Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by the R.J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation in partnership with the Atlanta History Center.
About Tri-weekly constitutionalist. (Augusta, Ga.) 18??-1877 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 1868)
CONSTITUTIONALIST. atjghjsta. aa. FRIDAY MORNING. AUG. 28,18(58 HON. A. H. STEPHENS AND THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT. It has been stated, from time to time, in Radical journals, North and South, that the lion. Alexander H. Stephens favor ed the fourteenth amendment, and urged its passage by the so-called Legislature of Georgia. As this assertion lias still pos session of the public mind, by Radical di rection, we deem it opportune to correct such wrong impressions as may be drawn from broad and partisan assertions. This correction can be all the better made by presenting an exact account of Mr. Ste phens’ position with regard to this vexed question. It is true that Mr. Stephens, as a matter of policy, favored the adoption of the amendment by the Radicals. It is not true that he wished the Democrats to assist in its passage by active participation. It is utterly untrue that he either advised or fa vored its adoption on its merits. On the contrary, he considered the act itself null and void, and stated more than once, openly, that he “ hoped no Democrat would vote for it; and, if he were in the Legisla ture, and his vote would defeat it, or by not voting permit it to pass, he would not vote at all.” As the case then stood, it seemed to him best for the State and the whole country that it should pass, the Radicals having the exclusive responsibility of its passage. Here are some of the reasons leading to this conclusion: Ist. The vote of Georgia, at that time, could not affect the real merits of the ques tion, one way or another, as three-fourths of the States had already adopted it. 2d. By its adoption, we could get rid of the military government and military ar rests. At that particular juncture, this rid dance was a matter of some importance. 3d. By its adoption, we might, if the election was left to the people, cast the nine electoral votes of Georgia for Seymour and Blair, and thus essentially aid in bringing into power a party which would hold the whole matter—as Mr. Stephens did— utterly null and void. 4th. In case the Democrats were vic torious in the Fall elections, no possible injury could come of it. Pen- contra , if Grant and Colfax were elected, we would lie no worse off with it than without it. Nay, we might be in a better condition, since, through the present constitution, all the whites were enfranchised, which might not be the case if another constitution were framed under more Radical auspices. sth- So that, in every possible view of the subject, as the matter then stood, Mr. Stephens deemed it best for the State and the whole country that the Radicals should be permitted to adopt it. To tliis extent, and no farther, Mr. Stephens “ favored ” it. But it is wholly false that he favored or urged its adop tion on its merits , as the Radical journals would have the public believe. Men may differ as to the cogency of the reasons assigned, but few, whose good opin ion is valuable, will question the honesty of our illustrious statesman’s motives. We know that no living man holds the Recon struction Acts in greater abhorrence, and no man would sacrifice more before giving them his \ r ote, sanction or approval. His judgment may not be infallible, but his pa triotism and devotion to the South arc be yond suspicion. We have given, Avitii what clearness and perspicacity we equld, the true position of Mr. Stephens in the matter of the four teenth amendment and its passage by the so-called Legislature of Georgia. The ivhole question may be briefly summed up : It is true that Mr. Stephens advised the Democratic members of the “ Legislature ” to abstain from voting, thereby throwing the onus and responsibility of the adoption of the measure upon the Radicals. It is immeasurably false that lie had any sympathy with the measure, or urged its adoption on its merits, since no ipan deems it a greater abomination than he does, and no man will more gladly welcome that glo rious day which shall consign it and kin dred villainies to the tomb of the Capulets, or, in more modern phrase, to the grave clothes of-that old agitator and father of misdeeds, who awaits the last trump tn the colored cemetery at Lancaster, in the State' of Pennsylvania. THE GAME OF PURGING LEGISLA TURES Bullock, who writes himself Governo of Georgia, made the first essay, we be lieve, to purge the Georgia “ Legislature ” of Democratic or anti-BuLLocK members. From recent developments and a very sig nificant debate, the synoptical report of which can be found in our special telegram, it appears that the “ Legislature ” is mak ing rapid progress toward a substantial purging itself of Radical pets. The ways of Legislatures are past finding out; but it looks as though a majority of the Georgia Legislature had caught inspiration from Seymour and Blair. In case a goodly number of members are pronounced ineligible, the question natu rally occurs, what right had they to vote upon and hel p decide matters of moment; and how far these matters, thus settled, can be considered legal or final? When the House shall have been effectually, purg ed, wo«ld it not be lawful to have anew deal in the way of State officers and the like ? If men have been voting who have had no right to vote, important questions and prominent candidates decided by their illegal ballots should undergo reconsidera tion. Let ns have a thorough purge of per jury, if such a thing be possible. The New Orleans Orescent thus describes anew caricature of Gen. Grant: The General, booted and spurred is re presented balancing himself on a rope over an abyss, one end of the rope being fasten ed to one cliff by means of a musket the bayonet of which is firmly planted in the ground, whilst the other end is held by a negro standing on the other side, who grinningly exclaims: “ Whar you be Jlassa Grant, if I lef’ go ? Yah! yah!” ’ The Public Debt. STRIKING ILLUSTRATION. [From tin. lionmvillc Democrat. The statement of the public debt, publish ed August Ist, 1868, confesses that the amount of that great “ national blessing ” foots up $2,523,584,4801 These figures rep resent an amount of indebteness that few men can comprehend. Its immensity is barely within the bounds of human calcu lation, and would prove appalling to a nation of Rothschilds, Barings and Pea bodys. It stands upon the ruins of the Constitu tion, amid the crumbling pillars of the American Republic, a