Newspaper Page Text
IPffhto Jntetligenffr.
ATLANTa/uEORGIA,
Wednesday, May 22, 1869.
Northern Opinion* of the Future or the
Freedman.
We have refrained giving expression to an}’
opinion of our own in regard to the future of
the negro freedmen, or race, in the South. To
advance its condition ; to make it, through the
influences of education and Christian teachings,
one of progress in civilization and in industrial
pursuits; to improve it in every moral aspect,
and to induce it to esteem the Southern white
man as its friend, and not its enemy; has been,
and is, our sincere desire, as it is of every sensi
ble, patriotic man in the South. In dark fore
bodings regarding the negro’s future, we have
not indulged. We have left that to Northern
men—men neither “native,” nor “to the manner
born northern stump and congressional speak
ers ; northern editors, who, like northern con
gressmen, know, or assume to know more of the
negro character than those who have been born
and raised with them, and who arrogantly pro
pose to influence and direct them, while, at the
same time, they [prognosticate evil in regard to
their future. The New York Timet, for instance,
a leading Republican paper, affirms of the race
that they are “a very prolific people, or, at least,
have been so while they were kept in slavery;
but in no 8outhem State, and probably in no dis
trict, will they be able to retain political power
tlirough a numerical majority, after the tide of
emigration is turned southward, as it surely will
be before many years. As a peaceful and labo
rious part of the population of the South, guar
anteed their rights by law, they may live and
ffburish to the cud of time; but as the enemies
of the dominant and predominating while race,
there is nothing in the future for them but strug
gling and woe, and ultimate destruction.”
Ttic white mau, then, according to the Timet,
and this is asserted by other papers of the “same
ilk" and politics, is destined to drive the negro
race from the South, and to “ultimate destruc
tion.” Rut who are the white men that will do
this ? Is it pretended even that they are to be
Southern white men, the former owners of the
treedinen, or the descendants of their former
masters? Not a bit of it. The white men who
are to do this work are the Northern or Euro
pean emigrants to the South, not those who have
been reared in the South and w’ho desire that
theic shall be no strife in it between the two
races. How does the negro race in our midst
like the programme which is to drive them to
“ ultimate destruction,” and to substitute in their
place white emigrants from the North and Eu
rope? Do not the intelligent among them see
whither they will drift, if, instead of uniting
their destinies with the Southern white man and
cultivating friendly relations with him, they lend
themselves to the Republican Party, North, and
to those influences which will, as the Times says:
work their “ ultimate destruction ?" If they do
uot, they must be blind, and the scales should be
removed from belorc their eyes as soon as pos
sible. We tell the colored people now, and we
warn them in time of the fact, that the Southern
white man is their most considerate, most disin
terested, and truest friend. Whether, as a race,
the freedmen will bear this iu mind, and govern
themselves accordingly, so as to save themselves
from fulfilling the prophecy of “ultimate de
struction” which emanates from more than one
Northern Republican source and orator, lime
will tell—that future which has been invoked to
tell the story of their “ destruction.” From so
deplorable a late, all good Southern men win
strive to save the negro race. It will not be the
fault of the Southern white man, if the future of
the freedmen shall be, as it is predicted it will
be, by Northern men in their journals and in
their political speeches. The freedmen should
ponder well which arc their true lriends—those
who dwell beyond the Potomac, or those who
dwell withiu the limits of the “late” Southern
States ?
[rOR TIIE lNTfflXUiBNCER.)
The Preccnl Excitement—General Pope.
There can be no question that the entrance
into the South, at this time, of certain Republi
can leaders to uddress the people, aud especially
the blacks, is exceedingly ill-timed and unfortu
nate. Its evil effects are already plainly manifest
iu the riots that have occurred, and in the excite
ment that is everywhere apparent in our midst
Good men of nil classes sec and acknowledge
this fact; and it is espcially deprecated as most
unfortunate and impolitic by many of those
Southern men who sacrificed their previous con
victions and prejudices, and urged the accept
ance of the Sherman bill sis calculated to restore
us to speedy quiet anil prosperity.
It must be acknowledged that previous JU> the
arrival of these speakers, the masses were rapidly
adjusting themselves to the demands of the new
law, and conservative and prudent meu amongst
us begau to breathe easy in hope of nu early set
tlement of our troubles. But now the signs arc
ominous of evil. The colored people, excited
and stirred up by the whisperings of certain im
prudent and evil-designing men in our midst to
expect great things to be made known to them
by these speakers, and uot really understanding
or comprehending what is said and meant, are
growing more and more puffed up and exultant.
Instances are uot few in which they obstruct the
sidewalks, even to ladies, and claim and expect
privileges that decent white men would not
think of demanding.
Now every one who knows the negro character
well understands how easily he is deluded into
the grossest errors, and most unreasonable ex
pectations. The Southern people sre not disin
clined to grant, the negro his jxditical rights and
privileges, and all these, together with his edu
cational interests, would in due time, and with
out trouble, be extended to fiini by the State, it
she were left free to manage the matter. The
effort to push the negro by sudden transition into
fhll social equality with the white race, if not at
war with the distinctions which the Creator him
self has made, is at least so manifestly hasty and
impolitic that it must astonish all, who, in the
light of experience and of history, have looked
calmly and impartially at this subject
It is sought to establish in a day a great social
change, which, iu the natural order of things,
must require a century to accomplish, it, indeed,
it is ever douc. In the Northern States, in some
of which the negro has been free from fifty to
seventy-five years, and where Abolitionism has
been long predominant, the negro has not yet
__ obtained the social privileges now demanded for
him at the South by the Republican leaders.
The management of this whole question of
emancipation has Dot only exhibited the greatest
ignorance of negro character, 0}’ the party in
power, but evinces also the most heartless disre
gard of the feelings and honor of our people.
The former greatness and wealth of the South,
the noble type of civilization which she posses
sed, and the tremendous power of the conflict
she so long maintained, should command the re
spect and admiration, rather than the hatred and
contempt of a great and magnanimous victor.
The custom of the Roman empire was not to
degrade, but to honor and to elevate the nations
she subdued. The contrast between the former
greatness of the South, and her present deep hu
miliation, can scarce find a parallel in the history
of modem times.
It is hoped and believed that Gen. Pope, as a
soldier and as a brave man, does not desire our
degradation, and that being in our midst, he
must, ere long, perceive that these political ad
dresses are disturbing the quiet of the people,
aud tending to insurrectionary sentiments among
the freedmen, and, as such, should be suppressed
as impolitic, aad leading to no good purpose.
To irritate unnecessarily, or to degrade a peo
ple already bowed down by an overwhelming
weight of sorrow and humiliation, and who are
nobly straggling to adapt themselves to a situa
tion repugnant to the feelings and principles un
der which they were raised and educated, is illib
eral in conduct, unwise in policy, and unworthy
of a government claiming to be actuated by mo
tives of magnanimity and greatness.
