Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-01-23
NO. IL.
,ature. 232 90
Disburs'd on
$e4l 10
All Of which is respectfully submitted,
J. s. CURTIS,
State Treasurer.

much dittldence, respectfully S'aie, 'ha'
there being no account Of Bills payable or
Bills receivable kept in this office, am at
loss TO determine the precise amount OF
liabilities ofthe State, and her means OF
paving the same, save that OF her revenue
vet to be collected, with the deprecated
bank paper set out in report herewith:
The statutes, however, having provided
that my annual report to your honorable
BODY, should be accompanied with such
recommendations as may seem in my
Judgment, fit and proper TO enable you TO
provide a revenue sufficient for all the
purposes of Government, has induced me
carefully to examine the revenue laws Of
our own, with number Of the older States
to enable me the better to perform this
important duty.
The first thing that seems 10 present
itself for your consideration is the glaring
fact, we'll known without the additional
proof of our annual reports, tina. the large
disbursements on account Of State Capitol,
Penitenti4ry, &c, have greatly exceeded
the income of the State; and, taking in
connection the large amount of deprecated
bank paper, the State in her lenity, has
received in payment of her dues, which
paper she has been unable to use in llqui-
dation Of claims against her: all conspire
10 have left the State greatly embarrassed
for means to pay the ordinary expenses Of
the Government; TO obviate which, without
doing violence TO the feelings and interests
of the people, and TO moderate and equi.
table system Of revenue, should be your
chief aim: the great sensbility Of feeling
that pervades the minds of The people Of
the State, on the subject Of taxation, is one
that deserves your serious attention.
| am pursuaded, however, that this
Jealousy does not arise so much from the
fear ola burthen, or an indisposilion TO pay
an amount sufficient for all the purposes
of Government, as from a consciousness
that there is grand prelude or stepping
stone to the measure.
| The fact OF the Indebtedness ofthe State,
and her total inability TO pay, makes an
increase ofhe: revenue obvious to all: then
first satisfy the people of your entire dis
position to mete out to them Justice and
equity, by dispensing with the extra SEES
sion Of the Legislature; abolish all Offices
not actually indispensable, rigidIy dis
pense the public printing; and such is nv
confidence in the people Of The State OF
which | am proud to be a citizen, asst for
bid that should indulge the thought that
they will hesitate, for moment, to contri-
butte to the support OF the, Government to
the full extent Of her requirements. And
to this end, you should raise, TO sumo ex-
tent, The taxes on all items now enumera,
ted, and bring in as new objects, that of
lawyers, physicians, gold watches, piano
fores, toll gates, ferries, bridges, theatres,
equestrian companies, natural curositles
and merchant boats trading on the Missis-
sIppi river; and holding the doctrine ga
cred, as | do, that publick servants, when
put in trust BY the people, are bound TO de.
vote their time and talents the interest Of
their constituents; and there being officers
OF the Stale whose Offices and services
could not be dispensed with, and YET whose
labors are not so arduous as to prevent
them from experimenting the amount Of
work now TO be completed on the public
buildings, aud TO see the property of the
State protected from innovations. without
additional charge to the State, it should be
made their duty to perform that trust.
am OF opininon that all bills payable
should be conntersigned and registered by
the Treasurer; and all bills receivable
should be registered by the Auditor. and
deposited with the Treasurer; and al,ho'
this would greatly increase the labors Of
the Treasurer, yet il would not more Than
ne could perform; and the satisfaction. ON
ms part, OF being able, at all times. at the
shortest notice, TO furnish correct informa.
I'on as to the Indebtedness Of the State
ana OF her means TO pay the same. and to
communicate to the Legislature the A.
mount OF increase or dominu,ion of the
revenue, as the case may be, that the state
OF the finances seem to Justify. would
more than compensate Gor the Increased
labors Of the office.
nave reasons to believe that there are
large amounts ofland in the State held by
"le'sners or non-residen,s, subject OF tax
auon' which is annually neglected for
want OF information on part Of The collec-
'ors, which could be brouph, into reouis,-
ION oy compelling such non.res,dents 10
'unlsh the Auditor of Pnblic Accounts.
on or before the frs, day Of January, in
eacn year, on oath, with lis, Of lands
nus he'd, the numbers OF the land. the
NUMBER OF acres in each tract, with the
va'ae m the satne, and ia what county
s"cn lands are situated, and the name Of
/ agents Tor the same. and the And;to, ~