Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-01-14

Without IhternlsSion or delay. In this |
way, multtudes of witnesses now detain |
ed at court from day to day, and finally
discharged at The costs of the State, might |
be left of in half the time, and The bnsi.
ness of the State be better, tecaus more
promptly attended to.
The census taken in 1915, n return Of
which is herewith transmitted, exhibit the |
Aggregate while population of the State at
24l ,69S. In apportioning The representa-
ton among The several CO mites. respect
fully suggest that the public interest may
be promoted by reducing the whole num-
Der of representatives considerably be-
low what it now is Such reduction will
lessen the expenses of the legislative de.
partment, and expedite the business, whilst
| 1t will not, am persuaded, dettact from
the wisdom of legislation, or impair, in
the least degree its adaptation TO the wants
Of the people. The Senate, though
smaller body than the House Of Repre-
sentatives, has always originated one half,
at least, OF the important business. lis
deliberations have been marked with as
much wisdom and courtesy as those of the
House, and its business despatched in
less time.
| estimate that the session may be
shortened by the proposed reduction one
fourth, which in a session of ordinary
length, will be fifteen days. The Legis-
lature, with its present number of men,
hers, sets at cost of about six hundred
dollars per day, or nine thousand liars
IN fifteen days, excluding appropriations
and printing. The pay of members alone,
is five hundred and forty dollars IA day.
If the number of members were reduced
one fourth, there would be -asing in this
item alone, of one hundred and thirty
collars per day, which, in session Of for
ty-fve days, approXimates SIX thousand
dollars. If he Legislature thinks with
me, that reducing the number of repre-
senta,lses will not impair the wisdom or
utility Of legislation, am sure they will
take pleasure in adopting my suggestions
as Il measure of economy.
When the people are heavily taxed,
they have right to expect proper and
economical use of the money; ynu will
always be ready, | am sure, 10 devise
means of your own, or TO carry ont the
suggestions of others in the fulfIment Of
these expectations.
Complaints have been made ;hat the
taxes IRE TOO high. Coming, as you do,
directly from the people, You are presum.
ed 10 know more of their opinions on his
III ject than do. Their will must be
obeyed The peope cannot be taxed a.
ga,nst their consent. hope they will not
| hr,r ttro ,ft bo
public credit. On this point defer to
their representatives., bat should lily dis
charge my duty TO them, if did not say
that the public credit is not in a condition
to he sustained under any sensible reduc-
ton in the aggregate amount Of the reve-
nue.. If the taxes are equnIlZed in
greater degree, so as 10 distribute more
Justly the burthens of taxation, and yet
not reduce the gross receipts into the
Treasury, will be greatly pleased; but |
should be sorry to witness any legislation
calculated 10 relapse the credit of the
State into that long and painful disorder
from which it is but just now recovering.
QUO wARRANTo.
The "quo warranto'' act of l843 has
been fruitful theme of controversy for
some time past. Whatever may be said of
that act, and the objects which it was in
tended to effect. it is undeniably true that
: the Legislature is under the strongest pos
sible obligation 10 the banks and their debt
; ors to pass such laws as will secure to
Them 6 right and justice" without ''deEiai
or DELAY" 1t is asserted that banking
corporation has forfeited its franchises, The
: question of forfeiture should be iudiciay
, inquired into; and it is the duty of the Lee
gisature so TO legslate, that the inquiry
NAV be had without delay, and without
pprpexites or expense TO either party,
other than such as may be necessary for
the full and fair administration of Justice.
; What is to be the effect of a forfeiture iu-
? dicially ascertained, as to the property of
O the corporation, or as to debts due to or
e from it, is a question properly referable TO
5 the judiciary, and with which the Legsa-
n ture and Executive have no concern.
. BANKS.
Unfortunately for the stability of our in
situations and the safety of society, poiii-
cal communities seldom profit by the expe-
rience of the past. The lessons which
/, were taught us during the banking mania
IN this State-the dsep and vital wounds
? which were inflicted on the morals and
good order of society, will be entirely for
/, gotten in the lapse of a few years. Whilst
! the recollection of these events are fresh
I in our minds, it will be as well if we make
, an enduring record of the hostility they
I, have engenderee to banks and banking
and to this end [ advise an amendment oil
the constitution, forever prohibiting the es-
Enlistment of banks in this State.
r STATE ARMs-MILITIA.