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N. S. MORSE. f ■ ! ’'«f f I *v Vu> ■ v *.•'!%♦ v*« V> <; il4 +i\:■ * ♦ The Usury Law. —We noiioe that some of the State Senators who voted in favor of extending the legal rate of interest in Georgia to ten per cent, are already dissatisfied with the bill—uoo desires to have his vote recorded against the measure ; ar*>ther wishes to have the bill reconsidered in order that all law > restricting the rate of interest may be repealed Legislators who take the latter position aro truo.ntatehmen ; are men who are with the times, and who are willing that that which is lor the best interest of the State should be done at once. If Georgia is tho first Southern Common wealth to repeal tho usury laws, and throw open wide the doors for capital from the North and from Europe to Come here, Eire will reap a greater benefit from this action than thobe Slates which delay moving in the matter. 1%; Richmond Dispatch addresses some suggestions to the law-makers of Virginia that are equally applicable to our own Legisla ture Wo copy a portion of tho remarks of ihat journal. It says : We wish the members of the Legislature could see all tho correspondence between mer chants of this city and capitalists in the prin cipal Northern cities, and in London and Liverpool. They would feel that something ought to he done, and that promptly, to give the people of Richmond and Virginia the use of the iaige amouut of money which is offered them. English capitalists are rerdy to send over money for investments here, and to loan to farmers ;so are those of New York. Even l'hiladt iphia isTepresented in the proffer of aid. But the usury law keeps them back. Repeal that, they say, so that wo can obtain a rate of interest corresponding with that pie vailing in the princiapal American chits, and you shall have money to rebuild your city and revive your agriculture. Such is the tenor of offers made by respecta ble moneyed men who are too honorable to evade the law, or do not choose to incur the danger of loss from ihe plea of usury. They control a vast amount of capital; more, indeed, than wo want; but for these reasons they are debarred from doing what their interests and what the sympathies of many of them strongly incline them to do. Thus we are not only depiived of their assistance, hut left to the mercies of those who have less scruples as to tho law, and also less as to the amount ol interest they exact for the use of money. Wo Gust the members of the House of Representatives, when the subject comes up before that body, will repeal all usury laws ; and that the Senate will reconsider its action and do likewise. The benefits arising from such a course would bo at oneo seen by members before their ad join tnnent. Georgia' would recuperate more under such wise legislation in a single month, than she would for years under legislation * that hampers and confines her to an old beaten track that experience shows to be detrimental lo all the enterprises that tend, to make a Slate great in population and wealth. Let the experiment be tried. If it works detrimental to the interests of the State,.usury laws can very easily be put in force again. We have facts. Let us look at them for a moment. In all States where there are no i'su y laws, the prosperity of the people is without limit; it commenced al.o when the use y lairs ot those States were repealed. Iu Stales wiieie ihose laws exist, there hes been but little progress made in any lasting im provements or great enterprises. No more forcible argument thin this in favor of repealing all laws relating to the loan ot money, ought to be demanded by tho3o who have the future ' destines ot Georgia in their bands. Rkoonsthuotion Mads Easy. —We notice that some ol our cotemporaries are advocating, as an expedient, the calling ol a convention ot the States which aro now in a condition of sus pended animation. It is argued that rehabili tation is the grand object and chief concern of ur all. The directions given by President Johnson have been followed with singular confidence. 7’bo measures suggested by him have been adopted with walked unanimity, b-ve.y pkd ;o of loyalty hes been given by us aed sfi<l his policy makes very slow pro giess. 'lbe cause of this is abundantly evident. Toe radicals alone are to b'ame. They are ( lose, who hare clogged the wheels of Govern ment, and now, that the South would act in harmony wi'b her sicler States, for the good of the whole country, they are doing and saying every thing they can do and say to irritate and humb’e ns. In view of these facts, tho opinion obtains that a convention like the one proposed could rot tail to assist very materially in the speedy attainment of our heart's desire—full and equal lights in tho Union. The Memphis Avalanche, discussing this question, says, that if sssurance be given that neither tho safety nor the dignity of counsels shall be disturbed by military interference— “ we pledge our judgment that tho convention “ will concede all that can be reasonably de “ m inded : that each State will readily accept “ whatever terms it may decide ; and that in “ sixty days, the Union will be restored at least “so far as to remit the States to their ordinary “ civil condition, by a method alike honorable “ to the South, safe to the Federal authority, “ iatal to faction, and replete with the noble auspices ot anew national life.” Our opinion on this subject is tersely ex pressed in the words of a northern journal, when it declares that the loyal people of the nation shall not require more to be done by us, than has been. An. Kan, to Selma, Ala. —Our readers will be glad to learn that the railroad bridge across the Cababa river has b;en completed, ahd that the passage of trains is admitted. The work on the road near Demopolis, and on tho bridge across the Tombigbee river is progressingwery satisfactorily. These repairs finished, railroad communica tion will be fully re-established to Selma, Ala. and thence to Montgomery, and from that point to tho principal seaboard cuies of the South. The Bone ok Contention.