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Governor’s Me^age-
Emcitivb Department, )
Milledgeville. January 15‘h, 1860. )
Senators and Repsentatives :
Accept my greeting upon the resumption
of your duties, after a brief ree ss. During
that interval, supposed by some to bo fraught
with peril. although there have occurred, in
different localities, shocking exhibitions of
crime, we have witnessed no general or con
certed disturbance of public tranquility.
Doubtless this exp« rience will awaken in all
hearts renewed gratitude to, and trust in, an
overruling Providence ; and encourage per
gistent tffjrt to recreate from our recent
chaotic condition, social order, and prosper
ous domestic economy.
Within a week after your adjournment, his
Excellency, the President of the United States
was pleased to relieve of bis trust the late
Provisional Governor, and to remit the Gcv
eremont of the State of Georgia into the hands
of the chosen agents of the people. This was
certainly a cheering advance in hia restora
tive policy, r.nd illustrates both the kindness
of his purposes, ad the wisdom of your patient,
writing and prudent action.
During nearly the whole period of your ab
sence from the Capital, the Congress of the
United States .hat* likewise been in recess,
and there h ive therefore Ir en no decided de
monstration of the policy that will be pursued
by that branch of the Federal Government.
But enough has transpired to justify the ex
pectation, that not many months will elapse
before our peop'e will be represented in the
Halls of Congress. As surety as the laying of
a foundation gives promise of a superstructure,
just ao surely are we guaranteed an early resto
ration to all ol our tights as members of the
American Union.
In popular governments, the highest legis
lative function is that of framing or altering
a written constitution. History furnishes no
record of a people, not only permitted, but
urgently invited, to participate in the exer
cise of this high function, actually exercising
it, and then arbitrarily denied participation
in the ordinary legislation sprirging out of it
An amendment of the Constitution of the Uni
ted States has been proposed by the Congress,
in the mode prescribed by that instrument, to
the Legislatures of the several States, and its
adoption depended upon the concurrence of
tt>e Legislatures of three-fourths of those
States.
These bodies assumed, seruitim, astLey came
Into session, to act upon it; those SiateH which
had never separated or attempted to separate
themselves from the IJoiou, and whose govern
ments, therefore, had never sulfered disorgan
isation, acting first. A point was reached
when a concurrence of the requisite number
had not been attained, and possibly might not
t>o. At this juncture, States, situated as was
Georgia, were one after another getting again
into an organized condition ; and their Legis
latures, upon their assemblage, were distinctly
invited, bv Federal authority, to take action
upon this very important amendment. Most,
if not all of them, among whom was Georgia,
not only acted, but gave their concurrence. A
proclamation has gone forth announcing for
maliy, ibat the proposed amendment had been
adopted by the Legislatures of three-fourths of
the States, the names of which are set forth.
In this catalogue are embraced Georgia and
several other fStates not recently represented in
Congress, hut now prepared and desirous to be
so represented. Strike their names from the
catalogue of (lie proclamation, audit would
have no constitutional basis upon which to
rest. If those States be not in the Union, the
Federal theory, upon which the war was waged
is wrong—and they could not rightfully have
voted on the adoption of the amendment. Yet
their votes were distinctly solicited, have been
counted, and have given it the desired sanc
tion.
Shall it be said of a Confederated Republic,
that certain States were in the Union for one
purpose, and out of it for all others—-that
whilst invited to paiticipate, and actually par
tieipating, iu the making of fundamental luw,
they were incapable of participation in the
most trivial act of ordinary legislation—that
whilst they, with other States, ordained that
certain things be done by the National Legis
lature, they can have neither part nor lot iu
tho doing of them? Imagine the criticism upon
republican goverumdht which such a state of
things would evoko from monarchisls of the
old world. Let us not anticipate Ibis result.
It would bo too great ao outrage upon the ex
cluded State—foo disturbing to the self-respect
of the actors—too damagiug to free institutions
—if not too h'gh a crime against them, at least
too conspicuous a Blunder in the legislation of
their chief exemplar Such au idea may pos
eihly possess she minria of a few persons, hav
ing peculiar intellectual and moral idioey
ncracies. but t-uiely, will never control the [ac
tion of the Corgress of tho United States
Then, let us not be so uncharitable as to har
bor the suspicion. Being recognized Constitu
tion makers for tho Union, we shall be, ere
long, legislators in the Union. I have said
thus much on the suiject, because of the dis
quiet it produces iu the public mind, which I
would f*in aid in allaying.
REPORT 01' TUB COMMISSION.
The Commission appointed by the Conven
tion which met iu October last, to prepare for
your consideration a code or system of laws
for the government and protection of persons
recently emancipated from slavery, and for
other purposes, have reporter], and I transmit
a copy of their report herewith. Without
dwelling upon its provisions in detail, I take
great pleasure in commending it, as a whole,
to your most favorable consideration It is just
and liberal, as it should be, to the freedmen.
It is safe, as it should be, to the citizen. It
extends no political rights to the former] but
it gives ample security to his rights of person
nud of property. Like a great majority of the
(States which never admitted, or have long
since abolished slavery, we are wholly a verso
to investing him with political rights aud priv
ileges. For that very reason, we are under
the highest conceivable obligation to protect
bim in his rights of person and property, and
to aid, by all just means, bis advance in civil
ization. This aul we gave him, this advance
we effected for him, whilst in slavery. Why
should it bo withheld now ? Wnilst we insist
upon occupy ing, in relation to those persons,
the position of the governing class, let us fully
and ! airly meet its responsibilities.
W itb tho original report, I also transmit a
copy of it with alteiationa fugge3;ed hy the
commissioners themselves, upon revision I
invoke for the product of their labors careful
examination, divested of all lingering preju
dices. The commissioners have earned your
gratitude, as well as the compensation sug
gested by tho Convention, which it will be
your pleasure to in ike.
TUB WESTERN AND ATLANTIC RAILROAD.
