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incorporate the Augusta Savings Bank; for the
relief of securities, on criminal bonds, where
the pel sons accused could not, on account of
condition of Ihe country, be brought to trial;
to amend the charter of the city of Athens
Bill to compensate clerks and ordinaries for
administering the amnesty oath. Laid on the
or the present.
Bill to self the State’s bonds in Okefenokee
Swamp. Withdrawn
HOUSE.
Satlhdat, February 3.
The House reconsidered so.much o! its action
as relate.} to the use of duplicate of plats and
grants as evidence in courts of this State.
The anuexed bills were referred, to prohibit
concubinage among the blacks of this State ;
to incorporate New Era Mining and Manufac
turing Compruy.
Bill to allow Riley Johnson, of Clinch
county, to retail spirituos liquorus without
license. Lost.
The annexed were passed ; to prevent per
sons from inducing (rcedmen to abandon their
contracts ; to incorporate the Macon Canal
and Water Works ; to provide for the election
of certain officers in the town of Ringgold ; to
reestablish the Vandorn lien ; the use of the
hall was granted to Rev. C. B. King, to make
an address on the subject of tlfe introduction
into the State ot white laborers.
A bill was introduced for the relief of indi
gent widows and orphans ofsoldiers, aud other
indigent persons.
SENATE.
Monday, February 5.
Mr. 3. A. W. Johnssn, from the Committee
appointed to look into the interest of the State
in the Card Factory, submittad his report.—
The report concluded with a resolution, which
was adopted, that the Governor be requested
to appoint a commissioner to make a full, fair,
equitable aud final settlement of the State
with Messrs Devine, Jones and Lee in regard
to the State’s interest in the Card Factory.
The annexed bills were introduced : To re
peal all laws in relation to slaves; to estab
lish and define the relations of husband and
wife, parent aud child, and masft ■ and ser
vant so far as relates to negroes, ana to define
the term negro; to change the time of hold
ing the courts in the several counties of the
Western Judicial Circuit; to regulate the rela
tions between master and servant.
The special order of the day, being a bill
to repeal section 3778 of the Code, and to sub
stitute another therefor. The object of the
bill is to allow parties to testify in cates where
they themselves are interested, bearing the de
cree of credit to be given such testimony to
be judged of by the jury. The bill was
amended, so as to apply to criminal cases only
and passed.
A message was received from Ids Excellency,
returning, without his signature, the resolution
making valid contracts between biack and
white persons. The Governor thought the
resolution should not be retro-active.
Mr. Owens introduced a resolution, which
was adopted, requesting the Governor to as
certain whether bonds of the State will be re
ceived iu payment of the State’s tax due the
United States, and in case they will auswer,
to issue and pay over the same.
The annexed bills were passed : for tho relief
of the Savannah Mutual Loan Association ;to
change tho time of ho'sling Ordinaries’ Courts
from tho 2d to the Ist Monday iu January of
each year ; to allow the Tfccoaix Building As
sociation and the Union Building Association
to resume business; to chauge the line be
tween Early and Miller counties ; to amend
section 4684 of the Code ; to amend the act in
corporating the town of Quitman ; to amend
section 4331 of the Code ;to repeal an act in
reference to the payment of jurors in the
county of Taliaferro ; to repeal section 2635 of
the Code aud substitute another therefor—the
bill allows aliens to bold land in tho State on
their filing an affidavit that it is their intention
within one year to improve the same ; to in
corporate the town ot Smithville iu Lee county;
to proscribe the mode of carrying cases from
City Courts of Augusta, Savanuah, and other
cities of the State, to other Courts ; to incorpo
rate the Horae Insuiance Company of Atlanta;
to incorporate the North Georgia Mining and
Manufacturing Company; to incorpar&te th#
Cherokee Mining and Manufacturing Company;
to incorporate the Kennesaw Mining and Man
ufacturing Company, capital $5,000,000.
The anuexed bills were lost: to give keepers
of livery stables lien on auimais for keeping
the same; to allow all persons unable to work
to retail spiritous liquors and peddle without
license ; to repeal alt anti-distillation lwas.
HOUSE.
Monday, Febuary 6.
The annexed bills were introduced : to allow
U. B. Quillian free transportation on the Wes
tern [and Atlantic Railroad; to change the
county lines of Irwin and Wilcox counties; to
incorporate the Georgia Taper Mill Company;
to protect the passengers on the several rail
roads ot {this State; to authorize the city
council of Newnau to issue change bills; to dis
charge the Clerk on Freedmen’s Affairs, and
disband the Committee; to increase the juris
diction of courts of justice ; to pay Daniel B.
Sanford for bringing up the unfinished busi
ness of Kcbort E. Martia, clerk ot the Superior
Court; for the relief of maimed soldier* of the
SUtc; to incorporate the Columbus Insurance
Company; to chabge the time for. holding the
Superior Courts of Muscogee county; to incor
porate the Southern Mining Company.
Resolution instructing the Finance Com
mittee to remit certain taxes. Adopted.
Monday Afternoon, February 5.
Upon motion it was agreed that the action
of the House, during afternoon sessions,
should bo confined to the reading of the bills
a second time.
SENATE.
