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I v sustained, nml the temporary de-
Kiou ot' their material interests, I
urging you at this time to in
■c the endowment. My object in
to the subject now is to con-
you ami your constituents up-
Hihc good use which is being made of
■ limited aid heretofore ami still e.v-
to this venerable institution,and
Hi-k that her past and present usel'nl-
Hs he accepted as an earnest of the
that may be anticipated from a lar-
endowment in more prosperous
is, however, a measure hy
the usefulness of the 1 adversity
he greatly increased, and a great
jßdic trust, now devolved upon the
Assembly, judiciously executed,
imposing :vi 1 y hurden upon an
people. A large extent of
lands belonging to the United
Bates lias been, by an act of Congress,
■ voted to the establishment ot agrieul-
Hral colleges in the several States. At
H>ur last session you accepted, for the
Hirpose indicated, such land as might
ft allotted to Georgia under that act,
Bid your acceptance has been communi-
Bitecl to that Government. This re-
Burce can be applied to no etiier?piir-
Bose whatever, and the question arises
Bow it can be most advantageously cm-
Bloyed for that. If a separate inde-
Bendent institution he established, much
xpense must bo incurred, which might
>c saved hy making it an appendage ol
your University. The term University
s expressive of the idcaofdiversschools
lull colleges, each devoted to some par
ticular branch of science, and all united
Under one general government, and con
stituting a grand seminary of learning.
This was the object contemplated in the
establishment of the University of
Georgia, though the means for its full
devoiopment have never been furnished.
There arc now connected with it, quite
apart from the collegiate course, a school
of civil engineering, a law school, and a
depart meat of agricultural'chemistry. —
As*thc University is a Stale institution,
and ns the agricultural college must al
so be under State management,! respect
fully recommend that the latter be or
ganized as a distinct department of
learning in the former, care being taken
that the specific endowment now refer
red to be devoted exclusively to the
maintenance of that department.
COMMON SCHOOLS’
There is no subject demanding your
attention, of greater the
State, than that of the Common School
education.
In so largo a population, there must
always ho a considerable number, to
whom, without government aid, even
elementary education must ever remain
forbidden fruit. If these ho regarded
simply in their individuality, their des
titution of mental" culture must, appeal
strongly to the sympathies of their more
fortmiuic fellow-citizens. Hut the in
terest in the subject Uses immeasurably
when they are looked upon as future
members of the body politic, under a
constitution, extending general suffrage
to male citizens.
A conscientious mail, wholly unedu
cated, always feels much embarrass
ment in choosing between rival candi
dates for popular suffrage, and whatev
er be,] his natural endowments, and
however prominent his virtues, is eon
sci ;us of Ins own want of qualification
for public service. No plainer propo
sition can be stated than that a people
who govern, ought to he an intelligent
people.
Experience lias shown that it is diffi
cult to organize and keep in successful
operation, a system of common school
education where the population is thin.
But chejdifficulty should not discourage
effort. Persistent trial will expose er
rors and suggest remedies. Even our
imperfect system, has, like all other use
ful enterprises, suffered suspension. I
ranarkeiljwith pleasure,that at your last
session, you had raised from your bod
ies a joint committee to consider during
your recess, and on your reassembling
to report upon this subject. Helving
upon their fidelity and ability, I venture
no suggestions as to details.*
It will, of course, occur to von, and
will doubtless have commanded the at
tention of your committee, that the
sources whence the fund for this purpose
was derived, have almost entirely fail
ed. The Hank Stocks owned by the
State, and applied to this (Object, have
been lost. The 'Western & Atlantic
Bailroad has yielded ijo revenue within
the past two and a half years—and in
all probability, until it shall have
thrown off the war imposed burdens,
efln do but little or nothing for this
(Cause. Its revenues are now pledged
to the payment of interest on, and a
sinking fund for the public debt, neces
sarily considerably increased within die
past financial year. Nothu ithstanding
all these difficulties, I respectfully sug
gest that attention to, and provision for
this public interest, does not admit of de
lay. I doubt not that your constituents
will cheerfully bear, even now, such con
tributions as may be demanded of them
to foster it.
