nor longer than ten minutes, except on the tax bill. Mr. Kibbee of Pulaski. A resolution to ap point a committee to examine the State library; also, a bill to alter and amend section 648 of the Code. Mr. Russell of Muscogee. A bill to incorporate the Columbus Manufacturing Company. Mr. French of Schley. A resolution that on and after 21gt instant no new matter shall be in troduced. Mr. Baynes of Jasper. A bill to change the line between Putnam and Jasper. Mr. Dart of Glynn. A bill to incorporate the Brunswick anti Altamaha Company. Mr. Morris of Franklin. A resolution request ing the Comptroller General to furnish the Leg islature all the information in liis possession as to the amounts of money loaned by the banks to the State, when and for what purpose. Mr. Peeples-of Berrien. A resolution that the adjourn on the 2d proximo. BILLS ON PASSAGE. Mr. Brown of Early. A bill to allow Joseph J. Kirkland to peddle without license in certain counties. Mr. Kibbee’sresolution relative to the appoint ment of a committee to examine the State libra ry was passed. Mr. Adams of Clarke introduced a resolution to require banks to make a return of their busi ness operations. Adopted. Mr. Morris’ resolution in reference to money loaned by the banks passed. SR^solution in reference to the Deaf and Dumb Asylum was adopted. Bill to abolish the office of Adjutant and In spector General. Passed. Bill to alter the line between Newton and Jas per counties. Lost. Bill to relieve certain counties overrun by the enemy. Lost. Bill to authorize an extra tax in the county of Clarke. Passed. Bill to change the line between Pulaski and Wilcox. Passed. Bill to place the county of Scriven in the fifth Congressional District. Passed. Bill to change the line between Pulaski and Dooly. Passed. Bill to revive the military code of Georgia.— Passed. Bill declaratory of the law touching debts, con tracts, liens and obligations, made and entered into prior to 1st June, 1805, when the credit given was based in whole or in part upon slave proper ty, and to prevent the collection of the same, ex cept i« the ratio which the value of all property other than slave, bore to the value of slave pro perty. Referred to the Judiciary Committee. Bill to reduce the number of members of the Legislature. Lost. Bill to repeal paragraph 183 of title 4, chapter 1 of the Code. Passed. Bill to submit the question of tiie abolition of the penitentiary to the voters of the State.— Passed. « Bill to abolish the penitentiary. Lost. Bill to alter and amend section 1307. It refers to inebriates. Referred to Committee on Luna tic Asylum. Bill to change the time of holding Superior Courts of Lee county. Passed. Adjourned till 3 o’clock p. m. Milledgeville, Feb. 16,1866. HOUSE. Afternoon Session, Feb. 16. The House met at D o’clock. SENATE BILLS ON THIKD READING. Bill to incorporate the Georgia and Alabama Mining and Manufacturing Company. Passed. Bill to change the line between Lee and Terrell counties. Passed. Bill to change the line between Terrell and Wilcox counties. Passed. Bill incorporating the Chattahoochee Mining Company. Passed. Bill to incorporate the North Georgia Mining and Manufacturing Company. Passed. Bill to incorporate the Kennesaw Mining Com pany of Georgia. Passed. Bill to amend the charter of Smithville, Lee county. Passed. Bill to incorporate New Era Manufacturing and Mining Company. Passed. Bill to incorporate Elijay Mining Company.— Passed. Bill to incorporate Atlanta Mining and Rolling Mill Company. Passed. Bill to amend the act incoiporating the Bruns wick Improvement Company. Passed. Bill to incorporate the Buck’s Manufacturing Company of Schley county. Passed. Bill to incorporate the Southern Mining Com pany. Passed. Bill to incorporate Grand Bay Manufacturing Company of Berrien county. Passed. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 9 o’clock. Milledgeville, Feb. 17,1866. SENATE. The Senate met at 9 o’clock A. M. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Yarborough of the. Metho dist Church. Mr. Thornton moved the re-consideration of the action.oC the Senate on yesterday in the re jection of a hill to allow certain claims against the Western & Atlantic Railroad to be audited. The motion prevailed. On the call of the roll no new matter was in troduced. The special order of the day—a bill to relieve from personal liability the stockholders ot the several banks of this State. Mr. Bowers opposed the bill in a speech of considerable length. He was followed by Mr. Gibson on the oppo site side. The Senate then adjourned. HOUSE. The House met at 9 o’clock A. M. The action of the House yesterday on the bill to incorporate the Kennesaw Mining Company. Mr. Ridley, of Troup, introduced a resolution that no new matter, after the 19th inst., be enter tained by the House. The special order of the day-*-tlie bill from tlic Finance Committee to provide by taxes for the support of the government of the State for the year 1866—was taken up by sections. The whole morning was occupied on the bill with out arriving at a vote. The House adjourned. LIST OF ACTS SIGNED BY TIIE GOVERNOR—CON TINUED. 28. An act to authorize the Phoenix Loan and Building Association, and tiie Union Loan and Building Association, of Atlanta, Georgia, to re sume business and carry on or close said associa tions. 