Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Wklq (fanrinrr. > ' -~- 1 i ,^~Z._- .ZZZjSS'------.- ■ NOVEMBER 9, 1855. ' Third and Fourth Pages. I Howard’s Lime KUn. We call the attention of our readers to the letter addressed to us, by Major Cooper, Bu ~ perintcndent of the State Road on the subject of Howard's Lime Kiln, and the removed switch— a source of so much distress to the en emies of the present State Administration. We doubt not they will all be furious at the plain statement of facts which are presented in Maj. Cooper’s letter, and which put to flight all the malicious assaults of his enemies. That the Auti-Kuow Nothing and Democratic Press of the State will pass the letter round, we hope aud trust. But that it will ever find its way into the columns of a Know Nothing paper, is a matter of some doubt. Justice requires it, but who will give unto “Caesar that which is Cicsurs’ ” in these degenerate times. The Intelligencer and our Circulation The Intelligencer of yesterday morning con tains a denial that our actual circulation G a*, largo as we represent it. The weak-minded crea. tore who penned ttr.t denial has, in it, so plainly exhibi'ed the eorit- rnpt'ble motive which prompt ed it, that it is cs iijjl /necessary for u» to say that the chargee C« r - Rood he throws upon the publisher of tMfp ; d®» ire wholly unauthorised by any knowledge'C ' facts in relation to our circulation, and CIS jzncly the workings of a cy nical temper, goeded biyotid all sense of propriety by the evidence of the prosperity of our paper furnished him in the improved appearance of our Daily. In reply to that article wo have, just now, only to say that the assertion that the weekly circulation of the Examiner doea not amount to twelve thousand copies, is unqualifiedl'/ false, and, proceeding as it does from a source too contemptible for notice, would not be entitled to the consider avion of a reply in any shape, bu l that tho reflections upon the veracity of our pub lisher, demands from him a full statement of the facts in connection with the circulation of the Examiner, as well as a few other facta which will account for this unprovoked attack upon him.— This he will do as soon as our columns are some what relieved from tho press of legislative pro ceedings, which crowd out a more extended no * tico to-day. The Governor’s Message. We omitted, on yesterday, all comment upon the Governor’s Message, preferring that it should go to our readers as it went to the Legislature of our State, and satisfied that it required no aid from the press, to stamp it upon the minds ol the people, as a State paper of which those who elected its author to the distinguished position he now bolds, should be justly preud. Nor is it our intention now, in the comments we shall offer, to urge upon our readers the con sideration of this able document. All that we shall say of it as a whole, is, that, viewed as a paper which spreads before the people, in detail, the affairs, financial and political, of our State, it bos doubtless already to a great extent at tracted, and will continue still for many weeks to attract, the attention of all who claim Geor gia as their home, and who have the least interest in bar prosperity and future great ness. It were more time idle in us to review those portions of the Governor's Message, which re fer to the diversified interests of Georgia. The Governor has so plainly and fairly placed them before the General Assembly, that even were we, upon the most unimportant questions refer red to by him, to entertain an opinion differing from iliat of his Kwollency, we would prefer tl>at the Irgislatari mid’>>e people should de termine upon that ; iftrence, rather than ob trude our own •pfnimia, being wdl advised that the Chief to' the State had. and must always have, bciit • - .p rtunitire of terming a correct judgment, * arrive at a proper conclusion, than wu, -i '-it*d as we are, can poesib!;, form or pn&iioiy have. Hence, to all • t hat portion of the Ifve which refers to the condition of the public 'ireasury ; to taxation ; to our public debt and credit; to that impor tant interest of our State, the Western & At torn ic Bail Road; to our State Penitentiary and its financial condition; to his views con nected with Internal Improvements and State Aid; to banks—the Atlanta, Central, and Da rien ; to the Public Printing, Annual Sessions, Education, and the Judiciary ; to all these, and others of minor «T‘ .'’-oration, wo shall only re fer the reader aw.’: -rt him to draw conclusions which, we feel •»£ .i, will be highly flattering to those friends ’■ • enter Johnson, who, in the late cauvai’f, active invindicutiughim from the uspcrw.~- -da enemies. They all prove his uutiriu, . >.• 'srssvering devotion to this diversified iabsiv vto -M Georgia, the Empire State of the Soath, M/1 with this the people are and will be coutcit. But to one portiva of the Governor’s Mess age, aud ouZy one, we desire specially to call the attention of the people of Georgia; yea, ol the whole South. V> e aiiudc to that portion ol it which rulers to “FEDERAL RELA TION 8.” At the outset of his remarks, His Excellency tells the Representatives of the people that he transmits to teem resolutions aud acta of other States, concerned directly or indirectly with our federal relations, "and some of them of a character which renders it doubt ful whether a proper self-respect should uot have dictated their silent return tu the source freui whence they emanated.” We have uot seen the acts or resolutions thus referred to.— We can imagine though their contents, and we judge tliat they are of a character insulting to our people, aud assaiiuig the Southern institu tion ol bla very. How long the South will be subject and submit to these assaults is a prob lem that, from the signs of the times, will one ol these days be w orked out. We are rejoiced therefore to see that the Governor has .ailed the special attention of the representatives of the people to the anti-slavery aggression upon the rights of the South, and that most forcibly and eloquently be law presented to them the atti tude in winch Geerg u stands, and that she must maintain, or sui-.rl ,«• ail time to abolition supremacy .He tc.w tn lata Menage a plain tale —how. in 1850, Vie people met in Convention for the purpose t>, tietormining the course which the t'tste m ; . . - *-■»«> io reference to , a ssrws of United States, known as the Oompromise Measures.” All these measures he says: “Directly or indirectly affected the institution of slavery, but were designed to form a connected "scheme of pacific adjustment.” While Geor gia found in it “mattter for objection and mat tv for approval,” still, in a spirit of devotion to the Union, she calmly considered in Sovereign Convention, whether, ‘■consistent with her hon °T ’„-?^ eb y ‘be general scheme of pacification, and whether her interest lay “in adherence to it, or in resistance.” The result was 1 that whilst she did not “wholly approve/’ yet she would “abide by it,” as a permanent adjustment of this secti<mal controversy. But she did so upon terms. She put the world up on notice, that she “will and ought to resist, even (aj u last resort) to a disruption of everv tie that binds her to the Union, any future ac tion of Congress, upon the subject of slavery in the District of Columbia, or in places subject to the jurisdiction of Congress, incompatible with the safety, domesie tranquillity, the rights and honor of slaveholding States ; or any act sup pressing the slave trade between the slareMd ing States, or any refusal to admit, as a 8k te, any territory hereafter applying, because oi the existence of Slavety therein, or any act prohib iting tlie introduction of slaves into the territo ries ol Utah and New Mexico, or anv act re pealing or materially modifying tho laws now in force for the recovery of fugitive slaves.” 