Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1840-01-11

}. s'Ni shat Vi city SlatS IN the OniOH.-
Fully nine TENNIS of orr best cotton land
. IS yet wild and uncuItivafed, and rnss
soon attract the attention of those nov
growing cotton IN less favored regions
The sale Of this waste land, would great
y aid US IN iiquidating the large debts W.
, have improyidently contracted, and in
dalge the hope, that the pc Rod is not fal
distant, when the people will again be
come prosperous, and the State restored
TO her proper station in character and
credit
Much depends upon the action of the
present Legislature; too much reliance
has heretofore been placed upon the ac-
ton of the Federal Government. and
temporary measures of financial relief
adopted by ourselves. 1t affords me
much pleasure to meet with a new Legis-
| iature, fresh from the people; many Of
you have not participated in our previous
Legislation, and we all come here pledg-
ed to aid in reforming abuses, which can
be tolerated no longer. The existing e.
wills are deep rooted bold and decisive
measures are necessary to eradicate
them. The greatest good to the greatest
number, and the permanent welfare of
| the whole State should be consulted, ra-
Their than the interest of a few. The
relief of one portion of our fellow citi-
zens, should not be attempted, when de-
trimental to moro numerous class, who
have been less reckless in their opera
tons, and have higher claims on our
sympathies.
The revised constitution has been in
existence for period Of more than Sc
ven years, and has fully answered the
expectations of the people. 1t is based |
upon the broad principle of equal rights
and equal privileges; and recognizes in
its fullest extent, the capability of the
people for self government. An amend
ment was submitted to the consideration
of the people by the Legislature, in the
year 1888, proposing the repeal of that
portion of our fundamental law, relating
to the introduction of slaves into this State
as merchandise. The proposed change :
was not adopted. Another amendment !
was proposed at the last session confer $
ring upon the Legislature, the power Of {
giving to the Circuit Courts of each coun- e
y equity jurisdiction. Not one tenth Of c
he electors of the State, recorded their t
yotes in favor of the proposed change or O
lgainst it. These repeated failures to n
liter the constitution, concusively prove, Ii
hat no change is desired by the great p
mass of the people. 1t is true, that the Il
National and State elections usually abb e.
orb every other question, and that a a
reat majority of the people have here a
olore failed TO record their votes either V,
'r or against the proposed changes, and Pl
is very doubtful whether a majority of OF
lose voting for members of the Legis- al
ture can ever be induced to vote on a ar
endments, proposed in pursuance CT the ga
of our Organic Law. ar
| am of opinion that a Convention will ga
ot be called for many years to change fCt
e Constitution. The people are well ne
ware, that innovations do not always !
owe salutary, and although defects are co
limited 10 exist, they are not of suffi- nj;
ent magnitude, TO warrant US in going
TO Convention for the purpose ofcor- of
citing them. Many Of the evils arising in,
t of our present system have been CO.
used by our cul pable negligence in NJ,
pudding the laws 50 as to conform to the yo
questions of the Constitution. ! deem diff
my duty to call your special attention Co
the various sections which require me
ur consideration. pu
In most of the acts Incorporating our hel
les and towns, Executive, Legislative. mil
d Judicial powers, are blended in the hol
iyors and Presidents of Selectmen. ten
lis is clearly in contravention of the a 81
,ond article of the Constitution. 1t cy,
y well be questioned whether the ben the
8 arising from the Incorporation of for,
ny of our towns, compensate the peo- for
for the heavy burhen imposed upon mes
hryt no a11 al inv
support the municipal governments- feet
law has been passed, providing suffi- of I
ntly for contesting the elections of rinI
mbers of the Legislature Nor have by
IS been enacted, providing for contest ran
the elections Of any of our Execu- who
or Judicial officers. except those of Jur
vernon, Sheriff's and Justices of the new
zee. Several cases of ilegality in Wit
Quoting the late general election, as Won
| as of fraud on The part of the Re- 1t N
ling Officers at the several precincts, ditto
e come under my notice, and no pow for
is found in our Statute Books, TO cor |
the evil. submit TO your conside- the
on, the proprietv OF remodeling the to Ia
lie of our election laws, and of inser- feet
such new provisions, as will effectu- Hea
preserve the purity of the elective the
lCHiSe. he power SnOuiu De taken new
a the Sheriff of appointing Retur- fees
, Officer, when he is a candidate for worl
lection, and every person who is brin
lidate for any Office, should be dis offic'
flied from acting as Inspector of an rnair
ton or conducting the same. At pre- ties
the Sheriffs are required to forward cord
returns of the general election, to senti
Secretary of State, within fifteen The
J. The law does not prescribe in the /
manner they should be forwarded. cal
days from the commencement of clerk
election would be sufficient TO enable negl,
Returning Officer TO make up and for singl
his returns. | submit TO your con- his |
-ation. the propriety of appointing cords
ard of Canvassers for each county. memo
ell as Central Board to Canvass the
5otes polled for State officers. Some clerk
Ter Legislation is necessary in rela- State
10 the appointment of Clerk of the
rior Court of Chancery. No pro- law,
n is made in the Constitution, for speci