29. To change the line between the counties of .Early and Miller. 30. To carry into effect a portion of the 8d paragraph of the first section of the 4th article of the Constitution of the State of Georgia, and to provide the mode of carrying cases from the city courts of the cities Savannah and Augusta and such other like courts as may hereafter be established and for other purposes. 31. To amend section 4554 of the Code of Georgia. 32. To change and fix the tune of holding the January term of the Court of Ordinary in this State from the second Monday in said month, as now fixed by law’ to the first Monday in January in each and every year. 33. To amend and alter section 4321 of the Cotie ot Georgia. 34. To amend the act incorporating the town of Quitman, Brooks county, and to confer addi tional powers on the commissioners of said town and to prescribe the qualifications of officers and voters of said town. 35. To prescribe the oath to be administered to voters for members of the General Assembly, Governor of this State, Members of Congress, Judges of Superior Courts, States’ Attorneys, So licitor General, and county officers. 36. To alter and amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the town of Dawson in the county of Terrell, and State of Georgia. 37. For the relief of the Savannah Mutual Loan Association. 88. To authorize the Justices’ of the Inferior Court of Elbert county to levy and collect a- tax for county purposes. 39. .To authorize the sale of the Exiles’ camp, in Dawson, Terrell county, Georgia. 40. To increase the salary of the Superintend ent of the Western & Atlantic Railroad. 41. To incorporate the Georgia & Alabama Railroad company, and to grant certain powers and privileges to the same, and for other pur poses. Approved February 18,1864. 42. To fix the salaries of Judges and certain other officer of the State. 43. To amend the charter of the town of Athens. 44. To amend and add to 3985 section of the Code. 45. To alter and amend sections 4596 and 4597 of the Code. 46. To make owners and possessors of mis chievous dogs or persons having charge of the same liable for damages, and other purposes. 47. For the relief of the Muscogee Building and Loan Association, aud the Columbus Build ing and Loan Association. « 48. To alter second and thud Congressional districts so far as relates to the county of Schley. 49. For the relief of all bona fide soldiers of the late Confederate States for acts done or com mitted under an order or orders from any offi cers of the same; also, to relieve officers for any acts done by order of a superior officer. 50. To authorize the Inferior Court of the county of Lumpkin to levy an extra tax, for the purpose of building a jail upon the recommenda tion of the grand juiy of said county. RESOLUTIONS. 19. To appoint a joint committee to draft a bill authorizing aud establishing an orphan home or homes. 20. Respecting the penalty of the bond given by Aaron Tliemby principal, and Edwin R. Har din security. 21. Requiring the Comptroller General to fur nish certain information. 22. Relating to the commissioners appointed by the late Convention to investigate the finan cial condition of this State from 1861. 23. Providing for the appointment ot a joint committee, to examine into tiie proceedings of the Board of Directors appointed for the Western & Atlantic Railroad by the Provisional Governor. 24 Requesting Secretary of Treasury of the United States to suspend the collection of the in ternal revenue tax in Georgia, or requesting Congress to allow the State to assume. and col lect the same. BY TELEGRAPH The Charleston Daily South Corolinian of the 2d instant, says: Our contemporary, the Courier, devotes a col umn yesterday to a report of tiie pleasant adven tures of a party of Northern men, from Pennsyl vania, seeking to invest capital in land, and who proceeded to John’s Island for this purpose.— Here they were captured by the negroes and narrowly escaped with their lives. The males assailed them with gun, bayonet, blunderbuss and sword, and revolver. The women poked and punched them in ribs and abdomen, with hoes and pitchforks and bludgeons; and so the poor land seekers were hustled and punched from one end of the island to the other, threatened with massacre at every step, and covered w’ith curses as with a garment. It w r as in vain tliat they pleaded the orders of General Sickles and other eminent authorities—in vain they sho wed official papers—in vain they alleged that they were gen uine blue bellies, whose grandsircs came out in the Mayflower. To all these shows, pleas and pleadings, Hercules and Hector, Antonius and Somerset, Jacob and Peter, Hector the Old, and Green and Julius the Young, and Mcllhenny and Armstrong—antique, heroic and patriarchal names—turned a most obdurate ear; and, but for t^ more moderate politics of Sam Johnson and Sam Flood. George Roberts, and Primius, Ma jor and Henry, and Cook and Mack, they would have been verily done to death; chopped into mince-meat, under the weapons of these infu riate savages of both genders. Our neighbor speaks of the preceding in very gingerly phrase when it calls it a riot simply. Briefly, the whole island is In a state of insurrection, defying law and authority, and offering armed resistance to the military