This very valuable item of State propertv
has, as you are well aware, suffered great det
riment from the war. Tho Government of the
United States, upon taking possession ot it
through the militaiy authorities, made such
repairs i.s was necessary to make it available
for their own uses, but these were not of a per
manent or substantial character Wheu de
livered to tho State authorities in September
last, not only was the condition of tho road
iiselt bad. but there was an almost entire des
titution of ro'ling stock, machine shops for re
pairs of locomotives and cais, material to be
vsc .i io them, ordinary supplies, and luel. The
report of the Superintendent (which will be
laid before you as scon as received) will in
form you that ho purchased of the articles
above enumerated from the United States Gov
eminent, upon tho terms stated, a very con
siderable quantity, the cost of which was a
little short of four hundred thousand dollars
Although this purchase involved the as
sumption of a large discretion, when it is con
sidered that there was at the time no higher
authority emancipating from the people which
could be consulted—that, without the proner
ty purchas'd, the road, so necessary to com
merce and to the supply of the wants of the
people, con’d not have been operated—that it
ccula not have been purchased eisevhere on
a credit, aud therefore not at all—and that
eveu in its dilapidated state, the road, in the
short space of two months, yielded a net: in.
come exceeding one-half lhe amount of the
purchases—the wisdom of the act will be ful
ly exemplified-
But large as is this outlay, it tails far short
of what must yet be expended to repair the
damages, and put the road in a condition to
meet the demands upon it <a the transporta
tion of passengers and freight. Several of the
largest bridges were destroyed, and must be
rebuilt, three of the temporary structures
erected to supply their piacts have been either
swept away or greatly damaged _by freshets
doting your re.-ea*, so that n trains can now
run continuously between Atlanta and Chatta
nooga. Diily communicaiivn in both direc
tion; is Indeed maintained, but at much trou
ble and expense, ani with greatly diminished
income. The night trains are now un-void. -
bly dispensed with. I doubt no* you wit! le
a imoni.-hed, by this unfortunate neurit, cf the
necessity of ciakitg speedily such expenditure
as will eff-ctuaily prevent its recurrence.
The funds neceesa.y to the object must be
raised upon the credit of t:;e S’ at-.'. So soon
as I am furnished with r-n estimate cf the pro
bable cost, I will lay it before you for consid
eration. You will, lam purguaded, feel no
hesitation in incurring such debt as may be
necessary for the purpose, in view of the as
euranc • furnished by its past operations, that
the road will soon work out its pwn redemp
tion, and then resume its suspended function
of feeder to the trea-ury. Nothing now s
needed to make it a source Or immense rev -
nue, than solid, permanent impr ovemcats,
motive capacity corresponding to its po-itirn
in connecting lines of rail road, a r d skiLful
management. All this Georgia can supply,
and will, without unnecessary delay, if true
to herself.
The last mentioned condition of its success,
skillful management, demands present consi
deration. Although I shonld derive from it
incalculable personal relief. I cannot concur
in the suggestion, that the ni magement
great public interest should 1 ■ transfer. .
board ol CoiumisMoneis, to . electee
people, or by the Genera! A scmbly
chirging the responsible duty of “g
from time to time information of th
the Republic, and (of recommending to you*
consideration such m-asures as I may deem
expedient,” I shall yield neither to sugges
tions of morbid delicacy, nor to the fear of
being reproached with lust of power.
A ln discussing the relative merits of the
present and th • proposed schemes for the man
ag men; o! she road, both ol which have been
brought to the experimental test, the
former finds abundant support in the fact,
which I think will scute ly be contested, that
jho greatest success has been achieved under
it. But I rest not the argument on this
alone. With a Board of Commissioners, you
will have divided responsibility, divided
-counsels, bickerings, eliminations and recrim
inations, and the inevitable loss of respect tor
the immediately controlling authority, Be
that authority vested in one, or in many, he
or they exorcising it mnst be so compensated
that other avocations may be entirely aban
doned, and she whole time given to the work
If there be several inadequately compensated,
each will look to some other employment to
supply his deficiency of income, and to his
associates to supply his dtficiedcy of attention
to their joint trusr, and thus a greet interest
will receive little failhiul supervision. All
cannot be adequately compensated for the
yielding of their whole time, wilhout incur
ing enormous expense. This, however, is the
least substantial objection.
It will he coi.caded that capacity for the
management of so vast a businr S3 can only be
fully ascertained by trial. Whoever may be
entrusted with it, or however appointed should
be subject to removal instantaneously that in
capacity, or infidelity, was developed; and usu
ally the powers of appointment and removal
are placed together. The people, in the nature
of things, could not exercise the removing
power. The General Assembly are not in ses
sion cne sixth of fho time, in an average of
years, and when in recess, cannot convene of
their own pleasure, and therefore, are unfit de
positories of the removing power. II this were
separated from the appointing power and vest
ed in the Executive, (supposed to be always in
place,) difficulties still present themselves.—
First, there would be danger of antagonisms
arising between the Executive and Legislative
Departments, or between the former aud the
great body of people, which would be unfortu
nate. Stcoudiy, vacancies made should be
speedily filled, but this only be done by
giving to the Governor the pow«r of appoint
ment for an interval longer - r shoiter, aceoid
ing to circumstances ; and thus by a free exer
cise of the power of removal, ho might at last
draw to himself, in a good degree, that of ap
pointment. This, too, would occasion jealousy
aud dissatisfaction.
To my mind it seems abundantly clear, that
system iB the best, for such an enterprise,
which most certainly Axes personal responsi
bility, and most effectually secures prompt re
moval, tor incapacity, or faithlessness. Thts
is attained by having all the responsibility ot
superintendence centered iu one—and all the
responsibility of his appointment 1 and contin
uance in office, centered in another, himself
immediately accountable to the people.
The qualifications for superintendence and
management of such a woik are by no means
common, and cannot be stcured without ade
quate compensation. Lack of qualification
cannot bo supplied by ithe mere multiplica
tion of employees. Less than one half the
aggregate salaries of five, and but litt e more
than half the aggregate salaries of three com
missioners, placed at the lowest rate that
would command very moderate ability, would
doubtless secure one .Superintendent of high
capacity. Hoping that the great importance
of the subject will be regarded a sufficient reas
on for giving it so large a rpace in this com
munication, I leave it, with the respectful re
commendation that very little, if any change
be made in the present system, and that the
salary of the Superintendent be increased to
such extent, as,.iu your judgment, will secure
the highest capacity for the position. I earn
estly request early action upon the whole sub
ject, that there may be uo unnecessary delay
in putting the road on the proper basis.
Tnß PENITENTIARY.
Fublic opinion seems to have been greatly
divided upon the expediency of the Peniten
tiary system. The burning of several of the
buildings appartment to ’.hat institution, by
the United States’ forces in their progress
through the State, has turn -bed its opponents
with a favorable opportunity for attack.
The h'stovy of pnnitive justice in the United
States, and iu Great Britain, trom which coud,
try our ideas of jurisprudence, civil and penal
have been mainly derived, clearly developes
through a series of years a perceptible reces
sion from sanguinary and degrading punish
ments For these have been substituted pun
ishments of decided severity, but redeemed by
their connection with reformatory appliances.
Chief among them is solitary confinement at
hard labor, for a term apportioned to the
character of the offense. This, which makes
the Penitentiary system, has been generally
adopted in the States of the Union, aud sel
dom, if ever, abandoned after trial. Its in
troduction, always makes a very marked
change of system, and I am inclined to think
that the disappointment so often expressed iu
Georgia with its results, has been occasioned
mainly by unreasonable expectations enter
taiued in its iuceptiou.
