Southern standard., 1852-01-17

prison, and the employment of the convicts vii
not only be more profitable to the State, but from
the nature of the employment, they will cease tt
compete with the honest and Woodworking me
chanie, who diligently abors for the support of {
family, and who is everywhere estimated as being
amongst the most useful members of society,"
The highly intelligent gentleman, who for foul
years past, has had the superintendent of the
State prison, has labored unceasingly not only tc
employ the convict labor III a way to promote the
best interest of the State, but to provide, by al
possible means, for the health and security of the
prisoners, and for as much of personal comfort as
was compatible with their situation. The true
object of prison discipline is the reformation of the
convict, and to treat him with humanity ; to give
him such moral and religious instruction as his
situation affords, and to make him feel that, al
though degraded by conviction, he is still man,
with hopes that reach beyond the term of his inn
prisonment and is believed to be policy not only
dictated by humanity, but one which springs from
due regard to the best interests of society.
By an act of the Legislature, passed on the 10Th
February, 1850, the Governor was authorized
and required to purchase a block of stone, of apt
and suitable dimensions, for the Washington Ma
tional Monument to be suitably inscribed, and
presented in the name of the State to the National
Monument Society.
This duty has been promptly and cheerfully per-
formed by my predecessors. The stone has been
prepared and forwarded in the name of the State
to the President of the Society with the following
engraved upon it, in deep Roman letters "The
State of Mississippi to the Father of his Country,
a. d. 1851" and also the Coat of Arms and
Great Seal of the State. Thus has the State of
Mississippi, beside her sister States of the Confed-
eracy, contributed to rear a monument to the mem
ory of George Washington.
In pursuance of the resolution passed 5th day
of March, 1850, my predecessor, Governor Quit
man, appointed Peter G. Washington, Esq, an
agent, on behalf Of the State, to adjust with the
proper department any amount of the 2 and 3per
cent. funds that might be found to be due to this
State. Said agent, has, AS yet, furnished no re-
port of his action in the premises. Whenever the
same shall be received, it will be promptly COM
municated to the Legislature
From the Report of the State Commissioner, ac-
this communication, you will learn
the condition. of the Sinking Fund, and such other
matters as have been placed under his charge, by
virtue of the laws heretofore passed on this sub
iect
By the act of 4th of March, 1916, it was made
the duty of the Secretary of State to have prepar
ed and furnished to the several Clerks of Probate
Of this State ga uniform standard of weights and
so soon as practicable, according to
the provisions of an act of Congress, establishing
a uniform standard of weights and measures for
the United States. This duty has not been per-
formed as will appear by the report of the Secre-
tary upon that subject, herewith transmitted, in
ofno appropriation having been made
to enable him to do so. |, therefore, recommend
to the Legislature the propriety of making an APP
preparation in order to carry into effect the act
ferred to.
The Report of the same officer upon the subject
Of the Chickasaw school lands exhibits the num-
Der Of acres confirmed to the State in lieu of the
sixteenth sections, the number of acres disposed
of, and the sums of money realized therefor. |
am not apprised that any further legislation is ne
cessary upon this subject unless it be to reduce
the minimum price of the land, SO as to afford
reasonable expectation that it will be disposed of
within few years, and the proceeds be made
available for the purposes intended.
| deem it proper to call your attention to an act
passed 9th Of March, 1850, authorizing the Judg-
es of the High Court of Errors and Appeals to
meet annually, on the Sd Monday in June, in the
town of Oxford, to receive written, and to hear
oral argument of causes, and fixing their compen-
sation for such service at $500 per annum. | have
been informed that in consequence of the non at
tendance of the members of the Bar, no such
court has been held as the one contemplated by
the act and, as it has wholly failed to accom-
plish the purposes for which it was intended, |
would recommend its repeal.
In connexon with this subject, it is proper to
state that on the 1st day of October last, the Hon.
William L. Sharkey, who has so long and so ably
the duties of Chief Justice of the State
and fearing that there might be fail
ure in the December Term of the Court, in con
sequence of the non-attendance of one of the
Judges, l appointed Colin S. Tarpley, Esq, as
one of the Judges of that Court, to act until the
successor of Judge Sharkey should be elected and
qualified. The appointment was accepted by Col.
Tarpley, at my solicitation, and upon the express
that he was to be relieved from the
duties of the Office at, as early a.day as practca
bic. After remaining upon the Bench until the
Court adjourned to the first Monday in January,
he resigned upon the ground that the object of the
appointment had been accomplished by the hold
ing of the Court, and he was unwilling to remain
in office and receive the salary without being
able to render any equivalent therefor in the
way of public service.
The writ of election has been issued to fill the
vacancy, and the election ordered to take place on
the 9th day of the present month.
On the 23d day of September last, the Hon.
Jefferson Davis resigned his seat as one of the
Senators in Congress from this State, and the Hon.
John j. McRae has been appointed to serve in his
place, until the meeting of the Legislature, and
the election of some one to fill the residue of the
term to which Col. Davis was elected.
Mr.. McRae, Immediately after his appointment,
repaired to Washington, where he is now engaged
in the performance of his duties, as one of the
Senators from this State
The Report ofthe Commissioners ofthe Southern
Railroad has not yet been received when it shall