monument of Radical misrule, incompetency, villainy and despot ism. While it represents the price of our national ruin and degradation, it is elo quent of national bankruptcy, intolerable and eternal taxation and of selfish subjuga tion of the poor to the rich. The tax gatherers, of whom it is the fer tile parent, are now busy in every street, lane, highway and byway in the land; and are as disastrous to the prosperity of the country as the seven plagues, to which Pharaoh was compelled to succnmb. They demand taxes for— The hat on your head, The boots on your feet, The clothes on your person, The food you eat, The tea and coffee you drink, The pot it is cooked iu, The cup you drink it out of, The implements on your farm, The tools you work with, The paper you write on, The pen and ink you use, The papers and books you read, The furniture in your house, ' The gas or oil you burn, The coal you consume, The stove you burn it in, The match you light it with, The medicine you take. The tobacco you smoke, The pipe you smoke it in, The dishes on your table, and All you eat off them. Those of our readers who deal in money and who are in the daily habit of inspecting piles of greenbacks, may be interested with the following illustrations, which we find in the Frankfort Yeoman: The highest mountain in the world is a peak of the Himalaya Mountains, in India, which reaches the altitude of 28,178 feet, or a little less than five and a half miles. The public debt of the United States, ac cording to the official statement of the Sec retary of the Treasury, amounted, on the first of the present month, to the sum ol $2,523,534,480. Now, let us, for illustra tion, suppose this debt to be one dollar bills, and piled up before us. Do you imagine it would reach “mountain height?” Let us see: Allow one hundred notes to the inch, and we have its height To be 25,235,344 inches! or 2,102,945 feet!! or 700,981 yards!!! or 398)4 miles!!!! or, if the notes were of the denomination of SIOO each, instead of sl, we should have a pyramid of money reaching about four miles high! whilst the highest mountain peak in North America (Mount St. Elias, in Russian America,) is but 17,900 feet, or less than 3)4 miles. Still further: let us suppose the debt to be in silver instead of notes, and estimating sl6 to the pound, wc have a weight of debt amounting to just 157,720,905 pounds !! or 9,857 car loads (at 16,000 pounds to the car), which would make a train of cars 56 miles in length, allowing but 30 feet to the car!!! But let us illustrate a little further; and suppose it were necessary to take the silver dollars from the mint, employing porters for that pnrpose, requiring each man to carry forty pounds. In that case it would tuko about, 4,000,000 men, who, standing three feet, apart, would make a line about 3,000 miles long; anti, marching at the rate of three miles an hour, it would require about I'orLy days for this debt-burdened army to pass a given [joint! And the task of counting the debt, in silver dollars, would be one of almost endless duration. Let us see: A man commencing August Ist, 1868, and working ten hours each day, and counting sixty dollars each minute, would accomplish the job A. D. 4368. [From tlie National Intelligencer. They have, by the manner in which they conducted the Avar, and by prolonging it for the benefit of trie Radical party years after it might, and should liaA-c been closed, and by the most unnecessary, reckless, and ruinous prodigality of the people’s money, created a public debt whose ascertained (ofticial) amount Is about two thousand fine hundred millions of dollars, ($2 500,000,000,) ami which, when the uneiscertained is added to it, will, as estimated by Thaddeus Ste vens, who had charge ot the subject of finance, or ways and means and appropria tions, for several years in the House of Representatives, including all the years of the war and since, ami who, therefore, had the very best means of information on this subject, amount to the astounding sum of fine, thousand millions of dollars, ($5,000,000,- 000.) Tills estimate of Mr. Stevens probably includes the private claims for the destruc tion of property North and South, debts arising out of breach of contract by the Government, and spoliation at home and abroad, growing out of the prosecution of the war, and probably, in his contempla tion, also, the assumption by the General Government of the war debts of the several States, counties, towns, &c. Others, again, have estimated the debt, 1 all things included, as high as six thousand million dollars, ($6,000,000,000,), : , They have not ODly not lessened the stu pendous debt, but have increased it, during the last tAvo months, over thirteen millions of dollars, ($18,000,000,) as shown by Mr. McCulloch’s official report. First, as to revenue: They have, from the 30th June, 1864, to January Ist, 1868, collected from the people a revenue amounting in all, as set down in the official record, to seven billions six hun dred and eighty-seven millions eight hundred and one thousand and sixty-four dollars, ($7,687,801,064,) including the fivS billions six hundred and twenty-seven millions four hundred and sixty-two thousand three hun dred and eight dollars ($5,627,462,308) from loans and Treasury notes. As going to make lip these seven billions, &c., are put down, under the head of “ direct taxes,” (but these oniy from 30th June, 1862,) twelve millions one hundred and sixty-one thousand three hundred and twenty seven dollars, ($12,161,327,) having collected in 1867 alone, for direct taxes, four millions two hundred tlumsand two hundred and thirty - three dollars ($4,200,233.) Under the head of “miscellaneous,” two hundred nnd thirty millions one hundred and fifty-one thousand nine hundred and fifty three dollars ($230,151,953;) having collect ed in the one year of 1866—under this “mis cellaneous” head, mark you— sixty-seven mil lions one hundred and nineteen thousand three hundred and sixty-nine dollars ($67,119,369.) They wrung from the people in the cne year of 1865, total revenue, the appalling sum of one billion eight hundred and five mil lions nine hundred and thirty-nine thousand three hundred and forty five dollars ($1,805,- 989,345.) ' Thus much on the subject of money col lected. Now, a few figures as to money paid out—expenses of carrying on the Gov ernment. They have expended, from June 30, 1861, to January 1, 1868, total, seven billions five hundred and fifty-seven millions seven hun dred and forty-one thousand two hundred and ninety-five dollars ($7,557,741,295,). having spent, in 1865 alone, one billion eight hun dred and ninety-seven millions six hundred and seventy-f Air