Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-21
JACK PLANE IN COLUMBUS.
What Happened in Macon During His
Absence.


Enquirer and Times for cOurtesies. The
gentlemen connected Herewith con-
tributed largely to the success of the en-
tire occasion, and deserve not only the
gratitude of the citizens but the thanks
of visitors also.
During my absence from Macon, two of
the oldest and most useful citizens have
died. Mr.. George Payne, the druggist, and
county Commissioner Il. c. Wilder. Mr..
fayne was one of those useful men who
lead quiet life. He was energetic in his
business, but took not part in public af-
Ialrs. There was no blowing Oftrumpets,
no OstenUation about his gifts, vet few
men ever lived in Macon who did more
lof the poor, and had warmer and more
benevolent heart than Mr.. Pavne He was
consistent member of the EpiscODal
Church, leading an upright Christian life.
Mr. Wilder for many years was a prOmi-
nent contractor and builder. Some years
ago he turned over the business to his
sons, who still continue it. He was an
earnest citizen, taking "a lively interest in
all public affairs, and was held in high es-
TEEN by the community for his sound
judgment and faithfulness in duty He
was leading member of the Methodist
Church in this city-a conscientious Chris
titan gentleman.-Fh is a heavy loss TO.
Macon in one week.
The difficulties enyirOning the Wes-
leyan Female College are not yet removed,
although some claim that a method of
operations have been determined upon
which will bring relief. The trustees
have issued $4,000 worth of bonds pledg-
ing the real estate belonging to the insti-
tuition for their redemption. But the main
difficulty still remains, who will take the
bonds? The money is badly needed right
hnn cnIr 4
would be to let the members of the Board
of Trustees, who are really the responsible
parties to the failure, take these bonds
and thereby supply the needed cash, and
let the work of finishing proceed at once.
There is ability enough in the board to
raise the $4,000, and there ought to be
enough denOminatiOnal pride and love of
MethOdism and devotion to the interests
of the church to prompt them to do so.
DR.. Bass, the energetic President, has
done much since regular work ceased to
relieve the building of the unsightly scat
folding, and has finished up the outside of
the towers to preserve them.
There seems to be some agitation in our
educational circles. DIR. w. G. Bass, who
has sO8arnestly and ably conducted the
affairs OF the Wesleyan Female College
for s9snany years, has rendered his resig-
nation as President of the institution, to
take.effect at the close of the present ses-
sion in July. The causes leading to this
result are various, but L judge that the
present unhappy embarrassment of the
building affairs is the reason, for it is well
known that DIR. Bass has strenuOusly op-
posed the extravaganza manifested III the
management of the Seney fund This, |
coupled with a longing desire to go into |
the regular ministerial work of the con-
ference, has led this excellent gentleman
to the point of resignation. AS to the
wisdom of such step, / am not in po-
sitiOn to speak. This / know, that the |
patrons of the institution will bring every |
argument in their power to bear on him |
to induce him to change his purpose. |
Looking at it from an outside standpoint, |
1t would be disastrous movement to the !
college.
This week our people have been aston
ished at the announcement that DR.. A. j.
Battle, President of Mercer University, |
had placed his resignation in the hands of
DR.. Butler, President of the Board of
Trustees. The cause for this move has
not been made public, so far as | can
learn. 1t is matter of surprise to his
own people. Mere rumOr has it that the
criticisms on the institution and its work
ings at the late Baptist Convention at
Griffin has had much to do in the deter
of DR.. Battle to resign. What
ever may be the causes leading to this
the act itself is greatly to be
regretted. AS in the case of DIR, Bass,
the institution will be the loser. DIR.
Battle is one Of the most polished Chris
tian gentlemen that have ever met, and
his departure from Macon and from the
will be source of sorrow, not
only to his own people, but to the entire
to whom he has so greatly
himself.
The defalcatiOn in our Tax Collectors
office. amounting to between $4,000 or
$4,000, has greatly embarrassed our
school board. They are compelled to
close the schools almost month earlier
than they would otherwise have done. BY |
this means also the teachers are sufferers,
Their salaries are meagre at best, and
months loss is a heavy burden ON some of
them. The interruption is no small mat
ter TO the machinery Of the system. The
schools will all close on the first of June.
1t is thought that neither the school fund
Jr the county will ultimately lose the
fund, as Mr.. Peters bOndsmen are able to
make up the deficit; but it will be some
time before the amount can be realized
rs it will have to he collected by due
course of law, Much oensure is given to
)ur Board Of County Commissioners for
lOt investigating the books of the Tax
Collector more frequently. This shortage
has been going on for several years. MIR
Peters integrity has never been question
I'd before.
The discussion of the negro problem in
he various newspapers in the country
S awakening quite an interest
among all classes in this, Of all problems,
he most difficult to solve. 1t is discussed
N street corners, in barrOOms and hotel |
1arlOrss The ministers in the pulpit are
with it, and the pot house poll,
ician grows eloquent over it. Some Of
he arguments on both sides are grotesdue |
md ridiculous, while many OF these ar
exhibit the most appalling IgnO-
'ance Of the whole nature and character
II the discussion. Good will no doubt |
come out of this discussion, but an i'm
nense amount of evil will also be mani
est. If good will only pEeponderate, the
can stand the result.
The walls of our Academy Of Music are
,omg up rapidly, 1t will be mag
litlcent building when completed. 1t is
lOped it will be in readiness for next sea-
On's amusements.
The building boom continues without |
batement. Thousands of dollars are
icing invested in real estate, which has |
hitherto been looked Up IN stocks and
'Onds; ihls capital is being made useful
p more ways than one, 1t affords employ
nent for hundreds of mechanics and Ia
orefs, which III turn support our retail ,
irooerles and dry goods stores. The tax
BILE property of the city is greatly en-. /,
anced, not only by the buildings erected,
ut also the increase in the value of the
cal estate on which they stand, and also
he increase af business by our merchants.
he money that is set aflOat on Saturday :
lights alone eases up the money demand
Or the entire week. It becomes widely :
unused In day OF {Wo, and relieves the
ressing demanJls Of hundreds of individ-
ais: II is said that there is more build
lg going now than in any former season
/ this time of year.
The Macon Volunteers, our largest and
lost popular military company, nave
cen contemplating q trip Westward for I
W0 or three Yeara past. Captain w. w,
'arnes, wAo Is well known in military
lrcles in Savannah, is in command of this
allant company. Ha refuses to 90 unless
e can carry thirty-five men. 1Ae reaui-
lte number was mada up the other day,
ut three YoHAg men, after consulting
as1I employers, decided that they could
Ot get OIL, which disconnected the whole
arrangement. The company has a anal
1eetlng tonight on the question, and
Though l Wrl.9 several hours before the
9eeting comes off / am assured that the |
equisite number will be made up, but
hOuld they fail in this the whole trip will
e abandonea, 1he boys will have r0yaI
imae me 4 they do go, and hope they may
Mechanics No. 4 Fire Company will
cave for Brunswick on next Wednesday
lOrning, to take part in the festivities Of
he week. They have been to Brunswick |
efore, and know exactly Waat awaits
hem. A number Pc Ataconites will go
own to attte4A the. fair during the week.
AHf pleasure-seekers are contemplating
heir usual trip to the coast, Some are