No Office Seeker.
[tor tk* rnnujeHcn.]
Reconstruction.
Mr. Editor: Since the signs ot the times indi
cate the abandonment ot a republican form ot
government, is it not advisable, ere we “ cross
the Rubicon,” to have some assurance that the
country beyond will be more conducive to our
happiness, and that the exchange of old and well
understood landmarks for new surveys, and new
charts, will not be made without some clear and
strong probability of bettering our condition ?
When storms sweep over us, leaving oar dwell
ings and barns, and oat-houses all in ruins, it
would seem to be prudent, in rebuilding, to make
such changes in the form of buildings, and their
general arrangement, as to obviate any defects in
the old which experience had suggested. And
so of governments; when storms of pride, am
bition, fanaticism, partisan rancor, and sectional
hate, have swept over them, leaving them in a
dismantled and powerless condition, it would
seem prudent, in reconstructing, to provide, as
far as possible, against the recurrence in future
of similar storms. This, as I understand, is the
object the Republican party and Union-Leaguers
profess to have in view. And here, may it not
be well to inquire whether or not they have mis
taken the nature of the maladies, of which they
complain; and whether or not they are pre
scribing the wrong medicine.
It is clear that the government at it teat, is now
paralyzed; but can we attribute the paralysis to
any inherent defects in the form of government?
It was strictly republican in form; and prior to
our civil war, we prospered under it, as no peo
ple on earth ever before prospered ; from which
it would seem that the form was not at fault.—
Then if the form, and general arrangement, was
not at fanlt, may we not attribute the late civil
strife aud bloodshed, to the want of virtue or
the lack of wisdom. This, I take it, is the true
diagnosis; and if so, the remedies now proposed
and concocting, will not only augment the dis
ease, but, if persisted in, will kill the patient.
The government at it teat, was a national gov
ernment, fall and complete for national purposes,
having Us powers and limits all clearly specified
in a written constitution, which was recognized,
so far as its powers extended, as the supreme
law ot the land.
But to make a republican form of government
practicable, over a territory bo vast as ours, it
was necessary for the divisions of land, called
States, to reserve to the people therein the privi
lege of regulating their internal and domestic af
fairs, such as laws for the prevention and punish-
ishment of crime, for the collection of debts, for
establishing the relations of husband aud wife,
parent and child, and for regulating and con
trolling the elective franchise. Under the old
government, chattle slavery was recognized, and
with it we prospered, and the slaves were gener
ally well fed and clothed; the old ones of them
weie cared for, and their wants supplied, whilst
their rapid increase indicated that they were free
from want, and not burthened with care; but
having proved a great source ot discord between
politicians, North and South, and having in fact
been made the chief pretext for the late disas.
trous war, our people of the South, since laying
down their arms, have, of their own accord, abol
ished slavery forever; and having removed that
obstacle to the peace and harmony of the nation
and having renewed their allegiance to the Con
stitution—hoping thereby to restore, or recon
struct the Union—it would seem that any further
demands upon them would only tend to irritate,
and to render a harmonious reconstruction im
practicable.
Now, the proper remedy for our political mala
dies should be made the object of our earnest
solicitude; and I feel, in view ot our awful ex
periment of war, that if any right way to recon
struct the Union can be pointed out, that we
ought not to hesitate giving it our cordial sup
port. Aud I feel, too, that our form of govern
ment lias not been at fault, and am persuaded
that all our troubles may be traced to the fac
tious, violent and unwise spirit which hasgrown
out of political contests for place and power,
and that no measure for reconstruction of a
partisan character can ever restore peace to our
country.
The measures now proposed, requiring great
and radical changes in the form of government,
and the endorsement of the Radical party, is the
recoil upon us of our experiment to overthrow
the government. Like a pendulum, when thrown
to one sido from its natural perpendicular, it
will return and vibrate .to the extreme on the
other side. And here it may be remarked,
that if the people of the South would mani
fest, in every possible way, an honesty and
firmness of purpose to restore the Union under
the Constitution at it it, rejecting all partisan
schemes tor place and power, exercising much
patience and forbearance, that all may yet be
well.
If we erred, as our sad experience clearly in
dicates; and if, in erring, we manifested great
courage and determination, can we not, now
that we have perceived our error, manifest even
greater courage in retracing our steps, and in
restoring our good old government, re-estahlisli-
ing it in our affections ?
If it was honor in the late struggle to face the
cannon's month on the battle-field, it will now
confer on us yet greater honors, if we, like high-
minded and honorable men, set to work in good
earnest to make amends for the mischief we
have occasioned. This, however, can never be
attained, if we consult our bias of prejudice, and
not our reason. Reason would now suggest, that
all old party names and prejudices should be
torever buried ; and that the suicidal work of
secretly organizing the Republican party South
should at once be abandoned, and all their
schemes for mere place and power promptly re
jected, keeping steadily in view the restoration
of the Union under the Constitution.
This will save us. Nothing else will.
Yours truly, J. A. Stewart.
The Mobile Meeting—The Riot De
nounced.
The following are the proceedings of the meet
ing at Mobile, called to disapprolate the late
riot there. The meeting was largely* attended
by both whites and blacks. The resolutions
were twice read and adopted:
Whereas, at a recent meeting held in this city,
on the night of the 14th ot May, 1867, there
were disturbances and disorders, resulting in the
most lamentable consequences.
And whereas, this meeting is composed of the
citizens of Mobile, and we desire to announce to
the people ot the country their unqualified dis
approbation and hostility to all such acts—There
fore, be it
Resolved 1 st. That we deeply deplore the un
fortunate occurrences that took place at the said
meeting, and desire to express in the strongest
terms our disapprobation of them.
Resolved 2d. That we are of the opinion that
the disturbance at said meeting was wholly un-
premediated; and the result of an accidental
excitement to which all large assemblages are
subject.
Resolved 3d. That in our opinion, our people
are not disposed to impede in any manner the
free exercise of speech to all and every class of
persons.
The Executive Committee.—The followii g
is published iu the Loyal Georgian as the Execu
tive Committee of the Black Republican party
of Georgia:
1st Congressional District—Rev. J. F. Simms,
Savannah.
3d Congressional District—William H. Noble,
Cuthbert, Randolph county.
3d Congressional District—Oliver Saunders,
Columbus.
4th Congressional District—Lewis Smith, Ma
con.
5th Congressional District—Thomas P. Beard,
Augusta.
6th Congressional District—Madison Davis,
Athens.
7th Congressional District—E. B. Rucker, Ma
rietta.
Delegates at Large—Rev. H. M. Turner, Ma
con ; Rev. T. G. Campbell, Savannah; John T.