Tllta LUNATIC ASYLUM,
One of the most grievious evils to
which our race is subjected is the depri
vations of human reason. The great
est alleviation of this terrible mala
dy ' is found in the establishment
of asylums for the stricken, where
there wants are cared for, their evil pro
pensities and their power for mischief
contronld and their disease skilfuly treat
ed. Georgia has established one ot
those institutions, devised by advanced
civilization. It is in successful opera
tion; is I believe, well managed, and is
dispensing a noble charity to the indi
gent and a more compensatory blessing
to the wealthy, whose misfortunes Icing
them to its doors. Ihe report ot the
Superintendent and Ueshlent Physician |
will be before you, advising yon in de
tail of its condition and management,
its wants and susceptibility of improve
ment. Your committees of scientific
professional men and financiers will look
into these subjects with more capacity
to enlighten you than I can bring to
bear.
On one point however I deem it my
duty to invite your serious deliberation.
The Code requires that persons of color
shall he admitted into the institution ;
but enjoines section of tlio same Code
enjoynosit as an imperative duty on
theSuperintendant to keep patients of
the white and African r.-ucs separate,
a provision founded in the wisest sani
tary policy. I am informed by the
Superintendant, and resident Physician,
that with the present accommodations
and plan of the building, and the num
ber of white patients there and likely
to be there, it is impossible to comply
: with both requirements of the Code.
Something must be done for tlieen
i largement of the building, or colored
[•people must he excluded conticntiously
I from it. The latter alternative, allow
j me to say, should not be contemplated
j for a moment. The information brought
to me, induces the belief that the fear
[ lid malady is on the increase among
j that people. Heretofore accustomed
[to be cared for, themselves uncaring,
they have been free from very many
anxieties and responsibilities which
often harrass and craze those in higher
’ social position. Now, suddenly, after
many years ofirresponsihle, unsolieitus
life, they find themselves invested with
the boon of freedom, coupled with the
burthens of self perservation and family
j provisions, whilst their evil propensities,
| previously kept in check by wholesome
j home government, are left unbridled.
! Among them insanity most assuredly
! will increase. Heretofore when it has
• occurred, home provisions have been
madefo-r it, but home, such as they once
j enjoyed, remains to them no longer,
j Will the Sta'e abandon them to all
the miseries, sufferings, and perils that
wait upon insanity ? Humanity to
them and safety to the public alike
forbid it. Either in the State Assylum
or in county poor houses, immediate
and efficient provisions should be made
for the case. Your attention is earnest
ly requested to it.
THE ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND.
The school for the istruetion of™ti
fortunates deprived of the sense of fiiwiit,
is in successful operation. It is one of
those benevolent institutions which com
mends its self to the support of
merits and individual-. It is truly
foresting entertainment to hear those long
shut out from light of day reading fluently
and accurately front the Word of Life, or
from unin-qiied Ho ugh instructive books,
i J o’s an generally extended lo such suffev
[ firs, and the number of hooks adapted to
j their use muldi Led, how wide a field of
enjoyment and improvement will he opened
to those o 1 hern iso doomed to live cheerless
j and almost useless. But it is not alone
i mental cultivation and literary enjoyment
j that are put wiihiu their reach in this
I Academ y. The re arc simj lo branches of
[ manufacture for which they are entirely
| competent, ifotdy instructed hy those bless
I ed with sight, and which may afford many
j the means of making a livelihood, who
j must otherwise depend upon charity.
! Such instruction is now being imparted in
this institution, greatly redounding to the
I credit of the managers, and increasing its
j usefulness. The annual report of the
! Principal will ho before you, and to your
i favorable consideration I commend the
j institution.
ACADEMY FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.
In the exercise of the directions given
me by the General Assembly, I have not
j caused this institution to he reopened. —
j Had it been in operation, I should have
1 felt it my duty so to continue ft. But
; being already in a state of suspension, it
j would doubtless have prompt pecuniary aid
jto enable it to resume its functions. Nor
! until a very lute period could such aid
havo been furnished, nor can it even now
without increasing the fiscal embarrass
j incuts pressing upon the State. I trust at
I commencement of another year, this may
[ be done, and that it will he the [ leustire of
1 the General Assembly to provide for it.
This is another of thosc'great humanitarian
enterprise which having been undertaken
by the State, should not be suffered * cither
to fail or to languish.
INDUSTRIA L PimsriTr.