thousand two hundred and twenty-four dollars , ($1,897,674,224.) As going to make up this sum they ex pended for the War Department three bil lions one hundred and eighty millions three hundred and sixty-eight thousand four hun dred and six dollars ($3,180,368,406;) having paid out, in one year —lß6s— one billion thirty one millions three hundred and tioenty-three thousand three hundred and sixty ($1,031,- 323,360.) For the Navy Department, four hundred and fourteen millions eighty-three thousand two hundred and eighty-fire, ($414,083,285 ;) having spent for the year 1865 one hundred and twe-tty-two millions Jive hundred and sixty seven thousand seven hundred and seventy-six dollars , ($122,567,776.) For “ordinary expenditures,” three bil lions nine hundred and forty-five millions two hundred and ninety-one thousand one hundred and fifty five dollars, ($3,945,291,155;) havlug spent under this head of “ordinary ex penses,” for the one year of 1865, one billion two hundred and twelve millions nine hundred and eleven thousand two hundred and seventy dollars, ($1,212,911,270.) For “ miscellaneous ” expenditures, (to June 30, 1807.) one hundred and fifty-eight millions, sixty-one thousand four hundred and fifty-two, ($158,061,452.) Somewhere swallowed up in these amaz ing sums of money, which stagger the mind in the effort to realize them, the amount squandered on the Freedmen’s Bureau would reach probably fifty millions. At least, for the year ending Jannary 1, 1867, as estimated by General Howard, Commissioner of the bureau, nearly twelve millions were required. At this rate, for the three years the bureau has been inexistence, it has consumed thirty-six millions; and we know that a vastly greater amount —at least fifty millions —have been spent upon it, all to keep the Radical party in power. The rate at which we are going to ruin— tile astounding sums of money drawn by the tax-gatherer from the hard labor of the people, and spent-—can be better understood when we say that during the seventy-three years preceding the war (as estimated re cently) the whole expenditure of the Gov ernment amounted to less than fourteen hun deed millions of dollars, while the Radical party in the one year of 1865 spent nearly nineteen hundred million dollars, as above stated. Such all exhibit as this may well strike the people with dismay, and cause them, as tiiey do, to cry aloud for relief from so intolerable a burden. Thou Art the Man ! Colonel Robert Ould has written a long letter to the National Inleligcncer, proving, what all Southerns believe to be true, that General Grant is responsible for all the prison horrors of the war, especially those at Andersonville. The World thus sum marizes the statements of Colonel Ould : I. That so long as the excess of prison ers was In the hands of the Confederate authorities the cartel of July 22, 18C2, whereby all prisoners on either side were to be discharged within ten days after cap ture upon parole, was strictly observed, but upon the excess falling to the part of the United States this arrangement was so far rendered nugatory that on the 10th of Au gust, 1864, the Confederate authorities of fered to deliver man for man and officer for officer, those longest in confinement to be delivered first. No answer having been re ceived to this communication, a second of like tenor was forwarded twelve days there after. No answer was ever received to either of these proffers beyond a line from General Mulford, dated August 31, 1864, stating he had nothing on the part of the United States authorities to communicate. 11. That ou the 24th of January, 1864, a proposition was made on the part of the Confederate authorities that surgeons of the respective services then in hostilities should be allowed to attend their own men, with power to receive aud distribute any supplies of money, food, clothing, medicine, or the like for such use furnished. To this communication no reply of any kind was ever made. ITT. That in the Summer of 1864 the Confederate authorities offered to surrender all the sick and wounded prisoners then in their possession without equivalent; that it was not until November in that year that transportation therefor Avas furnished by the authorities of the United States, and that at the time of delivering up 8.000 sick and wounded as stipulated, 5,000 well men Avoro added, ex gratia. IV. That in the Summer of 1864 the Con federate authorities offered to purchase medicines, then contraband of war by action of the authorities of the United States, from said authorities, purchase to lie paid for in gold, cotton, or tobacco at three times, if asked, the then market price North, and said articles, under the dis bursement of United States surgeons, to-be exclusively applied to the sick and wound ed of that service. To this no reply Avas ever received. V. That, on attending at the military proceedings resulting in the death of Wirz, said attendance being necessitated by a sub poena for the defense, for the purpose of testifying as to the matters hereinbefore act forth, and others of like general tenor, Robert Oukl was dismissed without ex amination by Col. N. H. Chipro&n, the prosecutor. These are grave allegations. If sustain able, they show that the sufferings of the Union prisoners rest otherwheres than has heretofore been supposed, in his letter Mr. Onld says: “General John E. Mnl ford is personally cognizant of the truth of most, if not all, the facts which I hive nar rated. * * ’ * I appeal to him for the truth of Avhat I have written.” It is now incumbent upon General Mulford to slate the case, as coming under his ob servation. That Mr. Minigeu, of Ohio, made three different efforts to have this matter investigated, and Avas three times voted doAvn by the Radical majority in the House, is a matter, avo believe, that ap pears on record, and so persistent a stifling Avould seem to lend color to flic implied charge of this letter. That charge is, as will be seen, that General Grant is respon sible for the delay of exchange, and the en tire ignoval of the meliorating propositions from time to time put forth by the Confed erate authorities. If so, there may be rea sons that to the merciless doctrine of “at trition ” may be satisfactory, but it remains for the people to say whether or no this revelation, dank Avith human misery that might have been so easily prevented, forms a pleasing appendix to the story of that dreadful butchery Avhereby seventy thous and lives were lost to get an army where, under a general, it might have marched without the loss of a man. The War Department must, unless Stan ton burned them before his flight, possess some documents on this