Thewitofm3n can devise no scheme of
positive justice which will prevent the com
mission ot crime—uuder any system the crim
inal calender wi 1 increase with increasing
population. If the system which has so long
existed in Georgia be abandoued, what shall
shall replace It ? lam aware of no other sag
gestica tban a return to that which preceded
it About thirty years 6ince, the General
Assembly cf Georgia made this experiment,
but the scenes of the whipping post," and the
pillory, and the exhibition in open court of the
red hot brand, burning infamy into human
flesh, produced in one year such a revision of
popular feeling, that their immediate succes
sors undid their work, aad restored the Peat
tentiary. It may well be questioned, whether
onr constituency would now look with more
equanimity upon such proceedings In mak
iug the change under consideration, tbe
crimes now punishable by confinement in the
Penitentiary, must be divided into two classes
—the more aggregated added to the list of
those entailing"capital punishment -the other
remitted to the barbarous sanctions of an ex
ploded code. To the latter l have already al
luded. In reference to the former, it may be
well to consider the probable effi.iency of the
proposed penalty. Statesmen, jurists, and
publicists, of this day, agree in the opinion
that certainty, gives more efficiency to pun
shment, tban severity.
Where trial by jury prevails, no reliable es
timate can be made of tbe certainty with which
any proposed punishment will wait npon
crime, without consiiltirgpublicopinion, regar
ding its piopriety. We are not without some
data for the application of this teM. The
cumber of crimes now subjected to capital
punishment, in Georgia, is comparatively 1
small ; yet it is perfectly notorious losing the
mildest form of expression,) that in such cases,
the character cf the foreseen punishment, mar
vellously increases the difficulty of satisfying
jurors that the 3ceu=ed has committed the
crime charged. So evident is that feeling, that
ycur existing code, provides as one test of the
qualification cf a juror, before he i ; put upon
the accused, the q-uvt'on “are you coned- '
curiously opposed to capital punishment?" i
This test, as ail know, excludes from the jury
box, many good, but, as I humbly conceive,!
sadly mistaken meu. I submit whether. in'the
face oft act: clear indications of public feeling,
it be c-xped eut to swell the list of capital of
fenses, by the addition of minor ones. The-'
horse thief might well preier to go before the i
country with the penalty of death impending,
rather than with the milder one, affixed by tLe
present code. This view might be extended,
Cut you will readily follow the train of
thought.
My recommendation, therefore, is, that in
stead of abandoning, ycu address yourselves,
wish the light of exp science, to the work of
improving the system. One of its greatest re
commendations, theoretically, is that it tends
to the reformation of the convict. This m rit
: s wholly denied to it by its opponents. The
trulh fairly stated, probably is, that in this re
spect it has accomplished le-s than was ox
peete-d. Tue practical question is, may it rot
be made to accomplish more? That many
convicts will prove utterly incorrigible is to be
-c-cfed. and in most instances this will be in
■d y soon after their admission. The e
-I jccted to the hardest labor, and to
st attainable isolation, thus diminish
corrupting influence,
irda the less obdura f e subjects, it is
... of consideration whether hope, that
great excitant ol human action—hope of re
turn to free life under favorable auspices—
hope of shortened imprisonment —hope of miti
gation of its severity while it lasts, may not
be more freely and move judiciously used as a
reforming agent. Has it been suffiriently
considered —has it been fairly tested, how far
reward in the shape of mitigated punishment,
may consist with punishment itself which is
meant to be reformity? Have extraneous
good influences such as moral and religious or
al teaching, impressive and well Greeted read
ing- been ai plied with sufficient, j and ernent and
persistency? The solitary element of the con
vict’s imprisonment is, doubllec-s, very potent
because very bitier. Its stuiugent enforcements
to lestrain bad influence, and to corquer ob
duracy, would be eminently proper; wniist its
judicious relaxation, as a reward oi good con
duct, and earnest effort at amendment, might
be very salutary.
The tendency in such institutions, ns in
schools of boys, and higher seminaries of
learning, is to one unvarying disciplinary
course, regardless of difference in traits of
character, or in degrees of depravity. It
makes the daily adinimstrative routine mo o
easy, and hence tbe strong temptation to it,
but no educator of the youog achieved distin
guished success under it, and prison discipline
so conducted, must fail likewise.
Should you determine to adhere to the sys
tem, much will have to be done to repair the
material injury sustained by the institution,
into which, doubtless, your committees will
enquire, as well as into its general manage
ment, to which I am as much a stranger as any,
and more than many of you.
The question will probably arise, whether if
it be continued, it shall be rebuilt here or
established anew at some other point. There
are certainly advantages in having such .an
institution at the seat of government, which
will readiiy occur to the reflecting mind, and
one great objection heretofore existing !o the
locality, viz: its inaccessibility, by railroad
travel, and transportation, is overcome already,
and doubtless it will ere long, be still more
easy of access. There mav, however, be ad
vantages, in some other locality, commecdiug
it to preference. Os this, you, in your wisdom,
will better determine. Should you determine
to locate it elsewhere, I respectfully suggest
that the present site, with necessary repairs to
the buildings, not destroyed, and the addition
of others, involving no large expendiiuie,
might ba used advantageously, as a labor
prison for persons of color convicted of cer
tain crimes. Public works of suitable descrip
tions, such as the tanning of leather, and the
lowci nud moro easily acquired mechanic avis,
coming within the purview of the report ol the
commissioners, herewith transmitted, might be
advantageously established here.
By act of the General Assembly, approved
December sth, 1802, the Executive was au
thorized to establish, in connection with
Messrs. Devine, Jones, and Lee, a card factory,
for the supply of a want 6oreiy felt .throughout
tbe State. The connection was formed and
the factory established on the Penitentiary
grounds. As in the changed circcmsiances of
toe country, it will not be desirable to either
party to continue the connection, I advise the
appointmeut of an ogent, or ag, nts, with full
authority to settle ail matters in account of
between the parties, aad to divide the assets,
and make sale of such as may be allotted to
the State.
The Penitentiary, if continued in operation,
will doubtless need the appropriation of more
or less money to extinguish in whole or in part
the amount due it by the State, as stated in
the report of the Principal Keeper, and to
which your attention is invited.
STATE FINANCES.
The financial condition of the Stale, demands
serious consideration, and wise action. The
currency, in the treasury when hostilities
ceased is utterly worthless. The functions of
all officers of the State Government having
been for several months suspended, no tax hat
been collected, during the political year just
ended. The expenses incident to a reorgan
ization of the Goverment have beeD, thus far,
met by temporary loans, aud these are now very
nearly exhausted. For ail practical purposes
the treasury may now be said to be empty.
