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Uvoniclc & Sentinel WEDNESDAY MORXUS'G, NOYIMBEB 1. from \ \:\\ vokk! [from our own correspondent.] Tlic March of Kvent*—Free Speech—Free Soil—Free l.ahor—Free Trade— But not Free Suffrage— Politie*— Finance, Cotton, *c« New York, October 28. Dear Ciiromci.e : It is customary to speak of the march of events. Hie phrase may define correctly enough the political movements of the old world, where the people are biased by traditions, and con trolled bv well established systems of checks and balances and circumlocution offices. This is probably true, at least, up to the ] ite Prurso-Austrian war. Put the phrase utterly .ails to characterise political move ment on the American continent. Certainly within tlie limits of the empire of the l nit cd State- political events arc not controlled and made to move in the measured tread of the march ; but they appear to ru.-h forward with fearful rapidity. It becomes a difficult matter therefore cither to mark the direction or measure the volume ol the s<. ies of actions —social, religious and com- j mereial which modify or contribue to de- j tennine results. This is especially difficult j from ilur.-iand point of citizenship en vironed as it neces-arily is by interest and prejudice A retrospect of the past, _ how i ver. *i- ;lo- s a regular progression iri the ideas of the nation, marked by the rallying cries of free speech, free frees, free son. and FREE LA»o a. The inevitable sequence would seem to be free trade ; but at this particular juncture the public mind is distraught by the diversion which certain interests seek to make by UNIVER- SAL suffrage. Your correspondent hav ing recently journeyed quietly and leisurely from considerations of health from Cairo to Portland and from Buffalo to Poston im proved every opportunity to mingle with the people and to learn the popular views, livery where it was manifest the doctrine of universal suffrage in its broad extent is not only unacceptable, but absolutely re pugnant to the public mind. The univer sal desire was expressed to maintain the supremacy of the Anglo-Saxon—or rather the white race. The people have no other idea. A proposition to extend the right of suffrage to females as well as males—to Coolies, Chinese and Hindoos; to Africans, Me-tizzoes and lingoes, Mexican, Aztecs, and Sioux Indians, would be peremptorily rejected by the popular vote from Maine to Caliafbniia. A strong feeling, however, exists to do something for what remains ot the 160,000 negroes who were enlisted to play the part of hulkt-stoppers in the war. The general expression is “we ought to do something for these people—we ought to elevate them.” If this feeling could be met and satisfied there would be no further difficulty on that question. The moderate ltcpublicans, and a ma jority of the Republican party, will be satisfied with what they term impartial suffrage, or legislation without distinction as to color. The laws of the State of New York give tin- right of suffrage to such as hold real estate of the value of 250 dollars. The enactment of a similar law by the Legislature of the State of (ieorgia, to be made the organic law of the State, will meet the demand—take the negro ques tion out of politics, and would have the Ikjsl effect upon the financial projects of I,nth the Stain andpeople. the constitutional amendment is pressed by many Republicans, because they say representation without taxation is unjust in itself, and allows too great power to the Southern States in Congress. The real reason which is admitted in private, they are convinced that the South will not extend the right of suffrage to the colored population, and the diminished representa tion will enable the Republican party to maintain their supremacy and govern the country. Uis urged by the Radical Re publicans that they have acquired a rifle tith' to the South—its lands and posses sions—that they will dictate tho laws, and , ht i. ■ in allowing them to retain their lauds t oat on- thousand out of four thousand u,l .| • . >..«r ftnqxoiv. Butler, Banks Burnside, .ue An the Ku. t Wade acknowledged leaders. Butler aspires to lie the chief, and with good show of suc cess. He will certainly ho elected. His political headquarter is a Major General s marque, in the chief town of his district. Money is spent freely, for the Republican party is rich. It is affirmed creditably that the central organization at Washing ton have over half a million in the Treas ury, and that the Association of Massa chusetts have a quarter of a million more. Very many who belong to this wing— openly affirm that the South was not worth fighting for, but that it was neces sary—because without war, disintegration would have gone on to so great an extent as to produce anarchy, or at best ten. or a dozen feeble republics. This wing boldly announce 4hat the true principle is “To the victors belong the spoils,” in war and in polities—a Christian right, I suppose. The recent elections have emboldened these leaders, and they openly, on the stump and in the lecture room, in public and in private, proclaim THE PROGRAMME to be : I'iwst, At thmopening of Congress to alter the present law regulating the sessions of Congress, so that the 40th “Congress, shall assemble on the sth of March, 1867.” The Parliament of 1688, in the History of England is cited as the precedent Sains Kcipubliav sitpremer Ic.r, is the law. Secondly, To impeach the President for high crimes and misde meanors. Tiddly, The articles of im peachment are to have the effect of sus pending the functions of the President (so it was deliberately anddistinetly announced by Mr. Phillips in his Boston lecture, and received by a very large audience with rapturous applause), until he proved his iun<urine. Fourth, To enact a law, which will prohibit the representation of the Southern States until after the Presiden tial election of 1869. How much of all this is gasconade, it is impossible to say. These men look and speak, and act as if they were in earnest. A salesman in a large and respectable clothing house told your correspondent that contracts had been entered into with hi> house for 3,000 blue uniforms, to be sent to one State, and 5,000 for another, during the past week. All sorts of fire arms are in good demand, and this looks like business. In the mean while. although the South suffers, she should upon every consideration avoid the complications of national politics. FINANCIAL. money is easy on call for collaterals with ample security. Sixty and ninety days paper not in much favor, for the reason that commercial transactions are so largely effected by polities. Southern paper gen erally eschewed. k COTTON. the general estimate of the cotton crop is 1,500,000 bales, but buyers, full of the experiences of the past season, generally base their transactions on short time or upon liberal estimates —say two million. There is great desire to form estimates up on the labor employed. The usual rea soning is, this: theblacks numbered 4.000,- 000 before the war. one half of that num ber still remains, and is employed in tbe cnlture of cotton. The former production was a bale per capita. Therefore, there must be 2,000,000 bales of cotton produced this year. M. Personal Income. —Several of the papers in Southwestern Georgia have published the names of all persons in that collection district whose income is fob 000 or upward. The whole number is 114, of which Bibb county reports forty-eight, Muscogee twenty-one, Dougherty ten. Sumter eight, Upson four, Talbot and Taylor three each. While this gives a lively idea of the poverty of the tiiate. we cannot endorse the custom of thus spreading the private affairs of individuals before the public, and hope that the pub lication of names in this connection will be discountenanced by the press. Wendell Phillips says, even a.- a boy, be waß w e,ided to truth and philanthropy. But how long it is since he divorced him- j self from his two wives. j FKOII MILLEDOKYILLE. Special Correspondence Chronicle *v Sen tinel. Millediieyille, October 31, 1866. Rut few members of the legislature I have yet arrived. The afternoon and evening trains will bring a quorum, and so no doubts need be entertained but that the (j overnors message will be read to morrow, and the public business be en tered upon. So intimations of the con tents of the message can be obtained — Governor Jenkins preserving an importur balile silence whenever approached on the subject. The committee on Pul,lie Educa tion, appoint*-,] last Winter, is here and in session to day. For years thus subject has perplexed the minds of Legislators and i educators —thousands of dollars have been -pent, and but little real or permanent ! benefit has resulted. The difficulties in ! the way of accomplishing an event so de ' voutly to be desired, viz : the education of the masses, increase in size andimportance ; as they are approached, arid the heart of the Christian and philanthropist sinks 1 within turn as the huge mountains of diffi- I culty rise up and obstruct his way. The j emancipation of slavery has but erected another obstacle to the inauguration of a | common school system. To overcame this will require more tact and ingenuity than I fear is possessed by the ‘present Legisla ture. I honestly believe that none of them have any objection to the education of the 5 negro, but the idea of mixing the whites : and black - promiscuously in our schools is not to be thought of. I presume the efforts of the present Legislature in this direction will result, as heretofore, in the production of but little real good. Since tho last session, many much need ed improvements and repairs have been made on the public buildings here. The eapitol has been newly roofed —the halls have been replastered, and painted, and ! furnished with gas and water. The halls I are really handsome, needing nothing to I complete their elegance of appearance but | carpets in the place of the dingy, dusky ! bagging with which the floors are now covered. The various offices need repair ing and re-furnishing, and it is to be hoped this session will appropriate funds for this purpose. The debris of tho old Arsenal and Mag azinehavebeen cleared away and some progress has been made in beautifying and | adorning the squares. This is as it should i be, arid it is to be hoped that these iin | provements will go on till the squares shall j become an ornament to the State and the seat of government. 