Tuesday, February 6
The annexed bills were introduced : to pre
vent the consumption of grain by distillers,
and to provide for the seizure and confiscation
of the distilleries ; to allow the Inferior Court
Os Milton county to retain the State tax of
1866 and 1867 for the purpose of building a
jail, and for other purposes ;to define the
rights ol persons owning landings on rivers ; to
amend sections 3320, 4792, 4793 : to amend
section 3866 of the Cooe, so tar as relates to
the city of Savannah ; to authorize the Mayor
aud City Council et Rome to issue change bills;
to regulate the annual returns of incorporated
companies ; to increase the fees of county offi
cers 75 per cent ; a resolution to simplify the
enacting and repealing clauses of 'nils ; a reso
lution instructing the Committee on Public
Education to report on the best methou of pro
viding for public education, and the endow -
inent of the State Uuiversity ; a menu dal from
a citizen of Franklin county in relation to a
bridge over Hudson river, the boundary be
tween Franklin and M idison counties.
The auuexed bills were passed : to sell exile
camp; to regulate administration of estates.
J. A. W. Johnson to rtquire change t ills of
the Western & Atlantic Railroad to be received
for freight and passage on said road. Passed.
Bill to incorporate the Planteis’ Loan Asso
ciation. The association is to have its office
at Augusta, The object is to lend money to
planters—any rate of interest being allowed
that the plauter agrees to pay. lhe bill was
amended by restricting the association to the
legal rate of interest by a vote of 21 to 12, and
then on motion of Mr. Gibson the bill was in
definitely postponed.
A message was received from his Excellency
Informing the Senate that the several banks of
Augusta had surrendered their darters. The
Governor appeals to the Legislatuie for clem
ency towards the officers ct these banks. The
communication else included a final report of
the Georgia Relief and Hospital Association.
It also recommends loans by the State to pay
the Federal tax, or to tax the people for that
tax, and exempt them the present year from
State tax. The memorial of the banks included
In the message were ordered to be printed.
HOUsE,
Tree day, February 6.
The special order of the day—the abolition
of the Peaitent ; ary system of punishment was
taken up.
Mr. Starr, of White, resolution
as a substitute wuich was adopted, that it is
the sense of the House that the Penitentiary
system and the present system of criminal law
should be so modified as to allow the coutinua
tiou of the execution of the latter in such a
manner; as will, in the course of a tew years,
test the superiority of the .diff-rent, modes of
punishment.
The Governor sent In a message, which was
Trad and 500 copies ordered to be printed.
The annexed bills were passed ; to amend Ist
clause of section 954 of the Code ;to make it
penal to fell trees on another's land, and car
rying off timber.
SENATE.
Wednesday, February?.
The annexed reso utious were adepied: pro
viding for the sale of property ot the Slate in
the Card Factory! th t tho bond of SIOOO of
the securities of Aaron Thr rnby, shall be re
garded on a Confederate basis; requiring tbe
Tax Receiver of each county to Rke a Ist ot
each person in his county, who has lo3t a%l(g
or arm in the war; re.-oluiion calling on the
Commissioners appointed by the Convention to
inquire into the financial operations of the
State the past four years, to report to the Leg
islature at its present session.
The annexed bills were introduced : to di
vide the State into twenty Judicial Districts,
and to provide for four sessions of the Supe
rior Court in each county every year; to pro
vide for the discharge of insolvent debtors,
and for the disposition of the property of the
same.
The annexed bills were passed ,~to incorpo
rate the town of Dawson; to authorize an ex*
tra tax in Elbert county; to arneni the act in
corporating the town of Eibertoa; to prescribe
an oath to be taken by voters.
HOUSE.
* Wednesday, February 7.
Motion to reconsider the action of the House
in relation to the Penitentiary.
The annexed bills were introduced : to es
tablish rules of evidence iu regird to the lia
bilities oi Banks ; to allow sheriffs to sell cot -
ton that has been removed out of the State or
county, in which it was levied on ; for the re
lief of all persons who may have during the
war issued shidpiasters ; to iacorp -rate the
Dawson Manufacturing Company ; to regulate
the printing of county officers ; to j lace the
county of Scriven in the sth Congressional dis
trict ; to allow tho Ordinary of Polk county to
keep the papers of his office at his residence
until the court house of the county is rebuilt ;
to change the line between the counties ol Pu
laski and Dooley ;to revive the militia code
of Georgia, ana report ail laws passed since its
adoption inconsistent with the constitution
and laws of the United Slate 6 ; to amend the
laws allowing administrators and guardians to
resign, and to regulate such resignations ; de
claratory of the laws touching contracts, liens
and obligations made prior to the first of Juno
18G5, where tbe credit was based in part or in
whole, upon the slave property, and to prevent
the collection of the same except iu the ratio
of the value of all property other than slave
property ; to provide lor the esfabiisbmen of
test papers ; lor the reduction of members oi
the Geneial Assembly ; io give loins On build
ings for the lumber used in said buildings ; to
submit the question of Penitentiary or no
Penitentiary to the people at an election Ist
Wednesday in May, 1866 ; to incorporate the
Oostanaula Steamboat Company ; to authorize
the Mayor and City Couucif of Marietta to is
sue change bills to the amount of SI,OOO ;to
abolish the Penitentiary.
A resolution was introduced that the Gov
ernor cause to be held an election to eee
whether the psople desire a Penitentiary.
A resolution relative to tho ' Commissioners
appointed by the Provisional Governor to re
ceive the Western and Atlantic Railroad from
the United States, was adopted.
The annexed bills were passed: to relieve all
persons over sixty years of age from jury duty ;
to incorporate tho Dalton Petroleum and Min*
iug Company ; to facilitate the trial of tenants
holding over and intruders.