— The Supreme Judges of Georgia have been elected. Next Friday, it i6 said the Senators will be. The Georgia Legislature will then ‘'proceed to business.” Log rolling will sink into inaig. nificance after all deeiiable offices are Our City Finances.— ln the lucid aad satis faetoiy statement of his Honor the Mayor, which we published a day or two ago, any one who is not prejudiced can see that the condition of our finances is by no means so desperate as some of the papers of our city have represented to the public. Instead of being utterly destitute of assetts, as has been intimated, the May*r declares that the proper ty of the city if thrown upon the market, even under the present unfavorable circumstances, would well nigh cover all its liabilities. No man and no corporation should be pronounced insolvent when the bills receivable are com mensurate with the bills payable. That the bonds of the city aro selling at a discount of twenty to twenty-five per cent, is no evidence either of incipient bankruptcy or of irjudiefeus management. This deprecia tion is due, in a great measure, to the scarcity of money, or rather to the great demand exist ing for money for commerce and speculation. The bonds of the best corporations in the State—those whose solvency is beyond any reasonable question, and whose accruing in terest is promptly paid, are selling at.a discount nearly as large as the bonds of the city. Bat who ascribes the depression of these securities to any doubts as to their ultimate redemp tion. Why then should our city bonds be questioned merely on account of a temporary depreciation. The tiuth is, there are no bonds—so far as security of payment is con cerned—than those of tho city corporation. The debt amounts to a mortage upon every piece of property in the city, and if the real estate of Augusta is worth a million of dol lars it must be oonceded that there are assetts available by the city sufficient to cancel all of its obligations. Wo sincerely hope that when any journal his occasion to allude to this subject again, it will restrict its statements to the facts of tho case. If our own papers decry our credit, one q«nnot expect much aid from strangers. Capital is one of the most timid and sensitive things in the world, andjit may be seriously injuried even by a few careless or ill judged utterances. Joint Stock Companies.— We notice that a large number of bills have been introduced into our Legislature to grant special charters to this party and,to that party, for maunfactur ing and other purposes. In by-gone days legislation of this kind answered. But we are now in a moving age, and will bo obliged to keep moving in order not to bo behind the times. In many States general laws have been passed to iegulato joint stock companies; and any body ot men who conform to those laws have a right to start any project not detrimen tal to the public good, .they may deem best; These laws have worked well elsewhere, and we see no good reason why similar laws would not work well in this State. Many times men of means see projects out of which much money could be made and the public also benefitted, and in which they would gladly embark if they could do so at once. But as matters now stand, they are obliged to wait until the Legislature assembles iu order to get a special charter. Os course men generally do not allow thelV capital to remain idle. The money which would be used for the benefit of the State, is sent out of it for investment else where. Tliub Georgia is made to suffer, simply because her laws are not co favorable to the capitalist, as those cf other commonwealths. We suggest that our Legislature pass a gen eral Joint Stock corporation law. They will find such laws upon the Statute Books of nearly every, if not every prosperous State. If such a thingjs done, we shall see manufacturing com panies started in all our large cities. Our water privileges will be improved, and many a thriving village will spring up in sections which are now nothing but barren wastes. Too Much Legislation’. —We regret to per ceive that there is a disposition on the part of oar Legislature to give people too much legis lation. For instance, we notice that th3 House has passed a bill to regulate freights and fares ou railroads. We do not as yet know the pro visions of the act. The very title of it, how ever, is suspicious.— “A bill to regulate.”