Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by R.J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation.
About Weekly chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Ga.) 1866-1877 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 1869)
cnrouirte & Sentinel. WMimn —Mart, mmi* io. Small Pox In the Treasury. The State’s Treasurer gives us a special report concerning the Governor’s Small Pox warrants, in obedience to a resolution of (lie House of Representatives. It ap jiears that his Excellency issued his war rant in favor of John P. Port, executor of <}. W. Port, M. D., in the turn of two thousand dollars for money advanced “for the purchase of vaccine matter and forser vices rendered as distributing agent of die State of Georgia from July 1 5th, 1858, to December 1863. This claim originated ten years ago and has been disallowed by pre vious Legislatures, and payment more lately refused by Governor Jenkins. The Executive’s warrant was issued lor two thousand dollars and the money paid, but only one thousand dollars reachgd the claimant aoeording to the statement of the ' claimant. His Excellency also signed and issued another Executive warrant for three thousand dollars for another small pox claim presented by one Dr. Boswell, of Muscogee, for services rendered prior to J 862. But this warrant was not honored, thereby drawing down the rebuke that the Treasurer “did not treat Executive war rants with proper respect.” The people of Atlanta have shown their city is not re sponsible for the S3S,OCX) or Opera House account and Washington City “informal draft.” Who is to foot the small pox bill. We are waiting patiently to see what the “investigating Committee” are going to do with these eases. The treatment ot small pox eases, we believe, demands ex clusion from light aud glycerine anoint ments. How will the Committee treat the cases ? Railroads In Congress. Our Congress seems to have Railroad building on the brain. Financial questions ] are fatiguing; and, besides. have been so thoroughly discussed by the journals of the country as to leave but little whereupon to build reputation, or whereby to gain lucra tive official positions. New I’ailroad enter prises present a more inviting field, both | for the display of loyal eloquence and as furnishing mete reward for loyal labors. Our Washington exchanges foreshadow extensive operations in this line in the shape of a forthcoming Omnibus Bnl, and indicate that the Bouth is to bo the recipient of some public favors in this line. The proposed bill includes the guaranteeing of bonds for S4O,(XX) per mile to the Northern Pacific, running from Humboldt river, by Klamath Lakes and Cascade Mountains, to Port land, Oregon, to which ten alternate sec' tions of land on either side are to bo given, and a similar provision for a southern route. The bill includes the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, starting at Springfield, Mo., going to Van Buren, Ark., where it is to be joined by the Texas Pacific ro.*d, starting at Marshall, Texas, and both pro ceed westwardly by the Canadian river to New Mexico, where the Union Pacific, Eastern Division, is to be met, and the three corporations form one, under the title of the Southern Continental Railroad, aud are to proceed to the Rio Colorado and form a junction with the Southern Pacific California. The four routes named arc all asked to aid, by the guaranteeing of bonds, the Union Pacific. Eastern Divis ion, from its present stopping place and others from their starting points. The point of junction for the proposed South ern Continental Road must be somewhere between the 34th and 36th parallels. Senator Pomeroy, it is said, is to “stand up for Southern rights,” and Southern Railroad grants in the absence of South, urn representation. We thank the Sena tor for his “chivalry” and benevolence. We need a little “substantial aid” for de velopment, and we care not from what quarter it comes, from the general distri bution which seems likely to be made. “Internal improvement” is to be the Con gressional foot-ball and wo thank Mr. Senator Pomeroy for playiug catcher tor us. The Currency Question. Wo copy the following article from the Baltimore Gazette, as fortifying the posi tion heretofore taken in the columns of the Chronicle & Sentinel, on the question ot gold and currency as circulating me diums ; The deliberations of the Chamber of Commerce of New York, the propositions of Mr. (>pdyko, and tho resolutions of Mr. Hturges, although adopted, appear to at tract little attention among capitalists in New Y ork. It seems to be pretty well understood that thj present Congress in* tends to do nothing with the currency question; and there is very considerable doubt among intelligent and thinking men as to what is tho best thing to be done. Heretofore the capital of the country has centred at New York aud New York had really to legislate only for itself But the large crop of cotton which lias linen grown South, tho high prices which prevail and the amount of currency which has been withdrawn from the groat money centre, have quite altered the condition of affairs, and the dependent South, which lias here tofore been virtually ignored, is at. last in a condition which demands at least consider ation. A crop of two and a ha f million bales of cotton, worth $250,000,000, is indeed a significant fact. Significant because it gives the South the power to command its share of tho currency of the country, and to force a more equal distribution than has ever before been made ; significant because the cotton crop is one which finds its principal market abroad, and thus at least prevents an unnecessary exportation of coin; significant by reas in of its influence cm capital and population, which it invites to the South ; and significant because it enables the customers in the South, who wore last year unable to buy but very sparingly from Baltimore and other mar kets farther North, to purchase freely dat ing the present and coming season. Os the currency question wo have al ready spoken Coin contracts and the re sumption of specie payments are a differ ent matter. Where there is an irredeem able paper eurrcucy, gold is not subject to the same laws as paper promises to-pay. One portion of the country may be debtor to auother portion and yet there may be much gold hoarded there, by reason of the want of confidence in the paper medium. Another portion of the country may be creditor and yet, having confidence in the paper currency, may part with its gold freely at a premium. This, in fact, appears to have been the ease. There is very little doubt that since the collapse of the Con federate National Treasury there has been a very great distrust in that section of all Government notes, and that there has been, and is, an amount of gold hoarded the.ro to-day, of which few people have any idea. Os course the amount is small compared with that which has been and will be drawn for against cotton. If one half of that even were to go South, it would put the South at once in a position to resume specie payments. It seems at first glance to be rather a curious anomaly, but the truth is that the South, impoverished and indebted as it was two years ago, is to day in a sounder financial condition than the North. And it is in a better condition. Population is less, trade is less, domestic exchanges are less than they are at the North. The in evitable National Bank note is not there, as in the North, wound up with every transaction of life. R would be compara tively easy lor the South to resume specie payments, and it Congress would only legalize gold contracts and permit the es tablishment of State banks with gold issues, we should soou see the greenback and the national note put on the stock list or sold as commodities, as they are in California and Texas. The lesson of the past three months has taught this to the Norih and the reason of the inaction of Congress evidently arises from the fact that it begins to understand that it must force the South to accept and use the na tional or Goverosaent currency until the North win a position to dispense with it, and that any aoi which would tegu j t la being discarded by the Bomb, would only delay the period of resumption in the North. The currency question is one which the North may control for some time, but capita! and population it cannot control, and the profits on cotton are attracting and will attract both to the South. North ern men will take their families there and their treasure. A class of men will go * there very different from the carpet-bag gers who now swarm over the country like a plague of Egypt; and once settled they will become Southerners and their interests will be in and with the Bouth. The policy of encouraging home manufactures will gain ground, ootton milis will spring up, exchange markets nearer home will be es tablished and there will at no distant day be a rivalry between the Southern and the New England States much more for midable than that which existed before the war. How the. People's Money Goes— Another K port from the Treasurer. In the House of Representatives, on Monday, on motion of Mr. Scott, of Floyd, the report of the Treasurer was read, iu response to a resolution offered by himself a few days since, to inquire into payment of warrant for vaccine matter. The following is the report : Treasurer's Oftice, | Atlanta, Ga., January 30, 1869. j To the Honorable House of Representa tives of the State of Georgia : In reply to your resolution, “ Resolved , That the Treasurer of the Slate be requested to furnish this House, as early as practicable, a statement of what amounts bave been paid by him for vaccine matter, upon the warrant of the Governor, and what war rants drawn by the Governor for vaccine matter have been paid ; when such ac counts were created ; why the Treasurer refu -ed to pay any such warrants; to whom any money paid on such warrant was paid, and when, and under what cir cumstances payment of any such account was refused,” I have the honor to report that, on or about the 21st day of Novem ber, 1868, 11. J. G. Williams, warrant and recording clerk ot the Executive De partment, accompanied by B. B. DeGraf fenritd, Secretary of Executive Depart ment, presented mean Executive warrant, drawn in favor of John I’. Fort, executor of G. W. Fort, M. D., for the sum of'two thousand dollars, to pay for money ad vahecd “for the purchase of vaccine mat ter and services rendered, as distributing agent of the State of Georgia, from July 15th, 1858, to December, 1563 ” Pay ment was refused on account of the lapse of such a long period from the time the service was rendered, the