The anuexed bih%,were lost: to di fine tho
liabilities of Ihe several Railroads of this State
in reference to freight received at their depots
for transportation ; bill to change ihe line bo
tween Henry aud Spalding counties ; ijill for
the releif of J. L. Martin confined iu the Peni -
tentiary ; bill to provide for tbe payment of
Judges ot Supreme aud Superior Courts during*
suspension of civil law.
A bill for tho relief of Perry L Cox oonfined
in the Penitentiary was postponed.
IfXBCCTiyu VETO.
Excotive Department, I
, Milledgeville, Ga., Feb. 1866. f
To the Senate—
I have before me, for consideration, a reso
lution, originating in your body, “for making
valid contracts between white men and freed
men
Doubtless, the General Assembly, in adopt
ing it, designed to benefit both parties equal
ly, and to suppply law, for the interval be
tween the reorganization of the State govern
ment, and the passage of General Statutes, on
the same subject, now progressing. But, after
careful consideration, my belief is, that such
legislation, if not positively wrong, is of doubt
ful propriety, and entirely unnecessary.
The resolution if not exclusively prospective
in its operation; it declares that all contracts
made, or to bo madp, between the white man
and the froedmau, shall be he'd good and bind
ing ou both parties, &c. It will be conceded,
that no act of legislation can invalidate a good
contract. Would it be more efficacious to give
validity to an invalid contract ?
It invalid when made, whether from inca
pacity of one of the contending parties, from
want of consideration passing to him, from
fraud pract'ced upon him, or from any other
cause, it is his right to be released from "it; and
by an express provision of our constitution,
retroactive legislation, injuriously affecting
private right,.is prohibited
It is the province of the judiciary to inquire
into and determine the validity or invalidity
ot contracts ; and this is done by applying to
them general principles and rules of law ex
isting when they were made. But this resolu
tion provides that all contracts previously
made, between parties ot a certain description,
“shall be held good and binding,” meaning of
course that they shall b#so held by the judi
ciary.
Were it [intended (as lam suro it was) that
branch of the government should enforce
them, regardless of the facis’surroundiag them,
and the law entering into and governing them,
when made, such intention would be wholly
wrong, and could not be carried into effect. If
on the other hand, tho resolution introduces
no new rule for the governments of the courts,
it is unnecessary, and objectionable, because
it may mislead.
Tnero can bo no doubt of the capacity of
both the parties described, within the usual
rruge of tbeir contracts. If there be detect of
oapacity in either, regarding any particular
class of contracts, let that defect be cured by
prospective legislation ; but leave the conse
quences of their past dealings to be determined
by the courts. Such is the usual and the
safer rule.
Influenced by these views, I return the reso
lution, with my dissent, and respectfully ask
its reconsideration.
[Signed] Charles J. Jenkins,
* Governor.
WA&HtIWTo* XEAB,
The wife of Signor Bertin iti, the Italian
Minister, who, before her marriage with thl
Signor, Mrs. Bleast, of Vicksburg., Mississippi,
has received from tbe Quartermaster Genera!
the sum of fifty thousand doilats, it being the
valuation of her property destroved by the
Union army, at the a capture of that place, in
1863.
The aggregate claimed by the “loyal”
States, for moneys exoended dnrinT the war.
is from *500,000,000 to *600,000,000.
Twen'y three Seua'.ors are said to be in fa
vor of the Pres dent's reconstruction policy in
the South.
General Bancroft will be tbe guest of Presi
dent Johnson, daring his stay in Washington.
Rumors of the contemplated resignation of
Secretary Stanton, are again rife in Washing
ton. General Stceedman gand Montgomery
Blair, are mentioned in connection with tbe
succession.
Applications for National Banks are being
received daily at the Capitol.
Major General J W Fessenden, wbo has just
been mustered out of service, has accepted the
position of Superintendent of the New England
division of the National Express Company.
His heacquartes will be at Boston.
Au order has been given for abolishing the
military department of Mississippi, though
troops will yet be stationed at Jackson, Nat
chez, Meridian, and V.cksbnrg.
A majority of the Committee on Ways and
Means are opposed to Secretary McCulloch's
funding theory.
The Secretary of the Treasury will take no
action or claims for captured and abandoned
property until the return of Assistant Secretary
Chandler from the South
||rcnulf # JinsttneL
AUGUSTA, GA.
uedvksoay morning. February s.
Change of Bates.
The Cheapest Weekly Is
sued iu th $ Country.
THE WEEKLY
Chronicle & Sentinel
Is issued every Wednesday. It will contain
all the latest markets, both foreign and domes
tic, as well as all the current news ol the day
Subscriptions will be received at the annexed
rates:
One copsfcne year, $ 2
Three copies one year, 5
Five copies one year, 8
Ten copies one year, 15
Any larger number addressed to names of
subscribers $1 50 each. An EXTRA COPY
will be sent to any person who will get up a
club of ten names and forward the same.
These ra‘ es makq the AUGUSTA
CHRONICLE & SENTINEL the
cheapest publication in the country.
WHY IS IT 1
That the Southern representatives are ex
cluded from Congress? Why is it that alter
AbrahatA Lincoln and W. H. Seward declared
that the Halls of Congress offered a proper
forum for the settlement of national disputes,
and that delegates from the Southern States
would be at auy time welcome there to adjust
these differences—our Congressmen and Sen
ators elected according to the Constitution,
knock in vain for admission to their seats ?
Why do not those who have professed to be so
anxious for the safety of the Union that they
have voted thousands of millions of dollars for
this purpose, promptly complete the work by
receiving the duly accredited ambassadors
from the Southern States f Every candid
man whether North, South, East or
West gives but one answer to this question.