'flic Executive Mansion has undergon 6 elaborate repairs—has been refurnished from cellar to garrot—been furnished with gas and water, and in all its appointments rendered a suitable mansion for the Chief Magistrate of our State. One of the great events of the present session is the anticipa ted levee ot Gov. Jenkins. In days “long ago” a Governor’s levee was as regular as an annual session ; hut under Gov. Crown arid the pressure of the war, was thought to be “more honored in the breach than in the observance. ’ ’ The Penitentiary, about which there was diversity of opinion last winter as to its re moval, abolition or improvement in its present locality, is prepared to make a good showing. The present P. K., Col. Ander j son, says in his report, it is not only self sustaining, but with a small appropriation for buildings and machinery, might, under an energetic superintendent, be rendered a source of revenue. There are now 205 convicts, 134 of whom belong to the “chain gang” of the different counties, and should never have been sent to the Penitentiary. The sentences of this “chain gang” vary Irom sixty days to twelve months, and the discharges in a short time will about bal&nce the arrivals. Two-thirds of the convicts are freedmen, who are decid edly more obedient and better laborers than the white convicts. The annual spasmodic efforts of the town at improvement which generally ex- I pends itself in a little whitewash about hotels, boarding houses and barrooms is ! visible in every quarter, Judging from lit* whitewashed trees .Ye., rto would sup pose every other ousu w.%- prepared to furnish cheap boar ling **. i Uesmurants and bar-room i are plentiful; ’ tv. : '-Mi Tin i. use lager beer me", ui. moii intoxicating beverages to the thirsty multitude. The MilleJgeville Hotel, under the pro prietorship ol' the! . MeOomb, is in “applc-pio" order, an I ti, , nests may bo sure of comfortable garters, a good table, and attentive rcnqjm;-. In the business of town con siderable aetivit i Mien. All the stores have heavy stocks, and seem to bo driving a lively business. About fifty bales of cotton are sold here daily, at full prices. It is bringing to day 314 cents. This certainly cannot be a very long session. There are no elections, save that of Public Printer, and but little very im portant business. The bank question, the Stay law. the disposition of the Peniten tiary, the inauguration of an Orphan’s Home, and the tax bill, are the prominent questions which will encage the time of tlie Legislature. As usual, however, the ordinary batch of private and local bills will be introduced, and the forty days, at least, will be consumed. Nine dollars per day and mileage pays better than the busi ness of most men at home. It is impossi ble to get a copy of the message—will forward it to-morrow. L. C. The Fenians. Our Canadian neighbors are pursuing a very foolish, if not a very inhumane policy in their proposed punishment of a few straggling fellows who were caught' during the late Fenian raid. They could not adopt a measure so efficient for raising men and money for, that adventurous brotherhood. Their absurd failures had disgusted nearly all sensible people with their visionary projects, and their circles were almost everywhere rejected. Eveu in Boston, where there are thousands of brave and impulsive natives of the Green Isle, it was difficult to get up a respectable crowd to listen to their speeches. This persecution of a few alleged conspirators is infusing anew zeal into tlieir ranks. A meeting in New York was attended by 50,000 people a day or two ago—a grand ball in Philadelphia was numerously at tended, and in Cincinnati enthusiastic meetings have been held. Boston, too is moving—and men and money are being supplied for a grand "movement,” which is said to be ou toot. James Stevens is reported about to sail for Ireland, and is pledged to start the ball on the old sod before the first of January next The ex acting policy of the Canadian authorities will send thousands of recruits to his standard. A\ bile we sympathise with Ireland in the wrongs imposed on her by' the British Government, we have no faith in the movement for her relief, as proposed by the Fenian leaders, and deplore any influ ence that adds to what we deem a hope less infatuation. If Canada would put a damper upou the Feuian furor, let her show a magnanimous spirit towards those implicated in the late foolish invasion of her soil. Retrenchment.— The |Xational Intd li:j< <>,' says it is not yet known what pro gress has been made by the Committee on Retrenchment appointed by the last Con gress. The duty of the committee is not only to inquire into existing leaks and ex travagances. but to suggest means for pro tecting the Treasury in future from the cupidity and rapacity of Congress. It is from the legislation of Congress that a great increase of extravagant expenditures ir apprehended. If Congress insists upon burdening the people with tax.s to sustain political partv interests, they must find means to expend the money thus wrung from the people. Retrenchment mc_: begin by curtailing ; the revenue to the strict wants of an eco nomical government. A surplus revenue will necessarily tend to wasteful expendi tures. The tunnel under the Alps has reached <2015 feet in length oh the French side, and ll.Jsoon the Italian. At the present rate ot progress live years will be required to complete the work. Governor Jen kin's Message. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. 1 ; Milt.edoevllije, Ga.,Nov. Ist. 1866. ( Senator* ami Represent at ires : Although, during the year now drawing to a close, the seasons have been unpropit- j ions to the husbandman, trade disap; pointing to the merchant, and the signs ot j the times discouraging to the patriot, i bles-ings,- not wholly "in disguise have | come to all. The true believer recognizes j the hand of an over-ruling Providence as weii in seeming evil as in positive good. | It becomes a)l men, of every age and j every clime, to accept adversity as merited chastisement, and offended Deity bypepeatance and reform. FEUEP.AL relations. Since your last adjournment, little pro gress has been made either in the recon struction ot a dismember 1 Government, or in the restoration of material prosperity to that portion of the country desolated by the reeent civil war. However produced, trie fact is indisputable, that the Government of the United States this day stands be fore the civilized world in the lamentable condition of dismemberment. Four of the thirteen .States that originally took part in the formation of the Union, and six : that have been added in the progress of a marvelou- development, are now totally ex I eluded from participation s its legislative and administrative functions. It is true that the now excluded State- did volun i tariiy abandon such participation, by what was designed as a peaceful and per manent withdrawal : but the right so to do was denied to them, and upon that question of l ight the war ensued. The ■ party denying the existence of the right, maintained that the Union was indissola j ble by such means, that it still existed in i full force, and nothing more was necessary that the suppression of irregular resistance Ito its authority. That resistance having been suppressed, after a struggle of five j years’ continuance—the resistants having | grounded their arms —submitted in word and act to the authorities *of the United ] States—rescinded all constitutions, ordi j nances, laws and resolutions asserting in- 1 dependence of, or antagonism to that Government—declared its Constitution j ; their supreme law, and elected Senators | and Representatives to the Federal Con | gress —the logical conclusion from the | premises of the victors is, and the practi ! cal result should be, that the attempt has i failed and that the Union stands unshaken. | All that the resistants may have done to wards dismemberment, they have undone. The temporary breach they made, they have repaired. Why, then, are they not in the Union a- formerly ? The answer is, that the dominant States, through their representatives in Congress, positively re fuse their admission to the national coun cils. and the conclusion is inevitable, that from this refusal the present dismember ment results. Reasoning upon their own theory, if the Southern States be not now within the pale of the Union, .they have been ejected by this Congress. If they be, their constitutional right of representation is denied them by flie same authority. The President of the United States, second to none in devotion to the Union, though placed during 'the war, by the in tensity of that feeling, in opposition to his native section, consistently illustrates it in restored peace. He distantly affirms the right of the Southern States to representa tion in Congress ; and, for this adherence to principle, has been abandoned and de nounced by those who placed him in power. The Legislative and Executive Depart ments of the Government are thus brought into conflict, seemingly irreconcilable and daily increasing in bitterness. The people, too, of the dominant States now wielding tho whole power of the Gov ernment, are themselves divided ; and we, the excluded, against whom they recently presented the unbroken front of relentless war, though now passive and unresisting, have suddenly become to them an apple of discord. In this contest, our position, our motives, and our purposes are severely scrutinized. These are all flagrantly mis represented by unscrupulous demagogues, and many, very many, well meaning per sons are undoubtedly deceived by tliem. The pending issue may not find a very early solution. Meantime, we pass through an ordeal thoroughly adapted “to try mat's souls." Rut we must be true to ourselves, to those, who, though not of us, are fighting our battles, and to the coun try ; we must steadily and calmly pursue the course upon which we have started, neither betrayed into error by false repre sentations of the malignant and consequent injurious suspicions of the credulous; nor yielding to humiliating demands, against which justice exclaims and manhood re volts. Pursuing this course, wc shall, in time, live down both detraction and delu sion, and achieve a moral victory far’ more enduring and ennobling than any mere triumph of physical force. PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTIU- Asgermain *o the subject already dis cussed, I cal', your attention to another .prop "sod .'uteuiiment of the Constitution oi tv United States, transmitted to me by the S ‘.rotary.of State, and accompanying this communication. The fact , tint your action upon it is thus invoked imposes on you an obligation to consider it respect* fully. This amendment, designed, like all of recent origin, to operate especially on the Southern States, contains several sections to some of which I invite special attention. 1. The prominent feature of the first is, that it settles definitely the rigjit of citizenship in the several States, as politi cal communities, thereby depriving them in the future of all discretionary power over the subject within their respective limits, and with reference to their State Governments proper. It makes all per sons of color, horn in the United States, citizens. 