Piney Woods planter. (Liberty, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1838-1840, 1839-01-19

- .'eH~as " 49, 49,
al acts Of James Philips, and tho a.
mount Of money found in the chest at
the time VI his death. A copy Of said
communication 10 herewith transmitted.
no direct reply has been received. An
evasive reply, by an individual who ]
conceived was making an improper use
Of the money, and had no legal right to
its control, was rendered and returned
to him. The amount, retained for a
period gilmore that three months, was
fifteen or twenty thousand dollars, a
portiol Of which was paid over to the
present Treasurer last month. He re-
ports to me that he cannot ascertain
the true situation Of the late Treasu-
rer's books. An investigation Of the
whole matter will enable you to ascer-
tain the exact situation Of all the ac-
counts Of the deceased Treasurer. Ad-
ditional legislation may be found ne
cessary--it would be proper to require
all the papers, effects and money in the
Treasurcr's Office to be sealed up at
the dccease OF the incumbent, and to
be delivered over to his successor as
soon as appointed. Suitable penalties
may be found necessary to prevent an
improper use Of the State funds in
such cases.
All the Lots in the City Of Jackson,
belonging to the State, have been sold
those excepted, reserved for public
purposes and for the health, ornament
and convenience Of the city. The
late sales amounted to the sum Of one
hundred and seventy-eight thousand
nine hundred and one dollars, payable
in one, two and three years. This
Gum, lift could be made available,
would be sufficient to finish the State
House and improve the adjacent
grounds.
Large appropriations will be requi-
red to finish the Penitentiary--provide
tools for the conyicts, materials to keep
them probably employed, and pay fer
the superintendent. With a sound
currency the price Of labor and matcri-
ais will be greatly diminished.
In pursuance Of the authority vested
in the Executive, by Law, / transfer
red to the Mississippi Union Bank
twenty-five thousand one hundred and
Nix dollars and 6fty-two cents OF the
notes, payable in one year, taken in
payment Of Lots sold in the city of
Jackson in November, 1888. The nett
proceeds Of said notes. amounting to
he sum Of twenty-threc thousand four
Iundrcd and scventy-three dollars and
Eighteen cents, has been paid over to
he Treasurer. The accounts of sales
{ the Lots sold on the 2lst and 9end
+ November, 1888, is herewith trans
lifted. 1t will show that they broug't
fair price, and that the sale could not
ave taken place at q more favorable
eriod. The lien reserved upon them
II. together with the personal security,
viii casure the payment Of the purch-
Ise money.
The Capitol, although not finished,
. so far advanced as to afford accom-
to the Legislature, and the
,arious public officers. The building
las progressed very slowly the past
year, and it is believed that the expen.
iiturcs have been unusually extrava-
CANT. A rigid scrutiny into all the
contracts and accounts Of the officers,
charged with the erection ofthe State
House and Penitentiary, is necessary.
It will enable you to ascertain what
further Legislation May be required, in
order to ensure the speedy completion
Of the Public Buildings, on reasonable
terms.
The Resolution in relation to the
Revenue Of this State, approved May
10th, 1887, will engage your early at
reasons for its passage
have in great measure ceased, and
the paper Of those banks that have
failed to resume cannot, any longer, be
taken with safety. Should the resolu-
lion continue in force, the paper Of
banks, alone, will be paid in-
10 the Treasury, by the Tax collectors,
and it cannot be used in payment Of
he charges on the Treasury. sug-
gest the propriety Of authorizing the
institution Of suits on all the notes in
the Treasury, on Banks which do not
redeem their issues in specie. If the
'alaries ofthe public officers are consi-
Tered to be TOO high, they should be re.
iuccd, but it Is gross injustice to pay
he creditors Of the State in funds so
much deprecated as the notes Of sever
II of our incorporated Banks.
The Slate debt now amounts to the
ium of S382,335,30, deposited by the
General Government, and which is liza
bic. at any time, to be rccalled-two
Millions Of dollars in six per cent.