party rendering the service residing at the capital, afford | iog him easy facilities for payment. My suspicion was aroused by the great anxiety manifested by the parties present ing the warrant for payment, and their fre quent voluntary avowal that they “knew most positively that the claim had never been presented nor paid, and that they had no interest whatever in it.” Payment, how- i ever, was promised, if they would present j me the certificate of the executor, and the j certificate of the then acting Governor, that S the account had never been paid, and the j services rendered at a reasonable price j They came so near complying with my re- ; quiremeots, I could not well longer refuse | payment, and on the 3d day of December, j 1808, paid said warrant to H. J. G. Wil- J lianas, aud shortly afterward learned that I the claim had been presented to both Gov. Jenkins and the General Assembly of 1860, j and payment by Governor Jenkins and ap- i propriations by the General Assembly re- 1 fused. I also learned that a party, who ; must have been familiar with the Executive ; Department bad, without solicitation, \ish etl the executor (who had almost abandon- ! ed the attempt toeollect the same, although ! maintaining its justice), and stated that he 1 knew of this claim, and would attempt to collect the same, giving the executor part of the proceeds. The executor having nearly given up the claim after the action ; of the Legislature of 1866, agreed to this proposal, and was surprised a few days af ter at receiving a certain amountof money, 1 which amount was only one half of the | amount of the warrant. In justice to Governor Bullock, I will j give him the benefit of his own statement, which was, that when the account was : presented to him by Mr. DeGraffenried, with assurances that it had never been paid, he told him to take it and scale it down to what he thought was just, and after Mich sealing (the original amount I being $2,200), he issued a warrant for two I thousand dollars, Because I refused pay- I moot of this warrant, it was reported to me that complaint was made in the Ex i eeutive Office that “the Treasurer had no I di.-erction about paying a warrant, after it i ha! been approved by the Comptroller General, and that he did pot treat Execu j tive warrants with proper respect.” 1 refused to pay a warrant based on an account for services rendered in small-pox j cases by one Dr. Boswell, in Muscogee , county, for more than $3,000, on account of no funds in the Treasury, and on the ground that services were rendered before 1802, that being prior to the passage of the act authorizing the Governor to pay such claims, based on certain proofs. This claim is still unpaid. Respectfully submitted. N. L. Anuieu, Treasurer. It was referred to the Finance Com mittee. To the riinirman ol' im.l Gentlemen of the Finance Committee of the ilouee of Kei>t-e --««?iitat Itch. Macon, Ga , Feb. 2, 1869. Gentlemen -On my return to my home, in this city, alter an absence on business of a few days, I find published in the city papers, a certain statement in regard to the payment ot a certain two thousand dollars to the executor of Dr. Fort’s estate, and (hat the ciicumstances in regard to the payment of the same was referred by the Legislature to your committee As the executor of my brother, Dr. George VV. Fort, deceased, I beg leave to submit to your committee the following statement, in full, in regard to said claim : Several years before the war, Dr. Geo. W. Fort, thou a physician residing in Milledgeville, acted in the capacity of vac cine agent for the State of Georgia, under special act of the Legislature, and by ap pointment ot the Governor, his duties were to procure vaccine matter, to be distributed iu each county of the State, that it might be considered necessary; and he was paid for said services one hundred dollars a year, and was repaid by the State all of the out lay incurred by him iu procuring said vaccine mat ter, which was procured through anageney in Boston, Massachusetts. His accounts, when presented, were duly paid by the Executives, Governors Herscbel V. Johnsou and Joseph E Brown, as will fully appear by reference to the Comptroll er General s books. Said accounts were paid up to 1858, from which time up to the time of his death, on May 2d, 1866, he drew nothing from the Treasury. Said account is before you, having beeu taken from original entries, and is correct, nearly all of which was for money advanced. I am fully conversant with the correct ness of this claim and have personal knowl edge of most of the items shown, and by frequent conversations with my brother during the last days of his life, he always considered that the claim would be paid, and no active steps were taken for the col lection of the same by reason of his feeble h alth and the supposition that interest was accruing on the same, and there had been no funds in the State Treasury since the close of the war. After the death of Dr. George W. Fort, on May 2d, 1860, and during the fall of the same year, I made oat said claim properly certified to, and seat the same to Governor Charles J. Jt ii-ins, he then being in the Executive chair; he replied to me that the Legis ia.urc had made no provision for tho pay ment of indebtedness incurred before the war, aud he recommended me to present the same to the Legislature. On the as sembling of the Legislature. I presented this claim through the joint Finance Com mittee, Mr. Adams, of Clarke, being chair man. A sub-committee was appointed to ex inline said account. Said committee wore composed of Messrs. G resham of Bibb, McWhorter of Green, and Beil of Ran ! jlph. On their examining carefully the I apers presented to them, among which w - an official certificate from Comptroller General J. T. Burns, that no warrant had ever been drawn on the Treasury for said e. y advance or services rendered or i irt thereof, and also a certificate ifom < iov. Brown that Dr. George \\ . rort had acted in the capacity aforesaid during ins administration, said sub-com mtttee agreed to recommend the payment ot most of said claim, but refused to rec ommend the payment of claim incurred daring the war. On their recommenda tion coming before the Legislature, as a body, they refused to pay any of the same for what reason, lam ignorant, except a general disposition to repudiate all in debtedness contracted prior to the war. I ieit the papers in the hands of Briscoe & De Gratienreid, attorneys, at Milledgeville, and have not seen them since. So the matter rested, until some time during the month of November of last year. Mr. B. ,Lh-Arrarenreid, being in my office in this city on business, remarked to me that he sttil had the papers in regard to said claim, and that he would attempt to get a bill passed to collect the same it I would pay to him half the amount collected. Having given up the attempt to oollect said claim, I verbally agreed to his pro posal. and he at once left my office. I ex pected nothing to be accomplished until the assembling of the Legislature. But I suddenly, and without premonition of any kind, received on December 2, 186s, a pack ***> by Express, containing one thousand dollars, from B. B. De Graffenreid, who in formed me that the claim had been com promised by him on the payment, by the State, of two thousand dollars, and that he had kept ha sos the amount, as jier agree- I tuent. 1 accepted the money without hesi tation, knowing that the State of Georgia was due the estate of George W. for money advanced, and supposing that Gov. Bullock had recognized the justice ol the claim, and that he hatP authority to pay the just indebtedness of the State, or he would not have done so, as said amounts were formerly drawn by Executive war rants, as will be seen by ihe Comptroller General’s books: and whether the amoum received was not less than the amount ad vanced, at a par value. Your committee is respectfully referred to the papers before you. But should you, on examination, con sider that any part of the amount paid was not due, or that it was paid, not in accord ance with law, lam prepared, at once, to replace the same in the State Treasury. I have been very complete in my state ment of this matter, knowing well the character and correctness of the claim.— Having no acquaintance whatever, either personally or otherwise, with his Excellen cy the Governor, or the State Treasurer, I was fearful that it might be considered that I had acted in this transaction contra ry to that correct principle of right which should govern a man and a citizen, and which are as dear to me as my life. \ ery respectfully. John P. Fort. Cession of West Florida. The Legislature of Florida have passed a resolution authorizing the Guvernor to appoint three commissioners to receive such propositions as the authorities of Alabama may see proper to make. The following are the propositions approved by the Governor of Florida, January 25th, 1869; Whereas, The State of Alabama has appointed a Commission' to visit the State of Florida for the purpose of procuring the annexation of all that portion of Flor ids lying West of the Apalachicola river ; And Whereas, it is the desire to promote the best interests of all the peorle of our State : Therefore be it Resolved, That the Gov ernor of the State be and he is hereby au thorized and dir-cted to appoiut a Com mittee of three to confer with the Commis sion appointed by the State of Alabama, and the said Commission arc authorized to go to Montgomery and there confer with the Commission ar.d authorities of the State of Alabama, and the said Committee are appointed the duly accredited agents of the State to negotiate for the said trans fer, and they shall report to the next session of the Legislature by bill or other wise. Beit further Resolved, That between this time and the time for the next meeting of the Legislature, the Governor shall issue his proclamation for an election in the district proposed to be annexed, to be held and conducted in the manner of a Bpecia! election as prescribed by law, and at such election the qualified electors in said dis trict shall vote for annexation or against annexation. lie it further Resolved, That prior to the aforesaid election, iho Commissions ap pointed by the respective States shall agree upon the terms and conditions of transfer, and in the proclamation of election the aforesaid terms and conditions shall be set forth for the information of the elect ors, and in making returns of the election in the County of Holmes, the returns of votes on the East and West side of the Choetawatchie river shall be kept separate and apart, in order to get a correct expres sion