2. The second changes the basis of representation in the popular branch of the Congress and in Presidential electoral colleges. It provides that, in apportion ing representation among tbe States, all persons (except Indians not taxed) shall be taken into the enumeration, unless the elective franchise be denied in any State to male inhabitants, being citizens of the United States, and twenty-one years of age, or be in any manner abridged (oth erwise than as a punishment? for crime,) in which event the representation shall be proportionally reduced. Whether the object in proposing this change be the extension of the elective franchise to persons of African descent; (nearly all cf whom are notoriously un qualified for it,) or a further diminution of the already relatively small weight of the Southern States in the administration of the Government, the adoption of this amendment will certainly force upon them a choice between those evils. If the for mer be the real object, the latter alterna tive must be regarded simply as a penalty for refusing it. In tills view, it is not difficult to expose the flagrant injustice of the proposition. Let us consider briefly how the amendment will affect States wherein slavery did not exist prior to the war, and bow those wherein it existed. In the former class, the selection of the one or the other alternative will bp only a matter of taste, no great public interest Jjejng in volved. If the franchise be extended, the number thus newly admitted to the ballot will be* so small that no appreciable effect upon popular elections can result, If re fused, the number excluded from the enumeration in fixing the ratio ot repre sentatation will still be so small that the consequent reduction would not be seriojjs ly felt, and in some instances would proba bly be merely fractional, producing no curtailment at all. Now, look to the other class of States, There the number of vo ters proposed to be enfranchised, and wholly unprepared for the trust would be immense, and the disturbance in the mo tive power of republican machinery incal culable. There, too, on the other hand, if the franchise be withheld, the reduction ot representation would be vast. Is there fairness, is there justice in a proposed change so differently affecting different portions of a country, united under a com mon government for the common weal ! Would the enforcement of such a change by a majority, it could not liut m. upon a mi nority it must ruin, bespeak magnanimi ty ? It may be said in reply, that the Con stitution does not respect sectional differ ences—that it was designed for the pro tection and advancement of personal rights. To a large extent this is an egre gious error. The Union was originally designed mainly for the conduct of foreign affairs and common defeuse, leaving to the States the regulation of their domestic concerns. The Constitution resulted from a compromise of sectional interests, with out which it could not have been formed, indeed, in that compromise; the rights and interests of the Caucasian as affected by the presence of a very large African population m some of the States, were considered and adjusted. The African element, whether bond or free was com puted alike with reference to this identical subject of representation, and alike ignor ed regarding the elective franchise. ~ The objection now urged against the amendment is, that it will fall upon eiti zens inhabiting one latitude Like an ava lanche from its mountain perch, crushing where it settles ; whilst upon those of an other latitude it will alight unfelt like a feather floating instil! air. a The thirl section engrafts upon the e A law anew disqualification for fundament... -4 disqualffica offiee, . tate audits to Lt- done non not the result of any at. *■ but after the adoption of the amendment, consummated before its conception. The act entailing disqualification for office con sists in haying heretofore taken an oath to support toe Constitution of the United an “ having thereafter encaged in j rebellion or insurrection against the same, or having given aid and comfort to the ■ enemies thereof. Considering the num- ! Ut ot our citizens who have taken the i oath under the circumstances set forth, tue number personally engaged in the wai, j and the breadth of ground covered by the ! words “ giving aid and comfort to the ene- \ tides thereof." we can readily perceive the weeping character of the disqualification. It is as distinctly proscriptive as if the per- ! softs to be 'affected had been ascertained 1 and their names in erted. Let it be noted, a: o. that the proscribed are all dwellers one side of a certain geo graphical line whilst the authors of the : proscription have their local habitation on the other side. It is quite remarkable, moreover, that there is iu the entire section no saving clause in favor of those who, in the inter val between the cessation of hostilities and the adoption of the Amendment, may have received the amnesty of' the Government. 1 Pardoned they may havo»boeD, but dis franchised they will be. ion are asked to give your eonsent that such a fate be visited upon many of your best citizens, who have long enjoved the public confidence, and some of whom now fill important public trusts. Can Georgia : spare all of these from her sor' ice ? 5. The fifth and last section empowers the Congress "to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of the Amend ment. It will lie contended that they are the proper judges of what constitutes ap propriate legislation. If. therefore, the Amendment be adopted, and a fraternal i Congress, from which the Southern States, I chiefly interested in it, are excluded be I empowered “to enforce it by appropriate | legislation ,” what vestage of hope remains ■ to the people of those States? Nay, more, j what semblance of Republican Government ; can the true patriot of the North discern in | such a state of affairs ? Yet, that is the : point which we seem to be drifting , for 1 there is no assurance whatever that even | this concession will ensure our restoration. I Amendments have already been proposed to and accepted by us, which it was beleivcd j wbuld effect that result ; but hope is still I deferred, right still denied. 1 will not further analyze this Amend ment, equally novel and unjust. I a»k you to consider, however, why it. is that you are called upon to vote upon its adoption, whilst your State had no voice in its preparation ? The Constitution se cures to the States the one right as dis tinctly and as positively as the other. Had your Representatives, and those of other States |imilarly situated, been present, aiding in giving substance and ibrw to it, possibly it might him' come before you a less odious thing. The policy seems to have been, first to push it, without their participation, beyond the stage of amend ment, and they say to them, accept our bantling or take the consequences. The omission of any material part of the pro gress of amendment, makes the amend ment itself, unconstitutional, null and void. Should the State especially to be affected by this amendment refuse their assent to it, it cannot be adopted without excluding them from the count and placing its ratifi cation upon the votes ot three-fourths of the now dominant States. It is said, however, that unless this con cession be made, the now excluded States will be kept out of the halls of Congress in definitely. Were the Amendment pre sented with such a menace distinctly ex pressed, a higher motive (if possible) than any hitherto suggested would prompt its rejection. At the termination of hostilities, it. was right and proper that the previously re sting States should, in the most une quivocal and formal manner, abandon such resistance —should rescind all they had done in antagonism to, and do whatever was necessary and proper to place them selves in constitutional relation with, that Government. All this, wo» believe, Geor gia has done. Reyond this, in acting upon any proposed change in the fundamental law, even in this critical juncture, my ad vice is. that her legislators act with the same unflinching firmness, that they would have exercised in the past, or would ex ercise in the future, when in full connection and unambiguous position. Any other rule of action may involve sacrifices of in terest and of principle which magnanimity would not exact and self-respect could not make. To submit to injurious changes in the Constitution, when forced upon a State, according to the forms prescribed for its amendment, would be one thing ; to par ticipate in making them, under duress, against her sense of right and justice, would be a very different tiling. The dif ference, in principle, is as broad as that which distinguishes martyrdom from suicide. Far better calmly await a return ing sense of justice, and a consequent re flux of the tide now running strongly against us. The military rule to which, as a people, we have been subjected during the past eighteen months, so different from all pre vious experience, must necessarily be more or less prejudicial to our interest and wounding to our feelings. Y r ou are well aware, however, that it has been greatly mitigated during your recess. The Ad | ministration, I think, have become i thoroughly convinced that the sword | and the bayonet are not necessary to the i'enforcement of law and order in Georgia. ! j tary force within our borders than have i often been stationed here in times of per j fectspeace. Our people, with rare excep tions, such as occur everywhere, have been quiet, orderly, and devoted to industrial pursuits. The officers of the army and agents of the Freedmen’s Bureau, station ed among us, have, with few exceptions, manifested a growing confidence and a dis position to relax their authority and leave the administration of the laws to the civil courts. Vexatious interferences some times occur, usually traceable to_ impru dent conduct on the part of misguided citi zens, or to the officious intermeddling of injudicious or evil-disposed _ subordinates. Due allowance being made for honest dif ferences of opinion upon questions arising in a novel state of affairs, the President and heads of departments have manifested a gratifying determination to deal justly and kindly with our government and peo ple. With a view to the adjustment of some points of difference, tho more rapid restoration of mail facilities, and the pro curing of action upon the application of our citizens for amnesty, in which they naturally felt great anxiety, I made a short visit to Washington, and had abundant reason to be gratified by the kindness shown towards our people in word and in act. FINANCES, STATE DEBT AND TAXATION. You are fully aware of the difficulties that