Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-20
MACON MATTERS.


United States Court-TwO Pictures in
the Social WOrld-The Veterans DOM
inO-The Sesqui-Centennial-P
Notes.
MACON, Jan. ls.-The rain and the mud
still abide with Us, much to the discomfort of
the people and the interruption of business.
We have had no failures yet, and hope we
may not. Still 1 heard man who is inti-
mately connected with the commercial inter-
ests of Middle Georgia say that he looked for
more failures this year in Georgia than have
occurred for many years past. He based
his opinion upon the fact of good
crop last year. The merchant took it for
granted that with such abundant Weld their
debtors would come up promptly and settle
all back indebtedness, and on this suDDositiOn
bought an increased stock of goods The peO-
pie have failed to respond to the demand of
the merchant, and he finds himself with
shelves OyerstOcked and his ledger still un-
balanced. His creditors are clamOrous. and
he has been bridging over his difficulties until
a new crop year has begun. The farmer does
not ask Tor supplies, for in neglecting his for
mer obligations he has sufficient of his last
years crop TO run him through the present
season, and the merchant is amazed at his in
difference. This combination of circum-
stances VIII drive MANY q small dealer to the
wall. Macon has been fortunate in her COM
merclal interests for several years past, and
her commercial standing is without reproach.
Our CITY Council have elected sexton for
Rose HIll Cemetery at last. 1t was O desper-
ate struggle, but Mr.. j. j. Clay, the old sex
ton was reelected on the eighteenth ballot.
The Council, however, passed the ordinance
referred to IN my last letter, in the face OF the
formidable protest on the part Of some of our
citizens. This ordinance changes the whole
management of the cemetery but Sexton CLAW
Will adjust himself to the changes with readi-
ness.
The Superior Court continues-but little of
public interest has transpired. When the GRIM
inal docket is reached several cases of interest
will claim public attention.
The grand jury created some excitement by
their presentments, attacking vigorously the
gambling establishments in the CITY, The
fraternity, which learn is quite numerous,
are very indignant, and breathe out cruelty
towards the members of the iury, claiming
that some of the jurors themselves are not
without guilt in this matter. The revelations
brought to light by the efforts of the grand
jury are astounding, especially at the number
OF youths and boys engaged in gambling. 1t
taxes the average citizens faith to believe the
number to be so large as reported. Some of
them are the sons of some of our most re-
spectacle citizens. Every true man stands bv
the grand jury, and hopes that this nefariOus
business may be closed up, or at least restrict
Ell 10 those abandoned to the practice, and
that the boys be saved from ruin and disgrace
The United states Circuit Court is now in
session, Judge Erskine presiding. The De-
Vaughn case, from Macon county, creates
considerable interest. The Jury up to
last evening had not reached a conclusion
He Is charged with illicit dealiW in tobacco.
Deputy Clerk IIeyWard, of vOIT city is in his
place, and as prompt and courteous as ever.
The bad weather does not interrupt or sus-
pend the pleasures of the social world. Their
round of entertainments continues as attrac-
tive and popular as ever. Last week one of the
most brilliant receptions ever held
in the city was given at the ele-
CANT home of Col. w. b. Johnston, one of
our wealthiest citizens. There were about
$50 persons present. The culture, wealth and
beauty of the city were there. and the tide of
pleasure OverfOwed all hearts, and the younger
eveled in the very ecstacy of low The
with the social gatherings of their early days,
and wandered how the world had changed.
All seemed happy, and the memory of the Oc-
casiOn still fingers in the mind, as a perennial
scene of pleasure. But few squares distant
there was another gathering of the Young
in an humber walk of life. Honor and
in the bands of holy wedlock. Happiness
reigned here as interuptedly and as
genuine and free as in the elegant home on
the hlll. Each party was obliviOus of the ex-
istence OF the other as it was possible to be,
and yet both were happy-as happy as they
could be.
This contrast verifes the fact that a mans
happiness does not consist in the abundance of
the things which he pOssesseth. Wealth is
only relative in character. One man may be
just as happy in the possession of 81, 900 as an
other would be with 100000. In position. the
distance may seem great, looking downward,
but the distance greatly dminishes as one
looks upward. Wealth does not always bring
happiness. Many years ago at Montvale
Springs l was introduced to an elegantly
dressed and magnificent looking GeOr-
gia lady. She had recently been mar
ried. Her ornaments of diamonds
and pearls were profuse. She was charming
in conversation. Her husband was all devO-
tion, amounting almost to jealousy, That was
my boyish ideal of happiness. One evening,
while prOmenading the great broad piazza in
company with this lady, / remarked, You
must be exceedingly happy" and enumerat-
ing her various possessions and ACCOMPLISH
ments. She nervOusly withdrew her hand
from my arm, and, clenching it with the
other, bitterly exclaimed, 'Oh, sir! it is but
guided misery | learned with astonishment
the sad story of heart and hand sold for gold
and position in society. This was the fruit
Her soul yearned for congenial companion
ship.
The veterans of the Social Dancing Club
gave domino ball on Tuesday night which
was brilliant affair. Such entertainments
must have a chaTmer's power, for it makes the
old forget their lnfrmities, the sOrrowing their
troubles, and the church members their vows
and all join gaily in the exercise of their heels
The wee sma' hours" crept over the merry
thTong before they closed their festivities
Socially Macon has been very gay this winter.
The near approach of your Sesqui- Centen-
NAL aWakens more interest among our people.
| think nearly all of our military companies
will join in the procession on that day, Many
others Will be IN attendance, and considerable
inquiry Is made of me as to accommodations
The committee would do well to send up a
list of houses who will entertain on that Occa-
sion.
Meeting with Colonel Joseph CIisbv. so long
the able editor of the Daily TeEeqrdph the
other day, reminds me of many pleasant hours
of association with that veteran editor. He is
looking remarkably well, and, with the eXcep-
tIOn OF his lOcOmOtIOn, his health is better than
it has been for several years. He seems TO en-
joy his retiracy at his beautiful home in Vine
vile. surrounded with his loved ones whose
gentle care and devotion to his wants con-
tribute so much to his happiness. To grow old
gracefully is an accomplishment not possessed
by every one.
Col. II. II. JONES' the versatile and accom-
plished letter writer and formerly one of the
editors of the IeIegrdpA, lives also in Vine
vile, in an elegant home. He is engaged in
farming about seven miles above the city, and
made splendid crop last year. He lost some
eighteen or twenty bales of cotton in the re-
cent warehouse fire. He occasionally con-
tributes to the press, but his main business is
the cultivation of the soil,
A, W. Reese, Esq, another member of the
editorial stan of the Telegraph, and for many
years its Washington correspondent. is now
with the house of Messrs. j. w. Burke & Co
His health has greatly improved and he seems
to enjoy his quiet life, free from political
whrl and combat.
Harry Edwards Esq, whose brilliant wit
and humOr won for him a wide reputation as
'X. L. E." and whose chaste and polished
style made his editorials in the Te1egraph to be
eagerly sought after by all class of readers
has abandoned the pen for the present and is
now engaged in handling hardware in the
establishment of Messrs. johnson & Sons
The writer is the only one of the old staff who
still scriDbles for living. JACK PLANE