It is that the radicals may legislate for the.
preservation ot their party, and tho retention
of the spoils of office. Their ruling idea is by*
constitutional amendments or by party legis
lation! so to paralyze the power of the .South
that it ' can never more be effectually
ielded against them.
When this prospective paralysis shall hive
been effected the unscrupulous radicals who now
reign supreme in the American Congress will
no oubt open the door and allow ingress to
~e anxious applicants. It is not enough for
representatives and senators who voluntarily
vacated their seats five years ago to return and
to say in the deep humiliation of their souls,
*‘We were wrong, secession haß proved a fail
“ ure; we sought to leave your Union,Lut you
“ stretched out your strong hand and prevent
“edus. We acknowledge your power; we
“ have been conquered ; we Lave now taken
“ the oath of allegiance to the Constitution; we
“ are now Union men.’’ The prodigals must he
subjected to further humiliation. No father
appears to welcome their return with cordial
heart. The spirit of the elder brother is dom
inant, and there is_no robe and no farted calf.
Whan the said b,other can secure all the
property, and all the position, and all the com
forts of the establishment, he may then con
descend to unbar the door and to allow admis
sion to the returning wanderer—leaving him
to such fragments and rags as may chance to
remain after his brother haß made the most
ample provision for himself.
The rar rant radicals are fully aware that
every delegate admitted from the States late
ly in to the National Govern
ment, will prove an inflexible .enemy of their
unconstitutional and rabid doctrines. They
have no hope that the most loyal man from
these States, however Union and anti secession
may ‘have been his antecedents, will be so
extreme as to accept the monstrosities of
Stevens and Sumner. With this knowledge
they resolve that no opportunity shall be given
for their votes until their schemes have been
consummated ana then fortified by such con
stitutional guards as shall resist triumphantly
all assault. Under the pretext of providing
for the perpetuity of the Union, they aie leg
islating for the name of fame, weal*h and
power of the party of which Thad Stevens is
now the acknowledged head.
In vain do the friends.of the Constitution
and of the country combat the dogmas of
these violent meD. In vain are they besought
to have done with the everlasting nigger for
one day in seven, and to set apart one single
day to be known as “white man’s day.” In
vain do [a "people already taxed in every con
ceivable way, done every conceivable thing,
protest against a policy which continues to
increased expenditures already swollen to an
appalling magnitude. In vain are they warned
that such an attitude towards the Southern
States will serve but to exasperate a sectional
enmity which war has begotten and fostered.
Nothing swerves them from their purpose.
The Republican party must be consolidated
and rendered invincible. Until this is accom
plished, nothing else Bhall be done. “ Party
first, andUnion afterwards,” is the motto.]
But thank Ged, there dwells at this time in
the White House a man who is “ not ignorant
of their devices.” Andrew Johnson is too
sagacious to be imposed upon by their flimsey
sophistries. He comprehends fully the situa
tion. He is not to be allured by their bribes
nor intimidated by their threats. He has
planted himself squarely on the platform of
the Constitution and the Union ; and from
this he cannot be dislodged. The country is
fast rallying to his side. Rampant radicalism
like vaulting ambition “is cveileaping itself:
and when it alights on the other side it will
dissolve, and like the baseless fabric of a
vision
“Leave not a wreck behind.”
Are Thbt not Trying to Keep ir up ?—A
ceitain class of papers of N-w England are
constantly sayiDg that there exis's in many
portions of the South an intense hatred of the
Noitkern people.
If such a feeling dees exist, are these very
papers and their supporters doing anything to
remove this antipathy f Are they not keeping
it up and increasing it by their course
Mr. James G. Smart, an aged Magistrate of
Sumner county Tennessee, was hilled recent
ly, by unknown parties.
MEXICO AND THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
Tima was when the Monroe doctrine was as
well understood and as thoroughly respected
abroad, as it was here at home. European pow
ers were perfectly aware that as far as related
to the political affairs of this hemisphere, and
certainly of this continent, our motto was
“hands off.”
We had told them very plainly that fhey
were welcome to k«ep, as long as they could,
what influence and territory they already
possessed on this side of the ocean ; but that
we should allow no new encroachment, and
that no new government should be formed
here'under foreign protection or by foreign
powers, whose spirit and institutions should
bo inimical to our own. They were deeply
enough impressed with our importance and
power, to acquiesce, or seem to acquiesce,
peacefully aud quietly in this declaration of
our iutentiou and purpose.
But time appears so hav® changed matters
somewhat. A Fiench Emperor found us en
gaged in a long and bloody civil war. Here
was the golden opportunity, so long and so
anxiously waited for, to establish a despotism
upon our hptders, and put a check upon those
Republican ideas and institutions which are
his greatest drsad and greatest danger. The
plan was well conceived, but he made one
serious mistake In his calculations. Contrary
to his expectations and wishes, tho United
States have risen from their troubles with
renewed strength and are now greater, and jn
every way more powerful than ever before ;
and to-day Louis Napoleon is impressed with
a wholesome dread of iheir vengeance for his
attack upon them in their supposed hour of
weakness.
Nevertheless he persists in his designs, be
cause he cannot well recede without such loss
of prestige and such disgrace as wopld ma
terially assist French Republicans in toppling
him from his throne, and because the procras
tinating policy hitherto pursued by our Gov
ernment in this matter, encourages him to
hope that our people will finally allow him to
go on iu safety. But this must not be. An
drew Johnson is a firm believer in the Monroe
doctrine. Let his hands be strengthened.
