Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-12-09


Among the many items of interest which
have been developed since the present
State Legislature organized, is the Nat
tingly bond case, which was, a
few days since, called to the
attention of that body by the Governor, in
a special message, and which has been
provocative of much discussion. We
read that the whole subject will be re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee Of the
House, by whom it will be fully investi-
gated, and presented for final disposition
at the summer session.
The history Of this case is really inter-
esting. Mr.. Mattingly's claim against
the State is for twenty-five bonds of $500
each, which bonds were issued by the
State under an act of the Legislature Of
1853, which provided for an appropriation
of $4,000 for the purpose of purchasing
arms and accOutrements for the volunteer
military Of Georgia, and which was APP
proved December 18th, 1859. In accord
ance Herewith Governor Brown made
contract with the Sharp Rife Company.
Of Hartford, for the purchase of l,50O
rifles, the whole TO cost $40, 765. OF this
$24, 765 was paid in cash, and the balance
in six per cent. State bonds, to run twenty
years.
The arms were delivered according to
contract. but before the bonds could be
issued the exciting period of 1861 seti in, and
it was not until February, 1S6l-almOst
month after the State had seceded-that
they were finally signed by the Governor
and forwarded to their destination. The war
followed, and in the confusion incident
upon the four years conflict and its ter
minatiOn, it seems that the whole transac-
ton was lost sight of and generally for
gotten. In 1869, however, the claim was
revived and declared to be binding upon
the State; and, with that actiOn-as the
bonds did not mature until 1S79-the
matter was allowed to rest. In 1872
the bonded debt Of the State was
thoroughly investigated, and a statement
was officially made as to what bonds the
State was really liable for. The bogus
Bullock bonds were disOwned, and their
payment forbidden by the constitution of
1877. In this investigation, however, these
Sharpe's rifle bonds were entirely ignored,
presumably on the ground that they rep
resented IA debt incurred sin aid of insur-
rectiOn or rebellion against the United
| States" the payment of which was by sec
ton 4 of the fourteenth amendment to the
United States Constitution forever pro-
hibited,
But it is evident that this theory cannot
| be sustained, as these bonds were issued
under authority of the State Legislature
more than a year before the war broke
/ out, and even before there was any seri-
Gus belief that there would be a conflict
/ between the North and South. The John
Brown raid in Virginia had excited APP
/ prehensiOn throughout the South lest
similar raids might possibly be inaugu-
/ rated against other States. 1t was reason
/ ed tbat if the people of Harper's Ferry
could be rudely awakened to find them
/ selves prisoners unawares in the hands OF
a lot of crazy Northern fanatics, a similar
/ fate might be in store for the citizens OF
/ other Southern States, and that it was
/ necessary to be in readiness against any
/ such possible visitation. This is why
/ Georgia decided to thoroughly arm and
equip her militia, and these bonds We're
| issued to purchase rifles not for aggres-
| sion but for self-defense.
1t is clear, then, that the bonds of which
Mr. Mattingly claims payment cannot be
! disOwned either as belonging to the Bull
| lock bogus bond issues or to those secu-
rites of the State forcibly invalidated by
| the United States Constitution, and from
| the lights now before us it seems that they
| should be recognized as legal and binding.
| The suspicious circumstance connected
with the entire transaction is that these
bonds fell due two years ago and have not
/ been presented for payment until now.
1 1t is not the habit Of creditors to wait
/ two years after their claims
/ have matured before at least
| endeavOring 10 collect payment,
| and in the meantime to ignore all interest
| dues which may have accumulated. This
| phase of the Mattingly bond case certainly
has a tishy appearance and Odor, and it
may be that it may lead to the whole
/ TRANSACTIONS being eventually exploded.
! As we have stated, however, the matter
has been placed in the hands of the Judi
ciary Committee of the House, and by
them will be thoroughly investigated and
reported upon at the summer session of
the legislature The report of that COM
mittee will doubtless throw such light
upon the claim as will enable the people
of the State to fully understand it, and
arrive at satisfactory conclusions regard
;p.r II