— Railroad fares to be sure, are high—so is every thing else. Why not make a law to govern the prices of things railroad companies have to purchase in order to carry on their business ? It our legislators would so do, then there would be some propriety, in regulating the fares of railroads. But until such a thing is done; wo can seejno justice in hampering railroad companies by unwise, and we think at present, uncalled for public acts. Besides here is another matter our legislators should think of. A our years war has just ended. During that war four railroads were deprived of the means of keeping their roads and. rolling stock in repair. In fact, some of them might as well have no rolling stock at all as to have what belongs to them. It is almost good for notb’Dg,-and the use of it makes railroad traveling hazardous and even danger ous. Now, if our railroads were declaring large dividends, and were really extortionate in thej? charges, there would be some ground to pass laws compelling them to reduce rates. But as long as they need every cent they can get and more too, to put their roads in a safe con dition, any law that would tend to reduce these receipts is impoiitic to say the least. Let the railroad companies be encouraged to put their Lacks in the best possible order, and fix up their rolling stock in good style—not be forced to leave both in the bad condition many of them now are. A Failure. —The meeting called to Chatta nooga by the officers of several Southern Rail roads vua : i Several gentlemen connected with roads north of Nashville,, passed through that city some ago ea route to Chattanooga for the purpose of participating in the Convention, but scarcely any response being made by the Southern roads, they returned whence they came, sadly disappointed. A Nashville paper commenting on the cause of the failure, very sensibly remarks, that we must have more energy and industry among us before we can compete with our enterprising friends farther North as well in this respect as others. AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 8,186(3. vVe did not, however, intend entering into an examination of this particular subject, but rather to remark in a cursory manner,on one of the prime causes which tend to affect the working system of to day. Our streets are thronged with negroes—men, women, and children, who having nothing to do, and are unable to find employment It is not because their services are not wanted, or because of an indisposition and determination on the part of the whites not to hire them, that they are thus situated. Not ,at all. There are certain public hucksters, who amass enough to sup port them without engaging in regular work ing avocations, and those are they, who with dissembled purpose aird under the mask of friendship, council vagrants against seeking werk with the whites, unless the latter grant them unheai and of privileges, and payexhorbi tant wages, The ignorant yield to the teachings of these mischievious creatures, and the result is that they can find naught else to do but hang about the street corners, while otherj, having found good homes, are induced to leave them. These are not aggregated exaggerations. They are solemn truths. For the good of all, we hope that the freed mou will cease to heed the dolorous warnings oC tbeir sable friends whom we might, with greater propriety, call their enemies. Let them seek work ; and when found, stand by it. All that employers expect at the hands of the hired, is a faithful discharge of duty. This the negro must learn, if he would live. It is to this complexion that all of them must come and the sooner they accept the fact, and act upon it, the better will it be for them. A Large Cotton Crop Needed. —For the welfare of all sections of the United Sta'es,. the early restoration of the cotton production, is of the highest importance. We must restore the equilibrium of our exchange at the earliest possible moment. The Custom House dued received on foreign manufactures, already reach the huge sum of $100,000,000 in gold, and from such a total, may be easily con jectuied the vast payments we have to make annually to Europe. Iu addition to these, we must provide for the interest on European capital invested in our sablic securities, our State and corporation bonds, our railroad shares, our canals and our manufacturing establishments. Even the heaps of gold yearly raked in from California are pot sufficient to meet this growing demand, and the country would soon find itself at a loss for the pre cious metals, did not her exportation of other products give her ihej means of keeping ex changes balanced, Nevada, Colorado, and some other districts of the far Western domain, are also now yield ing supplies of gold. But all these are not enough ..to meet the demand that universal commerce jnakes. Hence, the continually increasing necessity why our cultivation of cotton shou'd be resumed, in order that we may, in the first place, keep the balance of ex change in our favor, and pay our debts. If the people ol the South are left to themr selves, the amount of cotton laised this year will be immense. If they were permitted to work out the labor problem, all things would easly be arranged ; and arranged in a way that would result in benefit to both the em ployer as well as the employee. But as leng as members of Congress continue to interfere in matters they know nothing about, just so long will the great resources of our country remain undeveloped. Our National Legisla tors have no more right to dictate about Southern ..labor, than they have to interfere with the arrangements made by a Massachu setts manufacturer and his operatives. This continued interference by Congress with the internal affairs of a State will ruin the country eventually if it is cot stopped. Mischievous Teachings. —The labor ques tion,’has excited considerable attention among our people, and the influence of past associa tion and customs, tend to spring it upon them with a greater and more irreconcilable force than ever. The bond of slavery loosened, and the bond men hurled as it were, into anew and strange ly exhilirating position, it is not to be won deredj that they were transported with rap tures of delight, or that they should have seized hold upon the most absurdly ridiculous ideas, as to the prospective future. It is not marvellous, that they should have abandoned the kitchen, the field, or,the dining room, and, rushing to the public thoroughfares, -have given themselves up to the hallucinating in tiuerces, which miscomprehended freedom wields. All this jras to be expected. Liber ty works strangely upon the minds of intelli gent and educated people; and it possesses a mysteiious power over the hearts of the un tutored. As love spangles the horizon of hope with giided beauties, so does liberty with her new acquaintances ; and, as in the cne case these beau ,: es fade in the march of time, so, it is with the latter. The realties of both are glorious, but an unseen hand of ten changes this into that, and “vanity of vanities’' is the descriptive sentence of all. Time developes men’s plans—time exhibits in consistency of opinion, and time lilts the va’l that shadows the unknown. What they Work for is Indiana.