Costin, Macon.
Fre** CthhWli «F*h <F*4*e U*4erwM4’l
Charge KJfeel* t th* "Charge.”
The extraordinary and disgusting charge de
li vered by the Judge Underwood who presides
over the United States District Coart of Virginia
to the grand jury at Richmond, has brought the
Northern press of both parties down upon him
in a manner that savors of but little respect for
that judicial functionary. We find, for instance,
the New York Tribune pronouncing it—the
charge—“ malice and blackguardism, veiled by
a disgusting and unsuccessful attempt to quote
poetry and mythology,” and calls it “a disgrace
to the bench and to the legal profession;” while
iu neighbor and city compeer, the New York
Herald, calls for Underwood’s impeachment be
cause of said charge. With the exception of
Forney’s paper, the Chronicle—false chronicle
is—none other of the leading Northern journals
have been u so poor to do it reverence,” to treat
it, or the Judge himself, in their comments upon
it, with ordinary respect We cannot but be
lieve that the reproofs administered by the
Northern press to this partisan Judge have had
some effect upon him, for it is said that when
Mr. Davis was brought before him his bearing
was proper, partaking alike of dignity and mod
eration. Perhaps, however, judging froir what
is said of him by the Northern press, his bombast
failed him, and “ his courage oozed from the tip
of his fingers ” when before him stood the man
whom he had so often officially denounced, and
who stood ready to answer the charge of treason
brought against him by one ot his grand juries.
Be this as it may, as even the devil is entitled to
justice, it is said his bearing wa9 neither often
sive, nor as it had previously been, in his pro-
nunciamentot from the bench.
The effect, however, ot that most extraordi.
nary charge upon the grand jury to which it
was addressed, is what most concerns the people
of the South, especially as it relates to the negro
race, which, tor the first time in the history of
the South, aud we believe in the history of the
North also, have been represented in a grand
jury box by men of their own color. Says
writer in the New York Timet—we still copy
from a Northern journal:
“Underwood’s grand jury, it is well known, is
composed partly of colored men, and it is rea
sonable to suppose that the more sensible and
discreet of the dark-hued were selected to act,
for the first time, as grand jurors, either in this
or any other State, yet the tact is that the body
to which they belong has done nothing for the
five days they have been iu session, except to
listen to the harangues from these colored men
upon the necessity of confiscation and the divis
ion ot^he lands of the South among the negroes,
with frequent and tervid eulogies of Thaddeus
Stevens. John Minor Botts, grown savage in
appearance by the hirsute appendages he has
added to his face, has tried in vain to stop the
flow of this torrent of African eloquence by ex
plaining that the grand jury have nothing what
ever to do with the subject so provocative ot
talk, but his colored co-jurors consider them
selves wiser than he, and pay no attention to his
protests. Poor Botts 1 He sowed the wind, and
now he reaps the whirlwind, when he is told
substantially, ‘Gor a mitv, Mr. Botts, does’nt de
colored people want land, and how is dey goin
to git it widout it’s confiscated and gub to ’em.
This grand jury has been in session four hoars
per day each day since Monday last, and as yet
have not acted upon a single indictment, and the
explanation is that the negro members occupy
all the time in making speeches upon the duty
of the government to confiscate the lands of the
South—a duty they seem to think they can, in
their capacity as grand jurors, somehow aid in
fulfilling.
“ Confiscation is becoming the burden of the
negroes’ cry by day and by night. They talk ot
it on street corners, and they and the white men
consorting with them bellow themselves hoarse
in favor of it at every one of their meetings, of
which they have one nearly every evening.—
They have become possesed of the ‘itching palm
of a mad desire to obtain property without work
ing for it, and, of course, they are becoming na
tional rubbish.”
We deeply sympathize with “John Minor”
upon the infliction put upon him. It wa9 more
than he bargained for when he accepted the
honor conferred upon him by the highest judi
cial. tribunal now existing in the “ Old Domin
ion.” He is a Virginia gentleman by birth, edu
cation, and pretensions, and aside from politics
also has claims upon our sympathy. We trust
he will survive the inflictions that have been put
upon him by his colored associates, and live to
sit again as Foreman of a United States District
Grand Juiy, no member of which shall “ Gor a
mighty ” to him, nor importune him for the
“ forty acres” of some white man’s land—some
poor Virginia rebel’s land, perhaps his neigh
bor’s.
Another bad effect of Judge Underwood’s
charge is that which it has had upon the negroes,
or freedmen in Virginia; the “ mad desire ” it
has created “ to obtain property without work
ing for it ” in that State. We apprehend, se
riously, that this “ mad desire ” will seize upon
the race in this State. There are now, we re
gret to say, within the broad limits of Georgia'
men who give countenance and encouragement
to this “ mad desireand who deceive the poor
negro by promising them that it shall be so when
they, being candidates, shall go to the State Legis
lature, or to the State Convention, or to Congres.
This is all, of course, to humbug the poor freed
men out of theii votes; but will they succeed ?
Never, never !
Post Office Robbery.—The post office at
Albany was entered a few days ago, in the ab
sence of the postmaster, and robbed ot over one
hundred dollars in greenbacks.
A Republican Paper on the Mobile Riot.
The New York Times deprecates in strong
terms the unfortunate affair at Mobile. It as
sumes that Judge Kelley has the right to talk as
he pleases at Mobile or in any other Southern
community, but at the same time condemns his
want of policy, prudence and presence of mind
on the occasion In question. We will not stop
to disagree with the Timet. We are satisfied in
knowing that if Mr. Wilson, Judge Kelley, and
other emissaries, had remained athome to attend
to their own legitimate bumness, the disgraceful
and deplorable scenes would not have occurred.
We are positive in the belief that they are rear
ing insurmountable barriers in the way of peace
ful and harmonious reconstruction, and that the
blood cf the unfortunate victims at Mobile is
upon their garments.
We quote a portion of the article of the Times,
as follows:
Judge Kelley, however, cannot be held wholly
blameless. His right to say in Alabama all that
he may have said in Pennsylvania, and more,
cannot be called in question, and we would have
him sustained in it at all hazards. But is it just
or expedient to make the possession of an un
questioned right an excuse for language which
would anywhere tend to create a disturbance?
Even in New York, where freedom ot speech is
enjoyed to its furthest limit, orators sometimes
find that it is not pleasant or profitable to bandy
threats with the bullies of a crowd. Generai
Butler undertook to do it with Five Points row
dies iu the City Hall Park, and was pelted for
his pains. Was that a denial of free speech or a
piece of ruffianism which had its extenuation in
the violence and bad taste of the speaker? The
same question is suggested in a modified form by
the occurrences at Mobile. Some nameless
rebels took offense at what Judge Kelley said,
and interrupted him with jeers and threats.—
What then? Was it wise in Judge Kelley to
change the drift of his remarks, and make the
threats of rowdies au occasion for uttering
threats m return ? Was it necessary that he
should argue the liberty ot utterance with every
drunkard or fool who chose to challenge it, or
that he should boast of the military power which
was at bis back in the city ? His right to defy
interruption is clear; the wisdom ot defying it
is not so evident “A soft answer turneth away
wrath,” and a little tact on the part of Judge
Kelley would probably have helped him to a
more patient hearing.
