New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-09-06

was contracted There is no pretence that the
bonds we've not issued in strict conformity 10 law
and nothing to show that the holders of me ponus
did not invest in them in good faith, beeVihg 'nein
40 he valid obligations of the state of Georgia. The
fact that a large proportion OF these ooh"s - III 0
hands Of foreign is conclusive PROOF 10 'no
contrary.
Pesoectinr the charge Of Republican extraNa-
cance in Georgia few words may be said me
Republican Officials OF that state were almost WIN
ont execution natives of Gcorsia, and they were
the peers in intelligence social position and wealth.
of anv who had held the offices before them They
were a. much interested in the welfare OF the STATE
os any Democrats could be. Their crime was IN
being Republicans and that had to be punished even
NJ th xpcose of the honor aud credit of the state
The facts are that the average expenses of the
State Government under the three years of Repub-
lean administration were about $50. 900 "a wear less
than those OF tao Democratic administration which
immediately preceded il. The expenses OF TIE Irst
Democratic Legislature after reconstruction were
about 81 900 month greater 81 IN those OF tue iIe-
pnhiican Legislature which preceded II. Under 'he
Republican administration the rate OF taxation Tor
State purposes was four mills dollar. Tie Dem
ocrts. since they gained control o. the state. have
raised the rate TO FIVE mills and have abolished the
exemption Of property TO the amount OF T2OO Tor
narh fIN II
A Democratic legislative committee investigated
th numerous charges oi corruption and fraud which
wore made against the Republican Governor The
testimony taken during this investigation was nSed
for oolitical PURPOSES as well as 10 n0ursh the re-
pudiation sentiment. II was then made the basis
Of criminal prosecution OF the Governor. Af'er
years Of delay he case was brought 10 trial IN "a
Georgia court and all the witnesses who had tes'i-
fed before the committee were again oNamin'c'
The result of the trial was triumphant acqGtiai
Int in the meantime the real purpose OF tn charges
had been realized by the reputation OF the ueot'
A. the Governor had been held personally RESPONSE
BILE for al the alleged fraud and corruption oil the
Republican state administration. especially IN r.
card 10 the supposed fraudulent issues OF bonds TO
mid RAILROAD companies. his acquittal 10y Georgia
court cornpo scd Of Democrats Is quite good evil
hence that the bonds honestly and lawfully -
sued. and that the state is bound by every cousid-
Grafton of honesty ard Justice 70 pay them
Like al the other Southern States. Georgia pleads
poverty as another excuse for dishonesty In order
to Justify this plea. property seems 10 have been
assessed. especially in more recent gears !" s''''
fraction of ITS value I'm lsGG the ASSESSED valua-
tion of taxable property was T2oToo"'u"o' III
1s70ft was S22GOOO. 900. and the census valuation
S26S. cOD.OOO: m 1872 the Controller estimated
il Ar $40 OO0. 900 M 1875 il was @2Gl. oooOoo
N 1876 II was S2l5.OOO,OO0; IN 1877 10 was
S2S1. OOO.0O0 and in 1878 IL was S226.VocOOo' or
exactlv what ~ was eight years before.
In 1870 according 10 The census report; The value
Of the agricultural productions of Georgia was
S-JOoO.OGO hut al the lands i'm the state. m
proved and uuimproved were assessed "t Only
$9JOGO. 600 tine same year. In 1875 the assessed
,aluafiorr If land was but $4,000 900. while the
shocs of reputation las douhti's Gone much Il
dc,r,siate the value of property IN Georgia. It Is
harllr probable that il has caused depreciation OF
nearly Si2 900 600 year ion the last three years
which If will be observed hiss uav been the rate
Of decrease in the valuation Of property according
10 the Assessors reports.