Weekly chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Ga.) 1866-1877, November 28, 1866, Image 1
oil ) m:kii;s vol. faxy.
Ciwomcle & Sentinel
II IN It V HOOK 1.-:,
A. It. IVlUfillT.
Trims of 'i list i: iution.
J. R. YV. JOHNSTON ,
\ I«. I ST \ , «, A :
VIIIUMT V.oiUGM. SOTEXBKt».
Mr. s. vtkiuson.
Tt is with regret tliat we announce the
withdrawal of Mr. Atkin-on from the
editorial staff of the Chronicle k Senti
nel. Mr. Atkinson is ari accomplished
writer and able editor. We tender him
our best wishes for his success in his future
Common School fit!l.
A\ e lay before our readers to-day the
Common School Bill, as reported by the
< ommittec—and now awaiting the action of
the G -noral Assembly. Wo invite a care
ful perusal. It i a matter of the highest
importance to the peophYof the State, j
It i- all-important that in initiating the j
Common School system as part and parcel I
of the government of the State, that we
should begin anightsiring all the ad j
vantages and avoiding all the errors which j
the development of this system has ex
hibited in other States:. We urge aearc
fill perusal of the bill, and invite discu -ion |
of it i merits from such as feel inter t in
the matter. Our columqs are open to
them.
Military Interference with Suits in the
South.
General Heintzelman, commanding tlie
district of Texas, publishes in general or
ders the following telegram from General
Grant to General Sheridan :
Washington, Octoln r i", IWli. —Major
(Ictienil I*. 11. .Sheridan, (.'oiniiiauding .De
partment o! the <>uil', .New Orleans, J,a:-
Sir : Ite.erring to your endorserrients up
oti coiiiinunicttUon* of General <>. Fos
ter, eoininuniting (iistrict of Florida, of
dat< s September IS and 20, relative to the
eifet-t of tie- President’s Proclamations,
el,-., I amVireete 1 by the (ienerttl-in-eliief
to enclose you a copy of tlie same, and to
sn v that lie construes these proclamations
as tiullilying tJenei-al Orders No. :i, War
i)e|iartmeut, Adjutant Oeneral's otliee,
.futitiary 12, and General Orders .Vo. 41,
lliiilqtiarters of Army, July 0,1808.
I nave the honor to he, very respectfully,
vourohedii tit norvant,
Gkoiiok K. Id-.KT,
Assistant Adjutant General.
The first order referred to, No. 3, pro
vided ibr the protection of loyal persons
against improper civil suits and penalties
in late rebellious States, and directed
commanders of military divisions and de
partments, whose commands are in lately
rebellious States, to issue and enforce or
(1 rs protecting from prosecution or suits
in the State or municipal courts of those
States all officers and soldiers of the ar
mies of the Unit and States, or any person
thereto attached, or in any way belong
ing, who are charged with offences com
mitted in their military capacity against
rebels during the excitement, of the re
hellion.
The second order referred to, No. 44,
wi -i i 1 by G literal Grant on the Oth
of duly last, and directed to department,
di-ti' -t, and post commanders, in States
lately in rebellion, to arrest all persons
who have been, or may hereafter he,
charged with the commission of crimes
against officers, agents, citizens and inhabi
tants of the United States, (irrespec
li"o of color,) where civil authorities have
Utile 1 to arrest and bring such parties to
trial.
Relief—Tin: .Uab .ua Flail.
As this is a subject which seems to en
gross the thoughts of a large portion of our
people, wo think that the following bill,
which has just been introduced into the
Ala haunt 1 legislature, will be read with in
torcst-. However much we may differ in
rt .-ard to the details there can be no doubt
that dl our people are in favor of some
mode of alleviating the present financial
distress of the country. Vie do not intend
to say that this bill meets the difficulty,
but nme of its features arc novel and seem
to 1,,., t t!:c objections which have been
ur.! cd .; siii.-t our own Stay Laws. We
commend its consideration to our law
makers at Milledgeville:;,
A BILL to bo entitled “An Act to regu
late tlie loins of Judgments and Execu
tions, and the sale ol personal property
levied on by filial process.
See. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and
//"iis, or Representative* of the State of
J lot,a, Hit, in (intend As-imhly convened,
That no judgment hereafter rendered by
any Court in this State, hall be a lien on
any property of the defendant or defend
ants therein, real or personal.
See. 2. .ln</ be it further enacted,
That no execution hereafter issued, shall
he a lien upon any property of any of the
parties thereto, real or personal, except
front the time that such execution shall ho
actually levied, and then only upon the
property actually levied upon ; provided,
however, that this act shall not only apply
to any execution which has already Ih-cii
is .'lieu, or which shall hereafter be issued,
w here the judgment is a lien, or where a
previous execution had acquired a lieu
which has not been lost.
Sec. 11. Amt /«; it further enacted,
That whenever an execution, or order of
sale shall be levied on any real or j>< rsonal
praperty of the defendant therein : it shall
iv the duty of the officer levying the pro
cess, if required by the defendant, to sum
nun three disinterested persons to value
j»r, pet ty so levied upon, on each, in writ
in,., and thereupon the officer shall adver
tise tie property so levied on, for side as
required tv law, hut if no person w ill Lid
as much as two thirds of the tip praised
value, the oil'nvr shall restore the property
to the defendant, with his endorsement
thereon,showing the levy, the valuation,
the advertisement, and that the property
was not sold for the went of a lawful Lid
and <ueli return shall destroy the lieu creat
ed by the levy.
Important Decisions
In the ease ofth? lUkcr Locomotive
and Machine Works vs. 1. \V. Bayne,
Howard Seining and Johfi K. (’arow.
Trustees of the Charleston & Savannah
Railroad, et. at., in the United States Cir
cuit Court, in Charleston. Judge Bryan,
aft i r a lengthy and able argument on Loth
siil ‘s. Las issued the following order. We
learn that the order will not effect the sale
of the road, which has been advertised, we
believe, to take place this week, hut its
operations is confined to the property
i'lie Rogers l.’simotive and Machine
W o ks vs. 1. \\ 11 ay oe. Edward Sebfing,
John E Cartw, Trust/-e- of the Charles
ton and Savannah Rail Road Com
pany. <f. at
It is ordered that the defendants. Isaac
W. llayne, E. S ‘bring and JohnE. Carew,
Trustees, be enjoined from selling the four
locomotives,- lsondiga. Mayor Maelie h,
James Adger and Southward Ho! in
cluded in the property advertised by them
to tie sold, until the further order of this
Court, ommtil the said Trustees give -uffi
cient security, to he approved by Daniel
I!or!beck. Esq., Commissioner of this
Ci urt, in the sum of ?3t>.tMh to abide the
dtvree in this ease as to the lien of the de
fend;.tit upon the said locomotives, or any
one of them, and that all equities be re
served. Geo. S. Bryan,
V. s. Judge for Dist of South Carolina.
License Taxes of Bankers. The
Cotnmis-ioner of Internal Revenue has is
-ued a circular respecting bankers license
taxes. The Commissioner says ;
l e. ler the p ovisions of the act of Jure
1". Is-.G. the licenses of bankers are based
upon the amount of capital used or em
ployed The Solicitor of the treasury has
given it a. his opinion that the surplus
earpings of an incorporated bank are no
part of its capital within the meaning and
intent of that part of said act which relates
to license taxes, and that the license tax of
such bank should not be assessed upon a
sum greater than it- chartered capital.
herever, therefore, a sum greater than
the chartered capital has been made the
measure ot such a tax for the current year,
the excess will be abated upon an applica
tion made in proper form to this office.
The i Tty s«:*scriptloii to the Augusta and
foiumbia Railroad—The Constitution
alist still in Opposition.
The Omstilutionalid of yesterday ex
hibits its chagrin at the result of the city
election on the question of a .subscrip
tion to the stock of the Augusta and Co
lumbia Railroad, and attempts to shew that
the result i not a fair expression of the
popular will, ft complains that the 'oppo
nent.-; of the measure had no money to
spend to secure the election in their favor,
and that the oppositioi/was too lukewarm to
stand a fair chance as against the active
efforts of the friends of the road. The
usual and hackneyed cry of the vanquished
that artifice, puffing, &c., were used by
their opponents is brought forward with' ns
much coolness and naivette, as tbot/gn the
('institutionalist really believed what it t: id.
It is decidedly refreshing to witness the
air of injured innocence which our cotem
,
| But. familair as we arc with all the
| wriggling and twisting of the Coustifur
■ tionnli.4 upon this question, we were not
I prepared for the assertion which it makes
j that “many voted for subscription, be-
I cau.se it was generally understood that such
! a decision by the people simply empowered
the Council to subscribe, if, in their judg
ment, the city would receive no detri
ment.”
