The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-14
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Of the Senate
and House Of Renresentntinoa

ana House Of Representatives.:
During the past year an unusual degree Of
health has been enjoyed by the people of ev-
lery portion OF the State, with the execution
toi single city. An average crop of Cotton
and Corn has rewarded the toll of the Hus-
oandman. A rigid system of economy has
every where prevailed-but few debts have
been contracted, while many have been ex-
tlngulshed. Scarcely any suits have been
instituted In our courts. We have enioyed
the lnestlmabe blessings OF peace at home
and abroad; and the population and wealth
OF the State has steadily increased. For these
manifold blessings, we are indebted 70 the
experimenting care of an Au-Wise Provi-
dence.
In my last annual message, I candidIy
avowed my conviction, that adjourned ses
slons OF the Legislature were not in accord
ance with the spirit OF our Constitution-tbat
the expenses attendant thereon. had imoov-
erished our State Treasury, and, that improv-
ldent Legislation might well be apprehended
from them. These sentiments were con-
demned by portion of the Legislature then
assembled; but tlatter myselfthat thew have
been highly approved by the people Of the
State. The published acts of 1871. DO not
contain the legislative will. About dozen
laws were passed during the session which
were in effect repealed by the approval of
the Revenue Bill at the close of the session.
Among the laws thus repealed, NAV be emu
msrated: First, the act exempting the Chick.
asaw reservations from taxation. until FIVE
years after the approval of the sale by the
Presidents of the United States: Second, the
act forbidding Tax Collectors to advertise
their sales in public gazette: Third, That
portion OF the funding act forbidding the re-
ceptlon for taxes, of the Auditors Paw War.
rants, issued previous to the first day of JAM
uary, l84l, and numerous special acts for
the relief of Tax Collectors, and the punish
ment of detaulters. The result has been that
different acts are regarded in various coun-
ties OF the State, and continual appeals are
made to the Executive TO ascertain which
istatutes are 20 be respected. The High Court
OF Errors and Appeals has decided that the
Chlckasaw Treaty vested fee simpLe title in
the Indians to the reservations allowed them
/ 6y that treaty, and that the approval by the
PRESIDENT, OF the sale of such lands by the
Indians, was a condition subsequent. and
merely intended to secure to the Indians a
fair compensation for their lands. The Court
also decided that the assignee of an Indian
! could recover by an electment suit, lands
sold before the approval of the sale by the
President. A period OF near nine wears has
elapsed since the ratification of the Chicka.
saw Treaty, and justice surely requires that
all the Chichasaw reservations should be
taxed. If no taxes are imposed on those
lands until the President approves the sale,
they may be forever exempt. The present
owners of the land could Withhold asking his
consent for any period they may choose. A
large portion of the finest lands in the Chick
asaw Purchase, are held by non-residen,s.
who ask high price for them, and will not
sell until forced by the imposition of taxes.
They are generally uncultvated, and, if
thrown into market at fair price, would
soon be occupied By an industrious people.
able and ready to assist in advancing the
wealth, population and resources Of the
State. The hardy pioneer who cuts his way
in the painless forest and erects his humble
dwelling, has to bear the burthen Of opening
roads and building bridges. His labor brings
the land of the Spectator into notice and
lenhances it's value. The property of the lat
ter should contribute to the Improvements
which add so much to its value. Public
policy demands that suitable measures be
taken to bring speedily into cultivation all
the lands held by persons who do not intend
ito cultivate them.
The Revenue Law requires the Assessors
of each county in the State to give bond in
the penal sum of ten thousand dollars. In a
large majority of the counties this penalty is
too great, and may prevent the office being
filled. A bond in the penalty of half the
amount, of the Tax Collectors, would be am.
ply sufficient. The Assessors and Collectors
in four counties resigned their Offices las,
year, and assessment rolls have not been re.
turned from those counties. 1t would be
proper to clothe the Executive with power
to fill vacancies in the offices of Assessors
and Collectors of Taxes, in cases where the
people fail or refuse to elect them.
In former messages | have called the at
tention ofthe Legislature to various measures
which deemed necessary, in order that ouI
statutes may be made to conform to, and car
Try out, the provisions of the Revised Consti
tuition of the State. deem it unnecessar,
to repeat those suggestions, trusting that the
will vet commend themselves to YOUR favor
: able consideration.
} The twelfth section of the seventh articl,
} of the Constitution provides that-"It shall
be the duty of the Legislature to regulate
& IbY law, the cases in which deductions sbal
be made from salaries of public Offices, 70
neglect of duty in their official capacity. an,
the amount of such deduction" This salu
+ tary Injunction, although repeatedly recon-
lmended to your favorable consideration. IA
always been disregarded. Those who neelec
+ their official duties have no claims on n,
public Treasury. The duties of many Of an
tofficers are FOR long periods of time narforr,