1 bis is the position of Georgia. It was so at the time of the passage of tho fourth resolu tion of the “Georgia Platform,” and it is so now. No sacrifice that the Bouth made, had its prop er effect upon the Anti-Slavery party of the North. Nor do we believe that any that she has made, or can make, her honor and her dearest interests protected at the same time, will ever satisfy the fell spirit of abolition— . that appears to prevail, and in several States • at the North is in the ascendent The Gov ernor says truly that although not repealed or , materially modified, the Fugitive Slave Law is . constantly threatened; and our readers, and . the people of the whole South well know that . “upon the faithful execution of the “Fugitive I Slave Law,” by the proper authorities, depends r the preservation ‘'of the Union”—a Union much ■ beloved so long as the constitutional rights of ' the Slates are regarded, but of no value when r they are trampled under the foot of the oppres r sor. ■ But the limit assigned to ns will not permit us to go over the ground taken by the Govcr- 1 nor ; and we therefore will come at once to his ’ recommendation that the present Legislature, i in view of events that have recently transpired . and are daly transpiring in Kansas, should pre pare the initiative to cany out the 4th Reso , lution of the “Georgia Platform,” by provi , ding for the assemblage of a Convention of the I 1 eople, should Kansas be refused admittance into the Union, as a State recognizing the iu . stitution of slavery. It is in no threatening , spirit that the recommendation is made. With . a foresight as wise as his motives are patriotic, he sees into the future, aud prepares, or recom mends the Legislature to prepare for it Ifcar. risd out, as we trust it will be, there will be no 1 necessity for an extra session of the Legislature, I which can only convene at great expense to the J State. The Committee on tho state of the 1 Republic to whom this part of the Gover- I uor’s Message will no doubt be referred, will > have this whole subject before them. We trust, i however, before they make their report that there will be more light on the subject of the s contest now waging so fiercely in Kansas, and . more important aud reliable information, as to • her pobey, than we now have. i We have every reason to believe that this , will be tho case, though we have no hope with , all the light that can be thrown upon the con test in that Territory, there will be one ray to > inspire us with a desire that the Convention will • not be required to assemble, Georgia remaining ' true to herself and the Booth. Milledgerille Correspondence. Milledobviu-e, November 5. The Senators convened in the Senate Cham ber, thio morning a few minutes before 11 o’clock. On motion of the Hon. W. J. Lawton, theSen vtor from Dougherty county, the Hon. Peter Cone, of Bulloch, wao'called to tho chair, for the purpose of organizing tho Body. The usual oath was then administered to tho Senators, by the Hon. A. Powers, Judge of the Macon circuit, when, On motion of the Senator from Pike, Col. Gib son, proceeded to ballot tor its Presi dent. The Hon. David J. Bailey, democrat, end the Hon. Andrew J. Miller, of the “American Party,” wore announced as the candidates. Upon the first ballot. Mr- Bailey was elected; the vote be ing, For Bailey, 65 For Miller, 34 On motion of the Senator from Habersham, a committee consisting <f Messrs. McMillan, Knight and Miller, were appointed to wait upon the President elect, inform him of his election, and on the part of the Senate to request his ac ceptance, and eonduct him to the chair. This being done the President in an impressive and elegant manner addressed the Senate. His address was brief, but it doubtless reached the hearts and judgment of all who heard it; it could not have been more appropriate, an ! was received with applause. On motion of Mr. Cone, of Bulloch, the Sen. ate then proceeded to tho election of its Secreta ry. Upon the first ballot, Mr. P. H. Colquitt, ot Columbus, was elected. His compet tor was our fellow-citizen, CoL Luther J. Glenn. The vote stood, Colquitt, 73. Glenn, 34 Blank, 1 The Secretary and his assistant, Mr. John B. Weems, were then sworn in. as required by the rules of the last Senate, which on motion of Mr. Cone. of Bulloch, had been adopted to govern the Senate, until changed. The Senate then proceeded to elect its Messen ger, and after balloting six times, elected Mr. Jno. T, Wilson, ot DeKalb. There were some 25 candidates for office. The Senate then adjourned till 3 o’clock. P.M. when it again convened, and on the 7th ballot. Mr. Aldrcd. of Pickens, was elected door-keeper. A resolution was then passed directing the See retii-y to inform the House of Representative that the Senate was duly organized and prepared to proceed to business. There was quite a spirited contest for all ths subordinate offices from Secretary down to the Door-keeper. The defeated candidates, howe-. er, bore their defeat with manly fortitude, and will doubtless prepare for the future, when better luck, we trust, in turn, will attend them all. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mos oar. 12 o’clock. When we reached the Representative cham ber. Dr. Phillips, of Habersham, was occupying the Chair, and Mr. Spears, of Bibb, the Desk. The oath was administered to the members elect, by Judge James Jackson, and the House proceeded at once to the election of its officers. For the Speakership. Hon. Wm. H. Stiles, ot Chatham, and Hon. John Muledgn, of Richmond vm arHKUODed as owßlatm. The first baltot resulted as follows: Stiles, Detn 8G Milledge, Amer. 47 Irvin, Dem 4 Blank, , 1 Mr. Stiles was conducted to the Chair by Messrs. Lewis, of Hancock; Pickett, of Gilmer; and Milledge, of Richmond. Ho returned bis 'hanks in his usual polished style, and proceeded with the business of the House. We have no time to comment at length upon the ability of Mr. Stiles, or his qualifications for the position ho occupies, which, although, as he says, is, to him, an untried and responsible ono, is noverthe laaa one which he will fin with honor to himself and the body over which he will preside. His known familiarity with parliamentary law, and his experience in legislative bodies, eminently qualify him for the duties of the post, and. while his marked courtesy, and his unquestioned integ rity will ensure an impartial judgment of dispnted points, ho will not be found wanting in that sort of official nerve so frequently called into requisi tion by the excitement incident to the discussion of measures of great interest, in the House. The candidates for Clerk of tho House were Mr. Alexander, Mr. Spear, of Bibb, and Mr. C, G. McKinley,of Coweta. The first ballot result ed as follows: Bpear, Dom 8! McKinley, Anti-K. N. whig 66 Six candidates were announce 1 for Messenger. Oa'in, of Cobb, the old incumbent, was elected upon the first ballot. For Door-keeper there were 22 candidates up on the first ballot. After which the House adjourned until 3 o'clock Afdinnerter the House elected Morris, of Cobb doorkeeper, on the 7th ballot. I MiLLEDGEvnj.B, November 6th, 1855. I At the hour of ten this morning, both bran" ches of the Legislature convened in their rcspec , tive halls. , After the reading of the Journal in the , House, Mr. Dawson, of Greene, offered a reso r lution which was adopted, directing the Clerk i to call upon the Secretary of State for Bills . passed at the last session of the Legislature, re quiring, in accordance with the Constitution, . action at tne present session. Mr. Lawton, of Chatham, offered a resolu i tion bringing on the election of Attorney. Solicitors General and Director of the I Bank of the State of Georgia on Thursday . morning at 10 o’clock. Quite a spirited debate took place on the . adoption