The failure in agricultural pursuits chir
ring the year 1806, resulting in pa. t from
the indisposition to steady labor of the
freedtnen, but chiefly from unpropitious
seasons, has doubtless exercised a depress*
ing influence upon the energies ot our peo
ple. It is to be Imped that they will speedi
ly rally, and rise above despondency, It
should be assumed that nether of these
causes will prove continuous - It rarely
happens, in the dealings of Providence,
that two seasons, decidedly unfavorable to
to the cultivation of the sod, emne consec
utively in the same locality. The next may
reward the husbandman with abundant
harvests.
Nor should the people of the South yield
rodily to discouragement in regard to the
labor of the negro in his new status. All
reflecting minds cannot fail to. preceive,
that the first effect of sudden manumission
must he unfavorable to his well-doing and
to his well-bejiig Unaccustomed to care
ing for himself, lie is prone to believe that
J the freedom with which he has been in
i vested involves freedom from labor, which
[ was in his eyes, the distinctive trait in the
condition of slavery. It is not to be ex
pected that he would, at once, reason
correcily as to his surroundings and pres
j pects, -or adopt promptly the reasoning of
i the late proprietary rpcc. Experience
alone can'teach him wisdom, and what her
j teachings will be is not asubjeot of specu
lation ;we all know wliat that wiil he. 11l
addition to all this, there is abundant proof
that he lias indulged most extravagant and
unfounded expectations of benefits to he
conferred upon him hy the Federal Govern
ment. Fie has expected from that source
a ftco grant of lahd in his own right, and
base been indisposed to cultivate the land
of others. If driven to it hy present necess
ity, he has regarded it as a temporary ex
pedient, and went to work predisposed to
shirk it. Time will dissipate these delu.
sions. It would he both just, arid kind te
wait for and to assist his awakening from
them. Many who have hurried into
courses of vice and crime, will probably
prove irreclaimable. These must be com
mitted to a just and impartial administra
tion of the law, as is practiced with the
vicious of our race. Hut. the great mass of
people, under pool influences, may be made
useful to themselves and the country.
The planting interests m Georgia can
never strain bo what it has been- I’ ew,
if any, wiil he able to ptosecute it on as
largo a scale as some have done in tho
past. But agriculture must be contin
ued to bo the chief industrial pursuits
of the State. The return of prosperity
will only be retarded by inconsiderate
abandonment of it under a feeling of de
spondency. So far as the great staple for
export is concerned, many will probably he
surprised at pecuniary results, even in tliis
disastrous your. The price of the arti
c’o will be more than thrice fold that of
the average of former years, whilst the
product, in weight, will be fully one-third
of that realized in former years. Yv e can
not derive the same consolation, to the full
extent, regarding)the provision crop. 1 hat
will fall short of the quantity required to
subsist the people of the State ; and whilst
tLose who combined with the cultivation
of cotton, will be abundantly able to sop
pily tho deficiency, the prorer classes, who
wore never accustomed to piroduce more
than a livelihood will he greatly straitened,
but such has always been their experience
under like circumstances, and they must
le helped as heretofore, by those more
favored. Surely it will ho so. Especially
should Hie creditor class favor the debtor
thus unfortunately situated. De who un
der such cicrumstanees, would coerce
payment by legal compulsion, beyond his
piositive necessities would be a monster, even
in the family of Mammon.a
Good policy and w ; se forecast undoubt
edly require diversity of pursuits. Re
sources, other than agricultural, which
are abundant in Georgia, should be dcvel-
there are those who have
ability, without addaption to
huftandry ; and others who havo brain, or
oflmne and muscle, or all combined who
.have neither land nor the means of pur
chasing it, to whom these others fields of
enterprise are especially inviting. But
agriculture is the leading and the most
desirable pursuit, and those having experi
ence in it, or adaptability to it, combined
i with the possesion (if land or the means to
it, slmld struggle with all possible energy
and persistence to over come all obsticles to
success* - . Let all holders of arrible land
cultivate the freedman, in order that he
my cultivate the soil, to the great ad van
tage of both parties. And if, at last, he
prove untractalile and unavailable, let the
pauper population ol other countries be
sought after. But, come what may, let
our broad acres he tilled. There lies, for
us, the broadest, and deepest and most
reliable source of substance and of wealth
Whatever the General Assembly can do to
encourage and foster ibis branch of indus,
try I earnestly urge upon them. They
are themselves chiefly of this class, and may
be supposed to corn prebend its wants. At
the same time, doubtless; they will be dis
posed to do all they can legitimately to
promote the introduction and development
ot other industrial pursuits.
tiie testehn & Atlantic railroad.