Let our people, through public meetings,
through their Legislatures, and through the
press, constantly assure him of their earnest
aud cordial support in every measure calcu
lated to maintain the dignity and power of the
great Republic of. the World.
Meantime much can I>e done by private
citizens iu aid of our Sister Republic of Mexico,
so terribly oppressed by foreign invaders.
Mexico wants money. Give her armß and
ammunition, and she will soon find men enough
to re affirm the Monroe doctrine in a most
unmistakable manner. Let every American
then help in so good a cause. The bonds of
Mexico are now selling at sixty cents on the
dollar. These bonds are payable, principal
and interest, in gold, and the money realized
from their sale goes to the support of princi
ples dear to the American people.
All who believe in Mexico in this
hour of her trial, should show their works by
their deeds iu purchasing her bonds.
The Election of United States Senators in
Georgia. —The Legislature of Georgia has
elected two statesmen as United States S< na
tors, in the persons of lion. Alexander H,
Stephens and ex-Governor Herschel V. John
son. It were better for the Republic says the
National Intelligencer, if men of their stamp
of politics in other days, and their great and
experienced ability, were on the floor of Con
gress, in the place ot so many who hold their
positions loy the concert of small politicians,
and by caucus intrigue, bargaining, and cor
ruption,
Mr. Stephens fraternized with Mr. Clay upon
the compromise measures of 1850, and resisted
secession until the entire South was whelmed
in a wild sweep of revolution. It is known
that Mr. Stephens yielded to the storm and
rode upon it, rather to aid in repressing ex
cesses, than from faith in the cause, or expecta
tions of its full success. He was ever dis
trusted by the Richmond authorities and by
the considerable number of politcians that, at,
so early a date as that of the death of Mr.
Yancey—who gave up the cause of secession
for lost when the North rose to arms—looked
to Mr. Stephens as a representative man of tho
peace element in the South.
Nor w»3 Mr. Stephens a man of the physical
force to organize at Richmond a party that
could fight ils way up, through, and out of the
difficulties that then and there surrounded the
cause of peace as much as if its advocates were
at the muzzles of cannon. But Mr. Stephens’
influence was seen in the course of Georgia,
which early protested against the usurping pol
icy that prevailed at Richmond. It is aiso to
be remembered that when so emineut and in
fluential Republican leaders as Chief Justice
Chase and Horace Greeley were counselling
“to let the South go,” Mr. Stephens made,
before the Georgia Legislature, the most elo
quent and powerful argument against secession
that political history records in view of the
results they were prophetic tones.
At a time, too, when many such men as
General Butler and other Northern politicians,
were laying the foundation stones of designed
disunion by the political assassination of
Stephen A- Douglas, Herschel V. Johnson was
the advocate of Union, and the candidate of
the Union Democratic party of the-country
for the Vice Presidency on the Douglar ticket.
Commenting on Gov. Johnson’s acknowledged
ability, as a statesman, the Intelligencer
thinks the sentiments, contained in hie address
before the Georgia Convention, relative to the
Freeamen, sufficiently commending in their
tone, and affords satisfactory Evidence as to the
loyalty of the author.
The Freedman’s Bureau Bill.— Before tte
passage of this bill, Gov. Orr, of South Caro
lina, wrote a communication protesting against
the injustice it contemplated towards the
owners of‘‘abandoned lands’-’ on the Caroli
na seabord, and offering in behalf of the dis
possessed planters, to assume the burden of
maintaining the negroes occupying these lands
nnder the order cf Gen. Sherman. This com
munication was sent to the President with the
request that it be laid before the Senate
and read before the passage of the bill, but the
request of the Governor and the President,
according to the reports was discourteously
’ efused by that body. * 4-
Very Appropriate.— One of the most appro
priate measures that has yet beerj suggested
in the Halls of our National Congress this ses
sion, is one to set aside one day in every week
for the business of the country, to be styled
tbe “White Man’s Day.”
Some such plan as this ought to be adopted,
that is if anything is to be done for the white
man this session. Thus far the negro has been
the only party talked of and the only party
egi slated for.
A Mr. Glascock was killed at Bridgeport.
Ala,, on the 4tb. A negro sentinel shot h;m
So Mots it Be —Surely times change, and
men change witn them. It has not been very
many years ag«, since the newspapers, North
and South, were tilled with graphic descriptions
aud verbatim reports of the discussion had in
Philadelphia between Parson Brownlow and a
Northern clergyman- the subject being: “Slave
ry as viewed from a Bible stand point.” On that
occasion this great humbug condemned the
principles upon which the anti-slavery party
planted itself. Indeed, the orator was loud in
his praise, and zealous in his defense of the
South. He strove against the idea advanced by
his opponent, that the negro was justly entitled
to social equality witbjourselves. He believed
the negro had a soul; and as a sequence, was
an immortal being, as we all are ; but, at tbe
same time, he as strenuously opposed the idea
of even an approximate to the possession, by
the negro, of mental likeness. They were an
inferior race, cursed of God, and were then in
their proper sphere.
Now this was to be expected of Brownlow.
He is a man whose mind is at once original
and powerful. He is a professed enthusiast in
religion ; and this, with his extreme vulgarity,
want of finish and e’egance, makes him one
of thef moat dangerous, government subvert : ng
tnaidacs that lives.
With a Pharisaical .pretension to truth, he
whips the evil oue around the stump in his
every utterance. To insult widows and or
phans, to bhjfphcme the memory of the dead,
and to persecute the living appears to be the
joy of his unrightous soul.
This man is doing more to stir up discord
amovg the people, aud to cause them to be
affl cted with greater evils, thaD any other
official in the land.