From what has alredy bsen said, it is appar
ent that during the year upon which we have
entered, large sums must be expended, iu the
re rival of important interests. In addition to
these, the arrears due npon ihe civil list of the
last year, the interest upon the public debt uu
paiS for several years, a portion of the principal
of that debt, matured while we have been cut
off from connection with the rest of mankind,
and the necessary expenses of the Government
during the political years of 186(5 aud 1867,
must necessarily be provided for.
I include the expenses of 1867, because if
resort bo had to taxation, the usuel resource
supporting government, that tax must be im
posed and collected in the present year. The
arreaiages of the past, and tbe regularly ac
cruing expenses of the present year, can'be
met only by the sale of valuable property pos
sessed by the State, or by loans predicated on
her credit. The former alternative I may dis
miss, as an expedient without advocates.
Recourse must, then, be nad to the credit
of the State, aud the practical questions are.
to what extent and in what form it shall be
used. I accompany this communication with
a tabular estimate of money which will be re
quired for the years 1866 and 1867, which I
think will admit of no material reduction.
Superadding to this sum so much as you may
determine to expend in the reconstruction and
refitting ct tho Western and Atlantic Railroed.
and the Peniteotiarv, and such other appro
priations, as it may be your pleasure to make,
for the relief of disabled soldiers, for t*he suf
feriug families us those who fell in the war,
wifeh present strong claims upon our humanity
and our gratitude, aud for any other purposes,
you will be enabled clearly to e. timate the
necessities of the State. \Ve may at once
assume the whole outlay in money which you
may determine to make in the political year
now current, whieh will terminate on the first
of November next, mast be borrowed, unless
you not only resort to taxation, but materially
advance the payment of the tax.
Looking to the year next ensuing—1867 -it
will be necessary to d-itormine during your
present session, whether you will provide" for
its wants by 'evying a tax during the present
year, or whether you will put that burthen
‘also upon the credit of and give to
your constituents, in their reduced circum
stance?. another year's exemption from State
taxation. It must be borne in mind that there
is upon the statute book an unexecuted law,
requiring the payment of a tax in the year
recently ended—unexecuted, because of the
disorganized condition of the Government. I
recommend the remission}!)f this tax, and the
imj. osition of a moderate one to be collected
during the latter pait of the present year,
when the fruits of its operations shad Lave
been partially realized. In the tabular esti
mate, before referred to, I have for eoave
r.ieat reference s-t forth a statement, made up
from the report of tbe late Comptroller Gener
al—show:ng whit sums diffe:ent rates per
cent upon thß assessed value of property, in
18C-\ 'rit r than s aves, will yield.
O viag to too t a te perioi of your organiza
tion. a::: and th » e’reumstances surrounding you
in yc r brief session, no appropriation of mon
ey ; r the c : vil establishmenL in the current
year, hai been made. The first quarter has
very nearly expired, and to meet its demands
it wii: be necessary to appropriate a sufficient
sum. bes rca general appropriation act can
be matured, and indeed as quickly as po3:ib'e,
the amount of which can be deducted Iron tho
estimates in the general bill.
D.ocoura ring as is the pr«* tut aspect of our
financial aiTri-rs, it awy safely be affirmed that
you mvy make the embarrassment only tem
porary. The entire indebtedness of the State,
clearly ascertained, including »rits fuaded debt,
interest upon it in arrear, aud the temporary
■loans effected recently to putfthe government
again Vi of eration, falls short $3 500,000. If
to Frig were added two millions five hundred
tli u-aud dollars to repair all reparable dam
ages, and m.et piesent necessities, without
Imposing heavy burthens upon a people tem
po. rily exhausted by protracted war, the
whole amount o‘ indebtedness would bo six
millions of annual interest up
on this sum, and the annual appropriations
for the support of Government, upon the scale
of estimate here presented, would not exceed
eight hundred thousand dollars.
From tho earnings of the Western and Atlan
tic Ii illrcad, put in good working order, and
from a tax ol one-eighth of one per cent,
upon the property of our people, (these esti
mates being put intentionally low,) we may
safely calculate on an income of one million
and fifty thousand dollars, showing a yearly
balance in the Treasury of two hundred anl
fifty thousaud dollars. This annual surplus
might bo treated as a sinking fuad for the pub
lic debt, as follows : lithe debt be raised to
six millions of dollars, (and it may fall consid
erably short of that amoun«) tho bonds to be
hereafter issued, iu .redemption of those ma
lured within the last four years, aud unpaid :
in funding the arrears of interest on the
funded debt : and to meet the pressing neces
sities of the B'tate, will amount to three mil
lions four hundred and fifty-six thousand two
hundred and fifty dollars. i'w> pet cent, up
on thus sum, set apart as a sinking iund (ac
cumulative) would amount to sixty nine thou
sand one hundred and twenty five dollars,
which, deducted lrom|the aunual surplus of
two hundred and fifty thousand, wcu and leave
one hundred and eighty thousand eight hun
dred and seventy five dollars.
This sum set apart and applied faithfully to
the payment of the bonds now extant, would
(as a little calculation will shew) pay their
full amount, as they mature, until 1872, when
it w ulu extinguish nearly half; leaving about
three hundred and seventy thousand dollars
to be otherwise provided for, six years hence.
That done, the annual surplus would in each
year extinguish tbe maturing debt now exist
ing, and close that account iu 188!. Mean
time the sinking fuad provided, as proposed
for the newly created debt, if faithfully set
apart, and judiciously invested, would silently
but surely work out its redemption Oae
great advantage of the sinking fund is, that it
! secures confidence, aud opehs the way for fav
orable negotiation of t' e securities for which
it may be provided. But another incalculable
advantage to the debtor State is, that it dis
tributes the bui then of payment equally over
a 1 tho years the debt has to run, which, for
that reason, can never come, with a stunning
shock upon the Treasuary, and necessitate a
repetition of the borrowing operation.
ihe e are matters of calculation, the data
for which are found in the Comptroller Gen
eral’s report except the estimated receipts
from the Western and Atlantic Railroad, in
which I have full confidence* If it be thought
sufficient margin has cot been left for miscel
laneous appropriations, the reply is, that, the
annual income will be sweiled bv items of
taxation not taken into the account, and by
dividends on Railroad stock, owned by the
State, also left out, because not immediately
available ; whilst, by the gr-dual extinction cf
the public debt now existing, there will be
a corresponding reduction in amount of in
t9rest to be aunually paid, leaving each year
a la;ger surplus.