of thia resolution, between Mr. Daw , son, aud Mr. Lawton, of Chatham—the former j opposing its adoption on the ground, that, as the last Legislature had passed ’a bi 1 to alter , the Constitution so as to give the election of , Attorney and Solicitors General to the people, the election of these officers should and ought to be postponed, until action was taken on that bill. The gentleman insisted upon taking that ( course, as the proposed change was a true dem ocratic measure, and on the ground that there , was no neceaity for bringing on tho elections , now. To this the gentleman from Chatham, Mr I Lawton, demurred. He was there he said to do his duty, in accordance with the Constitu , tion, as it now stood, as he found it, and not to , act in reference to any contemplated change. I This was the time to elect these officers in ac , cordance with all usage. When the time ar rived, at which he should lie called upon to sup , port the democratic measure of which the gen ! tleiuau from Greeue spoke, ho would be happy . to act with him. But, at the present time, he , was for discharging a duty which he felt in* I cumbent upon him to discharge. The resolution was adopted. The yeas and nays being called for, aud stood Yeas 85 ; Nays 49. In the Senate, nothing of importance trans pired. Tho Reeolation adopted by the House to bring on the election of Solicitors, 4c., was , amended in the Senate by striking out “Direc* . tor of the Bank of the State of Georgia.” On the part of the Senate and the House a Joint Committee of both branches—-composed of three in the Senate aud five in the House— was appointed to wait on the Governor, and in form him that, both branches of the Legislature were duly organized and prepared to receive from him any communication which he desired to make. In response to the Committee, the Governor stated that he would transmit to each branch c/ the Legislature his message at the hour of 12 M. of which the Committee duly informed each branch of the Legislature. At the hour of 12, the Message wasdelivered; and read previous to adjournment for dinner. In the afternoon both branches convened in the Representative Hall, to count the vote for. and determine who was elected Governor of Georgia. It is not a question that leaves a doubt, wo believe, upon the minds of any on" as they have not yet declared the result, we shall only observe that the general belief here is, that one Herschel V. Johnson was elected by the people. If,before tbcmail closes, the ma jority is declared, a postscript will be added to this day’s report. P- 8.-—The Hon. A. H. Stephens, it is un derstood, will address the people to-night in the Representative Hall. Robbery of the New Mexico Man.—The Rogue Arrested.—A letter from the Postmas ter ot Jeff rson City. Mo., published in the St. Louis Republican, of October 30, contains fur ther information in reference to the robbery ol the Santa Fe mail, on tlie 24th of October, be tween Jefferson City and St. Louis. The deed was perpetrated by one of the passengers, who styles himself Charles Leaman Gilbert, and says he is from New York. The mail-bag and part of its contents were discovered by some Germans on the edge of a creek near Lislctown. where the stage had stop ped over night. A knife was also discovered among the letters, which turned out to be the same which Gilbert had borrowed at Lisletown the previous evening. This circumstance led to his detection. H< was overtaken and conducted back to Jefferson City, where, after an examination, he was com mitted for trial in default of SI,OOO bail. The robber made a complete sweep of the most valuable packadges. The directions upon the letters found are mostly illegible. Amongthem there are many official setters f rom the army and other departments in New Mexico, the loss of which will be a serious inconveuicncu to the officers forwarding them. Parties in Washington. A fri nd sojourning fora short time in Was’.* ington city, in a business letter to a gentleman in this city, thus incidentally refers to the or ganizations of the House. ' -The political composition of the Hon=o is such, as to give rise to a great deal of specula tion as to the organization. Many shrewd pol iticians regard the chances as about equally ba!- ; anced. between the three leading parties, and a few are strong in the faith, that a Democratic ' speaker will be chosen. My own judg.-meni ■ however, is, that Sewerd's counsels will prevail. ; and that Gov. R eder, or the Kansas question J win oe made the test for that office."—L'on4. <r i Rep. 11 GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE. Executive Department, ( Milledgeville, Nov. 6th, 1855. j Fellow Citizens of The Senate and House of Representatives You have assembled, as the representatives of the people, to review the administration of the State Government, for the last two years, and to enact such laws as your wisdom may dictate to be necessary for the promotion of the public welfare. You meet under circumstances well calculated to awaken gratitude to Heaven.— For although, the previous year was one of drought and comparative scarcity, and memor able for the melancholy ravages of Yellow Fe ver upon our principal seaport city, yet the tem porary frown of Providence has passed away, and again we bask in his beneficent smiles. — Peace, health and prosperity reign throughout our borders; wo still enjoy the blessings of civ il and religious liberty : all things combine to provoke us to that righteousness which “exalt eth a Nation.” Treasury, I herewith submit the Report of the Treasur er, exhibiting fully the operations of his De partment, for the last two fiscal years, ending on the 20th of October, It appears that there was at that date, an available balance in the Treasury of §1)0 793 24. The Western & Atlantic Rail Road paid in to the Treasury in 1854, the sum of 850.000. There were also collected from the Federal Government, on account of Military claims. §11,331 79. In 1855 and prior to the Ist of October, the Western & Atlantic Rail Road p.id in the further sum of 8100,000,00. The Treasurer also received on account of the sale of the reverted lands in the Cherokee region, sold under an act of the last Legislature, the sum of §19,302 61. From the sale of the State's interest in lands on the under an act of the last session, he received the farther sum of §1,993 11. Hence, for the two fiscal years, the Treasury has received the ag gregate sum of §182,627 49. from extraordina ry sources, not anticipated by the last Legisla ture, in the estimate of revenue. The aggre gate receipts of the Treasury, from ordinary sources, for the two years, was §930.244 03; and the actual aggregate of disbursements, for the same time, was §946,874 97 : showing, that there would have been a deficit, without the re ceipts from these extraordinary sources. 