Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-01-17
c0vERNoR,s MESSAGE.
FeHO.s citizens Of he Seaais,
and House Of Rsprsscad,irss

such officer. 10 recommend 10 The consideration
Of the Legislature, such measures as may deem
necessary aud expedent. Aud, in the perform
ance of that Duly desire to call your attention Ia
The hrsl place, 10 the propuety OF passing an act,
referring 10 the people change IN The organic
law, SO as to preren,,in future, an iulrrregnum 10
/ the executive department, of the State. On the
Bad day of February 1881. one of my predc,
ces>ofs (Gev. Quilman,) from motives highly
honorable 10 himself and a. hr conceived from a
proper regard 10 what was due To the honor Il dig
nifty Of a sovereign State. resigned The office Of
Chief Magistrate. The duties Fl that station de-
volyed upon the Hon. j. | Guion, by virtue Of his
office as President of the Senate. But et the
general election on the Sd aud 1 b days Of No.
vemher last, his senatorial tenn expired, and
with il, as consequence, tie executive office
with which ne had been invested; and from that
time until the Senate was convened, by virtue Of
thr proclamation Of the Secretary of State, and
President elected BY that body. there was no
one authorized to exercise the unc,ions ct Chief
Magistrate. am not aware Of any serious Diet
riment 10 tho public service having occurred IN
this particular instance, more than the delay IN
issuing commissions, aud approving the lnnd- OF
the various officers elected BY the people, but
when il IS remembered that upon the Executive
devolves, the duty Of taking care that The laws be
faithfully executed. that he is invested in certain
cases with power to grant reprieves and pardons,
to remit fines and stay the collection Of inirr
lures That he is tile keeper OF the great seal Of
the State, with power 10 issue commissions, and
[ bill vacancies, the necessity Of so providing by an
amendment 10 the constitution, that the office
shall never become vacant, will readily occur to
any ono. lwould therefore suggest the prop,e,
" Of passing a law, recommending TO the Pro,
pie at The next general election, a change in the
Constitution, providing that the President Of the
Senate or the Speaker Of the House Of Repre-.
sen'aves, when they should lie invested with
the executive office, according 10 the Cons itu-
ton, should hold and exercise the dues Of The
same until the Governor. elected By the people,
should be regularly installed; or, it il should be
considered more adyIsable 10 provide for the
election Of a Lieutenant Governor, TO exercise
the duties Of President Of the Senate. and TO acI
as Governor of the State, when by death. re.
moval or resignation that office should become
vacant. In connection with this subject
herewith transmit, 70 The Legislature, a Report
from the Secretary OF State upon this subject
! herewith submit TO the Legislature u Re,
port Of the Auditor Of Public Accounts, giving
full and highly satisfactory statements Of the
condition Of the finances of the State. From
this report, il will he seen, that the sums collec
ted and paid into the Treasury during The fiscal
year 1850, amounted TO the sun Of S42i 1913,
%; and The sums collected and paid in The year
1881, amounted 10 the sum Of 1921 .20a2l;
and that there has during these periods, bee
dishursed in obedience to law, the sum 0f
$5l9,570,63, leaving il the Treasury on the
Illh day Of December, 1851, balance amour,
ting tc,he sum Of $685., 0i0ss; subject 10 such
appropriations as may be ordered by Legislative
enactment. For details respectfully refer you
10 the Report ofthe Auditor Of Public Accounts.
Owing 10 severe family affection. the late
Treasurer has not finished his b enuial rerar
When received BY this department, which is
expected in a few days, il viii DO communicated
10 the legislature.
have no allela 10 suggest in relation 10
The laws heretofore passed in relation 10 the col.
lection Of The Public Revenue. The officers
charged with the performance Of these duties,
so far as has been made known 10 the executive
department. have performed them with as much
skill and efficacy, as at airy former period; and
the condition Of the public treasury gives the
most gratifying assurance Of tie ability and in,
irgtity With which The financial department Of
the State Government has been managed.
By an act Of The Legislature, approved March
0. 1851, entitled ian act to promote common
schools in The several counties in This State"
the sum Of $200,000 was appropriated to be
distributed amongst the different counties in the
State, for the purposes and upon the conditions,
prescribed in The act
BY The 2nd section af the ACT, it was made
the duty Ot the assessors Of taxes in tho several
counties, 10 make an accurate enumeration Of
all the free white children in ther respective
counties, who were over siE, and under twenty
years of age; thar said enumeration should be
transmitted 10 the Auditor Of Public Accounts,
who should henupnn appotion the sum
amongst the different counties, according TO the
number If children entitled 10 schooling under
The provisions II said act In consequence Of
the enumeration moi having been furnished &C.
cotding 10 the provisions OF the % SECTION OF
the act, the Auditor Of Public Accounts has not
been enabled 70 appotIion the sum appropriated
By The Legislature as was Intended; and said
| sum Of money yet remains IN the Treasury, sub
jeci 10 be paid out whenever the enumeration
required BY The law, shall have been made; or
subject 10 such changes and notifications as the
Legislature may lhmk proper 10 make. BY the
9th section Of that act, il was provided that the
fund, when distributed 10 The several counties,
should be loaned out under the supervision Of
the Board If Police, or the School Commission.
ers Of said counties.
Experience has proven that public funds,
when loaned out in small sums, under the d.
rection Of pubic officers, have either been lost
or 80 endangered, that The delays and expenses
incident TO their collection have materially de-
preciaIed The fund. IN spite Of all The guards
thrown around it by public enactment, degree
Of iaynriiism viii exist, prompting thu agents to
accommodate friends. and those suffering most
for want Of money. improper induIgeDcips will
be given or insufficient. securities taken, and
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