It will have been seen, that it is proposed to
meet the over duo bonds by issuing other
bonds, and, also, to fund the interest in arrear.
There is every reason to believe that nO diffi
culty will occur in effecting this negotiation.
As evidence of this, I send you, herewith, a
copy of a communication from Lewis H.
Haslewocd, Esq., of London, Chairman of a
committee appointed at a meeting of holders
of American securities, on which there are ar
rears of interest. The very liberal proposition
is therein made, to fund alt the arrears of in
terest. and tho interest to accrue to January,
1867, inclusive, into a bonded debt, the sole
condition being, that a sinking fund be estab
lished at 2 pr. cent., pr. annum. The amount
of debt represented by Mr. Haslewood, is not
stated, but it is presumed to include all the
sterling bonds of the State, which amount to
seventy two thousand dollars, and may em
brace others.
If foreign creditors be willing to fund not
only our interest in arrear on tho first of July
last, but that accruing within eighteen months
thereafter, can it be supposed our home credi
tors will hesitate to fund that accruing to the
Ist instant ? Without au adequate sinking
fund, you cannot resuscitate, promptly, the
fallen credi tof the State. With it
Unless it be resuscitated, you must either hawk
your bonds about the money centers, and sell
them an enormous sacrifice, making a nominal
rate of 7 per cent, equivalent to form 8 to 10
per cant, and havr your credit always depre
dated; or you must greatly reduce your ex
penses, inclu ling salaries, to a standard so
low, as to banish from the service of the State
in ail department, citizens of stilling virtue
and ability; or you must cause your constit
uents to groan under a weight of taxation,
which, now, they are iily able to bear To
avo'd these disastrous alternatives, earnest,
derided action is indispensable; and it is high
time that Georgia should adopt a judicious,
stable, financial system.
1 recommen I, therefore—First that you au
thorize the Executive, as the necessities of the
State may require, and to that extent only, to
is ue bonds of the State, Laving not than
twenty, nor more than thicty year to run, bear
ing au interest nut exceeding six per cent, for
an amount, which added to the existing fum.ed
debt, not yet matured, shall not exceed six
mil ions of dollars. Secondly, that for the
payment of the interest, and for the creation
of a sinking fund (accumulative) to discharge
this principal of the debt, now proposed to be
created, of two per cent per annum on that
principal, so much of the annual income of the
Western and Atlantic Railroad as may be ne
cessary, be sacredly plelged, and that this
pledge be set forth in the bonds.
Thirdly, that to the extent of this pledge,
ail appropriations hitherto made, for State uses
and policy, of that income, (not involving the
violation of contract) be repealed.
Should thesa recommendations meet your
approval it may be necessary to contract short
loans, to meet pressing necessities ; but these
may be extinguished, as longer ones arc effect
ed.
education.
Hitherto the State has aided the cause of edu
cation chiefly in two ways ; first, by the endow
ment of a University, and secondly, by setting
apart certain funds fur distribution among the
counties in aid of common schools. The case
of the University is somewhat peculiar bus
readily understood. Its original permanent en
dowment was in lands, which, with tte consent
and approbation of the General Assembly, the
Trustees sold on a credit, taking bonds and
mortgages for the purchase money. Sub e»
quently the State assumed the collection of
these securities, an L assumed to account to the
University for the funds as collected. In liqui
dation of the resuhin t transactions, the State
transferred to the University one thousand
shares of tha Bank of the Stale of Georgia,
owned bv her, the par va’ue being one hundred
thousand dollars. The trustees were expressly
lorbidden to seil er in any way dispose of this
stock, but were by act of the General Assembly
guaranteed perpetually, eight per cent, income
from the stock; any overplus that might accrue
from annual dividends, enuring to the benefit of
the Institution and any deficit of the eight thou
sand dollars, the State being pledged to make
good. And this has often been done, no spe
c's! appropriation being made in each instance,
but the deficit being always paid at the Treasury '
by provision of the act authorizing the transfer I
oi'the stock, and guaranteeing the annual in- j
tome from it of eight thousand dollars. This j
guaranty was doubtless induced by two consU j
derations; first, that, (as the history of the trans- 1
action spread upon the statute hook shows,) the j
transfer of the stock was intended as a satisfac- ,
tion and settlement of money collected by the
State on the University Bonds aud Mortgages.
Secondly, because in making the transfer of
Bank stock the State assupied to inhibit the
sale of it, which would have been unjust, with
out assurance of a certain annual income be
yond alt contingency. Deficits of the amount
of dividend, and entire tailures of dividend, have
always in good fiith been responded to by the
State. One o! the results of the late war has
been the utter iailure (S'tbe Bank of the State
of Georgia, and the consequent extinction of all
possibility of farther dividends. But the obliga
tion of the Slate remains unimpaired. There
are, indeed, annuities, (for so they may be calls
cd.) in cur arrear since the Bank ceased to de
clare dividends. lam not gware of any purpose
on the part of the Trustees to urge, at this time
of financial embarrassment, any claim for those
arrears, and I trust that they will forbear it, for
the present. But to the resumption of the pay
ment of the annuity, they arc clearly entitled,
and without it, cannot keep the University in
successful operation. The late Convention,
having the hLto;y I have here briefly detailed,
fully presented to them, and in view of the im
portance of the whole subject placed upon the
General Assembly a constitutional obligation to
“provide for the early resumption of its exerci
ses, (which had been unavoidably suspeneed,)
by a permanent endowment of the University.”
Relying upon the annuity of eight thousand
dollars, the Trustees have re-opened the Insti
tution, and I have, as you will perceive in the
estimates accompanying the communication,
included this item. At as early a day as return
ing prosperity will permr, it will doubtless be
the pleasure of the General Assembly to make
the permanent endowment enjoined by the
Convention.
In iike manner I have included in the esti
mates, the sum usually accruing from dividends
on Bank stocks, set apart for the purposes oi
school education. This, like the other, and like
the noble charities in behalf of the insane and
the blind, is too important and too sacred a
charge to be permitted to languish and die far
want of aliment, even in times such as these. I
trust the time is not far distant, when much
more can and will be done by the State for the
education of the masses, and for the relief and
comfort of those bereft of the natural senses, or
still worse, of reason. Perhaps all we can do
now, is to keep these institutions alive, that they
may hereafter receive proper nurture and fulfill
their missions.