A3 we have said time and again, the people
of tbe South accept, with commendable grace,
the results of the war. They are absorbed in
devisiDg plans by which to make for them
selves and families an honorable support,—
They think not of revolt. The flag of tne
United States, they recognize as the flag of
their country, and there are none who will
respect and keep more steadfastly the oath to
which they havß subscribed. Every day’s
events confirm the truthfulness of this asser
tion. They are willing that by-gones phall be
by-gones, but such men as Brownlow, Stevens,
and Julian are endeavoring to kill off this wish.
The radical Governor of Tennessee thinks
that unutterable ruin must needs follow upon
“loyal” men, when Southerners are admitted
to tho exercise of their rights, political and
religious. He would escape this dire evil by
fleeing to the mountains of the North, there to
die in peace!
If Brownlow should carry out his avowed
purpose and leave for the region he speaks of,
we do not think that many would bs found in
the South who would r. gret his departure. '
The Standing Army. —lt is to be regretted
that some of our legislators at the national
capitol favor a permanent military force of
enormous proportions. The Administration
has indicated the reorganization of the regu
lar army, so as to make it number 50,000 men;
Senator Wilson’s bill is for sixty infantry regi
ments, seven regiments of artillery, and ten
regimen'; ot cavalry, together amounting to
75,060 men; somebody else connected with the
service has matured a plau for 90,000, and still
a fourth of even loftier notions than the rest
enrols ]50,000 at a leap.
The Government estimate, which seSms tho
most rational, is qnite high enough, and it is
calculated for an expenditure ot $34,000,000
in the year 1867. • The next to it, the Massa
chusetts Senator’s scheme as arranged by him,
would cost $30,000,000 more, or $64,000,000
in all.
We are glad to perceive that the Press at
large lias been neither slow or timid, in re
monstrating against these extravagant addi
tions to the old national armed force in time
of peace. They are contrary to cur traditions;
the spirit of our institutions ; the feelings of
our people, and the national example we wish
to set before the world.
We have no despotic designs at home, and
propose to commit no aggressions abroad.—
We aro heavily taxed, jnd these taxes we im
peratively wish to diminish, while quickly dis
charging our debts. To do so, we need peace,
tranquility, and the best activity of every able
bodied man in the land. We cannot afford to
add a single dollar to our budget of expenses,
that is not absolutely necessary or certain to
yield compound interest. A large standing
army is an incubus on the Treasury, a provo
cative to unholy ambition, a source of secret
jealousy or irritation to our neighbors, a bad
precedent for modern Republics, and an anom
aly under a free Government.
As heretofore, let our outposts be protected
and extended ; let the overland routes to the
Pacifio be kept open and Indian depredationg
be repelled, bat us the pompous annoy
ance aud expense of useless garrisons any
where.
We have nearly a million of veterans and
2,000,000 who h ive undergone discipline and
seen seme service, at least, scattered through
out the whole population now, and could col
lect a great patiiotic army on any adequate
occasion, with wonderful ease. Therefore, any
large, military addition to our impests is whol
ly needless now, as well as distasteful to the
country.
Eminently Worthy.— We have heard, will/
pleasure, of the election to the Treasury-shiji
of the National Express Company, of our for
mer fellow citizen, Mr. J. V. H. Allen.
At and prior to the breaking out, of the war,
Mr. Allen was engaged in business in'this city,
in connection with t Mr. Lewis, a well known
flour dealer. The firm of Lewis & Allen had
a reputation as wide-spread as the country it
self, and the gentlemen comprising it preserv
ed by their conduct, that reputation, inviolate.
Mr, A was j jst commencing to reap the fruit
of many year's honest toil, in the great success
that crowned his labor, in 1860 and’6l. In
the latter year the tocsin of war was sounded,
and ihe merchant abandoned the counting
room, to hasten to the field. With Mr. A. the
sacrifice of business prospects was nothing
when duty called the Sons of the State to her
aid.
A Lieutenant of Oglethorpe Infantry] Com -
paDy A, Mr. Allen served faithfully through
the Western Virginia campaiga. The First
Georgia, to which his company belonged, hav
ing been discharged from the service, he re
turned home, and in a short time organized
the Oglethorpe Artillery from the Captaincy
of which he was promoted to the Majorehip of
the Sixty Third Georgia.
Mr. Allen is eminently qualified for the po
sition to which he has been elected. We feel
confident that all our citizens will join us in
congratulating the gentleman in his promo
tion, and we are quite as sure that they
will unite with us in commending the Treas
urer to tue favorable consideration of the
Press ihe people of Richmond, as well as
to the Stockholders of the National Express
Company throughout the country.
REPORT OF THE RE VENUE COMMISSION.
The long looked for Report of the membirs J
of the Internal Revenue Commission has been
submitted to the Seeretaiy of tuo Treasury.
This Commission, it will.be temem’ ered, under
the authority of an act of Conyrcss, and con
sisted of David A. Well, of New York, Stephen
Colwell, of Pennsylvania, aud Samuel Snowden
Hayes, of Illinois ; with E. B. Elliott of Mas
sachusetts as Seeretaiy. It was appointed to
inquire into our system of taxation, and to
report on tho meaus of raising a revenue ade
quate to tbe wants of the Government. It
has been in session for a period of more than
six months past, and has taken testimony in
Chicago, Cincinnati, Boston, New York, and
othtr centres of commerce, with reference to
the oper itions of internal revenue and tariff
laws, and the present Congress has deferred
tho consideration of the important questions of
taxation, pending the appearance of tbo report
of the Commission. At present only a review
or outline of the subjects considered by the
Commission is given, but special reports upon
the various branches of industry aud sources
of taxation will speedily be published. Until
these shall have appeared, it would be prema
ture to express an opinion upon the result of the
labors of the Commissioner attempt anything
more thau a review of the more important
features of the Report.
