The Portland daily press., 1871-07-22

Gov BULLOCK OF GEORGIA was recently
asked by the Ku Klux Committee for informal
ton relative to that State government, it be-
ing alleged that one of the leading causes of
disturbance in that State was the reckless ex-
penditure of public money and the NAL admin
istration of State affairs generally. Gov. Bull
loch first tells the Committee that they have
no right to make such a demand upon the
Governor of sovereign State as to make an
exhibit of its financial standing, and quotes
Jefferson. He then valves the right and at
once proceeds to show the condition of the
State from his own standpoint.
In 1861 the debt of Georgia was $3,6SS. $50.
In 1868, just before his accession the debt was
$6,256635. Under his predecessor the "John-
son Governor bonds" were authorized aud is
sued to the amount of 81, 100000. He has him
self executed and registered $1,000, 900 to be
sold from time to time to pay interest on debt.
The bonded debt Jan. 1, 1871, was 1854. 500
HisIpredescesor's administration in % months
spent 81, $50 500; his own in 20 months $685.
sO5. or nearly $4,000 month less The total
valuation of taxable property in 1860 was
$672. 1872 447, in which total the slaves counted
for $780,, 694, 1856. The valuation in 1870 was
l,tO
9e4, and from 1868 of $50, 035 $50 1t should be
remarked that the owner himself fixes the
value OF his property, tn re being no arbitrary
assessments, except in cases of default. The
rate of taxation in 1860 was IL cents per 500;
it is now fourtentbs OF per cent. The special
| tax on licenses, polls, etc., nets the treasury
yearly about 100000, and the annual receipts
| from the State railroad, under the 20 years
| lease, amount to 100000. G
On the subject of State aid to railroads, the
practice of Georgia differs from that OF other
| States The ouly way in which she aids rail-
| on the first mortgage bonds of certain railroad
| companies, after the roads have been con-
constructed and are in operation for sections of
| 10 aud 80 miles, the Endorsement not to exceed,
| in any case, one-ha'f the cost of such road.
/ The State has, as a protection against sucn
| Endorsement, first lien upon the whole prop
| erty, with the right OF immediate and unob-
| structed possession OF the property upon any
failure on the part of the company to meet
| their endorsed obligations" When all the
| railroads entitled TO this Endorsement are COM
pleted, the fetal contingent liability Of the
State will be 81, 545,900. The Governor thinks
the State is amply secured against loss on this
score. The advantage of the endorsement to
the companies is, of course, that it makes it a
deal easier for them to raise money at the
| North ant in Europe. The railroad question
has never yet got into Georgia politics, The
small minority which opposes the practice OF
indorsing being about equally divided between
the two parties
/. Gov, BullOch says the salaries paid officers
are about the same as before the war. The
| Governor prides himself on once being slave
holding citizen of Georgia, and says that all
the officers except one appointed by him were
residents of the State before the war, SO that
the State cannot be given up TO carpet baggers