have beset the fiscal operations of the Government during the past year. There has been no relaxation of the pressure upon the Treasury since I eame into office. Empty when the process of reorganizing the State Government commenced, and the ordinary sources of supply suspended, it has been called up to meet large arrear ages for the year 1865, demands originat ing anterior to that year, the expenses of the Provisional Government, (except the salary of the incumbent, of this office,) ex penses of the Convention of 1865, those of the re-organized Government, repairs and refitting of the Western and Atlantic Rail road, the supply of corn for the destitute, and other appropriations made at the late session of the General Assembly. As was anticipated and provided for, these heavy demands could only be discharged by re couree to the credit of the State. The authority given me at your last ses sion to raise money by the sale of the bonds of the Stete has been partially executed. After careful consideration and advisement with those more versed in financial affairs than myself, I determined, in the exercise of the discretion reposed in me, to issue bonds with the ample security afforded by a mortgage of the Western and Atlantic Railroad." Tbe delay incident to the pre paration of these bonds, and the annexation of the mortgage security, rendered a resort to temporary loans necessary. Avery liberal spirit was manifested by moneyed corporations and individuals of our own State ; but in this time of prostration, barely enough could be realized from these sources to defray ordinary expenses and pressing arrearages. To obtain the means of purchasing corn for the destitute, and making repairs upon the Western and Atlan tic Railroad,it was found necessary to resort to localities where money was more abundant and States and individuals less needy. _ In New York, the great commercial emporium of the country, the required relief was ; found. Loans for four and three months were negotiated at the rate of seven per cent, per annum. Qnly in two or three instances, (within the State) for small amounts comparatively, when there re mained no other resources to meet the ex penses of your last session, rapidly draw ing to a close, was more than seven per cent, paid for these temporary loans. All of the shore loans thus far negotiated by myself, and all negotiated by the Pro visional Governor, that have matured, have been paid in full. The immature loans contrated by him amount, in the aggregate, to fifty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-three and one-third dollars, payable in gold or its equivalent in currency. _ I found the indications clear and cheering that, notwithstanding the great diminution of the material wealth subject to her tax ation, her bitter experiences, and her pres ent prostration, our good old State enjoys an honorable and enviable credit. I euter tain not a shadow of doubt Unit, if permit ted to enter into the money market upon her own merits—the ban of the Federal 1 Government, which beclouds her future, removed—her securities would command more than par ip the present circulating medium. Notwithstanding the palpable depression resulting from this cause, (pure sJy political.) I look with confidence to their . appreciation, and therefore have avoided, | *s for as possible, precipitancy in the sale tiiem. Jf seemed to be a foregone eon v. *\ut utuiley centre, that Georgia elusion, ” foold at eighty-five in bonds would be wu -” r >uiieed to the hundred, and so it was a^_ Tfo The prompt and decided rejection o, ai. offers below ninety in the hundred 't. brou sflt them to that point, at which, however, no larger amount than 1 ' r hT U T neces sity required, was sold. ihe bonds authorized by the Convention ot lb t>o—amounting to and limit ed in time to five years—Were not well re ceived by capitalists. 1 Jje time was too jhort to invite permanent for that reason unsuited ta spfcculatlon. The J ro visional Governor effected sales of them only to the amount of £50,040 AH>. But this difficulty wa.- overcome in a greatmeas ure by incorporating in them a provision making them convertible, at the option of tne holder, into such bond-, on longer time, as the General {Assembly might au thorize. The sth section of the act on this subject, approved 12th March. 1866, j placing the bonds authorized *by the Con- ' volition, in all respects, on the same f.*ofc- j mg with those provided for in the preeed*! me sections, fully sustained this expedient. j \ ery cheaply prepared, in a style and with material corresponding -to the short exis tence intended for them, they aided the JLreasury materially whiGt more available bonds were in preparation. Looking to the , uostitution of the latter for the former at i an early day, I caused bonds to be prepared 1 conforming to the" provisions of the act | above referred to, as follows: | L nuer the Ordinance of the Con vention as qua hv the act | of the Legislat •; : • £ 500,000 | Under the Ist see, of the act • 1,500,000 j u nder the 7th sec. t , provide : *r I payment of the Fede-al tav • 60-',OOO t under Bth see. tt fuadpaet du< bonds and couvam • lit, ooo Under 11th sec appropriation act to purcha-o tort f • ti: destitute ; ” i 200.000 % A* f 0,000 j The assumptif: r r the Fedc—i! . x not | having been permitted, and its susp msion ! having dispensed with the n.ce>sity for ! such assumption, the bonds a- -Go and for ! this purpose, t not been executed, a- ii I in the i Treasury. ID; covered, :r, by the mortgage on tm, \\ 1; _ vtlantic ■ 11 . ■ 1 i. p] ay in perfectly good fa': - 4 . ,visible, order them executed and issue’ .‘or any other purpose and with ut adit nal ex- ! pense. No boncW havftybeei sold at a lower! price than nine:;'cent • the ar, and 1 very lew above it. Th ; s report will advise you "! . 'cm \i c and the proceeds. It w U i . dispose of the entire i u ft and prepared for s. t : ..iir price can be obtainc i , ents have been made wl. , i> 'eased cost to the State, v ;; G he ; cessity of j forced sales be their 1 n -ket value, j The sales not . » U . _pleted and the bills for material and work in prepara j tion ot the bonds not having been render- j ed, the expense attending this particular I service cannot now be stated. Evidence having transpired that there i are_extant, bonds of the State not register- | ed in the Treasurer’s office, and of exceed- ! ingly doubtful genuineness—and one hav- j ing been presented for refunding which ma 1 tured several years since and is marked ! paid on the registry—it lias been deemed I necessary to proceed with great caution in the process of funding. All bonds past due are required to be presented for that purpose at the Treasury, and any coupons past due wherever payable may bo funded there. Coupons payable in New York or in London, are fundable in the former city, but all others, only at the Treasury. That business is now in progress at both points. The amount of bonds authorized to be issued for this specific purpose is $530,550. Os this amount $234,000, it was estimated, would be required to refund past due bonds leaving to be applied to interest due, the sum of $596,550. The precise amount of past due coupons, then reported to the General Assembly was $596,000, which added to the amount of past due bonds made an aggregate of $830,000 —showing clearly in my opinion that the General As sembly intended to provide for no inter est other than was evidenced by past due coupons. Iu this view no provision was made for the payment of interest accruing on past due bonds, after their maturity. I know not whether this omission was or was not intentional. It is very true that, under ordinary circumstances, if the holder of such a security fail to present it at ma turity for payment, he is held not entitled to interest. This rule has been applied by sundry corporations, private and public, to bonds maturing during the war, 1 submit to the consideration of the General Assem bly, whether such application, under the circumstances, is just and equitable. It is very certain that after Confederate and State Treasury notes had filled up the channels of circulation, the presentation of such bonds for payment in the medium contracted for would have been an idle ceremony. No less certain is it that the holders of many of thesu bonds were cut off from access to the place of payment by the existing war, and therefore could not make demand. I recommend as more con sistent with the honor and dignity of the . State that provision be made for the pay j ment of this interest. Evidence bavin,c in :n presented to this i -department, that since the last paym. by the State on Us subscription in c 1..- ! stock of the Aiiutme and Guff 11.-ii4r.fU | additional 'nst.ilm: its have been pa : i byth- privat. .• t*>ci- holders, which by ‘.’m i terms of the act new pirating the con , panj, approved 27< i February, 1856, su jected the State to the payment of $134,- 500 on her subscription, I have, in obe dience to that act, caused to be executed and delivered to the company, bonds of the State for that sum. When all of the bonds authorized by the act of the General Assembly, approved 12th March, 1866, (except those intended for the assumption of the Federal tax,) shall have been disposed of as contem plated, the funded debt of the State will stand thus: Bonds issued anterior to 1861 and not pet due, $2,676,500 Mortgage Ronds issued in 1866, above mentioned, 3,030,000 Bonds issued to the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad in 1866, 134; 500 Total, $5,840,000 Os this amount $176,500 will mature in 1868; $334,500 in 1869; $164;500 iu 1870- making a total of $675,500. The latter sum, therefore, must be provided for with in four years from this time. I recommend that the bonds before mentioned, prepared to meet the Federal tax, but as yet unexe cuted, be placed at the disposal of the Governor, with authority to use them as occasion may be presented by sale or ex cliadge if deemed advisable, in redemption of the bonds to mature in and before the year 1870. The public debt will not thus be increased in amount and may be some what diminished. Ronds amounting to $154,000 will ma ture in 1871, and others amounting to $721,500 in 1872,_ the aggregate being $875,500 to be provided for in six years. To meet this and subsequently accruing liabilities I recommend that the sum of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars bo annually set apart as a sinking fund accu mulative. If the first class of Ronds (to mature within lour years,) be provided for in the manner suggested, and the sinking fund proposed be allowed to accumulate until 1872, at 6 per cent, interest, it will be ade quate to the payment of the Bonds matu ring in 1871 and 1572._ But, if in the then existing financial condition of the State, it should be deemed