Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-09-01
ADDRESS
OF THE HON. THO'S. j. WORD,
To the People of Mississippi.

Gu the result Of Inc Aprll eleclloil, sc
out on the business confded me, anC
reached the seat Government about thu
last of May. My colleague and myself
claimed and obtained our seats under the
NOVEMBER ELECTION. We viewed the
April election as illegal, 2nd one which
ought not to have been ordered. We hac
so declared ourselves at home; and by de-
handing our admission under the Novem
Der Election, we have, as far as that &C,
goes, sustained the right of the State to
fix Whe times, places, and manner Of hold
ing elections" But as farther vindica-
tion Of the rights, dignity, and ldpS of the
State, my colleague, a few days after our
admission to our seats, introduced series
of resolutions, setting forth in clear and
bold manner, the rights Of the State, the
dangerous innovation upon the Constitu-
ton, by the action ofthe House on the Mis-
sissippi election, and reading the resolu-
ton of the 9th Of February last, by which
your representatives were rejected, and
the State DISTINGUISHED. But the late Pc
riod Of the session and multiplicity of
business prevented any action on these
resolutions at, this session. 1t is hoped,
however, that they will receive considera-
ton at the next session, and that repara-
tion will be made, in some degree, for the
injury inflicted upon the State.
The first vote had the honor to record,
as one Of your Representatives, was given
in favor of repeating the SPECIE CIRCULAR.
That impolitic order was repealed by a
large majority; and in future, no discrimi-
nation can legally be made in the kind of
money received for dues TO The Govern
ment.
A bill passed, granting prescriptions to
settlers. 1t provides for each settler who
resided on the public lands TO which the
Indian titles have been extnguished) four
months preceding the passage Of the law.
1t reserves from sale or entry, sufficient
quantity of uncultivated public lands to
satisfy the Ualid Choctaw claims: but &C.
cures their homes to settlers who have
cultivated, and who are in possession OF
the land. This measure received my
warmest support; and as soon as the bill
passed transmitted several copies of the
law to the editors of newspapers in vari-
Gus parts Of the State for publication.
A bill to quiet and confirm the titles Of
lands, purchased under the pre-. emption
of 1884, passed the Senate, but was lost in
the House. This is truly to be regretted.
The bill asked nothing but what Congress
ought to have granted. II provided a
gainst all conflicting claims. The entries
were made with the appreciation of the re-
gisters and receivers, who acted under in
structions from the President, directing the
manner in which the law should be exc
cuted. The government has received full
pay for the lands, and it is fragrant in
Justice to withhold the titles.
In the course pursued towards Misss-
sippi, insult is frequently added to injury.
The Government sometimes appoints in'
competent officers to execute the laws in our
State, and then sends insolvent agents to
examine the conduct of those officers In
proof of this position, read the following
extract Of a letter, dated at Columbus,
Miss, 18th June, 1897: "The account of
the receiver which have made out and
transmit herewith, presents against him a
balance of $55,972 10; tits also annexed.
His assets, of which also send you list,
amount to $61, 594 SO, rating the land at
81 IS, only, but might probably realize
double the amount. The man seems real
ly penitent; and am inclined to think in
common with his friends, that he is honest,
and has been led away from his duty, by
the example Of his predecessor, and GER
tain loosenesS in the code Of morality which
here does not moce in so limited circle as
it does pith as at home. Anotber receiuer
toould propa6ly folloto in the footsteps Of
The t,Uo You aOiH not therefore be surpri.
sed if recommend his being retained in
reference to another appointment, for he
has his hands full non, and ,OitL not be DIS
posed to speculate any more" Is it not an
insult to the people Of Mississippi to say
that their code Of morality is SO loose, that
none can bc found amongst them who
would not follow in the footsteps Of de-
faulung specializing receiver? Is it not
an insult to American people to retain in
office an agent who will thus SANDER the
whole people Of sovereign State? The
above is an extract from the letter Of a Mr..
V. M. Garesche, who is still, as under
stand, in the service Of the Government.
The letter was communicated to Congress
by the Secretary of the Treasury, and is
fled with the archives Of the nation. It