Greene County GaArchives News.....A Seedy Subject.  The Resignation of Dr. Janes September 24 1879
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Denise Murphy denisemurphy13@msn.com October 27, 2004, 8:47 pm

The Daily Constitution, Atlanta, GA
The Daily Constitution, Atlanta, GA., September 24, 1879
A Seedy Subject.  The Resignation of Dr. Janes.
The Events Around the Capital Yesterday—The Effect of Dr. Jane’s Resignation—
Appointment of Mr. Henderson as Commissioner—A New Deal, etc.

In the present season of investigations, impeachments, resignations and 
appointments, it is difficult to distinguish one day as being remarkable over 
another.  It may be said for yesterday, however, that it was a day of quieter 
events than usual, if not less important ones.  There was the usual stir and 
flurry around the capitol, but it was as much from curiosity as from the 
transpiring of any important movements.  

The principal topic of the morning was the RESIGNATION OF DR. JANES, which, 
after his card of Sunday morning, appeared to take every one with some 
surprise.  The idea had grown out of it that the doctor intended to fight the 
investigation and his opponents and yield only when defeat was inevitable, but 
his resignation was peremptory as it was sudden.  By some it was regarded as 
an unconditional surrender and by others as a very proper and considerate step 
to be taken under all the surroundings.  We present herewith the text of the 
letter which was sent to the governor by Dr. Janes:

	To His Excellency Alfred H. Colquitt, Governor of Georgia: I have been 
reliably informed that the opposition to the department of agriculture, and 
the demand for its abolition, which has found expression in various forms, is, 
to a large extent, based upon personal opposition to myself, and believing, as 
I do, that such opposition will not only impair my usefulness as the head of 
the department, but seriously endanger its existence; believing, too, that the 
abolition of the department at this time would be a calamity to the farmers of 
Georgia and the best interests of the state, I am not willing, even seemingly, 
to be an obstacle to the advancement of these interests.  Notwithstanding my 
convictions that I have faithfully discharged my duties to the best of my 
skill and ability, in a work so new, without example or precedent, errors of 
judgment and mistakes in the exercise of a very wide discretion may have been 
committed.

In view of these facts, I have concluded that it is my duty to resign my 
position.

I therefore respectfully tender my resignation; absolutely and unqualifiedly, 
of the office of commissioner of agriculture, to take effect at such time as 
you may signify your acceptance of the same.
					Thomas P. Janes

Yesterday the governor signified to Dr. Janes his acceptance of the 
resignation, while regretting the circumstances which had operated to induce 
it.  The governor at once prepared to fill the vacancy by the selection of THE 
NEW COMMISSIONER.  

We have heard of only two persons who were urged for the appointment.  These 
were Colonel J. S. Newman and Colonel John T. Henderson, of Covington.  
Colonel Newman has been for a long time one of the subordinates in the 
department and a most useful person in the conduct of its affairs.  On account 
of his knowledge of the affairs of the bureau and its practical operations, he 
was strongly urged as a most suitable person to carry forward the work.  A 
large number of signatures were appended to a petition to the governor in his 
favor, but without avail.

The appointment was given to Colonel John T. Henderson, of Covington, Newton 
county, who was backed by very strong endorsements and a large personal 
influence.  Colonel Henderson, we believe, was an applicant upon a former 
occasion, and at that time his acceptability to a very large body of the 
people was shown by the full and hearty endorsements extended to him in all 
parts of the state.  His appointment is deemed a happy one, as he is a 
gentleman of fine intelligence, well versed in agricultural affairs and fully 
able to administer the bureau to the very best advantage for the people.

A Rumored New Deal.  Colonel Henderson was in the city yesterday, but was 
called home on the late train, being under subpoena to attend the superior 
court of Newton county to-day as a witness.  He will return at his earliest 
convenience and assume the duties of his new position.  It was stated last 
night that when he does assume charge of the department he will organize its 
internal affairs upon an entirely new basis, and make a clear sweep of the 
present force.  He understands the purposes for which the bureau was 
established, and it is said to be his purpose to so reorganize it as to make 
it a thoroughly practical and beneficial institution to the farming interests 
of the state.  It was also rumored that one or more of the present force would 
take their conge at the pleasure of Commissioner Henderson; these being 
Messrs. Newman, James and Howell C. Jackson.  Whatever changes may occur will 
hardly be long delayed.

Something Explanatory.  Our reporter in an article on state house affairs 
yesterday mentioned that Mr. J. Henly Smith was investigating the books of the 
commissioner of agriculture for the investigating committee.  In a letter 
addressed to us by Mr. Smith, he informs us that while Dr. Janes had 
discharged him from the department some time ago, he has “not at any time 
cherished ill-will or vindictiveness towards the doctor on account of it.”  
Mr. Smith says he was requested to make the examination of the books by the 
committee and he has not been “instrumental, directly or indirectly, in 
bringing it (the investigation) about.”  Says he, in the closing paragraph of 
his letter: “Perhaps it is but natural for some persons to suppose I would 
enjoy Dr. Janes’s humiliation, or that I would give my testimony with selfish 
motives.  If any have thought so, I beg to assure them that they have greatly 
mistaken my motives, and do not know me well.”  Nothing in our allusion to Mr. 
Smith’s work could have carried with it any such inference or understanding.

Will Resign To-Day.  The gossip at the corridors and the hotels last evening 
was to the effect that Captain Nelms, principal keeper, would send in his 
resignation of that office to the governor this morning.  A reporter of The 
Constitution was unable to come up with Captain Nelms in the evening and 
ascertain the correctness of this statement, but in well-informed circles it 
was taken for granted.  Captain Nelms has many warm advocates who do think it 
is incumbent upon him to resign his place, because they claim tha he has 
complete justification for this course, but others say that the personal 
relations between Captain Nelms and Governor Colquitt are of so cordial and 
friendly a nature that the former is unwilling to have the latter in anywise 
embarrassed because of the present embroglio.  Should Captain Nelms resign to-
day it is probable that a successor will be at once appointed, but no man can 
speculate as to who that person will be.

The Renfroe Case.  Yesterday morning the house of representatives, in 
committee of the whole house, repaired to the bar of the senate, and there 
exhibited its articles of impeachment  against John W. Renfroe, treasurer.

Manager Albert H. Cox, who occupies by priority of election the post of 
chairman of the board of managers, arose in the senate, and in his precise and 
measured tones announced that the managers were ready to prefer their 
accusations.

Manager Reese Crawford, of Muscogee, thereupon read to the senate the articles 
heretofore summarized in these columns.

President Lester stated that the senate would take order in the premises and 
notify the house of its actions, and thereupon the house withdrew from the 
senate.

The senate then adopted a resolution that the senate try the case on Thursday 
next, which is to-morrow, or take such further order as may be necessary.

Yesterday afternoon Assistant Secretary Cabanise served Treasurer Renfroe with 
a copy of the articles and summons to appear on the day named.  He also 
notified Chief Justice Warner to be present to organize and preside over the 
High Court of Impeachment in said case.

It is all a matter of speculation yet as to what direction the case will 
take.  Opinions differ upon this matter.  Some persons are certain that the 
court will not last two days, while others think it will take ten days or more 
to try the case, always provided the treasurer makes up his mind to resist the 
articles and introduce testimony.  The rules for the conduct of the trial have 
been already adopted and are the same as those in the Goldsmith case, with 
some slight changes.

The only appointment yet made by the new comptroller-general Mr. Wright is the 
re-appointment of Colonel Bob Hardeman as general bookkeeper.

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