We venture to a«sert that not a' single
vote was cast for the subscription, with
the understanding that a decision in favor
of it would “ simply empower the Council
to subscribe, if, in their judgment, the city
would receive no detriment.” The vote
was asked for and directed to be taken by
Council, that the people of the city might
instruct and direct Council in the premises.
Council refused to take tlie responsibility
of a subscription unless directed to do so
by tlie legal voters of the city. The City
Fathers, it is presumed, acted in good faith
in thus submitting the question to their
constituents. We do not believe for a
moment that they will now attempt to
ignore the instructions which they asked
from the people, and which then an
plnhjed to earn/ out in good faith.
The Council dare not trifle with the
people’s wishes and interests in this way ;
and we are not only surprised, but mortified
that so respectable a journal as the Con
stitutionafist could so far forget its past
character and history as to even hint at
such an act of had faith.
The question of subscription to the
Augusta and Columbia Railroad is no
longer an open one. The only thing for
Council to do in the promises is, to proceed
at the earliest practicable moment in con
summating the act. There are some terms
which we would like to see embraced in
the subscription—or, rather, some guaran
tees, which wo think Council should de
mand from the Railroad Company, in
relation to the connections of the Road and
the proper representation of the City’s
interest in tlie management of the affairs
of the Company, and which we believe the
President and Directors of the Road will
cheerfully comply with. These being set
tled satisfactorily to both parties, the
subscription should he made at once.
We are surprised to find the Constitu
tionalist still harping upon the old objection
—that Council was under some obligation
to the South Carolina I’ailroad, to the
effect tliat no competing Road should
come into the city, unless upon the re
payment to the former of its subscription
to the Alilledgeville Road. It lias already
been replied to this objection, that no such
contract was ever entered into between the
City and the South Carolina Railroad. —
But we reply further: that if such con
tract had been made and consummated, it
would be absolutely null and vpid.—
First , because the City Council of Augusta
had no authority, under the city charter,
to bind the people of the city for the ben
efit of a foreign corporation; and, second,
because such a contract would be in re
striction of trade and commerce, and,
consequently, injurious to the interests not
only of the city, but of the whole State.
The Constitutionalist is extremely un
fortunate in its allusion to the history
ot the City’s action in relation to
the Savannali-River Valley Railroad.—
It we arc not greatly at fault, the Consti
tutionalist contended, alter that election,
that although there had notheen a majority
of the registered votes of the city cast in
favor of subscription, a majority of the
rotes polled was all that was contemplated
by the law, and was equally binding as
though there had been a majority of the
whole number of registered voters. We
beg the Constitutionalist to refer to its files
of that date, where it will find all its
objections of yesterday fully met and an
swered. Oh! consistency, thou art a
jewel!
Improved Farming Implements.
Now that the negroes can no longer be
forced to do a moderate day's work, the
agricultural interests of the South must
suffer for the want of proper, persistent
and patient toil, unless the evil can be
remedied by the introduction of cheap,
simple and durable mechanical contrivan
ces, which will enable the Southern plan
ter to accomplish the necessary amount of
work to cultivate and prepare for market
the crops which, in former years, were
produced by the compulsory labor of
slaves.
The present year's experience lias shown
that, under the most favorable cin um
stances and with the best of management,
free negroes are not more than one half as
effective, as laborers, as before emancipa
tion. There have been, doubt'ess, some
instances where, from the individual excel
lence of the negroes, and the small number
which have been worked together, their
! dior b ' - ’ con almost equal to the “olden
time;" bat these Lave been exceptional
and rare cases, and do not disprove the
almost unanimous verdict of our planters,
that their labor is not more than half as
good a- before their freedom.
In addition to the comparative meffici
eney of the present negro labor, our plan
ters find themselves deprived of the usual
number of laborers, and many acres of our
best lands will lie uncultivated another
year front this cause alone. In some of the
middle and western counties of this State
the exodus of the negro population this fail
and winter to the rich fields of the Missis*
sippi valley will leave the agricultural in
terests of these counties iu a most desolate
and alarming condition. The present crop
has been a very short one —not more, per
haps. throughout the State than one-third
of a fair average crop, and another failure
next year, will be attended with results too
fearful to speculate upon. It is true that
the seasons of the present year were very
unpropitious, and to that cause the failure
of the crop fuust. to a large extent, be at
tributed. It is hardly probable that we
will have next year a repetition of this
years disaster from the same or like causes.
Our trouble next season will be, first, in
gett'ng the necessary number of laborers :
and then, in being able to get from them a
-umeieut amount of work to insure the
proper cultivation of the erop.
We confess that we have not very strong
faith in the willingness of the negroes, to
perform their work with such efficiency as
will secure large results. W e think that
we should begin to look about for such me
chanical aids, as will enable us to cultivate
the usual number of acres without the
labor, which we have formerly bestowed
upon them. We want ploughing machines,
grubbing machines, improved cultivators,
and all the modern appliances of mechani
cal skill, which are used in Europe and the
Northern and Western States. The old
style of one horse ploughing, by which an
acre or an acre and a half were “scratched
over in the day, must give way to the gang
plough or sulkey cultivator, with which ten
to twelve acres are thoroughly prepared for
the seed, or the young crop cultivated.
The farmer' of the JVestern .States have
already discovered, that their lands can be
made ten times more valuable by the in
troduction and u-3 of these modern ap
pliauces for cultivating a crop. They are
already far in advance of the Eastern lan
kee?. in their invention and use of farm
implements. Indeed, the Western farmer
does now nearly thewhole of his farm work
with these new machines. A correspon
dent of the New York Post, writing from
the West says: “The farmers of our East
era States, compelled to till rocky and un
even lands, and used to small holdings, do
not know by experience, all of the changes
which improved machinery ha.- wrought in
agricultural operations on the great West
era prairies. There, machines do the labor
of men to such'a degree, that the farmer’s,
heaviest toils are lightened, and one man
is enabled to achieve with ease, the work of
half a dozen.
1 ' We saw recently, a corn-field of one hun
! dred and sixty acres, on the “Grand
l’rairie.” in the plowing, planting and cul
tivation of which, no man walked a stop.
A rotary spader drawn by four horses, and
driven by a man upon the box, plowed the
field to a uniform depth of eight inches,
and gave such thorough tilth t aat it was
not necessary to use a harrow at all. A
corn-planter drawn by two horses, and
driven by a man upon the box, next plant
ed seed. A cultivator drawn by two mules,
one walking upon each side of the knee
high corn, and driven by a man upon the
box, completed the culture of a row at a sin
pie operation ; and in the tool house lay
another machine, also to he drawn by
horses, which will cut down the corn when
it is ripe, and lay it in regular rows, to he
finally gathered by hand. But it is ex
pected that by next year this machine will
be so improved as to gather up the c-oru
also.
“When it is remembered that the farmer
who follows the common plow or cultivator
during a long summer’s day, performs a
march of from ten to fourteen miles, it
will be seen what a boon is the machinery
which relieves him from this toil. And
when we remember how scarce were men
during the last four years in the West, we
shall see that but for such labor-saving imple
ments our vast crops of cereals could have
been neither planted nor gathered.
“The farm of which the corn-field we
speak of was a part, has seven hundred
acres in a single field if timothy. Os what
use would this he if it had to ho cut by
hand ? Rut a half-dozen harvesting ma
chines sufficed to cut it all in good time;
and it will do without “groaning” the
work of half a regiment of men ; patent
horse-rakes, gather it up, and two hay
presses up on the place, squeeze it into
bales fit for shipping. Seventeen and a
half miles of board fence enclose a little
more than half of this farm, which lias as
part of its furniture, comfortable sheds for
ten thousand sheep, a rat-proof corn crib
holding fifteen thousand bushels of corn,
and ext nsive stabling for horses.”
What machinery lias thus done for the
West it will do for the South, now that
free labor is substituted for that of slaves.
Wc see no reason why the cotton and sugar
fields of a great part of the South should
not be tilled by machinery. These fields
arc —in Louisiana, Mississippi, and indeed
in almost the whole of the cotton and su
gar region—level and devoid of rocks:
and these are the only conditions necessary
to tlie successful use of the most valuable
fa#m machinery. The slaves, ignorant
and careless because they had no interest
in the work, used only the rudest and
clumsiest tools ; but in the hands of in
telligent freedmen, the rotary spader or
steam plow, or cultivator, can be used as
well on the immense level bottom-lands of
Louisiana, where sugar is grown, as on the
prairies for corn and wheat.
Editorial Correspondence.
Waynesboro’, Ga., Nov. 20,1866.