B. F.—The Stanton, Virginia, Vindicator says:
“Gen. B. F. Butler has expressed his determina
tion to come South, to correct the serious misap
prehensions under which we are laboring as to
his views concerning ns. We’ll publish any cor
rection you may desire, but for the Lord’s sake,
General, don’t come. We can’t stand a raid
now.”
The Georgia RaUmi-Aasul Report or
the President.
Omc* Georgia Railroad Compart. 1
Auousta, Qa., May 14,1867. 1
Jb the Stockholders of the Georgia Railroad Com
pany :
The business operations of the road, for the
year ending 31st of March last, will appear by
the report of the Superintendent, and the finan
cial condition of the company is exhibited by
the statement ot the cashier, hereto annexed.
The business of the year has been somewhat
better than anticipated in last year’s report. As
will be seen the receipts, both gross and net, are
about equal to those of that portion of the pre
vious year for which an available currency was
received.
The profits of the two years compare thus:
Gross profits for'1865-'66 $1,155,897 92
Gross profits for 1866-’67 1,136,141 95
Decrease in gross profits $19,255 97
Net profits for 1865-’66 $514,918 97
Net profits for 1866-’67 513,068 69
Decrease in net profits $1,850 28
This is very small decrease in profits for the
year, though it may be here remarked that the
previous year was made to commence on the
15th of May, and in that year no mail pay was
credited.
It will be seen that in the 22| months, from
the 15th of May, 1865, to the 31st of March, 1867,
the net earnings ot the road have exceeded 12?
par cent per annum upon the capital stock.—
There is no mistake or deception about these
profits, and if the money is not in the treasury,
or all available for dividends, it is accounted for
by the payment of the debts of the company,
and the restoration of the road and rolling stock
impaired or destroyed by the war. It is known
to the stockholders that the ample current effects
of the company provided to redeem the eurrent
liabilities of the bank, were mostly absorbed in
Confederate currency, leaving the debts of the
company, including more than one million of
circulation, unpaid and unprovided for. The
State bonds and treasury notes, to a large amount,
were repudiated, and “ bills of other banks,” to
the amount of near $400,000, have also become
almost worthless. In tine, the ample means
provided by the company for the payment of
its liabilities, both funded and floating, have been
swept away by the war and its incidents, and the
heavy expense of restoring the road and outfit from
a ruined condition, and paying its liabilities, has
been thrown mainly on profits. The stockholders
will doubtless agree that they could not have
been better appropriated than to these essential
purposes, and the Directors have very reluctant
ly yielded to the pressing wants of the stockhol
ders in paying any dividends before a complete
restoration of property, and the full payment of
the floating debt. Much has been done toward
these important objects, and much yet remains
to be done. Since the return of peace the pro
petty of the company has been greatly im
proved.
1st. By a more thorough ditching and drying
the road bed—a very important work which hat,
been much neglected during the war.
2d. By a very expensive, but absolutely essen
tial renewal of timbers, especially cross-ties. In
the last two years there have been 283,900 new
cross-ties put in the track—an equivalent of ma
terial for 107^ miles of new road! To this may
be added $72,489 for new track.
3d. By two new and expensive bridges—one
of iron—nine new depots to replace those burnt
and a new machine shop at Atlanta.
4th. By rebuilding and repairing cars, and
“building new ones. The number of cars in “run
ning order” at the close of the war was about 70
it is now 399, a large number of which are en
tirely new, or thoroughly repaired. This does
not include passenger and baggage cars.
5th. From twelve engines in “running order,’
we now have twenty-eight in “good orde”r—
some ot them entirely rebuilt aud as good as
new, besides tour others in a state of forward
ness in progress of reconstruction.
6th. By the purchase ot a veiy valuable set of
constructing and repairing tools, of Seller’i
make. As labor-saving instruments, these tools
were very important, in tact almost absolutely
necessary, with the heavy and increased labor in
the machine shop.
These heavy expenditures have been made and
paid from the resources of the Company, and
mainly from its profits. Not an engine or a sin
gle car has been purchased or ordered—the poli
cy ot the Company being, as far as possible, to
give employment to our owu suffering laborers
and mechanics. This policy has been the more
readily adopted as, from close calculations, it
believed to be consistent with a sound economy.
The amount of expenditures for these objects,
may be seen in detail elsewhere, and they have
been made and paid without the use of credit,
and without any increase of debt. Ou the con
trary, the debt of the company has been largely
reduced. In this connection, we may briefly re
fer to the second principal demand upon the
Treasury, to account for the profits of the last
two years:
In May, 1865, the Bonded Debt was $ 254,500
At the lame period the Bank Circolation was.. 941,901
Bonds and Circulation ....$1,196,401
On the 31st of March, 1867, the Bonded
Debt was *386,000
On the Slat of March, 1867, the Circula
tion was 185,095—571,095
Redaction of Debt since May, 1865 $ 625,306
Thus it will be seen that whilst the bonded
debt has been increased only $131,500, the cir
culation has been reduced $756,806, making an
aggregate reduction of debt of $625,306, as above
stated. This, too, is omitting any notice of de
posits, the coupons on which were held back
during the war. It may be proper here to state,
that the company has declined to issue any bonds
except in renewal, and to fund the bank circula
tion. This circulation being a large and iinme
diate demand, has been very embarrassing to
the company in its crippled condition. It will
be seen that it is reduced to a small amount. It
now comes in slowly, and will not, it is hoped,
hereafter very materially interfere with the finan
cial policy ot the company.
The Superintendent refers in detail to the
mined condition of the road, its rolling stock and
other property, at the end of the war. The
heaviest and most pressing demands for renova
tion and repair have been met, but other expen
ditures should not be delayed longer than con
sistent with the resources of the Company. A
round-house for the protection ot engines, and a
freight depot at Atlanta, are pressing wants, and
will cost from $40,000 to $60,000, according to
the plans that may be adopted. The Superin
tendent also estimates that $60,000 per annum
should be appropriated lor new iron, until the
remainder ot the main line shall be relaid. The
re-building of the Rolling Mill at Atlauta, of
which there is now flattering prospers, would
greatly simplify this important job, and reduce
the expenditure to the cost of re-roiling the old
material.