I transmit herewith a copy of (ho 11. port of
the Snperintetniunt of the YVeat & Atlantic Rail
road, accompanied by reports to him of sub >r
dinu'e officers, and sundry tabular statements.
From a carefu* perusal of those documents,
no* only general result®, bu f detailed iufoima
tion relative to the different branches of service,
and a clear insight into the general manage
ment of this important interest, may be readily
obtained. The very grout improvement made
since die road pus.-ed under the management of
the pie'. nt sup ( rintendent, in the track itself,
in the motive pow» r and other rolling stock,
and in tlie general sei vice, whether statiouaiy at
the termini and the intei mediate depots, or nio
i:ig with the trains, h dec's the highest credit
upon him and his sub .rdinates. These docu
ments disc tone the facts that reconstruction, ren
ovation and increased cipwcity to meet the de
mands of travel and commerce, were required at
all points and in all departments, and teat large
arrearages occulting between 'he 25th Septem
ber, 180-3, and the Ist < f April, 1800, have been
paid since the lattciMay, Accidents-and losses mo
now of a rare eccurrenor*, and failures or de.
lays of trains almost unkuown.
Dining the first six months of the year tho
business of toe road was very large, owi-ig to
the fact that many roads in the Eastern line of
the connection with the Northern cities were
not in operation. They, having been put in
xvoiking order during the spring, have again
drawn to themselves much of travel and trans
portation formerly enjoyed and properly apper
taining to them.
This fire instance and a general, though it
is believed temporary falling off during the
summer months of this business, have greatly
curtailed ti e gross receipts. Should there come
a revival in the activity and prosperity of the
country, now slowly recovering from the ex
baus'.iou of long war, railroad business will ie
vive with them. r i he location and conn ctions
of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, as well re
matl>ed by the Superintendent, ensure it a
huge pacticip it ion, under any ci.icu instances,
in the general trade and travel, be they great or
small. Should the good time hone for come,
there is every indication that this road will bo
in a condition to do its part in the general ser
vice promptly and efficiently. It was estimated
when yen were last in scat-ion, that, to put the
road in all respects in thorough working condi
tion, it would be necessary for the State to con. 1
tiilmte from live to seven hundren thousand
dollars, dhe aid, so far extended, really ex»
ceeds very little the sum of three hundred thorn
sand dollars. It will probably bo necessary to
add to this sura two hundred and fifty thous
and dollars, moderately exceeding the smallest
estimate* To make this further advance you
have already provided the means.
There hangs, however, over the road o heavy
debt to the United States Government, contract
ed in the purchase of supplies and railroad
propci t) ly tin provisional superintendent,' foi
the payment of which a year hence, the faith
of the State is pledged. The State of Georgia
has a claim upon that for the use
and occupation of t? \(S road and its rolling
stock and other items, which may Or may not
be so far liquidated and acknowledged by that
time, as to be set off against that indebtedness
Eve«y t fTort will be made to effect a full and
amicable settlement, which will case the State
of this burden ; but, in any event, the faith of
tho State must he kept.
Looking to the contingency of this payment
having to be made, if it be thrown upon the
road no reliance can 1 e placed upon it for reve
nue to meet the current expenses of the Gov
ernment duting the year upon which we have
just entered 'J he precise amount <*t this debt
has not been ascertained, in consequence (f «
f lilure to deliver some of tho cars purchased.—
Rut deducting from tiio whole amount of the
invoice, payments made, the lemainder will ex
ceed somewhat four hundred thousand dollars.
If authority be given the Executive to make
payments upon the debt from time to time out
of money in the Treasury not othenvise appro*
printed, [failing all efforts at settlement,) it
may be arranged in the course of a year, and
the amount of interest meantime gradually re
duced. My belief is that if the net profits from
the road be even fair, the sum estimated by the
Comptroller General, to arise from that source,
may he deducted and this debt discharged with
out creating anew loan.