Chronicle d> Sentinel:
The fall term of the Superior Court for
this county met yesterday—Judge Ilook
presiding. The dockets seem to be pretty
heavy, and the indications now are that
the Court xvill sit all of this and very prob
ably a portion of next week. I learn from
examination that more than two hundred
cases were brought to the last term of the
Court, a large portion of which, I am in
formed, are founded on contracts made
during the xvar, and which the defendants’
claim should he scaled in accordance with
the provisions of the ordinance of the late
State Convention. There are quite a
number of the Bar from your city here,
among whom I notice, Gov. Johnson, Maj.
Ganahl, Frank Miller, Esq., Col. Laller
stedt, .Judge Snead, AY. A. Walton, Esq.,
and Judge Gibson. From Louisxrille, we
have Judge W. F. Derry and AY. A. AVil
kins, Esq., and from Laurens, Hon. J. T.
Showmake, formerly of your city.
I learn that a meeting of the planters of
this county xvill be held to-day to take
some measures with a viexv to the supply
of the county xvitii corn for the next year.
The crop of this county, like that of all
Middle Georgia, has been an almost total
failure. The corn made this year in the
county, it is thought, xvill not be more
than sufficient to meet the wants of the
people up to the Ist of January next.. The
present high price of corn in the Southern
markets forbids the purchase here of the
large amount necessajy to carry on the
usual farming operations of next year. It
is thought that by combining together, as
certaining the wants of the different plan
ters, and sending an agent to tlie AYest to
make the purchase for the whole amount
tliat may be needed, that it can be laid
down here at a cost greatly below the prices
now charged in Savannah and Augusta.
This plan was suggested some weeks since
by the Chronicle & Sentinel , and we are
glad to find that the Burke planters are dis
posed to try it. I believe that they will
have no cause to regret such a course. I
xvill try to give the results of the meeting.
The proceedings of the Court for the
present week, or at least for two or three
days promise to be of considera
ble interest. It is thought that the eiise
of Dr. Carter, who is charged with the
murder of J. E. Navy, formeily Clerk of
the Courts of this county, will be brought
to trial on Wednesday, and will probably
consume the balance of the week. Able
counsel have been employed on both sides
—for the defendant, Gov. H. Ah Johnson,
Hon. J. T. Shewmake, Hon. J. J. Jones
and Capt. A. M. Rogers. For the State—
Solicitor General J. P. C. AA'hitebead.
Esq., Judge Starnes and General A R
AA right. The alledged homicide was com
mitted in 1861. and the defendant has’
been at large upon bail ever since. Boi’ 1 .
the accused and the deeedant have strong
and influential friends, and both sides are
active and earnest in the preparation of
the case for trial.
There seems to be a good trade doing
here, and I notice some improvements in
the “old town.'' Its nearness to Augusta,
and the facilities for reaching the latter
place by rail twice a day operates somewhat
against the business of the place, but not
withstanding these drawbacks. I learn that
business is better here this year than it
has ever been. The negro trade! which
was very small, and principally confined to
the coarser fabrics heretofore, has been
greatly increased since emancipation, not
only iu the quantity of goods bought, but
also in the style aud quality of the pur
chases.
I will write again in a few davs.
W.
Gen. Butler ran as well at the election as
he did at Fort Fisher,
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 28, 1866.
1 National Finances and Taxation.
The October statement of the public
debt i.-calculated to inspire confidence in
the public mind respecting the manage
ment ia the public iinanc. The interests
•
1- . " ’ distributed
and the influence of the
uponth currency, and taxation son
mediate and direct that anything relating
to our debt is a matter of national itnp >r
| tance. In foreign countries the national
debts are for the most part respectively in
the hands of comparatively a small num
ber ofpetsons, known, as fund holders, and
persons outside of this favored class regard
anything relative to the national debt with
indifference. The tendency in this country
will probably be in accordance with the
general law to concentrate our debt ulti
mately in the hands of capitalists. But at
present there is no person in our commu
nity so poor as not to hold a portion of the
national debt in the shape ol currency or
bonds. The more general distribution of
wealth among the people of the United
States may retard the tendency toward the
accumulation of bonds in the hands cff
capitalists, and so long as the present pop
ular distribution of the national indebted
ness continue, so long will the debt state
ment be a matter of general importance.
For the purpose of more clearly represent
ing the condition of the public debt, and
the changes effected in it, we present the
following comparative .statement of the
debt on the first of November, and on the
first of May:
COMPARATIVE DEBT STATEMENT.
Actual Debt—
Nov. Ist. Mrfy Ist. Dec.
$2,681,030,900 »2,427,676,871 $143,739,806
Debt le- s cash in Treasury—
Nov. Ist. .May Ist. Dec.
§2,551,310,006 $2,t>89,6?9,8 12 $138,379,557
Compound Interest Notes-
Nov. Ist. Mav Ist. Dee.
$ 148,512,140 $ 107,012,141 § 18,590,001
Greenbacks—
Nov. Ist. May Ist. Dec.
•5 390,105,785 $ 415,161,318 § 24,968,523
Coin Debt—
Nov. Ist. May Ist. June.
§1,333,538,841 $1,186(092,811 §147,466,006
Currency Debt —
Nov. Ist. Mav Ist. Dee.
§ 882,408,440 §1,147,222,226 ? 264,813,786
This statement exhibits our national
| finances in a favorable light. There is a
reduction of $133,379,839 in our debt with
in six months. The debt on November 1,
180.3, amounted to $2,744,847,726. We
; have, therefore, paid off within a year an
j indebtedness of nearly two hundred mil
lions ($193,037,821.) This is equal to the
total revenue of Great Britain for a year,
and is a reduction of taxation that has
never been equalled by any nation.
_ The changes in this statement, with the
; single exception of the large gold balance
: in the Treasury, are favorable and con
: servative. The currency is now more con
-1 tracted than at any period, and the returns
' show that Secretary McCulloch has reached
i the limit of his power in contracting its
j volume. He lias withdrawn the full ten
millions allowed by Act of Congress; and
thenceforth the contraction will be limited
to the withdrawal of four millions a month,
j according to law. This slow and gradual
| contraction has at least the good effect of
j preventing any undue disturbances in the
k monej’ market, and is so far calculated to
j inspire public confidence. The contraction
I of the currency is not, however, the only
; diminution that has taken place in the vol
ume of the circulating medium. The
\ eighteen millions of compound notes xvith
| drawn virtually exhibit a corresponding de
crease in the currency, as the compound
■ notes presented for redemption were held
by the banks as a part of their legal ro
i serve, and must be replaced by an equal
i amount of greenback currency. The vol
| tune of currency now afloat is about a.;
follows:
Greenbacks $390,105,785
, National Bank Notes 280,000,000
; State Banks 20,000,000
: Compound Notes 148,512,140
i Fractional Currency 27,588,010
Total $870,295,835
This is about three hundred million in
! excess of the actual amount of currency in
circulation, that being the probable sum
; held by the National Banks iti the shape
! of compound notes and legal tenders, for
the redemption of this circulation. The
Treasury held on November Ist, $30,913,-
| 942 in currency. This sum is not likely to be
reduced by f)aymeuts, 'as the revenue now
exceeds the expenditures, audit may be re
garded as a virtual diminution of the vol
ume of the currency so long as it ma}’ *bc
locked up. A.ter allowing for these de
ductions it will appear that the total
! amount of paper in circulation may ho es
timated in round numbers at about five
hundred and fifty millions. Os course a
j large proportion of this sum is held by
i private parties in reserve, and does not
j properly enter into circulation. But it is
| liable to do so, and must, therefore, he in
cluded in the estimate of outstanding cur
| rency. That the amount is excessive is
i apparent, , but that this excess exercises the
i influence upon business and prices of com
modities that is claimed by certain writers,
cannot ho proved. A great many other
causes besides a redundant currency may
enhance prices.
The large sum of $899,413,018 in coin in
the Treasury ou the Ist of November, is
one of the most serious and least satisfac
tory features of Mr, McCulloch’s report.
ThiS large amount of specie is an embar
rassment to the National Treasury and to
the public. The question is what to do
with it. At present the accumulation of
coin undoubtedly injures the credit of the
Government, as it tends to increase the
price of gold, by withdrawing it from the
market. Any advance iu gold of course
depreciates United States currency and
bonds to a corresponding amount. Busi
ness men must procure gold at any price
to pay import dues and settle foreign
balances. The withdrawal of one million
of coin diminishes the amount of the sup
ply, aud enables a few speculators to con
trol the market. There were extensive
rumors last week, and this, of sales of gold
on account of the Government. But all
reports to that effect are entirely unfound
ed. Mr. McCulloch has placed no gold
directly upon the market, and the apparent
increase in the supply is merely caused by
the reappearance of a portion of the specie
lately disbursed for interest on gold-bearing
bonds. .
It lias been urged with great plausibility
that the Secretary cannot better dispose of
the specie ou hand than by devoting it to
the purchase of greenbacks fir retirement.
But he is precluded in doing so by law.