0f§15,- 730 94. Now, the act of the 24th of Decem ber, 1845 creates a lien upon the Western & Atlantic Rail Road, and its nett earnings for the redemption of the Bonds, amounting to §125,500 00. which it authorised to be issued for the extension of that work. They fall due in July aud December, 1856. But seeing that a deficit in tho Treasury to meet the demands upon it, must necessarily occnr; finding it also impracticable to call in these Bonds, except to the amount of §19,500 and feeiing perfectly confident, that the future proceeds of the Rood will be amply sufficient to meet the balance i f of §106,000 00, before or at maturity, I direc ted the Treasurer to carry the monies paid in, from that source, into the general fund, use them in payment of the public Debt and in terest, and the regular operations of the Treas ury. The Committee of Finance on the State of the Treasury, &c;. called my attention to the immense item of expenses for the services of Clerks in both branches of General Assembly. I have investigated this subject, by actual ex amination of the President’s and Speaker's Warrants from 1833, down to the present time, including the last session. The aggregate ex penses of the two Houses, per Session, on this score, from 1833 down to the session of 1849-- 50. ranged from §4,290 00 to §8,833; the latter sum being*tho largest expenditure of any one session during that period. For the session of 1849-50, the expense for Clerks’ hire of the two Houses was §18.286 00 ; for 1851-2. it was §17,212 00, and for 1853-4, it was §33,156 00. Tho enormous expenditure of the three last Ses sions of the Legislature evince extravagance and call for retrenchment and reform. Taxation. Looking at the large liabilities of the Wex tern & Atlantic Rail Road to mature in 1856, and the heavy demands upon its receipts, to pei fet its equipment, I submit, that it will be wise to adhere to the policy of raising, by taxation, the amount necessary to defray the expenses of the Government, and meet tho ordinary drafts upon the Treasury. The net earning of the Road should be faithfully applied to the exten tinguisbment of tlie large public debt created for its construction: taxation should furnish the revenue until that shall have been accom plished. I shall notenter into a disemsson of the prin ciple upon which the tax should be levied. The ad valorem is the only correct principle. Il may now, I trust, be considered as the fixed policy of Georgia; for it Los vindicated itself by expe meat, and the public mind is satisfied of its wis dom. The existing system may need amend inent, in itsJJetuils blit you should adhere to the principle an which it based. Public Debt and Credit, On the 20th of October last, the Public Debt including the 6 per cent, bonds issued fbr the , payment of claims against the State, on account of the Darien Bank was 82,646.222 22. Since the action of the last Leg stature, the Central Bank 7 per cent, bonds are considered as part of the Public Debt, and consequently the bal lance outstanding, amounting to $296,000, art embraced in this estimate. I refer you to the report of the Treasurer, and to the accompany ing‘-Report of the Finance Committee on the state Treasury, &c.” for tabular statements of the amount of the bonds which constitute the State Debt, tlcir rate of interest, when and where payable, and the payments n ade during the two past financial years. The credit of the State is now good—asourcc of congratulat; in to every Georgian. Itjshouiu not only be preserved, But every moans adopted to increase and strengthen it. It is remarkable that the Bonds of Georgia commanded a lest price than the Bonds of other States that owe a much larger debt. This is a fact which should arrest the attention of the’Legislature. 1 apprehend tho t, upon examination the reason will be found to be. that our Bonds are main y paya ble in Augusta. Savannah and at the Treasury This is true of all the Issues, oxoept those of Ju ly the Ist, 1852, and these amount to but 8525,- <>oo. payable in New York. They were nego tiated for a premium of five per cent, while the issues, under the act of December 4th, 1851, the interest of which is payable eemi-annually in Savannah, were negotiated at an average pre mium of but two per cent. This furnishes a striking illustration ot the advantage of making our State bonds payable in New York. This is the great commercial emporium of the Union and thither capital Hows, from all points, to seek investment. Hence, as a means of appre ciating the credit of the State. 1 recommend the I/'gisi-.iture to authorize the calling in of all the State Bond, including the Central Bank 7 per cents, not payable in New Y rk, and the issu* ing of others? in their stead, of similar tenor, dates aud amounts respectively, payable at that point. It will also impart simplicity and uni to the operations of of the Treasury. By an act of the last Legislature, approved 17th Feb. 1854 I was directed to issue State Bonds, in lieu of the outstanding bonds of the Central Bank. It was impossible to effect the arragement contemplated by a literal exchange of Bonds. The interest on the new. was limi ted to six. whereas the old Central Bonk Bonds sought to be called in, bore 7 yer cent. Os course, the holders would not receive the former m lieu of lite latter. That act also required the issue of new Bonds in lieu of certain other Bunds of this State printed on inferior paper, mutilated and of inconvenient amounts. The holders of these Bonds, with one exception, have not applied . for the benefit of the act: and therefore, it was uot deemed expedient to incur the expense of a new engraving. By adopting the policy above recommended? both objects of the Act will b accomplished, and contribute much to th pub lic good, since it will form a part of the plan for simpfifying the State debt and appreciating its orcdlt. Under the act of 24ih December, 1845, “to extend the Western A Atlantic Bail Road, and to provide means therefor,” 6 par ouit, Bonds were issued to the amount of §125,000,00, signed by the Governor aud countersigned by the the Chief Engineer, and payable ten years after date. They were issued on the Ist of Decem ber and July, 1846, and consequently, tall due the Ist of December and July, 1856. In antic ipation of their maturity, 8'19,500 00 of the Bonds have been paid, leaving a balance oi of §106,000 00 unpaid, Tho Act’’rofered to gives to the holders of those Bonds ,a paramount lien u]x>n the Road and ita nett earnings, for their redemption. Hence, tho clean receipts of the Road must b? appropriated to tho satisfac tio iof these liabilities; and there is no doubt, but they will be amply sufficient to meet them all before or at maturity. After that, they may Ixtuaxl inanyjinanner the Legislature may direct. Therefore, if the amount necessary for tho ad ministration of the Government, be authorized to lie raised by Taxation, as recomended in an other part of this communication, then all the nett receipts of the Western & Atlantic Rail Road should be appropriated to the payment of the Public Debt. There is obvious proprie ty in this policy. Most of tho Debt was crea sed for the construction at the Road, and it is therefore proper, that it should first discharge its liabilitieslo the State. As a large portion 1 of the Public Debt will fall due at the same ' time the Executive should be clothed with dis ' cretion to make such application of the money, derived from that source, as will avoid tho em barrassment which such heavy maturities must | produce, I therefore respectfully submit, that, after the payment of these Bonds and reserving ■ enough from time to time, to meet its liabilities proper, as they may fall due, the nett earning* of the State Road should constitute a Sinking, Fund, permanently set apart for the purpose m ’ dieated. The Western and Atlantic Rail Road. I herewith submit the two annual Reports of the Superintendent of the Western aud Atlantic Rail Road, exhibiting ita operations for the fis cal years 1854 and 1855. They shows steady and highly encouraging increase of its bu-iness and a commendable curtailment of its expendi tures. As these documenta furnish all the data for the formation of a correct opinion as to what should be the future policy of the Bond, so far as relates to the regulation of its tariff' of freights, I shall indulge iu no speculations upon that subject; but leave it, in all its bearings, to wisdom of theJLegislature. It is one of great mo ment, and cau only be correctly settled by facts its connection with other roads, and the light ol experience. If you design, it to be a paying road, then the policy obviously is, to abjust its freight schedule, in reference to its connection with others. If yon are content, that it shah be kept up mainly for the accomodation of the section through which it runs, aud as the meant, off affording the low, with facilities for procur ring the products of the up-country, without special reference to profit then it may be treated aud conducted as an independent work.