— The question of labor has grown to be quite a3 perplexing to certain of the inhabitants of In dianapolis. as it is to us. Manufacturing es tablishments are discharging their hands. The rents are so high that hundreds of men, with wives and from five to ten children, are houae less_they being unable to find employment Laborers express themselves 'as perfectly will ing to work for their board. Here is a subject of study for crazy fanatics, who are so deeply interested in the welfare o ha “poor freedman.” Lat a practical appli cation of its truths be made. Deceased Confederate Prisoners.—lt will be gratifying to our people to be informed that Mr. E. S. Jordan of Chicago, has notified the Mobile Advertiser and Register, that he is prepared to furnish information relative to Confederate prisoners who died at Camp Douglas during the war. Ail persons wishing to obtain such informa tion can do so by addressing E. S. Jordan 166 South Clark street, Chicago, 111. The State of Affairs . —From all quarters of the South we receive the most cheering news relative to the honest and untiring endeavors put forth by all classes of tho people, to re cover their agricultural and commercial prom inence. Our people have readily acquiesced in the condition of affairs as they exist, and are doing all in their power to accommodate themselves to the new order of things. Never before in the history of any nation has the residents of an entire section shown so manly a spirit in frankly accepting the decision of a question long and bravely -.tried by arms. They have gone to work to repair damages, as courageously as they diuTto recover lost bat tle* , % It is gralifying to notice that our efforts are appreciated by the President and his suppor ters at the North. It is encouraging to know that all that they can do for us, will be done. This should stimulate us to greater exertions on our part to manage matters in such a way that the radicals cannot use any State or local legislation, as weapons against us in the Halls of Congress, or as electioneering argu ments at home. We are fully convinced if President John son is supported by the South as he should be, that he will “whip the fight.’’ He is now our only hope. If the plans of the radicals can be defeated, he is the only party who can accom plish the objecv. Let no stumbling block or impediment be placed in his way by either those at home, or there who assemble in Leg islative Halls. Sheep versus Dogs.—One of the palpable Gurses of this section is dogs. Dogs abound everywhere—many a poor family is not com plete withoutJrom one to a half dozen— “mongrel, puppy, whelp and hound,” and curs of the lowest degree. These animals con sume our substance, impose upon us an unne cessary and burdensome tax, and kill our Bheep. We can bear the burden of the first, two evils with tolerable composure, but w cannot maintain our usual placidity of temper at the last infliction. The propagation of sheep, especially for their wool, is proving of the most lucrative character in favored regions where dogs are not so plenty.— We are aware the attempt has been made to raise sheep at the South ; and tho speculation would certainly have proved in the highest degree profitable had it not been for the pre ponderence of dogs in the land, who pitched into the flocks and killed off the sheep with amazing and alarming frequency and success. Legislation* has, we believe, often been tried or applied for, but without favorable results. These facts have discouraged the raising of sheep iu our midst. This matter can be remedied by efficient and prompt legislative action. The question is one ts importance, dog have his day,” but make that day Us brief as possible, and after that let him be seen or heard of “nevermore.” Let the sheep from henoefortb, have free course, without fear of molestation from their canine antagonists. The Cancellation of stamps.— According to the late decision of the Chief Commissioner of Internal Revenue, it appears that he will re cognize the cancellation of stamps which have upon them date and initials in writing or plainly imprinted upon them with ink. He states that stamps are frequently used without date and initials, some have a cross made upon them with ink, and some even'in pencil mark, whilst others are punched through, with no ink cancellation. He recognizes as legal only the cancellation with initials and date, either written or printed. This may seem to be a hardship, but the act cf CoLg ess makes no other provision for cancellation. The Com missioner is empowered to establish other methods of cancel'auon, but as he has never yet done so, except by permitting the substi tution of printed initials and date for writing the same. It follows that other methods, al - though they may be equally good foi purposes cf obliteration are illegal. The matter is worthy of business men, because agreements, commercial instruments, receipts, and