I concur in tho suggestions of tho Superintend
ent. relative to the inadequacy of tho Treasurer
and Auditor If the ability and skill required to
fill those offices p operlv, ami the amount of la
bor and responsibility attending them he consid
ered, it would.seem very clear that the present
salaries, in times like those, are not compensa
tory. I request tha General Assembly to give
consideration to this sul j-ek
During the existence of (he war nullority was
given to the Superintendent to issue change bills
for a stated Amount. Os these there are now
outstanding from seventy-five to eighty thous
sond dollars, '1 hat the holders <*f these bills are
entitled t«» payment by some ride, can scarcely
be questioned They were not issued with any
view to aid the war, but to relieve the road and
the people from one of (he inconveniences of
the war—the difficulty of making change. For
this purpose they weie interchanged with Oon
f-derate Treasu»y notes in settlements, and < be
question is. whether they should ho redeem'd
at their nominal value or at the then value of
Confederate notes. (»n the level of which they
stood), at the time of their issue, or on wlmt
other scale ? It is a smalt ma’tt.r, but ihe Su
perintendent wishing to do what is right, has
felt some embarrassment. The matter is sub
mitted for your determination.
THE PENITENTIARY.
The Penitentiary of the 4 State has been this
year passing through a trying ordeal. Sub»
jected during the war lo the torch of an invad
ing army ; at the commencement of the present
political year it was in a state of great dilapi
dation—-scarcely an-nyailabic tenement on the
premises, its workshops destroyed, the large
call-building roofless, and otherwise injured—
everything wearing the aspect of ruin, with n >
funds, ar. l few convicts to aid in the work of
reconstruction. The appropriation made for
repairs and for .suppo.it of the institution was,
in my estimation, very inadequate to its neces
sities. Yet, I think those who will charge (hem
selves with personal inspection«L.ill find that,
hy economy, energy, and a wise use of limited
means, very much has been accomplished in the
way of rennovation. The cell building, cssem
tin Ito the safe keeping of the inmates, has
i been put in excellent condition; some work
shops have been constructed; the tannery and
shoe manufactory have been put in good work
ing order; a large eating room, with kitchen
and smoke house appurtenant - , has been hurt
de novo; the barrack for tho guard have been
made, not only habitable, but comfortable. As
a Georgian, L regret to add another cYubuce'of
iis prosperity as an institution, vie: the large
increase in the number of its inmates. I wil
lingly bear testimon* 1 to the fidelity and abiii.
ty with which tlic Keeper and his assistants
hi ve discharged their duty. 1 deem it uiineces
' sary to reiterate the views presented to you in
my first, message relative to its continuance aa
a St to institution, and the extension to it of
such fostering care as its necessities may re
quire.
In conformity with, a revolution of 'he Gene
ral Nssernbh’, Messrs. Dowell Cobb, Mark A.
Cooper, and John 11. fit ten, were appointed
commissioners “to examine and report upon
the propriety of removing Hie present Penitent
tiary and locating it ekewhere. or of estal fish
ing an additional one.” Their report has not
yet been received, but, l am informed will
soon be presented. When received it will bo
transmitted; and until then l reserve any oth
er views I may desire to present on (liesubject.
TIIE CHAIN GANG.
By an act. of the General Assembly, entitled
“An act to alter and amend the Penal Code of
Georgia,” approved 2(jtli March, 1860, a large
number of offences, previously treated as fel
onies, wore reduced below that grade, and
were made punishable, in the discretion of tiie
Judge, by sentence, “to work in chain gang.”
NiiJ hy another act, entitled “An Act to regu
late the mar.ncr'of convicts laboring upon public
works, and to define the powers and duties of
the Inferior Court and Governor of the State,
touching the same, and for other purposes
therein mentioned;” (approved on the same
day,) it was loft discretionary with the Inferior
Courts of the several counties to employ such
convicts on the public works of the county, or
to report them to ihe Governor, to be otherwise
employed. Y/hen so roported, it was made the
duty of the Governor to send a guard for them,
and to enip’oy them diligently on th<? Western
and Atlantic Railroad, or upon such other pub
lic work or improvements as he might judge to
the best interest of the State, and as shall best
subserve the ends ofjustioe. Sentences of this
character have been very numerous, and in
nearly aU cases, the Inferior Courts, declining
to employ them in the counties wherein they
were convicted and sentenced, have reported
tqem to ihe Ex< cutive.