advisible by your succes sors to meet the liabilities of 1871 and 1872 by sale of the State s stock in the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad, or by applying any other resource available at that time) and permit the sinking fund to go on accumu lating, the entire debt of' the State may; in the progress of _time,_ be easily ptovided for, and her credit maintained. In urging you -o look thus far into the future, and to provide means or initiate a policy for the accomplishment of ends so desirable, I think I but present a case of clear duty. It is true, that during the immaturity of State securities, if the annually accruing interest be faithfully paid, the holders have no legal right to ask more. But I would press upon your adoption the scheme of a sink ing fund, as one of the surest _ props to State credit, and as an act of justice to pos terity ; and for these reasons, as a great measure of State policy. Its great advan ■ i.tes tee ' 'A- in o ; - . payment equa’ly over a series of years; and. indeed, the sum to be provided in each year will be so small, as scarcely to merit the appellation of a burthen. TV hen soever a forge amount shall mature in any oue year, without -each provision, either the tax payers of that year must be op pressively burthened, or anew debt must be incurred. Should this occur when mo ney is scarce, it may be difficult, if not im- : practicable, to place anew loan, thus I bringing the General Assembly face to lace j witli the alternative of oppressive taxation ■ or dishonor of the State’s obligations. The | escape from this dilemma, now proposed, j is so easy, that I think it will commend it- . self to the Favorable consideration ot the i General Assembly. The debt of the United j States Government is so large, and her j credit sustained by resources so ample; that , her outstanding securities will always ford facilities for the investment _ o. a.e sinking fund and its abcumuiatmg interest. I reiterate the conviction expressed in my first message to vou, that the \\ estern and Atlantic Railroad, put m a condition of thorousrh repair, and furnished with j adequate rolling stock, will m the future j with proper management, sustain itseu and yield a revenue, whicti, increased by diviuends that may reasonably be expected from the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad, will always render unnecessary, onerous mxa- The reports of the Treasurer and Comp troller General will furnish you detailed information relative to the finances oi trie titate, and with statistical information ot an interesting character. I commend to v.tur s,.i foils ioasidefation the suggestions ' -•■- u. ; . • of the iai^. the reveuue laws. _ , , , ”‘ on The collection of the Federal tax ife lands having been suspended beror progress had been made. I did not fee! au thorized to suspend that imposed ior the j support of the State Government I re- , srret exceedingly that any portion of our ' iellow-eiuzens .-Uould have been required to pay the Federal tax, but not believing that j your legislation contemplated partial sus pension of the State tax, I could not come to their relief. The State tax, ad valorem is very light, being only one-sixth of one per cent. The tax upon the sale of spirituous li- I quors seemed by its terms to embrace the j first quarter of the present year, which had i nearly expired before the tax was ini- j posed. Being retroactive, the seller was : deprived of the opportunity to add the tax ! to the price, in his sales. Besides, many merchants had during that quarter sold the article for non-residents, on commis sion, and made final settlements with the owners. Had the tax been exacted of them, it would have exceeded largely their commissions, and subjected them to serious loss, without fault on their part, For these reasons I suspended the tax for the first quarter, and now invite your atten tion to it. The people of Georgia have always been lightly taxed, and I see no indications that the State Government will be constrained to make this burthen onerous in the future. EDUCATION. Tiie reopening of the University, after an unavoidable suspension, has elicited the most satisfactory evidence of public approval. Many of its most ardent friends entertained the apprehension that causes connected with the war recently terminat ed, and chief among them the utter im poverishment of some, and the straitened circumstances of others, formerly both able and willing to educate their sons, would occasion such diminution of patron age as would render the effort abortive. The result has been far otherwise. The number of applicants for admission, very respectable at first, has rapidly increased, and is still increasing. There are now matriculated considerable more than one hundred. It offers to the people of Geor gia. very great educational advantages, whilst the tone of moral and religious opinion and feeling is decidedly high, with out the slightest taint of sectarian bias. • We live in an age when educated mind must take a leading part in affairs of State. Any people neglecting to provide cither elementary education for the mass, or to atlbrd facilities for obtaining such higher and more extended knowledge as will enable their youth, passing into manhood, to master in due time difficult problems iu political economy and in State policy, will assuredly fall behind in the competition of States and nations for superior develop ment. Prejudices which in former times found voice in our legislative assemblies against liberal education, we may well hope, have been dissipated by experience. Georgia has profited too much by the service of Iter educated sons, in all departments of public employment, not to see clearly how largely her future prosperity and greatness de pend upon the enlightenment of the rising generation. The third clause of the fifth section, second article of the Constitution, clearly indicates that, in the opinion of the Convention of 1865, the present en dowment of the University of Georgia is inadequate to its necessities. Mindful of the serious losses our people have recently sustained, and the temporary depression of their material interests, I forbear urging you at this time to increase the endow ment. My object in adverting to the sub ject now is to congratulate you and your constituents upon the good use which is being made of the limited aid heretofore and still extended to this venerable institu tion, and to ask that her past and present usefulness be accepted as an earnest of the fruit that may be anticipatedfrom a larger endowment in more prosperous times. There is, however, a measure by which the usefulness of the University may be greatly increased, and a great public trust, now devolved upon the General Assembly, judiciously executed, without imposing any burden upon our impoverished peo ple. A large extent of public lands be longing to the United States has been, by an act of Congress, devoted to the estab lishment of agricultural colleges in the several States. At your last session you accepted, for the purpose indicated, such land as might be allotted to Georgia under that act, and your acceptance has been communicated to that Government. This resource can be applied to no other pur pose whatever, and the question arises how it can be most advantageously em ployed for that. If a separate independent institution be established, much expense must be incurred, which might be saved by making it an appendage of your Uni versity. The term University is expressive of the idea of divers schools and colleges, each devoted to some particular branch of science, and all united under one general government, and constituting a grand seminary of learning. This was the object contemplated in the establishment of the University of Georgia, though the means for its full development have never been f ind,-lied. There are now connected with "part from the ordinary collegiate urscj i sd: ■ ; of civil engineering, a i%w * of, and"a dSuariffieut of agricultural ■ Lemistry. A. the University is a rotate listitution and as the agricultural college : usi A-o be under the 8 <'■■■ ir.anageiin nt. respe tfully recommend that the latter be organized as a distinct department of learning in the former, care being taken that the specific endowment now referred to be devoted exclusively to the main tenance of that department. COMMON SCHOOLS. There is no subject demanding your at tention, of greater importance to the State, than that of common school education. In so large a population there must always be a considerable number to whom, without government aid, even elementary education must ever remain forbidden fruit. If these be regarded simply in their individuality, their destitution of mental culture must appeal strongly to the sym pathies of their more fortunate fellow citizens. But the interest in the subject arises immeasurably when they are looked upon as future members of the body politic, under a constitution, extending general suffrage of male citizens. A conscientious man, wholly uneducated, always feels much embarrassment in choosing between rival candidates for popu lar suffrage, and whatever bo his natural endowments, and however prominent his virtues, is conscious of his own want of qualification for public service. No plainer proposition can be stated than that a peo ple who govern ought to be an intelligent people. Experience has shown that it is difficult to organize and keep in successful opera tion, a system of common school education where the population is sparse. But the difficulty should not discourage effort. Persistent trial will expose errors and sug gest remedies. Even our imperfect sys tem, has, like all other useful enterprises, suffered suspension. I remarked with pleasure, that at your last session, you had raised from your own bodies a joint com mittee to consider, during your recess, and on your re-assembling, to report upon this great subject, llelying upon your fidelity and ability, as your own chosen deposita ries of so grave a trust, I venture upon no suggestions as to details. It will, of couase, occur to you, and will doubtless have commanded the attention of your committee, that the sources whence the fund for this purpose was derived, have almost entirely failed. The Bank Stocks owned by the State, and applied to this object, have been lost. The Western and Atlantic Railroad has yielded no revenue within the past two and a half years—and in all probability, until it shall have thrown off the war-imposed burdens, can do little or nothing for this cause. Its revenues are now pledged to the payment of interest on, and a sinking fund lor the public debt, necessarily considerably in creased within the past financial year, j Notwithstanding all these difficulties, I re spectfully suggest that attention to, and ■ provision for this public interest, does pot j admit of delay. I doubt not that your I constiuents will cheerfully bear, even now, j such contributions as may be demanded of ! them, to foster it. THE WESTERN AND ATLANTIC RAILROAD. 