— The Road is the peoples' property, constructed for their common benefit, and therefore, it is peculiarly appropriate for you, as their repre sentatives, to proscribe the line of policy to be pursued. Nor is it necessary to discuss the various plans suggested for its future management.— riome insist that it should be sold, either in part or in whole, so as to sever its ownership from the State, or to give its control to private indi viduals. Others urge that it should be leased for a term of years. These propositions were discussed by my immediate predecessor, and considered by the last Legislature. They have also, in the mean time, engaged the popular mind, to a considerable extent, and you are doubtless prepared to represent correctly, by your action, the public sentiment. Another mode proposed is, to place its management in the hands of a Board, composed of three Com missioners, to be chosen by the people. I refer to these propositions to demonstrate what, I be lieve to be indispensable to meet the expecta tions of the people of the whole State, and that is, the necessity of removing ita admin stratiuu beyond the arena of politics—of taking it from Executive control—of making it independent ot party influences. However wMely different these various propositions are, they afford con clusive evidence of tho restlessnotw of the popu lar mind on tho subject. The sentiment is al! pervading, aud is manifested in a thousand forms, that this is expected aud demanded at your hands. How it shall be done, is the question for your wbdorn. 1 have no hesitation in ex pressing the firm belief, that it were better to adopt any one of these propositions, than to permit the Road to be managed under the pres ent mode of its organization. The idea of this vast capital being subjected to the fluctuations of parly politics—confided to agents, who, as a general rule, will be changed every two years, in obedience to the utterances of the ballot box, is preposterons and ridiculous in tho extreme.— It is only Kail Road men who understand the conduct of these great works. Politicians who aspire to Guberuational honors, know but little, if anything, about it. How absurd, therefore, to place the Executive at the head of the Road —inexperienced aud therefore disqualified—and expect him to manage it with skill aud success'; How unjust to him—how hazardous to rhe in terests of the people, to saddle him with s heavy a responsibility. Without dispuiage inent to predecessors, it is believed, that the Rood has never lieen better managed, than it has been during'the last two years. Economy und punctuality, in every department, iiuve been enforced—not a dollar lost by defalcation—no; a dollar recovered in litigation for damages which accrued within that period—but lew and slight disasters from running off or collisions ot trains—and yet the dissatisfaction aud com plaint, iu certain quarters, are deep and loud.— All, ail demonstrating that the policy of sever ing it from Executive control, is absolutely im perative. 1 respectfully urge the Legislature to do it Under the resolution of the last Legislature, foi .hat purpose, I appointed the Hon. John D. Stella Commissioner, "to proceed to the State of Tennessee, to procure the repeal of the law of that State, which subjects the Western and Atlantic Rail Road to suits iu her Courts, and to fix upon such terms of negotiation and recip rocity, us shall be acceptable to both States.' As the result of his mission, I herewith submit the Message of the Governor of Tennessee, and the action of her Legislature upon the subject. You will perceive that they, by Resolution, au thorized him to "appoint a Commissioner learnxi iu the law, whose duty it shall be to confer with the Commissioner appointed by the Governor ol Georgia, either here (in Nashville) or in the State of Georgia, upon the subject of the inter course by Rail Road between the two States, with instructions to report to the General As sembly of this State (Tennessee) all the legis lative action thut has been bud by the two States iu reference to this matter, and also what further legislation, if any is necessary to pre serve the rights of the citizens of Tennessee, and to maintain our friendly relit ions." After Mi. Stell returned, he surrendered his Commission, and I appointed William K. DeGraffenried. Esq., in his stead, to complete the negotiation. The Governor of Tennessee appointed James A. Whitesides, Esq., under the resolution abovr quoted. These two gentlemen have had a meet ing, but finding that the question of the juiis diction Os the Courts of Tennessee over the Western and Atlantic Rail Road was made it, McClung case, then pending before her highesi judicial tribunal, they Cuusiderol it moat pru dent uud respectful to await the decision, before proceeding with tbe negotiation ; for the Court might determine the question in our favor, uuu tnua eud all trouble ou this score. But our hope of so gratifying a resuit has failed. I uu dersland the Court has decided ugaii>st us.— Hence, it no satisfuctiury adjustment between the two Btu.is can be effected by negotiation, it will devolve upon you to determine tiie course to be adopted. A 1 -use or sale oi that portion oi' the Road which is within the limits of Ten nessee, would seem to suggest itaeii as the mosi natural remedy. Peniteatiary. I refer you to the report of the Principal Keeper for die operations of the Penitentiary I'he statement exhibits its present fiaanciai con dition : Resources and Liabdities an Ist Oct. 1855. RKSOCKCES. To notes and A counts - §23,276,03 Os which are considered bad and doubtful -- - 2,702,27 §20,573,76 Cash, 2,807,80 Aud the Liabilities are: §23,381,56 Due Officers and Guard - §7,590,89 “ indi’ls, In’spr’a Dept - 8,483,32 “ do B’kK’p’s" • 504,95 16,579,16 Resources over and above Liabilities, collectable, §6,802,40 To which add : Manufactured articles, in B, K’s Dept. - - . . 6,747,90 Materi’l on band, P’l Kp’r'g Dept 10,257,91 17,005,81 §23,808,21 Hence, it appears to have been managed with quite os much ability and succesi.as under pre vious udmiuistruliotia. Still, I feel constrained j to say, what its whole history confirms, that it I has, to a great extent, proved to be a failure.— 1 A brief glance at tlie causes, wifi point out the i remedy. It is the duty of the Legislature to apply it promptly. The original design of the lust tutiou was twofold ; Ist, to substitute euicient punishment for crime, properly adjusted to its demerit, for the gallows, in the higher, and the application of tiie pillory and whipping post to tlie lower, grades of oifcnces ; and 2udly, by connecting labor with confiuemeut, to make it a self-sus taining system. The first object has been so far accomplished only, aj to dispense with these engines of cruelty aid But tlie Penitentiary has failedto griuteuds of | u Hsbmeut—reforming the criminal aud de terring others from crime. It never can an swer these purposes under its present organiza tion. From the utter impossibility of prevent ing inte.-coinmunieutiou between the convicts, and the absence of all classification of them, ac cording to tiie moral character ol their respect ive offences, the hope of reformation is unavail ing—is vain and futile. It is rather a school, in which the villain leurus to be more obdurate in his depravity, and he who is imprisoned foi an offence, nut involving the darker shades oi turpitude, loses the iiltiv self-respect remaining to him, by tlie neces ary contact with ins asso ciates, and is thus ultimately robbed of thislastj trait of human redemption. Tne exception to this general remark, lew and far between, con firm its truth. Hence, the Pemteiitiury ceases, to a great extent, to be a terror to evil doers. It also lulls to answer the other object of pun ishmeut—that of deterring others from viola ting the laws of the laud. Tne loss of personal liberty, of the sweets of social life, and the ne cessity for constant toil and restraint upon the passions, should constitute tne terrors of im prisonment. But organized as it is, how feeble and impotent are these sanctions, uud.