The performance of this duty has been atten
ded with great ditfiouPy, embarrr.nsraent and
expense. I made early examination into the
practibility of employing these convicts gafely
and advantageously on the State Road, and be*
c-ime thoroughly satisfied, that, although such
labor might he profitably used in constructing a
railroad where there were excavations an 1 em
bankments to be made, it was entirely ana
dapted to any work to he done on a raiPoad
finished and in operation- In ordinary employ
ment, as depot or Lain hand, or track men, or
in anj* other work of which they are capable,
tiny require tnoie freedom of pc ion and more
di pmsion than would be eompitil le wi h secure
confinement, without t m do; i g almost as many
guards as laborers That, therefore, was not
availably There are no established public
woiks, except within the walls of a Penitentia
iy, vs'he re mechanical arts arechiefly prosecuted.
For these, the term of punishment usually pre
scribed ter chain gang onvicN is too liort, and
in them convicts sentenced for felonies cm be
more profitably employed for the State and for
themselves. The expense of transporting tlum
to the seat of government is very heavy. It
sometimes happens and may often recur, that a
guard is sent froro the seat of government to a
county most remote from it, for a single chain
gang convict, end wfthin a month has.to be
sent to the same or adjoining county for anoth
er, and perhaps neither may have been sen tones
ed for more than sixty days. When brought
here, there are no pre-arranged faciUnes tor
employ teg, keeping or guarding them. To
overcome these difficulties, I have connect, and
this- branch of the public service more or less
closely with tlie operations of the Peniteniiary.
'lbis made transportation cheaper, because of
ten the same gtiittd would filing convicts of
felonies and convicts of misdemeanors. Within
the wa ! ls of the Penitentiary, 1 havo also found
it cheaper and safer to confine them at night -
and whenever their labor coil’d be profitable,
employed to the Penitentiary, I have caused it
to be so used, and have charged that instil a
lion with it* I hwve, at tho same time, been
compelled to impose upon it the lodging, guard
ing anp subsistence for them, and of course
to allow reasonable compensation for them.
They have been, as far as practicble, employed
in outdoor work-in doing, carrying and lift
ing nccessay on the Executve mansion and Stale
House, in clearing away the mins of the demol
ished Arsenal, and improving tiie grounds of
the Public Square, &c. Rut as the number In.
creases, the difficulty of employing them and
the incidental expenses increases disproportion l
ately. If tho policy of throwning them up
on the hands of the Executive be continued, it
is indispensably necessary that some regular
continuing public works, adapted to their capac
ity, be inaugurated, and that a system be adopt
ed for this wholo service . I recommend, how
ever, that their employment upon the public
roads of the several counties, and in making
brick for the erection of court houses and jails,
and in building bridges, he made compulsory
upon the Inferior Courts of the several counties.
There is open to those Courts a wide field for
employment, in every county, which, with good
management, could be made highly advanta
geous to it. Nothing more is wanting than a
spirit of enterprise and improvement. The
roads and bridges of the State, with rare ex
ceptions, are proverbialfy bad. In many coun
ties court houses are wanted ; atid, in a vast
majority, safe and commodious Jaffa. Here is
an opportunity to command free labor for such
useful purposes. Many shrink from it, because
iii the beginning the laborers are too few to be
employed. But the indications are that would
be only temporary. An efficient gang once made
up would undoubtedly be maintained as regards
nunifiers. Where it became necessary, provision
might he made for consolidating the gangs of
two or three adjoining counties, and working
them alternately in tiie one and the other.
After much iejection, and a little experience,
lam sati-fi.d of three things. Ist. That ow
ing to the short terms cf punishment, no gener
al system of State employment of these convicts
can be devise! which will at all compensate for
the expense of transporting, subsisting and
guarding them. 2d. That tiie e mployment of
them in where convicted can be
made to relieve the planting interest generally
of an oneroiu- public service (the working of
the roads) and in everv way largely b ncfiefal to
tiie counties od. That nothing short of legal
compulsion will induce the couits of couutieb to
c mb irk in the enterprise.
This subject, in my judgment, demands the
seii u:s consideration of your respective bodies.
MAIMED SOLDIERS
Considerable delay has. I regret to
attended the completion of arrangenn nt> for
the supply of artificial limbs to maimed
soldic M's. No general inconvenience, how
ever has resulted from it, in consequence of
tardiness in returns made to the Comptrol
ler General ; less than one hundred applica
tions having been made bv the first, of
Sep'cmber, of which one-fourth were in
formal, and only about one-half the coun
ties having been yet heard from.