as to the civil powers, and this is not the first, as it will not he the last, of these so- called riots. We have heard before of the riot ous freedmen of this region especially, and see nothing marvellous in this exhibition, nothing to surprise any parties not sworn to prefer the lie, which answers a selfish purpose, to the truth which condemns it, as with tiie voice of God. The voice of experience has long since spoken in the words of absolute prophecy to these deaf ad ders of destructism who hare brought us to the present pass. It is, and will be, in vain that any thing of argument and expostulation should be said till the terrible end shall be reached Proph ecy is never believed until it is realized in that dread experience which says in its bitterness, it is too late. Cassandra’s destiny was only ty pical of the fate attending all the prophet-minds which the world has ever known, to speak to the deaf in vain those truths and counsels which would have plucked the flowers of Safety out ot the nettle Danger 1 Associated Press Dlipatche*. FROM WASHINGTON. Washington, Feb. 16.—Treasurer Spinner yesterday commenced paying iu cash all ar and Navy warrants, amounting to $1,000 and un der, and Quartermasters and other disbursing oi- ficers’ checks under $1,000. All claims amount- ino^o more will be paid half in cash and halt in certificates of indebtedness, in accordance with a recent regulation of the Treasury. Only about one-third as many certificates are. being issued as formerly, and the Treasurer is induced to believe those now in the market will soon come up to par value. - „ . Judge Jarnett, Commissioner of the I ension Bureau, yesterday decided relative to the claim of an ex-rebel soldier for the land bounty, on the ground that he had rendered military service to the Goverment in the war of 1812. It was de cided that in his participation in the war against the Union, he had forfeited hi* title to any awards for services prior to the rebellion. A private dispatch in Washington, from a prominent member of the Connecticut l niou State Convention, states a resolution recommend ing the early admission of the Tennessee delega tion was voted down in the Committe on Reso lutions. Hon. L. D. Campbell, recently appointed Min ister to Mexico, arrived in Washington yesterday and held and interview with the President, lie visits Washington upon private business, and will return to Ohio in a few days, there to remain until the Senate shall have acted on his nomina tion as Minister to the Mexican Republic. CONGRESSIONAL. Washington, Feb. 16.—House.—Mr. Blair from the Select Committee on the subject, re ported a bill re-imbursing the loyal States for dis bursements made for raising troops to put down the rebellion. The House Committee ou Banking will report in favor of adopting some policy whereby the National Banks will be compelled to Change the present system of holding interest bearing legal tender notes for the redemption of their liabilities. This course will compel the National Banks to surrender their interest bearing legal tender notes and substitute legal tenders. This will he the first move towards a contraction of the currency. John Ross’ claims of the Chieftainship of the Cherokees was signed by the Commission recently sent out to form treaties with the hostile Indian tribes. He yesterday held a long interview with President Johnson. Ross is represented by mem bers of the Commission, as possessing great wealth and living in a style of elegance unsur- S issed by his more enlightened Eastern brethren. is visit to Washington, is believed to be for the purpose of securing liis recognition by 1 Ur > fi.\ - erament as Chief of the Clierokces. The Ways and Means Committee have divided up the various matters connected with the Tax Commissioner’s report to sul>-conimittees who are holding daily sessions examining into matters re ferred to them. It will be some time before the sub-coinnjittees will be ready to report to the committee. Prom the Montgomery Nail. Southern Preu Convention. SECOND DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. Queen Victoria always sends a gift of £3 to any poor woman in her dominions who may give birth to triplets. The latest successful candidate for the money is the wife of James Gibson, a weaver of Kalbarchin, Scotland. Montgomery, Feb. 16th. 18f.il. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment; the President in the chair. The.roll W’as called, and a sufficient number ot members answered to their names to constitute a quorum. The proceedings of the session of yesterday were read and approved. The President, Mr. Clark, (Mr. Whitfield, of the Montgomery Mail, in the chair,) ofleretl the following resolutions, which were received, and the consideration of the same postponed until after the election of officers: Ilesolved, That it is the earnest desire of this Association to establish friendly relations with the New’ York Associated Press by which an agent of said Association may be placed in the office of the said Associated Press in tlic City of Washington, to select from the mass of news re ceived at said office, for the purpose of transmis sion to the Southern Press, such portions as he may, under instructions from the proper officers of this Association, deem desirable lor and within