LAWS REGULATING INTEREST
I respectfully invite the attention of tho Gen
eral Assembly to the whole subject of legal in
terest on money. There is no greater vice in
government than governing too much. Undue
interference with an individual’s use of -his pro
perty, or with transactions between individuals,
wherein each seeks, without convinous prac
tices, to advance hi., own interest, always affects
injuriously the general welfare. Hence, good
governments do no!, seek to fix the prices or ar
ticles, either of necessity or of luxury; nor do
they attempt to fix the compensation to be pa and
by one man for the, temporary use of auother’s
property. Money, or rather the use of it, is as
distinctly a subject of value, and its value is as
fluctuating as the use or occupation of a tene
ment or the hire of a horse or other chattel. Yet
while rent and hire are left to be regulated by
contracting parties, interest on money is fixed
by law, arid that law enforced by vindicatory
sanctions. lam unable to perceive on what
principle this difference rests. The usual pre
text is, that the restraint is a necessary protec
lion to the needy against the usurer. lint does
he require it more than another child of want,
whocan procure no sheltering roof for his fami
ly, by reason of the occasional appreciation of
rents 1 Does he require it more than another
unfortunate, who, at times, cannot give his
family bread by reason of the high prices of pro
visions 1 Sonnd political economy and right
reason are against all such interferences with
prices and value in commercial transactions, —
There are times when the use sf money is worth
much more than at athers. With us it is rarely
worth less than the legal tate of interest, but it
is often worth mure. The policy of usury laws
is to place the legal rate of interest at the lowest
point to whieh, in a series of years, it would go
if untrammelled, and to keep it there, despite
the varying relations of demand and supply.—
Hence, law-abiding capitalists usually prefer
other modes of employing money. Active capi
tal, like running water, will always leave an
obstruction for an unobstructed channel open to
it. But experience proves that usury laws, as a
general rule, are only obstructions, in money
lending, to conscientious or to cautious men.—
Their withdrawal. leaves a more open field to
the unscrupulous and the daring, enabling them
to extort from the borrowing class higher rates
than with free competition could be maintained.
Thus it appears to me the restraint imposed on
this branch of business is not only wrong in
principle, but fails to afford the intended protec
tion. There is at this time in Georgia a great
want of money. Some need it to revive a sus
pended business—others io commence anew,
in place of an old enterprise, utterly broken up.
The capitalist abroad would bring his money
here, it he were allowed to charge tor its use
what it is worth, without incurring forfeiture.—
It is probably wise, however, for any people to
make decided changes in their monetaey sys
tem gradually.
I suggest forVour consideration, the expedi
ency of so modifying the law on this subject as
to make seven per cent the legal rate, where
interest is chargeable according to Jaw, and no
rale fixed by contract; and to provide further,
that any rate of interest not exceeding ten per
cent, may be established by, and collected under
a contract, for the payment of money. This
advance will probably be sufficient to test prac«
iically the merit of the proposed change, and it
will be easy from this print to recede or ad
vance further, as experience may dictate.
INCREASE OF PAUPERISM.
Owing to the sudden emancipation of persons
of color, and their consequent deprivation of un
failing provision, hitherto enjoyed, for their
wants, whether in infancy, in old age, or in
sickness, there will probably be for a time at
least, a great increase of pauperism. Against its
growth from idleness or vice, stringent legal pen
alties should be directed, and for such cases
probably sufficient guards are provided in the
new code. But for unavoidable poverty and
destitution, involving no degree of criminality,
provision must be made. Your constituents, by
the very act of emancipation which originates
this new burthen, have been in a great degree
impoverished, aud it is hard that the two evils
should simultaneously, in the hour of exhaus
tion, press upon them. Only a resolute and
generous people could bear with equanimity the
great loss, and its superadded annual product
of loss. But precisely because they are both
resolute and generous, they have, with equanim
ity, realized the fact and its consequences, and
intend to do their whole duty, sociaL and moral,
as well as political. But it is neither necessary
nor right that the whole burthen should be
thrown upon them.
Pauperism is destitution of accumulated means
of subsistence, combined with inability, from
physical or menta causes, to produce them;
but it only becomes a matter of public concern
when no private re.ief is afforded. Asa simple
fact, it has always existed among that ciaes, but
has never before ch Itenged attention as a so
cial evil. Why this difference] Because under
the exploded system, each pauper African hid a
master who cared for his wants—cared for them
well—cared fir them cheerfully. How was he
enabled to do this, year after year ! From the
fact that associated with these paupers, as well
by ties of consanguinity, as in fetters of bondage,
were others capable of remunerative labor. The
support of the pauper was nominally a chargi
upon the master, but he defrayed it from the
earnings of the laborer, standing in the same j
relation to him. Mow, his pre.existing relation
both to pauper and laborer is annulled. The
pauper is no more a charge on him than on the
rest of the body politic. The fruits of the labor
er’s toil are transferred from him to the laborer
himself. But the relations of class and of kin
dred, between the pauper and the laborer, are
undisturbed. The questions to be considered in
view of the whole subject are, “does <ho transfer I
of the fruits of the laborers’ toil discharge them 1
wholly from the burthen of supporting the pau- !
per—the master having lost those fruits upon j
which the paupei's support was a charge, docs i
i* stiil adhere to them ?” It appears to mo that j
whether regarded as questions in political econo- !
my, or of abstract equity, the answer trust be ■
negative.
There is, however, another aspect ot the case i
which must not be overlooked. The abolition
of the relation of master and slave, which was
a private relation, makes the existing pauperism
a matter of public concern, to the relief of which
emancipated la’oorers, as a class, hough not ex
clusively bound, are liable to contribute I re
spectfully advise that a moderate capitation tax,
such as uo individual wcu'd feel oppressively,
be laid upon each adult person of color, eatable
of earning wages, and devoted exclusively to tho
support of paupers, of the same class. I suggest,
also, that the tax collected for this purpose iu
each county, be paid to and dispensed by the
Justices of the Inferior Court ot that county,
under such rules and regulations as you may
chouse to prescribe.
claim OF COTTON.
In answer to a communication from Prov.
Gov. Johnson, relative to certain, cotton claimed
by the State of Georgia, and captured in Sa
vannah by the Federal army, Mr. Secretary Mc-
Culloch, of the Treasury Department, informs
him by a letter, a copy of which accompanies
this message, that the State, must prosecute her
claim in tho Cou-rt of Claims, U. S. It will be
my pleasu'e to take such action in the case as
you may direct.
IMPROVEMENTS TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AC.
I transmit herewith a copy of the report of
Col. Frobel, Engineer* upon repairs, and im
provements, of the public buildings and grounds,
to which I invite your careful consideration.
Whilst even in public buildings and grounds
there may be exhibited culpable extravagance,
in useless ornamentation, there is a certain de
gree of care in preserving, and of taste in beau
tifying them, the neglect of which is wholly in
excusable. The suggestions of Col. Frobel. and
of your committees charged with this subject,
will aid you more than anything I can say.