It sets foith the anomalous condition of our
revenue aud tariff laws, which were adopted
chiefly to meet thrifiuancial wonts of the hour,
aud are therefore without plau or system, and
In many cases press injuriously on existing in
terests.
• A compendious resume of the tax
ation io-Frauee and England forms an appro
priate prelude to the report. The revenue re
turns of Great Britain for tho year ending
March 31, 1865, were as follows :
Customs $115,023,808
Excise 97,048 180
Stamps 47 659,870
Land and assessed taxes. 16,439,670
Income and property taxes 39,928.865
Postoffice 20 852,197
Crown Lands..' 2,212,000
Miscellaneous 14,967 183
Total $354,131,f 73
The revenue of France, according to tho
Budget of 1865, was derived from tho follow
iug sources :
Direct taxes $63,072,280
Registration, Btamps, and- public
domaiu3 81,537,883
Royal forests 8,051,300
Customs duties and salt 29 4 5,000
Indirect taxis '.... 115,600,400
Postofiice 14,482,000
Sunday revenue 26,441,989
Produce of miscellaneous taxes... 11,736,360
Total, $350,407,212
Comparing French with the English
revenue system, we observe the same exem?
tiou from taxation of home industry, especially
of those manufactures which fiud a market in
foreign countries. Laud is subjected to
heavier burdens in France than in England,
and tho freedom of occupation and action is
restrained by .heavier exactions in the way of
licenses, stamps, and .registrations. The rev
enue derived from foreign imports is trifling
in comparison with the customs revenue of
Great Britain. The appetites and indulgences
of the people are reached alike in both coun
tries, by heavy taxes on sugar, beverages and
tobacco, and in both the po3toffire i3 made to
contribute a large revenue.
The thinß>that of tho two
systems, the English is the only one that com
mends itself t j the attention of American fl
nanciers.
The report sets forth the want of system of
the present revenue laws, and expands the
burdens to which many branches of industry
aro exposed by the unequal workings of the
law. Upon many articles the taxes are dupli
cated many times, thus enhancing the cost to
the public and imposing burdens upon manu
facturers which produce a paralyzing effect
and operate to the advantage of the foreign
trade. In some branches, such, for example,
as the umbrella makers and the book trade, it
is found that the discrimination in favor of the
foreign producer is from fifteen to forty per
cent, and in some casas nearly one hundred per
cent. By the operation of these unequal laws,
Webster’s Spelling Book is now printed in
Londan for the use of American schools. A
revision ol our revenue lawß, and a readjust
ment of our tariff are recommended in order
to remedy these evils.
The report recommends as a desirable policy
for the nation the •abolition or speedy reduc
tion of all taxes which tend to check develop
ment, and the retention of all those which
like the income tax -fall chiefly upon realized
wealth.
It also recommends a reduction of the tax
on distilled spirits from $2 to $1 per gallon
as a necessary revenue measure, and estimates
that thi- change will increase the revenue frtm
$15,995,701 in 1865 to a total of $40,000,000.
This calculation is based upon the annual cot
sumption, which is estimated at from forty
two to forty five millions of gallons. A draft
of a law upon this subject will be presented in
a iupplemental report. No change is recom
mended in the present tax of $1 per barrel on
fermented liquors, but a system of collecting
tho revenue by means of stamps to be fastened
to barrels is suggested as a desirable reform
The tax from this source yielded in 1865 $3,-
657,181, while the consumption is estimated
at fully 6,000,000 gallons, showing that the-
Government received only 60 per cent, of its
just due from this sourcs of revenue. The
bommissioners estimates that,,*4,000,000 may
e derived from this tax.
The Commission also recommends cotton as
a source of revenue, the tax of five cents per
pound, to be collected from the manufacturers
at the place of consumption, and from the mer
chants at the ports of export for foreign ship
ment. This tax, at *22 per bale, will yield
$22,000,000 for every million of balea raised.
The Commission reports unanimously against
the taxation of tobacco upon the leaf. The
revenue from tobacco and its manufacturers, '
amounted in 1865 to *11,337,799, but the
Commission thinks that by some amendments
in the present mole of collection, the tax may
yield *15,000,000.
A modification in the tax on incomes is re
comended. The discrimination against incomes
in excess of *5,000 is a harden on successful
enterprise, and the rate should be equalized.
The present exemption of *6,000 upon annual
gainsjand incomes, should be increased to *lO,-
000, but without abatement for rents. The
revenue from incomes is estimated at *50,000,-
000.
The stamp system is recommended as tbe best
means of collecting revenue so far as it can be
rendered available. The tax of five dollars
upon every *IO,OOO of brokers sales is exces
sive, and should be reduced to one dollar upon
*IO,OOO, or the one hundredth of one per cent
ol the par value of the stock.