the means aud necessities of the said Southern Press. And the President and Directors of this Association arc hereby fully authorized to adopt such measures and make suclfarrangements with the representative of the New York Associated Press, as they may deem advantageous to the members of this Association. Resolved, That it is the desire of this Associa tion to renew, if possible, a fair commutation ar rangement with the managers of the telegraph lines passing through its territory, so as to make the tolls bear equally upon all and at a fixed sum per week. And the President and Directors are hereby instructed to open communication with the managers of said telegraph lines at the cat li est practicable period and to take such measures as may he necessary to secure this desirable result. Ilesolved, That this Association welcomes with sincere pleasure J. M. Keating, Esq., of Memphis, President of the Southwestern Press Association, and tenders to him and the Association he repre sents its fraternal sympathies and cordial co-opera tion, in any movement which may be inaugurated for the common benefit. And the President and Directors of this Association are authorized to act conjointly with the President and Directors of the Southwestern Press Association, in such measures as may be rendered necessat ry to carry into practical effect the general purposes of our organizations. Ilesolved, That the President, ot this Associa tion, conjointly with the President ot the South western Press Association, if he shall so agree, is hereby instructed to memorialize the Post Master General upon the subject of the irregular ity and inefficiency of the system of mail distri bution as now managed in the Southern States, causing embarrassment and entailing heavy loss upon the newspapers of the South and causing much inconvenience and dissatisfaction among the people—and to petition for such early action in the premises as may be necessary to remedy these prevalent and serious evils. On motion of Mr. W. L. Scruggs, the Conven tion proceeded to elect officers: The first in order was the election of a Presi dent. A ballot was taken, and on casting up the same, it appeared that W. G. Clark had received a majority of all the votes cast; he was therefore declared duly elected President. Mr. Clark was conducted to the chair, and ha immediately entered upon the discharge of the duties appertaining to his position. lie made a speech, short, chaste and appropriate, thanking the Convention for this evidence, of renewed confidence and esteem, and promising to exert his best efforts in behalf of the Press. The next business in order was the election of a Secretary and Treasurer. On casting up the ballot, it appeared that M. J. Williams was unanimously elected to this po sition for the present year. Messrs. F. G. DeFontaine, of South Carolina, A. F. Crutchfield, of Virginia, Thos. DeWolf, of Georgia, Seaton Gales, of North Carolina, and Samuel G. Reid, of Alabama, were elected Direc tors. Previous to the casting of the vote a motion was made, and carrid, to elect only live of the Directors—the sixth to be elected by the hoard of five, or a majority of the same, when deemed necessary and proper by them. The resolutions offered by Mr. Clark Mem taken up, considered separately, and finally adopt ed unanimously. The following resolution was unanimously ’ adopted : Resolved, That the next Annual Convention of this Association be held in the city of Atlanta, Ga., on the third Wednesday in April 1867, (the time designated in the Constitution,) unless the Directory, for special reasons, designate some other point previous to that time. The following w r as offered and unanimouslv adopted: Ilesolved, That the thanks of the Convention are hereby cordially returned to its officers, W. G. Clark, President, and M. J, Williams, Secre tary, for the official services rendered this both , and that the thanks of this body be tendered Col. J. S. Thrasher, for his efforts in behalf the Asso ciation. The following, offered by Mr. E. O. Haile was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention are hereby tendered to the officers of the .Mont gomery & West Point, Atlanta & West Point, Alabama & Florida, Mobile & Great Northern, and Mobile & Ohio Railroads, for their courtesy and liberality to the members of this Conven tion; also to Messrs. Reid, of the Montgomery Advertiser, Whitfield, of the Mail, and Kii scr, of the Ledger, for their courtesy and kindness to the members of the Convention during its ses sion ; and that we hereby extend to them our cordial regards and beat wishes for future pros perity and success. We also tender to Messrs. L . P. Gage, Senator, and Messrs. Clark, Tompkins and Grant, members of the Legislature from Mobile, our thanks for numerous courtesies ex tended ns. Resolved, That a copy of the above resolution be printed in the several journals represented in this Convention. The Convention then adjourned until 5 o’clock P. M. ' A party of grave digging students was sur prised by a squad ol’ tbe Chicago police on .Mon- • day night, in tliAct of “resurrecting” a subject. They opened fire with their revolvers on .the squad, and then took to their heels. One of their number, however, was captured, but subsequent ly let oft by the justice with a fine of $10.