matter. Will it produce them ? The So urows of an Honest Revenue Officer. —P. A. Wilkinson, Esq., is ;U present Collector of Internal Revenue for the third district of Tennessee. Mr. Wil kinson being an elderly gentleman, leaves the performance of the main duties of the office, which latter is in Chattanooga, to his son, an estimable young gentleman, and well qualified for the business. The elder Mr. Wilkinson resides in McMinuville, Warren county, of which county he has been county clerk for the past twenty-one years. The loyal men of Warren county— and in Tennessee it must be remembered uone but loyal men can vote—have often ilesiral and coaxed Mr. Wilkinson not to collect the revenue tax from them, as they were loyal, but to make up the loss thus incurred by taxing double the Democrats of the county. Os course, Mr. Wilkinson could not concur with this idea of the loy alists, whereupon the League gets mad, and the members thereof, at the late county election in Warren, elected a young Loyal Leaguer for county clerk, defeating Mr. Wilkinson, who was again a candidate, very badly; and all because he would not take the taxes off the loyal men of Warren county. Such, readers, is one of the results of loyalty, as practised in the dominion of Brownlow. [Chattanooga American Union , 19 th. lCsvr«*poad#iiec of the Richmond Whig. Letter from the White Sulphur. General Rosecrans’s Visit— The Object of tt —His Interview with General Lee—Substance of their Conversation—lnterview with Mr. Stuart — Probable Promulgation of tin Address by Southern Representative Men—Notables at the Springs—The Generals and the Ladies, %c. White Sulphur Springs, August 33. The arrival of General Rosecranz by the stage yesterday created quite s stir among the male sojourners here, among them many who figur ed largely in other days in the councils of the nation. The object of his visit, before bis ar rival, was understood to be for the pnrpose of conferring with Gen. Lee and others as to the best means of placing before the North a state ment or the. real feeling ol the people, of the South towards the Onion. He had stooped in Staunton to 6ee Mr. Stuart and compare views with him, but that gentleman was here at the time. General Rosecranz had, however, a long interview with the Hon. John B. Baldwin, which he states was very satisfactory to him. As soon as dinner was over, Gen. Rosecranz sought Gen. Lee, and they conversed freely for some hours. There sat in the same room two general officers, who, early in the bloody drama not long closed, figured as the leaders of two opposing armies, talking of peace and concilia tion and a restoration of the Government. And what Robert Lee said then and there the South said, For he is the embodiment of her sentiment, and she is willing to confide her honor, her in terest and her all to his keeping, knowing that whatever he does is right. Gen. Rosecranz, who is a very fluent talker, and who expresses his opinions with a soldierly want of reserve, as your correspondent knows, said that there were many honest, well meaning men in the North and West who have been led to believe by the misrepresentations of the Southern eor respondents of the Radical press as well as by the speeches of the leaders of that party, that the people of ibe Sontli are just as hostile to the Union now as during the war, and as much embittered against the Northern people ns they were when both were in arms ; that they hate the negroes with a deadly hate because they have been freed, and but for the stroug arm of the military, would reduce them to a state of jiractical slavery, and perpetrate all manner ol' outrages upon them. He proposed, therefore, that the general officers of the Confederate army, representing as they do the valor, the chivalry and the truth of the South, unite and lay beiore the North ern people, in a tangible form that cannot he disputed, the true state of the feeling as he had found it everywhere in his travels South. Geucral Lee denied that the people of the Sontli are inimical to the Union. They want peace, and long for it. This is their universal sentiment as lar as he lias been able to ascer tain it, and his opportunities have been many, from frequent conversations and extensive cor respondence with representative persons in all parts of the South. As to their animosity to the negro, nothing could be farther from the fact, and why should there he. Said lie, there is no rivalry between the races, but a recipro cal interest growing out of the fact that each is dependent upon the other to a great extent — one needing employment and the other em ployees. Apart from this, they had been rear ed together and there is a natural affection aud sympathy between them. General Lee gave his cordial approval to the patriotic object which General Rosecranz has has in view and is so zealously prosecuting. At the close of. this interesting interview, which lasted some hours, a nnmber of gentle men, including Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, General Echols, General J. R. Anderson, Major Suther lin, of Danville, called on Gen. R. and protest ed against his leaving this morning, as he an nounced he intended to do ou his arrival. He referred to liis meeting with General Lee in terms of great satisfaction, and readily con sented to remain until Sunday. As they were leaving, he requested Mr. Stuart to remain and confer with him in the same frank, honest, sol dier-like manner he had with our great captain in the afternoon. The views expressed by him were substantially the same as I have given in the abstract above. The conversation,.how ever, took a wider range and embraced the po litical issues now before the country. Upon these General Rosecranz was not at all reticent as to liis position nor as to his preference be tween the Presidential tickets. Mr. Stuart gave him a full, frank and clear statement of the condition of things in the South, the feel -1 ing of the people as to the Union, their friend ly regard for the negroes, their detestation of ! Radical emissaries, and. their ’ desire for speedy restoration to the Union in a constitutional way. To-day General Rosecranz was in conversation with other gentlemen here, , omitting no occasion to give expression to tie same views. He is evidently in earnest. No plan has yet been decided upon, bnt it is probable that some distinguished gentle man known to the whole country will be re quested to prepare a paper in accordance with the suggestion of Gen. Rosecranz, which shall set loath clearly and fully the real feeling now ' existing in the South. This will he printed and forwarded to all the general officers of the Uoufederato army, and such