of the people on the East and West side of the river. Be it further Resolved, That the afore said eltotioD shall not be final or binding until the Legislature or people of the State of Florida, aud the Congress of the United States, shall consent to the transler of said territory. Migration Homes. The following article from the New York Tribune, embraces some views which, while we do not endorse, arc certainly worthy ot consideration from the Southern peo ple—as exhibiting Southern immigration from a Northern standpoint: MIGRATION—HOMES. “Every human being ought to have a home—not merely a shelter for the night, but a habitation of his own in which he is c mtent to live, and resigned to die. Crime is the fruit of homelessness—of the thou sands who crowd cur State prisons, not even hundreds owned house or farm when they sank into felony. If every family an nually graduated through idleness and vice into outright, flagrant villiany would be rapidly and permanently diminished. Wo urge no one who has steady, assur ed employment, and is doing well, to seek anew field of exertion. To such, we would only say. Resolve to save a part of your present income for the evil days that must surely come. If you have no home and cannot yet afford to buy one, put a part of your current earnings into a savings bank, or into Government bonds, or into some form of security that may be converted into the home that you are sure to need, and at no distant day. Cling to the City, if you will, while Trade prospers, and Work abounds, but keep ever in mind the insta bility of Fortune, and resolve to be soon settled for life in your own chosen home ! But every city has its hundreds, every great city its thousands, who are not truly thriving - -who have some hundreds if not thousands ahead, yetcanno longer increase their hoard, because their families have grown faster thau their imonies, or because expenses have increased faster than their earnings. Those have nothing to gain by clinging desperately to pavements; in fact, many of them grow old and infirm, and cannot earn as they once did. Many an artizan or small trader could take $5,000 out of the city, with his family next Spring who, should he remain here, will not be able to do it hereafter. I o all such, we most earnestly say,, strike at once for the opeu country ! Land is cheaper now than almost anything else; it will be dearer ten years hence, though wo meantime return to specie payments. Go South—go West —go East if you will—for there is much arable land in Yermont or Maine that can be bought for less than the cost of the buildings and fences—go into the heart of our own noble (State —go whithersoever you will, so that the root over your head, with some acres of adjacent "land, shall thenceforth be yours—so that your wife aud children may rejoice in the secure pos session of a home. j Right well do we know that the cit who : migrates to the country braves many re buffs and disappointments—that he will be tempted to cripple himself at the outset by buying more land than he should, so | as to cripple him for years—that he will be discouraged by the necessity of buying ! animals, implements, food, seed, &c., by ! blighted crops and sickness in his family. !No man ever yet entered upon anew career without making frequent miscalculations and seeing many dark hour.-. But the pion eer gleans wisdom from each discovered mistake, each day’s rugged experience, and is cheered by the contciousness that he is on the high road to independence for his children and their children. Os those ' who embark in Trade, a large majority fail; while of those who really try to thrive ;by productive labor, by fur the larger number succeed. Their gains may seem meager, but they are sure; and each day’s i resolute effort Sts them to achieve a better result on the morrow. We hear with satisfaction that many from this quarter are buying lands in the South, and that a much larger number are considering and inquiring with intent to do likewise if suited. Much is said of the desirability of inducing a large emigration from Europe, to which we make no objec tion ; but there is better work nearer home. If one million persons could this year be drawn out of our cities and settled on the new lands of the West or the dilapidated plantations of the South, the consequent enhancement of our National prosperity would be incalculable- There * would be people enough left in the cities to do all tho needed work, while those who left us would add immensely to our annua! pro duct of material wealth. This country would be vastly richer and more prosperous if the surplus population of her cities could be gradually diffused over her waste places and her not yet half tilled farms. Governments can do little to promote and accelerate such diffusion, yet several States have entered systematically upon the work ot making known the fertility and cheap ness of their yet unoccupied lands, the ex cellence of their climate, timber, water power, &c., respectively, with intent to attract inmiigration.lf only as an earnest of the welcome which immigrants are likelv to meet, this action has decided value; and the information that these State agencies collect and disseminate must prove useful to thousands. Let it be clearly understood that, so far at least as the South is concerned, there is no present demand for unskilled labor. In each of the Southern States, there is more labor already than there is demand for— or rather more than there are means to pay. The South did well in 1868 ; bat she is still poor, and her landholders are generally in debt. Farming or planting to profit involves the power to command Labor when it is needed ; and he who would command Labor must have cash to pay for it A planter in debt to his hands for half a year’s work is too much at their mercy ; his help is likely to desert him just when his need of it is greatest. The South needs more capital before she can give satisfactory employment to more Labor. Let none, therefore, go thither empty-handed in quest of employment, for he is morally sure to be disappointed. It is different in the West, where farm labor is likely to be in eager demand from the first hour in which a plow can be run to advantage, and where it will com mand high wages during the summer har vest ; but the Sooth wants immigrants with means, and does not invite others. He who is prepared to pay oash for lands can boy them in the South for less money than the improvements cost —oftsD, for less than the cash value of their timber at this hour. Again we urge every one who has means to buy the spot which he may choose as his luture home to select and buy it dow, thougii he should not take possession for years. Lands in the South are certain to appreciate in valu e ; many farms will soil for five tunes their present price within a few years. Cbo<.se deliberately, but make sure of a refuge from misfortune and a harbor for old ag e and decreptitude. (HR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE. er lO’AL COWffi&rOTDEXCX OF TH* CH*OXICL2 & aiXTIXU. Washington, February 2, 1869. Political matters are rather quiet ju3t at present. On that topic, at least so far as recoostraction is concerned, the extreme Radicals are disposed to postpone all con sideration until after the fourth of March. The cause of this indisposition to make any definite move, relative to the States which bave not yrt been admitted to rep resentation, including Georgia, which, not withstanding her carpet-bag representa tives, is practically as much without repre sentation as Y irginia i-r Texas, is because of the absolute impossibility to get a word, either pro or con, from General Grant on the situation. He will not speak and noth ing may be expected until after inaugura tion day. There ars certain circumstances, nalpable to almost any close observer in Washington, which indicate plainly that the course of the next administration will be shaped, so far as the political circum stances of the present day admit, almost directly after that, which popular opinion respects, as having guided Jackson’s terms. The Constitution will be pre served, and Grant’s best efforts will be ex tended toward making this a Union in fact as welj as in name. I write, without the possibility of contradiction from any source, when I assert that there will be nothing sectional about General Grant’s career as President. His course will be entirely na tional. That he will “break” with the majority in Congress is not a question un der consideration. The majority will coincide with his views, and the best am munition of extreme Radicalism will be ex pended before the end of the present session. Questirns regarding the incoming Cabinet are seldom asked now, and never satisfactorily answered. Every now and then anew slate is made up, and as often ridiculed at by prominent parties, who admit a’ the same time their own Suability to name a “slate” which would be entitled to more credence. The President is making hardly any nominations now whatever. The refusal of the Senate to confirm anything, even from an ambassador to a justice of the peace, is certainly a very good reason why no nominations are sent in. One Charles R. Pate, of Georgia, .has had presented a petition, praying that pro tection may be extended to the Union men of that State. It was referred to the Judiciary Committee. J. C. Letter from David Dickson. Sparta, Ga., February 3,1869. Editors Chronicle & Sentinel :—l re turn my thanks to my patrons for the very liberal orders for my select cotton seed. My seed is about all sold. Send no more money without first writing to see if seed can be had this season. If I can get time I will write for the Southern Cultivator a short article how to cultivate cotton and improve the seed. lam receiving so many letters—each mail forty to fifty—and visitors from mo9t of the cotton States each day, that it is impossible for ms to auswer any of them. See back numbers of the Southern Cultivator for answers. You will please place this under your editorial one time, with request that each paper publishing my seed advertisement will give like notice once, and send bill to Messrs. S. D. Heard & Cos., Augusta, Ga., for payment. Respectfully, David Dickson. [communicated. ] Wooden Railroads Farmers’ Iron Rail roads. St. Charles, Mo., January 29. Messrs. Editors . —Observing that many of your readers are airing the subject of Wooden Railways in your columns, I will assume the privilege of an expert and give them a little advice. I have built many miles of these roads in the anthracite regions of East Pennsyl vania (where they have been common for the last twenty years) aud can safely af