Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-01-21

pNttty Vi ttiS ClCCllfC IFd0CntScs i ne pow
er should be taken from the Sheriff Of APP.
pointing the Returning Officer, when he
IS q candidate for reelection, and every
person who is candidate for any Office,
should be disqualified from acting as in.
spector Of an election or conducting the
same. Atpresenl, the Sheriffs are requir-
ed to forward the returns of the general
election, 10 the Secretary Of State, within
fifteen days. The law does not prescribe
in what manner they should be forwarded.
Five days from the commencement of The
election would be sufficient to enable the
Returning Officer to make up and for
ward his returns. / submit to your con-
sideration, the propriety of appointing
board Of Canvassers for each county, as
we'll as Central Board to canvass the
votes nolled for State Officers. Some fur
Their Legislation is necessary in relation TO
the appointment Of Clerk of the Superior
Court Of Chancery. No provision is made
in the Constitution, for the appointment of
Clerk of the Court. The act, approved
December 25th, 1888, limits the tenure of
all Offices not otherwise provided for, to
four years. The act providing for the APP.
pointment of Clerk of the Chancery Court,
does not limit the tenure of his Office. An
act of lhe last session, divides the State
into three districts for holding the Superior
Court of Chancery, but makes no proyis-
ION for the appointment of Clerks in the
second and third districts. The safe keep.
ing of the records, and the despatch of the
public business, demand that provision
should be made for the appointment of a
Clerk ia each ofthose districts. | can see
no valid reason why the tenure of office Of
Clerk Of the Superior Court of Chancery
should be longer than those ofthe Circuit
and Probate Clerks.
The 18th section of the 7th article o.
the Constitution, makes it the duty of the
Legislature, TO regulate by law, the cases
in which deductions shall be made from
the salaries Of public officers, for negec
of duty in their official capacity, and thu
amount of each deduction. Farther &C
ton is required to carry into full effec
this requisItion.
The 10th section of the 7th article, pro
vldes that "The Legislature shall direc
by law, in what manner, and in what court
suits may be brought against the State. -
This would seem TO confer upon the LIE
gislatnre, the power of prescribing tina
such suits might be instituted in any of GU
Courts that may be designated by law
The act of May 18th, 1888, provided 70
the prosecution of such suits in the Super
or Court of Chancery, but the High Cour
Of Errors and Appeals, have determine
that a creditor Of the State cannot main
tain suit in the court designated by tn
Legislature. If on examination of the sui
ject, you find the High Court right in the
decision, further Legislation is indispensa
, BILE.
Extensive powers are vested in III
Boards Of County Police, and much ev
has resulted from their improvident actor
more especially at their numerous speci;
terms. Under the existing law, their res
ular sessions, are but twice in each yea
The public interest would be promoted, b
requiring four regular meetings of II
Board in each. No provision is made f
their first asscmblage, after each gener
, election. In many instances, they fail
appoint the inspectors of elections. I
obviate these difficulties, | suggest q
4 amendment ofthe law, reqviring the Boar
1 10 hold term on the second Mondays
. November. February, May and August
n each year. An early authorized organ
j cation of the Board, would thus be ensu
: cd, and ample time given to appoint il
# spectors Of the general election: 1t won
S be well, TO authorize the Board to fill "
: cancles in their own body, caused by deaf
;, resignation, removal, out OF, or failure
r reside in, their proper districts for the spa
: of thirty days. A fair expression of pu
i lie opinion, is rarely had in special ele
II tons for policemen. 1t is deserving
j. your serious consideration, whether Il
n power of filling vacancies, in many Of 4
le county Offices, should not be confided
5. the Board. The frequency of electio
Of are very burthensome on the people, callil
Of them continually from their usual avoc
'e tons; and causing the excitement of
n, canvass for office to be almost perpetu
= This fact more than all others, has tend
Ii TO make the universal election of all O
c. officers by the people, unpopular with N
n, nv of the citizens of the State. Rare
lie one half of the qualified electors ate
es special elections, and the popular will
= thus often disregarded. The 18th sect
a of the 5th article of the Constitution, pl
ne vides that "all vacancies not provided
te | in this Constitution, shall be filled N su
of manner as the Legislature may prescrib'
| presume, therefore, that it will not
i'll commended, that you are unauthorized
he make the change.
e, In nearly all of the counties, the varlo
u officers use all due diligence in Perfor
to ing their duty, and are supported in Il
Ie, course by the great mass Of the people.
On Ny duty, however, compels me to INFO
~ YOU that in some few Of the counties
s. different spirit prevails. Sherltfs ard U
lie ohers have resigned about the commen
to ment of the court, for the evident purpC
u ofpreventing the term being held, and IL
e. defeating the regular administration OF
oh laws. cherish the hope that this coul
has not been conntenanced by major
ur ofthe citizens Of a single county IN
re, State. Its tendency, has been in sol
he measure to sully the character OF
. State, and 10 drive foreign creditors to
e. Federal Court, for The collection OF tn
ay claims. | earnestly invoke your core
its cooperation in remedying the evil. i
Of Gamble effectualIv done, by impoweri
he the Judoe Of the Ctrcuit. 10 fill the vac