Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-01-15
Gt1e southern araus,
eRAqB yB1anR@o
COLUMBUS, TUESDAY, JAN. Is, 1881


the State in plain and ineligible style; and,
as we always prefer plain and unembellished
statements of facts at all times, We award to
Gov. McNUTr praise, for, in this instance
suiting our taste in relation to communication
from the Governor to the governed; and,
without making any further remarks by way
of exordium, we merely review briefly its con-
tents. It is a matter of regret that it is inn
possible for us to publish the message entire
to-day, but it shall appear in our next num-
Der.
After the usual congratulations in reference
to the benign auspices under which the Legis-
lature convenes, &C., the Governor takes oc-
casion to speak of what is very important to
every member of the community, namely, the
condition of our Schools and Colleges. He is
much in favor of extending education to the
remotest hamlet, and of rearing Seminaries of
learning throughout the length and breadth of
our State. He states that the school funl of
our State now amounts to 1914, 146, and
suggests that common schools be established
in every township having a sufficient number
of scholars to authorize the employment of a
teacher. He urges the immediate establish
ment of an University, and suggests the APP
pointment of Regents to control the same,
somewhat, we presume, after the plan adopted
by the State of New York, which, in our opin-
ion, is good one. He also recommends a
Gooloo;col .,,,,,o,y cf thu State 1,,h;ch =, -,
pOrtant in developing the mineral resources of
the State. On the subject of Internal I'm
provements his ideas are good; and we hope
the Legislature viii heed his suggestions He
proposes number of improvements, which
are worthy the action of the Legislature one
of the most important is the clearing oIt of
our navigable streams their numberless i'm
pediments to constant navigation. Heregrets
that our Constitution prevents the employment
of the riches and credit of the State towards
the commencement of extensive works ofinter-
nal Improvement, and calls the attention of the
Legislature and the Peoplo to the propriety of
amending the Constitution, so that the credit
of the State may be used in aid of works of
this kind This suggestion is an excellent
one, and we hope our Legislature viii take
acton upon it. The several Rail Road Banks,
with only two exceptions, the Governor as
serts, have procured their charters only with
view of Banking, never once presumng to un-
dertake the erection of Rail Roads. He says
they received their charters with the express
condition, that by granting them Banking pri-
vilges, they were to carry into effect the i'm
provements in the State by the building of
Rail Roads, as mentioned in their several
charters, and in their failure to comply, their
charters are annuIled, as we understand that
part of the message. Heis clearly of opinion
that Companies with Banking privileges for the
purposes of Internal Improvement should not
be incorporated; as the State, by wise and
wholesome Legislation, could establish and
carry out systems of Internal Improvement
with more effect and better results than Banks.
He agrees with ue, in the little article we pub
llshed last week, on the subject of wide dis
| semInatioa of the laws of the State, and our
remarks then made, embody the essence oftbe
Governors. Pray's Code, as simplifed and
presented to the Legislature some time since,
ne advises the adoption Of and thinks the
volume of that work viii give to the State
a just and excellent Criminal Code. Respect
ing the correctness of the views of the Co
Verior on thissubject we cannot speak er ca
ttedrG, and leave it for our legal friends to pass
judgement The information given relative
to the near completion of the new State Pri-
son, is pleasing to all who are in favor of the
punishmentof crime. The Governor speaks
vigorously against gamblers, and advises the
passage of a law allowing District Attorneys
tax fee, for the more sure prosecution and
punishment of that class of "protessional
gentlemen.''
The message informs us that the defalca-
ton of John H. Mallory is S54,O79,96, by
which it appears that the State Of Mississippl.
as well as the United States is doomed to suf-
fer by taOO-legged- The Go
vernon advises that tmbezzlement of the pub.
lie money be made felony by law, and punished
as such, which, in our opinion, is a rood suo-
gestion. As it regards the military laws. the
Governor thinks them in successful operation.
and deprecates any alteration in them until
they are fairly tried. The State expenditure
are more than the State income, and It viii
become necessary to retrench expenditures or
authorize general tax. The debt Of the
State is asfollows