Mr. McCulloch's hands have been tied up
by Congress, and the only way he has of
disposing of the gold in the Treasury is by
1 inviting sealed proposals for it according to
act of Congress. He has not yet seeu fit to
do so, and the probability is that lie will
j refer the whole matter to Congress for ac
! tion, and throw the responsibility upon that
i body. The proposed plan has its advan
i tages, but it is impracticable, $870,000,000
would retire, or purchase $100,000,000 in
greenbacks, and would set the whole
> machinery of contraction in motion. But
! contraction upon suc-h ati extensive scale
j would inaugurate a disastrous financial
panic, and is not to be thought of even if
!it were legal. Mr. McCulloch’s obvious
policy is to promote an easy money market,
in order to facilitate the conversion of the
short bonds that i#now taking place upon
quite an extensive scale.
In reference to this subject we find that
the currency debt has decreased 8204.813,-
786, since the Ist of May last. The ‘short
! bonds,’ as they are generally called, re
: definable within a couple of years, amount
to a total of 926.000,000. payable on de
mand. Os the balance, $200,000,000, due
next summer and fall, aud 8500,000,000 iu
j -July, 1868, it does not npw appear proba
: hie that the Treasury xvill suffer any serious
| embarrassment in providing for next year’s
j bonds at least. The cash now on hand
; would nearly suffice for that purpose. But
the process of conversion is likely to settle
that question, and it xvill only remain to
provide for the bonds that fall due in 1868,
and the Secretary of the Treasury xvill. no
L doubt, attempt once more to reduce the
' rate of interest. This, however, can
, fcardly be effected until the whole debt
shall have been consolidated into six per
cent, gold interest bends. We are going
last enough as it is. We are funding our
debt faster than was ever before effected
by any country, and. xvhat is better, pay
ing it off iar more rapidly.
It is apparent, however, that the large
payment for the liquidation of the debt,
imposes a burden upon the resources of the
country that it is in no condition to bear. We
have only just recovered from a long and
exhausting war, and there are oniinious
siens of a loss of recuperative force. Our
taxes are too high, and withdraw too lame
a sum from the savings of the country. We
are in no condition to spare anything more
than a per centage of the actual amount
necessary for the expenses of the Govern
ment. and the interest on the debt for the
pavment of the principal. Anythin;: more
than this, abridges employment, checks
production, and diminishes our capacity
for future taxation. There is such a thing
as going too fast in the payment of the
debt Our taxation nmst be reduced near
ly two hundred millions a year. aud this
should be one of the first duties of Congress,
at its approaching session. There are evi
dent signs of prostration and weakness
among the commercial, fhanufaeturing,&fld
agricultural interests, and caution is partic
ularly necessary at this time. * -
When wc con»iJcr, however, the pecu
liarly complicated nature of our National
finance-, the diversity of our obligations,
and th ‘-tnferaissuieuts(necessarily aris
iug from an irrJicenrablg eurrejiej’. it must
be considered that our j itwpectsare hopeful,
and calculated inspire confidence both
at home and abroad. The approaching
upnual Treasury statement will he looked
forward to with peat interest, as it will
throw light u;tot< the financial policy and
intention' of tit. Government. Most of
Mr. McCulloch’? j conclusions are sound,
and, judgffi- the future by the past, wo
may anticipate prudence aud moderation,
aud a conservative course so far as it can
be carried out by tie National Executive*
\\ hat Coi gross m.y determine upon re
main? to be seen. —A’. Y. Mr. Jour.
The Scarcity of Money—The Remedy.
There can he njo doubt that tIU scarcity
i of money as a eSrctlating medium at tlie
South, is operating disastrously upon all
our material interests. However much wc
! may differ to the true remedy for this
distressing evil all will agree that our trade,
commerce, r.arieulturp and industrial pur
suits, of every dc eriplion, are waning and
perishing for tlie ]w»nt of a proper and
regular supply of this indispensable in
vigorator.
i’iie following artiel-',, which we eiip from
the Charleston Memory, presents the mat
ter in a strong and*to gs, somewhat novel
light. Without fid!’- endorsing all its,
views, we eoufets points upide arc
full of interest, am. should have the
thoughtful consideration ttf our people :
_ The grea want now iu the Southern
States, is the want of available means.
With the emancipation of our slaves, and
the fall of the Confederate States of
America, two-thirds of the capital of the
Southern States perished ; the other third
the people of the Southern States
are striving manfully to use, to resus
ciatc their fallen fortunes. But their remain
ing property consists, chiefly, in lands,
which cannot be effectually cultivated with
out borrowed capital. By credit alone can
money he borrowed: but the credit, no
less than the capital of the Southern peo
ple, is destroyed. Even the States cannot,
borrow money; for the capitalists in Eu
rope, or in the United States, are loath to
lend money to State 'Governments which
the majority in Congress threaten to over
throw. Nor will money flow to meet the
exigences of a people, who are kept in an
unsettled condition by peace measures of
war, more ruinous, than war it
self. The great source of our embarrass
ment, therefore, arises from the policy of
the predominating party at the North to
wards the South. AY here it will end, no
one can know; but,f|n the meantime, it
becomes us not to despair of the future,
and to do all in our power to redeem our
fortunes. Cannot the Legislatures of the
Southern States do something to aid their
people and enable them to borrow money ?
It is clear that ordinary banking, ou a
metalic basis, can avail ns nothing. A
bank putting out an issue of bills promising
to pay money, is out of the question. A
specie currency in the United States is at
an end for the next twenty years, if the
debts of the United States arc to be paid.
Wc arc doomed to a depreciated paper
currency for an uncertain or indefinite pe
riod of time!
Nor can public loan offices, based on the
mortgage of lands, hacked by the credit of
the States, support any currency. The j
paper issued on the fcith of such mort- j
gages and such credit, could not ho a prom- j
ise to pay money of any kind on demand,
because no money of any kind would be
received from the loqs on the mortgages.
The paper (whatever' it might be) issued \
on the faith of lands must be !
made payable at the tjmc the loan will be j
returned. The borrower wants the loan !
for years, and the pijper issued ou his j
mortgage must be flxtensive in point of i
time, as tiro payment of the mortgages.
No mere promise to pky at a distant future '
day—it matters not niw good the security j
may be-—would avail is a currency to carry [
on agricultural operat ons; or would retain
such an appreciation as be effective
for our relief. It would greatly depreciate.
National banks ye have tried to get.
Two, of not largo/ .neons, xvcltavebc.cn
able to establish in Charleston ; but they
have been very usefrjl, as far as their capi
tal goes. But they are totally inadequate
to the great wants of our people. Yet,
even this resource, is at an end, since the
whole issue of bank notes, authorized by
the laws establishing them, is already put
out into circulation.
If xve can obtain relief from neither banks
of issue, nor loan offices, nor national banks,
can any other expedient of credit avail
us ? We think there may he :
1. In the first place, we must get rid_ of
the usury laxvs. They are of a very qestion
able use in the regular couiso of things,
where capital abounds, during profound
peace. Jeremy Bcntham showed this
long ago; but in a time of revolution,
when the greater part of the capital of the
country is destroyed, they arc a vicious
absurdity. It is true, that the national
banks in the United States arc prohibited
from charging more than seven per cent,
on their discount of notes ; but then they
are authorized to deal-in exchange ; and,
working the two together, they virtually
charge xvliat interest they please. In such
a condition of things, the usury laxvs of
the Southern States should be speedily re
pealed.
2. Let banks _(uot of issue), but of dis
count and deposit, bo authorized by the
Southern Legislatures, to any amount the
wants of the Southern States require.
3. Let the Stockholders be liable only
to the amount of their stock.
4. In our oxvn State the Bank of "the
State of South Carolina should be resusci
tated, and reorganized as a bank af dis
count and deposit.
It may be objected to such banks, that
they will not afford for the currency they
use, any security beyond their capital.
This is true ; but this currency xvill have
the same security as banks of issue. Sup
pose, for instance, xvliat xve presume will be
the case, that the stock subscribed is paid
in, in the currency, of the National banks.
This currency has bonds of the United
States, lodged in the Treasury of' the Uni
ted States to support it. It isjust as good
after being put out into circulation, when
used by one bank as another. The banks
we propose to establish, will use the cur
rency which the National banks secure.
The National banks, make it good, not
only l>y the stock of the United States de
posited in the Treasury of the United
States, but with all theiv other means of
payment. Tlie National banks buy their
currency hv United States bonds. The
banks we propose, xvill use it.
But it may be objected, further, that the
banks we propose to establish, xvill exact
more than sex-cn per cent, interest on the
discounts and loans. Wc answer, in the
first place, that that is what exists now.
The National banks in the Southern States,
and all lenders of money, except as a favor,
exact more than seven per cent, xvhich is
the interest authorized here. In the second
place, xve answer that money is xvorth in
the Southern States more than seven per
cent., and ought to receive its value. ’1 his
is the inevitable law of every country, with
little capital and wide fields for industry.