firm that it is hard to devise anything less adapted to the wants of a Georgia rural population The ordinary plank road is excellent in Canada, passable in Pennsylvania, an abomination in Virginia, aud an entire failure in Georgia—causes: difference in lumber and climate. These apply also to wooden railroads. A wooden rail or tramway, to be a suc cess mechanically aud financially, must be located in a country where a maximum grade of one hundred and eighty feot to the mile will cut off any extra cost of grad uation; where there is an abundance of cheap lumber which will not laminate under rolling pressure—such as hemlock and maple, and where the climate is such that the life of the material will average ten years. Now as to a line via Lincoln ton to Elberton, the graduation with the above maximum grade (and this cannot be exceeded) including the cost of bridges over Broad River, Little River and Long Creek, will be at ihe lowest figures thirty two hundred dollars per mile if let to con tfaetors, or if the planters do it, taking their pay in stock, the money value would be about twenty-four hundred dollars per mile. Next, therois no lumber obtainable that will not lamiuato, except live oak and gum. Both are scarce—the first is very ex pensive and the last decays very fast. Fi nally, the average life of a railroad cross-tie in Middle Georgia is only four years— equivalent to a loss ot one-third of the capital invested in a wooden railway in that legth of time. To lay one of these roads down on the Louisville Dlankßoad would be much more feasible, as but little changing of the grades would bo required, but even then it would not give satisfaction anv longer than the old Plank Road did. My experience has been that the very best wooden road in the county, best adapt ed to it, requires an iron strap rail to be laid on the stringers before it is three years old. The best aud cheapest system of railway superstructure lor a county traffic consists of a light T rail, twenty five pounds to the yard, laid on cross ties with eight inches face and twenty-one inches apart, guage of track four feet and the rolling stock so con structed that two and one half tons per wheel is ail that eau come upon the rail from either engine or loaded car. With a road of this kind, using dummy engines en tirely for the passenger traffic, and eight wheel connected tank-engines for the freight trade, very good tonnage facilities could be given up to eighty or ninety miles of road, and in the localities specified it would be a paying investment. The Augusta and Elberton road would require two dummy engines and two freight engines, together with twenty-five flat and twenty box cars for the tonnage they would be required to handle, while half the num ber of cars, one freight and two dummy engines would be required on the Louis ville Road. The road to Elberton would cost — Grading. #224,000 I rack and laying 380,000 Rolling stock 54,000 T0ta1...... #658.000 4he Louisville road would cost about #4,850 per mile, tor superstructure, and #26,000 for roiling stock. I have given your readers —my venerable Chroni cle— these figures as an indication vs the very least that serviceable roads can ba constructed for, not wishing to see them throw away their money on what I know is worthless in your latitude. What the non professional papers are now agitating as the Halbert system of wooden railways is new only in New York and other nou-eoai producing States, and is worthless in any State South o. Vir ginia nr Kentucky. 1 would here add that I am thoroughly acquainted with the topography of the country through which the proposed roads arc to run. Saints Rest. [COSOnJNICATED. ] At a meeting of a portion of the citizens of Elbert County, held at the Court House on Tuesday, 2d day of February, it was unanimously Resolved, Ist. That we, a portion of the citizens of said County, interested in build ing a Railroad from Augusta to Elberton, do hereby pledge our credit and support to the contemplated Road; and that we will give the Company, when formed, and de sired, the right of way through our land. 2nd. That we request our members of the Legislature to ask State aid; and that we will earnestly impress on our land owners the importance of subscribing lib erally to this enterprise, as it will be the most effectual means of increasing the value of our lands. 3rd. That we mil send delegates to meet others at any place on the proposed route, to take such initiator)' steps as may be ne cessary in the premises. 4th. That these proceedings be published in the Chronicle & Sentinel, Constitu tionalist, Elberton Gazette, and other papers friendly to the enterprise. Adjourned to meet on the first Tuesday in March next M. P. Deaitwtler. C’hw. E. P. Edwarp», Sec- State Debts. FROM TIIK RETORT OF HON. DAVID A. j WELLS, SPECIAL COMMISSIONER OF THE : REVENUE. WATI. THAU. AiIJL-NT *{«>» IN* SC9O 300 00 tW 86 656.6(0 00 ; " f', : t**o SI.OOSX >-* It* ******»« 'Six.. . r. OTA'S 00 ; 12,06,8,671 28 l.hr.JeLUnd 1361 Non* K ode l<nau i**> S.ISO 508 O 0 i jonecilrtit ... 1861.. jjone • wuertlm i*K.8,100.060 Oil y»* I*o 34.182 975 a £••» 'nk I*o* . . 44 063,786 40 New.lerMy isi> " n>(,o 000 *"»’•' mS 2.019,687 30 Penney,Vania 1860 27 004 €0" 0" Pennsylvania 1-6-.... 31,799.766 111 Delaware 1.-60... Vone nelaware .IW-. (Vi AVI OO Mary an i 19**7ic *'J Oy andt r ro'v) lOAuFOO 00 Oh o ISO* I* 25* 172 00 Omo :**W 10,729 906 57 Indiana IS6I 7 770.233 to Indiana IS'S.... ’ 5.645 37 3 22 M «;>•*'» 861 2.383,842 79 ailchiean I**X 3651 073 49 h' l * 1863 6 938 463 53 Wtacottuo sol 100.00} 00 Wlsco Bin 1368.... 2 352 600 00 Minnesota IS*,.. "500 0 00 M:noeerta <v*6 " ’ ’ Si o.o OCO Jo"* MO.”""'.' 2 0 900 00 low* ISO. .... 300 OCO CO Mieaoun iB6O 7.4 781.000 01 Miwour: J 8 3 30,357.000 CO Kentucky J4SI 4 729,2;* 0u Kentucky 1868. 3 619,191 00 Kansas ISM 130,000 0} Kan-as ltwa... 971.583 42 Nehresea N'.-.e isone CsU’oreU left,.. 5,290M0 CO . CUlf.waia '468 4 695,470 00 Ceorott I*l 2 070,710 (0 I o ores ISOS 6003(100 011 l/inisland 14*41 WOU99J 0} L-uisiana 1 *».... 1D360.86 60 sMi-ms ij-pi iB6O None MlMhulput 18 8.... to" COO (O Ar»«,.»iu 1-0 3092C2100 Arkaus.s 1868 4 577,081 03 Ten .e-set- 18*0 56,613.6 0 CO Tennessee 1.8*5* ... 16 000 0-0 00 Virginia 1*69 37 "4.8'4100 Vir.lt.i , .1867 45 119,741 00 Nor li *'srellu- 190*1 9 179505 UO Nouh u-roliu Inc 11,33000 00 Sou'n Carolina 1800 .. . 3 *91,571 <0 N> oh Carulina 1*0: 8,373 255 (10 Hor en ',*6o 887,000 00 F.o-ida war. fDS.SSS 00 Alabama 1860 5 048,000 00 Aisttaina >B*7 0.804.972 00 Texas 1860 None Texas IS 7 2,330,360 00 Dregan W6u 10.372 00 Oregon 18c? 3*lß 574 00 [ COMMUNICATED. 1 “The War of Guanos.” Editors Chronicle k Sentinel: —The tables of experiments made by Dr. Pendleton, of Sparta, and Mr. Wilkins, of Jefferson, as published iu the Southern Cultivator, are full of instruction, practical, valuable and decisive, as to the inauures tested, as far as two years experiments are concerned, in the one case, and one yeir in t’he other, can be decisive. Let every intelligent farmer study them and make his purchases ac cordingly of reliable sellers, regardless of ignorant and impudent agents who decry all commercial manures except those which are sold by themselves, and for selling which, many of thrm are paid the most extraordinary comaiasions, professedly by owners and manipulators, but in reality by the planter himself. These two gentlemen deserve the thank? of every Southern Farmer for the informa tion their experiments afford us. It must be remembered that they used, most probably, the best manures of their kind, and, as far they go, they demonstrate the fact that Peruvian Guano, the Solublo Pacific and the Phosphates are of the greatest value. Dickson’s preparation stands next to head in Dr. Pendleton’s list in IS6S, and next in Mr. Wilkins’, though in the latter there was a larger pro portion of salt used and a different Phos phate, iu name at least, than in Diokson’s compound. We sincerely hope that these gentlemen will continue their experiments and give the results at the end of the year again to the public. The Dr. ought also tell us how to prepare the home Phosphate if he does not intend to enter into its man ufaeture. In that event, he will doubtless (and ought to) keep his own secret. From the table of 186S. when no manure was applied, the home Phosphate goes to the head of the list, and Dickson’s com | pound ranks next, although other manures excelled them in ISC7, the year of their application (1867). Now, it is interesting to know whether or not they would main tain their relative value the third year and so on, as long as they continue to produce effects. Dickson’s compound iB now sold in Augusta, as we are informed, at S6O per ton of 2,000 lbs. Mr. Dickson has demonstrated its great value for more than twenty years, by his unfailing successes, year after year. Another great fact is es tablished. It is that Peruvian and dis solved Raw Bone in combination make a most valuable fertilizer. Let farmers pur chase their manures of none but men whom they know and lcnoio to be entirely reliable. Certificates are readily obtained and easily published. In most cases, they amount to nothing more than an opinion or judgment predicated on very insufficient facts. Be ware of all Agents, who act like- maniacs, in the sale of their manures. A good and valuable manure needs no puffing by them —a worthless one cannot be improved by it. A Farmer. REBEL MILITARY IiENIt’S. LONGSTKF.ET, JOE JOHNSTON AND THE VA CANT BRIGADIERS HIPS. from Ihe tipring field Republican. The New York Evening Mail takes of fence at the casual remark of the Republi can that “on many accounts it is to be re gretted wc arc not yet far ooough advanced to take advantage of the splendid military taleut of the Bouth. ’ ’ The Mail expresses the opinion that “the gallant regular offi cers, graduates of West Point before the war, who remained true to the flag,” would not appreciate such magnanimity, Now, if we may venture to assume to know as much about the regular army as the Mail, we would assert that, setting aside thesingle selfish consideration that increas ing the number of applicants would di minish their own individual chances of promotion, the officers of that service gen erally would give a cordial welcome to a fair proportion of appointments from among the distinguished soldiers of the South. That fact alone does not make it right or desirable ; nor did we express our selves finally or unreservedly as in favor of such a course ; but only intended to give expression to a proper and patriotic feeling of regret, that the army of the United States should, from any cause, be deprived of at