1 transmit herewith a copy of the re port of the Superintendent of the B estern and Atlantic Railroad, accompanied by re ports to him of subordinate officers, and sundry tabular statements. From a careful perusal of these docu ments, not only general results, but de tailed information relative to the different branches of service, and a clear insight into the general management of this im portant interest, may be really obtained. The very great improvement "made since the road passed under the management of the present superintendent, in the track itself', in the motive power and other roll ing stock, and in the general service, whether stationary at the termini and at the intermediate depots, or moving with the trains, reflects the highest credit upon him and his subordinates. These docu ments disclose the facts that reconstruc tion, renovation and increased capacity to meet the demands of travel and commerce, were required at all points and in all de partments. and that large arrearages oc curring between the 25th September. 1865, and the Ist of April, 1866, have been met since the latter day. Accidents and losses are now of' very rare occurrence, and failures or delays of trains almost un known. 7 During the first six months of the year the business of the road was very large, owing to the fact that many roads in the Eastern line of connection with the North ern cities were not in operation. They, having been put in working order during the spring, have again drawn to themselves much t ravc-l and transportion formerly en joyed and properly appertaining to them. This circumstance, and a general, though it is believed temporary falling off during the summer months of this business, have greatly curtailed the gross receipts.— Should tLf,re note.- a revival in the activity 1 *'ro«polity of the country, now slowly recovering n6ni the exhaust,on oi long war, railroad business will revive witn j them. The location and connections of the Western and Atlantic railroad, as well remarked by the Superintendent, ensure it a large participation, any circum stances, in the general travel and trans portation. he they great or Imall. Should the good time hoped for tome, there is every indication that this riad will be in a condition to do its part in tie general ser vice promptly and efficiently It was esti mated when you were last in session, that, to put the road in ail respecis in thorough working condition, it would be necessary for the State to contribute from half a million to seven hundred thousand dollars. The aid, so lar extended, really exceeds very little the sum of three kindred thou sand dollars. It will probably be necessary to add to this sum two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, being an aggregate of about five hundred and fifty thousand dol lars, moderately exceeding the smallest estimate. To make this further advance, j you have already provided the means. There h angs, however, over the road a heavy debt to the United States Govern ment, contracted in the purchase of sup j plies and railroad property by the provis j ional superintendent, for the payment ol ' which a year lienee, the faith oi' the State jis pledged. The State of Georgia has a claim upon that Government for the use and occupation of the road and its rolling stock and other items, which may or may not be so far liquidated and acknowledged, by that time, as to be set off against that indebtedness. Every effort will be made to effect a full and amicable settlement, which will ease the State of this burden; but, in any event, the faith of the State must be kept. Looking to the contingency of this pay ment having to be made, if it.be thrown upon the road no reliance can be placed upon it for revenue to meet the current expenses of the Government during the year upon which we have just entered. The precise amount of this debt has not been ascertained, in consequence of a fail ure to deliver some of the cars purchased. But, deducting from the whole amount of tha. invoice, payments made, the re maMoer will exceed sonn*hat four hun dred thousand dollars. If be given the Executive to make payments upon this debt from time to time, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, (failing all efforts at settlement,) it may be arranged iu the course of the year, and the amount of interest meantime gradually reduced. My belief is that if the net profits from the road bo even fair, the sum estimated by the Comptroller General, to arise from that source, may be deducted and this debt discharged without creating anew loan. I concur in the suggestions of the Su perintendent, relative to the inadequacy of the salaries of the Treasurer and Audi tor. If the ability and skill required to fill those offices properly, and the amount of labor and responsibility attending them be considered, it would seem very clear that the present salaries, in times like these, are not compensatory. I request the General Assembly to give just con sideration to this subject. During the existence of the war au thority was given to the Superintendent to isssue change bills for a stated amount. Os these there are now outstanding from seventy-five to eighty thousand dollars. That the holders of these change bills are entitled to payment by some rule, can scarcely bo questioned. They were not issued with any view to aid in the war, but to relieve the road and the people from one of the inconveniences of the war—the difficulty of making change. For this purpose they were interchanged with Confederate treasury notes in settlements, and the question is, whether they should be redeemed at their nominal value or at the then value of Confederate notes, (on the level of which they stood,) at the time of their issue, or on what other scale ? It is a small matter, but the Superintendent, wishing'to do wliat is right, has felt some embarrassment. There is little doubt that they have been to a considerable extent counterfeited, and, therefore their payment in currency at some set value would be much safer than their absorption for fare or freight on the road. The matter is sub mitted for your determination. TIIE LUNATIC ASYLUM. One of the most grievous evils to which our race is subjected is the deprivation of human reason. The greatest alleviation of this terrible malady is found in the establishment of asylums for the stricken, where their wants are cared for, their evil propensities and their power for mischief controlled and their disease skilfully treated. Georgia has established one of these institutions, devised by advanced civilization. It is in successful operation ; is, I believe, well managed, and is dis pensing a noble charity to the indigent, and a more than compensatory blessing to the wealthy, whose misfortunes bring them to its doors. The report of the Su perintendent and Resident .Physician will he ’ .-for- y*>ii. id vising you in detail of its ' "iidLlou and management, its wants and misci.v ibilily oi improvement. Your com mittees ol scffiuuSo professional men and financiers will look into these subjects with more capacity to enlighten you than I can bring to bear. )n Coo point, however. 1 deem it my duty 1 ~■! your serious deliberation. The Code requires that persons of color shall be admitted into the institution ; but another section of the same Code enjoins it as an imperative duty on the Superin tendent to keep patients of the white and African races separate, a provision found ed in the wisest sanitary policy, I am in formed by the Superintendent and Resi dent Physician, that with the present accommodations and plan of the build ing, and the . number of white patients there and likely to be there, it is impossible to comply with both re quirements of the Code. Something must be done for the enlargement of the building, or colored people must be ex cluded continuously from it. The latter alternative, allow me to say, should not be contemplated for a moment. The infor mation. brought to me, induces the belief that this fearful malady is on the increase among that people. Heretofore accustom ed to be cared for, themselves uncaring, they have been free from very many anxie ties and responsibilities, which often har rass and craze those in higher social po sition. Now, suddenly, after many years of irresponsible, unsolicitous life, they find themselves invested with the boon of free dom coupled with the burthens'of self-pre servation and family provision, whilst their evil propensities, previously kept in check by wholesome home government, are left unbridled. Among them insanity most assuredly will increase. Heretofore when it has occurred, home provision has been made for it, but home, such as they once enjoyed, remains to them no longer. Will the State abandon them to all the miseries, sufferings and. perils that wait upon insan ity? Humanity to them and safety to the public alike forbid it. Either in the State Asylum or in county poor houses, imme diate and efficient provision should be made for the case. . Your attention is earnestly requested to it. THE ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND. The school for the instruction of unfor tifnates deprived of the sense of sight, is in successful operation. It is one of those benevolent institutions which commends itself to the support of governments and of individuals. It is truly an interesting en tertainment to hear those long shut out from light of day—some ofAvhoiu never en joyed its perception—reading fluently and accurately from the Word of Life, or from uninspired though instructive books. This art generally extended to such sufferers, and the number of books adapted to their use multiplied, how wide a held of enjoy rucut and improvement will be oi>ened to those otherwise doomed to lives cheerless and almost useless, But it is not alone mental cultivation and literary enjoyment that are put within their reach in this Academy. There are simple branches of' manufacture, for which they are entirely competent, if only instructed by those blessed with sight, and which may afford many the means .of making a livelihood, who must otherwise depend upon charity, ouch instruction is now being imparted in this institution, greatly redounding to the creuit of the managers, and increasing its usefulness. The annual report of the Brin- | cipal will be before you, and to your favor able consideration I commend the institu tion. j ACADEMY for the deaf and dumb. In the exercise of the discretion given j me by the General Assembly. I have not j caused this institution to be re-opened. HaU it been in operation, I should have relt it a duty so to continue it. But being already m a state of suspension, it would ; doubtless have required prompt pecuniary i to enable it to resume its functions. -Not until a very late period could such aid • nave boon furnished, nor can it even now without increasing the fiscal embarrass i ; ufcuts Pressing upon the State. I trust, however, that at the commencement of another year, this may be done, and that it will be the pleasure of the General Assem bly to provide for it. This is another of i i“°se great humanitarian enterprises which t 1?? , n undertaken by the State. ; should not be suffered either to fail or to ianguish. industrial pursuits. The failure in agricultural pursuits dur mg the year 1866, resulting in part f'rotn the indisposition to steady labor of the freedmen, but chiefly from unpropitious .