With the aid of some effects (the remains of
the old reserved fund) of uncertain value, all
these demands may be met—together with small
dividends, provided the profits of the last two
years can be maintained. Can they be relied on
for the future ? All calculations are idle, in the
present condition of the eountry, in which noth
ing is certain but uncertainty. Some specula
tions, however, can do no harm, if they do no
good. The Superintendent refers to new and
unexpected competition from Atlanta to the
Northern cities. Are we likely to suffer hereaf
ter as much, or more, by this “unnatural compe
tition ?” The difference in line of railroad is
about four hundred and fifty miles, and the dif
ference of grades foil forty feet to the mile!
Many early calculations on the capacity ot
railroads to carry bulky freights long dis
tances have been disappointed, but there are
still some disadvantages in competing with water
carriage that cannot be overcome. What has
caused this diversion of cotton from Southwest
ern Georgia, Macon, Atlanta, Rome, and other
mints South, directly to New York over the
Virginia and Western route? It is simply the
power of capital. Business will follow capi
tal. This is especially true of the cotton
trade. Buyers will ship to almost any point
where they can get advances. The bank
ing and business capital of Augusta was de
stroyed by the war. The same may be said of
Charleston and Savannah. Charleston, before
the war, had large and increasing resources. Its
shipping was ample, aud so was its commercial
capital Its wholesale establishments furnished
ample supplies to the country merchant. Cot
ton was largely sold there, and supplies freely
purchased. For this legitimate business the
roads extending West were the natural feeders
and outlets, and had no competition. The mer
chants West, within reasonable range, sold and
bought there to a large extent, because they
found they could do better there than elsewhere.
There was ample business, and the roads run
ning from the interior to the seacoast had it at
remunerating rales, because it naturally belong
ed to them. All this for the present has been
changed by the war. Two disastrous fires, and
four years siege, have destroyed the shipping—
the commercial capital and the wholesale trade
of Charleston. In like manner the business cap
ital of Augusta has been swept away by the ef
fects of war and collapse of Confederate credits.
In fine, the business attractions ot Augusta and
Charleston have been weakened for the present
by the loss of capital, and the tendency is to fol
low capital directly North, from all points West,
whose location offers the least chance of compe
tition, even at great disadvantage in transporta
tion.
This unnatural competition cannot continue •
long after the country becomes settled aud trade j
falls into its natural channels. The Superinten- ment of the Cashier,
dent truly remarks that Charleston is rapidly
reviving.' Its location will attract to it foreign
capital as soon as confidence is restored. Capi
tal, like labor, will always be attracted to tbe
point where it can be most profitably employed.
The same may be said of Augusta, which, from
its choice of ports and markets, has always been
known as one of the best interior cotton mar
kets in the South.
This competition over seven hgpdredphnd J(j$y
miles of railroad of high grades,'against three
hundred and seven miles of lqW grade, cannot
continue long. It will cease when the capital
and business attractions are restored to Southern
ports and markets. These Northern ports are
not the natural Atlantic outlets for the cotton
even of Memphis—the great trade center of the
valley. Hence the restless anxiety of the ener
getic and able President ot the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad for a road from Decatur di
rect by way of Atlanta to Charleston. He is
now running in connection with the Norfolk
route, and finds it will not do. In his last report
he again calls the attention of his stockholders
to the importance of the direct Charleston route.
He is willing to throw out the use of one-half
of his road to give the other the advantage of
direct connection with a South Atlantic port.
The report is very able and very instructive, and
of especial interest to every stockholder in our
company. We have only time and space to add
here, that it ever the contemplated line shall be
built, (of which Colonel Tate is confident) it will
not only p ty well itself, but will permanently fix
tbe prosperous destinies of every road constitu
ting a portion of the line. -
It may be safely assumed, then, that this com
petition tor cotton at Atlanta will not continue
long, for it won’t pay. It shippers persist in the
wish to ship through to New York, this can be
done quicker and at a much less cost of trans
portation by way of Charleston, in connection
with the boats, that over tpe Virginia line. We
shall not likely suffer hereafter, From any cause,
a larger loss by reduced cotton receipts than we
suffered the past year. In 1860 the road trans
ported 219,774 bales. The last year we carried
55,714! This great reduction was in part owing
to the competition complained of, but mainly it
is believed from the very short crop in that por
tion of the country tributary to our road. To
say nothing of the effect of a change in our labor
system, aud a season unfavorable almost beyond
precedent, it is known that the section of coun
try alluded to was greatly devastated and ex
hausted by the conflicting armies near the close
of the war. It has not yet recovered, bat it is
recovering, and it _is not likely that we shall
have a less cotton crop to transport, at any time
hereafter, that we had the past year.
It may perhaps be safely admitted, however
that we shall suffer still further by competition
for distant or “through travel.” Roads continue
to multiply, and especially in the Southwest,
and the tendency is to cut off every angle, aud
take the most direct route between important
points. This travel is already divided between
so many competing lines, that it is perhaps
scarcely worth the co3t of competition. As r
generai rule, the conviction is gaining strength
that no road should be built as an investment
unless its local business will pay an interest on
the cost. The only exceptions will be a few
great thoroughfares—the shortest and most di
rect between certain important points, and pre
senting such advantages in distance and business
attractions, as to shut out all competition.
Connected with this view, it is important to
consider whether the local business ot the Geor-
§ ia Railroad will pay fair dividends to the
tockholders ? With anything like an approach
to the former prosperity of the country, no
doubt could be raised upon this question. A
reference to the business in past years, will
clearly show that the local business would pay,
and pay well. In truth, the profits of the Com
pany for several years past have not been large
from distant or “through business.” It is gen
erally carried at low rates, and against strong
competition, and often costs more .than it is
worth. It is not likely that the competition for
the through travel will be greatly increased.
Taking the Northern cities and New Orleans as
points, we had routes by Grand Junction and
by Atlauta to compete with. Taking the same
cities aud Mobile as points, we have had the
routes by Corinth, and also by Knoxville and
Atlanta, to compete with. Taking the same
cities and Atlanta as points, we have had the
Lynchburg and Knoxville routes to compete
with. Taking Charleston and Montgomery as
poiuts, we had the route by Savannah and
Macon ; and with Augusta and Montgomery as
points, we had the route by Macon and Colum
bus as competitors. On all these competing
lines the competition is close—time and distance
about the same—sometimes rather against us,
and it may be well questioned, whether for
years past the net profits of the Company have
been much increased, if at all, by competing for
and surrendering its schedules to this “through
travel.”
