Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-03

privileges Of free born tnFlshnlch. put no
negroes were 30 be introduced. OgIethorie
therefore established the first absolutely free
colony in the world. Only the traffic In rum
WAS prohibited
But the advantages which the planters on
the South Carolina side OF the river derived
from the institution Of slavery, in course uf
time. caused this interdlct to be removed
from GeJrgia, IN thc prohibition OF the
franc IN rum wac also shOrt-lNet.
The colony WAS added Go, amt waterway
improved by those brave BaVarianr, the SaiZ-
burgers, who lied from Europe 20 escape re
llgious persecution. A number OF the r de-
sceudants, especially in the county Of Filing
ham. whore first they raised their "Eben-
ezer,' are now among the most useful and
valuable citizens of the State They were
Also reinforced by a number Of Scotch High
lauders anu a few HuguenOts.
OF course the C%OlOnists had serious troubles,
cOnspiracics and cabals, az we'll as skirmishcs
with adjacent Indians. But the genius and
sIngleuess OF purpose OF Oglethorpe and the
good cOunsels OF those trained in his school,
were equal 10 every emergency, and the pro-
ere5s OF The colony was healthful and cOntln-
uous.
FORMER CAPITOLs OF GEORGIA.
Passing over the rule of the royal Govern
ors. which period presents no features on
formation of the first constitution OF Georgia,
which took place during the revolutionary
war. The first capitol and seat OF government
was in savannah, and was removed 10 Au-
gusta when the former city fell into the hands
of the British. As soon rs the eNlgcncles OF
war permitted the capitol was removed BACK
10 savannah, and the Legislature held lt5 res
sions Tor some time in an Old sllk warehouse
known IN later days az the "Fllature."
once, Whllc IN Augusta, that Guy also Iell
into the hands Of the enemy, ana the seat OF
government was, Tor a snort Time, removed 10
Heard's Fort. now known as Washington.
In 1895 Louisville was made the Capital OF
Inc state, but enjoyed That distinction ohiy
for the period Of nine years. It was az Louis
ElIle Ihai lne scenes c9nnecIed WIN the cgIe-
DRAFTED ~ azOo traud' were enacted Inc
grand domain possessed by the state OF 6eor-
gla outside OF It's present limits. extending 70
the MIsslssippl river, had attracted Tue cupid
ity OF spectators and adventurers; VINO pro
cured the passage OF an Act. by the LeglsIa-
lure, Transferring IL 10 a company Iof mercy
no~Hilnal sum. Ihenlt was tnal General James
Jackson, thAt herolc ana phJrlotlc son Oh
georgia, resigned ms seat ID inc Onltel states
senate, came 10 nj nome II NaVH1nah 10 pc
cecltu % thc ieEls4dture or Tue otatt' anu
pFpcufeu tbe repeAl 81 the INFAMOUS AcIi anu
iuo "e7lFuCtlpn pF uie' III front Oh Tue N"pityi,
~ every FecOFi cohHecteu WIN IT, hml0 inc
feJolclhg o. an lnlnehse multitude there as
sembled; .
u oay tnSo noi ~ - -
Der Of years. vas Milledgeyile. There most
Of the present statute law of Georgia was
enacted. and most of the ~politiCal chan e..
triumphs and defeats we're witnessed. Mil
edgeville is about the geographical centre OF
the state, and was made the Capital in 1905,
the Legislature holding its first session there
IN 1907. The State House was (aud still is) a
large and substantial structure Of brick, with
a central tower and cancellated walls-now
devoted to educational purposes, and the seat
of a prosperous college.
The change from Milledgeville TO Atlanta
was made during the reconstruction period.
after the war. by the Constitutional Conven-
ton of 1868. II was believed bv the Republi-
can party that the measure would win over
North Georgia. But the temptation failed TO
q.
said to the credit Of Atlanta, that the county
of Fulton spurned the attractive luducement,
and gave a handsome majority against the
adoption Of the constitution which contained
thus removal feature.
The old court house, until recently occupy
ing this very site, was at first used rs a state
house. Then an undpishpd opera house on
Marietta street was purchased. transformed
into its present shane and sold TO tho State.
In that most unsuitable building ali the de-
partment Of this government have until now
been required to perform their functions.
Not a day too soon the General Assembly of
Georgia. bv an act assented TO Sept 8, 1883,
provided for the erection Of the structure
whose coruer-stone is laid to-day,
popr, .~to~ - nnonr
~
As tins interesting event occurs a century
and a half after the landing Of the colony of a
llttle more than 100 souls on famacraw blum,
and one century after the establishment OF
American Independence, ana Just twenty
years after the close OF the greatest civil war
OF modern times let us glance at the progress
that has been made IN population and mate
rial development within that time.
In l't4 our population had increased to H.
O0O whites and $4,000 blacks. In 1870 II was
s2,5is in all. In 1900 it was 1852, l0l; $50, 252,
i23; 1870, 4~iO,esS; IN 1880, 5l6,s23; lS40, G9l 1892:
lssO, gOh,uOOi leoO, l~'O''.Oso; $40, Lisa, IOgi 1850,
t,5i2,lS $50. And il we can rely on n continue
ZION during this decade, of the percentage of
Increase, between 1870 and 1850, the pOpula-
ton OF Georgia to-day is over 100000.
Ihe census reports snow thAt there are 323,
s54 native Georgians residents in other States.
Taking this INTO 1%cc0unt, our Increase in pop
ulatton during the 1850 yearsis something mar
velous. In this increase Georgia leads all the
states OF the South except Texas. The con-
dltion OF that STATE Is abnormal, ana imml-
grafton Is aided in every conceivable way.
1t Is interesting 90 remark that during the
war decade our increase fell short by 100000
whites.
During the earlier years Of Georgia's his
tory 1t "a difficult to ascertain the amount and
character OF It's wealth and material resources,
as there was. no system then prevailing for
their ascertalnment. The figures OF several
past decades Will FURNISH interesting NORMA
ton.
In 1880 our taxable property was valued at
1885, O0O, 600, and IN 1860 had increased to 1912,
100000.
In the first census after the war, 1870, 1t was
reduced to S226, 600. OO2 on a greenback Yalua
tion. or SIS, 00O,o o in gold.
In 1880 IL was S25l ,O0OD o..
In 1851 was fSlI,OVl,OoO.
The terrible ~shrlnkAge between 1850 and
1870 was caused ~ the losses of the war aud
the emanclpauon OF the slaves.