representative , Southern statesmen as it is deemed desirable should sign it, for their signatures. At the ’ same time they will be requested to add such comments as they they may think proper. A DAY LATER. MORE OF GENERAL ROSBCRANZ’S ERRAND— ER. STEPHENS, &C. White Sulphur Sprinhs, ) • Sunday Night, August 23. ( General Rosecranz is still here, and all of the prominent military men and civilian guests o( the Springs have been in conference with him nearly all day. A. H. Stephens, while I write, is still in his room with him. There will he an address issued, as I stated yesterday, but further than this has not been determined upon. The mission of Gen. Rosecranz is far more important than any one believed the day of his arrival. The General, who had arranged to leave to-day, Avas requested to postpone his de parture, and he at once ordered his trunks (o his room. I will keep you advised of what ever occurs in connection witli (his interesting conference. “ A subject of Her Britnnnic Majesty ” gives notice to ex-Gov. Brown through the Savannah papers, that at the next term of the United States Court lie will commence suit against the ex-Governor for damages to the amount, of five thousand dollars. Ilis complaint is that Gov ernor Brown, during the war, ordered all aliens either to leave the State forever or take lip arms an.d repair to Atlanta within ten days, and that be was thereby compelled to “ sever his busi ness and domestic relations on short notice,” whereby he sustained the damage complained of. A New Name for It. —A young man from the country went into a Bridgeport drug store the other day, and seeing people Ireely patroti izing the soda fountain, at length stepped up and asked for a drink of “ that are ” for him self. After swallowing the foaming contents of the. glass and laying down his stamps with a satisfied air upon the counter, “ Mister,” said he, “ what do you call that stuff that bites so ?” On being told that it was soda water, “Wa’all,” said he, “ I sposed it was sweetened wind.” \ Providence Herald. A preacher not long since discoursing to the boys in New Hampshire State Reform School upon the fact that the good were respected while the bad were shunned, attempted to illus trate by saying: “ Now, boys, when I walk on the street I speak to some and not to others ? what now makes the difference'?” supposing, of course they would say, 11 Because some arc good and some bad but he was much aston ished to hear some little fel'ow sing out, “ Be cause some are rich and some are poor.” A homesick dog recently traveled nine-hun dred rbiles, and got back to his old home in Missouri by instinet. After November there will be an exodus of homesick two-legged dogs from the South, hunting their kennels much farther off. The chaplain at Thad. Stevens’funeral prayed the Lord to give Vermont another son, and Pennsylvania another statesman like old Thad. Every good man will put up a petition against that last clause, but there arc few who will care if Vermont had such a son iu every trundle bed, provided she would keep them. _ Six companies of militia have been organized in Little Rock. Not a single white Radical in the county could be induced to join. Oh, no ! they do not associate with negroes. An Albany merchant advertises “ a full as sortment of,madder prints.” If they are mad der prints than the Tribune and Post, they must be a novelty— Leader. After the clergyman had united a happy pair, not long ago, an awful silence ensued, which was broken by an impatient youth, exclaiming, “ Dou’t be so unspeakably happy!” I From the Atlanta latelliganaar. GEORGIA LEGISLATURE. Tuesday, Angnet 35,1868. SENATE. The Senate met pursuant to adjournment, aud was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Trawick. Mr. Wooten gave notice that he would move to reconsider so mpeh of the journal of yester day as relates to the rejection of a bill granting to tyro fire companies in the city ot Macon cer tain privileges and exemptions. He only wished the bill reconsidered as an act of courtesy to the Senator who introduced the measure and is now absent. Mr. Wooten also advocated the reconsideration on constitutional grounds In an able manner. Mr. Merrell advocated reconsideration, stat ing that it was out of the power of the courts to grant the exemptions asked for, hence it clearly devolved upon the Legielatnre. Mr. Wimi opposed the reconsideration. He said that privileges granted to two orXhreo fire companies, composed of two hundred members each, would work badly at this time ; besides, it was unconstitutional. Fifteen men were sufficient to work an engine, and a sufficient nnmber to exempt, bnt here we have a large number of parties seeking exemptions whose services arc required in the present state of the country. Mr. Harris favored reconsideration for refer ent* to the Judiciary Committee; also, Mr. Brock favored the same. It was the first lime a courtesy had been refused to an absent Sena tor who had a bill of eneji importance, to give the,same a fair hearing. Mr. Candler said, the judges of the courts had no power to grant exemptions, and there was quite a difference between a privilege grant ed to certain individuals aud certain parties named in the bill. The motion to reconsider prevailed, and the hill laid on the table for the present. Mr. Merrell moved to suspend the rules in order to take up the hill, providing for the elec tion of a Mayor and Aldermen, iu the city of Savannah. Mr. Holcombe moved to amend, by having read the second time the House hill, to reorga nize the manner of holding municipal elections of Augusta. The motion to suspend was agreed to, and the bill was read and made the special order for Friday next. The Senate took up the hill for a third read ing, providing for the election of Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah. Mr. Lester offered us a substitute the hill as passed by House of Representatives. Mr. Campbell opposed the substitute—espe cially that portion referring to the justices presiding, liis idea being that it should be so fixed that t .vo white and two colored persons should preside; also opposed to the time fixed for the election ; as to judges he wanted at least, one colored man on the board, lie wished all ol this done to prevent a collision. He wanted quietly i fair expression of opinion—so that all parties may he satisfied. Mr. Adkins hoped the amendments would receive the calm and dignified consideration of all Senators. Mr. Harris moved to take up the bill by sec tions, which was agreed to. The preamble was read, and Mr. Campbell moved to amend by striking out the words “ third Monday in November,” aud insert “ second Tuesday in October.” Mr. Smith, of the 7th, 6aid that, as the peo ple there simply asked for a small extension of time, and as it would injure no one, he hoped the whole substitnto wouid pass. Mr. Campbell. 