least one-half the highest military talent of the lami. Our difference with the Mail is on two points. The Mail understands that the regular army is maintained, if not chiefly, at least among other things, to reward the graduates of West Point who remained true in the recent conflict. On the contra ry, we regard it as the purpose of an army to have the most perfect instrument attaina ble, for attack ordefence against the public enemy. There are seventeen general offi cers in the army, besides departmental of ficers holding that rank. Now we do not suppose it possible for any sensible man to assert that seventeen men can be taken from the kte Union army, and not include eight, at least (let us be that much patriot ic), who are surpassed in every military qualification by citizens of the United States who followed the Confederate for tunes iu the war. Nor does the Mail seri ously believe that if Ewell, Lougstreet, Mahone, or Dick Taylor were to accept positions in the United States service, they would, in any such reasonable contingency as it becomes a statesman to consider, plot against the country, refuse to obey the orders of their superiors, or act any other wise than as brave and faithful soldiers. If this is so, the reason for excluding them must be either to punish them, or to re ward loyal officers. As to punishing any time, for participation in the rebellion, the views of the Republicans are too well known to need statement here. Nor do we believe that the country can a ii • r ? even the most faithful and well intentioned officer by promoting him to a position in the military or civil service, when there is a better man for the place. • j l9 r i3 ht tove a preference, and a con siderable preference, to Union officers; but when ;t comes to a choioe between Joe Johnston and S. P. Heintzelman, the coun try sacrifices a good deal for the sake of rewarding an indifferent sort of hero, if it chooses the latter. The second error of the Mail, as we oon i oe * v ® is regarding the admission of late ! rebels to the military service, as something peculiarly dangerous. But why ? Many 1 of*he Southern officers, it is true, went with their States in the war; but did not the Southern politicians also? Nay there was this difference: that almost every 1 Southern officer threw his influence against secession until was inevitable and accom plished, while the politicians desired it,and £‘°^ te and it, and forced it upon the people, lake Ewell, for example, Lee’s ablest lieutenantafter Jackson, whom he succeed ed. If there was a man in the South who honestly deprecated secession, remonstrated against it, and strove against it to the last, it was Richard S. Ewell- Now, as between the soldier and the politician in this case, we would trust the soldier, and admit him first to favor. Take Longstreet: there is not a more truly reconstructed man in the South than this bold, vigilantand sagacious soldier. His loyalty is unchallenged; his political disabilities have been removed by special grace of Congress; were he to en ter Congress as a Senator from his native State, he would receive a perfect ovation, j But it seems to be regarded as something little less than treason to express a regret that the sword of so accomplished a soldier cannot be at his country' B command. Now, this seems to us sometimes very 1 like nonsense. A disloyal general to-dty would not be half as much to be dreaded as a disloyal Senator; yet you shall meet a score of men who will advocate the removal of all political disabilities, to one who dares to speak above his breath of appointing Ewell or Longstreet to commands in the army. We are willing to admit that such a step would be a serious one, and should not be taken without ample deliberation; we do not advocate it, in any sense as a thing to be done at onoe or done anyhow, but we shall take the liberty to repeat that it is a pity the Umtod Bt*tcs cannot avail itself of the splendid military talent of the ' bouth; and we believe that no long time will pass before the sole test in the army or in the State will be ability and present loyalty. Does anybody suppose that, if the United States were to be involved in a general war, Massachusetts and New York regiments would not fight side by side with the troops of South Caroliua and Alabama, and under commanders taken indifferently from die Union and the Rebel armies of five years ago ? If it would be safe and proper then, why is it wrong or dangerous now ? From the Atlanta Intelligencer, Feb. 3. Proceedings of Georgia State Agricul tural Society. Atlanta, February 2, IB6o.— The Con vention met this morniug at the City Hall, at 10 o’clock. Col B. Y aneey, of Clarke, First Vice President, in the ab enee of the President, called the Convention to order in a very appropriate and able address. Col. Benj. Harriss, of Hancock, Second Vice President, took the Chair temporarily when the Convention proceeded to elect a permanent President. Col. Yancey, of Clarke, was elected unanimously. Col David C. Barrow, cf Clarke, was unanimously elected First Vice President. Reports were brought in from commit tees that had been appointed, the reading of them was postponed. Col. C. W. Howard, of Bartow, Chair man of the Committee to memorialize the Legislature, made an interesting speech, stating that the Committee hau discharged their duty and a bill had been introduced into the General Assembly. Col. Howard made a very interesting speech, stating that we needed men, money, capital and labor; that we had thirty-six million acres of land, and not six millions in cultivation; that we had been inert, but were now fully aroused, and were about to confer a munificent blessing upou our children by securing immigration. Mr. Reese, of Bibb, at the invitation of the Treasurer, then made a speech endors ing the pertinent remarks of Col. Howard, and stated that he was a native of Norway, and left that country at the age of eigh*, being now thirty-seven; that he knew the difficulties of emigrants, which had to be encountered, and urged the necessity of appointing agents to meet them at our ports, take them by the hand, and settle them upon our lands. The attendance of the Society is very large, there being a full number present. The Convention adjourned until 3 o’clock this afternoon. AFTERNOON SESSION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Three O'clock P. M.—The Society was called to order by the President. The President stated there were several special committees who were not present, who bad reports to make. Mr. Howard, ofDeKaib, offered the fol lowing: Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention the subject"of cheap portable manures, and the saving for the purpose of our agriculture theamouut of fertilizing matter going to waste in our cities is sec ond in importance to the great question of labor only, and it is the request of this Convention that our President, appoint a Committee of seven from this body whose duty it shall be to inquire into the whole subject of manure supply, the chances of cheapening peruvian Guano, and if in their judgment it is deemed best to me morialize the Legislature invoking the aid of the State in furtherance of these objects. Mr Howard made some very sensible remarks upon the presentation of his res olution. Mr. Logan, of Clayton county, sustained the resolution in a most appropriate speech. Mr. Howard, of Bartow, made a few re marks sustaining the resolution. The resolution was passed. Mr. Noieross— Resolved, That a eomit tee of three be appointed by the President to report, at the next State Agricultural Fair, on the culture of the grape, and the best varieties for Georgia. Mr. Norcross introduced his resolution with some very interesting remarks on the varieties and culture of grapes. Passed. Dr. E. I). Newton, of Clarke— Resolved, That this Convention, at its next session (to-night), take for its special considera tion the following subjects: Contracts with freedmen, and management of freed tnen’s labor ; also, improved plows, depth of plowing, preparing land, implements to be used in cultivating crops, and the modes of cultivation. Passed. Rev. C. W. Howard, of' Bart >w — Re solved, That the Executive Committee be reorganized ; that it be composed of three members from each Congressional District, to be appointed by the President. Resolved, That if any member of'this Committee fail to attend any o! its regular meetings, without assignment of cause, this failure shall be considered as assigna tion, to be filled by the President. Passed. Adjourned to meet at 7 o’clock p. m. WIGHT SESSION. Convention met at 7} o’clock. _ Col. Thomas Howard moved to recon sider the resolution for the organization of the Executive Committee. Passed. Upon the reconsideration, Executive Committee as appointed in Macon remain ed unchanged, During the evening there was an inter esting discussion on plows, and different inodes of culture, &c., by Messrs. Maddox, Alston, and Livingatou. The plows of Dr- Marshall and Brinly, were both favor ably noticed and eulogized. Col. Butler, Chairman of the Commit tee on Freedmen’s Labor, made an able report, discussing the various ways of settling with freedmen. The Committee rather favored paying them in money. This report elicited a lengthy debate, in which Messrs. Maddox, Carmichael, Livingston, Bagsdale and T. C. Howard participated. Resolved , That the Executive Commit tee meet at the National Hotel at 7J o’clock on Wednesday morning. Passed. The Convention adjourned until 8 o’clock on Wednesday. From the Atlanta. Intelligencer of Feb, 4th. Society met in morning session this morning at 9i o’clock. Convention upon meeting this morning discussed the report of the Committee on Freedmen’s Labor. Discussion by Messrs. Walker, Butter, Robert Howard, Wallace, True, Nighteugale, Harris, Hart, Howard, of Fulton, Fleming and Alston. The discussion was a lengthy and able one. Gen. vValker, Cols. Butler and Harris, were listened to with much interest. The report of the committee was adopted. The P resident reported names of Com mittee on grape culture, Messrs. Norcross, Hopkins, and Harden. Col. B. C. Yancy, President of Con vention : Resolved , That this Convention, repre senting the great industrial interest of Georgia, earnestly urge eaeh member of the Legislature to vote the appropriation of $2,500, provided by law to the Georgia ntato Agricultural Society, and also vote for the passage of the Immigration Bill and for the sum of SIO,OOO to carry out its provisions. Resolved , That the Secretary will at once communicate the above to the Presi dent of the Senate and Speaker of the House. Passed unanimously. This resolution was eloquently advocated by Col. B. F. Harris, of Hancock. Col. Phillips. To secure the equaliza tion of way and local freights on railroads. Mr. Mansfield—To amend, making it apply only to State Road. Referred to committee to report at next annual meet ing. Mr.