I appointed as a board of surgeons to
examine specimens of various patents which
were put in competition for the work or
dered by the General Assembly, lira L,
A. Dugas, 11. 11. Stoiner and L. D. Ford’
of A ugusta, having personal knowledge of
their professional attainments and skill, and
believing that the examination and consul
tations could he made with more delibera
tion and less delay hy selecting those resi
dent in the same place.
A call was also made through the gazet
tes. as directed in tho act, for proposals
from manufacturers exhibiting specimens,
which elicited quite a number. Consider
ing together (hose proposals, tho report of
the surgeons upon the relative merits of the
limbs submitted to their examination, and
tho directions given in the first section of
the act as a guide to the Executive, it was
very clearly my duty to accept the offer of
Dr. Douglass Bly. To him, therefore, the
contract was awarded, and it has been duly
executed ; he naming Macon as the central
point where tho limbs were to be fitted.
The price of these limbs will be seventy
dollars for each leg and for each arm where
the amputation was above the elbow, and
forty dollars where it was made below that
j iint.
The report of the Comptroller General
will inform you of the wholo number of
applications that have been made and of
the probable total. The sum required to
supply all applicants who bring themselves
within the provisions of the act, will proba
bly somewhat exceed the appropriation
made, hut it will doubtless be your pleasure
to increase it. so as to leave none destitute.
Adequate information will probably be at
your command in time so act,
From information collected, I am satisfied
that the benefit to ho derived by the wear
er of this admirable invention, will depend
mainly upon himself Early experience
in the use of the most, perfect and best
adapted artificial limb will be disappointing,
but proper caution and perseverance will so
familiarize the wearer with its action, as to
mak it speedily a wonderfully useful sub.
stitutc for the lost member. It is to be
hoped that the bravo men who have suffer
ed mutUation will, by tlie exercise of pati
ence, care and persistence, derive all the
benefit you have designed for them.
CORN APPROPRIATION.
Aftercareful enquiry I became satisfied
that corn could he most advantageously
supplied to the destitute under the appro
priation of the last session by sending an
ageut to the Northwest, and that St. Louis
was the best point for his operation o . Col.
Maddox was accordingly appointed and dis
patched so soon as tho necessary funds
could be obtained. Through the liberality
of companies engaged in transportation hy
steamboat and railroad between St. Louis
and Chattanooga, half freights only were
charged for bringing this corn to tho west
ern terminus of the State road—which en=
shied me to expend in the purchase at {oast
835,060 more than coil'd otherwise have
been done, Tlia different railroad compan
ies of this State, with their accustomed pub
lic spirit in the furtherance of good works,
have done their part in tho transportation
with promptness and fidelity, free ot charge.
To avoid delay I appointed Col. Peterson
Thweatt, Agent, to receive the corn at
Chattanooga and to distribute it to tho
counties, thus carrying on the pnrehass and
distribuiion simultiinooi's'y.
The Superintendent aud ofbev officers
and agents of the Western aad Atlantic I\.
li. have also materially aided the operation.
The purchasing and distributing ageuld
have displayed a high degree of business
rapacity, piowrpfnes*, and fidelity in tbo
discharge of their duties, Tho result i»,
the purcase and distribution in rennd num
bers of 185,000 bushels of corn, being four
and a half bushels to each henefiemry re
ported, at a cost (all expenses included) a
little loss than oac pet* bushel. There are
some items not yet reported, which prevents
a more precise statement, but wlmn ail ex
penses shall have been paid, there will re
main in Treasury ol this appropriation,about
$15,000. Reports of tha agents aceonqa
ny this communication.
I cannot close this subject (relief to tire
destitute and suffering people of Georgia,)
without making this public ncknow'ledgM
tnent, of certain noble benefac'ions from the
charitable of other States, (partly in provis
ions and partly in money,) which have
been and are being distributed through my
instrumentality. In these munificent char
ities the noble women of our country have,
as usual, been the chief actors. Ladies’
Southern Relief Association, of Baltimore,
of St. Joseph, Mo., and of ’lYoodford, Ky.;
the Florissant Southern Relief Assooiation
of St. Louis, Mo., and citizens of St. Louis,
Mo., acting through a committee, are the
deers of these good works. We can give
them only our poor thanks. [May lie who
is love, aud who loveth a cheerful giver, be
stow upon them a better reward.