1 do not want to be factious, hilt this extension of time would injure hun dreds. He, with his son, saw three hundred who would l>e affected. They had been ostra cised on account of their political opinions— refused employment and are now seeking it ; and they were not a rabble, a motley crew, hut thorough, church-going people. It was a duty he owed to them to protect them against this measure. Mr. Smith, ot the 7th, advocated tho substi tute at length, taking the grounds that, a* no one would be barred the privilege of voting, and is advocated by both Republicans and De mocrats. The tax-payers of Savannah, irre spective of party, have harmonized ou this plan. Mr. Adkins said they had plenty of time from now until October to register five times over, and this haste shows the cat In the meal tub. The persons then in power wished to hold it also until the Presidential election is over. He wished that when the election of President comes on it would bo 1c proper hands; therefore, if this were so, wc would avoid bloodshed, etc. They arc hostile, then, to Republicanism and reconstruction, ard we should put the administration of government in the hands of those whose hands arc eventu ally to wield the power. As to time, he repeat ed that they could register a thousand times more than they had. Already a member of the lower House had got a letter from his wife that a Kil-Klux had called ou her, [laughter] and an other one had tied a mau to a plank and whip ped him until he confessed he was a Democrat. {Laughter.J We must have law aud order here. The Senator from the 7Ll> could have pursued a different liue of policy, living distant from the city of Savannah. Mr. Smith, of the 7th. Which has lived long er in the region of country Savannah is in, the Senator from the 7th or the Senator from the 2d ? Mr. Adkins. I do not know either of you much. The Senator of the 2d is in sympathy with his race. Mr. Smith, of the 7th. Will you allow me to ask you another question ? Mr. Adkins. lam always willing to answer when put in good faith (very excitedly), hut I will not l,e bothered and troubled again in this manner, (very loud,) aud no one shall do it. — [Sensation. | Mr. Lester. The diflionlty here is this, we had a bill read three times here for which the substitute is offered as passed by the House, but as no time can be gained I move to withdraw the substitute. The Chair decided that as the Senator would not give way, the motion was out of order. Mr. Adkins feared that if these people held power, lie had no doubt but that they would take possession of the polls at the Presidential election. It was urged that the people there desired it, and we are to listen to a species of oligarchisLs and not to those'who arc iu for law and order. The people, have a right to vote tor President and Vice-President. The Chair. The Senator must confine himself to the subject matter. Mr. Adkins. I beg pardon, Mr. President and Senators. I want tilings so fixed that wc ean all go up to the polls and vote for President without fear or favor. Let the election, there fore, come off in Savannah at as early a day as practicable. Mr. Lester introduced the substitute and the original hill was laid on the, table for the present. He then moved a further suspension of the rules, which being agreed to, the House hill, which he had offered as a substitute, was taken up and read the first time. The Senate took up the message of the House with an amendment to the Senate hill, in re gard to the drawing of jurors. The amend ment was concurred in. The Senate resumed the unfinished business of yesterday, which was the consideration of the bill to alter and amend the usury laws of this State. Mr. Winn, having the floor, supported the measure in an able argument. Mr. Welborn followed iu opposition, pend ing which the Senate adjourned until 4 o’clock, this evening. EVENING SESSION. The Senate met, and proceeded to read bills the second time, after which they adjourned until 10 o’clock to-morrow. HOUSE. House met. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Spillman. The House resumed the consideration of un finished business of yesterday, to-wit: the bill to amend Sections 2530 and 2531 oi the Code. (The amendment proposed is that, in setting apart the year’s allowance provided by law for the widow and family of deceased testates and intestates, the indigent helpless members of the family, though not minors, Bhall be provided for.) Mr. Hudson, of Harris, whose judgment is always deferred to in the House, objected to the passage of the bill. Ho was opposed to mutilating tho Code, &c. Mr. Crawford favored its passage in a very pointed speech—advocating the providing for the Indigent and helpless, &c. Mr. Scott said, if the bill were so amended as to make its provisions apply to lcinales only ho would support the bill. Mr. Anderson said if the object of tho bill was to provide for daughters who were perma nently disabled he would support the bill. The bill was passed. The Benate bill to provide for holding fall terms of Superior Courts was passed. HOUSE BILLS ON PASSAGE. To provide for the elccliou of justices of the pence «nd constables. Passed. To provide for tho speedy collection by clerks of their fees for recording deeds. With drawn. To provide for the distribution of property in certain cases. Lost. To make It penal to transfer the same pr - pert-y more than once. Lost. For the relief of J. J. Stallings, executor of 8. Gibson. Withdrawn. To amend road laws of this State. Lost. To provide for election of justices of the poace. Lost. To adjourn to Millcdgoville on 30th Septem ber. Mr. Bryant moved as a substitute that this General Assembly will adjourn on sth Septem ber. Mr. Rawls offered the following substitute : Resolved, That the mover of the bill to nd journ on the sth of September he allowed a leave of absence from the sth of September to canvass his Congressional District as elector of his party, as we believe liis services will greatly benefit the Democratic party. Ruled out of order. The Speaker ruled Mr. Bryant’s substitute germain to the bill. Mr. Anderson appealed from the decision of the Chair. The House sustained the Chair. Mr. Bryant spoke in favor of his substitute. During his remarks, he said his party was willing to do the business and adjourn. His party wore anxious to go home. The Senate had got behind with its business. They had been wasting their time npon the everlasting Bradley ease. If the House will go and