The Yazoo City Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 183?-1840, 1840-01-17
GOVERNORS MEsSAGE
Gentlemen Of The Senate and

Gentlemen Of the Senate ana
| House Of Representatives.:
The general health of our citizens was un-
usually good during the pastyear. The pro-
ducts of our fertile soil were never more a.
bundant. Hereafter we will be dependent
on our sister States for but small portion Of
the necessaries of life. We have enjoyed
the blessings of peace both at home and
abroad. The laws have been generally ex-
ecuted without difficulty, and acts of lawless
violence are not so numerous as heretofore
Our devout thanks are due to an all Wise
Providence for the many blessings we have
enjoyed. It is nevertheless true, that great
distress still exists; an immense mass OF
property has been sacrificed, and many OF
our citizens have been forced to abandon
the State. The price of cotton has been G.
duced to near half the value it bore twelve
months since, and an immediate rise in either
our domestic or foreign markets, is not an
ticlpated. The early period at which the
last crop has gone forwa-d-the forced sales
of the previous crop held by monopolists,
who could hold on no longer, combined
with the disastrous results of the second sus-
pension OF specie payments by many of the
banks in the Union, have contributed to put
down the price of our great staple much
lower, than the quantity produced could
have effected. At the present reduced price,
many articles can be manufactured at pro-
fit, which could not, when the raw material
was high. The growing of cotton in regions
uncongenial to its production, will be dis
continued until the price again advances;
for at present prices, 1t can only be cultiVat-
ed to advantage on our richest lands, in the
heart of the cotton region. We may, there
fore. calculate upon an increased consump-
ton and a diminished production; and at
no distant day, prices will again advance to
such an extent, as to afford TO the planter a
large profit on his labor.
The climate and soil of our State, is bet
ter adapted to the growth of cotton than
that of any State in the Union. Fully nine
tenths of our best cotton land, is vet wild
and uncultvated, and must soon attract the
of those now growing cotton in
less favored regions. The sale of this waste
land, would greatly aid us in liquidating the |
large debts we have improvidently contract |
ed, and indulge the hope, that the period
is not far distant, when the people will again
become prosperous and the State restored to
her proper station in character and credit.
Much depends upon the action of the pre-
sent Legislature; too much reliance has here
tOtore been placed upon the action OF the
measures of financial relief adopted by our
selves. 1t affords me much pleasure to
meet with a new Legislature, fresh from
the people; many of you have not participa-
ted in our previous Legislation, and we all
come here pledged to aid in reforming a
buses, which can be tolerated no longer
The existing evils are deep rooted; bold
and decisive measures are necessary to eradi-
cate them. The greatest good of the great.
est number, and the permanent welfare of
The whole State should be consulted, rather
than the interest of the feW.-The relief Of
one portion of our fellow citizens, should
not be attempted, when detrimental to a
more numerous class, who have been less
reckless in their operations, and have higher
claims to our sympathies.
The Revised Constitution has been in ex-
stence for a period of more than seven
years, and has fully answered the expecta-
ions of the people. 1t is based upon the broad
principle of equal rights and equal privileges;
in it's fullest extent, the Capa-
oility of the people for self government. An $
amendment was submitted to the considera- 1
ion Of the people by the Legislature in the
year 1888, proposing the repeal Of that por- {
ion of our fundamental law, relative to the !
Introduction of slaves into this State as mer-
,handize. The proposed change was not
adopted. Another amendment was proposed
It the last session, comforting upon the Leg
the power of giving to the Circuit
Courts of each county equity jurisdicton.--l
Not one-senth of the electors of the State, {
accorded their votes in favor of the proposed
change or against it. These repeated fail {
lres to alter the Constitution, conclusvely {
,roVe, that no change is desired by the I
great mass of the people. 1t is true, that &
he National and State elections usually abb ;
IOrb every other question, and that great
majority of the people have hereto failed to
ecord their votes either for or against the
proposed changes, and it is very doubtful (
whether a majority of those voting for menu c
1ers of the Legislature, can ever be induced {
o vote on amendments, proposed IN pur- I
;uance of the provisions of our Organic Law. a
I am of opinion that Convention will not +
)e called for many years to change the Con- :
titution. The people are we'll aware, that =
Innovations do not always prove salutary,
md although defects are admitted to exist, :
hey are not of sufficient magnitude to war
ant us in going into Convention for the 9
purpose of correcting them. Many of the t
wills arising out Of our present system have r
,een caused by our culpable negligence in c
the laws ~ oo " SoAAV1AAi - t4AO C
of the Constitution. deem it :
ny duty to call your special attention to the +
,arious sections which require your consid- !;
ration.
In most Of the acts Incorporating our CT
les and towns, Executive, Legislative, and
Judicial powers, are blended in the Mayors
md Presidents Of Selectmen. This is clear i
' in contravention of the second article Of /
he Constitution Il may well be questioned
whether the benefits arising from the incor- :
,oration Of many of our towns, compensate ;
he people for the heavy burthen imposed :
Ipon them, by the additional taxation re- t
uired to support the municipal govern r
nents. NoIaw has passed, providing safh- !,
Iiently for contesting the elections OF mem {
,ers Of the Legislature. Nor have laws !