But admitting all this, the stockholders have
been sometimes discouraged, and the price ofthe
stock affected, by au apprehension of reduced
production in the country contiguous to and
tributary to our road. “ Old Georgia,” it is said,
is much worn, aud moreover, since emancipa
tion, great numbers of the able-bodied laborers
have emigrated to other parts, where labor is bet
ter paid and more profitably employed. This is
true to some extent, but do we not sometimes
attach too much importance to these acknowl
edged truths ? An annual exodus of the labor
ing population has been going on for years, and
yet the product and population have continued
to increase. No doubt many fine counties have
suffered by wasteful aud injudicious cultivation,
and a certain class of our restless people were
constantly seeking change and fresh lands. On
the other hand, the more judicious and observ
ing planters discovered, years since, that it was
more to their advantage to remain upon the old
homestead, and preserve and improve the land,
than to lay them waste by skimming, and to go
to the forest. The consequence was that, for
sometime before our civil troubles, some ot the
oldest counties were increasing in the cotton pro
duct as well as in all the elements of material
wealth. Though perhaps not so fertile as some
parts of the Southwest, Georgia lies within that
belt of the temperate zone which Mr. Ellsworth
called emphatically “ the cotton region.” In soil
and climate it is especially adapted to the nature
of tbe plant, and the planter in this favored re
gion has this advantage, that with moderate fer
tility, and proper and judicious culture, he will
always make a crop. Comparatively short it
may be, according to seasons, but he will rarely
fall short of expenses, and may generally rely on
a fair interest on his capital. He rarely met with
those entire failures which so often brought
ruin on the planter of the more fertile region of
the Southwest. This was the only secret which
explained the progressive wealth ot the planting
interest of Georgia, beyond other States, thought
to be blest with a more exuberant fertility.
In years long past, the stockholders were oc
casionally reminded of the threatened decline in
products, by the exhaustion of the soil and loss
of population in the region tributary to the road.
The best answer to these apprehensions was
found in the progressive business of the road
and in the statistics of the country.
Tbe first year after the road reached Atlanta
—say in 1846—the entire receipts of the road
were $315,342, and the cotton transported 56,821
bales. The receipts continued to increase, and
so did the number of bales of cotton transported,
with trifling fluctuations, until in 1860, the last
year of peace, when the receipts were $1,159,-
188, and the bales of cotton carried 219,774 !
This was a small increase over the receipts of
1859, when 219,218 bales were carried. And,
but for the war, there is no doubt that the quan
tity would have continued to increase up to the
present time. The troth is, there is much life in
the old land yet, and it we had peace, and a gov
ernment, with constitutional guarantees, giving
assurance to the citizen that he would enjoy-the
fruits of his labor, there are many elements of
wealth in Georgia besides cotton, which would
be very rapidly developed.
A noted feature in the cotton culture of the
present year is believed to be a reduced area
planted, but a careful selection, of the best land
and a free use of fertilizers. With a fair season,
the result will probably be a good crop in pro
portion to land plauted; and though it may foil
much short in quantity, as compared with aver
age crops before the war, yet the advanced price
will perhaps bring as much money into the
country as an average crop previous to 1860.
Such is our hope. Time alone can prove whe
ther our hopes are to be realized.
At present the business js very small, and
what we have grows out ot the wants, rather
than the exchangable wealth of the country.
The people are too poor to travel, and the frag
ments of exports left by the ravages of war, and
tbe small crop of last year, have been nearly ex
hausted ; the little remaining is being expended
for a scanty supply of provisions, which furnishes
at present the principal business of the road.
Accounts ot the wheat crop are universally
favorable, and reports from the cotton prospect
are not discouraging. An ample supply of provi
sions, of home production, and a fair crop of
cotton, would do much to change tbe present
state of affairs, and revive the business of the road.
Pressed by the urgent wants of tbe Stock
holders, the Board has declared two dividends
from the profits—the one of 3£ and the other
of 3 per cent. These dividends were perfectly
legitimate, as they were folly covered by the
profits and reserved fond, notwithstanding the
heavy depreciation of the investments of which
the reserved fond is mostly composed. Bat for
tbe consideration named, however, it would
have been a sounder and more commendable
policy to pay no dividends until tbe property of
the Road shall be restored to its former condi
tion, and the floating debt ot the Co. folly paid.
A detailed statement of the assets and liabili
ties cf the Company may be seen in the state
ment of the Cashier. From this it will be seen,
that every demand against the Company may
be met, even at present ruinous prices, having
tbe stock whole, with a handsome surplus.
Respectfully submitted for theRoard.
John P. King, President.
The Georgia Railroad—Superintendent’*
Report.
Augusta. Aran* 29,18b i. )
To lie Hon. John P. King, President, &c., Georgia
Railroad and Banking Company:
j Sir—I request to submit herewith statements
and tables showing the business of your road tor
die fiscal year ending on the 31st of March, 18o7,
iond the condition of your property at that time,
as follows:
RECEIPTS.
From Freight
From Passage
From Mail
....$676,509 81
429.024 92
30,607 72—11,136,141 9j
Ordinary expenses for same time, as
per abstract herewith:
Conducting Transportation — $142,524 79
Motive Power 249.265 U
Maintenance of Way. 188,605 92
Maintenance of Cara 67,677 34
Income 45 per cent of Gross Recipts, or... $513,068 69
Out of which tile following payments
have been made, to-wit:
Paid for New Depots $23,588 82
Paid for Rebuilding Kngines(not
ordinary Repairs) 35.000 00
Paid for New Tools for Shops.. 5,9*4 17
Paid for Timber for Renewing
Track, in addition to ordinary
Repairs 38,953 75
Paid for Extra Labor in Laying
Same 9,610 00
Paid for New Iron, iu addition
to 63.080.88 charged to ordina
ry expenses 36,585 S4
Paid for New Bridges 42,846 20
Paid for Houses at Water Sta
tions 1,350 00
Paid for Rebuilding caw, over
and above ordinary repairs... 15,500 00
Paid for Bnilding New Oars— 28,100 00
Paid for Government Tax 29,204 23— 266,713 07
Profits over and above all payments $246,356 62
The following statement will show, in detail,
the expenses of management from 1st April,
1866, to 1st April, 1867:
CONDUCTING TRANSPORTATION.
Wages of Conductors, Train Hands, Meals and
Labor—Freigbt .' $44,805 19
Wages of Conductors, Train Hands, Meals and
Labor—Passengers 22,402 59
Wages of Agents and Clerks, including Line
Road 45.260 58
Loss and Damage 6,892 91
Stock Killed 9,108 05
Stationery and Printing 7,183 09
Repairs Depot 6,872 38
142 524 79
MOTIVE POWER.
ineers and Firemen $75,247 25
Expense Water Stations 22,683 02
Wood lor Engines 38,095 02
Ordinary Repairs of Engines 97,237 56
Oil and Tallow for Engines, &c... 16,002 36— 249,265 21
MAINTENANCE OP WAY.