We must pay xvhat capital is fairly worth,
or go without it. The remedy is not in
usury laws, but to make money cheap by
making it abundant. The banks we propose
wili be an avantageous position for mak
ing mi iney. They wilUiave less responsibili
ty, and, of course, less fisk, whilst they xvill
he as free in making gains. The taxeslaidon
hanking by the revenue law of 30 th June,
1864 (amounting to two per cent, on
deposits, capital and circulation included),
arc a very great burden on banks, xvheu the
interest of money is but four per cent, per
annum as it is in New York; hut, xvhen
interest is twelve or twenty per cent., as it
is in the Southern States, with the usury
laws abolished, it is uc formidable obstacle
to banking. The various restrictions put
on the national banks, may be far more
burdensome than such a tax. Vi hat has
reduced the rate of interest on money
loaned in New York? Competion. Let
us have the same thing in South Carolina
and the South. Multiply banks of discount
and deposit. The more money they make,
the more they will abound, until their
profits are reduced by competition, and
Become, perhaps, as they are in New York,
less than the interest noxv allowed by laxy.
This is our remedy—the only remedy, it
appears to us, now in our power. It may
liot avail us from the hostile action of the
dominant party in the l mted States, hut
it is worth our trying.
Seizure of Tobacco by the L nixed
States Authorities.— A lot of over five
hundred packages of tobacco wa.~ seized
ye.ttrh-. by Deputy United States. Mar
shal H. \V. Biinn. the property of B. E.
Hal! & Cos., of Covington, Kr., for various
frauds alleged to be committed in violation
of the internal revenue law. The officer
also seized a sum of money, the proceeds of
the sale of over four hundred other pack
ages of tobaooo belonging to the lot, which,
it is stated, was being sold without the
proper legal observance. The will
come up for hearing in the I. nited State -
court. — [Cincinnati Enquirer,
The Relief Bill Before the House of
Representatives.
A BILL, To he entitled .lit Act for the
Permanent Relief of the People of this
’* 'State.
Sec. 1. The General Assembly do enact,
that the first section of “ An Act entitled
An Act for the relief of the people of
Georgia, and to prevent the levy and sale
of property under certain circumstances,
and xvithiu a limited period, passed Bth
March, Iso6, he. and the same is hereby
repealod, and in lieu thereof it is enacted
as follows: That there shall be no levy or
sale oi property of defendants in this State,
before the first day of January, IS6B, un
der any execution founded on any judg
ment, order or decree, upon any contract
or liability made or incurred prior to tlie
first day of June, 1865.
Sec. 2. It shall be in .the power of every
citizen of this 8-tate xvho is indebted, to
have said indebtedness discharged, and of
creditors to have their demands satisfied
unon the following terms, and complying
with the following conditions, namely :
The debtor shali mortgage to the State
of Georgia, real estate to the value of fifty
cents on the dollar, or one-half such in
debtedness, op any less amount, payable
nine years afior the first day of January,
I>4xvhich mortgage, xvhen perfected, as
hereinafter provided, and deposited with
the Comptroller,* General of this State, in
liis office, at tin! seat of Government, shall
entitle the holder thereof to _ Treasury
notes of the State of Georgia to the
amount secured by said mortgage; xvhich*
Treasury notes shall be payable at the seat
of Government of this State, or such other
; l ilacs or places as the Goveruur may deem
best, ten years after the ,first day of
January, 1668 : thus allowing the State
twelve months within which to make said
mortgages available to meet said Treasury
notes in case oi failure of prompt payment;
and in addition to the faith of the State,
said mortgaged property, aud the pro
ceeds thereof if sold, shall be held as a
specific fund for the redemption of said
Treasury notes.
See. 3. It shall he iho duty of the Judge
of the Superior Courts in cac-h Judicial
, Circuit of this State, to select two proper
and competent persons, xvho, acting under
oath, shall enter upon, examine and \-alue
the property mortgaged, as herein set forth,
and certify that the same is xvorth the sum
lor xvhich it is so mortgaged, and of
xvhich the Judge aforesaid shall certify
tliat lie is satisfied, it shall also be the
duty of such debtor and creditor to exhibit
to the Judge aforesaid satisfactory and
sufficient proof that the debt for which
said mortgage is given is a bona fide debt
xvhich existed prior to the first day of June,
1865, of which fact the debtor and creditor
shall each make oath before said Judge;
and should any person be found guilty of
false sxvearing, or of presenting or making
a fraudulent claim or mortgage under the
provisions of this Act, the person so offend
ing shall be punished by imprisonment and
labor in the Penitentiary of this State, not
less than four nor more than ten years.
See. -1. It shall be the duty of the J udge
aforesaid to attend at the Court House of
each county in his Circuit at such time or
times as lie shall appoint, and then and
there receive, examine and pass upon the
mortgages contemplated by this Act, and
the title of tffie mortgager to the property
embraced in.said mortgage, and certify to,
and upon said mortgages as by this Act is
required, which mortgages xvhen so exe
cuted and certified shall ho filed in the
office of the Clerk of the Superior Court
in which the mortgaged property lies, and
shall there remain for the space of thirty
days, and be in said office recorded; and
any person ’claiming to have any prior
mortgage on said mortgaged property xvho
fails to file said lion and claim xvithin said
thirty .days, shall thereafter be barred from
enforcing the same as against the State as
mortgagee of said property; aud when any
such claims arc filed, the same shall bo
passed upon qnd determined by said Judge,
whose decision, shall be final, unless appeal
ed to by the person asserting such lien,
and if so appealed the same shall be finally
determined by a special jury tit the next
Superior Court held for said county.
See. 5. When said mortgage lias remain
ed thirty days in the Clerk’s office as herein
directed, said Clerk shall certify the same
on said mortgage under iiis seal of office,
and shall deliver said mortgage so certified
to the creditor or creditors ofsaid mortga
ger upon said creditor or ‘creditors signing
on said mortgage and not otherwise, a re
ceipt in the following form, to wit: Re
ceived , _ 186 ,of the with
in mortgage in full payment of all demands
against him up to the first day of June,
1865. Witness my hand and seal.
I Seal. 1
Which receipt shall be attested by the
Clerk of the Court aforesaid, and embraced
in his certificate under seal.
Sec. 6. For each mortgage made under
this Act, mortgager shall pay tc. the Judge
herein named at the time of his certifying
to said mortgage as required by the 4th
Section of this Act the sum of dol
lars, from which said J udge shall pay the
valuators contemplated by the fid Section
of this Act, for their services ; and said
mortgager shall also pay to the Cjcrk for
recording and certifying each mortgage,
the sum of fifty cents.
See. 7. The form of the mortgages con
templated by this Act may be as follows :
State of Georgia, county,.;, I,
, hereby acknowledge myself' torbe
indebted _to as Governor of the State
of Georgia, and his successors in office, in
the sum of dollars, which sum I pro
uiise to pay to him, as Governor, and his
successors on the first day of January, 1877;
and for the payment and to secure the pay
ment thereof, 1 do hereby convey and
mortgage unto him the said , as
Governor as aforesaid, and his successors
in office forever, all that This
conveyance to be void upon the payment
of the said sum of dollars according
to the tenor and effect of this mortgage,
otherwise to remain in full force.
Witness my hand and seal, this day
of 186 , [Seal.] Signed, sealed
and delivered in presence of
Sec. 8. When said mortgages become
due, if the same be unpaid, it shall be the
duty of the Comptroller General to issue
execution thereon within thirty days there
after for the amount due on said mortgage,
directed to the Sheriff of the county in
which the mortgage property lies, and
returnable to the next term of the Superior
Court of said county; and it shall be the
duty of the Sheriff to levy on, and after
advertising thirty days, sell said mortgaged
property under thc rules governing Sheriff’s
sale of lands, to satisfy said fi. fa., and
make return of the same as by said fi. fa.
directed ; and the money raised by such
levy and sales shall bo by said Sheriffs paid
over to such officer or agent as the Gover
nor of this State shall direct.
See. 9. TneTreasury Notes contemplated
by this Act shall be of such form and
amount as to lie available as a circulating
medium, be issued under the direction of
the Governor of this State, he signed by
the Trersuror and countersigned by the
Comptroller General of this State, and
bear on their face the faoi that they are
“secured by mortgage on real estate,” and
be payable to bearer.
Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the
Comptroller General, under the direction
of the Governor, to prepare blank mort
gages with forms of certificates, and re
ceipts thereon as contemplated by this
Act, and furnish the several Judges of the
Superior Courts with a sufficient number
thereof to carry this Act into effect.