•scaspn?;, has doubtless exercised a depress ing influence upon the energies of our peo pie. It is to he hoped that they will speedily rally, and rise above despondency. It should be assumed that neither of these causes will prove continuous. It rarely happens, in the dealings of Providence, that two seasons, decidedly unfavorable to the cultivation of the soil, come consecu tively, in the same locality. The next may reward the husbandman with abundant harvests. N or should the people of the South yield readily to discouragement in regard to the labor of the negro in his new status. All reflecting minds cannot fail to perceive that the first effect of sudden manumission ! must be unfavorable to his wtil-doiug and to his well-being. Unaccustomed to wir ing for himself, he is prone to believe that the freedom with which lie has been invest ed involves freedom from labor, which was, in his eyes, the distinctive trait in the con dition of slavery. It is not to be expected that he would, at once, rdason correctly as to liis surroundings and prospects, or adopt promptly the reasoning of the late proprie tary race. Experience alone can teach him wisdom, and what her teaching will be is not a subject of speculation; we all know what it will bo. In addition to all this, there is abundant evidence that he has indulged most extravagant and unfounded expectations of benefits to be conferred un on him by the Federal Government. He has expected from that source a free grant of land in his own right, and has been in disposed to cultivate the land of others. If driven to it by present necessity, he has regarded it as a temporary expedient, and went to work predisposed to shirk it. Time will dissipate these delusions. It would be both just and kind to wait for and to assist his awakening from them. Many who have hurried into courses of vice and crime, will probably prove irreclaimable. These must be committed to a just and im partial administration of the law, as is practiced with the vicious of our own race. But the great mass of these people, under good influences, may be made useful to themselves and to the country. The planting interest in Georgia can never again be what it has been. Few, if any, will be able to prosecute it on as large a scale as some have done in the past. But agriculture ran t continm t h< the chief industrial pursi • iff Hu return of prosperity will only be r< tarded by inconsiderate at ai- main ol it under a feeling of despv ntei S. fa • -is the great staple for exi >r. L , i neom t. :....uy will probably be si., p;i>.A .it flu • e. uuiaiy results, even in tlii ' ... : year. 1 v price of the article «• mot ♦ban liace ibid that of the veumi' es teniiei-veai>; whilst the product. -A via S-c ful ly one-third of thai . >,:x< >i -c > us We cannot derivi ; lie -.a co,— ition. to the full extent, regardu g the provision crop. That will i ill short required to subsi.-i th people#.'! tin State; and whilst time who eo'.ul-. .ed with it the culture A''•<> v.’dl he abini dandy able to su >!y ' i >••• li.* poorer classes, who \m- r -vev a, -•.••mod to produce more than a livelihood, will be greatly straitened. But such as has been always their experience uuder like circum stance, and they must be helped, as here tofore, by those more favored. Surely it will be so. Especially should the creditor | class favor the debter thus unfortunately i stituated. He who, under such cireum- I stances, would coerce payment, hy legal compulsion, beyond his positive necessities, would be a monster, even in the family of Mammon. Good policy and wise forecast undoubted ly require diversity of pursuits. Resources, other than agricultural, which are abun dant in Georgia, should be developed. And there arc those who have pecuniary ability, without adaptation to husbandry ; and others who Lave brain, or bone and muscle, or all combined, who have neither land nor the means of purchasing it, to whom these other fields of enterprise are especially inviting. But agriculture is at last tho leading and the mostdesirable pur suit, and those having experience in it, or adaptability to it, combined with the pos session of land or the means to purchase it, should struggle with all possible energy and persistence to overcome all obstacles to success. In view of material prosperity, the most gloomy picture of these gloomy times is productive land lying fallow. Let all holders of arable land cultivate the freedman, in order that he may cultivate the soil, to the great advantage of both parties. And if, at last, he prove untract able and unavailable, let the pauper popu lation of other countries be sought after. But, come what may, let our bread acres be tilled. There lies, for us, the broadest, and deepest and most reliable source of subsistence and of wealth. Whatever the General Assembly can do to encourage and foster this branch of industry, 1 earnestly urge upon them. They are themselves chiefly of this class, and may be supposed to comprehend its wants. At the same time, doubtless, they will be disposed to do all they can legitimately to promote the introduction and development of other in dustrial pursuits. THE PENITENTIARY. The Penitentiary of' the State has been this year passing through a trying ordeal. Subjected during the war to the torch of an invading army ; at tho commencement of the present political year it was in a state of great dilapidation—scarcely an available tenement on the premises, its workshops destroyed, tho largo ccll-build ing roofless, and otherwise injured—every thing wearing the aspect of ruin, with no funds, and few convicts to aid in the work of reconstruction. The appropriation made for repairs and for support of the institu tion was, in my estimation, very inadequate to its necessities. Yet, 1 think those who will charge themselves witli personal in spection will find that, by ccouomy, energy, and a wise use of limited means, very much has been accomplished in the way of reno vation. The cell-building, essential to the safekeeping of the inmates, has been put in excellent condition ; some workshops have been constructed ; the tapnery and shoe manufactory have been put in good working order ; a large eating-room, with kitchen and smoke-house appurtenant, has been built de novo ; the barracks for the guard have been made not only habita ble, but comfortable; the steam engine has been repaired and made subsidiary to many useful purposes, and the debris of the fire has disappeared. There remain ruins not removed, because susceptible, at moderate expense, of useful reno vation. Asa Georgian, I regret to add another evidence of its prosperity as an institution, viz : the large increase in the number of its inmates/ I willingly bear testimony to the fidelity and ability with which the Principal Keeper and his assistants have discharged their duty. The Report of tho former will be before you. Your communities will scrutinize it. inspect the premises, and look into the general management of the institution. I deem it unnecessary to reiterate the views presented to you in my first message rela tive to its continuance as a State instution, and the extension to it of such fostering care as its necessities may require. In conformity with a resolution of the General Assembly, Messrs. Ilowell Cobb, Mark A. Cooper, and John 11. Fitten, were appointed commissioners “to examine and report upon the propriety of removing the present Penitentiary and locating it elsewhere, or of establishing an additional one. ’ ’ Tlieir report has not yet been re ceived, but, I am informed, will be soon presented. When received, it will he transmitted ; and until then I reserve any other views I may desire to present on this subject. THE CHAIN-GANG. By an act of the General Assembly, en titled “An Act to alter and amend th« Penal Code of Georgia,” approved 20,th March, 1866, a large number of offences, previously treated as felonies, were re i d'aced below that grade, and were made j punishable, in the discretion of the Judge, by sentence, “to work in a chain gang.” And by another act, entitled “An Act to Regulate the manner of convicts laboring upon public works, and to define the pow ers and duties of the Inferior Court and Governor of the State, touching the same, andfor other purposes therein mentioned.” (approved on the same day,) it was left discretionary with the Inferior Courts of the several counties to employ such con v«# on the public works of the county, or to report them to the Governor, to be othewise employed. When so reported, it was made the duty of the Governor to send a guard for them, and to employ them diligently on the Western and Atlantic Railroad, or upon such other public works or improvements as he might judge to be the best interest of the State, and as shall best subserve the ends of justice. Sentences of this character have been very numerous, and in nearly all cases, the Inferior Courts, declining to employ them in the counties wherein they were convicted and senten ced, have reported them to the Executive. The performance of this duty has been attended with great difficulty, embarrass ment and expense. I made early examin ation into the practicability of employing these convicts safely and advantageously on the Western and Atlantic Railroad, and became thoroughly satisfied, that, al though such labor might be very profita bly used in constructing a railroad where there were excavations and embankments to be made, it was entirely inadapted to any work to be done on a railroad finished and in operation. In ordinary employment, as depot or train hands, or track-men, or in any other work of which they are capa ble, they require more freedom of action and more dispersion than would be com patible with secure confinement, without employing almost as many guards as la borers. That, therefore, was not available. There are no established public works, except within the walls of the, Penitentia ry, where mechanical arts are chiefly prose cuted. For, these, the term of punish ment usually prescribed for chain gang convicts is