—, A resolution to memorial ize the Legislature, requesting that body to grant a charter to establish a Sulphuric j Acid Manufacturing Company. Passed. I Convention adjourned until 3 o’clock. AFTEENOON SESSION. Mr. Ely, of Dougherty, made some very interesting remarks on the Peeler Cotton. Mr. W. H. Stansel spoke for a short time recommending the Moina Cotton Mr. Stephens introduced a resolution of inquiry as to the best and most econo i.ical mode of preparing food for animals. Adopted and referred to a special com mittee. Mr. Howard, A resolution of inquiry in regard to the establishment of a manufac tory of cotton seed oii. Referred to special committee. Dr. Marshall made some very arresting remarks ondessicated potatoes. Dr. Worth— Resolved , That we deny th? truth of the reports circulated through tbe North concerning the outrages perpetrated on Northern men and freedmen, and though these reports are intended for political effect alone, yet they act disas trously to the agricultural interests of the State. Passed. Mr. Mansfield made some remarks on awbone manufacture. Dr. Marshall— Resolved, That the thanks of this body be tendered Mr. Pat. Fitzgib bon, in charge ot City Hall, for his atten tions during tbe Convention. Passed. Judge D. A. Vason introduced a reso lution relative to the establishment and perfecting county agricultural societies in the State. Passed. Dr. Newton offered a resolution tender ing the thanks of the body to the various railroad superintendents in the State for their very liberal arrangements for the transportation of members to and from the Convention. Passed. General R. Y. Harris moved adjourn ment to such time and place as the Execu tive Committee may appoint. Passed. Adjourned. The Convention passed off very pleas antly and profitably. There were a large number of earnest, talented men present, and all seemed anxious to advance the agricultural interests of the State. Colonel B. C. Yancey presided with great ability and satisfactory to the body. We regret the causes which operated to prevent our giving a full report of the pro ceedings of the •' ’onvention. We will, with pleasure, furnish our readers with a full report at our earliest convenience. From the Columbus Sun. The KuiloeS-Angier Correspondence. If the fountains of indignation of the people of Georgia have not been utterly exhausted, they will be opened and drained by the perusal of the correspondence be tween Bullock and Angier, Governor and Treasurer of Georgia, for cool, unblush ing impudence, the letter of Bullock to the Committee of the Legislature, stands without a parallel, even in the history of Carpet bag Legislation. The stupidity of the creature, and his reckless depravity and dishonesty, could not be better cxern plified than by this document, which must have been prepared and submitted with full knowledge of the crushing rejoinder that it would be certain to provoke. His stout refusal to account for his official malfeasance, and the corrupt and unlawful disposal of the public funds, until the Treasurer shall humble himself, is significant of the thorough confidence he feels in the desire and capacity of the Radical Congress to sustain and defend him in a course of conduct- for which no punishment or disgrace too severe may be devised. The correspondence itself does not need comment or amplification. It stands fori self, a picture of the most su preme contempt for legal restraints and common honesty. Joseph Brown never made a truer prediction than when he warned the mulattoe mob, who nomina-- ted this man, that he “would bankrupt the State of Georgiain two years.” With this prediction on record, and the well known character of Bullock for dishonesty by its side, the members of the Legislature of Georgia may well Sod it perplexing to explain to their constituents how it was that they permitted this man to handle the public purse and credit without check or balance. No matter what Aagier’s ante cedents may have been, or how much more he nay aid and assist in the oppression and degradation of the men and women of his race and color, there is no disguising the fact that the people of Georgia are indebt ed to him for unmasking the designs of an unscrupulous scoundrel, in such shape as to make his guilt overwhelming and con clusive. This timely exposure makes work for the Legislature, some of which should be quickly done. Impeachment, the ter ror of Bullock, can scarcely be ventured on, with the present complexiou of the Senate or temper of Congress; but his hands may l»e tied at once, effectually and permanent ly, and no time should be lost in doing this. He should not be permitted to sell another bond, or draw another check or warrant without the immediate and persona) in spection ol a committee of true and incor ruptible men. The people will demand that the little of property left to them shall he protected from the band of plun derers which Federal bayonets have turned into the Temple of the State Government. And not many suns should set before some measure should be inaugurated and passed, looking to the removal of the seat of Government back to the point from which it was driven by a trick so contemptible as not even to merit the respect of those who played it. 'Hie pledge put forth to pacify just complaints has already been violated. The money of the State has been extravagantly applied without law or license to the purposes of speculators. The Opera House, a poor apology for a State Capitol, with its titles involved, and finished at an expense in volving the most reckless extravagance, a bad piece of property at best, is about to be pushed off on Georgia, in order that Bul lock and some Y aukee artizans may be pe cuniarily benefitted. This is but the en tering wedge, and there is no safety save is flight, immediate, precipitate if it may be. The credit of the State cannot come out of this scrape unimpaired. Another year in Atlanta, similar in management ana results as the last, will leave Georgia with nothing that can excite the cupidity of the most impecunious carpet-bagger. Prunt and Banks. A PROBABLY TRUE VERSION OF THE VICKSBURG STORY. The recent revelation that an order was issued from the War Department to Gen- Banks, just, before the fall of Vicksburg, directing him to repair to that point aDd supersede Gen. Grant, has been made a topic for comment in newspapers in all parts of the country. It has been denied by Secretary Stanton, arid the truth of the statement has been called in question by- Mr. Dana, who was Assistant Secretary of War at the time; but notwithstanding this, we have the assurance that the state ment is strictly true. The reader may ask, if this is so, how has the fact leaked out now, and why was it withheld from the public so long? In answer to this it may be said that the ene mies of General Grant have reported some thing to this effect before, the matter hav ing been brought to the notice of a lew army officers at the time. This has been denied at the War Department, and there are no papers on file there to confirm the truth of the report. General Grant never heard of the story until about four weeks ago, when one of his friends called his attention to it. Genera! Badeau, of his staff, and a Congressional friend ealic-d on General Banks, arid not only learned that the story was true, but obtained from him all the correspondence between him and the War Department on the subject, he having retained his orders and guarded them with the more care when he learned that Secretary Stanton had disposed of the duplicates. The contents oi these doc uments were discussed at General Grant’s headquarters, and a member of the staff communicated the matter to the corre spondent of the New York Times, who first made it public. It may be asked how Secretary Stanton can deny these facts, but those who know him best find little difficulty in answering it. Perhaps the fact that they are in the handwrjting of General Halleck, and sign ed by him, will be urged as an excuse lor bis denial, but their contents, when pub lished —and we presume General Grant will publish them some time—wiil show that both Secretary Stanton and President Lincoln knew of what was written, and that all was done under their direction. Officers of the Nineteenth army corps knew of this correspondence at the time, and General Banks was urged to obey the order, but he ventured to disregard it, and the fall of' Vicksburg, a lew days later, vindicated General Grant, and the War Department saw lit not to call General Banks to account for his disobedience. He kept his own counsel, knowing that the j publication of the correspondence, or the i fact of its existence prior to the recent elec- | tion, would injure the Republican party, j and it is only made public now by the ' friends of General Grant. Some weeks since, while Secretary Stan ton was talked of for a position in Grant’s Cabinet, our Washington correspondent expressed the opinion that he would not be invited to such a positie*. and a few days later—about the time General Grant obtained this correspondence—his friends announced tbat he proposed to remain in private life. If it should turn out that he took advantage of his position as Secretary ot War to destroy important public docu ments, and especially those which might prevent his own political preferment, it will be a cause for r< gret to the country that this determination was not reached some years ago. —Boston '1 ravelin'. Important Resolution. In the State Agricultural Convention, Judge D. A. Vason offered a resolution urging the formation of agricultural so cieties in each county, and recommending that they meet monthly, which was adopted. Dr. R. C. Word, of Whitfield, intro duced the following preamble and resolu tions, which were adopted : Whereas, the unsettled condition of po litical affairs in the South, resulting from the reports of evil, designing men, touch ing the loyalty and patriotism of our peo ple, have greatly re arded and crippled the agricultural prosperity ot our country, by creating distrust, demoralizing the labor ing element, preventing immigration and the influx of capital, and depreciating property: therefore j Resolved , By this Convention, composed of representatives from ail sections of I Georgia, that these reports constantly j going up to the Northern press, and, in a i vast majority of instances either sheer fab -1 rications, or made up of exaggerated ac counts of rare and exceptional cases; that so far as Georgia is concerned, at least, we can truthfully assure the whole world, that our people are a law-abiding and peaceable, humane to the negro, and true to the principles of the Constitution ; and that we earnestly protest against these misrepresentations as cruel and harassing to an unoffending people struggling to recover their lost fortunes, and to build up the waste places of the country. Resolved , That the varied quality and fertility of Georgia soil, the cheapness of her lands, the mildness and salubrity of her climate, tbe hospitality, intelligence and patriotism of her people, ail combine to constitute a land, perhaps, more inviting and attractive to settlers than any other ; portion of this favored country. Important Decision. John Doe, execstor, Edmund B. Tait et al., vs. Richard Roe, cas., John Pollard, teuant.