Sec. 11. The mortgages contemplated
by this Act shall be numbered by the
Comptroller General in the order in which
they are received by him, and creditors
filing said mortgages shall receive Treas
ury Notes therefor in the order and ac
cording to the priority of filing the same.
Sec. 12. The mortgager shall have the'
privilege of paying off said mortgage any
time at the office of the Comptroller Gen
eral or Treasurer of this State, as the
Governor may direct in Treasury Notes
issued under this Act, and thus relieving
the mortgaged property, from the lien
thereof; and on paying the same it shall
be the duty of the Comptroller General to
certify on such mortgage that the same is
satisfied in full, and sign such certificate
officially, which, on being produced to the
Clerk of the Court in whose office said
mortgage has been recorded, he shall, with
such record, record said certificate of satis
faction, and the same shall be evidence
thereof in any Court in this State, and for
recording which said Clerk shall be enti
tled to twenty-five cents.
See. 13. When there are several credi
tors of the same debtor whose claims are j
embraced in the same mortgage, the 1
Judge in passing upon said claims and re- 1
eeiving and passing upon said mortgage,
shall give to each creditor a certificate of '
the amount due him under said mortgage,
which amount shall be his pro rata of said I
mortgage according to the magnitude of
his claim, in determining which, _ all debts 1
shall be considered of equal dignity.
Sec. 14. This Act shall remain of force [
and its provisions open to the citizens of ;
this State, until the first day of January, j
1868, and no longer.
Sec. 15. All laws militating against this
Act are hereby
3 The Freedmen’s Bureau has just ccmd
pleted the colored census of Norfolk, and
report nine thousand negroes
there,
Jefferson Davis.
I here is nothing that can be said of the
great state prisoner, which is devoid of
interest. Even those who have been ad
x ersc to him, must- i'eel a degree of con
ecru. He seems no nearer trial than a
year or more ago. The Nexv York Tribune
has repeatedly spoken truthfully of the
extreme wickedness in keeping him a
close prisoner aud refusing him the con
stitutional right of a speedy trial. AYe
take the folloxving from a recent number of
the Tnbune, which will he read xvith un
divided interest :
Eighteen months have nearly elapsed
since Jefferson Davis was made a state!
prisoner. Ho had previously been pub
licly charged, by. the President of the j
United States, xvith conspiring to asstts- j
sinatc President Lincoln, and SIOO,OOO j
offered l'or his capture thereupon. The i
capture xvtts promptly made and the money
duly paid ; yet, up to this hour, there !
has not been even an attempt made by the j
Government to procure his indictment on |
that charge. He has also been popularly,
if not officially accused of complicity in the >
virtual murder of Union soldiers, xvliilo !
prisoners of war, by subjecting them to !
needless, inhuman exposure, privation and ;
abuse ; but no official attempt has been j
made to indict him on that charge, lie'
has been indicted for simple treason ; and
even this indictment has not been obtained
at the instance of the Government. It
may be so badly drawn that no conviction
could be had on it, whatever the proof ad
vanced ,■ vet tin. ! fyoc-utm: could .-ay,
“I am not responsible ibr this. The in
dietment was obtained without the assent,
or privity of my Attorney-General or cab
iuct.”
Repeated attempts have been made by
the-prisoner’s counsel to bring his case to
trial, but to no purpose. The government
does not appear to prosecute; tin! ma
chinery of the courts is always out of order.
At one time martial laxv stands in the way;
xvhen that obstacle is removed, there is a
cavil as to the sufficiency or completeness
of its withdraxval; and, xvhen that xvill no
longer serve, it is found that Congress has
somehow disarranged the judicial districts,
so that the case cannot safely be proceeded
with. And Congress itself, having most
inconsiderately meddled xvith tlie matter,
never took pains to inquire xvhat action on
its part, if any, xvas requisite; so that noxv,
Congress, President and Chief Justice, arc
in a complete muddle ou the subject; each
seeming incliued to throw all responsi
bility for the delay on one or both of the
others.
The upshot of all this is, that the pris
oner is not tried, nor likely to be; and
that, if tried, lie is morally certain not to
bo convicted; if convicted, not to be pun
ished. There are still many persons xvho
| xvould. like to have him executed, but
there is not one intelligent man on earth
xvho has the faintest notion that lie ever
xvill he.. For, though governments some
times inflict capital punishments on con
spicuous rebels, they never, at least in
modern times, do so long after their re
bellion xvas suppressed. Austria, in 1849,
put to death thirteen of the Hungarian
leaders, betrayed into her hands by the
miscreant Gorgcy; but she tried them by
drumhead court martial directly after their
surrender, and had them all hanged and
buried xvithin forty-eight hours. Had she
xvaited eighteen months and then executed
them, she xvould have invoked the execra
tion of'all Christendom.
Since it is notorious that Mr. Davis is
not to be punished, why is he still kept
awaiting a trial xvhich lie alone seems to
desire, and xvhich he can by no means
obtain ? AVlial, good end is subserved by
persisting in a menace which still serves to
irritate, though it no longer appalls?
Congress, at its last session, evidently
felt that it had the president at disadvan
tage xvith regard to this prisoner—that
was an elephant which Mr. Johnson had
too eagerly acquired, and xvas noxv unable j
either to keep or dispose of, save to his own
loss. 1 ' In the state of feeling then preva
lent., tjiis aspect of the case xvas regarded
by many xvith evident complacency. Had
the president been a man of high courage,
xve think he xvould have bailed the prisoner,
and called on Congress to demand, if tliat
were deemed advisable, that he should bo
surrendered, and tried, and to prescribe the
! legal conditions of sucli trial, since tin.
laws as they stand seem inadequate or de
fective. But he should first, at all events,
have publicly retracted the charge of com
plicity with the assassins of President Lin
coln, since ht! has virtually abandoned it by
not attempting to found an indictment
thereon. It is neither just nor wise lo
send forth a prisoner of state with the
brand of murderer on his brow ; and a
naked failure to prosecute Is but equivalent
to the Scotch x’crdict, “Not proven.” If
Mr.. Davis is even probably guilty of com
plicity with Booth, he should long since
have been indicted and tried for that crime;
if lie is not, he should have ere this been
explicitly freed from the reproach, even
though he were to he executed for treason
on the morrow. A great government may
deal sternly with offenders, but not meanly;
it cannot afford to seem unwilling lo repair
an obvious wrong.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS IN 1860.
Counties I’rwUuciug the Largest UuantUy
as appearing by tlie United States
Census.
Wheat. —Lancaster county, Pennsylva
nia, production, 2,125,722 bushels.
Rye. —Columbia county, New York, pro
duction, 547,902 bushels*
Corn. —Sangamon county, Illinois, pro
| duction, 3,599,405 bushels.
Oats— Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
j production, 1,922,922 bushels.
! Rice. —Georgetown district, S. C., pro
i duction, 55,805,385 pounds.
Tobacco. —Christian county, Ky., pro
duction, 11,409,016 pounds.
I Cotton. —Tensas parish, La., production,
141,493 bales.
Wool. —AVashingtoncounty, Penn., pro
duction, 1,115,868 pounds.
Reas and Beans. —Barnwell district, S.
C., production, 171,605 bushels.
Irish Potatoes. —Monroe county,-N. Y.,
production, 1,312,215 bushels.
Sweet Potatoes. —Dublin county, N. C.,
production, 303,006 bushels.
Barley. —Aiamcda county, California,
! production, 808,015 bushels.
Buckwheat. —Butler county, Penn., pro
duction, 422.379 bushels.
Wine. —Hamilton county, Ohio, produc
tion, 353,818 gallons.
Butter. —Chenango county, N. Y.,
production, 5,046,772 pounds.
Cheese. —Herkimer county, N. Y., pro
duction, 10,901,522 pounds’
Hay. —St. Lawrence county, N. Y., pro
duction, 165,634 tons.
. Hops.— Oswego county, N. Y., produc
tion, 3,507,069 pounds.
. Hemp.— Garrard eouuty, Ivy., produc
tiom 24,871 pounds.
Flaw. —Renssalaer county, New York,
production, 492,671 pounds. ■
Maalc Sugar. —rit. Lawrence county,
Nexv York, production, 1,378,142 pounds.
Cane Sugar. —St. Mary’s parish, Lit.,
production, 30,731 hhds.
Maple Molasses. —Montgomery county,
Ohio, production, 22.078 gallons.
Cane Molasses. —Point Coupee parish,
La., production, 1,342,195 gallons.
Sorghum Molasses. —Marion county,
lowa, production, 67,680 gallons,
j Beeswax. —Shelby county, Aia., pro
: duction, 13,000 pounds.
Honey —Steuben county, N. Y., produc
: tion, 132,844 pounds.
Home Manufacture. — Wilson county,
Tenn., value of production, $222,236.
Slaughtered Animals. —Starke county,
Ohio, value of production, $1,523,568.