many other papers, end for their validity on the stamps. It is very little trouble to cancel them properly, and whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. The Game to be Played. —Washington let— er writers are of the opinion that the Recon struction committee will be in no hurry to pre sent a report to Congress. It is apparent from their course that they intend to keep the subject committed to their care as long un der their control as they possibly can. It is conjectured by many, and with good reason too, that the main objeot and result of the consultacioos of the committee will be to prepare a great campaign document for the next fall elections, by which the positions of the Republican majority in Coog.eES will’be sustained before the people in opposition to the more advanced position of the President. The radicals thus far have shown such a hatred to tho Union and the Constitution," there is qo telling what trick they will stoop to to keep in power in order that they may grati fy their hatreds and spites against the South. Destitute Widows and Orphans and Dis abled Soldiers. —The Legislature of Georgia has passed a resolution requesting the Inferior Courts of each county to ascertain the number of destitute widows and orphans and disabled soldiers iu the several counties ; also to find out how many ot the above mentioned class are able in part to take care of themselves; also the probable ’amount of breadstuffs re* quired to support all of them until October 1, 1866. A registry list will be kept at the office of the Cleik of the Inferior Court in this city until Saturday, February 12, 1866. All per sons of the classes named in the resolution, can call and register themselves if they wish so to do. Aspirants.— Milledgeville is said to be full of Georgia’s distinguished sons — all willing to serve their country—by occupying fat and prominent places. All of them have seen publicrervice, and deserve well at the hands of the Legislature. But the “five loaves,’’ will not go round this time. Many an aspi rant will Jpe disappointed this year. Many a pocket will remain empty, if the owner there of waits for public pap to fill it. Probable Modification if not Repeat.of the Test Oath.— A Washington correspondent writes that it is possible the test oath, as applied to attorneys practicing in United States courts, will be repealed or set aside by decision of the United States Supreme Court in the Garland case. The Court was to have pronounced their decision some day since, but it has been de ferred. It has been surmised that this decision will be favorable to the petitioner. The Chief Justice stated, during the argument of the case, that the decision in this case would govern all similar cases. Mr. Stevens has affirmed his resolution for the repeal of the act of July, 1564, extending the test oath to attorneys, with a knowledge, perhaps, that the Court de sires the repsal. The repeal of ,rhis act, on every decision setting it aside as unccnstitu tional, will, no doubt, have a tendency in favor of an early repeal of the test oath required of membeis of Congress. Congress and the Negro.- It was generally supposed that, when the negro was freed, the discussions in Congress concerning his condi tion would cease ; but, on the contrary, it is kept up with more virulence than ever. It is insisted by the radicals that the negroes are national wards, whose interests are to be pecu liarly looked after, and tho consequence is nearly every bill in Congress has .reference to the bestowing of some franchise or endowment upon them. ~ There is one consolation the peopie who are not insane on the negro question have. If the freedmen continue to die off as rapidly in times to come as they have since the close of the war, in a few years there will be none left to legislate about. The negro problem will be solved then forever. That’s certain. Fixe Machinery. —Yesterday we visited Cooper’B Machine Works, in this city, and were shown a very superior and handsomely finished stationary engine. It was built at Mr. Cooper’s works, under the supervision of his gentlemanly foreman, Mr. Mulherin, and is designed sot use iu a saw mill, now being built and soon to he put into operation a few miles from Augusta, by Messrs. Bryan & Thom as. We also noticed a beautiful compound plhner, and a very fine gear cutter, both built at the same place. The finish of the machinery is perfect, and we donbt if it can be surpassed in any shop even at the North, where the facilities for the construction of such machines, are so much greater. Statistics of Spoons. —One gains a deal of statistical information and amusement from the lectures.of Arterau3 Ward. For instance, he recently informed us, settiug joking aside, that Brigham Young, the great Mormon Mo gul, was really worth from fifteen to twenty millions of dollars, and that the silver service with which his wives Jset his tables, including spoons, was worth more than that of any man in America, excepting, perhaps, that of Benjamin F. Butler. Artemus tells a great many truths in his own quiet, dry' way. Present Occupation of the Legislature . Milledgeville letterwriters state that the Leg-, isiature instead of occupying their afternoons in working, occupy- them iu canvassing and electioneering. Who shall have the fat offices appears to be more of the order of the day than anything else. Matters as will be seen, are fa6t resuming their old channels—as t far as State Legislatures are concerned. “The welfare of the country’’ is always the song of politicians. “The loaves and fishes,” judging from their actions, is their aim. Washington Rumors in Regard to Mr. Davis. The following