Men’s Wages, Provisions, &c 80,837 37
Railing and Cross Ties 22,606 25
Iron Spikes and Castings 53,880 88
Repairs ofBridgses 1,081 42— 163,605 92
Maintenance op Cabs 67,677 34
$623,073 26
Theseresults cannot, I think, fail to be both
satisfactory and gratifying, especially when the
present condition of tbe track and rolling stock
is compared with what it was at the close of the
war. And it may not be amiss to refer to that
condition. I quote from the report of the Board
of Directors, made in May, 1865. After referring
to the fact that the road had been worked at
loss, they add:
“ For this loss, however, the stockholders were
already prepared by the report of the last year, in
which it was said: ‘ From the ruined condition of
the road and the roll ng stock, occasioned by
hard usage in government service, and want of
material for repairs, both road aud rolling stock
have become unsafe.’ ”
The then General Superintendent,in his report
made to the same meeting ot stockholders, used
the following language:
“ Several depots will have to be re-built, and
large amount of timber procured lor track—and
material for repairs of engines and cars will re
quire heavy expenditure the coming year, which
it may not be practicable to meet by earnings
from the road ; though extraordinary rates may
be charged for transportation, as the amount of
business must be limited.”
These gloomy forebodings were felt by most
persons at that time. Fortunately better results
than were anticipated, have been realized. For
two years succeeding the war the road has made
as shown by the reports, over and above all or
dinary expenses of management, $1,027,987 66,
to which may be added $85,688 90 paid on ac
count ot new work in reconstruction, and charged
in report made 1st May, 1866, to expenses, making
in all $1,113,676 56, or about twenty-five (25) per
cent, upon the capital stock and bonded debt of
the company. But as the company had at the
close of the war no available funds on hand, and
wished to avoid an increase of debt, a large
amount of these net earnings, say $352,401 97,
has been used in paying for the extraordinary
work of renewing track, re-building bridges, de
pots, locomotives, cars, &c., and leaving as net
profits over all payments $761,274 59, of which
amount $625,306 00 has been used in redeeming
the notes of the Georgia Railroad and Banking
Company, and the balance has been paid to the
stockholders in dividends, ot which six aud one
half per cent, has been declared.
To sum up results, it will be seen that at the
close of the war the track and rolling stock was
so badly run down that they were considered uu
safe, even with a schedule for passenger trains of
17 hours between Augusta and Atlanta. Out of
some 700 cars owned by the company at the
commencement ot the war, only about 70 were
in running order, scarcely one of them could be
considered entirely safe, and fully one-lialf en
tirely destroyed, or lost, and all that were saved
requiring re-building or extensive repairs.
Out of over 5Q locomotives owned by the
company, only about 12 could be trusted to run,
with any degree of safety, and they requiring
f eneral repairs. Bridges over the Oconee and
'ellow rivers to be re-built, together with all the
depots for seventy miles, destroyed with the track,
by the march of General Sherman, just before
the close of the war, and no material on hand in
any of the departments to commence with. The
track for the 79 miles has been put iu good order.
the relaying of it by tbe Confederates was rather
a disadvantage in its renewal, asdhe timber used
was so inferior, most of it had to be taken up
again, and suitable cross ties put iu. Bridges
over the Oconee and Yellow rivers have been re
built, the former with a fine iron structure of
the “ Fink Suspension Patent,” and the lat
ter a first class “Howe Truss;” and the nu
merous depots, for the 70 miles, have been
replaced. Locomotives and cars "have been
repaired- and re-built, as rapidly as possible,
in out own shops, with increased facilities
in tools purchased for that purpose, so that
without buying from abroad a single loco
motive or car, (which, I think, is an exception,
there being no other road in the South, as I be
lieve, that has Dot bought more or less of both
since the close of the war,) we have gone on in
creasing and improving your rolling stock, and
giving employment to many worthy mechanics
in our midst; and have been able all the time to
perform promptly and satisfactorily the service
required, and now have no fears ot not having
enough to do all the business that may offer, and
that without buying a single locomotive or car.
Redeemed $625,306 00 of the notes of the Geor
gia Railroad and Banking Company, besides the
amount paid iu dividends to the stockholders,
and all done out of the earnings of I he road,
without charging “ extraordinary rates for trans
portation,” as our tariffs on an average are be
lieved to be as low or lower than other roads in
the State of Georgia.
TRACK.
We have laid down during the last year four
teen miles of new iron on the main line, and
have arranged for putting down about the same
quantity of new iron this summer and tall —
Ditching having been greatly neglected daring
the war, the hitches were in a very bad condi
tion. We have had large forces at work on
them during the past year, and they have been
greatly improved. We expect to continue this
work until the ditches are all cleaned out, and
the road well drained. Four and a half miles
of track have been re-layed on Washington
branch daring the year, and tbe last halt mile of
“flat bar” on this branch is now being taken
out. Considerable ditching has also been done
on this branch, and it is cow in fair order.
We have jost received and are putting down
three miles of new iron on the Athens branch,
which is now in good order, except a little rough
over the old iron yet in the track. There has
been used in renewing and repairing of track on
main line and branches, from close of war to
31st March, 1867, two years, two hundred and
eighty-three thousand nine hundred cross ties,
and one million six hundred thousand five hun
dred feet of string timber.
The Augusta aud Macon Railroad, connectin'*
with your road at Camak by the Warrenton
branch, is being pushed forward, and, I hope,
may be completed to Milledgeville at an early
day, as I think it will add considerable business
in the carrying of cotton, &c., to your road.
BRIDGES AND DEPOTS.
All the bridges and depots for seventy miles
on the east end of your road, destroyed by tbe
march of General Sherman, have been re-placed.
A larger and more convenient freight house is
required at Atlanta, also one for housing loco
motives at that place, both of which we hope to
build daring the next year.
passage.
The passage business has been folly maintain-
ed, and would doubtless have increased consid
erably bat for the scarcity of money and general
paralysis in business, growing out of the very
short crops of every kiud raised last season in
the territory tributary to your road.
FREIGHT.
The freight business has fallen off somd, which
| was not unexpected. The directors in making
last report, said: “ Upon future profits the board
will indulge in no idle speculations, but do not
expect results from the current year equal to
those of last.” In the same report the Superin
tendent wrote: “ and while the freight business,
during the summer months is expected to tall off
greatly, we are not without hope of favorable
results from the work of the year just enter
ed upon, but much will depend upon the
quantity of cotton grown, from the car
rying of which, so large a part of your
freight business has been derived heretofore.”
The cotton raised in the country tributary to
your road, proved to be only about one-fourth of
a crop, as compared with crops before the war.
The addition to the net profits from this source,
if a good crop had been raised, would have been
very large, as on “ focal ” business we would
have been entitled to good remunerative rates,
and the quantity of return freights would have
been materially increased by such prosperity.