finish their business, as It can do In two wcek9, wc can adjourn in two weeks. He did not wish the Republican party charged with staying here and wasting the people’s money. Mr. O’Neal, of Lowndes, offered an amend ment, that this Hourc will adjourn the Ist of October, lie snU the General Assembly would do Its business with reference to party or party lines. lie wished to separate this question of removal of the seat of government from the question of adjournment. He called upon the friends of Macon, of Milledgevllle, and of com mon justice, to ciinc up and meet this ques tion. He insisted that there w-s a pressing emergency to take buck the seal of government ■where our fathers had placed it. It never has been legally removed, and it becomes ns, as the representatives ol the people, to say so, etc., etc. ne contended that the late conven tion had no right to interfere with the location of the capitol. Mr. Dunpan raised the point that this bill re ferring to two subjects matter was obnoxious to the. constitution. Mr. Harper, of Terrell, said lie did not be lieve the seat of government could be removed to Millcdgevillc, except by a change of the constitution, nc said he would like to know how the gentleman from Richmond had found ont that the people were sick and tired of our staying here. He was certain that ho had in troduced some bills which were enough to make the people sick—ns, for instance, Ills Tennessee militia bill and his printing bill, lie did not sec why Mr. Bryant should wish to forestall the adjournment, lie (Bryant.) spoke of spending the people’s money. lie was rather a juvenile protector of the Treasury. The bill was laid on the table. To protect farmers from fox hunters and other sportsmen. Lost. A bill providing the time when costs on suits and actious shall be paid. Lost. To fix the salaries of the District judge and Solicitor of the First Senatorial District. Re ferred to the Committee ou District Courts. To relieve Seaborn Montgomery, and other securities of Henry L. Tyson. Lost. Resolution to encourage immigration, Ac. Mr. Faulk introduced ft resolution to hold two sessions of the House daily. Not taken up. A bill to amend an act incorporating Ogle thorpe University. Passed. A bill to define the liabilities of all Insurance agents of foreign Insurance Companies doing business in this State. To consolidate and amend the several acts in corporating the town of Lumpkin. To amend the charter of the Atlanta Street Railroad Company to change its name and to lend the aid of the Btatc thereto, and to confer banking powers and privileges npon tbs same, and for other purposes. Referred to Judicial Committee. House adjourned to 9, a. m. Dexter Trots a Mile in 2:l4.—Dexter has recently beaten his Buffalo time, and baa fairly earned the title of the fastest horse in the world. In June last Mr. Bonner sent Dexter to the Fashion Course, where he was placed in charge of Mr. Win. H. Doble, who was instruct ed to train and work him down to a racing con dition. A few days ago Dexter waa taken on the track as usual for his daily exercise, and several gentlemen who were present expressed a desire to see the horse put. to ids speed. Dex ter was sent to the stable, rubbed down aud scraped, ant: after an absence of about twenty five minutes was broubt back, with Bud.d Doble as driver. A rutming horse with a driver was also provided and placed at the three-quarter pole to make the round with the famous trot ter. Mr. Turnbull, the well known turfman, aud Mr. Conway, of Philadelphia, took the judges’ stand and kept the time. Dexter was trotted slowly around the first time, aud as he began the second heat was worked up, until at the quarter pole lie seemed to lie going at a lo comotive pace. With the running horse at his side to incite him, Dexter trotted at such a rapid and steady pace as to surprise all. The first quarter mile was made in thirty-three and a-hnlf seconds, the next in thirty-three sec onds, the third in thirty-four sceondp, and the mile in the unprecedented time of two minutes and fourteen seconds. Yesterday, on the same track, Dexter trotted a quarter mite in thirty seconds, or at the rale of a mile in two min utes. The trainer says that after Dexter has been got in thorough condition he will make still better time. Whether he does or not, his past achievements have fairly earned for liiin the name of “ King of tho Turf.” [N. Y. Post, August 23. The Floods in Maine.—“ The floods are risen.” Down the Penobscot Valley poured an irresistible tide of patriotic and Union-lov ing men, to hear the words ol truth and sober ness from the lips of the distinguished Demo cratic statesman of the West. The gathering was beyond all expectation. No one could possibly mistake the temper of that great meet ing of intelligent freemen. They heard not a syllable from the speaker’s lips that tended to excite their prejudices or their passions, but, on the contrary, Avcre warned against the harm ful indulgence of their feelings when calm rea son was especially summoned into service.— They listened to a clear, calm, and impressive statement of the perils that environed our free system of government; of its heavy debt, the unwarranted expenditures ol the party in con trol, the. causes of high prices and low wages, the extravagance and corruption which pile up taxes almost without end, the undermining ef fect of the measures set on foot by Congress, and the danger of the utter loss of our liberties, nn'ess the people rallied in serious earnest, to their rescue. This great gathering of the peo ple of Maine, to ho followed by others of the same character, promises a heavy loss next month to the Radical leaders, and shows, that with concentrated and unremitted effort, the State ean he carried for the party of the Con stitution and the Union. —Boston Post. A Watermelon and What Came of It. —Col. J. G. Tucker, having forwarded a sixty pound watermelon to the next President of the United States, received the folloiving acknowl edgment : Utica, August 20,1868. My Dear Sir : Your water melon made a sensation In our town, where we are not often treated with a sight of such remarkable size. I am gratified with your kind consideration in sending me the present, and also with your kind letter. Thus far, cA r erything looks well for us in this State, and in the North generally. Very truly, yours, &c., Horatio Seymour. Julius G. Tucker, Esq. Lucy Conn Institute.—The exercises of this famous Institute, one of tho very best in the South or in the country, will bo resumed on the 15th of September. Under the adminis tration of Madamtf Sosnowski, it has attained great celebrity, and we predict additional laurels in the year, to come. . Claghobn, Herring & Co.