—Ejectment from Harris. MoCay, J.—An adverse possession of real estate under written evidence of title from the sth of November, 1859, until the 24th of September, 1867, gives a good title agaiust all persons not under disabili ty to sue. 2. Since the Ist of January, 1863, the time when the Code went into operation, there has not been any statute oflimitatiou in this State as to suits for real property. An actual adverse possession under writ ten evidence of title for seven years gives a good prescriptive right, as against all per sons not under disability to sue. 3. The Ordinances of the Convention of 1885, declaratory of the suspension of the statutes ot limitation since the 19th of j January, 1861, aud enacting that they j should continue suspended until oivi) Gov eminent should be fully restored, inas much as it creates no disability to sue, does not operate so as to prevent the ripening of a prescriptive title undej tho Code, so far as that title is dependent on a posses sion since the Ist of January, 1863. 4 A party setting up a prescriptive right under the Code, may tackto his pos session since Ist January, 1863, a posses sion good before that time, as part of a defence under the Statute of Limitations, if his possession has been continuous. 5. When anew les-or of the plaintiff is introduced, by way of amendment to an action of ejectment, the case, as to that de mise, is to be tried as if the action had not bten commenced until the date of the amendment. Judgment reversed. Williams & Thornton, M. 11. Blandford per Judge Clark for plantiff in error. Peabody & Brannon for defendant in error. The Cotton Worm. The Early History of the Worm lts Natural Enemy — The, Causes of the Destructiveness of the Worm—The Ef fects of the Season and the Importance of Early Crops—The Pith Theory—The Worm on Salt and Rusty Lauds. To the Editor of the Charleston News: The annual recurrence of the cotton worm is by no means a foregone conclu sion. ' All results depend on exciting causes, and this is manifestly so with the insect creation. In one season we are annoyed by swarms of flics, gouts and mosquitoes, whilst in another we are almost exempt from them. In one our orchards and gardens are made almost valueless by the presence of aphides and other insects. In another we epjoy an entire respite. Some times these swarms of insects are repeated for several consecutive seasons, and then suddenly they are gone, apparently with out cause, yet undoubtedly from some con trolling influence. It is thus with the caterpillar as with all others. We may as well count on the continuous recurrence of extraordinary malarial seasons as expect the constant recurrence of the cotton worm. Now, it is known that caterpillars of all kinds, at the North as well ns with us, were unusually prevalent during the past season. In 1867, the casina (Ilex casino) was stripped of'its leaves entirely early in the summer by its own peculiar caterpil lar. This had not been(known tooccur before in many years’observation of the plant, which, on account of its use as a hedge plant, was in a position to be closely watched. Season alter season the plant escaped, but in 1867 it was attacked and overcome by its own peculiar destroyer. And this summer the ramie plant was at tacked and stripped of leaves by a worm peculiar to it, and of very singular appear ance. About the period of the Revolutionary war the wheat fields were infested by the Hessian fly, and such were the ravages committed thAt the raising of wheat was almost despaired of, and the advent of the fly feared even in Europe. So, too, occur red the disease of the grape, which so materially reduced the vintages of several years. So, too, the well-known potato rot, which had its thousands of victims, re quiring the exportation of cargoes of grain from America to Ireland. The cotton worm is the insect peculiar to the cotton plant, and will feed, as far as known, on nothing else. It is easily dis tinguished from other worms bv the ex perienced eye. This worm is subject to be developed or not, according to the charac ter of the seasons and other circumstances, as its hatching indicates. It is itself, how ever, subject to be preyed on by some other insects, as well as birds. My expe rience teaches me, however, that it is Dot readily _ devoured by our own wild birds, and in this I think the most observant planters will agree with me. VV hen crush ed in the fingers, or even whilst eating in a field, it emits a disagreeable and naus eous odor. The insect which is supposed to be the most destructive to the cotton worm is the ichneumon fly. This fly is a very active insect, and can be seen darting about in search of its prey. It punctures the living worm with apparent injury, and deposits its own egg in the worm. The worm, at its appointed time, goes into the chrysalis state, from which chrysales is hatched the cotton moth, which in time deposits its eggs on or under the leaves ol the plant. These minute eggs are hatch ed into very small tfbrins, and at first scarcely perceptible, the egg itself not be ing larger than the ordinary period mark (.) of a penman. These little insicts, a thousand of which may be produced by one moth, rapidly grows, so that in a very few days they may be even heard eating iu the fields. Now when the ichneumon fly pierces a worm that worm goes into Lhe chrysa lis state, and instead of hatching a cotton moth an ichneumon fly is hatched, the em bryo fly having fed upon and eaten up the worm within its case. The presence of this fly or its absence possibly has much to do with the prevalence of the cotton worm. Unfortunately for us, very wet seasons, keeping the wings of our friendly fly clog ged with moisture, destroy much of its ac tivity, whilst the same weather adds great ly to the growth of the minute cotton worms, which live at first almost like ap hides on the moist and succulent cotton leaf. When the worm is produced from ex citing causes, whether of moisture, warm and murky weather, or some other hidden climatic condition, not known to us, we have simply the beginning of the evil ; but like young chickens or birds just, hatched, the surrounding circumstances must be favorable to tbeir development, or the most if not all of them perish If the sea son is too hot and dry, or the plant too mature, the ichneumon fly abounds ; or if the season is too cold the little insect per ishes. I am convinced that we have the worm or chrysalis with us always, subject to be produced by exciting causes. I saw the unmistakable chrysalis turned from the fresh plow furrough last Spring; took it in my hand, examined it carefully, observed its peculiar motion, and was entirely sat isfied as to its being the chrysalis of the genuine moth. Another gentleman in my community observed an unmistakable worm as early as April or the first of May. He had a stake driven at the piace, and at that very spot the caterpillars first made their appearance when they earns in num bers. I have been credibly informed by another gentleman that the moth has been seen and one taken about the 7th of the present month. It seemed very feeble and, though carefully handled and kept, it soon perished. There can be no doubt of this circumstance, as the gentleman who took the moth was perfectly familiar tl.erewith and could not have been mis taken. This being the case, there is ground to hope that our unusually cold winter will destroy, to a great degree, the cotton insects. Let me also state that the prevalence of these insects in one season seems to have nothing to do with their prevalence in an other They made their appearance earlier in 1846 than ever before or since, and the crops were utterly eaten, and weeks ear lier than they were in the season just past. But the crop of 1846 was much earlier in its growth than those of 1867 or 1868, and the season by no means so wet. The crop was, therefore, far better than the crops of 1867 and 1868. I noticed last fall, before frost, the weather being very warm at the time, myriads of the cotton worms, many of them full grown, perishing in the cotton alleys. We had at the time an intermis j sion of the rainy weather, and the surface jof the earth was very dry and hot. I took j many of them in my hand and found them entirely dead. It may thus happen, from one cause or another, that when they come early and strip the plant of its foilage and destroy 1 the supply of food, as well as shelter, these worms die out in great numbers, both ; from want of food and on account of the scorching rays of the sun. In 1846 the same thing occurred. The worms then filled up the wheel ruts in the roads and also the ditch corners, and myriads died in the hot sand. Be this as it may, the fact is, there was not one seen in 1847, and j we escaped them for many years afterward. In theyear 1860, the worms made their | appearance in my crop late in September i and did me some injury. There was not : one to be heard of in any other direotion around me. My crop differed from those around me in one material particular. It ’ was utterly destroyed by a very severe hail storm on the 27th day of May; it had to be planted al! over, and there was not one ! original plant in ten thousand that sur vived. It was therefore extremely back ward and suffered besides thi-t so much after ooming up from the ‘deaf bug,” that it was truly problematical, up to the Bth of July, whether it could make any thing at all. The season, however, was good, and when the plant escaped it leaped into growth and fruited beyond all expec tatiun, producing a crop which I think my factor’s books will show was very nearly a bag to the hand. It was, however, far be hind other crops iu maturity, and th? «up of caterpillar.,, so to speak, thoqghgrowing slowly from the season b,eisg unpropitious had