623.073 26 The competition for the through cotton passing
from Atlanta to New York, has been very great.by
the line of the Virginia and Tennessee Roads. But
from the great difference in distance arid grades,
that line can never compete, on anything like
equal terms, and it may be expected, that after
fair trial the competition will be abandoned as
unprofitable, and theu you may receive upon
this business more reasonable rates. For the
Eastern through business, the competition by
the Virginia and Tennessee route, and the route
via Savannah, have also been very strong, and
for a considerable portion of the year, Savannah
has had decidedly the advantage over Charles
ton in shipping facilities, influenced mainly by
the early re-opening of the road from Augusta
to Savannah, by which the large accumulation
of cotton at the close of the war, found its way
to that city, and caused it to be favored, by those
interested in the shipping business iu the East.
But by the intelligence and euergy of the execu
tive oflicersjof the South Carolina Railroad, and
the enterprising merchants of Charleston, the
evil is being rapidly remedied, and Charleston
may soon assume her former proud position as a
commercial city.
For detailed information as to the earuines
from both freight and passengers, I request to
refer you to the tabular statements hereto an
nexed.
LOCOMOTIVES.
The condition of our locomotives has been
greatly improved, as will be seen by detailed
tabular statement herewith—and with present
facilities lor repairing and rebuilding, we have
no fears of keeping this department anead of
the demands of business.
CARS.
This department, with its increased stock of
material and facilities tor repairing and building,
will, I doubt not, be able to meet promptly the
demands of the service, without purchasing any
from outside parties. At present, we report, as
follows :
Box Cara 220
Passenger Cars 25
Baggage Cars ... 8
Platform Cars 115
Cab Cars , 16
Coal Cars 8
Shanty Cars 13
Stock Cars 27
Many of the cars reported on hand, at the
making ot last report, have been rebuilt, taking
their old numbers, and the aggregate number
considerably increased by new ones added to the
report of last year. In addition to those reported
above, we have one hundred box cars in course
of construction in our shops, fifty ot which are
already framed and ready to put up. We find
from actual outlay, that we can build these cars
at much less cost than they can be bought, hav
ing equal facilities with others for their construc
tion ; and give employment to many deserving
mechanics in this community.
Considerable sums will yet have to be ex
pended out of the earnings, on the track, loco
motives, and cars, to bring them up to first class
condition, but when that point is gained, the
road may be, we think, operated and kept in the
same good condition for fifty per cent, of its
gross earnings, and probably,for less, if its gross
business should increase.
Too many contingencies present themselves
for us to undertake to make an estimate for next
year’s business, but we hope for favorable results,
especially, if the country should be favored with
a reasonable crop ot cotton,
The Officers, Agents, and Employees, with
but few exceptions, have shown a commendable
zeal in their efforts to advance the interest of
your company. Respectfully submitted by your
obedient servant, E. W. Cole,
General Superintendent.
Tennessee—Big mass.
Tbe radical convention which assembled in
Nashville on the 16th to nominate a candidate
for Congress met with an unfortunate catastrophe
before the work of organization had fairly com
menced. There seems to have been two patri
otic aspirants for the nomination—gentlemen,
who, with a laudable disregard of self, were will
ing to be sacrificed upon the altar of office. One
of these is John Trimble, an old political hack
and a handy sort oi man—the other, Judge Law
rence, a Bureau man, and who hails from beyond
the Ohio. The following extract from the pro
ceedings’, as reported in the Union & Dispatch,
will give the reader a taste of the affair:
Capt. Metcalf moved that two from each coun
ty be appointed as a committee on organization,
and two from each county on credentials, and
that where there were conflicting delegations,
each delegation should be entitled to representa
tion on both committees.
S. C. Mercer, of the Press & Times, moved to
lay the resolution on the table.
Mr. Mason, ot the Radical Organ, thought that
the convention, and not the Congressional com
mittee, should decide on the merits ot the con
flicting delegates.
Mr. Mercer claimed that a motion to lay on
the table was not debatable, and the chair, hav-
iug coincided, put the question, and the motion
to lay the question on the table was carried by
a large majority.
This was a gag law to the friends of Lawrence,
who felt that their friends had been denied seats
in the convention by fraud and trickery, and
Messrs. Mason and Metcalf, in pious disgust,
shook the Trimble dust from their feet, and,
amid the wildest confusion and uproar ever seen
in any political assembly of this State, they re
tired, the crowd shouting vociferously for Law
rence. Such a scene a hundred phonographic
reporters could not have truly delineated—yells,
screams, huzzahs rang through the arches and
echoed along the fluted columns of that grand
old capitol. The secession of the Charleston
convention was no comparison to it. It was
pandemonium revived.
Tiie Lawrence men, who were said to be in
the majority, repaired to the Court House, and
nominated their man. John Trimble was nomi
nated by his friends, so that there are now two
radical candidates for Congress in the Nashville
District. A bad business, and we doubt very
much whether Congress will tolerate such doings
among the members of the happy family. At
least, we think the case is one peremptorily de
manding the interference of Governor Brown-
low. The integrity and durability of the party
in Tennessee is seriously menaced, and some
thing has got to be did to save it.
A Horrible Murdee.—The Macon Journal
& Messenger of yesterday says: We learn, lrom
citizens o. 1 that vicinity, that a horrible murder
was committed in the western part ot this coun
ty, in what is familiarly known as the “Warrior
District.” The facts, as related to us, are, that
Mr. Isaac Heard, the man murdered, had missed
some of his hogs, and an intimation bad been
given him by some parties, that he could find
the thief. He went out with his gun for that
purpose, on Monday night, 13th Inst, but did
not return. He was bunted for by his neighbors
without success, until Thursday. Strong sus
picions rested on three negroes, who were ar
rested. One of them, named Miles, formerly
the property ot Green Wilder, grand-father of
Mr. Heard, the murdered man, confessed the
deed, implicating the other two. He went and
pointed out where the body was, which was bu
ried in a pond. It showed seven gashes on the
head, apparently done by a hatchet, and the neck
broken.
The case was examined into yesterday, in a
Magistrate’s Gourt, in the Warrior District, and
the parties are probably now in our jail, but of
this we have not the full particulars.
There are strange rumors with regard to the
case. A “will” is spoken of in connection with
it, and that white people may be at the “head,”
or “bottom” of it, which may yet be developed.
So runs the information imparted by the negroes.
Sensible.—Somebody says the world is full
of people who can’t imagine why they don’t
prosper like their neighbors, when the real ob
stacle is not in banks or tariffs, in bad public
policy or hard times, but in their owu extrava
gance and heedless ostentation. Let a man haTe
a genius for spending, and whether his income
be a dollar a day or a dollar a minute, it is
equally certain to prove inadequate. Tbe bot
tomless pocket will never fill, no matter how
bounteous the stream pouring into it.