—This firm Hinge its banner to the breeze. It lea big banner and invites the multitude to gaze upon it. The business of this house extends over the country and is bound to reap a rich harvest of patronage. While we arc very sorry to see Mr. A. M. Jack son leave Augusta, to attend to the interests of the firm in Charleston, wo feel confident that Mr. Herring will prove an excellent sub stitute. There is tho ring of the true metal in the very sound of Claghorn, Herring & Com pany. BY TELEGRAPH. [Special to the Oonstitnltonaltalk from ATLANTA. Atlanta, August 36. In the Somite the House bill providing for the election of Mayor and Aldermen for the city of Savannah was made the special order for to morrow. The House resolution encouraging emigra tion passed. A bill repealing the usury lawe was lost yeas, 17; nays, 18. In the House, upon the call of counties, a number of new bills were introduced. Scott, from the Committee on Privileges and F,lections, arose to make a minority report, charging the majority with iutenlionsl delay. Bryant made a point of order that a minority could not report until the majority had reported. Scott replied that frequent efforts had been made to have a meeting, but the majority would not do so. He believed they never intended lo report. He claimed it was a question of privi lege. The Chair coincided with Scott, and ruled tire minority could offer a report. * Ilice appealed from the decision of the Chair. The Chair was sustained l y a vote of 103 to 31. Scott presented the minority report, declar ing Fryall, of Macon, ineligible—first, because lie was not a resident of Macon at llic time of the election ; second, lie was a free person of eoior, and for this reason is not, under the con stitution and laws oftbc State, eligible. Mr. Duncan introduced a substitute, declar ing all the negro members ineligible. Scott reported the substitute, and this caused much excitement among the negroes. A parliamentary fight arose in which a num ber of points of order were made, the Radicals being whipped out on every point. Mr. Bcthune, chairman of the Committee on Privileges and Elections, made a report, asking farther time. It was laid upon the table—yeas, 82; nays, 53. The question then arose: Should llic mem bers charged with ineligibility be allowed to vote, each separately, on the question of tho others’ eligibility? Tho Chair decided they could not. An appeal was taken auil the Chair sustained by a vote of 90 to 20. In calling the roll upon the last vote the names of the negroes were not called. House adjourned. [Associated Press Dtoprieha*. W ashington. Washington, Augnet 86—Noon. It Is announced through paper# noppllcd with White House items by the President’s phonographic writer, that Perry Fuller is *p pointed Collector ol Customs. Gen. Grant instructs Meade, Thomas and Buchanan relative to the use of troops In aid of civil authorities. The obligations of FedeMl military officers and soldiers, in common with the citizens to obey a summons ol a marshal or sheriff must be held subordinate to their paramount duty as members of a permanent military body; hence troops can set only In their proper organized capacity, under tlieif own officers, aud in obedience to the immediate orders ol these officei s. The officer command ing troops, summoned to the aid of a marshal or sheriff, must also judge for himself, end npon his own i ffleial responsibility, whether l tv* service required of him Is lawful and nacuwsrp and compatible with a proper discharge of hi* ordinary military duties, and must Umll hi* action absolutely to proper aid in the execution of the lawful precept exhibited to him by tb* marshal or sheriff. • Washington, August 86—P. M. Rousseau and Fuller are both making, pre parations to repair to their posts in Louisiana. Judge Cad wullader, of Philadelphia, refuses to administer the official oath to O’Neill, ap pointed by the President United States attor ney, on the ground that, under the tenure-of office act, the President could not appoint. Persons visiting Cuba must have passports vised hy the Spanish consul. Georgia. Atlanta, August 36. A bill was introduced in the House to eateb fish a State police and appoint a chief, he to appoint subordinates in each county, under control of the Governor, to enforce tbe lawn and preserve order. A member ot the Committee on Privileges and Elections presented a minority report on the eligibility of negro members. A point of order was made that the minority could not report before the majority. The Speaker said the committee bad six weeks to make a report; failing to report, ho decided the minority report In order. An appeal was taken, and the Chair sustain ed by 102 to 31. I The minority reports members bolding scats who are not residents of counties. They rep resent also that all persons of color under tha State constitution are ineligible. There being a disposition on the part of the majority present to make investigation, s sub stitute was offered declaring ail negro members ineligible. The question arose should members charged with ineligibility be allowed to vote ouch sepa rately on the question of the others* eligibility. The Speaker decided that as a class, members on trial for ineligibility should not vote on the eligibility of Olliers. An appeal was takeu (rod this decision, but the Chair was sustained by v vote ol 90 lo 20. South. Carolina. THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE IN THE MARKET. WHO BIDS? Columbia, August 26. The Legislature Is pressed for money. Their only hope is being bribed by railroad corpora tions. Columbia, August 20. The Legislature elected eight Circuit Judges to-day, of whom ex-Governor Orr is one. [Got his sop—very poor sop.] JLionisiana. New Orleans, August 26. James Mann, the only Democratic Represen tative in Congress from Louisiana, died this morning from congestion of tho brain. Both branches ol the Legislature adjourned out of respect; the House, in addition, adopted reso lutions of sympathy and to attend the funeral in a body. i^oreign. • (nr cable.J Liverpool, August 26. The ship Favorite, hcncc for New Orleans, ashore off the Irish coast, will probably bo saved. Tugs have reached her. Madrid, August id. Gcu. Dulcis’ death is denied. London, August 26. Reverdy Johnson had an interview with. Disraeli to-day. Marine IST e ws. Wilmington, Aogust 26. Cleared—Fairbanks, New York, Savannah, August 26. Arrived—Steamship Marmion and 8n» Jacinto, New York. Cleared—Steamship Herman Livingston. Charleston, August 26. Arrived—Schooner M. A. Vaneleaf, Rock port. Sailed—Steamer Monterey, New York schooner J. A, GrifHn, Tiulaielphi*.