in regard tc Mr. Davis is furnished by the Washington correspondent of the Nashville Banner : The rumors of the rescue of Jefferson Davis from prison are assuming anew and strange character. It is now hinted that the authori ties desire his escape, and that facilities have been offered him, but that he won’t go. There is but little room to doubt the awkward em barrassment attendant upon his confinement and project trial. Chief Justice Chase does not hesitate to say that he cannot be convicted of treason, and Thadeus Stevens declares that he is nothing more than a foreign leader, about as much amenable to the laws of the United States as Maximilian. I have it from the best authority—fiom authority which you cannot question—that Mr. Davis feels the most ample security. He said less than a week ago, “My defense is complete now, and rests solely upon law, which will be administered fairly, I know, and in perfect accordance with civil justice.” The shameful petticoat story will be put to the blush when that time arrives. Mr. Davis is at present in good health, eats heartily, reads a good deal, and possesses, as he said the other day, “a good digestion and a good conscience.” He receives letters from his wife three times a week, and keeps a journal every day. A Quaint Indorsement.— Franklin W .Smith, a Boston contractor, was tried by court-mar tial and found guilty of pocketing a thousand or two dollars out of a contract with the Navy Department for eupplies. The report of the court martial was sent to President Lincoln for his examination, who returned it with this characteristic indorsemeat: “Whereas Franklin W. Smith had transaction with the United States Navy Department to a mi'iion and a quarter of dollars, and had the chance to steal a quarter of a million; and wnereas he was charged with stealing SIO,OOO, aud from the final revision of the testimony it is only claimed that he stole SIOO, I don’t be lieve he stole anything at all. “Therefore the records of the court-martial, together with the finding and sentence, are disapproved, declared null and void, and the defendant is fully discharged. A. Lincoln-.” A Gallant Letter —The annexed letter breathes the true spirit of gallantry and recon ciliation, and its sentiments will be hailed with delight by our people : Heapq'bs D.strict Newbern, i Nkwbers, N. C., January 13, 1866. j Mr. George McKnight : Sir : The Colonel commanding the Dis trict directs me to inform you, in reply to your communication of this date, respecting your proposition for the benefit of the widow of “Stonewall” Jackson, that the United States military authorities can never object to a charitable action. A,’l soldiers owe a tribute to gallantry and honour. It is to be presumed that every officer of th's command will esteem it a privilege to be permitted to engage with you in the assistance of a lady whose husband was so respected and so renowned. I have the honour to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. R. Ellis, Acting Assistant Adjutant General. VOL. LXXV.--NEW SERIES VOL. XXV NO. 7. NEWS SUIMARY. Dr Robert L. Buck, an eminent physician of Jackson, Miss., died a few days since. * A negro beat a widow lady nearly to death in Chanooga recently. B N Clement, late Second Assistant Post master General of the Confederate States, is dead The Mobile Ala,, Register has nominated General Grant as a candidate for President in 1868. Mr Haffey, who keeps a grocery store in Memphis, Term , was robbed a few days since of about six thousand dollars, about sventeen hundred of which was in gold. The total population of the United States in 1860. was 31,149,805, viz : whites 26.708,157 ; slaves, 3,960,865 : free colored, 4f6,562. An expeditious young lady at Chicago has been a maid, a wife and a grass widow in tho short space of five months, she sued for divorce eight days after manage. Gen. Hood, has returned to New Orleans from hie Northern trip. The'Massachusetts State Debt is $23,000,000. Hon. D. G. Burnett, Ihe first President of Texas, has taken to Washington a petition from the people of that State for the pardon of Mr. Lavis, The steamer Trenton, with 1,000 bales of cotton, was burned on the Washita river, La., a few days 6ince. The University of Virginia is in a bad con dition. It will* need a donation of $15,000 from the State to keep it up in the shape' it should be. Some of the oil stock of Pennsylvania, wells which sold for ten dollars a share a few months ago, is now valued at five cents per share. Gov Hamilton, of Texas, has sent to Gov Bramlette, of Kentucky, the flag of the Nine teenth Kentucky Volunteers, captured by the Confederates, during the Red River campaign. Three children were burned to death in Rowan county, N O, a short time ago. J L Brooks was robbed in Richmond, Jan 24, of $17,000. The first of a series of meetings to celebrate the Centenary of Methodism iu America, was held at Washington, January 25th at St Paul’s ME Church, Secretary Harlan presided. James Brennan, has been appointed as cen tral organizer of the Fenians. It is feared that the steamer Palestine, of the Boston and Liverpool line, is lost. The last representation of the distinguished Pinckney of South Carolina, Mrs Rebecca Doyley Pinckney, is dead. Lt : Gov Jacobs of Ky, is dangerously ill of congestion of the brain. Fanny Young, an infant, wa9 killed by the bites of a rat in Charleston, S C, on Jan 16 Three of the toes of the right foot of the child had been eaten away by a rat, and the jury rendered a verdict “that she had come to her death from the effects thereof.’’ Corinth, Miss, is fast recovering from the effects of the war. The mammoth cave is owned by the Crogh han family of Louisville. Sail sold at half cent per pound at the Gqy ernment sale in Richmond recently. Large numbers of freedmen are returning from Texas to Louisiana and other with their former masters. The Petersburg Rail Road bridge will be soon completed. * Three men named Leysaught, Perry and Crait, were hung at Nashville on tho 2Gth. They were found guilty ot the murder of Hef fernan. Ten thousand persons witnessed the execution. The Commissioner for the Freedmen’s Bu reau in North Carolina, reports the negroes as willing to make contracts. A youth, fifteen years of age, killed his father near Raleigh, N. C.,on the 19th. Cause, drunkeness and ill-treatment to him by the latter. Imported rice is now being used in Charles ton, S. C. Four children were recently burned to death at Shakoper, Mich. Masked balls are becoming very popular in Philadelphia. The large white lead factory, Brooklyn N. J., was burned January 13. Loss $300,000. Capt- N Smith, of Kansas, has been appoint ed Minister to Greece. 3he New Jersey Legislature have passed resolutions endorsing President Johnson. Ex. Gov Colby of New Hampshire hid his foot so badly mashed recently in acorn crack ing mill, that it bad to bo amputated. Charles Decker is supposed to be the small est man living. Ha is eighteen years old, and thirty-six inches high. Edwin Booth is still playing Hamlet at the Winter Garden, New York. Mr. Eugene Maffit, son of.Capt, J N Maffit, who was arrested at the close of the war, and incarcerated in Fort Warren has been released. The New York City Board of Health has delegated Dr Sajre to go to Albany for the purpose of urging upon the Legislature the necessity of taking steps of a sanitary nature to prevent the appearance of cholera next spring. Thirteen men were hung in different parts of the country on Friday, Jan 12th, and hundreds are awaiting trial for the same crime. The Chilian Government is endeavoring to purchase the ram Dunderberg of Mr Webb. Efforts are being made to have the Iron Mountain (Mo) Railroad extended to Mem phis. The small pox is playing sad havoc among the negroes in Louisiana. Bishop Morris of the M. E, Church North, is suffering from paralysis of the right arm. Gov. Parker, of New Jersey concludes his valedictory message as follows : Not a single right of the Slate of New Jersey has been yield ed and not one of her citizens, during my admin istration, has been deprived of h’S liberty without dae process of law. The vote of the New Jersey Legislature on the Constitutional amendment was lorty-two to ten. GenS. Cambell and Wtn. Jackson, of the late Confederate States A, my, are in Jackson, Tenn, pnrsniDg the practice of law. A life of John Morgan is in active prepara tion by his devoted friend and comrade, Basil Duke, Dr. Everett, of New Orleans claims to have invented anew telegraph requiring no insu laters, batteries, or poles. Hon. J. L. Alcorn, Senator elect from Mis sissippi, has returned home. The Ohio Senate has adopted a resolution, protesting against the assumption by tho Na tional Government of the war debts of the va rious States. Ex Governor Charles S. MoreharJ, of Ken tucky, is in Vicksburg. Major-General Ransom, late C. S. A,, has been elected Captain of a military company m Wilmißgton. N. C. Benjamin Phinney, a wealthy farmer at Rock port, 111., was recsqtly poisoned to death with strychnine, by his fifth wife a pretty girl whom he married six weeks ago. General Bushrod R. Johnson has settled down in Nashville as real estate agent. A delegation of distillers is at present in Washington, to procure a reduction of the whiskey tax. There are two hundred and ninety-eight miles of pipes laid in York to distribute Croton water. It is said that 90,000 bales of cotton are still retained in the interior of Alabama, in anticipa tion of a rise in prices. Governor Brownlow in a letter to Hon. Horace Maynard, urges the admission of the Tennessee delegation. A company to insure aganst burglars has been organized in New York, A marble statue of Andrew Jackson is to be erected at Naohville. The inscription “The Union, it must and shall be preserved,’’ is to be put on it. Effots are being made to have the heavy i taxes on printing paper removed. Ex Gov. Aiken of 6. C, is in Washington. Narrow Escape of Steamer Fannie Lehr.— The steamer Fannie Lehr, came near being destroyed by fire on her last trip from this place to Savannah. The Savannah Republi can says: On Tuesday last, about 5 o’clook in the af ternoon, when about seventy miles from Augusta, fire was suddenly discovered aft among the cotton bales, which was immediately extinguished, as was supposed. About four hours after the fire broke out again in the same quarter, when the pumps and buckets were manned, and it was thought the flames weft entirely subdued, after which a strict watch was set over the cotton. On Wednesday morn ing, at half past three o’clock, the flames broke out tor the third time with great fury, and finding that it was impossible to subdue them, about 45 bales of burning cotton were thrown overboard in order to save the balance of the cargo. On breaking out the ootton, the fire waß discovered to have originated on the second tier from the stern, between the first and second tier from the deck. To say that great praise is due Capt. Lewis, aud bis officers and crew, would be almost su peifluous. The untiring energy displayed by all on the different occasions was the means of averting what might have been a serious dis aster. Georgia Legislature. SENATE. Thursday, January 25. The resolution fixing the lime of certain elections was so amended as to briDg on the election of Judges of the Supreme Court on