Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1855-01-04

If the State is set apart for the support Of
schools. | respectfully recommend that,
instead Of setting apart portion Of the
revenues, the law be so amended as TO col !
ect like amount for the benefit Of schools
by a special tax. | do not think it advisa-
bic 10 reduce or enlarge the taxes; but that
The portion now set apart be collected as
school tax. This amendment would be more
satisfactory TO the people, and tend to en-
hance their solicitude in the cause Of educa-
ton. There is another defect in the opera
ton of the law which, it seems to me should |
be remeded. The whole fund is now dis
tributed among about one-third of the coun-
ties of the State, leaving the other two
thirds without any encouragement to pro-
mote education. l call your attention TO this
practical injustice, and trust you will apply
an appropriate corrective.
The Agents Of the State, appointed to
select, in the several counties, the Swamp
Lands granted by the act Of Congress of the
28th OF September, 1850, reported to the
Surveyor General 3,l4O,S56 acres. Upon
a comparison with the field notes, and re-
ports Of special agents deputed by him, that
officer struck out 3S7,SS5 acres of these
selections, and reported the remaining g.
765 81 acres to the Commissioner OF the
General Land Office as, in his Judgment,
Swamp Lands within the purvieu Of the
act. At subsequent period, he was au-
thorised to receive additional lists, and to
disregard the field notes, if the State au-
thorities produced sufficient evidence. In
der these instructions he has reported. as
Swamp Land an additional quantity Of 49,
$50 acres. With the exception Of few in
stances of conflict with private entries,
am assured that the land thus reported will
be patented to the State. The President
and directors of the Hannibal and ST. Jo-
seph Railroad Company, not having been
able to obtain the full quantity of vacant
land granted in aid of the work, within the
bounds prescribed by Congress, instituted
proceeding before the Surveyor General, to
contest the right Of the State to large
amount of land reported as Swamp Land.
This proceeding has resulted in the reclama-
ton Of &c, $50 acres on the part Of the road.
So soon as the patents are isSued-and
trust that the Commissioner will avoid de-
lay-thc title, under our legislation, will be
perfected to the counties in which those
lands lie.
The Law requires the Executive to invest
the moneys arising from the sale of Saline
Lands, in such stocks rs, in his opinion, are
safe and productive. Not being able to find
a proper investment, and the session Of the
General Assembly being at hand, | have
deemed it more prudent to permit the mo-
ne~s 10 remain in the Treasury, and call your
attention to the fact, that you may take such
further measures for their disposal as may.
in your judgment be appropriate.
At the last session Of the General Assem-
bly, The sum of 81 600 per annum for five
years, was appropriated in aid Of State
Agricultural Fair. This appropriation has
had an excellent effect, in causing the intro
/ duction Of superior stock, and exciting ON
citizens to emulation in the productive bust.
ness of stock raising. recommend L con.
/ tinuance Of this encouragement.
Nothing can be moro falIacious than tn,
idea which designing men attempt to proPa.
| gate, whenever q proposition is made to in.
crease the salaries of public officers, tina
such measure is an 2ristocratic one. TIL,
very reverse Of this idea is correct. II pub
/ lie officers are not adequately compensated
for their services, the rich only can ente
the public service. The poor, whose sym
/ pathies are mere likely 10 be with the mas
ses Of The people, and who, from their as
s0ciatiOns, are more apt to be corniZant 0
/ their wants and interests, are excluded b,
/ their necessities. l am no advocate Of eX
trsvagant salaries They would result il
the same evils produced BY extreme parsi
mony. There is just medium, which ma.
be and should be observed, They shout!
be high enough to afford l2ir compensate,
lcr the services eXacted and operate as %
induoemeut 10 those who are best qualified t
fill public stations, irrespective Of indiTidu
al fortune. My own experience has laugh
me that the salary of the Executive bears 4
proportion 10 the duties and responsibilities
resting upon him; and observation has con
WINGED me that nearly all our public officer
are inadequately compensated. This is es
pecially true in reference to the Judicial De
partment. / cannot under the constitution
receive any benefit by change Of the law
but sense of duty impels ne 10 recommen
that the salary of the Governor shall be in
creased to at least the sum of $4,000 pc
anDum, and that the salaries OF other Off
, GERS shall be increased TO fair living com
pepsation for the services performed.
After mature delibcraton and consu,ta
ton with those most likely to be well in
r formed upon the suciect, | have conclude
to recommend to you The consolidation of tb
Supreme Court at Jefferson City. The pre-
sent organization of the duties of that i'm
portant tribunal tends, in my opinion, to III
increase of useless and unjust litigation
the consumption of much valuable time, an
the introduction Of confusion into It's record
and proceedings. This State has purchase
a good library for lis use, and if it be net u
extensive as is desirable, It will be bette
economy to enlarge it than to continue III
present system. Many other reasons migl
be given for this recommendation, but the
will readily suggest themselves upon reilec
r ton, and l need not comment at large upo
them.
The act providing for the election an
=. prescribing the duties Of the Public Printe