State Aid to tiie Macon & Bruns
wick Railroad. —The hill to lend the
credit of the State to the Macon and
Brunswick Railroad, passed the House, on
Thursday last, by a large majority. There
seems to be no doubt about its passing the
Senate, also. The main feature of the
bill is that the State shall endorse the
Bonds of the Pioad, and that the State
shall have a mortgage on the Road for
security. As the Road is already built to
Hnwkiusville, some fifty miles, and is
worth a million of dollars, prudent legisla
tors think that the State is amply secured,
and runs no risk whatever. If the bill is
approved by the Governor, the Road will
certainly be put through to Brunswick.
I hat it will develop an important section
of our State, and prove a most profitable
investment, we do not question for a mo
ment. Savannah will have a rival now on
our Atlantic coast, and must bestir her
self, or she will be outstripped in the race
for commercial prosperity. -
The precedent in this hill is the only
dangerous feature in it.— f ederal Union.
W e hear it rumored, on very good au
thority, that Mr. Tutt, of this city, has
received notice from England that, by the
death of some of his relations in that coun
try, a fortune of two million dollars has
been beoueathed to him. The family of
this gentleman reside in this city, but he
has, since the war. been engaged in busi
ness in St. Louis, and pays his family a
visit once a year. —Norfolk Bay-Book.
The election of contrabands in Massa
chusetts exhibits a niggardly disposition.
NEW SERIES, VOL.XX Y. NO. 49.
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
Saturday, Novo miter 17.
SENATE.
i The Senate iuct at the hour of 10 o'clock
A. M.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
Mr. Blount moved to reconsider the bill
(lost) for the pardon of 'A'ise, of Butts
county. The motion prevailed.
Mr. J. F. Johnsoumovedtoreconsider
the action ol the Senate yesterday, in the
passage of a bill to repeal the Act to allow
persons charged with crime to bo commit
ted for trial in any county of the State.
The motion prevailed, and the bill was laid
on the table the balance of the session.
Mr. Casey introduced, on the 15th inst.,
a bill to abolish imprisonment for debt
Also, a bill to provide that the settle
ment ibr bills ol’ Banks shall be made at
the current, rates of value of such bills at
the time the suit was commenced.
Mr. J. A. AY. Johnson: A hill to incor
porate the People’s Savings Bank of Dal
ton.
Mr. .1. I . Johnson: A bill to allow the
-Masonic Fraternity of Atlanta to raise by
lottery money, for building a A\ i. loves’ and
Orphans’ Home.
Mr. O. L. Smith: A bill to incorporate
the Carter, villc and A an AYert Railroad
Company.
•The regular order of the day—tlie bill to
modify the Act creating County Courts —
was taken up, tlie same being the recom
meudation of the majority of the Commit
tee. After considerable discussion the
’notion >"• ' ; ■'
Repot t tvaslost by a vote of 19 to 20.
Tue Senate nifoumed.
HOUSE.
Saturday, November 17.
Air. Ridley introduced a resolution to
have morning and afternoon sessions of the
House after this day. Agreed.
Senate amendment to 1 louse resolution
to appoint committee to examine digest
of decisions of Supremo Court by J. AY.
Avery, was concurred in.
A seat on the Hour of the House xvas
tendered to lion. Jno. A. Jones and Gen.
11. C. AYayne.
THIRD READINGS.
To change line between AYilcox and Pu
laski. Passed.
To change line between Appling and
Coffee. Passed.
BIIXS INTRODUCED.
Mr. Durham: To allow AY. F. AA’hitc,
ofClark county to practice medicine, and
charge for the same.
Air. Adams : A resolution for tiie re
lief of maimed soldiers—to appoint a com
mittee to examine the Eureka leg, &c.,
invented by Dr. Byrd.
The Senate resolution to furnish certain
books to Fannin and Pickens counties, xvas
concurred in.
The morning session xvas consumed,
after the hour spent iu debating whether
there should be afternoon sessions, in read
ing bills a second time, adjourned.
I send the remarks of Air. Barnes,
of Richmond, made on the motion
to reconsider the bill to aid in the construc
tion of theAlacon A Brunswick Railroad:
Air. Barnes arose and said :
Mr. Speaker : It is always xvith feelings
ol extreme reluctance that l throw myself
upon the indulgence of the House. That
reluctance, on an occasion like this, when
T am compelled to differ from valued
friends, becomes pain. Painful, however,
as the duty may he, 1 still feel that I cannot
shrink from its discharge. AVhcn the
debate closed on yesterday, in which 1 did
not participate, my mind was carried back
to an anecdote xvhich 1 had read in my
school boy days. A great philosopher,
xvliose name has come down to us through
the light and darkness of more than txventy
centuries, observed that he lmd frequently
retired from (lie Academy at Athens with
regret that he had spoken—never xvith
regret that lie had been silent. Comparing
so humble an individual as myself with so
illustrious an example, 1 could not hut feci
on yesterday that my position was the
reverse of his, and so feeling, I cannot,
without being recreant to my own sense of
duty, be silent upon this motion. My
objections to tlie bill arc threefold. The
first is of a Constitutional character, tlie
two others are based upon expediency.
The Constitution declares that the taxing
powers shall bo exercised only to raise reve
nue for the support of government, to pay
the public debt, to provide for the common
defence, and Ibr such other purposes as
the General Assembly may, by statute, be
specially required or empowered to accom
plish by this Constitution.
This clause was not in flic old Constitu
tion. It xvas introduced in 1861. Legis
tiem prior to that time cannot he adduced
as a precedent. The old constitution
gave the legislature a general taxing power.
Under the new it. is restricted to certain
specific purposes. The question arises:
is aid to State railroads among those ob
jects ? If it is, and it is a question xvhich
each legislator must answer in his own
mind—then the bill may be Constitutional,
il it is not then the bill is unconstitutional.
Now, no where can we find that State-aid is
among the specificd objects for which taxes
can he laid. It may lie said that we do
not propose to lay taxes. But can it be
honestly urged that the State can endorse
the paper ofa private corporation which
may eventuate in the creation of a public
debt, and thus lay tax for its discharge ?
So much for the Constitutional argument.
Now, as to the question of expediency :
VV hat arc the objects of government? lie
vertingto original definitions and principles,
that spring out of the predominance ot the
individual or selfish feelings over the selfish.
Its objects through its legislative depart
ment, arc to prescribe rules of civil con
duct, through its judiciary to define them,
and through its executive to execute them.
It leaves private enterprise where it finds
it—untrammeled—but with it it has no
concern.
There are special occasions when gov
ernment may, with propriety, vary these
general duties. A great illustration is the
case of the AVestern and Atlantic Railroad,
lioxv different that case from the one
before us. Private enterprise had then,
on the one side, brought the waters of
the Atlantic to Atlanta; on the other,
those of the great father of xvaters to
Chattanooga. Between wasa vast country,
rich iii its mineral products, and fertile in
its soil. It had been just reclaimed from
the Indians. State subscription had to
supply the deficiency, because there xvas
no private enterprise to do it. But here
xve have a country poor in soil, and which
lias been open to private enterprise lor
more than a hundred years.
f , Supposing the road"be built, will it pay?
i hc \\ , & A. R. R. xvas without a compet
itor. \\ hen the Brunswick road reaches
Macon it xvill have to compete with the
Central and the Maeon k VYirrentou.—
The former owns a controlling interest in
the Southwestern road, and thereby xvill
command tliat source of supply. Both xvill
compete xvith the Brunswick, and in a
tune xvhen the bulk of the jtroducts of the
country xvill be greatly reduced. And it is
upon bulk rather than value that railroads
must depend for remuneration.
But as n precedent, it is ruinous of State
credit. If it endorse the bonds ol this
road to-day, xvhat bonds may it not endorse
to-morrow? Will not the Nexv York capi
talists hesitate about the investment, when
they learn the State has inaugurated IhL
policy / Ihc credit of the State cannot
hut be impaired if xve pass this bill. In
this time, the first duty xvhich wc oxve to
the country should be to preserve the credit
of the State untarnished. AYc should pre
serve it as a _ priceless jewel. It is the
brightest which glitters in it coronet,
AV ould that Brunswick, through private
enterprise,* could become a largo city.
Gladly would I contribute my humble aid
to this object. But let it not be done at :
the expense of the State. Instead of the i
city, let us erect where Brunswick j
and where the waters of the Broad Atlaro |
tic lave its shores, a noble monument j
adorned xvith Corinthian capital, on which
shall he inscribed the glorious sentiment: ,
“To the pure and unsullied credit of Geor
gia.”
I have given you a hare synopsis, which
does not do Air. B. full credit. It xvas ac- j
knowledged on all hands to have been one
of the most logical speeches that was made j
on the bill. No reply was made to it. 1
L. C.
Monday, November 19.