-r our sys tem of Penitentiary confiuemeut 1 It has most s'gnuiiy failed to ucoompliah the second design of its formation—that oi being a seif-suslaimng system. Tiie proof of ibis is found iu tUe large appropriations, which the Legislature have been compelled, al almost ev ery session, to moke lor its support. There are palpable causes—causes that meet the eye of the most superficial observer—which render it impossible tor it to pay its own expenses.— Its wall encloses only about two acres of ground; is it to be expecleu, that one hundred and sev enty five men cau be employed profitably, upon so small an arena, in which it is impracticable to diversify labour ? It is located where mate rials for manufacturing cannot be obtained, without the payment ot ruinous prices. The question then arises, what is the remedy ? Remove it to another region of the estate.— Construct it upon a plan sufficiently .capacious to meet all the conditions required. So ar range its apartments as to ciassily the convicts, according to the moral character of their offen ces, and to secure absolute prohibition of all so cial intercourse among them. Locate it at u point where material ol all kinds cau be pro cured cheaply, and build it of stone and iron. Now is a most favorable time to apply this indispensable remedy. The present wail and buiiuings are all dilapidated and tottering, and they offer hourly temptation to the devouring element. (Something must be done, aud done now. The present structures are incapable ol such repairs as will render them suitable for the purposes desired. The whole concern must be rebuilt, if you intend to continue the institu tion and to make it what it ought to be. By removal, you cau remedy another great evil. 4ou cau locate it ut a point, at which, heavy operations iu iron aud atone may furnish employment for the Convicts, aud thus dispense with the common branches of the mechanic arts. Ou this score tlie present sjstem is most detri mental. iso far from retarding, the ritalesbouid so rba 1 e her policy, us to cuccuruge industrious aad honest men to engage in them. But what is the effect oi the present Peuiteuliuiy system: It degrades them, by turning louse annually n corps of graduated viiiaiiis, had skilled aud 100 depraved, iu most instances, to perform accord ing to their ability, who will work at reduced prices, aud thus meet the iiouest mechanic with ruinous cum|>elitiui:. Iu arranging a system of reuitenliury labor, tins reform Mmuiduot be disregarded ; but, situated as the instilutiuunow ts, it is impracticable. lu submitting this subject to your considera tion, your attention is directed to the suggetr ■' tious, under this head, contained in the Rep i ! of the ‘-Finance Committee on the State ol u«. Treasury, Ac,” and the Report of the Principal 1 Keeper. i Internal Improvements —Stc.Zc Aid. | If we look to the geographical position of the i State, it is not singular, that she has taken the . lead of her Southern s.sle is,iu works oi Internal . Improvement, she occupies the gup between the Southern spur of toe Aiieguu.ij ulouula.us and the Auanuc aud is thercfoiu the porta? . tiirough which the travel and products of the great Vallies of the West must und their truu- , sit to the --highway ol notions. 1 Such a posi tion fixes upou her u heavy, but glorious re . sponsibiiity, involving a mission ol the luture, worthy the most comprehensive grasp of eu lightened stalesinuusn.p. Un the other hand, her varied and inexhaustible mineral and agri cultural resources, aubrd a a perpetual stimmus and prompt to constant efforts to secure the means oi their development. These cousideru tions create a twofold obligation upou the Leg islature ; the one, to udjaceut states—inevluer, to her own vast internal interests. Hence, tu comprehend fully their legitimate scope oi ac tion, the Legislature shouid assume a lofty stand ing point irom which they can survey lue whole livid. Holding in her hand the key which opens the Atlantic tu the U w>t, the btuie shouid so use her power, us to lorcc, by a compulsion mutually advantageous, the travel aud produce which seek the ship, tu become tribuUuy lu her own wealth, prosperity und greatness. Xiuoa ing to this, as the light to guide uer general policy, she shuuiu likewise, us the pruximate motive of action, keep m view lue deveiopuieui at her natural resuureea, aud the udiuuuuneut of tue people, in ail the elements ui tuu highest aud best civilization. Hence, the paramount necessity oi well dehueu aud wed regmaled sys tem, m uur scheme oi inter.<al Impruvemen.o. it dues uot iunuw, tnat a charier lor a rail road toust be granted, us a mailer ol course, when asKcd. Au enlightened iigieiature, com prehending iuliy the system, its design, uno wuut is best calculated to advance tue general welfare-; win inquire whether tue chut ter asked, is in harmony w.tu that system, what will be the bearings of its eouuex.uus witnuui me Slate, wuat its eUect in developing our resources, uno what its relation tu other works under whivu large interests nave bee an-, mvvivcu and vest ed t iue system m Georgia tnuugh mns in •auey, is yet euiuciemiy advanced lu indicate the u.tilnule sba(>e winch it is ilke-iy tu luoumc Uu he. cusicru bvider siie has imcu puiuts, which have iuruieu and are seeking Lu lurm cuuuexiuus with the various secuuus, iute-ruai and external, whose productions wm luete. li.cn I growth uno pruepuuty. iuise puiuts are Au gusta, bavauuuu unu Bruuswica. ineTnul iuriaer aie cunuvctcU oy Ruuds completed, with ' leimesse-e and A-uta.aa; aud the latter pus sessmg a nat oor, imsuipuss-d i-y any uu tne -teteauuc CuUSt, suuui ol lue e miu dauieed by -u extensive territory, c tued oi ,ue Oust pine ne,d iu tile wur.u, and ul Wuuuui iul ugrivUituiui lei iniiyp sucks a coms.ci.uu wum toe Vast region tout SaiTis the Gail ul alexico. iu j word, toe-tc luiee ones num the Oasis oi uur system, aud toe uues luinugu Ule Claie winch cunuvct ur propose to cunuect them, with her own great divisions, within, and exhaust)?* feeders without, constitute its frame work or skeleton. Its symmetrical completion should both define and limit the policy of Leg islative r.ctlon. It will be most speedily ac complished by private capital aided by the loan of State credit. Such charters, and such only, as may bo required for necessary intermediate connections and facilities, should be granted, to fl 1 out tho .system; mid the* should be constructed by unaided private capital. But to complete the skeleton of the system, so as to extend an arm into each of the grand geograph ical sections or divisions of tlie State, she may. with propriety and wisdom, lend her credit under securities and guai unices, which will place her beyond the contingi ucy of ultimate liability and loss. To that extent the Legisla ture may go; but to that extent only should il | go, and with well considered caution and well I guarded prudence. ■ '1 he direct ap ropriatiun of money or snb- I scription for .Stock, by the Slate, to aid in tlie construction ol rail roads, is considered to be unwise and inexpalient. Its tendency is to emascnlutc private enterprise, by removing tlie necessity of self reliance. It will complicate the State with individual interests, which experi ence teaches to be dangerous to the public wel fare. It will increase the State debt, and con sequently create a necessity for burdensome taxation. Tlie construction of the