Friday, 26th inst., and the election wf United States Senators on Tuesday next. The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill to abolish the penitentiary system of pun ishment. After a considerable discussion, the bill was lost by a vote of 19 to 22. The annexed bills j,were introduced : to in corporate the Cherokee Mining and Manufac* turing Company. Capital Stock, $250,000 — subject to increase to $5,000,000; to incorpo- * rate the Kennesaw Mining Csmpany. Capital stock ssoo,ooo—may be increased to $5,000,- 000; to incorporate the Home Insurance Com pany 'of Atlanta ; to authorize Ordinaries to issue letters testamentary in certain cases; to alter section 3188 of the Code; to incorporate the North Georgia Mining and Manufacturing Company. A resolution was introduced declaring that the change bills of the Western and Atlantic Railroad shall be received for fare (.and freight on said road. A resolution was referred to the Finance Committee, proposing to mako arrangements for paying the State’s tax of $500,000 to the United States. A resolution in regard to making provision for the maintenance of old and decrepid color ed persons, was referred to the Judiciary Committee. The bill for the relief of heirs of Mary A. West, of Stewart county. She had left money to be laid out in the purchase of negroes. An amendment was offered to the bill making it general aud the whole subject was made the order of the day for Wednesday next. HOUSE. Thursday, Janury 25. A message was received from the Governor, stating the need of provision by the Legisla ture for payment of au additional clerk in the Executive Department. Referred to Commit tee on Finance. The message of the Governor, received yes terday, was taken up and read. The Governor returns the Bill for the incorporation of the Fire and Gazelle Hose Company of the city of Augusta, without approval. The annexed bills were passed : to change the time of holding Courts of Ordinary from 2d Monday in January to Ist Monday in July; to compensate Petit Jurors in Wilccx county; to allow the Inferior Court of Pulaski county to levy and collect a tax tp build a Court House and Jail in said cotinty; to alter and amend an Act incorporating the town of Daw son; to authorize the sale of the Exile Camp in Terrel) county; to regulate the rates of pas sage and freight on the several railroads of this State, and to punish for violation of the same; to alter and amend Section 2102 of Art, 3d, part 'ii of the Code to agree with 1980 Section; to authorize and require the Treasurer of the State "to make certain advances, and for other purposes—amended by the Committee on Finance .to include the officers and clerks. House concurred iu the Senate’s substitute for the Resolution of the House bringing on the election of Supreme Judges and United States Senators. a b'll to regulate the distribution of the Common School fund for the county ot Echols. Referred to Committee on Public Education. SENATE. Friday, January 26. The Senate meet and repaired to the Legis lative Hall for the purpose of electing Judges of the Supreme court. HOUSE. Friday, January 26. A motion to reconsider so much of the Journal as relates to the fixing of rates of passage and freight on the several Railroads of this State, was lost. The annexed bills were introduced ; to re peal certain acts ; to amend the 349 th Section of the Code ; to transfer the management of the Western and Atlantic Railroad to Commis sioners elected by the people ; to authorize the Judges of the Inferior Court to designate the place of holding their Courts in counties where the Court Houses have been destroyed ; to au thorize the Chatham Academy and Free School to 8 ill their irtei est in certain lands; to alter and amend the Road laws of this State, changing the Code of Georgia to our altered condition socially—all whites to 45 liable to road duty : blacks from 16 to 60. The General Assembly went into the election of Supreme Judges for the Long Term ; Messrs. Benning, Walker aud Loyn, were balloted for. On the 3rd ballot Walker was elected. Upon balloting for the Short Term, Messrs. Harris, Warner, Schley, Clark and Hill were voted for. Mr, Harris was elected. SENATE- Satujway, January 27. Bill for relief of Arthur Hutchens, agreed to. The bill to punish seduction with death was laid on the table for the present. A resolution was offered for the appoint ment of a joint committee of the two houses to visit Stone Mountain to see what arrange ments can be made for the establishment of a State Penitentiary At that place. A bill was introduced to define and punish capital and minor offences, when committed by persons of color. The bill defines as capital offences punishable with death : insurrection or attempting to excite it; poisoning or at tempting to poison ; rape on white or colored females ; aßsiult on a white persoa wilb at tempt to kill: maiming, burglary, arson of any description; murder of any person ; robbery by open force. The bill provides to P oll *®* 3 m ’j? or offences with corporal punishment in the judg ment of the Court. . . . The annexed bills were introduced : to pro vide for the payment of officers presiding at the polls; to repeal section 2625 of the Lode, and to substitute another therefor; to incorpo rate the town of Smithville. house. Saturday, January 27. The bill amending the road laws of the State was reconsidered. A bill was introduced to prevent the spread ing of the small pox in the State. The bill to alter the salaries of Solicitors from SSOO to $225 was taken up. After some discussion the bill was put on its passage, and the yeas and nays being ordered, there were Friday, January 26.