Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-11-30


his end invite your attention TO the subject,
and respectfully recommend memorial to
congress proposing the donation by the general
government Of the whole, or such part Of those
lands, as may be proper, to the counties in
which they are situated upon condition that
these counties will undertake TO drain the lands
thus donated. Snch measure would greatly
increase the value Of the adjacen, public lands.
facilitate the intercourse between the citizens
of that region Of the state, afford fund where
by these swamps may be drained, and render
healthy country capable Of supporting a
dense population.
The last legislature passed memorial TO
congress on the subject Of providing for he de
fence OF the western frontier of our state, by
furnishing mounted dragons as the most eff
cient force that could be employed against the
Indians on our border. | congratulate you on
he fact that, at the last session OF congress an
act was passed 10 remount the Cd regt. Of dra-
goOns, whose services will be the means of
affordlDg protection to those who live on our
western line.
There has been repeated legislation on the
subject Of ascertainng the actual strength and
condition Of the militia Of this state, in order
that the adjntant general might report the
correct number 10 The proper authority oil the
general government, and our state be there.
by entitled to its full share Of the public arms
1t is believed that all the Legislation, heretofore
had on this subject, has most signaly failed,
and that great loss has been sustained by the
state annually in consequence. The exposed
situation Of Missouri, liable TO attack at any
moment, from the Indians located on our from
tier, renders II very important that some mea-
sures be adopted that would enable the state 10
receive its full quota Of arms.
In consequence Of The imperfect organization
of The militia al this time, no certain reliance
can be placed on the reports made by the few
officers now in commission. | suggest to the
General Assembly the propriety oil passing an
act requiring the assessor of zach county,
when he is engaged in listing the taxable pro-
perty, to write down the name OF each person
subject 10 militia duty IN his county, and TO re~
port the number thus found TO the brig. gen
in whose brigade the county may be situated,
and that the brigadiers gen. should consolidate
the reports thus made TO them, and return the
aggregate Of the brigade 10 the adjuant gen
10 be by him reported as the true strength Of
the militia of this state. The names of the
entire militia Of each county Of the stale, being
thus obtained, speedy organization could be
effected al any time.
In order 10 enforce q strict compliance with
the duties thus imposed on the assessor, the
county court should not be allowed 10 audit The
accounts Of this officer, until he he'd produced
satisfactory evidence Of his having complied
with the provisions Of the law in this respect.
entertain no doubt but that this plan would
produce closer approximation to the true
strength OF the militia Of the Stale than any
other that has hitherto been adopted, and that the
additional labor that would be imposed on the
Assessors, would not be found 10 add very mate.
rally to the expense Of ascertaning the amount
Of taxable property in the State, and bear but
very small proportion OF the increased amount Of
arms that would be thus procured.
By an act OF the last General Assembly ap-
proved on the sixteenth day of January 1643,
the number OF the circuit courts, to be held in
duced from three in each year 10 two and among
other provisions il was enacted in the third sec
lion: "That, in all suits brought in the circuit
courts and the St. Louis court Of common pleas
in this State, issues shall be made up as now
provided by the act entitled AN act to regulate
the practice at law approved, 18th March,
1885, and after the issues shall have been made
up, the suits shall stand continued, until the Sc.
cond term, when they shall be tried unless con.
tnued for good cause 1t is believed that no Sc.
rious objection exists 10 the reduction OF the mum.
Der Of the terms Of the circuit courts in each
county, but the delay that is occasioned in the
collection Of debts, by virtue Of the third sec.
ton OF the law, as quoted above, is rightly con.
sidered by many, as manifestly unlu in its ope.
ration on creditors. In addition to this consider
alton, may not such An unnecessary delay in the
collection of debts be regarded as an inducement
to many to sue, who, under other circumstances,
would not resort 10 this course 10 secure their de-
mands?
Believing that much evil results from the ope-
ration Of the third section Of the above recited
act, and also from the fourth section OF the same,
by which the same rule is applied to Justices
courts, | accordingly recommend their repeal.
The Constitution OF the State makes it the
duty OF the General Assembly, at the expiration
Of every period Of ten years, to revise, digest and
promugale call the statute laws"of general ma.
lure both civil and criminal"
In furlherance OF this constitutional provision,
the last General Assembly passed an act to pro.
vide for revising and digesting the laws OF this
State, and appointed William B. Napton, Henry
S. Geyer and William Scott, commissioners for
that purpose, who were required 10 prepare a re.
vision OF the laws and submit the same to the
present General Assembly. Mr. Geyer declining
to accept, the late Executive appointed James
w. Morrow in his place. The commissioners
will, no doubt, at an early day, lay before you
the result OF their labors.
It is needless 10 press upon you the deep i'm.
portance OF this subject, and the necessity OF 81.
wing TO the report submitted TO you, a fair and
deliberate examination. The stability Of prop.
erty, individual liberty and indeed the general
prosperity and happiness Of the people Of oar