The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-08-03
GOVERNOR TUCKER AND THE sECRE,
TARY OF U. S. TREASURY.

GOVERNOR TUCKER AND THE sECRE>
TARY OF U. S. TREASURY.
1fsny degree Of absurdty or political profit
gacy from Governor Tucker could surprise US,
we should have been no little astonished at the
position, which he assumes in regard to the pay.
ment Of al442l4S3 BY the u S. Treasurer to
Graves on account Of the State Of Mississippi,
and the Recommendation, which he makes TO the
Legislature, 10 Repudiate the whole transaction
and require the payment Of The money a second
time from The General Government. OF all
persons, with the exception Of our late Repudis
ating Treasurer Graves, such a course upon
this subject, and such a recommendation, come
with the worst grace from Governor Tucker.
Really we pity the man on account Of the false
position, in which he is plured. Nature has
bestowed upon him very narrow and eircum-
scribed powers Of perception, and even these, as
limited as they are, have been rendered sill
more obscure and confused by his party con-
neeiion. In Ibis personal relations, Governor
Tucker is generally disposed to act correctly
and according to the best lights, which he can
obtain upon a subject; but when he mergos tho
individual in the Partizan he seems at once to
lose all moral discrimination, and to think il the
duty Of citizen to promote his political views,
at the expense Of every virtue. Witness his
late call Of the Legislature at a most unseasonS
able period Of the year and at an enormous ex-
pense to the State; then refer tolhis message,
and see whether there is Recommendation con-
tanned in it Of any measure requiring such an
extraordinary course on the part Of the execu-
tive. In the first sentence Of this profound doc
ument he says "In consequence Of DEFICITS IN
the act creating the Vice Chsnbery Court and
H. ys.Assr IS rs-rss @H1 @asqs=ta - insvro
the collection Of the revenue and the safe keep
ing Of the public funds, l have been reluctantly
compelled to subject you to the trouble Of ssems
bling before the regular period OfyOur meeting
The act creating the Vice Chancory Court
was passed since the election ofGoye. nor Tuck
sr, and received his signature; and the defects
we're apparent on IFS face and ought to have
been suggested at that time, 81 as to have re-
ceived immediate correction. But as tho vision
Of the Governor had not then had sufficient
aiming his new position TO be PFaetsed 10 such
nice discrimination Of Constitutional questions
as it has subsequently attained he did not dis
cover the defects at the time; but we would ask
any rational man il be can see why this eOrrec-
ton could not have been postponed without Ell
Their injury or even Inconvenience 70 the State
until the regular period for the legislature 10 as
semble7 Nor has the other induosme Mt,
which be mentions, for converting the legisia-
ture suPervened since lie last session, but might
then, as well as now, have been perceived and
pointed out "a a subject Of legislative action.
This ill-timed call Of the legislature cannot re.
store the money to theTreasuFy, which has been
stolen from it nor make honest men Of knavef.
Il Is like mourning an enormous expense in ats
tempting to iasten the stable door after the hor-
ses have been stolen out. But the truth Is, ev,
cry body believes that there we're motives oper,
atine upon Governor Tucker much stronger
than those mentioned in his message for the
course, which he has thought proper to pursue
in eonvsning the legislatures and as we think il
probable that he has partially succeeded in his
object, in having his name pafaded as candid
ate for Congress, We will nos proceed 70 furnish
some facts 10 the public in regard 10 the means,
BY which Graves was enabled to obtain the mo-
nsy due the State Of Mississippi from the u S.
Treasury, that they may contrast Governor
fuckers agency in that transaction with his
present position in maintaining that the Gen.
erul Government is still liable for the money
which has once been paid to the officers Of this
State.
In The act Of The Legislature Of Mississippi
sceepting certain provisions Of law Of Congress
apPropriating the proceeds Of the sales Of the
public lands, which act was passed Fsb,y. gath
1912, and signed b. Governor Tucker, there is
this provision
tAnd the Treasurer. Of this State shall be,
and Is hereby authorised and required 10 draw
on the Treasurer Of the United states for said
fund Che two per cent? &c in the opinion Of the
Governor Of this State, and on bis requisition,
shall be required to carry the provisions Of this
act into effect, AND NO MORE"
We have referred to this clause oflhis act, in
the history Of this transaction, 10 shew the peeu-
liar re- triciiOns, which he Legislature desired
to place upon the use Of thIs fund Taken in
connection with the act Of Congress nslhing is
more obvious than that it was the object Of dis
provision that this fund should not be consider
ed q part Ofthe General Treasury Of The State
but as peculiar fund designed for particular
purposes and requiring express enaetmenis Of
the legislature % be brought into the hands Of
the State Treasurer. And 50 particularly was
the desire manifested in the act b. the legisla~
turs 70 preserve This fund entire, and 10 dislin-
guish il from the general treasury Of tho Stale,
that provision was incorporated in this act