made at a late period sufficient headway to do mo iujury. My crop alone was found iD the condition to sustain or grow them with facility. All ottk-rs were far too mature. Now, had the season beau such as to develop these Vorms early in the growth of the plant, it could scarcely have made ten pounds to the whole crop, or. indeed a pod oi cotton. An important reflection arises here, impressing us w ith the fact that late crops, though not really producing the worm, yet iu reality may nurture hordes of the worms that would have otherwise perished for waut of food. It is ti ue that great exciting causes might produce and develop them with tlio coin- I cidence of a succulent crop to nourish them, ! but, being at first sow in numbers, they j would come on slowly, and. perchance,with I a hot and dry bummer the first brood would j not appear iu the crops at all, and even With a wet August it could soarely appear 1 before Oetober-too late to do serious in jury. Bear it in mind that these insects are natched and grown. The hatchiug depends on the season ; the growing on the crop as well as the season. If the plant is very mature when the worms are first hatched in auy appreciable numbers, the brood of caterpillars fails for want ot proper nourish rnent. If, on tho contrary, the crop is i„ as lavorablc condition to feed the tender young worms in their different broods the hatching, whatever it maybe, is carried through the worm state without apprecia ble dimunition toward another brood whii * under othercircumstances there would have beeu a larger dimunition. Such a diwuni tioo at the first produces a very appreciable effect when the prouuciug moths at the ; most are few (but few having escaped th : vicissituaes of the year). When they b - j come exceedingly numerous, however, even ! though they should lose three-fourths of each brood, enough are still accumulated to destroy the crops. W ith the two past years, w e have found it impossible to make our cm..- grow off. We have hud no Spring, an i just such seasons as our past exptrie, « w.-uld have warranted us in pronouncing beforehand as best auapted to the production oft!. - worm lhe statement about the eggs being fount! in thepith o» toe dtaik is ridiculousaud im possible, for the little moth that lays the egg is too feeble, and has nothing where with to pierce the «ood of the stalk. On the whole, it seems to me that, with varied seasons, timely planting, genial Springs and well prepared fields, we might reasonably expect a respite from the cotton worm, or, speaking more strictly, have no ground lor supposing otherwise. Major John Jenkins, of i-ldisto, informs me that his cotton planted on what is known as salt or reclaimed marsh land, entire) v esoaped the ravages of the worm, both in 67 and 68, the worms proving very de structive on the high lands immediately oontiguous. This would seem to indicate the free use of salt as a preventive, hut whatever good may be effected by such use, it should be remembered that we cannot reach by an artificial supply of salt without destroying vegetation, such a saliue condition of th>> soil as that of the salt marsh land, and thus without considering cost of a large appli cation of salt, we must confess our inca pacity to approximate to the properties iff the salt marsh without rendering it unlit forall vegetation. I have observed myself the singular ex emption from the ravages of the worm ex perienced in 1866, 1867 audlS6S, in a cot ton field disposed to rust. The soil of this field has medium yellow sandy toaai, hay ing nodules oi ferruginous sand scattered over the surface, mixed with the soil. In 1866 there was no appeaiancc of caterpillar at all in the part of this planted field. In 1867 one cocoon and one worm was alone seen. In 186S, the whole field being planted, the worms did some slight damage, scarcely appreciable. This field matures very early, and in ordinary sea sons, without manure, would probably rust badly. In one instance, then, we have salt marsh lands exempted from injury for two years, when the fieldsaround were ravaged by the worm. In another, the lands having iron largely incorporated with it, the same entire exemption is afforded in two consecutive years, and very nearly tho same ir. the third, whilst the other fields were eaten np. I think, however, I have known “salt laud” cotton eaten, and so.also, thatgrown on land disposed to rust, but never to the sameextent as on other lands. This article is a summary of the very best information 1 can give upon the sub ject. I would be happy to answer any in quiry in connection with this matter, and will thankfully receive infe .nation from any one who wili communicate with me through The News office, or otherwise. I think itimpo-sible to destroy these insects. There maybe wholesome results reached by every effort toward promoting the early growth of the plant. My advice is not to plant too soon, but simply in time. Cotton well put in, l'ro.-n the Ist to loth of April, is abundant iu time. I have yet to learn any advantage frem earlier planting. John W. R. Pope. From the New Jf York Journal of Commerce , January 2<*. Resumption of Specie Payments -Action of the New York Chamber of Com merce. An adjourned meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held at 1 P. M., yester day to continue the discussion of the re sumption of specie payment. A pamphlet was read by Mr. Moringe in which the following suggestions were made: First- Pledge the credit of the Government for the payment in gold of ail gold interest bonds. Second—Legalize coin contracts. Third—That each incumbent of an official position should undergo an examination by a suitable Board, granting certificates to applicants on account of capability and character, irrespective of political proclivi ties. Mr. Opdyke said that, at tho last meet ing, Mr. Chittenden had referred to him by name and to the Fourth National Bank as catering to the spirit of speculation, lie begged to explain to the gentleman that the business of the bank was conduct ed on safe-banking principles. He also gave notice of a memorial to Congress which he intended to introduce, recom mending that the public debt shall be paid in coin ; no further issue of paper money be made by the Government or banks, and that a contraction of the legal tenders be made to the extent of ten millions tier annum. Mr. Chittenden reiterated Ids proposition that the 1 10 National banks in the country could not pay one-third of their capital, and before specie payments were resumed one third of them would fail. lie gave his un conditional adherence to .Mr. Opdyke’s propositions excepting that of contraction. He did uot believe in contraction. During his address he referred to the article in the World yesterday morning, and to the desire entertained, as he said, by the Democratic leaders and the Southern people to repu diate the debt entirely At the close of his remarks the President rose and inform ed him that the rules ol the Chamber forbade any reference to polities or political parties. Col. T. B. Myers advocated gradual con traction. Mr. Jaffray was willing to withdraw his resolution. He was in f.iv-or, however, of the contraction of the currency at the rate of from two to four millions a month. An attempt to resume specie payments at once, could not but prove disastrous. Mr. Wat. J. Coleman thought a oor.trae tion of twenty-five or fifty millions absolute ly necessary, and that we must have in creased exports and decreased imports. II- believed we could resume specie pay ments in five years with safety, and ad vocated the legalizing o! specie contracts as an important means. j Mr. A. A. Low was disappointed at the ; course the discussion hud taken. He sup i Posed the argument would be confined to the preambles and resolutions offered by himself ; but instead of that several plans j had been offered. Mr. Low read <rom the records of the Chamber, to show that : resolutions had already been adopted in favor of the early resumption of specie i payments and the legalizing of gold con j tracts. As to economy, it had been the burden of every stump speech delivered ! during the campaign and before the Chamber, lee speaker then said that since tuc meeting lasi week two millions in gold have been exported. -Specie is go ing out so fast that in a short time reme dial efforts of Congress wifi boos no effect. He urged the Chamber tc, fix upon some recommendation to Congress, to show that the meichants of New York had some definite and decided ideas m to the great financial issues of the day. Col. Conklin* said he hoped the Cham ber would be allowed to vote on the various propo-itions offered. Mr. Low moved to lay the whole I ject on the table The motion was Pjgr : and amid some confusion it was decided that the Chamber should proceed to vote on the proposition offered. Mr. Ja«'rav having withdrawn his resolutions, those of Mr. Opdyke became the second am. n,i --: ment, and therefore tbe first to be acted I upon. They proposed that a committee of nve should be appointed to report a memorial at the next tm eting of the Cham ber, including the lolloping recommenda tions to Congress ; First—The public debt shall be paid in “* equivalent, tieoond—Thrre h ,t‘ *1 nn , fu ;, tber 18808 of paper money either by the Government or the banks. Third-Therc shall be of legal tenders to the amount ofter lions per a D num until specie payrr resumed. The lolmwit, - !•»««.. . lre should be taken . ” ? must be legalized. E Sa M S 6 f ® OTern «‘»»Fold and fends' Tnird—Make it a penal offence to loan n ere or national bank . ' Grant no more railroad or o her subsid'd. Fifth-Secure an equita ole distribution of the national taxes and honesty and economy in their collection. Sixth Apply $140,000,000 annually of the gold received for customs to the payment , interest and the reduction of the nation al debt. Mr. Opdyke’s resolution was lost by a vote of 13 to 15. Tbo resolutions of Mr. Sturges were then adopted, aud are as follows: Resolved, That the following plan be ; recommended to Congress: as a basis of action for tbe permanent settlement of our national finances: 1. Declare that when the debt is paid it shall be paid in coin. 2. Legalixe gold contracts. 3. Introduce the strictest economy in every department of the Government. 4. Refuse all subsidies aud unnecessary appropriations. 5. See tbat the revenues aro economically, cnor-v getically and honestly collected. 6. all tbe surplus revtuuo in reducing the debt. 7. Take away all power Gam the Secretary a, the Treasury to money plentiful or scarce. 8. Let tfwt people un derstand tbat while they need not fear rapid contraction k will be dangerous to