SENATE.
The Senate met and was opened with
prayer by Rev. Mr. Yarborough.
Mr. O. P. Beall moved to reconsider the
action of the Senate on Saturday, in reject
ing the bill to modify the act creating
County Courts. The motion
and the bill was referred to a special com
mittee.
The Resolution requesting the Governor
to lay before the next session of the Gener
al Assembly a statement of the amount of
land owned by the State, and what pric'
the same would bring, was laid upon the
table for the present.
The bill for the relief of the people of
the State was taken upas the special order.
Mr. Grisham offered an amendment ex
plaming the law as it now stands, to mean
that if the fourth of the debt required to
be paid by the Ist of January next is not
paid, the creditor shall have no right to
collect more than the fourth of the debt.
The amendment was lost.
-Mr. O. P. Beall introduced an amend
ment providing that the first section of the
act be construed to mean that where the
debtor shall fail to pay the first installment,
lie shall have no right to collect the re
mainder until the time prescribed by law.
The amendment was carried.
The bill was finally passed by a vole of
29 to 7,_ with provision as follows: Pay
ment of one-fourth of the debt is -deferred
till January Ist, 1868. The other provi
sions are the same as in the old act.
The seven who voted against the amend
ment arc: Messrs. O. I*. Beall, Grisham,
Kenan, Heading, Strozier, McDaniel and
Owens.
The Senate adjourned till 3 o'clock this
afternoon.
BOUSE.
Monday, Nov. 19.
House met. Prayer by the Rev. Mr.
Brooks.
NEW MATTER.
Mr. Russell: To amend charter of the
Southern Insurance and Trust Company.
Mr. Harrison: To repeal an Act point
ing out mode of paying fees of Solicitor
General in Eastern Circuit, Ac.
Mr. Kirby: To amend 2133d section of
Code. Also, for relief of S. Watkins.—
Also, for the relief of C. A. Price and A.
L. McCarbcr.
slr. (I artrcll: To cl lunge time of holding
Superior Courts in Blue Ridge Circuit.—
Also, to appropriate money to E. L. Citch
iieid for attending small pox.
Mr. Hill: To amend charter of Atlanta
Medical College. _ Also, ter incorporate.
Island Manufacturing Company of Bartow
county.
Mr. .Maddox : To fix Jst of May, 1865,
as the date of the abolition of slavery, and
to adjust the equities of settlement of con
tracts founded on Confederate currency.—
Also, to appoint a State Geologist.
Mr. Morris: To increase the salaries of
the Secretaries of the Executive Depart
ment.
Ulr. Dart: To amend the charter of
Brunswick.
Mr. McWhorter: To amend the act de
fining Court contracts.
Mr. White: To exempt practicing phy
sicians from road duty.
Mr. McDowell: To point out the mode
of summoning juries in certain cages.
Mr. Howard: Relative to the charter of
Dahlonega.
Mr. Mallard: To amend road laws in
Mclntosh.
Mr. Simms: For relief of J. 11. Rake
straw.
Mr. Kibbee: To change the line between
Wilcox and Pulaski.
Mr. French: To incorporate the Grand
Lodge Knights of Jericho.
Mr. Holiday: To make a feme sole of
Mrs. A. C. Crossman.
Mr. Shaw: To change the mode of
selecting Jurors in criminal causes.
Mr, Wilburn : To define the law sitting
apart twelve months support to widows
and orphans.
Mr. Pottle: To amend the Penal Code
(defines insurrection to combined resistance
to the laws—makes it a high misdemeanor
to print or circulate incendiary documents.)
Mr. Glenn: To relieve from liability
certain consignees.
Also: For relief of F. Cox and Harrison
Rogers.
Mr. French : To exempt manufacturers
of cotton from State and county tax.
Mr. Humphreys: To dispose of certain
court fees in Lincoln county.
THIRD READING.
To incorporate Columbus steam power
manufacturing company. Passed.
To pay each maimed soldier the amount
an artificial limb would cost, if he cannot
make use of the artificial limb. Passed.
To explain the laws relative to taxing
railroads, foreign insurance agencies and
express companies. (The laws to remain
same as prior to the year 1863.) Passed.
To incorporate Ocmulgee Banking,
Building and Loan Association. Passed.
To incorporate the Hancock Iron Com
pany. Passed.
.The Finance Committee introduced -a
hill to appropriate money to rcinter Con
federate dead at Rcsaca.
To legalize certain acts of Inferior Court
of Wilcox. Passed.
To authorize the Inferior Court of De
catur county to issue bonds to build a
bridge at Bainbridge, over Flint, River.
Passed.
To prescribe mode of electing Mayor and
Aldermen in Atlanta. Passed.
To exempt persons actually engaged in
attending grist mills from jury duty.
Passed.
To prevent obstruction of Oekloenee
River in certain counties. Passed.
To increase fees of Jailor in DcKalb
county. Passed.
To compensate jurors in the various
courts in Decatur county. Passed.
Adjourned.
The following table of valuations of Con
federate currency as compared with gold
in the basis proposed by Mr. Maddox’s
bill to be used in adjusting the equities
of contracts made during the war. This
bill contemplates the carrying out of the
2nd Section of the Repudiation ordihanoe
of the late Convention.
1861. 1862. 1863.
January, $1.20 $3.00
February, 1.30 3.10
March, ].55 3.60
April, 1.75 5.00
May, 1.90 6.00
June, 1.10 1.95 7.00
July, 1.10 2.00 9.00
August, 1.10 2.20 14.50
September, 1.10 2.50 14.00
October, 1.12 2.50 12.25
November, 1.15 3.00 14.25
Dee. Ito 10, 1.20 3.00 20.50
“ 10 to 20, 1.20 3.00 20.50
“20 to 31, 1.20 3.00 30.50
1864. 1865.
January, $20.50 January, $ 62.50
February, 20.50 February, 48.00
March, 20.50 March, 52.50
April, 20.00 Apr Ito 15, 70.00
May, 19.00 “ 15 to 20, 80.00
June, 18.00 “20 to 27, 100.00
July, 18.00 “ 26, 200.00
August, 28.00 “ 27, 300.00
September, 21.00 “ 28, 500.00
October, 20.00 “ 29, 800.00
November, 26.00 “ 30, 1,000.00
Dec. Ito 10, 32.00 May 1, 1,200.00
“ 10 to 20, 41.00
“20 to 31, 51.00
Wendell Phillips as a Journalist,
The Memphis Appeal says Wendell Phil
lips has gained some notoriety as a public
speaker, but his recent debut in journalism
shows that he is not as happy with the
pen as with the tongue. In fact, his con
tributions to the Anti-Slavery Standard
are weak-stilted, arid rhethorical. The
“ fine frenzy” which fills the ear of an ex
cited audience makes very poor reading,
except in the form of a speech. Notice
the following extract from .Phillips’ last
article in the. Standard :
Witness Beecher lost in the wave he
fondly imagined he could stem. Witness
Grant, unable to stir a plaudit on tho
Illinois prairies-—lllinois, his own State—
from an audience of twenty thousand men,
one-half his own soldiers. Witness the
New York Times sunk, fifty per cent, in
value in six months, by its vain attempt
to oppose this dumb but resistless move
ment of tins nation. This fact that no
name, no laurel, no services weigh a
feather if put into the scale against Radi
calism, is the most cheering and whole
some characteristic of the hour.
Now this kind of stuff would be fol
lowed by (applause) in a public speeche
because it would sound well; but trans
ferred to paper to he read one wearies of
it after the first paragraph. Here is more
of the same sort, hut which, apart from its
sophistical character, has a certain valu
as showing what the Radicals wiil be after
when negro is obtained:
Revolutions never go backward. It is
equally true that Radicalism travels west
ward. Personal Liberty bills, Women’s
rights bills, and ail such legislation, star
ted from Ne w Ragland and have ‘‘swung
round the circle.” This last Yankee notion
\\ ill soon begin its travels, and complete
them when North ami South know no
race before the.law. Then, when, a million
oj black men aid in .shaping our national
policy, their race will feel the effect the world
over. They will never leave their brethren
m Cuba under the yoke. They will throw
a /shield over the .struggling nationality of
Jlayti and lift Brazil into harmony with
the nineteenth century.
Here is a pleasant national programme.
After we admit the negroes to our legisla
tive halls and family circles, then we must
turn to and fight the battles of the negroes
in other lands. There a/e some innocent
souls who suppose that if the negro has
suffrage and equal rights before the law
that would be the end of him as a subject
to fight about, but it is evident that while
there is a nigger on God's footstool, it is
Wendell Phillip’s intention to make a fuss
a bout him. And as he leads the Radicals
they will second his efforts.
Capt. Geo. Fuller’s Louisville Theatre
goes up in a way to make it a Fuller house
than ever,