Tri-weekly Sumter Republican. (Americus, Ga.) 1865-1867, November 03, 1866, Image 3

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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.