Whatever of error may be found in the recom
mendations herein submitted, I trust will be cor
rected by your superior wisdom, aided by light
from the unerring source ot all truth. That is
our surest reliance, and the best hope of our
suffering and struggling constituents.
Respectfully submitted.
Charles J. Jenkins.
iAFFEADIX
(no. 1.)
ESTIMATE CF EXPENDITURES FOR YEAR 1866.
Arrears of civil list, 18G5, $ 60 000 00
Due the Penitentiary, 18,000 00
Due to tbe Lunaric Asylum, on
appropriation, 1865, 18,375 00
Civil Establishment, 1866, 88 600 00
Contingent Fund, 1866, 16,000 00
Printing Fund, 1866 25.000 00
Support of paupers, eateries of of
ficers, &c, Lunatic Asylum, 64,500 00
Support of Academy for Blind, 6,00 00
Educational Fund, com’n schools, 23,355 00
Annual income guaranteed to the
" University, 8,000 00
Balance, estimated expense of the
Legislature, 75,000 00
Interest on the public debt, 154,000 00
Estimated interest to accruo on
new debt, 150,600 00
$806,838 00
'No 2 )
ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURES FOR 1867 AND AFTER
WARDS.
Civil Establishment, $ 88,600 00
Contingent Fund, 16,000 00
Printing Fund, 25,000 00
All expenses of Lunatic Asylum, 64,500 00
Appropriation to Academy for tho
Blind, 6,000,00
Educational Fund, com’n schools, 23,355 00
Annuai income guarantied Uni
versity, 8,000 00
Estimated expense of General As
sembly 800,000 00
Estimated interest on Public Debt, 360,000 00
Miscellaneous appropriations, 100,000 00
$791,455 00
(No. 3 )
ESTIMATE OF INCOME IN 1867 AND AFTERWARDS.
Nett procerds from Western and
Atlantic Railroad $ 600,000,00
To be raised by ad valorem tax of
J of 1 per cent, 450;000,00
$1,050,000,00
(No. 4.)
Table showing results of different rates of
taxation, ad valorem, cn the assessed qfdua
ol property, (other than slaves.) in 1860 :
One h.lf of'ne per cnt on $369.627,7:2.• .11,8*3 IS9CO
One ft urthef on percent 0n....5'* : 9 6 7 7-'2 .... 91»/69 80
One eiguth cf one pr ct 0n....5379 6-27 *2 l 462,079.9 J
O »e ?eat:ior fne pr c: on 59,62/.7*22 869 Ga 7,00
One tenth of one pr ct on $369,627,722 103,023,00
SEWS SUMMARY
Tbe latest Boston notion is a “paper hat”
company which is now forming. Paper hats,
water proof and desirable to be made lor from
eight to seventy five cents.
A iivo frog was recently by the
sand pump of an oil we’l in Pennsylvania,
from over four hundred feet below the sur
face.
The sheriffs are selling large numbers of
plantations in Louisiana for debt and taxes.
Robert S Cox, convicted as a guerilla in
Kentucky, has been released by order of the
Secretary of war.
In the Baltimore Court last year there wore
one huffdred and ‘sixty nine divorce petitions
filed ninety-eight of which were granted
A flock of wild geese kept pice with a train
of ears on the Hudson River railroad going at
the rate of thirty miles an hour, the other day,
for ten miles, when they changed their course.
The Provost Marshal of Buffalo, New York,
has had to pay a young man $1,150 for false
imprisonment.
'The Governor of Indiana wants the negroes
of that State to ha allowed to vote.
Navigation cn ihe Hudson river is closed up
for the winter.
Tho brig Nevy, from New York to Jackson
ville, Fla , has been lost off St. John’s Bar.
Seven persons perished.
Trains will soon run through on the Mobile
and Ohio railroad.
The Catholics of Chicago aro to erect a hall.
It witi cost $300,000.
Ihe mercury fcas been <wanty-four degrees
below ziro in somo sections of The
trains stopped running.
Tbe Erie railroad bat borrowed $4,500,000
of Eagiibh capitalists to complete its double
track.
Since the war "closed tho figures show the
emigraion Southward from New York thus :
—South Carolina. 45; Tennessee, 350; North
Carolina, 19; Missouri, 2,G57; Maryland, 1.725;
District of Columbia, 138; Alabama 9; Virgi
nta. 465; Te ;as, 21; Mississippi, 31; Kentucky,
1,008; Georgia 13; Delaware, 152.
Valuable lead mines have been discovered in
Preston and Cumberiar*! count its, Ya.
In Louisville, Kv., the rougues are so hard
up for money that they knock down and roo
ministers.
New counterfeit ten dollar bills have made
fheir appearance.
Wa Gilmore Sima is miking a collection
of the leading poems written in the South
durieg the war.
Gen. Longstreet has gone into the cornmis
sion business in New Orieans.
Many English merchants aßd bankers are
said to have agents engaged in the South se
lecting cotton lands.
The interna! revenue from pianos is enor
mous. Steinway alone daring ths month of
November, paid in $9,611,02 taxes.
Honolulu has exported 50 01)0 pounds of
cuff re this year.
Taere is at p*ei3ai five th.j-is.tai families
applicants for charity at St. Louis.
Henry Brunner has been arrested in Nash
ville on the charge of defrauding the Govern
ment of $19,000.
Eighteen thousand iron coal cars are used on
the Reading railroad to carry 3,000,000 tons of
c.al per annum.
A meeting ot the Fenian Circle in Chicago,
was held, at which five hundred muskeis were
B'lbscribid, and arrangements for ths arming
and equipping of two regiments, to be ready
when required.
Georgia Legislature.
SENATE.
mosdah. January 15.
Senate met at 12 o'clock. Twenty-four
members answered to loli call. George W,
Anderson, resigned position as door Keeper.
HOUSE
lUuve mot at 12 o’clock. Eighty seven
members answered to their names. Mr. Oliver
FKiiT” 11 ' VW P " Jrn ij ‘ rom th « county of
TBISDAY, JiNUABY ra
senate.
Ac in mitt vo was appoint »i to wa’t upon His
l ' v , ' to . km Ha- the Seuate wow
ready to i«ceive any camrnuuication be might
dtsire to make. •
The following bills were introduced: to es
tablish a seal to t>e used in tho office of the
Secretary of Stale—it adopts tho seal provi
dcu by the Legklatu:e of 1861 • to repeal tile
5-h paragraph of the Sth section, title 3d a::d
chapter 31 ot the code; to repeal tho law re
quiring the Secretary of Stalu to provide fuel,
rights, <fcc., for the General Assembly ; to soli
tbe lands-of (ho Statu iu tho Okefenokeo
swamp; to relieve the tax payers of c-itaia
counties lor the >ear 1866 aid 1867; to add the
county of Lowades to tho Brunswick Judicial
Circuit; to change the county line botw en thj
counties of Worth aud Irwin; to regulate ihe
drawing j>f funds by Inferior Courts; to au
thorize iuj rendition of decrees iu certain cases
curing vacation; to prevent tho illegal se-zuro
and detect.on of property and prescribing
punishment for tho same ; to amend (ho
4293d section of the penal Cr.de of Georgia.