Western 4 Atlantic Rail Rood, by the State, is regarded, lioth as a precedent and an argument in favor of di rect appropriations, in aid of internal improve ments. But it ceases to be forcible, in either point of view, when we consider the circum stances which prompted tliut magnificent pro ject At that time, there was not a railroad in Georgia. Private capital refused to be thus invested, because experiment had not shown either the practicability or profitable ness of such works. Besides, the region which it ixmetratea, though abounding in agricultural and mineral fertility, is mountainous aid diffi cult of access. It was socially and physically sjvered from the lower region of tlie State and ’ advantageous markets for the products of its ! industry.' On the one hand, rail read inter prise net ded tlie stimulus of example; and on tiie other, tlie North West was incapable oi development by private capital. Hence, the State embarked in the enterprise; und if no otb r advantage shall ever lie realized, tlieen j liar" d value of the lands of Cherokee Georgia ani ; . ' - remunerates tlie State for the outlay and vis Acs the far-sighted wisdom of its pro evta.,-:. The justification of the State was the neMFity of tlie case; but where the necessity d»»< set exist, the reason for the policy docs net ebtain. Bnt viewed in another light, the building of the Western & Atlantic Rail Road by the State does furnish a sound reason why other | sections may ask, with propriety, her fostering ' aid. in the form of a loan of her credit.. Thut ■ work cost not less than §5,000,(100. Tho re j gion through which it runs was then very sparsely populated and consequently contribu ted a comparatively small portion of the ex | pense of its construction. Middle ami South 'cm Georgia bore the tax ; they bore it gene rously and patriotically. It is therefore, not arrogant nor unreasonable to ask, in return, such aid from the State, as will devclopc other sections and bring them within the reach o ad vantageous markets. The request would come with the force of an appeal to the magnanimi ty of t hose, who are the special beneficiaries of this largo State beneficence, to practice the spirit of enlightened reciprocation. There ore those, whose patriotism aud intelligence are en titled to great respect, who earnestly advocate the policy of the State aiding works of intern Id improvement, by issuing her Bonds fora sufficient amount, jx?r mile, to purchase the rails, to all Rail Road companies which shall have completed the grading 4c., of their re spective Roads, aud made them ready for lay ing tho superstructure. But I regard it wild and hazardous, and the adoption of such a measure, as the worst calamity that could be inflicted upon the State. If there could pos sibly be any necessities which would justify it, they certainly do not exist in Georgia. Rail road enterprise, with us, does not need stimu lation, but rather wholesome and judicious di rection. Sucli a system us that however, would multiply those works—or attempts to construct them —indefinitely ; mid the sequel would be a crushing State debt, impaired State credit, ru inous depreciation of State Stocks and general paralysis, in ail the departments of business mid labor. States, like individuals will retard their progress, if they endeavor to advance too rap idly. Asj stem of internal improvements should be rather a growth, developed and gradually matured by the action of the laws of social and commercial progress, than the artificial result of restless, inqiatienl, and ill guided, bul well-nicmit legislation. Let us shun botli deyl la and Charibdisand move caustiously through the straight between the two extremes. Banks—Atlanta—Central—Darien. The various Banks of tbe State have prompt ly made their reports, from time to time, under Executive proclamation, issued in obidieuee to the law regulating that subject. -By the ex hibits made, those institutions seem to be sound and healthy. Still, the Legislature cannot be too vigilant, iu their examinations, or 100 stringent, m restraining them w thin the limits of tii.ir respective charters. New charters sho;.. :;e granted with caution, and only ai po.ate, where the interest* of trade require un iucrawi of Banking capital and iaciiuies.— m reference to such demand, they are pabiic conveniences, otherwise, 4hey are men broker&ges and shaving shops, uud being com pelled to realize their profits by other mean.- than the upp opriate business of Banking they bi coiue eugiues oi ruthless oppression umi lawless usury—grinding the laces of the >r cv.- situus and waging a guerrilla warfare upon the safer and belter mstitulioiw of the State. Tht practice seems to have obtaiued, of late, with some Banks, of sending their issues to distant Slates, not seeking uor desiring a home circu lution. As yet, it is not known, that mate rial injury has resulted, but thut it is violativi oi the correct principle of Bunking, is not to be doubted. It is equally certain, thut their ul t mute failure will bring reproach auddisbonoi upon the State. Hence, it would be well for L'ie legislature to investigate the extent, char act-ir nd policy of these distant operations,— Are sy not hazardous to the financial wel fero t ■ tae State? Are they not inconsistent with correct Banking principles? Are they u»t uguinst the reason und spirit which prompt ed the Legislature to charter them? Is it not bud policy, for tue General Assembly of Geor gia, virtually reestablish BaukslorotherStatcs. although nominally located within uur limitsi Those are grave questions. lam uot prepared to say, what ought to be the effect, if investi gation should furnish an affirmative answer to them. That it would disclose a fearful evil certain ; but whether it is within the reach ol iegislative remedy, consistent with chartered i ranchises, can only be determined by the facts developed. If such disclosures should amount to a fraud upou the intention ol the Legislature, in granting the charter, or show a misuser o! the charters, by their perversion to purposes nut contemplated by their creation, the reme dy is plain. The wnole subject is respectfully submitted, and if uuthiug more valuable result from its discussion, it will, at least inculcate the saiulury lesson, that hereafter they shall be granted upou such termsand restrictions as wih prevent the evil. In compliance with a resolution of the last legislature, 1 appomUxl L. E. Bleckley, Esq., Solicitor General of the Coweta Circuit, to cu quire into and report, the circumstances attend nig the organization ot the Atlanta Bunk, uno also its mode and places of transacting business. He performed the duty w ith ability aud ueat ui ss. It was a laborious service, uot necessa rily appertaining to his office, and therefore, it is but justice, tue Legislature should make ai; apprupt iation fur his liberal compel,sat ion. lu examining the R port, 1 did not deem the ir regularities, in tue organization of the Bank , or the place aud mode ot its transactions, to b. of such a character as to a forieitorc oi , charter, and therefore, I ha jJjLt caused jud - eial proceedings to be instituted for-that put poee. It is, bowel er, herewith submitted, lim< you may take sucii action m the premises m you -■■-. j deem proper aud expedient, ; Ai?u> Executive cider, to torn over < the assets of. v, n .fe-n iption, of the Centred Bank, either in his bands or those of Attorneys or Agents to two or more suitable Attorneys or Atrenta, tho Treasurer, on tlie Isth of July, 1854, mitrnsted the name to Wm. L. Mitchel], Esq., and James N. Bethune, Esn., with full power to collect, compromise or dispose of up on an ugreeinent, that they should retain one half ot the 'amounts realized, ns compensation for their services. These naseta were in great confusion, consisting of Notes, Bills of Ex change, returned aa