A recapitulation of the various estimates of
the Commission, gives the following aggregate
results for tho fiscal year ending June 30-h,
1867 :
Frem Customs ■ $130,000,000
ri om Excise, viz:
Distilled Spirits S4O 000 000
Fermented L quors..- 5,000.000
Tobacco and its Manufactures 18 000 000
Cotton (raw) 40’,000,000
Coal Oil, refined Petroleum, &c 3 000 (100
Spirits of Turpentine, aud Rosin 2,000,000
SIOB COO, 000
Licenses 15.000 000
Incomes 40,000,000
Salaries 2 030 000
Bauks 15.000.000
Stamps 20,000,000
Gross receipts 9.000.000
Sales 4,000,000
Legacies and Successions 3,000.000
108,000.000
130,000,000
108.000,000
Miscellaneous receipts, 1866-67, 21,000,000
Aggregate. ...ISfiY.OOO.OOO
The commission are of the opinion ’ if tire
system of taxation they recommend is adopted,
that tho taxes on many articles of manufacture
can be reduced, if not repealed altogether
and then have a surplus of $50,000,000 left to
go towards the reduction of the debt. Among
other things, they recommend tho repeal of
tho excise tax on all printed matter, books,
magazines, pamphlets, reviews, and all other
similar printed publications. j
The Commission looks to the future increase
of the revenue arising from the development
of the National industry and resources for the
means of paying off the National debt, for
which on’y an immediate appropriation of
$50,000,000 a year is recommended.
The extention of the Reciprocity Treaty
with Canada, is deprecated as injurious to ex
isting interests, but a modification of it is re
commended.
A completo reorganization of the revenue
system is rectmmended. A reform in the
New Yoik Custom-house is especially needed.
The aunual losses from frauds in this depart
ment, are estimated at from twelve to twenty
five million dollars a year. As for the Inter
nal Revenue "Department generaily, it is es
timated that it might yield $500,000,000 pet
year if the laws were faithfully executed, and
many reforms in its management are sug-,
gested.
It is also recommended that the Secretary of
the Treasuary and the Assistant Secretary’ be
allowed to participate, if they think propeil
in all debates upon revenue questions in
troduced into the House of Representatives.
Many of the suggestions of tho luterna,
Revenue Commiarion commend themselveß to
the favorable attention of the public and to
the special interests more immediately con
cerned. Asa whole, however, these proposi
tions are palliative rather than a corrective of
some of worse features of the present system >
aud look to tho indefinite perpetuation of
another ioreign to tbe interests of American
industry, and contrary to the true principles of
taxation, which requires the direct imposition
of taxes vhere they ultimately fall—upon con
sumption. All the measures of tho Internal
Revenue Commission press upon production,
and thus check the development which it
should be our object to encourage by all possi -
ble means. Still, it is an improvement upou
the present tax laws, although we have but
little hope that Congress will adopt many of
the more desirable reforms suggested by the
Commission.
Tub Trouble in Spain. —While the Spanish
Government has been imprudently embroiling
itself with two American Republics, an outbreak
has occurred at home that will require ail its
attention for awhila. About the beginning of
the year certain regiments of the army showed
signs of insurbordination, and on the 3rd of
January a number of them were in opeu' mu
tiny. The details are of but little account or
interest compared with the fact of the out
break itself. Such of the accounts as appear
in the Spanish journals are manifestly design
ed to keep the people in ignorance of tho mag
nitude of the revolt, but letters Irom Spain
speak of the discontent a3 very general, and
the mutinous spirit as being sp:ead over a
wide district of country. The insurgents ap
pear to be strongest on the confines of Portu"
gal. The ostensible purpose of General Prim,
who leads the revolt, is to get rid of the
O’Donnell Ministry, but the discontent of the
people is with their Queen.
Although the Government of Spain is nom
inally a constitutional monarchy, with a min
istry, Senate and House of Deputies, it
amounts in practice to nothing but an expres
sion of the whims and caprices of Queen Isa
bella, wh* is a person reputed lo be of mod
erate faculties and indifferent morals. The
Spaniards have no respect for their sovereign,
although they passed through a bloody war
to secure her throne when she was an infant.
They are now looking towards Portugal,
where a King and Queen of high character
occupying thrones, for a successor to Label la.
General Prim, who heads the insurgents, will
be remembered as ttfe Spanish mini iter
who accompanied the English, French and
Spanish expedition to Mex’co in 1851-2, but
who withdrew the Spanish forces when ho
found that Louis Napoleon intended to subvert
* be Mexican Republic.
The Constitutional Amendment.—Tbe fol
lowing is the recent Constitutional amend
ment as it passed the House of Representa
tives :
Representatives shall be apportioned
among tho several States which may be in
cluded within this Union according to their re
spective numbers, counting the whole number
of persons in each State, excluding Indians
not taxed; provided, whenever the elective
franchise defied or abridged in anv
State on account of race or color, all persons
therein of such race or color shall bo excluded
from the basis of representation.”
For principle, if for no other reason, the
Southern States should refuse to entertain
•
any proposition looking to a change of h
Federal Constitution, so long as their repre ■
sentatives are refused admission to the halls
of Congress; or if they entertain such proposi
tions, that it be done only for the purpose of
rejecting them.
There is not one amendment matured or in
contemplation, that does not seek to under
mine 'the rights of the Southern States, and
destroy the very principles of Republican gov
ernment. In the eye of the law, it was a gross
injustice to compel tho South to ; pass tbe Con
stitutional amendment abolishing slavery. It
matters arrive at that point when she must
submit to further infringements, or go unrep
resented—she cannot, in honor, accept any
thing but the latter alternative.
What Nkxt ?—Tbe last proposition of a radi
cal nature, which we notice has been intro
duced into Congress, Is to levy a tax on the
Southern States to pay the expense of support*
ing the troops among them.
Some of the members of the U. S. Congres
must be well versed in the coprse Russia has
pursued towards unfortunate Poland.