IV. H. Roberts was elected doorkeeper.
Tuesday, Jan. 23, was appointed as the day to
elect U. S. Senators and Supremo Judges.
Mi. 0*8 A y c:fl- red the following resolution,
which lies over under the rule :
Where re, The people of Georgia in Conven
tion, iand by Legislative action, have iu goed
faßh accepted the issue of the late war, and are
bound by every principle of honor and motives
of interest, to defend and uphold the laws and
Constitution ol tne United States aud the Gov
ernment thereof; and whereas, such is well
known to be cur fixed and settled determina
tion, we can therefore perceive no good reason
for tho longer continuance of military law, or
fo:ces iu our State, except such as may tie re
quisite for a peace establishment; nor can we
see the necessity for the se'zare and occupancy
of private property by the miiil.xry authorities:
gjßo it therefore resolved by the General As
sembly oi Georgia, That His Excellency, the
Governor, bo requested to communicate to
His Excellency, the President of the United
States, our fixed and unalterable purpose to
observe, obey, and defend tho Cou titution
and laws of the United States and the Goveru
mont thereof, and to maintain by all tho pow
er cf the State the supremacy of said laws;
and to atk cf him if net a withdrawal of the
troops cf the United States from the State, a
surrender of all private property belonging to
individuals, and a restriction of the military
to the occupancy of forts, and arse
nals, or such other quarters as I lie Government
may furnish, after contract aud cenipensatLu;
further, to restrict tho military to the control
and management of the trot ps, aud the en
forcement (if necessary) of tho laws of the
United Slates as expounded by civil tribunals,
appointed and established in confoimity to
law, and to the end wo earnestly invoke the
restoration cf the privilege of the writ of ha
beas corpus.
The St-Daie was informed that the House
committee was leady to wait upon his Excel
lency.
Two hundred copies of Govemors’s message
were ordered printed for use ot Senate.
A resolution was passed referring the docu
ments accompanying the Governor’s message
to tbe appropriate committees, which was
adopted ; also, a resolution providing for tie.
printing of fifty copies of the revised Code, pre
pared by tbe commissioners appointed by the
late convention.
HOUSE.
The annexed resolutions were adopted :
a resolution to add an additional section to
the rules of the House instructing ihe Finance
Committee to report a bill remitting certalu.
taxes ; requiring tho Comptroller General to
furnish c.rtain inloimation.
The annexed bills weie introduced : for the
relief of certain persons therein mentioned;
to incorporate the Dalton Medical College-; tho
relief ot ceitaio persons who were bona fide in
the late Confederate army ; to provide tor the
payment of the salaries if the Judges of the
Supremo, Superior and City Courts, during a
portion of the years 1864 and 1865; to incor
porate Oak Grove Academy, and provide for
the appointment of trustees to same; to change
the county line between the counties of Upson
and Crawford , to provide for the appointment
of a superintendent of the roads and bridges of
the county of Wilkes; for the relief of John
Edmonson ; to enlarge the rules of evidence in
cevtaio cases ia the courts of law an l equity of
this Slate ; to legalize the acts of E M Jones
and E W Wilder, temporary administrators of
Henry Jones, late ol Ihke county ; to increase
the fees of Ordinaries and Clerks of Superior
and Inferior Courts ; to authorize the lufeiior
Court ol Pulaski county to levy and collect an
extra tax for the years 1866, ’67 aud ’6B, for tbe
purpose of building a court house and jail. Tho
biil was offered pn iha recommendation of the
grand jury of said county ; to alter and amend
an act to incorporate the town of Dawson ; to
authorize the sale of the exile camp iu the
county of Tcrroii; to incorporate the North
Georgia Petroleum and Mining Company ; to
punish Ordinaries and Ciorks fur issuing mar
riage license in certain cases ; to punish officers
of tbe State for uniting in matrimony the white
and black races ; to punish freoclmon for living
in adultery, and authorizing their marriage ;
to fix the term of office of Sheriff, and regulate
tho same ; to provide for the payment of tha
salaries of tbe Teachers ot poor schools during
the year 1865 ; to amend the Constitution ot
tire State, concerning the interest on money;
to amend the laws of evidence ; to be entitled
en act to regulate pleading at common law ;
to alter and chango the mode of selecting grand
and petit jurors.
Tho annexed resolutions were ofl trod—to
bring on election of the U. S. Senators; for the
relief of soldier’s lamilies.
A committee was appo’nted to wait on Gov
ernor wii.it Senate committee.
Tho Governor’s Message was received and
read.
Five hundred copies of Message aid ac
companying documents wore ordered printed.
The Governor’s Message, anl accompanying
documents were referred to appropriate cum
in t tees.
The President on tue Admission c f Colo
had >. — Tho annexed message of the Dresilunt
sent to Congress, January 12, gives his position
on the admission of Colorado :
I transmit herewith a communication ad
dressed to mi by Messrs. John Evans and J.
B. Cbaffse as United States Senators elect
from the Stats of Colorado, together with the
accompanying documents. Under tbe author
ity of the act of Congress approved the 21st
day of March, 1864, the people of* Colorado,
tarough a Convention, formed a Constitution
making provision for a State Government,
which, when submitted to the qualified voters
of the Territory, was rejected Iu the sum
mer of 1865 a s ;co.;d Convention was ca'lei
by the Executive Committees of the several
political parties in the Territory, which as
sembled at Denver on the S.h day of August.
On the 12th day of that month this Conven
tion adoptel a State Constitute a, which was
submitted to the people on the sth of Septem
ber, 1865, and ratfiid by a m><j iri.ty of 1-5-5 of
the qualified voters. The proceedings in the
second instance having difl ;red in time and
mode from those specified in lb? act of March
21, 1864, I have declined bo is-ue tbe procla
mation for which provision is made in the
sth section of the law, and therefore submit
fbe question for the consullation and 'uriber
action or Congress Andrew Johnson.
Washington, D. C , .January if, 1866.
The debt of Maximilian’s Empire is eight
million dollars.
It is reported that recruiting for the regular
army Is quite brisk and that last month over
hve thousand leeruits were mustered into too
service.
It is rumored that Gov. Pieipontof Va ,
will resign because his candidates for U. S.
Senate were defeated.