insolvent, Attorneys re ceipts mid fl fas, endorsed “Nulla bora," scat tered over tho entire extent of the State. The aggregate amount was §312,650 63. As yet, but little lias been collected, and it is quite cer tain, that the ultimate loss, on thia score, must ■be very large. The indebtedness of the Bank exclusive of her outstanding Bonds, is about §36,140,00. It is hoped, that sufficient may be realized from tlieee assets, to pay thia lia bility, but tho hope is not founded upon such data’ us to make it confident. From the known energy of the gentlemen entreated with them, all that can, will be accomplished. For accu rate information, ns to tho amount, thus far, collected, you arc resjiectfully referred to tlie Report of the Treasurer. The Commission to wtllc the claims of the creditors of the Diirim Bank upon the State, under an act of the hmt General Assembly, ap proved February 14th, 1854, performed the duty luwigtH’d them. The Hou. Eli H. Baxter, not accepting, Wm. L. M was ap pointed in his stead. The Hon. M alter T. Colquitt and Richard IT. Clark, Esq., were ap pointed us Attorneys to represent tlie State Itefore the Commissioners. Early however, in the progress of the investigations, the foimcr departed this life, whereby the labor mid respon sibility were devolved upon the latter. It is but a tribute of justice to bear testimony to the signal ability and success, with which he perfornnd the duty assignisl him. By his dili gence, indiist>y and legal research, he doubtless saved the State many thousand dollars. The award of the Commissioners was upjiealed from to the Superior Court of Bn'dwin county, and ■ tlience, tho questions of law were carried, by | Writ of Error, to tlie Supr me Court. The i ultimate liability of the State, including com- |xnsuiion to the Commissioncra, Counsel fees und Court costs, was only §48,500 00. By authority of rhe act under which the proceed ings were hud. this amount was paid, with the proceeds of State Bonds, sold ut par, dated July let, 1855, and payable ten years after date, at tlie city of Savannah. Public Printing. The publication and distribution of the Laws and Journal* of the lust la'gislature were not . accomplished until a year after the time re quired bv tho law regulating the duty of the I’ublic Printer. This affords the second, of two successive instances, showing the absolute necessity ofrequu ingtliis work to be performed ut tlie Seat of Government. The act of the ' 16th of February, 1854, clothes the Executive with enlarged power over the subject and, under proper circumstances, it might be exercised with advantage. But there were considerations connected with the delinquency of tlie late Pub lic Printer which induced forbearance. Un der that act, if the delay, in the delivery of the ; Laws and Journals, goes beyond six months, the Executive is authorized to remove him from ’ the office and apjxiint a successor. Ere tlie ex pirati n of six mouths however, the Public ’ Printer had tiie misfortune to lose, by lire, al most tiie entire edition es tho House Journal. Soon after thut, tlie city of Savannah was vis ited by the Yellow Fever tad be fell on early victim, leaving the work unfinished aud the office vacant. Messrs. Boughton, Nisbet 4 Barnes of the Fideral Union press, were np ; pointed to reproduce the requisite number of ' copies of the burnt Journal, and they executed the work with fidelity and dispatch. However sad tiie reasons for the delay in this instance, and however lai' they may go te remove tho censure which the public mind, under other circumstances, would visit upon the delinquent, it docs not weaken the reason for requiring the work to be douo herea|ter at tlie Beat of J Government. There is still another und unanswerable ar gument in support ol such requisition. The 9lh section of Uie net referred to, very properly, requires-the Compiler to read Uie proofs of tlie Laws and carefully compare them with the en rolled Acts. Those acts cannot be removed, with propriety, from file iu the office of Secre tary of Suite. Hence, the exceeding incon venience, almost imprai flcability, of thus read ing ind comparing tlie proofs. I therefore, earnestly reeomniend, that, whoever inuy be the Public Printer or wheresoever resident, ho ahull be required, by law and the terms of his Bond, to execute tiie work in the city of Mil h'dzcvillc. It will secure dispatch, accuracy aud fidelity. A large amount of the expense of this branch of the public service may be saved, wiQjout det riment. The law requires the publication o 4000 copies of the Juurnuis of cacti House; whereas, 2WJO copies oi each would be a must ample supply. It is well known, that the Jour nals, iu most coses, orc deposited with the Ujerks of the Courts of the several counties and are piled away unappropriated to mould or rot or waste. It also requires 5000 copies of tlie Laws, whereas 2500 would be suflieunt. Why continue the UsJiss expense of so many copies ol tlie Lows and Journals? Under this bead, there muy be u still further reduction of the expense, by printing the Journals in smal ler tyjw. By the change, in these two respicts, several thousand duilais muy be saved to tlie I'reosury, without any delriuieui to the public interest. I therefore reeuniineud the publica tion of 2000 instead ol 4000 copies of each of llie Journals, uud 2500, instead of f'ooo copies or tne laws—the Journals in Long Primer, in stead of Small Pica tjpe. The murginul notes to tl>e Laws areulmosl useless; they may well he disjieused with, and thus save auotlier very considerable item of expense. A still greater be effected by letting tiie Public Printing to the lowest bid der under sealed proposals, to be opened uud die contract awarded, on a specified duy, by the Executive .1 tiafelore recommend the adoption of this plan of selecting the Public Printer.— Fidelity and despatch inuy be secured bj’ re sponsible Bondsmen and the continuance of the powers ol' the Executive over the subject with which be is clotbt d by the exit ling laws. Mr. Chupman received on account ot print ing the Laws and Journals the following sums, toArit: As an advance by legislative au- thority, .... $6,600 00 Under Executive Warrant, - 811,too co Freight on Journals pri pcrly chargeable to him - - SIOO 00 I’aid J. Al. Cooper & Co., to lift lieu for binding Laws, - 81,137 00 Amount iu the aggregate to - 818,237 00 For the work perlonntd bv him, according to a.i estimate made by Geo. Ringlaud uud M m. Barnes, practical printers, at the request ot tho Executive, he was entitled to receive 813,749 eO, showing an over payment oi 84.487 21. the estimate is bused on what he would bare Ircen entitled to, according to the rates of com pensation fixed by law prior to the act of 16th February, 1854. He should be held down to 11 iose rales, on accuuut of bis failure to per form the work according to contract, a faith ful compliance with which oulv, entitled him to the increased compensation provided lor by that act. If however, he should be considered us deserving, under the circumstances, the rules of w mpeusuiion provided tor by that act, he w-ouid tbcii be entitled tu receive lor the wuik done by him the sum of 816,172 OU, which de ducted from the 818,237 00, which he actually received, shows uu over payment still of 82,- 065 00. For the one ur the other of these amounts of over payment, according as the Legislature shall hold loin to the rates c f com pensation of the old or the new law, bis secu rities are responsible to the iState. Under this view ot the subject, it is respectfully submitted to Hie General Assembly to determ.ue whether, under the circumstances, they will direct suit to be brought upon the Bund of thu State Fr inter. T<e S.at of Government. The question ot the removal of tho iicat of Government has been aghaled, Irom ume to uue, tor many yens, llw Ut Leguiawuc,