PUBLIC) BUILDINGS A\D GROUNDS.
The State House has been rc-roofed, and,
I trust, made secure agasinst leakage; and
the legislative halls have been and renova
ted. Water has been introduced into the
building, and arrangement arc in progress
to light the halls with gas, both of which
improvements will tend to diminish the
risk of fire so tho building. The cupola is
represented to he in an unsafe condition,
requiring some repairs which could not be
made with the existing appropriation. For
this reason { have not had the clock re
paired which stands within it, and could
no t be expected to run well until repays
been made. 'The Executive Mansion has
been put in secure and comfortable order;
hut, ewing to the high prices of furniture,
material, labor and freights, and the d : «-
covery of greater deciv -and dilapidate n
than was anticipated, the appropriation
proved insufficient for the object, and the
excess has been paid rutof the contingent
fond, of which, notwithstanding other un
expended balance, 1 refer you, for detail
ed redort and suggestions, to the accam
pmytng report of the engineer in charge.
EXECUTIVE D EPA BTM E ST.
My experience in this Department in
duces the belief that two Secretaries will
be adequate to its business. I dispensed
with the services of the additional Secre
tary employed during your last session very
soon after your adjournment. If, however,
the duties he performed by two, ns I think
they cun ho by the present efficient in
cumbents, their labors will be arduous ; and
this, together with the very great cost of
living at this time, entitles them to a mod
erate increase of salary. There will bo
economy in employing two capable Secre
taries, with good salaries, rather than three
less competent, at lower salaries. Their
duties are also exacting, and do net admit
of uniting other avocations with them.
Conclusion.
Whilst our political relations are so
unsettled, aud so few gleams of nope earn*)
to us from the future,, there are «few
things especially incumbent upon us.
Ist. It becomes us to cultivate among
ourselves unity of feeling, cf opinion, and
of action ; unity among t lie people, unity
among the Departments of Government,
2d. Our interest lies in eschewing polit
ical excitement, studiously avoiding all con
fi ot with authorities unchosen hy us, but
placed over us, ami employing our active
energies in rebuilding our own waste places
and developing our neglected resources.
Whilst others rage and wrangle over ephem
eral issues, let us he busy with the real,
abiding concerns of life. Thus shall we
emerge from this period of ostracism, wiser,
more thriving, and more respected than
ever.
3d. It behooves us, above all, to keep
ourselves in proper relation with the - Sup
reme Ruler of the Universe. To this end,
it is right and proper that, on a day to. he
appointed, our whole people should simul
taneously prostrate themselves before the
Throne pf Grace, rendering thanks fur
blessings enjoyed, imploring forgiveness lor
pis' offenfees and forgiveness fur errois
committed, and seeking light to guide us
on our rugged, darkened, way. 1 refrain
ed from inviting such a proceeding, believ
ing that, in our extremity, it is ware fitting
that the movement be made hy the im
mediate representatives of the pconle. I
will cheerfully do your bidding, and heartil/
co operate in proclaiming and observing a
solemn Christian holocaust suffering lor
Georgia.
CHARLES J. JENKINS.
Tlicro is no need now of asking
who has the prettiest and largest stock
of Dry Goods, for if you only go to S.
Waxelb.vum & llito. the question is de
cided. They.always can show you tho
most Beautiful nftd most handsome
assortment of Ladies Dress Goods,
Shawls, and Cloaks &c. Ac. Go tlier
if you wish to buy -very cheap.
Oct, 3<l, It, J ■
255” Gent’s ready made clothing can
he had in tho most fashionable styles
and magnificent makes at the lowest
figures at S, Waxei.haum A Duo. in S.
8, Boone’s now corner store, step in and
take a look at their goods so you can
judge for yourself. Oct. 3d. It.
GEORGIA—Sumter Couxty.
rjtWO MONTHS after date, application will
be made to the Court of Ordinary of Sumter
county, at tho first regular term after the expi
ration of two months from this notice, for leave
to sell the Real Estate belonging to .losiah
Moody, lale of said County, deceased.
A - G. UONALDSt'N, Adtn'r.
Sept G 2m de homo ueu.