too short, and in them convicts sentenced tor felonies can be more profita ble employed for the State and for them selves. The expense of transporting them to the seat of government is very heavy. It sometimes happens, and may often occur, that a gn'rd is sent from the scat of government to a county most remore from it, for a single chain gang convict, and within a month has to be sent to the same j or an adjoining county for another, and. perhaps, neither may have been sentenced i for more than sixty days. U hen brought j here, there are no pre-arranged facilities 1 for employing, keeping or guarding them. 1 To overcome these difficulties, I have con nected this branch of the public service mor< ' or less closely with the operations of the ' Penitentiary. This made the transporta- j tion cheaper, because often the same guard j would bring^onyictTTfoloniesan^y v,ers Os nnsdo.nr.nnnrs.. Within the walls °, itl,u cuifoutjary, 1 Have also found it cheaper and rto confine t»m at night , and whenever their labor could bo employed profitably to the Penitentiary I have causou.to be soused, and clftrged that institution with it. At the same tune, 1 been compelled to impose upon it the lodging, guarding and subsist ence of them, and of course to allow rea sonable compensation for them. They have been, as far as practicable, employed in out-door work-in doing, carrying and lifting, necessary in the repairs on the Executive mansion and State House in clearing away the ruins of the demolished Arsenal, in improving the grounds of *e Public Square, iu improving the streets of Milledgeville at very moderate hire, in making brick in the Penitentiary bric-k yard, in quarrying granite, which may be useful to the State, or saleable. as the number increases—and it does so rapidly the difficulty of employing them and the incidental expense increases dispropor tionately. If the policy of throwing them upon the hands of the Executive be con tinued, it is indispensably necessary that some regular continuing public works, adapted to their capacity, be inaugurated, and that a system be adopted for this whole service. I recommend, however, that their employment upon the public roads of the several counties, and in ma king brick for the erection of court houses and jails, and in building bridges, be made compulsory upon the Inferior Courts of the saveral counties. There is open to those Courts a wide field for their employment, in every county, which, with good man uld i 1 ' Ivantage ous to it. Nothing more is wanting than a spirit of enterprise and improvement™ The roads and bridge: of the State, wit™ rare exceptions, are proverbially bad. liH many counties, court houses are wanted: ,tid, in a vast majority, sate and commo dious jails. Here is an opportunity to command free labor for such useful pur fposes. Many shrink from it. because, in (he beginning, the laborer* are too few to Ire profitably employed. But the indica ttons are. that this would be only tempora ry. An i ffieient gang once made up \\ uld undoubtedly be fh&jataincd as regardsnum- Lbors. Where itbeSme necessary provision | might be made for consolidating ilianas i of two or three ml joining countnPSk and • work : t'*n alteruat !y m the eTm q . tire other. After much reflection and a little expe rience, lam satisfied of three things. Ist. That owing to the short terms of punish ment, no general system of State employ ment of these convicts can be devised which will at all compensate for the expense of transporting, subsisting and guarding them. 2d. That tho employment of them in the counties where convicted can bo made to. relieve the planting interest gene rally of an onerous public service, (the working ol the roads) and in every way prove beneficial to the counties. 3d. That not hing short of legal compulsion will induce the courts of the counties to em bark in the enterprise. This subject, in my judgment, demands the serious consideration of the General Assembly. MAIMED SOLDIERS. Considerable delay has, I regret to say attended the completion of arrangements for the supply of artificial limbs to maimed soldiers. No general inconvenience, how ever, has resulted from it, iu consequence of tardiness in returns made to the Comp troller General; less than one hundred ap plications having been made by the first of September, of which one-fourth were in formal. and only about one-half the coun ties having been yet heard from. I appointed as a board of surgeons to examine specimens of various patents which were put in competition for the work ordered by the General Assembly, Drs. L. A. Dugas, 11. H. Steiner and L. D. Ford, of Augusta, having personal knowledge of tlieir professional attainments and skill, and believing that the examina tions and consultations could be made with more deliberation and less delay by select ing those resident in the same place. A call was also made through the ga zettes, as directed in the act, lor proposals from manufacturers exhibiting specimens, which elicited quite a number. Consider ing together these proposals, the report of the surgeons upon the relative merits of the limbs submitted to tlieir examination, and the directions given in the first section of the act as a guide to the Executive, it was very clearly my duty to accept the offer of Dr. Douglass Bly. To him, there fcfp, the contract was awarded, and it has boen duly executed; he naming Macon as the central point where the limbs were to befitted. The price of these limbs will be seventy dollars for each leg, and for each arm where the amputation was above the elbow, and forty dollars where it was made below that joint. The report of the Comptroller General will inform you of the whole number ol ap plications that have been made and of the probable total. The sum required to sup ply all applicants who bring themselves within the provisions of the act, will prob ably somewhat exceed the appropriation made, but it will doubtless be your pleas ure to increase it so as to leave none destitute. Adequate information will probably be at your command in time to act. ». Prom information collected, I am satis fied tnat the benefit to be derived by the wearer of this admirable invention, will depend mainly upon himself. Early experience in the use of the most perfect and best adapted artificial limb will be dis appointing, but proper caution and perse verance will so familiarize the wearer with its action, as to make it speedily a wonder fully useful substitute for the lost mernbei. It is to be hoped that the brave men who have suffered mutilation will, by the exer cise of pa tience, care and persistence, de rive all the benefit you have designed for them. CORN APPROPRIATION. After careful enquiry, 1 became satisfied that the coni could be most advantageous ly supplied the destitute with the appro priation of the last sc>. ion by sending an agent to the Northwest, and that St. Louis was the best point for his operations. Col, Maddox was accordingly appointed and dispatched so soon as the necessary funds could he obtained. Through the liberality of companies engaged in transportation by steamboat and railroad between St. Louis and Chattauoaga, half freights only were charged for bringing this corn to tlm wes tern terminus of tiie State Road—which enabled me to expend in the purchase at least $35,000 more than could otherwise have been done. The different railroad companies of this State, with their accus tomed public spirit in the furtherance of good works, have done their part in the transportation with promptness and fidel ity, free of charge. To avoid delay I up. pointed Col. Peterson Thweatt, Agent, tq receive tho corn at Chattanooga and to distribute it to the counties, thus carrying on the purchase and distribution simulta neously. The Superintendent and other officers and agents of the Western and Atlantic Railroad have also materially aided the operation, The purchasing and distribut ing agents have displayed a high degree of businoss capacity, promptness, and fidelity in the discharge of their duties. The re sult is, the purchase and distribution in round numbers of 185,000 bushels of corn, being four and a half bushels to each bene-, ficiary reported, at a cost (all expenses in cluded) a little less than one dollar per bushel. There are some items not yet re ported, which prevents a more precise statement, hut when all expenses shall have been paid, there will remain in the Treasury, of this apnropropriation, about $15,000. Reports oi the agents accom pany this communication. 1 cannot dose this Subject (relief to the destitute and suffering people of Georgia,) without making this public acknowledg ment of certain noble benef'aciion3 from the charitable of other States, (partly in provisions and partly in money,) which have been and are being distributed; through my instrumentality. In these munificent charities the nable women of our country have, as usual, been the chief actors. Ladies’ Southern Relief Associa tions of Baltimore, of St. Joseph, Mo., and of Woodford, Ky.; the Florissant Southern Relief Association of St. Louis, Mo., and citizens of St. Louis, Mo., acting through a committee,, are the doers of these good works. We can give them only our poor thanks. May lie who is love, and wholovetha cheerful giver, bestow upon them a better reward. PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS. The State house has been re-roofed, and I trust, made secure against leakage ; and the legislative halls have been renovated. Water has been introduced into the build ing. The cupola is represented to be in an unsafe condition, requiring some repairs which could not be made with the existing appropriation. For this reason I have not had the clock repaired Wi.ich stands within it, and coaid not be expected to run well until those repairs shall have been made. The Executive Mansion has been put in secure and comfortable order ; but, owing to the high prices of furniture, labor and freights, and the discovery of greater decay and dilapidation than was an ticipated, the appropriation proved insuffi cient for the object, and the excess has been paid out of the contingent fund, of which, notwithstanding other unexpected j drafts upon it, there remains a considerable | unexpended balance. I refer you, for de j tailed report and suggestions, to the ac companyingreportoftheengineerin charge. EXEC L TIYE DEPARTME NT. My experience in this Department in daces the belief that two Secretaries will be adequate to its business. I dispensed with the services of the additional Secre tary employed during your last session very soon after your adjournment. If, however, the outies be performed by two, as 1 think they can be by the present efficient incum bents, their labors will be arduous; and this, together with the very great cost of living at this time, entitles them to a mod